The first-ever winter ArtWalk in Findlay will be held on Friday, February 2nd.
From 5 – 9 p.m. you’ll be able to hear live music, meet artists, and even purchase a piece of art during the event in downtown Findlay.
See the schedule and learn more about ArtWalk by clicking here.
ArtWalk is a free event that is open to the whole family and now takes place four times a year – the first Fridays in February, May, August, and November.
(From the Hancock Historical Museum)
The Hancock Historical Museum will host its monthly Brown Bag Lecture, Thursday, February 1st at noon.
Retired teacher and local author Teresa Straley Lambert will talk about the history of banned books.
Teresa volunteers at the Hancock Historical Museum, loves to travel, is an enthusiastic reader, and is the author of ABCs of Gravestone Symbols and Lost Hancock County, Ohio.
Thursday’s lecture is free for museum members, and $3 for nonmembers.
For more information, please call the Hancock Historical Museum at (419) 423-4433, or visit hancockhistoricalmuseum.org.
(From Liberty-Benton Local Schools)
The Liberty-Benton High School baseball field was awarded “Field of the Year” at the Ohio High School Baseball Coaches Association clinic held in Columbus.
We are very thankful for everyone who has supported our program to make this award possible.
We are truly honored!
The Findlay-Hancock County Public Library has been undergoing some changes to freshen things up.
They added some color to the walls, removed the security gates, and also added a welcome window that welcomes people to the library in all the languages spoken in Findlay.
One of the big changes still to come is the moving of the circulation desk back further to cut down on congestion when people enter and exit the main level.
That will happen in March and the library will have to close for a day.
We spoke with Library Director Sarah Clevidence about the changes.
Sarah says some of the upgrades are being funded by a grant through the Findlay-Hancock County Community Foundation.
The new first responder training facility in Findlay is nearing completion and already held its first class.
The STRICT Center (Simulated Tactical Response & Incident Command Training) is located behind Fire Station 4 on County Road 236.
The facility includes two structures; a training building and a burn building.
“An exciting aspect of the STRICT Center is the ability for our safety agencies to train together,” said Fire Chief Josh Eberle.
“At almost every emergency, there is a fire department, law enforcement and an EMS component all working alongside each other. Currently it is difficult for these agencies to train as a unit, even though we respond together. The STRICT Center will allow that joint training to happen on a regular basis.”
Chief Eberle says the community has been extremely supportive of the project and more than half of the $2.4 million price tag is being covered through grants and donations.
He anticipates a ribbon cutting to be held for the facility in the spring.
Learn more about the new facility here and in the Facebook post below.
The Ohio Legislature recently overrode a veto from Governor DeWine, meaning a law that allows local governments to regulate tobacco shops will be lifted.
The move takes away a city’s ability to regulate tobacco products and restrict flavored vape products.
Nick Hanek is vice mayor in Brunswick – a city where they recently placed a moratorium on new shops selling tobacco products.
“I agree wholeheartedly with Governor DeWine. I think children are a priority in this state. I think these are predatory products to children.”
Ohio Senate President Matt Huffman has said that banning businesses from selling tobacco products is not in Ohio’s best interest.
Authorities are investigating a fatal fire in Findlay.
The Findlay Fire Department, Findlay Police Department, and Hanco were dispatched to 2315 Ivy Lane in reference to a structure fire at 4:09 p.m. Sunday.
The fire was within an apartment complex building and the fire was contained mostly within a single unit.
The police department says a male was found inside the apartment unit and was later pronounced deceased.
An autopsy will be conducted to determine the cause of death.
The Ohio Fire Marshal’s Office was brought in to investigate the fire.
The identity of the deceased male is being withheld, pending further investigation.
(From the United Way of Hancock County)
Vulnerable populations across Hancock County will be safeguarded by the allocation of nearly $2 million by United Way of Hancock County.
Funding will be distributed among 19 local programs focusing on the areas of championing children’s success, fighting hunger, promoting safety and health, supporting safe housing and fostering financial stability. These priority areas were identified by a team of diverse volunteers from across the community in a grant review process that is repeated yearly as part of United Way’s commitment to regularly assessing the community’s changing needs and responding accordingly.
“Changes in the economy, coupled with the expiration of certain state and federal safety nets put into place during the pandemic, have impacted working families and retirees in our community,” said United Way of Hancock County CEO Angela DeBoskey. “These 19 local programs deliver vital and basic services that offer hope and emergency help to 1 in 4 vulnerable people.”
The funds being distributed were raised through United Way’s 2023 Annual Campaign, which engages individual donors and retirees, as well as employees through workplace philanthropy. The 2023 fall campaign raised a total of $2 million.
“It is an honor to contribute to our community in such a meaningful way, and we express our sincere gratitude to all of the Difference Makers who join us in these efforts. Thank you to our fundraising team, individual donors and workplace campaign partners for your contributions. You are a lifeline to those in Hancock County who are struggling to meet basic needs,” DeBoskey said.
