(From the City of Findlay)

In an effort to address the growing population of feral cats in the community, the City of Findlay is pleased to announce a collaboration with the Humane Society & SPCA of Hancock County and VCA Findlay Animal Hospital to implement a “Trap-Neuter-Return” (TNR) program. TNR is a method of managing community cat populations by humanely trapping cats, taking them to a veterinarian for spaying (females) or neutering (males), vaccination, and ear-tipping (a universal sign of a spayed or neutered cat), and then returning them to their original outdoor home.

The City is asking residents to refrain from feeding feral cats. While it may seem like an act of kindness, feeding feral cats can contribute to their overpopulation, encourage dependency on humans, and interfere with the effectiveness of TNR programs. Feral cats rely on their natural instincts to survive, and feeding them can disrupt their hunting and self-sustaining behaviors. Instead, residents are encouraged to email mayor@findlayohio.gov to report sightings of feral cats, which will allow trained volunteers to assist in trapping and neutering efforts.

The TNR program will be focusing their efforts in the following general areas: Chateau Estates, Eastown Estates, Pine Street, West Trenton, West Bigelow, Quail Lake, Tiffin Ave., Findlay Reservoir, and Hancock County Fairgrounds. Efforts will begin in March 2025 and will be ongoing throughout the year.

The City of Findlay would like to thank the volunteer efforts of the individuals involved with this program.

(From the Findlay-Hancock County Public Library)

The Findlay-Hancock County Public Library has announced the selection of Gaining Ground: A Story of Farmers’ Markets, Local Food, and Saving the Family Farm by Forrest Pritchard as the CommunityREAD 2025 book.

Library Director Sarah Clevidence was on with WFIN’s Chris Oaks to discuss this year’s CommunityREAD selection and more, and that interview can be heard below.

Forrest Pritchard will visit Hancock County on Thursday, March 20 during CommunityREAD month for a public presentation at 7:30 PM at the Marathon Center for the Performing Arts.

Tickets are available for $10.00 at mcpa.org/events. We are also presenting special companion programs. Please check the calendar and plan to attend!

 What Is CommunityREAD?

CommunityREAD is a month-long community event that encourages reading and promotes the benefits of literacy.  It was originally created by the Findlay-Hancock County Community Foundation in 2003.  The administration of CommunityREAD was assumed by the library in 2012.  Each year, a different book is chosen and read by community members.  Various events are planned throughout the month of March at the library and throughout the community to celebrate literacy.  CommunityREAD is funded by a Findlay-Hancock County Community Foundation grant, as well as the library’s general fund, and business and private sponsors.  For more information on CommunityREAD, please call us at 419-422-1712. 

(ONN) – A new bill would provide free meals for students in Ohio schools.

Ohio Senate Bill 109 is a bipartisan effort to provide free meals to kindergarten through twelfth grade students in Ohio public and charter schools.

This would include both breakfast and lunch.

Health experts say proper nutrition is critical in the learning process and many Ohio children don’t have that access at home.

Eliminating the cost also destigmatizes the free meal students and provides much needed financial relief for struggling families.

Truancy is also expected to decline as a result of the free meals.

(ONN) – There are new details about the bird flu in Ohio.

New data from the USDA shows Ohio is still leading the nation in bird flu cases, but some good news to report.

The number of birds affected in Ohio is going down.

Last week more than nine million birds were affected by bird flu — this week – it dropped to just over eight and a half million birds.

Still – that’s about 28 percent of all the egg-laying hens in Ohio.

(From Findlay City Schools)

Findlay City Schools welcomed community members to Glenwood Middle School for a Town Hall discussion on district finances. The event, hosted by Superintendent Dr. Andy Hatton, Treasurer Pam Harrington, and the Board of Education, provided an opportunity for residents to ask questions and gain a clearer understanding of the district’s financial outlook.

The discussion focused on the district’s financial challenges following the failed November 2024 levy, which resulted in a $6.1 million budget reduction. The Superintendent, Treasurer, and Board of Education members Matt Cooper and Susan Russel responded to questions from the public pertaining to the district finances and future.

Key Takeaways:

• Findlay City Schools has not received new operating funds in 20 years, while costs continue to rise.
• Without additional funding, the district faces another $6 million in cuts, potentially leading to larger class sizes, fewer course offerings, and reduced extracurricular activities.
• If a new 1% Earned Income Tax levy passes in May 2025, it would stabilize the district’s financial future, ensuring continued support for academic programs, staffing, and student services.
• The proposed income tax is designed to protect residents on fixed incomes, as it does not apply to Social Security, pensions, or investment earnings.
• The district risks falling under state fiscal oversight if funding challenges persist, potentially reducing local control over school decisions.

