All posts by Matt Demczyk

Ohio Bureau Of Motor Vehicles Warning Of Scam

(From the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles)

Ohio Residents have reported receiving text messages from scammers claiming to be from BMV and informing the recipients that they have an outstanding traffic ticket.

Ohio BMV will never send you a text demanding payment or for your personal info.

More at https://bit.ly/45i4Wc0

Motorcyclist Killed In Crash

(From the Wood County Sheriff’s Office)

On Wednesday, June 11, 2025, The Wood County Sheriff’s Office investigated a two-vehicle crash which resulted in one fatality.

The crash occurred on SR-582 near Tontogany Road which is located inside of Washington Twp.

The crash involved a Honda Goldwing motorcycle and a Hyundai Santa Fe.

The investigation showed that the motorcycle was headed east on SR-582 when it struck a deer and crashed in the middle of the roadway.

While in the roadway, the SUV also came east bound and struck both the motorcycle and its operator.

The operator of the motorcycle was pronounced deceased at the scene.

The operator of the SUV was not injured.

The operator of the motorcycle was identified as Jonathan Little, (53 years old) and was from Bowling
Green, Ohio.

The operator of the SUV was identified as Paul Turner, (36 years old), also from Bowling
Green, Ohio.

Assisting on location were Middleton Township Medic 680 EMS, Middleton Township Fire Department, BG Towing, and Frank’s Automotive.

The incident is still under investigation.

Owens’ Club A Safe and Accepting Community For Students

(From Owens Community College)

Finding a safe and accepting community is vital for the success of any college student.

For quite a few Owens Community College students, the Sexuality and Gender Activists club (SAGA) has filled that void. It’s been so important to them that some students aren’t sure they’d still be succeeding and even enrolled in college without it.

SAGA is a student group focused on issues and topics associated with the LGBTQ community at Owens and at large. The group’s faculty advisor is Krista Kiessling, the director of Campus and Community Connections (CCC) at Owens. The CCC office in College Hall has become like a second home for the students.

“If I hadn’t found Krista, I wouldn’t have found SAGA, I wouldn’t have found all of this and I probably wouldn’t have stayed in school,” Psychology student Letitia Hatch said.

“Her acceptance for students and meeting them where they are is huge. That reflects on how we want to be. We want that kind of role model in our life, and she’s a really amazing role model. SAGA wouldn’t be SAGA if Krista wasn’t the advisor.”

Hatch has a bachelor’s degree from Wells College in Aurora, New York. She was in charge of the Pride Club at that school as well.

“For me, it’s acceptance, understanding and mutual support,” Hatch said. “And a lot of fun times and very funny conversations.

“Owens definitely promotes that, ‘Hey, we love you, we accept you for who you are.’ You don’t always get that in other places.”

Culinary Arts student Madi VanDyke said the unique population of Owens students makes the campus a welcoming place for people of all walks.

“It has something special to it, just because it’s such a vast difference in students,” VanDyke said. “Owens has a diverse student reach, a wide variety of different students – adults, younger people, high school CCP students, all those kinds of things. Owens has a wide variety of non-traditional students and a wide range of people gathering under one roof.

“SAGA is about bringing people together for that equality. It’s people who are gathering together for one cause.”

SAGA membership isn’t limited to students in the LGTBQ community. Students, faculty and staff are all welcomed to join, regardless of their sexuality identity. In fact, that diversity of membership helps create a more vibrant group.

“While we do have things centered towards our different topics, we still accept everybody and love everyone for who they are, no matter the circumstance,” VanDyke said. “That’s pretty special.”

With Pride Month being celebrated in June, it’s a special time for many members of SAGA. Graphic Design student Elijah Stimmage said that to him, Pride Month means being authentic to yourself. It’s also a reminder to keep pushing for the changes in society that will hopefully one day lead to LGTBQ individuals being another part of regular, everyday life.

“I feel like the more backwards we go, the harder we have to push forward,” Stimmage said. “Some people feel like they’re doing it by themselves, and that can get hard and lonely. Pride Month and things like SAGA are reminders that you’re not alone. If you can’t pick yourself up, someone will be there to help you.”

Mike Young, a Literature major, added that while Pride Month is an opportunity to call for more equality, it should also be a time to celebrate.

“It’s a time to celebrate rather than just push,” Young said. “You can celebrate while pushing forward during Pride Month. I think a lot of the time, a lot of effort is focusing on pushing and fighting for what we want, and a lot of times people miss out on celebrating. June and Pride Month helps boost that celebration side while fighting.”

According to Hatch, there are many people who want to be visible but are worried about their safety, so they’ll choose to celebrate Pride Month quietly.

That’s where a supportive and safe community can make a difference. Young admitted that his mental health and life circumstance “would be much worse off it I hadn’t found this place.”

SAGA will remain visible around Owens, helping students remember that they’re not alone.

“We want to keep promoting that we’re here. You can still be unapologetically you with us,” Hatch said.

“We accept people for where they are. We don’t ask them note to be themselves.”

(Above photo courtesy of Owens Community College. IDs, left to right, Owens students and SAGA members Letitia Hatch, Mike Young, and Madi VanDyke)

Road Closure In Downtown Findlay

(From the City of Findlay)

S. Cory St. between W. Crawford St. and W. Main Cross St. will be closed to the public effective Wednesday, June 11th at 8 a.m. for 90 days.

