PAULDING – A two-vehicle crash early Wednesday has claimed the life of a Paulding woman.

Dead is Julie Miler, age 28.

According to the Van Wert Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol, the incident occurred at 1:28 a.m. April 24 on US 127 north of Road 162 in Crane Township, north of Paulding.

Miler, driving a 1998 Oldsmobile Intrigue, was northbound on 127 and attempted to pass a northbound 1990 Cadillac Deville driven by Joshua Finfrock, 28, of Paulding. As Miler completed the pass and began to return to the northbound lane, her vehicle struck Finfrock’s car. As a result of the initial collision, both vehicles traveled off the east side of the roadway. Miler’s car struck a utility pole and overturned, coming to rest in a field. Finfrock’s car continued into the field before striking a tree.

Miler was ejected from her car. She was pronounced dead at the scene by the Paulding County coroner.

Finfrock and his passenger, Joseph Vance, age 27, of Paulding, were not injured.

The crash remains under investigation.

The Paulding County Sheriff’s Office, Cecil Fire Department and Paulding Fire Department and EMS assisted at the scene.

For obituary information, click here.

PAULDING – To celebrate Earth Day, Lafarge North America’s Paulding cement plant in Paulding mounted a bat shelter in one of the plant’s several wildlife habitat areas.

OPEN HOUSE FOR NEW BUSINESS – Kelli Bradbury and her mother, Susie Arnold, will soon be opening K&S Tumblefit in Antwerp. They have scheduled an open house for 1-3 p.m. Sunday, April 28 at Vancrest of Antwerp, site of their new business. Anyone interested in tumbling, gymnastics and fitness should make plans to attend the open house. For more information, call 419-506-0418 or 419-506-0427.

By JOE SHOUSE • Correspondent

ANTWERP – Coming off the heels of a successful wine and cheese tasting event that raised $1,500, the Antwerp Community Development Committee (ACDC) continues to aim at working together in making Antwerp a community of pride and togetherness.

By NANCY WHITAKER • Progress Staff Writer

PAULDING – Students from the Paulding County elementary schools of Paulding, Grover Hill, Payne, Payne Divine Mercy, Oakwood and Antwerp took part in the now over 20-year tradition of the annual “Battle of the Books” at the Paulding County Youth Leadership Building on April 16.

PAULDING – Nearly 150 enjoyed the 3rd Annual United Way of Paulding County Luau fundraiser on April 6 at the Paulding Eagles. “Thank you to Eagles for their tremendous support. We couldn’t do this without them,” stated Sarah Sajuan, UWPC special events leader. “We would also like to thank everyone for attending and the contributions we received.”

Many wonderful and fun raffle items were donated by businesses and individuals in the county as well as board members. “We can not thank you enough for these very important contributions to the luau,” executive director Sonya Herber commented.  “It was wonderful to see how individuals came together to support the UWPC and our mission to mobilize the caring power of the community to improve lives. What a GREAT event!”

Special thanks goes to the raffle prize donors: Anna Lee Adams, Antwerp Pharmacy, Baughman Tile, C J Natural Meats, Sue Beck, Travel Services, Carla’s Cut and Curl, Megan Clark, Cooper Farms, Country Times Market, Creamy Dreamy Soap, Fine Jewelry by Ruskaups, Sonya Herber, Kircher’s Flowers, Marilyn’s Petals & Vines, Mary Kay, Casey Cook, Oasis Bar & Grill, Oakwood Rhees’ Market, Papa Oley’s, Paulding County Area Foundation & Marshal Memorial Supporting Foundation, P. C. Senior Center, R & B Fabrications, S&P Miller Excavating, LLC., Rose Shepard, Rosemary Strahm, State Bank & Trust, Stiebeling Farms, Subway in Antwerp & Paulding, and Susie’s Family Bakery.

Winner of the 50/50 was Annette Seibert.

Winners of the raffles were: Kim Boatright, Ernie Crosser, Sonya Herber, Robin Dobbs, Karen Saxton, Tom Diaz, Linda Wisda, Cheri Estle, Will Kelly, Megan Clark, Dennis Clark, Carla Sulfridge, Mary Glass, Debbie Carter, Anna Lee Adams, John Saxton, Edith Sholl, Sandy Burkley, Robert Herber, Marilyn Long, Linda Bostelman, Ruth Williams, Konner Clemens, Bev Bercaw and Jamie Clemens.

Winner of the 32-inch HD flat Screen TV was Brenda Vance from Paulding.

Additional thanks goes to the Junk Yard Band from Fort Wayne for playing their music for this event to make it special. The Junk Yard Band played music recognized by all age groups.

“It certainly was an exciting evening, with everyone dressed in their tropical attire. The decorations were fantastic,” commented Megan Clark, trustee of UWPC. “We had an excellent steak dinner by the Eagles.”

Board members and officers are president George Carter, treasurer Bill Shugars, secretary Erika Willitzer and trustees Anna Lee Adams, Megan Clark, David Fisher, Harvey Hyman, Stephanie Lorentz and Pam Miller. Serving as high school representatives are Nathan Holtsberry, Wayne Trace; Aaron Schneider, Antwerp; and Steven Strayer, Paulding.

The organization special events committee is comprised of Sarah Sajuan, Linda Bostelman, Megan Clark, Anna Lee Adams, Rose Shepard, Sonya Herber and Pam Miller.

Upcoming special events include:

• Saturday, April 27, Day of Caring 9 a.m.-noon in Paulding and Payne, and Saturday, May 4 from 8 a.m.-noon in Antwerp.

• Saturday, May 18, Armed Forces Day event 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Chief Supermarket parking lot.

United Way of Paulding County also will be participating in John Paulding Days, Paulding County Fair, Flat Rock Creek Fall Festival, and a Halloween party and fingerprinting ID kits for kids with Sheriff Jason Landers at the Eagles on Oct. 26.

United Way has received 100 percent of its fund-raising goal of $55,501. Remember, it is not about meeting a goal, it’s about meeting needs. ALL the money raised by United Way of Paulding County STAYS within the county to help Paulding County residents.

To volunteer with special events, please contact the United Way of Paulding County office at 419-399-8240 or email  pcuwdirector@gmail.com.