Search Results

Latasha Ruddle Going from 'I didn't think this was possible' to 'This is possible' [is inspiring]... As the athlete, [you] can be part of a basketball team... [and] as the mom, you know that there's opportunities for your family members to be a part of the community and to flourish and grow and feel connected," said Latasha Ruddle, Special Olympics Coordinator and Community Integration Coordinator at the Clinton County Board of Developmental Disabilities (CCBDD), located at 180 East Sugartree Street. Ruddle was born and raised in Clinton County, previously working at Ohio Living Cape May before applying at the CCBDD in 2021. Prior to her work at the CCBDD, Ruddle volunteered for the Special Olympics in high school and assisted in recent years through her church. She stated, "I always had a desire to help individuals with developmental disabilities... That was always just a passion of mine." According to Ruddle, the first Special Olympics were held in the late 1960s in Chicago, Illinois, and they currently reach over five million individuals in 170 countries. In Clinton County, individuals with developmental disabilities can start participating in the Special Olympics at age eight in several sports, including basketball, bowling, cheer, flag football, track, field, and volleyball. The sports occur in seasons, ensuring activities and opportunities are available almost year-around. The structure operates similarly to high school sports with local, regional, and state levels. Ruddle shared that the Clinton County athletes made it to state in track and field last year. "Our athletes felt special... It was exciting to give them an opportunity to be able to compete at a higher level." She continued, "I think that is our goal here in Clinton County... to get more families and individuals involved... and then also to give them opportunity to compete at a higher level." In addition to the Special Olympic games, the teams play games against local law enforcement, church groups, and more to encourage community involvement. According to Ruddle, Special Olympics Ohio plans to make cornhole an accredited sport in the near future. Ruddle also shared that the Special Olympics is always seeking coaches, volunteers, and available gym space. To volunteer or participate, email lruddle@clintondd.org or call (937) 382-6938.

Mayor Jennifer Moody On February 10, 2026, the Wilmington Charter Public Steering Committee will host its 6th quarterly meeting since 2024 at the Murphy Theatre, located at 50 W Main Street. There will be a Q&A led by Wilmington College Director of Individual Giving, Sydney Murtland, with guest speakers from the City of Mt. Healthy, Ohio, including Mayor Jennifer Moody, City Manager Scott Bauer, and members of their city council. The committee shared that while they typically have guests from cities similar in populations as Wilmington, members of Mt. Healthy's administration have family ties in Clinton County and were excited to share the benefits of local Charter City government. The City of Mt. Healthy is located in Hamilton County, a suburb of Cincinnati, with a population of 6,996, nearly half the size of Wilmington. Mayor Moody will share information and answer questions about her professional and political background, the city's history of local charter government, and unique challenges and opportunities their city faces that relate to Wilmington. Mt. Healthy's charter document established a "Mayor-Council- Manager" form of local government. Voters elect seven at-large city council members with staggered four-year terms from a partisan ballot. The mayor is also elected by voters, and appoints a city manager with city council approval based on "executive and administrative qualifications." The city manager is the "Chief Executive and Administrative Officer of the City." The Wilmington Charter Steering Committee hosts quarterly meetings with speakers from nearby charter cities to share information with local residents. Past guests include Tipp City, South Lebanon, Loveland, Trenton, and Washington Court House. Learn more at wilmingtoncharter.com .

WILMINGTON, Ohio (February 9, 2026)—Wilmington City Schools is expanding its efforts to recruit additional bus drivers to support reliable transportation for students and families. Recent retirements have created openings on the transportation team, and the district is taking proactive steps to build capacity. “Transportation plays a critical role in our school day, and we’ve made significant progress in improving bus service across the district,” said Superintendent Tim Dettwiller. “To maintain that momentum, we need to add more drivers. Staffing shortages can affect our ability to provide safe bus environments, clear communication, and reliable pick-up and drop-off times. We’re asking our community to be part of the solution by applying or encouraging someone who has or is willing to obtain a CDL to join our team.” The district offers competitive pay: $19.52 per hour for full-time bus drivers $17.00 per hour for substitute drivers New bus drivers may also be eligible for hiring incentives ranging from $1,500 to $2,500, depending on experience, credentials and length of continuous employment. Incentives are paid out over the first year of employment. In addition, the district offers a referral incentive for current employees. Employees who refer a new bus driver may receive a $500 bonus and an additional personal day once the new driver successfully completes six months of employment. Community members interested in full-time or part-time work who have a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) or are willing to obtain one are encouraged to apply. For more information or to apply, visit wilmingtoncityschools.com/employment .

