Fulton County Ohio Media

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Cade Brenner, the NWOAL’s top scorer, pumped in 20 points after halftime to lead the Archbold Blue Streaks to a come-from-behind 51-45 victory over the Evergreen Vikings on the road in Evergreen’s Big House.  The Streaks trailed by 11 points early in the third quarter when Brenner, who only had three points at that time, caught fire and began draining shots from downtown, slowly bringing Archbold back into the game.  Late in the fourth quarter, they tied the score at 45 all then took a 47-45 lead with 1:40 left in the game.  Evergreen was unable to respond and the Blue Streaks sealed the victory with four shots from the foul line.  Brenner scored 23 points, including five triples, while Eli Keifer had 12 points for the Vikings.

Archbold’s win moves their record in the NWOAL to 3-1, in second place behind Wauseon at 4-0.  Overall, the Streaks are 17-1.  They will travel to Swanton next Friday to play the Bulldogs.  For Evergreen, it was the second straight game surrendering a large lead in the second half as they fall to 2-2 in the league and 12-4 on the season.  The Vikings will be on the road at Edon this Tuesday to take on the Bombers.

Archbold Blue Streaks:  12-9-13-17 = 51    Cade Brenner (23), Jayden Seiler (9), Chase Miller (7), Micah Nofziger (6), Stephen Diller (4), Broden Piercefield (2)

Evergreen Vikings:   18-9-9-9 = 45   Eli Keifer (12), Blade Walker (11), Tyson Woodring (7), Riley Dunbar (7), Drew Gillen (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 fultoncountymedia.com website.

Photo: Cade Brenner knocks down he first of his five three-pointers

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The Evergreen bowlers shot one of their top scores of the season Friday at the Swanton Sports Center.  However, it was against one of the best boys’ high school bowling teams in the State of Ohio, the Liberty Center Tigers.   Liberty Center, with all five starters averaging above the 200 mark, easily out scored Evergreen 2782-2424 in the NWO High School Bowling Conference.  Tiger senior Jacob Sexton bowled a two-game series score of 506 to lead all bowlers and junior Layne Vance rolled a two-game series score of 436 for the Vikings.

Liberty Center Tigers:  Jacob Sexton (257 + 249 = 506), Tin Blaton (232 + 226 = 458), Wesley Wilhelm (205 + 247 = 452), Landon Amstutz (199 + 245 = 444), Joey Wymer (176 + 165 = 341), Baker Games (180 + 215 + 190 = 585)        Total = 2782

Evergreen Vikings:  Layne Vance (199 + 237 = 436), Trevor Johnson (183 + 212 = 395), Michael Laver (190 + 194 = 384), Isaac Hansel (156 + 174 = 330), Thomas Baker (146), Cohen Myers (116), Baker Games (193 + 215 + 209 = 617)     Total = 2424

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 CHASRGE courtesy of the fultoncountymedia.com website.

Photo: Top bowlers for each team, Jacob Sexton and Layne Vance

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Prior to its game against the Delta Lady Panthers, the Swanton High School Girls Basketball Program celebrated Senior Night to honor seven players from the Class of 2024. The seven senior Lady Bulldogs were introduced in the following order.  Emma Crow (10), Olivia Gowing (4), Ava Keiser (22), Peighton Manning (15), Samantha Nelson (5), Alexia Ostrander (11), Kyleigh Shinaver (1).  Delta’s seniors were also recognized by name and introduced, Ella Demaline, Grace Munger, Kate Fries, Alani Haas, Ashlyn Lamb and Olivia Smith.

As always, retired teacher Betty Jo Sadowski, served as the emcee and introduced each player along with recognizing some of the highlights of their Swanton High School career and plans for the future.  Ms. Sadowski ended the ceremony with a small but inspiring speech.

“These athletes, as high school basketball players, have spent over 1000 hours in practices, pregame warm ups, games and off-season conditioning.  They have continued to be successful not only on the court but also in the classroom, because of their drive and desire to excel in everything they do. 

Ladies, turn to your parents and thanks them for all that they have done for you.  You will need their love and support throughout your life.

Parents, thank you for raising strong and determined young ladies.  The leadership that they have will grow stronger in the future.

