(From the Office of Ohio Governor Mike DeWine)

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine reaffirmed that Ohio has strong safeguards in place to prevent fraud and misuse of taxpayer dollars in the state’s publicly funded childcare system and emphasized the importance of the public in reporting suspected fraud.   

“Ohio takes allegations of fraud in our child care system seriously,” said Governor DeWine. “We have built multiple layers of accountability into our system, and we actively encourage Ohioans to report concerns so we can investigate and take action.”

The Ohio Department of Children and Youth (DCY) has taken numerous steps to combat fraud in 2025, and will implement additional safeguards in 2026. Those steps were detailed in a statement Governor DeWine released last Wednesday. 

• Since the creation of DCY, daycare attendance has been verified by requiring a personal identification number (PIN) with a photo confirmation or a location-specific QR code.
  • In June 2025, DCY began an anti-PIN-sharing enforcement process. More than 65,000 families were reminded that PINs must never be shared with providers. As a result, over 7,500 families reset their PINs.
• DCY also conducts unannounced health and safety inspections and reviews family eligibility and financial management practices.

In calendar year 2025, because of the Department of Children and Youth’s annual, unannounced visits, 38 childcare centers were closed and the efforts to close two more are going through administrative hearings.

In total, last year, the Department of Children and Youth conducted over 10,000 unannounced visits to daycare centers in Ohio.

• Prior to the statement Governor DeWine released on December 31, 2025, the Department of Children and Youth had received 124 tips from the public. Of those tips, 61 have resulted in daycare centers being required to pay back overpayments to the State. They have also resulted in the Department of Children and Youth closing 12 programs. Further, it was found that 30 of the daycare centers identified through the tips are operating in accordance with state and federal laws. And, 26 are still in the final stages of review.

After the Governor’s statement on the 31st, DCY received an additional 26 tips that have now either been investigated or are in the process of being investigated.

• The Department encourages the public to send in tips on potential fraud. Since the creation of the Department of Children and Youth, a toll-free hotline (1-844-234-5437) has been in place and also a dedicated fraud reporting email address. A “Report Fraud” tool on the front page of the Department’s website is designed to help the public send in tips about potential fraud.

(From the Office of Ohio Treasurer Robert Sprague)

As of January 1, 2026, the federal ABLE Age Adjustment Act has extended eligibility for ABLE accounts by raising the age of disability onset from 26 to 46. This impactful change will allow thousands more individuals to save and invest without affecting federal benefits. This includes adults who developed disabilities later in life, veterans with service-connected disabilities, and guardians or Authorized Legal Representatives supporting adults with disabilities.

“This new eligibility expansion will allow so many more Ohioans to take advantage of the empowerment, independence, and financial security that STABLE Account offers to those living with disabilities,” said Treasurer Sprague. “Our office is excited to share the news about STABLE Account with more communities, while continuing to offer benefits like the STABLE Account Enrollment Incentive to those in our state and beyond.”

Under Treasurer Sprague’s leadership, Ohio’s STABLE Account program has gained popularity, with overall participation growing from fewer than 10,000 accounts in January 2019 to more than 52,000 active accounts today.

STABLE accounts are 529-like specialized savings and investment accounts for people living with disabilities. The accounts allow individuals to save and invest their money without fearing the loss of means-tested benefits like Medicaid or Supplemental Security Income (SSI). Accountholders can save up to $20,000 annually without losing federal assistance, and they can save an additional $15,060 each year if they’re employed. Earnings on STABLE accounts grow tax-free if they are spent on qualified expenses, which include housing, transportation, living expenses, healthcare, assistive technology, and more.

In 2024, Treasurer Sprague announced the launch of the STABLE Account Enrollment Incentive to encourage more eligible Ohioans to open an account. Through the incentive, STABLE Account matches the first $25 that an eligible individual contributes when opening a new account. This matched contribution provides new accountholders with an instantaneous boost toward growing their money and beginning their investment journey. Beginning this year, the Enrollment Incentive will be available nationwide to anyone wishing to open a STABLE Account and begin their savings and investment journey.

Through STABLE Account, Ohioans living with disabilities can enjoy a higher quality of life and build a strong financial future. Signing up for a STABLE account takes about 20 minutes and can be done online from home. For more information about STABLE accounts and to sign up, visit www.stableaccount.com.

(From the Findlay Police Department)

As a reminder, with the passage of Ordinance No. 2025-108, the following parking fines are now in effect:

Changes to penalties for Ord. 351.19:

• Ord. 351.19 – Timed Parking violations increase from $5 to $15 for the initial offense; $30 for additional offenses
• If not paid within 5 days (120 hours), the late penalty will increase to $50, plus the initial ticket(s) fine amount.

