Author: Newspaper Staff

An invitation to participate in a special prayer vigil Tuesday through Thursday, Sept. 13, 14 & 15 is extended to everyone in the Montpelier and Williams County community. The 72-hour prayer vigil is being organized for the benefit of Tanya (Ruble) Likens, kidney transplant recipient, and Patrick Michael, kidney donor. Their surgeries are scheduled at the University of  Michigan Hospital in Ann Arbor on Wednesday, Sept. 14th (time to be announced). Those interested in participating with prayers for Tanya and Patrick are asked to select half-hour time slots from 12:01 am through 12:00 midnight starting the day before surgery…

DEFIANCE – September is Safe Driving Awareness Month, and the Ohio State Highway Patrol is asking motorists to commit driving buckled, focused and sober. In addition, motorists can help keep roadways safe when they take their time, drive defensively and know all traffic safety laws. Last year, 1,110 people were killed in motor vehicle crashes. Although fatal crashes rose slightly in 2015, Ohio is still on pace with record low fatal numbers. “By devoting their full attention to the road, motorists can reduce their risk of getting into a crash,” said Lt. Bob Ashenfelter, Post Commander. “We need all motorists…

Bonnie Gonzales, second from left, serving as Junior Graduate Regent for Montpelier Chapter #270, Women of the Moose, was among 18 chapter co-workers in the state of Ohio who were eligible to be invested with the Green Cap honor recently. Convocation ceremonies were held during the annual WOTM conference in conjunction with the Ohio State Moose Association convention at the Holiday Inn, Independence, near Cleveland, August 4-7. The Green Cap necklace is bestowed on a qualifying junior graduate regent who meets certain requirements while serving as senior regent of her respective chapter, which must earn the Award of Achievement for…

Steve Pursel and Allen Huelskamp, of the St. Casper’s Knights of Columbus in Wauseon, presented a check for $500 to Fulton County Board of Developmental Disabilities Superintendent Beth Friess. This money was collected by the Wauseon St. Caspar’s Knights of Columbus as part of their “Measure-Up Program”. This money will be used to support individuals with developmental disabilities with their local self-advocacy group “Come Together”. Pictured from left to right: Steve Pursel, Beth Friess and Allen Huelskamp.

By: James Pruitt THE VILLAGE REPORTER Fulton County won’t be getting any funding to install obstruction lighting at the airport next year. The state’s Office of Aviation informed the Auditor’s Office of its decision in a letter dated Aug. 18. The county’s application did not receive a priority rating high enough to justify funding. The state did encourage the county to apply for 2018 funding. The commissioners approved a request from the United Way of Fulton County to use the first floor of the Detwiler Manor for a food packing event. The “Day of Caring” will be from 10 a.m.…

On New Year’s Day 2016 Jacob underwent surgery to remove a brain tumor which was discovered just days prior, & 5 days later suffered a severe TBI – Traumatic Brain Injury, that also caused a stroke. He remained in a coma on a respirator for 2 months, & spent 5 months undergoing intensive inpatient rehabilitation. Jacob has had to relearn to talk, eat, walk, & just the simple daily tasks we all take for granted. The stroke affected his peripheral vision in his left eye. The TBI also affected his ability to sleep, & even though he starts his day…

(WAUSEON, OH) – September 2016 is Kinship Appreciation Month in Ohio. Kinship refers to relatives or close friends who are caregivers of children when their own parents are not able to care for them. This can include grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and older siblings. It can also include friends, neighbors, coaches, Sunday school teachers, etc., according to KinshipOhio. Nearly one hundred thousand Ohio grandparents are raising their grandchildren according to the 2010 Census. In 2012, it was reported that there were 354 grandparents raising grandchildren in Fulton County. Amy Metz-Simon, Fulton County Job and Family Services Director states “Fulton County…

