Left to Right: Councilman Don Wells, Councilman Bob Osborn, Councilman Jamie Knowles, Councilman David Nanstad, Auditor Mary Kay Vance, Mayor Pat Haley, Council President Matthew Purkey At the September 18, 2025, Mayor Pat Haley’s office requested $60,000 from the general fund to use on “consultant services” due to ongoing litigation. Haley stated, “As you well know, there’s a lot of litigation going on right now, and the law director has met with outside counsel and now we’re paying the bills.” The mayor continued on to say that it was “pretty expensive” and that they are “running a little bit short [on funds].” He explained that he would like the requested supplemental funds to be able to finish “it” and expressed his hope for a quick resolution. In response to the request, Council Member Josh Schlabach suggested hiring a full-time law director for the City of Wilmington. Mayor Haley stated that it “makes sense,” as the money saved would be significant and could be applied in-house to a salary for a full-time law director. Council President Matt Purkey remarked that because Wilmington is a Statutory City, the law director cannot be a full-time position. He stated, “Unfortunately, the director of law is considered a part-time position under the Ohio Revised Code, so we can’t change that…” Later, Mayor Haley spoke about issues with boards and commissions, as many of the positions are individuals from the community appointed by the mayor. He stated, “[They’re] good people, the problem is, they have no training or background in the decisions that they’re making… but yet those decisions that are made, are some of the most important decisions in the City of Wilmington.” Haley mentioned the Park Board as an example and stated, “The Ohio Revised Code is very vague on the setup of the Park Board… This is a hassle for the administration… The administration ends up dealing with the problems every week or so; something comes up. What we are trying to do is fix this fundamental problem that’s been a problem for years.” Haley even commented on current litigation, stating, “It’s not that we want to micromanage, I can tell you we have enough to do, but some of the lawsuits we are getting are from these appointments.” To learn more or view previous City Council meetings, visit wilmingtonohio.gov .

Denver Park Pickleball Courts WILMINGTON, Ohio (September 22, 2025)— The City of Wilmington invites the community to celebrate the grand opening of the new pickleball courts at Denver Williams Memorial Park. A ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held on Monday, September 29, 2025, at 3:00 PM. Donors will participate in a ceremonial “First Point.” After this, the courts will be open for community play. Wright-Patt Credit Union has generously donated paddles and balls, which will be available for attendees to take home while supplies last. This project has been funded through a combination of city funds, grants, and private donations. Questions regarding the event may be made to the Parks and Recreation Office at (937) 374-9455. RELEASED BY: Michael Crowe Director of Public Service City of Wilmington 69 N. South Street Wilmington, OH 45177 W: 937-382-6509

WILMINGTON, Ohio (September 23, 2025)— Wilmington City Schools, Clinton County, Ohio, is seeking a Front Office Receptionist/ Administrative Assistant to the Director of Curriculum and Instruction. The preferred candidate will have relevant front office experience, knowledge of technology specific to Google Applications, impeccable organizational skills, proven interpersonal communication skills, ability to manage high-stress situations, willingness to work with a team, an openness to new learning, an excellent attendance record, and the ability to manage confidential information. Prior experience in front office management and educational settings is preferred. Please submit a letter of introduction and resume by Oct 10th, 2025, to Curt.Bone@wilmington.k12.oh.us Released by Wilmington City Schools

