A big crowd gathered in Dorney Plaza in front of the Findlay Municipal Building on Friday night to watch the City of Findlay Christmas Tree light up.

The youngsters were excited to see Santa Claus arrive on a Findlay fire truck, and then the Jolly One led the countdown to the Christmas Tree coming aglow.

Findlay First Edition and Voices 5 performed traditional Christmas carols before and after the lighting. (video below)

Following the tree lighting, Santa Claus guided children and their families to the Findlay Kiwanis Santa’s House at St. Andrews United Methodist Church for a visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus.

Guests enjoyed cookies, hot chocolate, and horse-drawn wagon rides through downtown Findlay.

See video of the Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony below.

(From the Ohio State Highway Patrol)

The 12th annual “Lights for Lives” was a successful operation once again, showing what can be accomplished by law enforcement working cooperatively in a multi-agency, multi-jurisdictional effort. In the spirit of collaboration, the Ohio State Highway Patrol, Findlay District in conjunction with law enforcement agencies in Northwest Ohio from the following counties: Williams, Fulton, Lucas, Defiance, Henry, Wood, Putnam, Paulding, Hancock, Van Wert, Allen, and Hardin Counties participated.

“Lights for Lives” is a multi-agency, multi-jurisdictional, cooperative enforcement campaign focused on officers activating their overhead LIGHTS and stopping as many vehicles that have committed traffic violations to save as many LIVES as possible. It began on November 24th at 6:00 a.m. and ran through November 26th at 6:00 a.m., kicking off the holiday driving season.

During the 48-hour operation officers reported stopping nearly 692 vehicles and issued 230 citations. There were 18 Safety Belt citations issued, 13 Distracted Driving citations issued, while 7 impaired drivers were removed from Ohio’s roadways.

On behalf of all law enforcement who participated in “Lights for Lives”, we would like to remind motorists this holiday season to always buckle up, as it is the one thing most likely to save their life, and slow down or move over for stopped traffic! Additionally, they must remember to plan ahead and never operate a vehicle when impaired by drugs and/or alcohol!

(From Hancock County ADAMHS)

Beginning Monday, December 8, the Hancock County Alcohol, Drug Addiction & Mental Health Services (ADAMHS) office (438 Carnahan Ave.) will be undergoing necessary renovations. During this time, the office will be relocated to the former Probate/Juvenile Court Building, located at 308 Dorney Plaza. The office will be open at this location, Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m. The ADAMHS Board anticipates the office will be at this temporary location until July 2026.

During this time, Board Committee meetings will be held at the Trinity Episcopal Church (128 W. Hardin St.), and Full Board meetings will be held at the Blanchard Valley Center Training Center (1700 E. Sandusky St.). Dates and times for each of these meetings may be found at yourpathtohealth.org.

Additional questions may be answered by calling 419-424-1985 or emailing adamhs@yourpathtohealth.org

(From the Findlay Airport)

Guess who is coming to the Findlay Airport on December 20th from 9 am until noon?

If you guessed Santa and his elves, you are correct!!!

There will be plenty of signage directing you towards the big man himself.

Bring your wish list and your best smile to share with Santa and snap a few pictures while you’re here!

(From the Hancock Veterans Service Office)

Wreaths Across America is a national event whose mission is to REMEMBER the fallen U.S. Veterans, HONOR those who serve our country, and TEACH future generations about the sacrifices made to preserve our freedoms.

Join us as we respectfully place approximately 6,500 wreaths on area Veterans’ graves in Hancock County in honor of their service on Saturday, December 13, at 10 a.m.

Participating cemeteries include Arlington, Benton Ridge, Eagle Township, Maple Grove, McComb, North Baltimore, St. Michael’s, and Vanlue Cemeteries.

Sherri Garner Brumbaugh, President of Garner Trucking, is the coordinator of the Findlay event at Maple Grove Cemetery.

Donations can be made at the Findlay-Hancock County Chamber Foundation for the Hancock County participating cemeteries or you can visit our website (www.hancockveterans.com).

REMEMBER our fallen U.S. Veterans.
HONOR those who serve.
TEACH your children the value of freedom.

(From the University of Findlay)

The holiday season of generosity, known at the University of Findlay as the “Oiler Season of Giving,” kicks off on Tuesday, December 2 with Giving Tuesday.

