You can safely get rid of your old, unused medications at an event in Findlay on Saturday, October 29th.

There will be a drive-thru medication collection event at the Findlay Municipal Building parking lot off of West Crawford Street from 8 to noon.

People can simply drive in, drop off their old medications for safe disposal and go on their way.

The Findlay Police Department says, not only will you be cleaning out those cluttered cabinets but you’ll be doing so in a safe manner.

Many people flush their medications, leading to environmental concerns.

Others dispose of medications in the trash or leave them in their house enabling people to find them and abuse them.

People who can’t make it to the medication collection on Saturday can drop off their medications anytime in the medication collection drop-boxes available in the lobby of the police department and sheriff’s office.

People with questions can call 419-424-1985.

Garner Trucking, which is headquartered in Findlay, was presented with the inaugural ATA Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Change Leader Award.

American Trucking Associations (ATA) recognized Garner Trucking for its commitment to creating a culture of acceptance and belonging for their employees.

The Diversity Equity and Inclusion Change Leader Award, sponsored by TenStreet, encourages ATA members to implement a DEI program or continue to improve an established company DEI program.

The nominations were critiqued on the ability to develop a program, improve an existing program, and measure and benchmark a successful culture of acceptance and inclusion.

“I am proud of my Garner team receiving the ATA Change Leader award,” said Garner Trucking President and CEO Sherri Garner Brumbaugh.

“I believe this shows our commitment to an accepting culture throughout our organization and the trucking industry, where all people can find a place to belong!”

The Findlay High School Hockey Team and the director of Millstream Career Center received some nice recognition at the Findlay City Schools Board of Education meeting on Monday.

The Ohio School Boards Association Northwest Region presented Coach Cliff Browne and the Hockey team with the Excellence In Community Service Award for their continued dedication to the community.

Cliff thanked the Ohio School Boards Association for the award and saluted his players for continually giving back to the community.

“I never thought something like this would ever happen, but it really is because of these players, not me, that makes this all work.”

Coach Browne says community service is part of the Trojan Triangle, which also includes playing hockey hard and with sportsmanship with the goal to win the state title, and doing well academically.

The hockey team routinely helps out with events around town, everything from Oktoberfest to Gliding Stars.

Get more of the presentation and Coach Browne’s comments in the video below.

Also at the board meeting, the Ohio School Boards Association presented Pam Hamlin, director of Millstream Career Center, with the Humanitarian Award, which recognizes individuals or groups who actively engage in exceptional, altruistic efforts.

The Hancock County Sheriff’s Office is reminding parents and youngsters of some tips to make their Halloween celebrations go smoothly and safely.

Lt. Mark Price with the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office recommends that an adult accompany kids younger than 12 while trick-or-treating.

Kids over the age of 12 who are responsible enough to go on their own should stay in groups and follow an agreed-upon route.

Costumes should fit well and should be free of any vision or trip hazards.

Trick-or-treaters should be very careful while crossing roads and drivers need to watch out for them.

Children should be reminded to not eat any candy until it can be checked by an adult.

And parents are encouraged to check the Sex Offender Database to see what offenders might be living in the area.

Findlay’s Halloween Parade is Tuesday night at 7 and the city’s trick-or-treat is on Saturday, October 29th from 5 to 7.

Hancock Public Health and the Marion Township Trustees are partnering to offer free wellness screenings.

The free wellness screenings will take place on Wednesday, October 26 from 3 to 6 p.m. at the Marion Township House at 16003 State Route 568, which is a little east of Findlay.

The Hancock Public Health Mobile Health Unit will be there to perform physical screenings as well as cholesterol and glucose testing.

A limited supply of flu shots and COVID vaccines will also be available.

No appointment is necessary. Registration will be on-site inside the township house.

People may call 419-424-7105 for more information.

The Executive Director of the American Red Cross of North Central Ohio, based in Findlay, is joining the ongoing Red Cross Hurricane Ian disaster relief operation in Florida.

