(From the Bluffton Area Chamber of Commerce)

The Bluffton Area Chamber of Commerce is thrilled to announce Bluffton Discovery Days, Friday, July 25, 2025 and July 26, 2025. This event, featuring exclusive in-store specials, will provide shoppers with Discovery Days deals.

Visitors who explore participating businesses during Bluffton Discovery Days can enter into a drawing to win Bluffton Dollars, which can be redeemed at any Bluffton Area Chamber of Commerce member business. Prizes range from $25 to $100, offering winners an exciting opportunity to discover and enjoy various local establishments.

Bluffton Discovery Days is a celebration of our vibrant community, showcasing the unique businesses and charm that Bluffton has to offer. It’s a fantastic opportunity for both residents and visitors to support local commerce while taking advantage of special discounts and promotions.

Don’t miss out on Bluffton Discovery Days – your chance to save, win, and experience the best of Bluffton. Join us for this incredible celebration of local business and community spirit.

For more information, please contact:

James Enneking

Executive Director, Bluffton Area Chamber of Commerce

(419) 369-2985

director@explorebluffton.com

(From the American Red Cross of Northern Ohio)

The American Red Cross of North Central Ohio will recognize and pay tribute to members of the community who have shown extraordinary courage by saving or improving the lives of others at the 2025 Hero Awards of North Central Ohio. The organization will also present the Clara Ayres Award for Extraordinary Service to a member or members of the medical profession who helped in a time of crisis.

Residents of Hancock, Putnam, Seneca, Wyandot, Erie, Huron, and Lorain Counties are invited to nominate a hero or heroes who have responded to life’s challenges with a true humanitarian spirit, mirroring the values that motivate and inspire the work of the Red Cross.

A hero could be someone who entered a burning home to alert a family, a neighbor who performed CPR on a total stranger, or a passerby who pulled a drowning child to safety. To nominate a hero, visit RedCross.org/NOHheroes. All nominations will be reviewed by a selection committee and must be submitted by Aug. 13, 2025. The heroic act must have occurred in one of the counties listed above between Jan. 1, 2025 and Aug. 1, 2025.

Those who are chosen will be honored at a special event at the Hilton Garden Inn Findlay on Oct. 22, 2025 at noon. The Red Cross thanks the Hilton Garden Inn for donating their space for this inspiring event. To purchase tickets for the event, visit heroesnc.givesmart.com or contact Todd James, Executive Director at Todd.James@redcross.org.

(From the Ohio High School Athletic Association)

The Ohio High School Athletic Association announced that it will sanction a state championship event in girls flag football beginning in the spring of 2026. The announcement was made at a press conference in Canton alongside representatives from the National Football League, the Cleveland Browns, the Cincinnati Bengals and the Pro Football Hall of Fame during the NFL FLAG Championships presented by Toyota.

OHSAA Executive Director Doug Ute and OHSAA staff have been meeting with Ohio flag football leaders for several years. The growth of girls flag football began in 2021 with the creation of the first Girls High School Flag Football division in Northeast Ohio, led by the Cleveland Browns. Three years ago, there were 20 schools in Ohio that had a team. There are currently 80 high schools in Ohio that have a team and that number is expected to continue to grow.

“We are pleased that the OHSAA Board of Directors has approved the sanctioning of girls flag football as an OHSAA sponsored championship event,” said Ute. “Flag football is growing rapidly and we look forward to working closer with teams, coaches and schools to help that growth. The Browns, Bengals and NFL have already put in so much work to promote the game and bring us to this moment to welcome girls flag football to the OHSAA.”

In 2024, the Browns held an initial conversation with the Ohio High School Football Coaches Association regarding adding a division for girls flag football. The coaches association then officially included the sport in the association by adding a new region, Region 18. The Browns are the only NFL club that sits on a board for a high school football coaches association.

Growth in Southwest Ohio has been accelerated with the help of the Cincinnati Bengals who worked with schools to create a Girls High School Flag Football division in Greater Cincinnati.

Flag football has been added by 100 college club and varsity programs and now 17 high school state associations have sanctioned the sport with a state tournament. It will be included as a new sport in the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.

