(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 Findlay-Hancock County Community Foundation)

On November 20, we celebrate Madeleine Schneider’s birthday.

Madeleine was born in Findlay in 1914 and led an incredible life.

She left her entire estate, totaling $25 million, to The Community Foundation without restriction.

This gift to our Community’s Endowment is the largest unrestricted gift in our history and has resulted in more than $21.5 million in awarded grants.

Madeleine’s legacy continues to grow with each passing year.

Happy Birthday! 

https://www.community-foundation.com/…/madeleines-legacy 

(From the Tiffin Police Department)

On November 19, 2025, at approximately 6:24 PM, officers of the Tiffin Police Department were dispatched to the 100 block of Huss Street for a report of shots fired and screaming. Upon arrival, officers located multiple individuals suffering from apparent gunshot wounds.

The investigation determined that the incident occurred during an effort by the mother of two children to remove belongings from the residence following ongoing domestic issues in the home. Arrangements had been made with Dustin Willey (age 29), the father of her oldest child, to assist her in moving out while her husband, Ryan Eagon (age 42), was believed to be working out of town.

Evidence indicates that the mother and Dustin were inside the residence gathering remaining items while the children, ages 7 years and 7 months, were outside near a vehicle. After hearing the 7-year-old cry out, they went to check on him and observed Ryan Eagon in the driveway.

According to witness statements and physical evidence, Ryan immediately chased Dustin, pushing past the mother and firing multiple shots. Ryan then turned the gun on the children, fatally shooting both before directing additional gunfire at Dustin. Ryan Eagon subsequently took his own life with a single gunshot wound.

The mother reported that she carried the injured children back inside the home prior to law enforcement’s arrival. Law enforcement and Tiffin Fire and Rescue rendered aid at the scene and transported Dustin Willey to Tiffin Mercy Hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries. The 7-month-old infant and Ryan Eagon were pronounced deceased at the residence, while the 7-year-old child was transported to the hospital and later passed away from his injuries.

No officers discharged their firearms, and no law enforcement personnel were injured.

The mother of the children was present during the incident and was the individual who reported the emergency. In accordance with Marsy’s Law and its protections for crime victims, the Tiffin Police Department will not be releasing her name or any additional identifying information. We ask all media outlets and members of the public to respect her privacy during this unthinkably difficult time.

This incident remains an active investigation by the Tiffin Police Department with assistance from the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation, and the Seneca County Coroner’s Office. Autopsies are pending.

The Tiffin Police Department recognizes the profound emotional impact this tragedy has had on the families involved, first responders, medical staff, schools, and the broader community. Resources for grief support and counseling are being coordinated for anyone affected.

Further updates will be released as appropriate. At this time, no additional identifying information regarding the minor children will be provided.

Chief David Pauly

(From Liberty-Benton Local Schools)

Liberty-Benton third graders got a special visit from Findlay Mayor Christina Muryn!

She spoke with all third-grade classes about her important role as a leader in local government, sharing the responsibilities of her job and answering some great questions from our curious students.

What a meaningful way to wrap up their social studies unit on government!

(From the Hancock County Veterans Service Office)

One of our favorite traditions is back — Salute-A-Veteran for the Holidays.

Each year, our staff nominates veterans, their families, and surviving spouses who could use a little extra joy and kindness during the Christmas season.

THIS IS WHERE YOU COME IN!

We’re looking for businesses and individuals who want to do some good behind the scenes by “adopting” one of these families or spouses.

Adopters receive a wish list so they can shop for gifts and help bring the holiday spirit home to a veteran family.

Not a shopper? Many organizations choose to donate gift cards that we’ll deliver on your behalf!

Applications for both nominees and adopters go out soon, and we’ll match participants before Black Friday so everyone has time to prepare.

If you’re interested in sponsoring, adopting, or learning more, *contact our office or send us a DM – we’d love to help you get involved!

(From the City of Findlay)

The City of Findlay will officially light the community Christmas Tree in Dorney Plaza on Friday, November 28, 2025, at 6:00 PM. Join us as we kick off the holiday season with music from Findlay First Edition and Voices 5, who will perform both before and after the lighting and lead the crowd in traditional Christmas carols.

The City extends its sincere thanks to Brian Coffman for generously donating the beautiful 25-foot Blue Spruce and to the City of Findlay Public Works Department for transporting and decorating the tree.

Winterfest will also be taking place in Dorney Plaza from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM, including a market featuring local makers and creators, as well as a performance by the Findlay Children’s Choir at 4:30 pm.

Following the tree lighting, Santa Claus will guide 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 can enjoy cookies, hot chocolate, and horse-drawn wagon rides through downtown Findlay.

Some Downtown establishments will remain open later than usual for holiday shopping and refreshments. For a full list of seasonal events throughout Findlay and Hancock County, please visit VisitFindlay.com.

(From the Wood County Sheriff’s Office)

The Wood County Sheriff’s Office is proud to announce receiving a 100% passage of the annual jail inspection conducted by the state Bureau of Adult Detention. The Department of Rehabilitation and Correction inspected the jail on 11/19/2025. The group of standards being inspected focused on Reception & Release, Classification, Security, Housing, Sanitation and Environmental Conditions, Communication, Visitation, Medical and Mental Health Services, Food Service, Recreation and Programming, Inmate Discipline, Administrative Segregation, Grievance, Staffing, and Staff Training. The inspection consisted of this Inspector receiving and/or reviewing requested documentation and/or materials, touring selected areas of the jail, and having discussions with various jail staff.

