The Hancock Historical Museum is delighted to invite you to a festive evening of timeless entertainment with a special Classic Movie Night screening of the beloved holiday film White Christmas! Join us on Friday, December 20th, at 7:00 PM for a heartwarming cinematic experience sure to fill you with holiday cheer.
This 1954 musical treasure stars Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye as two talented entertainers who team up with a sister act, played by Rosemary Clooney and Vera-Ellen, to save a struggling Vermont inn owned by their former army commander. Featuring iconic songs such as “Sisters” and the unforgettable “White Christmas,” this cherished film captures the magic of the season like no other.
Attendees will enjoy complimentary popcorn while taking in this holiday classic in the cozy atmosphere of the museum, located at 422 West Sandusky Street, Findlay, Ohio. Guests are welcome to BYOB to make the evening even more enjoyable. Whether you’ve watched White Christmas countless times or are experiencing it for the first time, it’s a perfect way to celebrate the holiday season with family, friends, or a special someone.
No RSVP is required—just bring your holiday spirit and settle in for a cozy night of classic cinema. This event is open to everyone looking to embrace the warmth and joy of the season.
For more information, please contact the Hancock Historical Museum at (419) 423-4433 or visit our website at www.hancockhistoricalmuseum.org.
At the final Findlay City Schools Board of Education meeting of 2024, Board President Chris Aldrich and Superintendent Andy Hatton addressed the pressing financial challenges facing the district. With no new operating revenue from the community in 20 years and a state-determined local capacity shortfall of 12.7 million dollars, the district faces a budget that will require significant cost-cutting measures to be phased in over three years.
“These difficult decisions are not optional,” said Board President Aldrich. “We must cut costs drastically to balance our budget and operate within our means. At the same time, we will explore the possibility of an operating levy to provide a path forward that reflects the vision our community has for Findlay City Schools.”
The district, which is already in deficit spending, is confronting a funding model that is no longer sustainable. Unlike many states, Ohio does not allow for inflationary increases in property tax revenues without voter approval, leaving districts reliant on community-approved levies to keep pace with rising costs. Compounding this challenge, state funding does not adequately account for the increasing financial needs of schools.
Superintendent Andy Hatton emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating, “This is by far the most difficult and grueling task we have to undertake. To balance the budget, we need to amass a list of initial cuts that totals more than 6 million for the next school year. These cuts will significantly impact our staff, students, and the opportunities we provide.”
Proposed Reductions
During the meeting, the board reviewed a preliminary proposal for reductions across the district’s operational expenses. Superintendent Hatton explained the proposal aims to minimize the impact on student outcomes while addressing the financial realities. However, he acknowledged that cuts will affect staffing, programs, and services across all aspects of the district’s operations. The proposed reductions discussed are listed below:
Reduce six administrative positions: $794,000
Reduce staff through attrition: $1,127,000
Increase class sizes up to the contractual maximum: $1,209,000
Reduce Teacher On Special Assignment (TOSA) support: $905,000
Adjust kindergarten to half-day: $644,000
Unblock middle school math: $573,000
Reduce Findlay High School elective offerings: $652,000
Reduce security guards: $300,000
Dissolve STEM at the elementary level: $161,000
Establish Pay-to-Participate cost for high school extracurriculars: $141,000
Dissolve middle school extracurriculars: $144,000
Evaluate encore & specials for K-8: $401,000
Reduce programming and instructional resources: $170,000
Adjust transportation: $376,000
Total Proposed Reductions: $7,597,000
No decisions were made at the board meeting. Board members indicated an intent to adopt a list of budget cuts in early 2025 and are committed to ensuring transparency throughout the process. While reductions are necessary regardless of future levy outcomes, the board is also exploring a potential operating levy in 2025 to generate new revenue and align the district’s funding with the community’s educational aspirations.
“Though the weight of this topic and the challenges ahead are significant, we remain hopeful that our community will rally behind our schools,” Aldrich said. “Together, we can find solutions that preserve the academic progress and opportunities our students deserve.”
Are you a numbers person who likes giving back to your community?
United Way of Hancock County is rallying volunteers as it prepares to once again facilitate free tax preparation services for qualifying community members.
United Way’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program provides free income tax preparation to qualifying individuals who live or work in Hancock County. Volunteers are needed to greet clients as they arrive for their appointments and to prepare and file taxes electronically through the IRS.
No prior tax experience is needed. Training materials are provided free of cost, and all volunteers receive in-person training and certification. Ongoing support is provided by experienced team members.
Client appointments will be offered at 50 North and the Findlay-Hancock County Public Library from February through April. Volunteers may commit based on their availability.
Beginning Jan. 22, community members may call the VITA direct phone line to schedule their appointment. More details, including that phone number, will be released in January.
