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WILMINGTON, Ohio (May 26, 2027)—The City of Wilmington announces that crews will begin replacing downtown streetlight fixtures with new LED fixtures beginning today, Thursday, May 28 and continuing through Friday, June 5, weather permitting. The project is part of the City’s ongoing efforts to improve lighting reliability, enhance visibility and safety, and reduce long-term maintenance costs throughout the downtown area. Residents, business owners, and visitors should be aware that parking restrictions and temporary traffic disruptions may occur while crews are actively working. Work areas will be clearly marked, and every effort will be made to minimize inconvenience and maintain access to downtown businesses and properties. “Upgrading our downtown lighting to LED fixtures is an important investment in both safety and the future of our community,” said Mayor Patrick Haley. “These improvements will provide brighter, more reliable lighting while also reducing energy consumption and maintenance costs for the City. We appreciate everyone’s patience as this work is completed.” The City of Wilmington asks that all motorists be patient, reduce speed, and exercise added caution when traveling near this work zone Questions may be directed to the City Services Office at (937) 382-6509.

WILMINGTON, Ohio (May 27, 206)—Wilmington High School’s (WHS) Cameron Griffith was awarded the $500 Randall J. Harris Scholarship in graduation ceremonies Friday, May 22. Griffith will attend Ohio University in the fall. He ranked in the top 10 in his class academically. Athletically, he participated on the varsity golf, basketball, and baseball teams. He earned all-conference honors in basketball and baseball. Randall James (Randy) Harris, a 1971 graduate of WHS, was a staff sergeant for the United States Army, who was killed in a non-hostile, peace-time incident in Honduras on June 13, 1987 at the age of 34. Harris was shot by a Honduran solider while on duty at the Palmerola Air Base, which was used to stage training exercises for about 1,200 U.S. regular, reserve and National Guard forces. Ironically, Harris was killed on the nine-year anniversary of beginning his military career at Fort McClellan, Ala. The Harris scholarship is awarded annually to a WHS senior whose qualifications include being in the upper third of the graduating class; who exhibits positive attributes of leadership, service and character; and who may or may not demonstrate financial need. Contributions to the fund can be made to the scholarship in care of the Clinton County Foundation, POB 831, Wilmington, Ohio 45177. Article Submitted by Dana Dunn

"It’s so much better to be able to build a business here in the community I grew up in…," said Rachel Merkle, owner and operator of Merkle Wellness Solutions, a virtual nutrition education and counseling service. Rachel shared her deep appreciation for the community’s support and encouragement. Rachel and her husband grew up in the area, graduating from Clinton-Massie Local Schools. After moving to Northeast Ohio for college, the two “bounced around,” but eventually came back to the area five years ago. Rachel attended college to become a dietitian, gaining experience at the Cleveland Clinic, Mercy Health, and others. Eventually, Rachel felt “disenfranchised” in a hospital setting, due to the goal of getting patients “in and out really quickly” and not having time to work with them. This, in addition to having her second child, led Rachel to think about her next step. She read a book about entrepreneurship and nutrition, spoke with family, and was inspired to form Merkle Wellness Solutions. In June of 2024, her LLC was formed and she was referred her first patient. Through her nutrition counseling, Rachel provides a “warm, welcoming, nonjudgmental environment.” She offers a free 15-minute introductory call for clients to share their goals and determine if her services are the right fit. The process begins with an initial appointment, ranging from 60-90 minutes, that dives into a patient’s medical history, food habits, daily life routine, exercise history, sleep patterns, hydration, struggles, and more. Rachel stated that after the initial consultation, she often starts with nutrition education, helping clients learn more about the food groups, macronutrients, and more. She then determines a “highly individualized plan," considering their needs, goals, and insurance coverage. Rachel’s nutrition counseling services can serve clients with diabetes, prediabetes, weight management, PCOS, gastrointestinal issues, hormonal imbalances, food allergies, and more. She also accepts insurance and offers discounts for those without insurance. As for general tips, Rachel recommended incorporating three food groups into most meal and encouraged balance. To learn more about Merklel Wellness, visit merklewellnesssolutions.com.

