Fulton County Ohio Media

At last evening’s Swanton Village Council meeting, Mayor Neil Toeppe honored long-time Swanton resident and military veteran Billy Chinnis, who passed away at the age of 102 on February 19, 20025.  Below is the tribute read at the meeting by Mr. Toeppe.

I would like to take a moment to honor and celebrate the incredible life of Billy R. Chinnis, a man of service, dedication, and unwavering love for his country, his family, and his community.  Born on September 19, 1922, in Holland, Ohio, Billy graduated from Holland High School in 1940 and soon after answered the call to serve, joining the U.S. Navy in 1942. His career was spent largely at sea, where he served with honor during World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. His service took him across the world, from India to China to Italy. His final assignments brought him aboard the USS Toledo and ultimately the USS Oklahoma City.  Fate had a special plan for Billy in 1952 when, in San Diego, he met the love of his life, Theresa—a proud U.S. Marine. It was love at first sight. They married soon after and built a beautiful life together, raising three children—two sons and a daughter. Their love stood the test of time, lasting an incredible 69 years.

After retiring from the Navy as a Boatswain’s Mate 1st Class in 1973, Billy continued to embrace life with energy and joy. Even after turning 100, he could still be found dancing once a week.  And true to his disciplined nature, he made a daily visit to the Swanton American Legion, where he enjoyed just one beer.  Billy and his family made Swanton their home in 1986, where he remained a beloved resident until his passing.  Today, we remember Billy not just for his service, but for the kindness, dedication, and spirit he shared with everyone around him. His legacy lives on through his family, his community, and the many lives he touched.  Thank you, Billy, for your service, your love, and the incredible example you have set for us all. You will be deeply missed but never forgotten.

Photo: Billy Chinnis, (seated with blue tie) surrounded by fellow members of the Swanton American Legion during Swanton Local School District’s 2024 Veterans Day Celebration last November

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Today in Swanton High School’s Kevin J. McQuade Gymnasium, six Bulldog student-athletes signed National Letters of Intent to continue their education and athletic careers at the college/university level.

Jessica Finfera will attend Indiana University Columbus to play soccer for the Crimson Pride.  Evan Smigelski will attend Defiance College to play football for the Yellow Jackets.  Drake Harris will attend Adrian College to play baseball for the Bulldogs.  Adam Lemon will attend Lourdes University to play baseball.  Mazin Rukieh will attend Lourdes University to play golf.  Kaiden Bryan will attend Trine University to play football.

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

Photo: Front Row L to R: Mazin Rukieh, Evan Smigelski, Jessica Finfera, Drake Harris Back Row: Adam Lemon, Kaiden Bryan

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Click on the link to access photos from the halftime cheer leading and boys 7th-grade basketball team recognition. Photos are in the jpeg format to allow for editing and can be downloaded for NO CHARGE courtesy of the fultoncountymedia.com website.

At a recent Swanton boys basketball game, the Swanton National Honor Society introduced and recognized Jerry Bodnar for his military service to America.  A short bio was read to the crowd:

Tonight, we would like to introduce you to retired United States Air Force Master Sergeant Jerry Bodnar.  Jerry retired after a distinguished career spanning from 1976 to 1996.  Over the course of two decades, he dedicated himself to active-duty service, notably participating in Operation Desert Storm.  His technical expertise was demonstrated through his work on advanced aircraft, including the SR-71, the U-2 and the KC-135.  Jerry is married to Lisa and is the proud father of two sons.  Thank you, Jerry Bodnar, for being here this evening and for your service.

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The Archbold Blue Streaks took a double-digit lead into the fourth quarter of a Division V Boys Basketball Sectional game against Swanton then held on to defeat the Bulldogs 50-45 on Friday night at Swanton High School.  The lower-seeded Blue Streaks led by as many as 16 points in the second half before the Bulldogs mounted a furious comeback, pulling within three points at 40-37 before running out of steam and allowing Archbold to close out the contest.  Sonny Phillips led the Streaks and all players with 14 points while Morgan Harris scored 12.  Charlie Wood topped Swanton with 12 points and Logan Young added 11.

Archbold improves its record to 13-10 with the victory and moves on to the OHSAA Division V District Semi-Finals.  They will play the Paulding Panthers next Thursday at 7:15 at Napoleon High School.  Swanton concludes their season with a record of 11-12.

Archbold Blue Streaks:  8-16-9-17 = 50    Sonny Phillips (14), Morgan Harris (12), Evan Wendt (8), Isaiahs Garcia (6), Michah Nofziger (5), Broden Piercefield (3), Aranjer Krieger (1), Madden Valentine (1)

Swanton Bulldogs:  6-11-4-24 = 45    Charlie Wood (12), Logan Young (11), Adam Lemon (8), Evan Reinhard (7), Brady O’Shea (3), Brady Haselman (3), Giovanni Ruiz (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 for NO CHARGE courtesy of the fultoncountymedia.com website.

Photo: Archbold Blue Streaks – Sectional Champions

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An unprecedented season which saw the Delta Lady Panthers basketball team win a school record 17 straight games to open the season, came to an end in the OHSAA Division V District Semi-Finals Wednesday night at Defiance High School when the Paulding Lady Panthers defeated Delta 46-29.  Paulding opened up a 16-4 first quarter lead and never trailed in the contest to move on to the District Finals against the Ottawa-Glandorf Lady Titans who defeated the Lima Bath Lady Wildcats in the first game of the evening.