Pictured in front of the Art Brooks MVP House are, from the left, Mamadou Barry, Anesu Zviiteyi, Art Brooks, and Olive Iragena. WILMINGTON, Ohio (September 19, 2025)—Wilmington College recognized a trio of students for their dedication to service and civic engagement by selecting them as the inaugural cohort to reside in the Art Brooks MVP House. MVP stands for mission, values, and purpose, characteristics that reflect the dedication to student success espoused by the facility’s namesake, Art Brooks, the College’s founding director of multicultural affairs. Senior Mamadou Barry, junior Olive Iragena, and sophomore Anesu Zviiteyi successfully went through an application process for living in the Brooks MVP House this year. It included high academic standing and a demonstrated understanding and appreciation of the College’s mission, values, and purpose. The trio is responsible for leading individual and group projects undertaken to benefit the College and community. Also, they can use the house for gatherings of students who share similar commitments to service. Brooks retired in 2012 after 19 years at the College. He worked with campus organizations promoting diversity that included Concerned Black Students, Multicultural Student Union and Black Student Initiative (BSI), the latter of which used to meet at what became the MVP House at 275 Linton Drive on the periphery of campus. He congratulated the students on their selection. “I’m confident that Olive, Anesu, and Mamadou are committed to the College’s mission, values, and purpose as student leaders, and they will uphold the principles of diversity, service, and civic engagement in their work,” said Brooks, noting he already was familiar with the two women, who have often attended his church. He also expressed his appreciation for being the MVP House namesake. “I feel honored, blessed, and humbled that the College would give me this recognition,” he said in giving special thanks to President Corey Cockerill, Sigrid Solomon, vice president for student affairs/dean of students, and Chip Murdock, assistant vice president for student affairs. “During my tenure at WC, I tried to reflect the College’s mission, values, and purpose through my work with students, faculty, staff, and the greater Wilmington community.” Solomon said Brooks remains a valued member of the campus and Wilmington communities. “Art Brooks was the founding staff member entrusted with the responsibility of leading the College’s efforts in multicultural affairs, inclusion, and belonging, all while using the College’s mission and values as a guiding compass.” The trio of students came into the new school year with an impressive resume of service. Barry is a pre-med senior majoring in biology with a minor in chemistry. He’s been involved with service projects as a student mentor and through his association with BSI, Scholars of Promise, and Tau Kappa Beta fraternity. “I wanted to be part of a space where students can support each other while also working to make a difference on campus and beyond,” he said. Zviiteyi is a sophomore majoring in chemistry and mathematics with a concentration in data science. Her service resume includes work at Hope House and Sugartree Ministries, as well as serving at soup kitchens and food pantries on WC service trips to Detroit and Chicago. “Living in the MVP House is an opportunity for me to cook with my friends and also a place to spend time with people who are somehow similar to me,” she said. Indeed, all three students are from African nations. Iragena is a junior majoring in biology with minors in chemistry and data science. She, too, is a veteran of out-of-state service trips, while she has also been active with Quaker Leaders Scholars’ work at Hope House and Faith in Action’s service to Sugartree Ministries and the Clinton County Homeless Shelter. A special focus has been her work with the TWEENS Tongogara organization to empower youth in Zimbabwe. “I was drawn to living in the MVP House because of its unique blend of community, sustainability, and intentional living,” she added. “The house's focus on shared values and more peaceful and collaborative living aligns with my own priorities and passions. This living experience will allow me to grow both personally and academically.” The students expressed their admiration for Brooks and their appreciation for being a part of his legacy at the College. “I understand how important he was in shaping multicultural life at Wilmington College,” Barry said. “Being part of a house that carries his name feels like a responsibility to continue his legacy of inclusion, leadership, and advocacy for all students.” Iragena added, “Art Brooks is a special person in the College's history as its founding director of multicultural affairs. It is about embracing the Quaker values and living a purposeful life.” Article Submitted by Wilmington College

