Daily briefs

Hancock commissioners holding open office hours for public FINDLAY — As an extension of their Town & Country Tuesday community gatherings that the Hancock County Commissioners introduced last summer, ongoing opportunities for continued public interaction with the commissioners are being made available throughout the new year. Beginning Friday, Feb. 6, Commissioner Timothy Bechtol will be offering routine open office hours each Friday afternoon from 1-3 p.m. in the commissioners' 1st floor hearing room in the Hancock County Administration Building, at 514 S. Main St., Findlay. In these Friday afternoon roundup sessions, the public is invited to share interests and reactions to issues and topics affecting Hancock County. No advanced appointments are required to meet with Commissioner Bechtol during these public gatherings. As a reminder, the commissioners conduct their regular general business meetings in their 1st floor hearing room every Tuesday and Thursday, normally beginning at 9:30 a.m. Refer to their agendas posted on their website at https://www.co.hancock.oh.us/AgendaCenter/County-Commissioners-2 for any additional special requested meetings following their general business meetings on those days. Each commissioner is available for individual meetings by appointment by calling their main office phone at 419-424-7044. Riedel, Hoops visiting county GOP's First Friday lunch FINDLAY — The two Republican candidates running for Ohio's Senate District 1 are coming to Findlay at 11:30 a.m. Friday, Feb. 6, for a friendly forum and Q&A. Jim Hoops, R-Napoleon, and Craig Riedel, R-Defiance, have hopes of filling the seat that will open in 2027 after Senate President Rob McColley's term is completed. Ohio's term limits preclude Sen. McColley from running for a third term. "We have two great candidates who have campaigned hard to win the May primary. The time has come for Hancock County voters to ask questions and start to form the decisions they'll make this May, and ultimately this coming November in the voting booth," said Hancock County Republican Chair KC Allen. First Friday luncheons are open to the public at the American Legion Ralph D. Cole Post 3, 120 Front St. Cost is $10 and RSVPs are appreciated at www.hancockcountygop.org/first-friday-luncheons.