(From the United Way of Hancock County)

Shoppers are expected to spend over $2,000 in SNAP tokens this season at the Hancock County Farmers’ Market through a collaboration with United Way of Hancock County, the farmers’ market, Habitat for Humanity’s Financial Opportunities Center and the OSU Extension – Hancock County Office.

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits (called SNAP, and previously known as food stamps) can be exchanged for tokens each week at the farmers’ market. These tokens can be used to purchase market items including fresh produce, honey, hot sauce, baked goods, food plants and more.

Additionally, with each SNAP token, the customer receives a 1 to 1 match, up to $25, in Produce Perks. Tokens through the USDA-backed Produce Perks program can be spent on fresh fruits and vegetables and may be saved for use later.

Bobbie Sue Grenerth, volunteer interpretive planner for the Hancock County Farmers’ Market, said $2,461 in SNAP sales were captured during the 2023 market season. This, combined with $1,627 in Produce Perks sales utilized by 52 local households, yielded 1,914 servings of fresh fruits and vegetables accessed through these incentives.

Feeding America estimates that 11% of Hancock County residents are food insecure. Grenerth noted that partnerships such as this help market shoppers to stretch their food dollars further while supporting over 30 local vendors.

“Programs like these not only directly provide assistance to those in need of nutritional resources, they also support local farms and small business owners,” Grenerth said. “The farmers’ market is deeply appreciative of community partnerships with United Way of Hancock County, OSU Extension of Hancock County and the Habitat for Humanity Financial Opportunity Center to make these programs possible.”

Angela DeBoskey, CEO of United Way of Hancock County, explained the SNAP partnership with the farmers’ market was initiated in 2022 in direct response to anticipated cuts to emergency SNAP allocations brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. As SNAP allotments were projected to fall, the United Way stepped in to help fill this gap by securing state funding for the project.

“In Hancock County, 2 out of every 5 kids don’t have enough food,” DeBoskey said. “We have wonderful partner agencies that are committed to feeding hungry people in our community. This collaboration complements those efforts well by giving families a unique, seasonal opportunity to choose their favorite produce items.

“We are happy to connect families to local producers, and we thank the Hancock County Farmers’ Market and county government officials for their partnership.”

The Hancock County Farmers’ Market is open every Thursday from 4-6 p.m. through the end of October at 200 W. Main Cross St. in downtown Findlay. Visit the Welcome canopy with your Ohio Direction card to get started using your SNAP benefits at the market.

Additional market programs include:

• Senior Nutrition Program: Vouchers are distributed to senior citizens by the local Agency on Aging. These state funds can be spent at grocery stores or the farmers’ market, and can be used on items similar to those for the SNAP program.
• POP Stars (Power of Produce): Kids ages 4-15 can sign up to receive $4 in tokens each week throughout the summer at the farmers’ market, to be spent on produce. This program, made possible through a partnership with Blanchard Valley Health System, is designed to encourage youth in food exploration and to build healthy habits.
• Third Thursdays: In addition to the traditional farmers’ market vendors, Third Thursdays include booths from service organizations, charities and community groups, along with performing artists and live cooking demonstrations.

(From the Hancock Historical Museum)

Community members are invited to shop the Hancock Historical Museum’s Book Sale taking place on the front porch of the historic Hull House on June 6 – 8.

Enjoy food from local vendors each day while browsing a variety of reference books and other historical works available for suggested donations of $10 or less.

“We have a variety of books that are not part of our collections and do not fit our collections policy, encompassing topics from history and law, to maps and many others,” said Sarah Foltz, Executive Director of the Hancock Historical Museum.

“We figured a fun book sale would be perfect to free up much needed storage space, and ensure each book makes it in the hands and on shelves of those who will care for them most.”

Book Sale Hours

10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Thursday, June 6 Featuring Pull Up & Grill Food Truck (11 a.m. – 1 p.m.)

10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Friday, June 7 Featuring King’s Concessions Food Truck (11 a.m. – 1 p.m.)

9 a.m. – 12 p.m. Saturday, June 8 Featuring Bluffton Baking Co. Gourmet Cookies & Coffee (9 a.m. – 12 p.m.)

All proceeds from the book sale will go directly toward the museum’s annual operations.

In addition to the book sale, the museum’s gift shop offers a variety of local history and children’s books.

The gift shop is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday – Friday and 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday.

For more information about the event or the Hancock Historical Museum, visit Hancockhistoricalmuseum.org or call 419-423-4433.

(From the Hancock County Solid Waste Management District)

The Hancock County Commissioners, with the cooperation and approval of the Hancock County Solid Waste Management District have contracted with a 3rd party service provider, Rumpke of Ohio, Inc., to provide new collection bins and collection services that will replace the existing units throughout the County.

