(From the Findlay Rotary Club)

At the club’s Wednesday, May 21 meeting, The Findlay Rotary Club presented $50,000 to five local non-profit organizations. This year’s recipients include:

• Findlay Digital Academy: $2,000 for a graduation celebration
• Habitat for Humanity of Findlay/Hancock County: $3,000 for critical home repairs
• City Mission of Findlay: $15,000 for a renovation project at Martha’s Home
• Findlay Hope House for the Homeless: $15,000 for technology upgrades
• FOCUS: $15,000 for a renovation project benefitting local youth

The Findlay Rotary Club’s Forward Fund was established in 1991 to build over the years through donations and bequests. The objective was to build a permanent fund which could make a substantial and lasting contribution to the local community. The Forward Fund is also supported through outright gifts, matching funds, contributions through wills, life insurance gifts, shares of stock and memorials. All contributions to the Forward Fund are tax deductible. To date, The Forward Fund has supported a number of local organizations including Hancock Public Health Foundation Mobile Health Clinic, Hancock County Center for Safe and Healthy Children, Findlay Digital Academy, Blanchard Valley Health Foundation, Miracle League of Findlay, Adopt-A-Door Boot Security System, Children’s Museum of Findlay, University of Findlay, Raise the Bar Hancock County, Findlay Family YMCA and among many others.

The Findlay Rotary Club was founded in 1920 and is a member of Rotary International, an association of Rotary clubs around the world, which today numbers almost 32,000 clubs in over 200 countries. The Rotary Club of Findlay was founded by the city’s leaders in 1920, and continues with the leaders of today.

PHOTO CAPTION: Pictured at the May 21 Findlay Rotary Club meeting are Front row (l-r): Rosemary Rooker, Findlay Digital Academy, Brooke Nissin, FOCUS, Heidi Barilla, FOCUS , Erin Dirksen, City Mission, Sue Lehman, Hope House, Laurie Poland, Hope House, Leah Brant, Findlay Rotary Club President; Second row (l-r): Wendy McCormick, Habitat for Humanity of Findlay/Hancock County, David Alvarado, Findlay Digital Academy, Michael Brand, Findlay Digital Academy

(From the Wyandot County Sheriff’s Office)

The Wyandot County Sheriff’s Office, in collaboration with the Wyandot County Major Crimes Unit, is actively investigating a suspicious death that occurred on County Highway 9 in Sycamore Township.

At approximately 1:42 a.m. on Wednesday, April 23, 2025, the Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call from an individual reporting that they had struck a body lying in the roadway. Deputies, along with Mohawk EMS and Fire, responded to the scene and located a deceased male in the roadway. The Wyandot County Medical Examiner responded and pronounced the individual deceased at the scene.

The victim was transported to the Lucas County Coroner’s Office for an autopsy. Preliminary findings indicate the victim died as a result of being struck by a vehicle while standing on County Highway 9. These findings, along with evidence gathered by investigators and first responders at the scene, suggest that the victim had been deceased for approximately two hours prior to the 911 call.

Investigators believe two separate vehicle strikes occurred: the first, which resulted in the victim’s death, and a second, post-mortem, which led to the discovery of the body and the 911 call. Surveillance footage from the area captured a single vehicle traveling near the scene at the time of the initial incident.

Detectives have obtained video surveillance showing an SUV or station wagon, possibly light in color, traveling north on State Highway 231 and turning west onto County Highway 9 at approximately 11:34 p.m. on Tuesday, April 22, 2025. This individual may have accidentally struck the victim and left the scene out of fear.

The Wyandot County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s help in identifying the vehicle or individual involved. Anyone with information—particularly regarding an SUV with damage consistent with this incident sustained around April 22nd—is urged to contact the Wyandot County Sheriff’s Office. Tips can also be submitted via the Wyandot County Sheriff’s Office App.

Chamberlin Hill Elementary sent its 5^th graders out in style with a clap-out.

The 3^rd and 4^th graders lined the sidewalks around the school and cheered, clapped and high-fived the 5^th graders as they walked by.

Family members also joined in on the fun.

Most of the 5^th graders will be attending Donnell Middle School next school year, while some will be attending Glenwood Middle School.

Other FCS schools in the district held clap-outs for their students as well.

In the video of the clap-out below we speak with Principal Melissa Zaciewski about this milestone for the students.

(From the Hancock County Solid Waste Management District)

The Board of Hancock County Commissioners and the Hancock County Solid Waste Management District will be closing the Recycling Hub location during the Memorial Day-Holiday Weekend.

The Recycling Hub, located at 1720 E. Sandusky Street, Findlay, will be CLOSED beginning Friday, May 23rd at 5pm and will reopen Monday, May 26th by 8pm.

This decision was made with ongoing litter and contamination concerns as well as having limited service hours in respect of Memorial Day.

The Recycling Hub will resume collection hours on Monday evening for established recycling donations.

For more recycling locations please visit www.HancockEnvironment.com or follow on Facebook @HancockEnvironment.

(From the University of Findlay)

The University of Findlay’s Mazza Museum will host a hands-on summer STEAM Camp with a theme of “Behind the Byte” from June 9 to 13.

