Members of the 153rd Basic Peace Officer Class received training certificates during a graduation ceremony at the Ohio State Highway Patrol Training Academy.

The 48 graduates will now assume duties as peace officers for 29 Ohio agencies.

Among the new graduates is Brooklynn Downing of the Findlay Police Department.

Downing is a graduate of McComb High School and attended Owens Community College before completing the Ohio State Highway Patrol’s Ohio Peace Officer Training Academy.

Officer Downing will be assigned to the department’s Patrol Division.

Officer Downing is pictured with Findlay Police Chief James Mathias and Lt. Dave Hill.

The 21-week basic course began in August.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol Training Academy’s Basic Peace Officer course meets and exceeds the training requirements developed by the Ohio Peace Officer Training Commission and offers comprehensive instruction in more than 150 topics, including criminal law, traffic law, community relations, physical training, self-defense, firearms, emergency vehicle operations, standardized field sobriety testing and electronic speed measuring devices.

The Patrol’s Training Academy is recognized as a “STAR-certified” academy by the Ohio Attorney General for its excellence in training.

The Humane Society and SPCA of Hancock County and Hancock County Dog Warden are reminding dog owners to renew their dog licenses for 2026.

Saturday, January 31, 2026, is the last day to purchase your Hancock County dog license without a late fee.

The cost is $20 per dog with a single 75-cent processing fee for a 1-year dog license if purchased through the Hancock County Dog Warden, located at 4550 Fostoria Avenue in Findlay.

On February 1, 2026, the fee will double, making the cost $40 per dog with a single 75-cent processing fee.

Dogs 3 months and older are required to have a dog license.

Hancock County dog licenses can also be purchased at the Hancock County Auditor’s Office at the Hancock County Courthouse or on their website.

(From the Findlay Trojan Club)

Trojan Club Annual Scholarship — NOW OPEN!

The Trojan Club Scholarship application is officially LIVE!

This scholarship supports Trojan student-athletes as they continue their education.

The Trojan Club distributes at least $1,000 in scholarship money annually to one or more Findlay High School student-athletes.

-Apply now

-Application deadline: April 1, 2026

Don’t wait until the last minute—take advantage of this opportunity and invest in your future!

Share with eligible Trojan seniors and help spread the word!

https://forms.gle/SZd61ZgjynYaSi3v8

(ONN) – The campaign is on to collect enough signatures to put two equal rights measures on Ohio’s ballot in November.

Ohio Equal Rights says it officially launched its signature collection campaign.

The Equal Rights Amendment would prohibit discrimination by state and local governments, while the Right to Marry Amendment would remove a provision from the state constitution banning same sex marriage.

More than 442,000 signatures must be collected for each petition by July 1 to get on the ballot.

(From John Marshall, Host of Coaches Corner)

Liberty Benton High School has hired its next head football coach. Jason Peters comes to the Eagles from Grandview Heights, where he has been the head football coach and a high school history teacher since 2007. His teams with the Bobcats earned post-season berths eight times, including the last three seasons. He has prior experience as an assistant at Bexley, Bishop Ready, Hilliard Darby, and Fostoria high schools. The hire was approved at a school board meeting on Thursday.

Peters is a graduate of Bowling Green State University, where he played football for the Falcons, starting for two seasons at right tackle and earning three letters. He also holds a master’s degree in education from Marygrove College.

Peters takes the reins of the program from Scott Garlock, who has retired from coaching and teaching. Garlock posted a 108 and 25 record in two stints as the Eagles’ head football coach.

L-B will move to the Cardinal Division of the Northern Lakes League beginning next school year after having competed in the Blanchard Valley Conference since that league’s inception in 1965. Disparity in student population between L-B and other BVC schools led to the split, announced in May of 2022.

(From Findlay City Schools)

When Findlay City Schools Preschool had a broken tricycle, they didn’t toss it.

Instead, they rolled it over to Millstream Career Center, where our talented students took on the challenge.

With a little elbow grease and a lot of heart, the trike is now back in action and better than ever!

Huge shoutout to our Millstream students for their skills, teamwork, and commitment to fixing more than just wheels… they’re building confidence and community, one project at a time.

(From the Seneca County Board of DD-Seneca County Opportunity Center)

Advocates Sean and Ruben visited the Fostoria Police Division to share information about Keith’s Law and the Blue Envelope Program. A huge thank you to Chief Wedge and Captain Reinbolt for taking the time to meet with us!

