16 – Wellness Event
11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
50 North
Registration ends December 1 or until registration is full
“We’ve heard time and time again that finding affordable, family-friendly activities is a challenge in Hancock County. The Community Foundation is proud to provide Fun for All to help bridge the gap,” said Community Foundation President and CEO Brian Treece.
Brian says the Findlay-Hancock County Community Foundation is thankful to its community partners for making the events possible.
(ONN) – A Republican-sponsored bill that would ban nearly all diversity and inclusion training requirements at Ohio’s public colleges and universities doesn’t have the votes to move forward in the legislature, according to the House leader.
Ohio House Speaker Jason Stephens told reporters that he will not push the legislation to a floor vote in the GOP-dominated house, as it simply doesn’t have enough support.
The multifaceted measure would drastically change the way students learn and faculty teach across the nation’s fourth-largest public university system and comes alongside efforts of other Republican-led states targeting diversity, equity, and inclusion in higher education.
Supporters of the measure have called it necessary to help protect conservative speech on campuses.
University students and faculty have spoken out against the bill saying it encourages censorship.
To be eligible for judging, photographs must be taken in the Hancock Park System (i.e., parks owned and/or managed by the Hancock Park District), from the Blanchard River Greenway Trail, or of the Blanchard River (e.g., landscapes, wildlife, and outdoor recreation).
Eligible photographs at Riverside Park must be taken along the waterfront, which is the area managed by the Hancock Park District. Please visit www.HancockParks.com Park News section, for complete entry rules and guidelines and to submit your photographs.
Photographs must be submitted no later than 11:59 PM, December 31. All qualified entries in the Photography Contest will be posted on the Hancock Park District Facebook page between January 2, 2024, and January 16, 2024, where the public can vote for one “People’s Choice” winner.
The photograph with the most “likes” will be named the People’s Choice winner. A cash prize of $200, along with a plaque will be awarded.
For more information about other upcoming park programs and events, view the “Programs & Activities Calendar” at www.HancockParks.com” or call the park office at 419-425-7275.
The City Income Tax Department will be closed on Monday, December 4, 2023-Friday, December 8, 2023, from 8:00am-5:00pm for staff training purposes.
Tax return forms will still be available at the kiosk outside of the City Income Tax Department office and on the City’s website by visiting www.findlayohio.com/incometax.
Documents may still be dropped off in the drop box in the parking lot south of the Municipal Building or in the drop box inside the Municipal Building doors as the drop boxes will be attended to each day.
The Income Tax Department will open again on Monday, December 11, 2023 at 8:00am as usual.
The Ohio Market Access Program (OMAP) administered by Ohio Treasurer Robert Sprague has helped the Village of Carey (Wyandot County) enter the market to refinance outstanding debt and save an estimated $38,237.50 in interest costs.
“Local governments across Ohio are always looking to make critical infrastructure upgrades and complete important community projects. In the face of rising interest rates, OMAP remains a valuable tool for local governments to save on borrowing costs,” said Treasurer Sprague. “With this latest deal, the Village of Carey will bring their total savings through OMAP to more than $200,000 since first partnering with our office in 2018.”
The original note was issued for major electric system improvements, including the purchase of a new substation, transformer, and distribution feeders, as well as the replacement of wooden poles with iron or steel poles. Through this issuance, the village has now utilized OMAP six times to achieve savings. The previous five deals saved the village an estimated $193,982.08 in interest expenses.
OMAP is a credit enhancement program that leverages the state’s excess liquidity and high short-term credit rating to help improve market access and lower borrowing rates for local governments. Since its 2014 launch, OMAP has supported more than 285 deals, ranging from $365,000 to over $100 million. There have been no defaults, and to date, OMAP has generated more than $5.3 million in estimated savings for local governments.
Any government subdivision in good fiscal standing, including cities, villages, school districts, counties, townships, and special districts, issuing short-term debt is eligible to participate. For more information, visit https://omap.ohio.gov/.
Coats for Christmas is a great example of the community working together to help out those who are on a tight budget or who are in need and cannot afford a winter coat.
