(From St. Marks UMC)

St. Mark’s United Methodist Church is teaming up with area Counselors, Social Workers and Mental Health professionals to present Stronger Together: A Parent Support Event for Youth Mental Wellness.

Parents, guardians, and caregivers are invited to attend Stronger Together: A Parent Support Event for Youth Mental Wellness, designed to provide resources, education, and encouragement for families navigating the challenges facing young people today.

This free community event will feature a panel of local counselors, mental health professionals, social workers, and youth directors who will share insights, answer questions, and provide practical tools for parents who want to better support their children.

Discussion topics will include:

-Parent support resources available locally

-Understanding youth anxiety and depression

-Suicide awareness and prevention strategies

-Recognizing warning signs in children and teens

-Practical tools to help your child cope and thrive

-When and how to seek professional help

-The impact of technology and social media on mental wellness

“Our children and teens face pressures unlike any generation before them,” said Dan Metzger, Senior Pastor at St. Marks UMC. “Stronger Together is about giving parents the knowledge and support they need to recognize challenges early and walk alongside their kids with confidence and care.”

The event emphasizes that parents are not alone—by working together with community professionals and other families, they can help build a strong foundation of support for youth mental health.

Event Details

Sunday, September 14 from 4-6pm in The DOCK at St. Mark ’s UMC, 800 S. Main St. Findlay.

For more information click here.

(From the United Way of Hancock County)

Each year, a crucial team of community volunteers helps United Way of Hancock County in its funding decisions by reviewing grant applications and providing input as to where campaign dollars can have the most positive local impact. These volunteers make up Impact Teams, and the United Way is looking to recruit approximately 40 Impact Team volunteers by Sept. 12.

United Way of Hancock County is entering its grant review season for 2026 Partner Agency funding. Each year, local nonprofit agencies apply for and receive funding generated through United Way’s Annual Campaign, which in 2024 raised $1.7 million for disbursement in 2025. Funding is recommended by a revolving group of trained community volunteers who review partner agencies’ grant applications and make recommendations to the United Way board of directors on which nonprofits to fund and at what level.

United Way is looking to engage a diverse demographic to provide input on this important annual process.

“The community’s involvement in this process is vital,” said Kelley McClurkin, CEO of United Way of Hancock County. “Giving our community members the opportunity to review our local resources and learn more about the population each nonprofit serves is an eye-opening experience for our volunteers. It is an opportunity to ensure that the most critical needs in our community are being addressed.”

Impact Team members attend a short training course at the end of September and review seven to 10 applications at their own pace throughout October. No grant reading experience is needed. The volunteers will attend one meeting in mid-November to discuss the applications with their teammates and make recommendations for funding.

United Way of Hancock County has set this year’s campaign goal at $1.8 million. Every donation made to the campaign stays in the community to help measurably improve people’s lives. To learn more about Impact Team involvement or sign up, email impact@uwhancock.org or call 419-423-1432.

(From the Ohio State Highway Patrol)

The Ohio State Highway Patrol (OSHP) reports 23 deaths in 20 fatal crashes over the four-day Labor Day weekend reporting period, which began Friday, August 29 at midnight and concluded Monday, September 1 at 11:59 p.m.

According to preliminary Patrol statistics, at least four of the 20 fatal crashes recorded over the Labor Day weekend reporting period were OVI-related. In a continued effort to lower that number to zero, troopers made 398 arrests for impaired driving and 67 for drug-related charges.

In the fatalities in which a safety belt was available, seven were unbelted. Although Ohio’s safety belt law remains a secondary violation, troopers continue to have zero tolerance during the holiday reporting period when motorists were stopped for a violation and found to not being wearing a safety belt. Throughout this four-day reporting period, troopers issued 1,872 safety belt citations.

Additionally, troopers responded to 490 crashes, issued 1,308 citations for distracted driving and provided assistance to 1,568 motorists.

Motorists are encouraged to contribute to a safer Ohio by calling #677 to report drug activity and dangerous or impaired driving on Ohio roadways.

The Ohio Department of Transportation is letting drivers know that a stretch of State Route 15 in Hancock County will close this week overnight for beam setting for the new overpass at County Road 193 west of Vanlue.

ODOT says State Route 15 westbound will close Wednesday night-Thursday morning, Sept. 3-4, 10 p.m. -5 a.m. from State Route 330 in Vanlue to State Route 37.

