(From the Ohio State Highway Patrol)

The Norwalk Post is currently investigating a two-vehicle fatal crash that occurred on State Route 18 near County Road 5 in Loudon Township, Seneca County. The crash occurred at approximately 2:56 pm on June 18.

A 2009 white Ford Escape, driven by David A. Yates, age 61, of Tiffin was west on State Route 18. A 2024 blue Chevy Silverado, driven by Deanna R. Sleek, age 59, of Fostoria was east on State Route 18. Mr. Yates went left-of-center traveling completely into the eastbound lane, striking Mrs. Sleek head-on.

Mr. Yates was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash and was pronounced deceased at the scene.

Mrs. Sleek, who was wearing a seatbelt, sustained serious injuries and was transported to Mercy Health – St. Vincent Medical Center, where she is currently listed in stable condition. Her front seat passenger, Albert F. Sleek, age 52, of Fostoria, was also wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash. He sustained serious injuries and was taken to Mercy Health – Tiffin Hospital, where he is listed in stable condition.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol was assisted at the scene by the Seneca County Sheriff’s Office, Bascom Fire Department, Bascom EMS, Saint Vincent Life Flight, Seneca County Emergency Response, and John’s Welding and Towing.

The crash remains under investigation at this time.

The storms that rumbled through Wednesday night prompted a few tornado warnings in the area.

A little after 7 p.m. a tornado warning was issued for southern Hancock County and into Wyandot and Seneca Counties.

Our severe weather partners WTOL-11 reported that radar indicated rotation in a storm near Arlington and that prompted the tornado warning to be issued.

The tornado sirens also went off in Findlay as the storm blew through although Findlay was never under the tornado warning.

As the storms pushed eastward they prompted another tornado warning, this one for Seneca, Wyandot, and Crawford Counties.

WFIN contacted Hancock County Emergency Management after the storm had passed and they hadn’t heard of any actual tornado touchdowns. 

The powerful storms brought down some trees and knocked out power for some people.

A lot where some City of Findlay vehicles are parked on West Crawford Street behind the sheriff’s office sustained some serious damage from those storms that blew through. We’re told there was no other damage of this magnitude in the area and no one was injured when it happened.

Get the latest forecast and weather alerts by clicking here.

(From Blanchard Valley Health System)

Blanchard Valley Orthopedics & Sports Medicine, a division of Blanchard Valley Health System, now offers the nationally recognized “Own the Bone” program at four convenient locations throughout the region. Patients can now access the program in Findlay, Bluffton, Carey, and Ottawa.

“Own the Bone” is a specialized bone health initiative focused on preventing future fractures and improving long-term outcomes for patients who have experienced a fragility fracture, often caused by osteoporosis. The program provides coordinated care emphasizing education, prevention, and ongoing support to help patients reduce their risk of additional injuries and improve their overall bone health.

Through this program, patients receive a thorough evaluation following a fracture. The care team works closely with each individual to develop a personalized plan that may include lifestyle and nutritional guidance, physical activity recommendations, medication management, and regular follow-up. The program also ensures close collaboration between orthopedic specialists, primary care providers, and rehabilitation teams to deliver seamless, whole-person care.

Dr. Lucas McKean, an orthopedic surgeon at Blanchard Valley Orthopedics & Sports Medicine, emphasized this initiative’s value and his team’s dedication. “The ‘Own the Bone’ program gives us a proven way to treat fractures and prevent the next one. It’s about addressing the underlying cause and empowering patients with the tools they need to protect their bone health,” he said. “Our experienced team is committed to providing the highest quality care, and this program allows us to deliver a more complete, patient-centered approach.”

Other providers assisting in the program include Katie Fultz, PA-C, Breanna Laudick, PA-C, and Crystal Guyton, APRN-CNP.

Jenn Reese, director of musculoskeletal services at Blanchard Valley Health System, also highlighted how the program reflects the organization’s broader mission. “Offering ‘Own the Bone’ across our region aligns perfectly with our commitment to keeping our community healthy and active,” she said. “This program strengthens our ability to care for patients in a way that supports long-term health and independence, which is at the heart of everything we do at BVHS.”

