Findlay’s annual Memorial Day Parade is coming up on Monday.

Bill Johns, President of the Hancock County Veterans Council, hopes to see everyone there.

Bill says the Bridge Ceremony on the Main Street Bridge will happen at 9 a.m., and then the parade will start at 10 in front of the American Legion on West Front Street.

The parade will make its way to Maple Grove Cemetery where a service will be held at the War Memorial.

Bill says anyone else who wants to participate in the parade is welcome to show up Monday morning and he’ll find a spot for them.

People can also contact Bill at 419-721-7275 with any questions.

Video from last year’s parade and service is below.

Area youth will have an opportunity to take part in “Grief Trails,” sponsored by Bridge Home Health & Hospice, a division of Blanchard Valley Health System, in June and July.

“Grief Trails” is a program that allows children, ages six to 12 years old, to learn about the importance of communicating emotions and needs to others during times of grief, while working hands-on with gentle horses.

Two locations and dates will be offered for this year’s program and are as follows:

Lane of Dreams, LLC, located at 2502 East County Road 16, Tiffin, OH, Friday, June 24, 2022, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

A rain date has been scheduled for Friday, July 8, 2022. Registration for this event is due by June 1, 2022.

Challenged Champions, located at 11913 County Road 6, Ottawa, OH, on Friday, July 15, 2022, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Registration for this event is due by July 1, 2022.

BVHS says although children may appear to be less affected by the death of a loved one, there are many questions, fears and worries as they attempt to make sense of the loss and deal with the changes it creates.

The children will gather with their peers in an encouraging environment and participate in activities that will help them express their feelings, learn effective communication tools and have fun at the same time.

Bereavement coordinator, Kristi Beall, along with trained volunteers, will guide the children through conversation, horseback riding and creating keepsakes.

This year, participants will learn to be “On Safari – Journeying Your Way through Grief.”

Camp activities include arts and crafts, outdoor fun and a butterfly release.

In addition to these traditional camp activities, children participate in grief support activities to gain skills in managing their personal grief.

This event is being offered through Bridge’s Group Special Times Always Remembered (S.T.A.R.) at no cost to the family, with all materials provided.

For more information and/or to request a registration form, call Bridge Bereavement Services at 419-423-5351 or email Kristi Beall, at kbeall@bvhealthsystem.org.

Registration is required.

Owens Community College will award 538 associate degrees at their 56th Spring Commencement ceremonies on Friday, May 27th.

The commencement will be at the Toledo-area campus in Perrysburg.

A total of 36 students from the Findlay-area campus will join the Toledo-area campus graduates for the commencement ceremonies.

The ceremonies are scheduled at 10 a.m. for the School of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics; 1 p.m. for the School of Business, Hospitality Management and Public Safety and School of Liberal Arts; and 4 p.m. for the School of Nursing and Health Professions.

The graduating class features 197 students graduating with honors (3.5 grade-point average and above) as well as outstanding academic program graduates.

The Hancock County Sheriff’s Office says alcohol is believed to have been a factor in an injury crash on State Route 568, just east of Findlay.

The sheriff’s office says Jaylen Fletcher, 21, of Albany, Georgia, was driving westbound on State Route 568 near Township Road 237 at around 3:53 Wednesday morning when he went left of center and drove off the road.

His vehicle struck the ditch and rolled, coming to rest on its top.

The sheriff’s office said Fletcher was wearing a seat belt at the time of the crash.

The sheriff’s office believes alcohol was a factor in the crash.

The Hancock Park District’s Zonta Landing Boat Rentals at Riverside Park in Findlay will open on Saturday, May 28th.

Canoes, kayaks and pedal boats will be available for rent on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays from 1 to 7 through Labor Day

The standard rental fee is $5 per half hour. (cash or check only)

For additional information click on HancockParks.com.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol is reminding everyone that more motorcyclists will be on the roads as summer approaches and the weather warms up.

May is National Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month and the Highway Patrol says motorcycle safety is the responsibility of both motorcyclists and other drivers.

Drivers should remember to give motorcyclists a full lane of travel, look for motorcyclists on the highway, at intersections, and any time while changing lanes.

Drivers should also always leave plenty of space between their vehicle and any motorcyclists driving in front of them.

And motorcyclists are urged to drive SMART (Sober, Motorcycle Endorsed, Alert, Right Gear, and Trained).

In 2021, motorcycle deaths in Ohio increased by 55 percent.

There were more than 4,000 motorcycle-related crashes on Ohio roads in 2021, in which more than 200 people were killed.

Of those, 166 were not wearing a helmet, according to the Highway Patrol.

On Tuesday, a motorcyclist from Bryan was killed when a pickup turned in front of him and the two collided in Williams County.

The Highway Patrol is reminding motorcyclists to always wear a helmet and for all drivers to remain vigilant during motorcycle season.

May is National Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month – a time to remind drivers that more motorcycle riders will be on the road now that we are entering Ohio’s warmer months. Safety tips at https://t.co/5tegw1JWkh pic.twitter.com/hTD0kt0CE2

— Ohio State Highway Patrol (@OSHP) May 24, 2022

The Findlay High School Class of 2022 will be receiving their diplomas this weekend.

This year’s graduation will look different than last year’s, which was held outside at Donnell Stadium on a cool and windy morning. (video below)

This year, graduation will be held at the Koehler Center at the University of Findlay beginning at 10 o’clock Saturday morning, May 28th.

This will be Findlay High School’s 150th graduating class.

Pictured above is last year’s Valedictorian, Trinity Lee.

“Even if you’re unsure about what you want to do after high school, learning to cherish yourself and your thoughts first will make things so much clearer.” – Trinity Lee, Valedictorian of the Findlay High School Class of 2021.https://t.co/ZJKmsZJTlj pic.twitter.com/yWSAEwSI44

— WFIN News (@WFINradio) May 29, 2021

The Findlay City Schools Board of Education voted to reject an offer from the Hancock County Board of Commissioners to purchase the Lincoln Elementary School property.

The school board voted against the $500,000 offer, citing the fact that they’re expecting another offer on the property that will include a residential component.

“We’re expecting another offer that involves the port authority that also includes residential,” School Board President Matt Cooper said.

Cooper added that the board owes it to the neighborhood and taxpayers to do their due diligence before selling the property.

The more than 100-year-old school was closed at the end of the 2020-21 school year as the district underwent some elementary school building consolidation in the wake of failed operating levies.

In May of 2021 an open house was held at the school, giving people a chance to check out the school one last time.

The State Fire Marshal’s Office is seeking tips from the public regarding an arson fire in Putnam County.

Investigators say someone intentionally set fire to a detached garage behind a home in Leipsic on May 5th.

On that day, the homeowner discovered evidence of a fire at 17 East Center Street after it self-extinguished.

The State Fire Marshal and Leipsic Police Department are conducting an investigation into the arson.

A reward of up to $5,000 is being offered by the Blue Ribbon Arson Committee for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the fire.

Anyone who has information is urged to contact the State Fire Marshal’s tip line at 800-589-2728 or Leipsic Police Department at 419-943-2421.

A Fostoria man pleaded guilty to a rape charge involving a child on the day his trial was to begin in Hancock County.

Jeffrey D. Kingery, 69, was set to go on trial on Monday in Hancock County Common Pleas Court.

In May of 2021, he was indicted on a charge of first-degree rape involving a child under the age of 13.

The indictment indicated that the crime occurred in March of 2020 in Fostoria.

Court records show Kingery pleaded guilty to the rape charge on Monday.

His sentencing has been scheduled for July 27th.

When he gets out of prison he’s required to register as a Tier III sex offender.