The newly elected president of the Ohio Senate was sworn into office from his home after contracting COVID-19 over the holidays.

His spokesperson says Senate President Matt Huffman (below) experienced mild symptoms before the New Year and is doing well.

Huffman, a Republican from Lima, joins a list of more than a dozen Ohio lawmakers who have tested positive for the virus.

State Representative Jon Cross (R-Kenton) is one of the lawmakers who has had COVID. Click here for more on that.

Huffman was chosen to succeed former Senate President Larry Obhof for the 134th General Assembly following a session filled with pandemic-related hurdles, a federal bribery scheme and infighting within the majority party.

The Ohio Federation for Advanced Manufacturing Education (OH! FAME) based in Findlay is hosting two virtual open houses/job recruitment events.

Tricia Valasek, Executive Director for Raise the Bar Hancock County, says even in spite of COVID, Northwest Ohio manufacturers are seeing an increase in production and hiring demands, and one of the positions most companies need to fill is supported by OH! FAME.

On with WFIN’s Chris Oaks, she explains how the OH! FAME program works.

“FAME produces tremendous outcomes. In fact, a recent study by Opportunity America and the Brookings Institution found that FAME graduates earned a median $98,000 per year, that is $45,000 more per year than the earnings of other career and technical graduates from the same colleges. FAME students are also more likely to graduate from technical trade programs than non-FAME graduates (80% vs. 29%). With the opportunity for high wages, stable employment, and a two-year degree with little to no debt, the OH! FAME program should certainly be a consideration for anyone holding a high school degree on or before June 30, 2021,” Valasek added.

She says, even in this COVID era, seven manufacturers are preparing to hire, pay a competitive wage ($15+ per hour), and cover one-half of an employee’s associate degree tuition and fees to be in the OH! FAME program.

Findlay (Molten, Nissin Brake Ohio, ZF, Freudenberg-NOK Sealing Technologies, Graham Packaging), Upper Sandusky (Kalmbach Feeds), and North Baltimore (The D.S. Brown Company) companies are seeking candidates to hire and support through OH! FAME.

Individuals hired will work first shift three days per week and attend Owens Community College-Findlay Campus two days per week starting in August 2021.

Several companies, however, are eager to hire individuals in early 2021 who will then start the split schedule in August alongside their OH! FAME cohort peers.

Individuals interested in learning more about the companies seeking candidates and/or the OH! FAME program should attend one of the upcoming virtual open houses using their computer or mobile device (video and audio required).

The virtual open houses will be Tuesday, January 5 from 5:00-6:30 p.m. and Friday, January 8 from 9:00-10:30 a.m.

Pre-registration is required. Registration may be completed at www.ohfame.org/event.

OH! FAME of Findlay-Hancock County’s second-ever incoming cohort was welcomed during a signing day event in August ( pictured below).

Read more about that here.

It was a neat sight on South Main Street in Findlay on New Year’s Day.

Dozens of fire trucks, police vehicles and tow trucks drove down South Main and looped around Blanchard Valley Hospital a few times in a salute to healthcare workers and first responders. (video below)

We spoke with Nolan Shaner of Dick’s Towing/Ed’s 24 Hour Service, who organized the tribute.

“I understand 2020 was a disaster with COVID, but let’s hope for a better year and kick COVID out of here.”

Nolan thanked the many agencies that took part in the procession and was happy with how it turned out, as were a few of the hospital staff we spoke with immediately afterward.

“I thought it was incredible. It was very nice to see the community come together and show appreciation for each other,” said one staff member.

Findlay Brewing Company is releasing a new beer called Imagination Li-Berry.

The new brew is a triple berry blonde (strawberry, blueberry and raspberry) and a portion of the proceeds will go directly to Hancock Literacy.

Imagination Li-Berry will go on tap January 5th.

Findlay Brewing Company will open at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, January 5th.

People can enjoy Imagination Li-Berry in the taproom or take some to go while supplies last.

