The Ohio State Highway Patrol is mourning a Sergeant who died while off-duty on Wednesday.

“It is with great sorrow that the Ohio State Highway Patrol recognizes the off-duty death of Sergeant Matthew Cook of the Defiance Post.”

“Our thoughts are with Sergeant Cook’s family, the Findlay District and the Patrol family as a whole.”

The Hancock County Sheriff’s Office says it responded to an address in rural McComb at approximately 6:27 Wednesday night to investigate a report of an unconscious man.

Deputies along with fire and medical first responders arrived and located a man identified as the homeowner of the residence, Matthew Cook.

Cook was pronounced deceased upon arrival by Hanco EMS.

Information collected throughout the preliminary investigation indicates the cause of death to be self-induced, the sheriff’s office said.

The Hancock County Sheriff’s Office says it is continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident.

(From The Ohio State Highway Patrol)

The Ohio State Highway Patrol (OSHP) wants everyone traveling on the road to be prepared for the unpredictability of winter weather. Drivers must prioritize safety and preparation to ensure their vehicles are fully winterized before they hit the road.

“During the winter, Ohio drivers need to be prepared to face the possibility of snow and ice,” said Governor DeWine. “It’s important that drivers always remember to give themselves extra time to get to their destinations on days when poor weather conditions impact the commute.”

Last winter, there were 15,647 crashes on snow, ice and slush-covered roads in Ohio. That is nearly twice as many as the previous winter’s total, and the highest amount over the last five years. Of the crashes recorded during last winter, 17 were fatal, resulting in 17 deaths. Eight of those fatal crashes occurred in January.

“Good driving habits become even more important when the weather is bad,” said Colonel Charles A. Jones, Patrol superintendent. “The message is simple: slow down, use extreme caution and keep extra space between you and the vehicle ahead.”

Many winter crashes are avoidable. According to Patrol statistics, unsafe speed by the at-fault driver was listed as the cause of 22% of crashes on snow, ice or slush-covered roads. Other crash causes include driving off the road and following too closely.

In the event of a broken-down vehicle or crash, turn on your hazard lights, safely move your vehicle as far off the roadway as possible, remain inside the vehicle and safely call #677 or 911 for assistance. If your vehicle becomes stuck in the snow, clear the tailpipe of any possible debris to decrease the chance of carbon monoxide poisoning.

Drivers are reminded to stock their vehicles with a winter car kit that includes an ice scraper, shovel, jumper cables, flashlight, warning devices, blankets, cell phone charger, first aid kit, water and food. It’s also important to make sure that your tires have plenty of tread, check your battery and keep your windshield washer reservoir full.

If you must travel in winter weather, visit https://www.ohgo.com/ for real-time traffic conditions from the Ohio Department of Transportation.

(From the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office)

On December 31, 2025, at approximately 6:27 P.M., the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office was summoned to 8020 CR 53, McComb, Ohio to investigate a report of an unconscious male.

Deputies along with fire and medical first responders arrived and located a male individual identified as the homeowner of the residence, Matthew Cook.

Mr. Cook was pronounced deceased upon arrival by HANCO EMS.

Information collected throughout the preliminary investigation indicates the cause of death to be self-induced.

The Hancock County Sheriff’s Office is continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding this incident.

At this time, no foul play is suspected, and there is no threat to the public.

WFIN – The Highway Patrol has confirmed that Matthew Cook was a Sergeant with the Defiance Post within the Findlay District of the Ohio State Highway Patrol. 

(From the Ohio State Highway Patrol)

The Norwalk Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating a fatal crash that occurred on County Road 6, west of County Road 47, in Seneca Township, Seneca County. The crash was reported on December 31, 2025 at 11:57 AM.

The crash occurred when a blue 2008 Chevrolet Silverado pulling a 2005 Kerr-Bilt trailer, operated by Arthur Fleck, 65, of Carey, OH, was traveling westbound on County Road 6. Fleck traveled off the left side of the road before overturning and striking a utility pole. Feck was wearing his safety belt at the time of the crash. Feck suffered fatal injuries at the scene.

County Road 6 was closed in both directions for approximately two hours while the scene was cleared.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol was assisted on scene by the Seneca County Sheriff’s Office, New Riegel Fire Department, Seneca County EMS, Seneca County Coroner’s Office, and Reinhart Towing.

The crash remains under investigation.

(From The Hancock County Naturalists)

The Hancock County Naturalists will host a hands-on winter sowing workshop led by members Amy Downing and Jennifer Mates at the group’s next meeting at 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 8, at Oakwoods Nature Preserve, 1400 Oakwood Ave. Participants will learn a simple, effective, and budget-friendly method for sowing native plant seeds outdoors during the winter months.

Downing grew up in rural Hancock County near the river and surrounding native fields, where she developed an early love of nature, wildlife, and open spaces. As an adult, her gardening experience initially focused on lawns and small planting beds, but her approach shifted after she began incorporating native gardens and observed increased diversity among the birds and pollinators they attracted. Over the past 20 years, she has focused on rebuilding a balanced ecosystem in her yard to support birds, butterflies, bees, and other wildlife.

Winter sowing became a natural extension of that effort, providing an economical way to expand her native plantings while staying engaged with gardening during the winter. Downing enjoys sharing this technique with others and encouraging residents to cultivate habitat in their own backyards.

