(From the Hancock County Solid Waste Management District)

NEW DONATION BIN LOCATION – South End….

Hancock County Building – 401 Olive Street – currently collected Monday & Thursdays.

*Remember to break down your boxes to accommodate more materials and put all items inside the containers – nothing on the ground, please. – Thank you

There are now 18 total recycling locations in Hancock County with the Recycling Hub located at the old Litter Landing location of 1720 East Sandusky Street in Findlay.

(From the Findlay-Hancock County Chamber of Commerce)

The Hancock Leadership Class of 2026 is now accepting project proposals from the community!

If your organization has a need or idea that could benefit from a hands-on, collaborative class project, we encourage you to submit a bid for consideration.

Let’s work together to make a lasting impact in Hancock County!

The class project of the Hancock Leadership Class of 2025 was to beautify the area surrounding the Allan H. Davis Judicial Center on West Main Cross Street in downtown Findlay by planting flowers and shrubs.

(From the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office)

Come join us on September 7th for our 5K Foot Pursuit – In Pursuit of Suicide Awareness!

Runners and Walkers Welcome!

Sign up here: https://runsignup.com/…/5KFootPursuitInPursuitOfSuicide…

You Matter. will be joining us to help raise awareness.

Read about their journey below of how a life changing moment is helping them change lives!

“In 2018, our 16 year old son, Brady, tragically lost his life to suicide. His story, like many others, highlights the urgent need for open discussion about mental health.

We were heartbroken and devastated. We were left with so many unanswered questions: Why did this happen?

There were no signs at all.

Following Brady’s death, we realized that it was crucial to raise awareness about suicide and mental health.

We were aware of the stigma surrounding mental health, and we were uncertain if anyone would join our cause. However, the overwhelming support we received from the community demonstrated that every contribution matters in our mission to spread awareness.

Many people are facing deep emotional pain. We need safe places where they can talk openly about depression and mental illness. These conversations are important for creating understanding and support in our communities. It’s time to encourage those who suffer to share their experiences and seek the help they need.

We are hoping to help get those conversations started.

At You Matter. we are committed to fostering open discussions about challenging topics. We understand the struggles parents face when talking to their children about suicide. We welcome the curiosity of younger ones asking, “What does You Matter. mean?” and empathize with the older generation who may feel hesitant to discuss depression. Together, we can make these important conversations easier and more approachable, empowering everyone to share their feelings and connect with one another.

Although we do not understand why this has happened, we choose to place our trust in our Lord.

The world is broken and hurting, yet together, we can spread hope to those in need.”

Together, let’s share the message of:

“It’s Not Weak To Speak – You Matter.”

Brooke & Rod Dudgeon

You Matter, Inc Founders

(From the Bluffton Historical Society)

Bluffton History Day is almost here!

It will be held on Saturday, August 9th from 10 to 1 at Buckeye Park.

Join us and Board & Brush Bluffton, OH for displays, presentations, activities, entertainment and food!

Celebrating Bluffton and railroad history!

(By Myron Lewis, President & CEO, Blanchard Valley Health System)

This week, Blanchard Valley Health System (BVHS) had the honor of hosting Senator Jon Husted for a thoughtful discussion on the future of healthcare in rural Ohio. His visit was more than a courtesy call, it was a genuine demonstration of leadership and concern for the communities we serve every day.

In an era where rural hospitals face mounting challenges—financial, operational, and demographic—it matters when elected leaders take the time to listen and learn directly from those on the front lines. Senator Husted’s presence in Findlay and his willingness to sit down with our leadership team was not just appreciated, it was necessary.

Rural hospitals are, quite literally, lifelines. In our region of Northwest Ohio, BVHS serves over 100,000 households across eight counties. We’re not just a place to receive care. We’re a critical part of the community fabric. And yet, like many rural health systems across the state, we’re feeling the squeeze.

