Category Archives: Local News

Findlay Municipal Court DUS Day Clinic Coming Up

Findlay Municipal Court is providing people with driver’s license restrictions an opportunity to resolve their issues.

The 7th annual Findlay Municipal Court DUS Day Clinic will be held on Thursday, October 16.

The DUS workshop is for individuals with a suspended driver’s license to help resolve their licensing issues and get them back on the road legally.

Appointments are preferred but walk-ins are welcome

For more information click here, or to schedule an appointment contact the Clerk’s office at 419-424-7141.

Narcotics Search Warrant Executed At Findlay Business

(From the Hancock METRICH Drug Task Force)

Over the past year, the Hancock METRICH Drug Task Force has received multiple complaints regarding suspected illegal activity at Major Vapor, 1749 Tiffin Ave. The complaints alleged that marijuana was being sold illegally to adults and juveniles. As part of an ongoing investigation, task force members conducted multiple controlled purchases of marijuana from the business, including one confirmed purchase involving a juvenile.

On 10/07/25 at approx. 1500hrs. the Hancock County METRICH Drug Task Force, assisted by the Findlay Police Department, executed a narcotic search warrant at Major Vapor 1749 Tiffin Ave., Findlay, Ohio.

The search of the business yielded suspected marijuana, marijuana vapes, THC edibles, Psilocybin edibles, a handgun, and a large sum of cash.

Charges of drug trafficking and possession of drugs are expected at the conclusion of this investigation.

The Hancock METRICH Drug Enforcement Unit is supported by METRICH in Mansfield, OH and funded in part by the Office of Criminal Justice Services.

METRICH Crime Tip Hotline: 419-52-CRIME (419-522-7463) or download the METRICH enforcement unit mobile app to “Submit a Tip.”

Community Foundation Holding Community Housing Panel

The Findlay-Hancock County Community Foundation will be holding a panel presentation and Q&A session about local housing needs.

Housing in Hancock County Panel

-Wednesday, Oct. 22 • 4:30 pm to 6:00 pm

-At 50 North.

Join us for a panel presentation and Q&A on local needs. Featuring representatives from the City of Findlay, City Mission, Economic Development, Habitat for Humanity, Hope House, a local developer and landlord.

The Community Foundation’s Commitment to Housing

As a Community Foundation, we believe that a thriving community is built on strong roots. Our new initiative, Rooted to Rise, is a response to years of data showing what Hancock County needs. By investing in both work and play, we are planting seeds for lasting change and building a balanced ecosystem where people and possibilities can flourish. Housing is a key part of this initiative.

The Community Foundation is committed to being part of the solution with the housing system. We have committed $50,000 to the Community Housing Fund for long-term support, and an additional $100,000 to the Interim Housing Program Fund to help transition families into short-term, affordable rental housing while they work toward home ownership.

Read more about the housing crisis and other community priorities in the new State of Work and Play Report.

National Pedestrian Safety Month

(The Ohio State Highway Patrol)

The Ohio State Highway Patrol (OSHP) is urging all Ohioans to prioritize pedestrian safety, reminding both motorists and pedestrians that safety is a shared responsibility on our roadways. This comes as the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recognize October as National Pedestrian Safety Month.

“By working together and eliminating distractions, we can make our roads safer for everyone,” said Governor Mike DeWine. “Drivers should always be on the lookout for pedestrians, and pedestrians should always be careful to protect themselves.”

Everyone has a critical role to play in preventing pedestrian crashes. By taking a few simple precautions, both drivers and pedestrians can make Ohio’s roads safer for everyone.

Tips for Drivers:

  • Never drive distracted: Your full attention is needed on the road. Avoid using your phone or other electronic devices.
  • Yield to pedestrians: Always stop for pedestrians in crosswalks and at intersections.
  • Watch for pedestrians: Be aware of individuals walking in residential areas, school zones and at night.
  • Slow down: Reduce your speed in areas with heavy foot traffic to give yourself more time to react.
  • Use headlights: Turn on your headlights at dawn, dusk and at night to increase visibility for yourself and others.

