(From the Findlay-Hancock County Community Foundation)

The Findlay-Hancock County Community Foundation is pleased to announce the launch of its new Affiliate Program, a pilot initiative designed to serve as a philanthropic partner for local nonprofits, school foundations, and community groups. The Findlay-Hancock County Community Foundation began as an affiliate of the Cleveland Foundation in 1976, and we are proud to offer this service locally.

The Affiliate Program offers three paths for partnership: a Nonprofit Affiliate for charitable organizations, a Committee Directed Affiliate for organized groups, or a School Foundation Affiliate for local districts. Each path provides tailored support to help organizations strengthen their impact and focus on their core mission, while The Community Foundation handles administrative responsibilities. Benefits include a unified giving platform, a branded donation portal that can be branded and embedded on websites, as well as enhanced on-demand reporting.

“We are excited about the possibilities of the new Affiliate Program to foster deeper collaboration and offer this support throughout our community,” said Brian Treece, President & CEO of the Foundation. “These local groups pour so much time and passion into their causes. As an affiliate, we can provide a stable and reliable platform that allows them to dedicate more time and resources to the work that matters most, making a meaningful difference. We are here to be a partner in their success, and we’re looking forward to working together with more groups.”

Groups that enroll in the Affiliate Program can be existing or newly formed organizations centered around a single entity, such as a school district, cause, or community. Participants in the program can also enroll in the Foundation’s Organizational Strengthening Program, which provides support for development, fundraising, governance and more. Applications for the inaugural program will open on November 1, 2025. Those interested can contact Andrea Clements, Director of Affiliates, at (419) 425-1100.

(From the University of Findlay)

The University of Findlay will host Homecoming and Family Weekend 2025 from October 9 to 12, inviting all alumni, friends, families, and community members to be part of the celebration.

“For many generations, a phrase commonly heard around campus has been: ‘Findlay just feels like home’,” President Katherine Fell, Ph.D., said. “It might be the lifelong friendships, the supportive faculty and staff, the dynamic community, the learning environment, or our culture of caring for others that makes UF a special place.”

“And no matter how long you’ve been away – perhaps just a few months or maybe quite a few years – Findlay will always be your home,” she added.

Homecoming and Family Weekend 2025 activities will feature many beloved Findlay traditions, along with some new activities this year.

“Please join us, wearing your favorite Orange and Black apparel, for a variety of exciting, entertaining events throughout the long weekend,” Fell said. “The unity and commitment of our friends, alumni, parents, faculty, staff, and students to UF are what make the Oiler Family strong.”

Additional information and registration for events can be found on the Homecoming and Family Weekend webpage: www.findlay.edu/homecoming.

Among the events open to the public:

THURSDAY, OCT. 9

Pop by the Rock

11 a.m. to 2 p.m. | Spirit Rock in front of Morey Hall The Spirit Rock is ready and waiting for students, alumni, and friends to make their mark. Pop by for a selfie, treats, and bring a marker to leave an Oiler Nation Homecoming message. Cost is free.

College of Education Speaker

7 – 8:30 p.m. | Old Main, Ritz Auditorium Clifton Core MAE ’06, Bellefontaine High School principal, will share his experiences as a social studies teacher, intervention specialist, associate principal, and head principal. Cost is free.

Mazza Museum – A Storm of Horses

6 p.m. | Mazza Museum, Virginia B. Gardner Fine Arts Pavilion

Visiting artist Ruth Sanderson is returning to the Mazza Museum for a free presentation and exhibit featuring original artwork from her extensive career as an illustrator. She is well-known for her inspiring book, “A Storm of Horses,” about Rosa Bonheur, a famous French painter from the 1800s. Watch for an equine visit to the museum, as well.

Bonfire Bash: Flames, Festivities, and Fun

7:30 – 10 p.m. | DeHaven Soccer Stadium

Kick off Homecoming weekend at the Bonfire Bash with live music from student DJs. Sports teams will be introduced, and free T-shirts will be handed out to the first 250 people. Revive Worship Band will close out the night with a worship service. Cost is free.

FRIDAY, OCT. 10

Class of 1975 50th Reunion

4 – 7 p.m. | Virginia B. Gardner Fine Arts Pavilion Members of the Class of 1975 and their guests are invited to a special reunion gathering with dinner, Golden Diploma presentation, and campus tour. Fee and registration required.

Oiler Palooza Battle of the Bands

7 – 9 p.m. | Lawn in front of Center for Student Life & College of Business (CBSL) A student, family, and community event with live music in the Battle of the Bands featuring student, faculty, staff, and alumni performers, plus games, inflatables, and food for purchase. Fireworks at 9:30 p.m. Bring a lawn chair or blanket. Cost is free.

SATURDAY, OCT. 11

Heart Healthy 5K and 1.5-mile Fun Walk

7 – 8:45 a.m. Check-in | In front of Old Main

9 a.m. shotgun start | Griffith Memorial Arch

American Pharmacists Association Academy of Student Pharmacists is hosting the 10th annual 5K and 1.4-mile fun walk. A portion of event proceeds will be donated to the American Heart Association. Fee and registration required.

Alumni Association Annual Awards Breakfast

9 a.m.| Winebrenner Building, TLB Auditorium

Enjoy breakfast with alumni from all over the nation while congratulating the 2025 Distinguished Alumni, and recipients of the Old Main Award, the Gold Medallion, and the Arch Award. We’ll also honor the Class of 1975 for their Golden Anniversary (50 years). Fee and registration required.

