(From the Hancock County Commissioners)

The date for our official Grand Opening has now been set!

Come & join us in the Local Government District of historic Downtown Findlay on Friday afternoon, May 2nd just ahead of Findlay’s Spring Artwalk.

This year’s Hancock Leadership Class plans to have their landscaping project completed by then.

And the interior of this monumental new Allan H. Davis Judicial Center will be open to the public for tours.

(From the American Red Cross of North Central Ohio)

The American Red Cross of North Central Ohio is seeking volunteers to help install free smoke alarms for local families during a Sound the Alarm home fire safety event at Riverview Terrace mobile home park in Liberty Township on Saturday, May 3.

“Sound the Alarm is a rewarding way to give back and directly help local families. It’s a day of coming together to support one another, especially those most vulnerable to home fires,” said Todd James, Executive Director. “A working smoking alarm can be the difference between survival and tragedy — and as a community, we can help our neighbors stay safe by ensuring they have these lifesaving devices.”

Those interested can register now at SoundtheAlarm.org to volunteer during the event on Saturday, May 3, 9:30 a.m.to 2 p.m. No prior experience is needed. Training will be provided at the Red Cross office, 125 Fair St. in Findlay, before volunteer teams — with members of the Red Cross and Liberty Township Fire Department — visit area homes to install smoke alarms and share fire safety information.

DONATIONS HELP PROVIDE FREE SERVICES Because of generous donations, all Red Cross services are free and available for people in need. Can’t join the event? Donate to the Red Cross at redcross.org/NOH or SoundTheAlarm.org to help people prepare for, respond to and recover from home fires — which the Red Cross responds to every eight minutes.

IF YOU NEED A SMOKE ALARM Residents in Erie, Hancock, Huron, Lorain, Putnam, Seneca or Wyandot counties who need assistance can schedule an appointment for a free smoke alarm installation by emailing ncosmokealarms@redcross.org throughout the year. During the 20-minute home visit, Red Cross volunteers will also share information on the causes of home fires, how to prevent them, what to do if a fire starts and how to create an escape plan.

2,320 LIVES SAVED AND COUNTING This Sound the Alarm event is a critical part of the national Red Cross Home Fire Campaign, which has helped save at least 2,320 lives since launching in October 2014. In 2024, the North Central Ohio Chapter and local partners installed more than 800 free smoke alarms and made more than 300 households safer.

(ONN) – Buried within the Ohio proposed budget are changes to Ohio’s records law and related public access.

There are significant changes to Ohio’s public records law bundled in with the budget.

The changes could prevent people from getting access to detailed police reports and files in criminal cases.

“I do a lot of international work and you see stuff like this in third-world countries where they don’t have transparency laws and sunshine laws,” said Mark Godsey with the Ohio Innocence Project.

He says the changes could also slow or stop work to help people who have been wrongfully convicted.

(From Findlay Trojan Sports)

Huge congrats to these amazing Trojans for committing to compete at the next level: Darnya Yurchenko, Nathan Marchal, Cole Kirian, Shay Moneer, Dante Coffman, Israel Moore + Kate Simmons!

We’re so proud!

“We’ve been fortunate for their talents both academically and athletically,” Findlay Athletic Director Nate Weihrauch told WFIN.

“And we wish them the very best as they transition to the next chapter of their life.”

The students represent multiple sports including lacrosse, track, soccer, and wrestling.

Get more details from Nate about each student-athlete and where they are headed in the audio below.

(From Habitat for Humanity of Findlay/Hancock County)

Habitat for Humanity of Findlay/Hancock County announces that Dustin Fuller, Financial Opportunity Center (FOC) Manager, has successfully completed the Obama Foundation Leaders USA program. Fuller was among more than 200 leaders selected globally to join.

The program trained participants around the world in leadership development and civic engagement to help build their skills and scale their work across public, private, and nonprofit sectors. Fuller (pictured below) was one of just 100 leaders completing the U.S. program.

