Findlay Mayor Christina Muryn gave her State of the City address on Wednesday.

The address had a different look to it this year with WFIN’s Chris Oaks interviewing the mayor in front of a crowd at the Marathon Center for the Performing Arts.

Chris began the conversation by asking the mayor “the state of the city is?” To which the mayor replied “amazing!”

During the conversation, Mayor Muryn outlined key projects and initiatives on the horizon for the coming year, focusing on economic growth, and community priorities, and also provided updates on ongoing projects.

If you couldn’t make it to MCPA to watch the address in person or listen to it live on WFIN.com you can listen back to it in the audio file below and watch it in the video below that. 

(From the University of Findlay)

The University of Findlay has a rich history of successful alumni making positive impacts on the University, Oiler students, the community, and society as a whole. The Wolfe Center for Alumni, Parents and Friends is now accepting applications for the 2025 Alumni Awards.

“We welcome nominations so that we may recognize and thank these outstanding individuals for their accomplishments,” said Samuel Yates ’16, president of the Alumni Board of Governors.

Nominations will be reviewed by the Recognition Committee of the Alumni Association Board of Governors.

Awards in four categories are presented annually during the University’s homecoming celebration:

• • Distinguished Alumni Award – presented to UF alumni who have exhibited the highest standards of individual achievement in professional or personal endeavors, who have demonstrated loyalty and support to UF, and contributed to the advancement of all humanity. Nominees must have graduated more than 10 years ago.

• • Old Main Award – presented to UF alumni who have demonstrated distinctive achievements in a career, civic involvement, or service to the University and are younger than 36.

• • Gold Medallion Award – presented posthumously to alumni who had superb records of distinguished career accomplishments and made outstanding contributions to their profession, the University, or their community but were not recognized by UF prior to their death.

• • Arch Award – presented to a member of the Findlay community who has demonstrated loyalty and support to the University with at least 15 years of service, but does not hold a degree from UF.

Nomination forms can be found here and must be submitted by April 1, 2025, or call the Wolfe Center for Alumni, Parents and Friends at 419-434-4008.

(From Findlay Trojan Sports)

Meet FHS alumni & national champions Luke Montgomery & Nate Riegle during the Boys Basketball game on Fri, Feb 14!

Tickets must be purchased at: findlaytrojans.com/tickets

Don’t miss out on this exciting opportunity!

Findlay and Hancock County are now included in an Ice Storm Warning issued by the National Weather Service.

The Ice Storm Warning is in effect until 7 a.m. Thursday.

Forecasters say total snow and sleet accumulations up to one inch and ice accumulations of one tenth to three tenths of an inch are possible.

The weather service says power outages and tree damage are likely due to the ice.

Travel will be very difficult due to slippery road conditions and periodic poor visibility.

The hazardous conditions will impact the Wednesday evening and Thursday morning commutes.

Travel is strongly discouraged. If you must travel, keep a flashlight, food and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency.

Prepare for possible power outages.

Get the latest forecast and weather alerts here and school delays/closings here.

(From the Findlay-Hancock County Public Library)

Calling All Young Artists! Design Our Next Library Card! 

Your creativity could be part of library history!

We’re looking for Hancock County artists under 18 to design the new Youth Library Card, and we want YOUR artwork!

Winning design = Our next youth library card!
Submit entries by February 28, 2025
Drop off at the Children’s Desk, Arlington, or the Bookmobile

Pick up an entry form at the library or download it from our website.

The community will vote to choose the winner! 

(From the Seneca County Sheriff’s Office)

On Monday, February 10, 2025, the Seneca County Drug Task Force-METRICH Enforcement Unit, along with additional Deputies from the Seneca County Sheriff’s Office, and Agents from the Sandusky County Drug Task Force, executed a drug-related search warrant on a residence located at 7715 N. Co. Road 29, Flatrock, Seneca County, Ohio, which is the residence of Paul Buchanan, 36 YOA. ​

The search warrant signed by Judge Damon Alt, Seneca County Common Pleas Court led to the confiscation of suspected Methamphetamine, Criminal Tools, & Firearms.

