(From the Findlay Fire Department)

Hey Findlay! It’s Fire Prevention Week and this years theme is “Smoke Alarms, Make Them Work For You.”

Fire Inspector Eric Wilkins with the Findlay Fire Department shares some potentially life-saving fire safety tips.

How do you make sure your smoke alarm will work for you?

1st Check the date on the back of the detector.

If the detector is over 10 years old, it’s time to replace it!

2nd check the batteries by pushing the test button.

If it beeps, your batteries are good!

3rd design and practice an escape plan.

Know what to do when your smoke detector alarms!

Be safe everyone!

A ribbon-cutting celebration was held for the renovated Dumont Building in downtown Ottawa. (video below)

The Dumont Building, located at 202 West Main Street, underwent a complete revitalization, headed up by Technicon Design Group, to preserve its legacy for future generations. 

We spoke with Amy Sealts, Director of Economic Development for Putnam County, after the ribbon-cutting to get some of the history of the building and the effort that went into its revitalization.

The completed revitalization of The Dumont Building includes a modern place for dining, working, gathering, and collaborating.

The Dumont Building accommodates offices for multiple businesses including: Technicon Design Group, Ottawa Brewing Company, Putnam County Community Improvement Corporation, The Barndo Company, UDemand Health, Charles Construction Services, and Huston Insurance.

(From the Mazza Museum)

From comical family adventures to frightening urban legends, the stories of Stephen Gammell have been beloved by readers for decades – and now have a home at the University of Findlay’s Mazza Museum.

The prominent artist has donated more than 700 pieces of artwork, representing 28 titles and including nine books he also authored.

Dan Chudzinksi, Mazza’s director of curation and exhibitions, said the volume of pieces provide a broad view of Gammell’s career and show the diversity of his projects.

The collection features his Caldecott Award winning books: Song and Dance Man in 1989 and the runners up Where the Buffalos Begin in 1982 and The Relatives Came in 1986.

With more than 6,000 picture books published annually, the Caldecott is the most prestigious award celebrating “the best marriage of illustrations and the written word.”

Chudzinski noted the rarity of the honor, adding, “Most picture book artists go their whole lives without even getting nominated.”

Gammell’s distinctive career also is highlighted by his well-known illustrations for the series Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark, and this artwork is on long-time loan to Mazza.

“He reached an audience outside of picture books – that was unique,” and included teenagers and adults fascinated with the horror genre, Chudzinski said.

Scary Stories were a favorite of the curator while he was growing up. He admitted to sleeping with a light on after reading them in third grade.

“Stephen isn’t credited with the urban legends in the books, but he brought them into popularity and into popular culture,” he noted. “They are stories that were inspired by American folklore. This is literature that is original to our culture that is very vivid and visceral.”

The whimsical award-winning illustrations are displayed at Mazza separately but in proximity to the Scary Stories artwork due the chilling subject matter.

Chudzinski recently spoke with Gammell, who at age 81 lives in St. Paul, Minnesota, about his diversity of topics, and the artist summarized that “each book is unique and reflects where I was in my life at the time.”

Gammell declined to choose a favorite from his collection, but he acknowledged that Once Upon McDonald’s Farm is “pretty special” because it recalls fond memories from his childhood.

The Mazza collection features artwork from this book.

Mazza officials believe the exhibit “tells the story behind the storyteller” and are proud that “this is the only place in the world to see these works.”

“Stephen approached us because of Mazza’s reputation for how the work of other artists has been treated. He saw how we display work and was confident his illustrations would be displayed to best tell his story,” Chudzinski explained. “We’re ensuring his legacy, and we have the facilities to preserve and protect it.”

For more information, visit mazzamuseum.org.

(From the City of Findlay)

The City of Findlay is performing numerous construction projects throughout the city. The status of some of the projects is weather and contractor schedule permitting. Listed below are some of the projects and the restrictions that result from the ongoing projects. These restrictions are in effect from October 7, 2024, until further notice.

GARFIELD AVENUE – N. Main Street to railroad – Garfield Avenue will be closed to through traffic from N. Main Street to the railroad for waterline replacement.

GEORGE STREET – N. Main Street to railroad – George Street will be closed to through traffic from N. Main Street to the railroad for waterline replacement.

ALLEN AVENUE – N. Main Street to railroad – Allen Avenue will be closed to traffic from N. Main Street to the railroad for waterline trench repair.

MIDLAND AVENUE – N. Main Street to railroad – Midland Avenue will be closed to traffic from N. Main Street to the railroad for trench repair.

S. BLANCHARD STREET – Sixth Street to Pearl Street – S. Blanchard Street will be closed to through traffic from Sixth Street to Pearl Street for waterline installation.

TR 99 – Distribution Drive to TR 230 – TR 99 will be closed to through traffic from Distribution Drive to TR 230 for sewer installation.

TR 230 – CR 212 to TR 99 – TR 230 will be closed to through traffic from CR 212 to TR 99 for road reconstruction.

LIMA AVENUE – Ra-Nik Ct to Payne Avenue – Lima Avenue with be reduced to one lane with traffic control lights from Ra-Nik Ct to Payne Avenue for sanitary sewer installation.

