A significant increase in the number of blacklegged ticks and the illness the tiny insects can carry are putting a damper on Ohio's great outdoors.

CELINA - A faulty underground line, not heat-related consumption, caused a short power outage for some businesses and residents near the north section of Main and Buckeye streets on Wednesday afternoon.

ST. MARYS - City council's finance committee is recommending tearing down the unused smokestack of the former power plant.

"As time passes, maintenance on it will keep going up and up as that thing ages," committee member Jim Harris said during a meeting Wednesday.

CELINA - Mercer County Board of Elections members this week decided to incorporate a voter registration system on the county's virtual server and purchase necessary software at an estimated cost of $1,625.

A 26-year-old Celina man with a long history of criminal offenses as a juvenile and an adult is going to prison.

Alex Hirn, 751 Deford St., Lot 156

ST. MARYS - A combination of colors and layered fabric brings to life a story in each of artist Cathy Jeffers' quilts.

Jeffers, an elementary schoo

CELINA - The Miss Lake Festival scholarship pageant will be held Monday at a new location, Romer's at Westlake located off state Route 127.

Previou

The Miss Lake Festival Princess Camp program is a mentoring program designed for young girls who have an interest in someday competing in future pageants and promoting community service.

Five contestants are competing in the Miss Lake Festival Outstanding Teen pageant on Monday. They will be judged on talent, evening wear/on-stage question, lifestyle and fitness and private interview. The contestants also are required to select a personal platform issue.

Compiled by Ryan Hines

The Grand Lake Mariners lost for the seventh time in the last eight games after suffering an 8-5 setback at the hands of the Dayton Docs on Wednesday night in Great Lakes Summer Collegiate League action at Wright State University.