Dr. Hatton emphasized the importance of the decision the community will make in May, stating, “We are at a crossroads as a community. What community do we want to have? What kind of school district do we want to have? This is a proud community with an amazing legacy, and we know what our kids deserve. I believe in our kids, and I believe in our staff, and I believe in this community.”

Findlay City Schools plans to continue holding these gatherings on various topics to keep an open dialogue with the community. The next Town Hall will be announced in the coming weeks.

For more information about the district’s financial outlook, visit www.fcs.org.

(From the Tiffin Police Department)

Today, we proudly recognize Officer Doug Skornicka for reaching an incredible milestone—25 years of dedicated service with the Tiffin Police Department.

For a quarter of a century, Officer Skornicka has exemplified what it means to serve with integrity, compassion, and professionalism. He has earned numerous accolades for his outstanding work, not only for his skill as an officer but for his ability to connect with the people he serves. Whether responding to a call, assisting a family in need, or simply sharing a conversation with a community member, Doug has always been more than just a uniform—he has been a friend, a mentor, and a steady presence in Tiffin.

One of his most lasting contributions to our department and city was becoming Tiffin PD’s very first School Resource Officer. In that role, he became a trusted figure for students, especially those who felt unheard or unseen. Doug has been the person they could turn to, offering support, guidance, and encouragement when it was needed most. The relationships he built within the schools will have a lasting impact for years to come.

As Doug prepares for retirement in the coming months (we’ll save the big speech for that day!), today we take a moment to reflect on everything he has given to this department and this community. His dedication, his kindness, and his unwavering commitment to public service have made Tiffin a better place.

Doug, on behalf of the entire department and the City of Tiffin—thank you for your 25 years of faithful service. You have made a difference in more lives than you may ever know. Congratulations on this incredible milestone!

Chief David Pauly

(From the United Way of Hancock County)

Registration opens Friday, February 28 for United Way of Hancock County’s Spring Days of Caring, a weeklong service event that pairs volunteer teams with local organizations in need of help.

Days of Caring will take place May 5-9. In four-hour shifts, volunteers from area corporations, civic groups and small businesses will take on projects such as landscaping, organizing, painting, cleaning, construction or even planning an event. Shifts run from 8 a.m. to noon or noon to 4 p.m. at locations across Hancock County such as nonprofit offices, government buildings, parks, ballfields, churches and more.

Registration for both agencies looking to submit projects and the volunteers who will complete them opens Friday at www.liveunitedhancockcounty.org/days-caring

“We engage volunteers year-round, but the scope of Days of Caring makes it a favorite among our volunteers and our benefitting agencies,” said United Way of Hancock County CEO Kelley McClurkin.

She noted that during last spring’s Days of Caring, 900 volunteers completed 93 service projects for 45 different agencies. These teams provided 3,600 community service hours, a value to the community of over $120,000.

“Days of Caring brings a visibility and excitement to volunteerism that’s infectious. It is exciting to see our communities being transformed through the hard work of the Days of Caring teams, and we hope our volunteers find joy in the fact that so many teams are out working at the same time,” McClurkin said.

Registration closes April 9, and the United Way will connect volunteer teams and agency projects April 22.

(From the Kiwanis Club of Findlay)

You might be coming for the pancakes and sausage, but stay for the fun!

This year we will have celebrity flippers manning the front pancake griddles, a kid zone staffed by our friends at Findlay YMCA and Findlay-Hancock County Public Library, pancake eating contest at 10 a.m., and maybe even a song and dance!

We can’t wait to see you Saturday, March 1 from 7 a.m. – 1 p.m. at Findlay High School Cafeteria.

Pre-Sale tickets are still available for a limited time – message us to purchase via venmo or visit AAA Mid States – FindlayHeavenly Pizza-Findlay Ohio, and @The State Bank-Downtown.

Pre-Sale tickets are $7 for adults and $6 for children and seniors.

Tickets will be $1 more the day-of!

(From the Seneca County Sheriff’s Office)

The Seneca County Sheriff’s Office has partnered with Tiffin University to do some Community Engagement and collect responses through a Community Policing Survey for both our Agency and the Tiffin Police Department.

This is confidential and will take less than 10 minutes of your time and help us get feedback directly from the citizens we serve.

Thank you in advance for your cooperation and participation in this community wide survey.

Use the QR code below to get started!

-Sheriff Stevens

(From the Findlay-Hancock County Community Foundation)

A new fund was recently established at the Foundation to support improving educational opportunities and experiences for students in the Arlington Local Schools industrial arts and agricultural science programs.

The Jeff Wilson Memorial Fund for Industrial Arts and Agricultural Sciences was established in memory of Jeff. Jeff worked his entire teaching career (1975-2008) at Arlington Local Schools, teaching ag education, general science and vet science. He was passionate about helping all students find their skills and talents and was an example of positivity and a great work ethic.

To learn more or donate to the newly established fund, visit: https://www.community-foundation.com/…/asf-jeff-wilson…