Lauren Shows was born to a preacher and a preacher's wife, and spent the majority of her earliest childhood years rollin' 'round the bible belt, to end up in Panama City, Florida. After graduating from Florida State University in Tallahassee, she spent the next several months in existential crisis, making lattes for snowbirds and spring-breakers, before moving to Kentucky to get an MFA in writing from Spalding University. A chance meeting at Spalding landed her in Yellow Springs. She was graciously hired by the News, though her only previous dealing with newspaper publication was in third grade, when she wrote a story about a bunch of skeletons rising from the dead on Halloween, which was printed in the Owenton News-Herald. Lauren enjoys cheese, giant squid, and Michael J. Fox.

• Sister Trillium celebrates one year

  By Lauren ShowsJune 27, 2025

  

  After a year in their brick-and-mortar space, Sister Trillium is preparing to celebrate with a First Anniversary Art Show and Silent Auction, set for Friday, June 27, 6–9 p.m., at the YS Brewery’s Barrel Room.

• Township Trustees appoint new fire chief

  By Lauren Shows

  

  The Miami Township Trustees voted unanimously during their regular meeting Monday, June 16, to appoint James R. Cannell Jr. as fire chief to head up Miami Township Fire-Rescue.

• ‘Feel It All’ with Yellow Springs-based GravityWorks Circus

  By Lauren ShowsJune 25, 2025

  

  The local aerial arts school will present “Feel It All,” its second ensemble performance, Friday and Saturday, June 27 and 28, at 7 p.m., and Sunday, June 29, at 2 p.m., at the Foundry Theater on the Antioch College campus.

• Documentary highlights Wheeling Gaunt sculpture

  By Lauren ShowsJune 20, 2025

  

  “The Wheeling Gaunt Sculpture Project,” a 21-minute film documenting the creation of the village’s tribute to local 19th-century philanthropist and formerly enslaved man Wheeling Gaunt, will be screened Saturday, June 21, at 2 p.m. at the Little Art Theatre, followed by a Q&A moderated by Kevin McGruder. Admission is free.

• Local leaders sound alarm on HB 335, budget bill

  By Lauren ShowsJune 19, 2025

  

  The Village of Yellow Springs and YS Schools this week joined a host of other local governance bodies across the state in sounding the alarm about the effects of the recently introduced House Bill 335 and the soon-to-be-passed state budget, and asking residents to make their voices heard to state legislators before June 24 in response.

• A podcast for the art-curious

  By Lauren ShowsJune 18, 2025

  

  Last week, folks tuned into WCSU-FM Jazzy 88.9 during Thursday’s evening drive-time would have heard a voice familiar to many in the village floating through the airwaves and from their speakers.

• Mad River Theater Works’ world-changing show

  By Lauren ShowsJune 13, 2025

  

  Mad River Theater Works youth summer residency program participants will perform “Everybody Wants to Change the World” Friday, June 13, at 7 p.m. at the Foundry Theater. 

• Neighbors sound off on proposed 84-acre annexation

  By Lauren ShowsJune 12, 2025

  

  At public meetings on Monday, June 2, a group of residents who live on and near the section of East Enon Road south of the high school came before the public bodies to express their concerns about potential annexation of nearby land into the Village of Yellow Springs.

• Strawberry Fest — A long, strong community tradition

  By Lauren Shows

  

  As it heads into its 72nd anniversary, First Presbyterian Church’s annual Strawberry Fest remains one of the longest-running community events in the village; it returns Friday, June 13, 6–9 p.m., on the church grounds.

• Miami Township Trustees talk finances, upcoming levy, solar

  By Lauren ShowsJune 10, 2025

  

  At their regular meeting Monday, June 2, the Miami Township Trustees discussed Township finances, a renewal levy that will go before voters in November and a recent public meeting about utility-scale solar.