64 ounce growlers and 32 ounce crowler cans filled with this new brew will be available for take out as well.

People who have their own growler can bring it in to be filled.

Hancock Literacy says about eight percent of Hancock County, or 4,000 adults are functionally illiterate, which means they possess reading and writing skills that are inadequate to manage daily living and employment tasks that require reading skills beyond a basic level.

Hancock Literacy, formerly known as the Literacy Coalition of Hancock County (Ohio), exists to coordinate and support community initiatives that promote lifelong literacy.

Here are some of the many pictures, in no particular order, taken by WFIN News while covering stories in 2020.

May 17 – The Findlay Fire Department hung a memorial flag from a ladder truck (above) over South Main Street for the funeral procession of longtime Mt. Cory Fire Chief John Hassan to drive underneath. Get more on that story by clicking here. 

Feb. 11 – Atlas Shaffer sits atop his dad’s shoulders during the Cancer Patient Services of Hancock County Chili Cook-Off at UF. Atlas had a tumor removed from his liver when he was only 6 months old. Click here for more.

June 1 – Nina Parker, founder of the Black Heritage Library and Multicultural Center in Findlay, leads a prayer outside the Hancock County Courthouse. Get more here. 

May 19 – Vanlue firefighters rescuing a woman whose car got stuck on a flooded road along the Blanchard River. Get more here. 

January 29 – Findlay Mayor Christina Muryn takes a picture with some youngsters who stopped by the Findlay Municipal Building to pray for local government leaders and first responders.

February 28 – A Findlay police officer talks with a driver whose vehicle slid off an icy road and overturned.

October 12 – A Findlay City Schools bus waits to turn from 6th Street onto South Main Street on a cloudy Monday afternoon. The school district announced it will be going to a 4-day per week schedule to get students more in-person instruction.

December 19 – These folks made it a family affair as they participated in Wreaths Across America Day in Findlay. Mom told us that a lot of their family members have served and that her son was about to have a soldier-themed birthday party. Get more here.

May 25 – A new Arlington graduate points to someone along the parade route that she chucked a water balloon at during the graduation parade on a hot Sunday afternoon.

June 7 – In downtown Findlay on Saturday protesters paused to take a picture with two newlyweds who were taking some post-wedding pictures in downtown. They also formed a tunnel for the new bride and groom to walk through.

June 28 – Some youngsters having the time of their lives knocking into each other during the kids demolition derby ahead of the real thing Saturday night at The Putnam County Fair.

July 4 – An American Flag hanging from a crane in the Interstate 75 construction zone in Findlay over the 4th of July.

August 18th – Members of the Northwest Ohio Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force in the parking lot of St. Michael the Archangel Parish on Bright Road in Findlay after arresting Father Michael Zacharias. Get more here.

November 13 – Students at Chamberlin Hill Intermediate hold a homemade banner and wave flags during the school’s salute to Veterans.

October 2 – The Findlay Trojans cheerleaders lead the football team onto the field for their homecoming game against Lima Senior at Donnell Stadium.

July 20 – A look at the sky in Findlay around sunset, from near the Lima Avenue roundabouts as a semi goes by.

April 4 – Despite not being able to have a party, a Findlay youngster named Briggs still had a very memorable birthday thanks to his friends and neighbors who slowly drove by his house (one person was even on a lawnmower) wishing him a happy birthday. Get more here.

December 23 – Hancock County EMS personnel were among the first people in the county to be vaccinated against the coronavirus. Get more here. 

December 24 – Some people check out the City of Findlay Christmas Tree on Christmas Eve.

December 24 – A family walks among the luminaries that line South Main Street in Findlay on Christmas Eve, just a few hours before some overnight snow fell and made it a bit of a white Christmas.

Findlay and Hancock County are included in a Winter Weather Advisory issued by the National Weather Service.

The advisory goes from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. on New Year’s Day on Friday.

Forecasters say precipitation will spread over the area from south to north around and especially after daybreak.