By: Sarah Gray THE VILLAGE REPORTER Northwest Ohio native, Lindsay Drewes, is making a name for herself in several ways. With no expectations of becoming an entrepreneur, Lindsay began her working career as a teacher. She describes herself as a, “super-intense teacher”, working through planning periods and working on Saturdays to teach 4th and 5th graders at a charter school in Toledo. It is evident that her passion for children, learning and making a difference in the lives of others are what drives her. In 2014, after six years as a teacher and a year after the birth of her…

To say Marty Potts is an avid collector of World War II memorabilia would be an understatement. The Bryan resident has a room filled with photos, model airplanes, guns and other memorabilia and collectibles from the war. He jokes that there are still some spots where the wall can be seen. Potts also collects stories of those who flew some of the planes he has models of – especially B-17 bombers. Potts recently flew on a B-17 and met a man who used to man a ball turret on a B-17. He was waiting at the Toledo Airport for the…

Millions of men served during World War II, but not everyone was a soldier on the front line. Some, like Ross Rummel of Montpelier served the nation by helping with the grunt work that supported the war effort. For Rummel, that was spending 2 ½ years in the Pacific Theater working as a Seabee. Rummel was a member of the 109th Naval Construction Battalion, Company D, Group 3. His address at the time was across the street from where currently resides in Montpelier. Seabees were construction workers who received enough training to handle a weapon while they built airstrips and…

By: James Pruitt THE VILLAGE REPORTER If Williams County can get the money from the state, several blighted homes could be demolished by March. That’s what would happen under the auspices of the Land Reutilization Corporation, a new entity established to seek state funding to raze homes that are in disrepair and delinquent in on property taxes. The group officially formed in early August and met Aug. 29 to discuss getting its application in before the Sept. 2 deadline. Bryan City Engineer Brian Wieland chairs the group. Center Township official Todd Burkholder is vice chair, Williams County Treasurer Vicki Grimm…

By: James Pruitt THE VILLAGE REPORTER Williams County has a new dog warden following action by the Board of Commissioners. The commissioners offered the full-time job to Pat Walsh following the retirement of the previous dog warden Aug. 31. Walsh accepted the position immediately. Walsh will have a starting salary of $14 an hour, which will be reviewed after six months. She has worked in the office since 2001. Commissioner Lewis Hilkert said he will discuss with Walsh about ways to change the office. Walsh has some ideas that have been discussed a bit. During her tenure she has helped…

ARCHBOLD, OHIO – Northwest State Community College recently awarded Presidential and Honors Scholarships to seventy-two students. The scholarships are awarded based on academic achievement and will apply toward tuition at Northwest State beginning this fall semester. The Presidential Scholarship is a full-tuition, renewable scholarship and was awarded to fourteen recent high school graduates from the region, as well as nine second-year students. The Honors Scholarship is a half-tuition, renewable scholarship and was awarded to thirty-four recent high school graduates, as well as fifteen second-year students. To be eligible for the Presidential or Honors Scholarship, applicants must meet grade point average…

Archbold, OH – Sauder Village, Ohio’s largest living-history destination, invites home school families from throughout the region to Home School Appreciation Days – September 6-10 and September 13-17. Families are encouraged to call and pre-register to receive discounted admission and special coupons for this great opportunity to connect your children to local history. “Our costumed guides and working craftsmen help bring history to life for students of all ages,” shared Kim Krieger, PR/Media Relations. “Home School Appreciation Days are a great time for home school families to have fun in the past while learning something new at Sauder Village!” As…

Four County Career Center is hosting a “Senior Citizens Day” at the school on September 21, 2016. Senior Citizens are invited to join us for a morning of activities and lunch. The activities will start at 10:00 a.m. and conclude at 1:00 p.m. A total of six exciting activities will be available for the “seniors” to participate in throughout the morning. These include a hand and arm massage by the Cosmetology students; a floral activity led by Floral Design students; creating a winter ornament under the direction of the Interior Design students; a 15 minute senior workout led by the…

