Some elected officials oppose the move

By DENISE GEBERS • Progress Staff Writer

PAULDING – Changes are afoot in the structure of two mandated county services. Both the dog warden and EMA director will soon be coming under the umbrella of the sheriff’s office, at the direction of the county commissioners.

With regards to the Paulding County Emergency Management Agency (EMA), commissioners are urging members of the group’s member municipalities to dissolve the countywide executive EMA board and allow the agency to be restructured under their direction.

By BILL SHERRY • Correspondent

PAULDING – On Monday, May 6, Paulding Village Council voted to terminate the county EMA agreement, approved several change orders for the new water plant and heard updates on a one-way street proposal, softball leagues and a building permit request.

Chief Supermarket to donate a portion of sales to local food pantries. Be a Good Neighbor. Help us fight hunger in our community.

DEFIANCE – Chief Supermarket is sponsoring Good Neighbor Day at all store locations, including Paulding, on Tuesday, May 7. This is the fifth annual Good Neighbor Day at Chief. Over $126,000 has been donated to local food pantries since 2009.

CECIL – On Sunday, May 5, Paulding County suffered its fourth traffic fatality of the year.

Dead is 72-year-old David Bakle of Paulding.

The two-vehicle crash occurred at 1:09 p.m. on U.S. 24 and Road 115 in Emerald Township. U.S. 24 was shut down in both directions for about one hour.

According to Sheriff Jason Landers, Bakle was driving a 2005 Chevy Silverado on Road 115 and failed to yield the right-of-way to a westbound 2004 Chrysler Town & Country  driven by Corinne Ehrhart, 36, of Antwerp.

Bakle was ejected upon impact and was pronounced dead at the scene by Coroner Joseph Kuhn.

Ehrhart and her two passengers, Mallory Ehrhart, age 10, and Maclaron Ehrhart, age 4, sustained injuries. Maclaron was taken by Samaritan air ambulance to Parkview Memorial Hospital in Fort Wayne. Corinne and Mallory were transported by Defiance’s Promedica Ground Unit to Parkview.

On Tuesday afternoon, a Parkview spokesman said Corinne Ehrhart was listed in "serious" condition in ICU. Mallory and Maclaron were not listed in the directory.

The initial investigation shows all three occupants of the Ehrhart vehicle were properly restrained. Bakle was not wearing his safety belt at the time of the crash.

The accident remains under investigation by the sheriff’s office.

Also assisting at the scene were Paulding Fire and EMS and Defiance and Van Wert posts of Ohio State Highway Patrol.

OAKWOOD – The Van Wert Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating a two-vehicle traffic crash that occurred at 8:16 p.m. Friday, May 3. The crash occurred on Road 140 at the intersection of Road 191 about three miles northwest of Oakwood in Brown Township.

A 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee driven by Kacy Wagner, 30, Oakwood, was traveling southbound on Road 191. A 2003 Chevrolet Silverado driven by Benjamin Decker, 28, Defiance, was traveling eastbound on Road 140.

Troopers said Wagner failed to stop for the posted stop sign at the intersection and as her vehicle continued into the intersection it was struck by Decker’s vehicle.

Wagner sustained serious injuries and was transported by Samaritan Life Flight to Parkview Hospital, Fort Wayne.

Decker was transported to Mercy Defiance Hospital, where he was treated and released.

Wagner’s passenger, Brett Wagner, 30, Oakwood, sustained minor injuries and was treated at the scene.

The crash remains under investigation.

Assistance at the scene was provided by the Paulding County Sheriff’s Office, Oakwood Police Department, Oakwood Fire and EMS, Samaritan Life Flight, R&O Service and Integrity Auto Body.

DEFIANCE – The recently purchased Napoleon, Defiance and Western Railroad (ND&W, formerly the M&W RR) was the subject discussed at a meeting held by the Ohio Rail Development Commission (ORDC) May 2 in Defiance.

The ND&W runs through Henry, Defiance and Paulding counties in Ohio and extends into Woodburn, Ind.

Tony Langham, Paulding County Economic Development director, represented Paulding County. Other attendees included the ORDC, the ND&W, representatives from Gov. Kasich’s office, Rep. Latta’s office, Sen. Portman’s office, Defiance County Commissioners and ED office, Henry County ED office, and Jobs Ohio.

The goal of all attendees is to upgrade the short line rail for better safety, service and dependability. A cooperative mood was expressed by all as this rail could be a very good economic development asset to the area. Avenues for funding repairs to the line were discussed, which included pursuing grants and low-interest loans.

The next step will be a meeting of the ND&W, Henry, Paulding and Defiance county commissioners and economic development directors to plan on short- and long-term repair goals and financing.