Todd James will be serving as the Public Affairs Manager, overseeing efforts to communicate vital information on services available to families and communities.

He is one of more than 20 Red Cross workers from the Northern Ohio region who are providing assistance to residents who were impacted by the devastation caused by the hurricane.

Hundreds of people remain in shelters in Florida more than two weeks after Hurricane Ian devastated the state.

In addition to providing food and shelter, the Red Cross and other organizations involved in relief efforts are striving to help people who can’t return to their homes.

Ian is a major disaster that is bigger than any one group can manage on its own. The Red Cross will be part of the solution — but not the only solution — to help families recover.

The Findlay Police Department says a motorcyclist was seriously injured in a head-on crash Sunday night.

The police department says Ryan Kloepfer, 42, of Carey, was westbound in the 400 block of Tiffin Avenue on his motorcycle when he went left of center and struck an SUV head-on that was eastbound in the 300 block of Center Street.

The police department says Ryan was taken to Blanchard Valley Hospital with serious injuries.

The driver of the SUV was treated at the scene.

Police say Kloepfler was issued a traffic citation for left of center and helmet required for motorcycle permit.

The Ohio High School Athletic Association has released the first-round football playoff pairings.

Unless otherwise noted, all first-round games will be played on Friday, October 28th, with kickoffs set for 7 p.m.

The top eight seeds in each region will serve as hosts for the first-round games.

For the second-consecutive season, the top 16 schools in each region have qualified for the postseason, giving playoff berths to 448 schools.

In Division 1 Region 2, Findlay (5-5) will play at Perrysburg (9-1).

In Division 5 Region 18, Liberty Benton (7-3) will play at Archbold (8-2).

In Division 7 Region 26, McComb (9-1) will host Edon (5-5).

In Division 7 Region 26, Arlington (9-1) will host Delphos St. John’s (4-6).

Get the full first-round playoff pairings by clicking here.

It’s Creepy Doll Week at the Hancock Historical Museum.

“We’re bringing you some of the creepiest dolls in our collection to get you in the Halloween spirit!”

The museum says its Creepy Doll contestants are hidden throughout the spookily decorated Hull-Flater House, ready to give you a fright.

During Creepy Doll Week from October 24 -28, the museum will be sharing pictures and a little history about the dolls for Creepy Doll Week!

People can cast their vote for the creepiest doll by clicking on the Facebook post below

Each doll will be featured over the next week and the winner of the title of Creepiest Doll will be announced on October 31st.

The dolls can also be seen by visiting the museum at 422 West Sandusky Street during normal business hours.

The Findlay-Hancock County Community Foundation Board of Trustees approved community building grants in honor of the Foundation’s 30th anniversary totaling $30,000.

The grants will go to six local organizations and municipalities for various projects.

“During our 30th anniversary year, we want to include as much of Hancock County as possible in the celebration,” said Brian Treece, President & CEO of The Community Foundation.

“These grants will help develop a sense of community through revitalization, beautification and togetherness.”

Funding for the grants comes from the Community’s Endowment, a combination of common good (unrestricted) and field of interest funds. A committee of Foundation representatives reviewed and recommended the requests for funding.

• City Mission of Findlay was awarded $5,000 for beautification projects on its campus.
• Findlay Family YMCA was awarded $2,000 for a gaga pit and picnic area in partnership with Children’s Mentoring Connection.
• LGBTQ+ Spectrum of Findlay was awarded $9,500 for the Millstream Plaza Peace Park.
• Village of Arlington was awarded $4,000 for a Decoration Day mural.
• Village of Jenera was awarded $4,502 for community building beautification.
• Village of Van Buren was awarded $4,998 for the Hoadley Park basketball court.

“The goal of this special grant cycle was to do for the community what the community has done for the Foundation,” said Kimberly Bash, Chief Community Engagement Officer at the Foundation.

“In our 30 years, the community has built and grown the Foundation. We know these grants will do the same for Hancock County.”

Learn more about the Findlay-Hancock County Community Foundation by clicking here.