Community Trick-or-Treat celebrations are coming up – so when is your community celebrating?
Findlay’s Trick-or-Treat will be held on Saturday, October 25 from 6 to 8 p.m.
Arlington’s will be on Thursday, October 30 from 6 to 8.
McComb’s will be on Friday, October 31 from 6 to 7.
See the full list of Hancock County Trick-or-Treat dates and times below compiled by Visit Findlay.
And below that is a list of Putnam County Trick-or-Treat times.
(From the University of Findlay)
“Build Tomorrow with Habitat for Humanity” will be the hands-on theme of this year’s first “Funday Sunday” program at University of Findlay’s Mazza Museum.
The October 26 program, which is free and open to the public, offers free art and construction activities, games, hands-on educational stations, and interactive STEAM activities for the whole family. The family-friendly learning extravaganza encourages artistic expression, enhances literacy, and develops critical thinking skills.
“We are kicking off this year’s series with a special program with one of our community partners,” said Amanda Davidson-Johnston, assistant director at the Mazza Museum. “Habitat for Humanity does such great work in the community, and we want to celebrate their 25th anniversary in Findlay.”
Author/illustrator and paper toy maker Merrill Rainey also will be on hand for this Funday Sunday. A resident of Whitehouse, Ohio, his latest book is On the Air With Dr. Doodlebug, which he describes as “a radio show in a book.” He also works for children’s magazines including Highlights, Ranger Rick, and Humpty Dumpty.
He will provide fun activities allowing children to “color, cut, and create” fun projects.
Registration is required and can be completed on the Mazza Museum’s website.
The Funday Sundays 2025-26 series takes place November through April, from 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. It is sponsored by Hancock Federal Credit Union.
Themes for additional Funday Sundays this year are:
December 14: The North Pole Railway
January 11: Happy Birthday USA!
February 8: Jungle Expedition with the Toledo Zoo
March 15: Comics Unleashed
April 19: Weather Wonders
For more information on upcoming events, visit the Mazza Museum’s Events page online at www.mazzamuseum.org/events/. For specific questions regarding Funday Sunday, please contact Amanda Davidson-Johnston, Mazza Museum education manager, at 419-434-4777 or amanda.davidson-johnston@findlay.edu.
The Findlay Police Department has released the name of the person who was killed in an officer-involved shooting on Wednesday.
Police say the suspect has been identified as Robert Norton, of Findlay.
The police department said the bodycam footage will be released on Friday.
The police department said officers responded to 1642 Cherry Lane at 1:47 Wednesday afternoon on the report of a shooting.
Once on scene, dispatch attempted to contact the caller but received no answer.
Officers said the door was opened by a male who brandished a firearm at the officers.
Officers fired at the individual, striking him several times.
Officers rendered aid to Norton, and he was taken to Blanchard Valley Hospital where he was pronounced deceased.
Officers cleared the house and no one else was located.
No officers were injured.
Police say the investigation is being conducted by the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation.
(From the Findlay-Hancock County Public Library)
The Friends of the Library Book Sale is scheduled for November 6, 7, & 8, 2025, to take place in the lower level of the Findlay-Hancock County Public Library.
The hours for the book sale are as follows: Thursday, November 6 from 3 p.m. – 5 p.m. This is a special preview sale for Friends of Library members only. Friday, November 7 from 10 a.m. – 8 p.m., during Author Fest. Attendees can fill a bag for $3.00. Saturday, November 8 from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Stop in Saturday for a surprise sale. Hint: Price will be lower than Friday’s!
Books, CDs and DVDs that have been donated or withdrawn from the library’s collection are given a new life by the Friends as a result of their book sales. With reduced prices on books, music and movies, the sales are a bargain hunter’s dream.
The Friends help promote and support the library, present special programs, and encourage reading and use of the library. They are volunteers who also raise funds for the library mainly through sales of donated books and other materials.
For more information on the sale, visit the Book Cellar, the Friends on the Library used book store on the ground level at the library or call them at 419-434-1044.
The Findlay Police Department is reminding parents and kids of some Halloween safety tips as Trick-or-Treat events approach.
Findlay Police Officer Brian White was on with WFIN’s Chris Oaks to discuss Halloween safety.
Brian reminds parents to make sure their child can safely get around in their costume and can see well if they’re wearing a mask.
He says bright costumes and those with flashing lights are great ideas.
Brian reminds Trick-or-Treaters to stay in groups and to cross at designated crosswalks and intersections.
He also reminds drivers to keep an eye out for kids, especially in neighborhoods that don’t have many sidewalks.
He advises parents to check candy before allowing their kids to start eating it.
Brian says extra police officers will be out and about during Trick-or-Treat, and will be handing out candy along South Main Street.
Parents are encouraged to check the Sex Offender Database to see what offenders might be living in the area.
Findlay’s Trick-or-Treat is scheduled for Saturday, October 25, from 6 to 8 p.m.
See a list of other communities’ Trick-or-Treat times by clicking here.
Get more Halloween safety tips in the audio above.
(From the Hancock County Veterans Service Office)
The upcoming Veterans Empowerment Fall Fair provides an opportunity for area Veterans and their families and friends to learn about local resources, helpful organizations, and employment opportunities.
