Findlay’s annual Memorial Day Parade will be held on Monday, May 26.

Bill Johns, President of the Hancock County Veterans Council, hopes to see everyone there.

Bill says the Bridge Ceremony on the Main Street Bridge will happen at 9 a.m. as wreaths will be placed in the Blanchard River in memory of the area’s fallen Veterans.

And then the parade will start at 10 in front of the American Legion on West Front Street.

The parade will make its way to Maple Grove Cemetery where a service will be held at the War Memorial.

Bill says anyone else who wants to participate in the parade is welcome to show up Monday morning and he’ll find a spot for them.

People can also contact Bill at 419-721-7275 with any questions.

(From the Findlay Police Department)

The Findlay Police Department is participating in the Click It or Ticket campaign from May 19 through June 1, 2025.

Click It or Ticket is a national high-visibility enforcement campaign focusing specifically on the consequences of not wearing a seat belt while urging riders to always buckle up.

Material created for this campaign highlights law enforcement’s goal of encouraging drivers and passengers to wear seat belts and to spread awareness about the increased police presence on our nation’s roads during this period.

No matter what type of vehicle you drive, one of the safest choices drivers and passengers can make is to buckle up.

This is a reminder to all drivers and their passengers of the importance of buckling up and the legal consequences – including fines – for not wearing a seat belt.

(From the Hancock County Veterans Service Office)

The Hancock County Veterans Service Office is seeking corporate sponsors, individual donors, and volunteers for the 2025 Flag City Community Vet Fest. 

Those interested should contact Ed Newton at the Hancock County Veterans Service Office by calling 419-424-7036 or at hancockveterans.com. There are more details in the flyer below.

Flag City Community Vet Fest, a production of the Hancock County Veterans Service Office presented by Rate will be happening Saturday, June 14th on Broadway St. in downtown Findlay.

The date is significant not just because it is Flag Day, but it is also the Army’s 250th birthday. It will give us an opportunity to recognize local veterans as well as veteran owned businesses and veteran friendly employers right in Hancock County.

The event is a music festival that will celebrate our veterans. Join us for delicious food from area food trucks, thirst quenching beverages, fun souvenirs, music that will make you get up and dance and the chance to give back to our veterans and our community.

The doors open at 3pm and the event ends at 11pm with a closing and flag lowering ceremony. Music begins at 4pm and will feature 3 bands – Truck Stop Manners, 100 Proof and First to Eleven.

“Vet Fest is about bringing people together. It’s a chance for veterans to connect with each other, but also to say thank you to the community for all the support they’ve shown us over the years,” expressed Ed Newton, Hancock County Veterans Service Office Resiliency Operations Manager. “It goes both ways—we’re honoring those who served, and also recognizing how much it means to have a community that stands behind us. At the end of the day, it’s about connection, gratitude, and having a good time with good people.”

Money raised from the event will benefit Wreaths Across America, veteran housing initiatives and local food pantries. In addition, there will a collection of new toys, still in packaging for our community.

According to Andy Sterling, VetFest Committee Member “Celebrating our local veterans is the best way to show our support. The passion and planning that has gone into this event is sure to highlight the pride Flag City and Hancock County has in our veteran residents”

Sponsorship opportunities are still available at many different levels.

Those interested should contact Ed Newton at the Hancock County Veterans Service Office by calling 419-424-7036 or at hancockveterans.com.

The Hancock County Sheriff’s Office is warning residents of a jury duty scam from someone claiming to be with the sheriff’s office. 

The scammer calls people saying they’ve missed jury duty and requests personal information.

In some cases, the caller ID may even show the sheriff’s office number, making the scam appear legitimate.

The sheriff’s office reiterates that it will never call people and demand payment or threaten arrest over missed jury duty.

Get more details in the post below from the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office.

(From Liberty-Benton Local Schools)

Miss Haas’s third-graders went back in time with a visit to the Little Red Schoolhouse!

From sewing copy books and writing with ink and quill pens to playing historic games like “Graces” and walking on stilts, it was a fun-filled day of 1800s-style learning!

