(From Findlay City Schools)

We are incredibly proud to share the impact of our community, staff, and students through Turkeys for Trojans.

Thanks to the support and enthusiasm of Taylor Automotive Family and Great Scot Community Markets, 100 Thanksgiving meals were prepared, packaged, and delivered this morning to families & students of Findlay High School for a bit of joy and warmth over the holiday.

This is *double* the number of meals from last year, and it’s already been dreamed of to try for 200 next Thanksgiving.

What a community we have here, to wrap our families in love and support, even outside the walls of our school buildings.

Thank you, Findlay.

The owner of the Findlay Village Mall is starting to send out notices to mall tenants who will be affected by a big box retailer’s plans to build a store on the mall site.

In September, The Findlay City Planning Commission approved the application for site plan review submitted by the owner of the mall for a new 131,809 square foot retail big box store at 1800 Tiffin Avenue, the location of the mall.

Planning commission documents show that the plan is to demolish the middle section of the mall, a 188,000 square foot structure designated lot 8 in the picture below, to build the new 131,809 square foot retail store.

As for the name of the retailer, Findlay Mayor Christina Muryn says that will be released on the retailer’s timeline and no sooner. 

Planning commission documents show that the plan is to demolish the middle section of the mall to build the new store.

The demolition will create separation of the new big box store from Dunham’s, Michael’s, and Tokyo Steakhouse to the west, leaving room for a 24-foot drive and additional parking spots on the west side.

The newly open space in the front will allow to keep a consistent drive aisle along the front of the new retail store lining up with the Runnings store.

The new retail store will have 406 parking spots, which is above the minimum required.

Mayor Muryn is urging affected mall tenants to contact the Findlay-Hancock County Economic Development Office at 419-422-3313 for assistance.  

(From The Hancock County Veterans Service Office and Garner Trucking)

The Hancock County Veterans Service Office and Garner Trucking invite the community to join in a meaningful event on Saturday, December 14, 2024, as we honor the service and sacrifice of our veterans by placing wreaths on their graves at local cemeteries. This annual event is part of the national Wreaths Across America initiative, a mission to Remember, Honor, and Teach, ensuring that the memory of our nation’s heroes endures.

This event is not only a chance to honor and remember but also to unite as a community in patriotic commemoration. By working together, we ensure that no veteran is forgotten. Wreaths Across America came to Hancock County through Jon Brumbaugh’s Eagle Scout project in 2016. In the first year of the program locally, 500 wreaths were placed at Maple Grove Cemetery in Findlay.

Since then, the Fort Findlay DAR added the Benton Ridge Cemetery, the Knights of Columbus added St. Michael’s Cemetery, American Legion Post 539 added North Baltimore Cemeteries, and Don Stine brought the program to Eagle Township Cemeteries.

The Village of Arlington Cemetery has been one of the Wreaths Across America local sites for the past few years, but is on pause this year in search of site coordinators. If you are interested in leading the efforts or want more details about the volunteer position for that location next year, please email Nichole Coleman, nrcoleman@co.hancock.oh.us.

In the video below, Sherri Garner Brumbaugh told us that 2,100 wreaths were placed at Maple Grove Cemetery in 2023, an increase of 600 from 2022.

More than 4,000 wreaths were placed at the seven area cemeteries participating in 2023. 

The Wreaths Across America mission began as a simple gesture of gratitude and has grown into a national movement uniting communities across the country. This year, more than 4,500 locations will participate in National Wreaths Across America Day, with over three million volunteers coming together to place veterans’ wreaths and teach the next generation about the value of freedom.

In Hancock County, our goal is to place 5,260 wreaths on veterans’ graves at Maple Grove, St. Michael’s, Benton Ridge, North Baltimore, and Eagle Township cemeteries. Sponsoring a wreath is a personal gift of gratitude and remembrance for someone who served this country to protect our freedom. Donations will be accepted through November 30, 2024, and details on how to sponsor a wreath can be found at www.hancockveterans.com.

