Author: Newspaper Staff

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VARSITY SOFTBALL Montpelier @ Swanton 4:30pm (CANCELED) Archbold @ Tinora 5pm Fostoria @ Evergreen 5pm (POSTPONED; RESCHEDULED FOR APRIL 29) Ottawa Hills @ Wauseon 5pm Hicksville @ North Central 5pm (CANCELED) Edon @ Antwerp 5pm Edgerton @ Hilltop 5pm (POSTPONED; RESCHEDULED FOR APRIL 11) Fayette @ Pettisville 5pm VARSITY BASEBALL Edgerton @ Archbold 5pm (CANCELED; MAKE-UP TBD) Ottawa-Glandorf @ Bryan 5pm Delta @ Lake 5pm Evergreen @ Swanton 5pm (POSTPONED; RESCHEDULED FOR APRIL 9) Wauseon @ Otsego 5pm (POSTPONED; RESCHEDULED FOR APRIL 1) Pettisville @ North Central 5pm (POSTPONED; RESCHEDULED FOR APRIL 4) Edon @ Antwerp 5pm Ayersville @ Hilltop…

(PHOTO BY RENEA KESSLER / THE VILLAGE REPORTER) 2024 NWOAL PLAYER OF THE YEAR … Bryan’s Carter Dominique delivers a pitch in last year’s district semifinal versus Napoleon. Dominique leads a solid core of returners for Bryan as they look to compete for a league title. By: Nate Calvin THE VILLAGE REPORTER sports@thevillagereporter.com BRYAN – The NWOAL looks to be as wide-open as ever with defending league champion Archbold reloading after graduating ten letterwinners while other teams bring back a strong contingent from a year ago. Leading that list are the Bryan Golden Bears, who bring back nine letter winners…

TWO-HIT GAME … Terry Rebeck makes contact and reaches base for the Cadets in last year’s district final versus Montpelier. The sophomore hit .464 with 27 RBIs while scoring 24 runs last season. By: Nate Calvin THE VILLAGE REPORTER sports@thevillagereporter.com MONTPELIER – The BBC looks to be a three team race this spring as Montpelier, Hilltop, and Edon return key pieces from last year’s squads. BBC Player of the Year Kenneth Smeltzer tops the list of returners for the Locos who were a perfect 7-0 in the BBC last season and made their deepest tournament run since 2003. Hilltop head…

By: Jacob Kessler THE VILLAGE REPORTER jacob@thevillagereporter.com The Archbold High School Vocal Music Department presented their spring musical for 2025. This year the team chose the production “Fiddler on the Roof”, based on the Sholem Aleichem Stories. Show times for the performances were Friday, March 28th and Saturday, March 29th at 7:00 p.m., with an additional showing held on Sunday, March 30th at 2:00 p.m. The student actors brought the beloved classic Fiddler on the Roof to life, captivating audiences with its humor, warmth, and heartfelt storytelling. Set in the small village of Anatevka, the musical follows Tevye, a poor…

(PHOTOS BY JACOB KESSLER / THE VILLAGE REPORTER) AREA ARCHERS … On March 14-15, Stryker High School hosted 617 archers from 14 schools for the 2025 Stryker Archery Invitational. Tara Noble (Stryker), Hallie Woodard (Wauseon), Samantha Walkup (Montpelier), Ashlyn Harter (Montpelier), Abby Cousino (Delta), and Ashlyn Tedrow (Delta) each finished in the top 10 of the High School Girls Division. In the High School Boys Division, Richard Noonan (Wauseon) tied for first while Fayette’s Zander Goble (T-7th) and Caleb Wannemacher (T-10th) each finished in the top ten.

(PHOTOS PROVIDED / THE VILLAGE REPORTER) WINTER CHEERLEADING … Frances Musser: 2-Year Award, Showmanship, BBC Scholar Athlete; Kennedy Morr: 1st Year Award, School Spirit, BBC Scholar Athlete; Viviana Singer: Most Improved; Lola Liechty: JV All-American; Kayla Fultz: 1st Year Award, Best Technique, BBC Scholar Athlete; Haylee Parsons: 2-Year Award, Best Jumps, BBC Scholar Athlete. Not pictured: Madison Cargle: BBC Scholar Athlete; Tara Noble: 2-Year Award. PANTHER CHEERLEADING … Daniella Cheeseman: 3-Year Award, Varsity All-American, BBC Scholar Athlete. GIRLS BASKETBALL … Reiss Creighton – 2nd year letter winner, 2nd Team BBC, Scholar Athlete BBC, 2nd Team District 7, Most Improved, Defensive…

