Fulton County Ohio Media

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Yesterday morning the Swanton American Legion Murbach-Siefert Post #479 observed Memorial Day with a parade down Main Street and a ceremony in front of the American Doughboy statue in Memorial Park to honor those Americans that had given their all, in defense of our nation, beginning with the American Revolution. 

The Swanton High School Band, which had marched in the parade, performed the Star-Spangled Banner and the Armed Forces Medley which combines the official songs of the Army, Navy, Airforce, Marines and Coast Guard. 

Joe Nye, a Legion Post member and a retired Swanton High School educator, was the keynote speaker.  He spoke to the crowd, explaining what Memorial Day meant to him and told of his dedicated support over the years to make sure the Swanton area Veterans who had passed would always be remembered for their service and sacrifice.

Leuitenant Colonel Janes then read the names of local Veteran who had passed since the 2025 Memorial Day Observance, the Color Guard executed the 21-gun salute and two members of the band performed Taps.  The ceremony concluded after the benediction by the Legion’s chaplain.

Click on the link to access photos from the parade and the ceremony. 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 Keynote Speaker – Joe Nye

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Before the final game of the regular season, the Swanton Bulldog Baseball team recognized and honored five seniors (Brady O’Shea, Memphis Dye, Drew LaPoint, Carsen Lemons, Luke Marlow) for their efforts and contributions to the Purple and White program.  Each player was introduced to the crowd and a small bio was read by retired Swanton Schools educator Betty Jo Sadowski.

Our first senior is Brady O’Shea.  Brady is being escorted by Matt and Becky O’Shea and Ryan O’Shea.  While at Swanton High School, Brady has participated in National Honor Society, Baseball, Basketball Golf and Frosh Fest.  He was recently named to the 2026 Second Team All-NWOAL.  His future plans are to attend the University of Toledo and major in Business.

Our second senior tonight is Memphis Dye.  Memphis is being escorted by Nate and Dawn Ryan and Ryan Dye.  While at Swanton High School, Memphis has participated in Baseball and Penta Culinary School and was a Pro Start State Champion.  His future plans are to go to college for Sports Management.

Our next senior is Drew LaPoint.  Drew is being escorted by Julie and Lainee LaPoint.  While at Swanton High School, Drew has participated in Baseball, Wrestling, Show Choir, National Honor Society, Leadership and CCP.  He was recently named 2026 Honorable Mention All-NWOAL and 2026 Honorable Mention All-District.  His future plans are to attend Bowling Green State University to major in Business Administration with a focus on Finance.

Our next senior is Carsen Lemons.  Carson is being escorted by Ash and Marianna Lemons and Brady Lemons.  While at Swanton High School, Carsen has participated in Show Choir, Spring Musicals, Golf, Basketball and Baseball.  He was recently named to the 2026 First Team All-NWOAL and 2026 First Team All-District.  His future plans are to go into the trades as a heaving Equipment Operator with Gerking.

Our last senior is Luke Marlow.  Luke is being escorted by Sara and Jeremiah Bateman, Caleb Bateman and Hannah Bateman and Bo.  While at Swanton High School, Luke has participated in Leadership and Baseball.  He was recently named to the 2026 First Team All-NWOAL and 2026 First Team All-District.  His future plans are to play college baseball and chase his dream of playing professional baseball.

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: Brady O’Shea, Memphis Dye, Drew LaPoint, Luke Marlow, Carsen Lemons

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The 2026 Swanton softball season, a dream season that reached historical levels, came to an end on Wednesday afternoon when the Lady Bulldogs dropped a 9-4 decision to the Paulding Lady Panthers at Napoleon High School.  Early pitching control issues and several uncharacteristic defensive errors placed Swanton into a 5-1 hole after three innings that the Lady Bulldogs were unable to crawl out of. 

