(From the Hardin County Sheriff’s Office)

Our office received word of a scam by mail yesterday. The mailing is titled “OHIO UCC STATEMENT REQUEST FORM” and when the number on the document is called, it goes to an automated system. The return mailing address is legitimate, but is a UPS store location.

These scammers will likely have valid loan information for the potential victim, but they are attempting to get the victim to ‘pay’ on the loan that they are likely paying to the actual lein holder.

Please be aware of these scams. Check on your family and friends as well and make sure they are aware of these scams.

Luckily, the potential victim called the Sheriff’s Office and we were able to identify this as a scam before any money was exchanged.

(From Blanchard Valley Health System)

Honoring loved ones during the holiday season

The holidays can be a difficult time of year for those who have experienced the loss of a loved one. Bridge Bereavement Services, a division of Blanchard Valley Health System, invites you and your family to join us in creating a live evergreen wreath to honor and remember those who hold a special place in your heart.

-November 19 & 20, 2025

-Old Millstream Centre at Hancock County Fairgrounds, 1017 E. Sandusky St., Findlay, OH

-Registration is required. Please call 419.425.3257 or email bridge@bvhealthsystem.org by November 12, 2025.

To learn more, please visit bvhs.info/holdiaymemorialwreaths.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol is reminding motorists of the increase in deer-involved crashes during this time of the year.

Hancock County is one of the counties with the most deer-related crashes.

The Highway Patrol says some simple tips to avoid an animal collision are: scan the road ahead, use high-beam headlights when possible, be extra cautious at dawn and dusk, and if a collision is unavoidable, brake firmly and stay in your lane – don’t swerve, as swerving could cause an even worse crash.

“Practicing safe driving habits and staying fully focused on the road increases your chances of spotting deer before it’s too late,” said Colonel Charles A. Jones, Patrol superintendent.

“If you do strike a deer, prioritize your safety by moving to a secure location if possible, turning on your hazard lights and reporting the incident.”

(From the Ohio State Highway Patrol)

Ohio State Highway Patrol Trooper Damian M. Roose has been selected as the 2025 Trooper of the Year at the Findlay Post.

The selection of Trooper Roose, is in recognition of outstanding service during 2025 at the Findlay Post. Fellow officers stationed at the Findlay Post, chose Trooper Roose based on leadership abilities, professional ethics, courteous treatment of others, enthusiastic work attitude, and cooperation with supervisors, peers, and the public.

Trooper Roose joined the Highway Patrol in 2018 and has served at the Findlay Post his entire career. Trooper Roose graduated from Oak Harbor High School, and is a veteran of the United States Army. Other Highway Patrol awards received in the past include: 2021 Findlay Post Trooper of the year, the Safe Driving Ribbon, Physical Fitness with excellence Ribbon, and Field Training Officer Ribbon.

Trooper Roose and his wife, Katelyn, reside in Lucas County with their three children.

(By Sheri Trusty, Seneca County Sheriff’s Office Public Relations Coordinator)

Many inmates in the Seneca County Jail have taken advantage of the opportunity to take GED classes offered through a partnership between the Seneca County Sheriff’s Office and the Vanguard-Sentinel Aspire Program. Now, qualifying inmates can also attend Aspire’s college prep courses. Aspire is a grant-funded program that offers free GED, college prep, and career prep courses for the general public, and it offers GED programs in several local jails.

But the Seneca County Jail is the only correctional facility, in our area, that offers the Aspire college prep program for inmates.

The pilot program was inspired when an inmate asked Seneca County Jail Case Manager, Grace Morehart, if there was a way to take college prep courses while he was in jail. Morehart is always looking for new ways to help inmates succeed post-incarceration, so she talked with Aspire staff, and a pilot program was implemented at the Seneca County Jail.

Inspire instructor Chad Kaiser teaches GED and college prep courses two times a week at the Seneca County Jail. The college prep courses are unaccredited but help the inmates expand their knowledge and prepare for post-incarceration educational pursuits. Morehart said inmates must have taken the SAT or ACT prior to incarceration to qualify for the college prep classes.

Kaiser tailors the classes to the group’s needs and creates an atmosphere that inspires his students.

“They take assessments, and we start where they’re at. I include all learning styles, whether they are visual learners or auditory learners,” Kaiser said. “We have discussions. I’m not just up there giving lectures.”

Kaiser’s teaching style is working extraordinarily well. Assessments identify Measurable Skill Gains (MSG), and one student jumped an MSG level in just six weeks. The inmates are grateful for the opportunity to improve their lives.

“Grace does a great job bringing different opportunities to us here,” one inmate said.

One inmate plans to continue pursuing Chemical Dependency Counselor Assistant (CDCA) certification, so he is studying human behavior courses.

“This definitely helps me,” he said. “Grace and Chad go the extra mile to help me find the materials I need.”

One student said the classes help give structure to his week, and another said the classes are helping him refresh skills he hasn’t used since high school.

“I’m taking these classes to acquire knowledge every day,” one inmate said. “Hopefully, I’ll wake up with a desire to keep seeking knowledge after I get out of jail.”

