(From the Wood County Sheriff’s Office)

On November 5, Sheriff Wasylyshyn and the Wood County Sheriff’s Office, will proudly launch I.G.N.I.T.E. (Inmate Growth Naturally and Intentionally Through Education), joining a nationwide initiative developed by Sheriff Christopher Swanson, Genesee County, Michigan, and led by the National Sheriffs’ Association. This initiative transforms lives through education, rehabilitation, and second chances.

The launch in Wood County marks the fourth IGNITE site in Ohio and the 30th nationwide. Ohio now ranks second in the nation for the number of IGNITE program sites, reflecting the state’s growing commitment to expanding education and rehabilitation opportunities in its county jails, making communities safer.

“We are excited to be the fourth IGNITE site in the state. Education plays a crucial role in the rehabilitation of incarcerated individuals. By providing inmates with access to educational programs, they can gain essential skills and knowledge that can enhance their employability upon release.”

IGNITE offers a wide array of educational and personal growth opportunities within the jail. Prospective courses offered include: Skilled Trades Training (including Virtual Reality), Employment Counseling, Financial Literacy, ServSafe Certifications, Parenting Classes, Religious and Counseling Services, and more.

This merit-based initiative incentivizes positive behavior and engagement while connecting participants to vital resources upon release. Backed by researchers from Harvard University, Brown University, and the University of Michigan, the program has been shown to reduce recidivism, improve post-release employment, and foster a more positive environment within jails.

“Ultimately, investing in education for inmates not only benefits the individuals themselves, but also contributes to safer communities by reducing recidivism rates.”

The Sheriff’s Office is seeking community partners, volunteers, and sponsors to expand educational and workforce training offerings. Those interested in supporting this transformative effort are encouraged to contact Lt. Jamison Martinez at jlmartinez@woodcountyohio.gov or Lt. Brittany Brown at bbrown@woodcountyohio.gov.

The Salvation Army Findlay Corps is seeking bell ringers for its annual Red Kettle Campaign.

Majors Michael and Diana Morales were on with WFIN’s Chris Oaks to discuss how to volunteer to ring a bell and how the money raised helps the community.

As Major Morales mentioned in the audio above, the Red Kettle Campaign begins on November 7 and goes to Christmas Eve.

He said, last year, their Red Kettle Campaign brought in an all-time record of more than $100,000, and they’re hoping to reach or surpass that number this year.

Money raised from the campaign goes to cover the cost of food and toys for those looking for assistance and also helps them maintain other programs throughout the year, such as the soup kitchen, food pantry, and youth and music programs.  

You can sign up to ring a bell at registertoring.com.

 (From the Ohio Department of Transportation)

The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) District 1, in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and Executive Order 11988, is seeking public comments regarding the following proposed projects:

HANCOCK COUNTY

State Route 12 culvert replacement (PID: 123579) – ODOT is proposing to replace the culvert carrying Rocky Ford under State Route 12 between the city of Findlay and village of Arcadia.

Construction activities will result in temporary roadway closures. Vehicular traffic will be detoured. Access to all properties will be maintained throughout construction.

Construction is anticipated to begin in the summer of 2028.

Additional information about the project can be found on the project website:

https://www.transportation.ohio.gov/projects/projects/123579

(From the Findlay Airport)

Guess who is coming to the Findlay Airport on December 20th from 9am until noon?

If you guessed Santa and his elves, you are correct!!!

There will be plenty of signage directing you towards the big man himself.

Bring your wish list and your best smile to share with Santa and snap a few pictures while you’re here!

(From the Hancock County Veterans Service Office)

In advance of the upcoming Veterans Day Holiday, The Hancock County Veterans Service Office invites you to illuminate office buildings, government buildings, retail establishments and more green from November 4 – 11 as part of Operation Green Light for Veterans, a nationwide effort uniting communities to support military veterans and their families.

The initiative, led by the National Association of Counties and National Association of County Veterans Service Officers, raises awareness around the unique challenges faced by many veterans and the resources available at the county, state and federal levels to assist veterans and their families.

