A Tiffin man is facing charges after a drug task force searched his residence.
The Seneca County Drug Task Force – METRICH Enforcement Unit says it conducted a search warrant at the Main Street residence of Aaron D. Gannon, 36, on Sunday.
Authorities say the search warrant unveiled suspected methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia and money.
Charges for possession of meth and drug paraphernalia are pending, as are charges for domestic violence and unlawful restraint.
“The Task Force was receiving a lot of drug intelligence on that specific residence, reporting suspected drug activity for some time,” said Interim Tiffin Police Chief Jason Windsor.
“We have been seeing an increase in Methamphetamine related calls throughout the entire county and area Law Enforcement has made it a priority to address those citizen complaints. This operation was successful due to help from the community and teamwork between all Seneca County Law Enforcement agencies.”
The task force encourages citizens to report suspicious activity to their local agencies or the Seneca County Drug Task Force – METRICH Enforcement Unit Crime Hotline at Local #443-0463; ext: 1140.
The United Way says the 2020 campaign raised a little more than $2 million for programs to improve the lives of those in Hancock County.
“We live in a very generous community,” said Angela DeBoskey, CEO of the United Way of Hancock County.
She tells WFIN News that the United Way is made for times like these.
“To be able to respond in a time of crisis, to see what our communities’ needs are today and then to be able to give resources to what we’re seeing for tomorrow.”
26 programs in Hancock County will receive funding through the campaign effort in 2021.
Additional details are in the following media release from the United Way.
United Way of Hancock County’s 2020 annual campaign has raised slightly more than $2 million for distribution to programs improving lives in Hancock County in the areas of health, education and financial stability.
“We want to thank our cabinet members and the organizations who were presented with extraordinary challenges due to the onset of COVID and still chose to give their employees the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of people in our community who may be struggling with very basic needs,” said Angela DeBoskey, CEO of United Way.
“All nonprofits, including United Way, lost special event and other fundraising revenue so we deeply appreciate everyone who made a decision to stand with us this year,” DeBoskey said.
The largest portion of campaign funds are issued to United Way’s partner agencies through grant awards and designations. This year, $1,631,597 will be issued to 26 programs.
Partner agency program grants are evaluated by trained community volunteers. Programs are vetted for alignment with UWHC’s mission and how well-positioned the agency is to carry out the program and achieve the proposed outcomes. Fifty-three local volunteers were involved in this year’s grant process.
The following is a list of local agencies receiving UWHC funding from grant awards and designations through the campaign efforts:
American Red Cross of Central Ohio will have access to $24,213 for its Disaster Services and Service to Armed Forces programs.
Boy Scouts of America, Black Swamp Council will receive $23,140 for its Scouting and Exploring programs.
Cancer Patient Services will receive $130,409 for its Direct Patient Services program.
CASA/GAL of Hancock County will receive $147,216 for its Child Advocacy program.
The Center for Civic Engagement will receive $30,000.
The Center for Safe and Healthy Children will receive $31,641 for its Forensic Interview program.
Challenged Champions Equestrian Center will receive $36,074 for its Equine-Assisted Therapy program.
Children’s Mentoring Connection will receive $92,320 for its Mentoring Youth at Risk program.
Family Resource Center will receive $57,431 for its Peer Support and Community Prevention program.
Findlay City Schools will receive $66,779 for its Pre-K program.
Findlay Hope House for the Homeless will receive $192,193 for its Shelter and Independence programs.
Girl Scouts of Western Ohio will receive $6,950 for its Scouting program.
HHWP Community Action Commission will receive $196,688 for the Hancock Area Transportation Services (HATS) program.
Hancock County Educational Service Center will receive $26,312 for its Pre-K program.
Open Arms Domestic Violence & Rape Crisis Services will receive $264,696 for its Adult Victims Services, Child Victim Services and Violence Recovery programs.
Raise the Bar Hancock County will receive $30,552 for its Raise the Bar and Leader in Me programs.
The following organizations received grant funding, agency, program and Halt Hunger Initiative designations:
Christian Clearing House will receive $28,175 for its Caring Cupboard food vouchers.
The Findlay Family YMCA will receive $43,700 and its Feed-A-Child program will receive $76,672.
Salvation Army will receive $45,574 for its emergency food pantry.
West Ohio Food Bank will receive $80,860 for its food distribution services to Hancock County food pantries.
United Way will also issue $3,944 in donor designations to other United Ways or nonprofits with which the donor may have a special affiliation.
In addition to its annual campaign efforts, United Way raised $111,153 in Crisis Relief Funding in 2020. Crisis Relief grants were awarded to 7 agencies meeting the basic needs of households during the pandemic. United Way will be initiating another round of Crisis Relief Funding in early 2021.
In addition to the above funding, UWHC supports community development and additional Halt Hunger Initiative programs like the Community Gardens project, assesses Hancock County needs and priorities, and develops volunteer opportunities that increase advocacy and support for nonprofits. Approximately 15% will go to operating costs.
A Bluffton middle schooler died after being involved in a snowmobile crash.
Ethan Scott Leiber, 12, passed away on Sunday.
The Allen County Sheriff’s Office says it responded to a 911 call about a single-unit snowmobile crash near Bluffton, on Alpine Drive near the intersection with Lugabill Road on Sunday morning.
