(From the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office)

Congratulations to Employees Brooke Coulter and Allison Lentz on their graduation from the Corrections Academy on November 21, 2025!

We are incredibly proud of their hard work, dedication, and perseverance throughout the academy. This accomplishment reflects their commitment to professionalism, integrity, and public service.

Brooke and Allison will be tremendous assets to our team, and we look forward to seeing them continue to grow and make a positive impact within our facility and our community.

Please join us in congratulating them on this outstanding achievement!

(From the City of Findlay)

CSX will be closing Midland Avenue at the railroad tracks for rail crossing repairs.

Closure will begin on December 3, 2025, at 8am. This will be a 24 hour closure.

Motorists are advised to avoid these areas if possible.

The City of Findlay will provide updates on the project schedule and traffic conditions as new information becomes available.

(From the Findlay-Hancock County Community Foundation)

The Findlay-Hancock County Community Foundation Board of Trustees approved grants totaling $1,262,356.20 at the November board meeting. This total includes 26 responsive grants, four president’s discretionary grants and 89 donor advised fund grants.

“After every board meeting, I am reminded of the generosity of our community and the incredible partners we work with,” said Brian Treece, President & CEO of The Community Foundation. “I’m grateful for all of these partners who received grant funding and will now be implementing these projects and programs, as well as the donors whose initial investment in the Foundation makes this important work possible.”

Responsive Grants

Responsive grants are awarded to organizations that meet community needs and match The Community Foundation’s goals and objectives. Grantseekers must submit a written grant proposal for consideration. Applications are reviewed four times per year.

Funding for responsive grants comes from our Community’s Endowment, which comprises Funds for the Common Good and Field of Interest Funds established by donors at The Community Foundation. The following responsive grants were approved by the Board of Trustees, made possible by our Community’s Endowment:

• 50 North was awarded $75,000 to support the green space expansion project.
• Blanchard River Watershed Partnership was awarded $20,116 for an urban prairie pilot project.
• Blanchard Valley Center was awarded $10,401 for changing tables in four Findlay City Schools buildings for individuals with developmental disabilities.
• Bluffton Lions Club was awarded $50,000 to support an all-inclusive playground.
• Challenged Champions was awarded $1,000 to support their strategic planning process.
• CHOPIN Hall was awarded $15,000 for improvements to the Community Gardens at The Family Center.
• City of Findlay was awarded two grants:
  • $623 for ornament decoration at November’s ArtWalk.
  • $2,137 for lighting and decoration in downtown Findlay.
• Findlay Fresh Step was awarded $1,618 for hygiene kits.
• Findlay-Hancock County Community Foundation was awarded $1,500 for community-wide mayors’ meetings and community focus groups.
• Hancock County Educational Service Center was awarded two grants:
  • $550 for Project Bridle Buddies.
  • $2,000 for Ready Bodies, Learning Minds program.
• Hancock Historical Museum was awarded $8,386 for an America 250 mural at Brucklacher Park.
• Hancock Properties Foundation was awarded two grants:
  • $13,094 for network infrastructure at The Family Center.
  • $242,052 for capital improvements at The Family Center.
• Mazza Museum was awarded $3,250 for the February Funday Sunday event, part of the Foundation’s Fun for All series of free community events.
• Northwest Ohio Railroad Preservation was awarded $4,000 for the Touch A Truck event, part of the Foundation’s Fun for All series of free community events.
• Open Arms Domestic Violence and Rape Crisis Services was awarded $489 for a community strangulation training and resources.
• Toledo Opera was awarded $10,000 for several events throughout Hancock County as part of the Foundation’s Fun for All series of free community events.
• Toledo Zoo was awarded $2,009 for the February Funday Sunday event, part of the Foundation’s Fun for All series of free community events.
• Village of McComb was awarded $1,271 for community beautification projects and fishing equipment for residents to borrow.
• Village of Mt. Blanchard was awarded two grants:
  • $657 for trash receptacles for the Hurricane Park expansion project.
  • $3,043 for a synthetic ice rink for Christmas in the Village, part of the Foundation’s Fun for All series of free community events.

