Fulton County Ohio Media

It is no big secret that the administration of Swanton Local Schools has been actively looking to leave the Northwest Ohio Athletic League (NWOAL) for the past couple of years, all in the interest of placing its athletes and athletic teams in a league where they will be more competitive on the field of play.  If you look at the numbers in terms of NWOAL Championships won over the past 20 years among all the schools, the Swanton Administration presents a strong argument.  Who doesn’t like to win?

Bulldog teams, collectively, have not been able to stitch many new numbers onto the league championship banners that hang in the McQuade Gymnasium in the current millennium. The NWOAL has been dominated by Archbold, Bryan and Wauseon during those years.  That makes sense for the latter two given the significantly larger student population they enjoy over the other six members.  So, how do we explain the consistent success of the Blue Streaks?

Delta and Evergreen have not fared much better than Swanton and were recently approached with the idea of forming a new league with Swanton along with Northwood, Ottawa Hills and former NWOAL member Montpelier.  Initially, the concept gained a lot of traction but interest quickly faded as opposition from the general public, which included a lot of alumni from the three Fulton County schools, grew.

Now the Toledo Area Athletic Conference (TAAC) has come calling with an invitation to become a member and, on its face value, the offer looks very attractive.  The Swanton Bulldogs would be very competitive in the TAAC.  As the biggest school in the conference, they would be formidable in all the sports.  What could be the downside?

With all due respect to the TAAC, let’s take a look.  The TAAC is comprised of six schools, two public (Northwood and Ottawa Hills) and four private (Cardinal Stritch Catholic, Emmanuel Christian, Maumee Valley Country Day School and Toledo Christian).  The have three football-only schools (Edon, Hilltop and Montpelier) which make up for the three TAAC schools that do not offer that sport.  Only three of the six can match Swanton sport for sport.

It creates a challenge in having to find out-of-conference schools to fill a schedule.  As an example, Maumee Valley does not have football, wrestling, girls soccer, volleyball, softball or bowling.

Other factors that should be considered before a decision is made are the increased travel to away games, the lack of intense league rivalry competition and the drop off in visitor crowd sizes.  Private school fans, generally speaking, do not travel well.  The students, families and alumni come from a wide geographical area and do not develop the same sense of community and support as small town school systems.  This would result in less revenue for Swanton Schools and the Swanton business community.  A thorough examination of the TAAC and its history would seem to be in order here.  What exactly would we be getting ourselves in to?

The real question we need to ask is, “Do we have more to gain than we do to lose by leaving the NWOAL?”  We need to look closely at what we are willing to sacrifice just to add hardware to the trophy case.  It makes me wonder if we are choosing the easier path to “respectability” for our sports programs.  Instead of finding a way and working to build ourselves up to a more competitive level, are we settling to be less than what we can become and what we have been before?

Small communities and their respective school systems need to work together to become and remain successful.  The Village of Swanton and the Swanton Local School District need to work together more closely to raise each other up.  Strong Schools/Strong Community is more than bumper sticker.  It is what works. 

Four new Village Council members will be sworn in this January and I am encouraged by the attitude and commitment to improving the community through economic development that was reflected in their campaign speeches.  Gone will be two Councilmen that labeled working with the schools as “bad business” and saw no need for improving the local economy.

I am also encouraged by the efforts of those involved with the campaign to raise funds for a new baseball/softball complex.  It shows we have residents who care enough about our school to work to give our athletes the tools to be successful.  Granted, we have had a rough few years in football but the Bulldogs have been consistently strong in volleyball, golf, girls soccer, girls basketball and have done well in state tournaments.

Swanton Schools do not have the smallest student population in the NWOAL.  They have more than Delta, Evergreen, Liberty Center and Patrick Henry and are very close to Archbold.  I recommend we remain in the NWOAL, the oldest school sports league in Ohio, and have the Village and the School District funnel resources (time and money) into our youth and school sports programs.

It will not happen overnight.  We will need to be patient but we can make it a reality.  I know the Swanton Board of Education and the Administration will make whatever decision they believe will be in the best interest of school.  I hope it will be the decision to improve and not settle.

