Defiance Moose Lodge #2094 recently donated $1,000 to Ravens Care to support its Emergency Assistance program. The funding will help Ravens Care assist local individuals and families with needs such as utilities, clothing and other essentials.

The Moose Lodge holds a charitable fund under the umbrella of the Defiance Area Foundation, allowing the organization to support local causes and needs that are important to its members.

The Oakwood Elementary KA Sweet Kids and KB Super Kids recently completed ABC Boot Camp.  They spent 26 days reviewing and learning letters and sounds.  We celebrated with an ABC Parade through the school while the other grade levels lined the hallways to cheer us on!  We finished the parade outside so our families could see too. We also held our first Family Reading Day of the year outside.  It was a wonderful opportunity to share books, sunshine and time together.  Way to go, Sweet Kids and Super Kids! We’re proud of you.  Keep working hard in Kindergarten!

The Paulding County Area Foundation is pleased to announce a generous $20,000 donation each from Paulding Eagles Aerie 2405 & John Paulding VFW Post 587 in support of the new cattle barn project on the Paulding County Fairgrounds.

To further the impact of this contribution, the Paulding County Area Foundation is matching donations up to $100,000 toward the new cattle barns, which are planned for completion ahead of the 2027 Paulding County Fair.

The existing cattle barns have served generations of Paulding County exhibitors since the early 1960’s, but have reached the end of their useful life and no longer adequately meet the needs of our livestock programs. The planned replacement barns will provide additional space, improved ventilation and airflow, updated electrical capabilities, and a more functional overall layout for exhibitors, their animals, families, and visitors.

The project represents another major investment in the future of the Paulding County Fairgrounds and the young people who participate in 4-H, FFA and agricultural programs throughout the county.

“This donation goes a long way toward jump-starting this project and rounding out the last of our fairground improvements,” said Lisa McClure, Executive Director of the Paulding County Area Foundation. “With the completion of these cattle barns, we will have updated all of the exhibitor buildings on the fairgrounds and helped ensure our youth have quality facilities to use for many years to come. We are truly grateful for the support of Paulding Eagles Aerie 2405 and the John Paulding VFW Post 587, along with other donors who are helping bring this project to completion.”

The Paulding County Area Foundation extends its sincere appreciation to Paulding Eagles Aerie 2405 and the John Paulding VFW Post 587 for their commitment to Paulding County and their continued investment in projects that strengthen the community and create opportunities for local youth.

Community members, businesses, organizations, and families are invited to help make the new cattle barns a reality. Those interested in supporting the Cattle Barn Project may contact Lisa McClure at the Paulding County Area Foundation at 419-399-8296 or PauldingFoundation@gmail.com.

Checks may also be mailed to:

Paulding County Area Foundation, 101 E. Perry St. Paulding, OH 45879

Please write “Cattle Barn” in the memo line.

Donations to the project are tax-deductible through the Paulding County Area Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

Congratulations to the South Richland Fire Department for receiving a $2000 grant from Defiance Moose Lodge #2094. The Defiance Moose Lodge holds a fund under the umbrella of the Defiance Area Foundation. The South Richland Fire Dept. will be using this grant for equipment updates. Pictured with the grant are (l-r) Rick Speiser – Moose Lodge Trustee and Tyler Coffman – South Richland EMS Chief.

PAULDING – Antique trucks and special interest vehicles were on display Sunday, September 20, during the Flat Rock Creek Fall Truck Show at the Paulding County History Museum.

A highlight of the day came during an ATHS meeting held in conjunction with the show, when longtime volunteer and preservationist Gary Crowl was presented with a 50-Year Golden Achievement Award recognizing his decades of dedication to the preservation and restoration of trucks and farm equipment.

The Flat Rock Creek Fall Truck Show was held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and included free admission and parking, with donations benefiting the Paulding County History Museum. Lunch was also available at the museum.

When Kelly Feeney, NOCAC’s Housing & Energy Services Director received recognition and the David C. Rinebolt Community Service Award during the last week of September, it was not only a statewide honor but also a reflection of  her continually setting a high standard in serving others. Kelly’s drive and work ethic have always been apparent from her first day at NOCAC in 1997. She was hired as a part-time administrative assistant and in less than five years was leading the program as Housing and Energy Director, a role she continues to hold today. 

