(From Liberty-Benton Local Schools)

On Saturday, December 2, School Board Member Steve Benson, and Superintendent Bruce Otley met with Dan Stahl of Charles Construction to look for an old time capsule that was buried in the front lawn of the original elementary school.

Using a mini excavator and hand spades, the search began where an old tree was located on the front lawn.

Former elementary teachers Kay Hoane and Cathy Fields provided an approximate starting location for the search.

The remnants of the old tree where the time capsule was buried were discovered during the search.

Despite digging all around the location of the tree, the time capsule was not found and more than likely decomposed over time, or was lost when the tree was removed.

Special thanks to Dan Stahl and Charles Construction for helping us with the search.

(From the United Way of Hancock County)

The United Way of Hancock County is accepting applications for the Secor Scholarship.

Applications will be accepted through January 15^th, 2024 for a maximum scholarship of $8,000.

The Secor Scholarship, established as a memorial to the generosity of Steven and Doris Secor, is awarded annually to a high school senior in Hancock County who has a 3.5 grade point average or higher and plans to attend an accredited institution of higher learning, full time, to pursue any undergraduate field of study in the subsequent academic year.

Candidates must exhibit a strong emphasis on service, leadership and character, with these components evaluated through the scholarship application and a required letter of recommendation.

The award for the first academic year will be $2,000 and may be renewed annually for three additional years for a total of $8,000.

The United Way of Hancock County Foundation designates a Secor Scholarship selection committee comprised of current and past United Way board members who evaluate applications, interview finalists, and select one scholarship recipient each year. Students related to anyone on the selection committee or United Way of Hancock County paid staff are ineligible to apply.

The application can only be completed digitally; no paper applications will be accepted. Access the application and more information at https://www.liveunitedhancockcounty.org/programs/secor-scholarship

For additional guidance, contact Brenna Griteman at marketing@uwhancock.org or 419-423-1432.

(ONN) – Ohio Governor Mike DeWine has announced an expansion of the H2Ohio program.

The goal of the program is to use research to improve water quality in the state.

Since it began four years ago, the program has focused on low-income areas and algae runoff into Lake Erie.

Now, with this expansion, the program will expand to help improve and maintain the state’s largest rivers including the Blanchard River.

As part of the H2Ohio Rivers program, Ohio will become the first state in the nation to undergo a statewide survey to measure its rivers for the existence of per- and polyfluoroalkyl (PFAS) substances. 

The expansion of H2Ohio is funded by the General Assembly who awarded the program $270 million in funding.

(From the Hancock Historical Museum)

The Hancock Historical Museum will host its Classic Movie Night on Friday, December 15th at 7:00 pm with a screening of Holiday Affair (1949).

This holiday themed romantic comedy features Janet Leigh as a war widow trying to decide between Robert Mitchum’s charming sales clerk, and Wendell Corey’s stable but boring lawyer.

Classic Movie Night is free and open to the public.

Seating is limited and reservations are encouraged, but not required.

There will be historical information before and discussion after. Popcorn and refreshments are provided. 

For more information about this and other upcoming events, call the museum at (419) 423-4433 or visit www.hancockhistoricalmuseum.org.

The Hancock Historical Museum is located at 422 West Sandusky Street in Findlay. 

HATS Transportation is having a transit development study done to learn how they can better serve Findlay and Hancock County

People are being asked to fill out the survey and let HATS (Hancock Area Transportation Services) know what they want and will support.

“Do you want fixed route service with bus stops? Let us know by taking our survey. We want to hear from as many community members as possible.”

Click here to fill out the survey, and here for the HATS website.

The Fostoria Police Division says a man’s story of being shot by someone wasn’t true.

Police say a man walked into the emergency room at ProMedica Hospital on Sunday with a gunshot wound that was not life-threatening.

The individual told police he was shot near the city pool by someone wearing all black and a ski mask.

Police investigated further and learned that the individual had actually physically attacked his stepfather.

While the two were fighting, there was a gun nearby.

Both grabbed for the gun and during the struggle over the gun it accidentally went off, striking the individual in the hip.

The police department says the case has been submitted to the Fostoria City Prosecutor’s Office for possible charges.

Fort Findlay Playhouse is putting on ‘It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play’.

“This beloved American holiday classic comes to captivating life as a live 1940s radio broadcast. With the help of an ensemble that brings a few dozen characters to the stage, the story of idealistic George Bailey unfolds as he considers ending his life one fateful Christmas Eve.”

Show dates are December 7-10 and 14-17.

The performance on Friday night December 15^th will be broadcast live on WFIN beginning at 8 p.m.

You’ll be able to hear it on 1330 WFIN, WFIN.com and 95.5 FM.

Get more details by clicking here for the Fort Findlay Playhouse website.

Fort Findlay Playhouse is located at 300 West Sandusky Street in Findlay. 

