Wayne Local posts 4.5 stars on the state report card, the Spartans travel to Oakwood, and Witches' Night Out opens a busy Saturday.

Weather

Today: 79°F, Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Mostly Cloudy (high 79° / low 60°)

Outlook: - Saturday — high 84° / low 67°, Mostly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms - Sunday — high 85° / low 62°, Showers And Thunderstorms Likely - Monday — high 76° / low 59°, Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Source: National Weather Service

This morning in Waynesville

1. Wayne Local Schools earned an overall 4.5-star rating on the 2025-26 Ohio School Report Card, the district announced this week — five stars each for Waynesville High School and Waynesville Elementary, and four stars for Waynesville Middle School, up from 3.5 a year ago. Most districts serving Warren County came in at four stars or better. (district post · Warren County Post)
2. The unbeaten Spartans are at Oakwood tonight at 7:00 p.m., a week after a 31-0 shutout of Brookville in SWBL play. Boys soccer won 7-2 at Brookville on Thursday, and volleyball beat Madison 3-1 at home on Tuesday. (tonight's game · Brookville box score)
3. Saturday fills the village. Witches' Night Out runs 6:00–9:00 p.m. at 195 S. Main St.; the Waynesville Fall Fest opens for the season on East State Route 73; the Ohio Renaissance Festival marks Pirates Weekend; and Billy "Crash" Craddock plays Keepin' It Country Farm at 7:00 p.m. Earlier, volunteers gather at Carmody Park in Franklin from 9:00 a.m. to noon for the Clean Sweep of the Great Miami River.

Schools

The district's news this week is the state report card: 4.5 stars overall, with five stars at the high school and the elementary and four at the middle school. The Board of Education's next regular meeting is Monday, October 5 at 6:00 p.m. in the Performing Arts Center at 625 Dayton Rd.; the recap of the September 14 meeting is below. At the library, Mary L. Cook hosts an adult drop-in crafting program Saturday at 10:30 a.m. Sources: - Wayne Local BoardDocs — https://go.boarddocs.com/oh/waylo/Board.nsf/Public - District news — https://www.wayne-local.com/district-news - Spartans / MaxPreps — https://www.maxpreps.com/oh/waynesville/waynesville-spartans/ - Mary L. Cook Library — https://www.mlcook.lib.oh.us/ - Wayne Local Schools Facebook — https://www.facebook.com/waynelocalschools

From the September 14, 2026 board meeting - A new partnership with Catalyst Counseling has placed a school-based mental health therapist in each building — Waynesville Elementary, Waynesville Middle School and Waynesville High School. - The WES PTO has raised $20,000 toward a $45,000 Fun Run goal, with proceeds going in part toward playground equipment, and has begun a YMCA partnership teaching elementary students swimming and water safety. - New English Language Arts and Math curriculum rolled out for grades 6-8, with MAP standards testing for grades 6-10. The Warren County Career Center is offering new Global Foods and Health & Nutrition classes in partnership with WHS, and driver education is now available on campus. - Principal Chip Will reported an early read on the new cell phone policy, describing a rise in student interaction, particularly at lunch. - Facility dogs are now in place at both campuses — Welkin at the secondary campus, funded by the Student Councils, and an elementary dog funded by the WES PTO. Dr. AJ Iwasko is donating veterinary services and La Bella Vida Pet Salon is providing grooming.

