People living on a Findlay street have dubbed their street Santa Claus Lane.
Driving down Glendale Avenue, you’ll see that just about every house has an inflatable Santa Claus on display, as well as other decorations and Christmas lights.
And, a big sign reading Santa Claus Lane stretches across the street where you enter Glendale Avenue from South Main Street.
The decorations make for a nice drive down the street or stroll on the sidewalks to get into the holiday spirit.
(From the United Way of Hancock County)
Graduating seniors in our community can earn up to $8,000 toward their college education through United Way of Hancock County’s Secor Scholarship. Applications will be accepted through midnight on Jan. 19, 2026, with the selection to be made in March.
The scholarship is open to all high school seniors in Hancock County with a 3.5 or higher grade point average. Candidates are considered based on their academic achievements, but must also demonstrate a strong background in community service and volunteerism. These components will be evaluated through the scholarship application and essay, as well as a letter of recommendation from a trusted teacher, coach or mentor.
The award for the first academic year will be $2,000. The scholarship may be renewed annually for three additional years for a total of $8,000.
The United Way of Hancock County Foundation designates a Secor Scholarship selection committee comprised of community members and current and past United Way board members who evaluate applications, interview finalists, and select one scholarship recipient each year. Students related to anyone on the selection committee or United Way of Hancock County paid staff are ineligible to apply.
The application can only be completed digitally; no paper applications will be accepted. Access the application and more information at https://www.liveunitedhancockcounty.org/programs/secor-scholarship
For additional guidance, contact Brenna Griteman at marketing@uwhancock.org or 419-423-1432.
(From the Hancock Historical Museum)
Join us for our final Classic Movie Night of the year as we gather to watch It’s a Wonderful Life, Frank Capra’s timeless Christmas classic that has warmed hearts for generations.
Friday, December 19 at 7:00 PM.
Settle in with popcorn and refreshments as we enjoy this beloved holiday tradition together.
A bit of historical background will be shared before the film, with an optional discussion afterward for those who wish to linger a little longer.
A perfect way to slow down and savor the season.
(From Findlay City Schools)
Heroes in and out of the classroom.
During a routine fire drill at Donnell Middle School, teacher Ryan Sprout heard something unusual—what sounded like cries for help coming from a nearby home. Trusting his instincts, he quickly asked a fellow teacher to take his class back inside and followed the sound.
What he found was a neighbor who had fallen in her driveway and had been calling for help for over an hour in the freezing cold. Thanks to his quick thinking, and the swift support of school nurse Mrs. Herbert, emergency responders were contacted and on the scene quickly to help.
These are the kind of people who work in Trojan Country. People who don’t just teach lessons, but live them. People who step up, look out, and take care of others.
Thank you, Mr. Sprout, Mrs. Herbert, and the entire Donnell staff, for being the kind of team our students and community can count on.
(From Liberty-Benton Local Schools)
Home for the Holidays? Come tour LB!
Whether you’re a proud alum, LB family, or community supporter, if you haven’t had the chance to see the new school, field house, or high school renovations, now’s your chance!
Join us on December 29 for a Liberty-Benton Campus Tour at 10:00 a.m. or 5:00 p.m.
Sign up here: https://www.liberty-benton.org/tours
Bonus: Stick around after the evening tour to cheer on the boys’ basketball team at 6 p.m.!
A development company still has projects planned for Lincoln Elementary School and the Argyle lot in Findlay.
Trivium Development, a Columbus-based development company, has plans to turn Lincoln Elementary School into office, retail, and residential spaces, all while preserving the original structure.
“With a wealth of experience in repurposing decommissioned schools, Trivium brings a strong track record to the table,” the Findlay-Hancock County Economic Development Office previously said.
“Their expertise and vision will breathe new life into the historic building, preserving its heritage while revitalizing the site,” said Matt Cooper, President of the Findlay City Schools Board of Education.
The company also is planning to construct a mixed-use building on the site of the old Argyle Building across from Marathon Petroleum that would include apartments and retail.
The company’s updated plans for the projects are anticipated to go before the Findlay City Planning Commission in the spring.
If you want to take a walk down memory lane, click here to read our story from 2021 about people bidding farewell to Lincoln Elementary School.
(From Findlay City Schools)
Going the extra mile—literally and figuratively!
The Findlay City Schools Board of Education is proud to recognize the outstanding dedication and exceptional efforts of Lora Click, our On-Bus Instructor (OBI) for the FCS Transportation Department.
As the only OBI in the district, Lora plays a critical role in keeping our transportation team safe, skilled, and student-ready. She doesn’t just meet expectations—she exceeds them, going above and beyond in every aspect of her role, including:
-Providing over 12 hours of intensive, hands-on training for every new driver
-Evaluating driver competency in everything from pre-trip inspections to defensive driving and emergency evacuations
-Meticulously completing the documentation required for certification
Thanks to Lora’s commitment and leadership, we’ve cut our driver training time from 6–8 weeks to just 30 days. That’s a game-changer for our ability to meet staffing needs and provide timely, reliable service to Trojan Country. Her energy, expertise, and heart for mentoring new drivers are directly impacting the strength and safety of our entire fleet.
