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.

• 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. 

• Strawberry Fest — A long, strong community tradition

  By Lauren ShowsJune 12, 2025

  

  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.

• Yellow Springs artist fights trans erasure

  By Lauren ShowsJune 8, 2025

  

  In June — Pride Month — villager Iden Crockett unveils “Gender X,” an exhibition featuring gender-nonconforming artists, hosted by Bentino’s Pizza.

• Agraria grows slow and steady

  By Lauren ShowsJune 5, 2025

  

  Over the last two years, Agraria has steadily rebuilt its operations, maintaining a steadfast volunteer base to continue working the farm and restart its educational programming.

• 10-Minute Play Festival returns this weekend at new location

  By Lauren ShowsJune 3, 2025

  

  The annual 10-Minute Play Festival, produced by the YS Theater Company, returns Friday and Saturday, June 6 and 7, beginning at 7 p.m. each evening.

• New Senior Center van to expand programming access

  By Lauren ShowsJune 1, 2025

  

  When the Rev. Dr. Wesley Matthews founded the Senior Center in 1959, it was with a view to enhancing the quality of life for local senior residents. A major part of that view, Executive Director Caroline Mullin told the News this week, was transportation.

• Rescinding previous offer, Township Trustees now commit $50k to land trust

  By Lauren ShowsMay 31, 2025

  

  The Miami Township Trustees again turned discussion at their recent regular meeting Monday, May 19, to setting aside funding to help local nonprofit Tecumseh Land Trust fund conservation easements on farmland just outside the village on Dayton-Yellow Springs Road.

• Villager to swim English Channel

  By Lauren ShowsMay 27, 2025

  

  Yellow Springs resident Amy Wamsley will soon begin her journey toward becoming only the second Ohio woman since the 1970s to attempt swimming the English Channel.

• School board honors district retirees

  By Lauren ShowsMay 25, 2025

  

  “We are losing such an incredible cohort of staff and educators this year,” school board President Rebecca Potter said. “Having an impact on others at such a formative age, an impact that they’ll never forget — the teachers and staff members who are retiring have done just that.”