Special Weather Statement issued December 31 at 1:41PM EST by NWS Wilmington OH (details ...)

Snowfall of at least an inch is expected across the region, with up to 2 inches possible. There is also the potential for brief intense bursts of snow, especially between 10 PM and 3 AM. Where these brief bursts of snow occur, visibility may drop suddenly, creating additional travel hazards tonight.
West winds will become northwest overnight, gusting as high as 30 to even 35 mph. This may cause blowing snow over roadways, even as the snow ends after 3 AM.

Special Weather Statement issued December 31 at 1:41PM EST by NWS Wilmington OH (details ...)

Today
31°

likely

Tonight
12°

likely

Wednesday, December 31st, 2025

10 injured in crash on SR 29

By William Kincaid

CELINA - Ten people, including eight minors, were transported by five ambulances to two area hospitals following a two-vehicle accident at the intersection of State Route 29 and Riley Road on Monday night.

Three of the 10 involved in the accidents were suspected of having serious injuries, while the others reportedly incurred minor injuries, according to Mercer County Sheriff's Office Deputy Kristen Nixon. [More]

Sheriff details quiet standoff, Toler court date set

By Jerry Martin

A 37-year-old man arrested in a standoff with police at a home in St. Marys on Monday remained in custody at the Mercer County Adult Detention Center Tuesday evening.

A court appearance in Mercer County is scheduled for Jan. 7 for Zachary L. Toler, of St. Marys, who was removed from a home at 317 Lynn St. by Auglaize County sheriff's personnel Monday afternoon. [More]

Redskins roll past Riders

By Colin Foster

ST. MARYS - St. Marys was hanging with St. Henry at halftime Tuesday, but the Redskins didn't let them hang around in the second half.

Jack Huelsman scored a game-high 20 points, Landon Schwartz netted 15, and Brayden Heath added 10 to help St. Henry claim a 53-33 victory at Grand Lake Health System Court. [More]

Obituaries on December 31st, 2025

Lawrence Kunk

Lawrence "Fats" Orville Kunk, age 69, of Yorkshire - Osgood Road in Yorkshire, [More]

Phyllis Sherman

Phyllis Sherman, age 92 of Minster, OH passed away at 7:20 PM on Monday, December 29, 2025 at Joint Township District Memorial Hospital, St. Marys. [More]

Judith Bernard

Judith Marie Bernard was born June 24, 1962 to the late Elmer and Mary (Harner) Bernard of St. Henry, and passed away December 25, 2025. [More]

Local pictures on December 31st, 2025

Subscriber stories on December 31st, 2025

Dispose of Christmas trees safely, promptly

Or give your tree a second life in nature

COLUMBUS - The holidays may be winding down, but the risk of fire involving live Christmas trees is getting greater by the day.

The Ohio Departmen

Firemen respond to two fires in Celina

CELINA - In the span of about 10 hours, the Celina Fire Department responded to a pair of structure fires, one of which sent four occupants to a local hospital for evaluation and treatment.

Celina man accused of Christmas Day attack

CELINA - A 47-year-old Celina man was arrested last week for reportedly trying to strangle his girlfriend to death on Christmas day.

A criminal complaint was filed against Teddy A. Poppe on Monday in Mercer County Common Pleas Court for one count of felonious assault, a second-degree felony.

St. Marys council hears parking complaint from resident

ST. MARYS - A downtown property owner addressed St. Marys City Council on Tuesday night, raising concerns about limited parking and code enforcement.

Flyers defeat Bulldogs

MARIA STEIN - A big second half propelled Marion Local in a 56-35 win over Celina at the Hangar in non-conference boys basketball action.

For veteran Flyers coach Kurt Goettemoeller, it was his 250th career win at his alma mater.

Cavs snap skid

Compiled by Gary R. Rasberry

Coldwater jumped out to a big lead early and never looked back in snapping a three-game losing streak with a 72-37 win over Ansonia in boys basketball action at the Palace on Tuesday night.

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Photo Albums

Marion Local vs Celina boys basketball

St. Henry vs St. Marys boys basketball

Coldwater vs Tri-Village girls basketball

New Knoxville vs Waynesfield-Goshen boys basketball

All Photo Albums

Sports Preview

Goal Line Football Preview
for December 6th

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Today's Paper

The Daily Standard 2025-12-31

Wednesday, December 31

Today In History

Today in History: December 31, Edison demonstrates incandescent lights in Menlo Park

Today in History: December 30, Saddam Hussein executed

Today in History: December 29, the Wounded Knee Massacre

Tuesday, December 30th, 2025

Body of suspected car thief identified by family

By William Kincaid

CELINA - The body of a man recovered from Grand Lake off West Bank Road on Saturday morning has been identified as Alvin Lee Stabler, 47, of Hoover, Alabama, who most recently had been staying in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

Stabler allegedly attempted to [More]

Jim's Forever, a Mendon institution, ends ride tomorrow

From staff reports

MENDON - A longstanding institution in Mendon will close at the end of the year, leaving a village with few remaining businesses.

Jim's Forever Inc., formerly Jim's Harley Davidson Sales, a motorcycle shop, announced its upcoming closure on the business' Facebook page. [More]

Obituaries on December 30th, 2025

Floyd Sheaks, Jr.

