(From Blanchard Valley Health System)
Future nurses in the making!
Blanchard Valley Health System recently wrapped up its second annual Future Nurse Camp.
The camp gives students a hands-on look at the heart of healthcare, and we are proud to support the next generation of compassionate, skilled caregivers!
Interested in joining #TeamBVHS?
Visit bvhealthsystem.org/careers to view and apply for our open positions.
This year will mark the 25th anniversary of Flag City BalloonFest in Findlay.
BalloonFest will be held on August 8th, 9th, and 10th at Emory Adams Park.
BalloonFest is a free, family-friendly event that features food vendors, live music, Glow Encounter, a kids’ zone with inflatables and games, and much more.
There will also be hot air balloon rides and helicopter rides, weather permitting.
Some attractions and events at the BalloonFest have fees. All main attractions are free to attend.
Get more information about BalloonFest by clicking here and see some video from previous years when WFIN’s Matt Demczyk went up on a media flight below.
(From Marathon Petroleum)
Marathon Petroleum Corp. (NYSE: MPC) today reported net income attributable to MPC of $1.2 billion, or $3.96 per diluted share, for the second quarter of 2025, compared with net income attributable to MPC of $1.5 billion, or $4.33 per diluted share, for the second quarter of 2024.
The second quarter of 2025 adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (adjusted EBITDA) was $3.3 billion, compared with $3.4 billion for the second quarter of 2024. Adjustments are shown in the accompanying release tables.
“Our second quarter results reflect actions we have taken to deliver on our strategic commitments,” said President and Chief Executive Officer Maryann Mannen.
“In refining, our team delivered 97% utilization and 105% margin capture; and we remain constructive on the long-term outlook. We have advanced our portfolio optimization for today and the future with MPLX’s announcement of a $2.375 billion midstream acquisition in the Permian and MPC’s $425 million divestiture of its partial interest in ethanol production facilities. We believe execution of our strategic commitments will position our integrated system to deliver industry-leading capital returns and offer a compelling value proposition for our shareholders.”
(From the Findlay Police Department)
The Findlay Police Department is pleased to announce the hiring of two new police officers.
Makenna Hurley and Evan VanSkyock were officially sworn in by Mayor Christina Muryn.
Hurley, 23, is a graduate of Mohawk High School and earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from the University of Findlay.
She currently resides in Sycamore, Ohio.
VanSkyock, 21, graduated from Versailles High School and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice from Bowling Green State University. He previously completed a four-month internship with the Findlay Police Department and resides in the Findlay area.
Both officers will attend the Ohio Peace Officer Training Academy at Owens Community College to earn their Ohio Peace Officer Certification.
Upon successful completion of the academy, they will be assigned to the department’s Patrol Division.
(From the Marathon Center for the Performing Arts)
We’re honored to share that Marathon Center for the Performing Arts has received a $48,000 Sustainability Grant from the Ohio Arts Council to support our operations and help us continue bringing exceptional arts, culture, and entertainment to our community.
This funding helps sustain the high-quality programming you love, and we’re incredibly grateful to the Ohio Arts Council, Governor Mike DeWine, Representative Ty Matthews, and Senator Rob McColley for their continued support of the arts in Ohio!
(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 August 4, 2025, until further notice.
ALLEN AVENUE – Main Street to Railroad – Allen Avenue will be closed to through traffic from Main Street to Railroad for milling and paving.
MIDLAND AVENUE – Main Street to Railroad – Midland Avenue will be closed to through traffic from Main Street to Railroad for milling and paving.
GARFIELD AVENUE – Main Street to Railroad – Garfield Avenue will be closed to through traffic from Main Street to Railroad for milling and paving.
GEORGE STREET – Main Street to Railroad – George Street will be closed to through traffic from Main Street to Railroad for milling and paving.
TWP RD 77 (WESTERN AVENUE) – TWP RD 80 to Trail 81 – Twp. Road 77 (Western Avenue) will be closed to through traffic from Twp. Rd. 80 to Trail 81 for a sanitary sewer project.
MORRICAL BLVD – Logan Avenue to Bliss Avenue – Morrical Blvd will be closed to through traffic from Logan Avenue to the end of Bliss Avenue for waterline installation.
BROOKVIEW COURT – Brookside Drive to Cul-de-sac – Brookview Court will be closed to through traffic to from Brookside Drive to the cul-de-sac for milling and paving.
