Fulton County Ohio Media

At the first meeting of 2026 for the Swanton Village Council, four individuals who were successful in their bid for office in the November election, were formally sworn into office by Mayor Neil Toeppe.  The four members are Patricia Pilliod (first time serving), Dave Pilliod (previous member), Deacon D. Dzierzawski (previous member) and Noah Kreuz (incumbent).

Once the Council was officially seated, their first order of business was to elect the President of the Council or President Pro Temp, who would serve as the Mayor if, for any reason, the Mayor was unavailable to conduct the Council meeting.  Mr. Toeppe called for nominations from the Council and Councilman John Schmidt nominated Mr. Pilliod.  Councilwoman Westhoven then nominated Mr. Dzierzawski.  Before the nominations were closed, Mr. Pilliod withdrew his name from consideration.  Finance Director Holden Benfield called the roll for their vote and Mr. Dzierzawski was elected unanimously. 

Next, Mr. Toeppe called for Council members to establish Rules of Council for 2026.  Mr. Dzierzawski recommended to hold a Special Meeting to set the Rules of Council sometime before the next regularly scheduled Council meeting on Monday, January 26^th.  After a brief discussion, the Council agreed to meet on Wednesday, January 21^st at 6:00 PM.  Following the Ohio Revised Code, the meeting proceeded under the 2025 Rules of Council.

Mayor Toeppe swears in Council members (L to R): Deacon D. Dzierzawski , Patricia Pilliod, Dave Pilliod, Noah Kreuz

On Friday afternoon, the Delta Panthers lost both matches to the Patrick Henry Patriots at the Swanton Sports Center.  The Patriot boys team defeated the Panther boys’ team 1890-1623 and the Lady Patriots beat the Lady Panthers 1692-1524.

Quinton Colburn led the Patriots with a two-game series total of 387, including a match-high 209 game and Marcello Miracola rolled a two-game series score of 329 for the Panthers.  Natalie Cavenaugh shot a two-game series 279 score for the Lady Patriots and Marcella Morris had a match-high series total of 295.

Patrick Henry Patriots:  Quinton Colburn (209 + 178 = 387), Derrek Munding (153 + 158 = 371), Kolton Barnhisel (145), Levi Hoops (145), Charles Vaughn (139), Caleb Wenner (138), Arthur Lammers (123), Jaxon Hayes (102), Baker Games (91 + 158 + 151 = 400)   Total = 1890

Delta Panthers:  Marcello Miracola (155 + 174 = 329), Luca Miracola (120 + 178 = 298), Kaiden Boeliner (114), Layton Fisher (113), Gary Hockenberry (94), EJ Griewahn (80), James Cass (73). Baker Games (142 + 133 + 149 = 424)   Total = 1623

Patrick Henry Lady Patriots:  Natalie Cavanaugh (137 + 142 = 279), Lana Breece (168 + 105 = 273), Claire Piercefield (130 + 128 = 258), Leah Geahlen (124 + 98 = 222), Becca Hathaway (157), Alisa Alvarado (99), Baker Games (134 + 107 + 163 = 404)   Total = 1692

Delta Lady Panthers:  Marcella Morris (139 + 156 = 295), Candence Barkhimer (154 + 136 = 290), Gracie Bashears (83 + 128 = 211), Kallie Leonard (93 + 103 = 196), Autumn Hasapes (81 + 95 = 176), Baker Games (105 + 123 + 128 = 356)   Total = 1524

Delta Bowlers: Luca Miracola and Marcella Morris

CK Sweets Coffee & Bakeshop Celebrates 6 Years with Grand Re-Opening and Ribbon Cutting in Swanton

CK Sweets Coffee & Bakeshop is celebrating a major milestone with a Grand Re-Opening and ribbon cutting to mark six years of business and the recent purchase and renovation of its downtown Swanton building on Saturday, January 17, 2026 at 8:00 am.  The celebration will take place at 95 S. Main Street, Swanton, on the day before CK Sweets’ sixth anniversary.

After purchasing the building at the end of 2024, CK Sweets spent 2025 renovating the exterior, giving the space the care and attention it had long deserved. The result is a refreshed, welcoming storefront that reflects the heart of the business and its continued commitment to the community.

The Swanton Area Chamber of Commerce is thrilled to host a ribbon cutting as part of the celebration. “Seeing a local business grow, purchase their own building, reinvest in downtown, and continue serving the community is exactly what we love to celebrate. The building looks amazing, and this milestone is well earned,” said Delray E Busch, Executive Director of the Swanton Area Chamber of Commerce.

