Friday, July 5th, 2019
Experts urge caution around fireworks
By Leslie Gartrell
CELINA - Two of the area's biggest fireworks shows are this weekend, but residents are reminded that they can cause anxiety and injuries in humans and pets - and they're illegal in Ohio unless the user has a state permit.
Unlicensed Ohioans can purchase consumer, or 1.4-gram, fireworks from a licensed wholesaler or manufacturer, but they cannot fire them off in the state, according to the State Fire Marshal. [More]
By Tom Stankard
CELINA - Already-busy contractors are responding to tornado victims as quickly as possible while also working on projects started before the twister hit.
"I've heard from folks that the builders are saying it may take months before they can even get started," mayor Jeff Hazel said this week. [More]
By Tom Stankard
Discussions about merging Paulding Putnam Electric Cooperative and Midwest Electric have ended.
A study was conducted to see if merging would reduce costs by streamlining the two organizations into one, according to a PPEC news release.
After board members reviewed the study results, they decided it was best to keep the cooperatives separate, said Matt Berry, Midwest Electric CEO. [More]
Obituaries on July 5th, 2019
Melanie Sue (Standley) Eisenhut, 64, of Celina passed away Tuesday, July 2, 201 [More]
Harold Miracle, 80, Celina, passed away July 4 at his home in Celina.
Arrange [More]
Local pictures on July 5th, 2019
Subscriber stories on July 5th, 2019
CELINA - A man who'd been sought by Celina police after they say he led them on a chase through city streets pleaded not guilty to four charges during his initial appearance in Mercer County Common Pleas Court on Wednesday.
CELINA - Homeowners impacted by the May 27 tornado should do their homework before hiring a contractor to work on their homes, said Richard Eppstein, president of Better Business Bureau of Northwest Ohio and Southeast Michigan office.
COLUMBUS - State officials have asked the Federal Emergency Management Agency to open its Public Assistance Program to local governments in Mercer and four other counties impacted by the May 27 tornadoes, Gov. Mike DeWine announced on Wednesday.
CELINA - The Kiwanis Club of Celina is offering cleaning supplies and coupons for laundry and dry-cleaning services to those impacted by the May 27 tornado.
COLUMBUS - The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Farm Service Agency is extending the prevented plant crop reporting deadline for Ohio producers affected by spring flooding and excessive moisture.
WAPAKONETA - The Auglaize County Sheriff's Office on Wednesday afternoon announced 16 arrests, which reportedly came after a "lengthy investigation" by undercover officers with the Grand Lake Task Force.
CELINA - The Ohio Supreme Court has decided to consider an appeal filed by a former Mercer County resident whose legal team said the terms of civil stalking protection orders violated his free speech rights.
ROCKFORD - Village council members on Tuesday heard first reading of an ordinance to prohibit peddling, soliciting and canvassing.
"People are com
CELINA - The jury trial for a Kettering man facing charges of second-degree felonious assault and fifth-degree felony vandalism in relation to an altercation in the Mercer County Adult Detention Facility will begin Aug. 8.
BUTLER TOWNSHIP - A 15-year-old Amish boy reportedly fell about 20 feet in a construction accident while working on a structure on Monday morning.
Compiled by Gary R. Rasberry
Grand Lake wrapped up a nine-game road trip by taking one out of three games against the Muskegon Clippers on Wednesday and Thursday. The Mariners went 4-5 during the road trip.