Jennifer Mates has spent her life deeply connected to the natural world. She enlisted in the Civilian Conservation Corps at age 18 and worked alongside the Shawnee State Park Naturalist, developing a passion for hunting, hiking, and nature photography. Her gardening journey began in 1994 as a source of mental therapy and expanded in 2011 when the discovery of a cedar waxwing sparked a deeper interest in birds and biodiversity. Mentors within the Hancock County Naturalists helped guide her growing fascination with native species and ecological balance. After relocating in 2017, Mates transformed her new backyard into a thriving native meadow that supports birds and wildlife. Winter sowing has become one of her favorite practices, offering an economical way to increase plant diversity while sharing knowledge, cultivating peace, and contributing to the health of her small corner of the earth.

At the upcoming meeting, Downing and Mates will demonstrate the winter sowing process and guide attendees in preparing and planting seeds in a take-home container that can be set outdoors for natural germination.

The meeting is open to the public for those age 15 and older, but reservations are required for a Winter Sowing Kit (only 20 available). Those interested in a kit can reserve one at hancockcountynaturalists.org and click the “Reserve Winter Sowing Kit” button.

(From the Findlay-Hancock County Public Library)

WinterREAD, a reading program that gives participants a chance to win amazing prizes, will soon return to the Findlay-Hancock County Public Library. Readers can register to join the winter fun at findlaylibrary.readsquared.com beginning January 5. The program runs through January 31.

WinterREAD registration is open to all ages, infant through adult. This winter, the library is again using an online platform, READsquared, to keep track of reading progress. Once registered, participants can earn great prizes by logging reading, writing a book review, or completing fun activities. For those that prefer not to track reading online, there will be paper forms available at the library to log reading progress.

Be sure to check the library’s Facebook page at facebook.com/fhcpl for updates, surprises, and entertaining WinterREAD fun. For more information, and to view the fantastic prizes waiting to be won, visit findlaylibrary.org/winterread.

(ONN) – Two new laws that directly impact Ohio schools will be in effect in 2026.

Every Ohio school district is required to have a policy in place prohibiting cell phone use during the school day.

Lawmakers say the goal is to cut down on distractions and help students stay focused in the classroom.

Another new law sets clear rules for schools that choose to carry Narcan, the overdose reversal drug.

Schools must follow specific guidelines for storage training and how to respond if it’s used.

They’re also required to report each use to the state and notify families if administrators see a pattern or heightened risk.

(From The Ohio Department of Natural Resources)

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife is reminding Ohioans that a live-cut Christmas tree may be repurposed after the holidays as habitat for various species of animals. Before you discard your tree, remember that it can find life after the holidays for Ohio’s birds, fish, and mammals.

A live-cut Christmas tree can be recycled as the centerpiece of a wildlife-friendly brush pile. Place the tree in a desirable location and layer limbs around it in a square arrangement. Cover the top with additional brush to create a unique and valuable shelter for small animals.

Songbirds including cardinals, chickadees, titmice, nuthatches, and wrens travel in and out of brush piles for food, nesting, and to escape predators. Small mammals such as rabbits and chipmunks also use brush piles for shelter and raising young. Brush piles are valuable shelter for overwintering insects like bees, moths, and butterflies, as well.

Before repurposing or disposing of a live-cut Christmas tree, remember to remove all trimmings including tinsel, garland, lights, and ornaments as these can be harmful to the environment and wildlife. Please obtain proper permission before discarding your tree on public or private property. Discarding trees without permission could result in a litter violation.

Live-cut Christmas trees are also useful as compost, mulch, and more. 

Each winter, the Division of Wildlife places recycled live-cut Christmas trees at select wildlife areas and public lakes around Ohio. The trees are bundled together and weighed down so they sink to the bottom of lakes, attracting fish and providing cover. An interactive lake map showing where trees are placed is available at wildohio.gov and on the HuntFish OH mobile app. Anglers can target these spots, which are often productive for both panfish and their larger predators. Sunken trees provide structure for baitfish, which attract sport fish like crappie, bluegill, and largemouth bass. Decomposing trees also feed zooplankton, which provide food for aquatic invertebrates and attract larger fish.

Private pond owners may also want to consider repurposing trees to add habitat to their ponds.

(From the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office)

On Tuesday, December 30, 2025 at 5:33PM, the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office responded to a vehicle versus pedestrian injury crash on SR 12 at TR 218 in Washington Township.

Through the investigation it was learned John Waaland (67 y.o. male) of Arcadia, OH was operating a 2010 Volkswagen Beetle eastbound on SR 12.

John struck a pedestrian in the roadway identified as Miranda Wildman (42 y.o. female) of Fostoria, OH.

Miranda was airlifted to Saint Vincent Medical Center in Toledo with life-threatening injuries.

Assisting at the scene was Hanco EMS, Washington Township Fire, Life Flight and Dick’s Towing.

The crash remains under investigation.

(ONN) – There are several programs available to assist Ohioans having trouble paying their heating bills.

The Home Energy Assistance Program, or HEAP, is a federally funded program that helps eligible people with their energy bills.

The HeatShare Program is a partnership between the Salvation Army and Columbia Gas of Ohio.

Columbia Gas also has the Warm Choice Program which can help income eligible customers receive free winterization of their homes.

And, Columbia Gas also offers a special reconnect order so those with outstanding fees can pay $175 dollars to have their service reconnected or avoid disconnection — and then set up a payment plan to pay back overdue bills.

The customer service number for Columbia Gas of Ohio is 1 800 344 4077.