FOXFIRE LANE (S.) – Fox Run Road to Foxtail Drive – Foxfire Lane will be closed to through traffic to from Fox Run Road to the cul-de-sac for milling and paving.
STATE ROUTE 568 – Trail 237 to TR 242 – SR 568 will be maintained with portable traffic lights from Trail 237 to TR 242 for the installation of Greenway Trail Phase 3.
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 the Hancock County Board of Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services (ADAMHS)
Four organizations have been awarded $16,900 in grants through the Hancock County Community Partnership for local prevention and wellness initiatives that promote health, wellness, safety, and/or reduce the likelihood of health-related problems for people of all ages.
The Partnership had requested proposals that focused on delaying the use of substances, including alcohol, tobacco, marijuana, vaping, and illicit drugs; supporting mental health and wellness; addressing problem gaming/gambling; and/or supporting the creation of welcoming spaces.
The recipients for 2025-2026 are: Awakening Minds Arts ($3,400), Bless Up and Bloom ($5,000), Fort Findlay FOP ($3,500), and Findlay High School ($5,000).
The Awakening Minds Arts Creative Wellness: Art for Mental Health & Social Connection initiative will support high school seniors navigating the transition to adulthood, a period often marked by stress, anxiety and uncertainty. Through a collaboration between AMA and the University of Findlay Social Work Department, social work students will offer a structured series of art and wellness workshops designed specifically for high school seniors in Hancock County by integrating creative expression, mindfulness training, and peer-centered activities to help students develop emotional resilience, self-compassion, leadership skills and a stronger sense of social and community belonging.
With its grant, Bless Up and Bloom will launch a wellness initiative providing haircuts and hygiene services to individuals currently enrolled in drug recovery programs in Hancock County. Many of these individuals face economic hardship and are unable to access these services independently. Goals include increasing self-confidence and self-worth among clients in recovery, supporting their reentry into the workforce and social settings and reducing relapse rates by addressing health and wellness holistically. Bless Up and Bloom will partner with local recovery programs to offer monthly grooming sessions onsite or at its salon location, serving 60–80 individuals over a six-month period.
Findlay High School experienced a significant number of student deaths during the 2024-2025 academic school year and sought a grant to support the need for mental health awareness and suicide prevention at Findlay High School. During the 2025-2026 school year, the C.O.R.E. (Community, Opportunity, Relationships, Empowerment) team will utilize funding to support positive mental health within its student population by offering workshops that focus on coping skills, building connections, and promoting self-care.
Counselors will determine which students participate in groups based on referrals from the school counselor and/or principal.
The Fort Findlay FOP Lodge #20 Foundation received funding for its Officer Appreciation Summer Picnic, an annual event designed to support Hancock County’s law enforcement community. Law enforcement and their families from all departments are invited to the free event to have fun, socialize and build supportive relationships between officers and youth. Families are also informed about the mental health resources available to them in the event of a crisis. A goal is to have at least 50 law enforcement families attend.
(From the Black Swamp Area Council)
The Black Swamp Area Council’s 26th Annual Scouting Golf Classic was a resounding success, raising over $90,000 to support local Scouting programs across Northwest and West Central Ohio. Held at the beautiful Findlay Country Club, the event brought together 27 foursomes and dozens of sponsors for a day of golf, fellowship, and community impact.
The winning team from National Lime & Stone of Hardy Hartzell, Tim Mayle, Jon Beach (not in the picture), Tim Federici took home top honors, celebrated in a photo with Marc Kogan, Scout Executive; Sherri Garner Brumbaugh, Council VP of Development; and Julian Piña, Assistant Golf Pro at the Findlay Country Club.
“This event is more than just a day on the green—it’s a powerful investment in the future of our youth,” said Marc Kogan. “We’re incredibly grateful to our sponsors, golfers, and volunteers who made this day possible.”
Top Sponsors Included:
All proceeds from the outing stay 100% local, directly benefiting over 3,000 youth and adult volunteers served by the Black Swamp Area Council.
Save the Date!
The 27th Annual Scouting Golf Classic is already scheduled for Thursday, May 21, 2026, once again at the Findlay Country Club.
