The Ohio Association of Secondary School Administrators has named Findlay High School’s Meg Simon the 2020 Assistant Principal of the Year.

Simon said that she learned she was nominated position and had to fill out an application to be considered.

She didn’t want to let anyone down so she filled out the application but told us that she didn’t expect to win.

She adds that she is extremely proud to have been nominated to represent the school district.

This is Simon’s 2nd year as an assistant principal at Findlay High School.

Area voters will be heading to the polls on Tuesday for election day.

In Findlay, voters will decide the mayor’s race between incumbent Christina Muryn and challenger Chad Benschoter.

At the WFIN Mayoral Forum in October the mayor said she has what it takes to move the city forward.

“I’m open to having dialogue, I want community feedback and I believe I have the right vision to continue to build upon the successes we’ve seen to keep our community moving forward.”

Chad Benschoter, meanwhile, says he’s the kind of mayor that Findlay needs.

“If you want a mayor who actually listens when you give feedback instead of disregarding it, that’s me. If you want a mayor that sees the problems that the average person faces on a daily basis, nice to meet you.”

In another race, four candidates are running for three at-large seats on Findlay City Council.

Polls will be open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday.

Get the full list of area candidates and issues here.

Watch the mayoral and city council forums here.

(ONN) – Authorities are reminding Ohio drivers that November is peak season for deer collisions.

Officials say there were nearly 3,800 collisions last Movember on state roadways.

They urge drivers to be alert for deer bolting across roads, especially at dawn and dusk.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol advises drivers that when they see a deer in their path to slow down but not swerve.

If you hit a deer, pull over to a safe place, turn on your hazard lights, and report the accident.

Insurance officials say optional comprehensive coverage on an auto insurance policy is often used to pay for deer collision damage, so it’s a good time of year to make sure you have adequate coverage.

A lot of youngsters had a great time at the University of Findlay’s Mazza Museum on Sunday.

“This is our kickoff this year of Funday Sunday,” said Heather Sensel, the museum’s education and volunteer coordinator.

“And this is Orbit Into Mazza in honor of this being the 50th anniversary of Neil Armstrong putting his feet on the moon.”

The kids had plenty of activities to take part in, including art stations and interactive activity stations.

“We have over 23 stations and a lot of STEM activities for the kids. They don’t know even know they’re learning but they’re learning.”

The kids also had some fun with children’s book illustrators, giving them interesting suggestions of what to draw as the kids followed along on their own sketch pads.

The next Funday Sunday is December 1st and will be an Elf Workshop.

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A man is wanted in Putnam County after authorities say he robbed a person at gunpoint and stole their vehicle.

Investigators say the man, later identified as 39-year-old James M. Phillips, took a woman by gunpoint outside the Dollar General on South Main Street in Columbus Grove on Saturday night.

Police say he forced the woman into her car and made her drive towards Ottawa.

The woman says he held a gun to her head and took all the cash she had on her.

The woman said that Phillips said he was a Christian and that nothing bad would happen to her if she obeyed.

Eventually, she was able to convince him to let her out of the car on road 9-K.

Phillips sped off and the woman was able to flag down someone for help on State Route 65.

A warrant’s been issued for Phillips, who police say is armed and dangerous.

He may be in the Toledo area, and anyone with information is urged to call the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office at 419-523-3208.

He’s about five feet ten inches tall and weight around 160 pounds with brown hair and brown eyes.

The car is a red Hyundai Sonata with Ohio plates of HAS-4067.

Three people were taken to Blanchard Valley Hospital after a crash on South Main Street in Findlay on Saturday night.

The Findlay Police Department says Thomas Von Stein, 25, of Fostoria, was driving north in the 1300 block of South Main at around 8:30 when he went off the right side of the road, struck a parked car, continued on and then hit a tree in front of a house.

Von Stein suffered a possible head injury, according to police.

He, a woman and a young child were taken to BVH for evaluation.

The parked car was unoccupied.

Both vehicles had to be towed due to the extent of the damage.

Von Stein was ticketed for failure to maintain control and driving under suspension.

WFIN News spoke with a woman on the scene who was walking her dog and was nearly hit by the car.

“All the sudden I heard a smash, and I turned and looked and saw a car coming. I just grabbed my dog and layed over the dog and the car whizzed right past me.”

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As we turn our clocks back an hour this weekend safety officials are urging drivers to be extra alert for pedestrians.

