FINDLAY | i75 Eyesore Pioneer Sugar Silos to Come Down
FINDLAY | According to someone on The Facebook, the long standing Pioneer Sugar silos are coming down as the company relocates operations to Fremont.
One man said “it blocked the beauty of the sky”.
“Findlay has had these long enough, It’s time Fremont get something nice!”
Some Wednesday night Facebookers have become distraught over these opinions. One saying “It’s not an eyesore! It’s a community staple”
While most will never understand the love for silos, some some Findlay’ns call it the first sign that they are home.
Updates will be posted.
FINDLAY | Community in Turmoil – Facebookers Panic Over Tokyo Steakhouse on Tiffin Ave
By Jordan Chambers, Author, The Fostoria Free Press
FINDLAY | In a recent Facebook post (see bottom of page) many Findlay Facebookers are confused on what is happening with Tokyo Steakhouse. As seen on the 5′ sign posted on the front door- Tokyo Steakhouse is only temporary closed due to the Target construction project. Despite the front door sign being included in the Facebook post, some Facebookers panicked at the idea of Findlay loosing (1) of it’s hundreds of local businesses. Personally, I never liked Tokyo Steakhouse- it’s kind of the place you go once in your life and then find more premium options up North.
The Free Press Visits “Bear”, the longest resident of Hancock County Humane Society
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The Worst Hotels in Findlay, Ohio: Overview of low‑rated stays
Overview of low‑rated stays
Travelers who leave one‑ and two‑star reviews for budget hotels and motels around Findlay often describe a gap between the photos or description online and what they encounter at check‑in. Guests frequently say they chose these properties mainly for a low price or convenient location near I‑75, only to feel that safety, cleanliness, and basic maintenance were not up to reasonable expectations for the rate paid.
Common cleanliness complaints
Poor cleanliness is one of the most consistent themes in negative hotel and motel reviews in small highway towns.
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Guests often mention stained carpets, lingering smoke or musty smells, and visible dirt or dust in corners or on furniture.
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Bathrooms draw special criticism when there is mold in grout or on ceilings, hair in tubs or sinks, or floors that feel sticky or gritty underfoot.
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Some reviewers describe bedding with burn holes, old blankets, or sheets that appear unwashed or heavily stained, which quickly erodes confidence in the entire property.
Safety and security issues
Another recurring concern in low‑rated properties is a perception that the building or its surroundings do not feel secure.
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Online reviewers frequently complain about exterior doors that do not lock properly, room doors with damaged deadbolts or missing secondary latches, and windows that do not fully close.
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Some guests report feeling uneasy due to people loitering in the parking lot, heavy long‑term occupancy, or loud arguments and activity in hallways late at night.
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When travelers see holes in doors or walls, poorly lit parking areas, or broken cameras, they often interpret these as signs of past incidents and ongoing neglect.
Maintenance and odors
Many of the lowest‑rated hotels and motels in review platforms share a pattern of deferred maintenance that guests notice immediately.
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Reviewers commonly mention broken toilet seats, loose towel bars, peeling paint, sagging floors in bathrooms, and heating or cooling units that are excessively noisy or barely functional.
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Unpleasant odors—such as stale smoke in “non‑smoking” rooms, strong chemical cover‑up sprays, or damp, moldy smells—are another frequent complaint that leads to early check‑outs or refund requests.
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Guests also call out “cosmetic fixes,” like mismatched patches of flooring or ceiling material used to hide leaks, as evidence that owners are avoiding real repairs.
Service, deposits, and amenities
Low review scores are not only about the room; the way problems are handled plays a major role.
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Travelers routinely downgrade ratings when staff appear indifferent, defensive, or hard to reach, especially if the front desk is unstaffed for long periods or phones go unanswered.
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Surprise cash deposits at check‑in, confusion about how and when deposits are refunded, and disputes over alleged damage charges are common flashpoints in negative reviews.
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Guests are also frustrated when promised amenities—such as breakfast, Wi‑Fi, pools, or fitness rooms—are missing, extremely minimal, or out of service with no advance notice or rate adjustment.
How travelers can protect themselves
Because review quality and hotel management can change over time, travelers planning a stay in Findlay or any similar market should treat older or extreme reviews cautiously and look for consistent patterns.
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Check multiple recent reviews across more than one site, paying attention to repeated mentions of cleanliness, safety, and staff attitude rather than just star ratings.
