(ONN) – Immunization rates among Ohio kindergarteners has fallen again and ranks well below the national average.

That’s according to the annual report from the Ohio Department of Health.

Currently, the vaccination rate in Ohio is 85.4 percent compared to the national average of 92.7 percent.

This comes amid an ongoing measles outbreak in Texas and New Mexico.

Measles can be potentially deadly for children under the age of five.

Doctors are urging parents to get their kids the MMR vaccine if they haven’t already, and to talk to their pediatrician about any possible concerns.

Findlay City Council has approved an ordinance creating the zoning code to allow for the retail sale of cannabis in the city for recreational or medical use.

A Cannabis Overlay District allowing for adult-use cannabis dispensaries has been added to the Findlay Zoning code.

The city says the purpose of the Cannabis Overlay District allows for up to two dispensaries to operate in the city.

The district regulations are designed to encourage compatibility with adjacent or nearby land uses, the city said.

The overlay district consists of four areas:

Tiffin Avenue

I-75 exit 161 / CR 99

Trenton Avenue (west of I-75)

West Main Cross Street / I-75

The city previously placed a 12 month moratorium on the establishment of dispensaries.

Ohio voters approved the legalization of recreational marijuana in November of 2023.

(From Findlay Mayor Christina Muryn)

Mayor Christina Muryn has issued a proclamation declaring March 21, 2025, as World Down Syndrome Day in Findlay, Ohio, and encourages everyone to ‘Rock Your Socks‘ by wearing mismatched socks to acknowledge and embrace the beauty of our individual differences.

(From the City of Findlay)

Starting March 19, 2025, East Street between E. Lincoln St. and E. Lima St. will be closed Monday-Friday from 7:30am-3pm each day until April 7, weather permitting, for waterline installation.

Motorists are advised to avoid this area.

The City of Findlay will release updates on information and schedules when it becomes available.

(From the Findlay-Hancock County Public Library)

Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library of Ohio has reached a remarkable milestone– over **20 MILLION** books delivered to children under five throughout Ohio! 

As the proud Local Program Partner for Hancock County, we’ve mailed 168,421 of those wonderful stories, ensuring every family with young children can register to receive books at NO cost!

Let’s keep inspiring a love for reading together!

Sign up your child today: OhioImaginationLibrary.org

(ONN) – The Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Wildlife confirmed that 24 white-tailed deer taken during Ohio’s 2024-25 hunting season tested positive for chronic wasting disease.

A total of 5,783 deer were tested.

23 of the deer that tested positive were taken by hunters in Allen, Hardin, Marion, and Wyandot Counties.

For the first time, a deer harvested by a hunter in Morrow County also tested positive.

CWD is a neurological disease that is fatal to white-tailed deer and other similar species.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there is no strong evidence that CWD is transmissible to humans.

(From the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office)

Today, we had the honor of witnessing Corrections Officer Molly being officially sworn in by Sheriff Cortez—a proud moment made even more special as she took the oath alongside her father.

Join us in congratulating Molly on this incredible milestone!

We’re thrilled to have her as part of the team and look forward to the great work she’ll do.

Welcome aboard, Molly!

(From the Findlay-Hancock County Community Foundation)

Today is Dale Dorney’s birthday, and if anyone deserves a birthday salute, it’s him.

Who could have imagined all the good that would come from the $2.2 million gift he left to establish The Community Foundation?

Dale’s gift has been improving the quality of life in our community ever since.

The Dorney Fund alone has awarded more than $11 million in grants.

Dale’s legacy continues to grow with each passing year. Happy Birthday!

Learn more about Dale and his gift: https://www.community-foundation.com/…/dale-dorney…

(From Findlay City Schools)

The Findlay City Schools Board of Education has shared a second phase of potential budget reductions should the district’s 1% earned income tax levy, appearing on the May 6 ballot, not pass. These reductions would be in addition to the $6 million in reductions for the 2025-2026 school year following the unsuccessful November 2024 levy.

Findlay City Schools has not received new operating funds from the community in over 20 years, and under Ohio law, school district property tax levies do not increase with inflation. The 1% earned income tax levy is designed to provide sustainable funding for the district while exempting retirees and those on fixed incomes from additional taxation.

Should the Board continue to be unsuccessful in securing additional operating funding, as shared in September of 2024, a second round of likely cuts would need to be implemented in FY27. The likely cuts would be in addition to the cuts taking place in FY26:

• Reducing the administrative staff by up to an additional 4 positions
• Reduce the teaching staff up to another approximate 15-20 positions, further increasing class sizes
• Shift to half day kindergarten, reducing kindergarten staff in half
• Further reductions to supplemental positions in athletics and the performing arts
• Additional support staff reductions and safety/security reductions
• Custodial and possibly maintenance staff reductions
• Closing buildings at designated times to reduce utility costs
• Limit or eliminate bussing to extracurricular activities

These likely reductions are subject to change based on retirements and resignations, changes to enrollment, changes to state or Federal funding, or other circumstances. Should additional revenue not be added to the general fund to offset the impending deficit, a third phase of cuts will be necessary and articulated by the Board of Education at a later date.

Findlay City Schools encourages residents to stay informed about the May 6 levy and its potential impact. Additional information, including financial details and FAQs, is available on the district’s website at www.fcs.org.

The district remains committed to providing quality education and encourages community members to attend upcoming informational sessions or contact the district office with any questions.

(From Blanchard Valley Health System)

Blanchard Valley Health System (BVHS) will hold a community open house showcasing its new Wellness Park campus from 7 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, May 8.

This community event will feature a ribbon-cutting with the Findlay-Hancock County Chamber of Commerce.

Guided tours will be available, allowing community members to learn about the comprehensive care offered at Wellness Park. Conveniently located near I-75 on the north end of Findlay, the campus brings together primary care and a variety of specialties at one centralized location.

“In the weeks since Wellness Park opened, our community has benefited from how multiple specialties on the same campus allows for better collaboration among our caregivers and gives patients easy access,” said Myron D. Lewis, MSW, MBA, FACHE, president and chief executive officer of BVHS. “We look forward to showing Wellness Park to the community and giving Northwest Ohio residents a chance to learn more about the exceptional care our teams provide there every day.”

Services offered include primary care, pediatrics, endocrinology, diabetes management, rheumatology, orthopedics, podiatry, sports medicine, pediatric rehabilitation, and various rehabilitation therapies (physical, occupational, and speech). BVHS also offers imaging and laboratory services right on-site.

Wellness Park aims to address the growing challenges of chronic conditions like diabetes while expanding primary care options.

The site features an expanded Julie A. Cole Rehab & Sports Medicine with an on-site gym area along with a dedicated pediatric rehab space for occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech therapy, and behavioral health therapy.

Wellness Park is located at 3401 and 3411 Wellness Way, Findlay. For more information, please call 1.833.509.WELL or visit bvhealthsystem.org/wellness