(From the Ohio State Highway Patrol)

The Ohio State Highway Patrol’s Norwalk Post is investigating a fatal crash involving a train in Loudon Township, in Seneca County.

The crash occurred at approximately 1:30 p.m. on Thursday on U.S. 224, just west of U.S. 23.

The preliminary investigation showed a Kia Soul, operated by Ellen Atherton, 72, Arlington, was driving northeast on U.S. 224 and went through a lowered railroad gate arm.

The Kia was struck by a northbound CSX train and pushed off the left side of the roadway, before striking a utility pole.

Ellen Atherton and the front-seat passenger, Rex Atherton, 75, Arlington, suffered fatal injuries at the scene.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol was assisted on scene by the Seneca County Sheriff’s Office, Hancock County Sheriff’s Office, Bascom Joint Fire District, Bascom EMS, Seneca County EMS, Seneca County Coroner’s Office, CSX Police Department, Seneca County Community Emergency Response Team and Keller Brothers Enterprise. The crash remains under investigation

ZF Active Safety US Inc. says it has informed employees of the planned closure of its Findlay manufacturing facility located at 1750 Production Drive.

The Findlay Plant manufactures brake control units.

The timing of the closure is anticipated to be in the second quarter of 2025.

“We are announcing well ahead of the plant ending dates to give employees more certainty regarding the future and allow them to prepare for new employment. The company will support them in seeking new employment while the plant closes out their customer commitments,” ZF said in a statement provided to WFIN News.  

Dan Sheaffer, Executive Director Findlay-Hancock County Economic Development, says ZF, the economic development office, and Raise the Bar and other workforce partners will support the affected workers in seeking new employment as the plant closes out its customer commitments.

Sheaffer added that the ZF building and its strategic location offer an opportunity to locate and source another manufacturer in the automotive space.

ZF said the reason for the closure is that the serial production contracts for the Brake Controls product have ended and the carry-on business has been sourced to another supplier.

The closure will impact approximately 215 ZF employees and approximately 35 external agency workers.

(From the Ohio Department of Transportation)

The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) District 1’s annual Paint-the-Plow contest winners are Hancock County’s Riverdale Middle School and the Paulding FFA Chapter.

Riverdale, located in Mt. Blanchard, collected the most votes on social media to win the people’s choice award, earning 969 votes on ODOT District 1’s Facebook page contest. The plow with the most likes, comments, and shares wins the award.

The artists’ work honors Mr. Luke Swavel, a beloved middle school teacher and coach who passed away unexpectedly in May 2023.

“Luke was a dedicated Falcon staff member,” said Greg Rossman, Riverdale Local Schools superintendent. “He gave 100 percent effort in his history classes and made connections with all of his students,” he said. 

Ada High School took second place with 513 votes, and in third place, Upper Scioto Valley High School with 480 votes, both with bold school mascot-themed plows.

(From Cory-Rawson Local Schools)

Congratulations to our 2024 Amazing Shake winner Knikki McNeil!

Knikki was joined in the third round by Noah Phillips, Connor Reese, and our celebrity emcee Corey King.

We received so many compliments on our seventh graders’ skills throughout the first two rounds!

A big thank-you to our guest judges and volunteers (over 50 of them!) and to Mrs. Lee, Mrs. Schulte, Mr. Lee and Mrs. Hosler for coordinating such an impactful event!

The Amazing Shake teaches students that manners, discipline, respect, and how to conduct themselves in a professional environment are all important parts of life.  

At Cory-Rawson Junior High, students learned the mechanics of a proper handshake, as well as how to communicate effectively so that they can present themselves exceptionally well in various situations today and in the future.

(From the Ohio State Highway Patrol)

During the upcoming Memorial Day weekend, the Ohio State Highway Patrol will be highly visible on Ohio’s roadways promoting traffic safety. As motorists travel this weekend, troopers are reminding drivers to utilize their safety belts and to be responsible by designating a sober driver. The effort begins at midnight on Friday, May 24 and continues through 11:59 p.m. on Monday, May 27.

Last year in Ohio, 24 fatal crashes killed 26 people during the Memorial Day weekend. Of those fatalities, 18 crashes and 19 fatalities were OVI-related. In the fatalities where a safety belt was available, 11 of the 13 were unbelted. Seven of the 10 motorcyclists killed were not wearing a helmet.

“Memorial Day weekend is a time for remembrance and reflection, but it’s also a busy time on our roads,” said Governor Mike DeWine. “This Memorial Day and every day, I encourage drivers to make responsible decisions each and every time they get behind the wheel.”

Also, during last year’s Memorial Day weekend, the Patrol made 399 impaired driving arrests.  

“Memorial Day weekend marks the start of summer and we encourage everyone to make responsible choices behind the wheel,” said Colonel Charles A. Jones, Patrol Superintendent. “Whether you’re traveling to visit loved ones or enjoying a local getaway, remember to buckle up, avoid distractions and never drive under the influence.”