Ohio recently passed HB 144 (Keith’s Law), allowing anyone with a medically diagnosed communication disability or those who drive or regularly transport someone with a communication challenge to voluntarily enroll. During emergencies or traffic stops, responders will be alerted through a database that someone may have difficulty communicating, helping them respond more effectively and reducing misunderstandings. The enrollment form is available here: https://rb.gy/m7hnjv

The Blue Envelope is a simple, discreet tool for drivers or passengers with communication challenges to alert officers they may need extra patience or alternative communication. Inside, you can place your driver’s license, vehicle registration, proof of insurance, and important info to assist officers. The package includes a decal and wallet card.

These FREE packets can be obtained through your Service and Support Administrator or at the Fostoria Police Department—making a big difference in respectful, understanding interactions on the road!

(From the Findlay-Hancock County Chamber of Commerce)

High school sophomores across Findlay and Hancock County are invited to apply for the 2026-27 Hancock Youth Leadership (HYL) program, a leadership development experience affiliated with the Findlay-Hancock County Chamber of Commerce.

For more than 25 years, HYL has invested in the future of Findlay and Hancock County by helping students grow as confident leaders, effective communicators and positive role models who are engaged in their community. The program is designed for students who are curious, eager to learn and interested in building leadership and communication skills to carry into school, future careers and everyday life.

Students selected for the program participate in nine full day sessions during their junior year of high school. Monthly sessions are held during the school day and focus on interactive learning, meaningful discussion and real-world exposure to how the community operates. Session topics include city and county infrastructure, health and human services, arts and media, justice and law, diversity, business and economic development, and agriculture. Students also collaborate on a class project and complete at least one volunteer experience with a local nonprofit organization.

HYL is open to all Hancock County high school sophomores, including students enrolled in Findlay City Schools, county school districts, and those who are homeschooled. A limited number of students are selected each year to create a well-rounded class with a variety of experiences and perspectives.

Applications are available online and must be submitted by February 27, 2026. The program will begin at the start of the students’ junior year in Fall 2026.

For more information or to apply, visit www.FindlayHancockChamber.com. Questions by be directed to the Findlay-Hancock County Chamber at 419.422.3313 or by email sfoltz@FindlayHancockChamber.com.

(From the Office of Congressman Bob Latta)

Congressman Bob Latta (OH-5) participated in a House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade hearing to discuss the draft of his bill, the Safely Ensuring Lives Future Deployment and Research in Vehicle Evolution Act of 2026 (SELF DRIVE Act).

Co-drafted by Congressman Latta and Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (MI-6), the bipartisan legislation would establish a national safety and regulatory framework for autonomous vehicle technology.   

To watch the discussion, click here.

Rep. Latta’s SELF DRIVE Act Receives Energy and Commerce Subcommittee Hearing

(From Hancock County ADAMHS)

Restoration of Federal SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) Grants to Hancock County Behavioral Health Services:

On Thursday, January 15 at 11:11am, Hancock County ADAMHS received official confirmation from SAMHSA that “termination of your award, previously communicated on January 13, 2026, is hereby rescinded. Your award will remain active under its original terms and conditions.”

Without any advance notice, on January 13, 2026, Hancock County ADAMHS received notification from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) of immediate termination of three federal grants.

These grants support the workforce and essential services they provide through Family Resource Center, FOCUS Recovery and Wellness Center, and The City Mission as well as program evaluation, research and training support from Brandeis University and Case Western Reserve University.

This funding termination, if it had continued, would have resulted in a loss of approximately $1.5M for the remaining 9 months (through September 2026).

With such a significant amount of funding loss, the current level and accessibility of services would have been significantly impacted.

Affected agency directors and the ADAMHS Board share their gratitude to all who came together to share their opposition to the original decision to cancel grant funding. Specifically, The Community Foundation and Mayor Muryn is to be acknowledged in their willingness to provide additional funding to maintain programs and services if grant funds were not restored.

ADAMHS is incredibly grateful to our legislators, at all levels of government, for their advocacy on our behalf. Precia Stuby said, “They answered our calls and regularly kept in contact as they learned of updates about the grant funding.”

The immediate termination allowed no time to prepare individuals receiving services or to the professionals who deliver services who are potentially impacted by the cuts. This was a disservice to all involved, especially to those in need of life-saving services.

Without this rescission, cuts would have had a profound impact on everyone engaged in the behavioral health system – not just clients, but staff who deliver services, and agency administrators who ensure that agencies are able to remain open to deliver any services.

Hancock County was not alone. Cuts were being made across the country to the tune of nearly 2 billion dollars in grants that support addiction and mental health services.