(From the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office)

It’s getting to be that time of year, fall harvest! We just want to take a moment to remind drivers to be extra vigilant and patient as our great farmers travel with their machinery to and from their fields, farms, and grain elevators.

A couple things to remember:

-Farmers may be pulling in and out of fields and lanes, not just other roads.

-Machinery may be on the roads at night with their hazard lights on finishing up or trying to beat some rain.

They are doing their best to give everyone room on the road, a little patience will go a long way! Please keep slow and give them as much space as you can.

We’d like to wish all our great farmers a safe and successful harvest!

(From the Hancock Historical Museum)

The Hancock Historical Museum invites the community to step back into the 19th century and tour its Little Red Schoolhouse property during an Open House from 1 – 4 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 14. Museum docents will guide visitors as they explore the one-room schoolhouse and children can partake in activities provided.

The Little Red Schoolhouse located at 8884 County Road 236, Findlay, OH was built in 1882 and educated local schoolchildren until 1936. It was then used to store grain for 36 years until the Hancock County Retired Teachers and the Hancock Historical Society restored the schoolhouse in 1972. Today, it is owned and operated by the Hancock Historical Museum and hosts area third and fourth grade students for field trips each year.

“You can really imagine what school would have been like in the 1800s,” said Abigail Inbody, Marketing & Community Relations Coordinator of the Hancock Historical Museum. “It’s a unique piece of history that we are excited to show at the Open House.”

The property also includes Brucklacher Memorial Park which features a playground, sculptures and an outdoor history walk. The park opened in 2020 as the Kiwanis of Findlay Club’s 100th year project and continues to be a flourishing collaboration with Kiwanis and the museum.

The Open House at the Little Red Schoolhouse is free of charge, no reservation necessary. Donations to the museum will be accepted. For more information or to schedule a class field trip, please contact the Hancock Historical Museum at 419-423-4433.

(ONN) – There’s a continued push from Ohio lawmakers and the governor to make not wearing a seat belt a primary offense.

Ohio is one of only 14 states that has secondary laws for seat belts.

That means police have to pull you over for something else before they cite you for not wearing your seat belt.

But, Governor DeWine wants that to change by making it possible for officers to pull you over and cite you for not buckling up.

Last year a task force found Ohio ranked one of the worst states when it comes to seat belt use.

Government studies show states with primary seat belt laws see more people wearing them.

(From the Tiffin Police Department)

One year ago today, the Tiffin Police Department received a report of a missing person, Mr. Leonard C. Nye, a 73-year-old resident of Tiffin. Sadly, despite an extensive investigation, Mr. Nye has not yet been located.

Foul play is suspected in this case, as evidence indicates that Mr. Nye’s disappearance began at his residence on N. Sandusky Street. Some of that evidence has been submitted to the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation Crime Lab for processing, and detectives continue to actively follow every lead and tip that comes into the department.

The Tiffin Police Department has identified an individual who may possess information relevant to this investigation. Additionally our detectives would like to speak with ANYONE who can provide details that may aid in locating Mr. Nye and/or are pertinent to the case investigation.

This case remains a priority for the Tiffin Police Department. Beyond the work of our detectives, we know there is a family that has been left without answers, and a community that has felt this loss for the past year. Our commitment is unwavering – we want to bring Mr. Nye home to his loved ones.

We ask the community to continue to stand with us. If you have any information that may help in this investigation or lead to the whereabouts of Mr. Leonard C. Nye, please contact Detective Stafford at 419-447-2323, Ext. 1121.

Thank you to our community for your continued support, awareness, and willingness to come forward with information. Together, we hold onto hope for answers and resolution.

Chief Pauly

(From Liberty-Benton Local Schools)

Liberty-Benton seniors kicked off the school year with one of their favorite traditions, decorating their very own parking spots!

This fun tradition, organized by our Academic Boosters, raised over $2,500 for scholarships for graduating seniors.

Not only do students get to show off their Eagle pride, but they also enjoy their own reserved spot during the school day all year long.

Thank you to our Academic Boosters for supporting our students in such a meaningful and memorable way!

(From Bowling Green State University)

As part of its 2025 Homecoming festivities, Bowling Green State University invites alumni, families, students and community members to celebrate beloved mascot Freddie Falcon’s 75th birthday from Sept. 11-14, featuring multiple activities, events and performances.

The four-day celebration will blend long-standing Homecoming favorites and traditions with birthday-themed surprises for people of all ages, including birthday cakes and performances by the Falcon Marching Band, one of the nation’s largest college marching bands.

Along with events on campus and in the community, Falcon football fans can cheer on their team led by Head Coach Eddie George as they face Liberty on the gridiron at Doyt L. Perry Stadium at 5 p.m. on Sept. 13, followed by a post-game fireworks show. This year’s celebration also includes the return of Homecoming Tailgate Park, which opens prior to the game with alumni reunions, family-friendly activities and a free concert by popular regional band The Grape Smugglers.

Additional BGSU Homecoming activities to celebrate Freddie Falcon’s 75th birthday include:

• Welcome Back Party featuring live entertainment, games, food and more
• Falcon Marching Band concert on the lawn near Alumni Gateway
• Dave Wottle Homecoming 5K race beginning at Alumni Gateway
• Falconland featuring giant games, interactive experiences and the family-friendly Kid Zone
• Falcon Flames Vow Renewal Ceremony outside Prout Chapel
• All-Alumni Celebration at the BGSU letters
• The Student Green ribbon-cutting dedication outside Perry Field House

New this year, BGSU and Downtown Bowling Green are partnering to enhance the Homecoming celebration and support local businesses with the launch of an all-new Homecoming Passport.

