New London Fire: special training | Wildcat track & field excellence | students give back | NLPD updates | 1 obituary | Ohio farming | fatal motorcycle crash

By David Jacobs

May 19, 2025

New London firefighters train for grain bin rescues

Firefighters from the New London Fire Department participated in specialized grain bin rescue training provided by the Ohio Fire Academy over the past two Saturdays, the department announced.

The sessions focused on the proper use of the Res-Q Tube, a tool designed for the safe extraction of victims trapped in grain bins.

"Firefighters were able to practice using a grain rescue tube, rescue auger, and more," Willard Fire and Rescue said in a separate update.

The New Washington Volunteer Fire Department also joined in the training.

“Some of you may remember, a few years back we had a very dangerous and difficult grain bin rescue in our jurisdiction,” New Washington Fire said in a post that expressed gratitude to Willard Fire & Rescue. “This is the training that made our incident a rescue instead of a recovery.”

S & S Family Farm and Feed, LLC, supplied the wagon of corn that was used in Saturday's training.

A look at the training in photos courtesy of Willard Fire & Rescue.

The Res-Q Tube was donated to New London Fire by Evans Sales and Service of Bellevue, Ohio, to enhance local emergency response capabilities.

"Many thanks to Bellevue Fire Department and Willard Fire Department for hosting the training," New London Fire said in its update on the two Saturdays of work.

Earlier in May, New London Fire Chief John Chapin had announced the donation of the equipment to the village’s department.

SEE Photo Gallery from New London Fire

SEE Photo Gallery from Willard Fire and Rescue

SEE Photo Gallery from New Washington Fire

WILDCATS

New London trio display track and field excellence

MONROEVILLE -- New London High School athletes captured multiple titles at the Firelands Conference track and field championships, Mitchells Pictures reports.

Madison Smith won the 100-meter hurdles and the 300-meter hurdles. Carter Hicks won the 3200-meter run, and Kelsey Pauley took first place in the shot put.

All three standout performances helped highlight New London's strength across a range of events.

Smith led the field in the hurdles, while Hicks controlled the pace in the long-distance race to secure the win. Pauley outthrew her competition to earn the shot put title.

black and white road sign — Photo by Joshua Burdick on Unsplash

COMMUNITY

New London students give back during community service day

More than 120 students and staff from New London Local Schools participated in the third annual Renew the Village Community Service Day, assisting local seniors and institutions across the village on May 14, the district announced.

The volunteers completed service projects at homes, churches, the library, the historical society, a park, and other sites as a show of gratitude to their supportive community.

"It’s just a small way for our students to say thank you to a supportive community," the district said. "We want to thank Mrs. Morgan and her TLC class, who were instrumental in planning the event, as well as the NL Rotary Club and Firelands Electric for their support."

New London Local Schools provided the update on the community service day in the village. (Photo by David Jacobs)

OBITUARY

Joyce (Fullenkamp) Neubacher

LAW ENFORCEMENT

List: New London police calls (May 13-14)

New London police highlight takeback, training, safety

The New London Police Department collected approximately 45.4 pounds of unused prescription medications during the DEA National Drug Take Back Initiative in late April, Police Chief Joe Hicks reported to Village Council.

The collected drugs were transferred to the METRICH drug task force for proper destruction, Chief Hicks said in his May 12 written report.

He thanked community members for their participation.

"I also want to remind community members that our secure medication drop box located in the police lobby is only intended for prescription pills," Chief Hicks said. "We ask that you please refrain from disposing of liquids, syringes, or other miscellaneous items."

In other police business, Chief Hicks reported that:

— New London police Sgt. Zach Ingraham recently completed a weeklong basic SWAT course in Westlake.

Hicks said Ingraham is expected to assist the county’s multi-jurisdictional Special Response Team as needed.

— Part-time officer Emily Cerovac, who joined the department Oct. 15, 2024, completed her six-month field training program.

Chief Hicks noted her proactive work and strong instincts.

"As an example, she had a traffic stop this morning within the first 20 minutes of her shift that led to a driving under suspension charge and warrant arrest of the passenger," he said.

— His report also said: "With the warm weather again upon us, please utilize caution and common sense in our parks, campgrounds, and side streets as pedestrian, bicycle, and golf cart traffic has again picked up."

He also reminded residents that the department offers golf cart inspections for those seeking road-legal certification.

Inspections are typically available weekdays from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Calling ahead is encouraged but not required.

Multiple updates were presented by the New London Police Department, led by Police Chief Joe Hicks.

REGION

Huron County motorcyclist strikes ditch, pole in fatal Erie County crash

ERIE COUNTY -- A motorcycle finished rounding a curve, traveled off the right side of the roadway, struck a ditch and utility pole, killing its rider along State Route 61 on Friday night, the Ohio State Highway Patrol reports of its preliminary investigation.

Mark Hoover, 57, of Norwalk, was pronounced deceased at the scene south of Chapin Road in Berlin Township, the patrol said in an update Saturday.

Hoover was operating a 2002 Harley-Davidson Road King Classic southbound on State Route 61 when the crash occurred before 8:25 p.m. Friday.

Hoover was not wearing a helmet at the time of the crash, the patrol said.

The state patrol was assisted by the Erie County Sheriff’s Office, North Central EMS, Berlin Fire, and Foster Towing.

The crash remains under investigation by the patrol’s Sandusky post.

OHIO AGRICULTURE

Planting increases as Ohio crops emerge

Ohio farmers made steady planting progress this past week, the U.S. Department of Agriculture reported in its latest weekly crop update.

Corn planting reached 25 percent as of May 11, up slightly from 22 percent the previous week. Corn emergence also jumped to 14 percent, a 10-point rise. Soybean planting matched corn at 25 percent, up from 23 percent, with 11 percent of the crop emerged.

Oat planting continued progress at 82 percent complete, while 67 percent had emerged, well ahead of the five-year average of 50 percent.

Eighty-eight percent of Ohio’s winter wheat crop had reached the jointing stage, and 14 percent was headed. Crop conditions remained stable, with winter wheat rated 54 percent good and 11 percent excellent. Oat conditions showed 75 percent good and 4 percent excellent.

In all, 74 percent of Ohio's pasture and range areas were rated excellent or good.

The data was provided in the USDA’s Ohio Crop Weather report, released by the National Agricultural Statistics Service, Great Lakes Region.

green and white tractor on green grass field during daytime — Photo by Chris Ensminger on Unsplash

LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Legislation presented to village council

New London Village Council was presented legislation on May 12

They were:

-- Ordinance 2025-16: Rezoning the Property Located at 26 East Washburn Street, P.P. No. 26-021A-09-009-0000 to a “R3-Multi-Family Residential” Use District. Second Reading.

-- Ordinance 2025-17: Rezoning the Property Located at 118 E. Main St., P.P. No. 26-019B-01- 060-0000 to a “R3-Multi-Family Residential” Use District. Second Reading.

-- Ordinance 2025-18: Amending and Restating Section 505.18 of the Codified Ordinances of the village of New London to provide for educational animal projects. First Reading. Ordinance 2025-18 is an ordinance allowing 4-H kids to have their small animals in town.

-- Resolution 2025-08: In the matter of determining emergency management service for the Political Subdivision of the Village of New London. Third Reading.

-- Resolution 2025-11: To approve some then and now payments.

Check back for updates.