Author Archives: Bill O'Connell

Lady Vikings Capture Road Victory at Swanton

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Evergreen senior Addison Ricker scored 19 points and sophomore Lanae Manz added 15 to lead the Lady Vikings to a relatively easy 51-23 victory over the Swanton Lady Bulldogs on Thursday night at Swanton’s Kevin J. McQuade Gymnasium.  Ricker and Manz combined to score 18 of Evergreen’s second quarter 19 points as the Vikes jumped out to a 27-11 halftime lead.  Jessica Finfera tallied nine points for Swanton.

Evergreen moves to 3-0 on the season and will play the Montpelier Lady Locomotives tonight at home.  Swanton drops to 0-3 for the year and will be back at home on Thursday to take on the Ottawa Hills Lady Green Bears.

Evergreen Lady Vikings:  8-19-18-6 = 51   Addison Ricker (19), Lanae Manz (15), Kennedy Emmit (7), Bailey Lumbrezer (5), Ella Burgermeister (2), Irelad Smallman (2)

Swanton Lady Bulldogs:  Jessica Finfera (9), Lauren Bettinger (4), Lexie Yeager (2), Madilynn Stevenson (2), Adrianna Elliot (2), Carli LaGrange (2), Evelyn Ventimiglia (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 for NO CHARGE courtesy of the fultoncountynedia.com website.

Photo: Addison Ricker goes inside for two of her game-high 19 points

Panther Bowlers Sweep Bulldogs

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The Delta Panther bowling teams, both Girls and Boys, defeated the Swanton Bulldogs last night in a match at the Swanton Sports Center.  The Lady Panthers outscored the Lady Bulldogs, who were one bowler short, 1510-620.  The Delta boys beat the Swanton boys, who were two bowlers short, 1751-684.

Swanton’s Conor Yates topped the boys with a two-game series of 347 and Marcello Miracola led the Panthers with a 339. Delta’s Serena Shelhart rolled a two game series score of 305 to lead the girls and Bailey Juhasz had a 176.

Delta Lady Panthers:  Serena Shelhart (149 + 156 = 305), Chloe Cole (113 + 150 = 263), Kayleigh Opfer (94 + 94 = 188), Paige Todd (134), Kallie Leonard (124), Gabberiella Waller (92), Valerie Manley (69), Baker Games (90-129-116 = 335)    Total = 1510

Swanton Lady Bulldogs:  Bailey Juhasz (90 + 86 = 176), Lily Gasche (80 + 80 = 160), Ann Urbina (88 + 57 = 145), Ezra Goodman (64 + 75 = 139), Baker Games (75 + 49 + 85 = 209)     Total = 620

Delta Panthers:  Marcello Miracola (146 + 193 = 339), Konrad Hawkins (188 + 138 = 326), Cody Stricker (144 + 124 = 268), Drake Baldwin (103 + 95 = 198), Damien Baldwin (79 + 87 = 166), Baker Games (134 + 116 + 204 = 454)     Total = 1751

Swanton Bulldogs:  Conor Yates (148 + 199 = 347), Devon Bumbera (75 + 97 = 172), Stephan Hartbarger (83 + 82 = 165), Baker Games (61 + 74 + 72 = 207)     Total = 684

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

Photo: Conor Yates led all bowlers with a 347 series

Evergreen Bowlers Roll Over Undermanned Swanton Boys

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Competing with only the OHSAA minimum allowable three bowlers, the Swanton Bulldogs were easily defeated by the Evergreen Vikings 1960-701 yesterday at the Swanton Sports Center.  Viking senior Michael Laver shot a two-game series score of 396, including a 226 in his first game, to lead all bowlers in the match.  Bulldog sophomore Conor Yates fired a 258 for Swanton

Evergreen Vikings:  Michael Laver (226 + 170 = 396), Isaac Hansel (173 + 175 = 348), Trevor Johnson (139), Cohen Myers (138), Layne Vance (134), Makayla McKenzie (105), Baker Games (142 + 170 + 133 = 445)     Total = 1960

Swanton Bulldogs:  Conor Yates (114 + 148 = 258), Devon Bumbera (77 + 62 = 139), Stephan Harbarger (58 + 66 = 124), Baker Games (79 + 41 + 60 = 180)    Total = 701