 Tips for Pedestrians:

  • Be visible: Wear bright or reflective clothing, especially at night.
  • Walk on sidewalks: Use a sidewalk whenever one is available. If there isn’t one, walk on the shoulder facing oncoming traffic.
  • Cross safely: Cross the road at designated crosswalks or intersections. Look both ways before crossing, and make eye contact with drivers, if possible, to ensure they see you.
  • Obey traffic signals: Follow all pedestrian traffic signals and signs.
  • Avoid distractions: Similar to drivers, put away electronic devices that can take your eyes and ears off the road.

According to Patrol statistics, there have been 13,955 crashes involving pedestrians on Ohio roadways since 2020. Of those crashes, 862 were fatal, resulting in 869 pedestrian deaths. Within that same timeframe, Franklin, Cuyahoga and Hamilton counties have seen the highest number of pedestrian-related crashes.

“Preventing these tragedies is a responsibility we all share,” said Colonel Charles A. Jones, Patrol superintendent. “A single moment of inattention by either the driver or pedestrian can have devastating consequences. Let’s commit to creating a culture of safety on Ohio’s roads.”

For more information on pedestrian safety, visit the NHTSA’s website here.

The public is encouraged to safely call #677 to report reckless or impaired drivers and drug activity.

Liberty-Benton Senior Named To ODNR Teen Advisory Board

(From Liberty-Benton Local Schools)

Congratulations to LBHS senior Jay Lincoln on being selected to serve on the Ohio Department of Natural Resources’ 2025-26 Teen Advisory Board!

This elite group of conservation-minded students from across Ohio works to expand and improve the Department’s youth initiatives, making a difference through conservation projects, enhancing outdoor outreach, and promoting wise stewardship of Ohio’s natural resources.

Through this opportunity, Jay will also explore careers in natural resources and build valuable leadership and networking skills. We’re so proud to see an Eagle making an impact statewide!

City Offering Bulk Trash Drop-Off For Residents

(From the City of Findlay)

The City of Findlay will offer a bulk trash drop-off for Findlay residents from Saturday, October 25 to Saturday, November 1, 2025. Hours are 8am-7pm or until full on weekdays and 8am-4pm or until full on Saturdays.

Dumpsters will be at the Public Works Department, 330 N. Cory St. where city residents may dispose of unwanted debris.

Hazardous materials, commercial tires, concrete, appliances and electronics will not be accepted. Proof of residency or ID may be required.

The city will accept noncommercial vehicle tires. The tires must be off of the rim. Proof of residency in the City of Findlay and/or ID will be required.

Please note that it is illegal to transport more than ten scrap tires at any time without obtaining a registration certificate from the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency per ORC 3734.83.

MCPA: Help Inspire The Next Generation Of Performers

(From the Marathon Center for the Performing Arts)

As we close the curtain on Youtheatre Grades 6–12’s production of Annie, we extend our heartfelt thanks to the directors, cast, crew, staff, volunteers, families, audience members, and sponsors who made this production possible.

Watching our young performers grow in confidence, creativity, and collaboration is at the heart of Youtheatre, a place where imagination flourishes, skills are nurtured, and lifelong friendships are formed.

As we look ahead to new opportunities in arts education, we need your support to keep these experiences accessible to all. Your donation today can provide scholarships, enhance productions, and expand educational programming.

Please consider making a gift and help us invest in the creativity and potential of our youth. Together, we can continue to inspire, educate, and empower the next generation of performers.

Jail Parenting Program Seeking Funding To Continue Making Impact

(By Sheri Trusty, Seneca County Sheriff’s Office Public Relations Coordinator)

The Seneca County Jail operates with a mission to offer programs that can help inmates improve their lives and prevent recidivism, but those programs require funding.

At the end of October, one of the jail’s most powerful programs, its Nurturing Parenting Program, will end due to a lack of funding. The program impacts incarcerated parents and their children, as well as their children’s future.

The Nurturing Parenting Program is an accredited, evidence-based child abuse and prevention program for fathers and mothers that was instituted in the jail in February and is taught by certified instructor, Jami Hill.

Hill is a CARES Coordinator with Seneca County Family and Children First Council (FCFC). Seneca County Jail Case Manager Grace Morehart spent the last several months watching the program change lives.