With the free digital Homecoming Passport, people can earn points toward giveaways of BGSU-themed gear by checking in at Homecoming events or any of 30 participating Bowling Green businesses, which will also offer exclusive deals and discounts for passport users. The mobile-friendly passport also serves as an all-in-one source for BGSU Homecoming event information, maps and rewards.

For a full list of Homecoming events and information, visit BGSU.edu/Homecoming.

(pictures courtesy of BGSU. Dr. Ron Zwierlein ’68, left, portrayed Freddie Falcon from 1966-67, and Will McLean ’25, right, held the title during the 2024-25 academic year)

The Black Heritage Library & Multicultural Center in Findlay will be hosting an Hispanic Heritage Celebration.

It will be held on Saturday, September 20 starting at 1 p.m. at the Black Heritage Library & Multicultural Center at 817 Harmon Street.

The free event will include live entertainment, food trucks, kids activities, and more.

Learn more about the Black Heritage Library & Multicultural Center by clicking here.

(From St. Marks UMC)

St. Mark’s United Methodist Church is teaming up with area Counselors, Social Workers and Mental Health professionals to present Stronger Together: A Parent Support Event for Youth Mental Wellness.

Parents, guardians, and caregivers are invited to attend Stronger Together: A Parent Support Event for Youth Mental Wellness, designed to provide resources, education, and encouragement for families navigating the challenges facing young people today.

This free community event will feature a panel of local counselors, mental health professionals, social workers, and youth directors who will share insights, answer questions, and provide practical tools for parents who want to better support their children.

Discussion topics will include:

-Parent support resources available locally

-Understanding youth anxiety and depression

-Suicide awareness and prevention strategies

-Recognizing warning signs in children and teens

-Practical tools to help your child cope and thrive

-When and how to seek professional help

-The impact of technology and social media on mental wellness

“Our children and teens face pressures unlike any generation before them,” said Dan Metzger, Senior Pastor at St. Marks UMC. “Stronger Together is about giving parents the knowledge and support they need to recognize challenges early and walk alongside their kids with confidence and care.”

The event emphasizes that parents are not alone—by working together with community professionals and other families, they can help build a strong foundation of support for youth mental health.

Event Details

Sunday, September 14 from 4-6pm in The DOCK at St. Mark ’s UMC, 800 S. Main St. Findlay.

For more information click here.

(From the University of Findlay)

The University of Findlay is pioneering a new era of campus engagement with the launch of Daphne, an AI-powered avatar who will connect with UF alumni, friends, and community members.

“We are proud to be a leader in the digital landscape of higher education and fundraising through our new virtual engagement officer (VEO),” President Katherine Fell, Ph.D., said. “Daphne’s role will be helpful in connecting with Oilers while expanding our University Advancement office’s capabilities as they continue to set philanthropic milestones.”

Ken McIntyre Jr., vice president of University advancement, said Daphne will interact with alumni and friends through email and text messages by sharing information on events, engagement opportunities, and other areas of the University.

“Daphne will serve as a concierge to provide positive engagement experiences,” he said. “Our goal is to strengthen connections in a creative way within our network of more than 30,000 UF alumni around the world. Daphne is a resource for a broader base of Oiler supporters to learn more about the work being done at Findlay and how that intersects with their own passions and interests.”

The University partnered with Givzey, a Boston-based startup focused on nonprofit solutions, to apply cutting-edge technology to generate the customized VEO for Findlay. Givzey has worked with more than 80 universities, hospitals, and other non-profits nationwide to develop VEOs that serve the social good.

“We understand this is a tech-saturated world, and so this is not technology for the sake of efficiency – it is technology in service of the mission,” McIntyre said.

President Fell noted that integrating artificial intelligence into UF’s development work blends well with the AI focus of many UF courses and research projects in which students are harnessing the power of AI to benefit the community and society as a whole.

“We have students analyzing how AI can improve health care safety for patients, how to use it to treat amnesia, and for the early detection of diabetes,” she explained. “In another course,

students studied the role of blockchain technology to secure electronic health records against cyber threats. And a group of our computer science students worked with local high school students to help them better understand the ethics of how and when to use AI.”

“Just as our students are learning daily how to leverage AI tools that they will use in their careers in a responsible, ethical manner, it is fitting that the University’s efforts to increase the level of engagement with our alumni across the nation should also be employing the best practices.”

For more information about this fundraising approach leveraging AI, to hear from Daphne, or to opt-in to communication from her, visit Findlay.ai.

(From the Tiffin Police Department)

The Soft Interview Room is a Reality Because of YOU!!

We are truly humbled by the generosity of our community. Thanks to the recent donations from AMVETS Post #48, American Legion Post 169, Fraternal Order of Eagles 402, several personal contributions, and Dr. Joel Consolo of Ohio Foot Inc., along with last month’s thoughtful gift from VFW Post 2858, the Tiffin Police Department is able to move forward with our Soft Interview Room Project much sooner than we anticipated.

These service organizations, and the individuals who stepped forward, embody the true meaning of service – not only to our country, but also to our community. Because of their support, the Tiffin Police Department will be better equipped to create a safe, compassionate space for victims and community members during some of life’s most difficult moments.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you. Your investment in this project will make a lasting difference for years to come, and I am deeply grateful for your commitment to helping us better serve Tiffin.

Chief David Pauly