The investigation is presently an “ongoing” investigation. The charges of Illegal Possession of Methamphetamine, and Possession of Criminal Tools are all pending on the residents in the conclusion of the entire drug investigation.

“Task Force Agents and Deputies who were executing the Search Warrant on the residence immediately contacted Seneca County Children Services for assistance when they entered the residence and discovered two small children living in dreadful living conditions. Besides the illegal drugs discovered in the residence, there was a range of factors that threaten the safety of the children, including unhygienic conditions, inadequate sanitary conditions, exposure to dangerous substances and objects, and insect infestations. I’m always pleased to see drugs removed from our community, but I’m even more grateful that the children were removed from that unhealthy and unsafe environment!”

Sheriff Fredrick W. Stevens

Seneca County Sheriff’s Office

(From Blanchard Valley Health System)

Please join us in congratulating our January team DAISY Award recipients: Adam Neinberg, Kelley Van Atta, Emily Shumaker, and Gabi Searfoss! 

These #TeamBVHS associates did a wonderful job supporting a young patient and her mother during a post-tonsillectomy emergency.

These team members in the emergency department (ED) showed incredible patience. They took the time to comfort the frightened child and explain every step of her care to her and her mother.

In the surgery holding area, the team worked seamlessly to prepare her for surgery, ensuring the child and her mother felt reassured and supported during a stressful time. After the procedure, the recovery team provided compassionate care, listening to the mother’s concerns and making the little girl feel like she was the center of attention.

The thoughtful and professional care from these nurses transformed a difficult day into a story of kindness and connection.

Pictured are Sara Jones, emergency services clinical manager, BJ Pasztor, chief operating officer of acute care services & chief nursing officer, Adam Nienberg, RN, emergency services, Kelley Van Atta, CNP, operating room, Emily Shumaker, RN, same day surgery and post anesthesia unit (SDS/PACU) RN, Gabi Searfoss, RN, SDS/PACU, Trevor Schmiedebusch, director perioperative services, and Natalie Phoenix, director of emergency services.

(From the Fostoria Police Department)

On Tuesday, February 11th, 2025, at approximately 11:46 AM, The Fostoria Police Department and Fostoria EMS responded to 1521 N. Countyline St, Fostoria, Wood County Ohio, for the report of an unresponsive infant. Once Fostoria First Responders arrived on scene, lifesaving actions were implemented, and the infant was then immediately transported to the Fostoria ProMedica Hospital for further medical aid. Unfortunately, the 4-month-old child was later pronounced deceased.

While investigating the incident, Fostoria Detectives and Wood County Children Services Investigators were able to determine the infant’s death was not of natural causes or accidental, and that the child had sustained injuries that were consistent with trauma and abuse. Through further interviews and investigation, detectives and investigators were able to determine the father, Joseph D. Bonito, 24 YOA, had purposefully injured the infant, which lead to the death.

At this time, Mr. Bonito has been charged with Murder, ORC 2903.02(B) and Endangering Children, ORC 2919.22 (B)(1)(E)(d). Mr. Bonito is currently being held in the Wood County Jail with no bond, awaiting his initial court appearance. The incident remains under investigation.

Gabe Wedge
Chief of Police
Fostoria Police Department

(From the Seneca County Sheriff’s Office)

Update as of Feb. 12th, 2025 0845

The cleanup began shortly after midnight and the latest information is that it will be 1-2 days for cleanup and once that is done they can assess the full damage to the roadway and crossing and then advise on how long it will take to make it passable for vehicles.

Sounds like they are detouring traffic north on 4 To 162 into Huron County and then on 99 through Willard to get back on 224. The bussing coordinator was made aware of the blocked crossings at 224 and the fairground road.

We will work with ODOT and our County Plow drivers to come up with a plan for the upcoming snow/ice storms tonight and this weekend.

This is going to be a fluid situation on the repair of that crossing so please be patient and as soon as we hear something different we will update you.

Shout out to AVR and CERT for all their hard work at the scene.