WILMINGTON, Ohio (February 9, 2026)— As the United States marks its 250th anniversary this year, the Wilmington Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6710 is recognizing not only the nation’s history this year, but the men and women currently serving to defend it. Each year, approximately a dozen Clinton County residents take an oath to support and defend the Constitution by entering military service. Years later, many return home to begin the next chapter of their lives. Military service is highly structured and mission-driven, and this oftentimes makes the transition back to an open-ended civilian life emotional, confusing, and challenging. Service members may leave positions of immense responsibility—ranging from presidential security details and guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier to deployments aboard nuclear submarines or with infantry units overseas—only to return home within days to a civilian world unfamiliar with their experiences. Translating that level of responsibility into meaningful employment and community integration in rural Clinton County can be especially difficult. And although the military provides transitional assistance, those resources often end once a service member leaves their final duty station and returns home. Members of the Wilmington VFW understand these challenges firsthand. Many have successfully made the transition from combat zones and hazardous duty to careers in the private sector, such as running their own businesses or continuing that service as public sector employees. Through experience and trial and error, they have learned how to navigate local, state, and federal veterans’ benefit programs—resources that exist but are not always easy to access, as well as how to transform the military mindset of strict order and discipline into a more laid back and relaxed civilian one. In honor of the nation’s 250th anniversary and in alignment with the national VFW #StillServing campaign, the Wilmington VFW is inviting Clinton County families with loved ones who are: Returning home on leave Completing active-duty service Retiring from the military To recognize these eligible service members who served honorably, the Post will waive its hall rental fee to host a welcome-home or recognition event. Families will have access to the venue and current entertainment options available to regular VFW members. Food and beverages will be offered at regular member menu prices, and families may arrange optional outside entertainment such as a band or DJ. During each event, the VFW will staff the bar and kitchen free of charge and open its doors to family and friends to help create a meaningful homecoming. Beyond the celebration, VFW members will also be present to offer camaraderie and share experiences, but more importantly, to provide guidance, networking, and potential opportunities to assist service members transitioning back into civilian life. For those home temporarily on leave, the gathering offers a well-deserved respite to rest and reconnect following demanding or hazardous service. Families interested in participating may contact the Wilmington VFW through its Facebook page, by email at vfw6710@yahoo.com, or by visiting the Post at 1130 North Lincoln Street, Tuesday through Saturday, 4:00–10:00 p.m. Article Submitted by Wilmington VFW

On February 5, 2026, Kettering Health partnered with Just a Pair of Shoes and the Cincinnati Bengals to donate shoes to children at Denver Place Elementary. The event featured an appearance by the Ben Gals and Who Dey, the football team's mascot. According to Aimee Fahey, Vice President of Patient Care and Chief Nursing Officer at Kettering Health, the event's goal was to promote health, give children the proper "gear" to be physically active, and boost confidence. She stated, "It's important to us just to promote health in the whole community... We provide healthcare services, but we want to promote a healthy lifestyle, so that's important to us, and then also, it's so important to mentor our children and to help guide them so that they can be successful." Roughly 80 students in third, fourth, and fifth-grade at Wilmington City Schools received shoes during the event. The students were called to walk the "red carpet," fitted with their shoes, and were then able to "test them out" in the gym. Before the ceremony, Matthew Cline, founder of Just a Pair of Shoes , shared his background and encouraged the kids to be good students, good children at home, and to be good friends. Cline ended by saying, "Today is about having a dream and going after it... And your new shoes are a tool to help you get there." Fahey shared that in addition to physical well-being, the event also promotes mental well-being. She stated, "This helps them to not only have those physical pieces of equipment, their shoes, but also helps emotionally boost their confidence, and help them know someone is interested in them and their success." To learn more about Kettering Health, visit ketteringhealth.org .

