Fulton County Ohio Media

Swan Creek Vision to Unveil Cutting-Edge Eye Care Services with Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

Swan Creek Vision, a new and dynamic eye care destination, is thrilled to announce its official ribbon-cutting ceremony with Swanton Chamber of Commerce on January 11, 2024, at 1:00 pm. The event will take place at Swan Creek Vision located at 108 S Main St, Swanton, OH 43558-1345.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony marks the inauguration of Swan Creek Vision, a vision brought to life by Dr. Haadia Amin, an accomplished and caring optometrist. Dr. Amin is excited to welcome the community to join in the celebration. Patient Care Commences: Dr. Amin will begin serving patients starting January 9, offering a comprehensive range of eye care services. Swan Creek Vision is committed to providing personalized and expert eye care to enhance the vision and overall well-being of individuals in Swanton and the surrounding areas.  Swan Creek Vision eagerly anticipates the ribbon-cutting ceremony as a significant milestone and looks forward to serving the community’s eye care needs with excellence.

About Swan Creek Vision: Swan Creek Vision is committed to providing personalized and expert eye care to enhance the vision and overall well-being of individuals in Swanton and the surrounding areas.  Swan Creek Vision is dedicated to delivering top-notch eye care services in a modern and welcoming environment. Dr. Haadia Amin’s expertise encompasses the diagnosis and treatment of various eye conditions, including but not limited to dry eye, glaucoma, macular degeneration, and diabetes-related eye issues.

About Dr. Amin: Originally from downriver Michigan, Dr. Amin completed her undergraduate studies at the University of Michigan and pursued her optometry degree at Ohio State University. With over six and a half years of experience, she has specialized in treating a wide range of eye conditions, including dry eye, glaucoma, macular degeneration, and diabetes.  Dr. Amin also has a keen interest in specialty contacts, particularly for hard-to-fit patients, and specializes in scleral lenses for those with corneal degeneration. The decision to establish Swan Creek Vision was influenced by Dr. Amin’s connection to Swanton through her husband’s family.  With the retirement of the Jones family, Dr. Amin is enthusiastic about stepping into their shoes and contributing to the healthcare landscape in Fulton County.  Swan Creek Vision aims to provide a comprehensive range of medical eyecare services while offering a curated selection of stylish eyewear.  The practice aspires to be a one-stop solution for all eyecare needs in the community.  On a personal note, Dr. Amin is not just an eyecare professional but also a foodie, avid traveler, and someone who cherishes spending time with her husband and two dogs.  While the website is currently under construction, you can visit http://www.swancreekvision.com, which will be up and running in the next couple of weeks or visit them on Facebook at Swan Creek Vision.

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The Swanton Lady Bulldogs opened the NWOAL basketball season at home with a thrilling roller coaster 49-45 victory over the Evergreen Lady Vikings at Kevin J. McQuade Gymnasium Friday night.  Fortunate to be down by only five points, 12-7, after a sloppily-played first quarter characterized by turnovers and poor inside shooting, Swanton pulled within two points several times in the second quarter before Evergreen’s Kyla Risner drained a three-point shot at the buzzer to keep the Viking advantage at five, 28-23, at the half.

However, the Lady Bulldogs came out of the locker room and shook off what could have been a demoralizing end to the first half and proceeded to dominate the third quarter on both ends of the court.  Swanton outscored the Lady Vikings 18-4 and entered the final quarter with a 41-32 lead.  “It was the halftime speech, I guess,” said Bulldog head coach Jared Walker, jokingly explaining the third quarter turnaround. Swanton got a big scoring boost from Alexia Ostrander who scored six points in that pivotal frame on three backdoor cut baskets. Coach Walker also gave a lot of credit to the senior leadership of point guard Emma Crow who, in addition to running the offense, was tasked with defending Evergreen’s top scorer, Addison Ricker.  Ricker scored nine points in the first half but could only muster two in the second half with Crow and the Bulldog defense putting pressure on her every time she touched the ball.

Of course, as every coach in the NWOAL knows, Evergreen Coach Brittaney Cymbolin’s teams do not go quietly.  The Lady Vikings stormed back in the fourth quarter, pulling within 43-41 with just over three minutes in the game.  Swanton responded, sinking clutch free throws from Crow and Jessica Finfera to seal the win.  “Brittany brings her kids and brings all the energy in the world,” said Coach Walker, commenting on the challenge from his Evergreen counterpart.  “They are hard-nosed, knock you off your game, they trap well and they are very good offensively.”

With the win, Swanton moves their overall record to 6-3 on the season and 1-0 in the NWOAL.  The Lady Bulldogs will play their next league game at Patrick Henry on Friday, January 12^th at 7:30 PM.  Evergreen drops to 7-4 on the season and 0-1 in league play.  The Lady Vikings welcome in the Otsego Lady Knights on Tuesday, January 9^th for a 7:30 PM tip-off.