Ethan was found to have life-threatening injuries and was transported to Lima Memorial Health System where he later died.
The sheriff’s office says he was hearing a helmet and the investigation is ongoing.
Ethan’s obituary says the 6th grader enjoyed boating, tubing, snowmobiling, golfing and jet-skiing with his canine companion, Shelby.
The 2021 edition of the “Mental Health & Addiction Recovery Resources Guide” is available in the entrance to the Hancock County ADAMHS Board office (438 Carnahan Ave., Findlay) between 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. weekdays
The guide can also be downloaded by clicking here.
A Spanish translation of the guide will also be available to the public once completed.
The 28-page booklet provides up-to-date information on available treatment, recovery and support services in Hancock County and surrounding communities, and educational information on substance abuse, including addiction and recovery.
Anyone with questions, concerns, or to make arrangements for alternative ways to receive the guide should call 419-424-1985.
The Hancock County Sheriff’s Office on Sunday morning issued a Level 1 Road Alert, meaning roadways are hazardous and you should drive with extreme caution.
Around 3 inches of snow fell overnight into Sunday morning in the Findlay area, and a few more inches of snow is possible for Sunday.
Putnam County and Seneca County were also placed under Level 1 Road Alerts on Sunday morning.
Allen County was placed under a Level 2 Road Alert.
Get details on what the different levels of road alerts mean by clicking here.
A Winter Weather Advisory for Hancock County goes until 7 p.m. Sunday.
A Winter Storm Warning for Putnam County and other counties goes until 7 p.m. Sunday.
The video below is from the 5 o’clock hour Sunday morning.
To view local Sheriff Road alerts, NWS advisories, event cancellations and school delays visit WFIN.com, or sign up for text and email alerts at GoFindlay.com.
The Findlay Police Department says a man was injured when a driver ran a red light and caused a T-bone crash.
The crash happened around 7:30 Saturday night at the intersection of Tiffin Avenue and Dunn Street.
The police department says Jonathan Heistand, 24, of Findlay, was driving north on Dunn and entering the intersection with a green light, when Tyler Baum, 17, of Bloomdale, who was going east on Tiffin, failed to stop for the red light and the vehicles collided.
Airbags deployed in both vehicles and they had to be towed from the scene.
Jonathan suffered minor injuries and was taken to the hospital by private vehicle.
The police department says Tyler was cited for running the red light.
Forecasters are calling for accumulating snow for the second half of your weekend.
Findlay and Hancock County are under a Winter Weather Advisory from 10 p.m. Saturday to 7 p.m. Sunday.
Forecasters say 4 to 8 inches of heavy, wet snow is likely to fall.
The graphic below from the NWS shows Findlay on the line to receive 6 or 7 inches of snow.
It’ll also be windy, with gusts up to 35 miles per hour at times.
People should plan slippery driving conditions and use extreme caution on the roads.
Other area counties, like Putnam and Hardin, are under a Winter Storm Warning from 7 p.m. Saturday to 7 p.m. Sunday and could receive 5 to 9 inches of snow.
To view local Sheriff Road alerts, NWS advisories, event cancellations and school delays visit WFIN.com, or sign up for text and email alerts at GoFindlay.com.
A Winter Weather Advisory remains in effect across the southwestern half of our area tonight through Sunday. Snowfall totals of 4-8 inches are expected in this area, with locally higher amounts possible in southern counties through late Sunday night. pic.twitter.com/rhFJh7lPFv
Get your shovels and snowblowers ready — forecasters say part of your weekend is going to be rather snowy.
The National Weather Service says anywhere from 4 to 8 inches of heavy, wet snow is possible from late Saturday through Sunday.
The snow will be heavy at times, making travel difficult.
In the tweet below, NWS Cleveland is calling for Findlay to receive 6 to 8 inches of snow.
Saturday’s forecast is calling for mostly cloudy conditions and a high around 33.
Then there’s a 100 percent chance of snow on Sunday with a high also around 33.
Snow showers will linger into Sunday night and possible into Monday morning.
To view local Sheriff Road alerts, NWS advisories, event cancellations and school delays visit WFIN.com, or sign up for text and email alerts at GoFindlay.com.
Snow will develop across the area late Saturday through Sunday, with lingering snow showers likely into Monday. The highest snowfall totals will occur across the western part of the area, where 4 to 7 inches with locally higher amounts are expected through Sunday. #ohwx#pawxpic.twitter.com/k3uRhtlilP
The Findlay High School Girls Basketball team had a show of support for one of their teammates who has been diagnosed with cancer.
Before the Thursday night game, Natalie Rakestraw’s teammates and friends lined up wearing shirts that read ‘Natalie Strong’ on the back as Natalie joined them on the court.
Natalie has been diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Disease, a type of lymphoma.
“She will undergo chemotherapy and other treatments. But we all know Natalie has a STRONG will, mind, attitude and spirit!!! We as a family are prepared to win this fight for Natalie!!!”
She says they have chosen to go to the James Cancer Hospital at the Ohio State University for Natalie’s care.
The basketball team will be collecting cash/gift card donations for the Rakestraw family to help support Natalie’s fight against the disease.
A donation box was available at the Thursday game and one will be available at the Saturday boys and girls games as well.
People can also consider sending a donation via Venmo to @Lori-Prusnek.
(above picture courtesy of @fhsLadyTrojans – Twitter)