A wintry mix of snow, sleet, and freezing rain will change quickly to rain as warmer air overspreads the area.

Rain will likely be the predominant precipitation by midday.

Snow accumulation of up to one inch is possible along with a light glaze.

The greatest ice accumulation is expected along and south of the U.S. 30 corridor.

Drivers should slow down and use caution as roadways will become slick.

Friday’s high is forecasted to be around 40.

Rain showers will likely continue Friday night with a low of 36.

Saturday’s forecast is calling for mostly cloudy skies and a high around 40.

A mix of snow/sleet/freezing rain will move into the area early Friday. Snow amounts will remain below an inch, but a glaze of ice will be likely on untreated surfaces. A Winter Weather Advisory has been issued for Friday morning, as travel may become hazardous. pic.twitter.com/Fyt2Fe20wo

— NWS Cleveland (@NWSCLE) December 31, 2020

A man was taken to the hospital after a two-vehicle crash in Findlay.

The crash happened at around 4:45 p.m. Wednesday in the 200 block of Center Street.

The Findlay Police Department says Emmet Clements, 93, of Mt. Cory, was driving eastbound on Center Street when he rear-ended an SUV that was waiting to turn left into Early Years Family Childcare.

Clements was taken to Blanchard Valley Hospital with minor injuries.

He was issued a citation.

Both vehicles had to be towed from the scene.

A man is facing charges in connection with the shooting death of a man in Findlay nearly three years ago.

A Hancock County Grand Jury has indicted Jayden M. Edwards on charges of Complicity to Aggravated Murder, Complicity to Aggravated Robbery and Complicity to Aggravated Burglary.

Each charge also comes with a firearm specification.

Prosecutors say Edwards, 24, was heavily involved in the shooting death of 56-year-old Jeffery Gary at an address on Fox Street in Findlay on February 11th, 2018.

Investigators at the time said multiple suspects confronted Gary and shot him.

Edwards is the first person to be indicted in connection with the murder.

Edwards is currently serving time at North Central Correctional Institution in Marion on a separate aggravated robbery case.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol is reminding people to celebrate responsibly as they bid farewell to 2020 and welcome in the new year.

The Patrol says, during last year’s New Year’s holiday, three out of the four motor vehicle fatalities that occurred were OVI-related.

Troopers will be extra vigilant in getting impaired drivers off the roads and making sure everyone celebrates the New Year responsibly.

The Patrol is urging people to designate a sober driver before the alcohol starts flowing.

OVI arrests were way up over the Christmas holiday reporting period in 2020.

As we prepare to say #Goodbye2020, it is important to remember to celebrate responsibly. During last year's New Years holiday, three out of the four motor vehicle fatalities were OVI-related. #DriveSober or Get Pulled Over pic.twitter.com/HBbKP81985

— Ohio State Patrol (@OSHP) December 30, 2020

Governor DeWine says more than 5,100 eligible on-premises liquor permit holders have not applied for state assistance through Ohio’s Bar & Restaurant Grant Program.

Of the $38.7 million the state originally set aside to support liquor permit holders, more than $12 million hasn’t been claimed.

The governor says each active on-premises liquor permit (as of 10-23-20) is eligible for $2,500 per location.

He says the funding isn’t competitive, and the money does not have to be repaid.

The governor points out that more than just bars and restaurants have eligible liquor permits.

Movie theaters, bowling alleys, sports and concert venues, and even some hair salons are eligible for the funding if they have a liquor permit.

People are encouraged to visit http://businesshelp.ohio.gov to apply.

More than 5,100 eligible on-premises liquor permit holders have not applied for state assistance through Ohio’s Bar & Restaurant Grant Program. Of the $38.7 million we originally set aside to support liquor permit holders, more than $12 million hasn't been claimed. pic.twitter.com/ZfnqgQnb5E

— Governor Mike DeWine (@GovMikeDeWine) December 30, 2020