(From the Bluffton Craft Show)

The 52nd Annual Bluffton Craft Show will be held Saturday, Sept. 27, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Bluffton, Ohio.

The event will feature more than 100 crafters, vendors, and food trucks. Items for sale will include handmade pottery, jewelry, textiles, woodwork, home décor, and specialty foods. Vendors are selected through a juried process to ensure a variety of products, with only one vendor per craft category.

The first 100 guests will receive a swag bag containing coupons and promotional items from local businesses. Admission is free and open to the public.

The Bluffton Craft Show will take place at the Bluffton Middle School and High School gyms, as well as the high school cafeteria.

For more information, visit the Bluffton Craft Show event page on Facebook or email craftshow@eventproconnections.net

(From Liberty-Benton Local Schools)

Homecoming Parade: Sunday, September 21

Get ready for an evening of Eagle pride, fun, and celebration!

Food Trucks will be on campus starting at 4:30 p.m. Come hungry!

Parade Lineup begins at 5:15 p.m. (south side access road). All entries must be in place by 5:45 p.m.

Parade kicks off at 6:00 p.m. and follows this route:

-Starts at the south drive of the LB campus

-Heads north on County Road 9

-Turns west on State Route 12

-Ends at the northwest access drive

Want to participate? Any L-B group can join!

Sign up here by Thursday, Sept. 18 → https://bit.ly/LBHOCOParade2025

Don’t miss the Homecoming Court, marching band, cheerleaders, teams, clubs & CANDY! Bring the whole family and a bag to catch some treats!

Looking ahead:

Homecoming Game: Friday, Sept. 26 at 7:00 p.m. vs. Arlington

Crowning of King & Queen at 6:30 p.m.

Let’s make it a Homecoming to remember!

The state has released the Ohio School Report Cards.

Ohio School Report Cards provide parents, caregivers, community members, educators, and policymakers information about district and school performance to celebrate successes and identify areas for improvement.

Districts and schools receive an overall rating of 1 to 5 stars in half-star increments. The overall rating is comprised of up to six rated components.

Findlay City Schools received an overall rating of 3.5 stars, indicating the district meets state standards.

Last year, Findlay City Schools received a 4-star overall rating, indicating the district exceeded state standards.

See how Findlay City Schools fared in all six components by clicking here, and see how other districts in the area did by clicking here.

(From the United Way of Hancock County)

Each year, a crucial team of community volunteers helps United Way of Hancock County in its funding decisions by reviewing grant applications and providing input as to where campaign dollars can have the most positive local impact. These volunteers make up Impact Teams, and the United Way is looking to recruit approximately 40 Impact Team volunteers.

United Way of Hancock County is entering its grant review season for 2026 Partner Agency funding. Each year, local nonprofit agencies apply for and receive funding generated through United Way’s Annual Campaign, which in 2024 raised $1.7 million for disbursement in 2025. Funding is recommended by a revolving group of trained community volunteers who review partner agencies’ grant applications and make recommendations to the United Way board of directors on which nonprofits to fund and at what level.

United Way is looking to engage a diverse demographic to provide input on this important annual process.

“The community’s involvement in this process is vital,” said Kelley McClurkin, CEO of United Way of Hancock County. “Giving our community members the opportunity to review our local resources and learn more about the population each nonprofit serves is an eye-opening experience for our volunteers. It is an opportunity to ensure that the most critical needs in our community are being addressed.”

Impact Team members attend a short training course at the end of September and review seven to 10 applications at their own pace throughout October. No grant reading experience is needed. The volunteers will attend one meeting in mid-November to discuss the applications with their teammates and make recommendations for funding.

United Way of Hancock County has set this year’s campaign goal at $1.8 million. Every donation made to the campaign stays in the community to help measurably improve people’s lives. To learn more about Impact Team involvement or sign up, email impact@uwhancock.org or call 419-423-1432.

(From Findlay City Schools)

It is such an honor to celebrate the achievements of our 3rd-5th graders who earned a perfect score on the 2025 Ohio State Test at tonight’s Board of Education meeting!

We are so proud of the academic excellence of these students!

Congratulations!