From Wayne Local Schools on Facebook - Thu, Sep 17 — Catch up on the business of the district with the latest WLS Board Meeting Recap: 🔗… (post) - Thu, Sep 17 — Music, smiles, and lots of strumming filled Mrs. Jones’ preschool classroom today! Students welcomed special guest… musicians from Mrs. Weiland’s class for an interactive ukulele sing-along.🎵 Our preschoolers sang favorite nursery rhymes, danced, clapped to the beat, and even got an up-close look at the ukulele. It was a fun, hands-on way to make learning relevant while building relationships. A morning full… (post) - Thu, Sep 17 — 🧪🔬Here’s a neat STEM activity WMS eighth graders took part in this week. They learned how a “real” hot air balloon… functions with the hot air making the balloon buoyant and therefore float in the air; technically the hot air is a fluid even though we don't think or see it that way!😉 Warren County Career Center (post) - Tue, Sep 15 — Today is National IT Professionals Day! We're recognizing our amazing IT pros who keep our technology running smoothly,… our systems secure, and our staff and students connected. Thank you, Nick Jones and Kory Stilwell, for all you do for Wayne Local Schools!🧡🖤 (post) - Tue, Sep 15 — Wayne Local Schools earned an overall 4.5-star rating on the 2025-26 Ohio School Report Card. The rating reflects… impressive performance across the district and the continued dedication of our students and staff. Here are the results at the building level: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Waynesville High School earned 5 stars. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Waynesville Elementary earned 5 stars. ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Waynesville Middle School earned 4 stars, up from 3.5 stars… (post) - Mon, Sep 14 — The rain cleared; the stars came out, and WHS students had a perfect Homecoming night at Fall Fest, with more than 400… students attending this year’s dance - a record high! Students played putt-putt and Connect 4, watched the Ohio State Football Game, and danced the night away under the stars.⭐✨Special memories were made! (post)

Library programs (Mary L. Cook Public Library) - Sat · Sep 19, 10:30 AM — Crafting Fun Drop-in Program (Adults)

This week in sports

Results - Football (Varsity) — Waynesville 31, Brookville 0 (Home) — box score - Volleyball (Varsity) — Waynesville 0, Clinton-Massie 3 (sets) (Away) — box score - Boys Soccer (JV) — Waynesville 0, CHCA 3 (Home) — box score - Girls Soccer (Varsity) — Waynesville 2, Archbishop Alter 6 (Away) — box score - Boys Soccer (Varsity) — Waynesville 1, CHCA 2 (Home) — box score - Volleyball (Varsity) — Waynesville 3, Madison 1 (sets) (Home) — box score - Boys Soccer (Varsity) — Waynesville 7, Brookville 2 (Away) — box score

Upcoming - Football (Varsity) — @ Oakwood, Fri · Sep 18, 7:00 PM — details - Football (JV) — @ Oakwood, Sat · Sep 19, 10:00 AM — details - Volleyball (JV) — @ Carroll, Mon · Sep 21, 5:30 PM — details - Boys Soccer (JV) — @ Centerville, Mon · Sep 21, 5:30 PM — details - Girls Soccer (JV) — @ Miamisburg, Mon · Sep 21, 5:30 PM — details - Volleyball (Varsity) — @ Carroll, Mon · Sep 21, 6:30 PM — details - Girls Soccer (Varsity) — vs Miamisburg, Mon · Sep 21, 7:15 PM — details - Volleyball (JV) — vs Brookville, Tue · Sep 22, 5:30 PM — details - Volleyball (Varsity) — vs Brookville, Tue · Sep 22, 6:30 PM — details - Volleyball (JV) — @ Eaton, Thu · Sep 24, 5:30 PM — details - Boys Soccer (JV) — @ Oakwood, Thu · Sep 24, 5:30 PM — details - Girls Soccer (JV) — vs Oakwood, Thu · Sep 24, 5:30 PM — details - Girls Soccer (Varsity) — vs Oakwood, Thu · Sep 24, 6:00 PM — details - Volleyball (Varsity) — @ Eaton, Thu · Sep 24, 7:00 PM — details - Boys Soccer (Varsity) — @ Oakwood, Thu · Sep 24, 7:15 PM — details