Steve Cukovecki, (RIGHT), assistant professor of sport management, displays a Super Bowl program and shares experiences with several of the students going to Super Bowl VX this week. They are, from the left, Camden Morgan, Gavan Hunter, Logan Lovins, and Addison Sparks. WILMINGTON, Ohio (February 4, 2026)—Unlike the Bengals, Steelers, Lions, and 27 other National Football League teams, a dozen Wilmington College students are going to the Super Bowl. They won’t be viewing this Sunday’s Patriots versus Seahawks mega-event from luxury suites; rather, they will be working in customer service at the game and getting an inside look at the inner workings of the largest single-day event in the sports-obsessed American society. These sport management students and several faculty and staff members will be spending four days at Super Bowl LX at Levi Stadium in Santa Clara, CA. As volunteers, they serve as ambassadors, greeters, and customer service staff to assist the thousands of guests attending a myriad of events and activities during Super Bowl week. While their work itinerary isn’t yet fully known, previous WC contingents have assisted in staging the NFL Experience events and, on Saturday, the Super Bowl Breakfast and Bart Starr Awards Ceremony, as well as working game day at the stadium. They expect to be on site from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. (California time) on Super Sunday. “Our students will experience Super Bowl Week and Game Day from behind the scenes to learn the ins and outs of the business of hosting a mega-event — they will gain a hands-on understanding of what it takes to plan, organize, and execute a true sporting event behemoth,” said Steve Cukovecki, assistant professor of sport management. This marks his eighth time leading WC students to professional football’s nirvana. “The students also will be networking, interviewing, meeting, and learning from top people in the sports business world,” Cukovecki added, noting that this experience should have positive ramifications as the students pursue internships and, ultimately, careers. “Having a sport management experience at the Super Bowl is an impressive resume bullet point and conversation starter when interviewing and starting a career in the field.” Wilmington College has been a trailblazer in bringing students to the Super Bowl since 2016. Then, besides Wilmington College, only several schools located near the venues participated. Today, with some 500 collegiate-level sport management programs in the United States, WC remains among a limited number of institutions that offer students such high-impact opportunities. WC sport management students already worked at the NCAA College Football Playoff (CFP) National Championship earlier this winter in Miami and the LPGA Tour’s Queen City Golf Championships this fall. In previous years, students worked various major college bowl games, the NCAA Men’s and Women’s Basketball Final Four, and the Little League World Series. Throughout the year, they tour and meet with officials at such sports venues as the Bengals’ Paul Brown/Paycor Stadium; The Great American Ballpark, home of the Cincinnati Reds; The Dayton Dragons’ Day Air Ballpark; the Columbus Crew’s Major League Soccer stadium; and athletics facilities at The Ohio State University. Graduates of the College’s sport management program are working throughout professional sports, as well as with numerous other sport-related venues and organizations. WC is represented in pro sport franchises, including, among others, the Cincinnati Bengals and Reds, Atlanta Hawks, Charlotte Hornets, Cleveland Cavaliers, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, and Washington, DC, Commanders. Four members of this year’s Super Bowl contingent spoke about their expectations for the experience. They include Camden Morgan, a sophomore sport management major from Wilmington; Gavan Hunter, a junior sports management major from Clarksville; Addison Sparks, a senior sport management/communication arts major from New Paris; and