(From the Bluffton Ohio Historical Society)

The Bluffton Ohio Historical Society received the pieces from the John Dillinger jail cell in the old Allen County Jail in Lima.

Dillinger spent four days here in 1933.

We received the bars/door, sink, toilet, wall-mounted desk, chairs, coat hanger/shelf, and a nice old chair from the jail complex – all on permanent loan.

Now to work out funding to display all of this.

Special thanks to Allen County for making this happen.

Dillinger and his gang robbed Citizens National Bank of Bluffton of $2,100 on August 14th, 1933.

The Putnam County Sheriff’s Office is reminding drivers to watch out for children during upcoming Trick-or-Treat events in communities in the county.

The sheriff’s office released a list of Putnam County community Trick-or-Treat dates and times.

Ottawa’s Trick-or-Treat will be on October 23^rd from 6 to 7, and in downtown Ottawa from 7 to 8.

Leipsic’s will be on October 30 from 6 to 7.

Pandora’s will be on October 30 from 6 to 7.

See the full list below provided by the sheriff’s office.

(From the Ohio State Highway Patrol)

The Ohio State Highway Patrol (OSHP) is reminding parents and guardians to have life-saving conversations with their teens about safe driving during National Teen Driver Safety Week, which runs from October 19-25.

Families play a critical role in reinforcing safe driving at home by setting the example, following the rules of the road and spending time driving with their teens. Through this, they can strengthen the lessons taught by troopers and give young drivers the confidence to build lasting safe habits.

“Just like mastering a sport or a musical instrument, safe driving takes practice,” said Governor Mike DeWine. “I encourage parents and guardians to actively coach their teens on safe driving skills and have open and consistent conversations with their kids about the importance of being a responsible driver.”

Like learning any skill, driving takes practice, and according to the Ohio Traffic Safety Office (OTSO), teens are safer drivers when their parents spend more time practicing with them, provide constructive feedback and expose them to varied driving environments.

In Ohio last year, over 37,000 teen drivers were involved in crashes. A teen driver was at-fault in 64 fatal crashes and over 6,700 injury crashes. Many of these incidents were connected to behaviors that can be prevented including speeding, distracted driving, lack of safety belt use and alcohol and drug impaired driving. Of the 44 teen drivers killed in traffic crashes last year, 81% were not wearing an available safety belt.

To help reinforce safe driving habits, the Patrol is encouraging teens to always wear a safety belt, stay focused on the roadway, obey posted speed limits and never drive impaired. Because passengers are a common source of distraction, Ohio law restricts drivers under the age of 18 from having more than one non-family passenger during the first year of a probationary license unless a parent or guardian is present.

“The Patrol is committed to giving young drivers the tools they need to make safe choices,” said Colonel Charles A. Jones, Patrol superintendent. “Through education, we are working to build a strong foundation of safety that will benefit Ohio’s newest drivers for years to come.”

The OSHP is also committed to teen driver safety through our Drive to Live program, which brings troopers into schools to share real-world experiences and education with young drivers. Schools interested in hosting a presentation are encouraged to contact their local Patrol post.

Earlier this year, OTSO introduced new resources on TeachYourTeentoDrive.ohio.gov which are designed to support parents as they coach their teen through the three phases of licensure under Ohio’s Graduated Driver’s License (GDL) law.

A new, free, state-supported mobile app called RoadReady Ohio helps parents log the required 50 hours of driving and make the most of this practice time before teens can obtain their license.

(From the Bluffton Area Chamber of Commerce)

Do you have an artistic eye? Do you appreciate the uniqueness and beauty of Bluffton? If so, this competition is for you!

We’re hosting a year-long photo competition from November 1, 2025, to October 1, 2026, open to everyone in our community. The goal is to capture images from local events, scenery, and moments that showcase what makes Bluffton so special. At the end of the competition, entries will be judged and prizes awarded.

To register (it’s free!) and receive more information, as well as the competition rules and guidelines, please fill out the form below.

https://docs.google.com/…/1FAIpQLSeItBcOWycR34…/viewform

The competition begins November 1st!

**Credit for this beautiful sunset photo: Jamie Nygaard**

(From the City of Findlay)

The City of Findlay is performing numerous construction projects throughout the city. The status of some of the projects is weather and contractor schedule permitting. Listed below are some of the projects and the restrictions that result from the ongoing projects. These restrictions are in effect from October 20, 2025, until further notice.