How You Can Help:

1. Sponsor a Wreath: A $17 donation sponsors a wreath to honor a veteran. Visit www.hancockveterans.com to donate.

2. Volunteer to Place Wreaths: Join us on December 14th with your family, friends, church groups, youth organizations, schools, or scout troops to lay wreaths at one of the five cemeteries. It’s a wonderful opportunity to teach younger generations about the value of freedom and the importance of remembering those who served. Maple Grove, St. Michael’s, Benton Ride and North Baltimore cemeteries ceremonies will all take place at 10:00 AM and the Eagle Township Cemetery will hold their ceremony at 1:30 PM. Full details can be found at www.hancockveterans.com.

Mark your calendars for Saturday, December 14, 2024, and plan to join us for this important tribute.

For more information about the event, sponsorships, or volunteering opportunities, please visit www.hancockveterans.com or contact the Hancock County Veterans Service Office at veterans@co.hancock.oh.us or call 419-424-7036.

The Ohio Department of Transportation is letting drivers know that the Interstate 75 southbound flyover ramp in Findlay will be closed for a few hours on the morning of Tuesday, November 26.

“Interstate 75 southbound to U.S.68/State Route 15/Lima Avenue (flyover ramp) will close Tuesday, Nov. 26, for a couple hours between 8 a.m. – noon to reset a light pole,” ODOT said.

Two area teams have advanced to the state semifinals in the high school football playoffs.

Bluffton defeated Patrick Henry 24 to 7 Friday night November 22, and Columbus Grove beat St. John’s 14 to 0.

“Following the football regional championships last Friday night, the Ohio High School Athletic Association has announced the pairings and sites for this week’s state semifinal games. In late July, 707 schools began the football season, and now 28 are still playing in the Final Four during Thanksgiving week.” Said the OHSAA.

Bluffton (13-1) will play Coldwater (13-1) on Friday, November 29 at 7 p.m. at Wapakoneta High School in the Division VI state semifinals. The winner will play in the State Title game on Saturday, December 7 in Canton at 10:30 a.m..

Columbus Grove (14-0) will play Maria Stein Marion Local (14-0) on Friday, November 29 at 7 p.m. at Lima Spartan Stadium in the Division VII State Semifinals. The winner will play in the State Title game on Friday, December 6 at 10:30 a.m.

See the full pairings by clicking here.

(From the Ohio State Highway Patrol)

The Findlay Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating a fatal crash that occurred on November 22, 2024, at approximately 5:25 P.M. The crash occurred on State Route 15 at the intersection of Township Road 190 in Amanda Township, Hancock County.

Brian K. Post, age 54, of Findlay, Ohio was operating a 2025 Honda Odyssey northbound on Township Road 190 at State Route 15. Mahamed A. Kadir, age 29, of New Brighton, Minnesota was operating a 2018 Ford F-150 eastbound on State Route 15. Mr. Post was traveling through the intersection and was struck by Mr. Kadir. Sonja R. Dodds-Post, age 60, of Findlay, Ohio was seated in the front passenger seat of the Honda Odyssey.

Mr. Post was pronounced deceased on scene and transported to Blanchard Valley Hospital. Mrs. Dodds-Post was transported to Blanchard Valley Hospital by HANCO EMS were she succumbed to her injuries and was pronounced deceased. Mr. Kadir was treated on scene by HANCO EMS with minor injuries. All occupants were wearing their safety belts at the time of the crash. State Route 15 in the area of the crash was closed for approximately two hours and thirty minutes, but is now open.

The Patrol was assisted on scene by Hancock County Sheriff’s Office, Vanlue Fire Department, HANCO EMS, Life Flight, and B. G. Towing.

The crash remains under investigation.

(WFIN) – Transportation officials have been building overpasses and closing intersections along State Route 15 due to safety concerns and recently began work to permanently close County Road 8 at State Route 15. Read more about that by clicking here.

