(From the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office)

Read Anna Ulinski’s story on why she is joining us this Saturday, September 7th:

“My name is Anna Ulinski, I am coming forward not just as a wife, but as someone who has felt the deep, life-changing impact of losing my husband to suicide. He was a police officer. He was brave, dedicated, and selfless in his service. But behind the uniform, he carried burdens that were often unseen.

His passing has left a space in our family that can never be filled. Our children lost a loving father, and I lost my partner in life. Every holiday, every milestone, carries both love for his memory and the pain of his absence.

What I’ve come to understand is that the toll on first responders goes far beyond what most people see. Their battles don’t always end when their shifts do. My husband’s struggle reminds us why mental health awareness for first responders is so critical. They need safe spaces to share their pain, and they need to know that reaching out is a sign of immense strength, not weakness.

My family’s grief has become my voice. By sharing our story, I hope to honor my husband’s memory and help protect other families from this same heartbreak.”

We are four days away from our 5K Foot Pursuit – In Pursuit of Suicide Awareness!

September is National Suicide Prevention Month and we would love for you to join us!

You can still sign up at: https://runsignup.com/…/5KFootPursuitInPursuitOfSuicide…

OR

You can sign up at the event!

(From Flag City Honor Flight)

Flag City Honor Flight (FCHF) is preparing for its 32nd mission on September 9th to take 82 Veterans, primarily from the Vietnam War era, to Washington, D.C. to visit memorials built in their honor.

Flag City Honor Flight’s 2025 flight schedule includes four flights: April 1, June 3, September 9, and October 14.

Sponsor: This flight is primarily sponsored by the families of Yoder Machinery and Yoder Brothers Machinery. Tammy Leinbach shares, “Our families and businesses appreciate the opportunity to recognize and thank our Veterans. It’s a small way we can give back in comparison to the great sacrifices and contributions our Veterans have made to our country.”

The organization relies on community donations and flight sponsorships to continue the mission. As a 100% volunteer-led organization, every dollar received goes directly toward honoring and thanking Veterans for their service.

Schedule: Departing from Toledo Express Airport in the morning, Veterans will embark on a one-day trip of a lifetime. The itinerary includes visits to the Air Force Memorial, Navy Memorial, Iwo Jima Memorial, Korean Memorial, Vietnam Memorial, WWII Memorial, and Arlington National Cemetery for the Changing of the Guard. Veterans do not pay to fly.

General Flight Details:
5:30 a.m. – Veterans & Guardians arrive at Eugene F Kranz Toledo Express Airport
6:30 a.m. – Depart for Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport

9:00 – 11:30 a.m. – Tour Air Force and Navy Memorials
11:30 a.m. – Tour WWII, Korean and Vietnam Memorials

2:30 p.m. – Tour Marine Memorial
3:30 p.m. – Attend Changing of the Guard Ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery

5:00 p.m. – Dinner and tour Military Women’s Memorial

8:00 p.m. – Depart Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport
9:00 p.m. – Arrive at Grand Aire Hanger & Welcome Home celebration

Welcome Home Celebration:
The public is invited to a Welcome Home celebration to honor returning Veterans.
Doors Open: 7:00 p.m.
Approximate time Flight Expected: 9:00 p.m.
Location: 11777 W. Airport Service Rd, Swanton, OH 43558

Attendees are encouraged to wave flags, cheer loudly, and shake hands with returning Veterans.

Mission: Flag City Honor Flight ensures that all Veterans, from World War II through Vietnam, have the opportunity to visit the memorials in Washington, D.C., honoring their service and sacrifices for America’s freedom.

ABOUT FLAG CITY HONOR FLIGHT: Flag City Honor Flight Inc. is a 100% volunteer-run 501c3 organization dedicated to providing Veterans in Northwest Ohio and surrounding areas with the opportunity to visit their war memorials in Washington, D.C., at no cost. Annual flights are supported by charitable donations and an enduring commitment to honoring America’s heroes.

(From Blanchard Valley Health System)

Wellness Park, the new Blanchard Valley Health System campus off County Road 99, is taking an innovative approach to patient care by introducing a calming room featuring adaptive color technology. This specially designed space helps reduce anxiety and improve focus in children undergoing rehabilitation, offering a transformative impact on their therapeutic experience.

“Children facing physical and emotional challenges in rehabilitation often experience heightened stress and sensory overload,” explained Becky Alexander, PT, a physical therapist at Julie A. Cole Rehab & Sports Medicine. “To address this, we now offer a calming room equipped with soft textures, minimal distractions, and dynamic lighting that shifts colors to match a child’s emotional needs.”

Research shows that different colors have distinct psychological effects, making them a valuable tool in rehabilitation settings. Cool colors like blues and greens promote relaxation and reduce anxiety, while warm colors like yellows and oranges encourage energy and motivation. Soft pinks and purples foster comfort and emotional balance, helping children feel more at ease. The ability to use adaptive color changes allows the environment to shift dynamically, supporting a child’s changing emotional and cognitive needs throughout therapy.

