Findlay firefighters helped brighten the holidays for several local kids and their families.

The Findlay Fire Department again this year participated in the Shop With a Firefighter program, in conjunction with Findlay Hope House and Walmart.

Firefighters took the youngsters Christmas shopping at the Walmart on Tiffin Avenue which donated a $3,000 grant for the event.

The kids bought a gift for each member of their family and also spent some money on themselves.

Families also received a gift card to purchase everything they would need for a nice Christmas dinner.

Millstream Area Credit Union volunteers then wrapped up the gifts for the families.

Findlay firefighter Travis Bohn told WFIN he looks forward to the event every year.

The Putnam County Sheriff’s Office said a person missing from a nursing home was located with the help of a drone thermal camera.

The sheriff’s office said the male resident left on foot from Autumn Court Nursing Home in Ottawa on Wednesday night and staff couldn’t locate him.

Authorities responded to help in the search and the sheriff’s office utilized its drone which located the individual in the back yard of a nearby residence.

The individual was not injured but was transported to a hospital for evaluation.

(From the Ohio Mayors Alliance)

The Ohio Mayors Alliance, a bipartisan coalition of mayors in Ohio’s 31 largest cities, held its annual membership meeting at the National Veterans Memorial and Museum in Columbus. During the meeting, the mayors outlined the organization’s policy and legislative priorities for next year, including consistent state funding to support local public safety costs.

“We look forward to working with our partners in the state legislature to ensure that our state and our local communities thrive,” said Findlay Mayor and OMA Board Member Christina Muryn. “Cities play such an important role in driving regional growth and supporting Ohio’s statewide economic success, but more collaboration is necessary on issues such as public safety, housing, and economic development.”

The first recommendation from the bipartisan mayors’ group is to establish a new, dedicated state funding stream to support local public safety needs. The fund would be allocated to local governments with full time police departments by formula and would be directed to helping address the rising costs of critical public safety needs in Ohio’s local communities.

“The largest budgetary expense for most cities throughout Ohio is public safety and those costs continue to increase every year, especially for hiring, attracting, and retaining talented public safety personnel,” said Cleveland Mayor and OMA Board Member Justin Bibb. “Providing state funding support would go a long way to help our cities improve public safety and support our first responders.”

In addition to a dedicated public safety fund for local communities, the Ohio Mayors Alliance also proposed:

• • the establishment of a state commission on home rule;

• • a state program to incentivize pro-growth housing policies;

• • more local regulatory protections on products such marijuana and tobacco sales; and

• support for a range of state economic development initiatives and programs that support local communities.

(ONN) – A new bill could affect hundreds of thousands of Ohio drivers.

Ohio House Bill 29 makes it harder to lose your driver’s license and easier to get it reinstated if it becomes suspended.

Lawmakers argued that having a valid driver’s license is essential for Ohioans to participate in the economy.

The Cincinnati Enquirer reports that the Ohio Poverty Center believed prior laws were discriminatory against impoverished Ohioans and actually prevented debt resolution.

On average, there are more than 250,000 license suspensions imposed each year in Ohio.

(From the City of Findlay)

The City of Findlay continues to receive inquiries related to repairs needed at railroad crossings.

The City is legally unable to perform work within the railroad right-of-way.

Please help us get these repairs made by contacting the appropriate railroad provided on the following pages below to report issues.

(From the Fort Findlay FOP Lodge 20 Foundation)

The Fort Findlay FOP Lodge 20 Foundation invites the community to join us for an evening of holiday cheer at Cocoa with a Cop, a family-friendly event happening Friday, December 20, at 7:00 PM at the FOP Lodge located at 1769 S. Romick Parkway, Findlay.

The highlight of the evening will be Sheriff Heldman’s special reading of ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas. Families and children of all ages are encouraged to attend, sip on cocoa, and enjoy cookies while getting to know our local law enforcement in a relaxed and festive environment. In the season’s spirit, guests are encouraged (but not required) to wear their favorite pajamas to add a touch of holiday coziness to the event.