Since opening six years ago, CK Sweets Coffee & Bakeshop has become a staple in downtown Swanton, known for its welcoming atmosphere, quality coffee, baked goods, and strong community presence. The Grand Re-Opening celebrates not only the physical transformation of the building, but also the relationships and community support that have fueled the business’s growth. Owner Cat Kania is a U.S. military veteran who served as a Master Sergeant (E7) in the Security Forces Squadron, bringing leadership, dedication, and service-driven values into every aspect of the business.

About the Swanton Area Chamber of Commerce:  The Swanton Area Chamber of Commerce supports local businesses through advocacy, promotion, networking, and community engagement, working to strengthen Swanton’s local economy. Media Contact:  Delray E Busch Executive Director Swanton Area Chamber of Commerce swantoncc@gmail.com 419-826-1941

The Liberty Center Tigers visited the Swanton Sports Center on Friday and took both the Boys and Girls bowling matches from the Swanton Bulldogs.

In the Boys match, the Tigers beat the Bulldogs 2048-1568 with Maddox Oyer rolled a two-game series 347 for Liberty Center.  Nick Trumbull bowled a two-game series score of 300 for Swanton.

Liberty Center Tigers:  Maddox Oyer (164 + 183 = 347), Stone Roth (184 + 157 = 341), Owen Gebers (159 + 178 = 337), Wesley Wilhelm (112 + 201 = 313), Tokada Hopkins (136 + 132 = 268), Baker Games (181 + 167 + 94 = 442)   Total = 2048

Swanton Bulldogs:  Nick Trumbull (146 + 154 = 300), Logan Partin (174 + 115 = 289), Devon Bumbera (167 + 118 = 285), Marshon Chaff (96 + 132 = 228), Stephen Hartbarger (65 + 87 = 152), Baker Games (106 + 110 + 98 = 314)   Total = 1568

On the Girls side, the Lady Tigers defeated the Lady Bulldogs 1918-1519 as Paige White tossed a two-game series 348 including a match-high 220 for Liberty Center.  Emma Leonard had a two-game series score of 325 for Swanton.

Liberty Center Lady Tigers:  Paige White (220 + 128 = 348), Cheyene Miller (145 + 168 = 313), Kassidee Bergstedt (149 + 158 – 307), Audri Trapp (152), Annaliese Keene (141), Natalie Huber (140), Halle Shadday (121), Baker Games (136 + 139 + 121 = 396)   Total = 1918

Swanton Lady Bulldogs:  Emma Leonard (153 + 172 = 325), Lily Gasche (160 + 103 = 263), Ksenia Velikoglo (103 + 105 = 208), Lucy Weigel (79 + 100 = 179), Paige (AJ) Gossett (84 + 82 = 166), Baker Games (117 + 117 + 144 = 378)   Total = 1519

Top Liberty Center Bowlers: Paige White and Maddox Oyer

Top Swanton Bowlers: Emma Leonard and Nick Trumbull

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Wauseon junior Riley Riegsecker drained a two-point shot from the baseline with 1:46 remaining in the game to break a 35-35 tie to give the visiting Indians a lead they would not relinquish in a 43-37 NWOAL victory over the Swanton Bulldogs on Thursday night.  With the Bulldogs needing to foul to regain possession as time wound down, the Indians responded by making six consecutive free throws, four by Collin Mennetti and two by Xzavier Molina, to put the game away.

Entering the second quarter tied at 7-7, Swanton took the lead early in the frame, led 20-14 at the half and still was on top 33-29 at the end of the third.  However, Wauseon outscored the Bulldogs 14-4 in the fourth quarter to pick up the win in the league opener for both teams.  Riegsecker scored a game-high 21 points and Mennetti added eight to pace the Indians.  Evan Reihard and Brady Haselman each led Swanton with 12 points and Gio Ruiz had nine.

Wauseon improves their record to 4-6 on the season and 1-0 in the NWOAL.  They return home tonight to face the Defiance Bulldogs.  Swanton drops to 4-7 this season and 0-1 in the league.  They next travel to Ottawa Hills on Tuesday to take on the Green Bears.

Wauseon Indians:  7-7-15-14 = 43   Riley Riegsecker (21), Collin Mennetti (8), Xzavier Molina (5), Jack Alstaetter (5)

Swanton Bulldogs:  7-13-13-4 = 37    Evan Reihard (12), Brady Haselman (12), Gio Ruiz (9), Brady O’Shea (2), Owen Hurst (2)

Click on the link above to access photos from the game. Photos are in the jpeg format to allow for editing and can be downloaded and shared for NO CHARGE courtesy of the fultoncountymedia.com website.

Photo: Riley Riegsecker led all scorers with 21 points

The Swanton Board of Education will hold its first meeting of the year on January 14^th and is expected to approve the hiring of Matt Horen as the high school’s new head football coach.  Mr. Horen is currently serving as the Assistant Principal of Swanton High School and will take over the program immediately. 

