(From the United Way of Hancock County)

United Way of Hancock County and City Apparel are teaming up to deliver a great start to the school year.

Community members are invited to stop by City Apparel + Merch, 116 E. Main Cross, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. July 24 and 31 to buy lunch from visiting food trucks. While they wait for their food, guests can write an encouraging note on a paper apple. These notes will be distributed to educators throughout Hancock County to help uplift and inspire them as they head into the new school year.

City Apparel hosts Do Good Thursdays every week of the summer, through Labor Day. A rotating fleet of food trucks visits the business weekly, with a portion of each week’s sales donated to United Way’s Halt Hunger Initiative. Do Good Thursdays has generated nearly $2,600 toward the United Way’s local food security efforts over the past two summers.

(By Sheri Trusty, Seneca County Sheriff’s Office Public Relations Coordinator)

Seneca County Sheriff’s Deputy Christopher Potter and Deputy Alyssia Hammons weren’t off duty just because they were passing out toys and candy at Downtown Tiffin’s Christmas in July event on July 17. While they handed out Skittles and slinkies, they had to keep an eye on the prisoner in the backseat of their cruiser. He was angry, sneaky, and mean.

“We caught the Grinch,” Deputy Hammons said.

The deputies were happy to be part of Downtown Tiffin’s Third Thursday event. They joined the Tiffin Police Department, Tiffin Fire Department, and Seneca County CERT in a downtown parking lot where they had the chance to talk with children in a fun atmosphere, helping the kids see that emergency personnel are their friends.

“I like deputies because they’re nice,” said eight-year-old Eva Marino. “They help people. They’re just very helpful and trustworthy.”

Four-year Keaton Young attended Christmas in July with his parents and twin sisters, Hallie and Hayden Young. The deputies gave Keaton candy, a slinky, a sticker and a temporary tattoo. What did he think of his tattoo?

“It’s pretty good,” he said.

Ten-year-old Adelaide Craddolph said she really liked the deputies’ cruiser, and nine-year-old Mariah Persinger said her favorite gift was a pink slinky.

“I like the color. It’s my favorite color,” she said.

Four-year-old Madix Kerr said he liked the candy and the tattoo, and ten-year-old Cruze Bustillos said he thinks deputies are “cool because they put bad people in jail.”

Some of the kids visited the deputies’ table wearing fireman hats they got from Tiffin firemen, but Deputy Potter reminded them that the deputies had something even better.

“The firemen have cool hats, but they can’t lock up the Grinch,” he said.

Four-year-old Garbriel Cummings didn’t need to be convinced that the Seneca County Sheriff’s Deputies are cool. He said he wants to be one when he grows up.

“They are superheroes,” he said. “I just like everything about them.”

(From the City of Fostoria)

At last night’s City Council meeting, Officer Cole Noftz was officially recognized as Fostoria’s 2024 Officer of the Year!

Police Chief Gabe Wedge presented Cole with a framed award in honor of his outstanding service, leadership, and commitment to keeping our community safe.

The City of Fostoria is incredibly proud to have such a dedicated officer on our team, not to mention his loyal K-9 partner, Creed, who works just as hard by his side.

Thank you, Officer Noftz and Creed, for all you do to serve and protect Fostoria.

(From the Findlay-Hancock County Public Library)

The Findlay-Hancock County Public Library is excited to announce its upcoming Teen Program: School Supply Swap, taking place on Saturday, August 2, from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. in the Lindamood Room and the Blanchard Room. This free event is open to all students entering grades 6–12 and aims to provide school supplies to those in need while also offering a chance to donate gently-used or new items.

Donations will be accepted in the Youth Services Department from July 28 – 31 from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Please bring in those supplies that you never got to use, or only used a few times and give them a new life in a different student’s hands.

As the back-to-school season approaches, the School Supply Swap is a great opportunity for students and families to clear out unused materials or stock up on essentials. No donation is required to participate—students are welcome to simply attend and pick up supplies they need for the new school year.

“Every student deserves to start the year with the tools they need to succeed,” said Carah Alvarez, Teen Services Specialist. “This program is about building community, supporting one another, and helping teens feel confident and ready for school.” Stay in touch and keep updated at www.findlaylibrary.org, on our Facebook page, facebook.com/fhcpl, and on Instagram @fhcpl.

(WTOL-11) – Wood County Sheriff Mark Wasylyshyn was in the nation’s capital for a ceremony at the White House.

Wasylyshyn is a board member of the National Sheriffs’ Association and was invited to the signing of the Halt Fentanyl Act.

The bill aims to permanently classify all fentanyl-related drugs as schedule one substances.

This classification is designed to give law enforcement the resources needed to combat the fentanyl crisis.

(ONN) – Starting next year, it’s going to cost you more when you go to your local Bureau of Motor Vehicles.

Whether you’re going to get your driver’s license, your new tags, or even to title a new vehicle at the BMV, you will be paying more come January. 

Beginning in January, most BMV fees will be going up as the service fee jumps from $5 to $8.

Registration renewals are going to rise by $5, and title fees are going to increase by $3, with counties being allowed to add another $5 on top.

Cleveland.com is reporting that the main reason for the price increases is to raise money for the Ohio State Highway Patrol which the governor’s office said is facing a looming budget crisis.

(From the Findlay YMCA)

Join us Saturday, July 19th, at the Downtown YMCA from 12-1 pm for a special autograph signing session with the Flag City Sluggers team!

Bring your favorite items to get signed and meet your favorite players.

This event is free and open to all ages!

Plus, don’t miss out on exclusive Sluggers apparel available for purchase—cash only!

Later that evening, join us for “YMCA Night at the Park” at 7:05 pm, where you can enjoy fun YMCA-themed games and cheer on the Sluggers!

Get ready for a grand slam day of activities and community fun!

The McComb Cookie Festival will be held on Saturday, July 19 at McComb Village Park.

Activities include the Tough Cookie 5K, Parade, Fishing Derby, Car Show, and Cookie Stroll.

Get more details on the McComb Cookie Festival by clicking here for their Facebook page, and in the flyer below.

(From the Ohio State Highway Patrol)

The Ohio State Highway Patrol has announced that an OVI checkpoint will be held in Hancock County Friday evening.

It will be held from 8 p.m. to 12 a.m. on Tiffin Avenue in Findlay. 

The OVI checkpoint, funded by federal grant funds, is planned to deter and intercept impaired drivers.

“Based on provisional data, there were 581 OVI-related fatalities last year in Ohio,” Lieutenant Evan Slates, post commander of the Findlay Post, said.

“State troopers made an average of 14,600 OVI arrests last year in an attempt to combat these dangerous drivers. OVI checkpoints are designed to not only deter impaired driving, but to proactively remove these dangerous drivers from our roadways.”

(From Fostoria Police Chief Gabe Wedge)

Regarding an incident from 05/18/2025 at 638 Maple St, Fostoria Seneca County Ohio, where two individuals were found deceased in a hot tub:

The Lucas County Coroners Office has determined that both Charles Gillette, 38 YOA and Raven Krontz, 44 YOA, each from Ottawa, Ohio, died from Acute Methamphetamine toxicity, accidental overdoses.

Officers and detectives on scene at the time of the incident reported finding drug paraphernalia, consistent with methamphetamine abuse, next to the hot tub.

The coroner’s office also reported finding no injuries to either subject during their autopsy’s.

Nothing further at this time.

Chief Gabe Wedge

Fostoria Police Department