Simon Biles says ‘Surround yourself with the dreamers, the doers, the believers.  Most of all surround yourself with those who see the greatness within you, even when you don’t see it yourself.’

On behalf of the Swanton schools, community and fans of the Bulldog Nation, we wish you all the best in the future and thank you for all you have done. 

Congratulations ladies and good luck to you.”

Click on the link above to access photos from the ceremony. 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 Emma Crow and family

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Kendall Sprow scored half of her game-high 16 points in the second quarter, helping the Lady Panthers to a ten-point halftime lead as Delta went on to defeat the Swanton Lady Bulldogs 52-43 in Swanton’s Kevin J. McQuade Gymnasium on Thursday night.  The Bulldogs rallied in the fourth quarter to pull within two points when Peighton Manning hit for eight straight points, including two shots from long range, but Delta sank five of seven free throws towards the end of the game to seal the victory.  The Panthers also got 14 points from Kate Friess and Emma Crow led Swanton with 15 points.

Delta Lady Panthers:  11-18-10-13 = 52   Kendal Sprow (16), Kate Friess (14), Grace Munger (10), Emma Demaline (8), Olivia Smith (4)

Swanton Lady Bulldogs:  13-6-12-12 = 43   Emma Crow (15), Peighton Manning (12), Olivia Gowing (7), Jessica Finfera (2), Alexia Ostrander (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 he fultoncountymedia.com website.

Photo: Kendall Sprow battles inside for two points

We are one full month into the new year and a new Village Council has been seated, including the newest member, John Schmidt, who was elected this past November, fill the seat previously held by Dave Pilliod, who chose not to run for another term.  Returning members are Dianne Westhoven who was reelected in November and Derek Kania, Samantha Disbrow and Mikey Disbrow, all who will be in third year of their four-year term.  Mr. Kania will also be serving as President of the Council or Mayor Pro Tempore and will fill in for Mayor Neil Toeppe, who is starting his second term as mayor, when the mayor is absent.

As always, it is expected to be a busy and challenging year for the Village.  Below, from the desk of Mayor Toeppe, are some of the major highlights the Village Administration and its service organizations will be dealing with in 2024.

Fire Division

We will be implementing the recommendations of the Organizational Assessment from the Ohio Fire Chiefs’ Association. Over the past several months we have significantly increased the staffing level of the division and expect to continue to grow. We are increasing the number of paramedics and are finding grant monies to help offset the cost of paramedic training, On the job training will increase for all positions. We are starting the year with two new lieutenants. We also will see a significant increase in fire inspections since we have a dedicated Fire Inspector.

Police Department

We continue to be fully staffed. The police department will continue to explore grant opportunities to help alleviate the burden on the general fund.  We are in the process of getting a canine (K9) certified. We now have an officer qualified as a firearms instructor and he will be taking over the operations or management of the firearms range. We will be increasing enforcement of excessive speeds on village streets, especially Church, Dodge, Brookside, and Munson. The police department will continue to work with the Ohio Collaborative to ensure policies and procedures adhere to the standards of the State of Ohio.  Continuing education for all members of the police department will be increased this year from years prior.  The police department and other village departments will continue to work close to together in preparing for activities within the village, including Firework, Corn Festival, Halloween Hoopla and the Christmas parade. 

Water and Sewer

We expect to complete the Storm and Sanitary Sewer separation projects this year.  After having two big projects completed in 2023 (RO upgrade and Water Tower painting) the Water Plant will be looking to do some minor improvement/maintenance projects at the Water Plant.  Water Distribution will be working on identifying lead service lines as the updated lead service line inventory is due October 16, 2024.  New rules that were put in effect late 2022 have made this inventory a mandatory requirement.

Public Service

With the near completion of the Sewer separation projects we will renew our focus on street improvements.  We will be assessing streets that need improvements and determining estimated cost and budget implications.  We will be doing some crack sealing of the roads this year to prolong their lifetime.   Due to EPA regulations, we will be inspecting water service lines to determine the materials used.  This will take all summer. We also plan on retro fitting Christmas decorations to LED bulbs and getting the sequencers that make them move, repaired or replaced.