By: Jacob Kessler THE VILLAGE REPORTER jacob@thevillagereporter.com The Four County Joint Vocational Education Association (FCJVEA) has approved a vote of no confidence in the leadership of Superintendent Jeff Slattery. The vote, which was unanimously supported by FCJVEA members, reflects growing concerns over what the press release describes as a culture of hostility within the district. According to the release, FCJVEA members reported feeling “disrespected, unsupported, and disregarded” under Slattery’s administration. The association further alleged a “pervasive culture of hostility and harassment” and claimed that there has been a “consistent effort to silence the voices of educators and staff.” The association…

(PHOTO BY JACOB KESSLER / THE VILLAGE REPORTER) DELTA PANTHER … Mackenzie Clapp takes a swing during Saturday’s come from behind 13-11 win over the Bulldogs. Delta 13, Swanton 11 SWANTON – Down 7-1, Delta tallied three runs in the fourth and then took the lead with a seven-run fifth inning before holding on for a 13-11 win. Liz Schlatter paced the Panther offense by going 3-4 with two doubles and five runs batted in. Lucy Shinaver had a 4-5 day for Swanton while Alex Faber and Carli LaGrange each homered. SHS 321 100 4 – 11 17 3 DHS…

(PHOTO PROVIDED / THEVILLAGE REPORTER) AWARD … Trent Bair of Bair’s Concessions, Fair Board President Ron Rice, Fair Board Treasurer Kelly Bentley, and Fair Board Vice President Scott Smallman accept the award recognizing the Fulton County Fair as the best fair in Ohio. By: Jacob Kessler THE VILLAGE REPORTER jacob@thevillagereporter.com The Fulton County Fair was presented with the Greater Ohio Showmen’s Association’s Best Fair of the Year Award on Saturday, March 29th. The award is presented to a fair in Ohio yearly, with Fulton County being nominated this year by Bair’s Concessions. Award recipients are chosen from the pool of…

By: Jacob Kessler THE VILLAGHE REPORTER jacob@thevillagereporter.com Strong Storms screamed their way into Williams County this evening, leaving straight-line wind damage in their wake. Reports are still coming in, but pictures and stories of damage are making their rounds on social media both in Williams County and neighboring counties in Indiana. This damage comes after a tornado warning was issued for the Northern part of Williams County from Indiana and into Hillsdale County, Michigan. At this time, none of the damage reported has been linked to the presence of a tornado. Storms then continued through Williams County and entered Fulton…

A Tornado Warning (not Thunderstorm) has been issued for northern Williams County.  The National Weather Service reports that this tornadic thunderstorm will primarily affect rural areas in Steuben, southeastern Branch, southwestern Hillsdale, and northwestern Williams Counties. The impacted locations include Camden, Cambria, York, Montgomery, Bridgewater Center, Lake Wilson, Frontier, Pleasant Lake, Nettle Lake, and Ray. Update – the warning has since expired.  There is reported damage and power outages in the area, more reports will follow.

By: Jacob Kessler THE VILLAGE REPORTER jacob@thevillagereporter.com A potential severe weather event is shaping up for parts of Canada, all the way down to Texas. According to Meteorologist Megan Dodson at the National Weather Service Office in Northern Indiana, the threats facing our area in Northwest Ohio vary from damaging winds, hail and tornados. According to Dodson, the entire severe weather event shows a “significant threat” for tornados, with our area however seeing more of a threat for damaging winds, large hail and isolated tornados. The timing for these storms currently sits between 6:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. depending on…

The seniors of Liberty Center High School’s Leadership Class are taking on an extraordinary mission this year with their “Small Business Takeover” project. Partnering with local company Mattress Works, the students are selling a special mattress named “The Giver”, with 100% of the profits going to charitable organizations. The project embodies the class’s mission: “Boldly lead, kindly serve, and selflessly give.” The funds raised through the sale of “The Giver” mattress will support a range of local and national charities, including: •American Cancer Society •Leukemia and Lymphoma Society •Special Olympics Ohio •Northwest Ohio CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) •Henry County…