Wilmington College Homecoming 2024 WILMINGTON, Ohio (September 16, 2025)— Alumni, families, and friends will converge upon Wilmington College on Sept. 26 and 27 to interact with the campus community for the time-honored tradition of Homecoming. The fall rite promises a weekend of festivities, pageantry, reunions, special recognitio,n and activities for the entire family. The greater community is invited to join in the fun. Those who arrive on Friday can witness the annual Mud Volleyball Tournament at 4 p.m. on the lower athletic fields. Sports start in full force with the volleyball and men’s soccer teams hosting competitions versus Berea College and Wittenberg University, respectively, at 7 p.m., in their sports venues, followed by a pep rally on Collett Mall at 9 p.m. Saturday will offer a full day of activities. Alumni from the men’s lacrosse, softball, and swimming teams will gather to meet and compete, while the College’s agriculture alumni will meet with current students and faculty at Aggieville, which will be set up at the corner of Elm and College streets beginning at 11 a.m. Also, alumni of the Concerned Black Students, Multicultural Student Union and Black Student Initiative will gather for a tailgate from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the CSA parking lot. That lot has been set aside for all tailgating activities. At the Alumni Awards Brunch, several alumni will be recognized, including Dale Molnar, Class of ’75, Alumni Citation for Distinguished Professional Achievement; Lara Hamilton ’93, Alumni Citation for Distinguished Contributions to Education; Fadi Al-Gahwi, The John Frazier Award for Distinguished Volunteer Service; and Shelby Guthrie, Young Alumni Award. The College will hold a groundbreaking for the Scheve Athletic Center and Scheve, Ramseyer, Lewis Hall of Champions at 11 a.m. near the front of Hermann Court. The new facility’s construction is part of the record $23 million gift from the late, legendary basketball coach and accounting professor, Jerry Scheve. Also, that day, Scheve will be inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame posthumously. Also, at 11 a.m., the Alumni Tent will be open for alumni registration, along with Alumni Vendor Alley and several family-friendly games and activities, all on Collett Mall. Food Truck Alley will be featured on Elm St. in front of Williams Stadium. The annual Greek Bed Races will commence at the east end of that area at 11:45 a.m. At noon, the Quaker Testimony Gardens will be dedicated on the north side of Boyd Cultural Arts Center. WC’s Homecoming football game with Ohio Northern University kicks off at 1:30 p.m. Halftime activities will include recognition of Scheve’s Hall of Fame induction and the announcement of the Homecoming court and naming of the king and queen. Greek organization and other reunions will be held throughout the day. Culminating the formal activities will be the women’s soccer team taking on DePauw University at 7 p.m. Article Submitted by Wilmington College

Ryan Perry, Mayor of Trenton, Ohio, Speaks at The Murphy Theatre "Our city manager [has] more than paid for himself," stated Ryan Perry (R), Mayor of the City of Trenton, Ohio. On August 19, 2025, Perry, spoke at the 'Wilmington Charter City Steering Committee' public meeting at the Murphy Theatre, sharing his background and insight on Trenton's charter. He mentioned his introduction to politics, sharing that he worked with Speaker John Boehner (R). Upon serving on Trenton City Council for several years, he was asked to be the vice mayor and then mayor. Trenton has seven elected council members and appoints the mayor and vice mayor from those elected seven. The seven members then appoint a city manager. When speaking about their city manager and strategic growth, Perry stated, "What it does is it plans a vision for the future that isn't changing every few years... We've had our city manager for eight years and you can really see the vision take shape once you've had that spot permanently [filled] for a long run." Perry emphasized the city manager's economic development background, sharing a story in which the full-time city manager saved over 400 jobs that in turn created 400 additional jobs. Perry stated, "The good thing about having a city manager is [they're] professionals... He's trained to run the city... I actually think it's great that you're letting professionals actually run [the city], but you still have the oversight of council." When asked how Trenton is handling housing and homelessness, Perry stated, "We're trying to put in some low cost homes... For us to continue to tackle [housing], you have to offer homes at all different prices and by doing that, you get a large number of people that are owning their homes, which is much better for a community than renting." In addition to Perry's question and answer session, attendees began drafting Wilmington's potential charter document, working on sections like the Preamble and Article titles. Residents in attendance shared that they liked phrases such as, "for ourselves and our children" in the Preamble, emphasizing that the charter is both "present and future focused." To learn more or watch recordings of previous meetings, visit wilmingtoncharter.com .