Judi Shidaker, Krista Tolliver, Diane Rhonemus, Jim Rankin, and Nancy McKay "Two of the objectives of the club are promoting education and knowledge of Republican values... We also invite and welcome Republican candidates to our meetings and... are able to ask questions and get to know the candidate on a more personal basis,” stated Diane Rhonemus, President of the Clinton County Republican Women’s Club (CCRWC). Diane grew up on a farm in northwestern Ohio and met her husband, a Clinton County native, in a 'Singles in Agriculture' group that met in Columbus, Ohio. They married in 1990 and have been in Clinton County ever since. When Diane’s neighbor asked if she would serve on the Clinton County Republican Central Committee, Diane accepted and later connected with the CCRWC to staff the Republican's booth at the Clinton County Fair. From there, she eventually became president of the CCRWC and is currently serving for the sixth year. The CCRWC that exists today was formed to combine several smaller Republican Women Clubs throughout the county into one larger group; however, variations of the group have been meeting throughout the county for over 66 years. Their focus has always been engaging with the community for the greater good, educating others on Republican ideals, and empowering women to become candidates for political office. The CCRWC hosts meeting on the second Monday of each month at 7pm in the Robert Moyer Community Room of the Wilmington City Building. In addition to the monthly meetings, members also operate the Republican booth at the fair, run raffles at Republican county events, host an annual chili cook-off, award the Lois Allen Scholarship to high school students, celebrate with an annual Christmas party, and more. The club hopes to host more fundraising events in the future to raise money for their $1,000 scholarships. Primary voting members pay $15 annual dues and associate members pay $5 annual dues; however, meetings are free to the public. To learn more about the Clinton County Republican Women’s Club, visit clintoncountygopwomen.com.

"You can't just stand up in front of the room and give a brief demonstration, and have them go and do, because people are not familiar with this... They've been told their whole lives, 'be careful, don't break the glass,' and here I am telling them to snap it on purpose," shared John Schum, co-owner of South Street Gallery, located at 39 N South Street. The gallery and stained glass studio was founded by John, who began working with stained glass decades ago after learning the craft out of curiosity and competition with his machine shop buddies. Shortly after John and Jody got married, she also joined the business. John initially started the business in the upstairs of the General Denver. Roughly 15 years ago, he moved to the current South Street location and purchased the building a few years later. Upon purchasing the building, John renovated most of the first floor himself using repurposed materials, and converted the upstairs into three apartments. Currently, John and Jody are converting the basement into a pottery studio that they hope to open this summer. John also made the stained glass awning outside the studio to serve as a visual landmark for the shop. The two are currently the sole operators and teachers at the gallery. The gallery features student artwork with the goal of giving emerging artists a professional space to display their work. In addition to the gallery, the shop features a classroom area where John and Jody teach stained glass and fused glass classes. The space can host six students, ensuring hand-on instruction. John and Jody hope to foster creativity, confidence, and a welcoming environment for all. Jody stated, "One of the biggest things that we do is we encourage people... to have fun. We want want you to experience it." South Street Gallery also offers stained glass repairs and has repaired stained glass at several churches in Wilmington, Xenia, Vandalia, and more. The shop is open from 12pm to 5pm everyday but Thursdays and Sundays. To learn more about the shop or schedule a class, visit southstgallery.com.

Billy Foster & Dustin Pearce Billy Foster joins the podcast to share stories about the life and lasting impact of his late father-in-law and former Clinton County Prosecutor, Rick Moyer. The annual Pump N Run 5K honors Rick’s legacy in Clinton County while raising funds for a $1,000 scholarship awarded to a local student pursuing further education in Agriculture, Criminal Justice, or History. Sign up for the event at: runsignup.com/Race/OH/Wilmington/4thAnnualRickMoyerLegacyFoundationPumpnRun5K Listen to episode 87 of the Real Change Wilmington Podcast, 'Annual Rick Moyer Legacy Foundation Pump n Run 5k' with with Billy Foster, 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

Ashley Huesca & Dustin Pearce Ashley Huesca, owner of Princess of Pop Dirty Sodas, joins the podcast to talk about the grand opening of her new food truck on Saturday, May 9, 2026, from 10am to 4pm at the Dove Church parking lot on Rombach Avenue in Wilmington, Ohio. Ashely is also the Assistant General Manager at Skyline in Wilmington and active sports mom who is passionate about setting an example for her children of what they can accomplish by working hard and following their dreams. Listen to episode 86 of the Real Change Wilmington Podcast, 'Princess of Pop Dirty Sodas' with with Ashley Huesca, 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

