Photo Courtesy of Wilmington News Journal "I think that had this presentation been out a whole lot earlier, a lot of the issues that are running around right now would have been toned down," stated Robert Gross during comments at the Wilmington City Council and Clinton County Port Authority (CCPA) first public meeting on November 25, 2025, to discuss a proposed Amazon Web Services (AWS) data center at 1488 South US-68. The sale of the farm land was between a private land owner and AWS, not guided by any public entity. AWS chose the location due to its proximity to the city's wastewater treatment plant, making necessary water and sewer infrastructure improvements, estimated at $25M, financially viable. Also, the 471-acre property can host both the data center plus a 500ft noise and light buffer for residents. The CCPA stated that the $4B investment is the "largest investment in [Clinton County's] history" and the project will "serve as a safety net of economic activity in an uncertain time." The project guarantees 100 permanent jobs with an $8M annual payroll. The CCPA also speculated that infrastructure improvements could encourage more housing development. The Community Reinvestment Area (CRA) Agreement includes a $1.85M one-time community benefit payment and an estimated $22K annually to the city and schools. The CCPA addressed community concerns over water and environmental issues, stating that the city is already contracted to receive 7M gallons of water from Caesar Creek—which has an estimated 27M to 35M gallons of excess capacity—and that the city has never used half of its allotment. AWS's water usage will help offset unused water costs, and AWS data centers discharge water meets all local water and sewer requirements. The CCPA also stated that Ohio is part of a 13-state electric grid, so residents do not pay more or less for electricity based upon what happens in Wilmington. Instead, costs are distributed, and benefits are concentrated to areas with projects like the AWS data center. At the city council meeting on December 4, 2025, Councilman Knowles stated, "Hilliard... is having all these problems after signing the CRA agreement with AWS." Councilman Nanstad later responded, "I think with any conversation, there's sides... I asked [the city manger in Hilliard] directly, 'is AWS a good corporate citizen,' and he said, 'they have been outstanding.'" CCPA Economic Development Director Roth clarified that the issues Knowles mentioned were under the jurisdiction of the Ohio Power Siting Board and the electric company. Council President Purkey encouraged continued "due diligence." Learn more at chooseclintoncountyoh.org or watch past meetings at wilmingtonohio.gov.

Bryce Whelchel & Dustin Pearce Superintendent Curt Bradshaw joins the podcast to share how the Southern Ohio Educational Service Center is helping support local schools in Clinton, Fayette, Highland, Adams, and Brown Counties. Curt is a Clinton County native who has a passion for community and service to others. Before becoming Superintendent of the Southern Ohio ESC, Curt was a teacher at both Clinton-Massie Local Schools and Wilmington City Schools. Listen to episode 78 of the Real Change Wilmington Podcast, 'A Lesson from the Southern Ohio Educational Service Center' with Curt Bradshaw, on your favorite podcast player below: 🍎 Apple: bit.ly/rcwp-apple 🟢 Spotify: bit.ly/rcwp-spotify 🎥 YouTube: bit.ly/rcwp-youtube 😎 Website: bit.ly/rcwp-website

WILMINGTON, Ohio (December 20, 2027)—Wilmington VFW Post 6710 has partnered with First Class Athletics to offer a holiday-season fitness and membership promotion aimed at supporting local VFW eligible veterans and their families as they head into the new year. To veterans, physical fitness means being mission-ready, able to handle unpredictable demands, and maintaining peak performance through rigorous training. But those demands don’t ease up after you leave the service as life always throws you curveballs. The partnership is designed to encourage physical fitness while also connecting eligible veterans and family members with VFW membership opportunities. The promotion runs through the end of February, 2026. First Class Athletics, located at 283 E. Main St. in downtown Wilmington, is offering a 15% discount on gym memberships for individuals who are currently serving, or who have previously served in the military. VFW eligible veterans and eligible family members who join First Class Athletics may then present proof of their paid gym membership at Wilmington VFW Post 6710, located at 1130 N. Lincoln St., to receive discounted VFW membership rates. During the promotion, annual VFW memberships are reduced by 25% and include three $10 date-night coupons. Lifetime memberships are also discounted, with $100 off the membership fee and six $10 date-night coupons. VFW Post 6710 officials say the partnership reflects the organization’s continued focus on supporting veterans’ well-being beyond their years of active service. The post encourages interested individuals to stop by Tuesday through Saturday, after 4pm, to speak with a VFW officer about eligibility and membership options. Visitors are also welcome to enjoy the post’s amenities, which include a full-service bar, food menu, pool tables, darts, games and other entertainment. More information about VFW eligibility and membership is available at vfw6710.org under the “About” and “Membership” sections. Wilmington VFW Post 6710 can also be found on Facebook and on X .