WILMINGTON, Ohio (September 16, 2025)— High school students have an opportunity to get a jump start on college or entering the workforce through Wilmington College’s new College & Career Academy. They can earn college credits and work-ready credentials in fields ranging from Adobe content creator, Google project management and Cloud data analytics, and IBM security analysis to XBOX graphic designer, Meta marketing analytics and ADPP entry-level payroll specialist. Eric McLaughlin, associate vice president for external affairs, career and professional development, said the program is open to any high school student in grades nine through 12. After a one-day in-person session, the course is offered exclusively online through WC’s education partner, Coursera. “The College & Career Academy gives students the opportunity to receive career guidance, expand their knowledge and build skills, and earn work-ready credentials before entering college—and earn college credits while they’re doing it.” The program will provide students with career assessments, insights and advising on their best career pathways, along with exposure to regional employers and inside knowledge of growing industries. Also, they will receive guidance on preparing resumes, cover letters and establishing their online profiles. Students can earn up to 12 academic credits upon completing the certification program. In addition, they will learn how Wilmington College’s majors align with growing fields and high-demand careers. The cost is $200, which includes all learning materials and meals for the one-day, in-person session that marks the start of the term. Terms begin on Dec. 13, March 14, and June 26 with activities at Wilmington College from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information or to register, contact WC’s Career Services Office at 937.481.2299 or via email at careerservices@wilmington.edu. Article Submitted by Wilmington College

Wendy Tong The Gardens at Creekside Estate is a new "all in one" event venue for weddings, bridal showers, and celebrations, located at 316 Old Denny Road in Wilmington, Ohio next to Caesar Creek Flea Market. According to Wendy Tong, owner and operator of The Gardens, the 33-acre venue is the "culmination of her career." She stated, "I'm seeing all the experiences that I had flourish right here. This is the crescendo of 'Wendy Tong'. We just didn't come in here and buy it and say, let's go. We have created a life and a legacy here at The Gardens." Over the years, Wendy has operated a horse training business, gym, and even her own landscaping business before deciding to focus on her own gardens and open her new venue. Wendy and her husband, Rick, purchased their current homestead in 1996 to raise their two children. Prior to that, the property was used as a horse breeding farm that Wendy turned into a horse training facility which she operated for many years until unexpected health issues led her to discover that she had an allergy to horses. During her time of recovery, Wendy focused on studying health issues and remedies, and even built a gym onto her home where she trained other women. Though her fitness business was successful, Wendy still longed for the outdoors again, so after many thriving years, she decided to tone back her clients and start a landscaping business. She ran that business until 2024, when she decided to focus on her own garden, and start work on The Gardens at Creekside Estate. The venue features over 40 gardens, each with a special connection or meaning to Wendy's family. Wendy and Rick originally upgraded their gardens for their daughter's wedding, and the idea to start a venue was planted when guests said that it was the "most romantic wedding" they had seen. In addition to the gardens and native plants, their venue also features a covered pavilion, rose wall, antique stone bridge, fountains, statues, pigeons, peacocks, ducks, chickens, goats, and more. The venue can also provide tables, chairs, and a handicap accessible restroom. Learn more at thegardensatcreeksideestate.com .

Josh Roth At the August 4, 2025, 3M Club meeting at Ohio Living Cape May, Josh Roth, Economic Development Director at the Clinton County Port Authority (CCPA), shared his local areas of focus regarding economic development. According to Roth, he is focused on improving the competitiveness of the county by attacking barriers to new growth and threats to existing industry. For example, Roth shared that the "biggest inhibitor to the City of Wilmington" is the "sanitary sewer," as the original plant was built in 1936 and the trunk lines are not wide enough to support expansion. He shared that the city is currently building a wastewater treatment plant that will add 1.5 million gallons of capacity that can be expanded to 9 million gallons a day. Roth stated that a separate project he is working on with the county is to provide sanitary sewer to the Route 73 and 68 interchanges. He also mentioned a potential housing development across from Nelson Avenue that would bring in roughly 360 homes, but is inhibited by the expensive sewer costs. To curb the $3 million cost for the developer, they're hoping to use "tax increment finance," a tool that would temporarily redirect the new homeowners' taxes to reimburse the developer. The second barrier is housing. Roth said, "We really do need housing at all price points so that we can appeal to a broad cross section of the folks that work here so that we can stay competitive." Roth expressed his concern that Wilmington might lose large employers if too many executives who work in Wilmington don't also have the opportunity to live in Wilmington. To keep Clinton County competitive, Roth shared his focus on attracting manufacturers to build plants in the county by ensuring our community has adequate resources to host them. Roth also touched on the importance of business retention and expansion programs for existing businesses to ensure they stay local. Regarding Wilmington's marketability, Roth stated, " You think that we're a small town, but actually, we tap into three major metros, and that's why we can have great employers... because we can leverage our location and punch above our weight." To learn more about the CCPA, visit chooseclintoncountyoh.org .

