Friday, January 9th, 2015

Local traffic, misdemeanor cases accessible online

By Kathy Thompson
CELINA - Cases involving traffic and misdemeanor violations can now be accessed online.
The Celina Municipal Court late last month went online at www.celinamunicipalcourt.org where cases can now be publicly accessed. In several weeks the public will be able to make payments via credit or debit card for citations, court costs and other fees.
Mercer County Common Pleas Court records have been accessible online for several years. Celina's clerk of courts Barbara Painter said it was time for municipal court to get on board.
"This was definitely the time to do this," she said. "Most courts in the state are online and we felt the time was right."
Painter said it cost the court $2,000 to develop the website through Creative Microsystems Inc. of Englewood. Computer funds collected from case fees paid the bill, she said.
"We've been collecting the fund for the past 20 years," Painter said. "That fund takes care of all our computers, the forms and paper that have to go along with the computers, anything to do with the computers. No money was taken out of the city funds, so not only does it help the city but it helps the consumer."
A small fee will be charged to pay fines and citations, she said. Painter said she is confident consumers will take advantage of the system. Her office has for years received calls inquiring if payment were possible via the Internet, she said.
"It's the way of the world right now," Painter said, adding many people today pay most of their bills online.
Painter said the service will help consumers pay fees on time on the secure site and make it easier for those who can't come to court for some reason.
"On a bad weather day or if someone can't get in to pay their fees, then they can just go online," Painter explained, adding it will be a big help for people living out of town or out of state.
The court currently cannot accept payments over the phone because of a malfunction in the credit card machine, she said.
"We take checks from Ohio banks, cash, money orders and cashier's checks," Painter said. "But once this system gets up and running, I'm sure we'll be taking more payments from credit or debit cards than ever before."
The new service also should reduce the number of cases the staff must access for other agencies or businesses, she said.
"Now they can just do it themselves," Painter said.
The records are kept up to date; court decisions go online immediately, she added.
If problems arise, the records all are backed up by CMI, Painter said.
Additional online story on this date
MARIA STEIN - For three of the four quarters played Thursday night, Minster and Marion Local played nearly even with each other.
The second quart [More]
Subscriber and paid stories on this date
Development is required to meet EPA regulations
CELINA - City officials are eyeing several properties in the Grand Lake Watershed to meet a nearly decade-long obligation to develop 7.15 acres of wetlands as part of the walkway project.
CELINA - New laws require certification for applying manmade fertilizer in Ohio, according to a local ag official.
Denny Riethman, OSU Extension Ag Educator for Mercer County, explained the certification during Thursday's ag breakfast meeting in Celina.
ST. MARYS - A 26-year-old man wanted by law enforcement for charges of rape and gross sexual imposition from an alleged incident Saturday was captured Thursday night by Indiana State Police.
CELINA - Mercer County soil and water officials on Thursday approved the purchase of GPS equipment that should hasten survey work and reduce labor time.
CELINA - A Lima organization that took over the now-defunct Sources Community Network Services program recently landed a nearly $350,000 grant to fund transportation for the needy.
New Knoxville alone in first place in MAC
ST. HENRY - For one quarter, St. Henry appeared ready to give New Knoxville a run for its money.
Then the second quarter happened and changed the game in a hurry.
NEW BREMEN - Defense dominated a Midwest Athletic Conference girls battle Thursday at New Bremen with the host Cardinals prevailing 36-33 over Fort Recovery.
Area Roundup
Compiled by Colin Foster and Gary R. Rasberry
The Coldwater girls basketball team got behind early and fought back to force overtime.
Once there, however, the Cavaliers were outscored 9-5 by Delphos St. John's and suffered a 48-44 loss in Midwest Athletic Conference play on Thursday night.
McGuire serves as music director, liturgist for group
MARIA STEIN - Walking the earth where Jesus and his disciples had tread brought a deeper spirituality and connection to one local pilgrim and her fellow travelers.