The current 40 yd blue pre-sorted recycling units will be removed and replaced with single stream 8-cyd collection bins. These new collection bins do not require the public to separate the materials for donation and will be serviced by the contractor.

The Hancock County Solid Waste Management District will still oversee the program and we are confident that these units will be serviced timely and regularly by Rumpke, reducing the onsite debris and contamination.

This change in service will be a benefit to our community as well as an improvement to Hancock County residents’ ability to use the collection bins at any time or times that they choose.

We are attempting to coordinate the removal of the old bins with the delivery of the new bins at all locations that have been available in the past, though these efforts may not be seamless at every site.

We are asking for your patience and understanding during this program transition. There may be delays or short interruptions in your ability to recycle at remote locations however recycling units will be available at all customary locations within a few days of removal of the old bins, at most.

Please be patient as we work together to improve the servicing of your recycling needs. The transition of units may take a few days, however remote recycling will be continuing.

With your continued support, we believe this recycling opportunity will make the recycling process easier and simpler for the public, promote the growth of the local recycling efforts, and further efforts to protect our environment.

In the midst of this transition period, please do not leave your recyclables on the ground in the absence of a collection unit.

If you encounter no bins at any of the usual remote recycling locations, the Litter Landing Facility, 1720 E. Sandusky Street, Findlay, has updated Rumpke bins in place to collect your materials during the transition.

Or, you can just wait a few days for the delivery of new bins to the site you are used to using.

Finally, please be aware that a county-owned empty lot at the northwest corner of East Main Cross Street and South Blanchard Street is being used for the storage of the old collection bins before they are disposed of. This is not a new collection site. Please refrain from leaving your recycling at this location, either in or out of the bins.

Again, thank you in advance for your patience and understanding during this transition. We look forward to continually working with you to provide recycling opportunities for our neighbors.

(ONN) – Oil and gas exploration and development continues in Ohio’s state parks.

A 2023 law requires the Ohio Department of Natural Resources to allow fracking for natural gas in Ohio’s public land and state parks.

Fracking is the process of injecting liquid into the ground a high pressure to extract gas and oil.

A request has been made to the state to open an additional 2,300 acres under Salt Fork State Park in Guernsey County for drilling.

Earlier this year, Infinity Natural Resources of Virginia acquired drilling rights there for $59 million plus a portion of royalties.

The state can, in fact, now offer these opportunities to the highest bidders.

There are 75 state parks in Ohio.

(From the City of Findlay)

On Thursday, June 6, 2024, from 7am-5pm, a sanitary sewer is scheduled to be repaired near the intersection of Walnut Street and Crystal Avenue.

This will close Walnut Street from North Main Street to Taylor Street and Crystal Avenue from Walnut Street to Pine Avenue.

Motorists are advised to avoid this area.

(From the Hancock Historical Museum)

Families are invited to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Flag City USA from 1 – 4 p.m. Sunday, June 9 at the Hancock Historical Museum.

This family-friendly event is free to the public as part of The Community Foundation’s Fun for All series of free community events.

While exploring the museum, attendees will learn about why Findlay was named Flag City, how the community has celebrated over the years, and enjoy a variety of patriotic activities, including:

– New exhibit featuring 50 years of Flag City USA

– Free red, white and blue snow cones from Kona Ice

– Learn proper flag etiquette and disposal with Dan Haas at 2:15 p.m.

– Meet American Founding Father and Hancock County’s namesake, John Hancock, presented by Tom Davis

– Mobile Mazza Museum exhibit featuring patriotic children’s book illustrations

– Children will go home with a free children’s book while supplies last

Community members are encouraged to bring any American flags that are damaged or no longer in use which for an official retirement ceremony to take place at a later date by The Disabled American Veterans (DAV).

“It’s important to celebrate milestone events such as 50 years of Flag City USA and reflect on the accomplishments throughout our community over the years”, said Sarah Foltz, Executive Director of the Hancock Historical Museum.

“With the support of The Community Foundation’s Fun for All Series, we are able to present this educational, familyfun day completely free of charge.”

No registration necessary. For more information about the Hancock Historical Museum or upcoming events, visit Hancockhistoricalmuseum.org or call 419-423-4433.

Longtime Findlay City Schools employee Kevin Manley is resigning from the school district.

Manley had been with FCS for 32 years and taught vocal music and was the director of Findlay First Edition.

His resignation from Findlay City Schools will be effective August 9^th.

“His level of talent and expertise at what he does is going to be deeply missed,” said Superintendent Dr. Andy Hatton.

“We are known widely across the state as having some of the best choirs in the state and the best show choir in the state, so we certainly want to thank him for his years of dedication to Findlay City Schools.”

