Minster students strum their way to new love of music
By Abigail Miller
MINSTER - A chorus of ukulele strumming can now be heard quite regularly throughout the halls of Minster Local Schools, thanks to a two-day promotional giveaway that elementary school music teacher Abby Brigadoi entered on a whim.
In February 2024, while perusing some online teaching groups, Brigadoi was pointed in the direction of ukulele company Kala Brand Music Co.'s Random Acts of Kindness Day promotion. [More]
CELINA - Mercer County Sheriff Doug Timmerman wants to repurpose three police-rated command vehicles used by administrators and reassign them to patrol duty rather than purchase two new SUVs this year as initially proposed.
The Ohio Department of Development announced Friday the opening of a new round of grant funding to help innovators and entrepreneurs bring breakthrough technologies to market.
NOBLE TOWNSHIP - Auglaize County Commissioners are one step closer to cleaning up a longtime site of illegal dumping just off State Route 116.
Commissioners on Thursday approved and authorized the execution of the memorandum of understanding for a $48,183.34 Shine a Light on Dumpers grant from Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost's Office. [More]
Denny J. Gibbons, 75, of Rockford, passed away at 10:11pm on Tuesday, April 22, 2025, at Divine Rehabilitation and Nursing at Shane Hill in Rockford. [More]
Local director Amy Esser gears up for 'a serious fight'
CELINA - The elimination of funding for Head Start as proposed by the Trump Administration would not only end a critical program for children and families but take away a little over $2 million that flows to Mercer County every year, supporting the local economy.
COLDWATER - A 31-year-old Indiana man was found dead of an apparent suicide Thursday morning off a trail in Baker Woods State Nature Preserve outside Coldwater.
CELINA - In a packed banquet room, state and local Democrats delivered a fiery, impassioned call to action to remain visible while fighting for those without a voice at the Mercer County Democratic Party Equality Dinner on Thursday night.
The Archdiocese of Cincinnati Thursday announced four Memorial Masses for Pope Francis that will be held in different locations around the archdiocese, including one in Fort Loramie on Monday.
The Airport Athletic Complex in Maria Stein hosted the annual Flyer Spectacular on Thursday, mixing relay-based events with several specialty individual races.
A 21-year-old St. Marys man sustained life-threatening injuries early Wednesday morning in a single-vehicle injury crash between Staeger and Havemann roads on State Route 29, according to a news release from Celina Police Chief Tom Wale.
At about 12:28 a.m. Wednesday, Celina Police responded to an injury traffic crash reported via a phone app, the news release states. Officers found the crash on State Route 29 coming into Celina from the east on the curve between Staeger and Havemann roads. [More]
COLDWATER - Mercer Health officials continue to negotiate with the health system's two unions representing non-management employees over new three-year contracts, according to Mercer Health Chief Financial Officer Jon Dingledine.
NEW BREMEN - The state biennium budget as it was passed by the Ohio House this month poses serious financial problems to the New Bremen Local School District, superintendent Jason Schrader cautioned at Wednesday night's regular school board meeting.
CELINA - A 44-year-old Celina man who reportedly attempted to run over a group of kids in the Bryson Park District last summer pleaded guilty to attempted assault in Mercer County Common Pleas Court on Wednesday.
Adria Miller's one-out single in the bottom of the third inning scored KJae Stover for the go-ahead run and Parkway improved to 11-2 in softball with a 2-1 win over Bath in non-conference play on Wednesday in Rockford.
Published article highlights local water quality efforts
By William Kincaid
CELINA - Area experts working to restore the water quality of Grand Lake have authored a study demonstrating the efficacy of restored and managed wetlands that was accepted for publication in a prestigious international science journal dedicated to pioneering work across all aspects of wetland research. [More]
MINSTER - The way the game started, the Fort Recovery-Minster softball game had the makings of a high-octane offensive battle.
The host Wildcats held their end of the bargain, overcoming early errors and picking up a 14-4 run-rule victory over the Indians in Midwest Athletic Conference action at Four Seasons Park. [More]
MINSTER - The state biennium budget as it was passed by the House this month could reduce Minster Local Schools' savings by around $5 million, treasurer Gina Selby warned at Tuesday night's regular school board meeting.
Ohio's unemployment rate rose slightly in March to 4.8% from 4.7% in February, and area counties saw either slight increases or decreases in joblessness, with some experiencing no change at all.
CHILLICOTHE - Citing discussions with "government officials" and an undisclosed "potential public-private partnership," Pixelle Specialty Solutions abruptly changed course April 18 on the previously announced closing of its Chillicothe paper mill.