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Call the property directly to ask about recent renovations, security features (like interior corridors and working door latches), and any deposits or pet fees before booking.
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If a rate seems unusually low compared with similar nearby properties, factor that into expectations and have a backup plan in case the conditions do not match what you consider acceptable.
We Serve Coffee operated for roughly 12 years before announcing it would close its doors on December 23, 2025
We Serve. Coffee, a community-focused café in downtown Findlay, Ohio, operated for roughly 12 years before announcing it would close its doors on December 23, 2025. Open since February 2013, the shop became known not only for its specialty coffee and food, but for channeling its proceeds to local and global charities and creating a gathering place rooted in service.
A decade of service
We Serve. Coffee opened in February 2013 at 114 E. Sandusky Street in downtown Findlay, positioning itself as a cozy, community-centered coffeehouse with an emphasis on high-quality, specialty-grade coffee. Over the years it developed a loyal following for its homemade pastries, panini, soups, salads, and a rotating selection of coffees and seasonal drinks.
Owned by Jack Winans, the shop faced the same mounting pressures as many small businesses, including rising costs and increasing competition in Findlay’s growing coffee scene. Even as new cafés opened around it, We Serve. Coffee held onto a distinctive identity: a place where regulars knew the owner and staff by name and where “Uncle Jack” became part of customers’ life events, from first dates to weddings and birthday parties.
yelp.com
Coffee with a mission
From its early days, We Serve. Coffee was designed around a charitable model, directing its proceeds to a wide range of nonprofit causes rather than focusing solely on profit. Reviews and local coverage highlight that the café donated 100% of its proceeds to charities, supporting organizations such as Open Arms, Mission Possible, Cancer Patient Services, the American Heart Association, and the Hancock County Humane Society, as well as local school and community fundraisers.
Customers often described the experience as paying typical café prices while knowing their purchases would help others, blending everyday coffee runs with a sense of purpose. In addition to monetary giving, the shop regularly provided donated food and coffee for community events like National Night Out, golf outings, school fundraisers, and awareness campaigns hosted in the café’s space.
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A hub for community life
Beyond its charitable model, We Serve. Coffee functioned as a neighborhood hub where community groups, friends, and families gathered. The cozy, eclectic interior and friendly staff drew praise from visitors, who noted the welcoming atmosphere, attentive service, and the sense that the café “felt like home.”
Regulars used the space for everything from casual meetups to dates, baby showers, and milestone celebrations, reinforcing its role as more than just a place to grab a drink. The café also supported local initiatives and awareness efforts, partnering with groups that used the shop as a venue to collect donations and host special events tied to community causes.
localcoffeeshops.org
Closing the doors, continuing the mission
In November 2025, Winans announced that We Serve. Coffee would close its physical location on December 23, citing the “extremely increased cost of doing business” and the challenges of operating a small café in a more crowded market. As the final day approached, the shop began scaling back parts of its menu and cautioned that hours might fluctuate to support staff during the transition.
Even as the doors closed, Winans expressed plans to continue offering bagged coffee online, with local delivery and shipping options for out-of-town supporters who wanted to keep the connection alive. He also emphasized taking time to focus on health, marriage, family, and discerning the next chapter, trusting that the same faith that shaped the café’s service ethos would guide whatever came next.
yelp.com
An enduring local legacy
Over its lifespan, We Serve. Coffee is estimated to have donated around $125,000 to charitable causes, a remarkable figure for a single independent café in a small Midwestern city. That giving, combined with thousands of daily interactions over coffee, helped weave the shop into Findlay’s civic and spiritual fabric in ways that extended far beyond its storefront.
For many residents and visitors, memories of We Serve. Coffee will be tied to small but meaningful moments—a free cup poured during a fundraiser, a conversation with staff on a difficult day, or a special Saturday morning breakfast with someone they loved. Though the scrambled remains of weservecoffee.org now hint at a chapter that has closed, the impact of those years of service continues in the organizations it supported and in the lives that were quietly changed, one cup at a time.
BREAKING: 2020 Findlay Post ‘Trooper of The Year’ Sergeant Matthew Cook Dies in Apparent Suicide Says Ohio State Highway Patrol
January 1, 2026
The Ohio State Highway Patrol (OSHP) is mourning the off-duty death of Sergeant Matthew Cook, a dedicated member assigned to the Defiance Post. Authorities have determined the cause of death to be self-induced, marking a tragic end to the year for the law enforcement community.
