(ONN) – Proposed legislation at the Ohio Statehouse could impact parents who are not married.

Two Ohio lawmakers are pushing new legislation called the Right to Know Act.

The bill would require hospitals to offer genetic testing to confirm paternity when a child is born to unwed parents.

Supporters say it would help families build trust and avoid future conflict.

Parents could decline the testing but would have to sign a waiver acknowledging the offer.

House Bill 435 is now before the House Judiciary Committee awaiting a hearing.

(ONN) – Findlay City Schools are looking to bring back some transportation services after voters approved a 1 percent income tax back in the spring.

A series of failed levies forced the district to cut $6 million from its operating budget this year.

That included cutting transportation down to the state minimum.

But now the new tax is allowing the district to start planning enhancements before the money becomes available next year.

Superintendent Dr. Andy Hatton says the next hurdle will be hiring enough bus drivers to make this goal attainable by mid-year.

The current transportation plan for Findlay City Schools has a two-mile walk zone for K-8 students and no busing for high school.

The Putnam County Sheriff’s Office says it’s with heavy hearts that they share the passing of retired Deputy Bruce Meyers.

The sheriff’s office said, even after Bruce retired in 2017, his commitment to the community never wavered as he continued to serve as an Auxiliary Deputy, always giving his time and heart to the badge and the people around him.

“His legacy of service and kindness will never be forgotten,” the sheriff’s office said.

(From the United Way of Hancock County)

United Way of Hancock County is calling on all Difference Makers — the givers, the advocates and the volunteers — to help support our community through its 2025 Annual Campaign.

This year’s campaign kicked off with a community pickleball tournament and continues through mid-November. During this two-month window, the United Way aims to raise $1.8 million to help strengthen local safety net services.

As always, every donation made to the United Way will stay in our community. The money raised during the Annual Campaign will be allocated to the United Way’s local partner agencies and their programming that exists to champion children, promote safety and health, fight hunger, foster financial stability and provide safe housing. These critical services serve 1 in 4 people in Hancock County.

“We love our campaign theme, ‘Difference Makers,’” because that’s exactly what our supporters are to those who are assisted by the life-changing services the United Way helps fund,” said Kelley McClurkin, CEO of United Way of Hancock County.

“Whether you are contributing dollars toward our campaign goal, your time as a volunteer or your voice to speak up for a cause that matters, you are making a difference for a vulnerable child, family or individual in our community. No action is too small to make a difference.”

Campaign season incorporates a variety of activities designed to build corporate enthusiasm, provide volunteer engagement and educate the public on the efforts of local nonprofits. Leading the campaign’s efforts are Kirby Overton, dean of the University of Findlay College of Business; and Kelly Wohlgamuth, coordinator of Gifted and English Learner Services at Findlay City Schools.

“United Way of Hancock County truly is one place to give, many ways to help,” said Overton. “This year, our United Way is supporting 19 local programs that are measurably improving people’s lives.”

“Every dollar you give stays in our community to enable critical services that act as a safety net for those who need them most while empowering vulnerable individuals to thrive,” Wohlgamuth added.

Each year, the United Way assembles a campaign cabinet to serve as the key connection between the organization and its corporate partners. This year’s cabinet members include:

• • Overton and Wohlgamuth, serving as Campaign chairs.

• • Chuck Bills, president of Ohio Logistics, serving as Corporate Division chair.

• • Jeff Young, superintendent of the Hancock County Education Services Center, serving as Education Division chair.

• • Myron Lewis, president and CEO of Blanchard Valley Health System, serving as Health Division chair.

• • Karen Worthington, owner of River + Road, serving as Mercantile Division chair.

• • Sean Abbott, Hancock County Prosecutor; and Jennie Treece of Findlay Brewing Co., serving as Professional Division co-chairs.

• • Jaclynn Hohman, project manager for the City of Findlay, serving as Public Division chair.

• • Josh Slough and Britt Knippen, both of Key Realty, serving as FIRE Division co-chairs.

• • Cathy Schroll, mayor of the Village of McComb, serving as Rural Division chair.

• • Anne Whitman, retired from Premier Bank, serving as Retiree/Independent Division chair.

• • Elizabeth Babcock, supply chain business analyst with Marathon Petroleum Corp., serving as Youth Division chair.

Visit www.uwhancock.org to learn more or to donate to the campaign.

(From Findlay Firefighters Local 381)

There’s a New Badge 1 in Town

With the retirement of Dave Morse, the tradition of passing “Badge 1” or the most senior firefighter continues. This morning at 0745, Dave passed on Badge 1 to Mike Metzker in front of his family, shift, and friends!

While Dave did not hold the honors for long he said it best: “it’s not how long you have the badge, just having it is the honor”.

Mike holds 30 years with the department as well, with the intention of a few more years in the saddle before retiring himself. Congrats Mikey!

The 2025 Cops & Kids Findlay Halloween Parade presented by loanDepot will be held on Tuesday, October 21, beginning at 7 p.m. on South Main Street from Sixth Street/Lake Cascades Parkway to Lima Street. 

This year’s theme is “Be a Hero, Be a Champion.” Parade participants are encouraged to highlight individuals or groups they consider champions and heroes, including community helpers, public figures, or personal role models.

“This parade is about community, creativity, and connection,” said Teresa White, director of the Fort Findlay FOP Lodge #20 Foundation. “We can’t wait to see how participants bring our theme to life.”

In the audio below, Teresa talks about some new additions to the parade this year. 

Early Bird parade registration opened on September 8 and standard registration begins on October 1, and the final deadline to register is midnight on October 14. Entries are open to families, schools, businesses, and organizations. Spots are limited and fill quickly, so early registration is encouraged. Click here to register and for more details.

Proceeds from the parade benefit the Cops & Kids Champion Fund, which supports programs that foster positive relationships between local youth and law enforcement throughout the year.

Follow updates and announcements at facebook.com/FortFindlayFOP.

Findlay’s Trick-or-Treat is scheduled for Saturday, October 25, from 6 to 8 p.m.

Parts of Hancock County are now experiencing extreme drought conditions, according to the latest map from the U.S. Drought Monitor.

Last week, Findlay was in the Severe Drought category, and, despite, the rain we’ve received this week, parts of the area have been bumped up into the Extreme Drought category as overall drought conditions in the region expand. 

The latest map, released on Thursday, September 25, shows that the northern half of Hancock County up into Wood County and the northeast corner of Putnam County, are identified in Extreme Drought, while the southern half of Hancock County is in the Severe Drought category. 

“This week’s rainfall will be too late for many area farmers,” said WTOL-11 Meteorologist John Burchfield. “Unfortunately, it looks like another very dry weather pattern is about to unfold.”

(ONN) – After a 90-day trial, the use of Tasers in Ohio’s prisons is expected to increase.

Ohio’s new prison Taser program is expanding after a trial run at a pair of facilities.

In May, the prison system director asked lawmakers for extra money to put Tasers in every prison.

At the time, the state was only days into testing them at a single facility.

Now, a new report shows what happened during that 90-day trial.

More than 600 staff members were trained with use of force incidents at the prisons dropping by half during that time.

The Findlay Police Department says a driver was issued a citation for striking a bicyclist when making a turn.

It happened in the 2000 block of Park Street at around 6 p.m. on Wednesday.

Police said Martha Powell, 79, of Findlay, was driving northbound on Park Street when she began to turn into a driveway and struck a 30-year-old man from Findlay who was southbound on Park Street on a bicycle.

Police said the man suffered minor injuries.

Police said both the bicycle and the woman’s car sustained disabling damage, and the car was towed from the scene.

Powell was issued a citation for failure to yield.

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.