Just My Opinion – where do we go from here?

Is there any more that can be said about the Trump-incited mob that attacked the U.S. Capital Building yesterday that has not already been voiced by someone? I’m sure there will be, but will it change what happened? Of course not. Will it make any difference? We can only hope and pray. The tragic event that took place on Capital Hill on January 6, 2021 will now take it’s rightful place in the “Where Were You When” category of American history under the “Shameful, Needless and Preventable” sub-group.

So, who do we blame? Better yet, who do we not blame? We all saw it coming and we all let it happen. Donald Trump began constructing this bomb since the beginning of the 2016 Presidential campaign. When, to the surprise of many, including Donald himself, he won the election, he moved his bomb making lab into the White House. From there he began to perfect his weapons of mass distraction and test fired one every time he found himself in political hot waters. Yesterday he launched his most destructive and lethal one to date. And, hopefully, his last.

Finally, after yesterday’s insurrection which failed to achieve Trump’s objective, Donald is agreeing to a “smooth and peaceful” transition of power. If true, it comes two months too late. But nobody will be holding their breath waiting for it to happen. Regardless, Donald and the Trump family will be out of office in less than two weeks. The next question is how do we recover and where do we go from here?

Undoubtedly, it will take many years, a lot of work and a lot more understanding, compromise and forgiveness to heal our nation. We have never been more divided in a four year stretch since the years of 1861 to 1865. Obviously, our differences and disagreements over past four years pale in comparison to what took place 160 years ago so it gives us much hope that we come back from this and return to the great nation and role model to the rest of the world we used to be.

For now, the causes behind the self-inflicted black eye American suffered on Capital Hill yesterday will be analyzed and debated in search of a vaccine that will protect us from repeating a similar attack of our democracy. Many will still argue in support of the violence but their voices will fade and reason will take hold. I still have faith in America.

Welcome to my blog

My name is Bill O’Connell and I live in Swanton, Ohio, a village of approximately 3700 residents located about 15 miles west of Toledo. I retired in 2012 and began helping my family restore and re-open a shuttered bowling center and banquet hall which took just over one year. Several months after it was up and running I began working as a sub-contracted sports journalist/photographer for the Swanton Enterprise and Fulton County Expositor. Just short of two years with those two weekly papers I took a similar position with the Village Reporter, a weekly publication that covered Fulton and Williams County and held that for almost four years. While with the Reporter I covered virtually every type of event from sports to festivals to council and school board meetings to business ribbon cuttings.

Now I am trying something very similar in substance but very different from a technology aspect, a blog and website. My plan is to continue covering local sports, including all seven Fulton County school districts with photography and short articles along with human interest stories from around Fulton County. I will also write editorials on various subjects and will continue a daily cartoon called “About Face” that I now post on my Facebook page. To start, there will be very few postings on my site but my goal is to develop it over the next few months. Also, any photos I publish can be copied for no charge. I will be looking for an easier way to make my photos available. Please let any of your friends and relatives know about my site if you think they may be interested. Thank you.

Evergreen Bowling Team Celebrates Senior Night

https://photos.app.goo.gl/gd1qvWqSNHxXAY47A

Prior to their Friday afternoon match against the Liberty Center Tigers at the Swanton Sports Center, the Evergreen Vikings Bowling Team honored and recognized their six seniors for their contribution to the Vikings’ program.  Coincidentally, all six seniors happen to be from the boys’ team.

Coach John Meyer introduced each senior, read a small bio and related how much progress each one made in their bowling skills from the time hey joined the program until this point in their careers.

Elliott Prescott

Parents: Barb Bockert & Wes Bockert

Athletic Participation: 2 years bowling

Academic/Extracurricular: Fishing, gaming

Plans after high school: Welding apprenticeship or enlist in the military

Xaviar Robinette

Parent: Gina Bissonette

Athletic Participation: 3 years bowling

Academic/Extracurricular: Student council

Plans after high school: Seek an apprenticeship for carpentry and eventually start a career in real estate

Cohen Myers

Parents: Reuben Myers & Alisha Myers

Athletic Participation: 4 years bowling, 4 years marching band

Academic/Extracurricular: Future of Fulton County Pre-Apprenticeship Program

Plans after high school: Attend a trade school / explore an apprenticeship opportunity

Joshua Lazenby

Parents: Melissa Lazenby & Dean Lazenby

Athletic Participation: 4 years bowling, 4 years cross country

Academic/Extracurricular: 4 years member of the band, and 12 years of 4-H in the Goats & Udder Things Club