Kelly realized early on that weatherization and home repair are about more than insulation and fixing what is broken it’s about connecting with people, offering hope, and recognizing the worth of every person regardless of their income or the neighborhood they call home. Kelly is a quiet force, one that does not seek recognition, but her knowledge, determination, and compassion have made an ongoing and substantial impact in all the counties NOCAC serves. Beyond supporting her team, she is also considered a trusted resource to her Community Action peers across Ohio. Kelly’s career reflects what Community Action is meant to be, meeting people where they are, recognizing their dignity, and helping them build something better.

The award is presented by the Ohio Partners for Affordable Energy (OPAE) annually at the Weatherize Ohio Conference. Recipients of the award are recognized for professional knowledge, compassion, advocacy, and commitment to improving people’s lives through leadership in energy assistance and weatherization programs.  The award is named in honor of Dave Rinebolt who was the founding director of OPAE who died in 2021.  His guiding phrase was “Be Good to One Another”.

On behalf of Director Benjamin Suver and the Ohio Department of Public Safety, Paulding County Sheriff Jason K. Landers was selected as a 2026 Ohio Patriot Award recipient. This honor recognizes the incredible impact he has made on our community, the State of Ohio, and our nation. Left to Right:  Ohio Attorney General Andy Wilson, Paulding County Sheriff Jason K. Landers and Ohio Department of Public Safety Director Benjamin B. Suver.

ANTWERP – Polyethics Industries Inc. will open its first U.S. manufacturing facility here at 5278 Rd 424. Polyethics makes garbage bags and agricultural films, including products made with recycled materials, primarily for private label customers.

Polyethics expects to create 250 full time equivalent jobs and generate $12 million in new annual payroll by December 31, 2030, making the project one of the county’s most significant industrial investments in recent years.  

Led by CEO Derek Rynard, Polyethics has invested in film production, bag converting and in-house quality testing to deliver consistent product quality.

Derek Rynard, CEO of Polyethics Industries Inc., noted, “For 35 years, our team has earned customers’ trust by delivering quality products and finding better ways to make them. We are bringing that experience to Antwerp, closer to the customers we serve. The support from this community has been remarkable and I look forward to building a workplace that people here are proud to join.”

Prior to opening the Antwerp facility Polyethics’ only presence in the US was limited to brokering, selling, and purchasing plastic for recycling purposes. 

Keller Logistics owns the former DANA/Boston Weatherhead facility and has revitalized it for modern manufacturing.  Bryan Keller, CEO of Keller Logistics Group, stated: “A company crossing a border to build a U.S. operation needs more than a building. It needs a partner who can assist until every piece is in place. Keller invested in and refurbished the Antwerp facility for exactly this reason: to bring new companies to Paulding County and give them a place to grow. Polyethics proves it works, and they are the perfect partner to help us continue that growth. Keller is always looking for ways to keep building in this county, and we are proud to welcome Polyethics to it.”

Kiki Rynard, CSO of Polyethics, said: “The support we have received from Keller Logistics, RGP/Jobs Ohio, Tim Copsey in the Economic Development office, and the people of Paulding County, has been extraordinary. They have helped us move quickly and made us feel at home. We want to create opportunities for local families, be a good neighbor and build a team that takes pride in what we make here.”

During its September meeting, the Ohio Tax Credit Authority approved a 1.437 percent Job Creation Tax Credit for eight years, following recommendations from JobsOhio and its regional partner, the Regional Growth Partnership.

Pictured above are the 2026 Paulding High School’s Homecoming Court, crowning will take place Friday, October 9th at Paulding’s Homecoming Football game: (top, l-r) Junior Tyler Goyings, Senior Grady Arend, Senior Emmett Barnes, Senior Avery Cooper, Senior Jalan Manz, Sophomore Lincoln Manz, Freshman Tucker Stoller. Front Row Left to Right: Junior Gabby Stork, Senior Jayla Griffith, Senior Tori Schlatter, Senior Libby Breier, Senior Estie Pease, Sophomore Paityn Dobbelaere, Freshman Preslee Cline.

Robert and Corrine Weible to Celebrate 70 Years

Robert (Bob) and Corrine (Sue) Weible will celebrate their 70th wedding anniversary on October 6, 2026.

The couple was married on October 6, 1956, by Robert Hargrave at the Defiance Church of Christ.

They have been blessed with three children, sixteen grandchildren and sixteen great-grandchildren.