Arlington Local School has confirmed to WFIN that Manley will be teaching vocal music for them in the 2024-25 school year.

In November, Findlay City Schools announced that a third-party investigator would be conducting an investigation into reports regarding student behavior and the culture of the Findlay First Edition program.

FFE Director Kevin Manley was placed on administrative leave at the end of November and returned to his teaching position on December 21^st.

The investigation was finished in January and Manley returned to his FFE directing duties.

Dr. Hatton released the following statement at that time. 

The investigation has come to a conclusion, and Mr. Manley resumed his directing duties of FFE this week. After going over the findings of the investigation together, Mr. Manley took accountability for aspects that fell within his purview as director, and the current administration shares in a collective responsibility to support him in addressing cultural issues within the program. Mr. Manley and FHS administration together will be addressing student misconduct. 

FFE is a treasured program that is rich in talent and on stage excellence. Mr. Manley’s return signals just one of many steps in asserting FFE as a show choir that we can be proud of both on and off stage during the upcoming competition season and for years to come.

(From the Tiffin Police Department)

For the third year in a row, the Tiffin Police Department has earned the Gold Standard Award from Lexipol!

Lexipol, the nation’s top content, policy, and training platform for public safety agencies, provides us with policy management, risk and policy development, online training, and wellness services.

Thanks to the dedicated efforts of our officers in staying up-to-date with policy reading, acknowledging updates, and participating in online training and testing, we’ve been recognized by the Lexipol Connect program.

This program tracks our performance on five critical metrics, ensuring our officers are well-prepared to apply policies in real-world settings.

Good policy and consistent training are essential for delivering quality service to our community. We’re incredibly proud to receive this recognition and remain committed to improving professionalism and safety every day.

Chief Pauly

Findlay Mayor Christina Muryn issued a proclamation declaring June 2024, as LGBTQ+ Pride Month in Findlay, and calling upon all citizens to eliminate prejudice everywhere it exists and to celebrate the great diversity of the American people.

LGBTQ+ Spectrum of Findlay held its Findlay Pride event last weekend.

You can read the mayor’s full proclamation below.

(From Dr. Bill Kose with Blanchard Valley Health System)

With the start of summer, many of us are encountering more people at barbecues, outdoor festivals, and other activities. After the winter season when people tend to isolate more, it’s so enjoyable to see spring turn into summer and a more social time of year.

When we are around other people, there’s a higher likelihood that we might encounter some emergency. So, the start of summer is also an excellent time to discuss being prepared.

Learning cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and first aid ensures you will be better equipped to handle a medical emergency, whether the person affected is a family member, friend, or stranger. Many people get CPR certified and never have to use their training – but if you do, you will be glad you have it.

With CPR training, laypeople can help save lives by caring for the person until an ambulance arrives. The more time that passes without such care, the worse the outcome will likely be.

The training will help you recognize when you need to intervene. It may also help you stay calm in an emergency because you will know what to do and how to recognize symptoms.

It’s also a good idea to learn to use an automated external defibrillator (AED). These are more prevalent than ever at schools, businesses, churches, and other places where people gather. If someone suffers a cardiac arrest, their likelihood of surviving increases when there’s an AED nearby and people who know how to use it.

People may hesitate when it comes time to act, afraid of doing the wrong thing. However, Good Samaritan laws protect individuals who are acting in good faith.

If it has been some time since you took a class, please refresh your knowledge. The curriculum changes over time, as data indicates what is most effective. For example, the standard CPR training now uses only compressions, without the breathing that was a part of the class before.

Today, more people in more situations routinely get trained, including not only employees working in certain jobs but even many high schoolers. However, we would encourage people who aren’t required to get this training for work to do so on their own. The more of us who are prepared, the higher the likelihood that someone on the scene can step in during any particular emergency.

People who live or regularly spend time out in the country may especially want to consider getting trained, simply because they are further from a hospital. If ordinary citizens in rural areas can care for one another until the EMTs can take the patient to a hospital, outcomes are likely to be better.

Residents of rural areas may also encounter different types of emergencies than those living in a city like Findlay, such as farming-related injuries.

In addition to CPR, getting trained in basic first aid can also be helpful. Learning the Heimlich maneuver to help someone who is choking just could come in handy at a restaurant.

Of course, depending on your situation, it may also help to get educated on outdoor hazards like poison ivy or on how to help someone having an allergic reaction or experiencing anaphylaxis.

Blanchard Valley Health System offers CPR classes to community members. We encourage everyone to take the class. After all, you never know when you might be at a picnic or on a plane and find this training is needed. You could save a life.

William H. Kose, MD, JD

Vice President of Special Projects,

Blanchard Valley Health System