Coronavirus continues to upset plans
Year In Review continues
The second half of the year saw more events modified to help stop the spread of the coronavirus, and residents began to see marches and protests organize in the city.
July
The first of the month saw Mathew Brushaber, former Cridersville police officer, charged with inducing panic, vandalism and possession of criminal tools following a shooting incident at Laurelwood Apartments at the end of June. Later in the month he pled not guilty by reason on insanity to the charges filed against him.
Lawn mower thefts throughout the community were reported, prompting law enforcement officials to encourage residents to lock their sheds and garages to help thwart thieves.
St. Joe was able to host a different looking festival this year, with drive- through festival food available from food trucks in the K of C parking lot, the Grand Sizzler raffle held remotely and a fireworks display on the fair grounds.
A car- train accident closed city crossings early in the month; resident Carmen Tedesco was injured when he drove his vehicle across the tracks at East Auglaize Street into the side of a moving train.
Wapakoneta Chamber of Commerce officials announced modifications to the Summer Moon Festival, which was set to begin
July 17 with the Moon Market. The festival also included food vendors, a much smaller beer tent and music provided by a DJ.
The Dance Centre also amended its 60th anniversary celebration, filming routines so they could be spliced together and shown at a drive- in in Van Wert, and an outdoor senior show was held at the amphitheater in Celina.
The Wapakoneta Family YMCA hosted a ribbon cutting for their expanded facility, which now includes space for partners Mercy Health- St. Rita’s, the Council On Rural Services, the United Way of Auglaize County, Coffe Amor and Nourish U. The opening followed months of relocated, and then closed, services while the construction and pandemic upended classes and programming.
Fr. Jedidian Tritle joined the Petersburg Parishes, replacing Fr. Jared Kohn, who was transferred out of the parish.
Two days before the annual Run to the Moon was to take place, it was changed to a virtual run, due to coronavirus concerns. The run, part of the Summer Moon Festival for years, is expected to run as normal in 2021. The Armstrong Museum’s plans for the Summer
Moon Festival were amended as well.
Julie Gossard was named director of Auglaize County’s department of Jobs and Family Services, replacing former director Mike Morrow, who was placed on leave and then resigned last November.
A Learjet flown by Astronaut Neil Armstrong was donated to the Armstrong Museum by Kevin Hayward, president/ CEO of Ox Industries. It was announced it would arrive in the county in August.
On July 24, it was announced the Auglaize County Fair would go on as planned. On July 28, Dewine announced full fairs were prohibited while Junior Fairs could continue. Despite being blindsided by the 11th hour announcement, Auglaize County Fair officials changed gears to adapt to the new regulation.
August
The county fair — Junior Fair — opened on the first after months of planning and replanning. Mask wearing was required, as was social distancing in shows but the livestock shows do go on.
Cridersville officials cancelled the annual Jamboree, typically a July event that had been postponed to September. It is the first time in 56 years the Jamboree wasn’t held.
As the November election drew closer, two teenagers were charged with vandalizing presidential yard signs. The signs supporting Democratic nominee Joe Biden were spray painted and torn.
The Learjet once flown by Astronaut Neil Armstrong flew into the Armstrong Airport, where it is being stored until a permanent home at the Armstrong Museum can be established. The donated plane was flown by pilot Jim Dinan and former astronaut and Armstrong Museum board member Greg Johnson.
Gov. Mike Dewine tested positive for the coronavirus, preventing him from greeting President Trump during a stop in Cleveland. That test was later declared a false positive.
The city opened new pickle ball courts at the site of the former tennis courts across from the middle school. They were made possible from a donation from Scott Moell, owner of Arby’s Restaurant.
A sixth COVID- 19 death was reported in Auglaize County midmonth as survivors of the coronavirus started to tell their stories of what it was like to contract the disease.
City council began to explore authorizing a Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area — or DORA — which would allow patrons to consume alcohol outside an establishment in an official DORA cup. The legislation eventually passed and DORA debuted the first weekend in November.
Auglaize County Extension Agent Jeff Stachler left his position in Auglaize County
to move to North Dakota with this new wife and family. At this time that position remains unfilled.
The first of a couple marches were held in Wapakoneta late in the month — Mark Foor led one to share his group’s views on the coronavirus and mail- in voting.
Wapakoneta City Schools opened their doors for the new school year, with more students opting to be in the classroom than attend class virtually. Masks had been ordered worn by the governor and new hand sanitizing stations and distanced desk placements greeted students on their arrival. After less than a week in class, students began to be quarantined, a process that kept school administrators hopping for the remainder of the calendar year.
September
This month saw the closing of Willipie Street to accommodate the continuing West Benton Street construction. While residents on Perry and West Benton had to live with construction throughout most of the spring and summer, the Willipie Street closing allowed work to continue east to the railroad tracks.
County officials continued to offer coronavirus grant funds through the Restart Auglaize County project, funded with CARES grant funds.
Fryburg officials held their annual homecoming, albeit as a drive- thru, offering the traditional turtle soup in to- go containers.
Labor Day weekend was also when a blue line was painted on Auglaize Street, a project of the Breakfast Optimists with the blessing of Mayor Tom Stinebaugh, to honor local law enforcement.
A proposed, and very preliminary apartment complex, the brainchild of Nick Kennedy of Flexarm and designed to be built north of the Acres, drew opposition after Kennedy met with county commissioners to outline plans. Neighbors in the area shared their concerns with commissioners.
The annual Servant’s Day event was held, and projects were limited this year to outdoor work to help keep everyone involved healthy.
Work on the Heritage Parkway project began to draw to a close as the final touches, including the installation of the wrought- iron archway was accomplished. The gazebo was completed and the roadway paved and striped in time to be open in December.
An art installation featuring Astronaut Neil Armstrong was dedicated on Sept. 20, a gift from artist John Cerney, who is well- know for the free- standing “murals” he creates. Located on the Bill and Marty Shaw property along U. S. 33 just east of Wapakoneta, the piece features an image of the moon as well as Armstrong in his space suit.
Gabriel Shaner of Love More Ministries, planned a prayer march in Wapakoneta on Sept. 26, an event that was overshadowed when Black Lives Matter protestors walked into the city. The loud, but mostly peaceful, demonstration attracted supporters of President Donald Trump, who attempted to shout down the BLM participants, as well as use their car horns to silence the chanting.