Varsity boys soccer played Bethel to a 3-3 draw Saturday, the Wayne Local Board of Education and Village Council both meet Monday, and a 73-degree Sunday brings the last day of the Renaissance Festival's Viking Weekend and hydroplane races at Caesar Creek.

Weather

Today: 73°F, Mostly Sunny (high 73° / low 46°)

Outlook: - Monday — high 67° / low 40°, Sunny - Tuesday — high 68° / low 42°, Sunny - Wednesday — high 74° / low 48°, Sunny

No NWS alerts in effect.

Source: National Weather Service

This morning in Waynesville

1. School board meets Monday at 6:00 p.m. The Wayne Local Board of Education holds its regular October meeting Monday, October 5, in the Performing Arts Center (second floor) at 625 Dayton Rd. Ahead of it, the district's weekly "Fiscal Focus" post explains appropriations — the Board's annual approval of how much the district is authorized to spend, a process Ohio law requires. (district post; BoardDocs)
2. Boys soccer draws Bethel, 3-3. The varsity Spartans tied Bethel at home Saturday, after a 4-0 win over Yellow Springs Monday and a 0-0 draw at Carlisle Wednesday; the JV beat Bethel 2-0. Varsity hosts Legacy Christian Academy Monday at 7:15 p.m., the district's Boys Soccer Senior Night. (box score)
3. Hydroplane races and Viking Weekend's last day. Caesar Creek State Park says hydroplane races run this weekend on the lake in front of the beach; the North Pool boat ramp is closed through Sunday and the beach is closed to swimming during the event, with all other ramps open. Closer to town, today is the final day of the Ohio Renaissance Festival's Viking Weekend (10:30 a.m.-7 p.m.) under a sunny sky and a high near 73°. (Caesar Creek post; renfestival.com)

Schools

A busy week on the district calendar: Boys Soccer Senior Night and a Volleyball Orange Out Monday (varsity volleyball hosts Fairmont at 6:30 p.m.), Volleyball Senior Night Tuesday against Carlisle, parent-teacher conferences Thursday, October 8, and no school for students Friday, October 9 (teacher professional day). That Friday night, varsity football hosts Madison at 7:00 p.m. for the Pink Out game, after falling 38-13 at Carlisle. Varsity volleyball dropped both of its matches this week, 3-1 at Monroe and 3-1 at home to Oakwood. In class, the district reports WHS Global Foods students cooked chicken tikka masala this week as part of a unit on spices in world cuisines, and WES fifth graders visited Ohio Living Quaker Heights to interview residents for a social studies timeline project. (Wayne Local Schools on Facebook; MaxPreps; wayne-local.com)

Check: - 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 - Sat, Oct 3 — 📝What better way to learn about history than from our community members who lived it? WES fifth graders in Mrs. Holtz’s… and Mrs. Marcum’s Social Studies classes visited Ohio Living Quaker Heights to interview residents for a timeline project. 🧡Students asked about the toys they played with, the sports they enjoyed, the technology they used growing up, and major world events they remember. The conversations were… (post) - Sat, Oct 3 — This month’s regular meeting of the Wayne Local Schools Board of Education is on Monday, October 5, at 6:00 p.m. in the… Performing Arts Center, second floor, at 625 Dayton Rd. Attending a Board meeting is a valuable way to learn more about the planning, decisions, and discussions that help guide our schools and community. Join us! (post) - Sat, Oct 3 — 🔥They were spicing things up in Global Foods class this week! WHS students are learning about spices used in cuisines… around the world, and this week they put that knowledge to the test by making Chicken Tikka Masala! A few lucky teachers got to be the official taste-testers and gave the Indian-inspired dish a big thumbs-up. Safe to say, this lesson was a hit from the first bite! (post) - Fri, Oct 2 — 💗💗💗The Waynesville community is coming together to celebrate, support, and surround one of our own, Holly Eckhardt Co... 💗💗💗 The Waynesville community is coming together to celebrate, support, and surround one of our own, Holly Eckhardt Cooper, at this year’s Pink Out game. Holly would first like to express her heartfelt gratitude to Waynesville Athletics, Waynesville Cheer, and the entire Waynesville community… (post) - Fri, Oct 2 — In this week's WLS Fiscal Focus, we’re breaking down one important part of the budget process: appropriations. 🏫Each… year, the Board of Education approves how much the District is authorized to spend. Ohio law requires school districts to complete this process, which helps provide accountability and transparency for public funds. 💰💰💰District money is divided into different funds, and each fund has a… (post) - Fri, Oct 2 — Good luck, Spartans! Check out the ticket information below 👇Big one in Carlisle tonight! Tickets are cash or card (tap... Good luck, Spartans! Check out the ticket information below 👇 Big one in Carlisle tonight! Tickets are cash or card (tap) at the gate, or on the Hometown Ticketing Fan App. Thanks to this week’s sponsor, Collins Waterproofing & More LLC. (post)

