Episode 17: Stephanie Ernest | Bath School Board

In this episode of Local Exchange, we sit down with Stephanie Ernst, a member of the Bath Local School District Board of Education, to talk about the proposed Bath High School project that is expected to be on the ballot in May.

We discuss how the project came together, the planning process so far, and the role the school board plays in long-term facilities and financial decisions. Stephanie shares insight into what the board is hearing from the community, common questions residents have raised, and the importance of transparency throughout the process.

She also encourages residents to attend board meetings, share their thoughts, and ultimately come out and vote so the board can clearly understand how the community feels about a potential new high school.

This conversation is intended to help listeners better understand the project, the process behind it, and the decisions facing the district as Bath Local Schools looks toward the future.

Episode 16: Chief Miller’s Hearing Results

In this episode, Matt and I react to the outcome of Chief Austin Miller’s termination hearing, where all charges against him were dismissed with prejudice. We share our immediate thoughts on what the decision means for the fire department, the township, and the community, and discuss the broader implications moving forward.

We share our thoughts on the federal lawsuit filed by Shawnee Township Fire Chief Austin Miller and discuss what it could mean for the township, the fire department, and the community. The conversation focuses on potential implications, the legal process, and why this situation matters moving forward.

Episode 14: Chris Cross - Treasurer of Shawnee Schools

In this episode, we sit down with Chris Cross, Treasurer of Shawnee Schools, to discuss the financial landscape of the district. We cover the history behind Shawnee’s past deficit spending, the plan now in place to stabilize the budget, and what the community should understand about how school funding works.

Chris walks us through the challenges of maintaining aging buildings, the findings of past facility studies, and what decisions may shape the future of Shawnee’s school buildings. We also talk about property taxes, state funding formulas, transportation costs, and long-term financial planning.

Episode 13: Todd Washam : Shawnee School Board VP

In this episode we talk with Todd Washam, Vice President of the Shawnee School Board, about the key issues facing Shawnee Schools. We discuss efforts to improve academics, classroom sizes, staffing challenges, aging facilities, and how the board approaches long-term planning for the district’s future.

Episode 12: Shawnee Township November meetings review. Jon and Matt discuss the pre-disciplinary meeting of Chief Austin Miller on November 24th and the November Trustee meeting.

Episode 11: In this episode Matt sits down with Mark Triplett, Head Boys Basketball Coach at Shawnee High School and they discuss a wide variety of things young athletes and coaches deal with during the season, and preview what to look forward to this upcoming season.

Episode 10: Kelly Martino

In this episode of The Local Exchange, Jon and Matt sit down with Kelly Martino, head of fundraising for the Shawnee Stadium Capital Campaign. Kelly shares the history behind the stadium project, how the effort began, and the challenges and community teamwork that have kept it moving forward.

They also talk about the many ways people can get involved, including sponsoring bricks, advertising, and supporting local events, along with the growth of Shawnee’s youth football program and the many other groups who now use the new facility. Throughout the conversation, Kelly highlights her deep involvement in the community and the shared pride that makes Shawnee special.

Learn more or donate at shawneecapitalcampaign.com (https://www.shawneecapitalcampaign.com/).

Episode 9: Election Results Recap

In this episode of The Local Exchange, Jon and Matt break down the results of the recent Shawnee Township election — with Kenny Gross and Paul Neff set to take office as trustees in January. They look at voting trends, turnout, and how social media engagement stacked up against the final numbers. The conversation also turns toward what’s next for the community, including key questions around the Fire Chief position, dispatch services, and the new school project. Plus, updates on the upcoming Roundabout Christmas event, Shawnee’s playoff matchup at Wapak, and a message of gratitude and optimism for both outgoing and incoming township leaders.

In this episode of Local Exchange, we sit down with Tug Taviano, a lifelong Lima native, community connector, and event organizer known for bringing people together through faith, music, and service.

Tug shares his personal journey, from his early days in the community to building meaningful relationships with athletes, musicians, and community leaders through Unicent Marketing. We talk about the lessons he has learned from a life of service, his approach to event planning, and how faith continues to guide everything he does.

We also dive into Tug’s health and fitness transformation, his passion for giving back, and his excitement for upcoming local events including the Rhett Walker Family Christmas Tour (https://www.eventbrite.com/e/rhett-walker-family-christmas-tour-tickets-1916537127139) coming to Lima.

Watch or listen to the full conversation to hear Tug’s perspective on what makes Northwest Ohio special, what our community can still improve on, and how staying grounded in purpose can open doors you never expected.