Plans after high school: Pursue a career in automotive

Austin Garcia

Parent: Hope Garcia

Athletic Participation: 4 years bowling

Academic/Extracurricular: 4 years choir, 4 years All-County Honors choir

Plans after high school: Join the work force

Thomas Baker

Parents: Kelli Baker & Nick Baker

Athletic Participation: 4 years bowling, qualified for Michigan Youth Bowling State Finals competition in May

Academic/Extracurricular: 4 years of FFA

Plans after high school: Pursue a career in the trades as a carpenter

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

Photo: Cohen Myers, Thomas Baker, Elliot Prescott, Austin Garcia, Joshua Lazenby, Xaviar Robinette

Updated Press Release – Fire at Village of Swanton Offices

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 27, 2026

Fire at Village of Swanton Municipal Building – All Staff and Officers Safely Evacuated

Swanton, OH — At approximately 11:40 AM this morning, Tuesday, January 27, 2026, a fire was discovered in the attic of the Village of Swanton Municipal Building, which also houses the Swanton Police Department. The incident originated from what appears to be an exploded light ballast. Swanton Fire & Rescue responded immediately, and all staff and police personnel were safely evacuated from the building.

At this time, the extent of the damage is still unknown, and the duration of the municipal building closure remains undetermined pending further assessment.

The Village will be announcing an operational continuity plan for all municipal services— including utility billing, administrative offices, and police department operations—as soon as those details are finalized. We anticipate temporarily relocating essential services to the Swanton Community Center later this week or early next week to ensure continued service to our residents.

Additional updates will be released as new information becomes available.

Shannon Shulters

Village Administrator

York’s 20 Leads Delta Over Swanton

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Alex York scored a game-high 20 points and Vincent Martinez tossed in nine as the Delta Panthers defeated the Swanton Bulldogs 47-33 in an NWOAL contest on Friday evening in Delta.  Gio Ruiz led Swanton with seven points.  The Bulldogs had an early 9-5 lead before the Panthers went on a 12-0 run to take full control of the game.

The Delta victory moves their league record to 1-2 and are now 3-12 on the season.  They next travel to Wauseon on Friday to take on the Indians in a league matchup.  Swanton drops to 5-10 overall and 0-3 in the NWOAL.  The Bulldogs will face the Defiance Bulldogs at home on Tuesday in a non-league game.

Swanton Bulldogs:  9-8-7-7 = 33   Gio Ruiz (7), Brady O’Shea (6), Owen Hurst (6), Evan Reinhard (6), Connor Mitchey (4), Drew Koder (3), Brady Haselman (1)

Delta Panthers:  13-14-9-11 = 47   Alex York (20), Vincent Martinez (9), Gary Valentine (6), Jack Mazurowski (6), Ashton Alig (3), Jaden Lohman (2), Kade Lintermoot (1)

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: Alex York battles the Swanton defense inside for two of his 20 points

Defense Leads Swanton Over Delta in Boys JV Basketball

https://photos.app.goo.gl/PhjvNdxebBPVHr278

The Swanton Bulldogs held the Delta Panthers to zero points in the second quarter and just 11 total for the first half as they picked up a 45-29 road victory in the Jungle on Friday night. Shawn McGary scored 12 points in the win while Dylan Smegelski and Wyatt Rhodes added 10 points each.  Jack Mazurowski led the Panthers with 12 points in a losing cause.

Swanton Bulldogs:  15-7-9-14 = 45   Shawn McGary (12), Dylan Smegelski (10), Wyatt Rhodes (10), Eli Bolyard (8), Landon Hendricks (2), Brayden Gearig (2), Christian Butler (1)

Delta Panthers:  11-0-9-9 = 29   Jack Mazurowski (12), Jostin Murillo-Montaivan (4), Wyatt York (4), Gavin Cansky (3), Jagger Demaline (2), Sam Martinez (2), Jensyn 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 and shared for NO CHARGE courtesy of the fultoncountymedia.com website.

Photo: Shawn McGary drives the baseline

Second Quarter Blitz Carries Lady Panthers Over Swanton

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Taking a modest six point lead into the second quarter, the Delta Lady Panthers outscored the Swanton Lady Bulldogs 25-5 on their way to an easy 54-16 NWOAL road victory at Kevin J. McQuade Gymnasium last Thursday evening.  Anna Lohnman led Delta with a game-high 19 points and McKenzie Kruger added 11.  Madelyn Pellan scored six points for Swanton.

The Delta win placed their league record at 4-0.  After suffering a 51-46 loss to the Toledo Central Catholic Lady Irish on Saturday night, they stand at 15-2 overall.  The Lady Panthers will welcome in the Wauseon Lady Indians on Thursday, January 29th.

With the loss, Swanton moves to 0-4 in the NWOAL.  Following a 34-25 Saturday victory over the Holgate Lady Tigers, their record on the season is 3-13.  On Tuesday, January 27th, the Lady Bulldogs are scheduled to play the Defiance Lady Bulldogs.

