(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.

The Hancock County Sheriff’s Office says a woman was severely injured in a crash west of Findlay.

The sheriff’s office said Luann Muzy, 57, of Findlay, was eastbound on US 224 near Litzenberg Memorial Woods at approximately 6:54 Monday morning when she tried to pass two vehicles and struck an oncoming vehicle being driven by Syed Murtuza, 34, of Findlay.

Both Muzy and Murtuza were transported to Blanchard Valley Hospital for injuries sustained in the crash.

The sheriff’s office said Muzy is suspected to have sustained severe injuries in the crash and was transferred to a hospital in Toledo.

The crash remains under investigation.

(From Hancock County ADAMHS)

Our Summer 2025 Camp FUN will be held on June 7, 2025 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. at OnTarget Outfitters in Mccomb, OH.

Camp FUN is a FREE Day camp for youth (ages 9-17) who have been impacted by addiction.

The purpose of Camp FUN is to provide positive encouragement and support for youth.

Join us as we explore a variety of activities such as archery & fishing, learn new survival skills and paint with Awakening Minds Art and more!

Transportation is available.

Click HERE to register.

Questions? Call our office at 419-424-1985 or email adamhs@yourpathtohealth.org.

(By Sheri Trusty, Public Relations/Community Engagement Coordinator)

Members of Seneca County’s Countywide Drone Team participated in Drone Safety Day at Tiffin University’s Heminger Center on April 26 to showcase the vital role drones play in public safety. The Drone Team, which includes three deputies from the Seneca County Sheriff’s Office, three officers from the Tiffin Police Department, and two from Fostoria Police Department, utilizes drones to protect and rescue residents and provide an extra layer of safety for law enforcement.

“We’re talking to people about what we do and opening their eyes to the importance of having drones,” said Seneca County Sheriff’s Deputy Lane Sauber. “Our main goal is to bring your loved ones home.”

Drones are used by the Seneca County Sheriff’s Office for Project Lifesaver, a search and rescue program designed to protect individuals at risk of wandering from home, such as people with dementia or autism. An adult or child registered with Project Lifesaver wears a transmitter on their wrist or ankle, and if they wander from home, law enforcement can quickly track the individual through radio frequencies.

Drones help speed the rescue by being an eye in the sky. As law enforcement are tracking an individual through transmitter signals, the drone can pinpoint exactly where they are.

“I carry my drone with me all the time, when I’m on duty and off duty, in case there’s a call. Every minute is important,” Deputy Sauber said. “If I had a family member on Project Lifesaver and knew they had a drone, I’d be grateful.”

Drones are also used to locate suspects who have fled a scene.

“Our drone has a range of one to two miles,” said Tiffin PD Patrol Officer Andrew Stevens. “People bail out of cars and run into the woods, and we can find them with drones.”

Whether they are looking for a lost child with autism or a fleeing suspect, drones help law enforcement officers find people fast.

“It utilizes thermal imaging,” Deputy Sauber said. “It can sense heat signals as they move through the woods or if they are resting against a tree.”

Drones are a vital tool for officer safety. When deputies approach a home with a search warrant, a drone can be an extra set of eyes around the home, and it can be sent into the house to identify points of danger before the officers enter.

“In a hostage situation, we can use drones so officers don’t have to expose themselves to danger,” Officer Stevens said.

The Drone Team works in conjunction with Tiffin University’s Drone Academy, which is headed by Drone Academy Director, Owen Fritz. The collaboration has helped the Sheriff’s Office advance their drone skills.

“Tiffin University helped us get our license, and they provide training,” Deputy Sauber said. “Owen Fritz has been a big help.”

Fritz said Tiffin University has about ten drones that are available for the Drone Team to use, including a hazmat gas sniffer.

“It checks for the ten most common hazmat chemicals and gives a real-time readout,” Fritz said.

Tiffin University is happy to support local law enforcement efforts.

“It’s about lifesaving measures,” Fritz said. “It about finding missing kids and officer safety.”

The Findlay Police Department says the local medication collection event held last weekend was a big success.

“The total prescription drug take back this weekend was 141.75 lbs. at the Findlay Municipal Building!”

