(From the City of Fostoria)

At last night’s City Council meeting, Officer Cole Noftz was officially recognized as Fostoria’s 2024 Officer of the Year!

Police Chief Gabe Wedge presented Cole with a framed award in honor of his outstanding service, leadership, and commitment to keeping our community safe.

The City of Fostoria is incredibly proud to have such a dedicated officer on our team, not to mention his loyal K-9 partner, Creed, who works just as hard by his side.

Thank you, Officer Noftz and Creed, for all you do to serve and protect Fostoria.

(From the Findlay-Hancock County Public Library)

The Findlay-Hancock County Public Library is excited to announce its upcoming Teen Program: School Supply Swap, taking place on Saturday, August 2, from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. in the Lindamood Room and the Blanchard Room. This free event is open to all students entering grades 6–12 and aims to provide school supplies to those in need while also offering a chance to donate gently-used or new items.

Donations will be accepted in the Youth Services Department from July 28 – 31 from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Please bring in those supplies that you never got to use, or only used a few times and give them a new life in a different student’s hands.

As the back-to-school season approaches, the School Supply Swap is a great opportunity for students and families to clear out unused materials or stock up on essentials. No donation is required to participate—students are welcome to simply attend and pick up supplies they need for the new school year.

“Every student deserves to start the year with the tools they need to succeed,” said Carah Alvarez, Teen Services Specialist. “This program is about building community, supporting one another, and helping teens feel confident and ready for school.” Stay in touch and keep updated at www.findlaylibrary.org, on our Facebook page, facebook.com/fhcpl, and on Instagram @fhcpl.

(WTOL-11) – Wood County Sheriff Mark Wasylyshyn was in the nation’s capital for a ceremony at the White House.

Wasylyshyn is a board member of the National Sheriffs’ Association and was invited to the signing of the Halt Fentanyl Act.

The bill aims to permanently classify all fentanyl-related drugs as schedule one substances.

This classification is designed to give law enforcement the resources needed to combat the fentanyl crisis.

(ONN) – Starting next year, it’s going to cost you more when you go to your local Bureau of Motor Vehicles.

Whether you’re going to get your driver’s license, your new tags, or even to title a new vehicle at the BMV, you will be paying more come January. 

Beginning in January, most BMV fees will be going up as the service fee jumps from $5 to $8.

Registration renewals are going to rise by $5, and title fees are going to increase by $3, with counties being allowed to add another $5 on top.

Cleveland.com is reporting that the main reason for the price increases is to raise money for the Ohio State Highway Patrol which the governor’s office said is facing a looming budget crisis.

(From the Findlay YMCA)

Join us Saturday, July 19th, at the Downtown YMCA from 12-1 pm for a special autograph signing session with the Flag City Sluggers team!

Bring your favorite items to get signed and meet your favorite players.

This event is free and open to all ages!

Plus, don’t miss out on exclusive Sluggers apparel available for purchase—cash only!

Later that evening, join us for “YMCA Night at the Park” at 7:05 pm, where you can enjoy fun YMCA-themed games and cheer on the Sluggers!

Get ready for a grand slam day of activities and community fun!

The McComb Cookie Festival will be held on Saturday, July 19 at McComb Village Park.

Activities include the Tough Cookie 5K, Parade, Fishing Derby, Car Show, and Cookie Stroll.

Get more details on the McComb Cookie Festival by clicking here for their Facebook page, and in the flyer below.

(From the Ohio State Highway Patrol)

The Ohio State Highway Patrol has announced that an OVI checkpoint will be held in Hancock County Friday evening.

It will be held from 8 p.m. to 12 a.m. on Tiffin Avenue in Findlay. 

The OVI checkpoint, funded by federal grant funds, is planned to deter and intercept impaired drivers.

“Based on provisional data, there were 581 OVI-related fatalities last year in Ohio,” Lieutenant Evan Slates, post commander of the Findlay Post, said.

“State troopers made an average of 14,600 OVI arrests last year in an attempt to combat these dangerous drivers. OVI checkpoints are designed to not only deter impaired driving, but to proactively remove these dangerous drivers from our roadways.”

(From Fostoria Police Chief Gabe Wedge)

Regarding an incident from 05/18/2025 at 638 Maple St, Fostoria Seneca County Ohio, where two individuals were found deceased in a hot tub:

The Lucas County Coroners Office has determined that both Charles Gillette, 38 YOA and Raven Krontz, 44 YOA, each from Ottawa, Ohio, died from Acute Methamphetamine toxicity, accidental overdoses.

Officers and detectives on scene at the time of the incident reported finding drug paraphernalia, consistent with methamphetamine abuse, next to the hot tub.

The coroner’s office also reported finding no injuries to either subject during their autopsy’s.

Nothing further at this time.

Chief Gabe Wedge

Fostoria Police Department

The Ohio Department of Transportation is pleading with drivers to pay better attention behind the wheel as their crews continue getting hit by motorists.

In 2024, the total number of incidents for the year was 84.

“We are now slightly past the halfway point in 2025, and our crews have experienced 74 incidents. This is unacceptable,” said ODOT Press Secretary Matt Bruning.

ODOT is reminding drivers to pay attention, move over, and slow down for vehicles with flashing lights on the side of the road.

Findlay City Council approved an ordinance to enter into a contract with a company to provide design and engineering services for the proposed Downtown Recreation Area project.  That cost will be around $2.5 million

City Council also approved an ordinance to enter into a contract with a company to provide design and engineering work for the pedestrian bridge associated with the project.  That cost will be around $1.5 million.

The vote was 8-2, with Jim Niemeyer and Holly Frische the no votes.

The new park would be part of the Phase 2 benching project north of the Blanchard River and east of Main Street.

The estimated cost is between $10 and $40 million depending on how many features are included in the final design.

Findlay Mayor Christina Muryn is excited about what the park would mean for the city and its residents.