Tuesday, January 31, 2023, is the last day to purchase your Hancock County dog license.
Dogs 3 months and older are required to have a dog license.
The cost is $20 per dog with a single 75-cent processing fee for a 1-year- dog license if purchased through the Hancock County Dog Warden, located at 4550 Fostoria Avenue in Findlay.
On February 1, 2023, the fee will double, making the cost $40 per dog with a single 75-cent processing fee.
(ONN) – Cleveland Guardians manager Terry Francona’s iconic scooter was stolen over the weekend, but police say they recovered it in another area of downtown on Tuesday night.
The scooter was parked outside of Francona’s apartment building on Friday night and was missing Saturday morning.
The scooter has become part of Francona’s legacy with the team as he’s been spotted by fans riding it home after games at Progressive Field.
The Guardians once featured a bobblehead with Francona riding his scooter as a game day giveaway.
The report of the theft came on the heels of Guards Fest, which brought players and fans together over the weekend.
Francona was among those who appeared at the event.
Hancock County ranked the highest in wages among all 88 Ohio counties for the 2nd Quarter 2022 (Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages). Raise the Bar wants people to access and be prepared for these well-paying jobs and to keep the local economy thriving.
One step in this workforce development strategy involves helping people find the right job with the right employer. Nationally publicized recruitment and retention reports highlight the importance of aligning a person’s interests, passions, and abilities to employment options. Unfortunately, many adults do not know which careers best align with their skillsets, and they find themselves constantly searching for the right fit or becoming less productive in the workplace. To support individuals in their journey toward gainful employment with local employers, Raise the Bar has launched its Adult Workforce Exploration and Readiness Program.
“This pilot program fills a previously missing piece in Hancock County’s workforce development equation,” said Tricia Valasek, Raise the Bar executive director. “This program can help students who withdraw from college because they don’t know what they want to be, adults who feel their job isn’t a match for them, or people who need to land on their two feet. We are proud to offer this complimentary service, and we hope it puts individuals on the right path to becoming and staying employed locally.”
Raise the Bar’s program, via a generous grant from the AT&T Foundation, serves vulnerable under, and unemployed adults. Individuals must be referred to this program (www.raisethebarhancock.org/assessment-referral), and ideal participants are between 18-45 years of age; able to independently read and use technology; supported by mentors, coaches, caseworkers, educators, etc.; and ready for employment.
All program participants complete an in-person interest, value, and aptitude assessment, the same multi-step process used by Millstream Career Center to assess local high school students. A career assessment specialist and the participant review the results, and then each participant begins a phase of career discovery using an online learning platform called Pathful Explore. Raise the Bar intends for people completing the program to be primed with knowledge of the right careers for them, an understanding of what they value in the workplace, refined job readiness skills like writing a resume and interviewing, and awareness of career options in Hancock County.
Learn more about Raise the Bar Hancock County by clicking here for their website.
State Representative Jon Cross has been elected to serve as the assistant majority floor leader for the 135th Ohio General Assembly.
The 83rd House District that Cross represents includes Hancock County, Hardin County and portions of Logan County.
The Republican from Kenton will assist the majority caucus in bringing legislation forward for consideration for a vote, maintaining communication between leadership and majority members and help steer legislation for the House.
“I appreciate the support of my colleagues and Speaker Stephens for entrusting me to help lead and unite the majority caucus,” Cross said.
“I look forward to getting to work as we continue to improve opportunity and quality of life for all Ohioans.”
Cross says he will continue to advocate for Ohio businesses, workforce issues and state tax code in an effort to strengthen Ohio’s business climate. Cross has previously served as the chair of the House Finance Subcommittee on Higher Education and served on Economic and Workforce Development, Finance, Higher Education and Career Readiness committees.
“A pro-business, pro-Ohio champion, Representative Cross has been a leader of economic and workforce development and career readiness,” said Speaker Jason Stephens.
“He is an experienced legislator that has shown he can get the job done for Ohio and his district.”
The underground work began near the Findlay Substation, located at the intersection of Putnam and Liberty streets, and is ending along Beech Avenue where a riser pole will connect the line with the existing overhead power line.
A section of Beech Avenue has been closed as crews have been working on installing the riser pole in that area.
People can still access State Bank and the Board of Elections in the area.
AEP says this riser pole will be finished in a couple of weeks and then the underground line will be tested.
Upon completion of the testing, the underground portion of the project will be complete.
AEP says the Central Findlay Improvements Project will strengthen the local electric system by replacing aging equipment and supporting the area’s electrical needs.
The project involves rebuilding about four miles of power line, building two miles of overhead line and building about one mile of underground line.
The overall project is expected to be completed in the summer.
Get more on AEP’s Central Findlay Improvements Project by clicking here.
The Ohio Department of Transportation’s Hancock County Garage on Lima Avenue in Findlay is ready for the winter storm that will impact the area on Wednesday.
Deidra Noel, transportation administrator for ODOT in Hancock County, is asking drivers to do their part to help their snow plow operators clear the roads as efficiently as possible.
“Just take your time and slow down, give yourself enough distance between the vehicle in front of you, especially if it’s one of our trucks. Snow coming off of a truck even makes visibility even worse so just back up and give us some space.”
Noel says the Hancock County ODOT Garage has 21 trucks and is responsible for 621 lane miles in the county, including Interstate 75 from Bluffton to North Baltimore.
Total snow accumulations of 5 to 8 inches are possible on Wednesday along with a wintry mix of precipitation at times.
Travel could be very difficult and the snowy conditions will affect both the morning and evening commutes.
For the latest school closings and delays click here, for business closings and community cancelations click here, and for road alerts click here.
People are also urged to submit their business and community cancelation online here instead of calling.
The Hancock Leadership class of 2023 is spreading patriotism with their group project by launching Hancock County Taps – Honoring Those Who Served, a program developed in partnership with the Hancock County Veteran Services Office, the Findlay-Hancock County Chamber of Commerce, and local Hancock County Magistrate, Carl Hayslett.
Hancock County Taps will work to ensure that, whenever possible, every military funeral in Hancock County includes a live rendition of Taps, the ceremonial bugle call that signals end of service.
The Hancock Leadership project is being managed by Keah Egbert and Tom James.
“We reviewed several exciting proposals from community organizations doing great things but, in the end, it was our deep respect for our military Veterans that resonated with us,” said James.
Co-chair Egbert stated, “The Hancock Leadership Class of 2023 is passionate about supporting local Veterans and is excited to work on this project with the community.”
The ambitious program will pair local musical talent with opportunities to pay their respects to military veterans by playing the well-known bugle call known as Taps at Hancock County Veterans’ funeral services.
For Hancock County Taps founder, Carl Hayslett, this new program is equal parts passion and purpose.
“While I did not serve in the military, I recognize and celebrate the commitment of the men and women who are serving and have served in our country’s armed forces. This is our opportunity as individuals and as a community to honor military veterans and demonstrate the respect that they deserve.”
The Hancock Leadership ‘23 class is raising funds to support the purchase of instruments and other resources necessary to provide program services.
There are plans to erect a monument to signify this service to our county and to honor those who served. In addition, Hancock County Taps is actively seeking local musicians, high school and college band members, and buglers or trumpeters interested in playing Taps at military funerals.
You can support Hancock County Taps in 3 ways; GIVE – consider making a monetary donation towards the project, PLAY – audition to join the pool of musicians to play Taps at funerals in Hancock County, or HONOR – request a live rendition of Taps for your Hancock County Veteran’s funeral service.
