(From Hancock County Sheriff Michael Cortez)

To the Hancock County Community,

I am proud to deliver the July report of activity for our Office operations. I am profoundly grateful for your collaboration and confident in our shared commitment of transparency and accountability through these monthly reports.

Operational Statistics – July 2025

• Total Incidents Closed: 2706
• Traffic Stops Conducted: 347
• OVI/Reckless Operation Investigations: 22
• Traffic Crashes Investigated: 67
• Court Documents Served: 292
• Arrest Warrants Executed: 46
• Detective Bureau/METRICH Operations: Search warrants and continued investigations.
• Body-Worn Camera (BWC) Program: Maintained full compliance with Ohio Collaborative standards, and we are awaiting the opening of the grant this fall.
• Policy and Procedure Review: The final roundtable discussion was held and final policy is in review
• Emergency Communications: 991 calls received through 9-1-1 services
• Sheriff’s App: We continue to work with the developers to have this ready for public use by mid-October 2025.

Corrections Division:

– Average Daily Inmate Population: 75

– Total Book-ins: 122 (including both felony and misdemeanor classifications, male and female)

– Internal Incidents Managed: 143

– Meals Provided: 7,796

Thank You,

Sheriff Michael A. Cortez

(From the Bluffton Craft Show)

The 52nd Annual Bluffton Craft Show will be held Saturday, Sept. 27, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Bluffton, Ohio.

The event will feature more than 100 crafters, vendors, and food trucks. Items for sale will include handmade pottery, jewelry, textiles, woodwork, home décor, and specialty foods. Vendors are selected through a juried process to ensure a variety of products, with only one vendor per craft category.

The first 100 guests will receive a swag bag containing coupons and promotional items from local businesses. Admission is free and open to the public.

The Bluffton Craft Show will take place at the Bluffton Middle School and High School gyms, as well as the high school cafeteria.

For more information, visit the Bluffton Craft Show event page on Facebook or email craftshow@eventproconnections.net

(From Children’s Mentoring Connection of Hancock County)

Back-to-School = Back to Mentoring!

Across Hancock County, hundreds of students in grades 3–7 are starting a new school year — and many are counting down to see their mentor each week.

We’re looking for caring volunteers — high school students and older — to join one of our 10 school-based mentoring programs.

Executive Director Stacy Shaw and Kellie Bibler were on with WFIN’s Chris Oaks to discuss the school-based mentoring programs.

Our school-based programs, mentors help kids:

-Build positive friendships

-Explore STEAM activities

-Learn about our community and the world through guests and projects

-Grow leadership skills with Leader in Me concepts

From after-school games to lunchtime chats, you can make a difference in just one hour a week.

Stay tuned — over the next few days we’ll share how YOU can join a program at a school near you!

(From Findlay City Schools)

Findlay City Schools staff members were captivated by our 2025 Convocation Guest Speaker, Findlay High School Senior, Rayanna Cap.

Rayanna is a trailblazing leader within this district, and has been impacting classmates and teachers alike for her entire FCS career.

Today, she moved the entire room with her words, describing the impact that teachers, bus drivers, nurses–and everyone who makes up a school district–have had on her. Some of the people in these pictures were among those that she spoke of today.

Some of Rayanna’s most powerful words?

“Findlay City Schools is where I learned, where I grew, and where I became someone who believes in herself—because others did first.”

“The thing is, being believed in? It changes everything. And every adult in this district…whether they know it or not, makes that kind of impact every single day.”

And an important reminder for all of our staff members:

“You might not always see it. You might not always feel it. But we do. We see the effort. We see the kindness. We feel the belief you have in us, even when we’re struggling to believe in ourselves. To you, it might feel small. But to us, it means everything.”

Rayanna, you are a shining star in this district, and you will carry that light into the world from here forward. We are so lucky to call you ours.

The Findlay-Hancock County Community Foundation released its 2024 Annual Report during its recent 2025 Annual Celebration.

The Community Foundation awarded 940 grants worth $5.5 million in 2024 and has awarded $91.5 million in grants since its inception.

The Community Foundation received $23.7 million in gifts in 2024 from 711 donors.

Community Foundation President and CEO Brian Treece said it’s truly inspiring to witness the profound impact that generosity, partnership, and a shared vision can achieve.

