The Hancock County Sheriff’s Office says a man with two active arrest warrants ran from deputies when they came into contact with him.
It happened in the area of 10456 US 224 in Liberty Township at around 11:10 Thursday morning.
Deputies say they were conducting a criminal investigation in the area when they came into contact with Walter R. Hartley, 44, of Findlay and learned he had two arrest warrants out of Findlay Municipal Court.
Deputies said Hartley took off running and was eventually found hiding in a trash dumpster.
He was taken into custody and transported to Blanchard Valley Hospital for possible heat exhaustion.
The sheriff’s office said Hartley fled from deputies to avoid 19 days in jail and will now be charged with obstructing official business.
The University of Findlay’s Mazza Museum invites area residents on Saturday, May 10 to an evening of storytelling, art, and fun with Emmy Award-winning illustrator and author Marc Brown.
The creator of the beloved “Arthur” books and PBS children’s series will speak at 7 p.m., in the TLB auditorium of the Winebrenner Building on the UF campus.
The event is free and open to the public.
“Marc will share insights into his creative journey, storytelling, and illustration process in an engaging presentation that families won’t want to miss.”
Brown recently donated the majority of his original artwork – more than 1,000 pieces – to the Mazza Museum.
He said the Arthur books began with a bedtime story he told his son about an aardvark that was worried about the size of its nose.
“My son thought it was funny and it took on a life of its own,” he explained. “Later I thought, that was fun, maybe I should write it down.”
Today, Brown has more than 150 books published selling over 65 million copies.
He is a six-time Emmy award winner for the “Arthur” TV series, which is the longest-running animated children’s show in TV history.
He believes that picture books should “educate and entertain,” and his tales of Arthur always focused on fun stories featuring “a way to deal with a problem and how to solve it.” “I would get ideas from real life – every day there’s a story waiting to be told,” Brown said.
At the presentation, the author/illustrator will share details of his creative journey, explain his creative process of illustration, and reveal his latest projects. Following the presentation, there will be book sales and autographing, and Brown’s books will be on sale at 15% off retail.
Authorities in Wyandot County say they are investigating the suspicious death of a male individual.
The Wyandot County Sheriff’s Office said the body of a deceased male was located on County Highway 9, in Sycamore Township, in the early morning hours of Wednesday, April 23.
A driver had called 911 stating they had hit someone who was lying in the middle of the road.
The body was transported to the Lucas County Coroner’s Office for an autopsy.
Authorities are investigating the incident and ask anyone with information about it to contact the Wyandot County Sheriff’s Office.
We will be closing County Road 37 in Eagle Township between US 68 and County Road 75 for 1 week beginning Monday, April 28th through Friday, May 2nd for bridge repair work.
This will be a full closure and traffic is advised to find an alternate route.
We appreciate your patience while these needed repairs are being constructed.
FOSTORIA, OH – April 22, 2025 – The Fostoria Area Chamber of Commerce is excited to announce that applications are now officially open for LAUNCH Fostoria, the community’s small business competition aimed at supporting entrepreneurs and encouraging local economic growth. Applications will be accepted now through May 2, 2025. Please submit your completed application to director@fostoriachamber.com or to the Fostoria Learning Center, 342 Perry Street Fostoria, by May 2nd.
Who’s Eligible?
LAUNCH Fostoria is open to anyone interested in opening or growing a business in Fostoria.
Businesses must be for-profit, independent business.
May not have earned more than $250,000 in the past year revenue.
LAUNCH Fostoria gives aspiring entrepreneurs and small business owners the opportunity to win startup or expansion funding, connect with mentors, and gain visibility within the community. Finalists will participate in pitch preparation sessions, receive valuable feedback, and compete in front of a live audience and panel of judges.
Competition Timeline:
April 4 – May 2: Application period open
May 12-14: Application Review and Selection
May 16: Contest Decision Notice
May 22: Pitch Clinic: a best practice of how to pitch
June 26: Semi Finals: First round of pitches to judges only including Q&A
August 15: 5:30 p.m. Required dress rehearsal and tech check for Finals
6:30 p.m. Finals: Public Event where finalists will pitch, and the public will vote on winner
Past winners of LAUNCH Fostoria include thriving local businesses such as, Beyond Laser Creations, Calico Charlie’s Candy & More, and In the Axe, who have gone on to grow their presence and impact in the Fostoria community.