Blanchard Valley Orthopedics & Sports Medicine is committed to providing exceptional care beyond treatment, helping patients actively maintain and improve their bone health. Offering the “Own the Bone” program across multiple locations reflects this commitment and brings vital preventive care closer to home for many residents in the region.

Patients interested in the “Own the Bone” program can schedule an appointment by calling 419.429.6473.

For more information about Blanchard Valley Orthopedics & Sports Medicine, visit www.bvhealthsystem.org

(From Tiffin Police Chief David Pauly)

Today, we gathered—family, friends, and fellow officers (current and retired) by his side—as Sergeant LaVerne “Vern” Keefe signed off the radio one last time. After more than 25 years of unwavering service to the Tiffin Police Department, Vern completed his final call, marking the end of an extraordinary career defined by quiet leadership, technical wizardry, and an unshakable sense of duty.

Vern took his oath on May 20, 2000, sworn in by then-Mayor Bernard Holman. From that day forward, he became a constant presence in this department—reliable, humble, and deeply respected. He never sought the spotlight, but his work spoke volumes. Whether patrolling our streets or navigating the maze of IT systems that keep us running, Vern always showed up with purpose and professionalism.

Promoted to Sergeant in 2011, Vern led with calm authority. He wasn’t the loudest in the room—but his voice always carried weight. He mentored with patience, handled pressure with poise, and earned the respect of those he supervised by simply living the values he expected from others.

And let’s be honest—many of us didn’t just go to Vern with questions about a call or a case. We went to him when our computer crashed, when printers staged a rebellion, or when a rogue spreadsheet refused to cooperate. Somehow, Vern always had the answer—or at least a cable, a workaround, and a grin that let us know it’d be okay.

His office? A controlled chaos only he could navigate. His role? Absolutely essential. His impact? Immeasurable.

Today’s final radio call wasn’t just the end of Vern’s shift. It was the closing of a remarkable chapter—one that will echo in every system he helped build, every officer he quietly guided, and every moment we realize just how much he held together behind the scenes.

Vern, thank you—for your more than 25 years of service, your calm leadership, and your dry humor that got us through some long days. You leave behind more than just a career—you leave a legacy.

Enjoy this next chapter—it’s sure to be a busy one. We have no doubt we’ll be seeing you around as you take on this new role, and we look forward to continuing to work alongside you in a different capacity for many years to come.

Oh—and maybe, just maybe—see if you can keep your next desk a little cleaner.

From all of us at the Tiffin Police Department: You are deeply appreciated, and you will be deeply missed.

Chief Pauly

UPDATE- The Severe Thunderstorm Watch has expired.

ORIGINAL STORY-

The National Weather Service has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Watch that includes Findlay and Hancock County.

The Severe Thunderstorm Watch goes until 10 p.m. Wednesday.

Forecasters say the primary hazards will be damaging wind gusts, large hail, and heavy rainfall but a few tornadoes are possible as well. 

Get the latest forecast and weather alerts by clicking here.

(From the Ohio Department of Transportation)

Hancock County: I-75/CR 99 nightly closures

June 18 – 21 nightly closures, 11 PM-5 AM, for bridge deck demolition

– CR 99 over I-75 will be closed

– CR 99 at I-75 northbound ramps closed

I-75 northbound traffic maintained up and over on the CR 99 entrance and exit ramps.

I-75 NB/CR99 Detour: U.S. 224 to Bright Rd to SR 12 to CR 236 to CR 212, back to CR 99

Work is expected to switch to southbound side June 23-26.

(From the University of Findlay)

Area residents are invited to a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the University of Findlay at 12:30 p.m., Friday, June 20, to celebrate the new pickleball courts on campus.

The courts are located at 201 College Street, in front of the College of Business/Center for Student Life building.

The pickleball courts were established this spring through a generous gift from Eric and Julie Anderson of AR Marketing in Findlay. An adjacent pavilion with shaded seating also was constructed through a grant from the Findlay Hancock County Community Foundation.

“We appreciate this generous support from the Andersons and the Community Foundation enhancing the recreational opportunities on campus, and creating another venue for students to interact with community members,” said Ken McIntyre, vice president of University advancement.

