(From the Hancock Historical Museum)

Does Bluffton ooze ghosts? You’ll soon find out. Join us on Thursday, October 5th at noon for our monthly Brown Bag Lecture! Just in time for Halloween, “Where Bluffton’s Ghosts Sleep,” presented by Bluffton author, Fred Steiner.

His latest book, with a subtitle “Unexpected stories from a small Ohio town,” the 196-page book includes what Steiner says is “every unexpected and cryptic Bluffton epic ever imagined.” This is Steiner’s fifth Bluffton-based history book and will be available for purchase.

The lecture is free for museum members, and $3 for nonmembers. For more information, please call the Hancock Historical Museum at (419) 423-4433.

The Marion Township Trustees and Hancock Public Health are partnering to offer their annual Drive Thru Flu Shot Clinic.

It will be held on Thursday, October 5^th at the Marion Township House at 16003 State Route 568 from 3:30 to 6.

Flu shots and COVID vaccine shots will be available.

An ID and insurance card are required.

Adults who complete a short survey will receive a $50 gift card, provided by USA Aging.

Hancock Public Health recently announced its schedule of fall vaccination clinics and you can click here for that list.

(From the Findlay YMCA)

The 23rd Annual Black Swamp Classic, a philanthropic golf outing, was held on September 18th and 19th, 2023, at the Findlay Country Club and was a tremendous success.

This year’s event hosted a total of 55 teams from local organizations and raised an impressive $312,000 to be divided equally between the Findlay YMCA, the Putnam County YMCA, and the Braden Kramer Foundation.

These funds will be used to support programs and initiatives that improve the health, wellness, and character of youth in the community. The event surpassed a remarkable milestone by raising a total of $3 million over its twenty-three-year history for the benefit of the community.

The highlight of the event was the Monday Night Extravaganza that includes a live auction consisting of several high-end items, nearly all of which are donated.

This year’s auction included vacations to Costa Rica and the Bahamas, golf at Firestone Country Club and Inverness Club, fine jewelry, fine wine, tickets to Browns vs Steelers, a custom built ‘she-shed,’ and many more wonderful items.

The auction alone raised an amazing $160,000, thanks to the generosity of the attendees. Also contributing to the success of the event was a generous Jeep donation by Kable Derrow of Findlay Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram. The Jeep, a 2023 Wrangler, was raffled off and a winner was drawn by the Braden Kramer Foundation’s Super Hero number twenty one at the Monday Night auction.

The Black Swamp Classic Committee includes members from local businesses as well as members from the recipient organizations. The committee worked tirelessly to ensure that the event was a resounding success and that the funds raised would benefit the local community.

“We are thrilled with the success of this year’s event and incredibly humbled by the support of the local community yet again,” said Chris Webb, Senior Vice President of State Bank and this year’s Black Swamp Classic Committee Chair.

“The funds raised will go a long way in supporting the important work of the Findlay YMCA, the Putnam County YMCA, and the Braden Kramer Foundation.”

The Black Swamp Classic will return for its 24th year on September 16th and 17th, 2024.

The Findlay Family YMCA will be hosting a blood drive for the American Red Cross.

It will be held on Thursday, October 5^th from 9 to 3 in the West Pool Lounge at the YMCA at 300 East Lincoln Street.

All blood types are needed.

The YMCA says people who give blood until October 20^th will receive a $15 Amazon gift card.

“Use the sponsor code YMCAFINDLAY when you book your appointment. Your generosity and kindness can make a significant impact on someone’s life.”

The City of Findlay says a street will be closed for a few days for sewer repairs.

South Blanchard Street will be closed to through traffic from Second Street to Third Street beginning at 8 a.m. on Tuesday, October 3rd through October 4th for sanitary sewer repair.

Drivers are advised to avoid the area if possible.

The Engineering Department will release updates when information becomes available.

People with questions can call 419-424-7121.

The Findlay-Hancock County Community Foundation’s ‘Fun For All’ series of free community events continues in October.

According to the Community Foundation’s website, the October events include the Pumpkin Train and Halloween Express at the Northwest Ohio Railroad Preservation and a Murder Mystery Dinner at 50 North.

See the full schedule by clicking here.

“We’ve heard time and time again that finding affordable, family-friendly activities is a challenge in Hancock County. The Community Foundation is proud to provide Fun for All to help bridge the gap,” said Community Foundation President and CEO Brian Treece.

Brian says the Findlay-Hancock County Community Foundation is thankful to its community partners for making the events possible.

The Hancock Historical Museum’s 2023 Historic Homes Tour will be held on Sunday, October 8^th from 11 to 4.

There will also be a Saturday evening preview event on October 7^th.

The Historic Homes Tour, which has been a community favorite for more than 30 years, showcases the beautiful historic architecture of Hancock County.

Historical information will be provided and guests will be permitted to view the impressive interiors of the houses at their leisure.

Volunteer docents will be on hand at each of the properties to assist and answer questions.

“This year’s tour promises to be a unique opportunity to see the many details of some of Findlay’s most beloved old houses,” said Sarah Sisser, Executive Director of the Hancock Historical Museum.

Sarah was on with WFIN’s Chris Oaks to preview the Historic Homes Tour.

Below you can see a map of the homes included on the tour this year.

The above picture is of 865 South Main Street.

Cost: $15 presale, $20 day-of at the Museum.

*Pre-sale tickets must be picked up at the Hancock Historical Museum during regular business hours or Sunday, the day of the tour, starting at 10 a.m. Tickets will not be for sale at the homes.

A Wyandot County school went on lockdown as police investigated possible gunshots.

It happened a little before 9 o’clock Monday morning at Mohawk School.

The school resource officer and responding officers searched and secured the school and no threats were found.

Through investigation, it was learned that the sound of a gunshot that was reported was actually a bicycle tire blowing out in a small hallway area.

More details are in the Facebook post below from the Wyandot County Sheriff’s Office.

(ONN) – The educational period is almost over for Ohio’s new distracted driving law, meaning tickets will soon be issued to violators.

Since May, the Ohio State Highway Patrol says it’s given out more than 1,300 warnings for distracted driving.

Now, the Highway Patrol is prepared to cite those who swipe their screens or watch movies as they drive.

“Seeing someone on their phone, maybe sending a text message or watching a video that is probable cause for a traffic stop,” said Lt. Nathan Dennis with the Ohio State Highway Patrol.

The law does allow people to talk on their phones either through Bluetooth or against the ear.

The distracted driving law takes effect on Thursday, October 5^th.

(From Findlay Municipal Court)

Need help to get your license valid?

The 5th Annual Driving Under Suspension clinic will be held Thursday, October 5, 2023 from 9:00am – Noon and 1:00pm – 4:00pm.

This clinic will help individuals with a suspended driver’s license get their issues resolved.

Representatives from the Bureau of Motor Vehicles will be available during the clinic to assist with questions and to get paperwork processed immediately.

Contact the Clerk’s office at 419-424-7141 to schedule an appointment. Visit our website for more details www.findlaymunicourt.com.