The Defiance Area Foundation is pleased to recognize Mercy Health as a Bronze Sponsor for the 2026 Gala with a $2,000 sponsorship.

The annual Gala, themed Bow Ties & Boas, will take place on October 3, 2026, with proceeds benefiting the Defiance County Community Fund. The fund supports local nonprofit organizations, schools, and community initiatives while helping address emerging needs throughout Defiance County.

The Foundation is grateful for Mercy Health’s continued support and commitment to improving the health and well-being of the community.

To learn more about the Gala or sponsorship opportunities, visit https://defianceareafoundation.org/gala.

Paulding Putnam is proud to announce the opening of its high-speed fiber internet service in the rural Van Wert area – including the village of Scott and portions of Convoy – marking one of the cooperative’s largest expansion milestones to date. Additional expansion is slated for surrounding areas this summer. 

To celebrate, Paulding Putnam invited community members to attend “Meet YOUR internet!” – a free community open house on Wednesday, June 24, 2026, at Walnut and Main Event Center, 223 E. Main Street in downtown Van Wert. 

The open house was a relaxed, no-pressure opportunity for residents and businesses to learn more about fiber internet technology, available service packages, pricing options, and Paulding Putnam’s custom managed Wi-Fi app. Staff were available to answer questions and help customers determine which package best fits their needs.

Paulding Putnam has built more than 600 miles of mainline fiber infrastructure across northwest Ohio and northeast Indiana and plans to exceed 1,500 miles as expansion continues. Service is already available in portions of Paulding and Putnam counties, including areas of Paulding, Haviland, Payne, Grover Hill, Ottoville, Fort Jennings, Cloverdale, and Delphos.

Unlike many providers, Paulding Putnam offers residential internet packages designed around customers’ lifestyles, whether they work from home, enjoy streaming and gaming, spend time outdoors, or want additional parental controls and Wi-Fi management tools. All residential plans include straightforward pricing with no contracts, data caps, or hidden fees. Business internet packages are also available for farms, small businesses, and commercial operations requiring advanced connectivity and multi-gig speeds.

As part of a summer promotion celebrating America’s 250th anniversary, new residential customers who sign up for a 1 Gig internet package between June and August will receive one month of free service.

Those interested in fiber internet service (even those who are not electric members) are encouraged to complete the interest form online at www.PPEC.coop. This helps the co-op guide construction plans and notify customers when service is available.

Members can learn more about packages, check availability, and sign up at www.PPEC.coop/internet or by contacting member services at 800-686-2357. Commercial accounts can contact Luke Burkhart at lburkhart@ppec.coop or 800-686-2357.

The Defiance Area Foundation (DAF) has awarded a $5,000 grant to the Johnson Memorial Library Friends during its 2026 spring grant cycle. Funding for the grant was provided through the Capital Projects Fund under the DAF umbrella.

The grant will support exterior building improvements at the Johnson Memorial Library in Hicksville aimed at improving accessibility and enhancing outdoor community spaces for patrons and visitors.

Planned improvements include updates to the library’s front porch, fascia, shutters, soffits, and other exterior features, along with concrete work to create a full front entrance ramp, new pathways, and expanded patio areas. The project is expected to cost between $88,000 and $96,000.

The improvements are designed to create a more welcoming and accessible environment while preserving the library as an important community resource for Hicksville residents.

Maumee Valley Network is proud to recognize Brenda DeLong of Van Wert County as our May Flag Award recipient.

Brenda’s commitment to the community spans decades. Many residents remember her as a fourth-grade teacher at Ohio City-Liberty Local Schools, where she helped shape the lives of countless students. Her dedication to young people continued beyond the classroom through her longtime involvement with 4-H.

As a leader with the Ohio City Blue Ribbon Workers 4-H Club, Brenda has spent years mentoring local youth, teaching leadership, responsibility, and community service. One of her most meaningful contributions has been ensuring that 4-H members work side by side with local veterans to place flags at area cemeteries and participate in annual Memorial Day services.

Through these efforts, generations of young people have learned the importance of honoring those who served our country.

Brenda’s lifelong commitment to education, youth development, and veteran recognition has left a lasting impact on Van Wert County and the surrounding communities.

The flag was presented by Anthony Bergman of Lee Kinstle Sales & Service, helping recognize Brenda’s many years of service and dedication to the community.

Presented by Maumee Valley Network; Sponsored by Lee Kinstle Chevrolet GMC; In partnership with CollinsFlags.com

You can learn more about the Flag of Honor by visiting our Facebook page.

Thank you, Brenda, for your decades of service to the youth, veterans, and families of Maumee Valley.

The Paulding County Carnegie Library and all the branches are hosting a “Summer Reading Community Book Club”.  The adult book chosen for discussion is “Theo of Golden” by Allen Levi. Stop by any location and pick up a copy of this exciting book. The discussion will be on Wednesday, August 5 at 5:30 p.m. at the Oakwood branch library community room. A drawing for a gift basket will be held after the discussion.

The library has also chosen a book for young readers, “The Lemonade War” by Jacquline Davies. There will be a discussion and activities to go along with the book on Wednesday, August 5th at 4:00 p.m., at the Oakwood branch library community room.

Sign up to win a gift basket based on the book.

Hicksville rising junior Katherine Green (16) won 1st runner up at Miss Ohio’s Teen on June 19, 2026. In her 2nd year competing at Miss Ohio’s Teen, competing as Miss Chillicothe’s Teen, Katherine Green of Hicksville, placed as 1st runner up, receiving a $1,000 scholarship. She also won the Interview Award with a $250 Scholarship for her eloquence and poise under pressure. Katherine’s vocal talent performance was “Gimme Gimme” from the play Thoroughly Modern Mille.