Pettisville Ever-Ready held their 10th and final meeting on August 25th at the Pettisville Park Pavilion. Ticket money was turned in. Everyone was to have there 5 meeting requirements, community service, Quality Assurance, complete book projects, interviews, and demonstrations done. There is a new fair entry location, you are to enter the fairgrounds off of County Road J, west of the Gerald Grain Elevator. DUNF forms are to be filled out correctly prior to check in. Submitted By Mackenzie Morgan, Secretary

By: James Pruitt THE VILLAGE REPORTER Hoping to catch the wave that’s changing the way people think about running, the YMCA hosted the first ROAR event at Camp Palmer Sept. 3. ROAR stands for Rogue Obstacle Adventure Race and the event Saturday presented a 1.5-mile fun run, a 3-mile fun run and a 3-mile course competitive race. Fifty runners turned out for the three heats. “Obstacle courses are an up and coming thing,” YMCA rep Heather Jones said. “The Y has been trying to find a place to do this for the last three or four years trying to brainstorm…

On Tuesday, September 13 senior citizens are invited to create a fun craft at the Bryan Library West Annex! Design your own Umbrella Wreath from 3:00 to 5:00 pm or 6:00 to 8:00 pm. Bring a new or used umbrella, some artificial flowers, and a bow. If you would rather create a more traditional wreath, then bring a plain circle wreath, or refurbish a wreath you already own by redecorating it! You will also need to bring decorating supplies. Use your imagination and create a fun wreath for any season! All programs will be held in the Harmon Room of…

By: James Pruitt THE VILLAGE REPORTER Connie Cunningham always wanted to own a bookstore or work in a library. Now as the new director at the Montpelier Library she has the best of both worlds. Cunningham has been named as the replacement for Librarian Gloria Osburn who is retiring after 14 years. Osburn said he wants to spend more time with her grandchildren. She said the Board of Trustees made a great choice in hiring Cunningham. While she is handing her “baby” over to someone else, she is not scared at all, Osburn said. “Connie is so personable,” Osburn said.…

For those who have never grasped the concept that dynamite comes in small packages, may I introduce to you Dawn Fitzcharles, the Administrator of the Village of Edgerton. Since joining the village staff in January of 2015, she has taken every bull that has challenged her by the horns…and there have been more than a few. Dawn is a native of Steuben County, Indiana. After graduating from Angola High School, she went to Ivy Tech to get her Associates Degree, then graduated from Defiance College with her Bachelors Degree. She has been married to Tracy Fitzcharles for seven years, and…

By: Allyson Hutchison THE VILLAGE REPORTER The new school year is rolling around which means it’s fundraising time at North Central. This is especially true for the junior class since they are the ones that pay for prom. The class of 2018 was searching for a creative and inexpensive way to raise money. Class advisor, Mandy Turner, sought the imaginative minds of Pintrest. Her searches brought her to two main ideas, toilets and flamingoes. “I thought a toilet would be too heavy,” Turner explained. So they went with the latter idea, putting plastic flamingoes in peoples’ yards. Once the flamingoes…

By: James Pruitt THE VILLAGE REPORTER As a mother of three sons, the last thing Lori King thought she would be organizing would be an event matching teenage girls with prom dresses. But that’s exactly what King is doing and is preparing for Homecoming Dress/Beauty Comes From The Heart, set for 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sept. 10 at the West Clinton Mennonite Church, 10829 CR C in Wauseon. “It is amazing that God has called me, a mother of three grown sons to do a ministry for young ladies,” King said. It’s funny since she has no idea about…

Glenn D. Miller, 76 years, of West Unity, passed away Friday, September 2, 2016, at his home with his family at his side. Glenn was born July 12, 1940 in Hummelstown, Pennsylvania, the son of Maurice M. and Florence V. (Shertzer) Miller. He was a 1958 graduate of Hummelstown High School, Hummelstown, Pennsylvania. He then attended Baldwin Wallace College where he graduated in 1962 with a Bachelors of Music Degree. He attended the University of Michigan where he received his Masters of Music Degree. He married Nancy C. Meares on August 17, 1963 in Willoughby, Ohio, and she survives. His…