Logan Lovins, a senior business management/sport management major from Goshen. Lovins, who has a keen interest in the operations side of sports, worked his first Super Bowl as a sophomore in 2024 when Kansas City defeated San Francisco in an overtime thriller. Also, he was among the contingent to work the CFP Championship game earlier in January. “I’ve networked and learned a lot working with many great people at these events,” he said. Morgan, who worked the NCAA Final Four Basketball Tournament last year, is “leaning” to the sales side of the industry and perks up when hearing about a WC alumnus who sells the high-ed luxury suites at the Super Bowl. “It’s a fun time and a great experience,” he added. Sparks sees her work at these major sporting events as helping create lifelong memories for attendees. She also worked the CFP Championship in Miami — how many people get to attend both the college football championship and the Super Bowl within fewer than 30 days? She gravitates toward the more creative side of the sports industry, with an interest in social media production and strategies. “I jumped at this opportunity to go to the Super Bowl,” she said. “It’s special that Wilmington College students have this open to them.” Hunter, who has aspirations of becoming an athletic director, is also a veteran of working those mega-events. “I enjoyed networking and experiencing the energy of the day,” he added. “The Super Bowl experience pops out on resumes and gives you a better chance, in a job interview, to dig deeper and sell yourself through your internships and other related experiences.” Sport Management students also stage events at WC like the annual Hermann Madness: Hops & Haunts event, which combines a Halloween theme with the opening of basketball season. They’re also hosting a youth basketball tournament in late April after returning to work the Big 10 Basketball Championships and the March Madness Final Four in Indianapolis. Article Submitted by Wilmington College

WILMINGTON, Ohio (February 2, 2026)— Wilmington College Theatre will present Oscar Wilde’s celebrated play, The Importance of Being Earnest, on Feb. 26, 27, 28, at 7:30 p.m., in Heiland Theatre in Boyd Cultural Arts Center. The classic play is a satirical comedy that mocks Victorian social conventions, although some ring as true today as they did in the 19 th century. The story focuses on two men, Jack and Algernon, who both create false identities to escape from their societal obligations. Two women, Gwendolyn and Cecily, have fallen for these imaginary personas, both of whom go by the name of “Ernest.” The men tell a series of lies to try to keep up their illusions, and hilarious misunderstandings ensue. Witticisms, wordplay, and aphorisms are the comedic highlights of Wilde’s masterpiece. Devon Snyder will take on the role of Jack Worthing with Nathyn Fulton as Algernon Moncrieff. Emma Schnecker and Carlie McCoy will play the women they love, Gwendolyn Fairfax and Cecily Cardew. The role of the formidable matriarch Lady Bracknell will be portrayed by Ollie Basta. Makayla Thomason will play Miss Prism, and Teddy Murphy will play Dr. Chasuble. The roles of the servants, Lane and Merriman, will be played by Fiona Powell and Otto Cipollini, with a cameo by alumnus Ken Lydy as Gribsby. Bryan Wallingford is directing The Importance of Being Earnest with scenic and lighting design by Jason Burgess. The production team also includes Becky Haines on sound design, costuming by Tara Lydy, and Bekah Wall handling the program and publicity. WC student Elaine Groves is the production’s stage manager, and the set will be constructed by College students under the management of Linda Mead. Reservations are available exclusively at <wc.booktix.com>. Tickets go on sale at 9 a.m. on Monday, Feb. 2. Tickets are $17. Each Wilmington College student with a student ID will have one complimentary ticket. Those with questions or needing assistance ordering tickets should call the Theatre Box Office weekdays, from 9 a.m. to noon, at 937.481.2267.

