A majority of voters in the Findlay City School District rejected the school district’s bid to pass a 1 percent earned income tax levy on Election Day.

The levy failed by a vote of 9,451 to 8,660, or 52 to 47 percent.

The levy was for the purpose of paying current expenses and the board of education previously said if the levy were to fail a first phase of immediate reductions would need to be implemented with more to come in the 2025-26 school year.

Superintendent Dr. Andy Hatton, on with WFIN’s Chris Oaks, said no cost-cutting decisions have been made yet.

Dr. Hatton said that the first round of potential or likely financial adjustments that would be taken up by the board of education would be around $5 million starting next year.

Listen to Chris’ full interview with Dr. Hatton by clicking the audio file below.

(From the Hancock Park District)

HANCOCK PARK DISTRICT NOVEMBER PROGRAMS –TO REGISTER YOU MAY GO TO WWW.HANCOCKPARKS.COM OR VISIT US AT 1424 E MAIN CROSS M-F 8:00AM – 4:30PM. FOR QUESTIONS CALL 419-425-7275.

1 Friday

Circles in Nature

It is National Looking for Circles Day and toddlers will learn about things in nature that have that shape. They will find things, such as a tree, a rock, or a hole in the ground. They will touch things that have a circle shape, such as the grapevine wreath, a wood cookie, and pictures of the ladybird beetle.

Oakwoods Nature Preserve

Discovery Center

10 AM

Ages 3 and under with an adult.

Free; registration is not required.

Chris Allen callen@hancockparks.com

2 Saturday

Fall Cookie Decorating

Fall is a great time to decorate cookies. Kids will learn how the cookies are made and then they will decorate four cookies by glazing and painting them with food safe markers. Buttercream icing will be used. Cookies can either be taken home or eaten during the program.

Oakwoods Nature Preserve

Discovery Center

10-11:30 AM for ages 9-11.

1-2:30 PM for ages 12 -14.

Register with $5 per person by 1 PM on Friday, November 1.

Minimum: 2/Maximum: 16 per time slot.

Chris Allen callen@hancockparks.com

4 Monday

Wee Ones: Woodpeckers

When taking a hike in the woods, the sound of a woodpecker can echo through the trees. Have you ever wondered why woodpeckers peck at trees or how they hold on to the tree trunk without falling? The answers will be provided during the reading of a fun book about woodpeckers. Afterward, we will look at real woodpeckers, create a craft, and color a coloring page.

Oakwoods Nature Preserve

Discovery Center

10 AM

Ages 3 and under with an adult; other aged siblings are welcome to attend.

Free; registration is not required.

Tim Kleman tkleman@hancockparks.com

4 Monday

Pioneers for Homeschoolers

Learn about pioneers and how they lived in Northwest Ohio by touring the 1847 McKinnis House, workshop, and barn, hiking the trails to get a sense of what they might have encountered and how they used the land, and playing games and playing with pioneer toys. This is a drop-off program.

Litzenberg Memorial Woods

McKinnis House

1-3 PM

Ages 5-14.

Free; but register by 4 PM on Friday, November 1.

Minimum: 6/Maximum: 30

Tim Kleman tkleman@hancockparks.com

6 Wednesday

The Art of Weaving

Weaving is the art of creating fabrics and other objects by interlacing threads. We will talk about the history of weaving, including tools, uses, and materials, and then we will create our own simple looms out of cardboard and use different colors of yarn to create a coaster.

Oakwoods Nature Preserve

Discovery Center

6 PM

Ages 10-12.

Free; but register by 1 PM on Wednesday, November 6.

Minimum: 3 /Maximum: 12

Tim Kleman tkleman@hancockparks.com

9 Saturday

Crunchy Fall Hike

It is the middle of autumn and most of the leaves should have fallen to the ground. Dry leaves make a crunching sound when stepped on. Join us as we hike through Riverbend Recreation Area, crunch the leaves, look for wildlife, and enjoy the scenery. We might see squirrels, birds, and deer.

Riverbend Recreation Area

Big Oaks Activity Area

Parking Lot by Shelter 3

1 PM

Ages 3 and under with an adult.

Free; registration is not required.

Maclain Teeple mteeple@hancockparks.com

11 Monday

Discovery Stories: No Hugs for Porcupine

This is a fun story about a porcupine who just wants a hug. How do you hug a porcupine? After the story, there will be a porcupine craft to make, and pictures and real porcupine quills to see.

Oakwoods Nature Preserve

Discovery Center

10 AM

Ages 3 and up with an adult; other aged siblings are welcome to attend.

Free; registration is not required.

