The high school football playoffs continue on Friday, November 14, and some area teams are still in the mix.
Liberty-Benton (12-0) will play at Liberty Center (11-0) at 7 p.m.
That game will be aired on 100.5 WKXA.
Pandora-Gilboa (9-3) will play at Leipsic (10-1), in a game you can hear on 106.3 The Fox at 7 p.m.
The Findlay Trojans lost their playoff game Friday night to Huber Heights Wayne, finishing the season with a record of 6-5.
See the full third round pairings by clicking here.
(From the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office)
Public Safety Notice-Road Conditions
We are advising motorists to use extreme caution when traveling today. (Monday)
Secondary and untreated roadways remain slushy and icy, creating hazardous driving conditions.
Please reduce speed, allow extra stopping distance, and drive safely.
The Hancock County Sheriff’s Office is investigating after a minivan was hit by a train in Van Buren.
The sheriff’s office said Daevonne Stokes, 35, of Sandusky, was driving west on East Market Street around 9:30 Sunday night and attempted to cross the railroad tracks when his minivan was struck by a CSX train.
Stokes was transported to Blanchard Valley Hospital with unknown injuries, the sheriff’s office said.
The crash remains under investigation.
Findlay’s Veterans Day Parade was held on Sunday afternoon.
The parade began at the intersection of South Main and Lincoln Street and proceeded north to the Hancock County War Memorial at North Main Street and Center Street where a ceremony was held.
Despite the cold and snowy weather, people still came out for the parade and ceremony, and the Findlay Trojan Marching Band marched in the parade.
When we were speaking with Bill Johns, President of the Hancock County Veterans Council – in the video below – we had the chance to say thank you to 100-year-old Calvin Rettig for his service in WWII.
See video of the parade and ceremony below.
Veterans Day is on Tuesday, November 11.
(From the Ohio Department of Transportation)
The Ohio Department of Transportation is reminding drivers that County 99 in both directions over Interstate 75 will close on Monday, November 10, for approximately one week to complete final preparations to open the diverging diamond interchange.
The interchange ramps will remain open for right turns only, ODOT said.
The Interstate 75 and County Road 99 interchange and corridor improvement project on the north end of Findlay has been reconstructing the interchange with a diverging diamond design and upgrading the County Road 99 corridor between Technology Drive and North Main Street.
If weather and construction progress remain on schedule, the interchange is expected to reopen by the end of the day on Monday, November 17, 2025, operating in the final Diverging Diamond traffic pattern.
A grand opening celebration was held for the Findlay Family YMCA’s new Early Learning Center.
People attending the grand opening had the opportunity to explore the “beautiful, inspiring, functional new space where children will learn, grow, and thrive,” the YMCA said.
We spoke with YMCA CEO Stephanie Parsons and Early Learning Director Kari Redman at the grand opening.
The new ELC will be able to serve as many as 320 children, offering innovative learning and individualized care for optimal growth and inspiration. It will also provide much-needed additional childcare services for the region.
For children of all ages and abilities, the existing focus on innovative and values-driven teaching will carry over to the ELC, where the new space will better support these efforts and community partnership growth.
The ELC will serve children with sensory needs by providing space, specialized equipment, and developmentally appropriate teaching, socialization, and individualized discovery approaches.
The facility will open on Monday, November 17th.
The YMCA is also building a new YMCA in its current location that will connect to the Early Learning Center and is also planning on renovating its facility on the east side of town.
Students at Findlay’s Chamberlin Hill Elementary saluted local Veterans during their 28th Annual Veterans Day Program on Friday.
Nichole Coleman, former Director of the Hancock County Veterans Service Office, spoke about the honor of serving your country and becoming and Veteran and told the kids to dream big.
The tribute featured several performances by the kids, including the 3rd graders singing “The Star Spangled Banner”, the 4th graders singing “Proud of our Veterans” and the 5th graders singing the “Armed Forces Medley” and “God Bless the USA.”
There was also a moment of silence, and then TAPS was played to honor the fallen.
The Veterans in attendance were then treated to lunch catered by The Fern.
There was also plenty of patriotic artwork from the students in the halls.
See video of the tribute below.
Findlay’s Veterans Day Parade is on Sunday at 2 o’clock.
(From the University of Findlay)
Five University of Findlay students are the 2025-26 recipients of more than $40,000 through the Business Affiliates Scholarship Program. This UF program offers academic scholarships to Oiler students who have graduated from a Hancock County high school or who are employed by Hancock County organizations.
This year’s recipients are: Emily Brickner, fourth year doctor of pharmacy program from Fostoria; David May Jr., senior from Ohio City, social work major; Makayla Oman, sophomore from Findlay, business administration-marketing major; Bryce Beltz, senior from Wauseon, pre-vet/animal science major; and Jeremiah Spiceland, sophomore from Findlay, exercise science for pre-physical therapy major.
At the annual Business Affiliates Scholarship celebration breakfast, held on Oct. 21, students shared how the scholarships have impacted their education and personal growth.
“This scholarship has been an incredible blessing,” David May said. “It lifted a huge financial burden off my shoulders, allowing me to focus more on my academics, ministry, and leadership. Because of your generosity, I’ve been able to keep doing what I love, helping students find hope, community, and belonging here at UF. Your generosity changes lives. It changed mine.”
“We appreciate the many organizations and individuals who invest in UF students and their education,” said Madelynn Strayer, ’21, UF director of annual giving, who coordinates the program. “Their support shows students that this community believes in them and encourages them to build their futures here in Findlay.”
The program is administered by the University’s Business Affiliates advisory board, a group of five Findlay/Hancock County business leaders working with the UF Advancement office. The 2025-26 board members are Erin Schwiebert, chair, O-I Glass; Brian Beltz, Beltz Home Service Co.; Joshua Reams ’02, Millstream Area Credit Union; Thomas Wagner, Mass Mutual; and Austin Wilson, ’14, Hixon Zuercher Capital Management.
Schwiebert said the generous support of Business Affiliates members continues to ease the financial burden for students and, through her work on the advisory board, she has seen firsthand how truly impactful the program is.
“Through my tenure on the Business Affiliates board, I have witnessed firsthand the transformative power of collaboration between academia and industry,” she added.
The Business Affiliates Scholarship Program has secured more than $800,000 in scholarship contributions during the past 24 years and impacted the financial well-being of 375 UF students since its inception in 2001, Strayer noted.
“Together, we can bridge the gap between theory and practice, helping to shape the leaders of tomorrow while propelling our local organizations to new heights,” she said.
For more information on Business Affiliates, visit the program website or call the UF Advancement Office at 419-434-4008.
Pictured above: Scholarship winners and Business Affiliates board members attending the annual breakfast were, from left: Emily Brickner, Makayla Oman, David May Jr., Jeremiah Spiceland, Erin Schwiebert, Austin Wilson, Thomas Wagner, and Joshua Reams. Not pictured: Bryce Beltz and Brian Beltz.
Hancock Area Transportation Services (HATS) is making it easier to utilize their services.
People in Findlay and Hancock County will soon be able to schedule a ride through an App.
Officials say the goal is to make public transit more accessible and flexible.
Bus Service Hours
Reservations: 419-423-7261
(From the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office)
Everyone help us welcome our newest (and furriest) member of the family — Safety Pup!
He was officially sworn in today and is ready to help teach kids about safety in our community.
Keep an eye out… he gives great high-fives and even better smiles!