Delta Lady Panthers: 11-25-14-4 = 54   Anna Lohnman (19), McKenzie (11), Keagyn Gillen (9), Abby Todd (8), Olivia Mohring (5), Ellie Martinez (2)

Swanton Lady Bulldogs: 5-5-0-6 = 16  Madelyn Pelland (6), Lauren Bettinger (4), Lexie Yeager (3), Avyonna Hamrick (3)

Click on the link above to access photos from the game and Swanton’s youth cheerleading program. 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: Delta’s Olivia Mohring protects the ball from Madelyn Pelland

Delta Archery Club Holds Regional Team Tournament

https://photos.app.goo.gl/Jf5rMkDdnr2KYvAW6

This past Saturday inside Spangler Arena at the Fulton County Fair Grounds, the Delta Archery Club (DAC) hosted an archery tournament with more than two dozen school districts represented from the tri-state area of Indiana, Michigan and Ohio and hundreds of archers competing at the elementary, middle school and high school level.  Typically, the DAC holds their tournaments at one of the Pike-Delta-York school gymnasiums.  This year they chose a much larger venue so they could accommodate the hundreds of participants as well as providing adequate seating for this very popular event.

During the competition, two archers each take aim at one of 56 bullseye targets totaling approximately 112 firing their arrows at the same time.  “We get six scoring rounds in the tournament with one practice round from 10 meters and one practice round at 15 meters,” said April Brown, the club’s media director.   “In each round the top score you can get is 50, therefore 300 for the tournament. 

Similar to bowling, the perfect score of 300 is very difficult to achieve.  “I don’t think in regular tournaments we’ve ever gotten a 300 yet, but at state tournaments and nationals we’ve seen a few 300s from other kids,” said Ms. Brown.   

Indiana Schools:  Churbusco, Columbia City, Indian Springs, South Whitley, Southern Wells, Whitko

Michigan Schools:  Clifford H. Smart, Grand Ledge Hayes, Walles Lake, Northern

Ohio Schools:  Archbold, Ayersville, Fairview, Fayette, Hicksville, Holgate, Holy trinity Catholic, Liberty Center, Mill Creek, Montpelier, Patrick Henry, Pettisville, Pike-Delta-York, Stryker, Tinora, Wauseon, West Unity

Click on the link above to access photos from the tournament. Team and individual finish places are included in the photos. Photos are in the jpeg format to allow for editing and an be downloaded for NO CHARGE courtesy of the fultoncountymedia.com website.

Evergreen Bowlers Split with Patrick Henry

Last Friday afternoon at the Swanton Sports Center, the Evergreen Viking bowlers edged the Patrick Henry Patriots 2088-2061 and the Lady Vikings were defeated by the Lady Patriots 1822-1592.

Austin Garcia rolled a two-game series score of 383 including a 220 game for Evergreen.  Kolton Barnhisel tossed a match-high 392 series including a match-high 235 game for Patrick Henry.

Patrick Henry Patriots:  Kolton Barnhisel (157 + 235 = 392), Quinton Colburn (158 + 201 = 359), Levi Hoops (158 + 178 = 336), Caleb Wenner (143 + 146 = 289), Charles Vaughn (118), Braesyn Baker (91), Baker Games (170 + 159 + 147 = 1585)   Total = 2061

Evergreen Vikings:  Austin Garcia (220 + 163 = 383), Zaviar Robinette (144 + 203 = 347), Cohen Myers (202 + 136 = 338), Thomas Baker (163 + 113 = 276), Owen Doohrmann (196), Elliot Prescott (132), Baker Games (153 + 156 + 107 = 416)   Total = 2088

Lana Breece led the Lady Patriots with a two-game and match-high series of 313.  Appollonna Roesner bowled a two-game series of 311 for the Lady Vikings.

Patrick Henry Lady Patriots:  Lana Breece (146 + 169 = 313), Leah Geahlen (158 + 135 = 293), Claire Piercefield (141 + 143 = 284), Natalie Cavanaugh (133 + 132 = 255), Becca Hathaway (141 + 112 = 253), Baker Games (157 + 137 + 118 = 412)   Total = 1822

Evergreen Lady Vikings:  Appollonna Roesner (163 + 148 = 311), Kailyn Krouse (121 + 148 = 269), Lila baker (114 + 140 = 254), Addison Wilson (118 + 120 = 238), Leona Bucher (101), Joanna Brown (82), Baker Games (107 + 113 + 115 = 335)   Total = 1590

Bulldog Luke Marlow Signs with Hocking College for Baseball

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Swanton Bulldog baseball standout Luke Marlow has signed a National Letter of Intent to continue his education and baseball career at Hocking College (Hawks) in Nelsonville, Ohio.  Luke, a First-Team All NWOAL Baseball selection and Northwest Ohio District I Baseball Player of the Year in 2025, has already broken several school career records with his senior year remaining.

