(From Hancock Public Health)

Looking for a way to give back in 2025?

Join the Medical Reserve Corps of Hancock County! It’s simple—just complete the survey linked below to get started.

Make a difference in your community today!

https://forms.office.com/r/AxyBCzQzJj

(From the University of Findlay)

Area residents of all ages are invited January 12 to join in hands-on fun and exploration at the next “Funday Sunday” program at University of Findlay’s Mazza Museum. This month’s program, which is free and open to the public, features a Lego theme.

Guests will enjoy more than 20 Lego-themed crafts, builds, and STEAM activities with the colorful plastic construction toys.

“No matter your skill level, this is the perfect event to spark creativity and teamwork. Come for a day of fun, surprises, and unforgettable moments,” said Amanda Davidson-Johnston, education manager at the Mazza Museum.

The family-friendly learning extravaganza encourages artistic expression, enhances literacy, and develops critical thinking skills, she noted.

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

Funday Sundays take place monthly at the Mazza Museum, from 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., through April. The event is sponsored by Hancock Federal Credit Union.

The remaining themes for Funday Sundays in 2025 are:

February 2: Game on!

March 2: Accelerate!

April 6: Farmyard Fables

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.

(From the Hancock County Naturalists)

The Hancock County Naturalists will host speaker Katie Ware, a fourth-year doctoral candidate in biology at Bowling Green State University, at their January 9 meeting. The meeting is at 7 p.m. at Oak Woods Nature Preserve, 1400 Oakwood Avenue, and is open to the public.

Ware studies bird communities and conservation. She is in Dr. Karen Root’s lab, from whom she also received her master’s degree. She is an instructor for Anatomy and Physiology labs at BGSU and is the Graduate Trustee for the Board of Trustees. She is the current secretary for the Hancock County Naturalists and lives in Findlay.

In March 2024, Ware traveled to the Galapagos Islands in Ecuador with her family on a six-day cruise. They visited several islands and saw a lot of wildlife. Ware will talk about her trip, conservation, and the natural history of the Galapagos, including Galapagos Tortoises, Marine Iguanas, Flightless Cormorants, and the evolution of the Galapagos Finches.

The Hancock County Naturalists, a membership organization, was established to further the study of the fauna and flora of Hancock County and the surrounding area and to participate in selected conservation and educational projects. Membership and events are open to those aged 15 and older. Annual membership fees are $15 per adult, $20 per couple, and $10 for youth.

For more information, contact Jane Riker at 419-306-3697 or emaggin117@aol.com. The group’s website is hancockcountynaturalists.org.

(From Hancock County Sheriff Michael Cortez)

Greetings, Hancock County!

On my first day serving as your Sheriff, I want to express how deeply honored and humbled I am to represent and serve our community in this role. The Office of Sheriff belongs to all of us, and my team and I will uphold this responsibility with the highest regard as we carry out our duties.

Together, we begin this journey with a focus on professionalism, integrity, excellence, and accountability—values that will guide our service to Hancock County.

As your Sheriff, my priorities are clear:

-Building stronger partnerships with local organizations and residents.

-Strengthening relationships within the community through transparency in all aspects of service.

-Addressing today’s challenges through collaboration with community-based resources to ensure a safer environment for everyone to live, work, and raise their families.

I would also like to take some time to identify our administrative staff to you.

-Chief Deputy, Thomas Walker

-Fiscal Officer, Rebecca Smith

-Human Resource Specialist, Kimberly Schwertner

-Jail Administrator, Captain Jesse Sterrett

-Jail Operations, Lieutenant Joe Hartman

I look forward to introducing each of these members along with other staff members on this platform, so you may get to know them a little better.

Again, thank you for your trust and support. I look forward to working alongside each of you to make our community the best it can be.

Stay safe and stay connected!

Sheriff Michael A. Cortez

(From the Ohio State Highway Patrol)

On January 6, 2025, at approximately 9:28 P.M., troopers with the Lima Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol were dispatched to a crash involving a single vehicle into a utility pole on Ridge Road in Marion Township, Allen County.

Investigation revealed that Irma Kill, age 81, of Delphos, was traveling west on Ridge Road in a 2006 Chevrolet Malibu.

Kill drove off the north side of the roadway and struck a utility pole.

She was treated on scene prior to being transported by Delphos Fire to Mercy Health-St. Rita’s in Lima, where she was later pronounced deceased.

Kill was reportedly not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash.

Troopers were assisted on scene by; Delphos Police Department, Delphos Fire Department and Big Daddy’s Towing.

The crash remains under investigation.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol reminds drivers to always wear a properly adjusted seatbelt.

(From the United Way of Hancock County)

United Way of Hancock County is accepting applications for a maximum scholarship of $8,000 through Feb. 3, 2025.

The Secor Scholarship, established as a memorial to the generosity of Steven and Doris Secor, is awarded annually to a high school senior in Hancock County who has a 3.5 grade point average or higher and plans to attend an accredited institution of higher learning, full time, to pursue any undergraduate field of study in the subsequent academic year. Candidates must exhibit a strong emphasis on service, leadership and character, with these components evaluated through the scholarship application and essay and a required letter of recommendation.

The award for the first academic year will be $2,000 and may be renewed annually for three additional years for a total of $8,000.

