(From the United Way of Hancock County)

In a concerted effort to address food insecurity within our community, the United Way of Hancock County, City Mission, and CHOPIN Hall will proudly host the inaugural “Findlay Food for All”. The event is set to take place on June 8th, 2024 from 10 am – 2 pm at the City Mission warehouse located at 330 Walnut Street, Findlay, OH, 45840. Local organizations are encouraged to participate in a friendly competition to raise essential food supplies and awareness while showcasing creativity through a Canstruction challenge.

The ‘Findlay Food for All’ event will feature:

Business Competition:

Local businesses are invited to participate in a spirited fundraising competition to collect the most food donations. From May 1st to June 1st, businesses will mobilize their teams and networks to gather non-perishable food items. The business that raises the highest volume of donations will earn the coveted “Food Champion” title and receive recognition for their impactful contribution.

Canstruction Challenge:

Adding an exciting twist to the event, participating businesses can showcase their creativity and teamwork through a Canstruction challenge. Teams will use their collected food donations to construct intricate and imaginative structures, highlighting the transformative power of community collaboration. These structures will serve as powerful symbols of hope and solidarity in the fight against hunger.

By participating in the Findlay Food for All event, businesses will not only demonstrate their commitment to corporate social responsibility, but also play an instrumental role in alleviating hunger within our community. Every can, every dollar, and every effort counts towards making a meaningful impact. Ron Rooker, Executive Director of CHOPIN Hall stated, “CHOPIN Hall is excited to collaborate with United Way and the City Mission. The Findlay Food For All event is a great example of “It Takes a Community to Feed a Community.”

How Businesses Can Get Involved:

1. Register your business team beginning Monday, May 1st, 2024. Food can be collected through June 1st.
2. Kick-off a fundraising food drive campaign within your organization.
3. Engage employees and customers through creative initiatives and challenges.
4. Collect non-perishable food items and monetary donations.

Join us on June 8th at the City Mission Warehouse from 10 am – 2 pm for the ‘No Meal, Meal’ event where donated food will be redistributed back into the community. Donated food will be collected during the first week of June prior to the event.

Together, we can make a difference. Together, we can ensure that no one in our community goes hungry. For more information on how to participate in the Findlay Food for All event, please contact Ron Rooker, Executive Director, at rrooker@chopinhall.org or Kaleb Brown, Community Impact Manager, at impact@uwhancock.org.

(From the Tiffin Police Department)

On Sunday, April 28, 2024, the Tiffin Police Department, in conjunction with Tiffin Fire/Rescue responded to a distress call at Zahn Hall, located at 171 Jackson St, Tiffin, Ohio, situated on the campus of Tiffin University. The report indicated an unresponsive male within the premises.

Upon arrival, the combined efforts of police and fire personnel sadly confirmed the passing of a male student. The Tiffin Police Department immediately mobilized its Criminal Division to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the tragic event.

Preliminary findings suggest that the student’s demise was not a result of foul play but rather possibly due to a medical emergency. However, a comprehensive investigation is underway to confirm the absence of any criminal activity.

In adherence to protocol, the deceased’s body has been transferred to the Lucas County Coroner’s Office for further examination, including an autopsy. The Tiffin Police Department remains steadfast in its commitment to ensuring a thorough and transparent investigation.

The Tiffin Police Department expresses its deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of the deceased during this difficult time. Additionally, the department is actively collaborating with Tiffin University to provide necessary support and assistance.

Further updates will be provided as the investigation progresses.

Chief Pauly

(From Blanchard Valley Health System)

Area youth will have an opportunity to take part in “Grief Trails,” sponsored by Bridge Home Health & Hospice, a division of Blanchard Valley Health System, this summer.

“Grief Trails” is a program that allows children, ages six to 12 years old and 13 to 18 years old, to learn about the importance of communicating emotions and needs to others while working hands-on with gentle horses.

This year’s program will be offered on the following dates:

• • Monday, July 15, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. – Ages 6 to 12

• • Monday, July 22, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. – Ages 13 to 18

Both sessions will be at Challenged Champions, located at 11913 County Road 6, Ottawa, Ohio 45875.

Registration for both sessions is due by June 2.

Although children and older teens may appear to be less affected by the death of a loved one, there are many questions, fears, and worries as they attempt to make sense of the loss and deal with the changes it creates. The children gather with their peers in an encouraging environment and participate in activities that will help them express their feelings, learn effective communication tools, and have fun at the same time.

BVHS bereavement associates and trained volunteers will guide the children through conversation, horseback riding, and creating keepsakes. This year, participants will learn to be “Grief Warriors – Becoming Grief Superheroes.”