Katherine’s Community Service Initiative (CSI) is “The Recovery Table”, an online platform to bring attention, education & knowledge for eating disorders.

Paulding Nazarene Church is inviting children to embark on “The Great Adventure” during its upcoming NazKidz Summer Camp, scheduled for July 6-9 at the church, located at 210 Dooley Drive in Paulding.

The four-day summer program will take place each morning from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. and is designed to provide children with a fun-filled environment where they can grow in their faith while enjoying engaging activities and lessons.

This year’s camp theme, “The Great Adventure,” features a winter-inspired setting with the message, “Stay Cool. Follow Jesus.” Organizers say the program will combine excitement, learning and faith-based teaching to help children better understand the teachings of Jesus while building friendships and making lasting memories.

Families throughout the area are encouraged to participate in the free community event. The camp is part of Paulding Nazarene Church’s ongoing effort to provide opportunities for children to connect with others, learn biblical values and enjoy a positive summer experience.

Additional information may be available through the church.

By: Mark Holtsberry

Lloyd Aaron Sutton was born in Grover Hill, Ohio, on October 8, 1891. He was the son of Jacob Sutton, who was born on March 7, 1842, in Randolph County, Indiana, and Elizabeth “Lizzie” Ann (Kinkade) Sutton. Jacob had two previous wives who passed away: Isabella, who died in 1874, and Charlotte, who died in 1877. Jacob and Elizabeth were married on August 30, 1879, in Paulding.

By 1890, the Sutton family was living in Blue Creek Township, Paulding County. Jacob was a farmer. The couple were the parents of John, born in 1880; Cornelius, born in 1880; Catherine “Katie,” born in 1882; Daisy, born in 1885; and twins Floyd and Lloyd, born in 1891. The older boys helped on the farm while the younger children attended school.

By 1906, Lloyd had quit school. By 1910, Jacob’s daughter Daisy had married and moved away. Catherine and her husband, Warren Hadley, had moved in with Jacob and Elizabeth. Lloyd and Floyd remained at home, working on the farm.

On June 5, 1917, in Toledo, Lloyd registered for the World War I draft. He had been living in Toledo for several years, working as an inspector for a block-bearing company. Lloyd was described as short and slender, with brown eyes and dark hair, and was single.

Lloyd joined the National Army on June 27, 1918. He was assigned to the 24th Company, 6th Training Battalion, 158th Depot Brigade, where he served until July 19, 1918. On August 1, 1918, he was promoted to Private First Class and assigned to Company A, 333rd Infantry, serving until October 5, 1918. He was then transferred to Company E, 138th Infantry, where he served until his discharge. He served in the Meuse-Argonne sector and was slightly wounded in action on October 31, 1918. Lloyd received an honorable discharge on April 1, 1919.

After returning home, he met a young woman named Mary Ann Brenner. She was born on July 11, 1898, in Ohio. The couple married and moved to Latty, Ohio, by 1920, where Lloyd worked as a farm laborer.

Lloyd’s father, Jacob, passed away on February 21, 1921, and was buried in Live Oak Cemetery. Lloyd and Mary’s daughter, Kathryn, was born in 1920, followed by Lloyd D. in 1923, Gloria in 1925, Dorothy in 1927, and William in 1929. By 1930, the family was living at 406 North Cherry Street in Paulding.

Lloyd had become a mail carrier. By 1940, the Sutton family was still living at 406 North Cherry Street, and all of the children remained at home. In 1942, Lloyd registered for the World War II draft, although he was not selected because of his age.

On April 22, 1944, Lloyd passed away and was buried in Live Oak Cemetery. Mary later worked for the Division of Aid for the Aged in Paulding as a caseworker, retiring in 1959. She passed away on September 24, 1969, and was buried beside her husband in Live Oak Cemetery.

The youngest child, William, served in the United States Navy during the Korean War. He passed away in 2020 and was buried in Live Oak Cemetery.

…Until Next Time!

Taking the next step forward, the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) District 1 is seeking public comments on a project to construct a roundabout at the intersection of U.S. 224 and Van Wert-Decatur Road, just west of the city of Van Wert.

In 2025, ODOT completed a safety study of the U.S. 224 and Van Wert-Decatur Road intersection to evaluate safety enhancement options such as a multi-way stop, traffic signal, or a roundabout. The study recommends transforming the three-legged T-intersection into a single-lane roundabout. Ohio’s Highway Safety Program is funding the project with construction slated for 2029.

Following a comparison of roundabout design options, ODOT recommends an off-center circular roundabout. The design allows for phased construction to reduce traffic impacts, requires temporary right-of-way (only for construction), and has the lowest construction cost.

Construction cost is estimated at $3.58 million.

The public is encouraged to share their thoughts on the proposed design alternatives for the intersection by July 15, 2026. Comments regarding the project will be accepted at any time, but those received by the deadline will be included in the official public input summary report. Public input will help shape the final design.

• Use the comment form on the project website or contact the project manager directly (see below).

• Requests for interpretation service or reasonable accommodation may be submitted through the project website or by contacting the project manager.

Visit the project webpage to view the design alternatives and to submit feedback.

The Kiwanis Club was pleased to welcome Lynessa Watterson, the new Director of Paulding County Job & Family Services, during a recent meeting. She was introduced by Kiwanis member Lisa McClure.

Effective July 1, the previously consolidated Defiance and Paulding County Job & Family Services offices will separate in order to better serve their local communities and provide more focused, local support.

Watterson shared that she and her team will be working closely with area schools, courts, and the sheriff’s department to strengthen families throughout Paulding County. Some of the services provided by the agency include unemployment assistance, SNAP benefits, child and adult protective services, and Ohio Means Jobs programs.

The Paulding County Job & Family Services office is located at 252 Dooley Drive in Paulding and is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.