Capsule Reports - Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025

Fund established

Fort Recovery Village Council established a new fund Monday for Ohio Department of Transportation’s Systemic Safety Funding grant. 

The village will build a multi-use trail for pedestrian and bicycle traffic along Ohio 49, Sharpsburg Road and Flaler Road next summer, with the grant to cover approximately 90% of the cost.

Council also accepted plans Monday to annex Nathan Fortkamp’s 1.035-acre parcel at the intersection of Fort Recovery-Minster Road and Flaler Road on the east side of the village. The annexation — it was approved in August by Mercer County Commissioners — will become effective in 30 days.

Cows in road

Two cows died on Indiana 26 after Cooper Farms truck drivers crashed into them about 12:25 a.m. Monday.

Joshua C. Wendel, 31, Fort Recovery, was driving a 2018 Ram 4500 east on the highway near its intersection with county road 700 East. He told police the cows were in the road and he wasn’t able to avoid hitting them. Both animals were killed. 

Gregory A. Imel, 65, Union City, was driving a 2022 Mack truck along the road and also hit one of the deceased cows in the westbound lane.

Both cows were owned by Aaron and Abigail Post of rural Portland. 

The vehicle Wendel was driving was towed, with damage estimated between $10,000 and $25,000.