Camp activities include arts and crafts, outdoor fun, and a butterfly release. The teen group will cater more toward group activities and peer work.

In addition to these traditional camp activities, children participate in grief support activities to gain skills in managing their personal grief. This event is being offered through Bridge’s Group S.T.A.R. (Special Times Always Remembered) at no cost to the family, with all materials provided.

For more information and/or to request a registration form, please call Bridge Bereavement Services at 419.423.5351 or email bridge@bvhealthsystem.org. Registration for this event is required.

The University of Findlay held its annual Arbor Day event on Friday on the front lawn of Old Main.

The event featured a tree planting, student activities, tree maintenance demonstrations, and recognition of UF’s “Tree Campus” title.

Those in attendance were encouraged to help in the planting of a brand-new swamp white oak tree on campus.

Community members also had the opportunity to purchase plants, create DIY seed bombs, and build DIY biodegradable bird feeders.

President Fell was in attendance and announced University of Findlay’s “Tree Campus Higher Education” recognition. This is the eighth time UF has been honored with this nationally recognized award.

The title of “Tree Campus Higher Education” was bestowed upon our school for demonstrating its intent to effectively manage campus trees, develop connectively with the community beyond campus borders to foster healthy urban forests, and strive to engage our student population through service-learning opportunities.

We spoke with Ben Dolan, professor of biology, in the video below about the importance of planting trees.

(From the United Way of Hancock County)

Attention chocolate lovers!

United Way of Hancock County’s sweet spring fundraiser, the Downtown Chocolate Tour, returns from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, May 11, falling on Mother’s Day weekend and Downtown Findlay’s Second Saturday.

Ticketholders will make their way to each of about two dozen participating retailers and restaurants during this four-hour window, collecting chocolate treats and taking advantage of special offers at each stop. Some establishments located outside the downtown area will be paired with shops downtown to allow their participation in the event.

Tickets are $25 each, and all sales directly support United Way’s Vulnerable Children Initiative, dedicated to protecting kids and helping them find a better path in life.

No more than 300 tickets will be sold, and the event is expected to sell out. Visit www.uwhancock.org and click the ‘Downtown Chocolate Tour’ button at the top right to buy tickets.

“Our Downtown Chocolate Tour is a great way to advocate for the youth in our community while supporting the organizations that serve them. That it falls on Mother’s Day weekend makes it all the sweeter,” said Angela DeBoskey, CEO of United Way of Hancock County.

Since 1955, United Way of Hancock County has funded local efforts to support children. Multiple local agencies receive United Way funding to support and protect kids, and other community collaborations are working to strengthen families while championing children’s needs.

Ticketholders can pick up bags and maps to be used the day of the Downtown Chocolate Tour at the United Way office, 318 W. Main Cross St. (above Kan Du Studio), from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 9-10; and at Hancock Hotel (a stop on the tour) beginning at 10:30 a.m. the day of the event.

Volunteers are needed to help distribute treats at the various stops along the tour. Call the United Way office at 419-423-1432 for more information or to register as a volunteer.

(From the Ohio State Highway Patrol)

The Lima Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating a fatal crash that occurred on April 25, 2024, at approximately 12:20 P.M. at the intersection of Old State Route 65 and County Road M in Putnam County.

Andrew Ellerbrock, age 31, of Ottawa, was traveling south on Old State Route 65 in a 2017 GMC Sierra.

Ramon Ramos-Villa, age 44, of Leipsic, was traveling west on County Road M in a 2007 Ford Edge.

Ramos-Villa failed to yield from a stop sign at the intersection and was struck by Ellerbrock’s vehicle.

Ramos-Villa’s vehicle overturned before coming to rest.

Feliciano Ramos-Villa, age 34, of Pandora, was occupying the front-right seat of the vehicle driven by Ramon Ramos-Villa and was pronounced deceased at the scene.

Ramon Ramos-Villa was transported by Life Flight to Mercy Health, St. Rita’s in Lima for his injuries.

Ellerbrock was transported by ambulance to Ambulatory Care Center for minor injuries.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol was assisted on scene by: Putnam County Prosecutor’s Office, Putnam County Coroner, Putnam County Sheriff’s Office, Putnam County EMS, Mercy Health Life Flight, Ottawa EMS, Glandorf Fire Department and DAB Towing & Automotive Service Center LLC. The crash remains under investigation.

(From the Findlay-Hancock County Public Library)

The Friends of the Findlay-Hancock County Public Library will be holding a book sale on May 2, 3, and 4 at the library.

The sale begins with a special preview sale for Friends of the Library Members only on Thursday, May 2 from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. The sale continues on Friday from 10 a.m. until 8 p.m. and will be open during the ArtWalk Art Show at the library, and Saturday, from 10 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. in the Lindamood Room and the Blanchard Room at the library.

