McDonald’s, WFIN , WKXA and 106.3 The Fox are joining with area organizations again this year to “Stuff The Bus” with school supplies for local school children in need.

People are invited to stop by McDonald’s at 1921 Tiffin Avenue in Findlay during designated hours and donate.

Monetary donations are also accepted.

The hours are Thursday and Friday, July 24 and 25 from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Saturday, July 26 from 10 a.m. to noon.

“Stuff the Bus” is Hosted by Christian Clearing House.

Supplies List:

These lists are intended to give you an idea of the type of supplies needed. Items donated will be distributed according to need for school children throughout Findlay, Hancock County, and the local area.

• • Backpacks

• • Markers (thick and thin)

• • Crayons

• • Highlighters

• • Dry erase markers

• • Colored pencils

• • Sharpies

• • Pens

• • Pencils

• • Calculators T-1-30-X11S

• • Pencil boxes/bags

• • Paper (wide and college rule)

• • Binders

• • Spiral notebooks

• • Flash drives

• • Ear buds/headphones

• • Erasers

• • Hand sanitizer

• • Tissues

• • Zip lock bags

• • Paints

• • Glue sticks
•  
  • Wipes

(From the American Red Cross of Northern Ohio)

The American Red Cross of North Central Ohio will recognize and pay tribute to members of the community who have shown extraordinary courage by saving or improving the lives of others at the 2025 Hero Awards of North Central Ohio. The organization will also present the Clara Ayres Award for Extraordinary Service to a member or members of the medical profession who helped in a time of crisis.

Residents of Hancock, Putnam, Seneca, Wyandot, Erie, Huron, and Lorain Counties are invited to nominate a hero or heroes who have responded to life’s challenges with a true humanitarian spirit, mirroring the values that motivate and inspire the work of the Red Cross.

A hero could be someone who entered a burning home to alert a family, a neighbor who performed CPR on a total stranger, or a passerby who pulled a drowning child to safety. To nominate a hero, visit RedCross.org/NOHheroes. All nominations will be reviewed by a selection committee and must be submitted by Aug. 13, 2025. The heroic act must have occurred in one of the counties listed above between Jan. 1, 2025 and Aug. 1, 2025.

Those who are chosen will be honored at a special event at the Hilton Garden Inn Findlay on Oct. 22, 2025 at noon. The Red Cross thanks the Hilton Garden Inn for donating their space for this inspiring event. To purchase tickets for the event, visit heroesnc.givesmart.com or contact Todd James, Executive Director at Todd.James@redcross.org.

(From the Findlay-Hancock County Public Library)

On Tuesday, July 29 beginning at 5 p.m. in the Lindamood Room, upcoming ninth graders can join us for High School 101, led by Mr. Don Williams, Assistant Principal at Findlay High School.

Mr. Williams will talk about what to expect and how to prepare for high school.

The Family Resource Center will also be on hand to lead us through local programs, activities and resources to help support your high school journey.

The second part of the program will be led by Officer White from the Findlay Police Department.

Officer White will talk about bike safety and your best route to school.

A representative from Further Bikes will join us for this portion of the presentation to share biking and maintenance tips.

(From the Hancock County Veterans Service Office)

The Hancock County Veterans Service Office is proud to host the 7th annual Operation Back to School supplies distribution for children of veterans (or grandchildren living with and being raised by veteran grandparents).

If your child attends school in Hancock County, you may qualify to receive a FREE school supply package to help kick off the school year! While this kit won’t cover every item, it will give families a helpful start before Ohio’s tax-free weekend.

Pick-Up Options:

Monday, July 28 through Friday, August 1

9:00 AM to 4:00 PM

Veterans Service Office — 1100 East Main Cross, Findlay

Saturday, August 2

10:00 AM to 2:00 PM

At the Veterans Empowerment Summer Fair — Owens, Findlay Campus

What to Bring:

DD-214 or valid DoD, VA, or state-issued Veterans ID card

Let us help your family start the school year strong!

(WTOL-11) – After three teens were shot in a Fremont park last week, officials are doing what they can to let people know safety is paramount.

Fremont city leaders reached out to Tiffin University’s Drone Academy.

They are partnering with the school to use drones to better survey the community with a birdseye view.

Bruce Chambers is the assistant director of the academy at Tiffin University and he said the drones have helped counties and other cities find suspects and missing people.

The city is expected to see drones in the air as early as this week.

(By Sheri Trusty, Seneca County Sheriff’s Office Public Relations Coordinator)

Seneca County Sheriff Fredrick Stevens, Evidence and Billing Clerk Kacie Parrish, and other Sheriff’s Office staff spent much of Tuesday, July 22, at the Seneca County Fair connecting with local residents, patrolling the grounds, and passing out stickers and small toys to kids. Those connections help the public see the Sheriff’s Office staff for who they are – caring, compassionate law enforcement personnel who want nothing more than to keep the public safe.

Some people get frustrated by traffic tickets because they feel they are being punished for what they perceive as a small offence. But road deputies with the Seneca County Sheriff’s Office frequently respond to tragic automobile accidents and have seen firsthand how high speeds, distracted driving, and failing to wear seatbelts can mean the difference between minor injury and death.

For them, a ticket isn’t a punishment. It’s a reminder to motorists to do the little things that help them get home safely to their families each night.

