At the close of another year of local news coverage by the BG Independent News, here’s a look back at some of the most important, most-read and most-liked stories of 2023.
While important national and international news was filled with wars and crime stories, the local news of importance revolved more around issues that impacted the people and community. Here are just a few, minus the police and sheriff’s reports that often capture our attention.
‘The community spoke’ on the $72.8M school bond issue
Bowling Green City Schools accomplished something it hadn’t been able to do in seven years. A $72.8 million bond issue for a new high school received the support of the community in November’s general election, passing 6,296 (59%) to 4,451 (41%) votes.
Four previous attempts to pass school levies to replace aging school buildings had failed. Not without critics throughout the campaign, the difference this time may be tied to a variety of variables including transparency, a strong foundation of family and community support, new district leadership, a detailed building plan and a request for state help. Read more.
Out with the old and in with the new
Talk of a new city building had been in the works for decades. The one-time school, then library, then city building had outgrown its functionality long ago.
With a nod to the historical significance of the former Bowling Green Post Office and Wood County Senior Center, the new building is more user- and worker-friendly.
As Municipal Administrator Lori Tretter said of the new building, “This is the place where bills are processed, permits are issued, plans are engineered, citizen services are administered, fiscal accountability is managed, employees are hired and supported, communications are transmitted, plans are reviewed, housing assistance is processed, technology is deployed and laws are implemented. It is a place where the legislative branch conducts its open meetings and listens to its citizens.”
Wood County Museum had bad start but happy ending to 2023
Cold and blustery weather last Christmas caused major damage to the Wood County Museum. Of the 80 radiators throughout the 155-year-old building, eight of them burst in the frigid conditions, causing significant damage.
After nine months of diligent work to clean up, repair and restore the space and some of the artifacts, the museum opened to the public in October, as captured by Dustin Galish’s video of the event.
A new look for BG Schools leadership
Bowling Green City Schools had a newsworthy year. In addition to the levy for a new high school, there was also an opportunity for new leadership. With former Superintendent Francis Scruci announcing his July retirement, the district stepped into a search for his replacement. The final selection for the new superintendent was Dr. Ted Haselman, who officially started Aug. 1 and quickly ramped up his community outreach.
Three seats on the BG Board of Education were also up for a vote in the fall. Two board members—Jill Carr and Ginny Stewart— chose not to run for re-election, and incumbent member Tracy Hovest’s term was up. Seven candidates vied for the three seats, with the final decision coming down to a recount, with Tracy Hovest, Peggy Thompson and Howard “Ardy” Gonyer as the three winning candidates.
The project that seemed like it would never end
What started as a water, sewer and roadway project in September 2022 on West Wooster Street and Haskins Road, created travel and access issues beyond its projected June 2023 completion date. More closures were announced in late July 2024. Once the water and sewer work was completed, the road paving wrapped up the project and the roads were ready for normal traffic.
Designing the future at BGSU
With the help of two 1968 graduates, Bowling Green State University’s Life Design program became fully operational this year. The university opened the Radbill Center for Life Design, named for Geoffrey Radbill and Michael and Sara Kuhlin Hub for Career Design and Connections. The university sees the Life Design program as a way to differentiate itself from its competitors. That as well as investments in in-demand programs in nursing, physical therapy, aviation, and engineering are the key to BGSU’s future as a residential university.
The last waltz for a downtown BG institution
July 28, 2023, was a sad day for Bowling Green area music lovers. Finders Records, the iconic record store on Main Street, closed for good after a 52-year run. Owner Greg Halamay had been hoping to find a buyer for the store as he contemplated retirement. After a year of searching, he decided at the end of July that “The Time Had Come.” The shop still functions as an online operation while Halamay continues to seek a buyer for the store.
A new curve for BG drivers
Talk of a new East Wooster Street roundabout started earlier this year and the pro and con comments followed on social media. Construction started in March, and by early August, drivers were able to learn to navigate the multi-lane roundabout at East Wooster and Campbell Hill Drive.
All about the arts–Black Swamp Arts
A year in review for Bowling Green wouldn’t be complete without mentioning the Black Swamp Arts Festival. According to David Dupont’s wrap-up article, this year’s festival—the 30th—“delivered a hometown celebration for the record books.”
Feature stories that make us smile
Every year there are important stories that dominate the news and impact our lives. BG Independent readers also know the value of stories that are uplifting or leave us with a smile. Most of those stories are about people, the local organizations that make life better or art and entertainment that touches our souls.
Some of the feature stories that brought smiles to our faces in 2023 and were among the most-read included:
Farewell to a long-time, four-wheel family member
Beverly Miner and her husband Bob purchased a 1954 Chevy Bel Air more than 55 years ago when the car was already 14 years old. Over the years, Bob, who passed away in 2022, had maintained the vintage vehicle to perfection.
