The City Mission of Findlay is hoping an event they held in downtown will raise awareness of the homelessness problem in the city.

“We have about 100 men, women and children every night in the mission,” said Operations Manager Ruthie Tong.

On Friday night people gathered near the courthouse holding candles and spent 100 minutes outside in the cold to signify the 100 people a night that the mission helps with shelter and food.

Tong says homelessness is a problem that sometimes we don’t think we have in Findlay, and the purpose of the ‘Shine A Light On Homelessness’ event was to bring awareness to it.

She says the mission gets by on the generosity of the community.

“We are 100 percent supported by this community. We don’t any government, state or city money.”

Tong says she’s hoping that great community support continues because they’re helping more people than ever.

She says last year they provided around 20,000 nights of lodging and this year they’re on track for around 23,000.

Tong says they’re always in need of volunteers and donations. Learn how you can help by clicking here.

The City of Findlay is inviting everyone to the lighting of the city’s Christmas Tree.

On Friday, November 29th, at 6 p.m. Mayor Christina Muryn will be joined by Santa to set the tree aglow in Dorney Plaza in front of City Hall.

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

There will be cookies and hot chocolate to enjoy, and you can even take a horse-drawn wagon ride through downtown.

The city thanks Amy Wellman and Family for the Christmas Tree and Industrial Movers for help in getting the tree to Dorney Plaza.

(ONN) – Ohio Republican lawmakers are once again trying to pass a stand your ground law that would expand gun owner’s rights to use deadly force without backing away when they perceive a threat.

The Senate Government Oversight and Reform Committee held sponsor testimony on a bill introduced by Sen. Ron Johnson, of Portsmouth, with the support of Senate President Larry Obhof of Medina.

The Columbus Dispatch reports Republicans tried to approve a nearly identical bill last year but backed down because of a veto threat by then-Republican Gov. John Kasich.

Johnson’s bill would remove a provision in the law that says someone has a duty to retreat from places like their home before using deadly force.

The Findlay Police Department says the Shell Northside Party Mart was robbed on Saturday.

Police say video surveillance shows a woman entering the business at 3900 Ventura Drive through a drive-through access at around 8:30 Saturday night.

The woman approached employees, keeping her right hand in her sweatshirt as if she had a gun or some other weapon, and ordered them to put money from the cash registers into a plastic bag.

The woman left the store and was last seen walking southbound.

No one was injured during the robbery and no weapon was seen.

The suspect appeared to be around five feet seven inches tall and weighing around 90 pounds.

She was wearing a dark-colored mask, dark hooded sweatshirt, dark shoes and dark gloves.

Anyone with information on the robbery is urged to contact the Findlay Police Department at 419-424-7150.

Two people were killed in a crash near Vanlue on Friday.

The crash happened at State Route 15 and County Road 193, just west of Vanlue, at about 3:10 p.m.

The Hancock County Sheriff’s Office says Clarence Hensel, 88, and Melba Hensel, 89, both of Forest, were driving south on County Road 193 when Clarence failed to yield the right of way to eastbound traffic on State Route 15, causing a collision with another vehicle.

Investigators say Melba was pronounced dead at the scene, while Clarence was life-flighted to a hospital and pronounced dead upon arrival.

The driver of the other vehicle was not injured.

The crash remains under investigation.

Findlay City Schools Board of Education voted unanimously to put an operating levy on the March ballot.

The board approved putting a 5.9 mill operating levy on the election ballot.

The district reports that the levy is critical to maintaining course offerings and programs.

Voters will decide on the levy on March 17.

McComb Local School’s Superintendent talked to us about an issue that’s affecting schools across the state.

Tony Fenstermaker said that there is a lack of substitute teachers, which affects the daily operations of schools.

He said that sometimes they even split classrooms and have to put them with other teachers.

Fenstermaker said that a major issue is the requirement for substitute teachers to have 4-year degrees.

He said he has reached out to state legislators to try and get the laws changed.

UPDATE: Includes funding source for the trip.

Findlay Mayor Christina Muryn got to take part in a diplomatic trip to Qatar.

The trip was funded by the Qatar Embassy.

Muryn said that the trip was focused on building relationships.

Muryn said it was interesting to see how Qatar handles things since they are a younger country.

Muryn added that there is potential for Qatar to bring some cultural experiences to Findlay.

She said there are no plans currently in the works though.

Governor Mike DeWine is unveiling a virtual driving program the state plans to use to help first-time drivers before they hit the road.

The new device called Ohio-Ready, Test, Drive! is similar to a video game with a steering wheel and pedals, and puts those learning to drive in situations they would experience in the real world.

DeWine said the technology will help young people learning to drive in the wake of recent state data showing more than 17,000 young drivers were injured in crashes last year.

DeWine was joined by representatives from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to show off the system.

The Findlay Fire Department made quick work of a fire at a house in the 300 block of George Street on Thursday afternoon.

Battalion Chief Matt Cooper says when they arrived on the scene they could see smoke coming from the second floor of 340 George Street.

He says his firefighters quickly put the fire out and saved a lot of property.

“Our guys were really on top of their game, and really made good work of their tactics and were quick on the spot.”

Everyone inside the house, including a child and some pets made it out safely.

The Red Cross is assisting the family with lodging, food and clothing.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.