Floyd W. Sheaks Jr., 76, of St. Marys, OH passed away on December 27, 2025 at O [More]

Pamela Kovar

Pamela Sue Kovar, age 75, of Columbus, Ohio, passed away Thursday, December 11, 2025, at Riverside Methodist Hospital following a sudden illness. [More]

Local pictures on December 30th, 2025

Subscriber stories on December 30th, 2025

West wall falls at St. John

SR 119 closed between Kremer and St. Johns roads

MARIA STEIN - Adding insult to injury, the west wall of the fire-ravaged St. John the Baptist Church collapsed sometime between Sunday evening and Monday morning, likely due to strong wind gusts up to 55 mph.

St. Marys standoff leads to arrest

A 37-year-old St. Marys man was booked into the Mercer County Adult Detention Center Monday afternoon after a standoff with police on Lynn Street in St. Marys earlier in the day.

Coldwater sets budget

COLDWATER - Village councilors in Coldwater on Monday night closed out the year by passing the 2026 budget.

Councilors suspended the rules requiring three public readings and approved the amended 2025 budget and the 2026 budget ordinances as emergency measures.

Rangers get past Tigers

NEW KNOXVILLE - On the 10th anniversary of New Knoxville's 1,000th win as a program, the Rangers put on a vintage performance in a 50-41 win over Waynesfield-Goshen to get over .500 on the young season.

Cavaliers fall to Patriots

COLDWATER - As hard as they could play, Coldwater just could not overcome Tri-Village down the stretch.

The Patriots took a double-digit lead at h

Panthers win sixth straight

Compiled by Gary R. Rasberry

Parkway pulled away in the second half to improve to 9-1 with its sixth straight win in beating South Adams 49-29 in Monday night girls basketball action at the Stardome in Berne.

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Monday, December 29th, 2025

Body of suspect recovered from lake

By William Kincaid

CELINA - The body of an unidentified man believed to be the suspect of an attempted vehicle theft on Christmas night was recovered from Grand Lake off West Bank Road on Saturday morning.

As of Sunday evening, the identity of the dead man - described as a Black male, about 5 feet, 10 inches tall, weighing around 180 pounds and possibly in his 30s - was still unknown. [More]

Obituaries on December 29th, 2025

Joseph Oen

Joseph F. Oen, 91, of Noble Twp. in rural Auglaize Co., OH, died on Christmas Day 2025. [More]

Ronald Buschur

Ronald Buschur, 84, of Philothea passed away on Saturday, December 27, 2025 at the Gardens of St. Henry. [More]

Donald Warden

Donald Eugene Warden, age 68 of Celina, Ohio passed away on December 18, 2025 at the Mercer County Community Hospital in Coldwater. [More]

Rosetta Simpson

Rosetta Simpson, 77, Lima, died at 10:36 a.m. Dec. 22, 2025, at St. Rita's Medical Center, Lima. [More]

Local pictures on December 29th, 2025

Subscriber stories on December 29th, 2025

Area sales tax revenue sets record

CELINA - Despite early concerns that bird flu might adversely affect the overall local economy, Mercer County's sales tax revenue defied expectations and reached new heights in 2025.

Skins, Flyers split

Compiled by Gary R. Rasberry

St. Henry and Marion Local met in Maria Stein for the annual Battle of 119, an all-day basketball non-conference series featuring junior high and high school games.

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Saturday, December 27th, 2025

A Smitty sweep

Celina wins girls and boys games at home showcase

By Gary R. Rasberry

CELINA - It was a perfect start for the Celina boys and girls varsity basketball teams on the first night of the Smitty Way Holiday Showcase at the Fieldhouse. The event honors longtime assistant boys basketball coach Doug Smith, who died in 2023.

In the girls contest, the Bulldogs played havoc with the Bellefontaine offense, forcing nearly 40 turnovers and finishing the game with a running clock in a 60-25 win to snap a two-game losing streak. [More]

Obituaries on December 27th, 2025

Dorothy Bye

Dorothy Bye, 82, a resident of Celina, passed away peacefully on Christmas morning, December 25, 2025 at her home. She was a former Portland, Indiana resident. [More]

JoAnn Wagner

JoAnn Donna (Fortkamp) Wagner, age 67, of Reed Road, Versailles, passed away of [More]

Tyler Levi

Tyler L. Levi, age 33, of St. Marys, passed away peacefully on Thursday, Decemb [More]

Joseph Oen

Joseph Oen, 91, Noble Township, Auglaize County, died at 9:40 a.m. Dec. 25, 2025, at Joint Township District Memorial Hospital, St. Marys. [More]

Local pictures on December 27th, 2025

Subscriber stories on December 27th, 2025

County to take over airport

Process of dissolving airport authority has begun

CELINA - Mercer County officials are in the process of dissolving the Lakefield Airport Authority and handing over the governance of the airport to the Mercer County Commissioners.

Rangers fall to Bulldogs

Compiled by Gary R. Rasberry

Elida outscored New Knoxville 18-3 on the second quarter to take an 18-point lead at halftime en route to a 50-23 win in the semifinals of the Vicki Mauk Holiday Classic on Friday night at the Elida Fieldhouse.

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More days in the news archive

Public Notices

Stay informed with Public Notices in print and online. In the past 30 days there have been 31 public notices. Including:

• 6 Meeting
• 5 Bids
• 5 Request for Proposals
• 4 Public Sale
• 3 Legislation
• 3 Sheriff Sale
• 2 Zoning
• 1 Foreclosure
• 1 Request for Qualifications
• 1 Notice by Publication