Susan Valentine-Scott and Dessir Rogers In late 2020, the Wilmington-Clinton Chamber of Commerce and Clinton County Convention and Visitors Bureau created the Clinton County Community Champions Award (C4) to celebrate Clinton County's "resilience, strength, and unity." This year, the chamber and visitors bureau received 88 nominations for 56 individual nominees representing: Business, Citizen, Education, Government/Public Service, Healthcare, Non-Profit, and Youth categories. Nominees had to exemplify: exceptional commitment to the community by helping with a special project and/or ongoing activities; unselfish leadership, creativity, cooperation, and hard work in the service to others; and inspiration to others as a role model. The chamber and visitors bureau awarded 25 recipients, chosen by a panel of judges who serve on the organizations' boards. Since 2020, they have received over 400 nominations and presented 142 awards. Learn more about the C4 Awards at wccchamber.com . Brad Heys, Kava Haus, Trail Haus, Southridge Brewing (Business) "Brad is committed to supporting downtown revitalization and enhancing the small businesses in Wilmington. Through each of his businesses, he aims to provide meaningful experiences for members of the community and visitors while contributing to community growth... You will not meet a more selfless person than Brad. He is always willing to help anyone around him..." Marcus Harris, Donatos, DJMH, Harris3D Printing, Killem' All Beard Oil (Business) "[He] is a leader who wears many hats—all with excellence, passion, and purpose... He is more than a boss; he is a mentor, motivator, and role model who leads by example, sees potential in others, and helps young people build confidence, life skills, and brighter futures... [He] believes that success means nothing unless you’re helping others rise with you." Tom Daskalakis, TriHealth Clinton Regional Hospital (Business) "[He] has provided steady leadership during a critical transition, bringing stability, vision, and renewed purpose after... Through a collaborative, service-focused approach, he has rebuilt trust, strengthened culture, and improved associate and physician engagement by emphasizing transparency, recognition, and shared accountability." Eric Guindon, Clinton County Youth Council (Citizen) "Eric sees the good in each and every youth person who enters his life. He has grown CCYC from more than just an after-school program to a year-round outlet for not only his ‘kids’ but for the entire community. He goes out of his way every chance he can to help spread positive news about youth and what they do. He has started several community-wide and CCYC initiatives that are free." Jeff & Janelle Smart, Clinton County Community Action (Citizen) "Jeff and Janelle have been a tremendous help to the Aging Up Center...Both Jeff and Janelle support [the center] in multiple ways...They both work hours, coming in before staff, to prepare for the twice-monthly salad bar at the Senior Center, among other meal preparations..If they know of someone in need, they attempt to assist when and where they are able.” Karen Quairry, Clinton County Community Action (Citizen) "One perfect example of her kind heart is a local senior was in need of transportation out of state for a family wedding... [She] volunteered to drive the individual, that she didn't know, so that they could attend the event... This was in Tennessee when the flood occurred and they were stranded for days ... Karen was a constant support for the senior.” Latasha Ruddle, Wilmington Church of God (Citizen) "She impacts... children each week through the EPIC Kids Program by ensuring every child feels loved, valued, and supported—providing weekly meals, summer lunch packs, mentoring families, and sharing the gospel. She also serves foster, adoptive, and kinship families through food distribution, support groups, and personal mentoring... As a mom of 9 kids..., [she] understands the importance of... healthy family environment." Rebecca Thompson- Waits (Citizen) "Through her signature initiative, Bags of Hope...Becky has created a year-round tradition of giving, providing backpacks, stockings, care bags, meals, and gifts that carry comfort, love, and hope to hundreds each year. She personally organizes and funds these efforts, supporting children in crisis, residents of the county homeless shelter, and seniors throughout local care facilities." Ann Compton (Education) "For 30 years... She has guided thousands of youth into careers in health care... cares deeply for her students beyond the classroom and finds joy in their successes years after they leave …She is retiring this year, and I believe she deserves this award as recognition of an outstanding career." Steve & Tammy Reed (Education) "[They] have always gone above and beyond for the Wilmington community by being involved in so many different organizations and initiatives at Wilmington City Schools. Recently, they have become the leaders in the community in bringing foreign exchange students to our community, county, and region...” Teresa Borden, Clinton County Community Action (Education) "[She dedicated] countless hours beyond her normal work schedule to strengthen the Head Start Program