Hancock County Job and Family Services, in partnership with United Way of Hancock County and several other local agencies that advocate for children’s wellness, are observing April as National Child Abuse Prevention Month by displaying approximately 100 pinwheels outside the Hancock County Courthouse.

In the video below, we spoke with Randall Galbraith, Director of Hancock County Job and Family Services who said each pinwheel represents a case of child abuse or neglect currently being adjudicated in Hancock County.

“Hancock County is not immune to the problem of child abuse,” Galbraith said.

“It’s everyone’s problem and everyone’s responsibility to help out and alleviate it.”

Get more of our conversation with Galbraith in the video below.

Several youth volunteers helped place the pinwheels to the fence surrounding the courthouse.

The City of Findlay is reminding residents of the city’s yard sign regulations as spring settles in and yard signs become more prevalent.

The city says signs are prohibited in the public right-of-way.

This pertains to advertisements for businesses, non-profits, political signs, etc.

Typically, a right-of-way is located between the street and sidewalk.

If the right-of-way contains no sidewalk, then the right-of-way extends about 16 feet from the street pavement edge.

Signs should be placed behind telephone poles, in farm fields, or behind sidewalks.

Signs should not be positioned in the area between the curb and the sidewalk on roads with curbs or in front of telephone phones.

Signs can be placed on private property only with the consent of the property owner and in compliance with municipal or township ordinances, when applicable.

Any sign found in the right-of-way will be removed by the city and stored at 224 West Crawford Street for 30 days.

People with a question can contact the City’s Zoning Department at 419-424-7108.

City of Findlay Codified Ordinances: 1161.12.3 (B) Unless with Council approval, no sign shall be placed within the public right-of-way of any public street. Within the C-3 district, temporary signs are permitted in the right of way. Permanent signs within the C-3 district must be approved by City Council.

Ohio’s new and stricter distracted driving law, which makes distracted driving a primary offense, goes into effect on Tuesday.

The new law includes a wide ban on using and holding a phone while driving.

“In most circumstances law enforcement will now be able to immediately stop any driver seen manipulating a device instead of focusing on the road,” Governor Mike DeWine said.

Under the new law, a driver may still use their device in specific circumstances, such as when their vehicle is parked or stopped at a red light.

Drivers are permitted to swipe their phones to answer a call and to hold their phones to their ears during phone conversations if the call is started and stopped with a single touch or swipe.

Emergency calls are permitted in all circumstances.

There will be a six-month grace period for drivers to educate themselves about the new law.

The month of April is National Deaf History Month.

Last April, a ceremony to dedicate a new Ohio Historical Marker recognizing William Hoy was held in Houcktown. (video below)

The historical marker can be seen near the intersection of Hancock County Roads 8 and 26.

William Hoy was a center fielder who played for several professional baseball teams from 1888 to 1902, most notably the Cincinnati Reds.

He was born in Houcktown, Hancock County, Ohio in 1862.

Hoy is noted for being the most accomplished deaf player in Major League history, and is credited by some sources with the establishment of hand signals for safe and out calls.

He held the Major League record for games in center field from 1899 to 1920, and retired among the leaders in outfield games, assists, and double plays.

Hoy was also an excellent baserunner, with a career record of 597 stolen bases.

His 1,004 career walks put him second in Major League history when he retired.

Hoy is a member of the American Athletic Association for the Deaf Hall of Fame, as well as those of the Cincinnati Reds, Ohio Baseball, and Ohio School for the Deaf.

Hoy died at the age of 99 in Cincinnati.

Backyard Mission Trip of Findlay is looking for volunteers to help out with their upcoming event on Saturday, April 22nd.

Instead of going afar on a Mission Trip, churches, community members and other volunteers will gather on that day to do yard work, painting, and make house repairs.

Lee Ann Ireland says the event is a great way for people to give back to their neighborhoods and help out people in need.

As Lee Ann mentioned in the audio above, they’re looking for people of all skill levels to help out.

She says they average more than 200 projects at the annual event.

For more information about Backyard Mission Trip of Findlay and to volunteer, click here.

The City of Findlay Green Waste Site will be opening for the season on Tuesday, April 4^th at 2 p.m.

The Green Waste Site is located at 330 North Cory Street, behind the Public Works Department building and the entrance is near the railroad tracks off of North Cory Street.

The green waste site is for yard waste disposal (leaves, brush, limbs, grass) and is available to Findlay residents at no charge.

The resulting compost and natural wood mulch is available for purchase.

The green waste site is intended for residential use only. No contractors will be permitted to use the site.

Only tree trimmings, brush, leaves, and grass clippings can be dumped in designated areas at the site.

The city says absolutely no plastic bags, trash, or debris other than leaves, brush, limbs, and grass will be accepted.

Residents caught dumping construction debris, household items, tires, or other debris not considered yard waste will be forbidden to dump at the site in the future and their names will be forwarded to the Findlay Police Department.

The hours for the Green Waste Site will be: Tuesday through Friday: 2 p.m. -7 p.m. and Saturdays 8 a.m. -1 p.m. (excluding holidays).

Get more information on the Green Waste Site by clicking here.

Findlay resident Kristen Deerwester joined Ohio’s “Saved by the Belt” Club on March 29th after her safety belt saved her from sustaining life-threatening injuries.

The crash occurred on County Road 212 in Hancock County on February 20th.

Ohio State Highway Patrol Lieutenant Evan M. Slates, Findlay Post commander, presented her with a “Saved by the Belt” certificate signed by Ohio Department of Public Safety Director Andy Wilson and Colonel Charles A. Jones, Patrol superintendent.

“Kristen is a living testimony to the effectiveness of safety belts,” Lieutenant Slates said.

“Everyone needs to buckle up every trip, every time.”

Data from 2022 shows 527 people in Ohio were killed in traffic crashes where a safety belt was available, but not in use.

For up-to-date statistics and information on safety belts, click here for the Patrol’s Safety Belt Dashboard.

The “Saved by the Belt” Club is a joint effort by the Ohio Department of Public Safety and more than 400 Ohio law enforcement agencies.

This club is designed to recognize people who have benefited from their decision to wear safety belts. She also received a “Saved by the Belt” license plate bracket.