Chris Allen callen@hancockparks.com

15 Friday

Environments in Sci-Fi: Dune

Science fiction can take us to worlds beyond our own. They are often filled with fantastical environments. Usually, these environments are based on the ones found on Earth. Join us as we look at the worlds of science fiction media and relate them to a similar environment found within our solar system. In this installment, we will look at the desert planet Arrakis from the popular Dune series written by Frank Herbert. We will examine the planet’s inhabitants, such as the prolific sand worms, observe topography and natural resources, and compare Arrakis’ environment to a similar one on Earth.

Oakwoods Nature Preserve

Discovery Center

6 PM

Ages 18 and up.

Free; but register by 1 PM on Friday, November 15.

Minimum: 2/Maximum: 15

Maclain Teeple mteeple@hancockparks.com

16 Saturday

A Walking Timeline of Earth’s History

Come along as we explore a scale timeline of Earth’s geological history in a thousand yards. We will discuss how Earth’s history is split into different time periods. As we walk our timeline, we will see how Earth has changed, such as the position of continents and oceans, how life on Earth has changed over time, and major geological events. Children who attend will receive a fossil during our geological journey.

Oakwoods Nature Preserve

Discovery Center Porch

10 AM

Families with children 6 and up.

Free; registration is not required.

Tim Kleman tkleman@hancockparks.com

16 Saturday

Atlatl Throwing

Try your hand at one of the oldest hunting tools in the world, a spear thrower known as an atlatl. Atlatls have been the primary hunting tool of prehistoric people for thousands of years, and in some cultures, they are still being used today. Each participant will use an atlatl to throw long spear-like darts into our archery targets. As we use the atlatl, we will talk about the history of this ancient tool, how they were created, and how to use them safely.

Oakwoods Nature Preserve

Dold Lake

1 PM

Ages 18 and up.

Free; but register by 1 PM on Friday, November 15.

Maximum: 10

Tim Kleman tkleman@hancockparks.com

17 Sunday

Late Fall Day on the Farm: Open House

For most pioneers, mid-November meant gathering the last of the harvests and getting ready for winter. See how the McKinnis family is storing foods such as sweet potatoes, dried beans, and parsnips. Baked squash and pumpkin cookies will be available for tasting. Chores, like filling the wood box for the upcoming winter season, will also be taking place.

Litzenberg Memorial Woods

McKinnis House

1-4 PM

All ages are welcome.

Free; registration is not required.

Michelle Rumschlag mrumschlg@hancockparks.com

20 Wednesday

Paper Making

Learn about the art of paper making. We will discuss the history of paper and the modern-day industrial process. We will talk about the hobby of paper making, from the supplies that you need to the process of turning pulp to paper. Each participant will make one sheet of white paper and experiment with some other techniques, like making color paper and embedding pictures and leaves.

Oakwoods Nature Preserve

Discovery Center

2 PM

Ages 50 and up.

Free; but register by 4 PM on Tuesday, November 19.

Maximum: 20

Tim Kleman tkleman@hancockparks.com

22 Friday

Handprint Turkeys

Create a Thanksgiving craft by painting a turkey using your handprint. We will use tempera paint, crayons, and googly eyes to create our turkey craft. As we wait for the paint to dry, a fun story about a turkey will be read, and we will look at turkey displays and make turkey sounds. Please wear clothes that can get stained.

Oakwoods Nature Preserve

Discovery Center

10 AM

Ages 3 and under with an adult; other aged siblings are welcome to attend.

Free; registration is not required.

Tim Kleman tkleman@hancockparks.com

23 Saturday

Outdoor Play & Games

We will be in the Nature Play Area for outdoor play and yard games, such as bocce ball and cornhole, and there will be a shelter building contest. Fresh air and outdoor activities await.

Oakwoods Nature Preserve

Nature Play Area

10-11:30 AM

Ages 10 to 14.

Free; but register by 1 PM on Friday, November 22.

Minimum: 4/Maximum: 20

Michelle Rumschlag mrumschlag@hancockparks.com

23 Saturday

Pinecone Bird Feeders

Watching birds out your window can be a fun and relaxing activity. In this program, we will turn everyday pinecones into bird feeders. We will use pinecones, lard as a binder, and seeds as the source of food. Twine will be used to hang your bird feeder.

Oakwoods Nature Preserve

Discovery Center porch

1 PM

Ages 6-9.

Free; but register by 1 PM on Friday, November 22.

Minimum: 2/Maximum: 15

Maclain Teeple mteeple@hancockparks.com

24 Sunday

Flight in Nature: Open House

Learn about the four groups of animals that rule the sky: insects, reptiles, dinosaurs and birds, and mammals. We will talk about how flight works, why these animals would want to fly, and how their flight differs from one another. Also, learn about the animals that pretend to fly by gliding, and how gliding and flying are different. Have fun comparing your arm span to the wingspan of some of the largest and smallest creatures to every fly. Children who attend can create a craft and coloring page.