-Sheriff Stevens

——————————————

On Feb 11th, 2025 at approximately 8:19pm there was a train derailment in Attica on U.S. 224 with roughly 19 cars derailed. No injuries and no other property damage other than the crossing and some ground. No power poles or wire damage.

Two tankers leaking, one is identified as corn syrup and the other as alcohol. We have a sniffer drone going over the whole scene to double and triple verify.

At this time there is no danger of any hazardous material. Updates will come later.

-Sheriff Stevens

(From the United Way of Hancock County)

Safety net services across Hancock County will be strengthened by the allocation of $1.7 million by United Way of Hancock County.

Funding will be distributed among 19 local programs focused on the areas of championing children’s success, fighting hunger, promoting safety and health, supporting safe housing, and fostering financial stability. These priority areas were identified by a team of over 50 diverse community volunteers in a grant review process that is repeated yearly as part of United Way’s commitment to regularly assessing the community’s changing needs and responding accordingly.

“Working families and retirees continue to be impacted by our changing economy. Our funding distribution among 19 local programs serves as a safety net for the vulnerable population in our community,” said United Way of Hancock County CEO Kelley McClurkin.

The funds being distributed were raised through United Way’s 2024 Annual Campaign, which engages individual donors and retirees, as well as employees through workplace philanthropy.

“The United Way is honored to contribute to and protect our community in such an impactful way. We are sincerely thankful to our fundraising team and to everyone who trusts us with their financial gifts, including individual donors and workplace campaign partners,” McClurkin said. “You are all Difference Makers for the people who need it most.”

Championing children’s success

Local programs falling under United Way’s Vulnerable Children Initiative will receive a total of $285,000 in support of advocacy, prevention and crisis response efforts designed to protect kids and put them on a path to success.

Children’s funding will be distributed among CASA/GAL of Hancock County, whose trained volunteers advocate for youth who are navigating the court system; the Center for Safe and Healthy Children’s forensic interview program that follows a report of child abuse; child victim services offered by Open Arms Domestic Violence & Rape Crisis Services; Children’s Mentoring Connection of Hancock County’s various youth mentoring programs; Scouting and Exploring programs offered through Boy Scouts of America and Girl Scouts of Western Ohio; and the Salvation Army’s summer enrichment camp.

Fighting hunger

Food security programs have been allocated $291,000. Among rising grocery prices, United Way’s partner agencies have reported a significant increase in individuals and families seeking help through local food assistance programs.

Food security funds will support the YMCA’s Feed-A-Child program, which provides weekend backpack meals for students; vouchers for individuals and families in need of supplemental

grocery items through Christian Clearing House; West Ohio Food Bank’s distributions to Hancock County food pantries; and the emergency food pantry at the Salvation Army.

Promoting safety and health

Safety and health allocations focused on strengthening Hancock County residents’ physical and mental health will receive $316,500.

Funds distributed for safety and health will provide direct financial assistance for cancer patients living or working in Hancock County through Cancer Patient Services; adult victim services offered by Open Arms; equine-assisted therapy for veterans and people of all ages with disabilities through Challenged Champions Equestrian Center; and disaster response services programs though the American Red Cross.

Supporting safe housing

A total of $232,500 has been awarded to two Hope House programs aimed at helping people who are unhoused or who are at risk of becoming homeless. The family shelter and independence programs work to provide housing solutions, support and education to individuals and families.

Fostering financial stability

Financial stability funds totaling $50,000 will support HHWP Community Action Commission’s Hancock Area Transportation Services (HATS) program, which provides low-cost rides to employment, medical appointments and more.

Additional funding will continue to help United Way deliver its free tax preparation service, called VITA, which is taking place now, as well as the Halt Hunger Initiative. United Way’s volunteer center, Volunteers United, placed 10,200 volunteer hours in 2024.

All money raised in Hancock County stays local to support vital services, unless otherwise designated by the donor. United Way of Hancock County regularly seeks state and federal grants to help bolster funds raised locally and to allow the organization to use campaign dollars most effectively.

Visit uwhancock.org to donate or to learn more about the United Way’s mission and work.