Special Weather Statement issued March 19 at 4:28AM EDT by NWS Wilmington OH (details ...)
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.
Today 53° Today 53° 32° 32° Tomorrow 41° Tomorrow 41° 21° 21°
Thursday, April 15th, 2010
By Shelley Grieshop
NEW WESTON - Authorities believe it was a 78-year-old St. Henry man who perished in a cornfield fire in northern Darke County on Tuesday afternoon.
The victim found by firefighters was tentatively identified as Cletus W. Schmitz, formerly of New Weston. Darke County investigators believe Schmitz's clothing caught fire as he attempted to burn brush piles at a farm he owned along Lightsville Northern Road, south of state Route 705, in the New Weston area. [More]
By Mike Ernst
Jeff Babcock, of Wayne, Ohio, grew up watching his dad, Jeff Sr., wheel stock cars around western Ohio, and like most kids, wanted to follow in his father's footsteps.
It may not have gotten off to a great start, but Babcock has certainly figured it out. He is currently as hot as any driver in the state having driven his Stock Car and UMP Modified to victory lane 25 times in 2009. [More]
Obituaries on April 15th, 2010
Former New Weston resident Cletus W. Schmitz, 78, 401 Lewis Ave., St. Henry, died April 13, 2010, in a fire at his farm in rural New Weston. [More]
Lloyd M. Tester, 88, 541 Lisle St., Celina, died at 1:38 p.m. April 14, 2010, at Joint Township District Memorial Hospital in St. Marys. [More]
C. Blanche Phillips, 93, 1121 E. Central Ave., Van Wert, died at 12:45 a.m. April 14, 2010, at CHP Inpatient Hospice Center in Van Wert. [More]
Local pictures on April 15th, 2010
Subscriber stories on April 15th, 2010
CELINA - The Mercer County Civic Foundation has returned nearly $5.5 million to the community in its 50 years of existence.
Celina Attorney William "Bill" Meikle, a founding member of the foundation, addressed a crowd at a noon luncheon Wednesday to celebrate its anniversary.
Marion Local Schools
MARIA STEIN - Three administrators at Marion Local Schools received new two-year contracts this week.
School board members meeting Monday approved
NEW BREMEN - Village council members may adopt a policy that could prevent some residents from planting trees on their property between the sidewalk and curb.
ST. MARYS - Eldora Speedway opened in 1954 on 50-plus acres of farmland near Rossburg, but the idea for the dirt track occurred to former owner Earl Baltes a year earlier while on a Sunday afternoon drive.
WAPAKONETA - Faulty wiring in a lamp is the probable cause of a house fire in late March that resulted in an elderly woman's death, according to the state fire marshal's office.
MINSTER - Jessica Albers, a key member of the Minster cross country and track programs, will head to Xavier University this fall to continue her education and running career.
MINSTER - Ben Hogenkamp, who was a key contributor to Minster winning its first-ever state team championship in boy's golf this past season, will continue his playing career as he will head to NCAA Division III power Wittenberg University in Springfield.
One Last Curtain Call
When the Midwest Athletic Conference officially recognized softball as a varsity sport in the spring of 1997, the Parkway Panthers wasted little time in planting their proverbial flag on the top of the league mountain.