Library programs (Mary L. Cook Public Library) - Tue · Oct 6, 10:30 AM — Toddler Time - Tue · Oct 6, 3:00 PM — Teen Tuesday (6th-12th Grade) - Tue · Oct 6, 3:00 PM — Make your Own Veggie Super Hero - Wed · Oct 7, 10:30 AM — Baby Bookworms - Thu · Oct 8, 10:30 AM — Preschool Storytime - Sat · Oct 10, 10:00 AM — Sauerkraut Festival - Mon · Oct 12, 9:00 AM — Monsters University Interactive Movie Kits - Mon · Oct 12, 5:30 PM — Getting Reel Film Club

This week in sports

Results - Boys Soccer (JV) — Waynesville 2, Yellow Springs 1 (Home) — box score - Girls Soccer (JV) — Waynesville 0, Troy 2 (Away) — box score - Volleyball (Varsity) — Waynesville 1, Monroe 3 (sets) (Away) — box score - Boys Soccer (Varsity) — Waynesville 4, Yellow Springs 0 (Home) — box score - Girls Soccer (Varsity) — Waynesville 1, Troy 4 (Away) — box score - Volleyball (Varsity) — Waynesville 1, Oakwood 3 (sets) (Home) — box score - Boys Soccer (Varsity) — Waynesville 0, Carlisle 0 (Away) — box score - Football (Varsity) — Waynesville 13, Carlisle 38 (Away) — box score - Volleyball (JV) — Waynesville 0, Batavia 2 (sets) (Home) — box score - Boys Soccer (JV) — Waynesville 2, Bethel 0 (Away) — box score - Boys Soccer (Varsity) — Waynesville 3, Bethel 3 (Home) — box score

Upcoming - Boys Soccer (JV) — vs Legacy Christian Academy, Mon · Oct 5, 5:30 PM — details - Girls Soccer (JV) — @ Tippecanoe, Mon · Oct 5, 5:30 PM — details - Volleyball (Varsity) — vs Fairmont, Mon · Oct 5, 6:30 PM — details - Boys Soccer (Varsity) — vs Legacy Christian Academy, Mon · Oct 5, 7:15 PM — details - Girls Soccer (Varsity) — @ Tippecanoe, Mon · Oct 5, 7:15 PM — details - Volleyball (JV) — vs Carlisle, Tue · Oct 6, 5:30 PM — details - Volleyball (Varsity) — vs Carlisle, Tue · Oct 6, 6:30 PM — details - Volleyball (JV) — @ Madison, Thu · Oct 8, 5:30 PM — details - Boys Soccer (JV) — vs Dayton Christian, Thu · Oct 8, 5:30 PM — details - Girls Soccer (JV) — @ Dayton Christian, Thu · Oct 8, 5:30 PM — details - Volleyball (Varsity) — @ Madison, Thu · Oct 8, 6:30 PM — details - Boys Soccer (Varsity) — vs Dayton Christian, Thu · Oct 8, 7:15 PM — details - Girls Soccer (Varsity) — @ Dayton Christian, Thu · Oct 8, 7:15 PM — details - Football (Varsity) — vs Madison, Fri · Oct 9, 7:00 PM — details - Football (JV) — @ Madison, Sat · Oct 10, 10:00 AM — details

