Allison McVicker

The Suburban-Metro Press

The Press •

Free coffee tasting celebrates members of Sunshine - The Press

Officials at Georgette’s Coffee with a Cause, a mission-driven coffee brand of Sunshine Communities, invites the community to enjoy a free tasting at Bassett’s Market Friday, July 24 from 10 a.m. to noon.
Guests are encouraged to stop by, sample Georgette’s Ohio-roasted coffee, meet the individuals who help make the brand possible and learn how every purchase supports meaningful employment opportunities for people with developmental disabilities.
Complimentary samples will feature some of George...
The Press •

Oregon mail carrier to compete in IRONMAN World Championship - The Press

When he’s not delivering mail to homes in Oregon, Marc Ensign spends his time competing as a triathlete in contests all over the country, with his biggest competition yet coming up Oct. 10 at the IRONMAN World Championship in Kona, Hawaii, a competition in which only three percent of all triathletes get selected.
“It’s not an easy task, and I think when I get there, it’s just going to be overwhelming for sure,” Ensign said. “I’ve been watching Kona since it was on VCR tapes. It’s been done by so...
The Press •

Staff and residents at Sunshine create bonds - The Press

For a little over five years, Amy Bateman has been a resident at the Sunshine Communities home in Walbridge, where she has been able to create bonds with her peers and enjoy herself.
Sunshine Communities is a nonprofit in northwest Ohio that supports and empowers those with developmental disabilities.
Representatives at Sunshine said Bateman, who is non-verbal, has a positive and upbeat personality, loves being involved in activities and community events, enjoys staying active and loves connecti...
The Press •

Northwood business receives loan to improve therapy services - The Press

The city of Northwood’s Community Improvement Corporation (CIC) recently awarded a first-of-its-kind revolving loan to Beautiful Refinement, a pediatric speech and occupational therapy center, in recognition of communal needs.
“It seemed like a win-win for us,” Dave Gallaher, the president of the CIC, said. “They’re at a point where they needed a little bit of help to expand, and they had the potential to expand with that help, which will open the door for more therapy for kids. This is about he...
The Press •

Oregon Freedom Fest to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary - The Press

In celebration of America’s 250th anniversary this summer, the city of Oregon will be hosting a Freedom Fest July 2 from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. at Oak Shade Grove.
“First and foremost, it’s the 250th, you only do that once,” Oregon mayor Steven Salander said. “We are an official America 250 city, as well. We’re very proud of that and being able to have it back at Oak Shade Grove again is another huge win.”
In the past, the previous administration held an annual event called Boom Fest, but moving forw...
The Press •

Walbridge's Sunshine Communities provides services to people with developmental disabilities - The Press

A hidden gem living in the village of Walbridge, Sunshine Communities is working to enhance relationships through the services they provide.
Although Sunshine’s main office is in Maumee, the main focus of both facilities is caring for the individuals who live there. However, they differ in regard to how much assistance their residents may need.
“The people that live (in Walbridge) have developmental disabilities, but they’re able to be in a community home,” director of marketing and communicatio...
The Press •

Homecoming tradition continues in Genoa - The Press

The Genoa Area Chamber of Commerce hosted the village’s annual homecoming festivities May 28-30, highlighting an annual tradition that brings people together.
“It stands out every year because this is where you see classmates that you haven't seen for years or old buddies from the football team get all together and have a drink, listen to a band, or their kids get to meet their kids,” Genoa homecoming committee chair Leeann Dufendock said. “I grew up here. My son grew up here. And then he got ma...
The Press •

Stritch’s Wilson to compete in three events at state track and field championship - The Press

After having major success at the Division V Fostoria regional championship, King Wilson Jr. of Cardinal Stritch Catholic High School will compete in the 400-meter dash, 200-meter dash and the long jump at the OHSAA State Track & Field Championship this week in Columbus at Jesse Owens Stadium on the campus of The Ohio State University.
Not only did Wilson qualify for these events, he had the top time in the entire state among all three regional championships in the 400-meter dash with a time of...
The Press •

Eastwood Board of Education celebrates student achievements at monthly meeting - The Press

The Eastwood Board of Education held its monthly regular meeting on May 26 at the elementary school, where they recognized several students for athletic and academic achievements as well as their contributions to their community.
One of the students recognized was Makenna Nelson, a senior at Eastwood High School who was named April’s student of the month. During her recognition, Nelson was described as a diligent worker who wants to understand the deeper context of what she’s working on in the c...
The Press •

