The Northwest Ohio Railroad Preservation’s North Pole Express is a holiday tradition for many people and this year it is once again part of the 2023 Ohio Holiday Lights Trail.

This is the third year that the North Pole Express will be a featured display on the Holiday Lights Trail.

Jim Gabriel, Vice President of the NWORRP, considers their North Pole Express Findlay’s premier holiday light display.

The North Pole Express runs on Fridays, Saturday, and Sundays from Friday, November 24^th through Saturday, December 30^th. It’s closed on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve.

Learn more about Northwest Ohio Railroad Preservation by clicking here.

They are located at 12505 County Road 99 in Findlay.

(From Putnam County Habitat for Humanity)

On Sunday, November 26, the 14th Putnam County Habitat for Humanity (PCHFH) home will be dedicated at 307 West Oak Street, Continental. The public is invited to attend an open house from 2 to 4 p.m. During that time, visitors can tour the new home and  appreciate the fine craftsmanship skills employed by PCHFH volunteers and local industry. The dedication ceremony will follow at 4:30 p.m.

In July, the Dudgeon family broke ground on the 14th Putnam County Habitat for Humanity home. The family partnered in the construction of this house which will be dedicated on November 26.

Since its inception in 2009, PCHFH has built 12 new homes and rebuilt an entire house. Homeowners purchase their homes through low- or zero-interest mortgages provided by PCHFH or through USDA direct loans. Critical home repair projects completed by Putnam County Habitat for Humanity include bathroom remodels, roof repairs and replacements, electrical repairs, window replacements, wheelchair ramp additions and replacements.

Visit www.putnamohhabitat.org to find out more about PCHFH, call 419-523-9621 or visit the PCHFH office at 150 N. Oak Street, Ottawa, OH 45875 between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m., Monday through Thursday. 

(From the Ohio State Highway Patrol)

Traditionally, the Thanksgiving holiday weekend is one of the busiest travel periods each year. As Ohioans and our visitors travel throughout the state, Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers will be enforcing safe driving.

Troopers will be highly visible and cracking down on impaired drivers and those failing to wear a safety belt from Wednesday, November 22 at midnight through 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, November 26.

“Driving sober, belted, and focused on the road can help prevent senseless tragedies,” said Governor Mike DeWine. “I urge everyone to drive responsibly and to buckle up.”

Many Thanksgiving celebrations involve alcohol, which increases the possibility of impaired driving. During last year’s Thanksgiving reporting period, which ran from November 23 – 27, there were 18 fatal crashes in which 19 people were killed, including four instances of pedestrians being struck. Of the 14 crashes where pedestrians were not involved, safety belts were available but not used in 11 of the incidents. Within the same reporting period, alcohol and/or drugs were linked to 12 of the fatal crashes.

“We hope everyone has a safe Thanksgiving,” said Colonel Charles A. Jones, Patrol superintendent. “When you designate a sober driver, put your phone down and properly use safety belts, you are helping save lives.”

The Patrol also made 278 arrests for impaired driving and assisted 1,534 motorists.

Motorists are encouraged to call #677 to report impaired drivers, drug activity or stranded motorists.

(From the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office)

The Putnam County Sheriff’s Office and the Putnam County Police Chiefs Association are hosting the 6th Putnam County “Shop with the Cop” on December 9, 2023. This program is designed to help children in Putnam County from disadvantaged homes or have witnessed an event in their family setting that may have left them with a negative image of law enforcement. Our objective is to create positive ties between children and law enforcement in Putnam County and to give them a little brighter Christmas.

Applications are submitted from Putnam County Schools. Thank you to all the teachers, guidance counselors and principals that took the time to submit applications for your students, without you our program would not be a success.

***The application period is closed for 2023 ***

Due to the overwhelming number of applications that we have received this year we are asking for monetary donations from our community to help assist in our objective. We will also accept sealed refreshments or snacks for the event. Please message our Facebook page with any questions on how to donate. Thank you in advance for your consideration.

The Findlay Fire Department is sharing some Thanksgiving safety tips.

Inspector Eric Wilkins says cooking is the number one cause of house fires and more cooking fires occur on Thanksgiving than any other day of the year.

