The Stangel’s welcome Cayden, Gabriel and Ryleigh – May 3, 2011

It’s The Little Things – April 18, 2011

Three-year-old Ali Smaili finds his world turned upside-down Wednesday afternoon during recess at the Shawnee Weekday Early Learning Center at Shawnee Community United Methodist Church on Shawnee Road. Jay Sowers - Photographer

It is common practice at The Lima News, and many papers I assume, for photographers to make daily ‘feature runs’. Cast out to weave our way through society, looking for anything that catches our eye. Some days this hunt can turn in to a simple search for anything: we cannot always find that next portfolio piece. Some days this simple task consumes nearly our entire day. Driving, scanning, driving, searching, driving,praying, begging, pleading, cursing and crying can all be expected. And then, the clouds break, the moment presents itself in front of you. You can bet there have been moments spotted and missed. As aggravating as this is, it offers us hope. On the day I caught little Ali Amaili playing during recess, I had been on the road nearly 3 hours. I had hit every red light in town, and I managed to get behind every driver in town who had no desire to approach the posted speed limit. On my way back to the office, with white flag in hand, I spotted a group of toddles bursting from their schoolhouse and on to an adjoining playground. There are now four skid marks on Shawnee Road left by my SUV in the hopes of capturing this moment. After meeting with school officials and making sure all of the children were okay to photograph, the clouds broke, the sun emerged and I had my chance. This photo is fun: I will not tout it as a earth-shattering, or even the best I’ve ever done. But it is a nice photo I feel: and maybe those treacherous miles paid off. Atleast they did this time.

The Trial Of Dr. Mark Wangler – March 2011

Dr. Mark Wangler is escorted out of courtroom March 16, 2011 after he was found guilty of aggravated murder in the 2006 death of his first wife, Kathy Wangler.

This month I had the opportunity to cover the murder trial of Dr. Mark Wangler from beginning to end. From where I sat, it was an interesting life experience. In the end, Dr. Wangler was found guilty of aggravated murder in connection with the 2006 death of his first wife, Kathy Wangler. Mrs. Wangler was died following carbon monoxide poisoning in the couples home in Bath Township, just outside of Lima. Here are a few of my photos from the 3-week-long trial.

Dr. Mark Wangler is escorted out of courtroom ‘A’ Wednesday afternoon following the reading of a guilty verdict in the trial of Dr. Wangler at the Allen County Courthouse. Jay Sowers – Photographer

Hattitude – March, 2011

A feature reporter here at The Lima News was doing a story recently on ladies and their hats. This was likely the most fun I have ever had on a studio assignment in years. Enjoy.

Photo Update – November 2, 2010

Cridersville Tornado – October 26, 2010

Last week, I was able to go out to Cridersville after the village was struck by a category EF-2 tornado. Below are some of my image from the day. Thanks for looking.

 

Photo Update – June 28, 2010

Mike Harrod of Shawnee Pools uses a roller Thursday afternoon to add texture to a sidewalk near a newly installed pool behind a house of Doe Court in east of Allentown.

Defendant Kathy Beutler wipes her eye during her sentencing Tuesday morning in the Putnam County Courthouse.

Allen County Comissioner opponents Jay Begg (left) and incumbent Greg Sneary (right) are seen Thursday evening during the Legislative Forum hosted by the Lima Allen County Chamber of Commerce and the League of Women Voters at the Veterans Memorial Civic & Convention Center.

Lima Senior’s Kendall Jackson eyes a pitch Friday evening during the game at Fifth Third Field in Dayton.

Olivia Meister (left) and science teacher Bridget Allman are both sprayed by diet coke Friday morning during the final day of a week long science camp at St. Charles Catholic School in Lima. In this experiment the students dropped several mentos mints into the bottle, which reacted with the soda an burst through the top of the bottle.

ONU president Kendall Baker speaks Sunday afternoon during the spring commencement ceremony at Ohio Northern University in Ada.

Jose Alfaro (center), a resident of McComb, searches for weeds Monday morning in a field of cantalope and watermelon plants near the Swiss Country Market on state route 115 north of Lima. Alfaro was among a crew of six working with hoes to clear the seven acre melon field of weeds.

Former astronaut and senator John H. Glenn Jr. and his wife Annie pose for photographs Sunday afternoon during the spring commencement ceremony at Ohio Northern University in Ada.

Elida runner Quanisha McFadden leads a pack of runners out of the turn during at 200 meter semifinal race Friday evening during the Northwest Divison II District track meet at Shawnee High School.

Six-year-old Riley Weber swings her way around the monkey bars Sunday afternoon in the playground behind Shawnee United Methodist Church on Shawnee Road. Riley was at the park with her parents and younger brother.

Delphos resident Damien Dudgeon springs off of the diving board Monday afternoon at the city swimming pool in Delphos.

Putnam County Sheriff Jim Buetler leaves the Putnam County Courthouse on Tuesday morning following the sentencing for his wife, Kathy Beutler.

Andrew Siefker makes his way down the slide at the Delphos swimming pool on Monday afternoon.

