(From Putnam County Habitat for Humanity)

On Monday, December 15, the 17th Putnam County Habitat for Humanity (PCHFH) home will be dedicated at 133 West Fourth Street, Ottawa. The public is invited to attend an open house from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. During that time, visitors can tour the new home and  appreciate the fine craftsmanship skills employed by PCHFH volunteers and local industry. Parking is limited along the streets.

Since its inception in 2009, PCHFH has built 12 new homes and rebuilt an entire house. Homeowners purchase their homes through low- or zero-interest mortgages provided by PCHFH or through USDA direct loans. Critical home repair projects completed by Putnam County Habitat for Humanity include bathroom remodels, roof repairs and replacements, electrical repairs, window replacements, wheelchair ramp additions and replacements.

Visit www.putnamohhabitat.org to find out more about PCHFH, call 419-523-9621 or visit the PCHFH office at 150 N. Oak Street, Ottawa, OH 45875 between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m., Monday through Thursday. 

The Ramon family and volunteers worked together throughout the summer and fall to build the 17th Putnam County Habitat for Humanity Home. The Ottawa home will be dedicated on Monday, December 15.

(From the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office)

To the Hancock County Community,

Below is a summary of our key activities and accomplishments for November 2025.

Operational Statistics – November 2025

. Total Incidents Closed: 2487

. Criminal Investigations: 108

. Traffic Stops Conducted: 339

. OVI/Reckless Operation Investigations: 22

. Traffic Crashes Investigated: 117

. Court Documents Served: 235

. Arrest Warrants Executed: 42

. Detective Bureau/METRICH Operations: Ongoing drug investigations.

. Body-Worn Camera (BWC) Program: Awaiting award notifications in March 2026.

. Policy and Procedure Review: Many updates to policies/ procedures.

. Emergency Communications: 887 calls received through 9-1-1 services

Corrections Division November 2025

. Average Daily Inmate Population: 81

. Total Book-ins: 136 (including both felony and misdemeanor classifications, male and female)

. Internal Incidents Managed: 131

. Meals Provided: Over 8,000 (77,518 YDT)

Clerical/Records Division November 2025

. Background Checks: 41 (503 YTD)

. Records Requests: 37 (531 YTD)

. Reports Processed: 57 (787 YTD)

. Expungements: 16 (289 YTD)

University of Findlay Dining Services has announced that all on-campus dining locations will no longer accept cash beginning January 1, 2026.

Accepted methods of payment will continue to be credit and debit cards, Derrick Dollars, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Wallet.

Get more details below.

(From the City of Findlay)

CONSTRUCTION 12/8-12/12:

-S. Main St. will be reduced to one lane in the Southbound direction from Tecumseh Dr. to Highland Dr. for a sanitary sewer project.

-Morrical Blvd. will be closed to through traffic from Bliss Ave. to Lima Ave. for a waterline project.

-Tappan St. will be closed to through traffic from Logan Ave. to Langrange St. for sanitary installation.

-All roads in the Springlake subdivision will be open; however, the contractor will be in the area cleaning up. Use increased caution when driving through the area.

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

(From Tiffin Police Chief David Pauly)

Celebrating Partnership & Innovation at Columbian High School!

Today I want to extend a huge thank you to Officer Stevens for representing the Tiffin Police Department at Columbian High School Stacey Geiger’s Intro to Business class. Officer Stevens spent the morning working directly with two student groups as they used the Engineering Design Process to imagine the future of drone technology and logistics right here in Tiffin.

We are also incredibly grateful to Columbian High School for their continued partnership with the Tiffin Police Department. Collaborations like this not only strengthen the connection between education and public service, but also help students see new pathways for their futures.

A special thank you as well to Stacy Geiger for inviting the Tiffin Police Department into her classroom. We appreciate the opportunity to support your students, and we’re proud to see such innovative learning happening in our community.

Chief Pauly

(From the Ottawa Police Department)

If you find one of these in your yard do not touch it or pick it up.

This is the second one that has been reported to us in a two week span.

Please immediately call 419-523-3208 and dispatch will send an officer.

(From the Office of Ohio Governor Mike DeWine)

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine vetoed the following bill:

• Senate Bill 50, to amend sections 3331.02 and 4109.07 of the Revised Code regarding age and schooling certificate requirements and work hours for a person under sixteen years of age.

