(From the Ohio Division of Wildlife)

Hunters in Ohio have additional dates this season to pursue white-tailed deer in Chronic Wasting Disease surveillance areas, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife. For the 2024-25 season, the disease surveillance area includes all of Hardin, Marion, and Wyandot counties as well as Auglaize and Jackson townships in Allen County.

The Division of Wildlife established earlier hunting seasons within the disease surveillance area to slow the spread of CWD by reducing deer numbers before the breeding season. Archery hunting season begins Saturday, Sept. 14. An early gun hunting season is open from Saturday, Oct. 12 to Monday, Oct. 14.

Since the fall of 2020, 50 wild deer in Ohio have tested positive for Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD), all in Allen, Hardin, Marion, and Wyandot counties (one in Allen, one in Hardin, 10 in Marion, 38 in Wyandot). Allen County’s first case of CWD was confirmed in November 2023. Chronic Wasting Disease is a fatal brain disease that impacts members of the deer family including white-tailed deer, mule deer, elk, moose and caribou. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there is no strong evidence that CWD is transmissible to humans.

(From Findlay City Schools)

FCS Families:

The SafeDefend system was accidentally activated at Wilson Vance Intermediate at 8:45 a.m this (Monday) morning by a new employee before the school day began.

All students and staff are safe, and there was no emergency situation.

Our first responders acted quickly before confirming it was an accidental activation, and we continue to be grateful that this system effectively connects our entire safety network.

(From the Findlay Police Department)

On 9-13-2024 at 1904 hours FPD officers were dispatched to a report of a male with a gun outside of Old Stoney Ledge (752 Howard St).

While en-route to the location, officers were advised a male had been shot once and the suspect had fled from the scene.

Officers arrived in the area and the male suspect (identified as Marcuss Martinez) was located near the area of College St and Fox St.

Marcuss then ran east bound through lawns in the 600 blk of College St. Marcuss was eventually stopped by an officer in front of a residence in the 600 blk of College St and taken into custody.

The victim was transported to the Blanchard Valley Hospital by an unknown person.

The victim was found to have sustained a single gunshot wound to the lower left portion of his face.

The victim was later transported by Life Flight to OSU Medical Hospital for further treatment.

Victim’s condition is currently unknown.

After further investigation, Marcuss was incarcerated at the Hancock County Justice Center on charges of Felonious Assault (ORC – 2903.11) and Obstructing Official Business (ORD – 525.07).

(From the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office)

The scams are still going around!

A concerned citizen received a phishing email on a Bit Coin scam that was addressed to her father but was sent to her email.

She stated they attached a picture of google maps street view, of the area of where he lives.

Her father is 78 YOA, so she believes they are targeting the elder generation.

Think before you click.

This slogan reinforces the idea that a single click on a phishing email or malicious attachment may be all cybercriminals need to get what they want.

Please stay vigilant!

(From the Findlay-Hancock County Community Foundation)

The Findlay-Hancock County Community Foundation has extended the Building Community Through Neighborhood Revitalization special grant opportunity deadline. This grant opportunity focuses on neighborhood revitalization and beautification projects. Applications are now due September 23, 2024 (previously September 16).

“This special grant opportunity has a dual purpose: community engagement and beautification,” said Kimberly Bash, Chief Community Engagement Officer at The Community Foundation. “We hope these grant dollars will improve the quality of life in Hancock County by bringing people of all ages together to work side by side to beautify their neighborhoods.”

Building Community Through Neighborhood Revitalization
This special grant opportunity focuses on improving neighborhoods and improving quality of life. Projects could include permanent tree or flower planting, neighborhood clean-ups, and other beautification in public spaces. They could include but are not limited to, service-learning projects with local youth and projects focused on engaging residents of all ages in making a difference in their communities. Proposals should come from Hancock County tax-exempt, private agencies classified as 501(c)(3) organizations and public charities as defined by the Internal Revenue Service. Grants may also be made to governmental agencies in Hancock County.

Applicants must discuss grant ideas and allowable expenses with Kimberly before submitting a request. Applications are now due September 23, 2024, on the Foundation’s online grant platform. Grants will be awarded in October 2024.

The arraignment hearing was held for a Findlay teenager accused in a fatal shooting in May.

Peyton S Howard, 18, pleaded not guilty to voluntary manslaughter and involuntary manslaughter, both first-degree felonies, as well as having a weapon against a court order and tampering with evidence.

His bond was set at $250,000.

The arraignment was held via Zoom because Howard is being held at a juvenile facility for a previous violation.

On May 26, the Findlay Police Department received a call that a male had been shot in an alley off of the 100 block of Howard Street.

The male, 18-year-old J’vion Zimmerman of Port Clinton, was transported to Blanchard Valley Hospital by Hanco EMS where he died from the gunshot wound.

Howard was 17 at the time of the alleged shooting and his case was bound over from juvenile court to Hancock County Common Pleas Court earlier in the month and he was indicted.

Court records show a pretrial hearing is set for October 18.

(From Findlay City Schools)

We are proud to announce the 2024 Findlay High School Homecoming Court!

BACK ROW

Jacob Ragland, Joel Yeater, Ryan Montgomery, Ashton Yeager

Not pictured is Donovan Crowder.

FRONT ROW

Mallory Sheets, Lauren Baker, Lauren Post, Ava Buddelmeyer, Annabelle Cooper

We will celebrate these students, and all of Trojan Country, beginning September 16th!

Join the fun by painting your windows blue and gold, participating in Spirit Week, or attending an event!

Our Findlay City Schools Alumni Association has exciting things planned, too!

Friday, September 20th:

-Homecoming Parade @ 5:30

-Homecoming Football Game @ 7:00

-Crowning of Queen & King before kickoff!

(ONN) – A city in southwest Ohio is in the running to become the new home of a major event in the film world.

Cincinnati was named a finalist for consideration to be the new home of the Sundance Film Festival.

The Sundance Institute announced that the Queen City is advancing in the selection process along with Boulder, Colorado, and Park City-Salt Lake City, Utah- the festival’s current home.

Sundance will stay in Utah for the next two years.

The winning host city is expected to be announced in late winter or early spring of next year and the festival will be held there starting in 2027.

The Sundance Film Festival is considered a premiere showcase for independent films and filmmakers from around the world.

(From Liberty-Benton Local Schools)

Meet the Liberty-Benton 2024 Homecoming Court!

Senior Queen candidates: left to right – Madi Gaerke, Carmen Hohman, Avery Knepper, Izzy Joliff, Hope Woods.

Senior King candidates: left to right – Trevor Ferris, Brayden Lemire, Jake Gerken, Silas Arredondo, Will Niese.

A huge congratulations to these amazing students!

The Queen and King will be crowned Friday, September 20, at 6:30 p.m., just before the big football game!

Don’t miss it!

(From the United Way of Hancock County)

We’re still buzzing from the excitement of last night’s pickleball tournament!

Thanks to all the pickleballers who played their hearts out, and a special shout-out to Jim’s Gym for generously providing free memberships to all players.

We also thank The State Bank and Trust Company for the much-needed refreshments and Kan Du Group Inc for the beautiful trophy.

It was a fun event, but it raised some serious cash toward our mission of measurably improving people’s lives in Hancock County.

Fifteen teams competed, and after a long night of pickling, Julie Anderson and Laiying Alvarado from AR Marketing took home the trophy!

Congratulations, ladies, on your big win at our inaugural Campaign Kickoff Pickleball Championship!

Thank you, Difference Makers, for spending the evening with us!