The event will be held on Saturday, November 8 on the campus of Owens Community College from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. inside the Community Education & Wellness Center.
A range of resource organizations will have information booths with representatives available to tell visitors about their programs in areas ranging from wellness and finances to home/environment, growth, and life resources. We are expecting to have over 30 booths at this event.
There will be an acoustic performance from Guitars for Vets – Findlay Chapter Band “A.W.O.L.”
The Veterans Empowerment Fair is free and open to the public. Thank you to our venue sponsor, Rate Mortgage, a trusted USO partner and VA loan expert, and Masney Insurance Agency, whose sponsorship allows us to provide lunch to all attendees free of charge.
For more information, visit hancockveterans.com or call 419.424.7036.
(From the University of Findlay)
The University of Findlay and its community partners will launch the 20th Annual Helping Hands Food Drive on Tuesday, October 28, bringing together students, faculty, staff, local schools, and residents in a week-long effort to combat hunger across Hancock County. The drive benefits CHOPIN Hall and aims to collect thousands of pounds of non-perishable food through friendly competition, creative challenges, and volunteerism.
This year’s theme, “Band Together to Fight Hunger,” reflects the community’s united front in addressing food insecurity.
The food drive opens with a public marching band showcase at Findlay High School’s Cooper Field on Tuesday, October 28 at 7 p.m., featuring a Findlay Chamber of Commerce ribbon cutting ceremony and a competition to see which high school band can collect the most food by weight. Admission to the event is a donation of non-perishable food, with priority items including peanut butter, canned fruit, juice, canned soup, and cereal.
“We are proud to celebrate 20 years of collaboration, generosity, and impact,” said David Harr, Director of Sodexo at the University of Findlay. “The Helping Hands Food Drive shows what’s possible when an entire region comes together to support our neighbors in need.”
Other highlights of the drive include:
All food collected will be inspected, sorted, and delivered to CHOPIN Hall on the morning of Thursday, November 6, courtesy of Garner Trucking.
Last year’s drive collected 265,216 pounds of food, and organizers hope to exceed that number in this milestone year.
For more information or to volunteer, please visit the Helping Hands Food Drive webpage.
About Helping Hands Food Drive
Founded in 2005 by the University of Findlay, the Helping Hands Food Drive has grown into a community tradition that mobilizes schools, businesses, and individuals to address hunger in Hancock County. All donations directly benefit CHOPIN Hall, a local nonprofit serving individuals and families in need.
The Hancock County Sheriff’s Office says a Findlay man was killed in a three-vehicle crash.
The sheriff’s office said Jason Alford, 22, of Findlay, was driving west on U.S. 224 in a minivan at around 4:50 Wednesday afternoon, and as he approached stopped traffic at Township Road 123, he went into the eastbound lane of travel.
His minivan sideswiped a car before striking a pickup truck head-on.
The sheriff’s office said Alford died in the crash, while the driver of the pickup, Barry Handerson, 63, of Alabama, was taken to Blanchard Valley Hospital with serious injuries.
The driver of the car that was sideswiped was not injured.
The crash remains under investigation.
UPDATE – The Findlay Police Department has released the name of the person who was killed in an officer-involved shooting on Wednesday.
Police say the suspect has been identified as Robert Norton, of Findlay.
The police department said the bodycam footage will be released on Friday.
ORIGINAL STORY – The Findlay Police Department says a male died after brandishing a gun and being shot by officers.
The police department said officers responded to 1642 Cherry Lane at 1:47 Wednesday afternoon on the report of a shooting.
Officers said the door was opened by a male who brandished a firearm at the officers.
Officers fired at the individual, striking him several times.
Officers rendered aid to the male, and he was taken to Blanchard Valley Hospital where he was pronounced deceased.
His name is being withheld until next of kin are notified.
Officers cleared the house and no one else was located.
No officers were injured.
Police say the investigation is being conducted by the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation.
(From the United Way of Hancock County)
Ticket sales for United Way of Hancock County’s upcoming Downtown Restaurant Tour will generate $16,000 to fight hunger in our community.
This popular annual event will return Thursday, Nov. 6, with over 15 local bars and restaurants offering samples of some of their tastiest offerings. From 5-9 p.m. that evening, ticketholders can visit each business to sample the featured food, drink or dessert and get their “Passport” stamped.
Tickets are $40 each and can be purchased through the United Way’s website at www.uwhancock.org. Only 400 Passports will be sold, and this event is expected to sell out.
All proceeds from Passport sales will be put toward fighting hunger across Hancock County, meaning that this year’s event will raise $16,000. United Way’s partners in food security include Christian Clearing House, the Findlay Family YMCA, West Ohio Food Bank and the Salvation Army.
“We hear from people every year who tell us the Downtown Restaurant Tour is their favorite night out in Findlay,” said United Way of Hancock County CEO Kelley McClurkin. “We are proud to shine a spotlight on all our downtown destinations have to offer while raising critical funds to boost food security in our community.”
Passports can be picked up starting Oct. 29 at the United Way office, 318 W. Main Cross, second floor. Business hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and elevator access is available in the back of the building.
Call 419-423-1432 for more information or to arrange for pickup outside of these hours.