By: James Pruitt THE VILLAGE REPORTER The Fulton County Commissioners approved a draw of $35,371 for work on various projects for the Wauseon Downtown Revitalization program. The money was disbursed to: Bo-Dec, $22,451.96 for roof work at 130 N. Fulton and $12,920 for replacing the old roof at 127 Beach. Approved rates for the county’s four sewer systems (Airport, Elmira/Burlington, Pettisville and Pleasant View). Approved amounts required from general property tax as approved by the Budget Commission and the tax to be levied as estimated by the county auditor. Property taxes from the Inside 10 mill limitation is expected to…

Wauseon, OH – Hunger is a serious problem for some families in Fulton County and your local United Way is stepping up to make a difference to food-insecure kids and families in Fulton County by raising funds to hold an Outreach Food Packaging Event. They are looking for support of individuals, businesses and other organizations in the area. According to the most recent Fulton County Health Assessment, 24% of youth reported that they went to bed hungry because they didn’t have enough food to eat at least 1 night per week. While 3% of youth reported going to bed hungry…

By: Bill O’Connell THE VILLAGE REPORTER The Village of Swanton held a special Council meeting on August 29 to allow residents of the Village and Swanton Township to ask questions to a delegation of representatives from Norfolk Southern concerning the proposed rail yard which will stage cars carrying mostly coal. The meeting, which was held in the recently opened Swanton Community Center, quickly became an intense emotionally charged question and answer event as tempers flared, forcing Council President, Paul Dzyak, to bang the gavel on several occasions to restore order. Many residents had concerns about the environmental and health impact…

By: James Pruitt THE VILLAGE REPORTER Joining other communities in Ohio, Archbold has enacted a six-month moratorium on the cultivation, processing or retail sale of medical marijuana. The ordinance came into effect Aug. 29. The Village Council approved an ordinance establishing the moratorium to give the council and other departments time to review local and state statues to protect the general health and well-being of village residents. Law 131 Sub. HB 523 goes into effect Sept. 8. Many communities are setting up the six-month bans to get their own legal house in order. The new law allows communities to prohibit…

Job 1 USA recently opened it’s doors at 303 Mechanic Street in Archbold and celebrated with a ribbon cutting. Present were front row: Amy Krueger, AACC; Julia Garcia, Kalsey Osburn and Brittany Galbraith of Job 1 USA and Matt Gilroy of Fulton County Economic Development. Back row: Cara Leininger, Fulton County WorkForce; Shannon Shulters, Fulton County Economic Development; Bruce Rumpf, Job 1 USA CEO and Dave Lersch, Chamber President.

OK Electric on Ottokee Street in Wauseon is under new ownership and ready to help you with all your electrical needs. Present at a recent ribbon cutting were: Gloria Gunn, F&M Bank; Stephen Maloney, Barber Kaper Stamm Robinson and McWatters Law; Jo Gleckler, Krunch Krauss, former owner; Kelly and Dan Moore, new owners; Brenda Krauss, former owner; Eddie Partin, Janell Rath, Melinda Robinson, Mayor Kathy Huner, Gina Saaf and Bill Drummer, Wauseon Chamber Director. Back row: Ryan Miller, Andres O’Neill & Lowe; Kevin Whitlock, Tom Gleckler, NWE; Ben Poorman, TJ Vaculik, Brent Shea and Dave Lantz.

Holding the honorary ribbon cutting scissors, Tim Rausch is welcomed to Montpelier by the Chamber of Commerce. Pictured from left to right: Jason Luke (Chamber President), Kandace Potts-Salaz (Evergreen Manor Rehab. & Nursing Care), Susan Gearhart (Chamber Executive Director), Carolyn Hillard, Tim Rausch (State Farm Agent), Grace Gambino (State Farm Team), Phyllis Geesey (Ring’s, past Chamber Member), Leigh Boothman (Farmers & Merchants State Bank), and Randy Shirkey (Derrow Shirkey Ford Lincoln).