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

Photo: Michael Laver

Swanton Village Councilman Resigns

Mickey Disbrow, a Swanton Village Councilman elected in November of 2021, submitted a Letter of Resignation to Mayor Neil Toeppe which was read at the November 25, 2024 Council meeting.  Mayor Toeppe read the letter aloud during the meeting.  It reads as follows:

Dear Mayor Toeppe,

I am writing to inform you that I will be resigning from my position as Council Member for the Village of Swanton.  I have been fortunate to be part of this amazing team and have thoroughly enjoyed my time here.  I have learned a lot and have grown both personally and professionally from being on Council.  I have also had the opportunity to work with some incredible individuals.  I hope that my efforts have made a positive impact on the Village and its employees.  I want to take this opportunity to thank you for your support and guidance through my time as a Council Member.  Please consider this my formal resignation notice.

Mayor Toeppe then informed the five remaining Council Members of the procedure stated in the Ohio Revised Code required to fill the vacancy.  Council will have 30 days to elect a new Council Member which will serve the remaining one-year of Mr. Disbrow’s term.  If they fail to do so, the responsibility will fall to the Mayor. 

PRESS RELEASE – Village of Swanton (Council Vacancy)

A vacancy has recently occurred on the Village Council, and it is up to the Council to fill the remaining one (1) year of the current term.

If you’re interested in being considered for this position, please submit a letter expressing your interest to the Village Administrator at the Municipal Building. The deadline to submit your letter is noon on December 6, 2024.  The Village Council has 30 days to fill the vacancy, and it will likely be addressed at the December 9th Council meeting.

Eligibility:  *Must be a resident of the Village of Swanton.  *Must be a registered voter.

If the Council does not make a selection within 30 days, the Mayor will have the responsibility to make the appointment.

Don’t miss your chance to serve!

Bulldog JV Boys Furious Rally Falls Just Short in Loss to Lake

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Late in the third quarter, the Swanton JV Bulldogs trailed the Lake Flyers by 17 points, but back-to-back three pointers by Owen Hurst and Drew Koder sparked a rally just before entering the fourth quarter in which Swanton pulled within three points.  However, the scoring burst was just not enough to overcome the huge deficit and the Bulldogs fell 52-46 in their season opener Friday night at Kevin J. McQuade Gymnasium.  Swanton sophomore Marquise Zalecki had a game-high 16 points, including all eight of the Bulldogs’ points in the first quarter.

Lake Flyers:  16-6-17-13 = 52    Brandon Foster (16), Daniel Perez (11), Michah Kinn (10), Jace Ayers (6), Kalen Magers (6), Mekhi Gilbert (2), Andrew Ramirez (1)

Swanton Bulldogs:  8-10-6-22 = 46    Marquise Zalecki (16), Owen Hurst (11), Julian Ramirez (8), Dennis Robinson (4), Dylan Smigelski (4), Drew Koder (3)

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 for NO CHARGE courtesy of the fultoncountymedia.com website.

Photo: Marquise Zalecki goes inside to a shot

Swanton Tops Lake in Boys Basketball Season Opener

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Freshman Brady Haselman scored 13 of his game-high 19 points in the second half as the Swanton Bulldogs defeated the Lake Flyers 68-56 in the first game of the 2024-2025 boys’ basketball high school season in Swanton’s Kevin J. McQuade Gymnasium.  Down 12-10 after the first quarter, the Bulldogs outscored the Flyers 18-10 and 19-13 in the next two quarters to take a 12-point lead heading into the final frame.  Lake shot well in the fourth quarter in scoring 21 points, but Swanton was just as hot and matched the 21 points to win with the 12-point advantage.

The Bulldogs will now go on the road for the next four games beginning with a one-hour trip to Miller City, Ohio to take on the Miller City Wildcats.  The JV game begins at 6:00 p.m. with the Varsity game to follow approximately 20 minutes after the conclusion of the JV game.

Lake Flyers:  12-10-13-21 = 56   Preston Snyder (12), Drew Tajbilk (11), Travis Merrill (9), Jay Blazevich (6), Carter Behimer (6), Xavier Scott (4), Jack Sobczak (4), Jaxon Rymers (4)

Swanton Bulldogs:  10-18-19-21 = 68    Brady Haselman (19), Evan Reinhard (18), Charlie Wood (18), Giovanni Ruiz (6), Brady O’Shea (4), Owen Hurst (3)

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 for NO CHARGE courtesy of the fultoncountymedia.com website.