During our time with Senator Husted, we outlined the harsh economic realities we face. The rising cost of everything—from medical supplies and pharmaceuticals to food service, utilities, and staffing—has not been matched by the reimbursements we receive for providing care. For Medicare patients, hospitals like ours are reimbursed less than 80 cents on the dollar. That means we’re at a $99.2 billion shortfall nationwide that makes it increasingly difficult to keep services accessible and local.

Add to that the shifting payor mix and the fact that more patients are delaying care due to their own rising household costs, and the equation becomes both concerning and unsustainable. Rural hospitals don’t operate with the financial cushions of larger urban systems. We walk a fine line between sustainability and sacrifice.

That’s why Senator Husted’s visit and his voice is so necessary—not only for BVHS but for the community we serve. Alongside Senator Bernie Moreno, he championed the Rural Health

Transformation Program, which secured $1.3 billion for rural hospitals through the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. That’s a win for every rural family in Ohio who depends on local care like us.

During my conversation with Senator Husted, his message was clear: rural doesn’t mean forgotten. He came not with prepackaged solutions but with questions, curiosity, and an open ear. That kind of leadership is rare—and it’s what we need more of.

We left the meeting with a renewed sense of purpose and a shared commitment to keep moving forward, together. At BVHS, quality care is our most important job. But it’s not a job we can do alone. It requires partnerships between providers, communities, and policymakers alike.

I’m grateful to Senator Husted and his team for investing their time here. I’m also grateful to the providers, associates, and volunteers at BVHS who continue to deliver exceptional care despite extraordinary pressure. And I’m hopeful—because when government listens, and health systems collaborate—real progress is possible.

We’re not asking for special treatment. We’re asking for a fair shot. Rural Ohio deserves healthcare that is close to home, high in quality, and built to last. With continued advocacy and innovative partnerships, we can make that a reality.

The work is far from done, but this week reminded me that we are not alone in the fight. And for that, I’m thankful.

Myron Lewis, President & CEO, Blanchard Valley Health System

(From Owens Community College)

The first part of Devin Davis’ story reads like a tragedy filled with drug addiction, prison time and undiagnosed mental health conditions.

As Davis has proved, though, how our stories play out are up to us. Sometimes, it just takes a little help.

A little more than a decade after leaving Owens Community College under academic probation, Davis is completing his studies at the Findlay-area Campus this summer, and he’ll graduate with an Associate of Arts in general education with a 4.0 GPA.

“Coming back to Owens was a great chance for me to make amends to them and myself,” Davis said. “Coming here, being transparent about my problems, being transparent about needing help and asking for it … all of the things that I was doing that really helped me are things successful college students are supposed to do in the first place.”

Davis, a Findlay native, first attended Owens as an 18-year-old in 2011. At that time, he was struggling with substance use and mental health issues, so he admits that showing up for class and doing his school work fell by the wayside.

He was also living on his own for the first time and learning how to take care of himself, so it was little surprise when he failed his first semester. He was given a probationary warning, and his academics didn’t improve from there.

The time between leaving Owens and coming back was full of self-discovery for Davis. He got sober in 2014, but with family members who struggled with the same problems, Davis found himself in prison. It was during those three years that Davis said he started to work on himself.

While he was handling his problems with substance use and mental health conditions, he got his CDL while incarcerated and never thought he would return to school. Even through everything else he’d overcome, he thought college was a bridge too far.

“At that time, I didn’t think I could come back. I told myself I would live successfully in another way,” Davis said.

Driving trucks paid the bills, but Davis wasn’t fulfilled. After being sober for around nine years, he started working part time at a substance use mental health facility, the Findlay Recovery Center. Positive feedback from the clients and clinical director gave Davis the chance to start facilitating groups. It wasn’t long before they wanted him to come on board full time.

Davis took a pay cut to follow the path he was destined for. He got his Chemical Dependency Counselor Assistant license. He kept getting great feedback. Saying that the relatability helps, he uses his experiences when he facilitates groups.