The Paulding coaching staff, obviously paying close attention to the scouting report, chose to intentionally walk Swanton’s dangerous power hitter, Kendall Gloneck, batting in the clean-up spot, all four times she came to the plate.  The strategy failed in Gloneck’s second at bat when Carli LaGrange, hitting next and who also swings a big bat, drove a pitch deep over the left field wall to pull the Bulldogs within two runs at 5-3.  LaGrange later singled following Gloneck’s third free pass but Swanton was unable to capitalize.

The Lady Panthers put up a four-spot in the top of the sixth inning for a six-run advantage and the Lady Bulldogs were only able to add one more run in the bottom of the seventh for the 9-4 defeat.  The loss was just the fourth of the year for Swanton against a school record 24 wins.    

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: Lady Bulldogs celebrate Carli LaGrange at the plate following her two-run blast

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On Saturday afternoon at the White Pines Golf Course in Swanton, the Swanton Lions Club held their annual golf outing to help raise funds for scholarships for graduating seniors from Swanton High School.

Jason Ramirez, Joel Studer, Tim Sonia, and Steven Walter composed the winning team and took home $200 and a free round of golf at White Pines.  The team with Jonathon Lemon, Sy Rukieh, Adam Lemon, and Mazan Rukieh finished second place and won a round golf.

Women’s Longest Drive:  Cheryl Lawson    Women’s Closest to the Pin:  Cheryl Lawson    Men’s Longest Drive:  Jacob Dogel

Click on the link above to access the over 400 photos from the golf outing. Photos are in the jpeg format and can be downloaded and shared for NO CHARGE courtesy of the Swanton Lions Club and the fultoncountymedia.com website.

On Thursday evening at the Swanton American Legion Post #479 Murbach-Siefert, the Sons of the American Legion (SAL) made a generous donation of $1,500 to the Backpack Buddies Program of the Swanton Local School District.

Backpack Buddies is a community-based initiative designed to combat childhood hunger by supplying children with food and essential items when school meals are unavailable, such as over weekends or during school breaks.  The program targets children who rely on school meal programs during the week, ensuring they do not hungry outside of school hours.  By providing consistent access to food, the program supports better academic performance, health outcomes, and overall well-being for children and families in need.

Photo: SAL member Phil Leidigh hands a check to Backpack Buddies supporter Pat Pilliod along with fellow supporters Stephanie Fessenden and Lou Luce

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Hosting the first game of the OHSAA Division V Girls Softball Tournament, the Swanton Lady Bulldogs took full advantage of playing on their home field and routed the Bluffton Lady Pirates 12-1 on Wednesday night to win the Sectional Championship.  Carrying a slim 1-0 lead into the bottom of the third inning, Swanton exploded for seven runs, highlighted by a two-run blast off the bat of Jordyn Ramirez for an 8-0 lead.

Beyla Remer gave up a solo home run in the top of the fourth then, later in the inning, gave up three straight hits to load the bases before getting a big strikeout to escape the jam.  The Bulldogs added four more runs in the bottom of the fourth and held Bluffton scoreless in the top of the fifth, to invoke the run-rule and end the contest.

Alexa Faber had three hits, including a double, two RBIs and two runs scored.  Lacey Shinaver had two hits and two runs with an RBI.  Carli Lagrange went 1 for 2, scored twice and had two RBIs.  Kendall Gloneck was 1 for 2 with two runs scored.  Cara Ludlow had a 1 for 3 night with two RBIs.

Remer threw all five innings allowing one run on seven hits and striking out six.  At the plate she was 2 for 2, including a triple and two runs scored.

The victory sends the Lady Bulldogs to the Division V District Tournament on Tuesday, May 19^th at 4:30 PM at Napoleon High School where they will face the Paulding Lady Panthers.  Paulding defeated the Delta Lady Panthers 12-0 to advance.

The win also extends the Swanton Softball record number for wins in a season to 23, four more than the previous record of 19 set in 2019.  Before traveling to Napoleon, Swanton will play one more regular season game on Friday, on the road, against the Edgerton Lady Bulldogs.