Local government

Next up: Warren County Commissioners, Tue, Sep 22 · 9:00 AM — agenda. Also next up: Wayne Township Trustees, Tue, Oct 6 · 7:00 PM, 6050 N. Clarksville Rd., Waynesville — latest posted agenda: Trustees Meeting Agenda, Sep 15, 2026. Two Village street-and-utility projects moved at the August 17 council meeting, whose minutes were posted in the September 8 agenda packet. Ordinance 2026-033 — which would accept the Village Engineer's recommendation and award the Fifth Street and Sixth Street water main replacement and resurfacing contract to Ford Development Corp. — had its first reading. Ordinance 2026-034, amending the Choice One Engineering contract for the Old State Route 73 utility replacement and resurfacing project, was waived through first reading and adopted as an emergency. Warren County Commissioners hold their weekly session Tuesday at 9:00 a.m. in Lebanon. Sources: - Commissioners agendas/minutes — https://commissioners.warrencountyohio.gov/News/AgendaMinutes/Index - Village of Waynesville — https://www.villageofwaynesville.org/news/ and /meetings/ - Wayne Township (covers Waynesville & Corwin) — https://www.waynetownship.us/minutes-agendas/agendas-2026/

Village Council — minutes of the August 17, 2026 meeting (posted as part of the September 8, 2026 agenda packet), called to order 7:00 p.m., adjourned 8:03 p.m.: - Mayor Isaacs motioned to excuse Mr. Gallagher from the last Council meeting, and Mrs. Miller seconded the motion. (Motion: Isaacs, Second: Miller, Roll Call: 6 yeas) - Mr. Nation moved to excuse Mr. Powell from tonight’s Council meeting, and Mr. Gallagher seconded the motion. (Motion: Nation, Second: Gallagher, Roll Call: 6 yeas) - Mrs. Miller made a motion to approve the minutes for the Council meeting on August 3, 2026 as written, and Mr. Nation seconded the motion. (Motion: Miller, Second: Nation, Roll Call: 6 yeas) - Ordinance No. 2026-033 An Ordinance Accepting the Recommendation of the Village Engineer and Awarding a Contract to Ford Development Corp. for the Fifth Street and Sixth Street Water Main Replacement and Resurfacing Project and Authorizing the Village Manager to Execute a Construction Agreement and Related Contract Documents Mr. Gallagher moved to have the first reading for Ordinance 2026-033, and Mrs. Miller seconded the motion. (Motion: Gallagher, Second: Miller, Roll Call: 6 yeas) - Ordinance 2026-034 Amending Ordinance No. 2026-029 Regarding a Contract with Choice One Engineering for Professional Services Related to the Old State Route 73 Utility Replacement and Resurfacing Project and Declaring an Emergency Mr. Gallagher moved to waive the first reading for Ordinance 2026-034 and declare an emergency, and Mr. Nation seconded the motion. (Motion: Gallagher, Second: Nation, Roll Call: 6 yeas !) - Mr. Gallagher moved to adopt Ordinance 2026-034 as an emergency, and Mr. Colvin seconded the motion. (Motion: Gallagher, Second: Colvin, Roll Call: 6 yeas) (5 further recorded vote(s) not shown — see the full packet.) full agenda/minutes packet

Wayne Local Schools Board of Education — from the district's recap of the September 14, 2026 meeting (Board President Amanda Garrett was not in attendance. There were no public participants.): - Through August the district's General Fund is tracking roughly $143,315 below forecast on revenue — Treasurer Carolyn Huber attributed the gap primarily to local tax and reimbursement collections — while expenditures are essentially on target, a year-to-date variance of about $1. Together that represents an approximately $143,316 unfavorable impact on the projected General Fund cash balance. - The district received about $5.86 million in revenue through August, roughly $20,000 more than the same period last year, and spent about $3.71 million, up roughly $86,000 from about $3.62 million a year ago. - Levy discussions will resume when Board President Amanda Garrett returns from vacation. - The Board reviewed renewal of the district's depository agreement with LCNB National Bank — a five-year term running August 22, 2026 through August 22, 2031. - The district joined the Southwestern Ohio Educational Purchasing Council's cooperative school bus purchasing program, which lets it take part in a competitive bid run for multiple districts. Participation does not obligate Wayne Local to buy a bus; that decision follows once bids and pricing are available. Huber also reviewed the age of the current fleet. - Donations recognized: $1,000 from Leslie Dye, Bradley Wolf and Randall Wolf for the Wolf Family Scholarship, and $200 from the Goldsberry family for the WES Principal's Fund. - The Board adopted a resolution declaring transportation to Summit Academy Secondary School impractical under state transportation guidelines, with families of eligible students to receive payment in lieu of transportation under Ohio Revised Code 3327. - Both the Superintendent's and the Treasurer's consent agenda items were approved.

