Air Quality Alert issued July 17 at 12:43AM 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.
Today 85° Today 85° 74° 74° likely chance Tomorrow 88° Tomorrow 88° chance 68° 68°
Saturday, May 9th, 2009
Saucy times
Photo by Shelley Grieshop/The Daily Standard

Rodger Harris, at left, and Mike Wilson remove barbecued ribs from their grill at the Mercer County Fairgrounds in Celina on Friday afternoon. The men are part of a Celina crew operating Butter's Barbecue Bones at the third annual Mercer County Ribfest, which continues today. The fun continues today with gates opening at 11 a.m. Music, a boat show and a car cruise-in also begin at 11 a.m., and a 5K run follows at noon. The band Red Ball Jets performs from 5:30-8:30 p.m., a rib eating contest will take place from 8:30-9 p.m. and Free Rider will take the stage from 9 p.m. to midnight. This year 10 vendors are on the grounds selling delicious barbecued ribs to the public. See related photo on page 7.

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