-Championing children’s success
Many of the 2024 funded programs cross categories within the priority areas. Those falling under United Way’s Vulnerable Child Initiative will receive a total of $353,000 in support of advocacy, prevention and crisis response efforts designed to protect kids and put them on a path to success.
Children’s funding will be distributed among CASA/GAL of Hancock County, which trains volunteers to give youth a voice in the court system; the Center for Safe and Healthy Children’s forensic interview program following a report of child abuse; child victim services programs offered by Open Arms Domestic Violence & Rape Crisis Services; equine-assisted therapy for youth through Challenged Champions Equestrian Center; Children’s Mentoring Connection of Hancock County’s youth mentoring programs; Scouting and Exploring programs offered through Boy Scouts of America and Girl Scouts of Western Ohio; and the Salvation Army’s summer enrichment program.
-Fighting hunger
Food security programs have been allocated $347,000. United Way’s grant review team strategically increased funding in this area in response to rising grocery prices and a demonstrated increase in individuals and families seeking help through local food assistance programs.
Food security funds will support the YMCA’s Feed-A-Child program, which administers the summer lunch program and provides weekend meal bags for students; vouchers for individuals and families in need of supplemental food through Christian Clearing House; West Ohio Food Bank’s distributions to Hancock County food pantries; and food programs at the Salvation Army.
-Promoting safety and health
Safety and health allocations for 2024 total $310,000. Supported programs are designed to strengthen Hancock County residents’ physical and mental health.
Funds distributed for safety and health will support financial assistance through Cancer Patient Services, an organization serving cancer patients living or working in Hancock County; adult victim services through Open Arms; and disaster services programs though the American Red Cross.
-Supporting safe housing
Recognizing that safe, affordable housing has a direct impact on an individual or family’s overall wellbeing, $245,000 has been awarded to the family shelter and independence programs at Hope House. Both programs are aimed at helping people who are homeless or who are facing homelessness.
-Fostering financial stability
Programs working to deliver financial stability and independence will receive $60,000 in 2024.
Financial stability funds will support HHWP Community Action Commission’s Hancock Area Transportation Services (HATS) program, which provides rides to employment, medical appointments and more; and United Way of Hancock County’s free income tax preparation service called VITA.
Additional funding will continue to help United Way deliver programs like the Halt Hunger Initiative. United Way’s volunteer center, Volunteers United, placed 12,500 volunteer hours in 2023.
All money raised in Hancock County stays local to support vital services, unless otherwise designated by the donor. United Way of Hancock County regularly seeks state and federal grants to help bolster funds raised locally and to allow the organization to use campaign dollars most effectively.
Visit uwhancock.org to donate or to learn more about the United Way’s mission and work.
The City of Findlay says it’s been looking into an unpleasant smell that some residents have been reporting.
“In recent weeks we were notified that there’s been an odor coming from the east side of town,” said Service-Safety Director Rob Martin.
He says, depending on the way the wind is blowing, different parts of town are experiencing the smell which has been described as an industrial smell, a moldy carpet smell, and even stale beer.
Martin says Fire Chief Josh Eberle was out in recent weeks trying to locate the source of the smell but was unsuccessful.
He says the city contacted the Environmental Protection Agency and an EPA agent has been investigating the odor.
“If we can identify it we can then mitigate it if it is something we need to be worried about, but at this time the EPA hasn’t really addressed it as a major concern.”
The City of Findlay also provided the following statement:
The City of Findlay is aware of odor complaints that have been made. We have been working with the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency to identify the source. The safety of our community remains our first priority and there are no concerns at this time. We do understand that this poses discomfort to those who are able to smell the odor and are actively working to remedy the situation. More information will be shared as it is made available.
People had a chance to hear from some of the candidates for Hancock County Commissioner and Hancock County Common Pleas Court Judge at the Hancock County GOP luncheon in Findlay on Friday.
Speaking at the event were Jeff Wobser, Jeff Hunker, Holly Frische, and William Bateson, all Republicans and candidates for Hancock County Commissioner.
The Board of Elections website shows that Joshua Shaferly, a Democrat, is also running.
Wobser, Hunker, and Frische are seeking the seat that’s being vacated by Commissioner Mike Pepple, who is not running for reelection.
The other two commissioners are William Bateson, who is seeking reelection in this cycle, and Tim Bechtol.
Also speaking at the luncheon was Hancock County Prosecutor Phil Riegle who is running for Common Pleas Court Judge.
On Friday, February 2nd, the GOP luncheon will include the candidates for Hancock County Prosecutor and Hancock County Sheriff.
The primary election is on March 19th. Click here for the Hancock County Board of Elections website to see what other candidates and issues will be on the ballot.