Governor DeWine issued the following veto message: 

“Learning to work is an essential part of growing up.  Businesses across Ohio each day give young people the opportunity to learn the so-called soft skills that will serve them well when they become adults.  In analyzing this bill, it is important to define what it would do and what it would not do.

“The bill would, for the first time, allow 14- and 15-year-olds to work up to 9 pm on SCHOOL NIGHTS.  Our child work rules have been in place, across this country, for many years.  They have provided that 14- and 15-year-olds can work after school up to 7 p.m.  This bill would extend that time to 9 p.m.  I believe it unwise to provide for 14- and 15-year-olds to work, on a school night, that late at night.  I see no compelling reason to deviate from current law.

“Under current law, 14- and 15-year-old children CAN work up to 9pm during the summer months and during any school break longer than 5 days in duration (i.e., Christmas break and spring break). Further, under current law, those 16 and older can work up to 9 p.m. even on school nights.  The only thing at issue here is whether, for 14- and 15-year-olds, DURING THE SCHOOL WEEK, the time when work must cease is 7 p.m. or 9 p.m.  I believe the current law has served us well and has effectively balanced the importance of 14- and 15-year-old children learning to work, with the importance of them having time to study.

“For the reasons set forth above, this veto is in the public interest.”

The Fort Findlay FOP Lodge 20 Foundation held its annual Cops & Kids Go Shopping event Sunday morning at the Findlay Meijer.

Children referred through the local school systems were paired with an FOP member or supporter and shopped for $200 worth of Christmas gifts and essentials.

Through a continued partnership with Coats for Christmas, every member of each participating child’s household also received warm winter gear.

In the video below, Teresa White, Director of the Fort Findlay FOP Lodge 20 Foundation, spoke with WFIN News Director Matt Demczyk about how the program continues to be one of the most beloved events of the year for the children and the officers.

(From the United Way of Hancock County)

Volunteers are needed to help run a free tax preparation program that is expected to return over $1 million to the community.

United Way of Hancock County is seeking volunteer tax preparers and greeters for its free income tax preparation program, called VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance). This IRS program serves income-eligible individuals who live, work or attend college in Hancock County and may not otherwise be able to afford to have their taxes prepared and filed. The United Way is again collaborating with the Findlay-Hancock County Public Library and 50 North, who will host the service at their sites.

The United Way is recruiting volunteers to serve as tax preparers and greeters at both the library and 50 North. Morning, afternoon and evening shifts are available Mondays through Fridays, plus Saturday mornings. Volunteers schedule their own hours during whatever days or months they are available.

Tax preparers will prepare and electronically file taxes for clients. No experience is necessary. Volunteers can work through training online or may attend training sessions with the VITA site coordinator in December to become certified. All new volunteers will work with an experienced tax preparer until they are comfortable with the program.

Greeters are needed to welcome clients as they arrive for appointments. Responsibilities include checking taxpayers in and ensuring that they have the necessary paperwork for their appointment.

During the 2025 VITA season, nearly 1,100 state and federal tax returns were filed by a group of 23 VITA volunteers. United Way of Hancock County has won a large federal grant that will allow for expansion of the program during the 2026 tax season to assist even more community members.

Appointments for the 2026 VITA season will begin Feb. 2 and will continue into the days leading up to Tax Day, based on demand.

Contact Bridgit at accounting@uwhancock.org or call 419-423-1432 to sign up as a volunteer or for more information.

The City of Findlay is asking people to be good neighbors and to remember to clear their sidewalk after it snows.

The city reminds residents that, per city ordinance 906.02, it is the responsibility of property owners to clear their sidewalks following snow events.

The ordinance states that snowfall must be removed from the sidewalk within 12 hours after it falls or within two hours after being notified by the city to do so.

Someone found to be in violation could be charged with a minor misdemeanor.

The owners or occupants of abutting lots and land in the City shall keep the sidewalk in front of and along their respective lots in good repair and free from filth, mud or any nuisance. The owners or occupants shall remove all snow, ice and dirt from the sidewalk along or in front of their respective property within twelve hours after any snowfall or within two hours after being notified by the Service-Safety Director to remove the same.