WASHINGTON AVENUE – Sixth Street to Olive Street – Washington Avenue will be closed to through traffic from Sixth Street to Olive Street for storm sewer installation.

Motorists are advised to avoid these areas if possible. Short delays are expected in these areas over the next week.

The Engineering Department will release updates on information and schedules when it becomes available. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions about any of these projects at 419-424-7121.

(From Owens Community College)

Daniel H. Brown, the Owens Community College president who would headline a Mount Rushmore of the college’s most prominent leaders, died Wednesday, October 2. He was 89. His obituary is posted here.

Brown was named the third president of Owens in August 1984, following Jacob See. He retired in June 2001 and was succeeded by Christa Adams.

Brown was a visionary who advanced the college’s technology programs through partnerships and new construction and enhanced the arts and sciences programs for expanded access, leading Owens to become a comprehensive state community college.

He was known for arriving early and staying late as well as for being hands-on with building projects and student initiatives. He wanted to ensure Owens helped students succeed and met workforce training needs.

“President Brown and his wife, Nancy, attended the grand opening of our Dana Center in 2021. They were so kind to me and were interested about the new advanced manufacturing training center,” Owens President Dr. Dione D. Somerville said. “We are saddened to learn of his passing and extend our condolences to his family.

“President Brown leaves behind a profound and lasting legacy at Owens Community College. We will always be grateful for his vision, his commitment and his impact,” Somerville said.

Brown began working at Owens in 1966, one year after the college opened as Penta Technical College, and held a variety of roles before becoming president. He was the dean of the Owens Lima Campus, which is now Rhodes State College, as well as vice president of student services and assistant to the president.

Owens was a tight-knit community under President Brown with Brown knowing all employees by their first name, according to Pat Jezak, special assistant to Dr. Somerville who’s worked at Owens for 35 years.

Owens grew exponentially during the Brown presidency, expanding to the east side of Oregon Road on the Toledo-area Campus, adding the Findlay-area Campus and increasing headcount enrollment.

On the Toledo-area Campus, land on the east side of Oregon Road was acquired and five buildings were built under his leadership. The last of the five to open was the Student Health and Activities Center, moving the home of Owens Express athletics from Alumni Hall to the new, modern facility.

Brown shifted financial support to help Owens Express teams grow and succeed. Men’s basketball was a staple at the beginning of his presidency. Women’s basketball, volleyball, men’s soccer and softball were added in the 1990s.

Brown was inducted in the Owens Express Athletics Hall of Fame in 2017.

“Dan Brown was the biggest fan of the Owens Express,” said Jim Welling, the former men’s basketball coach who is enshrined in the NJCAA and Owens athletics halls of fame. “He attended every game that he could. He made sure we had the resources we needed to succeed. He knew the players. He knew the players’ families.

“He always came through for what we needed in athletics. He was a tireless worker. He was not only a great administrator; he was great friend. He will be missed by everyone who knew him,” Welling added.

Also on the east side of campus, the new Industrial/Engineering Technologies Building and Transportation Technologies Center housed partnerships that Brown helped establish, including with corporations such as John Deere, General Motors, Ford Motor Company and Caterpillar Inc.  Students enjoyed pathways to new careers with these companies. The Owens automotive program was named the nation’s best in 1994.

Also in 1994, Brown was instrumental in helping transition Owens from a technical college to a comprehensive community college, which expanded the curriculum so that students could earn the first two years of a bachelor’s degree and then transfer to 4-year institutions. Owens changed its name from Owens Technical College to Owens Community College at that time.

The original Findlay-area Campus, located at the corner of Cory and Davis streets in downtown Findlay, was established, expanding the Owens footprint south along the I-75 corridor.

Brown’s tenure spanned headcount enrollment growth from a few hundred students in his first year of employment to approximately 4,500 in the first year of his presidency to 17,000 at his retirement.

Owens even lowered tuition in Brown’s penultimate academic year, leading to front-page media coverage and editorial praise.

Adding to his lasting legacy, President Brown endowed a scholarship at his retirement. It has supported more than 60 students all told, according to records. Open to all students, the scholarship gives preference to School of Nursing and Health Professions students.

“President Brown was the type of leader who you wanted to follow. You liked working with him,” said Ronald A. McMaster, a member of the Owens Community College Foundation board who served on the Owens Board of Trustees from 1993-2018. “He was confident, decisive and driven. If you want to talk about a legacy, President Brown was instrumental in building the foundation of what Owens Community College is today.”

(From the City of Findlay)

On Monday, October 7, 2024, the northbound lane of Crystal Avenue between Winfield Avenue and Scott Avenue will be closed for street repair.

This closure will be from 8am-12noon.

Motorists are advised to avoid this area

(From the Ohio Department of Transportation)

Interstate 75 will be rerouted and County Road 99 will close overnight according to the schedule below to set the structural steel beams for the new westbound County Road 99 bridge.

 Wednesday night, Oct. 9 – Saturday morning, Oct. 12. (The schedule below applies to all three nights.)

Interstate 75 southbound:

8 p.m. – Traffic will be reduced to one lane.