The East/West alley behind the Post Office between S. West St. and S. Cory St. will also be affected.

Eastbound traffic in the alley will be required to turn South and exit the alley on W. Crawford St.

The bike lane will remain open.

WFIN – The city said the closure is for safety reasons for pedestrians as well as employees of the new judicial center building, police department, sheriff’s office, and municipal building which are all in that area.

After gathering data for 90 days the road closure would become permanent if approved.

Pool Closures For Flag City Invitational

(From the Findlay YMCA)

The 42nd Annual Flag City Invitational is this weekend! It will necessitate the following Riverside Pool closures:

Thursday, June 12 – closing at 4 p.m.

Friday, June 13 through Sunday, June 15 – closed for the swim meet.

Come cheer on our Y Frogs who will compete against multiple teams from Ohio and other states!

The meet is free and open to the public.

Also keep in mind: FREE RIVERSIDE POOL ADMISSION on Saturday, June 21.

This will be the first of three free swim days at the pool, with the other two scheduled for July 12 and Aug. 9, sponsored by The Findlay-Hancock County Community Foundation’s Fun for All program.

FCS Teacher Selected For Outstanding Educator Award

(From Findlay City Schools)

We are so excited to celebrate Mr. Michael Snyder, Wilson Vance Elementary School teacher, who has been selected for the Region 1 Franklin B. Walter Outstanding Educator Award.

Mr. Snyder was nominated for the positive impact he has on students and colleagues, as well as his dedication to students with disabilities.

We are lucky to have this state-recognized Outstanding Educator at Findlay City Schools.

We are so proud of you, Mr. Snyder!

Hancock Park District Summer Camps Underway

(From the Hancock Park District)

Summer Camps at Hancock Park District have officially started!

We do have openings in the following:

June 10th & 11th – Preschool Camp: Birds of a Feather (1)

June 17th & 18th – Overnight Camp: (10)

June 25th – Pollinators a Plenty (2)

June 27th – Flight in Nature (1)

July 1st & 2nd – Budding Botanist Camp (1)

July 9th & 10th – The Art Camp (

July 15th – 17th – Runners, Fliers & Swimmers Camp (2)

Visit the “Park News” section on the main page of our website, hancockparks.com for complete camp detail and to register.

Pictures are from the Pioneer Cooking Day Camp.

New Centennial Clock Installed In Downtown Tiffin

(From Downtown Tiffin)

The Tiffin Rotary Club installed its brand-new Centennial Clock in front of City Lot #7 to celebrate 100 years of service to the community. Standing 18 feet tall with two illuminated faces, this one-of-a-kind clock will chime with music during holidays and special events — a lasting tribute to generations of service.

The clock was custom-designed and built by The Verdin Company of Cincinnati and brought to life with the support of several local partners. A special thank you to Clouse Construction Corp. and Clouse Electric for handling the installation, and to the City of Tiffin Government for helping make this downtown location possible.

This is just one part of Rotary’s centennial celebration, running through April 2026 — and today’s installation marks a meaningful milestone.

If you’re downtown today, stop by and catch a piece of history being made!

Hancock County Summer Lunch Program Underway

(From Findlay City Schools)

We are so excited to host Hancock County’s Summer Lunch Program, offering FREE lunches to everyone in our county under 18 years old!

June 9-July 31

Mondays-Thursdays (with a meal to take home for Friday!)

11:30-12:30

Glenwood Middle School

1715 North Main Street

There will be activities provided each day, so this is more than just a meal…it’s fun, too!

Adult Meals are available for $4.25!

We have so much incredible help to make this amazing summer opportunity available.

Thank you to Findlay YMCA and VFW Post 5645 for your support, as well as the support of our entire community to take care of our kids when they’re away from school for the summer. 

Inaugural ‘Flag City Community VetFest’ Coming Up

(From the Hancock County Veterans Service Office)

Our community is gearing up for the first annual Flag City Community VetFest, a production of the Hancock County Veteran Service Office presented by Rate on Saturday, June 14th on Broadway St. in downtown Findlay.

Not only is June 14th Flag Day, but it is also the Army’s 250th birthday and this gives us an opportunity to recognize local veterans as well as veteran owned businesses and veteran friendly employers here in Hancock County.

According to Ed Newton, Hancock County Veterans Service Resilience Operations Manager,

“Vet Fest is about bringing people together. It’s a chance for veterans to connect with each other, but also to say thank you to the community for all the support they’ve shown us over the years “It goes both ways—we’re honoring those who served, and also recognizing how much it means to have a community that stands behind us. At the end of the day, it’s about connection, gratitude, and having a good time with good people.”

This is s music festival that will celebrate our veterans with delicious food from area food trucks, thirst quenching beverages, fun souvenirs and music that will make you get up and dance and the chance to give back to our veterans and our community.

The doors open at 3pm and the event ends at 11pm with a closing and flag lowering ceremony. Music begins at 4pm and will feature music from Truck Stop Manners, 100 Proof and First to Eleven.

Money raised from the event will benefit Wreaths Across America, veteran housing initiatives and local food pantries. In addition, there will a collection of new toys, still in packaging for our community.