(From the United Way of Hancock County)

United Way of Hancock County is accepting applications for a maximum scholarship of $8,000 through Feb. 3, 2025.

The Secor Scholarship, established as a memorial to the generosity of Steven and Doris Secor, is awarded annually to a high school senior in Hancock County who has a 3.5 grade point average or higher and plans to attend an accredited institution of higher learning, full time, to pursue any undergraduate field of study in the subsequent academic year. Candidates must exhibit a strong emphasis on service, leadership and character, with these components evaluated through the scholarship application and essay and a required letter of recommendation.

The award for the first academic year will be $2,000 and may be renewed annually for three additional years for a total of $8,000.

The United Way of Hancock County Foundation designates a Secor Scholarship selection committee comprised of current and past United Way board members who evaluate applications, interview finalists, and select one scholarship recipient each year. Students related to anyone on the selection committee or United Way of Hancock County paid staff are ineligible to apply.

The application can only be completed digitally; no paper applications will be accepted. Access the application and more information at https://www.liveunitedhancockcounty.org/programs/secor-scholarship

For additional guidance, contact Brenna Griteman at marketing@uwhancock.org or 419-423-1432.

(From the Findlay-Hancock County Public Library)

WinterREAD, a reading program that gives participants a chance to win amazing prizes has returned to the Findlay-Hancock County Public Library.

Readers can register to join the winter fun at findlaylibrary.readsquared.com.

WFIN spoke with Children’s Services Librarian Sarah Cramer about their WinterREAD program.

WinterREAD registration is open to all ages, infant through adult. This winter, the library is again using an online platform, READsquared, for participants to keep track of their reading progress. Participants can earn great prizes by logging reading, or completing fun activities. If you prefer not to track your reading online, there will be paper forms available at the library to log reading progress. The prizes can be viewed at findlaylibrary.org/winterread.

Families are invited to join in reading together, and to attend programs such as Family Book Bingo, which can be attended via Zoom or in person at the library. Participants that wish to play bingo must register for the programs at findlaylibrary.org/events by clicking on the event for the registration form. There will also be a Book Bingo Night for teens.

Adults can enjoy book discussions, CrafterWork, and learn more about being healthier in the new year. Please check the library’s website at findlaylibrary.org/events for more information on programming.

Be sure to check the library’s Facebook page at Facebook.com/fhcpl for updates, surprises, and entertaining WinterREAD fun. For more information, please call the library at 419-422-1712 or check our website at findlaylibrary.org.

(From the Findlay-Hancock County Community Foundation)

The Findlay-Hancock County Community Foundation’s ‘Fun For All’ series of free community events will continue in 2025.

According to the Community Foundation’s website, the January events include free ice skating at The Cube and Symphony Storytime at the Findlay-Hancock County Public Library, among others.

January

4 – Free Community Winter Skate

4-8 p.m.

Location: Pavilion at Sycamore Springs Golf Course

Organization: Arlington Heart & Soul

11 – Free Ice Skating

1-3 p.m. and 8-10 p.m.

Location: The Cube

Organization: The City of Findlay

17 – Head for the Hills Live Performance

7:30 p.m.

Location: Jenera Community Center

Organization: Marathon Center for the Performing Arts

22 – Symphony Storytime

10:30 a.m.

Location: Findlay-Hancock County Public Library

Organization: Lima Symphony Orchestra

“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 Fun for All series started in January 2023. 

(From Awakening Minds Art)

Awakening Minds Art (AMA) has hired Inci Yilmazli-Trout as its new Development Director. This position, vacant since the organization temporarily closed its doors due to the pandemic, will now focus on advancing AMA’s fundraising efforts, cultivating community partnerships, and helping the organization achieve its goals.

Yilmazli-Trout holds a Bachelor of Science from Halic University in Istanbul, Turkey, a Master of Arts in Administration from the University of the Incarnate Word in San Antonio, TX, and a PhD in Education from the same institution. She brings experience in program development, grant writing, and community engagement, with a focus on fostering inclusivity and personal growth.

“I joined Awakening Minds Art because their mission of inclusivity and fostering growth through the arts deeply resonates with my personal and professional values,” said Yilmazli-Trout. “The arts have a unique ability to bring people together, inspire growth, and create lasting change, and I’m honored to contribute to this important work.”

Emily Sullivan, Executive Director of AMA, expressed her enthusiasm about the new addition to the team: “I’m incredibly excited to have Inci on board. Her expertise in development, her passion for community engagement, and her strong background in education will be invaluable as we continue to grow and fulfill our mission. Having someone of her caliber on the team is a tremendous asset, and I look forward to the impact she will make.”

Yilmazli-Trout is a new member of the Findlay community and is dedicated to supporting AMA’s mission of providing transformative visual art programs for individuals of all ages and abilities.

About Awakening Minds Art

Awakening Minds Art is a nonprofit organization based in Findlay, Ohio, offering therapeutic and educational visual art programs to individuals of all abilities.

For more information, visit awakeningmindsart.org 

(From the Findlay Police Department)

K9 Axel recently received his new ballistic vest thanks to Brady’s K9 Fund.

The donation was made possible by the American Legion Post 610, Brook Park Ohio.