Evergreen Lady Vikings: 12-16-4-13 = 45  Addison Ricker (11), Emmitt Kennedy (10), Kyla Risner (6), Avah Vaculik (5), Bailey Lumbrezer (5), Brooke Sintobin (4), Ella Bugermeister (2), Beth Sintobin (2)

Swanton Lady Bulldogs: 7-16-18-8 = 49  Emma Crow (9), Jessica Finfera (9), Peighton Manning (9), Alexia Ostrander (8), Olivia Gowing (5), Ava Keiser (4), Miranda Yeager (3), Samantha Nelson (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: Alexia Ostrander tosses in a short jumper.

Below is an editorial I wrote on January 7, 2021.  It was, in fact, my first posting on my just-created blog, Fulton County Media (FCM).  I was in shock from the events of the day before and, honestly, I still cannot fully comprehend it.  My question today is, “Have things, with respect to the political and cultural divide in this country, gotten any better?”  I believe they have become much worse.

The unimaginable wound opened in our Hall of Democracy three years ago has not only failed to heal, it has become infected, with that infection spreading across our nation and the rest of the world for that matter.  For me, 2024 will be a ticking time bomb in America.  I can only hope and pray that time bomb can be diffused before it explodes and takes us back to 1861.  We are living in a fractured nation and we will not survive another Civil War.  Our enemies today are immensely more powerful and capable than they were when we first split apart and they are waiting to pounce.  We need to come back together and work through our differences before it is too late.

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 Capitol Hill on January 6, 2021 will now take its 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 me 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 America suffered on Capitol 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.

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The visiting Patrick Henry Patriots defeated the Swanton Bulldogs 2135-1952 in an NWOAL bowling match Friday at the Swanton Sports Center.  Patriot Derrick Munding topped all bowlers with a two-game series score of 378.  Conner Williams led the Bulldogs with a two-game series score of 350.

Patrick Henry Pats:  Derrick Munding (174 + 204 = 378), Isaiah Geahlen (147 + 199 = 346), Aaron Alvarado (176 + 169 = 345), Austin Lammers (170 + 166 = 336), Quiton Colburn (160 + 123 = 283), Baker Games (183 + 119 + 145 = 447)    Total = 2135

Swanton Bulldogs:  Conner Williams (172 + 178 = 350), Emma Leonard (194 + 147 = 341), Matthew Chovan (146 + 164 = 315), Conor Yates (149 + 121 = 270), Madison Roytek (100 + 141 = 241), Baker Games (142 + 126 + 167 = 435)     Total = 1952

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 junior Conner Williams currently leads the Bulldog bowlers with a 196 average this season.

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Perennial bowling power Bryan High School defeated both the Delta boys and girls bowling team at the Swanton Sports Center Friday afternoon. 

The Golden Bears took a large lead in the two individual matches and held on during the Baker Games to edge the Panthers 2074-2022.  Aaryan Singh led Bryan with a two-game series of 404.  Brody Waugh rolled a 361 for Delta.

Bryan Golden Bears:  Aaryan Singh (225 + 179 = 404), Alexander Douglas (200 + 172 = 372), Dakota Brandeberry (184 + 171 = 355), Skyler Crooks (187 + 159 = 316), Noah Mills (140), Justin Murphy (116), Baker Games (155 + 92 + 124 = 371)   Total = 2074

Delta Panthers:  Brody Waugh (214 + 147 = 361), Ethan Cone (188 + 168 = 356), Konrad Hawkins (151 + 134 = 285), Carter Mitchell (159 + 117 = 276), Jack Tedrick (148), Cody Stricker (110), Baker Games (123 + 200 + 163 = 486)    Total = 2022

The Lady Golden Bears were strong all across the board in beating the Delta Lady Panthers 2020-1339.  Zoey Gillet rolled a two-game series of 395 for Bryan.  Serena Shelhart led Delta with a 252.

Bryan Lady Gloden Bears:  Zoey Gillet (204 + 191 = 395), Alexis Hartman (147 + 140 = 287), Mya Federspiel (106 + 137 = 243), Polly Sleesman (188), Haylie Federspiel (165), Kyah Davis (133), Baker Games (148 + 121 + 184 = 453)    Total = 2020

Delta Lady Panthers:  Serena Shelhart (129 + 123 = 252), Kayleigh Opfer (95 + 106 = 201), Harper Stickley (93), Kathryn Mohring (84), Kiyah Leonard (78), Gabbriella Waller (68), Baker Games (125+ 130 + 92 = 347)    Total – 1339

Click on the link above to access photos from the matches. 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 senior Brody Waugh entered the match with a 212 average.

From time to time, questions arise surrounding the Village of Swanton’s use of RITA, whose services the Village began using in July of 2009, almost 15 years ago.  What is it?  Is it an additional tax on Swanton residents?  Why do we use it and what does it do for us?  Below are some answers provided by the RITA website (www.ritaohio.com) and Swanton’s Director of Finance, Holden Benfield (fiscal@villageofswanton.us).

RITA Website: The Regional Income Tax Agency (RITA) provides services to collect income tax for municipalities in the State of Ohio.  RITA’s Board of Trustees is authorized to administer and enforce the income tax laws of each of the participating municipalities.  However, each municipal corporation retains its right to administer and enforce its own income tax laws concurrently with the Board.