UF alumni, friends, community members, parents, faculty, and staff are invited to make a difference through Giving Tuesday – findlay.edu/oilerseasonofgiving – on December 2. The annual event takes place in conjunction with the globally recognized #GivingTuesday.

Traditionally celebrated on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving, the international day of philanthropy demonstrates the power of people and organizations to transform their communities and the world.

UF is focusing on support of the Findlay Fund, which goes directly to areas of greatest need for UF students, including Oiler athletic programs.

“We invite you to show your Oiler pride by supporting the area of campus that means the most to you – scholarships, athletics, student life, or your college,” said Madelynn Strayer ’21, UF director of annual giving.

“Generous alumni and friends appreciate that every student benefits from a gift to the Findlay Fund,” she explained. “It is the cornerstone of the Oiler experience. The Findlay Fund provides immediate access to financial and educational resources that our students depend on to achieve success, such as scholarships, classroom and lab technology, residence life, health services, and more.”

Gifts to the Oilers Club will impact the more than 700 Oiler student-athletes who currently compete in 22 NCAA sports at UF. Six programs won conference championships last year, Oiler athletes earned more than 120 conference honors – and two were national champions. Additionally, UF student-athletes graduate at a 15 percent higher rate than the national average.

“Supporting the Oilers Club provides vital resources for our teams – from new equipment to training resources – and keeps UF at the top of its game,” Strayer noted.

Last year on Giving Tuesday, 520 donors gave $186,260 to make a difference at UF, she said.

Donations are now being accepted through UF’s secure, online service GiveCampus. All gifts are tax deductible.

“We want to thank all our UF friends and alumni for their loyal support and their belief in our mission of equipping students for meaningful lives and productive careers,” Strayer said.

For more information on Giving Tuesday, visit findlay.edu/oilerseasonofgiving, or contact the Office of Annual Giving at 419-434-4895 or send an email to thefindlayfund@findlay.edu.

(WTOL-11) – Ohio Governor Mike DeWine says he wishes he never signed off on legal sports betting in Ohio.

He told the Associated Press that he regrets it, especially after two Cleveland Guardians pitchers were accused of being involved with gamblers.

DeWine has pushed Major League Baseball to crack down, leading to new limits on prop bets.

He admits there’s no chance lawmakers will repeal sports betting now, but says he’ll keep pushing leagues and sports books to tighten the rules.

(From the United Way of Hancock County)

Volunteers are needed to help run a free tax preparation program that is expected to return over $1 million to the community.

United Way of Hancock County is seeking volunteer tax preparers and greeters for its free income tax preparation program, called VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance). This IRS program serves income-eligible individuals who live, work or attend college in Hancock County and may not otherwise be able to afford to have their taxes prepared and filed. The United Way is again collaborating with the Findlay-Hancock County Public Library and 50 North, who will host the service at their sites.

The United Way is recruiting volunteers to serve as tax preparers and greeters at both the library and 50 North. Morning, afternoon and evening shifts are available Mondays through Fridays, plus Saturday mornings. Volunteers schedule their own hours during whatever days or months they are available.

Tax preparers will prepare and electronically file taxes for clients. No experience is necessary. Volunteers can work through training online or may attend training sessions with the VITA site coordinator in December to become certified. All new volunteers will work with an experienced tax preparer until they are comfortable with the program.

Greeters are needed to welcome clients as they arrive for appointments. Responsibilities include checking taxpayers in and ensuring that they have the necessary paperwork for their appointment.

During the 2025 VITA season, nearly 1,100 state and federal tax returns were filed by a group of 23 VITA volunteers. United Way of Hancock County has won a large federal grant that will allow for expansion of the program during the 2026 tax season to assist even more community members.

Appointments for the 2026 VITA season will begin Feb. 2 and will continue into the days leading up to Tax Day, based on demand.

Contact Bridgit at accounting@uwhancock.org or call 419-423-1432 to sign up as a volunteer or for more information.

The Findlay Fire Department responded to a house fire in the 100 block of George Street around 1 p.m. Wednesday.

WFIN was told at the scene that the occupants of the house were able to get out and are okay.

The Red Cross was contacted to help out the family. 

WFIN News Director Matt Demczyk got more details at the scene from Fire Chief Josh Eberle in the video below.