This event reflects the mission of the Fort Findlay FOP Lodge 20 Foundation, which is dedicated to fostering positive relationships between law enforcement and the community. Through youth programming, community outreach, and support for active, retired, and fallen members and their families, the Foundation is committed to building trust and goodwill. Events like Cocoa with a Cop provide an opportunity to strengthen these bonds and spread holiday joy.
No RSVP is necessary—just bring your holiday spirit!

(From the University of Findlay)

Six University of Findlay students are the 2024-25 recipients of more than $22,000 in Town & Campus scholarships.

Findlay Town & Campus is one of the oldest organizations at UF, promoting student success and goodwill among campus and community members.

“These scholarships are annually awarded to worthy students who are in good academic standing and demonstrate volunteerism and philanthropy on campus or in the community,” explained Nondace Campbell, president of Town & Campus.

“We are proud to support them as they are pursuing their educational dreams,” said Campbell, a UF emerita professor who taught English and literature, retiring in 2009.

This year’s scholarship recipients are: Hayley Waltz of Rawson, doctor of occupational therapy major; Chloe Eppley of Tiffin, occupational therapy major; Paige Lucic of Chardon, exercise science major/pre-physical therapy program; Grace Scott of Pinckney, Michigan, western equestrian studies and farm business management major; Jacob Holmes of Cincinnati, doctor of pharmacy program; and Mitchell Hanosh of Adrian, Michigan, business administration major with emphasis in management and finance.

Town & Campus started in 1960, when O.J. Wilson, president of then-Findlay College, organized a women’s auxiliary to serve as a liaison between the college and community.

The group hosted teas and offered bridge lessons for female students. Within a year, the women began raising money to support Findlay students with scholarships and emergency loans.

Today, 64 years later, Findlay Town & Campus enjoys a long history of supporting a variety of UF programs and scholarships. The organization is no longer just for women, but open to all. In 2009, they endowed a scholarship in honor of the organization’s 50th anniversary.

The group meets monthly on campus and new members are welcome. Annual dues are $20, and more information is available at www.findlay.edu/townandcampus or by calling Tiffany Koenig at 419-434-5560.

The Humane Society and SPCA of Hancock County has some holiday safety tips for your pets.

The Humane Society’s Natalie Reffitt was on with WKXA’s Rex Howard for Wet Nose Wednesday and shared some safety tips.

As Natalie told Rex in the audio above, Christmas and New Years can be a stressful time for your pets with more activity in the house than usual.

She recommends putting up a baby gate to block the door so they can’t bolt out when people are coming and going or if they get spooked.

You can also provide your dog or cat with a quiet room where they can hang out during holiday parties.

Natalie says to make sure your pets have their IDs on them so if they do get out of the house they can be reunited with you.

Also, be aware of pets trying to sneak a bite of the holiday food and snacks you prepare and ask guests to not feed them.

Get more tips from the Humane Society by clicking here.

Pictured above is Loki, who is ready to be adopted from the Humane Society and SPCA of Hancock County.

(ONN) – Outgoing Ohio U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown gave his final speech on the floor of the Senate.

In his speech, he reflected on his time serving Ohio.

His first speech in the Senate was about raising minimum wage, a movement he is still committed to.

Senator Brown has been in Congress since 1993.

He was been a Senator for the last 18 years.

Senator-elect Bernie Moreno will replace Brown in the Senate.

(From the Seneca County Sheriff’s Office)

Congratulations to Brandy Johnson who is yet another GED graduate from our GED program here at the Seneca County Jail!

This program is managed and directed by Grace Morehart who also administers the testing at our facility which is highly unique and is one of the reasons for our success rate in completing the program. Statistics show that the further you get away, from studying, the less likely you will pass or even show up for the testing outside of a jail or prison. So being able to be an all in one program is extremely helpful.

The second part of our success is our teachers, Shelli Stockmeister and Melissa Blair!

The third, and most important part of the successes so far, are the students who put themselves out there to accomplish their educational goal of graduating High School!

Kudos to them for making the effort to better themselves. Each person has a reason or situation on the “why” of not obtaining their High School Diploma. Each person is at a different place in where they left off in their educational process and each person is to be complimented on at least trying to accomplish something that they set their mind out to do!

Congratulations Brandy and make all your hard work pay off and use it to better yourself and those around you!

-Sheriff Stevens