Oakwoods Nature Preserve

Discovery Center

1-4 PM

All ages are welcome.

Free; registration is not required.

Tim Kleman tkleman@hancockparks.com

25 Monday

Leaf Silhouette Painting

In this program, we will make leaf silhouette paintings. This craft involves painting intricate patterns on a sheet of paper, cutting out a leaf shape on another piece of paper, and gluing the two papers together so the paint shows through the opening of the leaf design. We will use watercolor paint for this craft. All necessary materials will be provided.

Oakwoods Nature Preserve

Discovery Center

10 AM

Ages 10-12.

Free; but register by 1 PM on Friday, November 22.

Minimum: 2/Maximum: 10

Maclain Teeple mteeple@hancockparks.com

25 Monday

Fabric Teacup Bookmarks

Enjoy a hot spot of tea by the fireplace in the McKinnis House as we make our own teacup bookmark. You will get to choose from a variety of 1840s themed fabric. All supplies will be provided, but you may bring your own basic sewing kit if you prefer.

Litzenberg Memorial Woods

McKinnis House

2 PM

Ages 18 and up.

Register with $5 by 8 AM on Monday, November 25.

Minimum: 2/Maximum: 12

Michelle Rumschlag mrumschlag@hancockparks.com

26 Tuesday

Orienteering

Orienteering is a sport of navigation. The goal is to use a map and compass to locate control points that are scattered throughout an area. Orienteering can be done as a competitive race or an activity to explore a new area. We will work as a team to complete a standard type of course to find control points throughout the park. As we complete the course, you will learn about the basics of orienteering and how to use the map and compass together to figure out where you need to go.

Riverbend Recreation Area

Oxbow Bend Activity Area

Charles J. Younger Pavilion

10 AM

Ages 14-17.

Free; but register by 4 PM on Monday, November 25.

Minimum: 3/Maximum: 12

Tim Kleman tkleman@hancockparks.com

26 Tuesday

Fire Making

If you are camping or if you get lost in the woods, knowing how to start a fire properly and safely is important, especially if your comfort or survival depends on it. Learn the basic techniques of fire making and how to keep the fire burning, and try your hand at starting a fire without the use of a match or lighter.

Riverbend Recreation Area

Big Oaks Activity Area

Campground

2 PM

Ages 12-14.

Free; but register by 4 PM on Monday, November 25.

Minimum: 3/Maximum: 12

Tim Kleman tkleman@hancockparks.com

27 Wednesday

Pumpkin Bowling

Join us for a game of pumpkin bowling. Try knocking down the pins and getting a strike by using a pumpkin as the bowling ball. After you play a few rounds, learn about the life cycle of a pumpkin and what you can do with a pumpkin when you are finished with it, other than throwing it in the trash.

Oakwoods Nature Preserve

Discovery Center Porch

10 AM

Ages 4-5 with an adult; other aged siblings are welcome to attend.

Free; registration is not required.

Tim Kleman tkleman@hancockparks.com

27 Wednesday

Mars the Red Planet

Learn about one of Earth’s neighbors, Mars. A story will be read about the planet and why it is red. Afterward, we will go inside the portable planetarium to look at Mars and its two moons. We will also look at other planets and constellations. After the show, children can complete a Mars coloring page.

Oakwoods Nature Preserve

Discovery Center

2 PM

Ages 6-10 with an adult.

Free; but register by 4 PM on Tuesday, November 26. Adults do not need to register.

Maximum: 16

Tim Kleman tkleman@hancockparks.com

The Findlay Police Department recently received recertification from the Ohio Collaborative Community-Police Advisory Board.

The Collaborative was formed in 2015 to create uniform standards for law enforcement agencies in Ohio.

Agencies completing the recertification process adopted and implemented the initial two standards regarding use of force and hiring and recruitment.

Get more information on the certification process below.

(From Findlay City Schools)

Findlay City Schools Orchestra presents the most beautiful silent auction you’ve ever seen.

You can bid on these one-of-a-kind masterpieces, created by artists who love our town and love our orchestra program.

Join us for the FHS Pops Concert, November 21, 2024, where the winning bid for each violin will be announced!

Tickets for the concert can be purchased from any FHS Orchestra student, or at the door.

View each violin and bid here: https://e.givesmart.com/events/EQe/

Bidding closes at 7:30 on November 21.