Changes to penalties for Ord. 351.03a section:

• 351.03(a)(2), (3), (4), (5), (7), and (9) are increasing. Violations of these sections now have a $50 fine. These sections are the following:

o (2): In front of a public or private driveway

o (3): Within an intersection

o (4): Within ten feet of a fire hydrant

o (5): On a crosswalk

o (7): Within thirty feet of, and upon the approach to any flashing beacon, stop sign, or traffic control device

o (9): Within fifty feet of the nearest rail of a railroad crossing

• Other violations of 351.03(a) are now a $25 fine.
• If violations of 351.03a are not paid within 5 days (120 hours), the late penalty will increase to $50, plus the initial ticket(s) fine amount.

(From Liberty-Benton Local Schools)

All‑American Eagle!

Congratulations to Aiden Hatch from Liberty‑Benton High School on earning All‑American honors!

We’re incredibly proud of Aiden’s hard work, dedication, and outstanding performance that led to this amazing achievement.

(From the Tiffin Police Department)

The Tiffin Police Department is now accepting applications for its annual Citizen’s Police Academy.

The Tiffin Police Department Citizen’s Academy is for area citizens who are interested in learning more about how their police department operates and the policing challenges our community faces. The academy training will consist of classroom and hands on training, with emphasis on student involvement. The program is designed to develop positive relations between the police and the community through education.

The Academy will begin Wednesday, March 18th, 2026. Classes will be held for ten consecutive weeks, every Wednesday evening, from 6:00 PM until 8:30 PM. Graduation will be held on May 20th, 2026 at 7:30 PM. Participation requires a commitment to attend a majority of the class dates. Classes will be held in the Tiffin Police Department training room. Applicants must be at least 18 years of age and have a valid Ohio driver’s license or ID card. Applicants must agree to a background check.

If you are interested in participating in the Citizen Academy, please pickup an application packet at the Tiffin Police Department, 51 E. Market St., Tiffin, Ohio. Class size is limited to 18 students. The deadline to turn in completed applications is February 22nd, 2026. Potential students will be notified the week of February 23rd, 2026 on the status of their application.

Please contact Sgt. Jared Watson at 419-447-2323 or email jmwatson@tiffinohio.gov with any questions.

(From The Ohio State Highway Patrol)

The Ohio State Highway Patrol is reporting nine fatal crashes resulting in nine fatalities on Ohio’s roadways during the 2025-2026 New Year’s holiday, according to provisional statistics. The five-day reporting period began at midnight on Wednesday, December 31, 2025, and ran through 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, January 4, 2025.  

Of the nine fatalities, at least one occurred when a safety belt was available but not used. During the reporting period, troopers made 4,470 traffic enforcement contacts: including 238 OVI arrests, 297 distracted driving and 469 safety belt citations. Franklin County saw the most incidents amongst all counties with 464, followed by Lorain, Mahoning and Medina counties.

The public is encouraged to continue using #677 to report dangerous or impaired drivers, as well as drug activity. A statistical analysis of the Patrol’s enforcement activity over the holiday is available below.

(From Findlay City Schools)

Findlay City Schools is proud to announce the official launch of the Findlay City Schools Foundation. Established in December 2023 and modeled from several Northwest Ohio school districts, the Foundation was created to enhance and elevate educational opportunities for both staff and students, while providing a predictable source of longevity for the future of the district. Educational foundations provide a vital pathway to receive and distribute funds that augment, supplement, or enhance the resources available to a school district.

“A school foundation creates extra opportunities not only for students and staff, but for the future of the district as a whole,” said Andrea Barger, Coordinator of Development and Alumni Relations, and leader of the development of the Foundation. “Schools with successful foundations have the security of the longevity it provides and allows donors to truly leave a legacy for the next generation.”

The establishment of the Foundation was made possible through the generosity and vision of a group of committed community leaders. Findlay City Schools gratefully acknowledges the following Founding Donors of the Findlay City Schools Foundation:

• Don and Pat Bauman ● Pam and Jon Beall ● Jack and Jane Bender ● Tom and Kate Donnell ● Chris and MaryBeth Hammond ● Kathy and Garry Peiffer ● The Reinhart Foundation ● Brad Redman ● Susan and Grant Russel ● Beth Waddell ● Jim and Laurie Wilkins ● Findlay City Schools Administration Team & Board of Education

Founding donors Chris and Mary Beth Hammond emphasized the importance of community involvement in education:

“We believe in and support education for all, and the stability it brings to our community. We are proud to be early supporters of these new funding sources.”

