(From Hancock County Sheriff Michael Cortez)

As many of you have seen, we’ve officially launched our new Hancock County Sheriff’s App—another step forward in our commitment to transparency, accessibility, and community engagement with all who live in or visit Hancock County.

Open communication is the foundation of transparency, and this app allows us to share information quickly, accurately, and directly with you.

To help you stay informed, I’ve created five communication channels that allow you to choose the specific areas of the county you’d like to receive notifications from:

Hancock NW, NE, SW, SE, and City of Findlay.

The press release below lists which townships are included in each channel. If you’re a resident of Allen Township, please select both NW and NE. Likewise, if you live in Madison Township, select both SW and SE.

I hope you enjoy the new app and find it helpful in staying connected with your Sheriff’s Office.

Stay well and be safe,

Michael A. Cortez

Sheriff, Hancock County

(From Van Buren Local Schools)

Wrapping up National School Bus Safety Week with a celebration!

This morning, LEADS students presented gifts to the bus drivers and shared the posters middle school students had made to celebrate the important work our drivers do every day.

This afternoon, students came together for a pep rally to recognize our amazing law enforcement officers and bus drivers who keep our students safe.

Students were praised by Hancock County Sheriff Michael Cortez for the work they have done to promote bus safety and participated in some bus-themed games to close out the week on a high note.

A huge thank-you to Deputy Crouch, our bus drivers, and our LEADS students for making this week such a meaningful reminder of how safety, teamwork, and respect go hand in hand.

*Viewer Discretion Advised – The following video shows a fatal officer-involved shooting.*

The Findlay Police Department has released the bodycam footage from the fatal officer-involved shooting on Wednesday.

At a news conference at the Findlay Municipal Building on Friday, Police Chief James Mathias said all indications at this time point to the shooting of 90-year-old Robert Norton as being a suicide by cop incident.

Chief Mathias says officers responded to 1642 Cherry Lane at 1:47 Wednesday afternoon on the report of a shooting that Norton had called in.

When officers approached the door, Norton pointed a gun through the door at officers and officers fired seven rounds at Norton, striking him.

Officers rendered aid to Norton, and he was taken to Blanchard Valley Hospital where he was pronounced deceased.

The gun Norton pointed at officers was a BB gun that looked like a real gun.

Four officers were on the scene of the incident and two fired their gun. All four are on Critical Incident Leave as the Ohio BCI investigates. 

Chief Mathias said he has reached out to Norton’s immediate family members to offer condolences for their loss, and says they have offered the department great support in return to the officers directly affected by the shooting.

Chief Mathias said he’s proud of these officers and all of the sworn and civilian personnel he leads daily at the Findlay Police Department.   

(From the Findlay Family YMCA)

Join us as we celebrate a milestone Findlay Family YMCA expansion built to uplift our community’s kids!

Our Early Learning Center Grand Opening on Friday, November 7 will give you the opportunity to explore this beautiful, inspiring, functional new space where children will soon learn, grow, and thrive.

Bring your family and friends for guided tours, fall crafts, bounce houses, food & beverage trucks, and Y on the Fly games and activities.

(ONN) – A new Ohio Senate bill could legally put guns in the hands of more people with a Second Amendment showdown looming at the federal level.

Ohio Senate Bill 303 was introduced by Republican Senator Terry Johnson.

The bill would make it legal for eighteen to twenty-year-olds to buy handguns from licensed dealers.

The Columbus Dispatch reports that the problem is a 1968 federal law banning under 21 sales.

Nationally, thirteen states are challenging that law at the federal level as a violation of youth Second Amendment rights.

Ohio could join that fight that could end up at the Supreme Court.

The Hancock County Sheriff’s Office is letting the public know of a temporary road closure in Findlay.

The sheriff’s office says County Road 95 will be closed on Monday, October 27 from 4 p.m. until the conclusion of the event, for security purposes related to a speaking engagement by Ohio gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy at The Crest, located at 800 West Bigelow Avenue.

The sheriff’s office says the closure will affect the section of County Road 95 between West Bigelow Avenue and Broad Avenue to Westmoor Road.

Only authorized vehicles will be permitted access during the time of the closure.  

(From the Ohio Department of Transportation)

The following ODOT construction projects are anticipated to affect roadways in Hancock County.

• All outlined work is weather permitting.

Interstate 75 and County Road 99 interchange and corridor improvement 

The project will reconstruct the interchange with a diverging diamond design and upgrade the County Road 99 corridor between Technology Drive and North Main Street. Visit the project webpage: PID 102375.

TRAFFIC IMPACTS

• I-75 northbound exit ramp at CR 99 (Exit 161) will close Monday, Oct. 27, at 8 a.m. for approximately four hours for paving operations.
  • Detour: I-75 to SR 613 to I-75 south back to CR 99.
• CR 99 is restricted to one lane in both directions.
  • Surface course paving of CR 99, west of the interchange, will begin the week of Oct. 20. Traffic will be maintained via flaggers; expect delays. 

State Route 15/County Road 193 intersection improvement

State Route 15 at County Road 193 between the city of Findlay and the village of Vanlue is restricted to one lane, April 7-Nov. 14, to construct an overpass on County Road 193 over State Route 15.