"I'll be glad to see it up," stated Mark Buckley, Owner of Buckley Brothers Inc., regarding the recently completed flag mural on the Buckley Brothers silos. According to Buckley, the idea for the mural originated from Main Street Wilmington, the City of Wilmington, and Clinton County officials. He shared that he is providing "just a canvas" and the driving forces behind the project are Trevor Shoemaker, Executive Director of Main Street Wilmington, and Kyle Rudduck, Clinton County Treasurer. The project, which has "been in the works" for several years, began recently due to a large donation from TimberTech. Buckley Brothers sponsored the cost of restoring the silos, which includes power-washing, skim-coating, and painting the white base. The base work and mural painting was done by Midwest Painting Services from Black Hawk, South Dakota. The company has previously worked on the Buckley Brothers silos and has experience painting logos, silos, and other large projects. The flag mural was scheduled to be completed by the end of November, 2025; however, weather pushed completion date to May 12, 2026. Once work restarted, it took two days to paint. The flag itself, said to be Ohio's largest flag mural at approximately 40 feet wide by 80 feet tall, should last for 25 to 30 years with limited maintenance. To honor the flag, the mural will be lit with professional lighting. According to Buckley, a potential ceremony for the mural could line up with America's 250th Fourth of July Celebration in 2026. Buckley is excited for the flag to "help the look of downtown." For more information about the project, visit mainstreetwilmington.com. Learn more about Buckley Bros at buckleybrosinc.com.

"I feel like [HelloHero, a third-party mental health service] is problem solving and just open to anything for the sake of the kids... and that's been very helpful," stated Natalie Harmeling, Director of Pupil Services at Wilmington City Schools (WCS), located at 341 S Nelson Avenue. Through her position, Harmeling handles working with students and problem-solving. Roughly one year ago, HelloHero, a family-centered wellness organization, reached out to WCS, as they believed they could properly support the demographic of local students and solve the district's concern about access to mental health services. After several meeting with district staff, administration determined that the program would be a great fit and HelloHero began offering mental health services to students in each building in the Wilmington City School District. Harmeling is a "lifelong member" of Clinton County and began her career teaching locally. In 2004, she started working for WCS and held numerous positions, including assistant principal, principal, and her current position as director of pupil services. She was excited to take on her current position due to its focus on students and problem-solving. The program officially began in WCS in August of 2025. Currently, they have over 70 students enrolled in the program with active treatment plans and more students interested. Prior to coming to WCS, HelloHero began in 2017 and provides mental health support to schools in several states. They offer group wellness circles, individualized support, and crisis intervention all operated by licensed therapists. Students first complete paperwork with their parents, receive an assessment, and are then given a personal treatment plan. The wellness circles are free, small groups that meet once or more a week to work on dysregulation, coping strategies, anxiety, loss of loved ones, and more depending on need. Harmeling also hopes to do summer programming and plans to offer virtual sessions. In addition, HelloHero offers family and parent support services at varying costs. Learn more about HelloHero at wilmingtoncityschools.com.

Janelle Watkins & Kristina Hughes "[You-Turn Recovery] helps you accomplish things in life when we're not used to accomplishing anything," stated Janelle Watkins, graduate of the You-Turn Recovery Docket program. "This is bigger than, like, your high school graduation even [because] this is your life back," stated Kristina Hughes, another graduate of the program. Kristina Hughes and Janelle Watkins will graduate from the 21-month program on May 15th. The program allows defendants with substance issues to work on their addiction without being incarcerated. Participants complete requirements like sobriety, probation, a relapse-prevention plan, and more with the help of the support from the court system. Prior to completing the program, Kristina was addicted to painkillers when her ex-husband was injured at work and began abusing the medication. She followed in his lead, and the two later began using meth. Kristina attempted to leave him, but still remained in active addiction. After getting caught twice with drugs, she was connected with You-Turn Recovery Docket. Kristina stated, "It has changed my life... These probation officers, they have your back." She now has a home, job, and will soon have custody of her children. Janelle became addicted to drugs when she was homeless, sharing that the drugs were "an easy fix [to] numb the pain" of hunger and exhaustion. She was arrested twice and sent to jail, where she rediscovered her faith in God. She learned about the You-Turn program and "begged the judge" to allow her because of her mom's terminal cancer diagnosis. Janelle relapsed and was sent back to prison. When her mom's condition worsened, the judge gave her a second chance and she rejoined the program. She stated, "I was able to see her every single day 'til the day she died... [My mom] looked up at me, and she said, 'Just keep doing what you're doing. Just stay sober." Janelle suffered the loss of both her parents during her time in the program. She stated, "I was ready to get high. I was so done...And they brought me [to the court] and I was able to talk [to someone]." To learn more, visit co.clinton.oh.us/You-TurnRecoveryDocket.

