(From the Findlay Police Department)

On 10-17-24 at approximately 1230 hours plain clothes units with the Findlay Police Department were conducting surveillance on a residence on SR 12 just west of Findlay.

The resident of the home, Jeffrey Dahms, has been suspected of multiple commercial break-ins over the last several weeks.

A warrant for his arrest had been issued.

While conducting the surveillance, Jeffrey left the residence in a vehicle heading westbound at a high rate of speed.

The plain clothes units followed Jeffrey until his vehicle suffered a flat tire and was forced to stop on Township Road 128.

The plain clothes officer was able to apprehend Jeffrey on the arrest warrant.

A search warrant was subsequently obtained for Jeffrey’s home.

Several items of evidentiary value were located in the home.

Jeffrey is currently incarcerated at the HCJC on two charges of Breaking and Entering (Felony 5).

The investigation is ongoing.

Two popular events that people both young and old look forward to each year are coming up soon; the Cops and Kids Findlay Halloween Parade and Findlay’s Trick-or-Treat.

Trick-or-Treat will be held on Saturday, October 26, 2024, from 6 to 8 p.m.

The Cops and Kids Findlay Halloween Parade is scheduled for Tuesday, October 22, 2024, at 7 p.m.

The parade is organized through the Fort Findlay Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 20.

See some video from last year’s parade below.

(From the Hancock Historical Museum)

Beware… They’re back! The Creepy Dolls have returned to the Hull-Flater House, and they’re creepier than ever!

Ready to send shivers down your spine, these dolls are lurking around, waiting for you to find them.

For Creepy Doll Week, we’re inviting you to explore the museum and discover these eerie characters.

Each day, we’ll feature one of our unsettling contestants with a close-up shot and their spine-chilling backstory!

Think you’ve found the creepiest one?

Drop a comment with their number to cast your vote! On October 31st, we’ll reveal which doll takes the crown of terror!

Join us for Spooktacular on Saturday, October 19th from 5-8 PM, or swing by during regular hours to experience the creepiness for yourself.

Who will be crowned the most chilling doll this Halloween?

(ONN) – Last month in northeast Ohio there was controversy over a county sheriff’s Facebook post. (below)

Now, federal officials are getting involved.

The Department of Justice announced it will monitor voting in Portage County amid concerns of intimidation stemming from a post made by the sheriff.

In a release, the DOJ says it will deploy staff to ensure compliance with federal laws for both early voting and Election Day.

This comes after Portage County Sheriff Bruce Zuchowski made a social media post suggesting residents write down the addresses of homes with Harris signs, saying “when the illegal human “locust” (which she supports!) need places to live, we’ll already have the addresses of their new families who supported their arrival!”

(ONN) – The “Battle of I-75” is coming up and the annual football game pitting the University of Toledo against Bowling Green State University will have a different halftime show this year after years of tradition.

BGSU’s president sent an email to marching band members saying the University of Toledo informed them that BG’s band will no longer be given time to perform during halftime.

BGSU’s band director says the band will still go to the battle of I-75 to support the Falcons.

A statement from UT says, “The response we received from both BGSU’s president and athletic director was one of disappointment but understanding of our time limitations. this decision was clearly communicated and not a surprise”.

(From the Tiffin Police Department)

To the Tiffin Community and Stakeholders,

I wanted to take a moment to share an important update regarding how our department is handling misdemeanor theft offenses. After careful consideration and discussions with city officials, we have decided to implement a short-term strategy that shifts toward making physical arrests for these offenses rather than issuing a summons and releasing the offender.

Why the change?

The decision to shift to physical arrests reflects our commitment to proactively address the rise in theft-related incidents. In recent months, we’ve seen an increase in theft offenses, and it’s clear that more accountability is needed to deter future criminal behavior. By taking this approach, we aim to emphasize the seriousness of these crimes, protect our businesses and residents, and provide offenders with a direct path toward addressing their actions.

