(From the Hancock County Commissioners)

Findlay, Ohio – April 16, 2025 – The Hancock County Commissioners are proud to announce that the historic Hancock County Courthouse will be illuminated on Friday, April 18, 2025, as part of the nationwide “Two Lights for Tomorrow” initiative. This event commemorates the 250th anniversary of Paul Revere’s midnight ride and marks the beginning of America’s semiquincentennial celebrations.

The “Two Lights for Tomorrow” initiative, organized by the Virginia American Revolution 250 Commission, invites communities across the nation to light two symbolic lanterns as a symbol reflecting the famous signal in the Old North Church—“One if by land, two if by sea”—which set in motion Paul Revere’s ride to warn colonial leaders that British troops were advancing on the eve of the Revolutionary War.

On the night of April 18, 1775, Revere rode to alert Samuel Adams and John Hancock that they were in danger of arrest. Hancock, then president of the Second Continental Congress, was staying in Lexington, Massachusetts, where Revere successfully warned him of the threat. This act of courage helped preserve the leadership that would go on to shape the future of our nation.

“Participating in ‘Two Lights for Tomorrow’ is a way for Hancock County to connect with our nation’s founding story,” said the Hancock County Commissioners. “We are proud to light the courthouse not only in memory of the midnight ride, but also in celebration of our namesake’s enduring legacy.”

The courthouse will be illuminated beginning at dusk on April 18 and will remain lit throughout the night. Residents and visitors are invited to take a moment to reflect on the significance of this anniversary and the continued importance of preserving our shared history. To learn more about “Two Lights for Tomorrow”, please visit va250.org/two-lights.

This marks the first of many initiatives in Hancock County throughout the coming years in celebration of America’s semiquincentennial which culminates on July 4, 2026. Hancock County and the City of Findlay are official communities with the Ohio Commission for the U.S. Semiquincentennial (America 250-Ohio). A coalition has been established to discuss how the community can celebrate Hancock County’s unique role in our nation’s history. To learn more about America 250-Ohio and opportunities to celebrate, visit america250-ohio.org.

Coming up, more information about local celebrations and educational initiatives will be available through The Findlay-Hancock County Convention and Visitors Bureau.

(From Cory-Rawson Local Schools)

The Ohio Department of Education and Workforce (ODEW) has selected both Cory-Rawson Elementary School and Cory-Rawson High School as Purple Star Schools for its 2025 class.  

Purple Star Schools show a strong commitment to students and families connected to our nation’s military.  

ODEW shared that the state’s Purple Star Advisory Board established strict criteria in order for schools to be considered for the designation and both of the Cory-Rawson schools met those standards.  

Cory-Rawson superintendent Jay Clark said, “We are proud to support military families who are currently part of the Cory-Rawson community or making a transition to our schools.”

Families of current or potential Cory-Rawson students who are military-involved can visit the district’s military resource webpage and are encouraged to discuss needs with our military family liaisons, Mrs. Roberts at Cory-Rawson Elementary School and Mrs. Barnhart at Cory-Rawson High School.

State superintendent Stephen Dackin states that, “The Purple Star award signifies your school’s demonstrated commitment to serving these students and families.”

(From the Fostoria Police Department)

Scam Alert: The Fostoria Police Department has received numerous complaints regarding phone calls from a subject claiming to be an officer or a detective from our department.

The subject is reportedly calling from a cloned phone number matching our department number. The subject is said to be telling people that they have missed court and now have to pay a fine or be arrested.

Again this is a scam! The Fostoria Police Department will never call anyone and try to arrange payment by phone, for any reason.

Please share this to get word out. Also, if you have elderly family members, please speak with them and relay this message, as they tend to be targeted more frequently during scams like these.

If you have any questions, please contact our department.

(From the City of Findlay)

The City of Findlay will offer a bulk trash drop off for Findlay residents from Saturday, April 19, 2025, to Saturday, April 26, 2025 sponsored by The Findlay-Hancock County Community Foundation. Hours are 8am-12pm or until dumpsters are full on Saturdays and 8am-3pm or until dumpsters are full on weekdays.

Dumpsters will be placed at the Public Works Department, 330 N. Cory St., where city residents will be able to dispose of unwanted debris. The drop off will be held in conjunction with Backyard Mission Trip taking place Saturday, April 26, 2025 and Earth Day on Tuesday, April 22, 2025. 

No hazardous materials, commercial tires, concrete, appliances, or electronics will be accepted. Proof of residency or ID may be required.

The City will be accepting noncommercial vehicle tires. Tires must be off the rim. Proof of residency in the city of Findlay and/or ID will be required. Please note, in the State of Ohio it is illegal to transport more than 10 scrap tires at anytime without obtaining a registration certificate from the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency per ORC 3734.83.

(From the Findlay Police Department)

Clarification on FPD’s Body/In-Car Camera footage Request Policy

Due to recent social media commentary, we would like to provide clarification regarding the Findlay Police Department’s procedures for requesting body-worn and in-car camera footage.

As of April 9, 2025, FPD began charging for most FOIA requests for this type of video, in accordance with Ohio Revised Code 149.43(B)(1). These charges help recover the time and resources required to review, redact, and prepare video footage. Redaction is billed at 1.5 times the video length, based on staff hourly rates, with a maximum charge of $750 per request.

-A few key things to know:

Requests must be submitted in writing and should clearly identify the specific video(s) being requested.

FPD provides a written cost estimate within five business days. Work on the request does not begin until the estimate is paid.

Requests involving sensitive or protected content may require more processing time due to legal redaction requirements.

