(ONN) – A discount retailer is acquiring former Big Lots locations in Ohio.
Ollie’s Bargain Outlets has now acquired a total of 63 former Big Lots locations.
The chain is based in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania and the acquisitions come as Columbus-based Big Lots navigates bankruptcy.
Locations in Findlay, Bowling Green, Chardon, and Middletown are on the list of sites being converted to Ollie’s.
Big Lots is not completely closing its doors.
The company is reported to continue operating 200 stores.
(From Camp 9-1-1)
Calling all future safety superheroes!
Camp 911 is back and open for registration!
This fun and interactive safety camp is designed for Hancock County kids entering kindergarten and is led by our local first responders.
Dates: June 23 – June 27
Two Sessions Available:
AM Session: 8:00 AM – 11:00 AM – Tuesday, June 24 – Friday, June 27
PM Session: 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM – Monday, June 23rd – Thursday, June 26
Kids will learn essential safety skills, meet real-life heroes, and have a blast in hands-on activities!
Register Now:
AM Session: https://forms.gle/8mf6rurdbepcpi4v8
PM Session: https://forms.gle/fjYJZxopZWHQMXDj9
(From the City of Findlay)
The City of Findlay is proud to announce that Mayor Christina Muryn has been appointed to the Community Leaders of America (CLA) Steering Committee for the Northeast. This appointment recognizes Mayor Muryn’s dedication to effective governance, economic development, and community engagement and her position as a respected leader by Mayors across the United States.
Community Leaders of America (CLA) is a national organization that brings together Republican mayors and county leaders from across the country to promote innovative policies, share best practices, and advocate for pro-growth, fiscally responsible governance.
CLA’s core principles include:
Stimulate job growth by establishing a sustainable business environment that promotes opportunity and prosperity for everyone
Ensure public safety and protect civil liberties in our communities
Enhance quality of life by promoting infrastructure improvements and providing necessary services in the most effective and efficient manner possible
Protect taxpayer resources through implementation of common-sense fiscal management
As a member of the Steering Committee, Mayor Muryn will collaborate with fellow municipal leaders to shape policy discussions, advocate for local priorities, and support initiatives that drive sustainable growth and innovation in cities and towns across the region. “I am honored to join the CLA Steering Committee and contribute to meaningful policy discussions that will benefit Findlay and communities across the region,” said Mayor Muryn. “Strong leadership and collaborative problem-solving are essential to building a brighter future for our residents.”
Mayor Muryn has served as Findlay’s mayor since 2019 and has been a vocal advocate for economic development, infrastructure improvements, and community engagement. Her leadership has helped position Findlay as one of Ohio’s most dynamic and thriving cities.
(From Findlay City Schools)
As promised, we have answers to some of the questions that we ran out of time to answer at last week’s Town Hall!
Check them out here: https://www.fcs.org/…/financial-facts/town-hall-follow-up
If you don’t see your question, stay tuned…we are adding more answers every day!
The discussion focused on the district’s financial challenges following the failed November 2024 levy, which resulted in a $6.1 million budget reduction.
Need a rewatch of Town Hall? Watch it below.
(From the Findlay-Hancock County Public Library)
The Findlay-Hancock County Public Library has announced the selection of Gaining Ground: A Story of Farmers’ Markets, Local Food, and Saving the Family Farm by Forrest Pritchard as the CommunityREAD 2025 book.
Library Director Sarah Clevidence was on with WFIN’s Chris Oaks to discuss this year’s CommunityREAD selection and more, and that interview can be heard below.
Forrest Pritchard will visit Hancock County on Thursday, March 20 during CommunityREAD month for a public presentation at 7:30 PM at the Marathon Center for the Performing Arts.
Tickets are available for $10.00 at mcpa.org/events. We are also presenting special companion programs. Please check the calendar and plan to attend!
What Is CommunityREAD?
CommunityREAD is a month-long community event that encourages reading and promotes the benefits of literacy. It was originally created by the Findlay-Hancock County Community Foundation in 2003. The administration of CommunityREAD was assumed by the library in 2012. Each year, a different book is chosen and read by community members. Various events are planned throughout the month of March at the library and throughout the community to celebrate literacy. CommunityREAD is funded by a Findlay-Hancock County Community Foundation grant, as well as the library’s general fund, and business and private sponsors. For more information on CommunityREAD, please call us at 419-422-1712.
