State officials and mayors from other communities that were named a Top Micropolitan community gathered at the Hancock Hotel in Findlay for a celebration and to share ideas and strategies.

On March 1^st, it was announced that Findlay was ranked a Top Micropolitan community for a tenth year in a row as measured by Site Selection Magazine.

WFIN spoke with Findlay Mayor Christina Muryn at the event.

The event also featured remarks from Dan Sheaffer, Executive Director Findlay-Hancock County Economic Development as well as Lydia Mihalik, Director of the Ohio Department of Development, and others.

Read more about the “Findlay Decade” as it’s being called by clicking here.

St. Andrew’s United Methodist Church in Findlay has created a laundry facility at their Annex at 214 West Sandusky Street where people can do their laundry for free.

Sue Freel says their big goal with the free laundry facility is to give parents and kids living in cars or tents and who can’t afford a laundromat a place to do their laundry for free.

Sue says the facility will be open on Tuesdays and Thursdays beginning on Tuesday, April 2^nd from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

All laundry supplies will be provided. Two loads per family.

She says they even created a room where kids can hang out while their parents do the laundry.

Get more details in the Facebook post below.

The Ohio State University has announced that the Buckeyes’ football team will have the first-ever nationally televised spring game on FOX on Saturday, April 13^th at noon.

The Buckeyes will begin the regular season hosting Akron at Ohio Stadium on Saturday, August 31^st.

See the full schedule by clicking here.

(From Findlay City Schools)

Mrs. Sarah Palmer, community member, parent, advocate, and change-maker, was honored last night at the Ohio School Boards Association’s Northwest Region Spring Conference, where she was selected as a Community Service Hero for the countless hours she has poured into the Chamberlin Hill Land Lab.

Thanks to her guidance, wisdom, and perseverance, our CH students have an outdoor learning space to utilize, care for, and take pride in, and we have a model to follow that could make our dreams of a Land Lab at each FCS school a reality.

Findlay City Schools is lucky to have community members who believe in our district, and we are lucky to have Mrs. Palmer.

(From Blanchard Valley Center)

March is National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month and Blanchard Valley Center/Hancock County Board of Developmental Disabilities has been hosting numerous activities so that everyone in Hancock County can help celebrate.

“March is our gateway month,” said Blanchard Valley Center Superintendent Kelli Grisham. “It’s the gateway to spring, and the gateway to providing people with developmental disabilities the recognition they deserve. We are fortunate that we have an inclusive society in Hancock County. I’m grateful for the acceptance and the opportunities that are provided to the people we support. March is the month when we recognize the greater DD community, which includes my staff, our dedicated providers and the businesses that employ people with developmental disabilities.”

Blanchard Valley Center is wrapping up National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month with its annual Celebrity Basketball Game.

BVC’s Nadine Weininger.

Our Special Olympic basketball players and local celebrities clash at 7 p.m. at Findlay High School on Tuesday, March 26^th. Doors open at 6.

The public is encouraged to attend this community event to celebrate inclusion in Hancock County.

(From the Seneca County Sheriff’s Office)

Deputy Luke Cantu is the 2023 Deputy of the Year and was selected by his peers for not only last year but in 2022, as well. Deputy Cantu has embodied our Mission & Vision Statement and Core Values through his everyday actions and interactions with the public, whether on a call for service or just talking with someone. His professionalism, willingness to train younger deputies, or his extra duties that he voluntarily does, he is a great role model and all around genuinely nice guy.

Dispatcher Karen Aichholz was selected by her peers as the 2023 Dispatcher of the Year.
Karen is a caring, empathetic, and calming force in our dispatch center. Her years of experience helps to quickly get the calls dispatched and help on the way. Her willingness to ensure that the dispatch center and her co-workers are like family is why she is a “mom” to everyone.

Any other year, April, 8th would just be another day, but this year a total solar eclipse will be happening on that date.  

A solar eclipse occurs when the moon casts its shadow on the Earth as it passes between the Earth and the Sun.

Findlay is within the path of totality and will experience a total solar eclipse of an estimated 3 minutes and 44 seconds beginning at 3:10 p.m. on Monday, April 8^th.

Officials say their preparation for the rare event has been about ensuring that it’s a safe and enjoyable event for everyone.

The City of Findlay has designated Emory Adams Park, Swale Park, and The Cube as viewing locations.

People are encouraged to walk to the viewing sites if they are able, or just watch the eclipse from your own residence as traffic will likely be really bad that day as outsiders pour into the area to see the eclipse in full totality.

People are reminded to wear a pair of solar eclipse glasses during the event, except during the brief phase of totality when it will be safe to view it with the naked eye.

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 Tiffin Police Department)

A Tiffin man was arrested for Tampering with Evidence, a Felony of the Third Degree, following a criminal investigation on Friday, March 22, 2024. Tiffin Police Officers arrested Laphonso L. Witcher II, a 34 year old Tiffin man, in the early morning hours.

On March 22, 2024, at 06:15 hours, Tiffin Police Officers were dispatched to the 300 block of E. Market St., Tiffin, Seneca County, Ohio for a domestic disturbance. The male half, Mr. Witcher, had produced a firearm and shot several rounds into the air – no injuries were reported. He then fled the scene where he was arrested by Tiffin Police Officers with assistance from the Seneca County Sheriff’s Office on E. Perry St. just before Jefferson St.

No firearm was located on Mr. Witcher at the time of arrest, however, several spent shell casings and a pistol magazine were located in the area. Mr. Witcher eventually admitted to throwing the firearm into Rock Creek. Tiffin Police Officers donned waders and entered Rock Creek, locating the firearm where it had been discarded.

Mr. Witcher was incarcerated at the Seneca County Jail on one count of Tampering with Evidence, a Felony of the Third Degree. Additional charges are pending a Grand Jury review.

(From the United Way of Hancock County)

Hey there nonprofits, government offices and schools!

If you’ve got spring cleaning projects, we’ve got volunteers!

Our 40th Days of Caring is coming up May 6-10.

Submit your projects at https://www.liveunitedhancockcounty.org/…/doc-agency… and we’ll match you with a team that can get it done!

During Days of Caring, employees of area corporations, civic groups, and small businesses lend a hand to local organizations. Nonprofits in need of help submit projects, volunteer teams register to help, and the United Way matches up the two groups.

To learn more, register a volunteer team, or register a project, visit www.liveunitedhancockcounty.org/days-caring.

(From the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office)

The Putnam County Sheriff’s Office will never contact you requesting your social security number and/or bank/credit card information to be provided over the phone.

Reports have been received that 419-523-3208 (this number is the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office number) is calling and advising if you do not provide the requested documentation you will be arrested.

THIS IS A SCAM. NEVER provide your social security number and/or any bank/credit card account information over the phone.