Girls flag football will continue to be a spring sport. In May, the Browns and Bengals hosted the inaugural Girls High School Flag Football State Championship title at Paul Brown Tiger Stadium in Massillon, where the top four teams from both the Browns and Bengals divisions competed. Hamilton Badin High School won the inaugural girls flag football state tournament over Willoughby South High School.

“Ohio becoming the latest state to sanction girls flag football is a testament to the strong growth and appeal of the sport,” said Stephanie Kwok, NFL Vice President, Head of Flag Football. “This is an exciting time with 17 states having sanctioned girls flag football and we’re thankful to the Browns, Bengals and OHSAA for their support in growing the sport.”

“The decision to officially sanction girls’ flag football in Ohio is an important moment not just for the Browns, but for the entire state of Ohio and the game we love,” said Cleveland Browns Managing and Principal Partners Dee and Jimmy Haslam. “We have seen firsthand how powerful the game of football can be in shaping confidence, leadership, and community, and we are proud that more young women will have the chance to experience that same growth. When we launched our Girls High School Flag Football League in 2021, the goal was to get to this day, but it wouldn’t have been possible without the continuous work of the athletes, coaches, administrators, and parents who all believed in the future of this sport. We want to thank OHSAA, the Cincinnati Bengals and the NFL for their partnership on bringing this to life as we continue to grow the game for girls across the state.”

“This is an incredible day for the state of Ohio, the sport of football and most importantly the young women who have dreamed of this moment,” said Bengals Director of Strategy and Engagement Elizabeth Blackburn. “On behalf of the Cincinnati Bengals, I want to thank the Ohio High School Athletic Association, athletic directors, players, coaches, referees and every single advocate who helped make today possible. Flag football is more than a sport — it’s — a platform for teamwork, leadership, development and community. The Bengals are proud to support the growth of flag football and celebrate this historic milestone.”

Dates for competition and the 2026 state tournament will be determined in the near future.

ESPN, ABC, Disney and the NFL will provide coverage of this weekend’s NFL FLAG Championships presented by Toyota, spanning 33 hours from Friday through Sunday. ESPN will showcase 15 games from the girls high school division, including the national championship game on Sunday.

More information about the NFL FLAG Championships was announced on Monday at: https://www.ohsaa.org/news-media/articles/national-flag-football-event-this-weekend-in-canton-to-welcome-ohio-student-athletes-and-ohsaa-staff

(From the United Way of Hancock County)

United Way of Hancock County and City Apparel are teaming up to deliver a great start to the school year.

Community members are invited to stop by City Apparel + Merch, 116 E. Main Cross, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. July 24 and 31 to buy lunch from visiting food trucks. While they wait for their food, guests can write an encouraging note on a paper apple. These notes will be distributed to educators throughout Hancock County to help uplift and inspire them as they head into the new school year.

City Apparel hosts Do Good Thursdays every week of the summer, through Labor Day. A rotating fleet of food trucks visits the business weekly, with a portion of each week’s sales donated to United Way’s Halt Hunger Initiative. Do Good Thursdays has generated nearly $2,600 toward the United Way’s local food security efforts over the past two summers.

(By Sheri Trusty, Seneca County Sheriff’s Office Public Relations Coordinator)

Seneca County Sheriff’s Deputy Christopher Potter and Deputy Alyssia Hammons weren’t off duty just because they were passing out toys and candy at Downtown Tiffin’s Christmas in July event on July 17. While they handed out Skittles and slinkies, they had to keep an eye on the prisoner in the backseat of their cruiser. He was angry, sneaky, and mean.

“We caught the Grinch,” Deputy Hammons said.

The deputies were happy to be part of Downtown Tiffin’s Third Thursday event. They joined the Tiffin Police Department, Tiffin Fire Department, and Seneca County CERT in a downtown parking lot where they had the chance to talk with children in a fun atmosphere, helping the kids see that emergency personnel are their friends.

“I like deputies because they’re nice,” said eight-year-old Eva Marino. “They help people. They’re just very helpful and trustworthy.”

