For the first time in a long time, Hancock County will have a new sheriff as Mike Cortez was running uncontested after winning the GOP primary in March.

Cortez will take over as Sheriff from the retiring Michael Heldman who has been Sheriff since 1997 and with the sheriff’s office since 1972.

Cortez says he has a modern approach to public safety, emphasizing the importance of community engagement, advanced technology, and a well-trained, professional law enforcement team. He plans to introduce initiatives such as expanding K9 units, increasing School Resource Officers, and improving mental health awareness in the community.

“As your Sheriff, I pledge to uphold our community’s core values, ensuring Hancock County continues to shine as a beacon of safety, unity, and prosperity,” Cortez said. 

Get more election results from the Hancock County Board of Elections by clicking here, the Putnam County Board of Elections by clicking here, and the Ohio Secretary of State’s Office here.

(From Liberty-Benton Local Schools)

Liberty-Benton’s Military Appreciation Night, organized by Mrs. Mychelle Dukes and the S.O.S. Action Team, was an unforgettable evening!

Veterans, Active Duty Military, Purple Star, and National Guard families received free admission and meals, sponsored by Findlay AMVETS.

Highlights included the BGSU ROTC’s giant U.S. flag during the National Anthem and an incredible flyover by a historic Boeing Stearman biplane—a salute to our military history!

Marathon Petroleum Corporation reported its third-quarter 2024 numbers on Tuesday.

The oil refiner headquartered in Findlay is reporting net income of $622 million for the third quarter of 2024, compared with net income of $3.3 billion for the third quarter of 2023.

The third quarter 2024 adjusted earnings was $2.5 billion, compared with $5.7 billion for the third quarter of 2023

“We remain committed to peer-leading operational excellence, commercial performance, and profitability per barrel in each of the regions in which we operate,” said President and Chief Executive Officer Maryann Mannen.

“MPLX continues to grow, and the durability of its cash flow profile supported a 12.5% increase to its quarterly distribution, strengthening the value proposition to MPC. We returned $3.0 billion through share repurchases and dividends during the quarter, demonstrating our commitment of peer-leading capital return.”

Get more on the company’s third-quarter results by clicking here.  

(From the University of Findlay)

University of Findlay students, faculty, staff, and community members will come together to donate canned food and other non-perishable items for the 19^th annual Helping Hands event on Wednesday, November 6, 2024, from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Center for Student Life and College of Business (CBSL).

Throughout the day, volunteers will be collecting, inspecting, sorting, weighing, and packaging items for delivery. All items will go to Christians Helping Other People in Need (CHOPIN) Hall food pantry.

In addition to the on-campus collection, University of Findlay and Sodexo Food Services have partnered with Walmart (Tiffin and Trenton Ave.), Brinkman’s, Kroger (6th and Tiffin), and Great Scot (Broad Ave and West Main Cross). Off-campus locations will be collecting from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. All non-perishable food items will be accepted, but the top five most requested items include peanut butter, canned fruit, canned soup, bottled juice, and cereal.

University of Findlay student organizations will compete during the “CANstruction” competition earlier in the week, where they will collect donated canned items and construct game-themed structures. Winners will be announced for most creative, people’s choice, and most pounds.

Area schools will also compete to collect and donate the most pounds of food per person. Local middle school students are competing for a pizza party and the Golden Can Award.

In 2023, a total of 249,897 pounds of food​ was collected during the event. Two semi truckloads were needed to move the pallets of food that were collected and delivered to CHOPIN Hall food pantry. To date, more than 1.3 million pounds of food has been collected and donated by the University of Findlay and Sodexo.

The event will conclude in CBSL at Noon on Thursday, November 7, when awards will be handed out and the final total weight of food donations will be announced. For more information on the event, visit Helping Hands online.

(From the Tiffin Police Department)

Dear Tiffin Community,

This evening, the Tiffin Police were made aware of a social media post regarding one of our Tiffin City School buildings. The Tiffin Police Department is actively collaborating with Tiffin City Schools’ administration and the Board of Education to address and monitor the situation. While there is currently no imminent threat, we’re taking every precaution to ensure our schools remain a safe space.

To reassure students, families, and staff, you will notice an increased police presence at our schools tomorrow morning. This is part of our ongoing commitment to safety and to providing peace of mind for our community. Our officers will be on-site to support our schools and reinforce our shared dedication to a secure environment for everyone.

Thank you for your continued trust and support as we work together to safeguard our students and school staff.

Respectfully,

Police Chief David Pauly

The new roundabout near U.S. 68 and State Route 15 on the south end of Findlay is finished. (see more pics below)

The Ohio Department of Transportation says the roundabout opened to traffic at around 4 o’clock Monday afternoon.

Construction began on August 19. 

ODOT’s Cheri Newton explains to WFIN how the project came about.

The roundabout project accomplished the following:

-Removed the current U.S. 68 exit ramp from State Route 15 eastbound.

-Connected Township Road 80 to the ramp to provide access to U.S. 68.