(From Blanchard Valley Health System)

Applications are open for our Golden Apple Volunteer Program.

This program offers volunteers valuable clinical experience working with older adults.

During the program, you will earn volunteer hours and experience in a structured, supportive setting, guided by a mentor.

If you’re interested in healthcare or pursuing a degree in this field, apply today at https://www.volgistics.com/appform/1876834061.

Mandatory in-person orientation and training will take place on August 27 from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Blanchard Valley Hospital.

Volunteers must be available to attend once a week on Thursdays from 1:00 to 4:30 p.m., starting September 11 and ending November 20.

(From the Hancock Historical Museum)

On this day in 1933, the infamous John Dillinger and associates robbed Bluffton’s Citizens National Bank of $2,100.

The Dillinger Gang was famous for a successful string of bank robberies in the Midwestern United States from September 1933 to July 1934.

The gang killed 10 men and wounded 7 more while committing these crimes.

They had three escapes from jail that resulted in the death of a sheriff and the wounding of two guards.

(From the Southwestern Hancock Joint Fire District)

Today we were dispatched for a 3 year old child choking at 1335, first unit on scene at 1339.

Our first unit was met at the road of the residence because cell service wasn’t working for the family, the mother handed our unit a lifeless, not breathing, pale blue 3 year old kid.

SHJFD unit began back blows to dislodge the food causing the obstruction, at 1341 hours our units reported the juvenile was now breathing, but still not out of the woods, other units arrived on scene and began assisting our first firefighter on the scene.

The juvenile was loaded into the squad and transported lights and sirens to the hospital.

You may ask, why is the Chief narrating this particular call?

Here is why, the first SHJFD unit on scene was Scott Burns one of my assistant Chief’s, who composed a letter of resignation/retirement to go into effect in November when his card is set to expire on his 70th birthday, he asked me to read/present it to the board this past months meeting.

Life happens, things happen in life, we don’t know the reasons, we are not in control of life’s plans. We just make the best of it and keep pushing forward…

Great work today Scott, I am PROUD of you!!

Thank you to Brent Warren, Nathan Shelby Higbie, Tom Higbie and Jamey Miles for assisting with the call as well!!

Great work Hanco and to the dispatchers at the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office!!

Today like any other day, you made a difference in someone’s life!!!

One PROUD Chief!!!

C. Miracle

(From the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office)

As we begin a new school year, we feel the need to remind drivers to stop for school bus red lights. Every year we get numerous reports of vehicles driving by busses after they stop and have their red lights and stop arms activated. Bus drivers and technology (cameras) have been very helpful in identifying these drivers, and we follow up with citations. We have zero tolerance on these violations.

As another reminder, bus drivers activate their yellow lights in advance of the stop. This is essentially the same as a yellow light at an intersection. This is telling you to prepare to stop. You shouldn’t be caught off guard or still at regular speed when the reds activate.

We take the safety of our children very seriously, at school and being transported to and from. We also want to thank our wonderful bus drivers in the county for transporting our such precious cargo safely and caring for them like their own.

(From the Miracle League of Findlay)

The Miracle League of Findlay is finishing up our big capital project and is seeking volunteers from the community to help out with the Community Build of the Fitness Project in September.

The proposed capital project, Miracle League’s Fitness Park, aims to utilize green space around Miracle Field to create a fitness-focused, accessible trail complete with workout stations (and instructions) that promotes health and wellness for people of all ages and abilities.

The new Fitness Park will stand out as the sole destination in the region offering inclusive and accessible fitness equipment for individuals with differing abilities to safely partake in physical fitness activities.

Physical, mental and emotional fitness can be a life-changing experience for individuals with disabilities.

People interested in helping out with the Fitness Park build can email: findlaymiracleleaguedirector@gmail.com

Miracle League of Findlay is proud to provide accessible recreation opportunities for people with disabilities in Hancock County.

Currently the Miracle League of Findlay provides Miracle Field, a custom baseball field with a rubberized surface and wheelchair and walker accessible dugouts, that allows players with disabilities the opportunity to experience the game of baseball.

In addition, the Miracle League also provides the community with an inclusive playground next to the baseball field that is designed to welcome children of all abilities and their families.

It provides individuals who are physically, mentally or emotionally challenged the chance to enjoy a playground with sensory-stimulating activities, an extensive ramping system and many more accessible features.