Local government

Next up: Warren County Commissioners, Tue, Oct 6 · 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. Waynesville Village Council also meets Monday, October 5; its agenda packet is posted (agenda packet). Tuesday brings both the Warren County Commissioners' weekly session in Lebanon and the Wayne Township Trustees at 7:00 p.m. The Dayton Daily News reports Warren County has enacted a six-month moratorium on new data centers (see Local headlines below). Check: - 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://waynetwpwarrencooh.gov/board-of-trustees/

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

Sunday is sunny with a high near 73°, and the week ahead stays dry, with highs in the upper 60s to mid 70s through Wednesday. Waynesville Fall Fest is open today noon-6 p.m. at 7392 E State Route 73, and the Historical Haunts ghost walks continue downtown through October. At Caesar Creek State Park, Meet the Crew: World Animal Day is at 1:00 p.m. and a Fossil Hunt at the Spillway at 3:00 p.m.; the park also invites the public to a dedication of the Jason Lagore Memorial Dog Park on Friday, October 9, at 10:00 a.m., honoring the late Natural Resources Officer. Next weekend, the Ohio Sauerkraut Festival fills downtown October 10-11. Ohio State Park dock-slip lottery applications are open through October 31. Check: - 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

From Friends of Warren County Park District on Facebook - Fri, Oct 2 — 2027 Membership Drive is now Open! Each membership will automatically include one raffle entry for a chance to win an… Excursion Mountain Bike! Members will also receive one additional raffle ticket for every $10 contributed as an additional donation. Help us to support, improve, protect, and preserve Warren County Parks. (post) - Thu, Oct 1 — THIS SATURDAY, 10/3/26 is Hisey Fall Fest 2026, a FREE community event put on in partnership with Friends of Warren… County Park District and supported by numerous community partners. Come join us between 11am-4pm for family-friendly fall fun! Free pumpkins and pumpkin decorating while supplies last Hayrides Live reptiles and native taxidermy Warren County 4H petting zoo *Master Gardeners from Warren… (post)

Caesar Creek State Park

Naturalist programs at the park, about five miles east of the village, over the next 14 days. Times and meeting points are ODNR's own. Check: - ODNR events calendar — https://ohiodnr.gov/go-and-do/plan-a-visit/events-calendar/events-calendar?keyword=Caesar%20Creek - Caesar Creek State Park — https://ohiodnr.gov/go-and-do/plan-a-visit/find-a-property/caesar-creek-state-park

• Sun, Oct 4 · 1:00 PM–2:00 PM — Meet the Crew: World Animal Day
• Sun, Oct 4 · 3:00 PM–4:00 PM — Fossil Hunt at the Spillway
• Thu, Oct 8 · 1:00 PM–2:00 PM — Tree Trek
• Thu, Oct 8 · 2:30 PM–3:00 PM — Mystery Animal Meet and Greet
• Thu, Oct 15 · 9:30 AM–11:00 AM — Giving Back to the Wild: Land Stewardship
• Thu, Oct 15 · 1:00 PM–2:00 PM — Nature Shapes and Shadows
• Fri, Oct 16 · 10:00 AM–4:00 PM — Thirteen Mile Guided Perimeter Hike
• Sat, Oct 17 · 8:00 AM–12:00 PM — Give Back Day
• Sat, Oct 17 · 2:00 PM–3:00 PM — Raptors Behind the Scenes