My name is Da Netra Smith and I am proudly opening LEVEL FITNESS located at 106 North Main Street in Swanton.  The small group classes offered are Circuit, Step, Silver Sneakers, Yoga and TRX.  I also do Personal Training and Nutritional Guidance.  In the future I will be adding more small group classes and doing various health seminars.

I started this career path in 2014, a few years after I had my youngest child.  At the time I was on my own health journey and loved going to a small fitness studio in Maumee.  The owner encouraged me to get certified and I started teaching classes.  Over the years I have grown my knowledge in the field and added on certifications.

I have several family members who have started their own businesses and I wanted to be able to continue that for my family.  I chose Swanton for my location because we do not have a fitness studio here.  When I started years ago it was in a studio out of town and then I wanted something local so I am able to give back to the community.

Swanton is where I have spent most of my life.  I graduated high school here and now my kids go to Swanton Local Schools.  Main Street is a perfect location and the support of the other business owners has been warm and caring.  I am excited for this adventure and to be here in Swanton.

For more information check out the Level Fitness Facebook page or call 419-482-8237.

Pictured:  Owner Da Netra Smith cuts the ribbon to celebrate the opening of Level Fitness along with her children (LtoR) Clarissa, Zach and Lucy.  Holding the ribbon is Swanton Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Neil Toeppe and Chamber member Charlene O’Connell

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Liberty Center place kicker Carly Roth booted a 27-yard field goal as time expired, lifting the Tigers to a 38-35 upset victory over the previously unbeaten and #1-State Ranked Archbold Blue Streaks in a Regional Semi-Final Division VI football game at Defiance High School Saturday night.  Roth’s clutch kick, which split the uprights, was the perfect ending to her perfect kicking performance on the night, adding on to her five successful point-after-attempts on five tries.

The Liberty Center win, not only advances the Tigers into the Regional Final game but also avenges an early-season 41-7 drubbing at the hands of their fellow NWOAL foe.  Talk among local pundits and others leading up to the contest generally agreed that this Tiger squad was playing at a much higher level than the one that lost to the Streaks in September.  They had not lost a game since, running up seven straight wins, including two in the playoffs.

The first quarter of the game proved all the talk was not just rhetoric as Liberty Center took an early 14-0 lead on touchdown runs by Matthew Orr and Zane Zeiter.  Archbold was finally able to get on the board before the quarter ended on a DJ Newman 47-yard touchdown pass to Gavin Bailey, cutting the deficit in half.

From that point the two teams began trading touchdowns.  Every time the Tigers regained their 14-point lead, the Blue Streaks would find the end zone again to pull within seven.  Evan Conrad pulled in a seven-yard pass from Zeiter to put LC up 21-7 and Archbold responded with a six-yard TD run by Carson Dominique, making the score 21-14 at halftime.  Zeiter scored on a one-yard quarterback sneak and Karter Behnfeldt answered with a 44-yard catch and run score to restore the seven-point gap at 28-21 with almost 10 minutes to go in the game.

Archbold attempted an onside kick but Liberty Center recovered and later scored from 32 yards out on a run by Teejay Moore.  Down 35-21 with approximately six minutes remaining, the Streaks quickly drove down the field where Newman hit Bailey with a 14-yard strike to get the deficit back to seven points.

Again, Archbold attempted an onside kick but this time they recovered when Behnfeldt grabbed the ball at the top of a high bounce.  It took just one play, another Newman to Bailey connection, this one a 52-yard bomb, to tie the game at 35-35 after Krayton Kern’s extra point.

It appeared the momentum had swung in favor of the Blue Streaks but there was still over four minutes left on the clock.  The Tigers took the kickoff and drove to the Archbold 20-yard line, called a timeout with just 3.6 seconds left and brought on the field goal unit.  The Archbold coaches called a timeout attempting to freeze the Liberty Center kicker to no avail. 

The kick was long and true and propelled the Tigers to the fourth round of the playoffs and the name Carly Roth into legendary status of Liberty Center High School Tiger football lore.

The Blue Streaks finished the season with a 12-1 record while Liberty Center improves to 11-2 and will face the Carey High School Blue Devils next Saturday, November 20, 2021 at 7:00 PM at Bowling Green High School.