President Corey Cockerill enjoys keynote speaker Gary Hirsch's dynamic presentation as she prepares to read his honorary doctorate citation. WILMINGTON, Ohio (May 4, 2026)—Gary Hirsch told the Class of 2026 to become improvisers, since uncertainty in life is inevitable. He offered some sage advice as a career improviser on navigating uncertainty with intention and grace. An artist, author and creative leader, Hirsch presented an interactive keynote address at Saturday’s Wilmington College’s 150th Commencement titled “Radical Collaboration with the World Around You.” His first kernel of advice is to let go of rigid agendas and discover the wonders and opportunities awaiting in the shadows of uncertainty. “When the plan shifts, can you let go of assumptions, expectations and wishing that things were different?” he said. Second, notice more. He symbolically mentioned the person who only spoke about pies, but upon arriving at the bakery, there was only cake. “If you are caught in your own story, you won’t notice all of the other ‘offers’ that arise. You will only look for pie and miss out on the wonderful cake all around you,” he added. Finally, Hirsch urged the graduates to accept offers. “On stage and in life, everything can be seen as an offer, for example, tripping on a shoelace. You can wish it hadn’t happened, but it did, so I must take and use it. Offers are everywhere, improvisers don't have the time to evaluate or judge them, they can only take and use them.” He offered a quote from Keith Johnstone, a pioneer of modern improvisational theatre. “There are people who prefer to say yes, and there are people who prefer to say no. Those who say yes are rewarded by the adventures they have. Those who say no are rewarded by the safety they attain.” Hirsch concluded, “May you meet the unexpected as a yes-sayer and find your own adventure along the way!” Collin Barker of Wilmington approaches President Corey Cockerill to receive his diploma. Barker graduated summa cum laude with majors in education and history. The College conferred an Honorary Doctor of Fine Arts degree upon Hirsch. The citation lauded him for his authenticity and the creative ways in which he helps others practice adaptability, empathy and presence. It continued to note his work “reflects values that resonate deeply” with Wilmington College. It continued, “As our graduates go forth into the world, your message will encourage them to be brave leaders, grounded in values, attentive to others, and committed to building a more compassionate and connected future.” Hayley Hixson, a December graduate of the Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MSOT) program, spoke on behalf of those who earned master’s degrees. She urged others to seek out mentors. Hers was MSOT Program Director Erin Bales, who served in that capacity even before Hixson entered WC’s program. “We can’t do this thing called life on our own,” she said. “Mentors can see potential in you and push you to be someone greater.” Zachary McGuirt, who represented the undergraduates, said WC is “different,” “it’s special,” “it’s about relationships,” “it’s about people,” and “it’s about empowering students.” “Take with you what made Wilmington special. Take the relationships. Take the eagerness to show up for people. Take the courage to step into opportunities before you feel ready. No matter where we go next, we’re not going alone. “The world needs more of what we found here!” President Corey Cockerill hearkened to the College’s first Commencement in 1875 when President Benjamin Trueblood said, “Joy and success mellow and soften us, as we look out along the walk of our own little circle of knowledge to the great unknown beyond, where our work and duty meet.” Cockerill told the graduates that’s where they stand now, “at the edge of what you know, and at the beginning of what you don’t.” Again, quoting Trueblood, “Remember that knowledge is for use and not merely for display. It is to feed and strengthen the great powers of doing good.” Cockerill replied, “That’s the charge. Use what you’ve learned, not to show it, but to do something with it.” Finally, Trueblood said, “Keep constantly at your side a noble ideal of your own best self.” “Hold fast to that, Cockerill said. “Because the world will move out from under your feet. Expectations will drift. Opportunities will come and go. But who you choose to be — that’s yours to keep.”

Mike Sauer & Jessie Lanter "We wanted to make it a beautiful place that our crew and our customers could be proud of," stated Mike Sauer, Owner of the Wilmington Skyline, located at 2799 Rombach Avenue. The Wilmington Skyline location recently underwent renovations for five weeks to redo the restaurant from floor to ceiling. According to Mike, they "gutted the place" to both modernize the appearance of the restaurant and update the equipment. They added large group seating, and moved the host stand for a better flow. The restaurant also made updates to the kitchen, like adding a double fryer to serve customers faster. Mike emphasized the importance of providing "fun, friendly, and fast" service. Mike took ownership of the Wilmington Skyline location roughly 14 years ago. He shared that he "grew up loving Skyline" and opened his first Skyline restaurant in Centerville, Ohio. When Mike took ownership, Jessie Lanter, an employee from the previous owner was the obvious choice for general manager, according to Mike. The two shared that they believe in the importance of a great crew. Jessie stated, "I feel like the crew here is like a family, and when we're a family, the customers become our family." The two shared that this value trickles into their social media presence, as they enjoy engaging with the community on their Facebook. Mike stated, "[It's] great to connect with the customers and have fun with it." The store also supports the community through local youth initiatives like church fundraisers, cheer-leading groups, sports teams, and donating to feed-the-team meals. In addition to drive thru and dine-in, Skyline also offers catering options. To learn, visit their Facebook page or email them at skyconeys@gmail.com.