Four-year Keaton Young attended Christmas in July with his parents and twin sisters, Hallie and Hayden Young. The deputies gave Keaton candy, a slinky, a sticker and a temporary tattoo. What did he think of his tattoo?

“It’s pretty good,” he said.

Ten-year-old Adelaide Craddolph said she really liked the deputies’ cruiser, and nine-year-old Mariah Persinger said her favorite gift was a pink slinky.

“I like the color. It’s my favorite color,” she said.

Four-year-old Madix Kerr said he liked the candy and the tattoo, and ten-year-old Cruze Bustillos said he thinks deputies are “cool because they put bad people in jail.”

Some of the kids visited the deputies’ table wearing fireman hats they got from Tiffin firemen, but Deputy Potter reminded them that the deputies had something even better.

“The firemen have cool hats, but they can’t lock up the Grinch,” he said.

Four-year-old Garbriel Cummings didn’t need to be convinced that the Seneca County Sheriff’s Deputies are cool. He said he wants to be one when he grows up.

“They are superheroes,” he said. “I just like everything about them.”

(From the City of Fostoria)

At last night’s City Council meeting, Officer Cole Noftz was officially recognized as Fostoria’s 2024 Officer of the Year!

Police Chief Gabe Wedge presented Cole with a framed award in honor of his outstanding service, leadership, and commitment to keeping our community safe.

The City of Fostoria is incredibly proud to have such a dedicated officer on our team, not to mention his loyal K-9 partner, Creed, who works just as hard by his side.

Thank you, Officer Noftz and Creed, for all you do to serve and protect Fostoria.

(From the Findlay-Hancock County Public Library)

The Findlay-Hancock County Public Library is excited to announce its upcoming Teen Program: School Supply Swap, taking place on Saturday, August 2, from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. in the Lindamood Room and the Blanchard Room. This free event is open to all students entering grades 6–12 and aims to provide school supplies to those in need while also offering a chance to donate gently-used or new items.

Donations will be accepted in the Youth Services Department from July 28 – 31 from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Please bring in those supplies that you never got to use, or only used a few times and give them a new life in a different student’s hands.

As the back-to-school season approaches, the School Supply Swap is a great opportunity for students and families to clear out unused materials or stock up on essentials. No donation is required to participate—students are welcome to simply attend and pick up supplies they need for the new school year.

“Every student deserves to start the year with the tools they need to succeed,” said Carah Alvarez, Teen Services Specialist. “This program is about building community, supporting one another, and helping teens feel confident and ready for school.” Stay in touch and keep updated at www.findlaylibrary.org, on our Facebook page, facebook.com/fhcpl, and on Instagram @fhcpl.

(WTOL-11) – Wood County Sheriff Mark Wasylyshyn was in the nation’s capital for a ceremony at the White House.

Wasylyshyn is a board member of the National Sheriffs’ Association and was invited to the signing of the Halt Fentanyl Act.

The bill aims to permanently classify all fentanyl-related drugs as schedule one substances.

This classification is designed to give law enforcement the resources needed to combat the fentanyl crisis.

(ONN) – Starting next year, it’s going to cost you more when you go to your local Bureau of Motor Vehicles.

Whether you’re going to get your driver’s license, your new tags, or even to title a new vehicle at the BMV, you will be paying more come January. 

Beginning in January, most BMV fees will be going up as the service fee jumps from $5 to $8.

Registration renewals are going to rise by $5, and title fees are going to increase by $3, with counties being allowed to add another $5 on top.

Cleveland.com is reporting that the main reason for the price increases is to raise money for the Ohio State Highway Patrol which the governor’s office said is facing a looming budget crisis.

(From the Findlay YMCA)

Join us Saturday, July 19th, at the Downtown YMCA from 12-1 pm for a special autograph signing session with the Flag City Sluggers team!

Bring your favorite items to get signed and meet your favorite players.

This event is free and open to all ages!

Plus, don’t miss out on exclusive Sluggers apparel available for purchase—cash only!

Later that evening, join us for “YMCA Night at the Park” at 7:05 pm, where you can enjoy fun YMCA-themed games and cheer on the Sluggers!

Get ready for a grand slam day of activities and community fun!