President’s Discretionary Grants

The President’s Discretionary Grants und urgent or special requests outside The Community Foundation’s various grant cycles. The President of The Community Foundation is allocated an amount each year. These grants typically do not individually exceed $5,000. The following discretionary grants were awarded:

This year, TCF staff dedicated the 2025 president’s discretionary funds to show appreciation for those who help others. These grants are dedicated to first responders and veterans. More information on these will be announced soon.

• Veteran and First Responder Appreciation for $20,000.

Donor Advised Grants

Individuals, families or corporations establish donor advised funds to recommend grants to nonprofits they’re passionate about. The Foundation vets the nonprofits, and grants are awarded.

• 89 grants to 72 organizations totaling $761,727.20.

Many schools called off classes on Tuesday due to the snow that fell Monday night and overnight into Tuesday morning.

Findlay City Schools is one of many districts in the area that closed for the day.

Hancock County was placed on a Level 1 Road Advisory. 

You can get the latest forecast and road alerts by clicking here, and school closings/delays by clicking here.

(From the Ohio State Highway Patrol)

The Ohio State Highway Patrol (OSHP) reports 11 deaths in eight fatal crashes during the Thanksgiving holiday reporting period, which began at midnight on Wednesday, November 26, and concluded at 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, November 30.

According to preliminary Patrol statistics, at least two of the eight fatal crashes recorded during the reporting period were OVI-related. In a continued effort to lower that number to zero, troopers made 281 arrests for impaired driving and 38 for drug-related charges.

In the fatalities where a safety belt was available, three were unbelted. Although Ohio’s safety belt law remains a secondary violation, troopers continue to have zero tolerance during the holiday reporting period when motorists were stopped for a violation and found to not being wearing a safety belt. Throughout this five-day reporting period, troopers issued 462 safety belt citations.

Additionally, troopers responded to 766 crashes, issued 287 citations for distracted driving and provided assistance to 1,572 motorists.

Motorists are encouraged to contribute to a safer Ohio by safely calling #677 to report drug activity and dangerous or impaired driving on Ohio roadways.

The American Red Cross has an urgent need for blood donors, and several opportunities to give are coming up in the area.

Below are a few of the upcoming blood drives, according to the Red Cross website.

-Blanchard Valley Hospital on Wednesday, December 3.

-McComb High School on Thursday, December 4.

-Findlay Family YMCA on Friday, December 5.

Look for more blood drives in the area by clicking here.

(From the Marathon Center for the Performing Arts)

Marathon Center for the Performing Arts (MCPA) will celebrate its 10th Anniversary with a signature gala event headlined by Tony Award-winner Brian Stokes Mitchell, one of Broadway’s most iconic leading men. The evening marks a major milestone for MCPA and honors a decade of bringing world class performances, community events and arts education to Findlay and the surrounding region. 

For ten years, MCPA has served as Findlay’s home for unforgettable performances and meaningful arts experiences. From Broadway tours to local concerts, from youth programs to regional partnerships, the center has become a cultural anchor for Hancock County. The 10th Anniversary Gala celebrates the people, shows and community support that have shaped MCPA’s first decade and sets the stage for its next chapter. 

Brian Stokes Mitchell’s performance in Findlay is a fitting tribute to a city that embraces Broadway tours with enthusiasm. Stokes is widely regarded as one of the great voices of the American musical stage, with a career that spans more than three decades across theater, film, television and concert halls. 

He earned the Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical for his acclaimed performance in Kiss Me, Kate and has been nominated for major roles in Ragtime, King Hedley II and Man of La Mancha. In addition to his celebrated stage career, Stokes has been recognized with the Isabelle Stevenson Award for his contributions to the arts community and is a member of the American Theatre Hall of Fame. 

His appearance at the gala is a nod to Findlay’s lasting enthusiasm for Broadway and the major tours we’ve hosted in our first ten years, from The Book of Mormon and Fiddler on the Roof to Chicago, Hadestown and Come From Away. It celebrates shows that have lit up our stage and to the audiences who fill the seats with energy and excitement every season. 