On behalf of the entire district, thank you, Lora, for your incredible service and commitment to excellence. We’re so proud to have you leading the way!
(From Office of the Ohio State Fire Marshal)
Applications are now being accepted for the Ohio Department of Commerce Division of State Fire Marshal’s 2026 Small County Volunteer Fire Department (SCVFD) Grant. Established recently by the 136th General Assembly via House Bill 96, the nonrenewable grant makes a total of $8 million in funding available for eligible fire departments across the state. Those departments can apply for up to $50,000 each to strengthen their operations, enhance safety, and better serve their communities.
Funding provided by the SCVFD Grant can be used for, but is not limited to, firefighter equipment and gear, rescue equipment and gear, and costs related to fire protection services. To learn more about the SCVFD Grant and to submit an application, fire departments can visit at com.ohio.gov/FireGrant. Applications will be accepted until Jan. 10, 2026.
To be eligible to receive SCVFD Grant funding, applicants must meet both of the following eligibility requirements:
Departments serving multiple counties are eligible only if they are located in a qualifying small county. Non-volunteer departments, and departments in counties with over 70,000 residents are not eligible for this grant funding.
“This grant is more than just funding, it’s a lifeline for Ohio’s small county volunteer fire departments, which are the backbone of our state’s fire service,” said State Fire Marshal Kevin Reardon. “These departments often operate with limited resources compared to their larger counterparts, yet they’re first on the scene when their communities need them most. With this support, we’re helping them continue their critical mission of protecting lives and property across Ohio.”
Each year, the Division of State Fire Marshal provides millions in grant funding to the state’s fire departments through other various programs like the MARCS Grant, Equipment Grants, and Training Reimbursement Grants. Additional details about these grants and their recipients can be found on the Division’s interactive Grants Dashboard at com.ohio.gov/SFMdashboard.
(From the Office of Congressman Bob Latta)
Congressman Bob Latta (OH-5) announced his nominations of students from Ohio’s Fifth Congressional District for consideration to be accepted into the United States Air Force, Merchant Marine, Military, and Naval Academies in the Class of 2030.
“I am proud to nominate 18 outstanding students from Ohio’s Fifth Congressional District to attend one of our U.S. Military Service Academies. Each student brings unique talents and has already demonstrated remarkable readiness at this early stage in their careers. It is an honor to nominate them for consideration. I wish them the very best as they continue through the interview process, and I thank them for pursuing this path of service to our country,” Latta said.
U.S. Military Academy
Adam Buell, Pandora, Pandora Gilboa High School
Jack Buell, Pandora, Pandora Gilboa High School
Gavin Minich, Bloomdale, Elmwood High School
Trever Blackburn, Lagrange, Military Academy Preparatory School
Grant Swain, Norwalk, Sandusky Central Catholic High School
Tyler Denn, Amherst, Marion L. Steele High School
Benjamin Beard, Findlay, Liberty Benton High School
Trevor Grzelak, Avon, Avon High School
Eli Chevalier, Sycamore, Mohawk High School
U.S. Naval Academy
Tyler Denn, Amherst, Marion L. Steele High School
Eli Chevalier, Sycamore, Mohawk High School
Benjamin Beard, Findlay, Liberty Benton High School
Jessica Linden, Wellington, The Ohio State University
Patrick Fellenstein, Lorain, Marion L. Steele High School
Edward Kessen, Delphos, Delphos St. John Catholic High School
Prince Tran, Lorain, New Mexico Military Institute
Jack Buell, Pandora, Pandora Gilboa High School
Anderson Rowe, Elyria, Elyria Catholic High School
Adam Buell, Pandora, Pandora Gilboa High School
U.S. Air Force Academy
Michele Smith, Avon, Avon High School
Anderson Rowe, Elyria, Elyria Catholic High School
Trevor Grzelak, Avon, Avon High School
Aidan Stewart, Avon Lake, Avon Lake High School
Anmithasri Senthilkumar, Findlay, Liberty Benton High School
Anthony Forthofer, Oberlin, Firelands High School
Jessica Linden, Wellington, The Ohio State University
Gavin Minich, Bloomdale, Elmwood High School
Eli Chevalier, Sycamore, Mohawk High School
Edward Kessen, Delphos, Delphos St. John Catholic High School
Prince Tran, Lorain, New Mexico Military Institute
U.S. Merchant Marine Academy
Prince Tran, Lorain, New Mexico Military Institute
Anderson Rowe, Elyria, Elyria Catholic High School
NOTE: A nomination does not guarantee acceptance to an Academy; that responsibility rests with their admissions office. Additional information regarding the academy nomination and application process may be obtained from Congressman Latta’s website at latta.house.gov.
(From Hancock County Job and Family Services)
Hancock County Job and Family Services will be closed December 24th, December 25th and December 26th, 2025.
Hancock County Job and Family Services will also be closed at noon on December 31st, 2025 and closed all day January 1st and January 2nd 2026.