Left to Right: Bob Osborn, Jamie Knowles, Kelly Tolliver, Mary Kay Vance, Pat Haley, Matt Purkey At the Wilmington City Council meeting on November 20, 2025, elected officials discussed the need for a full-time mayor and law director. The first reading was given of ordinance 25-74 to increase these salaries to $80k and $130k respectfully, starting in 2028, plus raise the salaries for city council so they would be eligible for OPERS government pension plans. Council President, Matt Purkey, said "I've talked with [Mayor Pat Haley] enough to know that [the mayor] is not a part-time job... I think we definitely can speak for our friends in the law office that we need a full-time law director." Purkey went on to explain ongoing difficulties in finding people to run for these offices, and also the auditor, treasurer, and city council. Haley added, "[The mayor is] a part-time job, [but] I work 50 hours [a week]. I'm not complaining, that's [my] choice, because it's so busy. And this pay raise won't affect me in any way... I think to reinforce what [Purkey] said, in order to get people who are willing to come in here and work full-time, you're probably going to have to raise that compensation. Especially with the law director." Councilman Michael Snarr voiced his support. Councilman Bob Osborn was concerned about the law director’s salary, noting that the position is "elected," and since Wilmington is a statutory city, there is no state stature requiring the law director to work full-time hours. Purkey noted, "Thankfully we've had people who've done what it required of the job regardless." Haley added, "Anybody in the room can run for council or mayor, but it's different for a law director, you have to have a law degree." Community member, Dustin Pearce, spoke during public comments on December 4, 2025, sharing plans to run for mayor in 2027 and donate his salary back to the city so elected representatives could "hire and oversee an acting, full-time and professional city manger," and focus on quality of life issues. Pearce stated, "I’m not running for the money. I want to... best manage our community’s tax dollars." Salary increases passed on December 18, 2025, with a vote from Councilmen Knowles, Tolliver, Snarr, Osborn, Wells, and Schlabach. Learn more at wilmingtonohio.gov .

Rita is a smart, active girl, looking for her forever adventure buddy! She loves hiking, hanging on the beach, enjoying the sunrise, and all things active. Rita is roughly 3 years old. Half of her adoption fee is sponsored! Meet Rita and her friends by visiting pawshumane.weebly.com .

WILMINGTON, OH (December 17, 2025)—The City of Wilmington has announced changes to its public transit service hours, effective February 1, 2026. Beginning on this date, Wilmington Transit will operate from 6:30 am to 9:00 pm, Monday through Saturday. Service on Sundays will remain unchanged, operating from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. NEW (REDUCED) HOURS OLD (EXTENDED) HOURS Monday–Friday: 6:30am to 9pm Monday–Friday:  6:30am to midnight Saturday: 6:30am to 9pm Saturday:  9am to midnight Sunday: 9am to 3pm Sunday:  9am to 3pm This decision follows careful analysis of ridership patterns and community needs since the extension of evening service hours began on April 1, 2025. Data collected throughout the pilot period revealed that the costs of keeping the facility open for extended evening hours significantly outweighed the demand, making it impractical to continue at this time. The City recognizes the importance of public input and transparency in this process. To ensure community voices are heard, a public meeting will be held. Public Meeting Date: December 30, 2025 Time: 1:00 pm Location: Community Room in City Building (69 N South St. Wilmington, OH 45177) All members of the community are welcome to attend. City officials will be available to provide details about the service change and answer any questions. The City of Wilmington extends appreciation to the community, passengers, and dedicated employees for their continued support and understanding during these adjustments. This collective commitment helps maintain smooth operation of the Transit System and ensures effective service throughout Wilmington. For more information, please contact Wilmington Transit Services at (937) 382-7964 or the mayor’s office at (937) 382-5458. Media Contact: Pat Haley Mayor (937) 382-5458 phaley@wilmingtonohio.gov