Your generosity is greatly appreciated!

Brady’s K9 Fund is a non-profit organization out of Strongsville, Ohio that donates mission-ready ballistic vests to police and military working dogs.

“Brady’s K9 Fund would like to donate this vest to K9 Axel with Officer Paul Frey,” the organization said.

“The streetfighter vest holds a value of $1,500. We feel it’s an essential piece of equipment for Axel to have.”

(From the Black Swamp Area Council)

The Scouts of the Black Swamp Area Council are gearing up for an unforgettable winter adventure at the 65th Annual Klondike Derby at Camp Berry! This time-honored tradition promises to get the Scouting year off to a thrilling start with camaraderie, competition, and outdoor fun.

Event Details:
Saturday, January 18^th 

Location:
Camp Berry, 11716 County Rd 40 Findlay, OH 45840

The Klondike Derby is the perfect example of how our Scouts build team spirit, highlight their Scouting skills, and embrace the great outdoors.

The traditional first council event of the calendar year will be held on Saturday January 18 at Camp Berry.  More than 350 Scouts BSA members and adult volunteers will attend this year’s event.   This annual event pits groups of 5-8 Scouts in individual Patrols in a test of skills, agility, and endurance during a daylong event. With local Scout Troops from Northwest and West Central Ohio descending on the camp, last year there were twenty-nine sleds competing.

Each winter, the Klondike is a reminder Scouting skills do not take a backseat when the weather changes.

Patrols competed in six stations called “cities” scattered across camp.  Finally, this year there was an abundance of snow and cold.  Scouts navigated their sleds and raced against each other and the clock as with the number of participants, there were multiple waves of sleds released on to the property.  At each city there is a host for an event focused on a skill.  These range from use of a two-person saw, first aid, knot tying, tree ID’ing, nature tracking, team building, and compass course.  Each group was awarded points based on their proficiency at each station.

(From the Children’s Museum of Findlay)

So many of you have given us so many wonderful suggestions for which exhibits to keep, which exhibits we need to add, and where our new space should be! You cannot understand how amazing it is to have your positive vibes and support.

We are so close to unveiling all-of-the-things!!! If you’d like to follow updates, check-out this page: http://cmfmove.weebly.com

But….

We need more of our community’s support in order to make this new space everything we have dreamt, together.

Monetary Donations

-This is the most important item on our list! With moving into a new location, there will be costs associated with the move, construction at the new location and loss of revenue for the time that we are closed during the transition. >>> Please, visit www.cmfindlay.com/give to make a donation of any value – trust us… it ALL helps!

Volunteering Your Time

-We will be moving an entire museum to a new home plus adding new items, and that takes many hands. If you would be interested in volunteering your time (and muscles!) to move the museum, please email hello@cmfindlay.com. The initial bulk of manpower that we will be looking for will be between January 20-31, 2025.

Amazon Wish List

-We have an Amazon wish list for our move! It includes things that will help the moving process easier. View our wish list at https://a.co/c1axpWz

WFIN – The Children’s Museum of Findlay previously announced that its last day at its current location in the Findlay Mall will be January 19, as the center portion of the mall is being demolished for a new big box retailer.

(WTOL-11) – A teenager from Findlay was found shot to death in Toledo over the weekend.

The Toledo Police Department said Jaidon Mangas, 18, was shot in an alley in the 500 block of Congress Street in south Toledo on Saturday.

He was taken to UTMC, where he died.

“Trojan Country is grieving the loss of our student, Jaidon Mangas,” Findlay City Schools said.

“While we do not have any details surrounding this tragic event, we can confirm that he was a student at Findlay High School.”

WTOL spoke to Mangas’ family, which said Mangas had just turned 18 the day before.

(From Tiffin Police Chief David Pauly)

Welcome Officer Cade Garrett to the Tiffin Police Department!

Please join me in welcoming the newest member of our Tiffin community and Police Department, Officer Cade Garrett!

Officer Garrett brings prior law enforcement experience to his role and will spend the next few months in field training with our seasoned officers, preparing to serve our city with professionalism and dedication.

This evening, Tiffin Mayor Lee Wilkinson administered Officer Garrett’s oath of office in a special ceremony attended by proud family members.

Adding a personal touch, his wife Madison had the honor of pinning his badge onto his uniform.

We are thrilled to have Officer Garrett join our team and are confident that his skills and commitment will enhance our department’s mission to serve and protect the city of Tiffin.

Welcome aboard, Officer Garrett! We look forward to the positive impact you will make in our community.

Chief Pauly

Some early morning snow caused schools to cancel classes and sheriff’s offices to issue weather alerts on Monday morning.

The Hancock County Sheriff’s Office placed the county on a Level 1 Weather Alert on Monday morning. Get the weather alerts for other counties in the region by clicking here.  

Roadways are hazardous, drive with extreme caution.

Roadways are extremely hazardous with blowing and drifting snow and/or flooding. Only those who feel it is necessary to travel should be on the roadways.

Most roadways are closed and extremely hazardous/flooded. Employees should comply with workplace policies or contact their employer. Violators may be cited.

Findlay City Schools closed for the day as did many other districts.

Get the full list of closings and delays by clicking here.