The drop-off events make it easy for people to participate as they don’t even have to get out of their car.

Medications are handed to a volunteer for disposal and later incinerated.

The collection events ensure old and unused medications are properly disposed of and that they don’t fall into the wrong hands and get abused.

A second drop-off will be on October 25 at the same location.

(From the Hancock County Veterans Service Office)

Flag City Community VetFest, a production of the Hancock County Veterans Service Office presented by Rate will be happening Saturday, June 14th on Broadway St. in downtown Findlay.

The date is significant not just because it is Flag Day, but it is also the Army’s 250th birthday. It will give us an opportunity to recognize local veterans as well as veteran owned businesses and veteran friendly employers right in Hancock County.

The event is a music festival that will celebrate our veterans. Join us for delicious food from area food trucks, thirst quenching beverages, fun souvenirs, music that will make you get up and dance and the chance to give back to our veterans and our community.

The doors open at 3pm and the event ends at 11pm with a closing and flag lowering ceremony. Music begins at 4pm and will feature 3 bands – Truck Stop Manners, 100 Proof and First to Eleven.

“Vet Fest is about bringing people together. It’s a chance for veterans to connect with each other, but also to say thank you to the community for all the support they’ve shown us over the years,” expressed Ed Newton, Hancock County Veterans Service Office Resiliency Operations Manager. “It goes both ways—we’re honoring those who served, and also recognizing how much it means to have a community that stands behind us. At the end of the day, it’s about connection, gratitude, and having a good time with good people.”

Money raised from the event will benefit Wreaths Across America, veteran housing initiatives and local food pantries. In addition, there will a collection of new toys, still in packaging for our community.

According to Andy Sterling, VetFest Committee Member “Celebrating our local veterans is the best way to show our support. The passion and planning that has gone into this event is sure to highlight the pride Flag City and Hancock County has in our veteran residents”

Sponsorship opportunities are still available at many different levels.

For more information about the event or event sponsorship, please email Nichole Coleman at nrcoleman@co.hancock.oh.us

(From the Ohio State Highway Patrol)

The Fremont Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol is currently investigating a fatal crash that occurred on State Route 53, near milepost 12 in the city of Fremont.

On April 26, 2025 at approximately 8:36 P.M., A 2000 Jeep Cherokee, driven by Mark Franks, age 66 of Fremont, was traveling southwest on State Route 53. The vehicle traveled off the west side of the roadway. After driving down the embankment he struck the ditch, a culvert, a utility pole, and overturned, coming to final rest at Sean Drive.

At the time of the crash, Mr. Franks was wearing his seatbelt. Mr. Franks was extracted from his vehicle by Sandusky County Sheriff’s Deputies and life saving measures were performed. Mr. Franks later succumbed to injuries at the scene.

The Highway Patrol was assisted on scene by the Sandusky County Sheriff’s Office, Fremont Police Department, Sandusky County EMS, Fremont Fire Department and Triple J Towing. Alcohol and/or drugs are believed to be a factor in the crash. The crash remains under investigation at this time.

(From the Hancock County Board of Elections)

The Hancock County Board of Elections has announced that the Secretary of State has initiated an investigation of a voter check-in tablet purchased by a board of elections for a county east of Columbus.

Local election officials found that a single, newly purchased tablet-style device may violate Ohio’s Election security standards. The device, often called an electronic poll book, would have been used to check voters into a polling location but had not been deployed in an election.

“I’ve directed our Election Integrity Unit and cybersecurity team to work with the County Board of Elections to analyze the equipment purchased by the board,” said the Secretary of State in a release to the County Boards. “While this investigation is limited right now to a single device in one county, I’m taking the precautionary step of ordering my team to review all voter check-in systems for compliance with our security directives ahead of the May election. As an added precaution, I’m directing the boards of elections who use this specific style of poll book to use paper poll books for the May election. This action will have little to no impact on voters, as we anticipate turnout to be relatively low and I’ve always required boards of elections to have paper poll book backups ready to go as a contingency.”

