(From Welcome to a New Life)

Welcome to a New Life has secured $30,000 in funding from the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections (ODRC) to establish the Hancock County Reentry Coalition in our community.

By collaborating with the Family Resource Center, the Criminal Justice System, and various community organizations and stakeholders, the coalition aims to support individuals reintegrating into Hancock County from prison.

The funding will be provided in quarterly installments to back ODRC’s reentry expansion initiative, aiming to reduce recidivism across Ohio counties. The funds are secured until December 31, 2025.

This grant is specifically allocated to help individuals obtain or reinstate their driver’s licenses, alleviate financial burdens by covering court fines and fees, provide transportation assistance, and address housing and other essential needs.

The Hancock County Reentry Coalition will refer individuals to different agencies and organizations within the collaborative network and community to ensure comprehensive support for those reintegrating post-incarceration. These Reentry Coalitions in Ohio strive to break down barriers and lower reoffending rates through successful reintegration.

If your organization would like to be part of this coalition, please email admin@welcometoanewlife.org

(ONN) – A federal judge sentenced a man from Bucyrus, Ohio to two and a half years in prison for sending death threats to Arizona’s former Secretary of State because she certified Joe Biden’s 2020 Presidential victory.

Joshua Russel’s sentence coincides with the justice department reiterating that such threats will be vigorously prosecuted.

John Keller of the Department of Justice’s Election Threats Task Force makes clear that death threats are not free speech.

Officials from the US Attorney’s Office and the FBI are reminding the public anyone who threatens any elections official, their colleagues, or their family are subject to investigation and prosecution.

There are currently seven federal cases in which out of state people have threatened Arizona’s election officials.

(WTOL-11) – The total solar eclipse is coming up on April 8^th and many in Ohio are looking forward to the economic impact that all of the visitors to the state will make.

We know a lot of people will be headed to or through our area to get a look at history happening right before their eyes.

Added people means added money to our local and state economy.

That’s something Ohio leaders, such as Governor DeWine, are aware of and hopeful about.

“What we hear from other states where this has occurred in the past is that it’s a lot of people, and what we do know is that a lot of the hotels are booked up, so we know people are coming.”

The Solar Eclipse Task Force, which is a collaboration of many local entities, has created a website with information about the eclipse.

And, Visit Findlay has a lot of great information on their website as well. 

(From the Fostoria Police Division)

Fostoria Police Officers Tim Ink and Cole Noftz visited the kindergarten through 5th grade students at their alma mater, in New Riegel.

Officer Noftz demonstrated the use of his K9 partner Creed, while Officer Ink showed students the police department drone.

Both explained to the students how these specialized units assist police officers in their duties.

The elementary students at New Riegel were amazing listeners and enjoyed learning about the role of being a police officer.

(From the United Way of Hancock County)

United Way of Hancock County’s Secor Scholarship committee is pleased to name Liberty-Benton High School senior Emily Tomlinson as this year’s United Way Foundation Secor Scholar.

The daughter of Sara and Jim Tomlinson, Emily plans to attend the University of Cincinnati to major in pre-occupational therapy. Emily was selected from a large field of applicants based on her volunteerism, academic accomplishments, involvement in extracurricular and school activities, and her ability to exemplify leadership skills.

At Liberty-Benton, Emily has a 4.0 GPA and is a member of Student Council, Z-Club and National Honor Society. She was an event organizer for Bring the Change, a K-12 change drive that raised over $4,500 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. In 2022, she was one of three Liberty-Benton students chosen to attend the Hugh O’Brien Youth Leadership conference. She is also the owner and baker at Emily’s Sweet Treats, a custom baking business.

Emily is a two-year varsity captain of the soccer team and is a two-year letter winner in track. She is a member and vice president of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and an active member of Gateway Church, where she is a volunteer childcare worker, performs with the youth band and is involved in the youth leadership team. She participated in Hancock Youth Leadership and is a blood drive leader for her school’s American Red Cross chapter. She participated in a mission trip to the Dominican Republic in 2023 with Mission Possible, where she taught English and Vacation Bible School programming to grade-school students.

The Secor Scholarship is a $2,000 award, renewable for four years for a total of $8,000, and a memorial to the Steven and Doris Secor bequest. The scholarship is awarded annually to a high school senior living in Hancock County and highlights the United Way’s belief that education, financial stability and health are the foundations for building a good quality of life.

Findlay City Schools is reminding students and parents about the dates for Spring Break.

Spring Break will run from Thursday, March 28^th through Monday, April 1st.

Students will return to class on Tuesday, April 2^nd.

Also, there will be no school on Monday, April 8th because of the eclipse. 

Click here to see the full school district calendar.

The City of Findlay says an investigation revealed an unpleasant odor people were reporting at the end of last year and beginning of this year was originating from the Tall Timbers Industrial Park.

The city said its investigation confirmed that the air quality was not affected by the odor and remained safe.

Fire Chief Josh Eberle said, at one business in the industrial park, a fluid used during manufacturing is subject to a mildew-type process. Fluid measurements coinciding with the odor complaints revealed a slight increase in bioactivity (mildew or bacteria) within the waste fluid.

As that fluid was treated and measurements returned to normal, the odor complaints tapered off and there have been none since February.

“At this time, I believe the issue has self-corrected,” the chief said.

WFIN spoke with Findlay Service-Safety Director Rob Martin about the results of the investigation.

(ONN) – Former Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder is now facing new, state-level charges for his role in the House Bill 6 scandal.

Attorney General Dave Yost announced that Householder has been indicted on 10 felony charges including misuse of campaign money and ethics violations.

He has already been found guilty of federal charges and is serving 20 years in prison for his role in the largest corruption scheme in Ohio history.

All the charges are filed in Cuyahoga County: one count of theft in office, two counts of aggravated theft, one count of telecommunication fraud, another of money laundering, and five counts of tampering with records. All of those are felonies.

(ONN) – The owners of the Cleveland Browns are weighing their stadium options.

Browns owners Jimmy and Dee Haslam say the team is down to two options when it comes to their future stadium site: a $1 billion renovation to their existing stadium, or a domed stadium outside of the city at double the cost.

The Haslams have an option on 176 acres of land in Brook Park by Cleveland Hopkins Airport.

A relocation could create a new retail and restaurant district by the airport and give Ohio its first domed stadium.

The Haslams said neither option is better at this point.

(From the Findlay Police Department)

In memory of fallen Findlay Police Captain Allen D. McGown, mourning bands will be worn all day by all sworn Findlay Police Officers on Tuesday, March 26, 2024 from 0001 hrs. until 1159 hrs.

Capt. McGown drowned while attempting to rescue a woman during the Great Flood of 1913 in which parts of the city were under six feet of water.

His boat capsized as he attempted to rescue the woman from her flooded home.

His body was located floating in front of the Hancock County Courthouse approximately five hours later.

Captain McGown was survived by his parents, six brothers, and one sister.

Approximately 500 people were killed in Ohio as a result of the flood, including Officer William Sexton, of the Columbus Police Department.

We remember Capt. McGown for his ultimate sacrifice for the safety and protection of citizens in the City of Findlay, OH.