“We have a lot of people come in with active Child Protective Services (CPS) cases. If a parent is in the system, their child is more likely to end up in the system,” Morehart said. “Jami teaches them how to be better parents, and it helps prevent their children from ending up here. Not having this class is a big loss, especially since it’s an accredited course.”

During the Oct. 1 classes, Hill taught about dealing with the stress of raising children. She explained coping mechanisms that can help during high-emotion moments, and she talked about the consequences of uncontrolled anger, like shaken baby syndrome. Hill teaches on a variety of topics, including child development, discipline techniques, and instilling self-worth in children and in themselves.

The program has changed family dynamics, helping inmates break generational behaviors and giving their children a better life now and a chance at a better future.

“I’ve learned how to understand my son a hundred times better,” one inmate said. “I learned how his brain develops and how he processes things, and I learned how to communicate with him better. It’s made me more patient with him.”

Another inmate said the class helped her understand herself better. By recognizing her unhealthy motivations and reactions, she’s making better choices as she communicates with her children, even now, while she’s in jail.

“I’ve learned how to process things better. It’s been a great class,” she said. “My relationship with my kids is better, and that wouldn’t have happened without this class.”

Hill worked for many years as a CPS investigator, where she could not help families until after a problem occurred. Through the parenting program, she can help prevent problems that can devastate families.

“I was working for a reactive agency, and what I love about this program is, it’s preventative,” Hill said. “We reached out to the jail to start this program because many of the kids we work with at FCFC deal with parental incarceration.”

FCFC Executive Director Sandy Hallett Berkey said the Nurturing Parenting Program is part of FCFC’s reentry program, which empowers inmates with resources to fuel post-incarceration success. It helps inmates recognize unhealthy behaviors and become strong parents who won’t find themselves contacted by the Department of Job and Family Services, which manages CPS.

“We give them new tools because sometimes they don’t even know the tools they have are wrong,” Hallett said. “We’re trying to keep them out of the doors of JFS.”

Hallett recently learned that grants she hoped would fund the program were denied, so she and Morehart are hoping to find a funding source to keep the program operating at the Seneca County Jail past October. Losing the program can affect generations.

“This program is helping women, men, and children, and it’s impacting the children’s futures,” Morehart said.

In the end, that impact reaches across Seneca County. Children on a path to follow their parents’ footsteps into jail have a new, healthier foundation for their lives. On Oct. 1, the women in the parenting class talked about their efforts to create better lives for their children by implementing the things they were learning.

The women don’t want jail to be a place that will one day find their children, also. They want their children to grow up and view the Seneca County Jail as the place that empowered their parents to break generational behaviors that set the whole family free.

University Of Findlay Homecoming Court

(From the University of Findlay)

The University of Findlay will host Homecoming and Family Weekend 2025 from October 9 to 12, with a talented group of students reigning on the Homecoming Court.

“These outstanding student leaders exemplify the qualities of leadership, spirit, integrity, and achievement through their contributions and involvement at UF – and we are so proud to call them Oilers,” said Lee Ann Ireland, director of UF’s Wolfe Center for Alumni, Parents, and Friends.

The Homecoming Court members are all seniors, who were nominated and elected by their fellow students, faculty, and staff.

Jenna Ditmer, an animal science/pre-vet major from Eaton, Ohio, serves as a Bible study leader and Revive worship leader, as well as treasurer of Delta Tau Alpha agricultural honor society, a resident assistant, and a coach of the men’s club volleyball team. She is a member of the junior varsity volleyball team, Delta Tau Alpha, and Beta Beta Beta honor societies. She has been recognized with multiple scholarships and awards, including the Trustees’ Scholarship.

Isiah Hall, of Castalia, Ohio is majoring in physical therapy and serves as president of the Student Government Association after holding roles as sergeant at arms and freshman senator. He has been a resident director and resident assistant. He serves as public relations manager for the Pre-Physical Therapy Club, while pursuing undergraduate research with assistant professor Bart Welte, Ed.D., on neuro-physical therapy interventions for spinal conditions.

