Findlay’s Veterans Day Parade was held on Sunday afternoon.

The parade began at the intersection of South Main and Lincoln Street and proceeded north to the Hancock County War Memorial at North Main Street and Center Street where a ceremony was held.

Despite the cold and snowy weather, people still came out for the parade and ceremony, and the Findlay Trojan Marching Band marched in the parade.

When we were speaking with Bill Johns, President of the Hancock County Veterans Council – in the video below – we had the chance to say thank you to 100-year-old Calvin Rettig for his service in WWII.

See video of the parade and ceremony below.

Veterans Day is on Tuesday, November 11.

(From the Ohio Department of Transportation)

The Ohio Department of Transportation is reminding drivers that County 99 in both directions over Interstate 75 will close on Monday, November 10, for approximately one week to complete final preparations to open the diverging diamond interchange.

The interchange ramps will remain open for right turns only, ODOT said. 

The Interstate 75 and County Road 99 interchange and corridor improvement project on the north end of Findlay has been reconstructing the interchange with a diverging diamond design and upgrading the County Road 99 corridor between Technology Drive and North Main Street.

If weather and construction progress remain on schedule, the interchange is expected to reopen by the end of the day on Monday, November 17, 2025, operating in the final Diverging Diamond traffic pattern.

A grand opening celebration was held for the Findlay Family YMCA’s new Early Learning Center.

People attending the grand opening had the opportunity to explore the “beautiful, inspiring, functional new space where children will learn, grow, and thrive,” the YMCA said.

We spoke with YMCA CEO Stephanie Parsons and Early Learning Director Kari Redman at the grand opening.

The new ELC will be able to serve as many as 320 children, offering innovative learning and individualized care for optimal growth and inspiration. It will also provide much-needed additional childcare services for the region.

For children of all ages and abilities, the existing focus on innovative and values-driven teaching will carry over to the ELC, where the new space will better support these efforts and community partnership growth.

The ELC will serve children with sensory needs by providing space, specialized equipment, and developmentally appropriate teaching, socialization, and individualized discovery approaches.

The facility will open on Monday, November 17^th.

The YMCA is also building a new YMCA in its current location that will connect to the Early Learning Center and is also planning on renovating its facility on the east side of town.

Students at Findlay’s Chamberlin Hill Elementary saluted local Veterans during their 28th Annual Veterans Day Program on Friday.

Nichole Coleman, former Director of the Hancock County Veterans Service Office, spoke about the honor of serving your country and becoming and Veteran and told the kids to dream big.

The tribute featured several performances by the kids, including the 3^rd graders singing “The Star Spangled Banner”, the 4^th graders singing “Proud of our Veterans” and the 5^th graders singing the “Armed Forces Medley” and “God Bless the USA.”

There was also a moment of silence, and then TAPS was played to honor the fallen.

The Veterans in attendance were then treated to lunch catered by The Fern.

There was also plenty of patriotic artwork from the students in the halls.

See video of the tribute below.

Findlay’s Veterans Day Parade is on Sunday at 2 o’clock.

(From the University of Findlay)

Five University of Findlay students are the 2025-26 recipients of more than $40,000 through the Business Affiliates Scholarship Program. This UF program offers academic scholarships to Oiler students who have graduated from a Hancock County high school or who are employed by Hancock County organizations.

This year’s recipients are: Emily Brickner, fourth year doctor of pharmacy program from Fostoria; David May Jr., senior from Ohio City, social work major; Makayla Oman, sophomore from Findlay, business administration-marketing major; Bryce Beltz, senior from Wauseon, pre-vet/animal science major; and Jeremiah Spiceland, sophomore from Findlay, exercise science for pre-physical therapy major.

At the annual Business Affiliates Scholarship celebration breakfast, held on Oct. 21, students shared how the scholarships have impacted their education and personal growth.

“This scholarship has been an incredible blessing,” David May said. “It lifted a huge financial burden off my shoulders, allowing me to focus more on my academics, ministry, and leadership. Because of your generosity, I’ve been able to keep doing what I love, helping students find hope, community, and belonging here at UF. Your generosity changes lives. It changed mine.”

“We appreciate the many organizations and individuals who invest in UF students and their education,” said Madelynn Strayer, ’21, UF director of annual giving, who coordinates the program. “Their support shows students that this community believes in them and encourages them to build their futures here in Findlay.”

The program is administered by the University’s Business Affiliates advisory board, a group of five Findlay/Hancock County business leaders working with the UF Advancement office. The 2025-26 board members are Erin Schwiebert, chair, O-I Glass; Brian Beltz, Beltz Home Service Co.; Joshua Reams ’02, Millstream Area Credit Union; Thomas Wagner, Mass Mutual; and Austin Wilson, ’14, Hixon Zuercher Capital Management.

Schwiebert said the generous support of Business Affiliates members continues to ease the financial burden for students and, through her work on the advisory board, she has seen firsthand how truly impactful the program is.

“Through my tenure on the Business Affiliates board, I have witnessed firsthand the transformative power of collaboration between academia and industry,” she added.

The Business Affiliates Scholarship Program has secured more than $800,000 in scholarship contributions during the past 24 years and impacted the financial well-being of 375 UF students since its inception in 2001, Strayer noted.