Image Description: a floral-designed painted violin on a black backdrop, with the text “Findlay High School Orchestra’s Painted Violin Auction, November 1-21, 2024. Proceeds benefit FCS Orchestra.”

(From the Ohio State Highway Patrol)

The Ohio State Highway Patrol is reminding motorists of the increase in deer-involved crashes during this time of year.

Since 2019, there have been 109,507 deer-involved crashes on Ohio roadways. While 95% of deer-involved crashes only resulted in property damage, 44 crashes were fatal and resulted in 45 deaths. Additionally, from 2019-2023, 47% of these crashes occurred in October, November and December, with 22% occurring in November alone.

“Practicing safe driving habits and staying fully focused on the road increases your chances of spotting deer before it’s too late,” said Colonel Charles A. Jones, Patrol superintendent. “If you do strike a deer, prioritize your safety by moving to a secure location if possible, turning on your hazard lights and reporting the incident.”

The most crashes involving deer have happened in Stark (3,138), Richland (2,880), Hancock (2,725) and Defiance (2,560) counties. Combined, these four counties accounted for 10% of all deer-involved crashes. Additionally, more than 100 deer-involved crashes have happened in all but one Ohio county since 2019.

Simple tips to avoid an animal collision are: scan the road ahead, use high-beam headlights when able, be extra cautious at dawn and dusk and if a collision is unavoidable, brake – don’t swerve to stay in your lane.

Motorists are reminded they can safely dial #677 from their mobile device to be connected to the nearest Ohio State Highway Patrol Post during a roadway emergency.

A statistical map containing deer-involved crash information can be found here and additional information on crash statistics can be found on the Ohio State Highway Patrol’s Ohio Statistics and Analytics for Traffic Safety (OSTATS) Dashboard.

(From Blanchard Valley Health System)

Blanchard Valley Health System (BVHS) is excited to announce it has acquired a new TrueBeam linear accelerator system from Varian Medical Systems, improving treatment options for patients undergoing radiation therapy at The Armes Family Cancer Care Center (AFCCC), a division of the health system.

Radiation therapy treatments are designed to damage cancer cells to prevent them from dividing, without damaging other tissue. The team providing this treatment includes radiation oncologists, radiation therapists, nurses, dosimetrists, and physicists.

The radiation oncologist determines the appropriate dose of radiation based on the type, size, and location of the tumor. A radiation therapy session typically lasts no more than 15 minutes, so patients do not receive too much radiation all at once. The new machine has shortened this treatment time for many patients.

Technology keeps improving, said Lori Hummel, RT (T), clinical coordinator, radiation oncology. Hummel has been providing radiation therapy at BVHS for 25 years. The machines available now can target the radiation more precisely than when she began her career, causing fewer side effects for patients.

“Today’s machines are much more sophisticated and sensitive than we could have imagined back then, so the process is significantly easier on the patient,” Hummel said.

“The ability to target the radiation more precisely means treatment today is not only more effective, but also creates fewer negative side effects,” said radiation oncologist Ankit Modh, MD. “One area where technological improvements make a particular difference is in brain cancer treatment. The new linear accelerator includes state-of-the-art software specifically designed to treat lesions in the brain.”

The new machine also offers more flexibility in adjusting a patient’s position, making it easier for radiation therapists to line patients up with the radiation with less discomfort.

The software can be continually upgraded. The machine is programmed with the patient’s individual treatment plan, and also incorporates “intelligent” automation.

“Offering the latest technology for radiation therapy is part of our ongoing commitment to cancer treatment at Blanchard Valley Health System,” said Amy Mills, director of oncology services. “In addition to our new linear accelerator, we have renovated our treatment area to create a calming environment for patients undergoing treatments.  This is part of a large renovation project being completed at the Armes Family Cancer Care Center.”

Associates working at the cancer center also are benefiting from these renovations. Radiation therapists are not in the room during treatment, but instead control the machine from a nearby room. These control rooms were recently redesigned to be more private and comfortable for these associates.

Mills said that Findlay is fortunate to have two state-of-the-art linear accelerators to provide patient treatments.

“We offer access to technology that mirrors larger cancer centers, but right here in a smaller community. This allows patients to remain close to home while they are receiving treatments, reducing travel time and improving outcomes,” she said.

“We take pride at the cancer center in treating patients like family,” said Adele Simon, RN, clinical office manager. “All of our associates have not only so much skill, but incredible compassion for their patients. We truly care about each and every one of them, and we are so excited now to not only offer better treatment options but also a space that feels more comfortable during this stressful time in their lives.”

“We’re very excited to be able to upgrade our technology like this,” Modh said. “We see patients from not only Findlay but throughout Northwest Ohio, and we’re happy to be able to offer them an even higher level of quality care right here in this community.”

