(Science Teacher At Gorham-Fayette Local School) James B. Short, 73 of Bryan, passed away unexpectedly, Monday, April 7, 2025, in his residence. Jim was born on October 16, 1951, in Defiance, Ohio, the son of the late R Stanford and Iris Jean (Stipe) Short. He was a 1969 graduate of Bryan High School. He received his bachelor’s degree in 1973, in fisheries management from The Ohio State University. He later received his teaching certificate from Defiance College. Jim was a science teacher for Gorham-Fayette School District for 30 years, retiring in 2004. He also worked at Nemco Food in Hicksville…
Author: Newspaper Staff
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(PRESS RELEASE / THE VILLAGE REPORTER) CELL PHONES … Governor DeWine recently held a press conference to discuss new legislation that would ban student cell phone use in public schools. Pictured (left to right) are State Senator Andrew Brenner, State Senator Jane Timken, First Lady Fran DeWine, Governor Mike DeWine, former Second Lady Tina Husted, Dublin City Schools Superintendent Dr. John Marschhausen. PRESS RELEASE – Ohio Governor Mike DeWine hosted a press conference in support of legislation that would ban the use of cell phones in public schools in Ohio. Sponsored by Sen. Jane Timken (R-Jackson Township), Senate Bill 158…
By: Steve Wilmot It’s hard to believe, but it was 13 years ago the Supreme Court legalized same-sex marriage. Opinions then and now have run the gamut. Many who agree with the decision try to silence those who oppose it, especially if they are Christians, using the “judge not” tactic. One Facebook user who supported same-sex marriages posted what hundreds of others thought: “You are absolutely right. Jesus says love everyone and judge not. So that is what I am doing… Who am I to judge someone else for their sin when I sin too?” When Jesus uttered the words…
By: Mike Kelly Retired Pastor In the Jewish calendar, Passover will happen this Saturday at sundown and go through Sunday (April 12-13). The following 7 days will be The Feast of Unleavened Bread and it will conclude on Sunday April 20 after a week of reflection on personal sin. For Believers, this Sunday is celebrated as Palm Sunday where Jesus enters Jerusalem to great crowds and great acclaim. And later next week we will have the betrayal, the trial, the crucifixion and the burial of Christ. But, we will begin the next week on Sunday April 20 with a celebration…
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(PRESS RELEASE / THE VILLAGE REPORTER) MEET THE OWNER … Pictured is Sarah Whitman, owner/operator of Millcreek Coffee and Scones in West Unity. PRESS RELEASE – The West Unity Omnibus club met at the Millcreek Coffee and Cones on March 10. The 12 members answered the roll call question of their favorite beverage. The club met the owner / operator, Sarah Whitman. Sarah shared how they acquired the business, redecorated giving the business a fresh barista café atmosphere. Serving various quality coffees and teas, along with pastries, sandwiches, ice cream, and in April she will be adding soft serve to…
(PRESS RELEASE / THE VILLAGE REPORTER) SARAH’S FRIENDS MISSION … Montpelier Rotary Club welcomed Katie Shaffer, Executive Director of Sarah’s Friends in Bryan. Sarah’s Friends has provided services for survivors of crime in Williams County since 1991. Katie clarified that they serve ALL victims of crime – women and men, young and old. In addition to advocacy, transitional housing and rapid rehousing (among other services) Sarah’s Friends added in-house counseling services in 2025. While they receive funding from federal and state government and local businesses and foundations, Katie noted that Sarah’s Friends continues to receive 40% of funding from individual…
By: Brenna White THE VILLAGE REPORTER publisher@thevillagereporter.com The Bryan City Council meeting for April 4th, held at 5:30 p.m., consisted of all council members being present. This also included Mayor Carrie Schlade, Clerk-Treasurer John Lehner, Fire Chief Douglas Pool, Police Chief Gregory Ruskey, and Director of Utilities Derek Schultz. The meeting started off with a public hearing for the rezoning of 437 and 433 South Main Street. This would be changed from a residential (R-2) to a commercial (C-3) zone. Hupe, of Ward Two, expressed concerns about losing possible homes for residents. “I understand, needing to grow as a community,”…
(PRESS RELEASE / THE VILLAGE REPORTER) DONATION … Thanks to the William S. Clark Family Foundation Fund held at the Bryan Area Foundation, for giving $10,000 to the Williams County Agricultural Society. The grant monies will be used to move, replace, and landscape the primary American Flagpole on the Williams County Fairgrounds. Pictured left to right during the check presentation are Williams County Veterans Memorial representative Kevin Motter, Williams County Agricultural Society representative Matt Kennedy, and William S. Clark Family Foundation Fund representative Barb Watson.
