🌱 Willard-linked 2001 death at pond now at center of trial

Greetings Willard! Your go-to source for what's happening in town is here. Stay in the loop and read on. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

• Willard-linked 2001 death at pond now at center of trial
• Community mourns Crystal Studabaker, whose son resides in Willard

Today's riddle: What did one tuna say to the other after getting caught stealing files from work? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Thursday: Colder with a few snowflakes, with a high of 28 and low of 23 degrees.
• Friday: Cloudy, flurries; chilly, temps: high: 31, low: 19. ⛄️ Brr!
• Saturday: A little snow, up to 1", with a high of 23 and low of 9 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

• Trial underway for Sandusky man accused of killing ex-wife in 2001 (cleveland19.com) — A long-delayed murder case tied to Willard is finally in court, as jurors hear opening arguments in the trial of Paul Hicks, accused of killing his ex-wife in 2001. Her body was found in her car in a pond off Section Line Road 30 in Willard, and state investigators and the Huron County Sheriff’s Office have pursued the case for years.
   

• Crystal Studabaker, 42 – WLKM Radio 95.9 FM (wlkm.com) — Willard readers may recognize the Franklin family, as Crystal Studabaker’s son Kevin and his wife Makayla live in Willard. Crystal, originally from Shelby and most recently of Colon, Michigan, is remembered for her warm personality, caregiving work, and Buckeye pride, with a graveside service in Michigan to be scheduled later.
   

📸 Around Willard

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Willard

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

Friday December 12

• MS Wrestling at Bucyrus Duals
  Willard Middle Willard, OH 44890
  5:00 pm
• Varsity Girls Basketball at Edison
  Willard Elementary Willard, OH 44890
  5:30 pm
• Madrigal Dinner
  Willard City Schools , 1 Flashes Avenue , Willard
  6:00 pm

Saturday December 13

• 9/JV/Varsity Boys Basketball host Huron
  Willard Elementary Willard, OH 44890
  4:30 pm

Monday December 15

• MS Boys Basketball host Sandusky
  Willard Middle Willard, OH 44890
  5:00 pm
• Swimming at Colonel Crawford
  Willard City Schools , 1 Flashes Avenue , Willard
  5:30 pm

Tuesday December 16

• Swimming at Margaretta
  Willard City Schools , 1 Flashes Avenue , Willard
  5:00 pm
• JV/Varsity Boys Basketball host Carey
  Willard Elementary Willard, OH 44890
  6:00 pm

📣 Willard Shout Outs!

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🗓 Events Nearby

Thursday December 11

• Shelf Safari
  Plymouth Branch Library , 29 W Broadway St , Plymouth
  1:00 pm
• Bowling host Vermilion
  Willard City Schools , 1 Flashes Avenue , Willard
  4:00 pm
• JV/Varsity Boys Basketball at Lucas
  Willard Elementary Willard, OH 44890
  6:00 pm

Friday December 12

• MS Wrestling at Bucyrus Duals
  Willard Middle Willard, OH 44890
  5:00 pm

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• https://holidaylakes.org/hubfs/2025-12-beacon.pdf
  https://holidaylakes.org/news/december-2025-beacon-is-now-available (Nextdoor Holiday Lakes)
• I have 3 female cats looking for new homes.
  If anyone is interested or knows someone looking for new fur babies, let me know. They are indoor cats, very lovable, and love to play and enjoy… (Nextdoor Holiday Lakes)

• Tractor Supply posted a job opening for Merchandising Sales Associate in Willard. Apply here.
• Campbell Soup Company posted a job opening for Associate Manager Technical Training in Willard. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Willard here.

🗞 Nearby News

Shelby

• Juvenile court judge Beigel to serve as president of judges association (sidneydailynews.com)
• Area Agency on Aging hosts online caregiver conversation (sidneydailynews.com)
• Ohio farmers on both sides of the aisle react to news of federal subsidies coming their way (ideastream.org)

Norwalk

• Norovirus is on the Rise: 7 Symptoms to Look For (theinnercitynews.com)

Ok Willard! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I could get canned for this!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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