Photo: Bulldog senior Charlie Wood dunks for two of his 18 points

Swanton Public Library Hosts “Toys for Pets” Workshop

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On Tuesday afternoon, the Fulton County Humane Society (FCHS) held a “Toys for Pets” workshop in the back room of the Swanton Public Library.  Members of the public, children and adults, were invited to craft pet toys for cats and dogs with various materials provided by the FCHS.  Lisa Burr, a volunteer with the “Cat Crew” of the FCHS, located in Archbold, brought along several cats that are currently up for adoption.

“Today we have two kittens.  They are approximately four months old, Jeffery and Joseph.  We suspect they are brothers.  We believe that somebody actually dumped them in the conservatory about a quarter mile west of my home.  So, I worked with the Humane Society to get hem neutered, their testing done.  They are ready and just need their families,” explained Ms. Burr.

There were two older cats that made the trip with Ms. Burr that could definitely use some TLC in a new home.   “And we also have two adults.  The orange one is named Spinner, he’s almost blind, but he can see shapes and movement.  We also have a gray kitty named Vienna who is a tripod due to accident.  One of the front legs had to be amputated.  But they still get around.  They’re very loving and just looking for their forever homes.”

At this writing, the FCHS has 12 cats up for adoption and many dogs as well.  For any pet owners looking to add to their family, the Humane Society recommends a “Blind Date” setup before taking an adoptee home.  “If you’re talking about a dog, you would schedule an appointment to bring in any animal that you have for the “Meet and Greet” with the potential canine of interest,” said Ms. Burr.  “There would be a meet-up in a neutral room.  It’s not your property, it’s not the property of the animal shelter dog.  So, it’s kind of a neutral territory they can kind of sniff each other out and you can gauge if there is a potential for them to be compatible.”  Obviously, placing a cat and a dog together is a very different situation, but Ms. Burr said the shelter tries to assess the dog’s cat tolerance.  “It depends on the dog,” she added.

The Fulton County Humane Society is located at 22450 County Road F in Archbold. Their hours are Tuesday thru Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. or by appointment.  They can be contacted at 419-349-3841 or through their website at www.helpfchohio.org.

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

Photo: Kristina Stormer and her daughter “Izzy” with one of the potential feline adoptees

NWOAL Press Release – 11/25/24

The Northwest Ohio Athletic League (NWOAL) is pleased to announce the appointment of Paul Yunker as its new Athletic Commissioner, effective immediately.

A 1983 graduate of Swanton High School, and a 1989 graduate of Bowling Green State University, Yunker has been a prominent figure in Northwest Ohio athletics for over 30 years. His extensive experience includes serving as a head coach at multiple schools, including Bryan and Evergreen High School. 

“I am excited to return to the NWOAL, where I was a player and a coach,” said Yunker.

Currently, Yunker serves as the Athletic Director at Fairview High School, where he has gained valuable administrative experience in managing high school athletics.

“We are excited to welcome Paul to the NWOAL,” said Tony Menna, Swanton High School Principal. “His experience and dedication to the student-athletes and schools of Northwest Ohio will help lead the league to new heights.”

Yunker’s combination of coaching and administrative expertise provides him with a unique perspective and a deep understanding of the intricacies of high school sports, from officials to scheduling. His broad knowledge of the local athletic landscape will be a tremendous asset as he steps into this new role.

“I look forward to helping continue growing the league, promote sportsmanship and ensure the NWOAL remains competitive and well-organized,” said Yunker.

The NWOAL looks forward to Paul’s leadership and the continued success of its member schools under his guidance.

“I look forward to working with the Principals and Athletic Directors to ensure that the experience for the student-athlete is a positive one in the NWOAL,” he said.

Yunker replaces Ken Baumgartner, who served as the commissioner of the NWOAL since 1987.

First Federal of Delta Moves Swanton Location

The Swanton branch of First Federal of Delta, formerly located at 123 N. Main Street in Downtown Swanton, has relocated to 107 Airport Highway. The new site is in the recently completely renovated building that previously housed the optometrist business of Dr. Mark and Dr. Penny Jones, in front of the Swanton Kroger.

They can be contacted through their email address, http://www.firstfeddelta.bank or by phone at 419-825-1125.

Photo: First Federal of Delta’s Swanton Branch Manager, Shelly Keifer, cuts the ribbon to officially open the new Swanton location with bank employees, Village of Swanton Officials, and members of the Swanton Chamber of Commerce in attendance.

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