(From the Hancock Historical Museum)
The Hancock Historical Museum invites the public to its upcoming Brown Bag Lecture presented by Eastman & Smith LTD. at 12 p.m. Thursday, March 6, 2025.
The featured presentation, “Reading Victorian Architecture,” will be delivered by Joshua Dubbert, Historian at the Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Library and Museums.
As Dubbert describes it, when we think of Victorian buildings, what usually comes to mind is big, rambling houses with towers and colorful gingerbread woodwork.
Though these are certainly characteristics of Victorian structures, building styles varied greatly from one decade to the next.
This program illustrates the many stylistic shifts during the Victorian Era (1837- 1901) by introducing some of its influential architects and demonstrating how to “read” a building to see how and when it fits into its specific timeframe.
Dubbert’s research focuses on Victorian America, particularly its culture, art, architecture, and the era’s presidents.
He enjoys giving public programs and tours of the Hayes Home, sharing the fascinating history of Hayes, his presidency, his family and his era.
The lecture will last approximately 45 minutes to an hour, with ample time for questions and discussion.
Guests are encouraged to bring their own lunches to enjoy during the program.
Admission is free for museum members and $3 for non-members.
The Brown Bag Lecture Series takes place on the first Thursday of every month at the Hancock Historical Museum, located at 422 West Sandusky Street in Findlay.
Each lecture highlights topics of historical and cultural significance to Hancock County and Ohio.
No registration is required.
For more information, please contact the Hancock Historical Museum at (419) 423-4433 or visit www.hancockhistoricalmuseum.org.
Vanlue Local School has announced its new superintendent.
The Board of Education selected Eric Valasek as the school’s new superintendent.
Valasek has been the high school principal and the Board says his dedication to students and deep understanding of the school district have been evident in his work.
Get more details below.
(From the Ohio State Highway Patrol)
The Ohio State Highway Patrol will continue being highly visible on roadways across the state in an effort to reduce the number of fatal crashes. In addition, troopers are urging motorists to practice safe driving habits, such as using available safety belts, never driving while impaired and always following traffic laws.
From 2020-2024 there were 5,804 fatal crashes on Ohio roadways, resulting in 6,259 fatalities. Last year, there were 1,076 fatal crashes and 1,156 fatalities. This represents a 6.4% decrease in crashes and a 6.9% reduction in fatalities compared to 2023.
“It’s certainly encouraging to know that traffic fatalities dropped again last year – marking the third consecutive year of declining traffic deaths – but the number of people killed on Ohio’s roads is still far too high,” said Governor DeWine. “For the safety of all travelers, I continue to urge drivers to eliminate distractions and keep their attention on the road ahead.”
According to Patrol statistics, 26% of fatal crashes over the last five years were the result of driving off the roadway. Additionally, unsafe speed, driving left of center, failure to yield the right of way, following too closely and running a stop sign were the next top contributing factors in fatal crashes statewide.
Through proactive measures, such as an emphasis on distracted driving and focused drug and alcohol impaired driving enforcement, approximately 86 fewer lives were lost on Ohio roadways in 2024 than in 2023.
“Every life lost on Ohio’s roadways is a tragedy,” said Colonel Charles A. Jones, Patrol superintendent. “Drivers can help prevent crashes by watching your speed, following at a safe distance and obeying traffic laws. Safe driving is a responsibility we all share – every trip, every time.”
A statistical map containing fatal crash information can be found here and additional crash information is available on the Patrol’s Ohio Statistics and Analytics for Traffic Safety (OSTATS) Crash Dashboard.
The public is encouraged to safely call #677 to report reckless or impaired drivers and drug activity.
(From the Findlay Police Department)
Officer Alex Dewey was sworn in this morning by Mayor Muryn.
Dewey, 29, is a graduate of Van Buren High School.
He attended the Police Academy program at Rhode’s State University in 2016, earning his OPOTA certification.
Dewey previously served at the Carey Police Department as a Police Officer for six years and a Sergeant for two years.
He will be assigned to the department’s Patrol Division.
(From the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office)
We have received reports of counterfeit $100 bills being found in the county.
Any type of U.S. currency found please have it checked before spending.
If any currency is found and you are uncertain if it is real or fake, you can contact the sheriff’s office at 419-523-3208 or bring to the Sheriff’s office and we can check to see if it is real.