(From the Hancock Historical Museum)
The Hancock Historical Museum invites the public to its upcoming Brown Bag Lecture on Thursday, August 7, 2025, at noon. This month’s featured presentation, “The USS Barb: The Submarine That Sank a Train,” will be delivered by Eric Wilkins, veteran of the United States Marine Corps and the Ohio Army National Guard, and current fire inspector with the Findlay Fire Department.
A self-described “war nerd,” Wilkins spent his COVID lockdown immersed in the stories of submarine warfare—and emerged with one of the most astonishing tales of World War II. His presentation will explore the exploits of the USS Barb, one of the most successful American submarines of the war, under the bold command of Captain Eugene Fluckey.
Fluckey and the Barb’s crew changed the nature of submarine warfare in the Pacific. From launching the first submarine-based rocket attacks to employing audacious sabotage tactics ashore, the Barb pushed the limits of what submariners could accomplish. Among its many feats, one stands out for sheer ingenuity: the successful destruction of a Japanese train—making the USS Barb the only U.S. Navy vessel with a train kill to its name.
Wilkins will share how overlooked intelligence, daring leadership, and relentless innovation helped the Barb and its crew leave an indelible mark on the war effort—and why this extraordinary story continues to fascinate historians and military buffs today.
The lecture will last approximately 45 minutes to an hour, with 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 beyond.
No registration is required. For more information, please contact the Hancock Historical Museum at (419) 423-4433 or visit www.hancockhistoricalmuseum.org.
(This is a joint Media Release from the Fort Findlay FOP Lodge #20 Foundation’s Cops & Kids Program and the City of Findlay)
FINDLAY, Ohio – August 1, 2025 – Two Halloween events are planned for the local Findlay area this October. The 2025 Cops & Kids Findlay Halloween Parade presented by loanDepot will be held on Tuesday, Oct. 21, at 7 p.m., and the citywide trick or treat event is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 25, from 6 to 8 p.m. Neighborhood participants are encouraged to follow local safety guidelines during trick or treating.
The parade will take place on South Main Street. This year’s theme is “Be a Hero, Be a Champion.” Parade participants are encouraged to highlight individuals or groups they consider champions and heroes, including community helpers, public figures, or personal role models.
“This parade is about community, creativity, and connection,” said Teresa White, director of the Fort Findlay FOP Lodge #20 Foundation. “We can’t wait to see how participants bring our theme to life.”
Registration Opens Soon
Early Bird parade registration opens at 12:01 a.m. on Sept. 8. Standard registration begins at 12:01 a.m. on Oct. 1, and the final deadline to register is midnight on Oct. 14. Entries are open to families, schools, businesses, and organizations. Space is limited and fills quickly, so early registration is encouraged. Visit https://copsandkidsfindlay.org/halloween-parade to register your entry.
Back by Popular Demand: Judges’ Square
The State Bank Judges’ Square returns, giving parade entries a chance to earn bragging rights and special recognition. Located at Main St. and Baldwin Ave., the Judges’ Square hosts a panel of local celebrities, sponsors, and community leaders.
Award categories for 2025 include:
Nominate a Halloween King or Queen
Nominations for Halloween Parade King and Queen are now open. Community members can submit their candidates by clicking the “Nominate Our King and Queen” button on the parade website. Finalists will be chosen by the parade committee. The crowned King and Queen will be honored with sashes and crowns and will join the Judges’ Square platform to assist in the award process.
Parade Route and Special Zones
The parade will head north on Main Street from Sixth Street to Lima Street, with exits available on East and West Lima.
Special zones include:
New This Year: Entertainment at Judges’ Square
New this year, Great Lakes Toyota Subaru presents a performance by Findlay First Edition at State Bank Judges’ Square. The live performance will kick off immediately after the National Anthem at 7 p.m. and continue until the parade arrives. The musical kickoff will add extra excitement for early spectators and highlight community talent ahead of the evening’s main event.
Food Truck Park
The Romick Wealth Strategies Food Truck Park will be located in the parking lot at St. Marks United Methodist Church. Registration is now open for licensed food truck vendors who wish to participate. Vendors are required to register online at https://copsandkidsfindlay.org/halloween-parade.
Supporting Kids Year Round
Proceeds from the parade benefit the Cops & Kids Champion Fund, which supports programs that foster positive relationships between local youth and law enforcement throughout the year. Follow updates and announcements at facebook.com/FortFindlayFOP.