(From Findlay High School)

Findlay High School will be operating on a remote learning day on Tuesday, March 11th.

Juniors will be taking the state-sponsored ACT at FHS.

All other buildings within the district will maintain typical in-person learning this day.

– Students in grade 11 taking the state-sponsored ACT should arrive at school by 7:45am and report to their testing locations by 8:00am. Student testing locations have been posted outside of the FHS Counseling Office. Students received an email last week asking them to check for their testing location. Students taking the ACT on March 11th are excused from any remote learning assignments.

– Students in grades 9, 10, and 12 will participate in remote learning. Students are not expected to log-in at specific times, but are expected to complete any assignments shared by their teachers. Most teachers will be posting assignments via Google Classroom. They will also have hard copies of assignments available on Monday for students to take home if needed/requested.

– Students in grade 11 that opted out of the state-sponsored ACT are expected to participate in the remote learning day.

– Buses and the cafeteria will operate on a typical schedule for 11th grade students

(ONN) – Ohio is doing poorly when it comes to tobacco use prevention, according to the American Lung Association.

Ohio received an ‘F’ in prevention funding, tobacco taxes, and flavored tobacco products and a ‘C’ in access to care.

Lance Boucher of the American Lung Association talked about how far behind the organization believes Ohio is today.

(ONN) – Ohio lawmakers are trying to keep kids safer on the way to and from school.

The School Bus Safety Act is making its way through the Ohio Legislature.

Senate Bill 62 aims to crack down on drivers who pass a stopped school bus either loading or unloading children.

The punishment…a $300 fine.

The money would go to school districts to install cameras on buses to catch violators.

The cameras would capture your license plate numbers.

That information would go to local law enforcement which will decide whether you’ll get a fine.

(From Habitat for Humanity of Findlay-Hancock County)

Habitat for Humanity of Findlay/Hancock County’s Financial Opportunity Center (FOC) will host a Bridges Out of Poverty Workshop on Saturday, March 22 from 8:30 am to 3 pm at its offices at 1200 Commerce Parkway, Findlay.

Bridges Out of Poverty is a nationally recognized, comprehensive approach to understanding the dynamics that cause and perpetuate poverty in our community. While the workshop is free and open to the public, seating is limited to 50 participants. Anyone interested in elevating others in our community will benefit from this training.

“Bridges is one of those rare courses that can benefit all of us,” says Dustin Fuller, Manager of the Financial Opportunity Center. “It provides insights that continue to influence my work and strengthen my relationships with families each and every day, helping me to build empathy and awareness of the challenges faced by individuals in poverty, rather than placing blame.”

The workshop, co-sponsored by the Findlay/Hancock County Community Foundation, focuses on educating participants about the dynamics of poverty through the lens of economic class, all with the goal of developing strategies to help people move out of poverty.

During the session participants will receive materials, tools and resources to empower a community that strives to:

• alleviate and prevent poverty
• revitalize neighborhoods
• strengthen education and job skills
• encourage and support individuals to seek self-sufficiency
• reduce costs related to crime and poor health
• enhance economic development

To register, contact Kris Lowry at Habitat for Humanity at 419-429-1400 x6. Check-in begins at 8:00 and the workshop begins at 8:30.

(From the Navy Office of Community Outreach)

Petty Officer 3rd Class Gabriela Hailey, a native of Findlay, Ohio, serves aboard USS Abraham Lincoln, a U.S. Navy aircraft carrier operating out of San Diego, California.

Hailey graduated from Findlay High School in 2020.

The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy are similar to those found in Findlay.

“Two lessons I learned from my hometown were to always be accepting of others and to respect their opinions,” Hailey said. “In the Navy, there are people from all over the world and I have to be accepting of them so we can work together and accomplish our missions.”

Hailey joined the Navy four years ago. Today, Hailey serves as an aviation boatswain’s mate (handling).

“I joined the Navy because I had no idea what I wanted to do after I graduated high school,” Hailey said. “However, I always knew I wanted to see the world. So, when the Navy recruiters came to my school and told me about all the experiences they’ve had, I realized the Navy was exactly what I wanted to do for my life.”

Aircraft carriers are the centerpiece of America’s Naval forces. For more than 100 years, they have projected power, sustained sea control, bolstered deterrence, provided humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, and maintained enduring commitments worldwide.

According to Navy officials, aircraft carriers are versatile and have unique mission capabilities that make them a more strategic asset for the Navy than fixed-site bases. They are often the first response in a global crisis because of their ability to operate freely in international waters anywhere on the world’s oceans. In addition, no other weapon system can deploy and operate forward with a full-sized aircraft carrier’s speed, endurance, agility and combat capability of its air wing.

The U.S. Navy is celebrating its 250th birthday this year.

According to Navy officials, “America is a maritime nation and for 250 years, America’s Warfighting Navy has sailed the globe in defense of freedom.”

With 90% of global commerce traveling by sea and access to the internet relying on the security of undersea fiber optic cables, Navy officials continue to emphasize that the prosperity of the United States is directly linked to recruiting and retaining talented people from across the rich fabric of America.

Hailey has many opportunities to achieve accomplishments during military service.

“My proudest accomplishment in the Navy is being nominated for my department for Junior Sailor of the Quarter,” Hailey said. “I am proud of this because I worked hard for the last four years to earn all the qualifications I need. Even if I don’t win for the command, it is okay because I’m just glad my division acknowledged my hard work.”

