Extreme Drought conditions persist in Hancock County and across the region according to the latest map released by the U.S. Drought Monitor on Thursday, October 16.

The map shows most of Hancock County labeled as being in Extreme Drought, with the designation also extending into most of Putnam County, all of Wood County, parts of Seneca County, and in other areas of northwest Ohio.

WTOL-11 Chief Meteorologist Chris Vickers says we can expect some rainfall late Saturday and on Sunday but it will be far from being a drought buster.

Get the latest forecast and weather alerts by clicking here. 

(From the University of Findlay)

“Build Tomorrow with Habitat for Humanity” will be the hands-on theme of this year’s first “Funday Sunday” program at University of Findlay’s Mazza Museum.

The October 26 program, which is free and open to the public, offers free art and construction activities, games, hands-on educational stations, and interactive STEAM activities for the whole family. The family-friendly learning extravaganza encourages artistic expression, enhances literacy, and develops critical thinking skills.

“We are kicking off this year’s series with a special program with one of our community partners,” said Amanda Davidson-Johnston, assistant director at the Mazza Museum. “Habitat for Humanity does such great work in the community, and we want to celebrate their 25th anniversary in Findlay.”

Author/illustrator and paper toy maker Merrill Rainey also will be on hand for this Funday Sunday. A resident of Whitehouse, Ohio, his latest book is On the Air With Dr. Doodlebug, which he describes as “a radio show in a book.” He also works for children’s magazines including Highlights, Ranger Rick, and Humpty Dumpty.

He will provide fun activities allowing children to “color, cut, and create” fun projects.

Registration is required and can be completed on the Mazza Museum’s website.

The Funday Sundays 2025-26 series takes place November through April, from 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. It is sponsored by Hancock Federal Credit Union.

Themes for additional Funday Sundays this year are:

December 14: The North Pole Railway

January 11: Happy Birthday USA!

February 8: Jungle Expedition with the Toledo Zoo

March 15: Comics Unleashed

April 19: Weather Wonders

For more information on upcoming events, visit the Mazza Museum’s Events page online at www.mazzamuseum.org/events/. For specific questions regarding Funday Sunday, please contact Amanda Davidson-Johnston, Mazza Museum education manager, at 419-434-4777 or amanda.davidson-johnston@findlay.edu.

(ONN) – Appliance manufacturer Whirlpool has announced a $300 million investment in two of its Ohio operations.

The company announced it’s planning to invest $300 million U.S. based manufacturing.

This means production for washers and dryers is expected to ramp up at facilities in Clyde and Marion as early as next year.

The company says the investment is expected to create between 400 and 600 jobs between the two towns.

Whirlpool says the investments were supported by financial assistance from both JobsOhio and tax credits from the state of Ohio.

The Michigan-based appliance maker also has Ohio facilities in Findlay, Ottawa, and Greenville.

(ONN) – A new bill at the Ohio Statehouse could change how absentee ballots are counted in future elections.

State Senator Theresa Gavarone, from Bowling Green, introduced Senate Bill 293.

It would require all absentee ballots to be received by county election boards by the time polls close on Election Day.

Currently, Ohio law allows ballots that are postmarked by Election Day to still count if they arrive within four days after Election Day.

The bill has been assigned to the Senate General Government Committee for review.

It still needs approval from both chambers before it would become law.

(From the OHSAA)

A lawsuit was filed in Franklin County on Thursday against the Ohio High School Athletic Association that could result in an emergency referendum vote of OHSAA member schools on a bylaw that would allow high school student-athletes to be compensated for their name, image and likeness (NIL).

If the membership votes in favor of a proposal, it would allow OHSAA member schools to shape the bylaw.

NIL at the high school level has spread rapidly across the country in the last several years since it became permitted at the college level. Currently, the OHSAA is one of only six state associations that does not allow NIL by student-athletes at its member schools.

In September, the OHSAA Board of Directors approved language on NIL to go to member schools next May as part of the annual referendum voting process, but as with any referendum item, schools may be asked to vote on the proposal prior to the May voting period due to legal action, as permitted by OHSAA bylaw 8-1-1. During the OHSAA Regional Update Meetings around Ohio in August and September, administrators in attendance were informed that a proposal on NIL was likely coming.

“We have been following this situation closely and have been preparing for this situation,” said Doug Ute, OHSAA Executive Director. “We were hoping this would wait for the referendum voting period in May, but as we told our schools this fall, the vote may have to come sooner than that due to a lawsuit, which would trigger the emergency vote. We are prepared to move forward with our member schools on this issue.”

If passed, the proposed new bylaw would allow student-athletes to enter into an agreement and be compensated for their name, image and likeness through appearances, licensing, social media, endorsements and/or the use of branding based on their public recognition (athletic fame) or notoriety. The proposal would also establish appropriate parameters around these activities so that students do not jeopardize their eligibility as it relates to the OHSAA’s amateur bylaws.