(PHOTO BY BRENNA WHITE / THE VILLAGE REPORTER) STUDENT REPORT … Students present progress updates for the Eagle Tabletop Gaming Club to the board. By: Brenna White THE VILLAGE REPORTER publisher@thevillagereporter.com The North Central School Board meeting was held on Tuesday, March 25th, starting at 6pm. In attendance were only three board members, Board President Katie Burt, John Huffman and Dustin Meyers of the Budget Committee. Superintendent Michael Bute led the work session held prior to the meeting. This work session is open to the public and is a great opportunity to have a better understanding of what the meetings…

PRESS RELEASE – Consumers who were charged too much for certain generic drugs may be eligible for compensation from a $49.1 million settlement with two manufacturers, Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost announced today. Apotex of Toronto and Heritage Pharmaceuticals of Eatontown, New Jersey, were accused of participating in a long-running scheme to artificially inflate prices, manipulate markets, and limit competition for numerous generic prescription drugs. Heritage Pharmaceuticals will pay $10 million as part of the settlement, which was filed Dec. 15, 2016, in the U.S. District Court for the District of Connecticut, in Hartford. Apotex’s share of the settlement is…

(PHOTO BY JESSE DAVIS / THE VILLAGE REPORTER) SOYBEAN SALE SUCCESS … Delta High School FFA President Walter Hallett describes the efforts of the club and their results managing soybean crops over the last year during Wednesday’s meeting of the Pike-Delta-York Local School District Board of Education. Hallett said the club raised about $12,000 when the harvest sold, enough to potentially cover the cost of new drainage tile under the field. By: Jesse Davis THE VILLAGE REPORTER jesse@thevillagereporter.com President of the Pike-Delta-York Local School District’s FFA chapter Walter Hallett gave a presentation to the Board of Education regarding the performance…

(PRESS RELEASE /THE VILLAGE REPORTER) ANNUAL BENEFIT … You are invited to join us for the 39th Annual CPC Spring Benefit and Silent Auction on Thursday, April 8, 2025 at 5:30 p.m. at Archbold Evangelical Church. This year, the event will feature a catered meal, a summary of the past year, client stories, and speaker, Pastor Samuel Andres. The sit-down DINNER will be served at 6:00pm (live music by Stringato Quartet) and the program starting at 6:45pm. We will have a coffee bar with specialty beverages and a silent auction with lots of great items. You can register for the…

(PHOTO BY JACOB KESSLER / THE VILLAGE REPORTER) TAKE DOWN TOBACCO … Karen Pennington of the Fulton County Health Department stands with students Henry Pennington and Brooklynn Spradlin as they speak to the board about World Take Down Tobacco Day, and the bad effects tobacco has. By: Jacob Kessler THE VILLAGE REPORTER jacob@thevillagereporter.com The Evergreen Board of Education held their meeting on Monday, March 24th. The meeting began at 6:04 p.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance, the approval of the evening’s agenda and the prior meeting minutes. Board members were then introduced to Karen Pennington of the Fulton County Health…

By: Amy Wendt THE VILLAGE REPORTER amy@thevillagereporter.com On March 25, all members of the Archbold Village Council met for a special work session to discuss whether to accept state funding so the village can proceed with the State Route 2/Township Road 24 roundabout project. Resolution 2025-12, authorizing the village administrator to enter into a contract with Tetra Tech Inc. to complete preliminary development, final design, and construction plans for the roundabout, was put on hold at the March 17 village council meeting. Village Administrator Aaron Alt opened the informal work session by posing a question to the council: “Where do…

By: Jacob Kessler THE VILLAGE REPORTER jacob@thevillagereporter.com Meetings for the Fulton County Commissioners were held on Tuesday, March 25th, and Thursday, March 27th. The meetings began at 9:00 a.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance and a prayer. During each of the meetings, the commissioners moved to approve minutes from the previous meeting, along with the current day’s agenda and approval of the bills. Each of the meetings also saw commissioners approve items as part of the day’s agenda, with each item approved being listed below. March 25th -Resolution 2025-204: Approve appropriations requests for various departments. -Resolution 2025-205: Approve Draw #5…