Click on the Google Photos link above to access all photos from the game. Photos are in the jpeg format to allow for editing and can be downloaded to your computer for no charge courtesy of the fultoncountymedia.com website.

The Swanton Lions Club is beginning its annual Giving Tree Program this weekend to help financially struggling families with young children enjoy the Christmas holidays.  The focus will be on students enrolled in Swanton Elementary School and all of their siblings from infants to eighth grade. 

The Lions will be hanging “Stockings” at various locations in the Village of Swanton including the American Legion Post 479, Benefield’s Wines, CK Sweets, Club Salon, First Federal Delta and You-nique Bou-tique.

To help these families, stop in at any of these locations and pull out a list of items from a stocking that identifies what one of the children needs or has asked for.  Items may include everything from clothes and footwear to books and toys.  Some or all of the items may be purchased and returned to the same location no later than December 8, 2021.

In lieu of shopping for a gift, checks or cash donations will be accepted.  After all gifts and donations have been collected, Lions Club members will shop for whatever items are still needed, place them together by family and distribute them soon after.

The Swanton Lions Club thanks you in advance for your generosity.

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For the second consecutive meeting, the Delta Village Council held their regularly scheduled session in front of a large and emotionally charged audience mainly composed of residents anxious to hear what the next step Council members would take regarding Ordinance 21-14; an ordinance allowing for the issuance of permits, licenses and approval for marijuana cultivation, processing and/or sale of similar businesses within the Village of Delta and declaring an emergency.

At the October 18^th meeting, Council members did not approve of suspending the Rules of Council to allow the ordinance to go into effect on an emergency basis but did approve its First Reading by a vote of 4-1.  Prior to any discussion on the ordinance, Mayor Frank Wilton informed the public that, “in an effort to conduct this meeting in an orderly fashion”, other non-marijuana Village business would be conducted first and the members of the audience would be allowed to address the Council and other Village officials.  He also said that after discussions with Village Administrator Brad Peebles and Village Solicitor Kevin Heban, he believed the “decision on this controversial issue be left in the hands of the Delta voters.”

Once the other business was finished, seven individuals spoke before Council, all in opposition of bringing any type of marijuana-related business to Delta.  Collectively, they questioned why the growing, processing and selling of marijuana was grouped into one piece of legislation for the voters to decide instead of being voted on separately.  They wanted to make sure the social and health impact and the accessibility to the area’s youth versus the economic impact was being fully considered as well as noise and light pollution.  Much of what was spoken was addressed the meeting before.  No one spoke in favor of Ordinance 21-14.

In a letter from Mr. Peebles to Mayor Wilton and Council members, specifically regarding the marijuana issue, he stated: “Having recognized the immense pressure placed on members of the Village Council relative to the ban/approval of permits and licensing for cannabis cultivation, product manufacturing and dispensaries, this proposal outlines a measure allowing the voting public of Delta to render the ultimate decision.  The attached proposal (Ballot Language) outlines an initiative that could be placed on the general election ballot in May 2022.  With the review and direction of Delta Village Council, the process completing legislation for placing an initiative on the ballot must be completed and filed with the Fulton County Board of Elections before February 3, 2022.”

Following public comments, the Council voted to table the Second Reading of Ordinance 21-14.  They passed Ordinance 21-18, prohibiting the cultivation, processing and/or wholesaling, retailing and dispensing of medical marijuana in the Village of Delta until May 31, 2022 which will be after the election.  Council also voted to direct the preparation of legislation and ballot language be prepared for the December 6, 2021 meeting.

Pictured:  Delta resident addressed Council on medical marijuana

Photo Link:  Photos from the 11/1/21 meeting

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As they have all season long, the Archbold Blue Streaks scored early and often and held their opponent to single digit scoring and romped to a 42-7 victory over the Collins Western Reserve Rough Riders to move on to the next round of the DVI OHSAA State playoffs.  Blue Streak quarterback DJ Newman threw four touchdown passes, three in the first half, and ran for one score in the easy win.