11 p.m.-5 a.m. – I-75 southbound traffic will be rerouted onto the CR 99 southbound ramps.

I-75 northbound ramps will remain operational.

During this time CR 99 over I-75 will be closed to traffic.

5 a.m. – I-75 and CR 99 are expected to return to full operation.

Monday night, Oct. 14 – Thursday morning, Oct. 17. (The schedule below applies to all three nights.)

Interstate 75 northbound:

8 p.m. – Traffic will be reduced to one lane.

11 p.m.-5 a.m. – I-75 northbound traffic will be rerouted onto the CR 99 northbound ramps.

I-75 southbound ramps will remain operational. 

During this time CR 99 will be closed to traffic.

5 a.m. – I-75 and CR 99 are expected to return to full operation.

County Road 99 will close over I-75 during beam setting operation dates listed above, 11 p.m.-5 a.m.

Detour: U.S. 224/Trenton Ave. to Main St. to Center St. to Tiffin Ave. to Bright Rd. to Fostoria Ave. to CR 236 to CR 212 to CR 99.

The detour map will be published here Monday, Oct. 7: ODOT District 1 detours

The new interchange at 75 and County Road 99 will be a Diverging Diamond interchange which shifts the eastbound and westbound traffic to the other side of the bridge at signalized crossovers which eliminates left turns across traffic and the traffic signals for left turns. (design below)

The benefit is that all traffic can enter the interstate in a free flow movement to the ramps which reduces the long start and stop times of trucks at signals.

A successful example of a DDI is located in Perrysburg at I-475 and State Route 25.

Three seats on the Supreme Court of Ohio will be in play in the November 5 election.

Incumbent Justice Michael Donnelly, a Democrat, is being challenged by Hamilton County Judge Megan Shanahan, a Republican.

Shanahan stopped by the WFIN Studios to discuss her campaign ahead of attending the Hancock County GOP’s First Friday Luncheon.

We asked her why she wants to be on the Ohio Supreme Court and what are the biggest contrasts between herself and her opponent.    

We reached out to Justice Donnelly and our conversation with him is below including his reaction to Shanahan saying he legislates from the bench. 

In the other races, incumbent Justice Melody Stewart, a Democrat, is being challenged by Justice Joe Deters who decided to run against Stewart instead of for his current seat.

The two people facing off for Deters’ open seat will be Dan Hawkins, a Republican on the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas and Lisa Forbes, a Democrat on the Eighth District Court of Appeals.

The Ohio Supreme Court currently is 4-3 majority Republican.

(From the Cincinnati Reds)

The Reds have hired Terry Francona as their new manager, announcing on Friday morning that they have agreed to a three-year contract with a club option for 2028.

Francona, 65, who stepped down as Guardians manager after the 2023 season, returns to the dugout having managed three teams over a 23-year career. He has a 1,950-1,672 record with the Phillies (1997-2000), Red Sox (2004-2011) and Guardians (2013-2023). He led the Red Sox to World Series titles in 2004 and 2007.

Francona’s hiring comes 12 days after the Reds parted ways with David Bell.

In six seasons under Bell, Cincinnati went 409-456 (.473), never finishing above third place in the National League Central outside of the pandemic-shortened 2020 campaign (31-29 record, second-place finish).

With young and rising stars like Elly De La Cruz, Hunter Greene, Spencer Steer and Matt McLain, as well as promising prospects like Rhett Lowder, the Reds are looking to take the next step and reach the playoffs following a full season for the first time since 2013.

Francona’s reputation precedes him. Upon taking the helm in Boston in 2004, he led a Red Sox team that hadn’t been able to get past the rival Yankees to an ALCS upset before its first World Series title in 86 years. Boston won another title under Francona three years later, and overall, he guided the Red Sox to the postseason five times in his eight seasons as manager.

In 2013, Francona became manager in Cleveland, leading that club to the postseason for the first time in six years. In ’16, Cleveland reached the World Series, but lost in seven games to the Cubs. Overall, Francona became the winningest manager in Cleveland history, going 921-757 with six postseason appearances in 11 years. He also won three American League Manager of the Year Awards in that span (2013, ’16 and ’22).

Following the 2023 season, Francona stepped down as Guardians manager due to health reasons, but said he hoped to return to baseball in some capacity when healthy again.

Francona played for the Reds in 1987 as part of his 10-year playing career.

(From the Ohio High School Athletic Association)

The Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) has designated the week of Oct. 6-12 as Fall Sports Officials Appreciation Week.

Officials Appreciation Week is part of the OHSAA’s Respect the Game program, which encourages sportsmanship among student-athletes, coaches, officials and spectators.

“We are grateful to the men and women all across the state who serve as contest officials,” said OHSAA Director of Officiating Beau Rugg. “Officiating is a commitment, and these individuals deserve our appreciation and respect not only for their work on the field and court, but also for the hours they spend in clinics, rules meetings and professional development during the offseason.”

Athletic administrators are encouraged to utilize an OHSAA-provided public address script before all home games during the week and use their social media accounts to show appreciation for contest officials.

Future appreciation weeks are set for Jan. 12-18, 2025 (winter sports) and April 6-12, 2025 (spring sports).