Guests attending the Full Gala Experience will enjoy an elegant evening beginning with cocktails and dinner at 5:30 p.m. in Armes Hall, followed by Brian Stokes Mitchell’s performance at 7:30 p.m. in the Donnell Theater. Formal or cocktail attire is welcomed, and guests will receive premium seating for the concert as part of their gala ticket package. Tickets to the performance only are also available for community members who want to enjoy the concert without attending the dinner portion of the evening. All event details and ticket options can be found at MCPA.org. 

MCPA extends heartfelt gratitude to the sponsors whose generosity makes this celebration possible: Tom and Kate Donnell, Gary and Jane Heminger, Bryce and Maryann Mannen and Chuck and Dee Dee Bills. Their support reflects a shared belief in the power of the performing arts to strengthen and inspire our community.

(From the Hancock County Veterans Service Office)

Join the Hancock County Veterans Service Office and the American Red Cross for a free Holiday Breakfast for Hancock County Veterans and their families, Saturday, December 6th from 8am to noon at the Findlay Elks Banquet Hall located at 900 W. Melrose Ave in Findlay.

Enjoy a delicious breakfast from Moore than Just BBQ, connect with fellow veterans, sign up for free fire alarm installation, and visit with our staff to learn more about local resources, benefits and support available to veterans and their families.

The first 110 veterans will receive a special gift.

The American Red Cross North Central Ohio Chapter will have information on programs and resources available to veterans, including:

• • Sign up for free smoke alarm installation

• • Information on our Resiliency Workshops and Mind-Body workshops for veterans, service members and military families

• • Information on emergency preparedness

• • Volunteer and blood donation opportunities

• • Red Cross Animal Visitation Team will be on site with their therapy dogs

This special event is made possible through the generosity from the Findlay Hancock County Community Foundation. For questions or additional information, visit www.hancockveterans.com or call 419-424-7036.

(From the Fort Findlay FOP Lodge 20 Foundation)

The Fort Findlay FOP Lodge #20 Foundation will host its annual Cops & Kids Go Shopping event at 8 a.m. on Sunday, December 7 at the Findlay Village Meijer. Children referred through the local school systems will be paired with an FOP member or supporter and receive two hundred dollars to shop for Christmas gifts, essentials, and moments of joy.

Through a continued partnership with Coats for Christmas, every member of each participating child’s household will also receive warm winter gear. This added support ensures that families can head into the coldest months with comfort, dignity, and peace of mind.

Teresa White, Director of the Fort Findlay FOP Lodge #20 Foundation, shared why this program continues to be one of the most beloved events of the year.
“When a child walks through Meijer holding hands with an officer who is there solely to support them, something changes. They feel seen. They feel valued. They feel safe. This day gives them more than gifts. It gives them a memory that stays with them long after the holidays pass.”

Tyler Waldbauer, Secretary of the Fort Findlay FOP Lodge #20 & Foundation, added,
“Our officers look forward to this morning every single year. Cops & Kids Go Shopping gives us the chance to connect with children in a joyful and meaningful way. It is a reminder of why we serve and why this community means so much to us.”

Community support for this event remains strong and continues to grow. Each year, volunteers, officers, donors, and school partners come together to lift children during a season that can be especially difficult for families facing financial strain.

The Fort Findlay FOP Lodge #20 Foundation thanks Meijer, Coats for Christmas, and the many supporters who make this magic possible.

(From the City of Findlay)

CONSTRUCTION 12/1-12/5:

-S. Main St. will be reduced to one lane in the Southbound direction from Wallace St. to Highland Dr. for a sanitary sewer project.

-Morrical Blvd. will be closed to through traffic from Bliss Ave. to Lima Ave. for waterline project.

-Tappan St. will be closed to through traffic from Logan Ave. to Lagrange St. for sanitary installation.

-All roads in Springlake subdivision will be open; however, the contractor will be in the area cleaning up. Use caution when driving through this area.

Please contact the Engineering Department with questions (419) 424-7121.