Chill delays Seltzer pool opening | Shelby youths build basketball skills | Ohio farmers report gains | 1 obituary | more

By David Jacobs

May 21, 2025

Chilly temps push back start of pool season

Cool weather is delaying the 2025 opening date for Shelby's Seltzer municipal swimming pool by a week.

The pool is set to open for the 2025 summer season on May 31, if temperatures climb above 70 degrees, pool staff announced on Tuesday.

The pool will not open for swimming during Memorial Day weekend due to cold weather, the Seltzer pool leadership reported. A May 31 opening would be a week later than initially anticipated.

The Seltzer municipal swimming pool is shown on May 19. (Photo by David Jacobs)

The facility plans to be open this Saturday, Sunday and Monday for residents to purchase pool passes and pay for reserved party dates, Tuesday’s announcement via Facebook said. Staff will be cleaning and setting up the facility throughout the weekend in preparation for the season.

As of May 20, the Shelby weather forecast called for daily highs in the 60s through May 27.

COMMUNITY

Shelby youngsters work on basketball skills

Thank you to Shelby's Connie Roub for sharing these photos, provided on Tuesday, of a special basketball camp at Shelby High School.

The three-day event is for grades 1-6. Photos include Shelby boys varsity basketball coach Greg Gallaway talking to the youngsters.

Coaches, including longtime Shelby assistant Todd Kehres, and high school players are helping Coach Gallaway with the camp. Coach Gallaway led the Whippets to the state Final Four in 2024.

EDUCATION

Shelby students honored by district

Pre-kindergarten through second-graders were featured in the "Student Spotlight" at the Shelby Board of Education meeting on Monday evening.

They were honored for their success in school, attitudes, helpfulness to fellow students, kindness, and numerous other positive attributes as Shelby students.

Family and friends were in the audience at the David A. Jones Little Theater of the district administration/school board building for the event. Student Spotlight is considered "special business" by the school board.

Principal Kelly Kuhn introduced all students in attendance. The youngsters had their individual photos taken and were presented with certificates on stage by school board member Brad Ream. A group photo was then taken.

Students in the spotlight:

PK-2

-- Davyn Ball

-- Jackson Hayhurst

-- Zane Schroeder

First grade

-- Madeline Carpenter

-- Carsen Crosby

-- Leiland Floro

Kindergarten

-- Teddy Anderson

-- Kymari Commodore

-- Nolan Duncan

-- Brycen Hansen

Preschool

-- Ja'Nyla Stanford

-- Deacon Stephens

"Parents, thank you for bringing your kids tonight so that we can see what great kids they are, for allowing us to honor them this month," Shelby Schools Superintendent Michael Browning said.

The students take the stage for a group photo on Monday evening at the Shelby Board of Education meeting. Earlier, each student was introduced to the audience on Monday. (Photos by David Jacobs)(Photo by David Jacobs)

REGION

Jackson Township shares updates on range of topics

JACKSON TOWNSHIP — Trustees Mark Wright, Kevin Alt and Randy Boyce approved participation in both the Richland County road salt purchase program and the vector control agreement from Richland County Public Health, with funding for mosquito control not to exceed $2,500.

The May 6 session is documented thoroughly in the official meeting minutes, which serve as a detailed record of the township’s operational and financial decisions.

Chairman Wright presented both items during new business at the May 6 session.

The view from the Jackson Township government grounds, looking toward Taylortown Community Church. (Photo by David Jacobs)

The road superintendent’s special report noted work completed in various areas:

-- ditch cleaning on Springmill North Road

-- 50 feet of tile installation on Smiley Road, plus another 35 feet later

-- cold patching on Laser Road

-- removal of a salt spreader and installation of a berm box

-- painting of a Freightliner rear hitch and bumper

-- mowing of township and cemetery grounds, and cemetery weeding

In addition, Coleman Asphalt was doing crack-sealing work in the township.

A major annual event, Jackson Township's spring cleanup (held April 25-26) was reported to have gone very well.

"The trustees would like to thank everyone for their help," the township reported.

During public input, local resident Dave Yetzer asked about a legal service appropriation transfer from the previous meeting. Yetzer asked whether mosquito control would include ticks. Jackson Township Fiscal Officer Marty Penwell said she would check on that.

The trustees also approved financial reports, including fund status and receipt items, purchase orders 53 through 57, electronic fund transfers 73 through 87, and vouchers 23356 through 23366.

Minutes from the April 15 session were approved as well.

AGRICULTURE

Ohio farmers make progress

Ohio’s corn planting remained behind average levels for mid-May, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service reports this week.

Some highlights:

— Corn was 34 percent planted as of the week ending May 18, compared to 45 percent at this time last year and a five-year average of 48 percent. Corn emergence stood at 22 percent.

— Soybeans were 40 percent planted, up from 25 percent last week. Emergence reached 24 percent.

— Oats were 87 percent planted and 79 percent emerged. Both categories outpaced their five-year averages of 86 percent and 69 percent.

Winter wheat was 94 percent jointed and 33 percent headed as of the week ending May 18. Last year at this time, 97 percent was jointed and 65 percent was headed.

— The first cutting of alfalfa hay was 5 percent complete. Other hay was 2 percent cut.

— Soil moisture remained high, with 100 percent of topsoil and subsoil rated adequate or surplus.

— Ohio's winter wheat condition was rated 66 percent good to excellent. Oats were rated 78 percent good to excellent. Pasture and range conditions were 76 percent good to excellent.