As 2025 comes to a close, Logan County residents experienced a year full of milestones, challenges, and memorable moments.
RTC Services Ends Public Transportation
In January, RTC Services officially ended public transportation through the Ohio Department of Transportation on January 17, 2025.
The company continues to provide limited transportation in Logan County for eligible riders.
RTC described it as “an honor to serve the Logan County community in this capacity for the last 10 years” and said it would continue seeking ways to meet local transportation needs.
Benjamin Logan Raiders Boys Bowling Make History
In March, the Benjamin Logan Raiders boys bowling team captured its first-ever Division 2 State Championship at HP Lanes in Columbus.
After finishing the qualifying round in 7th place with a total score of 3,972, the Raiders advanced to the Championship round.
Key individual performances included:
- Jarrett Buckenroth, 738 series, First Team All-State, 4th in D2 statewide.
- Landon Stoodt, 691 series, All-State Honorable Mention, 12th in the state.
- Caleb Knight, 608 series.
- Nate Dave, 502 series.
- Dylan Stewart, solid 226 game.
The Raiders defeated top-seeded teams, including Mechanicsburg, Northwestern, and Marion Pleasant in thrilling matches, clinching the deciding game 270-257 to secure the program’s first D2 State Championship.
Cobblestone Hotels Open in Bellefontaine and Indian Lake
In May, a new lodging option opened in the Indian Lake region when the Cobblestone Hotel & Suites officially held a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
The event, hosted by the Indian Lake and Logan County Chambers of Commerce, featured local dignitaries, investors, and community members.
The hotel offers over 50 guest rooms, some designed for extended stays, a saline indoor pool, a business center, and complimentary breakfast.
In June, the Cobblestone Hotel & Suites in Bellefontaine welcomed its first guests, providing travelers with a 100% smoke-free facility, an indoor pool, fitness center, 24-hour Seattle’s Best Coffee, and an on-site marketplace.
The hotel is also dog-friendly, with accessible rooms, meeting space, and guest laundry.
District Manager Cara Rose highlighted amenities such as flat-screen TVs, mini-fridges, coffee makers, and extra outlets near beds and desks.
Cobblestone Hotels, based in Neenah, Wisconsin, currently has 165 locations open or under construction across the U.S., with a focus on bringing “Big City Quality, Small Town Values” to rural communities.
Bellefontaine Annexation Vetoed
In late June, the Bellefontaine City Council upheld Mayor Dave Crissman’s veto of a proposed annexation of more than 200 acres on the north side of town, which would have allowed the Duff family to pursue solar development.
The council vote fell short of the two-thirds majority needed to override the veto, ending months of debate.
Councilwoman Jenna James opposed the measure after hearing from constituents, and Councilmen John Aler and Kyle Springs voted no, consistent with prior positions.
Grange Solar Grazing Center Withdrawn
Also in February, the Grange Solar Grazing Center project in the Indian Lake Region was withdrawn by Open Road Renewables after the Ohio Power Siting Board staff recommended denial of its application for a Certificate of Environmental Compatibility and Public Need.
Doug Herling, Vice President of Open Road Renewables, said the project had been designed to protect soil, water, air, and biodiversity while balancing agriculture, economic, and community interests.
They claimed the project would have created jobs, tax revenue, and new agricultural opportunities, but it was ultimately halted due to local opposition.
Tragic Drowning at Adventure Trails Campground
In early September, 28-year-old Cody Johnson of Marysville drowned at Adventure Trails Campground in Bellefontaine.
Johnson had been canoeing with his girlfriend’s 5-year-old daughter when the canoe began taking on water.
Rescue attempts by bystanders and deputies were unsuccessful, and Johnson’s body was recovered later that evening using sonar equipment.
Authorities reported he was not wearing a life jacket and was not a strong swimmer, prompting a large multi-agency search effort.
Holland Theatre Unveils New Marquee
At the end of July, Downtown Bellefontaine got a brighter look when the Holland Theatre lit up its new marquee for the first time.
The marquee is a redesign of the original 1931 theatre and the first outside the building since the 1950s.
Funding for the project came from local businesses, community contributors, and a matching donation from the Jeffris Family Foundation.
The theatre also announced Lance Schmidt as its new Executive Director.
A Bellefontaine High School graduate and New York Film Academy alumnus, Schmidt has previously worked with the theatre, including organizing the Dutch Tilt Film Festival.
Board member Jason Vogel highlighted new equipment upgrades such as projectors, a lighting scissor lift, and enhanced technology for stage and film productions.
Indian Lake Football Makes History
In late November, Indian Lake High School football reached the Division V State Semifinal for the first time in program history.
The Lakers faced Liberty Center, falling 42-10 in a hard-fought match.
Indian Lake opened the game with a field goal from Avery Pequignot for a 3-0 lead, but Liberty Center responded quickly.
Despite a late first-half touchdown pass from Brady Golliday to Gavin Henry, Liberty Center dominated early in the third quarter and eventually sealed the victory.
Indian Lake finished the season 11-3, with notable performances from Brady Golliday (222 passing yards, 1 touchdown), Brodey Reisinger (134 receiving yards), and Gavin Henry (74 receiving yards, 1 touchdown).
The team celebrated its first trip to a State Semifinal, marking a historic season for the program.
Kenton Quint Sentenced in March Murder Case
In early December, 67-year-old Kenton Quint of Bellefontaine pleaded guilty to murdering his wife, Wanda Quint, 68, at their Clagg Street home on March 18, 2025.
Under a plea agreement, firearm charges were dropped.
Authorities reported that Quint had admitted to the shooting during a 911 call, and evidence—including surveillance video and phone records—showed the murder was premeditated.
During the hearing, family members gave emotional victim impact statements.
Logan County Judge Kevin Braig sentenced Quint to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 25 years.
Logan County Prosecutor Eric Stewart noted that the resolution took into account the brutality of the offense, the threat Quint posed to the community, and the desire to spare the family from further trauma through a trial.
Assistant Prosecutors Erin Rosen and Nathan Yohey represented the state, while Quint was defended by Marc Triplett and attorneys from the Ohio Public Defender’s Office, Randall Porter and Kathryn Sandford.
Bellefontaine Examiner Publishes Final Edition
On December 13, the Bellefontaine Examiner published its final newspaper, ending 135 years of continuous service to the Logan County community.
The closure marked the end of five generations of Hubbard family ownership, dating back to the founding of The Weekly Examiner in 1871.
The final edition paid tribute to staff, contributors, delivery personnel, local advertisers, and the community that supported the paper for generations.
The Examiner was recognized as one of the rare family-owned businesses operating continuously for more than a century, representing just 0.003 percent of U.S. businesses.
These stories represent some of the most significant events shaping Logan County in 2025.