While you’re cooking, stay in the kitchen and remain alert, and if you’re baking or roasting something be sure to check it regularly.

Keep anything flammable away from the stove like oven mitts and paper towels.

If you use a turkey fryer to prepare your turkey, make sure the turkey is completely thawed, as frozen turkeys and hot oil do not mix well at all.

Also, be sure not to overfill your turkey fryer and to keep it at least ten feet away from any structures.

Have a fire extinguisher nearby in case of an emergency.

“And don’t hesitate to call the fire department, that’s what we’re here for,” Wilkins said.

Late Monday, State Route 568 reopened from Bright Road to County Road 236 after being closed for construction of the pedestrian bridge portion of the Blanchard River Greenway Trail extension.

The City of Findlay says details of the ribbon cutting for the trail extension are forthcoming.

The new shared-use path starts at the existing Greenway Trail on East Main Cross Street and extends eastward along State Route 568 towards the County Road 236 shared-use path.

The new path goes under the Bright Road overpass, turns south towards State Route 568 and then turns back to the east along State Route 568.

At the Blanchard River, a new pedestrian bridge has been built just north of the existing bridge to get users across the Blanchard River.

The Findlay-Hancock County Community Foundation is excited to show off its newly renovated offices to the public.

The Community Foundation posted the following to its social media.

“We’re thrilled to announce that our renovated office is OPEN in Suite 207! Save the date to see our new space on December 7 at our Holiday Open House. Thank you for your patience during construction over the past several months.”

The Findlay-Hancock County Community Foundation is located at 101 West Sandusky Street in Findlay, Suite 207.

Hancock County Engineer Doug Cade has been named the 2023 recipient of the David Brand Safety Award in Ohio.

The award is presented by the County Engineers Association of Ohio and is named after the former county engineer of Madison County, Ohio.

The award recognizes an individual’s lifetime contributions in improving safety and eliminating injuries and fatalities.

Cade is now a finalist for the national award which will be presented in the spring by the National Association of County Engineers.

WFIN News recently spoke with Cade about how the new overpasses on State Route 15 will improve safety and you can see that video below.

(From the City of Findlay)

On Friday, November 24, 2023, join us at 5pm for food, refreshments, and Christmas music. At 6pm, Mayor Christina Muryn will be joined by Santa Claus as they officially light the City of Findlay’s Christmas Tree in Dorney Plaza. False Chord Brewing Co., will have a refreshments booth set up at the back of their brewery and the entrance of Dorney Plaza with hot chocolate for the kiddos and craft beer available for adults, along with Ian’s Doughnuts and Not Your Mama’s Grilled Cheese food trucks set up in their beer garden.

After the tree lighting ceremony, Santa Claus will lead the children and their families over to the Findlay Kiwanis Santa’s House at St. Andrews United Methodist Church for a visit with Santa & Mrs. Claus. Enjoy cookies, hot chocolate, and a horse-drawn wagon ride through downtown Findlay.

False Chord will also be hosting an Ugly Sweater Christmas Party in their taproom after the tree lighting ceremony until 10pm.

Thank you to Brian, Amber, Easton and Hadley Sampsel for the generous donation of their beautiful 40 foot Blue Spruce and to the City of Findlay Public Works Department and Miller Rigging for assistance in getting the tree to Dorney Plaza.

Several Downtown establishments will be open past their normal hours for shopping and refreshments the evening of the Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony. Check out VisitFindlay.com for a list of these establishments and all seasonal happenings in Findlay and Hancock County.

Findlay City Schools on Monday morning wrapped up their Turkeys For Trojans initiative.

“An energetic and incredible team gathered this morning to assemble, package, load, and deliver 50 Thanksgiving meals for 50 Findlay High School families in need, thanks to the generosity of our Findlay community, Community Markets, and Taylor Kia of Findlay,” said High School Principal Meg Simon.

Meg says Findlay City Schools spends a lot of time hoping for some comfort and joy to their students and their families while they’re away on break.

“This week, because of your willingness to give, we’re more than just hoping; we’re delivering.”

Meg says they hope to expand the Turkeys For Trojans initiative in the future and help even more families in the school district.

“We just want to say thank you to the community for their support and for making Turkeys For Trojans such an incredible success.”