We understand that each case is unique, and our goal isn’t to punish unnecessarily, but rather to instill a stronger sense of responsibility. This approach allows us to create opportunities for individuals to connect with resources that can help them make better decisions moving forward.

This strategy is intended as a short-term measure while we assess its effectiveness in reducing thefts. We believe this will not only help improve safety but also contribute to fostering a greater sense of accountability within our community.

As always, our primary goal is to protect and serve, while ensuring the safety and well-being of everyone in Tiffin. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to our department.

Thank you for your continued support, and let’s continue working together to make Tiffin a safer and stronger community!

Chief David Pauly

The Findlay Rotary Club presented its 2024 Golden Apple Awards to three area teachers for their teaching excellence.

Annually, The Rotary chooses teachers from the elementary level, middle school level, and high school level to compete for the award.

The winners of the Golden Apple Award for 2024 are:

At the elementary level, Jayson Schube, Math teacher at Bigelow Hill Elementary School.

At the middle school level, Maryann Holderman, Science teacher at Riverdale.

At the high school level, Tyler Smith, Physics teacher at Findlay High School.

We asked Maryann what she enjoys most about being an educator.

“It’s the kids! They’re the reason I get up every morning. I don’t want them to come into a classroom and be bored, I want to keep them engaged and keep their minds thinking.”

The finalist at each level receives the Golden Apple Award along with a $2,500 cash prize.

Second and third place semi-finalists each receive a $250 cash prize.

Finalists also accept an invitation to join the Golden Apple Academy, a group consisting of all past Golden Apple Award finalists.

The nine educators who were semifinalists are listed below.

At the elementary level, the semifinalists were: Heagan Sparling, Kindergarten at Liberty Benton; Jena Meloy, Kindergarten at Whittier; and Jayson Schube, 4th grade at Bigelow Hill.

At the middle school level, the semifinalists were: Angel Buck, 6th Grade Social Studies at Glenwood Middle School; Andy Honse, Band at McComb; and Maryann Holderman, Science at Riverdale.

At the high school level, the semifinalists were: Amy Teders, English at Liberty Benton; and Tyler Smith, Science at Findlay High School.

The Findlay Rotary Club accepted nominations for the award from students, parents, administration, colleagues and the community-at-large through the beginning of April.

Nominees are required to be a current teacher in the Findlay area or a Hancock County school and have at least three years of experience.

(ONN) – New data from the Ohio State Highway Patrol shows distracted driving crashes are down across the state.

This comes after the state passed a new distracted driving law that prohibits drivers from using or holding a phone while behind the wheel.

Data shows since last October there have been around 1,100 fewer distracted driving crashes in Ohio.

There was also a nearly 20 percent decrease in deadly crashes from distracted driving as well.

(From Sheetz)

Sheetz, a major Mid-Atlantic restaurant and convenience chain, officially broke ground on its $169 million facility in Findlay, Ohio. Once completed, this state-of-the-art building will house new food preparation and distribution services. 

Projected to open in 2026, the facility will support the company’s growth in Ohio and Michigan and create over 700 jobs over the next five years.  It will be the company’s third distribution center, joining facilities in Claysburg, Pennsylvania and Burlington, North Carolina.

“We are excited about the new jobs this facility will bring to Findlay and Hancock County,” said Sheetz President and CEO Travis Sheetz. “The support from local, county, and state leaders has been instrumental in making this project a reality. As we continue expanding across Ohio and Michigan, Findlay will be a key driver of our growth and future success.”

Sheetz has over 100 store locations in Ohio and is growing rapidly in Columbus, Dayton and most recently, Toledo. Sheetz opened its first Toledo location on September 10 followed with the opening of its second store in the market on September 30. The company is planning to open several other Toledo locations in the next year.  

“The Economic Development office, in collaboration with City and County leadership, has worked hand-in-hand with the Sheetz team since December 2022 to successfully bring this project to fruition,” said Dan Sheaffer, Executive Director of Findlay-Hancock Economic Development. “Our commitment remains clear: to unite all stakeholders and ensure a seamless development process.”