Water Lantern Festival to illuminate the beach at Maumee Bay State Park - The Press

Maumee Bay State Park is going to get a little brighter this weekend as it will be hosting the Water Lantern Festival on Saturday starting at 6:30 p.m.
The Water Lantern Festival, which holds events all over the world, was voted as the No. 1 festival in the world by USA Today, according to the festival’s website. The festival has a reputation for creating lasting memories among attendees.
Yolexi Martinez, who attended the festival at Maumee Bay last year, said that it was unforgettable.
“The atm...
The Press •

Pemberville Memorial Day service honors those fallen - The Press

Pemberville’s American Legion Post 183 held a moving Memorial Day service on May 25 in observance of the brave men and women who sacrificed their lives for the freedom of all American citizens.
Additionally, since this year marks Pemberville’s 150th anniversary, the event was bigger than ever before, with Memorial Park flooded with plaques honoring over 350 hometown heroes.
One of the event’s attendees, Pat Bowe, said that her connection with those who were recognized is why she chose to attend....
The Press •

Genoa Homecoming festivities kick off with annual car show - The Press

The Genoa Area Chamber of Commerce started off the village’s homecoming weekend on May 2 with its annual Cruise-In Car Show, an opportunity for people to show off their detailed vehicles, win cash prizes and enter into raffles.
While there will be amusement rides and food vendors for attendees to enjoy throughout the weekend, the car show drew much attraction downtown. Like many of the participants, John Nichols said he only pulls out his 1983 Detroit Lions-themed vehicle for car shows.
“I got i...
The Press •

New Pemberville mayor looks forward to what’s to come for the village - The Press

Pemberville’s council president Edwin Wozniak took over the position of mayor earlier this month following the surprise resignation of Carol Bailey, and council held its first regular meeting May 20 with the new adjustments.
During the meeting, council members discussed a variety of subjects such as a new power plant coming to Bowling Green, Pemberville’s upcoming car show and garage sale, and a flyover of two F-16 planes that will take place during the village’s Memorial Day Service.
With this...
The Press •

Genoa Area Chamber of Commerce to host annual homecoming celebration - The Press

From May 28-30, the Genoa Area Chamber of Commerce has over 15 events planned for community members to participate in and celebrate the village’s homecoming.
One of the most popular events is the village’s annual parade, which according to the chairman of the Genoa Homecoming Committee Leann Dufendock, is a major highlight among all of the festivities.
“Our Grand Parade is just amazing,” Dufendock said. “The parade just brings in so many people … when I come in to work at 7:30 a.m., people alrea...

BG Falcon Media

BG Falcon Media •

Michael Jackson biopic expected to break records during opening weekend

The biographical picture (biopic), “Michael,” of Grammy award-winning artist Michael Jackson, which comes to theaters April 24, is already expected to break records, according to recent online fan engagement.
According to a recent article from BoxOffice Pro, the viewership of the film’s first teaser, in its first 24 hours, was the largest of any trailer in Lionsgate history and of any musical biopic. In that same article, the film is anticipated to have a record-breaking opening weekend at the b...
BG Falcon Media •

Smaller athletic budget, large contributions; How does BGSU compare to other Ohio MAC schools?

In comparison to three other Ohio MAC schools, BGSU’s athletics program has the second highest amount of student fee contributions, which are paid by students at the beginning of each semester. However, with the program having a total budget of $25.96 million in 2025, BGSU has the smallest, total athletic budget among the other comparable Ohio MAC schools.  
In 2025, BGSU intercollegiate athletics for revenue sports received $14.15 million from students’ general fees paid at the beginning of the...
BG Falcon Media •

How local career women are inspiring future female leaders at BGSU

Women in Business Leadership (WBL), a student-led organization at Bowling Green State University (BGSU), recently hosted their annual Young Women in Leadership Conference, where they welcomed local career women to speak with some of the emerging female leaders at BGSU.
During the three-hour event, students got the opportunity to network with employers, enter into raffles and listen to stories shared by the event’s speakers. Prior to the event, WBL’s chair of special events, Ella Wlodarsky, said...
BG Falcon Media •

