Two people were injured when their family’s house in Bloomdale caught on fire.

One of the injured was life-flighted to a hospital.

The Bloomdale Fire Chief told WFIN at the scene that they first responded to the fire on Harrison Street at around 12:15 Thursday morning and the kitchen area was fully engulfed.

He said they got it put out at around 3 a.m. but were called back to the scene around 6:30 a.m. when the fire rekindled.

The chief said after the fire restarted it got into the walls and attic and there was no other option but to have the house torn down. (video below)

He said a total of four area fire agencies helped out with the blaze which started as a grease fire.

A GoFundMe page has been set up to help the family.

The page says the father suffered second-degree burns and is in the intensive care unit and the mother jumped from a second story window and broke her arm.

A friend got her babies out of the house.

Click here for the GoFundMe page.

Hancock Public Health is gearing up for Phase 1B of the state’s COVID-19 vaccination plan.

Phase 1B will include older Ohioans and school employees.

The timeline for Phase 1B will be as follows:

-Week of Jan. 18: Ohioans 80 years of age and older.
-Week of Jan. 25: Ohioans 75 years of age and older; those with severe congenital or developmental disorders.
-Week of Feb. 1: Ohioans 70 years of age and older; employees of K12 schools that wish to remain or return to in-person or hybrid models.
-Week of Feb. 8: Ohioans 65 years of age and older.

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.

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.

“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.”

Anyone in Phase 1B that has not pre-registered and is interested in receiving a vaccine must pre-register in advance by visiting www.hancockph.com and completing the “Hancock County Tier 1A & 1B COVID-19 Vaccine PreRegistration” form located at the top of the page.

People in Phase 1B without online access may also call 50 North at 419-423-8496 or HPH at 419-424- 7105 to be registered by phone.

The two Kroger stores in Findlay will also be offering the vaccine for 1B individuals.

All COVID-19 vaccines will require an appointment via www.kroger.com/ohiocovidvaccine or by calling 866-211-5320.

Appointments will be open once vaccines are received next week.

People who have pre-registered will be contacted to schedule their vaccination as appointments become available.

(Below is video from December when EMS personnel in Hancock County started receiving the vaccine and we spoke with Health Commissioner Karim Baroudi)

The Ohio Statehouse will be closed for four days amid a planned “armed march” on the Statehouse from supporters of President Trump.

Governor DeWine says the Statehouse will be closed Sunday, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday in the interest of public safety.

All state office buildings in downtown Columbus will be closed on those days as well. Personnel will work from home or other alternate work locations.

The Ohio National Guard has been activated to guard the Statehouse and to help with security at the Presidential Inauguration in Washington D.C. on Wednesday.

Governor DeWine said violence will not be tolerated during any protests.

“Just as we respect and will protect peaceful protesters, we will also just as vigorously resist violence.”

In the interest of public safety, the @OhioStatehouse will be closed this coming Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. All state office buildings in downtown Columbus will be closed on these days as well. Personnel will work from home or other alternate work locations. pic.twitter.com/sEFCZLkeTr

— Governor Mike DeWine (@GovMikeDeWine) January 14, 2021

Beginning on Monday, January 25th all grade levels within Findlay City Schools will return to school four days per week (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday).

Wednesday will be a remote learning day for all grade levels.

Trojan Academy students will remain in the remote learning model.

Preschool students will remain in the hybrid model.

People with questions are urged to contact their building principal.

Since November 30th, grades 6-12 have been in a fully remote learning schedule and K-5 students in a 2-day per week hybrid schedule.

A new online portal lets Ohioans report cases of unemployment fraud.

State officials say the portal allows people who believe their identity was stolen and used to file a fraudulent unemployment claim to file a complaint directly on the site.

Officials say some people may not realize they’re victims until 1099 tax forms are mailed out at the end of this month.

Click here to be connected to the portal.