Mark Wasylyshyn, Wood County Sheriff, said “I am so proud of our entire jail staff as we have been in full compliance yet again and exceed over 172 standards in the inspection. This is not something to take for granted as we are the only jail in the State of Ohio to get 100% for over 20 years in a row! We could not accomplish this without our dedicated, professional jail deputies and staff that do the right things not only during the inspection but 365 days a year. Wood County citizens should be very proud of their jail.”

Findlay Trojans Hockey is hosting a community-wide canned food drive on Friday, November 21, at The Cube in Findlay.

Stacey Franks and Sara Sublett were on with 100.5 WKXA to share all the details about how you can support local families in need.

Click the link below to listen to their full interview with WKXA’s Rex Howard.

(From the Tiffin Police Department)

On November 19, 2025 at approximately 6:24 p.m., officers from the Tiffin Police Department were dispatched to the 100 block of Huss Street following a report of gunshots and sounds of screaming. Upon arrival, officers entered the residence and located four individuals inside. An adult male and two male children suffering from apparent gunshot wounds, and an adult female who was physically uninjured but clearly in state of shock, overwhelmed and visibly traumatized.

The adult male and one of the children were pronounced deceased at the scene. Officers immediately began lifesaving measures on the second child. The Tiffin Fire & Rescue Division transported both the child and the mother to Mercy Hospital. Tragically, despite every effort by first responders and medical personnel, the child later succumbed to his injuries.

Outside the residence, officers located an additional adult male deceased from what appears to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Based on the evidence collected thus far, the incident is being investigated by the Tiffin Police Department as a homicide/suicide.

The scene was secured by Tiffin Police officers and detectives, and the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation was requested to process the residence. Detectives from the Tiffin Police Department, in partnership with BCI Crime Scene agents, remain actively engaged in processing evidence and conducting interviews. This investigation is ongoing.

Out of respect for the families affected, the names of the victims will not be released until proper notifications have been made.

As a community, we are not accustomed to events of this horrific and heartbreaking nature in Tiffin. I ask that all residents keep the victims’ families in their thoughts as they face unimaginable loss. I also ask that our community keep the responding officers, firefighters, dispatchers, emergency medical personnel, and all others involved in their thoughts as they continue to process the emotional toll of this tragedy.

Additional information will be released as it becomes available and as the investigation allows.

Chief David Pauly

(From Coats for Christmas)

Coats for Christmas is a great example of the community working together to help out those who are on a tight budget or who are in need and cannot afford a winter coat. Each year we ask many of the area schools and some businesses, organizations, and individuals to collect and donate gently used winter coats.

Previously City Dry Cleaning and now City Uniforms and Linens, graciously cleans all of these coats and that is no small task – generally we collect over 2,300 coats each year. So we thank City Uniforms and Linens for this donation! There is also a goal to have enough gloves and hats for everyone who comes to collect a coat. In addition we also collect blankets and socks that are available at our event.

Donations: If you are not able to donate coats but still want to help. We accept cash or check donations that goes towards Coats for Christmas each year. Mail donations to the Chamber at 123 E Main Cross St Findlay, Ohio. Make the checks out to “The Alliance Foundation” and place Coats for Christmas in the memo line. You may also pay online by going to findlayhancockchamber.com. Select “store” from the drop down menu and click Coats.

Collection & Distribution

Collection locations: We will be collecting used coats from Wednesday, Nov., 12th through Wednesday, Nov., 26th . The coats can be dropped off at the new City Apparel business location at 116 E. Main Cross Street, which was the prior location of City Dry Cleaning. 

Coats may also be dropped off at various Findlay City Schools and county school locations, the Hancock County Library as well as local businesses with donation boxes. If you would like to purchase new coats, hats, mittens, or blankets for the event, then you can drop those off at the downtown YMCA Branch at 300 Lincoln Street in Findlay prior to Fri., Dec. 5th. Indicate when you drop them off that they are new.

Collection dates: Collection will begin on November 12th and will wrap up November 26th.

Cleaning dates: Monday, Dec. 1st – Thursday, Dec. 4th

Set up: Friday, Dec. 5th

Distribution dates: Saturday, December 6th distribution will be from 9 am – 3 pm. Coats will be available again on Sunday, December 7th from 1 pm – 3 pm. There is no financial restriction for eligibility; therefore, anyone in need of a coat or hat and mittens is welcome.

Distribution will take place at East Branch YMCA: 1400 Manor Hill Rd. Findlay, Ohio 45840

Volunteers – So how can you or your business or your organization or your church take part in this event? You can collect coats for us! We ALWAYS need kids’ coats and oversized adult coats. You can buy new mittens, gloves, hats, blankets, or socks? Or you can volunteer to help before the event, during the event, or afterwards. Get involved! It’s a great way to clean out your closets, help out those in need, and give back.

Click the link to sign up to volunteer: Coats for Christmas Commitee: Coats for Christmas 2025

Volunteers can contact Jackie Baltz at Jacquelynbaltz@gmail.com with any questions regarding volunteering.

For more information follow for updates on facebook.com/coatsforchristmas.