(From the Findlay-Hancock County Public Library)

Each year, the Findlay-Hancock County Public Library joins libraries across the state in hosting SummerREAD, a program that encourages readers of all ages to keep reading all summer long. For school-age kids, it’s a fun way to prevent the summer slide and stay on track for the next school year!

During the 2024 SummerREAD: 1,436 participants

11,986 books read

321,814 minutes logged

That’s an average of 214 books finished every single day of SummerREAD!

But SummerREAD is more than just reading for prizes—it’s about learning, creativity, and connection. Throughout our 8-week program, more than 8,600 youth attended 214 exciting programs, including Symphony Storytime, Escape Rooms, Drawing Club, Teen Car Maintenance Workshop …and so much more!

We’re already planning an art-themed SummerREAD for 2025, and we can’t wait to share what’s coming next!

(From the Ohio Department of Transportation)

Millions of drivers will hit the road for the Memorial Day holiday weekend, kicking off the unofficial start to summer.

The American Automobile Association (AAA) estimates that a record 45.1 million Americans will travel more than 50 miles from home during the holiday, 1.4 million more than 2024.

“Memorial Day is a busy time on Ohio’s roads as many Ohioans travel to spend time with family and friends,” said Governor Mike DeWine. “I encourage all drivers to be alert and prioritize safety behind the wheel.”

Last year in Ohio, 26 people were killed in 22 fatal crashes during the four-day Memorial Day weekend reporting period.  The Ohio State Highway Patrol will be keeping a close eye on the roads with extra emphasis on seat belt violations, impaired or distracted drivers, and speeding.

“As we gather with friends and family this Memorial Day weekend to honor those who gave their lives in support of freedom, let’s not forget that safety on our roadways is a shared responsibly,” said Colonel Charles A. Jones, Patrol superintendent. “Wear your safety belt, stay focused and never drive impaired. The decisions you make could save a life.”

You can help contribute to a safer Ohio by calling #677 to report drug activity and dangerous or impaired driving.

With nearly 1,000 new construction projects this year, there is a lot of work underway on Ohio roads. The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) will work with contractors to suspend or reduce the size of active work zones as much as possible to accommodate the extra traffic. However, that’s not possible in every situation. Travel delays due to road work are likely on I-75 in Dayton, and Cincinnati, I-70 through Columbus and Zanesville, and both I-76 and I-77 in Akron.

“There will be a lot of people traveling for Memorial Day and it is very important for drivers to focus, be aware, and give their full attention to the road and their surroundings,” said ODOT Director Pamela Boratyn. “Simple things like buckling up, obeying the speed limit, driving sober, and putting down the distractions can be the difference between a memorable holiday and a tragic one.”

You can find information about work zones, view more than 1,000 live traffic cameras, see current road conditions, and traffic alerts at OHGO.com. County-by-county travel advisories are also available online.

With an increase in traffic, the ODOT Safety Patrol, sponsored by GEICO sees an increase in incidents during the busy travel holiday. The main priority of this free service is to keep traffic flowing through Ohio’s largest metro areas. Ohio residents and visitors can do their part by checking their fuel gauge to avoid running out of gas and keeping an eye out for other roadway users.

Remember, Ohio law requires you to move over a lane for all stationary public safety vehicles with flashing lights. If you cannot safely move over, you are required to slow down. This keeps all our roadside workers safe.

(From Tiffin Police Chief David Pauly)

Congratulations to Sergeant LaVerne M. “Vern” Keefe on 25 Years!!

On May 20, 2000, LaVerne M. Keefe—known to most simply as “Vern”—was officially sworn in as a Tiffin Police Officer by then-Mayor Bernard Holman. That day marked the beginning of a remarkable law enforcement career grounded in professionalism, commitment, and quiet excellence.

Vern began his journey in the Patrol Division, where he quickly earned a reputation as a reliable and steady presence on the streets of Tiffin. Through countless shifts, calls, and challenges, Vern brought a calm demeanor, sharp instincts, and a deep sense of duty to the people he served.

In August of 2011, Vern was promoted to the rank of Sergeant—an acknowledgment of his leadership, experience, and the respect he earned from both peers and supervisors alike. As a supervisor, he has consistently led by example, mentoring younger officers and guiding his team through an ever-changing landscape of public safety needs.

