Thursday, July 15th, 2010

Fort Recovery school levy to go on ballot

By Janie Southard
FORT RECOVERY - School district voters will see a new levy on the ballot in November for funding a 47,000-square-foot high school addition to the existing pre-K through 8 building.
Board members passed a resolution of necessity this week for a bond issue/tax levy to fund the district's share of an Ohio School Facilities Commission (OSFC) project. The exact millage amount is not yet know, as paperwork has just been submitted to the county auditor.
If a levy is approved, OSFC shows the state will cover 79 percent of the cost with local taxpayers picking up 21 percent. The project cost is estimated at $6,769,398, with the state portion $5,347,825.
Current plans also include several Locally Funded Initiatives (LFIs), which are projects that will not be state funded. With the LFIs, which include an additional 10-12 classrooms, media center and computer lab, the total project cost is set at $10,648,263. The taxpayers' portion then increases to $5,300,428.
"We'll now submit the information to the county auditor and he will determine the millage needed," said district treasurer Lori Koch. "We have until Aug. 4 to get this on the November ballot."
District superintendent Pat Niekamp has said the best option for the district, based on community input, was to build on to the PK-8 site.
Board president Jack Staugler said the consolidation will allow the district to "make the best use of personnel from a teaching standpoint, from a cafeteria standpoint and from a clerical standpoint."
Board members also had considered an $11.037 million renovation of the current high school that would have included all but the 1935 building section.
With the final plan, the current high school gym, vo-ag area and commons area will be saved. The rest of the high school would be demolished.
Additional online stories on this date
CELINA - Police Chief Dave Slusser says he is still working on a plan to cut his budget without laying off personnel, but if he doesn't come up with the numbers three full-time patrolmen, two full-time dispatchers and two part-time dispatchers will be laid off. [More]
COLDWATER - All four Grand Lake area teams opened the District 4 ACME Tournament with victories and will now face off on Friday in the winner's bracket at Coldwater's Veterans Field. [More]
Subscriber and paid stories on this date
St. Marys structure set for demolition by end of year
ST. MARYS - A community member has offered an 11th-hour possibility to save a portion of St. Marys' old high school/middle school complex from demolition. He said he'll purchase it, maintain it and rent it out.
CELINA - Celina Police responded to Bryson Pool on Wednesday night on reports of a local woman holding her young children under water for varying periods of time until they emerged gasping for air and coughing up water.
ST. MARYS - The school district will need more operating money in the near future, according to school board members and administrators. An additional operating levy may come in May.
ROCKFORD - An ash tree at a residence south of Rockford is likely infested with the emerald ash borer, a tree-destroying insect from Asia first confirmed in Ohio in 2003.
NEW BREMEN - Representatives of the New Bremen Agriculture Advisory Committee urged board of education members Wednesday night to make ag students eligible for science credit.
A 29-year-old Coldwater man pleaded not guilty Wednesday to six felony charges accusing him of having sex with a minor.
Gary E. Coats, formerly of
ST. HENRY - An area man was injured Tuesday morning while changing a tire on a loaded hopper wagon at his father's home.
Ryan P. Stachler, 23, 1929
A 16-year-old Fort Recovery girl was injured when she lost control of her SUV on state Route 219 east of Gause Road. The mishap occurred at 7:37 p.m. July 14, according to Mercer County Sheriff's Office reports.
The Kings Royal!
The words are sweet music to the ears of sprint car drivers and fans.
The 27th annual running of the $50,000 to-win event at Eldora Speedway on Saturday night highlights the doubleheader weekend featuring the World of Outlaw Sprint Cars.
Compiled by Gary R. Rasberry
St. Marys American Legion Post #323 baseball team saw its season come to an end at the District Two Championship Game on Wednesday, falling 6-3 to Lima Post 96 at Simmons Field in Lima.