For more information or to sign up as a VITA volunteer, contact United Way of Hancock County Information Manager Bridgit Phillips at 419-423-1432 or accounting@uwhancock.org.
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.
The Findlay Police Department says a pedestrian was injured when they were hit by a vehicle in a crosswalk.
The police department said Mary Powell, 68, of Fostoria, was turning left from Bright Road onto Manor Hill Road on Monday a little before 5:30 p.m. when she struck Jamie Prince, of Findlay, who was crossing the street in a marked crosswalk.
Police say Prince suffered back, arm, and leg injuries and was taken to Blanchard Valley Hospital by Hanco EMS.
Police said Powell was issued a citation for right of way in a crosswalk.
I want to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude to our amazing Tiffin PD Dispatch Team of Candie, Lanie, Patty, Madison, Haley, Abby, and Alexis for their incredible fundraising idea and hard work on the Christmas Angel Project. Gifts were delivered to the family recently and I couldn’t be more thankful for your dedication and compassion for others.
Because of your efforts, this family is receiving all the thoughtful items purchased, plus additional blessings from the Christmas Angel Group of Dispatchers, including a blanket, a basket of toiletry and paper products, an ornament, and a gas card.
Your generosity ensured that the kids’ wishes—and then some—were fulfilled:
Bedding
Socks and shoes
Clothing
Toys
Bats and baseballs
Pokémon items
On top of that, each child and their dad received stockings filled with small gifts and candy, additional presents for dad, and gift cards for Aldi and Little Caesars to provide meals for the family. This outpouring of love and care is a testament to the kind and giving hearts this group of communication professionals have.
Our Dispatch Team has done something truly special for this family, giving them a Christmas they will not soon forget. I am so proud to work alongside such selfless and thoughtful individuals. Thank you for making this project such a success—I hope you all will continue this tradition in the future.
This is the highest award given to schools by NIAAA, and recognizes the incredible standards of excellence within Findlay High School athletics.
We are so proud of you, Mr. Weihrauch!
Weihrauch says this recognition is “a true testament to the Findlay City School District, coaches, staff, students, supporters, and Findlay community.”
Image 1: Mr. Weihrauch stands holding his plaque between two other men.
Image 2: Mr. Weihrauch and Mrs. Buck stand holding the plaque.
Image 3: Mr. Weihrauch stands holding his award with the two other Ohio recipients.
Marathon Center for the Performing Arts is thrilled to announce its diverse and dynamic winter education programming for 2025.
Visual Art Clubs: This program offers a variety of arts and crafts projects during a six-week course this winter. Students in each age group will engage in many different 2D and 3D projects in a variety of mediums including clay, paint, printmaking, drawing, and more. Programming is available for students in grades K-12.
Homeschool and Preschool Music Classes: This program offers a variety of art types such as singing, dancing, and stories. We’ll use our imaginations to build confidence, musicality and early literacy skills! Programming is available for ages 2 through 13.
Musical Theatre Dance Classes: Join us for an exciting and informative dance class that will allow students to gain an understanding in developing their skills through movement, proper technique, building confidence, and increasing dance vocabulary. Programming is available for students in grades 6-8 this winter.
One Act Playwriting: Students in grades 6-12 will learn the basics of playwriting including brainstorming ideas, developing characters, using 3-act structure in shorter plays, and formatting scripts for production and competition. Students will also share their work in class and will learn how to give and receive feedback.
Expressions, Connection and Confidence, Oh My!: Students in grades K-2 will learn to express themselves using their bodies, faces and voices and connect those skills to tell the story on the stage. Focus will be on creative dramatics to develop expression and confidence.
Registration for all programs is now open. For detailed descriptions, schedules, and to register, please visit MCPA.org/Register.
For more information, contact Marathon Center for the Performing Arts Ticket Office by calling 419.423.2787 ext. 100 or visiting MCPA.org. Marathon Center for the Performing Arts is located at 200 W. Main Cross St, Findlay. Box Office hours are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.
(WTOL-11) – WIN Waste Landfill in Fostoria has been denied a 2025 operating license.
The Seneca County Board of Health passed the resolution saying WIN Waste failed to comply with its 2023 and 2024 license conditions.
But, in a statement to WTOL, WIN Waste claims the health board’s decision was groundless and unlawful and plans to take this to litigation to defend the right to operate.
WIN Waste has less than 30 days to request a hearing where an examiner will issue a recommendation.
(ONN) – A new state bill seeks to ensure that patients are never alone when getting care.
The Never Alone Act seeks to prevent nursing homes, hospitals and other congregate care facilities from denying residents and patients access to their designated advocates during public health emergencies.
The bill has now passed both the Ohio Senate and House.
The motivation for the bill was families who were prevented from visiting people with COVID who were hospitalized and subsequently died alone in their rooms.