“Together, we can bridge the gap between theory and practice, helping to shape the leaders of tomorrow while propelling our local organizations to new heights,” she said.

For more information on Business Affiliates, visit the program website or call the UF Advancement Office at 419-434-4008.

Pictured above: Scholarship winners and Business Affiliates board members attending the annual breakfast were, from left: Emily Brickner, Makayla Oman, David May Jr., Jeremiah Spiceland, Erin Schwiebert, Austin Wilson, Thomas Wagner, and Joshua Reams. Not pictured: Bryce Beltz and Brian Beltz.

Hancock Area Transportation Services (HATS) is making it easier to utilize their services.

People in Findlay and Hancock County will soon be able to schedule a ride through an App.

Officials say the goal is to make public transit more accessible and flexible.

Bus Service Hours

• Monday – Friday
  7:15 AM First Pick Up
  9:30 PM Last Pick Up

• Office:  440 Scott Ave. Findlay, OH
  Hours:  Mon-Fri: 8 AM-4:30 PM
  Sat-Sun: Closed

Reservations:  419-423-7261

(From the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office)

Everyone help us welcome our newest (and furriest) member of the family — Safety Pup!

He was officially sworn in today and is ready to help teach kids about safety in our community.

Keep an eye out… he gives great high-fives and even better smiles!

(From the Office of Ohio Treasurer Robert Sprague)

The Ohio Market Access Program (OMAP) administered by Ohio Treasurer Robert Sprague has helped the Village of Carey (Wyandot County) enter the market and save an estimated $1,972 in interest costs.

“OMAP is an effective tool that helps local governments reduce expenses and generate savings while funding improvements in their communities,” said Treasurer Sprague. “The Village of Carey has now utilized the program eight times, resulting in over $264,000 in savings.”

Carey’s notes were issued to fund major electric system improvements, including a new substation, transformer, and distribution feeders to serve a new school and industrial park, as well as the replacement of wooden poles with iron or steel poles. This issuance markes the eighth time the Village of Carey has utilized OMAP, and the previous seven deals saved the village an estimated $262,885 in interest expenses.The most recent deal will save the village an estimated $1,972 in interest costs.

OMAP is a credit enhancement program that leverages the state’s excess liquidity and high short-term credit rating to help improve market access and lower borrowing rates for local governments. Since its 2014 launch, OMAP has supported more than 380 deals, ranging from $365,000 to over $100 million. There have been no defaults, and to date, OMAP has generated more than $7.9 million in estimated savings for local governments.

Any government subdivision in good fiscal standing, including cities, villages, school districts, counties, townships, and special districts, issuing short-term debt is eligible to participate. For more information, visit https://omap.ohio.gov/.

The City of Findlay will be holding a public forum on a proposed Farm Animal Ordinance.

The forum will be held on Monday, November 10, at 6 p.m. in City Council Chambers at the Findlay Municipal Building.

The city says the proposed Farm Animal Ordinance would establish clear, consistent, and fair regulations for keeping farm animals within city limits, protect animal welfare and public health, address growing interest in backyard livestock, and provide clear standards to reduce neighborhood conflicts and enforcement ambiguity.

People attending the forum will have a chance to share their input with the city about the proposed ordinance, which you can learn more about by clicking here.

(From the University of Findlay)

Celebrating 20 consecutive years, the University of Findlay’s Helping Hands food drive continues to achieve new levels while fighting food insecurity in Hancock County. On Thursday, Nov. 6, campus and community members gathered to commemorate this year’s achievements, contest winners, and finalize the total food donation numbers.

During this year’s theme of “banding together to fight hunger,” Helping Hands collected an astonishing 458,171 pounds of food—surpassing last year’s record by 192,955 pounds!

“It’s very overwhelming when you see the grand total, and to know it’s actually going to help our neighbors is huge,” said David Harr, University of Findlay’s Dining Director. “Just to see this continue to grow and get support from everybody is just amazing.”

Once again, campus and community groups, along with local schools, joined in the competition for awards and bragging rights:

Findlay High School won the collection gathered from this year’s marching band show, bringing in 1,701 pounds (15.9 pounds per person).

Student Affairs led the UF Campus Challenge with 1,528 pounds per person, totaling 65,699 pounds! McComb Middle School won the Golden Can Award for the fourth consecutive year, with 37.27 pounds per person.

In the Can-struction contest held on campus, Student Occupational Therapy Association won People’s Choice, Technology and Gaming took Most Creative, and Alpha Psi Omega brought in the most weight with 1,601 pounds.

All 78 pallets of food were picked up by Garner Trucking Inc. and delivered to CHOPIN Hall to serve those in need. This year’s drive brought the University of Findlay’s total donations since 2006 to over 2.3 million pounds.

Ron Rooker, director of CHOPIN Hall, expressed his gratitude, having seen firsthand an increase of people needing food in the community.

“Amazing – 458 thousand pounds – I can’t believe that number. The impact that will have on CHOPIN Hall and the community is tremendous, especially now,” Rooker said. “We have friends, neighbors, and individuals out there that are in need. With partners such as the University of Findlay, it gives us the ability to help these folks.”

To learn more about this year’s Helping Hands, visit https://www.findlay.edu/offices/student-affairs/dining/helping-hands.