WILMINGTON, Ohio (September 9, 2025)— The City of Wilmington announces that the railroad crossing on E. Locust Street, near United Dairy Farmers (UDF) and Speedway, will be repaved beginning Wednesday, September 17, through Saturday, September 20, weather permitting. Lane closures will be in place during the repaving period. Drivers should expect delays in the area and are encouraged to plan alternate routes when possible. “We know how frustrating the condition of this crossing has been for residents and commuters. This is an important step in improving the daily travel experience in Wilmington,” said Mayor Patrick Haley. Service Director Mike Crowe added, “We are addressing what could have become a significant safety concern if left unaddressed over the winter months. I’m pleased we were able to reach an agreement with the railroad to complete the necessary work before the end of asphalt season.” The City of Wilmington asks that all motorists be patient, reduce speed, and exercise added caution when traveling near this work zone. Questions regarding the work may be made to the City Services Office at (937) 382-6509. RELEASED BY: Michael Crowe Director of Public Service City of Wilmington 69 N. South Street Wilmington, OH 45177 W: 937-382-6509

The Esports Club staged a recruitment event at the College's annual Organization Fair in late August. Zach Sizemore, its founding president, is lectured at the upper right. WILMINGTON, Ohio (September 8, 2025)— The next step in the evolution of Esports at Wilmington College is occurring this fall with the club’s entry into intercollegiate competition. WC is a new member of PlayVS College League, which is a development designed to enhance the Esports Club’s goal of building a strong community in which students connect through their love for gaming. Tyler Steckler, assistant professor of sport management and WC’s Esports coordinator, described the League affiliation as a “structured, competitive environment that mirrors traditional college sports with real schedules, standings, and playoffs.” The Esports Club’s president, Zach Sizemore, who founded the club two years ago, said the move gives the College’s players “a chance to compete at a higher level while representing our school on a national stage. It’s a huge milestone for our Esports Club and something we’ve been working toward for a while.” PlayVS is a company founded in 2018 as an inclusive gaming system that, this year, entered the collegiate level of Esports. The League has begun revealing its member institutions, which include more than 60 colleges and universities from across the nation. There are no divisions by school size like in NCAA sports, only the Premier League and Ranked League, so Wilmington College, which is starting in the Ranked League, can compete against schools with as many as 30 times its enrollment. The team boasts 75 members, with at least 16 interested in competing in the initial League competitions. Indeed, Ohio State and Ohio Wesleyan universities invited WC’s team to competitions in October. Sizemore noted that all but one of the nine institutions in the Ohio Athletic Conference, WC’s NCAA athletic affiliation, now host Esports teams with league affiliations. “There will be quite a bit of competition for us — it’s really big for our students,” Steckler said. “In Esports, you don’t need to travel except at tournament time; that’s one of the beautiful things about Esports.” Also, PlayVS supports 17 game titles, including ones in which the College expects to field teams. They are Rocket League, Call of Duty, and Overwatch 2. The October contests will pit teams from Wilmington, Ohio State, and Ohio Wesleyan in Rocket League and Valorant, which are vehicular soccer and tactical hero shooter games, respectively. “This is a big step for us,” said Sizemore, who is both a student and member of the College’s I.T. Department. “Members have been asking me, since I started the club, when we are going to compete in a league. We’re excited for the challenge of playing in a league — nothing promotes growth more than being challenged.” The Esports Club started the new school year with about 60 members and staffed a widely visited table at the College’s Organization Fair in late