“When I share my story and see people nodding their head, not only am I getting paid to do that, I’m getting a level of acceptance and healing,” Davis said. “I feel less alone in the rooms I’m speaking in. One of the things I struggled with growing up was feeling misunderstood, feeling alone in a room full of friends. Now I’m having more self-awareness and sharing it with people so they know they’re not abnormal.”

Wanting to do more to help others, Davis realized he would need more education. So, he took a brave first step and contacted Owens.

While he was initially on academic jeopardy upon his return to Owens, he appealed it by writing a letter to explain how life circumstances influenced his poor performance, along with records and proof to back up his claims.

His redemption at Owens wasn’t done there, though; he also received academic forgiveness, which wiped the past failing grades from his academic record.

Davis is now well on his way to his ultimate goal of becoming a social worker, “like the one who showed me I could do this.” He wants to be the type of person he needed when he was lost.

“The idea of seeing me getting through that, getting an idea of what I truly want, having that guidance to get there and doing it in the most effective way time-wise and cost-wise, was very effective in moving forward in those goals,” Davis said.

“The fear and doubt pop up — Am I too old for this? I failed before; can I even do this? That reason ‘why’ I wanted to move forward gave me the encouragement I needed.”

Davis said it was important to utilize the support available at Owens, including the faculty, academic advisor and financial aid advisor. To do otherwise would feel like he was wasting his time.

“Watching Devin struggle through all of his classes in the beginning to becoming an academic success story was a great experience for me,” said Janet Tornow, academic advisor at Owens. “As his academic advisor, it was a pleasure working with Devin in his program of study and watching him graduate with a 4.0 GPA.”

He will walk during commencement ceremonies at Owens in December. Five months later, he’ll receive his Bachelor degree in social work from the University of Findlay. His plan is to then pursue a master’s degree at Bowling Green State University.

While still working at Findlay Recovery Center, Davis said he’d eventually like to work with the re-entry population of individuals who are transitioning back into society after a period of incarceration.

While explaining how important it is for those individuals to learn how to readjust to society and know what resources are available to them to help prevent them from slipping into old habits, Davis fairly succinctly summed up his own journey.

“You do what you always did, you’re going to get what you always got,” Davis said. “Who is there to show them any different?” To learn more about the Owens Findlay-area Campus, please visit owens.edu/locations/findlay.

(Devin’s picture courtesy of Owens Community College)

(From the Ohio Library Council)

The Ohio Library Council (OLC) is proud to announce Kristy Szkudlarek, Read for Life Coordinator at the Findlay-Hancock County Public Library, as the recipient of the 2025 Service Excellence Award. This statewide award honors library employees who provide exceptional service and create meaningful, lasting impacts within their communities.

Szkudlarek has led the library’s Read for Life (RFL) program since 2014, demonstrating unwavering dedication to literacy and lifelong learning. Under her leadership, the program has more than doubled in size, reflecting her strategic growth and deep community engagement. Her efforts have created a lasting impact in Hancock County, particularly through her adaptability and compassion in serving vulnerable and diverse populations.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Szkudlarek moved swiftly to transition the RFL program online, ensuring that adult learners could continue their education and literacy support without interruption. As the region saw an increase in migrant populations, she proactively expanded volunteer recruitment and training to meet evolving community needs. In 2023, she launched the innovative Language for Life program—offering 16-week sessions that support non-native English speakers on their journey to fluency.

In addition to her work with Read for Life, Szkudlarek has also served as the library’s Social Media Coordinator for the past five years, strengthening the library’s digital presence and outreach efforts.

“Kristy Szkudlarek exemplifies what the Service Excellence Award is all about,” said Michelle Francis, Executive Director of the Ohio Library Council. “With empathy, creativity, and resilience, she connects with people where they’re at, changes lives and makes the library an even stronger part of the community.”

Szkudlarek will be formally recognized during a special ceremony at the OLC Convention and Expo on November 19 at the Huntington Convention Center in Cleveland.

(From the Findlay Rotary Club)

The third of Rotary’s four truths: “Will it build goodwill and better friendships?”