Bryce Whelchel & Dustin Pearce Co-Founder of Overdrive Jiu-Jitsu, Bryce Whelchel, joins the podcast to share about his new jiu-jitsu classes at Vital Fitness on Prairie Avenue in Wilmington, Ohio for men, women, and children of all ages and skillsets. Bryce and his wife Kerrie are both graduates of Wilmington College and passionate about creating a welcoming place for the community to enjoy learning jiu-jistu. Listen to episode 77 of the Real Change Wilmington Podcast, 'Hitting the Mats at Overdrive Jiu-Jitsu' with Bryce Whelchel, on your favorite podcast player below: 🍎 Apple: bit.ly/rcwp-apple 🟢 Spotify: bit.ly/rcwp-spotify 🎥 YouTube: bit.ly/rcwp-youtube 😎 Website: bit.ly/rcwp-website

On December 19, Amazon's Wilmington Air Hub (KILN) will brighten the holiday season for local families in need through a special donation to the Clinton County Homeless Shelter. As part of Amazon's Peak Giving Campaign, the company will provide essential household items to support families transitioning into new homes. The Clinton County Homeless Shelter serves as a vital resource in Southwest Ohio, providing emergency housing and support services to individuals and families experiencing homelessness. "We are incredibly grateful to Amazon and their team at the Wilmington Air Hub for this generous donation," said Amber Taylor, Executive Director at Clinton County Homeless Shelter. "These essential household items will directly support the individuals and families we serve, helping them rebuild their lives with dignity. Partnerships like this are vital to our mission, especially during the holiday season when many of our residents face additional emotional and financial challenges." The donation event will feature: Nearly $5,000 worth of essential household items Amazon volunteers supporting the initiative Opportunity to capture heartwarming moments as families receive much-needed supplies Interviews with Amazon representatives and shelter leadership about the community impact   Event Details: Friday, December 19, 2025 at 4:30 p.m. Clinton County Homeless Shelter 36 Gallup Avenue, Wilmington, OH 45177   Media Opportunities: B-roll of donation presentation Interviews and photo opportunities with Amazon representatives, shelter staff, and family members "Supporting our local communities is at the heart of what we do at Amazon," said Justin Nickell, General Manager at Amazon's Wilmington Air Hub. "We're proud to partner with the Clinton County Homeless Shelter during the holiday season to provide essential items that will make a real difference for families and individuals in need. This donation reflects our commitment to the Wilmington community and our employees' dedication to giving back where we live and work." Please RSVP to Paula Morrison at pauladmo@amazon.com  to confirm your attendance or request additional information by EOD Wednesday, December 17, 2025.

Wilmington, OH (December 17, 2025)—Wilmington College’s alumni, campus and greater communities of friends came through big time in supporting the annual Giving Tuesday campaign in early December. Far eclipsing the goal of raising $100,000, gifts totaled more than $155,000. While donors gave to numerous areas of the institution, this year’s promotion was to support “Travel with Purpose,” student travel funds designed to open doors ranging from serving communities and attending professional conferences to domestic travel and study-abroad opportunities. “This remarkable Giving Tuesday support reflects how deeply the Wilmington College community values student opportunities,” said Jenn Ramage, senior director of development, noting that donors unlocked every challenge, completed every match and “truly illustrated that purpose can't wait. We are deeply grateful.”   Highlights included a $25,000 gift from Seth Kittay ‘68 to endow the Kittay Poetry Competition, a matched $5,000 gift from an anonymous member of the Board of Trustees for the WC AgriScience Complex and Trustee Elizabeth Garvey’s (’65) Purpose Can’t Wait Challenge in which her $17,000 gift was unlocked after the first 85 donations to the day’s campaign were secured. Garvey’s generosity was also manifested with her $1,000 matching gift for the Esports Team and when her $2,000 challenge gift for a Spanish Enrichment Fund was unlocked after 20 gifts in support of that travel opportunity were realized. Also, Sigrid Solomon, vice president/chief student affairs officer and dean of students, issued a successful matching gift in the Mama Sigrid $2,000 Student Life Challenge and a $1,500 challenge gift to the Joshua Keith Memorial Travel Fund was unlocked after 10 donations to that fund. The first $500 donated to the Chad and Amanda McKay Fund for Student Enrichment through Travel were matched by the faculty couple. Tammy Shadley ’90, vice president/chief advancement and alumni officer, added that Giving Tuesday “reminded us that success is about engagement.” She lauded the alumni and friends that included new donors, consistent supporters and “generous champions” who offered challenges as essential for success. “We also truly appreciate the support from our entire Board of Trustees and strong support from the President’s Council. Through the collective support of the entire community, our students will be able to experience places and possibilities they haven’t yet imagined.” Article Submitted by Wilmington College