and... the Clinton County Early Learning Center, placing the wellbeing of children and families first. She works tirelessly to improve classroom environments, maintain high- quality staff, and support her team..." Rebecca Shultz, Wilmington Public Library (Education) "[She] is a selfless and joyful leader [who]... has made a lasting impact ... She creates engaging programs that inspire a love of reading and learning through story times, crafts, school outreach, and inclusive events like Touch-A- Truck, Trunk-or-Treat, Easter activities..." Dr. Hassan Issa, Clinton Regional Hospital (Healthcare) "His leadership reflects a belief that healthcare is not only about treatment—it is also about giving patients a voice. One patient shared, ‘The best staff I’ve ever worked with… Dr. Issa is a great doctor. One of the best!’ This sentiment is echoed by many who value his empathy, patience, and dedication.”" Dr. Rachel Lovano, Clinton Regional Hospital (Healthcare) "Dr. Lovano has introduced innovative procedures—ensuring local patients receive world-class care without leaving the region... She actively mentors young physicians and fosters a culture of cooperation, modeling integrity and empathy in every interaction." Dr. Tina Gabbard, Cincinnati Children's (Healthcare) "[She] has cared for Clinton County families for more than 30 years. She lives here, worships here, and works here.[People] trust her... that trust showed up in steady, practical ways for parents and kids across the county [when she was] instrumental in the opening of Cincinnati Children’s Wilmington Primary Care." Tracy Kelley, Kelley Primary Care (Healthcare) "The dedication that she puts into caring for her patients as they are her own family is unmatched. She works full time as a nurse practitioner at CMH in neurology, and goes to her own practice on evenings and weekends where she provides personalized care for individuals with various needs." Dave Sikorski, Habitat for Humanity Restore (Non-profit) "[He is] working to serve the mission to build homes, communities, and hope by bringing people together to address the issues of poverty, housing and homelessness... [His] leadership stands out for his selfless approach, consistently prioritizing the needs of others..." Jane Newkirk & Shane Breckel, Community Action (Non-profit) "The [Aging Up Center], operated by Jane and Shane, serves a vital and growing need for older adults... the Center supports more than 760 individuals through essential services including congregate and home-delivered meals, transportation, and health and wellness programming..." Stella Cramer, Clinton County Community Action (Non-profit) "Stella has dedicated 40 years to Clinton County Community Action... Balancing her professional duties with college courses, raising a young child, and church and community volunteering, Stella’s commitment... is unwavering..." Nancy Miller, Sugartree Ministries & Presbyterian Church of Wilmington (Non-profit) "She goes far beyond...regularly spending hours distributing food, ordering and organizing pantry items, preventing waste, and ensuring leftover food is used to serve the community... She also created Sugartree’s successful blanket room." Neil Rhonemous, BOX-14 Responder Unit (Non-profit) "In just one year, he transformed a concept into a fully operational volunteer organization... BOX 14 has grown to 34 active members serving multiple fire districts, strengthened technological and logistical capabilities, secured critical resources, and raised more than $52,000..." Wade Hall, Friends Caring for Cowan Lake & of Clarksville (Non-profit) "[He] is truly an inspiration working for two non-profits, where he is the president of both... He secured funding for an ADA compliant handicap kayak and canoe launch facility for the park... He... secured a remodel for the old mayor's office, court, and jail at the historic Clarksville village." Brian Smith, Clinton County Port Authority (Government) "After 14 years on the Port Authority Board of Directors, [he] has become instrumental... in his knowledge of the organization, of the history, of projects attempted, of projects completed... Brian displayed an incredible commitment to Clinton County." Carly Hayes, Great Oaks-Clinton Massie FCCLA (Youth) "Through [her] role as VP of the Great Oaks-Clinton Massie FCCLA chapter, she has actively led planning, communication, and volunteer coordination, ensuring that projects ran smoothly and reached their full potential …Younger members of the chapter naturally look to her as a role model." Eli Ruther, Scout Troop 155 (Youth) "[He] exemplifies leadership, service, and community pride through his recent Eagle Scout project. Partnering with the Vernon Township Trustees, Eli took on the important task of documenting all veterans interred in the Clarksville Cemetery. Prior to his project, no official record existed... " Mia Thirey (Youth) "She has volunteered as an aid in the kindergarten classroom daily for the last two years [and is] also very actively involved in church... Mia plays varsity volleyball and varsity basketball for the school. She is a talented athlete, but more than that, she shows up, even on the days that she is the most exhausted, with a great attitude..."