“A big thing for me was it was the first school to offer me so that made it personal for me,” said Luke explain his choice.  “The coaches really made me feel at home, the (other) players were really nice and they are getting a brand-new field.”  Reflecting back on his yet unfinished but very impressive high school career Luke said, “It’s been good.  We’ve gotten better every year and this year we’re looking to do some pretty big things.”

Luke’s contributions to the 2025 Bulldogs helped the team set a school record of 19 wins which led to Head Coach Josh Siewert being named Northwest Ohio District I Baseball Player of the Year.  “He came in as a freshman and totally changed our culture.  It’s going to be rough knowing he’s gone after this year but he’s meant everything to this program,” said Coach Siewert speaking of Luke’s impact on Swanton baseball.  “He does a little bit of everything.  Hocking College has a good one coming to them.”

In the classroom, Luke plans on majoring in Criminal Justice with an eye on joining the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) after graduation.

Click on the link above to access photos from the signing. 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: Luke Marlow signs surrounded by Swanton baseball coaches Greg Chonko, Matt O’Shea, Eric Epley, Josh Siewert

Cold Second Half Shooting Dooms Lady Bulldogs

https://photos.app.goo.gl/ek37ejpAVazEWg3dA

In a low-scoring first half, the Swanton Lady Bulldogs trailed the North Central Lady Eagles by just four points, 16-12 as both teams struggled on offense.  However, after the break, Swanton’s shooting went from cold to ice cold as they could only score five points in the second half while North Central caught fire and put up 30 more points on their side of the scoreboard and went on to defeat the Lady Bulldogs 46-17 on Tuesday night at the McQuade Gymnasium.  Lexi Yeager scored eight points for Swanton and Carli LaGrange added seven.  Mia Lawson led the Lady Eagles with 17 points and Mallory Grove had 10.

Swanton’s record drops to 2-11 on the season.  The Lady Bulldogs will stay at home for Thursday night’s contest against NWOAL foe the Liberty Center Lady Tigers.

North Central Lady Eagles:  6-10-17-13 = 46   Mia Lawson (17), Mallory Grove (10), Tessa Reyome (7), Cailyn Meyers (4), Addyson Turner (2), Addie Burger (2), Anna Burt (2)

Swanton Lady Bulldogs:  5-7-0-5 = 17   Lexie Yeager (8), Carli LaGrange (7), Lauren Bettinger (1), Evelyn Ventimiglia (1)

Click o0n the link above to access photos from the game. Photos are in the jpeg format and can be downloaded and shared for NO CHARGE courtesy of the fultoncountymedia.com website.

Photo: Evelyn Ventimiglia battles underneath

PRESS RELEASE:  Epiphany Community Services

The following is a Press Release from Epiphany Community Service located at 95 N. Main Street in Swanton.  Epiphany Community Services is as national public health evaluation firm that works with communities to mitigate the impact of mental illness and substance use in the community. More information can be found at www.epiphanycommunityservices.com

URGENT: LOCAL SUBSTANCE USE AND MENTAL HEALTH GRANTS TERMINATED

Grants from the Substance Use and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) cancelled overnight.  Nationwide SAMHSA terminated discretionary funding for mental health and substance abuse immediately, without warning, overnight. The federal government provided no transition time and no clear explanation, greatly impacting substance use and mental health services and employment in our community.

Mental health and substance use services are now disrupted, leaving community members who rely on these services at risk. Staff positions and programs are now destabilized due to this sudden and unexpected loss of funding. Communities lost critical services overnight. According to Deacon D. Dzierzawski, President of Epiphany Community Services, “A letter was sent after 10:00 PM on Tuesday evening, notifying grantees their SAMHSA grant, which focuses mental health and substance abuse prevention, intervention and treatment, was terminated. This means communities will lose effective, evidence-based programming that is critical in addressing mental illness and substance misuse. This will also lead to rising unemployment locally as the staff who supported this programming are impacted.”

The letter stated that the affected grants were terminated due to no longer being aligned with program goals and/or SAMHSA’s priorities; however, these grants addressed substance use and mental health, which are listed as priorities on SAMHSA’s website. It is imperative this funding be restored without delay. Ensuring hundreds of thousands of people do not lose their jobs and millions of people do not lose access to vital mental health and substance abuse services.

Epiphany Community Services Media Contact: Deacon D. Dzierzawski, 419-343-2849, deacon@epiphanycommunityservices.com

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