-Constructed a new U.S. 68 exit ramp from State Route 15 eastbound.

-Constructed a roundabout at the intersection of U.S. 68, the new U.S. 68 exit ramp, and the eastbound State Route 15 entrance ramp.

ODOT said the project was needed because Township Roads 49 and 77, which provided access to U.S. 68, are being removed as part of the Eagle Creek Floodwater Storage Basin project, one of the projects included in the Flood-Risk Reduction Program currently underway by Hancock County and the Maumee Watershed Conservancy District. 

(From the City of Findlay)

The City of Findlay will be picking up leaves from November 18, 2024, through December 6, 2024. City employees will collect leaves that have been placed in biodegradable PAPER bags at the curb. Plastic bags and loose leaves will not be picked up. Bagged leaves are to be placed by the curb.

Limbs that are placed beside the bagged leaves will also be picked up. The limbs will be picked up separately from the leaves.

Crews will start picking up leaves on November 18, 2024. Crews will make several rounds throughout the whole City through December 6, 2024.

Biodegradable bags are readily available at local hardware, building supply, and some grocery stores.

Raking leaves into the street has many negative aspects. Leaf piles in the street can be a dangerous temptation to children who like to play in the piles and in many areas reduce the traffic to one lane or cause drivers to drive around the piles into oncoming traffic. Piled leaves tend to wash into and clog storm sewers, causing maintenance issues and potential localized flooding during storm events. Residents who blow or rake leaves onto City streets are in violation of long-standing City Codified Ordinance 311.01(d). Complaints should be forwarded to the Police Department.

City residents may continue to drop leaves at the green waste site located at 330 North Cory Street at no charge. The current hours for the site are Tuesday through Friday 2pm-7pm and Saturday 8am-1pm, closed Sunday and Monday. Beginning November 4, 2024, hours for the site will be Tuesday through Friday 1pm-6pm and Saturday 8am-1pm, closed Sunday and Monday. Beginning November 16, 2024, Saturday hours will be 8am-4pm. The green waste site will be closed on Monday, November 11, 2024, in honor of Veterans Day and November 28, 2024, for Thanksgiving. It will be open on November 29, 2024, and November 30, 2024. The last day for the green waste site will be December 7, 2024.

The green waste site is intended for residential use only. No contractors are permitted to use this site. Only tree trimmings, brush, leaves, and grass clippings can be dumped in designated areas at the site.

(From St. Marks United Methodist Church)

St. Marks United Methodist Church is pleased to announce that registration for Findlay’s Night to Shine 2025 has officially opened as of November 1st. This year’s event, held on February 7th from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM at St. Marks Church in Findlay, promises to be a memorable evening celebrating individuals with special needs.

Night to Shine is a global event sponsored by the Tim Tebow Foundation, offering an unforgettable prom night experience centered on God’s love. Honored Guests, Volunteers, and Buddies can now register through the newly launched website, designed to streamline the registration process and provide comprehensive event information.

“We are excited to kick off registration for Night to Shine 2025 and unveil our new website,” said Beth Yoder, CORE Committee volunteer and member at St. Marks United Methodist Church in Findlay. “This event is about creating a night where every guest feels valued and celebrated, and we encourage everyone in the community to get involved.”

In addition to guest and volunteer registration, the website features an event overview for guests to become familiar with what to expect for the event, as well as opportunities for donations and sponsorships, ensuring that Night to Shine continues to thrive in Findlay. Visitors to the site can also explore Amazon wishlists where they can contribute items to enhance the guest experience.

To register, donate, or learn more about Night to Shine 2025, please visit findlaynighttoshine.org.

About Night to Shine:

Night to Shine is an annual event sponsored by the Tim Tebow Foundation, providing a prom night experience for people with special needs aged 14 and older. Held at churches worldwide, Night to Shine celebrates God’s love for all individuals and encourages communities to come together in support and celebration.

(From Findlay City Schools)

Last week, our Trojan Robotics Teams made waves in their first inter-district scrimmage at Glenwood Middle School!

With 18 teams and 65 of our Trojan Engineers battling it out (from Findlay High School, Glenwood Middle School, and Donnell Middle School!) the competition was fierce! A huge shout-out to ‘The RAMS’ from Glenwood for snatching first place!

This weekend, our FHS teams are headed to Cleveland, taking on 80 other teams in an epic showdown.

Good luck to our squads: ‘Screws Loose,’ ‘Bananarchy,’ ‘Cache Only,’ ‘Happy Campers,’ ‘Hippo-Tron,’ and ‘Wunderkind Whales!’

Let’s bring home the victory!

The City of Findlay is letting people know that the regularly scheduled City Council meeting will take place on Wednesday, November 6th at 6 p.m. instead of on Tuesday due to the election being on Tuesday, November 5th.

The agenda can be found at https://www.findlayohio.gov/…/agenda-minutes/-folder-421

You can also livestream the meeting at https://www.youtube.com/@findlayohio4234/streams

City Council meetings are held in council chambers in the Findlay Municipal Building at 318 Dorney Plaza Room 114.