The Courier 2024 year end review

Here are the editorial staff's picks for the biggest stories in The Courier in 2024 listed in order of their publish date. See Monday's paper for the "In Case You Missed It" list for a look back at the editorial staff's picks for feature news from the past year as well as a list of the most viewed stories on TheCourier.com. Editors note: Story excerpts are pulled directly from the published copy. All date references are relative to when the story was published. Each story is listed with the publish date. Public transport at crossroads (Jan. 6) HATS' funding will plummet in 2025. United Way of Hancock County for a long time "paid the freight" for public transportation in Hancock County, he said. It contributed as much as $260,000 in some years. When the pandemic hit, United Way's priorities changed and HATS received about $200,000 less from United Way in 2022 and 2023, a move Baker said he understands. "Their focus is making sure vulnerable children and families get services, and that's fine," he said. Health commissioner resigns (Feb. 22) Baroudi, who has been with Hancock Public Health since 2016, will be transitioning to a new role as health commissioner at the Toledo-Lucas County Health Department in April. The move takes Baroudi back to the Toledo health department where he had previously worked for 10 years in various leadership positions before coming to Hancock County. Hancock Co. in state of emergency (March 19) About 12 properties and structures along the southern edge of Hancock County were damaged in an EF-1 tornado Thursday. The National Weather Service said preliminary results estimated winds reached 100 miles per hour over a 3.3-mile path that was 100 yards wide. The local North Central Ohio chapter of the American Red Cross assisted with local damage to the several Hancock County homes, and have remained at the ready to assist support efforts in Logan County after a twister touched down there Thursday. 'A transformational moment' (March 21) University of Findlay President Katherine Fell and Bluffton University President Jane Wood signed a memorandum of understanding this week declaring intentions to pursue the merger of Bluffton University with the UF, they announced jointly at a press conference Wednesday afternoon. The two institutions will become one higher education community on two campuses after the merger. "Merging Bluffton with Findlay adds the potential for revenue growth by enhancing efficiencies and combining assets," Fell said Wednesday. "This is a transformational moment for both Findlay and Bluffton." Eclipse attracts about 10K visitors (April 9) At best guess, nearly 10,000 people visited the city of Findlay for the Great American Eclipse on Monday. "It went wonderfully," Muryn said. "There were no significant problems. The only problem was folks trying to get on the interstate." Clear skies and 70-degree weather may have given Northwest Ohio one of the best-viewing windows along the path of totality. Clouds put a damper on the event for much of the southern trek of the eclipse. Totality in Findlay began at 3:10 p.m. and ended at 3:14 p.m. Active shooter hoax shakes FHS (April 17) An "unknown male" called the dispatch center at 9:31 a.m., police said, stating he had an AR-15 style rifle and was holding two students hostage in a second-floor restroom. A secondary search of the premises found nothing suspicious and the call was then determined to be a hoax. "Our men and women were the first ones inside the building for the response, along with Findlay High School security that's already on scene," Findlay police Chief James Mathias said. "But (the district) was not aware of the incident when it was first called in to us." This is the third false shooting threat made to Findlay City High School in just under two years. Findlay High School, alongside other schools across Ohio, was targeted by active shooter hoaxes in September 2022 and December 2023. Rumpke to handle county recycling (May 3) The Hancock County commissioners voted Thursday to contract with Rumpke Waste & Recycling to replace Litter Landing for the county's recycling operation. The five-year contract could take effect in about 30 days to allow Rumpke to get set up. Rumpke will be paid up to $550,000 per year for the first three years, up to $600,000 in the fourth year and up to $650,000 in the fifth year. Police investigate shooting death (May 29) On Sunday, Zimmerman, a Port Clinton resident, was found in an alley in Findlay with a gunshot wound to the chest, according to a release from the Findlay Police Department. He succumbed to his wounds at Blanchard Valley Hospital. An update from Findlay police states they had located a person of interest, but that the subject was a minor and no name or other information would be released at this time. When asked if there is an active public threat, Findlay police Lt. Andrew Welch said he doesn't believe a threat can ever be completely ruled out, but that the "Findlay Police Department is devoted to providing the safest environment possible for the community." Council meeting under new comment rules (June 1) Councilman Dan DeArment, R-4, a member of the council ad hoc committee charged with drafting the new rules, said the committee will then reconvene, evaluate the trial, review comments and make modifications, if necessary. He said council will then