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Gusty winds from 35 to 40 mph this afternoon could blow around unsecured items. Use extra caution when driving, especially if operating a high profile vehicle. Secure outdoor items.
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Gusty winds from 35 to 40 mph this afternoon could blow around unsecured items. Use extra caution when driving, especially if operating a high profile vehicle. Secure outdoor items.
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Friday, December 5th, 2008

Celina secures $400,000 grant to redo downtown

By William Kincaid
After several attempts, the city of Celina has been awarded a highly competitive $400,000 state grant for downtown building improvements.
Celina Planning and Community Development Director Kent Bryan on Thursday said Celina is one of only six municipalities in Ohio to receive the substantial award, issued as an Ohio Department of Development Small Cities Community Development Block Grant.
Downtown property owners will be eligible to use portions of the grant money and their own matching money to make physical improvements to the front of buildings and to make code improvements, such as structural, mechanical and roofing projects, Bryan said.
The money can also be used for public infrastructure, Bryan said.
The capitol improvements will make the city's downtown more viable, he said. The real key is for property owners to improve these buildings and lease them out, he added.
Thirty-three property owners already signed on for the project. After state contract and environmental paperwork is completed, Bryan said improvement projects will probably start in June.
The city has two years to spend the money.
This was the third time Celina applied for the revitalization grant.
"Being persistent; don't give up and keep going back," Bryan said of the city's success.
Also, Bryan said Poggemeyer Design Group was instrumental in getting the award. Poggemeyer was hired by the city this spring to complete the two-phase grant application process for $30,000.
The city's newly hired downtown manager, Deborah Borns, will be an advocate for the downtown property and business owners and help them in anyway to make the downtown better, including promotion and marketing, Bryan said.
Bryan said the position may be long-term, but he did not know whether it would remain with the city or be shifted to a non-profit city organization.
Additional online stories on this date
A dump truck driver who forgot to lower his truck bed and hit an overpass sign on U.S. 33 closed down traffic for four hours on Thursday afternoon.
The accident occurred around noon near the state Route 66 exit. [More]
FORT RECOVERY - Fort Recovery improved to 2-0 on the season, pulling away from a pesky Greenville squad in the fourth quarter en route to a 69-57 win at Fort Site Fieldhouse on Thursday. [More]
Subscriber and paid stories on this date
$19,500 EPA funds will pay for pollution control equipment on buses
ST. MARYS - The school district is one of only six in the state to receive an Ohio EPA grant to install pollution control equipment on school buses.
An unspecified number of workers have been laid off from the Reynolds & Reynolds Co. factory in Celina, a representative from the Dayton headquarters said Thursday.
A heritage museum to showcase the area's agriculture and industrial successes has temporarily hit a governmental snafu.
Organizers are awaiting a s
In the midst of ongoing, bad financial news, there were a few bright spots reported Thursday during the monthly agriculture breakfast meeting in Celina.
Four Celina residents have been arrested on drug charges stemming from an investigation by the Grand Lake Task Force.
Charged with the unlawful purchase of pseudoephedrine, a key ingredient in the manufacture of methamphetamine, were:
• Michael L. Gehm Jr., 36, 7360 Wabash Road, six counts.
Business is booming at the local health department.
Unfortunately, at times there aren't enough staff members/nurses to handle the influx of patien
VERSAILLES - Coming into this season, veteran New Knoxville coach Tim Hegemier knew that he would have to rely on his two senior letterwinners, Casey Horstman and Morgan Reineke, to carry the load early in the season as the rest of the team came along.
By GARY R. RASBERRY
grasberry@dailystandard.com
Coldwater dueled with Western Buckeye League powerhouse Lima Bath for the first quarter before t