St. Paul’s United Methodist Church has organized a Findlay Day of Prayer for Tuesday.

The church sent invites to area churches to join them at 10 a.m. Tuesday to pray for relief from the pandemic and strength for those who are ill or grieving, and for the government to heal.

“While there will be no gathering to pray together, we will be praying at the same time by just pausing in daily work or chores to spend some time with God asking for him to protect and heal our country.”

Churches are asked to have their bells ringing for a call to worship from 9:50 to 10 a.m. Tuesday.

St. Paul’s Church provided the following prayer in their e-mail to area churches.

Dear Lord,

We take this moment to join in prayer with the rest of our church family. We ask you to pour your spirit upon us, opening our eyes, ears, and hearts to your guidance as we live through this time of stress.

We pray for mercy during this pandemic. Be with those who are ill and those who care for them. Please rid us of this virus that has caused great suffering and grief. Touch the ill with your healing hand. Hold families who grieve in your arms.

Our nation is also in need of your healing care. We ask that you mend our divides and guide our leaders as they deal with strife and discontent. Bless our nation with peace, calm, and respect for others. Help us to become truly one nation under God.

Bless our struggles and bend our efforts to your leading, so that we may in turn lead others into a deeper relationship with you.

In your name, Jesus, we pray. Amen!

Justin Fields is heading to the National Football League after two seasons as Ohio State’s quarterback.

Fields made the announcement that he was going pro on his Twitter page on Monday morning. (below).

Even with just two years at OSU, and one season shortened due to COVID, Fields still became one of the best QBs to ever put on an Ohio State jersey.

He’s expected to be one of the first players taken in the NFL Draft in April.

(picture above courtesy of Columbus Wired)

Next Chapter. pic.twitter.com/Q4iWJop4WI

— Justin Fields (@justnfields) January 18, 2021

The Putnam County Health Department and the Putnam County EMA are coordinating efforts to administer the COVID-19 vaccine in the county.

The first clinic for Phase 1B of the state’s vaccination plan offered by the PCHD will be held on Wednesday, January 20th.

This clinic is for those age 80 and older only.

Due to the limited amount of vaccine the health department is receiving, the clinic is by appointment only.

The health department says the clinic will not be held at the Putnam County Health Department office and walk-ins will be turned away at the door.

“Unfortunately, because vaccines are a scarce resource right now, it will take some time to provide vaccine to those that want it,” the health department said.

People on the wait list will be contacted as soon as possible for an appointment.

People over 80 who are not yet on the wait list can call 419-538-7001 to be placed on the list.

The call center is open 9 – 2, and will not be open on Monday, January 18th.

The health department says Mercy Health is also providing the vaccine to those 80 and over at the Putnam County Medical Center.

Appointments are required and people can call 419-996-5000 or their Mercy Health provider for more information.

The City of Findlay has selected a new supplier for its electric aggregation program.

The city says Constellation NewEnergy was chosen because it offers the best overall value and a rate lower than the rates residents received in the previous program term.

The city has sent out a mailer explaining the offer they negotiated and how people can opt-out if they don’t want to participate in the program.

Full details are in the following news release from the city.

City of Findlay officials are pleased to announce that they have selected Constellation NewEnergy to serve the next term of the City’s electric aggregation program. Constellation recently won a competitive proposal process and was chosen by the City because they provided the best overall value for the program. The City has set a fixed rate of 4.861 cents/kWh for a 3-year term starting with March 2021 meter reads. Residents and small businesses should look for a mailer to arrive on or about January 14, 2021 concerning the new electric aggregation program offer from Constellation.

“The mailer will explain the low offer we negotiated and the means to opt-out should a customer not want to participate in the program,” said Paul Schmelzer, Safety Director of Findlay. Residents will have 21 days to return an opt-out card to Constellation, if they decide not to participate. Schmelzer concluded by saying, “We’re excited about the 36-month offer of 4.861 cents/kWh. That rate is lower than the alternative from AEP/Ohio Power, lower than the rates residents received in the previous program term, and we expect participation levels in our program to be high.”

Mayor Christina Muryn said, “We are delighted by the low fixed-rate of 4.861 cents/kWh for Findlay residents and businesses. This low rate will allow residents to predict their costs and will protect them from rising rates for the next three years. Our new rate is very attractive, and as before our program has no early termination fee.”

Any residents who have already chosen a supplier on their own may still join the program and get the same rate, terms, and conditions as their neighbors if they wish. These residents will have to contact Constellation at 833-930-3162 in order to join the program, and should review their current supply contracts to make sure there are no early termination fees.

The City is pleased to have made this program possible but asks that you do not call the City offices. They are not equipped to handle a large volume of calls. If residents have any questions, they should contact Constellation at 833-930-3162 after they receive their letter.

Ohio has launched a new website that lists locations where people can get the COVID-19 vaccine.