“This is a chance for anyone with a business dream or growth idea to bring it to life, right here in Fostoria.” said Jocelyn Reinhart, Director of the Fostoria Area Chamber of Commerce. “We’re thrilled to support innovation in our own backyard and provide a platform for local entrepreneurs to shine.”
Past winner Jena Stearns from Beyond Laser Creations stated, “Winning the inaugural LAUNCH Fostoria competition was the spark that ignited everything. It gave me the confidence, support, and visibility to take a dream and build it into something real. Today, Beyond Laser Creations stands not just as a business on Main Street, but as a creative hub for our community—proof that with passion, hard work, and the right support, incredible growth is possible.”
This evening, I had the privilege of recognizing two of our own for their exceptional service to the Tiffin community.
Officer Christofer Perry was awarded the Tiffin Police Department’s Life Saving Award for his courageous and compassionate actions on March 20, 2025. While conducting a welfare check, Officer Perry discovered a man in a shed who was moments away from taking his own life. Thanks to Officer Perry’s calm demeanor, CIT training, and heartfelt response, the man chose to live—and received the medical and mental health support he desperately needed. Officer Perry’s actions quite literally saved a life.
Officer Cade Garrett received the Distinguished Service Award for his exceptional work during a complex theft investigation. Officer Garrett’s persistence, attention to detail, and well-documented reporting led to the recovery of over $11,000 in stolen tools and criminal charges of the individual responsible. His dedication and follow-through reflect the high standards we hold ourselves to as a department.
I’m proud to serve alongside these men and grateful for their commitment to protecting and serving with integrity, compassion, and determination. Please join me in congratulating Officer Perry and Officer Garrett on these well-deserved honors!
A public health collaboration that has helped Hancock County residents “clean out their medicine cabinets” is still going strong.
Since 2012, the partnership between the University of Findlay College of Pharmacy, Findlay Police Department, and Hancock ADAMHS has collected and destroyed over six tons of unwanted, outdated or unused prescriptions and other drugs during curbside drop-off events and through drop boxes.
U of F’s Tim Burkart says residents help keep medicines out of the wrong hands and from contaminating the environment by turning them back in when they are no longer needed.
“It’s remarkable what’s been accomplished over the years,” he said. “I think through the take-back events people have become better informed about items that they don’t need to keep around their homes.”
Statistics from collection events, including “Take it to the Box,” suggest awareness is growing.
The community has turned in over 13,000 pounds of prescriptions and other-the-counter products, including 2,100 pounds in 2016 alone.
“I think people are more aware of the importance of properly disposing of certain items since the effort began,” Burkart said. “They’re keeping up.”
Crime prevention officer Brian White of the Findlay Police Department agrees the public has responded well to the program.
“From my observations, the majority of those that come through the collection points are seniors. In many cases, they have acquired a large amount of medications that go unused and know they need to get rid of them. The collection drive gives them a convenient way to get rid of them.”
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.
After collecting them, the items are later incinerated.
The first drop-off event of 2025 will be held on Saturday, April 26, 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. at the Findlay Municipal Building parking lot on Crawford Street.
A second drop-off will be on Oct. 25 at the same location.
For those unable to attend the events, residents also can dispose of unneeded medications in marked boxes located in the lobbies at the Findlay Municipal Building and the lobby at the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office.
Seven pharmacies in the county also have boxes for those looking to dispose of unneeded prescriptions and other meds.
Burkart believes the collection efforts are worth continuing each year and encourages community participation.
“It is still an important thing for the community to participate in,” Burkart said. “I think most people realize the benefits.”
White also applauds the public buy-in of the take-back efforts.
“I would reiterate that medication needs to be disposed of appropriately and remind citizens that collection boxes are always available for disposal.”