The United Way of Hancock County Foundation designates a Secor Scholarship selection committee comprised of current and past United Way board members who evaluate applications, interview finalists, and select one scholarship recipient each year. Students related to anyone on the selection committee or United Way of Hancock County paid staff are ineligible to apply.

The application can only be completed digitally; no paper applications will be accepted. Access the application and more information at https://www.liveunitedhancockcounty.org/programs/secor-scholarship

For additional guidance, contact Brenna Griteman at marketing@uwhancock.org or 419-423-1432.

(From the Findlay-Hancock County Public Library)

WinterREAD, a reading program that gives participants a chance to win amazing prizes has returned to the Findlay-Hancock County Public Library.

Readers can register to join the winter fun at findlaylibrary.readsquared.com.

WFIN spoke with Children’s Services Librarian Sarah Cramer about their WinterREAD program.

WinterREAD registration is open to all ages, infant through adult. This winter, the library is again using an online platform, READsquared, for participants to keep track of their reading progress. Participants can earn great prizes by logging reading, or completing fun activities. If you prefer not to track your reading online, there will be paper forms available at the library to log reading progress. The prizes can be viewed at findlaylibrary.org/winterread.

Families are invited to join in reading together, and to attend programs such as Family Book Bingo, which can be attended via Zoom or in person at the library. Participants that wish to play bingo must register for the programs at findlaylibrary.org/events by clicking on the event for the registration form. There will also be a Book Bingo Night for teens.

Adults can enjoy book discussions, CrafterWork, and learn more about being healthier in the new year. Please check the library’s website at findlaylibrary.org/events for more information on programming.

Be sure to check the library’s Facebook page at Facebook.com/fhcpl for updates, surprises, and entertaining WinterREAD fun. For more information, please call the library at 419-422-1712 or check our website at findlaylibrary.org.

(From the Findlay-Hancock County Community Foundation)

The Findlay-Hancock County Community Foundation’s ‘Fun For All’ series of free community events will continue in 2025.

According to the Community Foundation’s website, the January events include free ice skating at The Cube and Symphony Storytime at the Findlay-Hancock County Public Library, among others.

January

4 – Free Community Winter Skate

4-8 p.m.

Location: Pavilion at Sycamore Springs Golf Course

Organization: Arlington Heart & Soul

11 – Free Ice Skating

1-3 p.m. and 8-10 p.m.

Location: The Cube

Organization: The City of Findlay

17 – Head for the Hills Live Performance

7:30 p.m.

Location: Jenera Community Center

Organization: Marathon Center for the Performing Arts

22 – Symphony Storytime

10:30 a.m.

Location: Findlay-Hancock County Public Library

Organization: Lima Symphony Orchestra

“We’ve heard time and time again that finding affordable, family-friendly activities is a challenge in Hancock County. The Community Foundation is proud to provide Fun for All to help bridge the gap,” said Community Foundation President and CEO Brian Treece.

Brian says the Findlay-Hancock County Community Foundation is thankful to its community partners for making the events possible.

The Fun for All series started in January 2023. 

(From Awakening Minds Art)

Awakening Minds Art (AMA) has hired Inci Yilmazli-Trout as its new Development Director. This position, vacant since the organization temporarily closed its doors due to the pandemic, will now focus on advancing AMA’s fundraising efforts, cultivating community partnerships, and helping the organization achieve its goals.

Yilmazli-Trout holds a Bachelor of Science from Halic University in Istanbul, Turkey, a Master of Arts in Administration from the University of the Incarnate Word in San Antonio, TX, and a PhD in Education from the same institution. She brings experience in program development, grant writing, and community engagement, with a focus on fostering inclusivity and personal growth.

“I joined Awakening Minds Art because their mission of inclusivity and fostering growth through the arts deeply resonates with my personal and professional values,” said Yilmazli-Trout. “The arts have a unique ability to bring people together, inspire growth, and create lasting change, and I’m honored to contribute to this important work.”

Emily Sullivan, Executive Director of AMA, expressed her enthusiasm about the new addition to the team: “I’m incredibly excited to have Inci on board. Her expertise in development, her passion for community engagement, and her strong background in education will be invaluable as we continue to grow and fulfill our mission. Having someone of her caliber on the team is a tremendous asset, and I look forward to the impact she will make.”

Yilmazli-Trout is a new member of the Findlay community and is dedicated to supporting AMA’s mission of providing transformative visual art programs for individuals of all ages and abilities.

About Awakening Minds Art

Awakening Minds Art is a nonprofit organization based in Findlay, Ohio, offering therapeutic and educational visual art programs to individuals of all abilities.

For more information, visit awakeningmindsart.org 

(From the Findlay Police Department)

K9 Axel recently received his new ballistic vest thanks to Brady’s K9 Fund.

The donation was made possible by the American Legion Post 610, Brook Park Ohio.

Your generosity is greatly appreciated!

Brady’s K9 Fund is a non-profit organization out of Strongsville, Ohio that donates mission-ready ballistic vests to police and military working dogs.

“Brady’s K9 Fund would like to donate this vest to K9 Axel with Officer Paul Frey,” the organization said.

“The streetfighter vest holds a value of $1,500. We feel it’s an essential piece of equipment for Axel to have.”