On New Year’s Eve, just before 6:30 p.m., the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of an unconscious male at a residence on County Road 53 in rural McComb, Ohio. The individual was identified as Sgt. Matthew Cook.
In a statement released on January 1, the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office noted: “Information collected throughout the preliminary investigation indicates the cause of death to be self-induced.”
The Ohio State Highway Patrol issued a heartfelt statement acknowledging the loss: “It is with great sorrow that the Ohio State Highway Patrol recognizes the off-duty death of Sergeant Matthew Cook of the Defiance Post. Our thoughts are with Sgt. Cook’s family, the Findlay district and the patrol family as a whole.”
Sgt. Cook joined the Ohio State Highway Patrol in 2014 and served with distinction. He was previously stationed at the Findlay Post, where he earned multiple accolades, including being named Findlay Post Trooper of the Year on several occasions. He also received the Criminal Patrol Award and other recognitions from the patrol for his outstanding service.
Following the incident, a procession of first responders escorted Sgt. Cook’s body on Wednesday night, underscoring the respect and camaraderie within the law enforcement community.
Addressing Mental Health in Law Enforcement
The death of Sgt. Cook highlights the ongoing challenges of mental health among first responders. Law enforcement officers often face high-stress situations, trauma, and long hours, which can contribute to mental health struggles.
If you or someone you know is in crisis, help is available. The National 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline provides free, confidential support 24/7. Simply dial 988 to connect with trained counselors.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol and agencies across the state continue to offer resources and support for their members, emphasizing the importance of seeking help without stigma.
Our thoughts are with Sgt. Cook’s family, friends, colleagues, and the entire Ohio law enforcement community during this difficult time. His service and dedication will not be forgotten.
Findlay, OH Ranks Higher Than Fostoria in Shootings & Homicides
Based on current news sources (as of December 30, 2025), here are the documented shooting-related incidents and homicides in Findlay this year:
Officer-Involved Shootings
- October 22, 2025 — Findlay police fatally shot 90-year-old Robert Norton during a welfare check. Investigators classified it as “suicide by cop” (he pointed a BB gun resembling a handgun). The Ohio BCI investigated; no charges against officers.
- October 28, 2025 — Police shot and killed 17-year-old Kalvin Darapheth after he allegedly fired at officers during a foot pursuit stemming from an underage drinking call. Prosecutors declined charges against the officer in January 2026, ruling the use of force reasonable.
Other Shootings/Homicides
- January 2025 — 18-year-old Jaidon Mangas (Findlay resident and high school student) was shot and killed in south Toledo (not in Findlay). A 16-year-old was arrested and charged with murder.
- November 14, 2025 — 31-year-old Breanna Gonzales was shot in the head in a Findlay residence (initially reported as accidental discharge). The Lucas County Coroner later ruled it a homicide; investigation ongoing, no arrests announced.
- April 20, 2025 — Two bodies discovered in a Findlay apartment; deaths deemed suspicious (details limited, investigation ongoing).
- January 22, 2025 — A woman found dead on a porch and a man stabbed nearby on Lester Avenue; one arrest for domestic violence, but foul play not initially suspected in the woman’s death.
Findlay experienced a mix of officer-involved fatalities, one out-of-town homicide of a resident, and suspicious deaths—typical for a town its size, with no major spike reported.
Small Town Findlay: A Higher Chance of Getting Robbed Compared to Fostoria
Small Town Findlay, Ohio – home to around 40,000 residents – embodies classic small-town living in northwest Ohio. Far from the hustle of big cities like Columbus (over 900,000 people) or Cleveland (around 370,000), Findlay offers quiet streets, friendly neighbors, and a relaxed pace without skyscrapers, gridlock traffic, or overwhelming urban crowds.
Drug-related issues exist, as in many communities—the Hancock County METRICH Drug Task Force made several busts in 2024-2025, seizing methamphetamine, cocaine, fentanyl, and more—but these remain targeted enforcement efforts rather than widespread daily concerns.
Property Crime (Theft, Burglary, etc.)
- Findlay: ~17 per 1,000
- Fostoria: ~12 per 1,000 in recent reports
Property crime is the bulk in both towns—Findlay has more volume due to larger size/commercial areas, but per-person rates are similar or slightly higher in Fostoria.
Drug Crime
Both towns see regular busts via METRICH Task Force:
- Findlay — Frequent seizures (meth, fentanyl, cocaine in 2024-2025 raids).
- Fostoria — Similar targeted operations.
