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Thursday, September 20th, 2007

Celina assistant police chief in serious condition after suffering heart attacks

By Shelley Grieshop
Calvin Freeman, assistant police chief of the Celina Police Department, remained in serious condition this morning after suffering two heart attacks Wednesday afternoon, according to local officials.
Freeman, a 25-year veteran of the local department, reportedly was feeling ill while doing yard work at home on his day off and drove himself to the Celina fire department/squad building to get checked out. It was there he reportedly suffered his first cardiac arrest, collapsing in front of paramedics. He was rushed to Joint Township District Memorial Hospital, St. Marys, where he suffered a second heart attack while in the emergency room of the local hospital, Slusser said.
"I believe they used AEDs (automated external defibrillators) on him at the fire department and the hospital," Slusser said.
A LifeFlight helicopter transported Freeman to St. Rita's Medical Center, Lima, where he remained this morning, Slusser said. He is scheduled for open heart surgery on Friday at Riverside Methodist Hospital in Columbus, he added.
Freeman is a familiar figure in the community - in particular to Celina area students. Through a special grant awarded the police department several years ago, the 51-year-old spent three years as a school resource officer at Celina City Schools. Freeman also has been involved in the school's soccer program and currently is the varsity coach for the girls' high school team.
Slusser spoke to Freeman by phone this morning and he "sounded much better than he did yesterday," he said.
"Our department is doing everything we can to support him and his family, to help them get through this," Slusser said.
Additional online story on this date
COLDWATER - The idea of designating a home volleyball game as a fundraiser for breast cancer struck a personal note for the Coldwater High School team this year. [More]
Subscriber and paid stories on this date
Sewage facility manager seeks additional personnel
Celina's wastewater treatment plant is inadequately staffed to perform necessary preventative maintenance and at times, is dangerously undermanned, says plant Superintendent Kerry Duncan.
ROCKFORD - Mayor Robert King was authorized to apply to the Ohio Public Works Commission for a $500,000 grant to help fund a proposed South Main Street walkway extension and lighting project.
MINSTER - The junior high track program gained two assistant coaches, restoring that program to a staff of three, following last year's budget cuts.
A 52-year-old man remained in critical condition this morning after becoming drunk and falling from a balcony along West Bank Road on Tuesday.
John
Compiled by Gary R. Rasberry
Numbers play a very big part when St. Henry and Coldwater renew the Backyard Battle on Friday night at Cavalier Stadium.
Friday, 7:30 p.m. Booster Stadium
Last Game: Minster dropped to 0-4 as St. John's earned its first win of 2007 in a 35-26 contest. ... The Flyers moved to the top of the Midwest Athletic Conference standings alone in beating Parkway 35-13 to snap the Panthers' 3-1 start.
Friday, 7:30 p.m. Cardinal Field
Last Game: The Panthers saw their three-game win streak snapped against Marion Local, but Parkway is still having its strongest start since the 2000 season. ... New Bremen's struggles continue as the Cardinals fell to St. Henry 42-6.
Friday, 7:30 p.m. Barrenbrugge Field
Last Game: The Rockets finally had a stumble on offense, scoring just eight points while allowing two Coldwater defensive touchdowns in the 37-8 loss. ... Fort Recovery blew its game with Versailles wide open on Friday with 20 straight points to move to 3-1 with a 33-20 win at Versailles.
Saturday, 7:30 p.m. Stadium Park
Last Game: The Tigers had a rough second quarter as Fort Recovery put up 20 straight points en route to a 33-20 win at Hole Field. ... The Blue Jays won their first game of the season in picking up a 35-26 win at Minster.
Friday, 7:30 p.m. Shawnee Field
Last Week: A week after putting together a solid game in the last-second loss to St. Marys, the Bulldogs had a downspell in losing to Van Wert 34-13. ... The Indians had six different players score in posting a 47-6 win over Bath.
Friday, 7:30 p.m. Harmon Field
Last Game: Penalties, especially seven false start calls in the first half, hampered the Roughriders as Defiance posted a 24-7 win. ... The Redskins were shut out against WBL co-leader Ottawa-Glandorf in Putnam County.
Plan ahead, declutter and make your home shine inside and out for potential buyers without spending a fortune
If you're going to sell your house, forget about investing in a new swimming pool with enameled pink tiles and an attached hot tub and forget new and colorful lava lamps.