TR 240 and TR 190 at SR 15 will also close.

Then, State Route 15 eastbound will close Thursday night-Friday morning, Sept. 4-5, 10 p.m. -5 a.m. from State Route 37 to State Route 330 in Vanlue.

SR 330, TH 21, and TH 95 will also close.

See the suggested detour in the Facebook post below and get more details on the project by clicking here. 

(From the Hancock Historical Museum)

Pack a lunch and join the Hancock Historical Museum on Thursday, September 4, 2025, at noon for a Brown Bag Lecture presented by Tom Davis, retired detective sergeant of the Findlay Police Department and a third-generation public servant deeply rooted in the community.

Davis’s presentation will touch on the early history of the Findlay Police Department, which began to take shape in December 1853 when the town established a police force to replace the council-appointed marshal. The department was officially created in 1888 during the height of the oil boom, with 16 officers under the leadership of Chief John Bly. Officers were paid $28 per month, and by 1890 the force had grown to 24 men confronting the lawlessness of a boomtown—public intoxication, theft, assault, gambling, and worse. By 1924, the department modernized with the purchase of its first police car, a Studebaker Special 6 Touring.

In addition to this history, Davis will share his insider knowledge of three murder cases from the 1960s and 1970s that left a mark on the community and the department.

Tom Davis was born in Findlay and raised in the Village of Arlington. His law enforcement career spans 53 years, including 45 years with the Findlay Police Department. He began his public service journey in 1970 as a dispatcher for the Seneca County Sheriff’s Department while studying criminal justice. After serving six years in the United States Army Reserves and a stint with the Tiffin Police Department, Davis joined Findlay PD in 1978. He retired from full-time duty in 2000 but continued serving as an auxiliary officer, and later took roles as Substance Abuse Prevention Coordinator for the City of Findlay Health Department and Director of Risk Management and Safety for Hancock County Commissioners.

Though now “fully, kind of retired,” Davis remains active in the community, offering guided tours of the Hancock County Courthouse, performing John Hancock reenactments, volunteering locally, and playing drums in several area bands. Public service is a family tradition for Davis, whose grandfather Carl Davis served as Mayor and Marshall of Arlington, while other relatives held roles with the Ohio State Highway Patrol, the U.S. Marines, and as Hancock County Sheriff.

The Brown Bag Lecture Series takes place at noon on the first Thursday of each month, featuring topics relevant to Hancock County and Ohio history. Admission is free for museum members; nonmembers pay regular museum admission. No registration is required. For more information, visit HancockHistoricalMuseum.org or call 419-423-4433.

(From the City of Findlay)

CONSTRUCTION 9/2-9/5:

-Twp. Rd. 77 (Western Ave.) will be closed to through traffic from Twp. Rd. 80 to Trail 81 for a sanitary sewer project.

-Morrical Blvd. will be closed to through traffic from Logan Ave. to Bliss Ave. End for waterline installation.

-Foxfire Ln. will be closed to through traffic from Fox Run Rd. to the cul-de-sac for milling and paving.

-Carnahan Ave. will be closed to through traffic from the Railroad to Tiffin Ave. for milling and paving.

-Broad Ave. will be reduced to one lane in each direction from Trenton Ave. to Melrose Ave. for concrete repairs.

-SR 568 will be maintained with portable traffic lights from Trail 237 to TR 242 for the installation of Greenway Trail Phase 3.

Please contact the Engineering Department with any questions 419-424-7121.

(From Hancock Public Health)

Hancock Public Health will be hosting a Community CPR Certification training class, accessible to the public each month.

These sessions provide participants with the skills and knowledge needed to respond effectively in emergency situations.

Both initial certification and recertification options are available. Sign up with the link below.

https://forms.office.com/r/Q7bCJ7P2Cu

(From the Hancock Park District)

The Hancock Park District (HPD) Hike-It program is a way for folks to go out and explore the trails throughout Hancock County. For the 11th year, participants are encouraged to walk the designated trails at several Hancock County locations.

Hike-It registration begins on Monday, September 1. Registration can be done online at hancockparks.com under the “Park News” section. If this is your first year to participate you may stop into our office to pick up your complimentary walking stick.

Hiking must be done by Friday, December 5 for you to receive your 2025 medallion, which can be placed on your walking stick. Please visit hancockparks.com for complete program detail!