The website went live on Friday morning and was showing nearly 750 locations.

People can click here to check out the database and locate their nearest vaccine provider.

The website also lists when people are eligible to get their shots.

There are currently 100,000 vaccines available for the 400,000 people who will be eligible in Phase 1B when it begins January 19th.

“While we understand many are eager to receive the vaccine, patience will be necessary while demand for the vaccine remains higher than the available supply,” said Hancock Public Health.

Hancock Public Health says it is planning several vaccination clinics for the following weeks working in conjunction with Blanchard Valley Hospital and 50 North.

The vaccine will be administered by appointment only.

Hancock County health officials say they have had more than 1,400 people pre-register in the 80 and older age group.

However, for the first week of Phase 1B, the county will only be receiving 500 doses of the vaccine.

Findlay Mayor Christina Muryn is starting a newsletter in an effort to better connect with residents.

“Communication is the largest challenge for any organization. I am always looking for new ways to connect with citizens and hope that this will be a valuable way to do that,” the mayor said.

She says the newsletter will include things like, updates on city projects and legislation, committee updates, city performance and a new Citizen of the Month program.

Muryn says the newsletter will be released at least monthly, beginning in late January or early February.

People wishing to sign up to receive the newsletter can do so by clicking here.

In an effort to continue to improve communications #FindlayOhio will begin a newsletter which will be released at least monthly starting in February 2021. Sign up today by visiting https://t.co/yAd2dTO9BA. pic.twitter.com/bpzPfzVWbw

— City of Findlay (@CityOfFindlay) January 15, 2021

The Hancock Park District has broken ground on a new wetlands restoration project at Oakwoods Nature Preserve in Findlay.

The park district’s Chad Carroll says the project is part of the state’s H2Ohio water quality plan to reduce nutrients flowing into the state’s waterways, which will improve water quality throughout the watershed and prevent harmful algal blooms.

“Once it’s done it will filter water before it runs into Aurand Run, which is a tributary of the Blanchard River.”

Chad says the new wetlands will include trails and observation areas where people can enjoy them.

Get more on the project in the video below and by clicking here.

Ohio has reached a somber milestone in the coronavirus pandemic.

The governor announced on Friday that there have now been more than 10,000 deaths in Ohio from COVID-19.

The exact number on Friday was 10,057.

The governor reiterated that wearing a mask and social distancing can save lives.

Hancock County has had 90 COVID-19 deaths as of Friday.

Phase 1B of the state’s vaccination program begins January 18th and includes older Ohioans and school employees.

Get details here about registering to receive the vaccine.

Today's #COVID19 data brings us to a somber milestone: more than 10,000 deaths have now been reported in Ohio since the start of the pandemic. Please #StaySafeOhio. Wearing masks and social distancing can save lives. pic.twitter.com/45GFbyB6fH

— Governor Mike DeWine (@GovMikeDeWine) January 15, 2021

Former Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer is heading to the National Football League.

Meyer has agreed to become the new head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars.

The team made the announcement saying Meyer will succeed Doug Marrone as head coach.

The Jaguars went 1-15 in 2020 and enter the offseason holding the No. 1 overall selection in the 2021 NFL Draft.

The team’s general manager position remains open, with the team having previously dismissed David Caldwell from the position.

Meyer posted an 83-9 overall record during his time at Ohio State from 2012 to 2018, a tenure that included a national title.

(above picture courtesy of Columbus Wired)

A new era begins.

Welcome to #DUUUVAL, @CoachUrbanMeyer

— #DUUUVAL (@Jaguars) January 14, 2021

Success at every stop.@CSICompanies | @CoachUrbanMeyer pic.twitter.com/LaL4nUsf3F

— #DUUUVAL (@Jaguars) January 14, 2021

Bluffton community members 80 and older can register to receive the COVID-19 vaccine as Phase 1B of the state’s coronavirus vaccination plan approaches.

Details are in the following news release from Blanchard Valley Health System.

Vaccinations for Bluffton community members, 80 years of age and older, will begin Saturday, January 23 at Bluffton Hospital, a division of Blanchard Valley Health System (BVHS).

These individuals can register for the vaccine beginning Monday, January 18, by calling 419.369.2323. Operating hours for the call center are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. There are a limited number of vaccines available, therefore, vaccines will be given on a first-come, first-served basis. A caregiver or loved one may make an appointment on behalf of an eligible senior.

“By offering vaccines to those who are 80 years of age or older, we can better protect our vulnerable population,” shared Dr. Kose, vice president of special projects at BVHS.

Appointments for the second dose will be made at the clinic when the first dose is administered.

“It is better for community members to receive the COVID-19 vaccine than to end up getting sick with the life-threatening illness,” stated Dr. Kose. “We want to get the vaccines distributed as quickly as possible to protect our community.”

Additional groups, such as those based on underlying health conditions, will be included in the vaccination clinic as doses become available.