(From the Fort Findlay FOP Lodge 20 Foundation)

Since 2002, local law enforcement officers have been shopping with children in need, creating holiday memories while providing essentials and gifts. Four years ago, the Fort Findlay FOP Lodge 20 Foundation transitioned from a national program—where a portion of donor dollars went elsewhere—to a fully local approach, ensuring every dollar raised stays in Hancock County to benefit local kids. While this transition has ensured that support stays within the community, it also means that the program relies more heavily on the generosity of individuals, businesses, and organizations in our area.

“Inflation and increased costs have impacted everyone, including this program,” said Teresa White, development director of the Fort Findlay FOP Lodge 20 Foundation, which organizes the event. “We’ve always done our best to provide for as many children as possible, but the demand and the cost of items have grown significantly.”

Last year, officers shopped with 140 children giving them $200 each to spend on toys, clothing, and other essentials, with local school districts helping to identify participants in need. This year, rising prices and a growing number of children in need have stretched resources thin.

The program has touched countless lives, including one local family who shared how much it meant to them. “This program has been a blessing for us,” said a parent of a past participant who wished to remain anonymous. “Not only did it help us provide essentials during a tough time, but the experience of shopping with an officer gave my child a sense of excitement that was very special. It showed them that our community cares, and I’ll forever be grateful for that.”

“The heart of this program is the connection between the children and the officers,” White continued. “We want to ensure every child has a positive experience and leaves with the items they need to thrive, but we can’t do it without support from the community.”

Donations of any size can make a difference. Contributions help provide children with the funding they need to shop while fostering positive relationships with law enforcement.

To support Cops & Kids, donations can be made online at fortfindlayfop20.org/cops-and-kids or mailed to Fort Findlay FOP Lodge 20 Foundation, P.O. Box 1335, 1769 S. Romick Pkwy., Findlay, OH 45840. The Fort Findlay FOP Lodge 20 Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit; all donations are tax-deductible. For more information, contact White at copsandkidsfindlay@gmail.com or 1-833-LODGE20 (563-4320).

About the Fort Findlay FOP Lodge 20 Foundation: The Foundation funds initiatives like Cops & Kids Go Shopping, supporting active, retired, and fallen law enforcement members and their families while fostering positive relationships with the community through youth and family programming.

Findlay High School Student Leadership will be holding a ‘Pictures with Santa’ event.

It will be held on Saturday, December 7 from 9:30 to noon at Findlay High School.

Admission and pictures are free, and people are encouraged to bring along the whole family for a fun time.

There will also be activities for the kids, cookie decorating, and more.

Some FHS Student Leadership students were on with WFIN’s Chris Oaks to discuss the fun holiday event.

The new Hancock County Judicial Center building is nearly finished.

The Hancock County Commissioner’s office says construction is essentially finished and now they’re working on things like occupancy permits and elevator inspections.

The county is hoping to take possession of the building in December and move in offices in January and then hold a ribbon-cutting after they’re settled in. The groundbreaking for the building was held in June of 2023. 

Commissioner Tim Bechtol says the new three-story building at 209 West Main Cross will house Probate and Juvenile Court which are currently located in a building just east of that location.

As Bechtol mentioned in the audio above, juvenile probation offices will be on the second floor and adult probation on the first floor.

The Domestic Relations Court will also be moving from the courthouse into the new building.

CASA, Court Appointed Special Advocates, will also move its offices into the new building.

The new facility is named the Allan H. Davis Judicial Center after the longtime judge for the Probate and Juvenile Court.  

There will be staff parking behind the building and the Hancock County Commissioners said they have come to a long-term deal with MCPA to use the northwest corner of their parking lot for public parking.  

As for the current Probate/Juvenile Court building, Commissioner Tim Bechtol has said he’d like to remove the additions that were added to it over the years and preserve the original historic structure, but what will happen to it has not yet been decided.

(From Findlay High School)

Thank you to all the FHS Staff, Students, and all of Trojan Country for your donations to Turkeys for Trojans!

Because of you we will be supplying 100 Thanksgiving meals to our families.

You all are appreciated!!!

And shout out to Asst. Principal Don Williams for being a good sport and rocking the Turkey costume today due to raising the most money!