(From the United Way of Hancock County)

Registration opens Friday, February 28 for United Way of Hancock County’s Spring Days of Caring, a weeklong service event that pairs volunteer teams with local organizations in need of help.

Days of Caring will take place May 5-9. In four-hour shifts, volunteers from area corporations, civic groups and small businesses will take on projects such as landscaping, organizing, painting, cleaning, construction or even planning an event. Shifts run from 8 a.m. to noon or noon to 4 p.m. at locations across Hancock County such as nonprofit offices, government buildings, parks, ballfields, churches and more.

Registration for both agencies looking to submit projects and the volunteers who will complete them opens Friday at www.liveunitedhancockcounty.org/days-caring

“We engage volunteers year-round, but the scope of Days of Caring makes it a favorite among our volunteers and our benefitting agencies,” said United Way of Hancock County CEO Kelley McClurkin.

She noted that during last spring’s Days of Caring, 900 volunteers completed 93 service projects for 45 different agencies. These teams provided 3,600 community service hours, a value to the community of over $120,000.

“Days of Caring brings a visibility and excitement to volunteerism that’s infectious. It is exciting to see our communities being transformed through the hard work of the Days of Caring teams, and we hope our volunteers find joy in the fact that so many teams are out working at the same time,” McClurkin said.

Registration closes April 9, and the United Way will connect volunteer teams and agency projects April 22.

(From Hancock County Naturalists)

The Hancock County Naturalists will host Dr. Brandan Gray for a presentation titled On the Owls of Ohio on Thursday, March 13^th. The meeting is at 7 p.m. at Oak Woods Nature Preserve, 1400 Oakwood Avenue, and is open to the public.

Dr. Gray, a biology professor at the University of Findlay, will explore the history of human interactions with owls, global owl diversity and conservation, and the ecology of Ohio’s native owl species. He will also discuss current owl research and how the public can get involved.

An avid birder and conservationist, Dr. Gray grew up in the forested mountains of central Pennsylvania, where he developed a deep appreciation for nature. In addition to teaching, he advises UF’s Birding Club and Plant Club and serves on the board of the Rieck Center for Habitat Studies. His research focuses on native plants and invertebrate animals.

Dr. Gray’s training as a bird bander began with Northern Saw-whet Owls and American Barn Owls. Attendees will have the opportunity to participate in an owl pellet dissection following the talk, with sterilized pellets, gloves, and tools provided.

The Hancock County Naturalists, a membership organization, was established to further the study of the fauna and flora of Hancock County and the surrounding area and to participate in selected conservation and educational projects. Membership and events are open to those aged 15 and older. Annual membership fees are $15 per adult, $20 per couple, and $10 for youth.

For more information, contact Jane Riker at 419-306-3697 or emaggin117@aol.com. The group’s website is hancockcountynaturalists.org.

(From Blanchard Valley Center)

March is National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month.

Kelli Grisham, superintendent of Blanchard Valley Center/Hancock County Board of Developmental Disabilities, said that March is a time when exceptional efforts are made to increase awareness of people with disabilities in our community.

“In Hancock County, we focus on the individual every day, not just in the month of March,” Grisham said. “With that said, it’s great to have a month where we can showcase both the amazing individuals we support and the efforts of our equally amazing staff.”

Grisham said Blanchard Valley Center is planning an impressive lineup of activities to celebrate Developmental Disabilities Awareness month. They include:

March 1 – BVC will have a resource table at Pancake Day, hosted by the Kiwanis Club at Findlay High School. Stop by and get information on the services and supports we provide. The breakfast is from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Pre-sale tickets are $7 for adults and $6 for children 12 and under and seniors 62 and over. Tickets at the door are $1 more. Pre-sale tickets are available at AAA Findlay, Heavenly Pizza and State Bank on Lincoln Street.

March 4 is Advocacy Day at the Ohio State House. Hancock County advocates will visit and speak with legislators on issues important to the DD community.

March 4 – Findlay City Council will issue a proclamation declaring March as Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month at its 6 p.m. meeting.