“I am thrilled to welcome Sheetz to Findlay,” said Findlay Mayor Christina Muryn. “Sheetz is a family-owned business with a commitment to community. I know with their unique benefits, strong wages, and family-oriented mindset they will be a great community partner. I am also grateful for City Council’s support of this project as it shows a continued investment in our thriving local economy.” 

Sheetz currently operates 750+ store locations across Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, Ohio, Michigan, and Maryland, with all locations open 24/7, 365 days a year. 

(The new facility will be located at the corner of County Road 212 and Township Road 230, east of the Lowe’s Distribution Center)

(From the United Way of Hancock County)

United Way of Hancock County is calling on all Difference Makers to help support our community through its 2024 Annual Campaign.

“The United Way’s campaign theme of “Difference Makers” points to the impact just one person can make in the lives of vulnerable children, families and individuals”, said United Way of Hancock County CEO Kelley McClurkin.

“The Findlay-Hancock County community is incredibly generous with its support, but we still need you as more people are living paycheck to paycheck and the need for our local resources is growing,” McClurkin added.

The United Way has set a fundraising goal of $2.1 million. Everything raised during the Annual Campaign will be put back into the community through grants covering vital and basic needs for the residents of Hancock County. The United Way supports 15 local partner agencies and 23 programs that provide critical services to 1 in 4 people locally.

“We are grateful for the immense support we receive from the community, and we are so proud to say that every single donation we receive stays in Hancock County, going to work right here at home,” McClurkin said. “We invite everyone to get involved, whether it be through financial support, volunteerism or advocacy for a cause that’s close to your heart.”

Campaign season runs through Nov. 22 and incorporates a variety of activities designed to build corporate enthusiasm, provide volunteer engagement and educate the public on the efforts of local nonprofits. The United Way offers regular bus trips, called “Difference Maker Tours,” that highlight all of its partner agencies, and assists with workplace campaign kickoff events. The Downtown Restaurant Tour is one of the United Way’s signature fundraising events and will take place Nov. 7, with all proceeds supporting the Halt Hunger Initiative.

Leading the campaign’s efforts for a third consecutive year is Campaign Chair Andrea Kramer, president and owner of City Apparel + Merch. She is being joined by co-chair Kirby Overton, dean of the University of Findlay College of Business. Both serve on the United Way of Hancock County Board of Directors, with Kramer set to become board president in 2025.

“No matter the cause you wish to champion, making a difference is as easy as donating to United Way of Hancock County,” Kramer said.

“Just as it has since 1955, this organization is regularly assessing and responding to the community’s greatest areas of need. Everything raised here stays here, meaning that every donation of every size makes an impact,” Overton added.

Each year, the United Way assembles a campaign cabinet to serve as the key connection between the organization and its corporate partners. This year’s cabinet members include:

• Chuck Bills, president of Ohio Logistics, serving as Corporate Division chair.
• Kelly Wohlgamuth, gifted education coordinator for Findlay City Schools; and Jeff Young, superintendent of the Hancock County Education Services Center, serving as Education Division co-chairs.
• Myron Lewis, president and CEO of Blanchard Valley Health System, serving as Health Division chair.
• Karen Worthington, owner of River + Road, serving as Mercantile Division chair.
• Sean Abbott, attorney at law with Hackenberg, Feighner, and Werth, LLC, serving as Professional Division chair.
• Jaclynn Hohman, project manager for the City of Findlay, serving as Public Division chair.
• Cathy Schroll, mayor of the Village of McComb, serving as Rural Division chair.
• Madison Tolsma, supply chain analyst with Marathon Petroleum Corp., serving as Youth Division chair.

Visit www.uwhancock.org to learn more or to donate to the campaign.

This year’s campaign video, which further details United Way’s work, can be viewed on the homepage.