-Exemptions apply to crime victims, their immediate family, legal representatives, and guardians (when a police report has been filed), as well as government agencies and licensed Ohio schools requesting footage for official purposes.

For full policy details or to submit a request, visit our website or contact our Records Department directly.

(From the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office)

Please join us in welcoming Enforcement Lieutenant Charles Seeley to the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office! He was officially sworn in on April 14, alongside his family, as he took the oath to serve our community with integrity, professionalism, accountability, and excellence.

Lt. Seeley brings with him years of experience and a strong dedication to public service.

We are confident that he will be a valuable asset to our leadership team and a great mentor to our staff.

We’re proud to have him on board and excited for what the future holds under his leadership. Welcome to the team, Lt. Seeley!

(From Welcome to a New Life)

Welcome to a New Life, in collaboration with FOCUS, the Hancock County Judicial System, and the Family Resource Center, is proud to present the 4th Annual Second Chance Event on Thursday, April 24, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

The event will be held at St. Mark’s The DOCK, located at 800 S. Main Street in Findlay.

In recognition of Second Chance Month, this event is dedicated to raising awareness about the challenges faced by individuals with criminal convictions and promoting opportunities for redemption, reintegration, and personal growth, as well as resources for the children and family members of such individuals.

Judge Routson will serve as the event emcee, leading the program with messages of hope, accountability, and community collaboration.

Attendees will enjoy a complimentary lunch generously provided by Heavenly Pizza.

The event will also feature dedicated time for networking and live podcast recording, giving participants a platform to share their stories, connect with resources, and be part of the broader conversation on second chances.

This is a free, public event and all are welcome to attend.

(From the Findlay Police Department)

Officers were dispatched to Burger King (717 W. Trenton Ave.) on 4-15-2025 at 1048 hours for a report of a possible drug overdose in a vehicle.

The vehicle was located parked in the parking lot. Shannon Pullom (36 yoa B/M) was located in the driver’s seat.

Shannon became alert when contacted by officers and advised he was just sleeping.

Hanco EMS and Findlay Fire Department responded to evaluate Shannon.

He advised he did not need medical assistance and declined to be transported to the hospital.

A suspected methamphetamine pipe was observed in plain view inside the vehicle.

A probable cause search of the vehicle turned up an additional 28 grams of suspected methamphetamine, 14 grams of suspected crack cocaine, and three firearms.

The firearms consisted of two 12 gauge shotguns and a .50 cal muzzleloader.

One of the shotguns was found to have been reported stolen out of Lapeer County Michigan in 2021.

Shannon Pullom was arrested for Possession of Drug Paraphernalia (M-4), Receiving Stolen Property (F-4), Having Weapons Under Disability (F-3), Aggravated Possession of Drugs (F-2), and Possession of Cocaine (F-3).

He was incarcerated at the Hancock County Justice Center.

By Sheri Trusty, Public Relations/Community Engagement Coordinator

On April 11, Deacon Titus became the fifth person to earn his GED through the Seneca County Jail’s GED program for inmates. The program, which is offered through a partnership with the Vanguard-Sentinel Aspire Program, gives inmates the opportunity to take GED-prep classes and the GED tests right at the jail.

Students learn math, science, social studies, reading and language arts from Aspire instructor Melissa Blair. She teaches classes twice a week at the Seneca County Jail.

“Our program also talks about career readiness and how to use technology,” Blair said. “I had a 72-year-old student at another jail who had never touched a computer before.”

Titus was honored for his achievement during a GED graduation at the jail. Seneca County Sheriff Fredrick Stevens presented him with his diploma and congratulated him on pushing through the hard work to earn his GED.

“Society functions through the educational process. Doors are closed without a high school diploma or GED, so this put you on the path of a better future,” Sheriff Stevens said. “The hard work was done by you, but a lot of people invested time and energy into your success.”

The GED program was implemented in the jail thanks to the efforts of Case Manager Grace Morehart. She created the program from the ground up to help Sheriff Stevens achieve his goal of bringing GED classes to the jail to give inmates a better chance at success post-incarceration.

Morehart reached out to the Aspire program and learned that the jail could not only offer classes but could, after meeting strict requirements, also become a GED testing site, giving students an even greater chance at success. The Seneca County Jail is one of only a few jails in Ohio that offers GED testing.

“It they can’t take the test until after release, they may not follow through,” Morehart said.

Any inmate can request to become a GED student, but sometimes, the timing doesn’t make that possible. Blair is glad Titus was able to join her classes and push through to the end. He will walk out of the jail with a stronger foundation.

“I’m proud of you. Be proud of yourself,” she told Titus at the graduation. “I appreciate having the opportunity to be a part of your success. Keep going. Keep running.”

Titus was thankful for the opportunity to earn his GED.

“It wasn’t easy, but it wasn’t very hard,” he said. “I’m happy to get through it. I plan to keep going.”

Blair is grateful she can help bring the Aspire Program to the Seneca County Jail.

“I’m so thankful I get the opportunity to do this. The GED is hard. It’s not an easy test, and it’s nice to see students finish it,” she said. “They’re not a number. They’re a person, and everyone here at the jail treats them so kind.”

Several first responders and volunteers teamed up to locate a man with dementia who left his home on Road 22-K in Putnam County on Monday night.

A family member contacted a sergeant on patrol and said they could not find their 73-year-old family member and that they had not been seen for an extended period of time.

Various agencies began searching for the missing man, along with drone units and a K-9 unit.

The Putnam County Sheriff’s Office says the man was located at 9:13 Monday night near the Auglaize River stuck in the mud, awake and alert.

The man was pulled from the mud and carried to EMS to be evaluated and suffered only a minor injury.