Administration and Finance

With the anticipated change in refuse service this April the office staff will be familiarizing themselves with the new company. Individual contracts will be between the residents and Klumm Brothers. Residents will be able to select the level of service that meets their needs. Current and proposed 2024 road projects will continue to keep the village staff busy. Annual water rates will reflect in the February billing. We will begin to prepare for the annual activities such as the Fireworks, Corn Festival and Christmas in Swanton events. The Fiscal Officer continues to research grant opportunities to help leverage your tax dollars.

Photo: Swanton Village Solicitor R. Kent Murphree swears in Councilwoman Dianne Westhoven and Councilman John Schmidt at the Village’s first meeting of the year on January 8, 2024.

Isaac Hansel and Michael Laver each topped the 200 mark with games of 239 and 203, respectively, to lead the Evergreen Vikings over the Wauseon Indians in a bowling match 2382-2116 at the Swanton Sports Center Tuesday night. Evan Stevens of Wauseon led all bowlers with a two-game series of 381, including a 214 game but the high balanced scoring of Evergreen was too much to overcome.

Wauseon Indians: Evan Stevens (167 + 214 = 381), Landon Gleckler (190 + 182 = 372), Thomas Reed (148 + 178 = 326), Clayton Hilton (141 + 167 = 308), Parker Baldwin (136 + 106 = 242), Baker Games (141 + 193 + 153 = 487)      Total = 2116

Evergreen Vikings: Isaac Hansel (239 + 139 = 378), Michael Laver (170 + 203 = 373), Layne Vance (173 + 186 = 359), Trevor Johnson (191 + 161 = 352), Xaviar Robinette (150 + 181 = 331), Baker Games (192 + 199 + 198 = 589)    Total = 2382

Photo: Isaac Hansel and Evan Stevens

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With the high school bowling season winding down, the Evergreen Vikings added another check mark in the win column with a 2178-1993 victory over the Patrick Henry Patriots.  Viking junior Michael Laver topped all bowlers with a two-game series score of 372 in the match held at the Swanton Sports Center on Monday afternoon.  The Patriots were led by Isaiah Geahlen who rolled a two-game series score of 335.

Patrick Henry Patriots:  Isaiah Geahlen (181 + 154 = 335), Austin Lemmers (155 + 154 = 309), Derrick Munding (173 + 131 = 304), Quinton Colburn (154 + 146 = 300), Aaron Alvarado (125 + 121 = 246), Baker Games (145 + 162 + 192 = 499)    Total = 1993

Evergreen Vikings: Michael Laver (187 + 185 = 372), Xaviar Robinette (172 + 180 = 352), Trevor Johnson (140 + 192 = 332), Layne Vance (162 + 156 = 318), Thomas Baker (136 + 145 = 381), Baker Games (213 + 127 + 183 = 523)      Total = 2178

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 leads all Evergreen bowlers with a 194.25 average

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In their final home match of the season, the Swanton Bowling Bulldogs celebrated Senior Night by recognizing Elias Eaton, the team’s only soon to be graduating senior.  The Bulldogs went up against the Bryan Golden Bears and dropped a 2445-2160 to the second-place team in the Northwest Ohio High School Bowling League.  Dakota Brandeberry rolled a two-game series score of 457 to lead Bryan and Conner Williams shot a two-game series score of 409 for Swanton.

Bryan Golden Bears:  Dakota Brandenberry (245 + 212 = 457), Henry Burton (232 + 195 = 427), Trevor Graig (213 + 191 = 422) Justin Murphy (211 + 180 = 399), Oliver Proxmire (163 + 193 = 356), Baker Games (140 + 124 + 138 = 402)     Total = 2445

Swanton Bulldogs:  Conner Williams (232 + 177 = 409), Scott Lafferty-Reside (174 + 179 = 353), Emma Leonard (181 + 138 = 319), Elias Eaton (133 + 129 = 262), Conor Yates (183), Chase Rafferty-Reside (129), Baker Games (224 + 118 + 163 = 505)    Total = 2160

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: Swanton Coach Stu Graf thanks Senior Elias Eaton for his contribution to the Bulldog bowling program

Prior to the Swanton Bulldogs boys’ varsity basketball game against the Wauseon Indians, Swanton residents and husband and wife, Derek and Cat Kania, were recognized and honored for their long and dedicated military service to America.  They were brought out to center court and a brief synopsis of their amazing story was read to the crowd by Swanton High School students Marlee Purdy and Lila Walborn.