March 6 – The Hancock County Commissioners will issue a proclamation at their 9:30 a.m. meeting.

March 6 – The Aktion Club will raise funds with a drive-thru lunch at Blanchard Valley Center, 1700 E. Sandusky St. in Findlay. Orders can be placed that day, while supplies last.

March 15 – BVC staff will volunteer at the World Down Syndrome Day Carnival at St. Marks United Methodist Church, 800 S. Main St. in Findlay.

March 25 – The annual Celebrity Basketball Game between local celebrities and Special Olympians will tip off at 7 p.m. at Findlay High School.

Nearly 40, K-2 Hancock County classrooms have scheduled a guest reader to share the book, Strictly No Elephants by Lisa Mantchev.

Ten pop-up popcorn stands are scheduled with local businesses and schools. Check www.blanchardvalley.org for details on upcoming events under BVC Happenings.

A display board will be on display at the Findlay-Hancock County Public Library from March 1-15.

(From Camp 9-1-1)

Calling all future safety superheroes!

Camp 911 is back and open for registration!

This fun and interactive safety camp is designed for Hancock County kids entering kindergarten and is led by our local first responders.

Dates: June 23 – June 27

Two Sessions Available:

AM Session: 8:00 AM – 11:00 AM – Tuesday, June 24 – Friday, June 27

PM Session: 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM – Monday, June 23rd – Thursday, June 26

Kids will learn essential safety skills, meet real-life heroes, and have a blast in hands-on activities!

Register Now:

AM Session: https://forms.gle/8mf6rurdbepcpi4v8

PM Session: https://forms.gle/fjYJZxopZWHQMXDj9

(From the University of Findlay)

University of Findlay Board of Trustees voted on Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025, not to proceed with the joint application to the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) for merger approval and to terminate the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed on March 19, 2024. This decision comes after nearly a year of collaboration and preparation for the proposed merger.

Since signing the MOU, Findlay and Bluffton’s leadership have been completing the necessary due diligence toward pursuing a merger. The institutions cite length of time to merge and merger expenses as deterrents.

“Some higher education organizations may find mergers the best path forward,” said Dr. Katherine Fell, president of University of Findlay. “For us, due diligence in this case has demonstrated that partnering in key ways is a better solution.”

A key element of the merger was maintaining sports teams at two different NCAA divisions. However, regulations necessitate separate processes for athletic financial aid distribution and prohibit the sharing of resources and sports facilities, resulting in fewer synergies in those areas than originally anticipated.

University of Findlay will continue to explore strategic partnerships that help fulfill its mission of equipping students for meaningful lives and productive careers.

According to Fell, the merger work has resulted in an invaluable reflective process for both campuses through the examination of strengths, areas for growth, and capacity to innovate and change within the evolving landscape of higher education. She stated, “These lessons will help each university move forward in important ways as we continue to best serve our current and future students.”

(From the City of Findlay)

In an effort to address the growing population of feral cats in the community, the City of Findlay is pleased to announce a collaboration with the Humane Society & SPCA of Hancock County and VCA Findlay Animal Hospital to implement a “Trap-Neuter-Return” (TNR) program. TNR is a method of managing community cat populations by humanely trapping cats, taking them to a veterinarian for spaying (females) or neutering (males), vaccination, and ear-tipping (a universal sign of a spayed or neutered cat), and then returning them to their original outdoor home.

The City is asking residents to refrain from feeding feral cats. While it may seem like an act of kindness, feeding feral cats can contribute to their overpopulation, encourage dependency on humans, and interfere with the effectiveness of TNR programs. Feral cats rely on their natural instincts to survive, and feeding them can disrupt their hunting and self-sustaining behaviors. Instead, residents are encouraged to email mayor@findlayohio.gov to report sightings of feral cats, which will allow trained volunteers to assist in trapping and neutering efforts.

The TNR program will be focusing their efforts in the following general areas: Chateau Estates, Eastown Estates, Pine Street, West Trenton, West Bigelow, Quail Lake, Tiffin Ave., Findlay Reservoir, and Hancock County Fairgrounds. Efforts will begin in March 2025 and will be ongoing throughout the year.

