PAULDING – Prior to the pandemic, Sherwood Mutual Telephone Association (SMTA) was looking to expand into Paulding County. The company had completed roughly 90 miles of fiber construction in the Hicksville area, and it was awarded funding through Defiance County to conduct a build in Ney.

During the pandemic, one of Mcdonald’s most popular items wasn’t on the menu. It was in the parking lot. School children, driven to online classrooms by a virus, were now being driven to the fast-food giant in search of the wi-fi required to complete their lessons.

LATTY– Latty Village Council held its January reorganizational meeting. Council President Shawn Gerber was sworn in as mayor to fill the void presented when former Mayor Tom Sinn retired effective December 31, 2022.

OAKWOOD – On, January 5, 2023, the Multi-Area Narcotics Task Force concluded an eight-month investigation into Shawn M. Spencer, 43 years old, 306 North First Street in the Village of Oakwood, Ohio. A search warrant was executed on January 5, 2023, at the residence listed above. Spencer and a Tameesha T. Rowe, 41 Years old, 306 North First Street, Oakwood, Ohio, were located inside the residence.

PAULDING – Paulding Village Council started the new year Tuesday, Jan. 3, casting votes to allow a subdivision project to start and to select a council president.

PAYNE – Monday’s Village of Payne council meeting began with commentary from guest Dylan E. Worden of Midwest Energy Solutions. Worden lent his knowledge as a renewable energy cnsultant, and informed council members of government programs that are available, should Payne opt for solar energy for village buildings and the water treatment plant.

It’s 5:30 a.m., and the state representatives are getting restless as they wait for the final piece of legislation they need to vote on before adjourning for the holidays. They’ve been in session since 1 p.m. the previous afternoon, caucusing behind closed doors with the Senate in attempts to agree on legislation and then returning to vote through the night on unfinished business from the term.

PAULDING - Word has been received of Paulding County’s retired K-9 Officer Jano’s passing on Saturday, December 10, 2022. K-9 Jano was the first commissioned K-9 Officer under the tenure of Paulding County Sheriff Jason K. Landers. K-9 Jano was born on August 24, 2012 and purchased by Paulding County on September 11, 2013. At that time, Deputy Gary Deitrick was assigned as his handler.