Santa And His Elves Making A Stop at The Findlay Airport

(From the Findlay Airport)

Guess who is coming to the Findlay Airport on December 20th from 9am until noon?

If you guessed Santa and his elves, you are correct!!!

There will be plenty of signage directing you towards the big man himself.

Bring your wish list and your best smile to share with Santa and snap a few pictures while you’re here!

Hancock County Participating In ‘Operation Green Light For Veterans’

(From the Hancock County Veterans Service Office)

In advance of the upcoming Veterans Day Holiday, The Hancock County Veterans Service Office invites you to illuminate office buildings, government buildings, retail establishments and more green from November 4 – 11 as part of Operation Green Light for Veterans, a nationwide effort uniting communities to support military veterans and their families.

The initiative, led by the National Association of Counties and National Association of County Veterans Service Officers, raises awareness around the unique challenges faced by many veterans and the resources available at the county, state and federal levels to assist veterans and their families.

According to Nicole Jackson with the Hancock County Veterans’s Service Office, “Operation Green Light reminds us that our community’s strength comes from those who have served and sacrificed for our freedom. Lighting Hancock County in green is a small gesture with a big message, we stand united in support of our veterans and their families.”

In addition to lighting buildings, bridges and other meaningful landmarks, residents, businesses and other organizations are encouraged to participate by simply changing one light bulb inside or outside their home to a green bulb. By shining a green light, we let our veterans know they are seen, appreciated and supported and we open up the conversation about the needs of veterans in our community.

We encourage everyone to show your support on social media by using the hashtag #operationgreenlight #hancockveterans

City Of Findlay Announces Leaf And Limb Pick-Up Dates

(From the City of Findlay)

The City of Findlay will be picking up leaves from November 17, 2025, through December 5, 2025. City employees will collect leaves that have been placed in biodegradable PAPER bags at the curb. Plastic bags and loose leaves will not be picked up. Bagged leaves are to be placed by the curb.

Limbs that are placed beside the bagged leaves will also be picked up. The limbs will be picked up at a separate time from the leaves.

Crews will start picking up leaves on November 17, 2025. Crews will make several rounds throughout the whole City through December 5, 2025. There is no specific schedule by location.

Biodegradable bags are readily available at local hardware, building supply, and some grocery stores.

Raking leaves into the street has many negative aspects. Leaf piles in the street can be a dangerous temptation to children who like to play in the piles and in many areas reduce the traffic to one lane or cause drivers to drive around the piles into oncoming traffic. Piled leaves tend to wash into and clog storm sewers, causing maintenance issues and potential localized flooding during storm events. Residents who blow or rake leaves onto City streets are in violation of long-standing City Codified Ordinance 311.01(d). Complaints should be forwarded to the Police Department.

City residents may continue to drop leaves at the green waste site located at 330 North Cory Street at no charge.

The current hours for the site are Tuesday through Friday 2pm-7pm and Saturday 8am-1pm, closed Sunday and Monday.

Beginning November 4, 2025, hours for the site will be Tuesday through Friday 1pm-6pm and Saturday 8am-1pm, closed Sunday and Monday. Beginning November 15, 2025, Saturday hours will be 8am-4pm.

Holiday hours for the green waste site:

Open: Veterans Day – November 11, 2025

Closed: Thanksgiving Day – November 27, 2025

Open: November 28, 2025, and November 29, 2025.

The last day for the green waste site will be December 6, 2025.

The green waste site is intended for residential use only. No contractors are permitted to use this site. Only tree trimmings, brush, leaves, and grass clippings can be dumped in designated areas at the site.

Ohio Joining Other States For ‘Buckle Up Phone Down’ Day

(From the Ohio Department of Transportation)

In an effort to reduce serious and deadly crashes, the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) will join several other state transportation departments to mark Buckle Up Phone Down Day on Wednesday, October 29. This national effort aims to bring attention to two of the most common factors in deadly crashes each year.

“Drivers can protect themselves and those nearby by simply wearing a seatbelt and putting away their phones,” said Governor Mike DeWine. “These small actions make a big difference because they vastly increase the odds of surviving a crash or preventing one in the first place.”

Ohio has recorded a steady decline in overall traffic deaths over the last three years, but too many people continue to die on Ohio roadways.

“Our mission is to save lives. Buckling up and putting your phone down are not suggestions, they are life-saving commitments,” said ODOT Director Pamela Boratyn. “When you get behind the wheel, your sole purpose is to make safe choices that ensure you and everyone else on the road make it home safely.”

Buckle Up
According to the Ohio Department of Public Safety and Ohio Traffic Safety Office, a 2024 survey showed the state’s seat belt compliance rate was only 85.2%, below the national average of 91.2%.

Last year, 64% of people killed in Ohio traffic crashes were not wearing a seatbelt when one was available – the fifth straight year that rate was over 60%.

In July, Governor DeWine and Lieutenant Governor Jim Tressel announced a new safety campaign to raise awareness about how vehicle occupants who fail to buckle up threaten the safety of others traveling with them.

You can learn more about Ohio’s efforts to increase buckle up rates at buckleup.ohio.gov.

Phone Down
In Ohio, it is illegal to use or hold a cell phone or electronic device in your hand, lap, or other parts of the body while driving on Ohio roads. If an officer sees a violation, they can pull you over.

