(From Troop 308)

Hancock County’s first female Eagle Scout, Lydia Eckleberry, was recognized at Troop 308’s Court of Honor.

Lydia is a founding member of St. Mark’s Troop 308.

Earning the rank at 12 years old when passing her Board of Review on May 18th, making her one of the youngest Eagle Scouts ever.

We spoke with Lydia at the end of the Veterans Day Parade and service on Sunday.

After earning the rank, she went to National Youth Leadership Training. Then to Camp Berry’s 100th anniversary summer camp. And on to the 2023 National Jamboree.

For her Eagle project, she worked with American Legion Post 3 to retire 1,460 American Flags.

She collected flags from The American Legion, The Amvets, The VFW, The Scouts BSA office, and The City of Findlay.

Lydia is hoping her leadership and accomplishments will inspire even more girls to get involved.

(From the City of Findlay)

The City of Findlay will be picking up leaves from November 13, 2023, through December 1, 2023. City employees will collect leaves that have been placed in biodegradable PAPER bags at the curb. Plastic bags and loose leaves will not be picked up. Bagged leaves are to be placed by the curb.

Limbs that are placed beside the bagged leaves will also be picked up. The limbs will be picked up separately from the leaves.

Crews will start picking up leaves on November 13, 2023. Crews will make several rounds throughout the whole city through December 1.

Biodegradable bags are readily available at local hardware, building supply, and some grocery stores.

Raking leaves into the street has many negative aspects. Leaf piles in the street can be a dangerous temptation to children who like to play in the piles and in many areas reduce the traffic to one lane or cause drivers to drive around the piles into oncoming traffic. Piled leaves tend to wash into and clog storm sewers, causing maintenance issues and potential localized flooding during storm events. Residents who blow or rake leaves onto City streets are in violation of long standing City Codified Ordinance 311.01(d). Complaints should be forwarded to the Police Department.

City residents may continue to drop leaves at the green waste site located at 330 North Cory Street at no charge. The current hours for the site are Tuesday through Friday 2pm-7pm and Saturday 8am-1pm, closed Sunday and Monday. Beginning November 7, 2023, hours for the site will be Tuesday through Friday 1pm-6pm and Saturday 8am-1pm, closed Sunday and Monday. Beginning November 18, 2023, Saturday hours will be 8am-4pm. The green waste site will be closed on Saturday, November 11, 2023, in honor of Veterans Day and November 23, 2023, for Thanksgiving. It will be open on November 24, 2023, and November 25, 2023. The last day for the green waste site will be December 2, 2023.

The green waste site is intended for residential use only. No contractors are permitted to use this site. Only tree trimmings, brush, leaves, and grass clippings can be dumped in designated areas at the site.

 

AAA, Ohio State Highway Patrol, Ohio Department of Insurance, Ohio Department of Transportation, Ohio Department of Natural Resources and the Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission want to remind motorists of the increase in deer-related traffic crashes this time of year.

Since 2018, statistics from the Ohio State Highway Patrol show there were 104,328 deer-related crashes on Ohio’s roadways. While 95% of deer-related crashes only resulted in property damage, 33 crashes resulted in fatal injuries to motorists, with a total 34 people being killed. Additionally, 47% of these crashes occurred in October, November and December.

“Ohio drivers should keep in mind that deer activity always increases during this time of year – especially at dawn and dusk,” said Governor Mike DeWine. “With Ohio’s strengthened distracted driving laws now in place, we anticipate that more drivers will stay alert to their surroundings, and as a result, we hope fewer deer-related crashes will take place this fall.”

At least 50 deer-related crashes happened in each county, with the highest taking place in Stark, Richland, Hancock and Defiance counties. The routes with the most deer-related crashes were U.S. Route 30, state Route 2, Interstate 71, Interstate 75 and Interstate 77.

“You’re more likely to spot deer when you practice safe driving habits and have your full attention on the roadway,” said Colonel Charles A. Jones, Patrol superintendent. “If you happen to strike a deer, if you’re able, move yourself to a safe place, turn on your hazards and report the crash.” According to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife, deer become visibly active in October, November and December. This is due in large part to the fall breeding season, which sometimes causes deer to dart into roadways with little caution.

Drivers who come across a deer in the roadway should break firmly but not swerve to avoid the deer, because doing so could cause an even worse crash.