By Sheri Trusty, Seneca County Sheriff’s Office Public Relations Coordinator

When Seneca County Sheriff Fredrick Stevens took office in 2021, he brought with him a desire for transparency and accessibility. He wanted to find ways to connect with county residents so they could better understand the work of the Sheriff’s Office and voice their concerns and suggestions. As it turns out, those conversations also bring a lot of praise.

To make connection convenient, Sheriff Stevens joined Sgt. Andrew Shellhouse of the Ohio State Patrol’s Bucyrus Post and Tiffin Police Department Lt. Jake DeMonte for Coffee with a Cop at Rural King in Tiffin on Sept. 15. Sheriff Stevens was grateful that Rural King welcomed them to the store. As customers walked by, they were invited to join them for coffee, snacks, and conversation.

Customers who stopped to talk shared concerns like excessive speeding and unattended garbage cans in their neighborhoods. The man who expressed frustration about the garbage cans said he wants to make Tiffin even nicer.

“It’s the little things that make the difference,” he said.

A local village resident sat with Sheriff Stevens to talk being scammed out of $1,200. He was angry and frustrated and wanted to share his story in the hope of preventing scammers from harming other county residents. Sheriff Stevens shared the man’s anger, expressed his compassion, and provided a little hope. He said there was a chance that the village police department may be able to track the scammer through his email and execute a warrant.

Amongst the few concerns expressed during Coffee with a Cop were many handshakes and expressions of gratitude.

“No complaints,” one customer said. “Thank you for your service.”

It was a phrase heard over and over during the event. Sheriff Stevens, Sgt. Shellhouse, and Lt. DeMonte were grateful for the support. They work in dangerous and often underappreciated professions, so it is uplifting to know that local residents see the good work they do, the caring hearts they have, and their constant desire to make the community even better.

“We’re here to hear complaints and suggestions. We want to engage with the community,” Sheriff Stevens said.

That door of conversation is always open as Sheriff Stevens prioritizes the safety and wellbeing of Seneca County residents.

National Roundabouts Week is September 15-19.

According to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), roundabouts can reduce injury and fatal crashes by an average of 82 percent at intersections where they are installed.

The Ohio Department of Transportation says Hancock County has three roundabouts: the Lima Avenue double roundabouts and the one near State Route 15 and U.S. 68.

Hancock County’s fourth roundabout is in the works for next year in Bluffton on State Route 103 at the intersection with Navajo Drive.

In, 2022, a roundabout was installed at U.S. 224 and State Route 587 in western Seneca County between Findlay and Tiffin.

ODOT District 1 Director Chris Hughes on how to navigate a roundabout.

ODOT’s Cheri Newton on the effectiveness of roundabouts.

“They improve intersection safety and improve congestion. They can handle a lot of traffic efficiently and do so while reducing crash severity and crash numbers.”

Learn more about roundabouts by clicking here.

The City of Findlay says traffic patterns will be shifted on the Blanchard Street Bridge between East Main Cross Street and Cross Avenue while repairs are being made to the bridge.

The city says two-way traffic is expected to be maintained during the repairs and to drive with caution in the area.

The City of Findlay said it will provide updates on the project schedule and traffic conditions as needed.

(From the Findlay Police Department)

The funeral service for Officer John Schimmoeller will be held on Tuesday, September 16, 2025, at Gateway Church.

Following the service, a funeral procession will take place beginning at approximately 12:00 P.M.

The procession will follow the route below: -North on County Road 9 from Gateway Church -East on State Route 12 / West Main Cross Street -South on South Main Street -West on West Lima Street -North on South Cory Street -West on West Main Cross Street, returning to Gateway Church

The funeral and procession are reserved for family and members of local law enforcement, both active and retired. However, members of the public who wish to pay their respects are encouraged to safely line the procession route.

Please note that traffic delays are expected along the route during the procession. Drivers are advised to plan alternate routes or allow additional travel time.

This event is an opportunity for the community to come together in remembrance and honor of Officer Schimmoeller’s service and dedication. We appreciate the public’s cooperation and support during this time.

(From the City of Fostoria)

Welcome to the Team!

On September 12, Mayor Donald Mennel had the honor of swearing in Fostoria’s newest police officer, Demetreus Bell.

We are excited to welcome Officer Bell to the City of Fostoria and look forward to the positive impact he will have on our community.