Since Ohio strengthened distracted driving laws in 2023, the number of crashes and fatalities have steadily declined. In 2022, there were 10,280 crashes with 35 deaths tied to distracted driving. Last year, there were 8,570 crashes with 27 deaths in crashes where distraction was a factor. So far this year, there have been 6,508 crashes and 21 deaths. Distracted driving crashes are under-reported as it is difficult to prove distraction in many crashes.

You can learn more about Ohio’s effort to combat distracted driving at phonesdown.ohio.gov.

History of Buckle Up Phone Down Day
Buckle Up — Phone Down Day is a cooperative safety observance promoted by transportation and safety agencies across the U.S. The challenge asks drivers to commit to two straightforward actions: buckle every occupant in the vehicle and put phones away while driving. The program is supported by state departments of transportation, highway safety offices, and law enforcement partners who use the day to amplify public education and enforcement messages encouraging safer behavior behind the wheel.

The Buckle Up Phone Down concept was launched in 2017 by the Missouri Department of Transportation. MoDOT took the message on the road across the state urging people to sign a pledge to take both important actions for every trip. To date, more than 56,000 individual pledges and 760 business pledges have been signed in Missouri. More than a dozen other states, including Ohio, have joined the national effort.

Gas Line Repairs To Impact Traffic In Findlay

(From the City of Findlay)

Beginning at 7 a.m. on Wednesday, October 29, 2025, Columbia Gas will conduct gas line repairs in the intersection of North Main St. and East/West Bigelow St.

During the repair work, traffic signals at the intersection will be set to red, and flaggers will direct traffic through the area.

Motorists should expect delays and are encouraged to use alternate routes if possible.

Updates will be provided as additional information and scheduling details become available.

General Election Day Approaching

The General Election will be held on November 4th.

In Findlay, four candidates are running for three At-Large seats on Findlay City Council.

The candidates are Jenny Fall, a Democrat, and Heather Kensinger, Reed Needles, and Brad Wagner, all Republicans.

There are a few other contested city council races in Findlay.

In the Third Ward, the race is between Democrat Shaun Mason and Republican Carol Smith.

The Fourth Ward race is between Republican Dan DeArment and write-in challenger Sarah Jo Pugh.

In the Fifth Ward, the race is between Republican Brian Bauman and Kevin Cullen.

Nichole Coleman, a Republican, will become the First Ward representative after defeating incumbent Holly Frische in the primary and going unchallenged in the General Election.

In the Second Ward, BJ Preston, a Republican, is running uncontested.

In the Sixth Ward, Rodney Phillips, a Republican, is running uncontested.

In the Seventh Ward, Danny Delong, a Republican, is running uncontested.

Findlay City Schools has four people running for two spots on the school board.

They are Kaleb Brankamp, Matt Cooper, Katie Hite, and Jack Winans.

As far as issues on the General Election ballot, Liberty-Benton Local Schools has a tax levy on the ballot that would substitute for two existing levies. 

See more candidates and issues in Hancock County by clicking here, and for Putnam County click here.

Polls will be open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, November 4.

LB Students Recognized For Earning Perfect Score On State Test

(From Liberty-Benton Local Schools)

Liberty-Benton Local Schools proudly recognized 26 students in Grades 3–12 for earning Perfect Scores on their Spring 2025 state tests!

Special shoutouts to:

-Ian Billmaier & Jonah Todd – Perfect Scores in both Algebra 1 & 8th Grade Science

-Caroline Smith, Cohen Austermiller, Bryson Collert & Grayson Karhoff – 2nd year of perfect scores

-Isaac Koenig – 3 years in a row with perfect scores

-Jonah Todd, Arthur Gottardi-Lopes & Jonathan Coldren – 4-year repeat perfect score achievers!

“These students are breathing rare air,” said Superintendent Otley.

“They represent the top 1% of test-takers.”

United Way Of Hancock County Food Resource Calendar

The United Way of Hancock County is reminding everyone that its countywide Food Resource Calendar lists daily opportunities for food pantries and other resources.

The resources listed are offered regularly in Findlay and surrounding areas.

Food distribution is offered to the public with no restrictions, unless otherwise noted.

Police Officer Honored For Saving A Life

(From Tiffin Police Chief David Pauly)

Congratulations, Officer Chris Perry!

The Tiffin Police Department is proud to announce that Officer Chris Perry has been honored with the American Red Cross Hero Award for his life-saving actions during an incident earlier this year.

Officer Perry’s quick thinking, calm under pressure, and dedication to protecting others exemplify the very best of our profession. His actions not only saved a life but also remind us that all our Tiffin Officers bring courage and compassion to work with them every single day.

Please join us in congratulating Officer Perry on this well-deserved recognition!

Chief Pauly

National First Responders Day

October 28th is designated National First Responders Day to honor the men and women who act quickly when an emergency is at hand.

First responders dedicate their lives to save lives, and run toward a crisis that’s occurring while others are trying to get out of harm’s way.

They are firefighters, police, emergency medical technicians (EMT), paramedics, and 911 operators.

In an emergency, they’re the first on the scene.

These dedicated professionals answer the call when a crisis arises, often putting their own lives on the line.

“On National First Responders Day, and every day, we thank all who answer the call to protect and serve our community,” the City of Findlay said.