The Ohio Department of Transportation says October, November and December are the deadliest months for people walking in Ohio and account for 34 percent of annual pedestrian deaths.

From 2009-2018, 1,134 pedestrians were killed on Ohio roadways, with more than 70 percent of those deaths happening at dawn, dusk or after dark.

With the time change it will now be getting darker even earlier, reducing visibility and making it more important than ever for drivers to watch out for pedestrians during their evening commute, especially in neighborhoods and around schools.

“With the time-change impacting visibility for all road users, we are asking drivers to slow down and pay extra attention for people walking and biking,” said Cait Harley, ODOT’s Safe Routes to School and Active Transportation Manager.

ODOT is offering the following safety tips:

For motorists-

Slow down: During the early morning and evening hours, more time is needed to see pedestrians. Increase the recommended safe distances. The more space, the more time there is to react. Slow down during rain and fog too.
Always stop: for pedestrians crossing the street. Do not pass vehicles stopped at crosswalks.
Be extra cautious: Decreased visibility calls for more vigilant driving. Watch for bicyclists and pedestrians in neighborhoods and along school bus routes, at intersections and when backing out of driveways.
Be seen: Turn on headlights to be more visible during early morning and evening hours.
Eliminate distractions: Put away the phone and change the time on vehicle clocks before starting to drive.
Beware of glare: Clean windshields inside and out. Dirty windshields can magnify glare. Do not use high beams when other cars or pedestrians are around.

For pedestrians-
See and been seen: Reflective clothing and lights can increase visibility. Use bike lights outside of daylight hours and in the rain.
Cross consciously: Cross at intersections or in marked crosswalks.
Walk left: Walk in the opposite direction of traffic.
Ride right: Ride in the direction of traffic. Follow traffic signs and lights.
Be aware: Avoid distractions and make eye contact with drivers when crossing streets.

The annual World of Downtown Restaurant Tour to support the United Way of Hancock County is next week.

This year features long-time favorites of the community as well as some locations that are new to the area.

People that get passports will have access to samples from several restaurants and bars in downtown Findlay.

Passports are available for the event which will be on Thursday from 5 – 9 pm.

You can get passports for the event for $30. You can get the at Coffee Amici, 328 S. Main St.; and United Way of Hancock County office, 245 Stanford Parkway, but only 300 are available.

This year’s tour will feature Alexandria’s, Bistro on Main, Buggy Whip Cake Art Studio, Circle of Friends, Coffee Amici, Findlay Brewing Co.,  Greek Garden, Logan’s Irish Pub, Main Street Deli, Mancy’s Steakhouse at the Hancock Hotel, R & J CheeseCake Shoppe, Tavern at the Inn, The Bourbon Affair, Vivir Modern Mexican, We Serve.Coffee, and the Wine Merchant.

The City of Findlay will offer a leaf pick up service from November 18 through December 6.

All you need to do to take part is to rake your leaves and put them in a biodegradable paper bag at the curb. You can get paper bags at hardware, building supply, and some grocery stores.

Officials urge residents not to rake leaves into the street.

According to the city, the leaves invite children to play close to the streets and can get swept into the storm sewers where they can cause maintenance issues.

If you don’t want to wait until Nov. 18, you can drop leaves off at the green waste site on North Cory Street. The green waste site will open on November 5. The hours are Tuesday through Friday from 1 pm – 6  pm and Saturdays from 8 am – 1 pm. You can get more on their website.

The news that Marathon Chairman and CEO Gary Heminger is retiring and the company is spinning off Speedway has some people concerned about the company’s future in Findlay.

WFIN spoke with Mayor Christina Muryn about it.

The mayor said that Marathon has continued to reassure the city of its commitment to Findlay.

“That’s been made clear by their expansion in downtown, and their executives’ involvement, and certainly Mr. Heminger’s involvement. They’ve certainly set that expectation.”

But she added that, while Findlay has a great workforce and a lot to offer, the city needs to continue to compete every day to make sure that Marathon wants to stay in Findlay.

“My job every day is to make sure that all of our companies stay here and continue to grow, and that we are that number one micropolitan community in every sense.”

Muryn recently got back from Japan where she met with the six Japanese companies who have their North American headquarters in Findlay.

Mayor Muryn was on with WFIN’s Chris Oaks. Listen to the full interview here.