Wheelies Walks Group "Humans need connection, and Wheelies Walks was developed to build community, foster intergenerational bonding, and create opportunities for friendship," stated Devin Birt, Organizer of the Wheelies Walks program. Wheelies on Mulberry began sponsoring walks on the Clinton County Trails in 2024, shortly after the opening of their bike shop. Birt stated, "The bike shop and Trail Haus were created as an open invitation for the community to explore our beautiful trails and enjoy the outdoors." According to Birt, the idea originated during the pandemic, when "isolation was felt across all generations," and there was "a decline in both physical and mental health, especially among older adults." Birt even credited the walks with "bridging generations, encouraging support, and keeping [attendees] accountable." The Wheelies Walks are held on Sundays at 5pm, during the months of April through November, depending on weather. According to Birt, the club typically has anywhere from five to 20 participants. The approximately two-mile walks begin on the Luther Warren Peace Path, near Wheelies, and end at Nelson. The walks are open to the public, and Birt encouraged all individuals to join. She stated, "We encourage everyone across the lifespan to participate. All abilities are welcome." Birt continued, "You don't need to be fast or experienced—just show up as you are. The group is welcoming, and you'll get the benefits of movement, fresh air, and good company all at once." According to Birt, walking reduces the risk of heart disease, boosts mental-wellbeing, and helps decrease symptoms of stress, anxiety, and depression. She dubbed regular walking as "one of the simplest and most meaningful ways to enhance quality of life," as it increases longevity, supports overall wellness, and fosters social connections. Birt's tips for walking in cold weather include walking with a buddy, wearing appropriate footwear, checking the weather prior to a walk, and dressing in layers. To learn more about Clinton County trails, visit clintoncountytrails.org. Learn more about Wheelies at wheeliesbikes.com.

Tony & Sharon Testa "Everything is homemade," including their breads, sauces, pizza dough, soups, and desserts, stated Tony Testa, Co-Founder of The Mediterranean Restaurant, located at 53 East Main Street in Wilmington. Tony and his wife, Sharon, along with their three children, have been running their restaurant since 2006, surviving both DHL closing in 2008 and the COVID-19 shutdowns in 2020. Tony and Sharon first met each other in Daytona Beach, Florida. Sharon was a "Cincinnati girl" hitchhiking with a friend, and recalls seeing Tony on the beach “standing on his head, doing yoga, with his guitar laying in front of him,” and decided to introduce herself because he "looked interesting.” The two fell in love and got married six months later. They briefly moved to Connecticut, where Tony is from, and then later moved back to Ohio when Sharon became pregnant with their first son, Nick. To support their growing family, Tony had a winding career as a door-to-door salesman, pizza shop owner, and then owner of a traveling sports wholesale company. Early in their marriage, Sharon had a life-changing experience when a friend of hers was "brutally murdered" by her boyfriend. This led Sharon and Tony to start exploring church and developing their Christian faith. Tony and Sharon raised their family on a 10-acre property in Clinton County. Initially, they shopped in Xenia and went to church in Loveland, until Tony was called to serve on the grand jury, and “could not believe all this stuff that was happening in [Wilmington].” They started attending Dove Church in Wilmington and helping Allen Willoughby with Sugartree Ministries. “You can’t affect your community if you’re not part of your community," stated Sharon. After purchasing the building that would later become The Mediterranean, Sharon stated, “My prayer was that we would never put business first, that family would always be first. It wouldn’t be about money, it would be about… people.” One week before opening, Tony lost his father, so the family donated all the restaurant's perishable food to Sugartree Ministries, flew to Connecticut for the funeral, and opened the restaurant the following week. Almost 20 years later, Tony and Sharon still value family over business, closing the restaurant for ten days of the year to take a family vacation. Sharon stated, “As a mother... I got to work with my adult children for... over ten years, and that's hard, but it's also really cool… We've got our whole family, we saw them every day, and if I want to see them... I can stop right in the restaurant." Listen to the Testa's full story on episode 76 of the Real Change Wilmington podcast. 🍎 Apple: bit.ly/rcwp-apple 🟢 Spotify: bit.ly/rcwp-spotify 🎥 YouTube: bit.ly/rcwp-youtube 😎 Website: bit.ly/rcwp-website

