(From the United Way of Hancock County)

Whose name is next on the plaque?

Applications for our annual Secor Scholarship will be accepted through midnight on Jan. 19.

This $2,000 renewable scholarship is open to graduating seniors in Hancock County with a GPA of 3.5 or higher.

Applicants are considered based on academic achievement, as well as community service and leadership.

Learn more and apply at https://www.liveunitedhancockcounty.org/…/secor…

(From Ottawa-Glandorf Athletics)

After 30 years of coaching Ottawa-Glandorf Football, Coach Schriner has decided to retire. Ken has done so much for our football program and has left a lasting impression on so many of his past and present players.

In his 30 years he led the Titans to their first State appearance in 2009 and again in 2021, won 5 WBL titles, qualified for playoffs 17 times, and hit his 200th win milestone making him the 56th coach in OHSAA to do so. Ken closes out his career with an astounding 204-132 record.

Ottawa-Glandorf Athletics and the community thank you in all that you have done. We wish nothing but the best for you in retirement, Ken!

(From the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office)

To the Hancock County Community,

Below is a summary of our key activities and accomplishments for December 2025. An annual report will be published soon!

Operational Statistics – December 2025

. Total Incidents Closed: 2604

. Criminal Investigations: 108

. Traffic Stops Conducted: 208

. OVI/Reckless Operation Investigations: 19

. Traffic Crashes Investigated: 132

. Court Documents Served: 241

. Arrest Warrants Executed: 44

. Detective Bureau/METRICH Operations: Ongoing drug investigations.

. Body-Wom Camera (BWC) Program: Awaiting award notifications in March 2026.

. Policy and Procedure Review: All existing policies and procedures have been updated.

. Emergency Communications: 825 calls received through 9-1-1 services

Corrections Division December 2025

. Average Daily Inmate Population: 87

. Total Book-ins: 134 (including both felony and misdemeanor classifications, male and

female)

. Internal Incidents Managed: 145

. Meals Provided: Over 9,012 (85,273 YDT)

Clerical/Records Division December 2025

. Background Checks: 65 (568 YTD)

. Records Requests: 69 (600 YTD)

. Reports Processed: 80 (867 YTD)

. Expungements: 19 (308 YTD)

(From Downtown Findlay)

The Jones Building Artists Show is now on view throughout January at the Findlay Art League Gallery, featuring work from the talented artists who create right here in our community.

Join them for a special opening reception on January 9 from 6–8 PM at 117 W. Crawford St. — refreshments included!

(From the Findlay-Hancock County Public Library)

WinterREAD, a reading program that gives participants a chance to win amazing prizes, is underway at the Findlay-Hancock County Public Library. Readers can register to join the winter fun at findlaylibrary.readsquared.com. 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.

Below is the obituary for Ohio State Highway Patrol Sergeant Matthew Cook from Kirkpatrick-Behnke Funeral Home.

The Hancock County Sheriff’s Office responded to Sgt. Cook’s home in rural McComb on December 31 and found him deceased.

Sgt. Cook worked at the Defiance Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol and previously at the Findlay Post. 

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

On Wednesday, December 31, 2025, Matthew Robert Cook, Jr., beloved companion, son, father, brother, and friend, went home to be with the Lord at the age of 39.

Matt was born on May 16, 1986, in Toledo, Ohio, to Matthew and Lisa Cook. In 2024, he met and fell in love with Tory Sevitz, and in January 2025, they were blessed by the birth of their wonderful son, Kellan Matthew. Together, they poured endless love, laughter, and joy into raising him. Matt took Kellan everywhere with him – doting on him, teaching him, and sharing life’s everyday adventures side by side.

Matt attended Carmel Schools and Perrysburg Schools and spent several years being homeschooled. He was active in student life at Westgate Chapel, playing guitar on the Student Ministries Worship Team. Later, he earned a degree in Criminal Justice from Owens Community College. After working at FedEx for a short time, Matt entered the Ohio State Highway Patrol Academy. While awaiting his academy start date, he worked with high school youth at church, mentoring young men in their faith and leading the Student Ministry Worship Team.

During his time with the Ohio State Highway Patrol, Matt received numerous commendations and awards, including the distinguished honor of being named Trooper of the Year in both 2016 and 2020, He was promoted to Sergeant in April of 2024.

His calm and steady nature, kindness and compassion earned him trust and respect from his fellow officers and made a lasting impression on all who knew him, he cared deeply for people and the community he served. He served them well.

Matt loved his home in the countryside west of Findlay. He could often be found outdoors, working on his property, bird watching, feeding wildlife or taking in strays. He always had his loyal dog, Coby, by his side. He also loved playing his guitar and making music. Matt truly loved the simple joys of life.

