Cleanup haul tallied | New London Horse Arena event set | 3 obits | Farmers making progress | Father's Day stats
By David Jacobs
New London hauls more than 5 dozen tons in spring cleanup effort
The village of New London removed 62 tons of trash during its 2025 Spring Cleanup Days, Village Administrator Shawn Pickworth reported to the Village Council this week.
Pickworth thanked the sanitation crew for their work during the event and expressed appreciation to Mike Crabbs for assisting.
“I would like to thank Mike Crabbs for coming in to give us a hand and kind of see what goes on during this event,” Pickworth told the council in his written report. “I would also like to thank the sanitation crew for working those days.”
The total landfill fees amounted to $4,050, and dumpster rental from TLD cost $500. Labor expenses were reported at $1,300.
Pickworth also noted that the village offset some of the costs by reselling scrap metal for $1,200. He added that these figures do not include fuel expenses or wear and tear on equipment.
To assist residents with seasonal cleanup, the village scheduled Spring Clean-Up Days for May 5 and May 6, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on both days. The program was for village residents only.
New London Horse Arena to host open house
The New London Horse Arena is set to host an open house featuring free riding and community events June 28 in the village's Recreational Park, organizers announced.
Riders can enjoy open arena time that day from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., with barrels set up at 1:30 p.m. for runs, organizers announced via the arena's official page.
The event is open to the public and emphasizes a casual, family-friendly event. No entry fee is required, though donations are appreciated. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own seating, as bleachers will not be available.
"This is not a show — just a chance to ride, relax, and enjoy the arena with fellow horse lovers," event organizers posted online.
"All riders under 18 are required to wear a helmet," they added.
Additional updates and information are being shared on the arena's official Facebook page ahead of the event. Photos of the work can be seen there.
New London Village Council legislation presented
This week's New London Village Council agenda included measures concerning educational animal projects, dispatch services, village solicitor appointments, employee compensation, and village appropriations.
The session on Monday also included administrative and departmental reports, and reviews of financial approvals.
Among the ordinances on the agenda, Ordinance 2025-18, which aimed to amend and restate Section 505.18 of the Codified Ordinances to allow for educational animal projects, was up for a second reading.
Several other ordinances were emergency readings, signaling an intent for immediate effectiveness.
Ordinance 2025-19 sought to renew contracts with the county sheriff for dispatching services for both the village police and fire departments. Ordinance 2025-20 proposed amending a previous ordinance and related agreement concerning the appointment of the village solicitor.
Additionally, Ordinance 2025-21, which aimed to adjust current pay ranges and rates for village employees, was slated for both a first reading and an emergency reading.
Ordinance 2025-22, also an emergency reading, proposed amendments to the 2025 annual appropriations ordinance.
A resolution, 2025-12, for a "Then and Now Certificate" for a purchase made, was also up for an emergency reading.
The council session agenda also listed routine business such as a roll call of members, approval of the agenda and minutes from the May 12 regular meeting.
Reports were listed from New London village officials Mayor Toby Thomas, Police Chief Joe Hicks, Fire Chief John Chapin, Ambulance Director Jennifer Ball, Zoning Administrator Chet Blanton, and Recreation Director Joe Thomas.
Financial matters included separate approvals for bills to be paid and vouchers 1-40 for payments dated May 30.
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LAW ENFORCEMENT
New London police are keeping up their active pace.
List: New London police calls (June 7-11)
OBITUARIES
Patricia "Patti" Ellen (Bursley) Fenwick
REGION
Woman pulled from burning pickup in Sandusky County crash
SANDUSKY COUNTY -- A driver pulled a woman from a burning pickup truck that struck two trees during a crash that injured three people around 5:11 p.m. Wednesday on South River Road, the Ohio State Highway Patrol said.
A 2003 Chevy Silverado driven by Hunter S. Schindler, 24, of Findlay, was traveling north on County Road 132 (South River Road) when it traveled left of center on a curve and sideswiped a southbound 2007 Chevy Silverado driven by Cole W. Schoendorf, 23, of Helena, the patrol said.
Ms. Schindler’s vehicle then went off the west side of the road and struck a traffic sign, returned briefly to the roadway, continued off the east side, and hit two trees, authorities said.
The truck caught fire and became fully engulfed.
"Mr. Schoendorf was able to remove Ms. Schindler from the vehicle prior to it becoming fully engulfed," the patrol said in a statement.
Dylan B. Brady, 25, of Fremont, who was riding in the front passenger seat of Schindler’s truck, exited on his own, authorities said.
Ms. Schindler was transported to Mercy Health St. Vincent Medical Center in Toledo with serious injuries and was listed in stable condition. Brady was treated for minor injuries at Fremont ProMedica Hospital.
Neither Schindler nor Brady was wearing a seat belt, authorities said.
Schoendorf, who was wearing a seat belt, sustained minor injuries and declined treatment at the scene.
His vehicle also ran off the west side of the road but did not strike anything, the patrol said.
The scene was south of County Road 41 (Buckland Avenue) in Ballville Township.
State troopers with the Fremont post are leading the investigation.
Responding agencies also included the Sandusky County Sheriff’s Office, Ballville Township Fire Department, Sandusky County EMS, and Ash’s Towing.
OHIO AGRICULTURE
Ohio crop progress as farmers make gains
Corn and soybean planting in Ohio remained below historical averages for the latest reporting period, the U.S. Department of Agriculture reports this week.
Ohio farmers had planted 89 percent of the corn crop, below the five-year average of 94 percent, the National Agricultural Statistics Service’s report details.
Corn emergence reached 68 percent, compared with the five-year average of 81 percent. Ohio's corn condition was rated 2 percent very poor, 5 percent poor, 34 percent fair, 48 percent good and 10 percent excellent.
Soybean planting stood at 84 percent, with 58 percent of soybeans emerged. USDA condition ratings showed 2 percent very poor, 5 percent poor, 40 percent fair, 46 percent good and 7 percent excellent.
Winter wheat was 95 percent headed. No acres had been harvested as of June 8.
Wheat condition was reported as 1 percent very poor, 4 percent poor, 28 percent fair, 56 percent good and 11 percent excellent.
Oats had emerged on 92 percent of planted acres, and 18 percent had headed. Oat condition was 3 percent poor, 26 percent fair, 71 percent good and 3 percent excellent.
Pasture and range conditions were 0 percent very poor, 2 percent poor, 24 percent fair, 56 percent good and 18 percent excellent.
The week had 4.5 days suitable for fieldwork. Topsoil moisture was rated: 2 percent very short, 10 percent short, 64 percent adequate and 35 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture was 1 percent very short, 10 percent short, 67 percent adequate and 32 percent surplus.
COMING SOON
Father's Day: by the numbers
With Father's Day almost here nearly half of consumers (48%) plan to purchase a gift for a father or stepfather, followed by those purchasing gifts for a husband (25%), son (12%), brother (9%), friend (8%) or grandfather (6%), according to an annual survey by the National Retail Federation and Prosper Insights & Analytics
As in recent years, 58% of Father’s Day shoppers plan to purchase a greeting card, followed by clothing (55%), a special outing (53%) and gift cards (50%).
Similar to recent years, more than three-quarters of consumers (76%) plan to celebrate Father’s Day, which is Sunday.
Consumers are planning to spend $199.38 on average per person, or nearly $10 more than last year’s $189.81 average. Those between the ages of 35 and 44 tend to spend the most on the holiday, $278.90 on average.
These shoppers are also spending significantly more compared with last year, increasing their budgets by $27 on average, the survey found.
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Reporter David Jacobs can be reached at davidjacobs@shelbynewsreporter.com