Dustin Pearce, Kristin Ondulick, and Caitlin Mefford Kristin Ondulick and Caitlin Mefford join the podcast to share about Swindler & Sons, their family’s fourth generation flower shop that has been serving the Wilmington community for over 100 years. Kristin and Caitlin both have a love for Wilmington's local community and passion for value flowers bring to every important life event, including births, birthdays, holidays, weddings, and funerals. This episode is longer than our usual episodes, but we had a lot of fun getting an in-depth look into one of Wilmington’s most iconic local businesses and families. Listen to episode 82 of the Real Change Wilmington Podcast, 'Four Generations of Swindler & Sons Family Florists' with with Kristin Ondulick & Caitlin Mefford, 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 (January 29, 2026)—The Wilmington Police Department Special Response Team (SRT), in coordination with the Warren County Drug Task Force, executed a narcotics search warrant in the 500 block of West Truesdell Street in the City of Wilmington as part of an ongoing drug trafficking investigation. As a result of the operation, investigators seized bulk amounts of suspected illegal narcotics, an undisclosed amount of U.S. currency, and multiple firearms. This enforcement action is part of a continued effort to disrupt illegal drug distribution and remove dangerous weapons from the community. No injuries were reported during the execution of the warrant. One suspect was arrested and charged with Trafficking in Drugs, a felony of the first degree (F-1). Additional charges or indictments may be forthcoming pending further investigation and laboratory analysis. The Wilmington Police Department remains committed to proactive enforcement strategies aimed at reducing crime and improving the quality of life for Wilmington residents. Anyone with information related to this or other criminal activity is encouraged to contact the Wilmington Police Department or submit tips anonymously through the Wilmington tip line. Additional information will be released as it becomes available. The Wilmington Police Department would like to thank the Warren County Drug Task Force, Wilmington Fire Department, Wilmington Transit, and the Wilmington Street Department for their assistance in this operation. Chief Joshua Gibson

WILMINGTON, Ohio (January 28, 2026)— The Innocents will share their social justice advocacy through performance art during a visit to Wilmington College on Feb. 9 and 10. The duo of John Lane and Allen Otte delves deeply into the most current issues surrounding the core subject of wrongful imprisonment and exoneration. The composers/performers comprising The Innocents will hold a two-day residency at the College that includes interaction with the campus and a pair of evening programs open to the public. They will screen the 2022 documentary film, The Innocents, on Feb. 9, at 7 p.m., in The Meriam R. Hare Quaker Heritage Center Gallery located in WC’s Boyd Cultural Arts Center. The next evening, Feb. 10, in the gallery, will feature a performance by The Innocents, followed by a talkback with members Lane and Otte. Using a variety of found-object and home-made instruments, electronic soundscapes and spoken texts, Lane and Otte have devised a one-hour, dramatic soundscape comprised of at least 17 individual tableaus. These explore various aspects of the issues surrounding wrongful imprisonment and exoneration in the American criminal justice system: mistaken identity, incarceration, injustice, politics, psychology and resilience. “We have embraced our role as advocates through the realization that our work cuts to the emotional core of the human experience surrounding these issues,” they stated on their website.  The texts spoken in the work are derived from a variety of sources: various historic prison diaries/poetry, interrogation transcripts, Google autocomplete, Thomas Jefferson, Jax (a female prisoner in the Oklahoma State Prison system), Mark Godsey (former New York prosecutor and author of Blind Injustice) and captured Chicago police scan chatter, among many other sources. They noted that, in an effort to make their work relevant, each major performance has originally crafted tableaus (texts and or music) that directly resonate with the local communities in which they are performing.  “Our experience in these environments is that a non-partisan socio-political issue, presented not as didactic instruction but rather as creative art delivered with the highest level of expertise and commitment, elicits from these younger audiences stimulating, thought-provoking comments and questions, demonstrating palpable engagement with the issue,” they said. Some of the pieces are meant to be uncomfortable – a bit too long, momentarily chaotic and confusing, difficult to understand, even provocative. Others are simple and direct: melodic and in familiar genres, lyrics recited to percussive accompaniment. “Working on an emotional level, our idea is to shine a light on this subject—as if through a prism—in hopes that various aspects surrounding it may briefly come into focus for each of us,” they added. Article Submitted by Wilmington College

Russell is a bundle of joy and laughter! He's curious, playful, and affectionate. Russell is happy to entertain you or cuddle on the couch. He is five months old, and $100 of his adoption fee is sponsored. Meet Russell and his friends by visiting pawshumane.weebly.com