NEWS RELEASE: ODJFS Issues a Record Amount of 1099 Tax Forms,
Online Fraud Form and Guidance Available for ID Theft Victims with
Unemployment Claims
FULL DETAILS: https://t.co/grA8ExMZID pic.twitter.com/occSibdQ5Z

— OhioJFS (@OhioJFS) January 13, 2021

The City of Tiffin once again has been recognized as a National Main Street Community.

The city says the downtown Tiffin revitalization effort continues to be validated and recognized throughout the state.

Since becoming a Main Street Community in 2015, 55 new businesses have located in Downtown Tiffin and nearly $33 million in investment has occurred in the downtown.

Get more details in the following news release from the city.

For the fifth year, Downtown Tiffin has been re -recognized by Heritage Ohio as a National Main Street Community. The Ohio Main Street Program, administered by Heritage Ohio, works with communities across the state to revitalize historic commercial areas. Based in historic preservation, it focuses on four points: organization, design, promotions and economic vitality. Each point is an integral part in the successful revitalization of a downtown area.

The Ohio Main Street program is a partner of Main Street America. Accreditation is an honor that must be earned every year by meeting the program’s high standards as determined by an annual quality audit by state officials. With this distinction, Downtown Tiffin has received accreditation for its Main Street program at both the state and national level for 2016-2020.

Downtown Tiffin’s revitalization efforts continue to be validated and recognized throughout the state. Since becoming a Main Street Community in 2015, 55 new businesses have located in Downtown Tiffin and nearly $33 million in investment has occurred in the downtown.

In October, Downtown Tiffin was presented with two statewide awards by Heritage Ohio, Best Downtown Placemaking for the Frost-Kalnow Amphitheater at the East Green and National Corner and Historic Farmstead of the Year for Winterberry Farm. Since 2017, Downtown Tiffin has received six additional awards and one honorable mention from Heritage Ohio.

Tiffin Mayor Aaron Montz was glad to see Downtown Tiffin recognized. “I’m honored that Downtown Tiffin has received its accreditation for the fifth year. Especially during this difficult year, I’m proud of our business and building owners and the hard work of Amy Reinhart, Director of Downtown Revitalization for Tiffin-Seneca Economic Partnership, and members of the downtown development committees.”

Did you know, since becoming a Main Street Community in 2015, 55 new businesses have located in Downtown Tiffin and nearly $33 million in investment has occurred in the downtown.https://t.co/RgRzphRYkv

— Mayor Aaron Montz (@MayorMontz) January 13, 2021

The sheriff’s office in Wyandot County is warning residents of a COVID-related scam.

The sheriff’s office says a group calling itself Wyandot Covid is reaching out to people through Facebook in the hope of obtaining people’s personal information.

The scammers are using pictures from the Wyandot County Health Department to make it look legitimate.

The sheriff’s office says the health department will not reach out to people through Facebook messenger or ask for any personal information in such a manner.

Anyone with questions or concerns may contact the Wyandot County Health Department at 419-294-3852.

Six Hancock County residents died from the coronavirus in the past week, according to Hancock Public Health.

The agency released the latest COVID-19 numbers for the county on Wednesday.

The data shows there have been 88 deaths from the virus in the county, an increase of six from a week ago.

The number of active cases dropped in the last week, down to 266 from 316 a week ago.

Active cases are defined as cases that are currently under quarantine or isolation.

16 people are currently hospitalized with the virus in Hancock County, a drop of 11 from a week ago.

Statewide, there have been nearly 800,000 cases and nearly 9,900 deaths.

Vaccinations for people in Phase 1B ( the elderly and school employees) is expected to begin the week of January 18th.

50 North is helping seniors pre-register for the vaccine and Hancock Public Health also has a form to fill out.  Get more on that here.

The Hancock Park District has named Betsy Worden its VIP (Volunteer in Parks) of the year for 2020.

The award goes to an individual who exhibits leadership and enthusiasm for the projects and services they perform and for their willingness to promote volunteerism in others.

