(From Tiffin Police Chief David Pauly)

Congratulations, Sergeant Rebecca “Becca” Timm!

Today we proudly celebrate 20 years of dedicated service with the Tiffin Police Department! Sergeant Timm began her career with TPD on October 22, 2005, and for the past two decades, she has served our community with professionalism, compassion, and an unwavering commitment to excellence.

In March 2025, Becca earned a well-deserved promotion to Sergeant, a reflection of her leadership, integrity, and devotion to her fellow officers and the citizens of Tiffin. She also serves an integral role on our Hostage Negotiation Team, where her calm presence, empathy, and communication skills have proven invaluable in some of the most critical situations.

Throughout her career, Sergeant Timm has received numerous departmental awards and commendations, recognizing her outstanding performance, dedication, and service above and beyond the call of duty.
Becca holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Heidelberg University and a Master’s degree in Criminal Justice from Tiffin University, blending her educational background and field experience to bring insight, balance, and compassion to every challenge she faces.

Sergeant Timm, your 20 years of service have made a lasting impact on this department and the community you serve. We are grateful for your continued leadership and look forward to your dedicated service for many years to come. Please join us in congratulating Sergeant Rebecca “Becca” Timm on this remarkable milestone!

Chief Pauly

(From Blanchard Valley Health System)

Blanchard Valley Health System (BVHS) has been included in Newsweek’s list of America’s Best-In-State Hospitals 2026. This prestigious award is presented in collaboration with Statista, the world-leading statistics portal and industry ranking provider.

Proximity and access are of the utmost importance when choosing between top hospitals. The America’s Best-In-State Hospitals 2026 ranking was created to identify the top hospitals at the state level. Hospitals from all U.S. states were eligible for the ranking and included in the nationwide survey. Four data sources were used for the evaluation: Hospital Quality Metrics, Hospital Reputation, Patient Experience, and a Statista PROMS Implementation Survey. As a result, the 800 hospitals that scored the highest across these criteria have been included on the list.

BVHS is honored to be recognized on Newsweek’s list of America’s Best-In-State Hospitals 2026. It reinforces that BVHS excels in quality of care, has high patient satisfaction, and is one of the leading hospitals in the nation.

“At BVHS, we don’t strive for recognition simply for the sake of awards,” said Myron D. Lewis, MSW, MBA, FACHE, President and Chief Executive Officer at BVHS. “Each acknowledgment serves as a reflection of the exceptional care and commitment our team provides to those we serve every day. These honors remind us of our responsibility to deliver compassionate, high-quality care and to live out our mission in everything we do.”

Statista publishes hundreds of worldwide industry rankings and company listings with high-profile media partners. This research and analysis service is based on the success of statista.com, the leading data and business intelligence portal that provides statistics, business-relevant data, and various market and consumer studies and surveys.

For more information about the connected care network at BVHS, visit www.bvhealthsystem.org.

People didn’t let a cold and windy night and a little rain keep them away from the 2025 Cops & Kids Findlay Halloween Parade presented by loanDepot.

Parents and kids in costumes lined both sides of South Main Street as floats went by handing candy to the kids.

People attending the parade were treated to performances by Findlay First Edition, The Findlay Trojan Marching Band, and other bands as well.

See some video from the parade below.

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.

The Ohio Department of Transportation is prepping for the winter weather it knows 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.

(From the University of Findlay)

The University of Findlay is launching the Watterson Center for Ethical Leadership this fall and has appointed Sarah Fedirka, Ph.D., as director.

The Watterson Center for Ethical Leadership is named for Billy Watterson and his wife, Brenda, who made a $6 million gift to launch the center. He is a 1996 UF graduate and Board of Trustees member.

Trustees, faculty, and administrators gathered October 16 with Findlay-Hancock County corporate and community leaders for an unveiling of the first of the center’s offerings, the Watterson Scholars program.

Welcoming students from all majors, the Watterson Scholars is a four-year academic program with components such as vocational exploration, ethical leadership development, and civic advocacy. Each of the four years is themed to the center’s virtues of courage, humility, integrity, and compassion. The program will launch in fall 2026.

“This is a program for students who have a heart for community engagement,” Fedirka said. “It is designed to transform their lives, preparing them to be ethical leaders in their communities after graduation.”

The program curriculum includes service projects, undergraduate research, and travel to the Freedom Center in Cincinnati, the Ohio state capitol, and New York City. A Hancock Collegiate Leadership Academy, offered in conjunction with the Findlay-Hancock County Chamber of Commerce, is being developed for Watterson Scholars.

Sarah Foltz ’14, community engagement director of The Alliance, coordinates the Hancock Leadership Academies and is charged with the new initiative.