Abby Todd and Keagyn Gillen lead Delta with eight points each.  Tori Schlatter scored 16 points for Paulding and Brooklyn Schlatter added 11.  The Delta Lady Panthes finished the 2024-2025 season with an impressive 19-3 record.

Paulding Lady Panthers:  16-7-14-9 = 46    Tori Schlatter (16), Brooklyn Schlatter (11), Addison Pease (8), Kayleigh Dunham (7), Brooklyn Balke (2), Estic Pease (2)

Delta Lady Panther:  4-10-10-5 = 29    Abby Todd (8), Keagyn Gillen (8), Anna Lohman (7), McKenzie Kruger (2), Kendall Sprow (2), Addison Wyse (2)

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

Photo: Senior Kendall Sprow is introduced in her final Lady Panther basketball game

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The 2025 NWOAL Boys Wrestling Tournament was held last Saturday at Patrick Henry High School and the Delta Panthers, led by four-time league champion Adam Mattin, took home the team title with 230 points.  The Panthers placed a wrestler on the podium in all 14 weight classes, including six champions, four runners-up, three third-place finishers and one fourth place finisher.

The Wauseon Indians finished in second place with 177 points and five champions.  Archbold was in third place with 126 points, Liberty Center was fourth with 112 points and two champions, Swanton took fifth with 70 points, Evergreen was sixth with 56 points, Patrick Henry was seventh with 27.5 points and one champion and Bryan finish last with 26 points.

Click on the link above to access photos from the tournament that include final standings and individual brackets. Photos are in the jpeg format to allow for editing and can be downloaded for NO CHARGE courtesy of the fultoncountymedia.com website.

Photo: Delta Panthers – 2025 NWOAL Wrestling Champions

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The Evergreen Vikings jumped out to a large early lead on the road against the Swanton Bulldogs and never looked back, crushing the Bulldogs on their home floor 74-49 in final NWOAL boys’ basketball game of the season.  The Vikings held a 23-point lead at halftime and a 33-point advantage heading into the fourth quarter before slowing the pace down with mass substitutions.

Evergreen junior George Allendorf led all players with 31 points, including hitting five of his team’s three-pointers.  Troy Manz added 13.  Charlie Wood scored 14 points for the Bulldogs and Evan Reinhard had six.

The win gave Evergreen sole possession of second place in the league with a 5-2 record, two games behind the 7-0 Patrick Henry Patriots.  They followed up the Friday night victory with a regular season-ending win over the Fayette Eagles to run their overall record to 15-7.  Next Friday the Vikings open OHSAA Division VI tournament play at home against the Elmwood Royals.

Swanton drops to 3-4 in the NWOAL and 11-11 on the season.  The Bulldogs will take on the Archbold Blue Streaks at home to begin play in the OHSAA Division V tournament.

Evergreen Vikings:  21-26-20-7 = 74     George Allendorf (31), Troy Manz (13), Will Ruetz (9), Quentin Eisel (7), John Herdman (5), Will Johnson (4), Alex Fritsch (3), Sean Rafferty (2)

Swanton Bulldogs:  12-12-10-15 = 49     Charlie Wood (14), Evan Reinhard (6), Drew Koder (5), Brady Haselman (5), Adam Lemon (5), Owen Hurst (3), Brady O’Shea (3), Giovanni Ruiz (3), Marquise Zalecki (3), Carson Lemons (2)

Click 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: Evergreen’s Quinten Eisel and Swanton’s Charlie Wood about to tip it off

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Down 22-14 after a cold shooting first half, the Delta Lady Panthers caught fire in the second half and defeated the Bluffton Lady Pirates 47-42 Thursday night at home in the “Jungle” to advance to the OHSAA Division V District Semi-Finals.  Delta junior Abby Todd scored 16 of her game-high 19 points in the last two quarters to lead the comeback.  “It didn’t feel like we were ready to go in the first half,” said Delta coach Kelsey Gillen explaining her team’s sluggish start.  “They took us out of our game.  We like to push the ball and they slowed it down to their tempo.”

A quick start to the third quarter pulled the Lady Panthers withing three points and they went on to outscore the Lady Pirates 16-7 to take a 30-29 lead into the fourth.  The game was tight the rest of the way as Todd hit three of her five triples to counter scores by Bluffton.  Trailing 43-42 with 11 seconds remaining in the contest, the Pirates were forced to foul Keagyn Gillen in an effort to get the ball back.  Gillen coldly sank both free throws and the Panthers stole the inbound pass, leading to a game-sealing layup by Kendal Sprow and 47-42 Sectional Title victory.

In addition to Todd’s 19 points, Sprow and Anna Lohman scored 12 each.  Blair Utendorf led Bluffton with 14 points and Ayla Grandey added 11.

Delta improves to 19-2 and moves on to face the Paulding Lady Panthers, a 53-40 winner over the Archbold Lady Blue Streaks on the same night, at Defiance High School on Wednesday night at 7:30 pm.

Bluffton Lady Pirates:  16-6-7-13 = 42    Blair Utendorf (14), Ayla Grandey (11), Gracie Warren (8), Maelee Miller (6), Macy Schaadt (2), Jordan Schweingruber (1)

Delta Lady Panthers:  10-4-16-17 = 47    Abby Todd (19), Kendal Sprow (12), Anna Lohman (12), Keagyn Gillen (4)