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On Monday afternoon at Memorial Park, the Swanton Bulldogs Junior Varsity baseball team outlasted the Hicksville Aces 15-11 in a non-league game.  The Bulldogs built an 8-1 lead after two innings but allowed the Aces to score four runs in the top of the third to pull within 8-5. 

Swanton responded with seven runs in the bottom of the inning and lead 15-5.  However, Hicksville kept the pressure on by scoring six times in the top of the fourth inning to trail only by for runs at 15-11.  The pitching and defense tightened on both sides at that point to end the scoring.

On the offensive side for the Bulldogs, all nine starters and two players that later entered the game had at least one base hit.  Harry Pancoast went 3 for 5 with three RBIs and two runs scored.  Eli Bolyard drove home four runs and scored twice and Christian McCarthy had three hits and scored three times.

The JV’s will stay at home tonight to face the Tinora Rams.

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: Eli Bolyard would be called safe on this play at the plate, scoring one of his four runs on the day

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This past Saturday afternoon the Swanton Area Chamber of Commerce held man Art Walk on Zeiter Way between Main Street and Lincoln Street.

Click on the link above to access photos from the event. 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.

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On Saturday morning, the Swanton Lady Bulldogs held on for a 7-5 victory over the Tinora Lady Rams at Harding Field in Swanton’s Memorial Park in a non-league game.  With bases loaded and two outs in the top of the 7^th inning, relief pitcher Alexa Faber induced a ground ball to shortstop Kendall Glonek who threw to Adriana Milligan-Elliot at first base to end the threat and the ball game.  The victory extended Swanton’s school record in one season to 22 with at least two more games on the schedule.

Starting pitcher Belya Remer picked up the win throwing five innings, giving up five runs on seven hits with five strikeouts.  She also went 3 for 4 at the plate with two runs scored.  Faber was credited with the save, allowing zero runs on two hits and was 1 for 3 with a run scored.  Jordyn Rmirez went 2 for 3 with a double and scored once.  Lacey Shinaver was 2 for 4 and scored a run.  Glonek knocked in two runs with a double and Cara Ludlow had one run and one hit.

Currently, the Lady Bulldogs are 22-3 on the season and will now face the Bluffton Lady Pirates at home in the first game of the OHSAA Division V playoffs on Wednesday, May13th, at 5:00 PM.

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 rips a line drive to right-center field for a single

At the April 28^th meeting of the Swanton Village Council, Village Administrator Shannon Shulters announced that the Village had purchased the properties located at 116 and 118 North Main Street.  The building that sat on the combined parcels was the former home of the Swanton Elks Lodge No. 2462.

Due to dwindling membership, the Lodge folded and eventually sold the building to Swanton resident Jeffrey Schultz for $11,000 in January of 2018.  At the time, Mr. Schultz was running a small restaurant, also on Main Street on the south side of the railroad tracks, called the Switchback Crossing.  He began a restoration project on the Elks building, but after several months he discontinued the work.  Soon after, Mr. Schultz abandoned the building and moved out of the area.  Over the years, there were attempts to sell the building but all those failed.

The structure continued to deteriorate, the roof over the second floor collapsed and the building was declared beyond repair.  It reached a point where, if a fire broke out inside, fire fighters would not be allowed to enter to battle the flames for obvious safety concerns.  The Village attempted to contact Mr. Schultz and offer to buy the building, however, he had relocated several times and could not be found.  Finally, the Village obtained a viable address for him and sent letters containing the offer, to which he did not respond.  Eventually, a private detective was hired to find Mr. Schultz and personally hand him the letter.  The Village’s offer was for $30,000 which Mr. Schultz accepted.

With the Village now in possession of the building, the next step is to have it taken down.  Swanton Mayor Neil Toeppe stated the estimate for razing the building is approximately $120,000, which the Village hopes to cover with grants.  Complicating the process is the structure being attached to another building on the north side with steel girders.  There is a small vacant lot on the south side.  No timetable has been set for the building’s demolition.