(PHOTO BY RENEA KESSLER / THE VILLAGE REPORTER) INTERIM … Heather Mercer was sworn in as the interim EMA Director until the county can find a new director. By: Renea Kessler THE VILLAGE REPORTER renea@thevillagereporter.com The Williams County Commissioners appointed an interim director on Thursday, March 27 while searching for a permanent replacement. Williams County 911 Communications Director Heather Mercer was named the EMA Director interim director and sworn in by Commissioner Scott Lirot. The commissioners debated using an interim, finding a replacement, or partnering with another county after EMA Director Apryl McClaine resigned. Williams County Engineer Todd Roth discussed…

(PHOTOS BY JACOB KESSLER / THE VILLAGE REPORTER) FIRST RESPONDERS … Medic Nicole Stiriz, Advanced EMT Desiree Snyder, Firefighter Heather Singer, Police Officer Pat Lannan, and EMT/Firefighter Alan Bennett stand in front of the Fayette ambulance before receiving their stork pins. STORK PIN … Pictured here is the stork pin that each of the first responders received for their recent actions at two OB EMS calls. By: Jacob Kessler THE VILLAGE REPORTER jacob@thevillagereporter.com Fayette first responders recently experienced a rare and remarkable series of events. Members assisted in the delivery of two babies within a three-week span, an occurrence many…

(PHOTO BY JESSE DAVIS / THE VILLAGE REPORTER) HEATED DISCUSSION … Delta Village Council and Public Services Committee members Anthony Dawson (left) and Robert Shirer (right) have a disagreement during discussion on the potential merging of the village’s water and wastewater departments during the committee’s meeting Monday evening. By: Jesse Davis THE VILLAGE REPORTER jesse@thevillagereporter.com Delta may eventually codify its temporary solution of how to continue to operate its wastewater facility, merging the water and wastewater departments and making the water employees who are currently pulling double duty, officially employees of a unified department with new job descriptions. That was…

BASEBALL Pettisville 14, Antwerp 0 (5 innings) Archbold 3, Ottawa-Glandorf 1 Miller City 13, Edgerton 5 Miller City 10, Edgerton 5 Swanton 8, Springfield 5 Genoa 8, Evergreen 3 Zane Trace 17, Wauseon 1 (5 innings) SOFTBALL Pettisville 10, Emmanuel Christian 5 Sylvania Northview 9, Montpelier 2 Archbold 7, Napoleon 3 Archbold 6, Napoleon 5 Edgerton 6, Elida 4 Edgerton 9, Elida 1 Delta 13, Swanton 11 Wauseon 14, Elmwood 3 (5 innings) Defiance 12, Wauseon 2 (5 innings)

(Bryan Resident) Eddie J. Douglas, age 84, of Bryan, Ohio, passed away on Tuesday, March 25, 2025, in his home following a brief illness. Eddie retired from the City of Austin as an Electrical Inspector after 18 years of service. He was enlisted in the United States Air Force from July 15, 1958, to July 13, 1962. Eddie was a member of the IBEW Union # 520. He enjoyed watching Westerns, feeding his birds and squirrels. Eddie was born on December 15, 1940, in Killeen, Texas, the son of Elbert and Nettie Bell (Reed) Douglas. He married Marie L. Bostater…

(Head Cook At Sauder’s Barn Restaurant) Mary E. Roth, age 86 years, of Archbold, passed away early Friday morning, March 28, 2025 at Fulton Manor in Wauseon. She was born October 15, 1938 in Brownsville, Texas, the daughter of Alfredo and Marie Longoria. She married Wilbur (Bill) Roth on November 21,1954, and he preceded her in death on July 27,1972. Mary enjoyed being an active partner with her husband in farming and thoroughly enjoyed being outside and keeping a meticulous lawn. She enjoyed cooking for her family and her time serving as head cook at Sauder’s Barn Restaurant. Mary believed…

(Attended Bryan Church Of The Nazarene) Ivan Lowell Ballmer, age 94, of Bryan, Ohio passed away on Wednesday, March 26, 2025 at Parkview Bryan Hospital. Ivan was a veteran of the US Army having served from 1951-1953. He retired from Spangler Candy Company after 25 years of service in the maintenance department. He then worked at Sauder Manufacturing making church pews and driving horse and buggy at Sauder Village. Ivan enjoyed working with Belgian Draft horses, was an avid coon hunter. He was a longtime member of the Bryan Church of the Nazarene, now Lifesource Church of the Nazarene and…