Aspire will begin offering GED and college prep classes to the general public at Sentinel Career & Technology Center in Tiffin on Dec. 2. The classes are free. For more information, call the Aspire office 419-334-6901, ext. 4701, or visit https://www.vscc.k12.oh.us/adult-ed/aspire/.

The Ohio Department of Transportation says the new diverging diamond interchange at Interstate 75 and County 99 is still set to open on the afternoon of Monday, November 17, despite a semi crashing and catching on fire underneath the County Road 99 overpass on Wednesday.

The Highway Patrol said the semi was traveling northbound Wednesday night around 6:30 when it suffered an equipment failure, went off the right side of the highway, and came to rest underneath the County Road 99 overpass.

The driver was able to get out of the semi as it caught on fire, and the flames came into contact with the bridge.

ODOT said the fire caused some minor surface damage to the bottom of the bridge, but not significant enough to affect the structural integrity of the bridge.

ODOT said its Office of Structural Engineering has approved the opening of the bridge and new interchange for the afternoon of Monday, November 17 as planned.

(From the City of Findlay)

On November 14, 2025, West Hardin Street will be closed between Hurd Avenue and Western Avenue from 8am to 4pm for a sewer repair.

Access for residents will be maintained. Motorists should expect delays and are encouraged to seek alternate routes if possible.

The City of Findlay will release updates on information and schedules when it becomes available.

The high school football playoffs continue on Friday, November 14, and some area teams are still in the mix.

Liberty-Benton (12-0) will play at Liberty Center (11-0) at 7 p.m.

That game will be aired on 100.5 WKXA.

Pandora-Gilboa (9-3) will play at Leipsic (10-1), in a game you can hear on 106.3 The Fox at 7 p.m.

The Findlay Trojans lost their playoff game last Friday to Huber Heights Wayne, finishing the season with a record of 6-5.

See the full third round pairings by clicking here.

Hancock County Sheriff Michael Cortez has announced that the Hancock County Justice Center received a perfect compliance rating during its 2025 Annual Jail Inspection performed by the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction.

“This accomplishment is a direct reflection of the professionalism, dedication, and integrity of our Corrections Division,” Sheriff Cortez said.

“Our staff work tirelessly every day to ensure a safe, and secure environment for those in our custody.”

Get more details and comments from Sheriff Cortez about the perfect rating below.

(From Coats for Christmas)

Coats for Christmas is a great example of the community working together to help out those who are on a tight budget or who are in need and cannot afford a winter coat. Each year we ask many of the area schools and some businesses, organizations, and individuals to collect and donate gently used winter coats.

Previously City Dry Cleaning and now City Uniforms and Linens, graciously cleans all of these coats and that is no small task – generally we collect over 2,300 coats each year. So we thank City Uniforms and Linens for this donation! There is also a goal to have enough gloves and hats for everyone who comes to collect a coat. In addition we also collect blankets and socks that are available at our event.

Donations: If you are not able to donate coats but still want to help. We accept cash or check donations that goes towards Coats for Christmas each year. Mail donations to the Chamber at 123 E Main Cross St Findlay, Ohio. Make the checks out to “The Alliance Foundation” and place Coats for Christmas in the memo line. You may also pay online by going to findlayhancockchamber.com. Select “store” from the drop down menu and click Coats.

Collection & Distribution

Collection locations: We will be collecting used coats from Wednesday, Nov., 12th through Wednesday, Nov., 26th . The coats can be dropped off at the new City Apparel business location at 116 E. Main Cross Street, which was the prior location of City Dry Cleaning. 

Coats may also be dropped off at various Findlay City Schools and county school locations, the Hancock County Library as well as local businesses with donation boxes. If you would like to purchase new coats, hats, mittens, or blankets for the event, then you can drop those off at the downtown YMCA Branch at 300 Lincoln Street in Findlay prior to Fri., Dec. 5th. Indicate when you drop them off that they are new.

Collection dates: Collection will begin on November 12th and will wrap up November 26th.

Cleaning dates: Monday, Dec. 1st – Thursday, Dec. 4th

Set up: Friday, Dec. 5th

Distribution dates: Saturday, December 6th distribution will be from 9 am – 3 pm. Coats will be available again on Sunday, December 7th from 1 pm – 3 pm. There is no financial restriction for eligibility; therefore, anyone in need of a coat or hat and mittens is welcome.

Distribution will take place at East Branch YMCA: 1400 Manor Hill Rd. Findlay, Ohio 45840

Volunteers – So how can you or your business or your organization or your church take part in this event? You can collect coats for us! We ALWAYS need kids’ coats and oversized adult coats. You can buy new mittens, gloves, hats, blankets, or socks? Or you can volunteer to help before the event, during the event, or afterwards. Get involved! It’s a great way to clean out your closets, help out those in need, and give back.

Click the link to sign up to volunteer: Coats for Christmas Commitee: Coats for Christmas 2025

Volunteers can contact Jackie Baltz at Jacquelynbaltz@gmail.com with any questions regarding volunteering.

For more information follow for updates on facebook.com/coatsforchristmas.