The Putnam County Sheriff’s Office has released its monthly totals for December.
Calls for Service: 878
Traffic Stops: 339
Paper Service: 93
Motor Vehicle Accidents: 72
Domestic Violence/ Disputes: 7
OVI’s: 1
Warrants Served: 4
Vehicle Unlocks: 12
Golf Cart Inspections: 3
Corrections Division:
Total Book-Ins: 23
Jail Transports: 31
Average Daily Inmate Population: 25
(From Hancock Park District)
Here are our 2025 Photography Contest entries!
Please cast your vote by liking your favorite photograph(s) on this original post no later than 11:59pm on January 16.
The photograph with the most likes will be named our “People’s Choice” winner and receive $200 along with a plaque.
Thank you to everyone who submitted photographs this year!
(From the Arlington Volunteer Fire Department)
We want to wish everyone a safe and Happy New Year!
As we look back at 2025, we responded to a total of 86 calls!
Members of the department attended monthly business meetings, equipment checks, trainings, special details, and so much more!
We can’t thank them enough for all the time and effort that they give, sometimes on a very short notice.
There were many accomplishments and highlights from the previous year we would like to note!
-Delivery of new 2025 Sutphen engine
-Addition of two probationary firefighters, Martin Jones and Jake Simmons
-Upgraded portable lighting and power tools for engine 1114 and rescue 1161
-Grand marshal for the 2025 homecoming festival parade
-2025 summer BBQ and fireworks show
-Participated in fire prevention week
-Two members obtained their firefighter level 240 cards
As always, we enjoy interacting with the community and participating in various events.
Big THANK YOU to the Arlington community and the surrounding townships for their continued support.
We’re excited to see what the future has in store for us this upcoming year!
(From 50 North)
You may have noticed the construction vehicles at 50 North.
We’re excited to share the plans for our upcoming Green Space Project!
We invite you to attend one of 2 informational sessions regarding the Green Space, the new Chore Services Building, the new Walking Track, and so much more.
𝐉𝐨𝐢𝐧 𝐮𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐲, 𝐉𝐚𝐧𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝟓
𝐚𝐭 𝟗:𝟎𝟎 𝐚𝐦 𝐨𝐫 𝟐:𝟎𝟎 𝐩𝐦
𝐭𝐨 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐞𝐱𝐜𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐝𝐞𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐬!
You can register at Member Services or by calling 419-423-8496
The Ohio State Highway Patrol is mourning a Sergeant who died while off-duty on Wednesday.
“It is with great sorrow that the Ohio State Highway Patrol recognizes the off-duty death of Sergeant Matthew Cook of the Defiance Post.”
“Our thoughts are with Sergeant Cook’s family, the Findlay District and the Patrol family as a whole.”
The Hancock County Sheriff’s Office says it responded to an address in rural McComb at approximately 6:27 Wednesday night to investigate a report of an unconscious man.
Deputies along with fire and medical first responders arrived and located a man identified as the homeowner of the residence, Matthew Cook.
Cook was pronounced deceased upon arrival by Hanco EMS.
Information collected throughout the preliminary investigation indicates the cause of death to be self-induced, the sheriff’s office said.
The Hancock County Sheriff’s Office says it is continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident.
(From The Ohio State Highway Patrol)
The Ohio State Highway Patrol (OSHP) wants everyone traveling on the road to be prepared for the unpredictability of winter weather. Drivers must prioritize safety and preparation to ensure their vehicles are fully winterized before they hit the road.
“During the winter, Ohio drivers need to be prepared to face the possibility of snow and ice,” said Governor DeWine. “It’s important that drivers always remember to give themselves extra time to get to their destinations on days when poor weather conditions impact the commute.”
Last winter, there were 15,647 crashes on snow, ice and slush-covered roads in Ohio. That is nearly twice as many as the previous winter’s total, and the highest amount over the last five years. Of the crashes recorded during last winter, 17 were fatal, resulting in 17 deaths. Eight of those fatal crashes occurred in January.
“Good driving habits become even more important when the weather is bad,” said Colonel Charles A. Jones, Patrol superintendent. “The message is simple: slow down, use extreme caution and keep extra space between you and the vehicle ahead.”
Many winter crashes are avoidable. According to Patrol statistics, unsafe speed by the at-fault driver was listed as the cause of 22% of crashes on snow, ice or slush-covered roads. Other crash causes include driving off the road and following too closely.
In the event of a broken-down vehicle or crash, turn on your hazard lights, safely move your vehicle as far off the roadway as possible, remain inside the vehicle and safely call #677 or 911 for assistance. If your vehicle becomes stuck in the snow, clear the tailpipe of any possible debris to decrease the chance of carbon monoxide poisoning.