Newman began his aerial assault on the end zone with a 37-yard pass to Gavin Bailey with just 2:15 into the game, giving the Streaks a 7-0 lead after Krayton Kern’s successful PAT.  Newman followed that up with a 22-yard pass to Carson Dominique for another touchdown at the 4:41 mark and added an 18-yard scoring toss on the first play of the second quarter, putting Archbold ahead 21-0.

The Blue Streaks’ defense held the Rough Rider’s offense in check until late in the first half when Western Reserve put together a 72-yard scoring drive, culminating with a five-yard run up the middle into the end zone by Jude Muenz with 35 seconds left on the clock.  The teams headed for the locker room with Archbold on top 21-7.

The Streaks forced a punt on Reserve’s opening possession of the second half then proceeded to march down the field and reclaim their 21-point advantage when Dominique ran in from eight yards out with 9:55 showing on the clock.  Karter Behnfeldt hauled in a nine-yard Newman pass in the end zone in front of a fallen defender and Newman finished the Archbold scoring with a 27-yard run to pay dirt before the third quarter ended. 

The last touchdown put the Blue Streaks up 42-7 and triggered the running clock by virtue of a 30 or more-point lead in the second half.  Western Reserve was unable to score again and the game quickly ended.

Newman finished his night with 16 completions on 21 attempts for 205 yards and the four touchdowns.  He also led the Streaks on the ground rushing nine times for 109 yards.  Hunter Cullen Lemely caught six passes for 89 yards and Dominique rand 17 times for 75 yards.

With the win, Archbold moves their record to 12-0 and will now meet fellow NWOAL member Liberty Center, a 21-13 victor over Columbus Grove, on November 13, 2021 at 7:00 PM at Defiance High School in the Division VI Regional quarter finals.  The Streaks defeated the Tigers 41-7 earlier in the season.

Click on the Google Photos link above to access all photos from this game. Photos are in the jpeg format to allow for editing and can be downloaded for no charge courtesy of the fultoncountymedia.com website.

With the increased presence of mobile food trucks within the corporate limits of the Village of Swanton, the Public Safety Committee of the Village Council is recommending that legislation be drafted to establish a set of rules and guidelines to be followed.  Currently, there is no local ordinance that Village officials can refer to when food truck vendors inquire what to follow before setting up business in Swanton.

The legislation would include registration as a means to ensure the food truck(s) have a Health Department License, fire inspection as well as registering with the Regional Income Tax Agency (RITA).  Locations where food trucks can operate may also be included.

Village Administrator Rosanna Hoelzle has contacted several local communities regarding this type of legislation and has received information from Archbold and Perrysburg which both have instituted regulations for food trucks.  “Hopefully, down the road, we’ll have some kind of language in place,” said Councilwoman Kathy Kreuz.  “We don’t want to discourage them from coming into town.  They seem to be quite popular.”

Pictured:  LuLu Fare Food Truck owned by Heather Williams

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Swanton High School product Gunnar Oakes and his Eastern Michigan Eagles visited the Glass Bowl at the University of Toledo to take on the Rockets this past Tuesday night in a nationally televised game on ESPN. It was an evening for offenses as the teams combined for 1,162 yard of offense and 101 points in a 52-49 EMU victory. The win makes the Eagles bowl-eligible with a 6-3 record and three games to play in the regular season. Toledo falls to 4-5 but still has a chance to qualify for a bowl if they can pick up two wins in their next three games.

Oakes had a great night on the field with a number of key blocks and a couple of pass reception, one that put EMU just short of the goal line. It was the second week in a row Gunnar returned to Northwest Ohio to play football and left victorious. Before the UT game EMU traveled to BGSU and beat the Falcons 55-24 with leading the Eagles with 79 receiving yards on four catches and a touchdown.

Click on the Google Photos link above to access some of the photos I took of Gunnar, some of his teammates and some random shots as well.



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Recent Delta High School graduate and former Panther Cheerleader Dakota Swicegood is now a member of the University of Toledo’s Dancing Rockettes. Here are a few photos of Dakota performing at UT’s nationally televised football game against Eastern Michigan University on Tuesday night.

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The Archbold Blue Streaks scored 28 points in the first quarter and went on to defeat the Delta Panthers 44-7 to advance to the next round of the tournament.

Click on the link above to access all photos.