Hailey serves a Navy that operates far forward, around the world and around the clock, promoting the nation’s prosperity and security.

“Serving in the Navy means that I am part of something bigger than myself and that I have a whole world of opportunities ahead of me,” Hailey said.

Hailey is grateful to others for helping make a Navy career possible. “I want to thank my family for supporting me in every way possible these last four years,” Hailey added.

(From the Fostoria Police Department)

On 03/05/2025, the Fostoria Police Department arrested Xavier M. Craddolph, 18 YOA; In connection with the shooting incident at 310 S. Poplar St in Fostoria that occurred on Sunday, February 23rd, 2025, at approximately 0430 hrs.

Through further investigation of the incident, Fostoria Police Detectives were able to determine that Mr. Craddolph brought the firearm to the location of the shooting, encouraging the actions of the shooter, and then later disposed of the weapon.

Mr. Craddolph has been charged with Complicity, ORC 2923.03(A)(1), a Felony of the Second Degree. Other charges are pending at this time, based on prosecutor review. Mr. Craddolph is currently being held in the Seneca County Jail.

Police Chief Gabe Wedge

Fostoria Police Department

(From the Ohio Department of Transportation)

We are currently accepting applications for our 2025 Paint-the-Plow contest.

We’ve already received several applications from area schools, but we’re looking for yours.

Applications will be accepted through March 14.

Learn more and download an application here: https://www.transportation.ohio.gov/…/odot-district-1…

(From Findlay City Schools Orchestra)

A huge congratulations to Isaac Weese for winning the Toledo Symphony Orchestra’s 2025 Young Artist Competition.

Isaac is a junior at Findlay High School.

He is co-concertmaster of the FHS Symphony Strings and a member of the Findlay String Factor.

He has participated in OMEA Northwest Regional Orchestra (and was concertmaster of the group this fall) and OMEA All-State Orchestra for three years.

As a winner of this competition, Isaac will have the honor of performing his selection–Mendelssohn Violin Concerto E Minor OP.64 – 3rd mov. – with the Toledo Symphony on March 15 @ 2 p.m. in the Toledo Museum of Art Peristyle.

You can get tickets to this event here: https://www.artstoledo.com/…/young-artist…/245/ 

(From the Hancock County Veterans Service Office)

The upcoming Veterans Empowerment Spring Fair for Veterans provides an opportunity for area veterans, and their families and friends, to learn about local resources, helpful organizations, and employment opportunities.

The event will be held on March 8 on the campus of Owens Community College from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. inside the Community Education & Wellness Center.

A range of resource organizations will have information booths with representatives available to tell visitors about their programs in areas ranging from wellness and finances to home/environment, growth, and life resources.

We will kick off the event with Coffee and Donuts from Fort Findlay. Our meal sponsor, Details Auto Spa, will be providing Lunch.

There will be a performance from Guitars for Vets – Findlay Chapter Band “A.W.O.L.”

The Veterans Empowerment Fair is open to the public. This free event is proudly sponsored by Rate, a Fremont-based mortgage and loan company with locations in Findlay. Rate is a trusted USO partner and VA loan expert.

For more information, visit hancockveterans.com or CALL 419-424-7036.

(From the Seneca County Drug Task Force)

On March 4, 2025, the Seneca County Drug Task Force – METRICH Enforcement Unit, along with additional Officers from the Fostoria Police Division, attempted to stop a vehicle occupied by William “Billy” North in the front passenger seat and driven by David Helms Jr. out of Findlay, OH for a traffic offense. The suspect’s vehicle led officers on a short pursuit before stopping in a nearby alley, at which time William North fled from the front passenger seat of the vehicle on foot. North was eventually located in a nearby residence and suspected crack cocaine was located in his coat pocket. Also, located in the passenger door of the vehicle was a large amount of suspected cocaine.

The investigation led to an application for a search warrant which was executed at 345 W Lytle St, Fostoria Motel, Rm 14, Fostoria, Seneca County, Ohio. The search warrant was signed by Judge Damon Alt, Seneca County Common Pleas Court, which led to the confiscation of additional criminal tools and two firearms. One of the firearms was found to be stolen out of Allen County.

Arrested was William R. North, 38 YOA, Fostoria, Ohio for Obstruction of Official Business. Additional charges of Weapons Under Disability, Criminal Tools, and Trafficking in Cocaine a Felony of the Second Degree are pending on William North upon conclusion of the entire investigation. Also charged was David L. Helms Jr., 39 YOA, Findlay, Ohio for Failure to comply with order or signal of Police Officer.

“The immediate apprehension by our Officers was instrumental to the success of this investigation. The Task Force was receiving a lot of drug intelligence on that specific location reporting suspected drug activity for some time. We will continue to utilize all of the resources we have available to pursue these individuals who continue to poison our city. Today’s search warrant on this location and the apprehension of the suspects involved send a clear message that this activity is not welcome in this community!” Chief Gabe Wedge, Fostoria Police Division said.

I would encourage citizens to continue reporting suspicious activity to their local agencies or the Seneca County Drug Task Force – METRICH Enforcement Unit Crime Hotline at Local 419-443-0463, ext: 1140