We would like to congratulate the 2023 Top Cop Leaders for their hard work, keeping Hancock County roads and community safe.
We would also like to thank Vortex Optics and Galls for their support in this year’s Top Cop Officer Recognition Program. This program recognizes deputies exemplary service in OVI enforcement and seizures of dangerous narcotics. Well done!
Deputies listed in order from left to right: Deputy Smith, Deputy Renz, Deputy Sevitz, Deputy Staley and Deputy Ritter
The American Red Cross recently declared an emergency blood shortage and a desperate need for donors.
Now, giving blood is going to win someone a trip to one of the biggest sporting events in the world.
Todd James is the executive director of the North Central Ohio Chapter of the Red Cross in Findlay.
He says there are several reasons for the shortage, but the biggest is the pandemic canceled many regularly scheduled blood drives that had trouble getting regular donors to come back.
As an extra incentive, anyone who donates to the Red Cross in January will be automatically entered into a drawing for an all-expenses paid trip for two to the Super Bowl in Las Vegas.
See upcoming blood drives in the area by clicking here.
Executive Director Stacy Shaw says they’ve connected hundreds of mentors and mentees over the years and wants to hear your story as part of their 50th anniversary.
Stacy says she got a nice surprise in her email the other day.
“A lovely surprise of a picture of a mentor and mentee from years ago who had got together over the Thanksgiving holiday.”
Stacy was on with WFIN’s Chris Oaks and you can more of the interview below.
Stacy says they’ll be holding events throughout 2024 to celebrate their 50th anniversary.
She reminds everyone that Children’s Mentoring Connection of Hancock County in 2022 moved to its new location in the Family Center at 1800 North Blanchard Street, Suite 126.
The Findlay-Hancock County Community Foundation’s ‘Fun for All’ series of free community events will continue in 2024.
According to the Community Foundation’s website, the first event of 2024 will be ice skating at The Cube from 1 – 2:50 p.m. and 8 to 10 p.m. on Saturday, January, 13th.
“We’ve heard time and time again that finding affordable, family-friendly activities is a challenge in Hancock County. The Community Foundation is proud to provide Fun for All to help bridge the gap,” said Community Foundation President and CEO Brian Treece.
Brian says the Findlay-Hancock County Community Foundation is thankful to its community partners for making the events possible.
The Fun for All series started in January 2023 and more than 10,000 people have attended events such as Family Movie Nights at MCPA and Free Play Days at the Children’s Museum.
A bitter cold outbreak overspreads much of the country through early next week with potential for snow impacting the southern Plains, Mid-South, and Northeast. pic.twitter.com/IbmpwIL9OC
University of Findlay students will learn from professionals in various fields how to be more aware of patients who may be in bad situations and how to recognize and report information properly.
UF and the Soroptimist Club are sponsoring the Human Trafficking Awareness event Saturday, Jan. 13 at the Winebrenner Theological Seminary.
The community is welcome to attend. Doors open at 8 a.m. and the event runs from 8:30 to noon.
Assisting in the educational event are doctors and residents, nurses, local law enforcement, Hope House, Family Resource Center, and prosecutor office representatives. Break-out sessions will cover topics of:
Warning signs
Approaching patients/victims
Post sexual assault resources
Victim advocacy
At noon, following the sessions, the film “Sound of Freedom” will be played. The film is based on a true story and shines a light on the topic of human trafficking. The film is rated PG-13 for thematic content involving sex trafficking, violence, and language.
Community members can arrive at the free event Saturday morning at the Winebrenner building. Sessions will be held throughout the building during the day.
(ONN) – Ohio’s Republican-controlled House of Representatives voted to override Governor Mike DeWine’s veto of House Bill 68 that would ban all gender-affirming health care for minors and bans transgender athletes from playing girls’ and women’s sports.
The house voted 65-28 to override Governor DeWine’s veto.
That’s an even wider margin than when the house voted 62-27 on the bill on December 13th.
Now, the bill goes to the Senate. The next Senate session is set for January 24.
It will take a three-fifths majority there as well to override the veto.
Republican Senator Andrew Brenner says Republicans believe they have the votes to do that.
A week after his veto, Governor DeWine issued an executive order banning gender transition surgeries.
BGSU Men’s Basketball will celebrate our annual “Bill Frack Day” on Saturday, Jan. 20 vs. Western Michigan. We will continue to celebrate the life and legacy of Bill Frack, because of his unique gift to the Findlay-Hancock County Community Foundation, benefiting the Bowling Green State University men’s basketball program and community needs in Hancock County. The gift, originally announced in 2011, had nearly doubled to about $20 million at Bill’s passing in 2014.
This annual day of celebration brings together Bill’s friends, colleagues and Findlay connections who were so meaningful in Bill’s life, and who he brought together as a part of his love for BGSU Men’s Basketball.
We are forever indebted to Bill as a program, and keep his memory alive, now adding an “Alumni Day” component to the celebration, bringing back many of Bill’s beloved former players back to campus for this special day.
As a further tribute to Bill’s Findlay roots, we have created a special discounted ticket price for Findlay-area fans who wish to be a part of the celebration. That link can be accessed HERE.
Derek was on with WFIN’s Chris Oaks to talk about Bill Frack’s love for and generosity towards BGSU.
Volunteers are needed to help run a free tax preparation program that is expected to make up to $2 million in impact for the community.
United Way of Hancock County is seeking volunteer tax preparers and greeters for its free income tax preparation program, called VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance). This IRS program serves income-eligible individuals who live or work in Hancock County and may not otherwise be able to afford to have their taxes prepared and filed. The United Way is again collaborating with the Findlay-Hancock County Public Library and 50 North, who will host the service at their sites.
The 2024 VITA season will begin Feb. 5 and will continue into April, based on demand.
To qualify, an individual’s combined household income must be $64,000 or less. All clients must live or work in Hancock County. In addition, trained VITA volunteers will provide guidance to senior citizens who no longer need to file taxes.
The United Way is recruiting volunteers to serve as tax preparers and greeters at both the library and 50 North. Volunteers can work any number of hours they are available during whatever month or months they can. Morning and afternoon shifts are available Mondays through Fridays, plus Saturday mornings.
Tax preparers will prepare and electronically file taxes for clients. No accounting background is necessary, and volunteers can work through training online or may attend three in-person training sessions with the VITA site coordinator in January to become certified. All new volunteers will work with an experienced tax preparer until they are comfortable with the program.
Greeters are also needed to welcome clients as they arrive for appointments and check them in, and will ensure that clients have the necessary paperwork for tax preparation.
“This is a great opportunity to make a rewarding impact in the community,” said United Way of Hancock County CEO Angela DeBoskey. “We were happy to bring this free tax service back to Hancock County in 2022 and are thrilled to be able to expand our capacity again this year.”
The 2023 VITA season was limited to Hancock County residents and saw close to 1,500 state and federal tax returns filed by local volunteers. Over $1 million was returned to the local economy through state and federal tax refunds and earned income credits.
Beginning Jan. 22, community members may call the United Way office at 567-250-1955 to schedule their appointment. Callers will be asked a series of questions and will be informed of the items they must bring to their tax preparation appointment.
Contact Bridgit at accounting@uwhancock.org or call 419-423-1432 to sign up as a volunteer or for more information.