He is preceded in death by his grandparents Jack and Kathy Cook, and grandfather Jack Gates. He is survived by his grandmother Lois Gates; his beloved Tory Sevitz; his cherished son Kellan Matthew; his parents Matthew Sr. and Lisa Cook; his siblings Tyler (Courtney) Cook, Jonah (Meggan) Cook, and Lacey Cook (fiancé Collin); and fourteen beloved cousins (3 preceded in death). Matt was adored by his nieces and nephew, and he adored them just as much.

A funeral service will be held on Friday, January 9, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. at Gateway Church, 9555 County Road 9, Findlay, Ohio.

A private viewing for family and close friends will take place at the church on Thursday, January 8, 2026, from 4:00–8:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to First Responders Bridge, https://firstrespondersbridge.org/.

Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.kirkpatrickbehnke.com

To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Matthew Robert Cook Jr., please visit our Tree Store.

(From Liberty-Benton Local Schools)

Hey Liberty-Benton Alumni!

We want to hear from YOU! Whether you graduated last year or decades ago, we’d love to spotlight your story.

-Highlight alumni from all years

-Feature many careers

-Celebrate those near and far

-Build a strong alumni network

Select 1–2 photos and tell us where life has taken you after LB!

Submit your alumni info here: www.liberty-benton.org/alumni

Let’s show Eagle Nation where our wings have taken us!

Republican candidate for Ohio governor Vivek Ramaswamy has chosen Ohio Senate President Rob McColley as his running mate in the 2026 election.

“I’m excited to announce Rob McColley as my running mate to be the next lieutenant governor of Ohio,” Ramaswamy said.

Ramaswamy calls McColley a proven conservative leader who is committed to making Ohio the best state in which to live, work and raise a family.

McColley says Ramaswamy will be one of the boldest leaders in the history of Ohio, and he’s honored to help execute his vision.

Democrat Amy Acton, Ohio’s former health director, is also running for governor. She has selected David Pepper, former chairman of the Ohio Democratic Party, as her running mate. 

Governor Mike DeWine is term-limited and in his final year as governor.

(From Vanlue Fire Chief Steve Baum)

This morning, at 0805 hours, your Vanlue Firefighters were dispatched to a medical call for a vehicle stopped on SR 15, just west of the Vanlue exit.

Dispatch advised that the female passenger in the vehicle was going into labor and thought the baby was coming.

Our firefighters responded quickly and arrived on scene a short time later.

Upon arrival, the baby’s head was visible and our crew knew that they needed to act quickly.

The Hanco Squad was traveling in the east bound lanes, as they approached the scene, they stopped and the Chief of Hanco jumped out and ran across the lanes of the highway to assist.

As the squad pulled up, a beautiful, healthy baby boy was born right there in the vehicle.

They named the baby Axel!!

I did a follow up an hour later, we were told both baby and momma are doing fine at the hospital!!

I couldn’t be more proud of our crew and the Fighting 600!

Unfortunately, our calls don’t always turn out well, but today was a great day!

Our guys assisted with bringing a life into this world and seen him take his first breath!!

We would also like to thank Hanco Squad personnel for their assistance as well!!

(From the American Red Cross of North Central Ohio)

The American Red Cross of North Central Ohio needs local volunteers to respond to disasters in Hancock County. To help recruit and train new volunteers, the Red Cross will be holding an informational presentation on Wednesday, January 28, 6:00 pm at the Hancock County Red Cross office, 125 Fair St. in Findlay.

The Red Cross responds to more than 60,000 disasters every year, said Executive Director Todd James. The majority of those disasters are local home fires. “People see major disasters in the news, like tornadoes and hurricanes, and they know the Red Cross is there providing shelter, food and comfort,” James said. “But it’s here at home where we handle most of our disaster responses, helping families who have lost their homes to fire or a local flood or storm.”

James said the Red Cross, like many other organizations, are still feeling the affects the COVID-19 pandemic had on their volunteer teams. “We had a lot of volunteers who had to step back from helping and haven’t been able to return. It’s vital that we have trained volunteers ready to answer the call for help at all times.”

James said he knows that there is a commitment of time and effort to being a local Red Cross volunteer disaster responder, but the return is well worth it. “Our volunteers will tell you that the feeling that comes with helping a family after a fire or other disaster is worth more than gold, knowing that on someone’s darkest day they are the light of hope.”

At the information session, attendees will learn the requirements to be a Disaster Action Team volunteer and will have the opportunity to speak with current volunteers to ask questions and learn about their experiences. Refreshments will be provided at the event and attendees will receive a Red Cross appreciation gift. RSVPs are requested but not required. For more information or to RSVP, contact the Red Cross at northcentralohio@redcross.org or call (419) 422-9322.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

Become a Red Cross volunteer to help ensure families don’t face emergencies alone. Visit redcross.org/VolunteerToday to learn more and apply.