The Courier's most read stories online in 2025

FINDLAY — Another year has passed and we take the opportunity to look back and see what The Courier's online readership flocked to most in the past 12 months. From new businesses opening and others closing, to area court cases of high interest and important municipal movements, here are the top 10 most read stories on TheCourier.com in 2025. 1) "Cannabis dispensaries OK'd" — Jun. 13 After thorough questioning of company representatives, Findlay City Planning Commission approved plans for two cannabis dispensaries in Findlay, on the city's east and west sides. One, Trulieve, is at 1501 West Main Cross Street, west of Interstate 75 and east of Pilgrim Restaurant. It was previously the site of Guaranteed Auto Dealer. The other, Curaleaf, is at 2205 Tiffin Ave., across the street from Meijer. It was previously the site of a Dollar General. 2) "Barricades go up in downtown Findlay" — Jul. 18 The anticipated return of the downtown cruise in Findlay, just one month after organizers agreed to cancel future events due to safety concerns, could have included another type of vehicle — the paddy wagon. The city of Findlay barricaded the 100 and 200 blocks of North Main Street one Friday night to prevent participants and onlookers from congregating on the blocks. The decision drew some feedback from those who frequented unofficial cruise nights through downtown Findlay over the decades. 3) "Granary closes its doors" — Nov. 22 After 40 years — including 21 in Findlay — the Granary Gifts and Furniture closed the doors of its local store. "Many people think of their work as a job … but over the years to my husband and myself, our work was a ministry, many times praying with customers (complete strangers) that somehow felt a peace in our store," said owner Dianne Schafer. 4) "Sale of city properties could bypass public auction" — Nov. 7 A plan that would allow the city of Findlay to sell the former Hochstettler's Old Mill property at 428 W. Main Cross St. for an expansion of neighboring Dietsch Brothers prompted questions about transparency and the city's approach to managing public assets. A similar deal was in the works for the sale of the old Northside Fire Station. 5) "Findlay clothing store closing its doors" — Jan. 24 Downtown Findlay clothing store The Urban Market, 524 S. Main St., closed near the beginning of the year. Opening in 2017, the business was a part of the downtown area ever since. The Urban Market carried clothing and accessories for men and women, as well as baby and toddler clothing. 6) "Charges against Upper Sandusky man dismissed" — Nov. 24 Criminal charges against Scott Dickey, 51, of Upper Sandusky, were dismissed without prejudice. Dickey was first arrested in August 2024 and charged with gross sexual imposition, rape and two counts of abduction. In October, Wyandot County Common Pleas Judge Douglas Rowland presided as a Wyandot County jury found Dickey not guilty of rape after several hours of deliberation, but was unable to come to an agreement on the remaining five charges. 7) "Findlay's getting All Fired Up" — Aug. 14 In 2024, Amanda Fredritz and Liz Serin decided to pursue their love of ceramics further by purchasing their own kiln and molds. Eventually, they ended up with over 1,000 molds and multiple kilns. Their work gained a following online, and this past year, the two decided to open a brick-and-mortar shop in Findlay. The mother-daughter duo divides responsibilities at the store based on their strengths. Serin, who has experience running Inman's Garage Doors LLC, manages shop operations and marketing, while Fredritz focuses on production, from pouring molds to firing pieces. 8) "Findlay mall razing begun; Stores exited" — Jul. 29 Demolition began on the 188,000-square-foot main part of the Findlay Village Mall to make room for construction of a $20.3 million, 132,258-square-foot Target store. All stores were vacated by summer, some of which have found new locations in the area. The decades-old mall's transformation changed the landscape of Tiffin Avenue, one of Findlay's busiest market thoroughfares. 9) "County denies Findlay annexation request" — Oct. 31 The Hancock County commissioners blocked a land annexation request from the city of Findlay for a second time. The annexation involves 21 parcels along county roads 212 and 236. Since 2016, the city has spent hundreds of thousands of dollars for designs to widen and smooth the intersection. In 2023, Findlay Mayor Christina Muryn said the $1.5 million upgrade would improve safety at the intersection and steer more truck traffic away from downtown Findlay. Rob Martin, Findlay safety service director, called the commissioners' decision "shortsighted." The city has needed the annexation approved to move forward with a plan to upgrade the truck-frequented intersection. 10) "Lakota principal charged with assault" — May 30 A Lakota Local Schools principal is facing an assault charge after an incident involving an elementary student. Dana D. Ward, 55, of Rudolph, Lakota's elementary principal, was charged in the Woodville location of the Sandusky County Court. According to records provided by the Sandusky County Sheriff's Office, the incident occurred on May 8, when a parent reported that while she was waiting to pick up her child from school, she witnessed Ward "dragging and yanking" the child by their arm.