vote on the final recommendation, and the committee is expected to disband. Council's review of the rules comes after months of tension between residents and city officials at the meetings. Committee members also include councilmen Josh Palmer, R-7, chairman, and Dennis Hellmann, R-2. The committee has met five times since March 13, including a public forum held on May 13, when it voted 3-0 to approve the draft recommendations. Turnout for the public forum was small and civil, with the harshest criticism of the proposed new rules coming from Councilman Jim Niemeyer, R-6, who attended the committee meeting. Trevormania takes over Bluffton (Aug. 3) Everywhere you look, someone in Bluffton is rooting for Trevor Bassitt, a hometown hero who is competing at the Olympics on Monday. "Trevor against the World" T-shirts are being sold at the Black Lab Trading Co. The local McDonald's has a "Go For the Gold" wall where customers can leave notes of support to the track standout. Banners hang across Main Street and Ohio 103. And some 700 signs that read "Congratulations Trevor Bassitt" and "Bluffton Proud" have sprung up in front yards and store windows this past week. Bassitt joined team U.S.A. headed for Paris after qualifying in the men's 400m hurdles in July. Council approves marijuana moratorium (Aug. 7) Findlay City Council voted 9-1 Tuesday in regular session to enact a moratorium on recreational marijuana, but there is some support among city leaders for its eventual availability in the city. The legislation places a 12-month moratorium on the cultivation, processing or dispensing of recreational marijuana within city limits. City officials say the stay is needed to work out the zoning rules for these businesses. The legislation included emergency language, which eliminates a 30-day stay on legislation approved by council and preempts any effort to overturn the decision by citizens' referendum. There has been no organized public opposition to the moratorium. YMCA breaks ground for childcare center (Sept. 10) A groundbreaking ceremony for the Findlay Family YMCA's new $10 million Early Learning Center was held Monday morning near its downtown branch, at 300 E. Lincoln St. The 20,500-square-foot center, which will be built southwest of the Hardin Street-Grand Avenue intersection, is expected to open by fall 2025. The new center will be able to serve as many as 320 children. Findlay works to get ahead of immigrant rumors (Sept. 28) On Wednesday, the city of Findlay published a page on its website dedicated to making the work of the task force fully transparent in hopes that giving residents access to the information will calm nerves and quash rumors. The page is now part of the city's website at www.findlayohio.gov. It includes the task force's agenda, detailed minutes, its draft strategic plan and statements from Mayor Christina Muryn about Findlay's immigrant population. There is also a growing list of responses to frequently asked questions. "We remain committed to transparency. By openly sharing the work of the immigration task force, we hope to empower our residents to engage in the conversation with the same fact-based information we are using to inform our decisions," said Muryn. Immigrant finds challenges in new home (Oct. 5) Francky is also one of about 1,000 Haitians living in Findlay, and one of the thousands that have settled in Ohio searching for better conditions in the Land of the Free. Despite working and living in Findlay legally, Francky says, Haitians haven't always been warmly welcomed into the community. "Some of the people, they say, 'Where is this migrant from, why do they come in here in Findlay? Why do you not go somewhere else?'" Francky said. "That makes me sad because I cannot understand why people try to treat me badly." "Give us a chance," he added. "We are here to live as a civilized people and to respect each other." Findlay Broadway star Creel dies (Oct. 1) Gavin Creel, a Broadway veteran and 1994 Findlay High School graduate, died Monday of a rare and aggressive form of cancer. He was 48. After graduating from Findlay High School, he attended the University of Michigan, where he earned a degree in musical theater in 1998. After college, he was determined to give professional acting a try and moved to New York City where he found roles in traveling productions and eventually landed the male lead in the Broadway revival of "Thoroughly Modern Millie," a role for which he received the first of two Tony nominations. He is survived by his mother, Nancy Clemens Creel, and father, James William Creel; his sisters, Heather Elise Creel and Allyson Jo Creel; and his partner, Alex Temple Ward. Sheetz breaks ground on $169M facility (Oct. 17) Sheetz broke ground Wednesday on its $169 million building for warehousing, production and offices for its convenience stores at the north edge of Findlay. The 511,704-square-foot building, at the northwest corner of County Road 212 and Township Road 230, will house new food preparation and distribution services. "The Economic Development office, in collaboration with city and county leadership, has worked hand-in-hand with the Sheetz team since December 2022 to successfully bring this project to fruition," said Dan Sheaffer, executive director of Findlay-Hancock Economic Development. "Our commitment remains clear: to unite all stakeholders and ensure a seamless development