Serving as the Habitat FOC Manager since March 2021, Fuller developed and is rapidly growing this much-needed free financial literacy service in Hancock County. Prior to joining Habitat, he served as the Financial Opportunity Center Manager for the Northwestern Ohio Community Action Commission for nearly five years and in several capacities for a variety of not-for-profit organizations.

“The opportunity to complete the Leaders USA program has strengthened my resolve to bridge political or philosophical gaps through the cultivation of shared values to co-create solutions to the complex problems that face our community and our country,” said Fuller. “This program exposed me to new perspectives, new ideas, and expanded my network to include so many changemakers doing incredible work.”

As part of the six-month Obama Foundation Leaders program, Fuller was among other dedicated changemakers who convened virtually each week for interactive sessions designed to help them drive change by honing their leadership skills, building deep relationships with their peers, and engaging with thought leaders and members of the Obama Foundation community.

(From the Tiffin Police Department)

National D.A.R.E. Day!!

Today, on National D.A.R.E. Day, we proudly recognize the importance of drug abuse resistance education and the continued commitment to empowering our youth to make healthy, informed decisions.

Here in Tiffin, we’re honored to have Officer Chris Perry and Officer Alec Traxler representing the Tiffin Police Department as our D.A.R.E. instructors. Their dedication to mentoring students, building trust, and guiding them through important conversations about choices, responsibility, and respect is a true example of community policing in action.

National D.A.R.E. Day is more than just an observance—it’s a nationwide commitment to safer, stronger, and drug-free communities. It unites educators, law enforcement, families, and community leaders in a shared mission: to give our children the tools they need to lead safe and successful lives.

To Officer Perry and Officer Traxler—thank you for leading the way, for making a difference, and for showing our youth that they are never alone in their journey.

Chief Pauly

Findlay City Council passed a resolution supporting the Findlay City Schools 1 percent earned income tax levy voters will see on the May 6 ballot.

Eight council members voted for the resolution, with council member Holly Frische the only one voting against it and Jim Niemeyer abstaining.

Learn more about the levy by clicking here and see a video of the city council vote and discussion below.

Findlay City Schools has held two town hall meetings on the district’s finances and financial challenges following the failed levy last November which resulted in a $6.1 million budget reduction. 

The Findlay City Schools Board of Education recently shared a second phase of potential budget reductions should the district’s 1 percent earned income tax levy on the May 6 ballot not pass.

See what other issues and candidates are on the ballot by clicking here for the Hancock County Board of Elections.

(From the United Way of Hancock County)

Tickets are on sale now for United Way of Hancock County’s annual Downtown Chocolate Tour.

For this sweet spring fundraiser, patrons visit participating shops and restaurants to collect chocolatey treats while taking advantage of special sales and promotions. Running from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, May 10, this makes a great Mother’s Day outing or a fun day on the town with friends.

A total of 31 businesses are participating, and some establishments located outside the downtown area have been paired with shops downtown to allow their participation. Participating businesses include: 3 Oaks, Call of the Canyon, Circle of Friends, Coffee Amici, Dietsch Brothers Fine Chocolates and Ice Cream, Elida Candle Co., Findlay Brewing Co., Gem’s Fairy Cakes with The Buckeye Co., Guitar Ranch, Hancock Hotel, hand + home co., Journey Salon & Day Spa, Logan’s Irish Pub, Main Street Deli, Painters’ Pottery Studio, Red Wing Shoes, river + road with The Baking Co., Romans Hair Designers, Ryse Fitness Studio, Smarty Pants Toys and Gifts with Shirley’s Gourmet Popcorn Co., Sparrows to Lilies, Swan House Tea Room, The Baker’s Café, The Lavender Hour, Trends! on Main with Fort Findlay Coffee & Doughnuts, We Serve. Coffee, and Wine Merchant.

Tickets are $25 each, and all sales directly support United Way’s Vulnerable Children Initiative, dedicated to protecting and advocating for local youth. Ticket sales are capped at 300 and the event is expected to sell out. Visit www.uwhancock.org and click the ‘Downtown Chocolate Tour’ button at the top right to buy tickets.