The Findlay City Schools Foundation Funds will be held and managed through a partnership with the Findlay-Hancock County Community Foundation. To ensure the greatest organized impact, a dedicated Findlay City Schools Foundation Advisory Committee will review, approve, and manage the distribution of monies.

“Our community has a proud tradition of investing in the future,” said Superintendent, Dr. Andy Hatton. “By investing in endowed funds, the Foundation will create dynamic opportunities and resources for our students for generations to come. Sustained commitment to the Foundation ensures that Findlay City Schools will be on a path to excellence that goes above and beyond what we are able to provide with our operating funds, elevating student experiences to prepare them for our ever-changing world.”

Findlay City Schools serves the community of Findlay, Ohio, dedicated to unlocking the potential of every student through academic excellence and diverse opportunities. For more information on the

Findlay City Schools Foundation or to make a donation, please visit www.fcs-foundation.org.

(By Sean M. Abbott, Hancock County Prosecuting Attorney and Jessica K. Leeth, Victim Advocate Director)

Sexual Assault is Serious

Sexual assault in the United States is very serious. Statistics have shown that a sexual assault occurs nearly every 98 seconds, and that a child is a victim of a sexual assault every 8 minutes. This is alarming! Fortunately, Ohio has enacted many statutes that directly address sexual assaults, including Rape, Sexual Battery, Unlawful Sexual Conduct with a Minor, and Gross Sexual Imposition.

Unfortunately, sexual assaults are some of the most difficult cases to investigate and prosecute. This is generally due to lack of physical evidence, as the longer a victim waits to report the assault, the higher the likelihood that the physical evidence has disappeared.

However, there are steps that can be taken to ensure the best possible outcome for a victim of sexual assault. If you or anybody you know has been the victim of a potential sexual assault, please follow these steps:

1. DO NOT SHOWER OR WASH YOUR CLOTHES: Taking a shower or washing the clothes you were wearing during the assault could drastically reduce the likelihood of obtaining DNA evidence linking your attacker to the assault.
2. SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION IMMEDIATELY: Most hospitals have a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) on staff who will work with you every step of the way in documenting any and all evidence left behind on your person or clothing. The SANE Nurse will perform a thorough examination, collect evidence, and contact law enforcement.
3. COOPERATE WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT: Full cooperation with law enforcement allows for a more-thorough investigation and will enhance the likelihood of your attacker receiving punishment.
4. UTILIZE LOCAL SUPPORT PROGRAMS: Various victim advocate and counseling programs are available to offer support for a victim of a sexual assault. These services provide support and educational materials to address any issues that arise from the assault. In Hancock County, Open Arms is a great resource. The Open Arms Crisis Hotline can be reached at (419)422-4766.
5. DISTANCE YOURSELF FROM NEGATIVE INFLUENCES: Many people will reach out to the victims in an attempt to persuade them not to pursue criminal charges and/or to try to discredit them. This sometimes includes threats. If someone makes any threatening statements to you, you should immediately report them to law enforcement.

Being a victim of a sexual assault can be scary and intimidating, however, there are resources available. If you have questions or concerns about a sexual assault, please feel free to contact the Hancock County Prosecutor’s office and our Victim Witness Division.

If you or someone you know has been the victim of a sexual assault, please contact the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office at (419) 422-2424 or the Findlay Police Department at (419) 424-7150 to open a formal investigation.

(From the University of Findlay’s Mazza Museum)

On January 11th from 1:00–3:30 PM, join us for a Birthday Party celebrating America’s 250th Birthday, featuring a special visit from author/illustrator duo Peter Barnes and Cheryl Shaw Barnes.

We’ll also be celebrating the opening of our new America 250 gallery, and thanks to America 250-Ohio, every child will receive a free book to take home.

A perfect afternoon for families to celebrate history, reading, and community together.

(From the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office)

On January 4th, 2026 at 5:25pm, the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office received 911 calls regarding a structure fire located at 16440 U.S. 224 Columbus Grove, Ohio, which is located just outside of the Village of Kalida.

Upon arrival, first responders found a large shed, standing next to the residence fully engulfed. After approximately three hours, the fire was extinguished and the building deemed a total loss.

The residence, which is owned by Kenneth and Deborah Karl, suffered only cosmetic damages.

On scene was the Kalida Fire Department assisted by the Columbus Grove Fire Department, Fort Jennings Fire Department, and the Glandorf Fire Department.

Also assisting was the Kalida E.M.S. Columbus Grove E.M.S. Putnam County E.M.S. and Elite Drove Services.

It is unclear of what caused the fire and the Ohio Fire Marshal Service will be following up on the matter in the next couple days.