Below is the transcript from that special event.

Derek and Cat Kania have over 40 years of combined service in the United States Air Force.  They both made the decision to enlist in the Air Force Reserve after the terrorist attacks on 9/11/2001.  Cat enlisted at the 914^th Air Force Reserve Base in Niagara Falls, New York, while Derek enlisted at the 927^th Air Force Base Reserve in Selfridge, Michigan, but he lived in Bowling Green, Ohio. 

In late 2006, Derek was contacted by his supervisor to let him know he would be attached to another Security Forces Squadron in New York that was being activated.  When the time came to be deployed in January of 2007, what he didn’t know, was that he would be teamed up with a group of people that would include his future wife.

Cat and Derek were both called to do over six months of active duty in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and deployed to Kirkuk Regional Airbase, Iraq.  They spent their days dodging mortar and rocket attacks, small arms fire, sandstorms and battling the searing 130⁰F heat.  In this war-torn country is where their journey together began.

In August of 2007, their deployment came to an end.  Derek went back home to Ohio and Cat went home to New York.  Less than two weeks after returning from Iraq, Derek and Cat realized they were meant for each other.  After a convincing phone call from Derek, Cat quickly packed up her car, moved to Ohio to live with him and she hasn’t left since.  Over the years they have both been stationed at different Air Force bases and seized every opportunity to travel to different countries in support of numerous operations.

Derek and Cat eventually moved to New York where they were both members of the 914^th Airlift Wing.  They spent a few years there and then moved back to Ohio where Derek began his career with the 180^th Fighter Wing.  After another deployment with the 914^th in 2016, Cat decided to transfer to the 180^th as well.  Throughout their careers they made time to raise their two amazing daughters, Ella and Kylie.

After moving way too many times, they finally decided to set their roots in Swanton in 2013.  Here, Cat was able to see her dream of opening a coffee and bake shop come to fruition.  She retired from the Air Force with over 20 years of dedicated service in October of 2022 with the rank of Master Sergeant.  Derek continues his service as an active member of the 180^th Fighter Wing, Security Forces Squadron working alongside Coach/Chief Master Sergeant Russell Bacon.  He also serves the Village of Swanton as an elected member of the Swanton Village Council and as the Village’s Mayor Pro Tempore.

Cat and Derek have been to many countries such as Germany, Kuwait, Saudia Arabia, Iraq, Iceland, Ireland, France, Spain, Qatar and several other locations within the United States.  The Kanias are proud to call Swanton their home and they thank everyone for all the support this town devotes to its military members past, present and future.

Photo (L to R): Ella Kania, Cat Kania, Marlee Purdy, Lila Walborn, Derek Kania, Kylie Kania

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Entering the fourth quarter, the Wauseon Indians trailed the Evergreen Vikings on their home court by eight points, then staged a furious comeback by outscoring the visitors 19-4 to win going away 51-44 in a battle for the top spot in the NWOAL Boys Basketball standings.   A Rliey Dunbar putback at the buzzer to end the third quarter gave the Vikings the eight-point lead and what appeared to be all the momentum heading into the final eight minutes.  However, the Indians quickly flipped the script, getting scoring from five different players in the quarter, including six each from Riley Riegsecker and Tyson Rodriguez and blitzed past the Vikings to sit alone in first place in the league.

Connor Keefer led Wauseon and all players with 15 points.  The victory improves their record to 3-0 in the NWOAL and 9-5 overall.  Next on the Indian’s schedule is a trip to Patrick Henry on February 2^nd to take on the Patriots.  Eli Keifer scored 13 points to pace Evergreen.  The Vikings drop to 2-1 in the league and 11-3 on the season.  They will next travel to Fairview on January 29^th to play the Apaches.

Evergreen Vikings:  11-16-13-4 = 44   Eli Keifer (13), Drew Gillen (10), Tyson Woodring (8), Riley Dunbar (6), Troy Nanz (5), Blade Walker (2)

Wauseon Indians:  11-11-10-19 = 51   Connor Keefer (15), Riley Riegsecker (10), Braden Vajen (10), Tyson Rodriguez (8), Nicholas Stinner (8)

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

Photo: Connor Keefer scored a game-high 15 points in the win