Each year we ask many of the area schools and some businesses, organizations, and individuals to collect and donate gently used winter coats. Previously City Dry Cleaning and now City Uniforms and Linens, graciously cleans all of these coats and that is no small task – generally we collect over 2,300 coats each year.
So we thank City Uniforms and Linens for this donation! There is also a goal to have enough gloves and hats for everyone who comes to collect a coat. In addition we also collect blankets and socks that are available at our event.
Melissa LaRocco was on with WFIN’s Chris Oaks to discuss this year’s Coats for Christmas.
Donations: If you are not able to donate coats but still want to help. We accept cash or check donations that goes towards Coats for Christmas each year. Mail donations to the Chamber at 123 E Main Cross St Findlay, Ohio. Make the checks out to “The Alliance Foundation” and place Coats for Christmas in the memo line. You may also pay online by going to findlayhancockchamber.com. Select “store” from the drop down menu and click Coats.
Collection & Distribution
Collection locations: We will be collecting used coats from Mon., Nov., 27th through Fri., Dec., 1st . The coats can be dropped off at the new City Apparel business location at 116 E. Main Cross Street, which was the prior location of City Dry Cleaning.
Coats may also be dropped off at various Findlay City Schools and county school locations, the Hancock County Library as well as local businesses with donation boxes. If you would like to purchase new coats, hats, mittens, or blankets for the event, then you can drop those off at the downtown YMCA Branch at 300 Lincoln Street in Findlay prior to Fri., Dec. 8th. Indicate when you drop them off that they are new.
Collection dates: Collection will begin on November 27th and will wrap up December 1st.
Distribution dates: Saturday, December 9th distribution will be from 9 am – 3 pm. Coats will be available again on Sunday, December 10th from 1 pm – 3 pm. There is no financial restriction for eligibility; therefore anyone in need of a coat or hat and mittens is welcome.
Distribution will take place at East Branch YMCA: 1400 Manor Hill Rd. Findlay, Ohio 45840
On 11/29/2023 at approx. 1102 hrs. the Hancock County METRICH Drug Task Force along with Officers and Detectives from the Findlay Police Department, executed a narcotic search warrant at 231 E. Foulke Ave., Apt. 3, Findlay, Ohio.
The search of the residence yielded suspected methamphetamine and several items of drug paraphernalia. Other items indicative of drug trafficking and cash were also seized.
As a result of the search the following person was arrested and incarcerated at the Hancock County Justice Center:
Jessica M. Shepherd (age 40)
231 E. Foulke Ave., Apt. 3
Findlay, Ohio
Charge: Possession of Methamphetamine – Felony 2
Additional charges of drug trafficking are expected at the conclusion of this investigation.
The Hancock METRICH Drug Enforcement Unit is supported by METRICH in Mansfield, OH and funded in part by the Office of Criminal Justice Services.
METRICH Crime Tip Hotline: 419-52-CRIME (419-522-7463) or download the METRICH enforcement unit mobile app to “Submit a Tip.”
Sheriff Siefker would like to alert everyone and their families of a scam here in Putnam County and surrounding areas.
Scammers are attempting to con people into thinking a friend/family member has been arrested/ hospitalized and needs money in the form of cash/checks immediately.
Scammers have showed up at people’s homes and/or have contacted them via phone calls.
If you receive a call or if someone shows up at your residence, please don’t hesitate to contact the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office at 419-523-3208 immediately for verification.
Our dispatchers are able to confirm or deny the allegations. They can also assist in filing a report.
Unfortunately, the majority of the victims have been elderly.
Please assist us in making our elderly loved ones aware of the current situation. THANK YOU.
The Ohio Department of Higher Education announced the recipients of the latest round of funds through the Commercial Truck Driver Student Aid Program.
The program promotes and encourages job growth for Ohio’s commercial drivers through educational training.
A total of 35 schools will share $2.54 million to increase enrollment in high-demand CDL programs and help Ohio students seeking to earn a Commercial Driver’s License.
Owens Community College recently announced that it is expanding its CDL Training Program to the Findlay-area Campus.
