This column first ran over a year ago, but with the recent passing of Rev. Jesse Jackson, I felt moved to share it once more. My brief encounter with him shaped me in ways I didn’t fully understand at the time, and it left me with three lessons that have guided every chapter of my career: 1.       Don’t judge first impressions. 2.       Always stand up for what you believe in. 3.       One person truly can make the world better — Rev. Jackson proved that. I was 19, working at

In an alarming move, Amazon has quietly introduced an AI-powered tool “Buy For Me” which integrates product-based websites directly to Amazon, and customers order without leaving Amazon. Retailers did not consent, nor were they notified until orders and customer reviews went off the rails. On the surface, that might make you feel good for “shopping small.” As a small business owner, I’m here to help you dig in beyond the surface and realize why this is a problem. By day, I am

As the old year winds down, many individuals think about what they would like to do in the new year, and hitting the gym is on the top of many lists.  Defiance County has the right gym to meet any needs or resolutions. Here’s a look at some of the gyms and fitness centers the county has to offer.  Defiance Area YMCA , 1599 Palmer Dr., Defiance “We want our community to know that the YMCA exists to strengthen every person who walks through our doors in body, mind and spirit,”

Defiance County Economic Development is proud to announce the groundbreaking on a major new investment that reinforces our region’s momentum and long-term growth. A Packaging Group (APG) has committed $25 million toward a significant expansion project that will bring new jobs, new facilities, and new opportunities to Defiance County. A groundbreaking ceremony was held on December 17, 2025, with representatives from APG, City of Defiance Mayor Mike McCann, Rupp Rosebrock Inc.,

My favorite Christmas movie? Hands down — Elf with Will Ferrell. One year, I was watching it with my three daughters, and we got to the part where Buddy the Elf is heading to New York to meet his biological dad. Just before he leaves the North Pole, a deep-voiced Narwhal pops out of the icy water and says, “Buddy, I hope you find your dad!” I turned to my girls and said, “Wouldn’t it be cool if Narwhals were real?” Cue the laughter. “Uh, Mom… they ARE real.” I was defiant. “O

President Trump recently proposed a 50-year mortgage, and it’s already stirring up debate—from Wall Street boardrooms to coffee shops in Defiance County. Shared via Truth Social, the idea casts him as a modern-day FDR—who popularized the 30-year mortgage—suggesting this new term could unlock homeownership for more Americans. But is it a game-changer for rural communities, or just another headline? A 50-year mortgage would stretch payments over five decades, lowering monthly c

Pictured: Megan Strausbaugh, Stan Strausbaugh, Sue Strausbaugh with the Big B Cup Award “It’s hard to say there’s a better Biggby story than this.” – Michael McFall, Co-CEO and Co-Founder of Biggby Coffee. After nearly twenty years in business, The Strausbaugh Family has been honored with the highest recognition a Biggby Coffee owner/operator can receive- The Big B Cup Award. Presented at the 2025 Biggby Coffee Annual Conference, this award is hand-selected by Biggby Co-CEOs

Executive Director Monthly Column: I was watching the morning news when a story came on about the rising trend of AI girlfriends and boyfriends—apparently, they’re becoming popular with both teens and adults. I glanced over at my 17-year-old daughter and asked if she’d heard of it. She gave me that classic teen side-eye and said, “Uh—yeah, that’s a thing,” like I’d just discovered texting. These AI boyfriends and girlfriends engage in personalized conversations, remember det

Defiance County is a place of quiet beauty and vibrant community, no matter the season. Winter hushes the landscape under a blanket of...

Defiance County Released the 2024 Community Health Assessment: What does the health of Defiance County residents look like? POWER...

DEFIANCE, OH – This fall, Defiance welcomed a class of over 300 new students marking the College’s third-largest incoming class since...

Keeping a sense of home and community is something everyone wants for their loved ones as they get older. Legacy Living Defiance, a new retirement and assisted living facility, is working to create such an atmosphere at its location on Latchaw Drive in Defiance. “Our culture is truly different,” stated Iyan Pelfree, leasing director of Legacy Living. He emphasized that individuals with Legacy Living take into account the culture of families and communities while working to cr

Defiance, OH — August 21, 2025  — Tessenderlo Kerley, Inc. has officially opened its newest liquid fertilizer production plant in Defiance, Ohio, marking a major leap forward in sustainable agriculture for North America. Photo by Tessenderlo Kerley Strategically built on a 50-acre site, the advanced facility will manufacture key crop nutrients—Thio-Sul®, KTS®, and K-Row 23®—to support growers across the U.S. and Canada. This expansion not only boosts cross-border access to hi

As the Yellow Jackets get ready to return to Defiance College, it’s important to remember they can buzz around more than just the campus....

Whenever I walk into a local restaurant or business, people don’t recognize me as the Economic Development Director for Defiance County....

When it comes to community legacies, Defiance County residents are legends in their own right. Having a community legacy means living...

It could happen with the help of AI. Earlier this month, I was invited to attend the 2025 Jacket Summit at Defiance College. The Summit...

A leading full-service mechanical contracting firm has announced plans for a new facility in Defiance, Ohio, to meet increased demand and significant growth opportunities within the industry. (News Release From RGP) Titan Mechanical has purchased a new facility that will add 30,000 square feet of fabrication space. The company is investing more than $3 million and creating 24 new jobs, allowing it to have a larger footprint in the western corridor of the 17-county region. Ti