In 2022, OHSAA member schools voted down the OHSAA’s first NIL proposal by more than a two-to-one margin (538 to 254). The annual referendum voting period is May 1 through May 15. The OHSAA Board of Directors approves items that are on the ballot, with each school casting one vote on each issue.

The Hancock County Sheriff’s Office is alerting residents across northwest Ohio about a widespread phone scam in which callers are impersonating law enforcement officers.

The sheriff’s office says the scammers falsely claim that a warrant has been issued for the person’s arrest for failing to appear for a grand jury subpoena and demand payment to resolve the matter.  

The sheriff’s office reminds the public that no member of law enforcement would ever call you to collect a fine or demand immediate payment.

Anyone receiving such a scam call should hang up immediately and contact a law enforcement agency to report it.

Get more advice from the sheriff’s office on how to deal with such scams below.

It won’t be long before little superheroes and princesses are hitting the sidewalks in search of their Trick-or-Treat loot. And before Trick-or-Treat, the 2025 Cops & Kids Findlay Halloween Parade will be held.

Findlay Police Officer Brian White was on with WFIN’s Chris Oaks to discuss Halloween Parade and Trick-or-Treat safety.

Findlay’s Trick-or-Treat is scheduled for Saturday, October 25, from 6 to 8 p.m.

See a list of other communities’ Trick-or-Treat times by clicking here.

The 2025 Cops & Kids Findlay Halloween Parade presented by loanDepot will be held on Tuesday, October 21, beginning at 7 p.m. on South Main Street from Sixth Street/Lake Cascades Parkway to Lima Street. 

(From the Marathon Center for the Performing Arts)

Calling all Ohio high school teachers and arts organization leaders!

Ready to inspire the next generation of performers, poets and public speakers? Registration is NOW OPEN for the 2025–2026 season of Poetry Out Loud — the National Recitation Contest that gives high school students a stage to shine!

Whether you’re a teacher looking to energize your classroom or an arts leader ready to elevate your programming, this is your chance to bring the power of poetry to life.

Learn how to get your school or arts center involved: oac.ohio.gov/programs-and-services/poetry-out-loud

MCPA is thrilled to serve as the Ohio Arts Council’s regional partner for Northwest Ohio, with generous support from the National Endowment for the Arts. Let’s make this season unforgettable!

(above pictures courtesy of Terry Gilliam)

(From the Ottawa Police Department)

Have you seen these new crosswalks popping up? Some are not new and have always been there but have received an update. We would like to thank ODOT and the Village of Ottawa for the contributions that were made to fund these projects. In Ohio, drivers must stop for a pedestrian in a crosswalk, whether marked or unmarked, as pedestrians have the right-of-way. Drivers must yield to pedestrians even when traffic signals aren’t present or clear. Approaching drivers are prohibited from overtaking a vehicle that has stopped to yield to a pedestrian.

When to Stop

Marked and Unmarked Crosswalks: Drivers must yield to pedestrians in both marked crosswalks (those with painted lines) and unmarked crosswalks (the natural continuation of the sidewalk at an intersection).

Without Traffic Signals: If traffic signals are not in use or don’t clearly indicate who has the right-of-way, drivers must stop for pedestrians.

Pedestrian in the Crosswalk: When a pedestrian is in the crosswalk or “upon the half of the roadway upon which the vehicle is traveling,” the driver must stop to let them cross.

Driver Responsibilities

Yielding: Drivers are required to slow down or stop to allow pedestrians to cross safely.

No Overtaking: Drivers are forbidden from passing a vehicle that has stopped for a pedestrian in a crosswalk.

Pedestrian Responsibilities

Exercise Caution: Pedestrians must not suddenly leave the curb and walk or run into the path of a vehicle that is too close to stop. Use the crosswalk and do not cross in the middle of the street. Push the button on the crosswalk to warn drivers that you are there. Make sure that you look both ways before crossing the road.

You will notice downtown that a few stop lights have been removed. This is because we must follow procedures put in place to remove the stop lights before changes are made. Soon, you will notice more crosswalk signs with lights at those intersections thanks to ODOT.

Please remember, you must stop for pedestrians in a crosswalk even if it does not have flashing lights, ITS THE LAW.

(From the Hardin County Sheriff’s Office)

The Hardin County Sheriff’s Office is investigating several reports of theft and vandalism in the Village of Alger.

These criminal acts occurred in the early morning hours of 10/15/2025.

One juvenile has been taken into custody as a result of the investigation.

Residents in the Alger area are encouraged to contact Deputy Caleb Meadows at 419 673 1268 ext 1422 if they have any information concerning this event or if they are victims of theft/ property damage.