The City of Findlay would like to thank the volunteer efforts of the individuals involved with this program.

(From the Findlay-Hancock County Public Library)

The Findlay-Hancock County Public Library has announced the selection of Gaining Ground: A Story of Farmers’ Markets, Local Food, and Saving the Family Farm by Forrest Pritchard as the CommunityREAD 2025 book.

Library Director Sarah Clevidence was on with WFIN’s Chris Oaks to discuss this year’s CommunityREAD selection and more, and that interview can be heard below.

Forrest Pritchard will visit Hancock County on Thursday, March 20 during CommunityREAD month for a public presentation at 7:30 PM at the Marathon Center for the Performing Arts.

Tickets are available for $10.00 at mcpa.org/events. We are also presenting special companion programs. Please check the calendar and plan to attend!

 What Is CommunityREAD?

CommunityREAD is a month-long community event that encourages reading and promotes the benefits of literacy.  It was originally created by the Findlay-Hancock County Community Foundation in 2003.  The administration of CommunityREAD was assumed by the library in 2012.  Each year, a different book is chosen and read by community members.  Various events are planned throughout the month of March at the library and throughout the community to celebrate literacy.  CommunityREAD is funded by a Findlay-Hancock County Community Foundation grant, as well as the library’s general fund, and business and private sponsors.  For more information on CommunityREAD, please call us at 419-422-1712. 

(ONN) – A new bill would provide free meals for students in Ohio schools.

Ohio Senate Bill 109 is a bipartisan effort to provide free meals to kindergarten through twelfth grade students in Ohio public and charter schools.

This would include both breakfast and lunch.

Health experts say proper nutrition is critical in the learning process and many Ohio children don’t have that access at home.

Eliminating the cost also destigmatizes the free meal students and provides much needed financial relief for struggling families.

Truancy is also expected to decline as a result of the free meals.

(ONN) – There are new details about the bird flu in Ohio.

New data from the USDA shows Ohio is still leading the nation in bird flu cases, but some good news to report.

The number of birds affected in Ohio is going down.

Last week more than nine million birds were affected by bird flu — this week – it dropped to just over eight and a half million birds.

Still – that’s about 28 percent of all the egg-laying hens in Ohio.

(From Findlay City Schools)

Findlay City Schools welcomed community members to Glenwood Middle School for a Town Hall discussion on district finances. The event, hosted by Superintendent Dr. Andy Hatton, Treasurer Pam Harrington, and the Board of Education, provided an opportunity for residents to ask questions and gain a clearer understanding of the district’s financial outlook.

The discussion focused on the district’s financial challenges following the failed November 2024 levy, which resulted in a $6.1 million budget reduction. The Superintendent, Treasurer, and Board of Education members Matt Cooper and Susan Russel responded to questions from the public pertaining to the district finances and future.

Key Takeaways:

• Findlay City Schools has not received new operating funds in 20 years, while costs continue to rise.
• Without additional funding, the district faces another $6 million in cuts, potentially leading to larger class sizes, fewer course offerings, and reduced extracurricular activities.
• If a new 1% Earned Income Tax levy passes in May 2025, it would stabilize the district’s financial future, ensuring continued support for academic programs, staffing, and student services.
• The proposed income tax is designed to protect residents on fixed incomes, as it does not apply to Social Security, pensions, or investment earnings.
• The district risks falling under state fiscal oversight if funding challenges persist, potentially reducing local control over school decisions.

Dr. Hatton emphasized the importance of the decision the community will make in May, stating, “We are at a crossroads as a community. What community do we want to have? What kind of school district do we want to have? This is a proud community with an amazing legacy, and we know what our kids deserve. I believe in our kids, and I believe in our staff, and I believe in this community.”

Findlay City Schools plans to continue holding these gatherings on various topics to keep an open dialogue with the community. The next Town Hall will be announced in the coming weeks.

For more information about the district’s financial outlook, visit www.fcs.org.