The benefits of these innovative calming rooms are significant. A customizable environment helps lower anxiety and stress, ensuring children feel at ease before and during therapy sessions. Specific color schemes aid concentration, especially for children with ADHD or sensory processing challenges, improving focus and engagement. Exposure to calming hues promotes self-soothing and emotional resilience, contributing to better rehabilitation outcomes.

“The new calming room at Wellness Park can enhance the overall therapy experience for our young patients,” added Alexander.

“Wellness Park was designed to expand access to comprehensive health services all in one location,” said Jenn Reese, director of the Musculoskeletal Service Line at BVHS. “From on-site x-ray and lab services to rehabilitation, and from expert primary care physicians to a range of specialty providers, this campus brings together the full spectrum of care. Families no longer need to travel to multiple locations—we’ve created a destination for healing, innovation, and convenience.”

The Julie A. Cole Rehab & Sports Medicine is located at 3401 Wellness Way in Findlay, and the phone number is 419.425.3199. For more information about the services offered at Wellness Park, please visit bvhealthsystem.org/wellness.

(From Sarah Clevidence, Director, Findlay-Hancock County Public Library)

Farewell Hoopla. Unfortunately, the challenging budget reality facing public libraries means difficult decisions are necessary, and I’d like to discuss a resource we must give up. Effective Oct. 31, 2025, FHCPL will no longer provide access to Hoopla.

We know that patrons who use Hoopla love this resource. Unfortunately, it is no longer possible for the library to afford to provide a good user experience. The cost for this pay-per-use service continues to grow and, in 2025, it required 20% of the library’s materials budget. Hoopla is responsible for just 4% of our circulation and maintaining it has come at an unsustainable cost to the rest of the library’s collection.

Going forward, we anticipate reallocating a portion of the Hoopla budget to the Ohio Digital Library collection, helping to reduce hold wait times. For both our current ODL users and those patrons who may be switching over, here are a few tips to make the most of this great resource.

Place Holds — Cardholders may have up to 20 items on hold at a time in ODL. As an avid audiobook listener, I always have my next several selections lined up on hold. By suspending those holds for varying lengths of time, I can make sure they don’t all become available at once.

Browse Collections — Carefully curated collections make it easy to explore ODL to find a surprise. When you “Need a new book right now!” (trust me, I get it), you can limit the results just to items that are currently available.

Wish List — It can be hard to keep track of everything you want to read, and frustrating when you come across too many titles you’d love to explore. The wish list feature lets you keep track of up to 5,000 titles you’d like to check out later. Then, when you need that next book, it’s easy to browse your wish list to see what’s available now.

Notify Me — Most patrons access the ODL through its Libby app. One of my favorite features in the app is “notify me.” When I search for a book that has not published yet, it is often listed with a publication date and the option to be notified once the title has been added to the ODL collection. Once you get that notification, it’s easy to check out or place a hold on the new addition.

We remain committed to providing our community with the best library possible with the resources available and look forward to helping you explore the Ohio Digital Library and FHCPL’s many other resources.

Sarah Clevidence, Director

Findlay – Hancock County Public Library

A ‘Silent Watch’ will be held in front of the Hancock County Courthouse in honor of a local Veteran who took their life and to bring awareness to how many Veterans suffer from PTSD and die by suicide.

The event will be hosted by Allen-Kramp Wealth Management in honor and memory of their friend Gaven Smith and his fellow fallen.

Every day, 22 Veterans take their own life, and on Thursday, September 4 from 7 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. friends, colleagues and strangers will stand in Silent Watch in 22 minute increments to raise awareness for post-traumatic stress disorder and to show Veterans they don’t fight alone.

A flag-draped casket will honorably be carried from the backside of the Hancock County Courthouse to the front sidewalk by Veteran and active-duty military and set in place at 7 a.m.

Opening ceremonies will begin promptly with volunteers showing support by standing guard and changing out every 22 minutes.

This event is open to the public and all are encouraged to attend.

(From the City of Findlay)

The City of Findlay Mayor’s Office and Findlay Police Department , in collaboration with local businesses Further Bikes @furtherbikes and GT Wheels, have donated nine bicycles to Findlay High School. The bikes, originally forfeited property stored by the Findlay Police Department, were refurbished and safety-checked by the partnering cycleries to ensure they are in excellent working condition.

In addition to the city’s contribution, the University of Findlay donated four more bicycles, bringing the total number to thirteen. The initiative aims to support students in need of reliable transportation and will be distributed by Findlay High School. The City of Findlay recognizes the challenges that the lack of bussing presents for students and families. We remain committed to supporting Findlay City Schools and working collaboratively to find solutions that benefit our students and the broader community.

The City of Findlay would like to remind the community of the following cycling safety tips:

– Wear a properly fitted helmet.
– Ride on the right side of the road in the same direction as traffic or use a sidewalk if available.
– Obey all traffic signs and signals.
– Use designated bicycle lanes when available.
– Use hand signals when turning or stopping.
– Wear bright or reflective clothing, especially in the early mornings or evening hours.