BGSU School of Media and Communication introduces new Social Media Content Creator Certificate

Starting in the fall 2026 semester, the Bowling Green State University (BGSU) School of Media and Communication (SMC) will offer a Social Media Content Creator Certificate to those who complete a certain number of media-related courses.
To earn the certificate, students will have to take:
Louisa Ha, an SMC professor, said that she and others who created this certificate wanted to make sure it covered a variety of social media-related skills.
“We formed a committee of the Content Creator Certific...
BG Falcon Media •

Presley’s Purpose: How a nonprofit organization is helping NICU families

Taylor Lang, the founder of the nonprofit organization Presley’s Purpose, didn’t think that bringing a few donations to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) where her daughter was being cared for would turn into the impactful movement it is now.
This organization started after Lang’s daughter, Presley, spent 127 days in the NICU at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio.
“At first, we were in some rooms with curtains, so there really was no privacy, and you heard every little detail...
BG Falcon Media •

BGSU course evaluations: How does the university use them?

“I try to take them seriously because they are one of the only ways that students can directly contact teachers, and in my experience with them, I find that professors take them very seriously, changing [based on] recommendations that students have within those evaluations,” said BGSU student Alejandro Alvarez.
Bowling Green State University (BGSU) students may have noticed three new questions on their course evaluations last fall as a result of Senate Bill 1 (SB1), adding to the already long li...
BG Falcon Media •

US withdrawal from World Health Organization impacts Wood County

President Donald Trump’s recent decision to withdraw the United States from the World Health Organization (WHO) doesn’t only have international impacts. Area public health experts said the decision could leave Wood County without critical information about disease tracking, data sharing and emergency preparedness. 
The announcement comes a year after Trump signed an executive order to remove the U.S. from the organization, citing concerns about the WHO’s alleged mishandling of the COVID-19 pande...
BG Falcon Media •

Local benefit concert to raise funds for music educators

Howard’s Club H will host a music event, Notes 4 Tomorrow, to raise funds for music educators in Northwest Ohio on Saturday, April 18, according to a recent press release from The Joseph Wolph Foundation for Music Education.
The Wolph Foundation has supported local music programs for several years, and since 2021, it has awarded nearly $20,000 in grants funding things like instrument replacement, marching band projects, scholarships and other needs. Notes 4 Tomorrow will be the first time that l...
BG Falcon Media •

Hovey’s 19 kills sparks Bowling Green in four-set win to open MAC play

On Thursday, Bowling Green kicked off conference play with a matchup against the Northern Illinois Huskies.
After having defeated the Michigan Wolverines twice the previous weekend, the Falcons came ready to dominate.
Set 1: 32-30 (BGSU)
Bowling Green started the game off strong with two consecutive service aces from junior Lindsey LaPinta, giving the Falcons an early lead.
However, with consistent offensive attacks from both sides of the net, NIU was able to hang with the Falcons the whole firs...
BG Falcon Media •

How to: Get over a breakup

Breakups are difficult to navigate, especially as college students who may not have had a ton of experience with dating. These can happen under many different circumstances, and no situation is the same.
However, Bowling Green State University (BGSU) communications professor Sandra L. Faulkner said that when it comes to intimate relationships, clear communication between the couple is crucial.
“Communication is everything because it is how we initiate relationships, maintain them and make them c...
BG Falcon Media •

Falcons fall short in tri-meet contest, Weilbacher places first in vault event

Earlier today, the Bowling Green gymnastics team hosted a tri-meet with Central Michigan and Wisconsin-Oshkosh in the Stroh Center. The Falcons placed second all-around at the meet with a score of 193.725, while CMU earned 196.425 and UWO earned 192.925.  
Improving from her previous meet, Kathryn Weilbacher was one of five competitors to tie for first place in the vault event. Achieving a score of 9.850, Weilbacher placed second for the all-around with a score of 39.850. 
Though the Falcons put...
BG Falcon Media •

‘Sinners’ cinematographer makes history with her Academy Award win for ‘Best Cinematography’

Autumn Durald Arkapaw won the 2026 Oscar for Best Cinematography on March 15, making her the first woman, and woman of color, to win in this category.
During her acceptance speech, the awardee asked all of the women in the room to stand up so they could be recognized as well.
“I don’t get here without you guys, and I really, really truly mean that,” said Arkapaw while acknowledging the women at the award show. “I have felt so much love from all the women on this whole campaign and gotten to meet...
BG Falcon Media •

Business in Bowling Green: What makes supporting local businesses worthwhile?