Open House and Gift Shop

10:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. | Mazza Museum and Conda STEAM Center

The museum and gift shop are open with family-friendly activities.

Oiler Tailgate

Noon – 1:30 p.m. | Donnell Stadium

Enjoy a casual, family-friendly tailgate with picnic food, games, and live music by Tongue n’ Groove before the football game. Cost is free.

Football Game – Findlay Oilers vs. Hillsdale Chargers

2 p.m. | Donnell Stadium

Cheer on the UF football team at the annual Homecoming game. The 2025 Homecoming Court will be announced, along with the 2025 Distinguished Alumni awardees. The Oiler marching band will welcome back UF band alumni to perform with them. Also, the 1995 NAIA National Championship football team will be recognized. Tickets can be purchased at the gate.

Rieck Center Night Hike

8 p.m. | Rieck Center for Habitat Studies

A night hike will take participants through the nature trails at the Rieck Center to look for owls. Ultraviolet lights will be set up around the nature center to attract moths and other nocturnal invertebrates.

Oiler Movie Night Under the Stars

8:30 p.m. | DeHaven Soccer Stadium

A special outdoor showing under the stars will feature “High School Musical.” Bring a blanket and favorite snacks.

SUNDAY, OCT. 12

Worship Service

10 a.m. | Winebrenner TLB auditorium Students, alumni, and friends are invited to a special time of worship to celebrate faith heritage and God’s hand of blessing through the years.

Fall Open House

1:30-3 p.m. | Rieck Center for Habitat Studies

After an informative program, attendees are welcome to hike the property and walk along the story trail. Light snacks and refreshments will be provided.

ATHLETIC EVENTS

Women’s soccer vs. Northwood, 1 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 9, DeHaven Soccer Stadium

UF Athletic Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, 6:30 p.m., Friday, Oct. 10, Winebrenner TLB Auditorium, advance reservations required

Women’s lacrosse alumni game, 10 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 11, Russ & Peg Armstrong Sports Complex

Swimming & diving alumni meet, 11 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 11, Sink Natatorium

Men’s soccer vs. Northwood, 1 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 11, DeHaven Soccer Stadium

Football vs. Hillsdale College, 2 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 11, Donnell Stadium

THROUGHOUT THE WEEKEND

Star Gazing at the Newhard Planetarium

Friday: 5 & 6 p.m.; Saturday: 10, 10:45, 11:30 a.m.

Brewer Science Center

Stop by the planetarium to discover what to look for in a fall-winter evening sky. Take a quick fly through the universe and experience our awesome solar system in this exciting and informative 45 minute experience. No admission fee.

To learn more about specific events and speakers, or to register to attend any of the events, visit the Homecoming webpage. Homecoming events and information are also available on the Oiler Mobile App, which is free to download in the App Store and Play Store.

(From Findlay City Schools)

Our Transportation Team participated in Ohio’s School Bus Safety Road-e-o regional competition on Saturday and earned the Team Spirit Award!

Congratulations to Lora Click and Steven Handler, who qualified for the state-level competition which takes place on October 18th.

Way to represent Trojan Country, Transportation Team!

The Ohio Department of Transportation is letting drivers know of a road closure in Findlay that will force many to take a different route.

ODOT says County Road 99 east of Main Street at the railroad tracks will close on Tuesday, October 7, for approximately five days for railroad crossing repairs and reconstruction.

The suggested detour from ODOT: Main St. to Bigelow Ave. to Bright Rd. to CR 212, back to CR 99.

Get more details in the Facebook post below from ODOT.

(From the Findlay Police Department)

On 10-03-2025 at 2006 hours officers responded to a possibly intoxicated driver near the 1900 block of S. Main Street.

Officers located the vehicle on Western Avenue. After observing traffic violations, they initiated a traffic stop on Western Avenue.

The operator failed to stop and a vehicle pursuit initiated.

The suspect traveled in excess of 75 miles per hour northbound on Western Avenue and eastbound on Lima Avenue.

After crossing S. Main Street, the suspect traveled southbound on Beech Ave. In the 700 block of Beech Avenue the suspect exited the vehicle and fled on foot.

He let the vehicle continue rolling without a driver. It ultimately struck a telephone pole on Beech Avenue, causing minor damage.

The officers engaged in a foot pursuit with the suspect but lost sight of him. He was located in the area shortly thereafter and detained.

After an investigation, the suspect was placed under arrest.

The vehicle was impounded as evidence. There were no injuries reported.

The suspect was identified as 21 year old Hayden Omernik of Findlay, Ohio.

He was incarcerated on charges of: Felony 4 Fleeing and Eluding (ORC 2921.331) Misdemeanor 2 Obstructing Official Business (ORD 525.07) Leaving the scene of an accident (ORD 335.12) No driver’s license (ORD 335.12)

(From Findlay City Schools)

Findlay City Schools is proud to announce that four of our Findlay High School students have been named Commended Students in the 2026 National Merit Scholarship Program.

According to the National Merit program, these students “represent a valuable national resource.”

We couldn’t agree more. Well done, scholars!

(Pictured left to right: Anna Vennink, Jonathan Reed, Nicholas Kasiborski, Jaycob Bosse)

(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!