That is an unquestioned yes with the Findlay Rotary Club and the City of Findlay and our community’s relationship with Friendship City Kawaguchi, Japan.

With Dr. “Hiro” Kawamura of The University of Findlay leading the way, students from Kawaguchi attending a summer Japanese-English language camp in the Flag City attended the weekly meeting of the club Wednesday, at Findlay Country Club.

The students introduced themselves, shared their diverse interests and talents and took questions from members.

Also included were Japanese and English teachers from Findlay High School and the University of Findlay, and Findlay High Japanese language students who have or are planning to visit Kawaguchi.

(From the United Way of Hancock County)

Registration is open for volunteer teams looking to lend a hand and agencies seeking help with projects through United Way of Hancock County’s Fall Days of Caring.

The three-day volunteer event will take place Sept. 22-24.

During Days of Caring, nonprofits, schools and government agencies submit projects such as landscaping, cleaning and organizing, painting, general repairs, or even planning an event. Employees of area corporations and small businesses volunteer to help, and the United Way matches up the two groups for four-hour shifts. This saves local agencies thousands of dollars in money that can instead be allocated toward programming and other critical services.

More information and signup forms for both teams and agencies can be found at www.liveunitedhancockcounty.org/days-caring.

Registration is due by Sept. 10, and volunteer teams can expect to be matched with their project by Sept. 16.

(From the Ohio High School Athletic Association)

The Ohio High School Athletic Association and its six District Athletic Boards have awarded $200,000 to 200 recent high school graduates as part of the OHSAA’s Scholar-Athlete Scholarship Program.

In addition, the OHSAA has sent $1,250 to each member high school, a grand total of $1,020,000, to assist with items needed by each school’s athletic department. The money comes from the OHSAA’s Athletic Enrichment Fund, which was established in 2023 for the purpose of providing a financial contribution to each member high school’s athletic department to assist with costs of equipment, uniforms, game transportation, officials and improving student sportsmanship and adult fan behavior.

Each of the 200 scholarship recipients, who were selected by their respective District Athletic Boards, will receive a $1,000 award. This marks the second straight year that $200,000 has been distributed to 200 students; both totals are the highest in the college scholarship program’s 31-year history.

 “These scholar-athletes represent the very best of high school athletics,” said OHSAA Executive Director Doug Ute. “Our District Athletic Boards, Board of Directors and OHSAA staff congratulate them on all their accomplishments and wish them well as they work toward their educational and career goals.”

 

Scholar-Athlete Selection Process

Scholar-athlete recipients are selected based on a point system which rewards students for: grade-point averages, class rank, community service activities, varsity letters earned, and individual and team athletic honors. The number of scholarship recipients from each district is based upon the number of schools within the district. The recipients were selected by special committees within each of the OHSAA’s six athletic districts. Individuals who receive athletic scholarships from NCAA Division I or II institutions or appointees to military academies are not eligible for an award.

2025 OHSAA Scholar-Athlete Scholarship Recipients

 

Southeast District (18)

Averey Cottrill, Lancaster Fairfield Union

Abbie Deeds, Coal Grove Dawson-Bryant

Elijah Ford, Ironton High School

Walker Fowble, Oak Hill

Carson Free, Bainbridge Paint Valley

Ava Heller, Thornville Sheridan

Ethan Hochstetler, Wheelersburg

Addison Jackson, Stewart Federal Hocking

Miller McKenzie, Wheelersburg

Jacey McKnight, Marietta

Jaekyn Ridout, Lucasville Valley

Maggie Risner, Minford

Jayce Rothwell, Seaman North Adams

Dylan Shupert, South Webster

Olivia Tabler, Stewart Federal Hocking

Timberlyn Templeton, Racine Southern

Mia Vastine, Wheelersburg

Tucker Williams, Jackson

 

Northwest District (40)