Though the car had become a beloved family member, Beverly knew its upkeep would be difficult for her, so she decided it was time to let it go in 2023. Jan Larson McLaughlin shared with readers one more of Beverly’s memorable jaunts before selling the car.
Lennon’s lover sets the record straight in photos and words
Popular culture and a fascination with stars were the reasons May Pang wanted to set the record straight about her “The Lost Weekend” with John Lennon. Their relationship, which actually spanned much more than a weekend, is described in David Dupont’s story about the pop-up photography show at River House Arts in Toledo.
Tale of a local legend has a happy ending
Abelin Conde was known in Bowling Green as “Texas,” or as the kind-hearted man who rode his three-wheeled bicycle covered in American flags around the community.
In the end, it was his adopted community that rallied to make sure his final resting place was where he had traversed for decades.
Who doesn’t love a good garage sale?
Each year hundreds of treasure seekers scour the aisles of the Wood County Humane Society’s Garage Sale looking for items they can’t live without. Each year, the deals might include household items, collectibles, crafts, hardware, lawn and garden items, furniture, toys, books and clothing.
The sale is one of the humane society’s largest fundraisers that provide for the care of more than 700 animals housed in the Minnebelle Conley Shelter, a no-kill human shelter on Van Camp Road in Bowling Green.
Local community helped Jack Smith reach his goal
Thanks to a caring young man and a generous community, the Brown Bag Food Project’s shelves were stocked a lot more this holiday season. Jack Smith, 12, was able to keep his promise to double last year’s donations to the organization this year. His mother, Ellen Fure Smith, reported they delivered 1,211 items this week.
BG Independent introduces podcast in 2023
Dustin Galish, BG Independent’s multimedia journalist, has contributed videos to the local news outlet for several years. This year, he suggested adding a podcast to the offerings, and the idea has resonated across audiences. To date, he has produced eight podcasts:
- The inaugural podcast with David Dupont and Jan Larson McLaughlin about the importance of local journalism;
- A conversation about the history of the Wood County Fair with Julie Carle;
- Listening to Maria Simon of the Wood County District Public Library talk about children’s literature;
- An interview with long-time Black Swamp Arts Festival reporter David Dupont;
- A talk with Gordon Ricketts, a local artist and muralist ;
- A conversation with Kathy Mull of The Cocoon, a domestic and sexual violence shelter;
- A heart-to-heart chat with Father Christmas;
- A conversation with author/illustrator/musician Susan Montgomery about how creation helps the healing process.
Stories with the most thumbs up
Readers who weigh in on BG Independent stories via Facebook with a thumbs up or a heart help us know what stories resonate, touch a heartstring or impact them the most.
Viral did not exactly describe the reactions to our stories, but there were definitely more than a handful of stories that were liked and shared in greater numbers.
In general, news about local residents, Bowling Green area businesses, and other community happenings garnered the most likes. There were 62 stories from the past year that reached at least 150 likes.
A little surprising fact was the number of people who consistently liked the stories about the historic buildings of the month from the “Grand old girl” on West Wooster Street and Cla-Zel to the former county children’s home and the church reborn as a house.
The top 15 stories in 2023 that recorded more than 330 likes on Facebook were:
15. The final cut: Loring Todd to retire after 60 years as BG barber, 334 likes, April 15.
14. Dilly of a week celebrates Yana Patel’s birthday, 337 likes, Nov. 14
13. BG Canopy Tree Project grows with $415,000 grant, 358 likes, Nov. 1
12. Nigerian-born painter Said Oladejo-Lawal wins top Black Swamp Fest art award for second time, 381 likes, Sept. 9
11. How sweet it was – the Cookie Jar to bake up its last batches on Saturday, 386 likes, Feb. 23
10. Welcome home – Brennan transforms house on Eberly Avenue into bed & breakfast, 388 likes, Dec. 13
9. Driving range to be converted into wildlife habitat through BGSU collaboration with Toledo Zoo, 394 likes, April 25
8. Thompsons nail down purchase of Main Street Ace Hardware, 408 likes, Jan. 13
7. Recipe for success – Pirooz turns over Easystreet Café to restauranteurs Emmerich and Gonyer, 438 likes, Oct. 9
6. Field named to honor BGSU rugby pioneer Mazzarrella, 502 likes, May 6 (also 339 likes on April 26 preview article)
5. BG to host ‘Food Truck Thursdays’ this summer in Wooster Green, 510 likes, May 2
4.Community is the cherry on the top for new Dairy Queen Owners, 519 likes, Aug. 23
3. Former BG Runner in top 2% Boston Marathon, 540 likes, April 20
2. Jon Waters to lead 400 band directors in Macy’s Parade salute to music education, 807 likes, Nov. 22
1. The wait is over—BG’s Culver’s is open, 847 likes, May 1
