We are excited to share that the City of Fostoria has been awarded $100,000 from the Ohio Urban Forestry Division to continue strengthening and revitalizing our city’s urban forest.
Many of you know we previously received a $1 million American Forestry grant at the federal level. While that funding supported critical early phases of our overall Urban Forestry Program, this new state-level grant will allow us to move into Phase 3: Tree Planting and Establishment.
-Where We Are in the Urban Forestry Program
Phase 1 – Public Tree Inventory & Risk Assessment
Completed by Davey Resource Group and funded through the American Forestry grant. This work provided a citywide evaluation of all public trees and identified hazardous or declining trees needing removal.
Phase 2 – Urban Forest Management & Master Planting Plan
Completed last week. This plan identifies all vacant planting sites throughout the city and recommends appropriate species for both replacement plantings and future canopy health.
Phase 3 – Tree Planting & Establishment (Now Funded!)
This new Urban Forestry grant will be focused on downtown Fostoria, specifically replacing all Callery pear trees, which are recognized as an invasive species. Many of our urban trees were planted at the same time decades ago, leading to many of them declining at the same time as well. Removing invasive or hazardous trees and replanting with healthy, diverse, and site-appropriate species will greatly improve the long-term health of our canopy.
-What to Expect Downtown
Our Tree & Beautification Commission has been working diligently to select the right species for the right locations while considering storefront visibility, safety, root behavior, sidewalk impacts, and long-term maintenance.
In the coming weeks, we will begin delivering informational materials to downtown business owners and tenants. For now, please note:
-All trees on Main Street from South Street to North Street will be removed and replaced as soon as possible.
-Behind the Scenes
We are actively using TreeKeeper, our new tree-management software, to log calls, track work orders, and ensure our crews are addressing needs efficiently.
A big thank you to Botimer Tree Service, Ernie Russell Stump Removal, and our own City of Fostoria crews for their hard work in improving our urban forest.
-Questions About a City Tree?
If you have a question about a tree in the boulevard in front of your home or if you notice a tree that may pose a hazard, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re committed to maintaining a safe, healthy, and sustainable urban canopy for generations to come.
Fun for All was created in response to local feedback that affordable, family-friendly activities were scarce.
From arts and theater to sports and recreation, there’s fun for everyone!
To keep the fun going, the Foundation board launched the Fun for All Fund.
All gifts to the fund will be matched dollar-for-dollar up to $100,000 through December 20, 2025.
Since 2023, we’ve partnered with 31 organizations to bring 60+ free events to 40,000 people, half of Hancock County.
From pool days to opera nights, arts and crafts to ice skating, we’re breaking down financial barriers so everyone can enjoy arts, parks, and recreation right here at home.
Your support creates joy, connection, and lasting memories for our community.
Wreaths Across America is a national event whose mission is to REMEMBER the fallen U.S. Veterans, HONOR those who serve our country, and TEACH future generations about the sacrifices made to preserve our freedoms.
Join us as we respectfully place approximately 6,500 wreaths on area Veterans’ graves in Hancock County in honor of their service on Saturday, December 13, at 10 a.m.
Participating cemeteries include Arlington, Benton Ridge, Eagle Township, Maple Grove, McComb, North Baltimore, St. Michael’s, and Vanlue Cemeteries.
Sherri Garner Brumbaugh, President of Garner Trucking, is the coordinator of the Findlay event at Maple Grove Cemetery.
Donations can be made at the Findlay-Hancock County Chamber Foundation for the Hancock County participating cemeteries or you can visit our website (www.hancockveterans.com).
Findlay City Council voted down a proposed loitering ordinance at its Tuesday night meeting.
Several community members have pushed back against the ordinance since it was proposed, saying it threatens the freedom of people to exist in public spaces without fear of being criminalized.
The city said it has received increased complaints regarding loitering in and around parts of downtown, loitering that often includes signs of drug use and other criminal acts.
The city said the intention of the ordinance was to have some control and enforcement of such conduct which currently does not exist in city code.
Below is audio of how the vote went, the text of the ordinance, and video from Tuesday night’s city council meeting.
ORDINANCE NO. 2025-134
AN ORDINANCE ENACTING REGULATIONS ON UNLAWFUL CONGREGATION.
BE IT ORDAINED by the Council for the City of Findlay, Ohio:
WHEREAS, Council for the City of Findlay desires to prohibit lingering in a public place
for an extended period of time without apparent purpose with the intent to deter more
serious criminal acts.
SECTION 1. That effective immediately upon adoption of this Ordinance, the new
regulations on unlawful congregation as attached hereto shall be active and enforced.
SECTION 2: This Ordinance shall be in full force and effect from and after the earliest
period provided by law.
Section 1. Purpose
The purpose of this ordinance is to promote public safety and order by prohibiting conduct that
obstructs public ways or facilitates criminal activity, while preserving the constitutional rights of
individuals to move freely, assemble, and engage in lawful activity.