Ryan Adelsperger, Old Fort

Libbie Baker, West Unity Hilltop

Tate Bender, Lima Shawnee

Grace Blonde, Tiffin Columbian

Meredith Bockrath, Kalida

Brayden Brickman, Bascom Hopewell-Loudon

Sidney Brickner, Bascom Hopewell-Loudon

Olivia Broering, Coldwater

Haylie Brunner, Sandusky Perkins

Rebekah Case, Lucas

Anthony Clark, Perrysburg

Blake Coleman, Tiffin Calvert

Josh Cornell, Port Clinton

Cody Depweg, Coldwater

Lillian Farmer, Norwalk

William Frimel, Minster

Brady Griggs, Arlington

Abe Hermes, Milan Edison

Raegan Hutchison, Waynesfield-Goshen

Emma Kelbley, Fremont St. Joseph Central Catholic

Thomas Koh, Lima Shawnee

Tyler Lammers, Leipsic

Rees Lewis, Shelby

Kacey Like, McComb

Adria Miller, Rockford Parkway

Harper Myers, Haviland Wayne Trace

Nova Okuley, Defiance Tinora

Samuel Paeth, Fremont St. Joseph Central Catholic

Bryce Puckett, Carey

Eric Sander, Pemberville Eastwood

Alec Schaublin, Defiance Tinora

Jay Schroeder, New Knoxville

Zachary Shawberry, Tiffin Columbian

Jacob Siebeneck, Kalida

Kate Simmons, Findlay

Ava Stammen, Minster

Grace Stieber, Monroeville

Avae Unrast, Maria Stein Marion Local

Laura Valette, Perrysburg

Joseph Webb, Vermilion

 

Northeast District (55)

William Anderson, Ashtabula St. John

Logan Ash, North Canton Hoover

Kendra Berger, Creston Norwayne

Ryan Bridenthal, Canton GlenOak

Brooklyn Cavey, Seville Cloverleaf

Carson Clase, McDonald

Madeline Crooks, Ashtabula Edgewood

Nayeli Cruz, Apple Creek Waynedale

Anthony Derubeis, Richfield Revere

Chloe Dostal, Massillon Perry

Alesha Felix, Loudonville

Madisyn Fisher, Brookfield

Kylie Flere, McDonald

Gradyn Flynn, Chagrin Falls Kenston

Joe Fox, Wellington

Tristan Franks, Apple Creek Waynedale

Mia Gaffney, Canfield

Sydney Harbour, Canton GlenOak

Jacsyn Hilliard, Alliance Marlington

Avery Horning, Alliance

Josie Howard, Solon

Elizabeth Jackson, Columbiana

Grace Johns, North Jackson Jackson-Milton

Brooke Lehmkuhl, Wellington

Layla Lemin, Akron Ellet

Gianna Lenahan, Cuyahoga Falls Walsh Jesuit

George Libecco, Solon

Kendall Lower, Canal Fulton Northwest

Kaylee Lusk, Massillon Jackson

Andrea Maddox, Hanoverton United

Sean McNulty, Massillon Jackson

Parker Metsker, Creston Norwayne

Aaron Miedel, Kidron Central Christian

Andrew Naugle, Akron Coventry

Lena Piktel, Bay Village Bay

Sadie Poudevigne, Chagrin Falls Kenston

Jane Rathbun, Rocky River

Emily Ridgeway, Kirtland

Hadassah Rivera, Lowellville

Lucas Ryan, Alliance Marlington

Beyla Sadler, Fairport Harbor Fairport Harding

Allyson Schultz, Richfield Revere

Drew Shapiro, Canfield

Drew Slone, North Jackson Jackson-Milton

Chloe Smith, Austintown Fitch

Elizabeth Spalding, Austintown Fitch

Aiden Stecker, Salem

Prince Tran, Amherst Steele

Alysa Troyan, West Salem Northwestern

Beatrice Ullom, Bay Village Bay

Charles Vatolin, Bay Village Bay

Kaleb Wayt, Orrville

Andrew Whitfield, Girard

Ava Williams, Elyria

Olivia Williams, Mayfield

 

East District (17)