“We are excited to provide University of Findlay students with additional learning beyond campus to see how our community works, to explore a variety of vocations, and connect with people who are passionate about helping them grow,” she said.

Through these transformative learning experiences, UF President Katherine Fell, Ph.D., anticipates that the initial class of students will be fully immersed in the Watterson Center’s mission: “to inspire ethical leaders who will impact their world.”

“It has been a fitting and bold step for the University to establish the Watterson Center for Ethical Leadership to provide our students and the broader community a place to develop ethical awareness, leadership skills, vocational discernment, and a sense of service to others,” she said.

Since its founding by the Churches of God General Conference and the City of Findlay in 1882, the University has been committed to engagement with the Hancock County community.

“Our campus community cares about the issues, conditions, and problems that affect Findlay-Hancock county,” said Christine Denecker, Ph.D., interim vice president of academic affairs. “Through the Watterson Scholars program, we will lend our minds and hands in addressing those problems.”

Dr. William Kose, M.D., J.D., a member of the UF Board of Trustees, described the Watterson Scholars as “a fresh approach to community building” and “a game changer.”

“Community building occurs when we put others before ourselves,” he said, encouraging corporate and community leaders to support the program “and bring this vision of ethical leadership and community collaboration to life.”

Findlay Mayor Christina Muryn ’14 agreed, emphasizing the importance of preparing students to be ethical leaders because “people are watching how we influence change, culture, businesses, and other people.”

“I know we will be able to change our community, our classrooms, and the world for the better. Each of us has the ability to be the change we want to see in the world,” the mayor explained. “The type of change we are able to make is priceless.”

Curriculum development for Watterson Scholars is currently taking place. The scholars program is partially supported by a $75,000 NetVUE Vocation Across the Academy grant through the Council of Independent Colleges.

For more information on the Watterson Scholars program, visit findlay.edu/watterson-scholars. Individuals and businesses interested in sponsoring a cohort of Watterson Scholars may visit give.findlay.edu.

(From Findlay High School)

FHS is proud to announce another year of Turkeys for Trojans, a collaborative community effort that provides a warm Thanksgiving meal for families of FHS and FCS students!

With the generous help of Great Scot Community Markets, Taylor Automotive Family of Findlay, staff and community members, we’ve been able to provide over 1,000 meals for families since 2018.

It’s easy to help! You can turn in cash or a check to Mrs. Franks in the FHS Main Office, payable to Findlay City Schools, donate online at fcs.org, or text TURKEYS4TROJANS to 41444.

Donations are accepted from now until November 21st.

***As an added bonus this year….One staff member will earn the right to wear the infamous turkey costume at school ALL day on November 25th. There will be jars in the main office, the staff member with the most money in their jar will be the lucky turkey!

Thank you for helping us brighten the Thanksgiving holiday in Trojan Country again this year!

(From the Findlay Police Department)

This Saturday (10/25/2025) is National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. We’ll be hosting a medication collection drive in the South parking lot at the City of Findlay Municipal building from 8:00 AM to Noon. Just drive in, drop off your medications and go. It’s that easy.

Findlay Police Officer Brian White says, not only will you be cleaning out those cluttered cabinets, but you’ll be doing so in a way that is safe for the environment and good for the community.

Many people flush their medications, leading to environmental concerns. Others dispose of medications in the trash or leave them in their house, which might find their way to others who abuse them. Do your part your expired/unused medications and “Take it to the box”.

If you can’t make it this Saturday, both the Findlay Police Department and Hancock County Sheriff’s Office have medication collection boxes to dispose of your medications at any time.

(From Findlay City Schools)

At tonight’s Board of Education meeting, we celebrated the achievements of our 6-12th graders who earned a perfect score on the 2025 Ohio State Test!

What an honor to recognize the academic excellence of these students.

We’re so proud to have you in Trojan Country.

Congratulations! 

The Hancock County Veterans Service Office has announced that Nicole Jenkins has been named Interim Director.

Former Executive Director Nichole Coleman’s last day in the office was September 30.

Coleman accepted a position as Chief Culture Officer for TurboVets, and began working for the company on October 1.

TurboVets is a company dedicated to improving access and services for Veterans nationwide.

Coleman emphasized that her new role will not take her away from her commitment to Findlay and Hancock County.

She will begin serving as the elected representative for Findlay City Council, Ward One, in January 2026, and looks forward to continuing to represent the needs of local residents.

“I am excited about continuing to serve our community in a different way,” said Coleman. “The Veterans Service Office is in excellent hands. I am leaving the office in the care of a very dedicated and capable team who are committed to serving our veterans with excellence and passion.”