An organization is working again this year to give some area families the Best Christmas Ever.

The charity Best Christmas Ever helps out families who have fallen on hard times at no fault of their own.

This weekend the organization will be surprising four Findlay-area families with a custom and unique Best Christmas Ever tailored to each family’s situation. 

Last December, Best Christmas Ever surprised four local families and video of one of the surprises can be seen below.

Jaclyn Pessel, of Best Christmas Ever, says this wouldn’t be possible without the generous community we live in.

“You get more out of giving than you do receiving, and you can see by how many people were here that people want to give and to help and there’s so many good people out there.”

You can learn more about Best Christmas Ever by checking out their website here and Findlay Facebook page here.

(From Wood County Plays)

Wood County Plays is pleased to announce a partnership with the city of Fostoria to build the city’s first inclusive playground at City Park.

The over 14,000 square foot playground will feature state of the art equipment and innovative designs.

A wheelchair-accessible merry-go-round, sensory tunnel, adaptive zip line, and poured rubber surfacing highlighting the 100% accessible play space.

Zone-specific equipment for younger toddlers and older kids will keep different age groups engaged for family visits.

Ryan Wichman, president of Wood County Plays commented on the announcement, “Our team is excited to be renewing our commitment to bring inclusive playgrounds to Wood County. This is a play space for everyone and every family. For the first time in Fostoria, children of all abilities will be able to play side by side with their peers.”

“It is really gratifying that Wood County Plays has chosen Fostoria for their next inclusive playground. This addition to City Park along with the Splash Pad will create a wonderful destination for families and especially children. Many thanks to all who are working to make this happen,” added Don Mennel, Fostoria Council Member.

The campaign to fund the playground will combine grant funding and community donations to fulfill the projected one-million dollar budget. The city of Fostoria has already committed $50,000 dollars toward the project.

The playground will be located at the site of the former community pool and adjacent to a still-to-be built splash pad. Construction for the playground is expected to begin early in 2025 with completion during the summer. A fundraiser, Night of Play, will be held in January for members of the public to come together to support this unique community project.

Tickets for Night of Play are available HERE

(From the Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission)

The Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission has announced the eight winners of its third annual Name-a-Snowplow contest. Each winner will receive a $100 gift card.

The winners are:

Don’t Flurry Be Happy
Denise Hocevar-Rendlesham (Chagrin Falls, Ohio) 
Kunkle Maintenance Building

Blades of Flurry
Cameryn Wise (Waterville, Ohio)        
Swanton Maintenance Building

We’re Off To See The Blizzard
Philip Metro (Painesville, Ohio)
Elmore Maintenance Building

Hang On Scoopy
Steven Borzymowski (Sandusky, Ohio)           
Castalia Maintenance Building

Scoop! There It Is
Annette Soule (Lorain, Ohio)                 
Amherst Maintenance Building

Who Let The Plows Out
Christie Williamson (Akron, Ohio)                  
Boston Maintenance Building

I’ve Got Friends In Snow Places
Jacqueline Flowers (Austintown, Ohio)
Hiram Maintenance Building

 Fast and Flurrious                        
David Kelso (Boardman, Ohio)
Canfield Maintenance Building

A snowplow truck will be named at the each of the Ohio Turnpike’s eight maintenance buildings (west to east): Kunkle (Williams County), Swanton (Fulton County), Elmore (Ottawa County), Castalia (Erie County), Amherst (Lorain County), Boston (Summit County), Hiram (Portage County), and Canfield (Mahoning County).

“We thank everyone who participated in this year’s Name-a-Snowplow contest,” said Ferzan Ahmed, executive director of the turnpike commission in Berea, Ohio. “The Name-a-Snow contest serves as a reminder that roadway safety needs to be top-of-mind during the winter driving season.”

This year, more than 100 snowplow trucks will be available to maintain the Ohio Turnpike’s 1,395 lane miles, 31 toll plaza interchanges, and 14 service plazas across 13 counties in northern Ohio.

“Motorists should take every precaution to avoid passing snowplow trucks and allow extra space for the crews to clear the road. They typically work together clearing multiple lanes simultaneously, so make sure to give them space to work,” Ahmed added. “Don’t crowd the plow. The safest place to be is behind a snowplow truck. During winter storms, motorists should consider traveling only when necessary.”

The entire Ohio Turnpike (241 miles in each direction) can be plowed once per hour with current staffing and equipment levels at the eight maintenance buildings. Each facility maintains about a 30-mile stretch of the turnpike in both the eastbound and westbound directions.

More than 3,600 names were submitted, and nearly 8,100 votes were cast on ohioturnpike.org during the 2023 Name-a-Snowplow contest.

The launch of contest coincided with the Ohio Turnpike’s annual safety inspection of all snowplow trucks and equipment, which was held from Oct. 24-27, 2023.