Above and below are pictures of Betsy planting trees at Findlay’s Blue Rock Nature Preserve. Read more about that here.

Get more on the award in the following news release from the park district.

Betsy Worden has been named the 2020 Charlie Meadows Award winner by the Hancock Park District (HPD). Each year since 2012, the award has been presented to VIPs (Volunteer in Parks) who most exhibit characteristics of leadership, enthusiasm for the projects and services they perform and for their willingness to promote volunteerism with others. Worden was announced as the award recipient on Tuesday, January 12 during the monthly meeting of the HPD Board of Park Commissioners at Oakwoods Nature Preserve’s Richard S. “Doc” Phillips Discovery Center.

Worden has been an active HPD VIP for many years. HPD Natural Resource Manager Chad Carroll nominated the Findlay resident in recognition of her past and current involvement in the Hancock Park System.

“Over the past year Betsy has helped with the collection of native seeds from park properties from a variety of species ranging from prairie plants to trees,” said Carroll, adding that these seeds will be used to enhance the natural areas where non-natives were removed. “While doing this she has informed me of many interesting plants she has found that have been added to our plant inventory as well as alerting me to the presence of non-native species.

Worden was also largely responsible for the presence of a number of volunteers that assisted in an autumn tree planting at Blue Rock Nature Preserve, a park where there is a concerted effort to remove invasive woody plant species to make way for native plant species. “She sent text/calls out as well as posting on Facebook to recruit volunteers.” Carroll noted.

Worden also writes the Hancock County Naturalist Newsletter. While the group is not directly affiliated with the HPD, members actively assist in natural resource projects and monitoring. “(Worden) typically writes the main article of the newsletter which tends to get people excited and interested in the natural world,” said Carroll. “Then she encourages them to get out and enjoy the natural world in our parks.”

“I knew Charlie Meadows for a number of years. He was good man. He was always ready to tackle anything which makes this award even more special to me,” said Worden.

The purpose of the VIP Program is to offer opportunities for county and area residents to give personal time and offer their special talents to supplement the HPD staff in providing quality programs, maintaining parks for public use and preserving natural areas. The Charlie Meadows Award is named for the park district’s first volunteer coordinator. In 1982, Meadows was instrumental in launching the Helping Hands program to get people involved in the parks.

For more information about the HPD VIP Program, or for upcoming park programs and events, view the HPD Seasonal Program & Event Guide at www.HancockParks.com under the “Park News” section or call the park office at 419-425-7275.

Marathon Petroleum has announced the hiring of its new Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer.

The company says Maryann Mannen will succeed the retiring Donald Templin.

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

Marathon Petroleum Corporation (NYSE: MPC) today announced that Maryann T. Mannen will join the company as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer effective January 25. Ms. Mannen will succeed retiring CFO Donald C. Templin.

“Having spent nearly a decade as CFO in the energy services and manufacturing sectors, Maryann brings the financial acumen and strategic leadership experience critical for delivering our business transformation objectives, including strict capital discipline and overall expense management to lower our cost structure,” said President and Chief Executive Officer Michael J. Hennigan. “I’m excited for the perspective and business insights Maryann will add to our executive team, as we work together to continue strengthening our financial and competitive positions.”

Since 2017, Ms. Mannen has served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of TechnipFMC, a leading global engineering services and energy technology company incorporated in the United Kingdom and headquartered in Paris and Houston, with listings on the NYSE and Euronext Paris. From 2011 to 2017, she was Chief Financial Officer at FMC Technologies, prior to its merger with Technip SA, which Ms. Mannen played a key role in negotiating and executing. Before that, she served as the company’s Deputy Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer from 2010 to 2011 and Vice President of Administration from 2007 to 2010. Prior to joining FMC Technologies in 1986, Ms. Mannen was Finance Manager for Sheller-Globe Corporation.

Ms. Mannen holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting and a master of business administration degree from Rider University. She is a member of the Owens Corning board of directors and has served as the audit committee chair since 2019.