In addition to the Memorial Day reporting period, the Patrol is continuing the 6-State Trooper Project focusing on the use of safety belts. This high-visibility effort includes the Indiana State Police, Kentucky State Police, Michigan State Police, Pennsylvania State Police, West Virginia State Police and the Ohio State Highway Patrol. The initiative began May 20 and will continue through May 27.

The Patrol is also taking part in the Click It or Ticket campaign, which runs May 20 through June 2.

You can help contribute to a safer Ohio by calling #677 to report drug activity and dangerous or impaired driving on Ohio roadways.

(ONN) – Ohio has set a new tourism record.

The Ohio Department of Development reports that more than 238 million tourists visited Ohio in 2023, a new record.

A visitor is defined as someone who travels 50 or more miles from home and not as part of a regular routine.

These visitors spent over $56 billion, also a record.

20 percent of them stayed overnight and 84 percent say they will be back within the next year.

More than 400,000 recreation and hospitality workers were positively impacted.

On Tuesday the state celebrated Ohio Tourism Day promoting the summer travel season.

The Findlay Police Department says two people were injured in a two-vehicle crash.

The crash happened around 6:30 Thursday morning at the intersection of Tiffin Avenue and North Blanchard Street.

Police say Maria Sanchez, 21, of Findlay, was eastbound on Tiffin Avenue and ran the red light at North Blanchard Street, striking another car in the front end that was southbound on North Blanchard Street and being driven by 42-year-old Christy Colley, of Findlay.

Police say Sanchez was taken to Blanchard Valley Hospital for injuries to the left side of her body and a possible broken arm, while Colley was treated on the scene for injuries to her legs, knees and chest.

Police issued Sanchez a citation for running the red light.

(From the Fostoria Police Division)

On 05/22/2024 at approximately 0100 hrs, the Fostoria Police Department responded to the 1300 block of S. Main St, for a call of a suspicious person, attempting to open vehicle doors.

As officers checked the area, they located a subject wearing all black with a black bag. Officers then got out on foot and began approaching the subject. When the subject seen the officers, he ran. Fostoria Police Sergeant Nate Elliott and Patrolman Chad Marchetto began chasing the subject westbound down McLean St across S. Union St. As Sergeant Elliott and Officer Marchetto closed the distance with the subject, and warned the subject of being tazed, the subject fired a gun.

Officers then drew their weapons and continued after the subject who they found throwing items over a fence, of which he then could not get over. Officers were able to apprehend the subject, identified as Elijah Keiffer, 26 YOA, of Fostoria.

On the other side of the fence, where Mr Keiffer was throwing items was a black bag, containing a large amount of coins and numerous other items officers were able to determine were stolen from several vehicles on the south end of Fostoria. Also located was a loaded Sig Sauer 9mm and a spent shell casing.

Mr Keiffer was arrested on several Felony charges, including possession of weapons under disability, discharging a firearm in the city, and possession of a stolen firearm. The firearm was found to have been stolen during a car break in a few days ago outside of Arcadia.

While the spent casing and gun were located, investigators were unable to locate the spent round, at this time. The location of the evidence found, in alignment with where Mr Keiffer was apprehended, suggests and are consistent with Mr Keiffer shooting the gun at the pursuing officers.

Additional charges are pending upon further investigation and prosecutor review.

Thankfully no injuries were reported by any of the parties involved!

Chamberlin Hill Elementary sent its 5^th graders out in style with a clap-out.

The 3^rd and 4^th graders lined the sidewalks around the school and cheered, clapped and high-fived the 5^th graders as they walked by.

Family members also joined in on the fun.

Principal Ryan Eldridge says this was a great 5th grade class and knows they’ll do well in middle school.

Most of the 5^th graders will be attending Donnell Middle School next school year, while some will be attending Glenwood Middle School.

Other FCS schools in the district held clap-outs for their students as well.

See some video of the clap-out below.

(From FEMA)

FEMA is hiring Ohio residents to support the March 14 tornado recovery effort.

Qualified candidates with diverse backgrounds and a desire to serve are needed immediately. These temporary positions start as 120-day appointments and may be extended depending on the needs of the recovery mission.  

FEMA is accepting applications for 11 positions in and around the Columbus area, ranging from administrative and logistics work to coordinating recovery support with local voluntary agency partners and helping survivors navigate their application process with FEMA.

To see all open positions, visit usajobs.gov and type the keywords “local hire” and enter “Ohio” for the location. Detailed information is provided for each position, including pay and benefits.

Hiring locally helps build FEMA’s disaster recovery workforce. Many career FEMA employees began as local hires.

 All applicants must be U.S. citizens, 18 years of age or older, and possess a high school diploma or GED. If the position description instructs you to email your application, the subject line of your email must include the title of the position for which you wish to be considered. Your resume should also clearly indicate the position you’re applying for.

Individuals will be required to pass a background investigation that includes finger printing and credit check. Employees are also required to participate in mandatory direct deposit/electronic funds transfer for salary payment. If you are found qualified, you may be called to participate in an interview. FEMA is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

For even more information about the disaster recovery operation in Ohio, visit www.fema.gov/disaster/4777.