The ceremony will take place in between bracket play of the Oil Can Classic, a two-day pickleball tournament, on June 20 and 21, that UF is hosting and is sponsored by AR Marketing and Visit Findlay.

“We are ready to serve up some fun for the entire community,” said Lee Ann Ireland, director of UF’s Wolfe Center for Alumni, Parents, and Friends. “We invite all UF alumni, friends, area residents, and everyone who loves pickleball to come out to join us and watch the friendly competition.”

Pavi’s Subs & Beyond food truck also will be at the pickleball pavilion, selling subs, pizza and chef salads on Friday. Puck Coffee truck will be there Saturday.

(From Owens Community College)

Often misunderstood and wrongly feared, honeybees are vital to sustaining agricultural production, with the U.S. Department of Agriculture saying about 35% of the world’s food crops depending on animal pollinators to produce.

Unfortunately, honeybee populations have steadily declined, with 2025 feared as an especially harsh year – as much as 70% colony losses are projected this year, according to various studies.

Part of the solution is happening at Owens Community College, which houses apiaries at both the Toledo-area and Findlay-area Campuses. It’s a small but significant step needed to help a large part of our food production cycle.

The apiary on the Toledo-area Campus started in Spring 2019, with the Findlay apiary predating that. Krista Kiessling, director of the Campus and Community Connections who runs the hives, was a bee keeper at home. She knew the honey produced by the bees would be a good way to raise funds to support the Garden Harvest food pantry and community garden efforts.

Kiessling does not harvest all the honey available in the hives. She sells the small amount they take for $10 per pint, with the funds directed into the foundation account that supports the food pantry, community garden, free store, career closet and apiary.

“Most people are fearful of honeybees because they don’t understand them. We want to help as many people as possible to understand the nature of honeybees and their importance to our food systems locally and beyond,” Kiessling said. “Not only can students learn about bee behavior, but they learn about the impact of poor land management, chemical pesticides and irresponsible agricultural processes. They begin to ask questions and those questions lead to action.”

Anyone interested in learning more about the apiaries or volunteering their time can contact Kiessling. She makes weekly trips to check on the hives, but that schedule is dependent upon various environmental and weather-related factors.

“Ideally, we would like to see more students and faculty involved in the apiary to educate on the importance of pollinators, especially those that are endangered,” Kiessling said. “The Findlay area campus has a significant apiary as well. They started before we did.”

Selling the honey is a small part of the bee keeping process. Most of the time is spent inspecting the hives for health, ensuring the bees are reproducing and continuing on to a new generation.

It’s a unique educational opportunity not found at many other community colleges.

“As with many things we do, it’s an unexpected project at a community college campus,” Kiessling said. “I enjoy taking innovative approaches to education and hands-on learning is the best tool there is. I have yet to introduce someone to the hives without them becoming fascinated with bee behavior and impact. It’s a wonderful way to connect with the food we eat.”

The Findlay Police Department says a woman was taken to the hospital after getting struck by a car.

It happened at East Melrose Avenue and North Blanchard Street at 3:11 p.m. on Tuesday.

Police say Rachel Core, 30, of Findlay, was crossing East Melrose Avenue walking southbound on the west side of North Blanchard Street when she was struck with the front bumper of a car being driven by Tamara Pryor, 24, of Findlay.

Core was taken to Blanchard Valley Hospital with injuries that are not life-threatening, police said.

Pryor was issued a citation for failing to yield the right of way to a pedestrian in a crosswalk.

(From the Navy Office of Community Outreach)

KINGS BAY, Ga. – Petty Officer 2nd Class Cameron Matz, a native of Fostoria, Ohio, serves the U.S. Navy assigned to USS Alaska, homeported at Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay.

As a submariner, Matz is part of a small percentage of Navy personnel continuing a 125-year tradition of service under the sea to help ensure Americans’ safety. 

Matz graduated from Bethel High School in Hampton, Virginia, in 2013 and attended Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia.

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

“My hometown taught me the value of hard work,” Matz said. “As a kid, I ran my own lawn mowing business, and I learned that if you start something, you finish it. In the Navy, when you start something, it is very important that you see it through.”

Matz joined the Navy three years ago. Today, Matz serves as an information systems technician (electronic warfare).