The Yellow Springs News • An Independent source of community news in Yellow Springs, Ohio since 1880

Superintendent Dr. Terri Holden gave the annual "State of the Schools" address at an Oct. 30 meeting. (Video still)

District talks state report card

District enrollment this fall stands at 608 students, with about 36% of students qualifying for free and reduced lunch. Roughly 17% of district students are identified with disabilities.

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Web Features

Villager pleads guilty to murder

According to a press release from the Greene County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, Yellow Springs resident Frederick Dane Muenchau-Peterson, 23, pleaded guilty last week to aggravated murder and tampering with evidence.
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Short Street to remain closed

Council member Carmen Brown made a motion to reopen Short Street until Village administration presents a more clear vision of what a permanent community space would look like. Brown and Gavin DeVore Leonard voted in favor of the motion; Brian Housh and Kevin Stokes voted against it.
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Family to conserve 185-acre farmland on Dayton-Yellow Springs Road

A 185-acre farm along Dayton-Yellow Springs Road is actively under contract for purchase by a local family who is working with local farm conservation nonprofit Tecumseh Land Trust to place a conservation easement on the entire farm, thus precluding any future attempts to develop the land in any way.
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Arts (archives)

World House Choir honors the legacy of civil rights fireband Pauli Murray
This weekend, the 10-movement dramatic cantata, “Sincerely Yours, Pauli Murray,” will be performed in Yellow Springs Friday and Sunday, Nov. 7 and 9, and in Cincinnati on Nov. 8.
Hear the voices of women Vietnam vets in ‘We Were There’
The reader’s theater production, adapted by Jane Blakelock, Amy Bennett and Louise Smith, with support from Mad River Theater Works, will be performed Nov. 1 and 2.
Conscience and connection in new sci-fi novel
Set in 2275, “Interwoven” follows Chief Scientist Dr. Tah Morant, conflicted creator of the Deuteron engine, slated to be used in humanity’s last desperate mission off a dying Earth.

Village Schools (archives)

John Gudgel honored for 45 years in YS Schools
“That’s the power of John Gudgel — to see what’s possible when others can’t, to open doors quietly but meaningfully, and to leave generations of students and families better because of his heart,” Assistant Superintendent Megan Winston said.
Young thespians summon spirit of Poe in ‘Shuddersome’
The words of Edgar Allan Poe are set to haunt local audiences this weekend, as Yellow Springs Middle and High School thespians will stage “Shuddersome: Tales of Poe,” a one-hour adaptation of some of Poe’s most chilling works, Friday and Saturday, Oct. 24 and 25, at First Presbyterian Church.
Good news for Mills Lawn Elementary
On Tuesday, Sept. 9, the Bulldog News at Mills Lawn made its first live broadcast since 2020. Now, every school day, a rotating group of four sixth graders — two anchors and two technical crew — go live at 8:05 a.m. in the school’s STEM classroom.

Economy (archives)

Ohio judge rules hemp sales can continue
As the News reported earlier this month, DeWine’s executive order — had it taken effect — would have significantly impacted the business of several downtown Yellow Springs retailers of hemp products.
Planning Commission to consider 190-unit addition to Spring Meadows
According to DDC’s preliminary plat application, which was sent to Planning Commission members on Friday, Nov. 7, 120 of the units will be attached single-family — 12 structures with 10 dwelling units in each — and the remaining 70 units will be detached single-family homes.
‘Intoxicating hemp’ ban blocked, village businesses still in the lurch
"With DeWine’s executive order temporarily blocked, Yellow Springs businesses can continue selling their hemp products under the grace of state law until at least Oct. 28, but beyond that, the future remains unclear."

Village Life (archives)

Yellow Springs responds to SNAP stall
With funding appropriations at a halt, 1.4 million Ohioans were put at risk of losing critical food access on Nov. 1, when SNAP benefits were set to renew for the month — but a number of Yellow Springs organizations have stepped in to keep villagers fed.
Yellow Springs Halloween activities set
In addition to trick-or-treat, neighborhood bonfires — with firewood provided by the YS Public Works Department and hot dogs provided by the YS Police Department — will be hosted at eight locations across the village.
Senior Center and Glen Helen link arms for square dance fundraiser
On Sunday, Oct. 26, from 2–4 p.m., the two nonprofits will co-host a square dance fundraiser at the Glen’s Camp Greene. The event will feature live music from beloved area old-time band The Corndrinkers, with longtime caller Ceal Turnbull leading the dances.

Government (archives)

2026 Election | All issues pass, new faces elected
In local leadership races, Yellow Springers elected a slate of new faces to every local body — Village Council, Miami Township Board of Trustees, Yellow Springs Board of Education and Yellow Springs Mayor.
Village budget projected to be at $558K deficit for 2026
Village Finance Director Michelle Robinson said at Village Council's second and final budget session, Oct. 15, that the projected municipal deficit for 2026 is around $558,100 — down from an earlier estimation of $820,000, and now accounting for several Council special initiatives.
Village Council skeptical on banning conversion therapy in Yellow Springs
At the most recent Village Council meeting, Monday, Oct. 20, several villagers floated the idea of Council one day passing a law that bans conversion therapy within Yellow Springs limits.

Obituaries (archives)

Paul Laurence Herman
Paul Laurence Herman was born Sept. 26, 1951, in New York City.
Ernest Koerlin
Ernest “Ernie” Frederick Koerlin, 86, passed away peacefully on Nov. 7, 2025, in Yellow Springs, Ohio.
Margaret ‘Margrit’ Page Tydings Petrie
Margaret “Margrit” Page Tydings Petrie died peacefully on the morning of Oct. 29, 2025, at Shawnee Estates Senior Living in Xenia, Ohio.
Billy Joe Hahn Jr.
Billy Joe Hahn Jr., lover of life and liberty, left this realm, after a year-long battle with cancer.
Nancy Elizabeth Foster
Nancy Elizabeth Foster was the first of five children born to the holy union of Newton W. and C. Inez (Johnson) Foster on April 22, 1960, in Columbus, Ohio.

Higher Education (archives)

Varlotta takes the helm at Antioch University
When Lori Varlotta took office as the 23rd president of Antioch University on Aug. 11, she jumped right into getting acquainted with Yellow Springs.
New term, new students at Antioch College
For the 2025–2026 academic year, Antioch enrolled 115 degree-seeking students, down from 121 last fall. Of those 115 students, 42 are new to Antioch, 70 are continuing students and three are returning, or re-admitted.
Antioch College steps in as Job Corps future uncertain
Earlier this summer, Antioch College flew 11 young people from the Job Corps program to Yellow Springs, enrolled them in a summer academic program, and gave them dorm rooms, a meal plan, on-campus jobs and a path to pursue four-year degrees.

Sports (archives)

Bulldog Sports Round-Up | Sept. 26, 2025
Yellow Springs continues to lead the Metro Buckeye Conference following three away games that led to two wins and a tie last week.
Bulldog Sports Round-Up | Sept. 19, 2025
The Yellow Springs High School girls soccer team put up a valiant fight against Dixie High School, even though the scoreboard ended in an 8–0 loss.
Bulldog Sports Round-Up | Sept. 12, 2025
Cheers went up for the Bulldogs at their first home game Saturday, Sept. 6; the boys bested Calvary Christian 6–1. Individual stats were not available at press time.