On Tuesday, Deputy Christopher Potter visited the Seneca County Fair to remind fairgoers about traffic safety. He set up a stand outside the Sheriff’s building and talked to adults and kids about being safe in the car.

Deputy Potter’s project was made possible by an Ohio Traffic Safety Office grant which funded 24 hours of traffic safety education.

“It’s to promote traffic safety, and what better place than the Seneca County Fair?” he said.

Deputy Potter was focusing on the importance of wearing seatbelts. He gave bottles of bubbles and posters to kids who stopped by to hear his safety talk.

“It’s hard to get an adult to put a seatbelt on, but when a kid tells their parent to put it on, they will,” Deputy Potter said. “If we can get to the kids, they’ll pass it along to the parents.”

His talks helped kids understand the importance of wearing a seatbelt.

“It keeps you safe in a car crash,” said eight-year-old Riley King.

Eight-year-old Chelsea Glick thought of another reason she wants to always wear a seatbelt.

“You could fall out,” she said.

The kids that stopped by the booth had fun listening to Deputy Potter’s speech on traffic safety, especially nine-year-old Vaness Glick.

“He’s funny,” Vanessa said.

Findlay and Hancock County are included in a Heat Advisory issued by the National Weather Service.

The Heat Advisory goes from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursday.

Heat index values of above 100 degrees are expected.

Hot temperatures and high humidity may cause heat illnesses.

Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors.

Take extra precautions when outside. Wear lightweight and loose fitting clothing.

Try to limit strenuous activities to early morning or evening.

Take action when you see symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

Get the latest forecast and weather alerts by clicking here.

(From Liberty-Benton Local Schools)

Our Alumni Spotlight series shines a light on the incredible paths of Liberty-Benton graduates!

From chasing dreams to giving back, our Eagles are soaring beyond the nest. We’re proud to highlight their accomplishments with the LB community.

Have a story to share?

Let us know! https://www.liberty-benton.org/alumni

(From the Findlay-Hancock County Public Library)

The Findlay-Hancock County Public Library will host its 10th annual local author fair (“Author Fest“) on Friday, November 7, 2025 from 5:30pm-8pm in conjunction with Findlay’s Fall ArtWalk. The purpose of this fair is to give Northwest Ohio area authors (and/or illustrators) a chance to share their work with the community. Each author will be provided with one table (approximately 4ft x 2ft) for the presentation and sale of their books. Authors wishing to sell their books to the public must handle all aspects of sales as the library will not be able to provide change.

Application deadline: October 1st, 2025

Please note that application does not ensure acceptance. Books and authors will be accepted at the discretion of FHCPL staff. Authors will be notified of acceptance via email. If accepted, you will be asked to submit an author headshot for marketing purposes. Paper applications are also available at the FHCPL information desk. If you have further questions, you may contact Melody at mflick@findlaylibrary.org or 419-422-0576.

(From the University of Findlay)

University of Findlay Executive Vice President of Academic Affairs, Darin Fields, PhD, has announced plans to step down from his position effective August 1. Fields will remain at the University, joining the English, philosophy, and religious studies department as a professor of English and working in the Institutional Research Office on university-wide initiatives, including academic program review.  

Fields began at University of Findlay as vice president of academic affairs in July 2013. In 2022, he was named executive vice president of academic affairs. Under Fields’ leadership, the university expanded its academic portfolio, adding doctoral programs in occupational therapy and school psychology, master’s degrees in applied security and analytics and professional communication as well as a Bachelor of Science in nursing and an online PharmD pathway.  

During Fields’ tenure, Findlay completed two successful Higher Learning Commission (HLC) reaffirmation reviews and achieved Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) accreditation for the College of Business. Fields helped guide University of Findlay through a comprehensive general education revision and provided key leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic.  

“It has been an extraordinary privilege to serve as VPAA for these past 12 years,” said Fields. “I have cherished the opportunity to lead this amazing faculty and to work with many exceptional executive colleagues. I look forward to returning to the classroom while continuing to utilize my academic leadership experience to serve the University as needed.” 

Prior to coming to Findlay, Fields served as the vice president for academic affairs, dean of the faculty, and Sarah B. Cochran Professor of English at Bethany College in West Virginia.  

Christine Denecker, PhD will step into the role of interim vice president of academic affairs, beginning August 1. Denecker currently serves as associate vice president for learning and innovation and director of University of Findlay’s Center for Teaching Excellence. Denecker also oversees Findlay’s College Credit Plus program (CCP), which, under her leadership, has grown into the largest private concurrent enrollment program in Ohio with more than 2,500 students from across the state.  

A life-long native of northwest Ohio, Denecker joined University of Findlay in 2003 as an English instructor. In her twenty-two years at UF, she earned the rank of professor, taught undergraduate and graduate courses in English and education, served as department chair, guided campus assessment efforts, helped foster the culture of teaching and learning by crafting and facilitating in-house professional development, and contributed to general education reform. Most recently, she was the project lead for the proposed merger between University of Findlay and Bluffton University.  

“University of Findlay has been blessed with exceptional leaders. I am grateful for Fields’ many accomplishments and look forward to working with Denecker as she enters this new role,” said Katherine Fell,  PhD, president of University of Findlay. “UF is beginning a new era but remains committed to our historical mission to prepare students for meaningful lives and productive careers.”