From Caesar Creek State Park on Facebook - Thu, Oct 1 — Hydroplane Races are this weekend on the lake in front of the beach. North Pool boat ramp will be closed Friday Oct. 2 -… Sunday Oct. 4 for event set up. All other ramps will remain open. The Beach will be closed to swimming during the event on Saturday and Sunday. Races will take place in front of the beach. Boaters will be allowed to pass through in between races on the far side. (post) - Thu, Oct 1 — Join us on Friday, October 9, at 10:00 a.m. as we honor the life, service, and lasting legacy of Natural Resources… Officer Jason Lagore at the Jason Lagore Memorial Dog Park in Caesar Creek State Park. This special dedication will bring together Jason’s family, friends, fellow officers, ODNR representatives, Friends of Ohio K9 supporters, project partners, and community members who helped make this memorial… (post) - Tue, Sep 29 — Join us this weekend! Pre-register with the links provided. Hope to see you there!✨ Mark Your Calendar! ✨ Celestial Stor... Join us this weekend! Pre-register with the links provided. Hope to see you there! ✨ Mark Your Calendar! ✨ Celestial Stories of the Underground Railroad will take place on October 2 and 3 — a powerful, two‑day experience connecting history, nature, and the night sky. 🌙 October 2 Join us at… (post) - Tue, Sep 29 — Ohio State Park Dock Lotteries opening soon! You can apply for a dock slip from October 1 - 31, 2026. Drawings are held… in November. Click the link below for more information and how to apply: https://ohiodnr.gov/docklottery (post)

Public safety

From the Warren County Prosecutor's Office, released in the past week: - 09/28/2026 — Trenton Woman Pleads Guilty to Aggravated Theft of Over $2 Million (release)

No NWS weather alerts are in effect this morning. Check: - Sheriff — https://sheriff.warrencountyohio.gov/ - Prosecutor press — https://prosecutor.warrencountyohio.gov/Public/Press/Index

This week's events

• Wednesdays, Fridays & Saturdays through October · $20 — Historical Haunts — ghost walk of downtown Waynesville (Downtown Waynesville (Museum at the Friends Home)) — details
• Sep 26 – Oct 31 (times not published) — Windmill Farm Market Spooktacular (Windmill Farm Market, 1454 E State Route 73, Springboro) — details
• Sat/Sun through Nov 1 · Sat 11–6, Sun 12–6 (next: Sep 26) — Waynesville Fall Fest (7392 E State Route 73, Waynesville) — details
• Oct 3–4 · 10:30 AM–7:00 PM — Ohio Renaissance Festival — Viking Weekend (Renaissance Park, Waynesville) — details
• Sun, Oct 4 · 1:00 PM–2:00 PM — Meet the Crew: World Animal Day (Caesar Creek State Park) — details
• Sun, Oct 4 · 3:00 PM–4:00 PM — Fossil Hunt at the Spillway (Caesar Creek State Park) — details

See the full events calendar.

Obituaries

• Rodney D. Wheelen — Jun. 16, 1960 - Sep. 27, 2026 (tribute)

Local headlines

• "Warren County enacts 6-month moratorium on new data centers" — Dayton Daily News, full story.
• "Historic Hammel House set to reopen ahead of Sauerkraut Festival" — WKEF, full story.
• "Former reality TV personality found guilty of rape, child sex-related charges in Warren County" — WCPO 9 News, full story.
• "Ex-reality star convicted of rape, child endangering on some counts; acquitted on others in trial" — WLWT, full story.
• "Betty S. Lynch-Harrah Obituary (2026) - Waynesville, OH - Stubbs-Conner Funeral Home & Cremation Services" — Legacy obituary, full story.
• "Ohio reality TV star admits to multiple sex crimes in court" — cleveland.com, full story.
• "Ex A&E reality star pleads guilty to bestiality; child rape charges pending" — New York Daily News, full story.
• "Hisey Fall Fest at Hisey Park" — Warren County Post, full story.

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