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.

COLUMBUS – Interested in learning how to create a garden and grow vegetables? Then join the Ohio Farm Bureau Federation (OFBF) for the Vegetable Gardening for Beginners online meeting May 14 at 7 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.

“Farm Bureau has a long history of working with people who grow food,” said Janet Cassidy, OFBF senior director of marketing communications. “And we know food production doesn’t just happen in farm fields, but also in backyards and gardens across the state.”

Cassidy will be joined by Pam Bennett, Ohio State master gardener and Bren Haas, of BGgarden.com. Topics will include soil preparation, planting, weed and pest control, fertilizer and more. Guests can submit questions prior to and during the event.

Additionally, participants can join the Our Ohio Gardening Facebook Group, open to anyone interested in talking about gardening in Ohio. The group is a great place to meet other local gardening enthusiasts, network and ask questions before and after the event.

Although the event is free, registration is required by May 13. For more information, to register or to join the Our Ohio Gardening Facebook Group, visit OurOhio.org and click “Getting Started in Vegetable Gardening.”

The vision of the Ohio Farm Bureau Federation is to create a partnership between farmers and consumers. Members include farmers, gardeners, food and wine enthusiasts, teachers and more. For more information, or to join, visit GrowWithFB.org.

What is Venturing? Venturing is part of the Boy Scouts of America and is for young men and women ages 14 through 20 (and not yet age 21), or age 13 and have completed the eighth grade. Approximately one-third of all Venturers are young women. Venturing is a youth led organization. The focus areas of the Venturing program include the outdoors, arts and hobbies, sports, religious life, STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics), and Sea Scouts.

The Venturing program allows the youths to tailor programs to their interests. Venturing gives young adults challenging, exciting adventures like scuba diving, cycling tours, climbing, and rappelling, and hobbies such as shooting sports, service projects and community service, living history, video gaming, and golfing – and much, much more. Although outdoor activities are a major part of Venturing, the program also features life skills like leadership development, public speaking, interviewing, and mentoring. Using the seven leadership methods of Venturing (leadership, group activities, adult association, recognition, scouting ideals, high adventure and sports, and teaching others), this program for youth helps prepare them to become responsible, caring adults. Venturing impacts nearly a quarter million youth every year.

This Venturing Crew is being formed with leaders of the Payne Boy Scouting program and St Jacob’s Church in Payne. Venturing meetings will be held in St Jacob’s Fellowship Hall. Youths do not need to live in Payne to participate.

Interested youth are invited to learn more by attending an open house at 4 p.m. Sunday, May 19 at Alley Cat Lanes in Paulding. Youths who enroll in the Venturing program will bowl a free game.

For additional information, please contact Michelle Waggoner at 260-580-8101.

COLUMBUS -Ohio Treasurer Josh Mandel announced interest rate reductions offered through the State Treasury's 2013 Agricultural Linked Deposit (Ag-LINK) Program. This year, over 592 farms in 54 counties were approved to receive interest rate reductions on $61.6 million in operating loans and lines of credit.

"Agriculture is a major part of the economic backbone of Ohio's economy," saidMandel. "As one of our state's most essential industries, it is important that farmers are given the tools to help them produce a successful harvest. The Ag-LINK program helps farmers reduce the burden of their annual operating costs so that they can invest in things like feed, seed, fertilizer and fuel at the beginning of the season."

Ag-LINK, an annual program that has been in existence for 29 years, allows Ohio farmers to apply for interest rate reductions on operating loans or lines of credit up to $150,000. Applications to enroll in the program were accepted from January through March of this year. In order to become eligible for the Ag-LINK program, applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Must be organized for profit;

• Must have headquarters and 51% of operations maintained in Ohio;

• Must obtain an operating loan or line of credit from an eligible bank or Farm Credit Lender;

• Must use the loan exclusively for agricultural purposes;

• Must agree to comply with all program and bank regulations.

View a breakdown of 2013 Ag-LINK interest rate reductions offered by region and county.

After a farmer and their lender successfully completes the application, the Ohio Treasurer's office places an investment with the participating financial institution for one year. This one year investment then allows the lender to lower the interest rate on the farmer's loan.