Wednesday, October 15th, 2008

Area couple killed in Darke County crash

By Shelley Grieshop
A Versailles couple were killed late Monday afternoon after their pickup truck traveled through a stop sign and collided with another pickup truck near Rossburg.
Pronounced dead at the scene were Michael Oliver Brandt, 62, who had worked at the former New Idea plant in Coldwater, and his wife, Catherine Leigh, 57, a Celina High School graduate who grew up in the Montezuma area.
Neither of the Brandts were wearing seat belts and both were ejected upon impact, the report from the Darke County Sheriff's Office said.
The driver of the second vehicle, Larry Mangen, 46, of Rossburg, refused treatment at the scene. He reportedly lived less than a quarter-mile from the accident scene.
The sheriff's report said the Brandts were driving a 1999 Ford Ranger northbound on Hughes Road at 5:06 p.m. when Michael Brandt failed to stop at the stop sign at the intersection of Medford Road. His vehicle was struck by Mangen's westbound 1989 Dodge Dakota.
Both vehicles spun off the northwest corner of the intersection and came to rest in a field, the report said.
Assisting at the scene were units from Rossburg Fire and Ansonia Rescue.
Cathy Brandt's sister, Patti Gariety of Celina, said the couple were heading to a deer farm they operated about a mile and a half from their home on Brock-Cosmos Road.
"They raised white-tail deer," she said. "Their truck was loaded with feed."
Cathy Brandt was a seamstress by trade and operated her own online business where she sold smocks, aprons and other like items, Gariety said. In tears, she recalled her only sister's outgoing personality.
"She didn't know a stranger," she said.
Cathy Brandt loved arts and crafts and was quite creative, her sister added.
"They both loved their grandchildren and spent a lot of time with them," Gariety said.
The couple had two grandchildren and a third due in December, she said.
Mike Brandt loved to cook and his specialty was barbecuing, the family said. A former factory worker, he most recently worked on his stepfather's farm and planned to retire in January.
Hogenkamp Funeral Home in Coldwater is handling arrangements.
Additional online stories on this date
A Mercer County judge closed a Tuesday hearing to the public and the media at which a coroner was to answer questions regarding the July 6 death of a St. Henry area infant. [More]
VAN WERT - Despite playing without a couple of impact players, the St. Marys volleyball team was able to open the postseason with a victory.
The Ro [More]
NEW BREMEN - The always rugged New Bremen volleyball sectional kicked off on Tuesday night with doubleheader action, as one Midwest Athletic Conference team gritted out a tough four-game win and another brought home a victory with a little more ease. [More]
Subscriber and paid stories on this date
Roughly 500 rainbow trout will be released Thursday into an enclosed channel off state Route 364 at Grand Lake St. Marys State Park, providing a rare fishing opportunity for anglers.
Two area women are seeking one vacant seat on the State Board of Education for District 1, which includes Mercer and Auglaize counties.
The candidates hope to fill the position of current board representative Lou Ann Harrold of Ada, who is not seeking re-election.
WAPAKONETA - A recently-completed health assessment survey revealed information that Auglaize County officials already suspected: the county has a drinking problem.
NEW BREMEN - Greg Myers approached the podium Tuesday night carrying a large, worn black briefcase.
Myers told those attending the chamber's 10th a
NEW BREMEN - Local officials, like their counterparts across the state and the Midwest, are hoping for a mild winter with little ice and snow in the wake of a salt shortage.
Mercer County commissioners agreed to give an additional $15,000 to the county's veterans' services agency to help offset higher-than-normal fuel and salary expenses that have squeezed their budget.
COLDWATER - A group of teachers continue to fight the Ohio Education Association (OEA) and local union affiliates with lawsuits in order to have their union fees diverted to charities and not the state and national unions.
Students from St. Henry, Fort Recovery and New Bremen schools interested in engineering and trade skills may attend an Oct. 22 presentation at New Bremen High School's James Dicke Auditorium.
FINDLAY - The Celina girls soccer team opened Division I sectional play in fine style, shutting out Shawnee 4-0 at Elmer Graham Soccer Stadium in Findlay.
ROCKFORD - Coldwater volleyball head coach Mandy Diller said she was used to watching the Division III sectional semifinals because the Cavaliers usually had a bye to open the postseason.
Compiled by Gary R. Rasberry
The Versailles volleyball team advanced to the sectional finals at the Division III Brookville Sectional on Tuesday with a three-game sweep of Dayton Christian.
SHAWNEE TOWNSHIP - It was not exactly the way the St. Marys boys soccer team wanted their season to end, but it was a fitting way for the season to end.