People are encouraged to come out for the Veterans Day Parade in Findlay.

The parade will be held on Sunday, November 10 beginning at 2 p.m. on Main Street.

The parade will begin at the intersection of South Main and Lincoln Street and proceed north to the Hancock County War Memorial at North Main Street and Center Street where a ceremony will be held.

There will be speakers and the Veteran of the Year will be introduced.

Anyone who wants to be in the parade to support our local Veterans should arrive at the area of South Main and Lincoln Street from 12:30 to 1 to get in line.

See video from last year’s parade and ceremony below.

Veterans Day is on Monday, November 11.

(From the Hancock Historical Museum)

The Hancock Historical Museum will present the next installment of its Brown Bag Lecture Series, titled Next Stop, the Twilight Zone, on November 7 at noon at 422 West Sandusky Street in Findlay. This lecture will explore the life and work of Rod Serling (1924-1975), one of the most acclaimed writers of early television.

In the 1950s, Serling’s live TV dramas frequently tackled controversial topics, though network pressures often forced him to revise his scripts. Frustrated with censorship, Serling turned his focus to science fiction, creating, producing, and narrating The Twilight Zone. The show became famous for its unexpected plot twists and moral lessons, and this presentation will delve into Serling’s cultural significance and the ongoing popularity of The Twilight Zone.

The lecture will be presented by Charles Coletta, Ph.D., a faculty member in the Department of Popular Culture at Bowling Green State University. Raised in Cleveland, Coletta earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in literature from John Carroll University, and his Ph.D. in American Culture Studies from Bowling Green State University. Since 2000, he has taught courses on Television and Film Studies, Contemporary Popular Literature, and Mass Media Studies.

This interesting event will take place at the Hancock Historical Museum, located at 422 West Sandusky Street in Findlay, Ohio. The Brown Bag Lecture Series is held on the first Thursday of every month, covering a variety of topics related to Hancock County and Ohio history.

The event is free for museum members and included with regular admission for non-members. No registration is required, so attendees are encouraged to bring their lunch and enjoy an enlightening hour of history.

For more information, visit HancockHistoricalMuseum.org or call 419-423-4433.

The Findlay Police Department says a woman was injured in a crash that occurred when a vehicle pulled out in front of her.

Police say Brianna Albert, 21, of Findlay, was driving westbound on Tiffin Avenue at around 3:45 Tuesday afternoon when an SUV being driven by Delylah Hershberger, 17, of McComb, made a left turn onto Tiffin Avenue from H Street and the two vehicles collided.

Police say Brianna was taken to Blanchard Valley Hospital for reported pain in her neck, stomach and knee.

Delylah was issued a citation by police.

Both vehicles had to be towed from the scene of the crash.  

(From the City of Findlay)

The City of Findlay will be picking up leaves from November 18, 2024, through December 6, 2024. City employees will collect leaves that have been placed in biodegradable PAPER bags at the curb. Plastic bags and loose leaves will not be picked up. Bagged leaves are to be placed by the curb.

Limbs that are placed beside the bagged leaves will also be picked up. The limbs will be picked up separately from the leaves.

Crews will start picking up leaves on November 18, 2024. Crews will make several rounds throughout the whole City through December 6, 2024.

Biodegradable bags are readily available at local hardware, building supply, and some grocery stores.

Raking leaves into the street has many negative aspects. Leaf piles in the street can be a dangerous temptation to children who like to play in the piles and in many areas reduce the traffic to one lane or cause drivers to drive around the piles into oncoming traffic. Piled leaves tend to wash into and clog storm sewers, causing maintenance issues and potential localized flooding during storm events. Residents who blow or rake leaves onto City streets are in violation of long-standing City Codified Ordinance 311.01(d). Complaints should be forwarded to the Police Department.

City residents may continue to drop leaves at the green waste site located at 330 North Cory Street at no charge. The current hours for the site are Tuesday through Friday 2pm-7pm and Saturday 8am-1pm, closed Sunday and Monday. Beginning November 4, 2024, hours for the site will be Tuesday through Friday 1pm-6pm and Saturday 8am-1pm, closed Sunday and Monday. Beginning November 16, 2024, Saturday hours will be 8am-4pm. The green waste site will be closed on Monday, November 11, 2024, in honor of Veterans Day and November 28, 2024, for Thanksgiving. It will be open on November 29, 2024, and November 30, 2024. The last day for the green waste site will be December 7, 2024.

The green waste site is intended for residential use only. No contractors are permitted to use this site. Only tree trimmings, brush, leaves, and grass clippings can be dumped in designated areas at the site.