process." Findlay Schools tax fails (Nov. 6) The Findlay City School District lost its bid for a 1% income tax in Tuesday's election. The vote was 8,660 (47.82%) in favor, 9,451 (52.18%) opposed, with 18,111 votes cast. Several actions have already been taken to reduce expenditures, including eliminating six non-teaching, administrative positions: director of transportation, director of facilities, director of food services, fiscal coordinator, executive administrative assistant to the superintendent, and a high school building administrative assistant. Police release video of officer-involved shooting (Nov. 15) Findlay police on Thursday released body camera footage of an Oct. 28 deadly interaction between officers and a 17-year-old boy, 17 days after the boy was killed. At a news conference, police also released a recording of the 911 call that led to the shooting, in which a woman reports seeing three juveniles drinking alcohol at Bernard Park. Body camera footage from the officers who responded to the park shows Kalvin Darapheth running from officers and firing two shots. Eight shots were fired back by the pursuing officer, according to the video. BVHS announces new medical campus (Nov. 16) Wellness Park, a connected, multi-building project totaling almost 80,000-square feet in exam, laboratory, rehabilitation and medical office space, was conceived as a way to provide multiple functions in service of patients' healthcare, all in one central location. Located at 3401 and 3411 Wellness Way (which was Technology Drive before being recently changed), the campus is made up of two multipurpose buildings connected by a covered walkway. One building, 3411 Wellness Way, will house Endocrinology & Diabetes Specialists of Northwest Ohio, including the Community Glucose Monitoring Project, and Rheumatology Specialists of Northwest Ohio, in addition to new primary care physicians' offices. These practices will begin taking appointments at Wellness Park on Dec. 16. The other building, 3401 Wellness Way, will contain the Julie A. Cole Rehab & Sports Medicine and Blanchard Valley Orthopedics & Sports Medicine practices, which will host a plethora of new treatment options and capability. The facility will have a gymnasium, distinct adult and children's rehab areas with equipment for occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech therapy and behavioral health therapy, and podiatry, sports medicine and laboratory and imaging (X-ray) spaces. These practices will begin holding appointments at Wellness Park on Jan. 6, 2025. LGBTQ+ Spectrum closes its doors (Dec. 14) After years of supporting the local LGBTQ+ community in Findlay, LGBTQ+ Spectrum is disbanding and paving the way for Kaleidoscope Youth Center to expand into the region. LGBTQ+ Spectrum has been a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating a more inclusive and welcoming community in Findlay. Building on their momentum, KYC is expanding upon the vision of LGBTQ+ Spectrum, while partnering with the community to ensure a smooth transition. Details of the transition timeline have yet to be announced. The two organizations are in close collaboration with a dedication to ensure continued support to the community, Upchurch said. Honorable mentions Mall has new owner (Jan. 11) Rocky Five Investments, of Baltimore, Maryland, bought the mall on Dec. 29 for $3 million from Kohan Retail Investment Group, of Great Neck, New York. FFE preps for Saturday show (Jan. 27) Following an investigation into the Findlay First Edition show choir, Kevin Manley has returned to his directorship to lead his group into their first performance of the competition season. The Courier moving to all-mail delivery (Jan. 31) Only appeared in the physical paper and e-paper If you live in our area, you will still receive Wednesday's paper on Wednesday and Saturday's on Saturday. You will receive a paper at the place you receive mail each day, as we are utilizing the USPS' exceptional dispatch program for same-day delivery. City asked to maintain Eastgate sewers (Feb. 15) Findlay has been asked to take over the maintenance of a sewer system for an addition on the city's east side. Arlington breaks ground (May 16) Arlington Local School District students were given the honor of breaking first ground at the future site of their new school on Wednesday. A sneak peek at Martha's House (June 7) Visitors received a sneak peek of Martha's Home on Thursday. Executive director Kathryn Bausman gave tours of the building at 1918 N. Main St., which will initially be able to accommodate nine women who have children. Construction starts on 1st home in Habitat neighborhood (June 27) In just a few months, Tiffany McMaster and her family will move into their brand new home in the Krystal Ridge subdivision on Findlay's north side. Global food processor breaks ground in Upper Sandusky (June 28) Ground has officially been broken on a $541 million soybean plant in Upper Sandusky. Big box store to replace part of mall (Sept. 13) Plans to demolish the 188,000-square-foot main part of Findlay Village Mall, replacing it with a 131,809-square-foot big box store, were approved Thursday by Findlay City Planning Commission. Court building nears completion (Nov. 9) The $20.8 million Allan H. Davis Judicial Center, for Hancock County Juvenile and Probate courts, on West Main Cross Street, is nearing completion.