Over the course of his career, Sergeant Keefe has received numerous commendations and awards—both from within the department and from external organizations—recognizing his outstanding service, integrity, and dedication. His most recent commendation highlights his critical behind-the-scenes contributions, particularly his unwavering support in maintaining and improving our internal systems. Vern has been instrumental in ensuring the seamless operation of essential infrastructure, working closely with IT and service providers to keep our department functioning at the highest level.

Beyond the accolades and the uniforms, Vern is the embodiment of what it means to be a public servant—dependable, principled, and deeply committed to the mission of protecting and serving.

As we celebrate this milestone of 25 years of dedicated service, we are also mindful that this year marks the final chapter of Vern’s time in uniform. He has announced his intention to retire this coming fall, and while we are fortunate to have him with us for a few more months, his presence will surely be missed when that time comes.

Sergeant Keefe embodies the very best of the Tiffin Police Department—steadfast, humble, and wholly devoted to the mission. His legacy of leadership and quiet professionalism will continue to influence this department long after he takes his final radio call.

On behalf of the entire Tiffin Police Department and the City of Tiffin, we extend our heartfelt congratulations to Sergeant Vern Keefe on 25 years of honorable service.

Chief David Pauly

(From Hancock Public Health)

Congratulations for the second year in a row to Vanlue Local School for acing our Quick Click Challenge!

With a time of 32.21 seconds they secured the 2025 Quick Click Challenge Title for High Schools.

Your commitment to seat belt safety is truly inspiring.

Thank you to everyone who participated and supported this initiative.

Let’s continue to prioritize safety on the road!

(From the Marathon Center for the Performing Arts)

Two inspiring visual arts projects in Findlay have been awarded The Marianna Hofer Endowment Grant to foster artistic growth and promote community connection through the power of creativity.

Awakening Minds Art (AMA), a local nonprofit committed to inclusive arts education, is launching Cops & Kids Get Creative, a community initiative bringing together local law enforcement officers and youth through collaborative painting sessions. Hosted at the Fort Findlay FOP Lodge 20 and facilitated by skilled AMA instructors, these guided art experiences are designed to build trust, encourage self-expression, and promote understanding. Spanning four sessions throughout the year, the program focuses on youth involved in therapies and specialized classrooms through the Educational Service Center, with additional spots available to the wider public. Participants will create individual artworks alongside officers, fostering connection in a welcoming and positive environment. [This program] “is designed to foster positive interactions between police officers and youth who may not typically have access to opportunities to engage with law enforcement in a positive, non-enforcement setting,” said Emily Sullivan, Executive Director for AMA. “Through art, students are able to see police officers as approachable individuals, not just as figures of authority.” Participants and their families will provide feedback through surveys and reflections, allowing AMA to evaluate the program’s impact on perceptions of law enforcement and artistic engagement.

Cindy Meadows, a dedicated visual artist and educator, is embarking on an intensive self-paced educational journey through the internationally respected Watercolor Academy. This program, led by acclaimed tutors, provides personalized instruction in classical watercolor techniques. Through one-on-one tutoring, Meadows will work through up to 100 custom-tailored projects while receiving individualized critiques on both assigned and future work. In addition to online coursework, Meadows is investing in professional-grade tools and equipment to elevate her technical execution and teaching practice. Her home studio will also be enhanced with improved lighting to enable more flexible working hours. Ultimately, this initiative will allow her to integrate classical approaches into her teaching, enriching the learning experiences of her students and raising the quality of her own artistic output. “My passion is art! I enjoy teaching and seeing the development of skills,” said Meadows. “These skills gained will apply to other areas of art, as well as improve my teaching abilities in watercolor.”

The Marianna Hofer Endowment Grant was established with The Findlay-Hancock County Community Foundation to support the vibrant arts community of Hancock County. Inspired by the legacy of Marianna L. Hofer, a beloved University of Findlay professor, poet, and photographer, the grant empowers recipients to explore their artistic visions, enrich their communities, and transform lives through the arts. Since 2018, the Hofer Endowment Fund at the Community Foundation has awarded $53,418 in grant dollars to 23 artists and arts organizations in Hancock County to advance various art education programs.