Over the past couple of months, several locally owned businesses in Bowling Green have closed to the public for various reasons, leaving residents and supporters confused.
Hallie Williams, executive director of the Downtown Bowling Green Special Improvement District, said that being a small business owner is not easy. There are constantly decisions needing to be made, some of which may be perceived differently by the public.
“It is a very hard job being a small business owner, and it’s not for t...
BG Falcon Media •

Bowling Green to host “State of the City Address”

The City of Bowling Green will join the Bowling Green Chamber of Commerce and its Governmental Affairs Project Team to present the 2026 State of the City Address on Feb. 19 at the Veterans Memorial Building located at 520 Conneaut Ave.
During the event, Mayor Mike Aspacher will make remarks on the developments and accomplishments the city has encountered in 2025, as well as what’s to come in 2026.
Registration for this free event has closed, but those who are unable to attend can tune in live to...
BG Falcon Media •

BGSU professor’s new book challenges a patriotic narrative

Timothy Messer-Kruse, a Bowling Green State University (BGSU) professor, recently published a civics textbook designed to meet Ohio’s Department of Higher Education’s new requirements.
These new requirements come from the recent enforcement of Senate Bill 1, one of them being sustained engagement with documents such as the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution and the Federalist Papers. In his book, “Unpatriotic Civics: An Exploration of Founding Texts That Fulfills the Requirements of O...
BG Falcon Media •

Falcon Letter Community: How a student organization is helping those around them

There are a lot of lonely Falcons out there, but one campus group is working to make sure all students know they’re part of the flock. 
With more than one in three college students nationwide reporting feelings of loneliness, the student-run Falcon Letter Community (FLC) is building community through bundles of handmade letters that Falcons can request to be sent to anyone who needs one. 
“Our letters are requested by community members either for themselves or for their loved ones,” said FLC co-...
BG Falcon Media •

Grammy awardees call out ICE through acceptance speeches

The 68th Annual Grammy Awards took place Sunday, Feb. 1, where music artists were recognized for their work produced over the last year or lifelong careers.
During several acceptance speeches given at the ceremony, notable musicians such as Olivia Dean, Bad Bunny, Billie Eilish, Kehlani and SZA made either direct or indirect claims towards United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), amidst the mass deportations conducted under the Trump administration.
“Before I say thanks to God, I...
BG Falcon Media •

Resilience Through Art: Local art show provides space for people to share their stories

The Wood County Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services Board (WCADAMHS) will host their recovery art show, “Resilience Through Art,”
May 15 and 16 at the Wood County Museum.
Debuting in 2023, this show acts as a creative outlet for people who have struggled with mental health and/or substance misuse. Participants are invited to submit artwork related to their own behavioral health recovery journey, as described on the art show’s webpage.
“Our stance has always been that these topics...
BG Falcon Media •

Office of Health and Wellness to host Sexual Assault Awareness 5k and Dog Walk

Campus sexual assault makes up 43% of total on-campus crimes in the United States, resulting in approximately eight forcible sex offenses per 10,000 students, according to the American Psychological Association.
To spread awareness about sexual assault, BGSU students, faculty, and community members are invited to participate in the Sexual Assault Awareness 5k and Dog Walk on April 12 at the BGSU Student Recreation Center.
“This event has been hosted for over a decade,” said BGSU health educator...
BG Falcon Media •

Scholarships at BGSU: How do opportunities for students here compare to national data?

Nationally, about 58% of U.S. families use scholarships to help pay for college in some way each year. At BGSU, about 90% of all new students receive some sort of financial assistance, with more than $30 million in scholarships awarded annually. 
November is National Scholarship Month, and students across the nation are encouraged to apply for scholarships in order to receive and help fund a college education. “Many students could not afford to attend college without the assistance of scholarshi...

BG Independent Media

BG Independent Media •

Presley’s Purpose turns into impactful movement for NICU families – BG Independent News

Taylor Lang, the founder of the nonprofit organization Presley’s Purpose, didn’t think that bringing a few donations to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) where her daughter was being cared for would turn into the impactful movement it is now.

