UPDATE – The National Weather Service confirmed it was an EF-2 tornado that touched down in northwest Putnam County Wednesday night and went through the Dupont area. The tornado had peak winds of 120 miles per hour. 

The NWS also confirmed an EF-1 tornado in the Ottoville area. 

A state of emergency has been declared for the Village of Dupont and the surrounding area.

People are asked to place debris east of the village garage on Liberty Street.

Residents whose property was damaged from the storm can call the Office of Public Safety at 419-538-7315 to report damages. 

A tornado warning was issued for northwest Putnam County Wednesday night and it’s believed it was a tornado that did quite a bit of damage in the area.

The Dupont area got hit the hardest with several buildings and homes damaged or destroyed.

Three people suffered injuries that are not life-threatening, according to the sheriff’s office.

The National Weather Service will be doing an assessment to confirm it was a tornado and how powerful it was.

(pic taken by WTOL-11’s TaTiana Cash of a destroyed trailer)

(From Findlay City Schools)

Mark your calendars for a Findlay City Schools Town Hall on April 9, 2025 at Donnell Middle School!

We are sticking with the same topic for this Town Hall (district finances) to be sure we get all your questions answered!

Join us to hear accurate information straight from our Superintendent, Treasurer, and members of the FCS Board of Education.

A link will be provided one week ahead of Town Hall for those wishing to submit questions ahead of time.

Watch the livestream here: youtube.com/live/69klF7k4rsY

WFIN – Findlay City Schools in February held a Town Hall at Glenwood Middle School on the district’s finances and financial challenges following the failed levy last November which resulted in a $6.1 million budget reduction. 

The Findlay City Schools Board of Education recently shared a second phase of potential budget reductions should the district’s 1 percent earned income tax levy on the May 6 ballot not pass.

UPDATE – The Tornado Watch has expired.

Findlay, Hancock County, and a large part of Ohio have been placed under a Tornado Watch until 4 a.m. Thursday.

Forecasters say a few tornadoes are likely as severe storms rumble across the state.

75 mph wind gusts, hail, and torrential rain are also threats with these storms.

Get the latest forecast, weather alerts, road alerts, and river levels by clicking here.

(From the Marathon Center for the Performing Arts)

Heather J. Clow, Executive Director of Marathon Center for the Performing Arts, has been selected as a member of the 2025 Cohort of the CreativeOhio Advocacy Leadership Institute (ALI), a new initiative designed to empower arts leaders across the state with advocacy skills, legislative insights, and statewide connections. Clow is one of 25 leaders chosen through a competitive application process, representing 15 cities across Ohio. 

Launching in May 2025, ALI is a six-month immersive program that provides arts and culture professionals with the tools and knowledge to advocate effectively for Ohio’s creative sector. Participants will engage in hands-on workshops, site visits to cultural hubs, and in-depth discussions on legislative processes, public funding, and advocacy strategies.  

“The CreativeOhio Advocacy Leadership Institute is more than just a training program—it’s a movement to increase civic literacy and democratic engagement across our sector,” said Sarah Sisser, Executive Director & CEO of CreativeOhio. “This inaugural cohort represents an esteemed and passionate group of leaders dedicated to strengthening Ohio’s creative economy and ensuring the arts have a seat at the table in policy discussions.” 

Throughout the program, ALI members will collaborate with policymakers, industry experts, and fellow arts leaders to develop strategies that support the sustainability and growth of Ohio’s creative industries. The cohort includes professionals from a range of disciplines, from performing arts organizations to visual arts institutions and independent artists. 

“This opportunity will allow me to expand my advocacy skills, connect with leaders across the state, and ensure that MCPA plays a key role in advancing Ohio’s creative sector,” Clow said. 

The CreativeOhio Advocacy Leadership Institute is made possible with support from The George Gund Foundation, Greater Cincinnati Foundation, Greater Columbus Arts Council, and Edwards Companies. 

