(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.

(From Tiffin Police Chief David Pauly)

One of my goals when I became Chief was to bring the idea of wellness and resiliency to the men and women of the Tiffin Police Department. Over the years, we’ve made great strides in supporting the mental, physical, financial and emotional health of our officers. But one piece that was still missing was family – the people who stand beside and behind our officers every day, through every shift, every call, and every challenge.

A few months ago, Amanda Beutler, wife of Tiffin Officer Steve Beutler, approached me with an idea to start a family support group made up of spouses, partners, parents, siblings, and loved ones of Tiffin Officers. That idea has now come to life as “Tiffin PD Hearts Behind the Badge.”

The job of a law enforcement officer is often stressful, demanding, and dangerous. But what many people don’t see is how that lifestyle and culture affect more than just the officer. The families who love and support them carry part of that burden too. They feel the late nights, the missed holidays, and the emotional weight of the job. Their strength and understanding are vital to the overall wellness of the department.

I had the pleasure of meeting with the group last evening to thank them for their unwavering support and to listen to ideas on how Tiffin PD can, in turn, support them. Beyond social gatherings, the group hopes to host guest speakers and discussions about topics such as stress management, family communication, navigating shift work, critical incident stress, and other areas that similar support networks have found meaningful.

Last night’s gathering was a wonderful start – members got to know one another while crafting together. A special thank you to Janice Tschanen and Kathy Burns for leading the craft project, and to The Stumble Inn in Bascom for graciously hosting the group.

Building resilience doesn’t stop at the station doors – it begins at home, with the hearts behind the badge.

Chief David Pauly

(From Hancock County Engineer Doug Cade)

State Highway Clearing has begun work on the Howard Run Ditch, which originates north of East Bigelow Avenue, flows through the City of Findlay, and discharges into the Blanchard River. The project includes vegetation clearing, removal of log jams, and sediment excavation.

No traffic disruptions are anticipated during the course of this work. Activities are expected to continue over the next several months.

This project was initiated through a petition by the City of Findlay and approved by the Hancock County Board of Commissioners under the Ohio Petition Ditch process.

The Hancock County Engineer’s Office will provide updates on project progress and scheduling as new information becomes available. For questions or additional information, please contact our office at 419-422-7433.

(From the University of Findlay)

Visiting high school students got a first-hand look at the exciting world of pharmacy during the University of Findlay’s V.I.P.² Day (Very Important Potential Pharmacist Day) on Friday, Oct. 10.

Hosted by the College of Pharmacy, the event welcomed future pharmacists to campus for a full day of hands-on activities and interactive sessions designed to bring the profession to life.

To close the day, faculty and current students engaged in conversations about admissions, curriculum, and careers in pharmacy.

Findlay First Edition will be holding its Fall Fest on Thursday, October 23rd at 7:30 p.m. 

“Enjoy an evening of music by our very own Findlay First Edition and Voices in Perfection, along with other local show choirs!” Findlay High School said. 

Tickets are $5 and will be sold at the door.

Get more details in the Facebook post below from the high school. 

(From the Tiffin Police Department)

UPDATE: Missing Juvenile – Savannah Kipps-Lucius

As of 2:00 PM, October 14, 2025

The search for missing juvenile Savannah Kipps-Lucius remains ongoing. Tiffin Police officers and detectives continue to actively follow up on every lead and piece of information that comes in.

We understand that members of the community often have questions about what actions law enforcement is taking during investigations like this. To help keep everyone informed and to prevent any misunderstandings, below is an overview of the steps taken so far in our efforts to locate Savannah:

• Family members, friends, and witnesses have been interviewed.
• Contact has been made with all known locations that have surveillance systems which may have captured footage of Savannah after she left her home.
• Searches have been conducted in vacant homes and buildings near the areas she may have been.
• Investigators are reviewing Savannah’s electronic devices and social media activity for any leads.
• Officers have conducted foot patrols in outdoor locations of interest.
• Drone searches have been completed in areas surrounding where Savannah was last known to be.

The Tiffin Police Department remains fully committed to doing everything possible to bring Savannah home safely.

Anyone with information is urged to contact the Tiffin Police Department immediately at (419) 447-2323.

Please continue to keep Savannah and her family in your thoughts and prayers.

Chief David Pauly

We may be experiencing some nice fall weather now, but the Ohio Department of Transportation knows winter weather will be here soon enough. 

ODOT District 1 is hiring Winter Seasonal Highway Technicians in Allen, Defiance, Hancock, Hardin, Paulding, Putnam, Van Wert, and Wyandot Counties.

“Come plow snow with us,” ODOT said in a post on its Facebook page.

Applicants must have a valid CDL.

Get more details on the positions and submit an application by clicking here.

The Hancock County Sheriff’s Office has been awarded $56,147 in federal traffic safety funding from the Ohio Traffic Safety Office for fiscal year 2026.

The sheriff’s office says the funds will provide for 700 hours of extra traffic enforcement in Hancock County.

The sheriff’s office will be focusing on traffic safety priority areas such as seat belt use, impaired and distracted driving, motorcycle safety, and youth drivers.