September. That recruitment event brought in at least 15 new members. “They would have a chance to play in the League all four of their years at WC,” Steckler added. “In future years, when we’ve become more competitive, we’d like to be in the Premier League.” The PlayVS affiliation also gives the team access to what’s happening in gaming on the high school level, which should aid in actively recruiting students to continue their passion for gaming while in college. “This is just the beginning,” Steckler said. “As we compete in PlayVS College League, we hope to attract more talent, more support, and eventually expand to more titles and more events like hosting on-campus tournaments and streaming competitions. We want to grow our presence on campus and make Esports as recognized as traditional sports and other student organizations.” Steckler and Sizemore expressed appreciation for the support the Esports Club has received from George Dimidik and the College’s I.T. Department, as well as WC Trustee Elizabeth Garvey and Sara J. Smith, the latter of whom is a relative of a team member. Esports is listed as a WC option for financial support via the College’s Give Campus function at: https://www.givecampus.com/schools/WilmingtonCollege/esports-evolution-help-us-level-up . WC Offers Minor in Esports Management Wilmington College offers a minor in Esports management as the booming industry approaches an audience of a billion globally, with revenues of more than $1.5 billion. The popularity of Esports lends itself to the technology-driven society of today. Esports is especially inclusive and accommodates persons with physical disabilities, while also providing competitors with many of the benefits of traditional, athletics-oriented sports: teamwork, camaraderie, self-motivation, work ethic, goal-setting, and a shared experience. The academic minor is designed to be completed in four semesters and is open to students in all majors; however, those majoring in WC's popular sport management area would only need to take three additional courses to earn the minor. The minor features four four-credit-hour courses and three two-credit-hour courses. Article Submitted by Wilmington College

The "Black Bird Breakfast" Menu Item "We really wanted to do a diner, [because] all of our customers were telling us that was kind of missing here," stated Ryan George, Owner of RLG Restaurant Group that owns and operates the Black Bird Restaurant, General Denver (GD), Rod's Capricorn Inn, and 73 Grill, all located in Clinton County. The Black Bird Restaurant, located at 975 S South Street in Wilmington, opened on July 9th, 2025, to offer a "traditional daytime diner experience" with a "cozy and quiet" atmosphere. Ryan stated, "We just thought that kind of 'greasy spoon,' diner thing was missing." All four restaurants are open seven days a week to "ensure consistency" and are operated by over 100 employees. Ryan has worked in the restaurant industry "since [he] was a kid," starting at the bottom at Outback Steakhouse and working his way up. Ryan branched out to own his first restaurant roughly two years ago when he purchased 73 Grill from Victor Castillo, owner of Fiesta Veracruz. Within an 11-month time span, he was also approached by the owners of the GD and Rod's to purchase those restaurants as well. He shared that his desire to buy the restaurants stemmed from their community support, as he stated, "I would have had no interest if I didn't feel like [the GD and Rod's] were loved by the community." Additionally, Ryan had a close relationship with Marty Beaugard, Owner of the former 'Beaugard's Southern Bar B Q', now Black Bird, and agreed to buy it once Marty retired to create a more "traditional diner setting." Ryan shared that the Black Bird Restaurant is the first restaurant he started from scratch. According to Ryan, Black Bird's most popular dish is "biscuits and gravy," available from 6am to 3pm. Ryan's long-term vision is to continue to open restaurants and "have a big company that supports a lot of people" in the community. He even hopes to open a hybrid deli and bakery downtown in the future, similarly to the former Jen's Deli. Learn more about The Black Bird Restaurant by following them on Facebook.