 

(From the Hancock Park District)

Although there might be snow, much can still be seen in nature. Join us on our December bird watching hike as we travel through Aeraland Recreation Area searching for birds on Saturday, December 2nd. Possible bird sightings may include Northern Cardinals, Red-tailed Hawks, American Goldfinches, and many more. Dress appropriately for the weather. A few binoculars will be provided, or you are welcome to bring your own.

Aeraland Recreation Area, Shelter, 8-9:30 AM. Families with children ages 8 and up. Free; registration is not required.

Aeraland Recreation Area is located off State Route 12 or U.S. 224, between Findlay and Arcadia. Take Township Road 243 traveling northeast. The park is located on the east side, just north of Arcadia. 1141 Township Road 243, Fostoria. For complete information about upcoming programs and events, view the HPD Seasonal Program & Event Guide at www.HancockParks.com under the “Park News” section, visit our park “Calendar” or call the park office at 419-425-7275.

 

The Findlay Police Department says two people were injured in a rear-end crash on Tiffin Avenue.

The crash happened around 2 o’clock Sunday afternoon in the 2000 block of Tiffin Avenue.

Police say Jessica Carver, 41, of Cygnet, crashed at a high rate of speed into the back of an SUV that was stationary in traffic waiting to continue westbound on Tiffin Avenue.

Police say Carver suffered serious injuries and was taken to the hospital, while a passenger in the vehicle that was struck, Elaine Bettenhausen, 64, of Fostoria, was also injured and taken to a hospital.

Police said Carver was issued citations for assured cleared distance and driving with an expired license.

 

The Ohio Department of Transportation is letting drivers know that there will be some lane closures on Interstate 75 through Findlay.

ODOT says the lane closures will be from Monday through Thursday, November, 13-16 between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. for the outside lanes.

And on Friday and Saturday night, November 17-18 between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m. for the center lane.

The lane closures are necessary for a surface treatment to increase friction.

Get more details here and below.

 

People lined Main Street in Findlay for the Veterans Day Parade on Sunday afternoon.

The parade made its way north and ended at the Hancock County War Memorial where a ceremony was held.

Ralph Reynolds, Junior Vice Commander for the Findlay VFW and Vietnam War Army Veteran, spoke at the service.

When it comes to honoring our Veterans, he said it doesn’t matter what branch of the Armed Services you served in, or whether it was during wartime or peacetime.

 

 

“What matters is these men and women stepped up and put the boots on when they were called, and took the oath to defend our America at any cost, that’s what a Veteran is.”

Get more of Reynolds’ remarks and see some video from the parade in the video below.

 

(From the Big Ten Conference)

The Big Ten Conference announced today that the University of Michigan has been found in violation of the Big Ten Sportsmanship Policy for conducting an impermissible, in-person scouting operation over multiple years, resulting in an unfair competitive advantage that compromised the integrity of competition.

Big Ten Conference Agreement 10.01 states in part that “The Big Ten Conference expects all contests involving a member institution to be conducted without compromise to any fundamental element of sportsmanship. Such fundamental elements include integrity of the competition, civility toward all, and respect, particularly toward opponents and officials.”

As a penalty imposed on the institution, the University football team must compete without its Head Football Coach for the games remaining in the 2023 regular-season, effective immediately. This disciplinary action shall not preclude the University or its football team from having its Head Football Coach attend practices or other football team activities other than the game activities to which it applies. For clarity, the Head Football Coach shall not be present at the game venue on the dates of the games to which this disciplinary action applies.

The Big Ten Conference will have no additional comment at this time.

 

The Marion Township Trustees have announced that leaf pick-up will begin in residential areas on Monday, November 13^th.

The trustees point out that only loose leaves, piled at the curbside, will be picked up.

Bagged leaves will not be accepted.

Trustees say the equipment is unable to reach leaves placed more than three feet from the curb and will not be picked up if further away.

The crew picking up the leaves will make one pass and will not return to any area a second time.

Weather permitting, leaf pick-up will be completed by November 30^th.

 

Time is running out to register for Camp FUN, a free day camp designed for area youth who have been impacted in some way by addiction.

The camp will be held Saturday, November 18th from 10 to 4 at First Presbyterian Church at 2330 South Main Street in Findlay.

Camp FUN (Friendship, Understanding and Nurturing) is open to youth between the ages of 9 and 17.

The purpose of the camp is to provide a positive, encouraging and supportive experience for youth.

It will be a day filled with exciting activities.

Parents or guardians can register their child online by clicking here.

There is no fee to attend the camp.