For more information about the CreativeOhio Advocacy Leadership Institute and to see the full cohort, visit creativeoh.org.

Some potentially life-saving advice from the Findlay Police Department as a lot of rain has already fallen with plenty more on the way for the remainder of the week.

The police department is reminding people to always obey road closed signs during flood events and never attempt to drive through flood waters.

The police department says it doesn’t take much water to sweep a car off the roadway and most flood fatalities occur in vehicles.

A Flood Watch is in effect until Sunday and excessive rainfall is expected to cause river and street flooding and the closure of some roads.

Get the latest forecast, weather alerts, road alerts, and river levels by clicking here.

The Hancock County Sheriff’s Office says three people were transported from the scene of a two-vehicle crash.

The crash happened at around 8:10 Wednesday morning on State Route 568 near Township Road 253.

The sheriff’s office said Austin Carol-Ritter, 21, of Carey, was westbound on State Route 568 when he lost control of his vehicle and struck an eastbound vehicle.

The sheriff’s office said Austin, along with the people in the second vehicle, Samuel and Denise Cole, of Findlay, were taken to Blanchard Valley Hospital for suspected injuries.

The crash remains under investigation.

The Findlay Police Department is requesting help from the public in identifying a theft suspect.

Police say the man in the surveillance picture is believed to be responsible for the theft of a lot of power tools from Runnings, at 1800 Tiffin Avenue.

Anyone with information is urged to contact the Findlay Police Department at 419-424-7150, message them on Facebook, or call Crime Stoppers at 419-425-TIPS.

Tipsters may be eligible for a reward.

The Hancock County Sheriff’s Office has been recognized for excellence in training management by Lexipol, the leading provider of solutions that empower performance excellence in public safety.

The Lexipol Connect program tracks a law enforcement agency’s performance on five metrics proven to measure success.

The Hancock County Sheriff’s Office achieved Gold status, the highest level of recognition offered, for consistent and effective training management.

“Continuous training through Lexipol ensures that our deputies have the knowledge and skills to make the right decisions in critical moments,” said Sheriff Mike Cortez.

(From the City of Findlay)

The National Weather Service is projecting 4-6 inches of rainfall in Findlay and surrounding Northwest Ohio Counties beginning Wednesday afternoon through the weekend. This storm front is also expected to bring strong winds and potential hail.

Given the current soil saturation and significant rain expected, flash flooding and moderate river flooding are both expected. Secure outdoor furniture, bring in items when possible, and ensure your safety kit for power outages are ready.

Reminders:

1. Flash Flooding occurs when the ground cannot absorb the water fast enough causing standing water in areas which may not typically flood.
2. Moderate River Flooding is expected which will cause some road closures. Impact to property is not anticipated.
3. Check Sump Pumps to help prevent basement or crawl space flooding.
4. Clear debris from storm drains in front of properties to help with road drainage.
5. Do not drive through standing water! Even just an inch of water can be extremely dangerous.
6. Stay away from downed power lines. Report them to AEP Ohio Customer Operations Center 800-672-2231.
7. For fallen trees or hazards in the roadway please call the Findlay Police Department Emergency Line by dialing 911.
8. Stay weather aware and monitor local news outlets as well as the National Weather Service Social Media.

Resources:

Flood Information: https://www.findlayohio.gov/community/flood-information

NWS Forecast https://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=40.9619&lon=-83.6082&unit=0&lg=english&FcstType=graphical

WFIN – Get the latest forecast, weather alerts, road alerts, and river levels by clicking here.

(From Children’s Mentoring Connection of Hancock County)

Join us for the 42nd Annual Bowling for Kids Event.

This is our signature fundraising event supporting Children’s Mentoring Connections youth mentoring programs both in the community and at school.

Fun for all!

Register today at https://cmchancock.org/events or call 419-424-9752.

Children’s Mentoring Connection Executive Director Stacy Shaw has more details on the event which will be held on April 5 and 6.