According to Nicole Jackson with the Hancock County Veterans’s Service Office, “Operation Green Light reminds us that our community’s strength comes from those who have served and sacrificed for our freedom. Lighting Hancock County in green is a small gesture with a big message, we stand united in support of our veterans and their families.”

In addition to lighting buildings, bridges and other meaningful landmarks, residents, businesses and other organizations are encouraged to participate by simply changing one light bulb inside or outside their home to a green bulb. By shining a green light, we let our veterans know they are seen, appreciated and supported and we open up the conversation about the needs of veterans in our community.

We encourage everyone to show your support on social media by using the hashtag #operationgreenlight #hancockveterans

(From the City of Findlay)

The City of Findlay will be picking up leaves from November 17, 2025, through December 5, 2025. City employees will collect leaves that have been placed in biodegradable PAPER bags at the curb. Plastic bags and loose leaves will not be picked up. Bagged leaves are to be placed by the curb.

Limbs that are placed beside the bagged leaves will also be picked up. The limbs will be picked up at a separate time from the leaves.

Crews will start picking up leaves on November 17, 2025. Crews will make several rounds throughout the whole City through December 5, 2025. There is no specific schedule by location.

Biodegradable bags are readily available at local hardware, building supply, and some grocery stores.

Raking leaves into the street has many negative aspects. Leaf piles in the street can be a dangerous temptation to children who like to play in the piles and in many areas reduce the traffic to one lane or cause drivers to drive around the piles into oncoming traffic. Piled leaves tend to wash into and clog storm sewers, causing maintenance issues and potential localized flooding during storm events. Residents who blow or rake leaves onto City streets are in violation of long-standing City Codified Ordinance 311.01(d). Complaints should be forwarded to the Police Department.

City residents may continue to drop leaves at the green waste site located at 330 North Cory Street at no charge.

The current hours for the site are Tuesday through Friday 2pm-7pm and Saturday 8am-1pm, closed Sunday and Monday.

Beginning November 4, 2025, hours for the site will be Tuesday through Friday 1pm-6pm and Saturday 8am-1pm, closed Sunday and Monday. Beginning November 15, 2025, Saturday hours will be 8am-4pm.

Holiday hours for the green waste site:

Open: Veterans Day – November 11, 2025

Closed: Thanksgiving Day – November 27, 2025

Open: November 28, 2025, and November 29, 2025.

The last day for the green waste site will be December 6, 2025.

The green waste site is intended for residential use only. No contractors are permitted to use this site. Only tree trimmings, brush, leaves, and grass clippings can be dumped in designated areas at the site.

(From the Ohio Department of Transportation)

In an effort to reduce serious and deadly crashes, the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) will join several other state transportation departments to mark Buckle Up Phone Down Day on Wednesday, October 29. This national effort aims to bring attention to two of the most common factors in deadly crashes each year.

“Drivers can protect themselves and those nearby by simply wearing a seatbelt and putting away their phones,” said Governor Mike DeWine. “These small actions make a big difference because they vastly increase the odds of surviving a crash or preventing one in the first place.”

Ohio has recorded a steady decline in overall traffic deaths over the last three years, but too many people continue to die on Ohio roadways.

“Our mission is to save lives. Buckling up and putting your phone down are not suggestions, they are life-saving commitments,” said ODOT Director Pamela Boratyn. “When you get behind the wheel, your sole purpose is to make safe choices that ensure you and everyone else on the road make it home safely.”

Buckle Up
According to the Ohio Department of Public Safety and Ohio Traffic Safety Office, a 2024 survey showed the state’s seat belt compliance rate was only 85.2%, below the national average of 91.2%.

Last year, 64% of people killed in Ohio traffic crashes were not wearing a seatbelt when one was available – the fifth straight year that rate was over 60%.

In July, Governor DeWine and Lieutenant Governor Jim Tressel announced a new safety campaign to raise awareness about how vehicle occupants who fail to buckle up threaten the safety of others traveling with them.

You can learn more about Ohio’s efforts to increase buckle up rates at buckleup.ohio.gov.