Books, CDs and DVDs that have been donated or withdrawn from the library’s collection are given a new life by the Friends as a result of their book sales. With reduced prices on books, music and movies, the sales are a bargain hunter’s dream.

The Friends help promote and support the library, present special programs, and encourage reading and use of the library. They are volunteers who also raise funds for the library mainly through sales of donated books and other materials.

For further information, visit the Book Cellar, the Friends on the Library used book store on the ground level at the library or call them at 419-434-1044.

(From the Tiffin Police Department)

Detectives from the Tiffin Police Department’s Criminal Division have successfully concluded a week-long investigation into serious allegations of dissemination of obscene material and attempted Unlawful Sex with a Minor.

The investigation, triggered by a concerned parent’s report, unveiled unsettling details of a 23-year-old man allegedly engaging in inappropriate communication with a juvenile. Law enforcement swiftly intervened, gaining access to the juvenile’s online account and initiating contact with the suspect.

During the exchanges, the suspect, unaware of law enforcement’s involvement, continued to send explicit material, ultimately arranging a meeting with the juvenile for illicit purposes.

In a meticulously planned operation conducted this morning, detectives, in collaboration with the department’s Patrol Division, apprehended the suspect as he headed to a pre-established meeting point.

Prior to his arrival, additional evidence was gathered, affirming the suspect’s intent. Upon his arrival, the suspect, identified as Porfirio Elijah Sutton, age 23, of Tiffin, Ohio, was promptly arrested without incident.

Sutton now faces multiple charges, including Disseminating Matter Harmful to Juveniles, Importuning, and Attempted Unlawful Sex with a Minor, all classified as Felonies of the Fifth Degree. Following his arrest, Sutton was interviewed by lead investigator, Detective Eric England, during which he admitted to the offenses.

Subsequently, Sutton was served with criminal charges and is currently confined in the Seneca County Jail awaiting an initial appearance in the Seneca County Commons Pleas Court.

Chief David Pauly stated “I am incredibly happy and proud of the outstanding work carried out by our Criminal Division in the recent investigation, as well as in all investigations they undertake. Detective/Lieutenant Mark Marquis, Detective Rachel Stafford, and Detective Eric England have shown exceptional dedication and effort in ensuring the safety of our community, especially our vulnerable minors.

Their commitment to upholding the law and protecting our citizens is truly commendable. It is their hard work, professionalism, and tireless efforts that make our community a safer place for everyone. I extend my sincerest gratitude and admiration to each of them for their unwavering dedication and service.”

A Putnam County Grand Jury has indicted a man accused of a deadly shooting at a business in Leipsic.

Konner Dunklee is facing charges of aggravated murder, murder, and attempted murder.

There was no bond set for Dunklee.

A pretrial hearing has been set for May 20 in Putnam County Common Pleas Court.  

At 4:05 p.m. on April 18, the sheriff’s office received 911 calls about shots being fired at Kitchen Enterprises Trucking Company on Pro Tec Parkway.

When law enforcement and medical personnel arrived they found 30-year-old Farrah Croninger, of Deshler, deceased.

54-year-old Michael Kitchen, of Ottawa, was also injured and transported to a hospital.

Authorities say the suspect, Konner Dunklee, 26, of Lima, fled the scene in a vehicle.

He was pursued by several police agencies and apprehended in Allen County.

(From the Hancock County METRICH Drug Enforcement Unit)

On 4/24/2024 at 2221 hrs. the Hancock County METRICH Drug Task Force along with the Findlay Police Department Emergency Response Team (ERT), executed a narcotic search warrant at 1121 Putnam St., Findlay, Ohio. This was the result of an investigation into drug trafficking from this address.

The search of the home yielded 87 grams of suspected Methamphetamine, numerous items indicative of drug trafficking, some illegal Marijuana/THC products and several items of drug paraphernalia. A small amount of cash was also seized.

As a result of the search the following people were arrested and incarcerated at the Hancock County Justice Center:

Kendra R. Dysert (age 37) Benjamin H. Wilson (age 31)

1121 Putnam St.

Findlay, Ohio

Charge: Possession of Schedule II Charge:

(Methamphetamine) – Felony 2

Additional charges of drug trafficking are expected at the conclusion of this investigation.

The Hancock METRICH Drug Enforcement Unit is supported by METRICH in Mansfield, OH and funded in part by the Office of Criminal Justice Services.

METRICH Crime Tip Hotline: 419-52-CRIME (419-522-7463) or download the METRICH enforcement unit mobile app to “Submit a Tip.”