Electronic poll books are never connected to voting or tabulating equipment, so those devices are not impacted. Additionally, all voting equipment, including electronic poll books, undergo rigorous, routine compliance testing before every election. The Secretary of State’s Office and the 88 county boards of elections initiated that process this week ahead of in-person early voting for the May 6 primary election.

The Hancock County Board of Elections, its Director, Deputy Director, Board Members, Poll Workers, and as well as its employees have worked diligently to achieve a process that is believed to be as smooth as possible and meets the requirements of the Secretary of State. In addition to being a paper-oriented check-in process, voters in voting locations will have to check-in at the location designated for their specific precinct. Greeters will be assigned to assist voters to identify the voter’s precinct.

Please be aware it will take you a longer time to cast your ballot because of the process. To prepare for the election, voters can check their precinct by going to www.hancockcountyohioelections.gov. then under the menu click on “Check your information,” then click on “Where do I vote” Under “Precinct Information” you will find your Precinct. The Hancock County Board of Elections apologizes to the voters for this inconvenience.

(From the Fostoria Police Department)

On Tuesday, Mayor Don Mennel swore in Moira White as the newest police officer at the Fostoria Police Department.

Officer White, a former Fostoria Dispatcher, graduated from the Ohio Peace Officer Training Academy on Monday.

Congratulations Officer White on your new position!

(From Dr. Bill Kose with Blanchard Valley Health System)

Vaccination remains one of the most effective tools in modern medicine to protect newborns and children from serious infectious diseases. Through widespread immunization programs, the global health community has made tremendous strides in reducing and, in some cases, eradicating life-threatening illnesses that once claimed the lives of millions. Immunizing newborns and children safeguards individual health and supports broader public health goals.

At the heart of vaccination is the concept of prevention. Vaccines prepare a child’s immune system to recognize and fight specific pathogens before exposure to the disease occurs. By receiving vaccines early in life, children are protected during their most vulnerable stages of immune development. This early defense is critical because infants and young children are particularly susceptible to infection complications due to their immature immune systems.

The benefits of childhood vaccination extend beyond personal protection. Vaccinated individuals contribute to community immunity, also known as herd immunity. When a significant portion of the population is immunized, diseases become difficult to spread, thereby protecting those who cannot be vaccinated, such as newborns too young for certain vaccines or individuals with compromised immune systems. This collective protection is vital for the health of society as a whole, especially for those most at risk.

Vaccinations have also dramatically reduced the burden of healthcare costs associated with treating preventable diseases. Diseases such as measles, mumps, and whooping cough, if left unchecked, can lead to serious complications requiring hospitalization, long-term medical care, or even death. Preventing these diseases through immunization helps avoid the significant financial and emotional toll of serious illnesses on families and healthcare systems. The economic benefits of vaccination programs, including reduced medical costs and increased productivity by preventing illness-related absences, are well-documented and contribute to stronger, healthier communities.

Another important aspect of vaccination is its role in disease eradication. Smallpox, a devastating disease that killed millions over centuries, was declared eradicated in 1980 thanks to a coordinated global vaccination effort. Similarly, the world is on the verge of eradicating polio, a crippling disease that once affected thousands of children each year. These historic achievements demonstrate the extraordinary power of vaccines to eliminate diseases and improve quality of life globally.

Vaccination also fosters trust in public health systems. By following established immunization schedules, healthcare providers demonstrate their commitment to evidence-based practices, prioritizing patient safety and well-being. Parents who vaccinate their children reinforce the

importance of scientific progress and community responsibility. As misinformation about vaccines has unfortunately grown in recent years, it is even more crucial for healthcare professionals and public health organizations to continue advocating for vaccines based on extensive scientific research and decades of successful disease prevention.

In conclusion, vaccinating newborns and children offers profound benefits that ripple across individual lives, families, and entire communities. By providing early protection against serious diseases, promoting herd immunity, reducing healthcare costs, and contributing to the eradication of deadly illnesses, vaccines play an indispensable role in safeguarding public health. Continued commitment to childhood vaccination ensures a healthier, safer future for generations to come.

William H. Kose, MD

Vice President of Special Projects,

Blanchard Valley Health System