“If you’ve got a sweet tooth, this is a can’t-miss event,” said Kelley McClurkin, CEO of United Way of Hancock County. “Not only will you leave with your fill of chocolate, but you’ll be supporting the vital work of our local partners that specialize in serving youth.”

Since its founding in 1955, United Way of Hancock County has funded local efforts to support children. Multiple local agencies receive United Way funding to mentor, feed, advocate for and protect kids. United Way is also actively involved in other community collaborations that are working to strengthen families while championing children’s needs.

Ticketholders can pick up their tickets, bags and maps from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 8-9 at the United Way office, 318 W. Main Cross St. (above Kan Du Studio); and beginning at 10:30 a.m. the day of the event at Hancock Hotel (a stop on the tour).

Call 419-423-1432 for more information or to schedule a pickup time outside of these hours.

(From the Hancock County Commissioners)

Findlay, Ohio – April 16, 2025 – The Hancock County Commissioners are proud to announce that the historic Hancock County Courthouse will be illuminated on Friday, April 18, 2025, as part of the nationwide “Two Lights for Tomorrow” initiative. This event commemorates the 250th anniversary of Paul Revere’s midnight ride and marks the beginning of America’s semiquincentennial celebrations.

The “Two Lights for Tomorrow” initiative, organized by the Virginia American Revolution 250 Commission, invites communities across the nation to light two symbolic lanterns as a symbol reflecting the famous signal in the Old North Church—“One if by land, two if by sea”—which set in motion Paul Revere’s ride to warn colonial leaders that British troops were advancing on the eve of the Revolutionary War.

On the night of April 18, 1775, Revere rode to alert Samuel Adams and John Hancock that they were in danger of arrest. Hancock, then president of the Second Continental Congress, was staying in Lexington, Massachusetts, where Revere successfully warned him of the threat. This act of courage helped preserve the leadership that would go on to shape the future of our nation.

“Participating in ‘Two Lights for Tomorrow’ is a way for Hancock County to connect with our nation’s founding story,” said the Hancock County Commissioners. “We are proud to light the courthouse not only in memory of the midnight ride, but also in celebration of our namesake’s enduring legacy.”

The courthouse will be illuminated beginning at dusk on April 18 and will remain lit throughout the night. Residents and visitors are invited to take a moment to reflect on the significance of this anniversary and the continued importance of preserving our shared history. To learn more about “Two Lights for Tomorrow”, please visit va250.org/two-lights.

This marks the first of many initiatives in Hancock County throughout the coming years in celebration of America’s semiquincentennial which culminates on July 4, 2026. Hancock County and the City of Findlay are official communities with the Ohio Commission for the U.S. Semiquincentennial (America 250-Ohio). A coalition has been established to discuss how the community can celebrate Hancock County’s unique role in our nation’s history. To learn more about America 250-Ohio and opportunities to celebrate, visit america250-ohio.org.

Coming up, more information about local celebrations and educational initiatives will be available through The Findlay-Hancock County Convention and Visitors Bureau.

(From Cory-Rawson Local Schools)

The Ohio Department of Education and Workforce (ODEW) has selected both Cory-Rawson Elementary School and Cory-Rawson High School as Purple Star Schools for its 2025 class.  

Purple Star Schools show a strong commitment to students and families connected to our nation’s military.  

ODEW shared that the state’s Purple Star Advisory Board established strict criteria in order for schools to be considered for the designation and both of the Cory-Rawson schools met those standards.  

Cory-Rawson superintendent Jay Clark said, “We are proud to support military families who are currently part of the Cory-Rawson community or making a transition to our schools.”

Families of current or potential Cory-Rawson students who are military-involved can visit the district’s military resource webpage and are encouraged to discuss needs with our military family liaisons, Mrs. Roberts at Cory-Rawson Elementary School and Mrs. Barnhart at Cory-Rawson High School.

State superintendent Stephen Dackin states that, “The Purple Star award signifies your school’s demonstrated commitment to serving these students and families.”