Pictured (Left to Right): Ryan Parsons (Lead Security), Mayor Christina Muryn, FHS Principal Meg Simon, Officer Douglas Marshall, Officer Brian White, FHS Assistant Principal Don Williams 

(From St. Marks UMC)

St. Mark’s United Methodist Church is teaming up with area Counselors, Social Workers and Mental Health professionals to present Stronger Together: A Parent Support Event for Youth Mental Wellness.

Parents, guardians, and caregivers are invited to attend Stronger Together: A Parent Support Event for Youth Mental Wellness, designed to provide resources, education, and encouragement for families navigating the challenges facing young people today.

This free community event will feature a panel of local counselors, mental health professionals, social workers, and youth directors who will share insights, answer questions, and provide practical tools for parents who want to better support their children.

Discussion topics will include:

-Parent support resources available locally

-Understanding youth anxiety and depression

-Suicide awareness and prevention strategies

-Recognizing warning signs in children and teens

-Practical tools to help your child cope and thrive

-When and how to seek professional help

-The impact of technology and social media on mental wellness

“Our children and teens face pressures unlike any generation before them,” said Dan Metzger, Senior Pastor at St. Marks UMC. “Stronger Together is about giving parents the knowledge and support they need to recognize challenges early and walk alongside their kids with confidence and care.”

The event emphasizes that parents are not alone—by working together with community professionals and other families, they can help build a strong foundation of support for youth mental health.

Event Details

Sunday, September 14 from 4-6pm in The DOCK at St. Mark ’s UMC, 800 S. Main St. Findlay.

For more information click here.

(From the United Way of Hancock County)

Each year, a crucial team of community volunteers helps United Way of Hancock County in its funding decisions by reviewing grant applications and providing input as to where campaign dollars can have the most positive local impact. These volunteers make up Impact Teams, and the United Way is looking to recruit approximately 40 Impact Team volunteers by Sept. 12.

United Way of Hancock County is entering its grant review season for 2026 Partner Agency funding. Each year, local nonprofit agencies apply for and receive funding generated through United Way’s Annual Campaign, which in 2024 raised $1.7 million for disbursement in 2025. Funding is recommended by a revolving group of trained community volunteers who review partner agencies’ grant applications and make recommendations to the United Way board of directors on which nonprofits to fund and at what level.

United Way is looking to engage a diverse demographic to provide input on this important annual process.

“The community’s involvement in this process is vital,” said Kelley McClurkin, CEO of United Way of Hancock County. “Giving our community members the opportunity to review our local resources and learn more about the population each nonprofit serves is an eye-opening experience for our volunteers. It is an opportunity to ensure that the most critical needs in our community are being addressed.”

Impact Team members attend a short training course at the end of September and review seven to 10 applications at their own pace throughout October. No grant reading experience is needed. The volunteers will attend one meeting in mid-November to discuss the applications with their teammates and make recommendations for funding.

United Way of Hancock County has set this year’s campaign goal at $1.8 million. Every donation made to the campaign stays in the community to help measurably improve people’s lives. To learn more about Impact Team involvement or sign up, email impact@uwhancock.org or call 419-423-1432.

(From the Ohio State Highway Patrol)

The Ohio State Highway Patrol (OSHP) reports 23 deaths in 20 fatal crashes over the four-day Labor Day weekend reporting period, which began Friday, August 29 at midnight and concluded Monday, September 1 at 11:59 p.m.

According to preliminary Patrol statistics, at least four of the 20 fatal crashes recorded over the Labor Day weekend reporting period were OVI-related. In a continued effort to lower that number to zero, troopers made 398 arrests for impaired driving and 67 for drug-related charges.

In the fatalities in which a safety belt was available, seven were unbelted. Although Ohio’s safety belt law remains a secondary violation, troopers continue to have zero tolerance during the holiday reporting period when motorists were stopped for a violation and found to not being wearing a safety belt. Throughout this four-day reporting period, troopers issued 1,872 safety belt citations.

Additionally, troopers responded to 490 crashes, issued 1,308 citations for distracted driving and provided assistance to 1,568 motorists.

Motorists are encouraged to contribute to a safer Ohio by calling #677 to report drug activity and dangerous or impaired driving on Ohio roadways.

The Ohio Department of Transportation is letting drivers know that a stretch of State Route 15 in Hancock County will close this week overnight for beam setting for the new overpass at County Road 193 west of Vanlue.

ODOT says State Route 15 westbound will close Wednesday night-Thursday morning, Sept. 3-4, 10 p.m. -5 a.m. from State Route 330 in Vanlue to State Route 37.

TR 240 and TR 190 at SR 15 will also close.

Then, State Route 15 eastbound will close Thursday night-Friday morning, Sept. 4-5, 10 p.m. -5 a.m. from State Route 37 to State Route 330 in Vanlue.

SR 330, TH 21, and TH 95 will also close.

See the suggested detour in the Facebook post below and get more details on the project by clicking here.