(From the OHSAA)

The Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) has designated the week of Oct. 6-12 as Fall Sports Officials Appreciation Week.

Officials Appreciation Week is part of the OHSAA’s Respect the Game program, which encourages sportsmanship among student-athletes, coaches, officials and spectators, and is held in conjunction with the National Federation of State High School Associations’ (NFHS) National High School Activities Month.

Athletic administrators are encouraged to utilize an OHSAA-provided public address script before all home games during the week and use their social media accounts to show appreciation for contest officials.

“We appreciate each and every one of the nearly 15,000 contest officials in the state of Ohio,” said OHSAA Director of Officiating Beau Rugg. “These individuals spend countless hours in clinics, rules meetings and professional development during the offseason to prepare for their roles, and we are grateful for their ongoing service to Ohio’s student-athletes, coaches and member schools.”

Future appreciation weeks are set for Jan. 12-18, 2026 (winter sports) and April 6-12, 2026 (spring sports).

Raise the Bar Hancock County held its 2025 Career Connections Day at Owens Community College, hosting hundreds of 8^th graders from all nine Hancock County school districts.

Raise the Bar Director Tricia Valasek says this year around 800 students participated in hands-on experiences and interactive learning sessions.

As Tricia mentioned in the audio above, Career Connections Day is designed to give students practical exposure to careers and local industries while helping them build a clearer picture of possible futures.

By connecting students directly with business and industry representatives, the event helps bridge the gap between education and employment.

This hands-on experience also encourages students to consider building their futures right here in Hancock County, helping keep local talent in the community and supporting the region’s workforce growth.

(From Hancock County ADAMHS)

Hancock County’s 6th Annual Trauma Conference,”Healing Our Anxious Brain,” will be held Friday, October 17, at the University of Findlay.

The conference will feature clinical psychologist and psychology professor Dr. Catherine M. Pittman, Ph.D., HSPP, who has over 30 years of experience in treating anxiety and neuropsychological rehabilitation for brain injuries and strokes.

The event aims to provide mental health professionals, educators, and community members with insights and strategies to better understand and treat anxiety-related conditions.

Dr. Pittman’s lecture will focus on the neuroscience behind fear and anxiety, providing attendees with evidence-based tools to promote healing and resilience.

The conference will be held from 8:30 am to 12:15 pm on October 17. An optional clinical consultation will be held from 1:30 to 3:30 pm with Dr. Pittman.

Attendees will have an opportunity to meet Dr. Pittman and have her book, “Rewire Your Anxious Brain: How to Use the Neuroscience of Fear to End Anxiety, Panic, and Worry,” personally signed.

Attendees, including social workers, counselors, and other professionals, can earn three Continuing Education Credits for participating in the morning session.

Participants can register online at forms.gle/7Q692FTgZv3PbjEF.

This year’s conference is sponsored by the Hancock ADAMHS Board, Northwest Ohio Trauma Informed Care Collaborative, The University of Findlay Social Work Program, and the Ohio Department of Mental Health & Addiction Services.

(From the City of Findlay)

We have some new pedestrian alleyway lighting in Downtown Findlay!

This alleyway is located between Roobarb Studios and Scramblers.

Thank you to the Downtown Findlay Improvement District (DFID) for funding this project, the Findlay Traffic Department for performing the work, and the building owners for being on board!

The Hancock County Sheriff’s Office has released its monthly report for September.

The sheriff’s office said it closed 2,481 total incidents in September, which included 308 traffic stops, 30 OVI/reckless operation investigations, investigated 76 crashes and executed 42 arrest warrants.

Sheriff Mike Cortez says he’s profoundly grateful for the community’s collaboration and confident in a shared commitment to transparency, accountability, excellence, and professionalism.

The full report is below.

(From Blanchard Valley Health System)

Congratulations to Emily Ulrey, RN, for being a September DAISY Award Recipient!

Emily was nominated by a patient who was moved by her ability to turn a devastating hospital stay into a life-changing, positive experience. “The second she walked into my room, she was like a ray of sunshine and an angel of hope. Emily is the true definition of what a nurse is,” they wrote. She provided the patient with all the necessary tools to recover while also offering compassion, empathetic care, and advocacy.

Thank you, Emily, for your dedication to providing the highest-quality patient care. We are lucky to have you as part of #TeamBVHS.

Pictured (Photo one, left to right): BJ Pasztor, RN, chief nursing officer and chief operations officer of acute care services; Renee Matthews, RN, administrator of Bluffton Hospital; Matt Moser, RN, clinical manager at Bluffton Hospital; Jessica Moore, RN, director of inpatient nursing.

Millstream Career Center held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the grand opening of a new wing at its facility at 1150 Broad Avenue in Findlay.

The $3.4 million expansion allowed for the creation of Millstream’s new STREAM Center, specializing in Science, Technology, Robotics, Engineering, Automation, and Manufacturing.

Millstream Director Pam Hamlin says they expanded their Engineering and Robotics program and created a new program called Manufacturing and Industrial Robotics.

She says the expansion will allow them to educate more students for in-demand jobs.

The expansion was made possible by a $3.4 million career tech grant from the state of Ohio, and partnering school districts and business partners.

Learn more about Millstream Career Center by clicking here.

(From the United Way of Hancock County)

United Way of Hancock County has aged 70 years — just like a great bottle of bourbon.

In honor of this legacy of bringing the community together, the United Way has planned a masquerade-themed fundraiser called Barrels & Bids: An Evening of Impact. This formal event will be held from 6-9 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 23, at the Findlay Country Club, featuring bourbon and wine tastings; silent and live auctions; and raffles. Keynote speaker for the evening is Hancock County’s own Jerry Blevins, former MLB player and co-founder of Field of Dreams Whiskey Co.

Tickets are $100 each or $800 for a table of eight. Tickets and sponsorship opportunities are available via the United Way’s website, www.uwhancock.org, or by calling the office at 419-423-1432.

“We haven’t had a formal event like this for years and we’re excited to put on a fun event to raise money not just for one cause, but for many across our community,” said United Way of Hancock County CEO Kelley McClurkin.

Barrels & Bids falls in the middle of United Way of Hancock County’s 70th anniversary year and its Campaign season, when the organization is working to raise $1.8 million to support critical community services. United Way funding supports 20 programs run by 15 local partner agencies dedicated to championing children’s issues, fighting hunger, promoting safety and health, supporting safe housing and fostering financial security.

All ticket sales and sponsorships from this event will go directly toward the United Way’s Campaign goal.

McClurkin noted that Barrels & Bids is largely being organized by local bourbon enthusiasts and will feature tastings and raffles for a number of highly coveted and sought-after bourbons. She added, however, that this is “not just for bourbon connoisseurs but for anyone looking for an elegant evening out this fall.”

The northern half of Hancock County is still listed as being in Extreme Drought in the latest map released by the U.S. Drought Monitor on Thursday, and the overall Extreme Drought designation has expanded. 

The southern half of the county is listed in Severe Drought. Click here to see the map.

The Extreme Drought designation also extends up into Wood County and over into parts of Putnam and Henry Counties and even further west. 

Get the latest forecast and weather alerts by clicking here. 

(From the Findlay-Hancock County Community Foundation)

Congratulations Findlay City Schools!

The Allan H. Davis Fund has awarded its annual civic education grants.

$150,000 will support incredible programs like Youth in Government, We The People Competition, Trojan Trailblazers, and Blue & Gold student publications.

These funds help prepare our next generation of civic leaders!