RITA offers comprehensive tax collection from registration through litigation.

The Regional Income Tax Agency, known as “RITA” was formed in 1971 to administer the income tax ordinance of any Ohio municipality (city or village in Ohio) that joins the Agency through the Regional Council of Governments (RCOG).  Although not every Ohio municipality is a RCOG member, currently nearly 400 cities and villages (approximately 50% of Ohio municipalities with an income tax) utilize RITA to handle their municipal income tax collection and enforcement efforts.

Mr. Benfield: “It is Not a tax itself (this is a misconception we hear a lot). It handles the collection of our village income tax, which they then return to us in bulk monthly.  If we did not have RITA, the Municipal Office would be doing it ourselves so there’s no additional cost to the individual’s taxes.”

“For the service we get out of it, the cost to the village comes out to around the cost of a single full-time employee on an annual basis (factoring in things like benefits).  This cost gets us not only the collection processing, but has largely increased our actual collection rate opposed to when we used to do it in-house, and reduced delinquency in taxes.  For when someone is delinquent for any reason, RITA also handles both outreach and any necessary legalities surrounding the attempts at collection.  The cost is relative to how much we take in in a given month, so it generally is not set in stone.”

“More than anything, RITA reduces the overall load on our office. If we didn’t have RITA, we would likely need to add an additional staff member dedicated to that task.  Doing this would increase the strain on the office, and add more overhead and legal fees to the process which would likely end up exceeding the cost of RITA altogether.  RITA has a system that we’re able to access that lets us get delinquent reports on demand. So, we can see how much is still outstanding and how much has been reclaimed at any time.”

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The Delta Lady Panthers Junior Varsity basketball team roared out to a 23-4 halftime lead and cruised to a 32-19 victory over the Leipsic Lady Vikings in a Semi-Final game of the Bob Fisher Holiday Classic held at Swanton High School this past weekend. Delta’s Ellie Martinez led all players with 12 points. McKenzie Kruger added five, Addison Wyse had four, Grace Maynhart chipped in two and Aubree Perdew had one.

Leipsic: 3-1-8-3 = 15

Delta: 11-12-4-5 = 32

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: Addison Wyse goes inside for an easy basket.

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The Swanton Lady Bulldogs rebounded from a 14-9 first quarter deficit to take a one-point lead, 26-25, over the Otsego Lady Knights by the end of the half and then really got busy.  Senior Emma Crow led a third quarter offensive explosion, scoring 11 of her team’s 25 points and Swanton went on to crush Otsego 63-38 in a Semi-Final game of the Bob Fisher Holiday Classic played at the Kevin J. McQuade Gymnasium last Friday.  The defense responded in the second half as well, holding the Knights to just 13 points.

Crow led all players with a career-high 21 points, including four shots from downtown, while fellow senior Olivia Gowing tossed in 14 points, with two bombs of her own.  Samantha Lehr scored 13 points for Otsego and Jocelyn Cornell added eight.

Otsego Lady Knights:  14-11-7-6 = 38    Samantha Lehr (13), Jocelyn Cornell (8), Ryleigh O’Brien (4), Rylee Brown (4), Savannah Villareal (3), Brooke Bergman (2), Cailyn Lorenz (2), Cailyn Rider (2)

Swanton Lady Bulldogs:  9-17-25-12 = 63    Emma Crow (21), Olivia Gowing (14), Peighton Manning (9), Ava Keiser (6), Alexia Ostrander (5), Carli Lagrange (4), Lauren Bettinger (2), Miranda Yeager (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: Emma Crow rises above the Otsego triple-team defense to score two of her game-high and career-high 21 points.

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The Delta Panthers’ offense scored early and often while their defense clamped down on the Swanton Bulldog offense en route to a 49-18 victory in the 2023 Bob Fischer Holiday Classic JV Boys Championship game at Swanton High School. Delta led 29-10 at halftime and increased their advantage after each of the final two quarters to bring home the trophy. Derek Sargent Jr. topped the Panthers and all players with 11 points and Zeb Kramer scored nine. Isaiah Bolyard and Drew Koder each scored six points for the Bulldogs.

Delta Panthers: 19-10-8-12 = 49  Derek Sargent Jr. (11), Zeb Kramer (9), Tyson Bower (6), Kade Lintermoot (6), Vincent Martinez (5), Jadon Lohman (4), Gary Valentine (4), Ashton Alig (2)

Swanton Bulldogs” 8-2-3-5 = 18  Isaiah Bolyard (6), Drew Koder (6), Conner Mitchey (3), Dennis Robinson (3)

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: Delta Panthers JV Boys Basketball – 2023 Bob Fisher Holiday Classic Champions

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The Swanton Bulldog varsity rallied from a halftime deficit to beat the Maumee Panthers 51-43 in the semi-finals of the 2023 Bob Fisher Classic played in the Robert L. Fisher Gymnasium. In the finals, played at Swanton High School, the Bulldogs dropped a 49-40 decision to the Ottawa Hills Green Bears.

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

Photo: Evan Reinhard challenges the Maumee defense inside and draws the foul