The camp, which runs in conjunction with the Imagination Station of Toledo, encourages students ages 8 to 14 to dive into computers.

“Students will take a computer apart to learn the inner workings, discover block coding, and explore how one ‘bug’ can mess everything up,” explained Amanda Davidson-Johnston, education manager at the Mazza Museum. “Students are more connected to technology than ever before, so it’s important that they understand how their devices work and how to recognize signs of hacking or computer viruses.”

The camp will take place on the University’s campus from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., June 9 to 13. Cost of registration is $200 per child and includes instruction, all required materials, and a STEAM Camp T-shirt.

To register, visit the Mazza Museum’s Events page online at www.mazzamuseum.org/events/. For questions regarding the camp, including scholarships to help with the cost, contact Amanda Davidson-Johnston at 419-434-4777 or send an email to amanda.davidsonjohnston@findlay.edu.

(From Hancock Park District)

Zonta Landing Boat Rentals at Riverside Park will be reopening for the season on Saturday, May 24!

The hours are 1-7 pm on Saturdays, Sundays & Holidays through Labor Day.

Canoes, Kayaks, & Pedal Boats are available for rent at a standard rental fee of $5 per 1/2 hour.

Zonta Landing accepts cash or check only.

For more information, please visit the “Park News” section of our website, hancockparks.com.

(From the Marathon Center for the Performing Arts)

Lilian Perkins has been selected as the recipient of the Marathon Center for the Performing Arts (MCPA) 2025 Youtheatre college scholarship.

Perkins, the daughter of Bryan and Kimberlee Perkins and a 2025 graduate of Findlay High School, plans to attend The University of Kentucky in the fall with a major in chemical engineering. Scholarship recipients are selected based on the level of participation and number of years participating in MCPA’s Youtheatre program. The development of performing arts and technical production skills is also reviewed criteria.

“The Youtheatre program allowed me to connect with close friends that share my same interests. Our special bonds were strengthened by our similar passions and our desire to work towards the goal of creating art.” Perkins said. “The perseverance, patience, discipline, and gratitude that I have learned while part of the Youtheatre program have prepared me to make breakthroughs in higher education. I am forever thankful for the opportunity to be a part of such a special community.”

More than 200 students participate in MCPA’s Youtheatre programming each year through workshops, productions and camps.

For additional information about upcoming Youtheatre programming, contact Craig VanRenterghem, Education Director, at education@mcpa.org.

The Hancock County Commissioners Office is informing the public that the commissioners’ meeting scheduled for Tuesday, May 27 is canceled.

The next regular commissioners meeting will be held on Thursday, May 29 at 9:30 a.m.

The meetings are held at 514 South Main Street in Findlay in the conference room on the first floor.

(From Open Arms Domestic Violence & Rape Crisis Services)

Open Arms Domestic Violence & Rape Crisis Services is proud to announce that its Mobile Advocacy Services program has been recognized with the Promising Practices Award at the Ohio Attorney General’s Two Days in May Conference on Victim Assistance, held in Columbus, Ohio.

Now in its 33rd year, Two Days in May is an annual statewide conference that brings together nearly 1,000 victim advocates to share best practices, learn about emerging trends, and strengthen the network of support for Ohio’s crime victims. This year’s theme, “Every Step a Victory,” highlighted the importance of progress in the lives of survivors and the critical role advocates play in that journey.

Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost addressed the conference, celebrating the ongoing work of victim service providers and recognizing outstanding achievements in the field. Among those honored was Open Arms for its innovative Mobile Advocacy Services—a program designed to meet survivors where they are, offering support, resources, and safety directly in the community.

Since its launch, Mobile Advocacy has already reached 41 individuals in just 17 months, demonstrating immediate and meaningful impact. This flexible and accessible approach allows advocates to remove barriers to support, making it easier for survivors to begin their path to healing.

For more information about Open Arms and its services, visit openarmsfindlay.com.

(From the Findlay Police Department)

The City maintains 16 outdoor warning sirens strategically located throughout the community. These sirens are intended to provide an audio alert for individuals who are outdoors and may not have immediate access to other forms of notification such as television, radio, or cell phones.

Recently, the City completed Phase 1 of a two-phase siren replacement project, replacing 8 of the 16 sirens with new upgraded systems. The remaining 8 sirens are fully operational and scheduled for replacement in the future.

Following the installation, 5 of the 8 newly installed sirens inadvertently activated without cause last month. In response, the City’s internal team, along with the contractors responsible for the installation, conducted a thorough evaluation of the equipment and repairs are now completed.

We will be testing the 8 newly installed sirens on Wednesday, May 28th at 10:00 AM to make sure the sirens are running properly.

Please see the below list of sirens to be tested:

Siren 1 Blanchard \ Brookside Dr.

Siren 2 Tiffin Ave \ FFD # 3

Siren 3 N. Main St. \ FFD 2

Siren 4 CR 99 \ Forest Trail

Siren 6 Western Ave \ Joy Ave

Siren 8 CR 140 \ SR 12

Siren 9 Bright Rd \ Bio Life

Siren 16 Longmeadow Ln