Wilmington College students conduct research at the Clinton County History Center. Pictured from the left are Hillary LeForge, Beth Mitchell, a WC alumna and longtime volunteer at the History Center, Randi Anderson, Shelby Boatman, executive director of the History Center, and Henry Hildebrandt. Other members of the WC History Council are Emily Switzer, Cameron Chatfield, and William Hildebrandt. Wilmington, OH (December 11, 2025)— The English poet and author Chaucer wrote in the 1300s that, “Time and tide wait for no man.” Wilmington College sophomore Henry Hildebrandt and other members of the new student organization, WC History Council, are discovering that time has been relentless in obscuring an important part of Clinton County's history. The History Council is undertaking a project to recover information from local cemeteries involving public records and gravestones that are badly weathered, misplaced, or missing. “Who’s buried there? Who has a headstone? What’s on the markers? A lot of these burials are from the 1800s, and many of the headstones are hard to read,” Hildebrandt said. He estimates that the county has at least 100 cemeteries, ranging from the large Sugar Grove in Wilmington, which has thousands of burial plots, to country church cemeteries and those with only family plots. Hildebrandt, whose father introduced him to his love for history, considers the cemetery project a contribution to America 250, which celebrates the nation’s quarter-millennium in 2026. He noted how WC history Professor Keith Orejel encourages his students to “get involved” in history and suggested America 250 funding might be available to assist their research. The History Council ultimately wishes to confirm accurate burial records to be stored at the Clinton County History Center, possibly displayed on a plaque at each cemetery and, ideally, even have those records digitally accessible through on-site QR codes at some of these small country burial grounds. The WC students comprising the History Council have been conducting research in conjunction with the Clinton County History Center, where they are delving into news clippings, genealogical records, pension files, property/plot maps, and other historical sources. “With these documents, we can cross-reference all these cemeteries,” Hildebrandt said. Their trips to local burial grounds, often whose origins date back to the early 1800s, have uncovered a combination of readable and unreadable headstones, sunken grave markers, and even instances of missing gravestones and markers. They have access to software that can decipher weathered engravings on gravestones via three-dimensional scans of marker photos. “This software can help figure out the inscription,” he said, noting it reveals images not readily seen by the naked eye. “That helps with reading them and provides a snapshot of what the cemetery looks like in 2025.” The Wilson Family Cemetery, just east of Wilmington on US 22/Ohio 3, has been of keen interest to the group. It’s very run down with two existing headstones, several buried markers, and gravestones leaning against a tree. This family plot dates back to the first half of the 19th century. Indeed, a veteran of the War of 1812 was laid to rest there. “We have a good record of who’s buried there,” he added. Hildebrandt said persons dating back to the nation’s founding are interred in the county’s cemeteries. He cited the Gaddis Family Cemetery on Prairie Road near Wilmington, which is the final resting place for the earthly remains of Thomas Gaddis, a militia officer in the Continental Army. He was involved in such historically significant events as the Whiskey Rebellion, which was a tax protest in western Pennsylvania in the 1790s when George Washington was president, and the Crawford Expedition. This was an attempt, in 1782, to destroy Native American towns along the Sandusky River in the hope of ending attacks on American settlers on the western front of the American Revolution. Gaddis relocated to Clinton County in later life and died in 1834. “A lot of interesting people were settlers in the county,” Hildebrandt said. This project comes after Hildebrandt spent a summer internship assisting with an archaeological dig involving burial grounds in Pickaway County. They excavated headstones and skeletal remains from cemeteries along the Ohio-Erie Canal near the Scioto River village of Lockbourne. Many buried there are believed to have been canal workers, Irish immigrants who died from cholera and were often placed in unmarked graves. Shelby Boatman, executive director of the Clinton County History Center, was “ecstatic and amazed by their self-initiated interest” when Hildebrandt approached her proposing they collaborate on documenting these sites in the county. “We are always looking for volunteers and ways to continue telling Clinton County’s story,” she said. “Rural cemeteries — especially small family plots not connected to church burial grounds — are scattered across Clinton County. Many have been left to the mercy of time, with damaged headstones, incomplete or inaccurate burial records, and even a fading knowledge of where some sites are located.” Boatman added that, through their partnership, the History Center has opened its records to the students after normal museum hours. “They have become our real-world ‘boots on the ground’ in the field,” she added, noting the students are learning the physical landscape of the county while also absorbing its heritage. “I have been especially encouraged to see a core group of students return to the History Center week after week with genuine excitement and a sense of wonder. It is rare to find younger people not only drawn to this kind of work but committed to seeing it through.” The History Center plans to develop a Webpage that will share biographies of the individuals the students have documented. “We also hope to collaboratively install historical signage at these cemetery sites — both to educate visitors about each site’s heritage and to highlight the important research completed by Henry and the students.” Article Submitted by Wilmington College