Thursday, November 9th, 2006

Area residents have day in court

By Shelley Grieshop
Several area residents were sentenced to prison and others pleaded to charges stemming from drug busts held earlier this year in both Mercer and Auglaize counties.
The drug arrests were part of an ongoing crackdown by the Grand Lake Drug Task Force on the sale and use of illegal drugs.
• Michael E. Bayman, 54, 401 S. Pear St., St. Marys, was sentenced recently to a total of 18 months in prison after pleading guilty to possession of a nonspecific drug and heroin, fifth-degree felonies.
Specially assigned Judge Mark Spees sentenced Bayman to a 10- and an 8-month prison sentence to run consecutively. He also ordered Bayman to pay $3,000 in fines, suspended his operator's license for five years and ordered him to pay all court costs.
Two other drug-related charges including cocaine possession were dismissed in a plea negotiation.
• Karen Fox, 39, 420 S. Herman St., New Bremen, was sentenced to a total of 30 months in prison after pleading guilty Oct. 30 to two counts of trafficking in heroin, a fifth-degree felony.
She was sentenced to 12- and 18-month prison terms on each count to run consecutively. Fox also was ordered to pay a $500 fine, restitution and costs and was issued a five-year operator's license suspension. Common Pleas Court Judge Frederick Pepple gave her 38 days jail time credit for time served.
Two other counts of drug trafficking were dismissed in a plea bargain.
• Damian King, 27, 34 Canal St., New Bremen, was sentenced to 18 months in prison and ordered to pay $280 in restitution after pleading guilty to drug trafficking, a fourth-degree felony. Pepple also ordered a five-year operator's license suspension for King.
Two other drug trafficking charges were dismissed in an agreement between his attorney and the prosecutor.
Other Grand Lake residents have offered guilty pleas to drug-related charges and are awaiting sentencing:
• Robert L. Lowe III, 32, 1400 W. Market St., lot 47, Celina, pleaded guilty Oct. 31 to drug trafficking and the sale of a dangerous drug, both fourth-degree felonies. Three counts of drug trafficking were dismissed in a plea bargain.
Lowe also pleaded guilty recently to a charge of failing to appear for an Oct. 3 hearing. A sentence hearing is set for Dec. 18 on all charges.
• Timothy Hagen, 21, 309 W. Fayette St., Celina, pleaded guilty to two counts of drug trafficking, a fourth- and a fifth-degree felony. Two other counts of drug trafficking were dismissed in a negotiated plea.
Sentencing is set for Dec. 5.
• Thomas Ray Charles Henline, 28, 406 Water St., St. Marys, pleaded guilty to three counts of drug trafficking, a fifth-degree felony. Two other counts of drug trafficking were dismissed in a plea bargain.
Sentencing is set for Dec. 13.
• Larissa Jenkins, 26, 512 Locust St., St. Marys, pleaded guilty to two counts of drug trafficking, a fourth- and fifth-degree felony. Three other counts were dismissed in negotiations.
A sentence hearing is set for Dec. 18.
Additional online stories on this date
NEW BREMEN - Safeway Packaging, landlocked at its current Minster location, plans to relocate to the Bunker Hill Industrial Park in New Bremen representing a $10.6 million investment. [More]
Tree-killing emerald ash borer is found
Mercer County is among three additional counties that has been quarantined by the state after the tree-killing emerald ash borer (EMB) was discovered near the village of Rockford. [More]
Subscriber and paid stories on this date
Celina City Auditor Pat Smith is retiring after nearly three decades in elected office.
Smith, 61, submitted his resignation letter Tuesday, inf
A 17-year-old Celina High School senior died Tuesday night, the apparent victim of carbon monoxide poisoning.
Natalie Feliciano, 1460 James Drive, was found in a car inside the garage at her home. The discovery was made at 10:39 p.m. when Betty Feliciano, the girl's mother, arrived home from work.
NEW BREMEN - The $4 million capital campaign launched to help fund renovation and expansion at Wright State Univer- sity-Lake Campus is within $20,000 of its goal.
NEW BREMEN - Food deliveries at lunchtime may be a thing of the past at New Bremen High School, as Superintendent Ann Harvey wants it to stop as soon as possible.
A 26-year-old Camden man pleaded not guilty Wednesday to a total of seven child rape and nine gross sexual imposition charges during court hearings in Auglaize and Mercer counties.
COLDWATER - The language arts department at Coldwater Middle School needs a new teacher, according to English teacher Diane Greiwe.
Greiwe and high school English teacher Scott Brinkman gave a presentation at a Tuesday night school board meeting about the current status of the department.
ST. MARYS - Parents, students and community members voiced concern at the school board meeting Wednesday night that the 2007 graduation date (a Saturday) will pose attendance problems for as many as 10 senior athletes.
WAPAKONETA - A St. Marys man accused of assaulting a police officer during a domestic altercation is seeking to plead insanity to the charges.
Jere
7:30 p.m. Friday - Robinson Field, Kenton
Highlights: The Cavaliers rebounded from a sluggish first half and clamped down on Otsego to get a 42-17 win at Cavalier Stadium last Friday night. Quarterback Sam Slavik hooked up with eight different receivers for 386 yards and three touchdowns in the Cavs' win.
7:30 p.m. Friday - Troy Memorial Stadium
Highlights: The Flyers pulled away late to knock off previously unbeaten - and Associated Press Division VI Poll Champ - Covington 41-20 to keep up an undefeated record in the first round of the playoffs since 1999. Marion outrushed the Buccs 346-158 with a pair of 100-yard gainers in the game.