Andrea Hoffman, of Latrobe, Pennsylvania, is a member of the UF women’s swimming and diving team, competing in distance freestyle events, and teaches swim lessons. A journalism/digital media major, she is a student reporter for UFTV, covering football from the sidelines, providing play-by-play for women’s lacrosse, and interviewing athletes and coaches. She contributes to The Pulse student newspaper and serves as treasurer for the Pulse Media Club. She was named the 2024–2025 Pulse Media Student of the Year and is an active member of Sigma Kappa sorority.

Bryan Hunt, a strength and conditioning major from Chicago, Illinois, has been involved with Black Student Union and Warriors Word. As a member of the Oilers football team, he earned

Second Team All-Conference for 2024-25. He was named to the Dean’s List in 2022 and 2023, and received the President’s Scholarship and multiple football scholarships.

Molly Kautz, a wellness and health promotion major from Croswell, Michigan, has participated in the Oiler marching band for four years, serving as drum major for two years and band president for one year. She is a member of the UF wind ensemble and the jazz band. She is active in Catholic Student Fellowship and the Pre-Physical Therapy Organization as treasurer and president. She has been repeatedly named to the Dean’s List and received endowed awards supporting musical arts students.

Kaylie McCann, of Clinton, Ohio, is pursuing degrees in animal science pre-vet and biology. She has served the City Mission of Findlay for four years through meal service, donation drives, and outreach events, and is president of UF’s City Mission Club. In Campus Ministries, she has participated in Follow First, girls group Bible studies, and she mentors new students. She has served as a resident assistant and resident director.

Caitlynn Noble, an animal science/pre-vet major from Oak Harbor, Ohio, is president of the Mortar Board honor society, treasurer of Unwinding at UF, and is working to recolonize the Theta Nu chapter of Phi Sigma Sigma. Caitlynn is in her third year as drum major of the Oiler marching band, plays oboe in the wind ensemble, and has twice represented UF at the OPCICA Honor Band. She is a member of Delta Tau Alpha and Beta Beta Beta honor societies and participates in Campus Ministries and Euler Math Club.

Kaylee Pajor, a business analytics major from Amherst, Ohio, is an active member of Business Oriented Women, participates in intramural sand volleyball, and is the student representative from the College of Business for the Alumni Board of Governors. She has received the Trustees’ Scholarship, Leadership Participation Scholarship, the Samuel Fittante Memorial Scholarship Endowment Fund, and she is a Dana Scholar.

Dominiq Reagh is a strength and conditioning major from Grand Rapids, Michigan. A three-year member of the Oiler soccer team, he founded and serves as president of the men’s club volleyball team. He has been a resident assistant, volunteer coach for UF’s JV volleyball team, and member of the Revive worship service sound and welcome teams. His honors include Dean’s List and NCAA All-Conference All-Academic Team recognition, as well as the Trustees’ Scholarship and UF Christian Fellowship Scholarship.

Nathan Zuercher, a business administration management major from Wooster, Ohio, is a linebacker on the UF football team and lead assistant equipment manager. He serves as a resident assistant, an Oiler 10 consulting agent, and active leader in Campus Ministry, where he helps guide the UF Huddle. He has received the Trustees’ Scholarship, football scholarship, and multiple endowed awards honoring leadership and Christian service.

Members of the Homecoming royalty will be announced during the UF-Hillsdale football game on Saturday, October 11, at 2 p.m., at Donnell Stadium.

UF alumni, friends, families, and community members are invited to be part of this year’s Homecoming celebration. Additional information and registration for events can be found on the Homecoming and Family Weekend webpage: www.findlay.edu/homecoming.

Homecoming events and information are also available on the Oiler Mobile App, which is free to download in the App Store and Play Store.

ADDAPTCO Holding Fall Fest At Fairgrounds

(From ADDAPTCO)

ADDAPTCO, a local nonprofit that supports children and adults with developmental disabilities is hosting its 9th Annual Fall Fest on Saturday, October 11th from 1–4 PM at the Legacy Pavilion, Hancock County Fairgrounds.

Fall Fest is free, sensory-friendly, and open to everyone. Guests can enjoy:

• Train rides
• Games & activities
• Pumpkin painting
• Crafts for kids
• New this year: Trunk or Treat!

The event celebrates inclusion and community, drawing hundreds of families from Hancock County and beyond.

Get more details by clicking here.