“Swanton has always held a special place in my heart,” he said explaining why he returned to the Swanton School District after being away for a year.  Previously, Mr. Horen held the same position at the Swanton Middle School.  By becoming the football coach, he believes it will give him more opportunity to connect with some of the students on a different level.

With coaching stops at Washington Local (Whitmer), Springfield, Swanton Middle School and Perrysburg, Mr. Horen brings a lot of experience to the job.  He replaces Nate McAfee who stepped down this past Fall after two years at the helm.

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Swanton senior Carli LaGrange scored her team’s first 10 points of the game as the Lady Bulldogs raced out to a 24-8 halftime lead over the visiting Northwood Lady Rangers on Tuesday night.  She added another ten points in the second half to for a career high of 20 to keep Northwood at bay in Swanton’s 49-36 victory.  Teammate and fellow senior Lauren Bettinger tacked on nine points while making five of six free throws.  Kaidence Karmol led the Lady Rangers with 17 point and Averey Perlaky had 12.

The non-league win places Swanton’s record at 2-9 at the midpoint of the season.  They next travel to Wauseon to face the Lady Indians on Friday in an NWOAL contest.

Northwood Lady Rangers: 4-4-15-13 = 36 Kadience Karmol (17), Averey Perlaky (12), Rachael Reichow (4), Emily Eischen (3)

Swanton Lady Bulldogs: 12-12-13-12 = 49 Carli LaGrange (20), Lauren Bettinger (9), Mady Pelland (6), Lexie Yeager (5), Katherine LaPoint (4), McKenzie Cooper (3), Avyonna Hamrick (2)

Click on the link above to access photos from the game. Photos are in the jpeg format to allow for editing and can be downloaded and shared for NO CHARGE courtesy of the fultoncountymedia.com website.

Photo: Carli LaGrange shoots for two of her career-high 20 points

In two close matches, the Evergreen Vikings and Lady Vikings outscored the Swanton Bulldogs and Lady Bulldogs, respectively on Monday afternoon at the Swanton Sports Center.  

In the boys’ match, Evergreen took a 50-pin lead into the Baker Games then added another 62 pins to their advantage to defeat Swanton 1915-1803.  Thomas Baker shot a two-game series 325 to lead the Vikings.  Logan Partin fired a two-game series 365 including a match high game of 228 to pace Swanton.

Swanton Bulldogs:  Logan Partin (137 + 228 = 365), Nick Trumbull (134 + 163 = 297), Devon Bumbera (113 + 175 = 288), Conor Yates (160 + 122 = 282), Marshon Chaff (88), Stephen Hartbarger (78), Baker Games (106 + 150 + 154 = 410)   Total = 1803

Evergreen Vikings:  Thomas Baker (178 + 147 = 325), Xaviar Robinette (150 + 156 = 306), Cohen Myers (155 + 148 = 303), Austin Garcia (163), Elliot Prescott (137), Owen Dohrmann (116), Joshua Lazenby (93), Baker Games (144 + 159 + 169 = 472)   Total = 1915

The girls’ match was even closer with the Lady Vikings edging the Lady Bulldogs by a score of 1622-1563.  Kailyn Krouse rolled a two-game series of 276 for Evergreen and Swanton’s Emma Leonard bowled a match-high 343 to top all girl bowlers.

Swanton Lady Bulldogs:  Emma Leonard (158 + 185 = 343), Lily Gasche (119 + 128 = 247), Paige (AJ) Gossett (106 + 88 = 194), Lucy Weigel (118 + 73 = 191), Ksenia Velikglo (97 + 91 = 188), Baker Games (115 + 147 + 1328 = 400)   Total = 1563

Evergreen Lady Vikings:  Kailyn Krouse (160 + 116 = 276), Lila Baker (150 + 111 = 261), Joanna Brown (121 + 128 = 249), Addison Wilson (107 + 109 = 216), Molly Walker (157), Keira Myers (90), Baker Games (117 + 139 + 117 = 373)   Total = 1622

Emma Leonard, a junior on the Swanton Lady Bulldogs bowling team, fired a one-game score of 278 earlier this season to qualify for the 2025-2026 Ohio High School Bowling Honor Roll. Currently, her score is tied for second place among all girl high school bowlers in Ohio. An OHSAA District Qualifier from last year, Emma has been the Lady Bulldogs’ top scorer in every match this season.

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The Maumee Panthers rallied from a 7-point halftime deficit to defeat the Swanton Bulldogs 47-40 in the Junior Varsity portion of the Bob Fisher Holiday Basketball Classic.

Click on the link above to access photos from the game. Photos are in the jpeg format to allow for editing and can be downloaded and shared for NO CHARGE courtesy of the fultoncountymedia.com website.

Photo: Dylan Smigelski shoots a free throw in the third quarter