The Dannon Co. plans to eliminate 34 jobs at its Minster distribution center later this year, with the possibility of 14 additional jobs being phased out in 2008. [More]

Identifying and approving sites to bury euthanized livestock generated the most unanswered questions Thursday during a meeting held to write an infectious animal disease plan for Mercer County.

COLDWATER - A teacher spoke out this week against a state initiative that encourages the simultaneous instruction of several science disciplines at each grade level. [More]

Mercer County Soil and Water Conservation District board of supervisors meeting Thursday learned the district has received $23,230 in technical assistance funds from the USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service.

NEW BREMEN - School district officials are still looking into the possibility of adopting Project Lead The Way (PLTW) - a popular national engineering curriculum currently available at two other local schools.

A 32-year-old St. Marys man has been charged with three counts of theft for allegedly stealing a total of six televisions and an X-Box game console from a Wal-Mart Supercenter in Van Wert three times in December.

It would be good for the soul, I think, to hold the title of Master Gardener. It smacks of accomplishment and especially, knowledge.

I have learned that to become a member of this elite state ranking of gardeners, you don't just take a couple of hour-long classes.

NEW BREMEN - It sounds like roaring thunder inside the gymnasium of St. Paul United Church of Christ as dozens of children bang on makeshift drums.

In the "monkey room," where jungle animals dangle from the ceiling, other youths experiment with color as they paint wooden sailboats.

DELPHOS - The St. John's Blue Jays remained undefeated on the season as they used a solid defensive effort to defeat the Versailles Tigers, 47-40, Thursday night in Midwest Athletic Conference action at the Robert A. Arnzen Gymnasium.

NEW KNOXVILLE - It was a short stay on top of the Division IV girls basketball state poll for Fort Recovery.

Fort Recovery took its number-one state ranking on the road Thursday night only to suffer its first loss of the season to New Knoxville, 42-38, in Midwest Athletic Conference action. [More]

ST. HENRY - The St. Henry Redskins put together a stellar offensive effort Thursday night in sprinting away from the Parkway Panthers and posting a 77-36 Midwest Athletic Conference victory.

Compiled by Gary R. Rasberry

Celina returned to winning ways in the Western Buckeye League, beating Kenton, 73-41, on Thursday at Kenton.

The Bulldogs get back to .500 on the season at 6-6 and go to 3-2 in the WBL while the Wildcats drop to 2-10 overall and 0-5 in league play with the loss.

MINSTER - Holding a team to 17 points in the first half is usually a good sign for a basketball team.

Coldwater did that to Minster in the first half of Thursday's game, but the Cavaliers were still trailing 17-10 at the time.