(From Blanchard Valley Center)

We’re pleased to announce the top candidates for the 2025 BVC Effect Awards.

The BVC Effect Awards represent four categories in which we choose to recognize people in our community who are committed to bettering the lives of people with developmental disabilities in Hancock County. Below are the four categories, the finalists, and the 2024 award recipients listed.

Kenny Bender Award for Advocacy and Success

-Roman Mauricio

-Alena Russell

-Jackson Doll

-2024 Award Recipient: Marci Janton

The Extra Mile Award

-Katie Gruenemeyer, PT Services

-Tais Roberts, 1st Choice Family Services

-Christina Frankforther, Unique Choices

-Robin Glick, COR Services

-2024 Award Recipient: Steve McConkey, New Vision

Hurdle to Success Award

-Jerry McNamee & Chandlar Cramer, Findlay YMCA

-Clayton Richardson, NAMI

-Abby Mercer, Metro Housing

-2024 Award Recipient: Jennifer Little, OSU Extension Hancock County

Kelli Grisham Award

-Scott Keller, The Keller Team – Key Realty

-Lindsey Buddelmeyer & Erin Hastings, Blanchard Valley Health System

-Melissa Soto, Juvenile & Probate Court

-2024 Award Recipient: Josh Reams, Millstream Area Credit Union

A private dinner will be hosted in November to recognize the above mentioned and award recipients will be announced at a later date. Please join us in congratulating these finalists.

For more information on these awards and what they mean, visit https://www.blanchardvalley.org/awards-recognition

(From Awakening Minds Art)

Awakening Minds Art hosted its 15th Annual Art Auction on Saturday, October 11, 2025, in Findlay. The event featured original artwork created by participants of all ages and abilities from the organization’s therapeutic and educational visual art programs.

The annual event serves as Awakening Minds Art’s primary fundraiser, providing critical support for program operations and accessibility. Proceeds from this year’s Mission Auction were designated for the organization’s Forever Fund, an endowment established to strengthen the long-term financial sustainability of its programming.

The event included dinner, live music, and a live auction where students presented their artwork to attendees.

“Fifteen years of the Awakening Minds Art Auction and our community continues to show up in powerful ways,” said Sarah Ricker, founder of Awakening Minds Art. “The ongoing support from donors, sponsors, and families makes it possible for us to keep creating inclusive spaces for all ages and abilities in Northwest Ohio. I continue to be overwhelmed with the support this event receives.”  

Each year, Awakening Minds Art also recognizes an Honorary Family, individual, or agency for their contributions to the organization. The 2025 Honorary Family was the Holly family of Lima, Ohio (Tim, Heather, Harrison, & Logan), recognized for their long-term dedication and participation in programming.

Awakening Minds Art, founded in 2009, provides therapeutic and educational visual art programming for individuals of all ages and abilities throughout Northwest Ohio.

More information about the organization and its programs is available at www.awakeningmindsart.org.

(From the City of Findlay)

Mayor Christina Muryn has issued a proclamation declaring October 2025, as Disability Employment Awareness Month in Findlay, Ohio, and encourages all citizens to join in this observance and to embrace the talents and skills of workers with disabilities.

We call upon employers to review their hiring and retention policies to ensure they are fully inclusive and accessible.

By doing so, we can continue to advance our shared message that people with disabilities add immense value and talent to our workplaces and communities. (read the full proclamation below)

(From Blanchard Valley Center)

It’s National Disability Employment Awareness Month?

Approximately 22% of the people we support, who are of working age (16+), are employed at a job in the community. Twenty-three people are employed full-time, 77 have part-time positions and 2 are working seasonally.

We look to you, our community members and employers, to assist in breaking the barriers that hold back people with disabilities from obtaining employment opportunities. Help us recognize and celebrate the value and talent people with disabilities bring to their workplaces.

Findlay City Schools is reminding parents and students about the district’s upcoming Fall Break.

The school district says there will be no school for students on Thursday, October 16 and Friday, October 17 for Fall Break.

After that, the next days off will be Thanksgiving Break from November 26-28.

See the full school district calendar by clicking here.

(From the City of Findlay)

CONSTRUCTION UPDATE 10/13-10/18:

-CSX will close 2nd St. from Bank St. to Blanchard St. for railroad work.

-Kirk Dr. will be closed to all traffic in sections from Western Ave. to Spring Lake Dr. for a sanitary sewer project.

-SR 12 will be closed to all traffic from US 224 to Bright Rd. for sanitary sewer repairs.

-Penrose Dr. will be closed to all traffic in sections from Western Ave. to Dead End for a sanitary sewer project.

-Kennison Dr. will be closed to all traffic in sections from Penrose Dr. to Spring Lake Dr. West for a sanitary sewer project.

-Spring Lake Dr. West will be closed to all traffic in sections from TR 80 to Dead End for a sanitary sewer project.

-Hurd Ave. will be closed to all traffic from Sandusky St. to Pearl St. for a sanitary sewer project.

-Sherry St. will be closed to all traffic from Sixth St. to Pearl St. for a sanitary sewer project.

-SR 568 will be maintained with portable traffic lights from Trail 237 to TR 242 for the installation of Greenway Trail Phase 3.

Please contact the Engineering Department with any questions (419) 424-7121.

(From the City of Findlay)

This week, our Public Works Department received and planted 60 new trees across the community! (Just a few are pictured below waiting for their new homes.)

Here’s where they went:

-33 trees planted on 17 properties through the Request-a-Tree program

-12 trees planted in Maple Grove Cemetery

-3 trees planted as memorials in various spots

-12 trees planted in City parks

Residents can request a tree for their property year-round through our Request-a-Tree Program. Our Public Works team partners with the Findlay City Council Shade Tree Commission to help you choose the best planting spot and tree species for your property.

To learn more or apply for the Spring 2026 planting season head to our website: https://www.findlayohio.gov/…/boa…/shade-tree-commission

(From Flag City Honor Flight)

Flag City Honor Flight (FCHF) is preparing for its 33rd mission on October 14th to take 77 Veterans, primarily from the Vietnam War era to Washington, D.C. to visit memorials built in their honor.

This will be Flag City Honor Flight’s fourth and final flight of 2025.

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

9:15 a.m. – Tour Marine Memorial

10:30 a.m. – Attend Changing of the Guard Ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery

11:45 a.m. – Tour Air Force Memorial

12:30 p.m. – Lunch and tour Navy Memorial
2:00 p.m. – Tour WWII, Korean and Vietnam Memorials

4:30 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.

(From Vanlue Local School)

Today our 2nd graders took their annual trip to the Fire Department for Fire Prevention Week!

Our students learned about firefighters gear, smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, how to exit a smoky house, used the fire hose, and rode on the fire trucks.

A special thank you to CJ Couch, Ross Wentling, Ben Riddle, and Kris Otto for taking time out of your day to share it with our students.

Pictures courtesy of Mr. Valasek.

The Ohio Department of Transportation says the railroad has informed them that the work on the railroad crossing on County Road 99 east of Main Street is taking longer than expected and the reopening of the crossing has been pushed back.

County Road 99 at the railroad crossing closed on Tuesday, October 7 for repairs to and reconstruction of the railroad crossing. The crossing originally was scheduled to reopen on Saturday, October 11.

Now, the reopening of the railroad crossing and County Road 99 is anticipated for Tuesday, October 14.

The suggested detour from ODOT: Main St. to Bigelow Ave. to Bright Rd. to CR 212, back to CR 99.

Hopefully, those first snowflakes are still a ways off, but the Ohio Department of Transportation is already preparing for winter weather.

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.