Aleigha Busse, Duncan Falls Philo

Ryan Cassidy, Minerva

Russ Dickinson, Toronto

Drew Gasber, St. Clairsville

Micah Hardesty, Warsaw River View

Carson Long, New Philadelphia

Adrienne Lowe, St. Clairsville

Ellie Mason, New Philadelphia

Nicholas Norman, Byesville Meadowbrook

Julia Sciarretti, New Philadelphia Tuscarawas Central Catholic

Jamie Smith, Hannibal River

TyLynn Smith, Cadiz Harrison Central

Lexy Starner, Millersburg West Holmes

Isabelle Stoldt, Dover

Marabelle Thornberry, Byesville Meadowbrook

Nathen Wright, New Philadelphia Tuscarawas Central Catholic

Riley Zamensky, New Concord John Glenn

 

Central District (28)

Jathan Agrawal, Lewis Center Olentangy

Cowin Becker, Galion Northmor

Delainy Boles, Marion Elgin

Isaac Brady, Columbus Wellington School

Joshua Byers, Danville

Emalene Chevalier, Lancaster

Tiana Estrada, Delaware Olentangy Berlin

Theo Falkenhain, Gahanna Columbus Academy

Lincoln Gardner, Powell Olentangy Liberty

Kara Glesenkamp, Delaware Hayes

Thomas Haley, Columbus Bishop Watterson

Paul Knapke, Hilliard Davidson

Andy Li, Gahanna Columbus Academy

Xiaoxuan Li, Westerville South

Kristina Ma, Columbus School for Girls

Marinn McGuire, Caledonia River Valley

Samantha Morris, Columbus School for Girls

Christian Moulton, Powell Olentangy Liberty

Sydney Opfer, Howard East Knox

Neela Ramachandran, Worthington Thomas Worthington

Christopher Ritchie, Mechanicsburg

Tyler Roof, Columbus Bishop Ready

Chaz Sakala, Delaware Hayes

Maria Stack, Powell Olentangy Liberty

Keelin Swisher, Grandview Heights

Logan Whitney, Howard East Knox

Avery Williams, Newark Licking Valley

Caroline Zeiger, Gahanna Columbus Academy

 

Southwest District (42)

Maggie Anderson, Covington

Emily Aselage, Tipp City Tippecanoe

Sophia Bajwa, Botkins

Cameron Barclay, Milford

William Bertoli, Loveland

Carson Brown, Botkins

Rowan Brown, Hamilton Badin

Owen Canan, Bradford

Caroline Chernock, Hamilton Ross

Ryan Coyle, Cincinnati Country Day

Aliou Diallo, Lockland

Kyle Edelmann, Anna

Laura Fagan, Cincinnati Mount Notre Dame

Daniel Fogt, Hamilton Ross

Ashlyn Gearhardt, Piqua

Miley Goetz, Kettering Archbishop Alter

Annabelle Hageman, Cincinnati Oak Hills

Kellen Hart, Kettering Archbishop Alter

Emma Hartmann, Morrow Little Miami

Avery Jackson, Jackson Center

Vincent Jensvold, West Carrollton

Ben Lehman, Cincinnati St. Xavier

De’Andreiona Lichtenberg, Jackson Center

Taran Logwood, West Liberty-Salem

Evelyn Metze, Cincinnati Mariemont

Elise Moeller, Cincinnati Ursuline Academy

Ayva Moore, Cincinnati Oak Hills

Nathan Moser, Monroe

Kennedy Muhlenkamp, Fort Recovery

Avery Roethlisberger, Franklin Bishop Fenwick

Jacob Schmitmeyer, Russia

Brayden Seibert, Bethel-Tate

Kaitlyn Senger, Cincinnati Mercy McAuley

Natalee Shafer, Mason

Addison Shappie, Russia

Craig Stanford, West Liberty-Salem

Elizabeth Staudter, Anna

Will Stevens, Cincinnati Mariemont

Addison Swope, Clarksville Clinton-Massie

Grace Taylor, Brookville

Mahima Vasa, Milford

Cale Wilson, Clarksville Clinton-Massie