Next meeting: Monday, October 5 at 6:00 p.m., WLS Performing Arts Center (second floor), 625 Dayton Rd. full agenda and minutes on BoardDocs

Around town

The Waynesville Fall Fest opens Saturday on East State Route 73 and runs Saturdays and Sundays through November 1. Next Saturday, September 26, Taylor's Coffee & Creamery marks its second anniversary on South Main Street, and the Windmill Farm Market Spooktacular begins its run east of the village on State Route 73. The Chamber's next Business to Business networking mixer is Wednesday, September 23 at noon at Bentino's. Sources: - Chamber — https://www.waynesvilleohio.com/ · Merchants — https://waynesvilleshops.com/

Merchant Association events (waynesvilleshops.com) - Sun, Oct 25 · 1:00 PM–4:00 PM — Trick or Treat - Fri, Nov 6 · 11:00 AM–5:00 PM — Hearthwarming Holidays - Sun, Dec 6 · 10:00 AM–4:00 PM — Waynesville Street Faire The Christmas Market

Public safety

No new releases from the Warren County Prosecutor's Office in the past seven days. On the roads: the National Weather Service has showers and thunderstorms possible across the area today and likely again Sunday, so expect wet pavement. Both the Renaissance Festival and the Fall Fest are open on State Route 73 this weekend. Check: - Sheriff — https://sheriff.warrencountyohio.gov/ - Prosecutor press — https://prosecutor.warrencountyohio.gov/Public/Press/Index

This week's events

• Fri, Sep 18 · 8:00–9:30 AM — Warren County Board of Park Commissioners Meeting (Armco Park - 1267 Building, Lebanon) — details
• Sat, Sep 19 · 9:00 AM–12:00 PM — Clean Sweep of the Great Miami River (Carmody Park, 7499 Martz Paulin Rd, Franklin) — details
• Sep 19–20 · 10:30 AM–7:00 PM — Ohio Renaissance Festival — Pirates Weekend (Renaissance Park, Waynesville) — details
• Opens Sat, Sep 19 · Sat/Sun through Nov 1 (Sat 11–6, Sun 12–6) — Waynesville Fall Fest — Opening Day (7392 E State Route 73, Waynesville) — details
• Every Saturday · office opens 5 PM, show 6 PM (next: Sep 19) — Fox Hollow Rodeo — Bull Riding (Fox Hollow Rodeo, Waynesville) — details
• Sat, Sep 19 · 6:00–9:00 PM — Witches’ Night Out in Waynesville (195 S Main St, downtown Waynesville) — details — register

See the full events calendar.

Obituaries

• Virgil Fox — Jul. 06, 1938 - Sep. 14, 2026 (tribute)
• Norma Jean Taylor — Mar. 05, 1937 - Sep. 12, 2026 (tribute)

Local headlines

• "Jerry Frederick Obituary (2026) - Waynesville, OH - Dayton Daily News" — Legacy obituary, full story.
• "Ramaswamy and Merrin teaming up for Toledo town hall Friday" — WTVG, full story.
• "Most School Districts Serving Warren County Earn 4 Stars or Better on Ohio Report Cards" — Warren County Post, full story.
• "Virgil Fox Obituary (2026) - Waynesville, OH - Stubbs-Conner Funeral Home & Cremation Services" — Legacy obituary, full story.
• "Waynesville stays perfect with a 31-0 rout of Brookville in SWBL play" — AOL.com, full story.
• "ODNR Launches New Website to Buy Ohio-Grown Trees" — Warren County Post, full story.

Read this edition on the web · Waynesville Daily Brief