Visit the project webpage: PID 114008.

TRAFFIC IMPACTS

• SR 15 is restricted to one 12-foot lane with a 3-foot buffer on both sides.
• CR 193 over SR 15 is closed.  

State Route 613 railroad repair, Van Buren

State Route 613 between Railroad Street and Township Road 218 in the village of Van Buren will close Monday, Oct. 27 for approximately five days for railroad crossing repair. 

(From the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office)

We’d like to take a moment to recognize several of our exceptional employees who were honored during our Award and Recognition Ceremonies held on October 22 and 23.

-Corrections Academy Graduates

Officer Ethan Smarr, Officer Tiffany Hartley, and Officer James Ladd

-FTO Program Completion

Officer Tim Peace and Officer Matt Groves

-B.S.S.A. Life Saving Award

Officer Jacob Nichols, Officer Ryan Matos, Officer Derek Presley, Officer Brooke Coulter, Officer BreeAnn Wentling, Officer Talor Headley, Officer Austin Lambert, Officer Austin Zeigler, Sgt. Ryan Lieb, Sgt. Lori Rizor, Sgt. Robert Keller, and Lt. Joe Hartman

-B.S.S.A. Certificate of Appreciation

Deputy Tristian Steele

-B.S.S.A. Citation Award

Sgt. Shane Heckman

Please join us in congratulating each of these individuals for their outstanding dedication, professionalism, and commitment to serving and protecting our community with excellence.

(The Ohio State Highway Patrol)

The Ohio State Highway Patrol (OSHP) is urging all Ohioans to prioritize pedestrian safety, reminding both motorists and pedestrians that safety is a shared responsibility on our roadways. This comes as the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recognize October as National Pedestrian Safety Month.

“By working together and eliminating distractions, we can make our roads safer for everyone,” said Governor Mike DeWine. “Drivers should always be on the lookout for pedestrians, and pedestrians should always be careful to protect themselves.”

Everyone has a critical role to play in preventing pedestrian crashes. By taking a few simple precautions, both drivers and pedestrians can make Ohio’s roads safer for everyone.

Tips for Drivers:

• • Never drive distracted: Your full attention is needed on the road. Avoid using your phone or other electronic devices.

• • Yield to pedestrians: Always stop for pedestrians in crosswalks and at intersections.

• • Watch for pedestrians: Be aware of individuals walking in residential areas, school zones and at night.

• • Slow down: Reduce your speed in areas with heavy foot traffic to give yourself more time to react.

• • Use headlights: Turn on your headlights at dawn, dusk and at night to increase visibility for yourself and others.

 Tips for Pedestrians:

• • Be visible: Wear bright or reflective clothing, especially at night.

• • Walk on sidewalks: Use a sidewalk whenever one is available. If there isn’t one, walk on the shoulder facing oncoming traffic.

• • Cross safely: Cross the road at designated crosswalks or intersections. Look both ways before crossing, and make eye contact with drivers, if possible, to ensure they see you.

• • Obey traffic signals: Follow all pedestrian traffic signals and signs.

• • Avoid distractions: Similar to drivers, put away electronic devices that can take your eyes and ears off the road.

According to Patrol statistics, there have been 13,955 crashes involving pedestrians on Ohio roadways since 2020. Of those crashes, 862 were fatal, resulting in 869 pedestrian deaths. Within that same timeframe, Franklin, Cuyahoga and Hamilton counties have seen the highest number of pedestrian-related crashes.

“Preventing these tragedies is a responsibility we all share,” said Colonel Charles A. Jones, Patrol superintendent. “A single moment of inattention by either the driver or pedestrian can have devastating consequences. Let’s commit to creating a culture of safety on Ohio’s roads.”

For more information on pedestrian safety, visit the NHTSA’s website here.

The public is encouraged to safely call #677 to report reckless or impaired drivers and drug activity.

(From Hancock County ADAMHS)

A 2019 event that explored community mental health issues is returning to Hancock County this fall.

Dr. Mary Steiner liames, associate professor at the Winebrenner Theological Seminary, said the Mental Health and Church Conference will be held from 8:30 am to 12:30 p.m. on Nov. 1 at the Alumni Memorial Union at the University of Findlay.

According to Dr. Iiames, “For years, individuals have asked about the return of the conference, and finally, it’s here! We will again meet to discuss the mental health needs of folks and how the Church can work with mental health professionals to address them.”

It is open to pastors, lay leaders, and volunteers from churches in the Findlay area at no cost. It is made possible through a grant from the Findlay-Hancock County Community Foundation.

The topics to be discussed include Mental Health 101: an overview of mental health, The Intersection of Faith and Mental Health, Grief and Loss, Mental Health, and Nutrition and Wellness.

A panel discussion of mental health issues in the community will also be offered.

“I’m excited to have mental health professionals from our area presenting important topics and including a panel that can address the questions of conference attendees,” Dr. Iiames stated.

The first conference was held in 2019 at Winebrenner and was attended by one hundred pastors, lay leaders, and volunteers from churches around the Findlay area. Organizers had hoped to repeat it, but plans were put on hold due to the COVID pandemic.

Those interested in attending can register here: 

For more information, contact: Dr. Mary Steiner Iiames, iiames@winebrenner.edu