PRESS RELEASE – Sauder Village’s annual Quilt Show returns for its 48th year Wednesday, April 30 to Saturday, May 3, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Founder’s Hall. This four-day exhibit honors the enduring tradition of quilting, highlighting the functionality, craftsmanship and creativity of the artform. Visitors will have the opportunity to view hundreds of quilts from across the region displayed full-length in Founder’s Hall, showcasing the stories of generations of quilters. “What’s so amazing about our annual Quilt Show is that it’s a chance for the community to see the creativity and talent that’s right here in our area,”…
PRESS RELEASE – Fulton County Clerk of Courts Tracy L. Zuver has provided his monthly report for March 2025 with March 2024 in parentheses, with the following: New cases filed in the legal department 184 (108); domestic 13 {15), civil 23 {23), criminal 17 {20), miscellaneous 1 (0), judgment liens 131 {47), and appeals 0 (2) with a total of fees collected being $60,053.09 ($54,685.32). The title department issued a total of 1,358 (1,397) titles; new cars 72 {75), used cars 745 (751), new trucks 49 {53), used trucks 287 {301), vans 16 (18), motorcycles 42 {46), manufactured homes 12…
PRESS RELEASE – This May, history comes to life in Wauseon as Lauer Farms 1944, a nonprofit organization widely recognized for producing some of the most authentic and engaging World War II reenactments in the Midwest, launches a brand-new event at Homecoming Hill. The public is invited to attend this immersive living history experience on Saturday, May 3rd, and Sunday, May 4th. In addition, a special Student Education Day will be held on Friday, May 2nd, bringing in hundreds of local students for an unforgettable, hands-on learning opportunity. With over 100 reenactors already registered, the event will feature portrayals of…
PRESS RELEASE – The District 1 FFA Chapters recently held the Agriscience Research CDE (Career Development Event) at Ayersville High School. The Agriscience Research CDE provides hands on experiences in agriculture research. Students use the scientific method to solve complex problems related to agriculture, food and natural resources. Students develop a project, conduct an experiment, and draw conclusions. The student then submits a scientific report. The FFA breaks down the research into these categories. Animal Systems Category – Placing first was Avrie Herman, Edgerton; third place was Renee Bok, Fairview; and fourth place was Audrey Crites, Fairview. Environmental Systems Category…
PRESS RELEASE – We invite you to join us for the Gospel Echoes Team Annual Banquet being held at Pettisville Missionary Church, Pettisville, OH on Friday April 25, 2025, at 6:30 p.m. All the public is welcome, bring the whole family! The evening will include a Home-style Dinner, Music by Gospel Echoes Harvest Team, Mercy Road Team, and the Gingerich Family, and a Prison Ministry presentation. For Reservations Contact: Paul & Dianne Heisey 419-924-5192 The Gospel Echoes is a full-time prison ministry, traveling to churches and prisons throughout the U.S. and Canada. Gospel Echoes Teams have ministered in over 500…
PRESS RELEASE – Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-09), Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development, celebrated APA Solar’s announcement of a major $19.5 Million expansion in Northwest Ohio, which includes the construction of a new headquarters in Henry County and a manufacturing facility in Williams County. The project will bring 133 new jobs to the region, solidifying Northwest Ohio’s leadership in clean energy manufacturing and marking another proud moment in the region’s industrial resurgence. Founded in 2008, APA Solar has grown into one of the largest fixed-tilt racking manufacturers in the United States, employing over 200…
The female Athlete of the Week is Montpelier softball player Madelyn Hopper. In wins over Pettisville and Edon last week, Hopper tossed 10 innings giving up just five hits with 24 strikeouts and passed 500 career strikeouts in the win over Pettisville. At the plate she totaled seven hits and drove in six runs in the two games combined.
The male Athlete of the Week is Evergreen sprinter Breyden Hoffman. At last week’s Montpelier Early Bird Invitational, Hoffman was first in the 100m and 200m and was part of the 4×100 and 4×200 relay teams that placed first as Evergreen finished first in the overall team standings.
VARSITY SOFTBALL Montpelier @ North Central 5pm (POSTPONED; RESCHEDULED FOR APRIL 19) Archbold @ Edgerton 5pm (POSTPONED; MAKEUP TBD) Napoleon @ Bryan 5pm (POSTPONED; RESCHEDULED FOR APRIL 22) Wauseon @ Fairview 5pm (CANCELED) Edon @ Paulding 5pm (POSTPONED; RESCHEDULED FOR APRIL 19) Stryker @ Hilltop 5pm (POSTPONED; MAKEUP TBD) Pettisville @ Ayersville 5pm (CANCELED) VARSITY BASEBALL Pettisville @ Swanton 5pm (POSTPONED; MAKEUP TBD) Evergreen @ Rossford 5pm (CANCELED) Napoleon @ Archbold 5pm (POSTPONED; MAKEUP TBD) Montpelier @ North Central 5pm (POSTPONED; RESCHEDULED FOR APRIL 11) Edon @ Hamilton, IN 5pm (POSTPONED; MAKEUP TBD) Antwerp @ Fayette 5pm (CANCELED) Stryker @…
By: Joe Blystone THE VILLAGE REPORTER publisher@thevillagereporter.com PETTISVILLE (April 7, 2025) – Because of the congestion of trains outside Pettisville, a number of fans were late arrivals for the Blackbirds softball game against Ottawa Hills. However, after taking a 1-0 lead, Ottawa Hills found themselves standing on the tracks and the train was coming through as Pettisville scored a whopping 32 runs on their way to a 32-1 rout of the winless Green Bears. Macy Hoylman allowed a first inning unearned run on a hit batter, a throwing error on a stolen base and a ground out. From then out,…
The Temple Theater, located northeast of the intersection of High and Beech streets in Bryan, was originally constructed as an armory for Company E, 16th Ohio National Guard. Ground was broken for the 100 x 44-foot structure on October 28, 1878, and it was completed in 1879. The armory was equipped with a stage and dressing rooms, and it hosted dances, plays, roller skating, and basketball games. Future President William McKinley once addressed an audience of 1,600 there. The Temple Theater opened in the former armory in 1921 and operated for approximately 25 years. In April 1955, the Carroll-Ames hardware…
VARSITY SOFTBALL Evergreen 10, Emmanuel Christian 3 Ayersville 6, Montpelier 2 Pettisville 32, Ottawa Hills 1 (5 innings) Hilltop 19, Liberty Center 7 (5 innings) Swanton 15, Northwood 5 (6 innings) VARSITY BASEBALL Hilltop 17, Emmanuel Christian 7 (6 innings) Swanton 7, Otsego 6 BOYS TENNIS Ottawa-Glandorf 5, Wauseon 0
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