Air Quality Alert issued July 16 at 3:18PM EDT by NWS Wilmington OH (details ...)

The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency has issued a statewide Air Quality Advisory for the entire state of Ohio as smoke from Canadian wildfires continues to adversely impact air quality.
Pollutants across the state are expected to range from the 'Unhealthy For Sensitive Groups' category in the southwest part of the state to the 'Unhealthy' category in the rest of the state. Hourly concentrations at times may reach the 'Very Unhealthy' to 'Hazardous' categories.
It is recommended, when possible, to avoid strenuous outdoor activities, especially those with heart disease and respiratory conditions like asthma. Watch for symptoms including wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, dizziness, or burning in the nose, throat, and eyes.
For additional information, please visit the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency's website at epa.ohio.gov.

Air Quality Alert issued July 16 at 2:18PM EDT by NWS Wilmington OH (details ...)

The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency has issued an Air Quality Advisory for the entire state of Ohio, until midnight EDT tonight.
Smoke from Canadian wildfires will adversely impact air quality today. The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency expects the Air Quality Index to be in the 'unhealthy' range.
For additional information, please visit the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency's website at epa.ohio.gov.

Special Weather Statement issued July 16 at 12:09PM EDT by NWS Wilmington OH (details ...)

Temperatures continue climb into the upper 80s to lower 90s today. This will combine with a humid airmass to produce heat indicies in the 95 to 100 degree range this afternoon.
Take extra precautions when outside. Wear lightweight and loose fitting clothing. Try to limit strenuous activities to early morning or evening.

Air Quality Alert issued July 16 at 10:53AM EDT by NWS Wilmington OH (details ...)

Air Quality Alert issued July 16 at 9:21AM EDT by NWS Wilmington OH (details ...)

Air Quality Alert issued July 16 at 12:23AM EDT by NWS Wilmington OH (details ...)

The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency has issued an Air Quality Advisory for the entire state of Ohio, through midnight EDT tonight.
Smoke from Canadian wildfires will adversely impact air quality. The Agency expects the Air Quality Index to be in the 'unhealthy for sensitive groups' range.
For additional actions and information, please visit the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency's web site at epa.ohio.gov.

Air Quality Alert issued July 16 at 12:16AM EDT by NWS Wilmington OH (details ...)

The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency has issued an Air Quality Advisory for the entire state of Ohio, from 7 AM Thursday to midnight EDT tonight.
Smoke from Canadian wildfires will adversely impact air quality. The Agency expects the Air Quality Index to be in the 'unhealthy for sensitive groups' range.
For additional actions and information, please visit the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency's web site at epa.ohio.gov.

Air Quality Alert issued July 15 at 9:35PM EDT by NWS Wilmington OH (details ...)

The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency has issued an Air Quality Advisory for the entire state of Ohio, from 7 AM Thursday to midnight EDT Thursday night.
Smoke from Canadian wildfires will adversely impact air quality. The Agency expects the Air Quality Index to be in the 'unhealthy for sensitive groups' range.
For additional actions and information, please visit the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency's web site at epa.ohio.gov.

Thursday, April 23rd, 2026

McClurg to Capital

By Gary R. Rasberry

Photo by Gary R. Rasberry/The Daily Standard

Minster senior Cole McClurg (gray shirt) will attend Capital University and play basketball for the Comets next season.

MINSTER - Over the last 20-plus years, Capital University men's basketball coach Damon Goodwin has looked close to his St. Marys home to find top talent for the Comets' program.

The Grand Lake area pipeline continues as Minster senior Cole McClurg formally committed to play at the NCAA Division III program in the Bexley neighborhood of Columbus.

"Coach Goodwin reached out a year ago when I was playing AAU," said McClurg, who will major in business marketing. "We knew him through (former Minster standout) Justin Nixon and (former Marion Local player) Alex Eyink. We knew he was a good coach and was from a good family. … What I saw from Capital was a place to get a good education and have a good path to my future."

The Comets finished the 2025-26 season at 9-16 with a 4-12 record in Ohio Athletic Conference play.

Over the years, Capital has had a number of area players play, including St. Henry graduates Nate Stahl and Ross Niekamp, St. Marys grad Adam Johns, Fort Recovery's Chuck Bihn, current St. Henry boys coach Eric Rosenbeck and Minster alum Justin Nixon.

McClurg's guard play has been key for the Wildcats during his career. McClurg averaged 11.4 points and 5.6 assists per game this season.

This past season, McClurg became the Wildcats' all-time leader in assists with 334 and ranks seventh in steals with 110 and 19th in career scoring with 796 points. McClurg earned first team All-Midwest Athletic Conference and honorable mention Division VII All-Ohio honors.

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"There's so much I can take from Minster (when going to Capital)," said McClurg. "Best thing that could happen to me having Dad (Minster head coach Michael McClurg) coaching me. Mainly what I'll take is the way you do things. In basketball, I've had a hard path, so I think I learned to face adversity through those things. I know Minster has prepared me for everything school-wise and basketball-wise for the future."

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Additional online story on this date

Urgent care clinic to expand hours

COLDWATER - After several months of renovation, the bulk of the Community Medical Center makeover is newly completed, with its Doctors' Urgent Care clinic to offer extended hours of 8 a.m.-8 p.m. beginning June 1, the Mercer Health hospital board of governors learned Wednesday night. [More]

Subscriber and paid stories on this date

Fort Recovery man indicted in child sex abuse materials case

CELINA - A 53-year-old Fort Recovery man indicted in February on drug charges in Mercer County Common Pleas Court was hit with a superseding indictment last week that included dozens of charges related to the possession of child sexual abuse images.

Prosecutor seeks limits on Chilcoats' filings

CELINA - The Mercer County Prosecutor's Office asked the county judge this month to prohibit a Celina couple from filing lawsuits and requesting public records without a judge's approval.

New Bremen gets 5-star banner

NEW BREMEN - For the third year in a row, New Bremen Local Schools was named a 5-star district on its 2025 state report card, making it one of the best public schools in the state.

Celina man gets prison sentence for attack

CELINA - A 23-year-old Celina man was sentenced to over a year in prison this week for a January incident in which he tried to strangle his girlfriend, then left a Celina police officer with stitches while resisting arrest.

Horse and Buggy Tales

The magic and mystery of kite flying

While this story is directed especially to the small fry of the present generation, dad and grandpa should find a personal interest in it, as well as the women of their families who frequently found their kitchens somewhat disordered and messy from Operation Kite Making, 55 or 60 years ago.

Grand Lake Fishing Report

Different colors for dirty water

Good day everyone. I hope everyone is enjoying our beautiful lake in this exciting spring weather.

We who live here in Ohio have to take advantage

Roughriders stay hot in WBL tennis matches

Compiled by Gary R. Rasberry

The St. Marys boys tennis team continued its hot run with its fifth straight shutout win over Western Buckeye League opponents with a 5-0 win over Bath in a rescheduled contest.