(From the Hancock METRICH Enforcement Unit)

On 04/10/25 at approx. 1600hrs the Hancock County METRICH Drug Task Force assisted by the Findlay Police Department Emergency Response Team (ERT) executed a narcotic search warrant at 312 Lester Ave Findlay OH.

The search of the residence yielded suspected methamphetamine, suspected Crack Cocaine, and drug paraphernalia. Multiple items indicative of drug trafficking were located.

As a result of the search the following people were arrested and incarcerated at the Hancock County Justice Center:

Brianne Settlemire (age 37)

312 Lester Ave

Findlay, Ohio

Charge: Permitting Drug Abuse F5.

Jeremiah Meeks (age (44)

312 Lester Ave

Findlay, Ohio

Charge: Possession of Methamphetamine F3, Possession of Crack Cocaine F5

Shela Long (age 35)

501 W. Tiffin St

Fostoria, Ohio

Charge: Possession of Drug Paraphernalia M4

Additional charges of drug trafficking, and possession of drugs are expected at the conclusion of this investigation.

(From Findlay City Schools Alumni Association)

It’s time to nominate an FHS graduate for the Findlay City Schools Alumni Association’s Distinguished Alumni Award!

This award recognizes and honors graduates of FHS who have made significant and noteworthy contributions in their time since graduating.

Consider nominating someone incredible today: https://forms.gle/u3vA85BxLTbYfhdT9

HANCOCK COUNTY TRAFFIC ADVISORY

The U.S. 68 and State Route 15 roundabout on the south side of Findlay will close Monday, April 14, for approximately two weeks for concrete repairs.

View the location on OHGO:

https://www.ohgo.com/nw-ohio?lt=40.98949207478228&ln=-83.65094130645447&z=16&ls=incident,construction,construction-future,camera

UPDATE – The railroad crossings that were closed have since been reopened. Police say an individual walking on the tracks was hit and killed by the train. Get more by clicking here. 

Some railroad crossings in Findlay are closed due to an accident involving a pedestrian being hit and killed by a train on Friday morning, the police department said.

The police department said there is a CSX train stopped in the city due to the accident and all railroad crossings from East Lincoln Street north to George Street are closed.

Drivers will need to find alternate routes.

The accident occurred a little after 6 a.m. between East Main Cross and Clinton Court, police said. 

An estimated length of time for when the train will be moving again was not given.

(From the United Way of Hancock County)

There are 81 pinwheels surrounding the Hancock County Courthouse, each representing a child adjudicated as abused, neglected or dependent in our community in 2024.

Thanks to Hancock County Job and Family Services and CASA of Hancock County Ohio — along with the wonderful youth from the Kindness Klub — for joining us in raising awareness this Child Abuse Prevention Month.

Randall Galbraith, Director of Hancock County Job and Family Services, says child abuse is everyone’s problem and everyone’s responsibility to help out and alleviate it.

The pinwheels will remain on display through April, which is observed as National Child Abuse Prevention Month. 

(From the Ohio Department of Transportation)

April is National Distracted Driving Awareness Month, and while distracted driving remains a significant concern in Ohio, new data indicates that two years after the state’s “phones down” law took effect, Ohio is seeing positive, lifesaving results.

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine signed Senate Bill 288 in 2023. The bill strengthened the state’s distracted driving laws by making it a primary offense to use handheld electronic devices while driving.

According to the Ohio State Highway Patrol, the average number of crashes in Ohio has dropped by 8%, injuries are down 3%, and traffic fatalities have declined by 4% since the law took effect in April 2023.

Data from Cambridge Mobile Telematics (CMT) continues to show about a 10% drop in cell phone use in Ohio among drivers who share their device data as part of employer-based safety programs or in exchange for insurance discounts. CMT estimates the law has saved Ohio at least $337 million in economic damages.

“We’re certainly seeing less distracted driving than before the law went into effect, but we still have a long way to go,” said Governor DeWine. “I appreciate all the drivers who have chosen to stay focused on the road, and I encourage more drivers to do the same. Distracted-driving crashes are completely avoidable.”

(From the Findlay-Hancock County Public Library)

All three of our card finalists were strong contenders, and we had voters that LOVED all of the designs.

50 youth in Hancock County submitted designs for the contest, and 239 community members voted on the finalists.

But now the votes have been counted, and we are excited to announce the winner of our Youth Library Card Design Contest is Gabriella Berger.

When will the new cards be available? The new cards should be available in early June, in time for our SummerREAD program.

Who can get the new card design? The new design will be for youth cards for patrons under 18. 

I already have a card. Can I get a new one with the new design? Patrons under 18 who already have a library card are able to get the new design if you pay $1 (the replacement card fee). The new card would have a new barcode, so you will have to update your library card number anywhere it was saved digitally.

(From the Hancock Historical Museum)

The Hancock Historical Museum, in collaboration with the Arlington Heart & Soul Initiative and the Hancock County Chapter of the Ohio Genealogical Society, invites the community to participate in Preserve, Share & Scan: Arlington’s Community History Day on Sunday, April 13, from 2:00 to 4:00 PM at the Arlington School Cafeteria.

This special event offers an opportunity for residents to share their stories, have their historical photographs scanned, and contribute artifacts for an upcoming exhibit on Arlington’s rich history. Volunteers, including members of the Hancock County Chapter of the Ohio Genealogical Society, will be on hand to assist with scanning, documentation, and gathering community memories while guests enjoy coffee and cookies. Community members are encouraged to bring photographs, memorabilia, and historical artifacts to be scanned and returned or considered for loan or donation to the museum’s collection.

The exhibit will highlight key moments in Arlington’s past, including:

• Early Settlement & Founding – Indigenous history, pioneer families, and early industries
• Village Growth & Development – Schools, businesses, transportation, and major historical events
• Community Life & Traditions – Local festivals, sports teams, social organizations, and beloved institutions
• Challenges & Resilience – The impact of wars, natural disasters, and community perseverance
• Modern Era & Looking Ahead – Notable figures, ongoing preservation efforts, and Arlington today

This event is an opportunity for the Arlington community to come together and help preserve its history for future generations. Items of particular interest include school memorabilia, photographs of businesses, artifacts from local events, and family heirlooms that tell the story of life in Arlington.

If you have items to share, but are unable to attend, or if you are interested in donating or loaning materials for the exhibit, please contact Joy Bennett at jbennett@hancockhistoricalmuseum.org.

Join us in celebrating and preserving the history of Arlington—one story, one photograph, and one memory at a time!

(ONN) – A crime that caused a young man to take his own life has been turned into a new law with strict penalties.

The crime of sextortion is now a felony in Ohio.

Braden’s Law recently went into effect.

It’s named after 15-year-old Braden Marcus.

He was a student at Olentangy High School when he became the victim of a financial sextortion scam that led to his death.

Anyone trying to sexually extort a minor, elderly, or disabled person will now be hit with a first degree felony.

3rd graders from across Putnam County are making the trip to the Gerding Farm in Glandorf this week for Farm Safety Days.

The visit starts with a mock ATV crash and full EMS response including a life-flight helicopter coming in for a landing.

The event also features a variety of presenters from Putnam County talking about everything from water/pond safety to lawnmower safety to gun safety.

“Thank you Ruth and Dale Gerding for doing this the last 26 years,” said the Putnam County Office of Public Safety.