This organization started after Lang’s daughter, Presley, spent 127 days in the NICU at a Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus.

“At first, we...
BG Independent Media •

BGSU leads Ohio campuses in domestic violence safety, latest reports show – BG Independent News

Newly released data from BGSU’s campus security report shows that there have been zero reported domestic violence cases on BGSU’s campus since 2022. Compared to other universities in Ohio, BGSU is one of the safest in terms of domestic violence.

In 2024 alone, The Ohio State University, University of Cincinnati, University of Akron and Ohio University accumulated a combined total of 31 reporte...
BG Independent Media •

BGSU student fees heavily fund athletics; how does it compare to other MAC schools? – BG Independent News

Bowling Green State University student fees fund 43% of the university’s major athletic operating expenses – an amount that is more than double the Mid-American Conference average of 19% and nearly nine times higher than the national FBS average of 5%, according to 2024 data from the Knight-Newhouse College Athletics Database.

BGSU undergraduate students taking between 12 and 18 credit hours p...
BG Independent Media •

BG Bicycle Safety Commission wants bicyclists and motorists to safely coexist in city – BG Independent News

The city of Bowling Green’s bike network score is 35 out of 100 and ranks 28th out of 83 cities in Ohio, according to the PeopleForBikes organization, an organization that works to make it safer and more convenient to ride a bike for transportation and recreation.

The organization awards a city’s bike network score based on its protected bike lanes, off-street paths, slow shared streets and safe...

Her Campus Media

Her Campus •

Harry Styles Coming Back is Just What We Needed

It seems like since the start of 2026, so many popular artists have released new music, announced tours, and have had a more active presence on social media. Bruno Mars, Olivia Dean, ASAP Rocky, and Harry Styles are just a few of these artists, and many fans have not been shy about expressing their excitement online. Though many people have complained about concert ticket prices since these announcements, I think that these artists releasing new music (specifically Harry Styles given that I am a...
Her Campus •

Beyond the Backlash: I Loved the 'Stranger Things' Finale

With the way social media has grown and developed throughout the years, it’s become an outlet for people to express their opinions on various topics. In terms of popular culture, many fans have used it as a creative platform to share video edits or reels from their favorite shows and movies. A show that began almost a decade ago, ‘Stranger Things’ released its final episodes last month, and many fans have been fuming over the franchise’s conclusion.Primarily labeled as science-fiction and horror...
Her Campus •

Black Friday: What Has It Become?

The holiday shopping season is upon us, and the historically busiest day in retail is approaching fast: Black Friday. In the media, it’s common to see this national holiday portrayed as people fighting in malls to get the best sale and waiting in outrageously long lines for stores to open. However, as shopping has become more common and accessible through things like online ordering and shipping, this type of stigma around Black Friday seems like it’s starting to change.This year, Black Friday f...
Her Campus •

Why I Think Olivia Dean Is Exactly What This World Needs

I’m guilty of listening to the same artists, songs, and albums over and over again and hardly ever get tired of them. However, recently I’ve had an itch for discovering new music, and I have found that a lot of newly released songs sound very similar to one another. That was until someone close to me told me to listen to Olivia Dean’s new album, “The Art of Loving.” I quickly fell in love with this album and began listening to more of Dean’s work. After listening closely to the lyrics she writes...
Her Campus •

"Take a look at yourself, and then make a change:" How we can carry out Michael Jackson's "Man in the Mirror"

It’s a common consensus that growing up, children listen to whatever songs their parents play on the radio. However, it’s often not until these children are older that they begin to understand what the musical artist is really trying to say through their art. “Man in the Mirror” written by the late, Grammy award-winning artist Michael Jackson holds a powerful message that, like many other popular songs, is sometimes overlooked due to the catchy presentation of it. Though the song was released in...
Her Campus •

Bad Bunny is Headlining the 2026 Super Bowl: Why is this Meaningful?

The Puerto Rican rapper and singer Bad Bunny was recently announced as the headlining performer for Super Bowl LX. The 31-year-old artist has numerous accomplishments, including being the most streamed artist in the world on Spotify for three consecutive years (2020-2022) and achieving the first all-Spanish album to debut at No. 1 on the Billboard 200. He’s a multiple-time Grammy and Latin Grammy winner, proving that he is deserving of an opportunity like this. However, since the announcement ca...