Phone Down
In Ohio, it is illegal to use or hold a cell phone or electronic device in your hand, lap, or other parts of the body while driving on Ohio roads. If an officer sees a violation, they can pull you over.

Since Ohio strengthened distracted driving laws in 2023, the number of crashes and fatalities have steadily declined. In 2022, there were 10,280 crashes with 35 deaths tied to distracted driving. Last year, there were 8,570 crashes with 27 deaths in crashes where distraction was a factor. So far this year, there have been 6,508 crashes and 21 deaths. Distracted driving crashes are under-reported as it is difficult to prove distraction in many crashes.

You can learn more about Ohio’s effort to combat distracted driving at phonesdown.ohio.gov.

History of Buckle Up Phone Down Day
Buckle Up — Phone Down Day is a cooperative safety observance promoted by transportation and safety agencies across the U.S. The challenge asks drivers to commit to two straightforward actions: buckle every occupant in the vehicle and put phones away while driving. The program is supported by state departments of transportation, highway safety offices, and law enforcement partners who use the day to amplify public education and enforcement messages encouraging safer behavior behind the wheel.

The Buckle Up Phone Down concept was launched in 2017 by the Missouri Department of Transportation. MoDOT took the message on the road across the state urging people to sign a pledge to take both important actions for every trip. To date, more than 56,000 individual pledges and 760 business pledges have been signed in Missouri. More than a dozen other states, including Ohio, have joined the national effort.

(From the City of Findlay)

Beginning at 7 a.m. on Wednesday, October 29, 2025, Columbia Gas will conduct gas line repairs in the intersection of North Main St. and East/West Bigelow St.

During the repair work, traffic signals at the intersection will be set to red, and flaggers will direct traffic through the area.

Motorists should expect delays and are encouraged to use alternate routes if possible.

Updates will be provided as additional information and scheduling details become available.

The General Election will be held on November 4^th.

In Findlay, four candidates are running for three At-Large seats on Findlay City Council.

The candidates are Jenny Fall, a Democrat, and Heather Kensinger, Reed Needles, and Brad Wagner, all Republicans.

There are a few other contested city council races in Findlay.

In the Third Ward, the race is between Democrat Shaun Mason and Republican Carol Smith.

The Fourth Ward race is between Republican Dan DeArment and write-in challenger Sarah Jo Pugh.

In the Fifth Ward, the race is between Republican Brian Bauman and Kevin Cullen.

Nichole Coleman, a Republican, will become the First Ward representative after defeating incumbent Holly Frische in the primary and going unchallenged in the General Election.

In the Second Ward, BJ Preston, a Republican, is running uncontested.

In the Sixth Ward, Rodney Phillips, a Republican, is running uncontested.

In the Seventh Ward, Danny Delong, a Republican, is running uncontested.

Findlay City Schools has four people running for two spots on the school board.

They are Kaleb Brankamp, Matt Cooper, Katie Hite, and Jack Winans.

As far as issues on the General Election ballot, Liberty-Benton Local Schools has a tax levy on the ballot that would substitute for two existing levies. 

Among the candidates and issues in Putnam County, four people are running for three seats on city council, and Ottawa-Glandorf Local Schools has a tax levy renewal on the ballot.

See more candidates and issues in Hancock County by clicking here, and for Putnam County click here.

Polls will be open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, November 4.

(From Liberty-Benton Local Schools)

Liberty-Benton Local Schools proudly recognized 26 students in Grades 3–12 for earning Perfect Scores on their Spring 2025 state tests!

Special shoutouts to:

-Ian Billmaier & Jonah Todd – Perfect Scores in both Algebra 1 & 8th Grade Science

-Caroline Smith, Cohen Austermiller, Bryson Collert & Grayson Karhoff – 2nd year of perfect scores

-Isaac Koenig – 3 years in a row with perfect scores

-Jonah Todd, Arthur Gottardi-Lopes & Jonathan Coldren – 4-year repeat perfect score achievers!

“These students are breathing rare air,” said Superintendent Otley.

“They represent the top 1% of test-takers.”