Drivers are reminded to stock their vehicles with a winter car kit that includes an ice scraper, shovel, jumper cables, flashlight, warning devices, blankets, cell phone charger, first aid kit, water and food. It’s also important to make sure that your tires have plenty of tread, check your battery and keep your windshield washer reservoir full.
If you must travel in winter weather, visit https://www.ohgo.com/ for real-time traffic conditions from the Ohio Department of Transportation.
(From the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office)
On December 31, 2025, at approximately 6:27 P.M., the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office was summoned to 8020 CR 53, McComb, Ohio to investigate a report of an unconscious male.
Deputies along with fire and medical first responders arrived and located a male individual identified as the homeowner of the residence, Matthew Cook.
Mr. Cook was pronounced deceased upon arrival by HANCO EMS.
Information collected throughout the preliminary investigation indicates the cause of death to be self-induced.
The Hancock County Sheriff’s Office is continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding this incident.
At this time, no foul play is suspected, and there is no threat to the public.
WFIN – The Highway Patrol has confirmed that Matthew Cook was a Sergeant with the Defiance Post within the Findlay District of the Ohio State Highway Patrol.
(From the Ohio State Highway Patrol)
The Norwalk Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating a fatal crash that occurred on County Road 6, west of County Road 47, in Seneca Township, Seneca County. The crash was reported on December 31, 2025 at 11:57 AM.
The crash occurred when a blue 2008 Chevrolet Silverado pulling a 2005 Kerr-Bilt trailer, operated by Arthur Fleck, 65, of Carey, OH, was traveling westbound on County Road 6. Fleck traveled off the left side of the road before overturning and striking a utility pole. Feck was wearing his safety belt at the time of the crash. Feck suffered fatal injuries at the scene.
County Road 6 was closed in both directions for approximately two hours while the scene was cleared.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol was assisted on scene by the Seneca County Sheriff’s Office, New Riegel Fire Department, Seneca County EMS, Seneca County Coroner’s Office, and Reinhart Towing.
The crash remains under investigation.
(From The Hancock County Naturalists)
The Hancock County Naturalists will host a hands-on winter sowing workshop led by members Amy Downing and Jennifer Mates at the group’s next meeting at 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 8, at Oakwoods Nature Preserve, 1400 Oakwood Ave. Participants will learn a simple, effective, and budget-friendly method for sowing native plant seeds outdoors during the winter months.
Downing grew up in rural Hancock County near the river and surrounding native fields, where she developed an early love of nature, wildlife, and open spaces. As an adult, her gardening experience initially focused on lawns and small planting beds, but her approach shifted after she began incorporating native gardens and observed increased diversity among the birds and pollinators they attracted. Over the past 20 years, she has focused on rebuilding a balanced ecosystem in her yard to support birds, butterflies, bees, and other wildlife.
Winter sowing became a natural extension of that effort, providing an economical way to expand her native plantings while staying engaged with gardening during the winter. Downing enjoys sharing this technique with others and encouraging residents to cultivate habitat in their own backyards.
Jennifer Mates has spent her life deeply connected to the natural world. She enlisted in the Civilian Conservation Corps at age 18 and worked alongside the Shawnee State Park Naturalist, developing a passion for hunting, hiking, and nature photography. Her gardening journey began in 1994 as a source of mental therapy and expanded in 2011 when the discovery of a cedar waxwing sparked a deeper interest in birds and biodiversity. Mentors within the Hancock County Naturalists helped guide her growing fascination with native species and ecological balance. After relocating in 2017, Mates transformed her new backyard into a thriving native meadow that supports birds and wildlife. Winter sowing has become one of her favorite practices, offering an economical way to increase plant diversity while sharing knowledge, cultivating peace, and contributing to the health of her small corner of the earth.
At the upcoming meeting, Downing and Mates will demonstrate the winter sowing process and guide attendees in preparing and planting seeds in a take-home container that can be set outdoors for natural germination.
The meeting is open to the public for those age 15 and older, but reservations are required for a Winter Sowing Kit (only 20 available). Those interested in a kit can reserve one at hancockcountynaturalists.org and click the “Reserve Winter Sowing Kit” button.
(From the Findlay-Hancock County Public Library)
WinterREAD, a reading program that gives participants a chance to win amazing prizes, will soon return to the Findlay-Hancock County Public Library. Readers can register to join the winter fun at findlaylibrary.readsquared.com beginning January 5. The program runs through January 31.
WinterREAD registration is open to all ages, infant through adult. This winter, the library is again using an online platform, READsquared, to keep track of reading progress. Once registered, participants can earn great prizes by logging reading, writing a book review, or completing fun activities. For those that prefer not to track reading online, there will be paper forms available at the library to log reading progress.
Be sure to check the library’s Facebook page at facebook.com/fhcpl for updates, surprises, and entertaining WinterREAD fun. For more information, and to view the fantastic prizes waiting to be won, visit findlaylibrary.org/winterread.