Stephen Doster directs village emplyoee Bob Huff, who was operating a backhoe, while Doster stands on top of a playground dome Tuesday afternoon behind Columbus Grove High School. The men were among a crew of workers on site Tuesday to move the playground equipment before construction begins on the expansion of the school. Most of the equipment will be relocated to the Columbus Grove public pool.

T.J. McGovern, employee of Cowboy Attractions out of California, works to hang lights on the “Gyro-Bungee” amusement ride on Thursday morning in preparation for this weekend’s St. Gerard Festival.

Governor Ted Strickland (center) cuts a ribbon Wednesday afternoon during a ceremony marking the opening of the new Whirlpool manufacturing plant in Ottawa.

Fire investigators from the Lima Fire Department sift through rubble Thursday morning following a fire at 1153 Catalpa Ave. in Lima.

Deifance distance runner Megan Vogelsang checks her time after the first of four laps during the 1600-meter run Friday evening during the Northwest Divison II District track meet at Shawnee High School.

Workers from Phoenix Manufacturing and Erectors begin affixing the Elida High School logo on to the village’s new water tower on Monday morning. The tower is expected to becoming fully operational in September.

Stephen Doster secures a strap to the top of a playground dome Tuesday afternoon behind Columbus Grove High School. Doster was working with several village employees to move the playground equipment before construction begins on the expansion of the school. Most of the equipment will be relocated to the Columbus Grove public pool.

Photo Update – April 22, 2010

 

Numerous signs of opposition to the current state of government were on display Thursday morning during the tea party rally hosted by the Allen County Patriots in downtown Lima.

 

Elida resident Heidi Andrews (center) was one of numerous community members who turned out Thursday morning for the tea party rally hosted by the Allen County Ohio Patriots in downtown Lima.

 

One of the several 'Don't Tread On Me' flags is seen Thursday morning during the tea party rally hosted by the Allen County Ohio Patriots.

 

Ada senior Tyler Simmons straps on his catching gear on Thursday evening between innings during the baseball at Ada High School.

 

Ada senior Tyler Simmons runs from second base to third base on Thursday evening during the baseball at Ada High School.

 

Lima Senior's Sir Hamby looks to hit a return shot Saturday morning during the LCC Doubles Invitational at the Collett Street tennis courts.

 

Lima residents Don Hetchinson (left) and Jason Tallman dig up an old water line in front of a house at the corner of Collett and Elm Streets in Lima on Saturday morning. The two were digging up the line for a friend living at the residence as they said they old pipes were causing low water pressure in the house.

 

Members of the Bath varsity baseball team take in the action from the dugout Saturday morning during the first game against Delphos Jefferson High School.

 

Shawnee senior Dylan Risser practices pole vault Wednesday afternoon at Shawnee High School. Risser was a state qualifier in 2009, recording his personal record jump of fifteen feet, at that meet in Columbus.

 

Allen East hitter Levi Creeger practices his batting stance Saturday afternoon during the first game of a double header at Perry High School.

 

Perry catcher Andrew Gibson closes his glove around a pitch Saturday afternoon during the second game of a double header at Perry High School.

 

While other pets and their owners rushed under cover Saturday afternoon during a brief rain shower, one Shia-tzu, Abby, braved the elements during the Third Annual Easter Pet Parade at the Village Green Garden Center in Wapakoneta.

2010 Cincinnati Reds Home Opener – April 5, 2010

Sooooo… I got to shoot the Reds’ home opener against the Cardinals’ – Below is a link to the photos I turned in to the paper; just a small selection of the 1,700 images I got during the game. Thanks for looking!

The Lima News – Cincinnati Reds vs. St. Louis Cardinals – April 5, 2010

Victory at Value City – Photos from LCC’s two games in Columbus

LCC senior Desi Kirkman dribbles over center court Saturday during the Division III Championship at Value City Arena in Columbus.

LCC senior Sam Stolly puts up a shot over two Chesapeake defenders Thursday morning during the State Semifinal game at Value City Arena in Columbus.

LCC head coach Bob Seggerson (center) talks to his team Thursday morning during third quarter of the State Semifinal game at Value City Arena in Columbus.

LCC senior Sam Stolly (center) celebrates with teammates Thursday morning following the T-Birds win over Chesapeake in the State Semifinal game at Value City Arena in Columbus.

Over 14,000 people were in attendance Saturday during the Division III Championship at Value City Arena in Columbus.

LCC players Jacob Rigali and Taylor Royster (left to right) cheer on their teammates Saturday during the Division III Championship at Value City Arena in Columbus.

The LCC student section cheers Saturday during the Division III Championship at Value City Arena in Columbus.

LCC senior Sam Stolly (left) hugs teammate Desi Kirkman on Saturday following the Division III Championship at Value City Arena in Columbus.

LCC senior Jacob Rigali screams to the crowd Saturday following the Division III Championship at Value City Arena in Columbus.

LCC senior Sam Stolly laughs after cutting off a portion of the net Saturday following the Division III Championship at Value City Arena in Columbus.

LCC head coach Bob Seggerson (left) smiles to the LCC crowd Saturday as time expires the Division III Championship at Value City Arena in Columbus.