-Kennison Dr. will be closed to all traffic in sections from Penrose Dr. to Spring Lake Dr. West for a sanitary sewer project.

-Spring Lake Dr. East will be closed to all traffic in sections from TR 80 to Dead End for a sanitary sewer project.

-Traffic delays are expected on the South side of the intersection of TR 77 and TR 80 due to a lateral bore installation.

-Sherry St. will be closed to all traffic from Sixth St. to Pearl St. for a sanitary sewer project.

-SR 568 will be maintained with portable traffic lights from CR 236 to TR 241 for the installation of the Greenway Trail Phase 3.

Please contact the Engineering Department with any questions (419) 424-7121.

Community Trick-or-Treat celebrations aren’t far off – so when is your community celebrating?

Findlay’s Trick-or-Treat will be held on Saturday, October 25 from 6 to 8 p.m.

Arlington’s will be on Thursday, October 30 from 6 to 8.

McComb’s will be on Friday, October 31 from 6 to 7.

See the full list of Hancock County Trick-or-Treat dates and times below compiled by Visit Findlay.

And, of course, the 2025 Cops & Kids Findlay Halloween Parade will be held on Tuesday, October 21 beginning at 7 p.m.

The parade will head north on South Main Street from Sixth Street/Lake Cascades Parkway to Lima Street.

(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 the Big Ten Conference)

Terry Wymer, Executive Director of Collegiate Officiating Consortium (COC MBB2) and Coordinator of Officials for the Big Ten and Mountain West Conferences, passed away on Saturday, October 18 at the age of 66.

“It is with heavy hearts that we share the passing of our dear colleague and friend, Terry Wymer, the executive director of the Collegiate Officiating Consortium,” read a statement from the Collegiate Officiating Consortium. “Terry’s leadership, integrity, and passion for the game set the standard for all of us.

“Terry brought out the best in those around him—whether mentoring new officials, working with our coaches, or simply sharing a laugh in the locker room. His impact on the officiating community will be felt for years to come, and his absence leaves an unmistakable void in our industry.

“We extend our deepest condolences to his family and loved ones, especially his wife, Teresa, and his children Luke, Eric and Rachel.”

Wymer managed the day-to-day operations of the COC MBB2 and was responsible for recruiting, selecting, developing, evaluating and assigning officials for all men’s basketball games in the Big Ten and overseeing the assignments in the Horizon League, Mid-American Conference, Mountain West Conference, and Summit League.

Wymer spent the majority of his 35-year collegiate officiating career working in the Big Ten along with assignments in the Mid-American Conference, Mid-Continent Conference, Horizon League, Summit League, Big 12, and the SEC.

During his career, Wymer officiated six Big Ten Tournament championship games and 21 straight NCAA Men’s Division I tournaments, advancing to the Regionals 11 times. Wymer also officiated five Final Fours and the National Championship game three times.

A member of the Ohio Basketball and University of Findlay Halls of Fame, Wymer played on Findlay’s 1979 national championship football team and earned three letters on the baseball team.

People gathered in front of the Hancock County Courthouse in Findlay on Saturday for a “No Kings” protest – joining hundreds of other protests across the United States and other countries.

Organizers and participants said the protests are against the overreach of the President and to push back against what they call his authoritarian actions.

In June, people gathered across the country for a “No Kings” protest, and organizers said Saturday’s event was the next piece of a growing, peaceful, and coordinated mobilization.

The Findlay Police Department says a man was arrested after shooting a gun during an altercation at a bar.

The police department said officers responded to Brew U, at 316 North Main Street, a little after 2 a.m. Saturday to investigate a report of shots being fired.

Police said Matthew Copeland, 22, had been involved in an altercation inside the bar that continued into the parking lot.

Police say Copeland retrieved a handgun from a vehicle and fired it several times. Police said no injured individuals were located.

Police said the gun was located and Copeland was taken into custody for using a weapon while intoxicated and discharging a firearm within city limits. 

During their investigation, police said a separate verbal altercation occurred in the parking lot between Richard Warren, 20, a Brew U employee, and Rodney Curry Jr., 24.

Police said Warren was arrested for aggravated disorderly conduct and underage consumption, and Curry Jr. was arrested for failing to disclose his personal information to law enforcement.