Section 2. Definitions
For purposes of this ordinance:
“Loiter” means to remain in a public place without apparent lawful purpose after being
requested by a law enforcement officer to move along, when such conduct obstructs
pedestrian or vehicular traffic or interferes with lawful business on the premises.
“Public place” means any street, sidewalk, alley, parking lot, or area open to the
general public.
“Obstruct” means to intentionally or recklessly block, hinder, or impede the free
passage of pedestrians or vehicles.
Section 3. Prohibited Conduct
(A) No person shall intentionally or recklessly:
Obstruct the free passage of any other person or vehicle on any public way, sidewalk, or
public place; or
Remain in a public place after being lawfully ordered by a law enforcement officer to
move, when the officer has observed that the person’s conduct:
(a) Is causing or contributing to an obstruction; or
(b) Is reasonably associated with the commission, attempted commission, or
solicitation of a specific unlawful act including but not limited to; prostitution, drug
trafficking, or assault.
(B) No person shall be stopped or ordered to move solely for standing, walking, talking, or
otherwise engaging in lawful behavior in a public place.
Section 4. Law Enforcement Procedures
Before issuing an order to disperse or move along, a law enforcement officer shall:
– Identify themselves and explain the specific conduct observed that constitutes an
obstruction or indicates intent to engage in a specific unlawful act.
The person shall be given a reasonable opportunity to comply before any arrest or
citation is made.
Officers shall document the specific conduct and circumstances leading to the
enforcement action.
Section 5. Penalty
Violation of this ordinance is a minor misdemeanor.
Section 6. Severability
If any portion of this ordinance is held unconstitutional or invalid, the remaining portions shall
Funday Sunday is back December 14th from 1:00–3:30 p.m.!
Enjoy hands-on winter fun, an interactive story time by author/illustrator Jane Smith, a visit from Santa, and a Children’s Museum of Findlay pop-up from 1:00–3:30 p.m.!
On Tuesday, December 2, Van Buren Local School District received a $20,000 STEM grant from Pilot Travel Centers at the grand opening of the new facility located at 11471 St. Rt. 613.
Superintendent Dr. Jason Inkrott, who attended the ceremony to receive the grant, said, “We appreciate the generosity of Pilot Travel Centers to our district. The $20,000 they are providing for STEM-related initiatives will help our students gain a wide variety of experiences as they participate in future projects the grant will fund. We are grateful for the partnership we are developing with Pilot and appreciate all of the support our local businesses provide to our district.”
We also appreciate Mrs. Cassie Schaffer, Director of Teaching and Learning, for writing the grant proposal, which included a student-led project to design the layout of the interior of our newly renovated greenhouse and student-led improvements to the medieval garden between the high school and elementary buildings.
The Hancock Historical Museum is pleased to announce the December Brown Bag Lecture, featuring Dr. Charles “Chuck” Coletta of Bowling Green State University’s Department of Popular Culture. His presentation will explore the enduring legacy of It’s a Wonderful Life (1946) and the deeper intentions behind director Frank Capra’s beloved film.
Although widely embraced today as a quintessential holiday classic, Capra never meant the film to be viewed solely as a Christmas movie. As his first feature following his World War II service, Capra envisioned it as a tribute to the everyday Americans whose lives, dreams, and quiet determination shape their communities. Both Capra and James Stewart regarded It’s a Wonderful Life as their favorite work. Dr. Coletta’s lecture will trace the origins of Philip Van Doren Stern’s short story and its journey to the screen, highlighting how the film evolved into one of the most cherished seasonal traditions in American culture.
A Cleveland native, Dr. Coletta earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in literature from John Carroll University and his Ph.D. in American Culture Studies from Bowling Green State University. Since 2000, he has taught courses on television and film studies, contemporary popular literature, and mass media.
The lecture will take place on Thursday, December 4, at noon, at the Hancock Historical Museum, 422 West Sandusky Street, Findlay. Presented by Eastman & Smith, the museum’s Brown Bag Lecture Series is held on the first Thursday of each month and highlights topics connected to Hancock County and Ohio history. The program is free for museum members and included with regular admission for non-members. No registration is required. Attendees are welcome to bring a lunch and enjoy an engaging hour of history. For more information, visit HancockHistoricalMuseum.org or call 419-423-4433.
Make sure to mark your calendar for 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 19 and return to the Museum for Classic Movie Night featuring It’s a Wonderful Life (1946).
Congratulations to Employees Brooke Coulter and Allison Lentz on their graduation from the Corrections Academy on November 21, 2025!
We are incredibly proud of their hard work, dedication, and perseverance throughout the academy. This accomplishment reflects their commitment to professionalism, integrity, and public service.
Brooke and Allison will be tremendous assets to our team, and we look forward to seeing them continue to grow and make a positive impact within our facility and our community.
Please join us in congratulating them on this outstanding achievement!
