Wednesday, February 13th, 2019

Stokes reinstated by Minster

By Colin Foster
MINSTER - Minster Head Football Coach Geron Stokes has been fully reinstated by the school district.
After having been placed on paid administrative leave from his coaching and weight-room monitoring duties by district superintendent Brenda Boeke, Stokes has been cleared to return to his positions.
On Jan. 29, Stokes - who piloted Minster to state titles in 2014 and 2017 and also a state runner-up in 2016 - was notified he would be placed on administrative leave while the district looked into allegations about how he handled a situation, Boeke said.
When the investigation was completed, Boeke sent out letters to Minster's football parents that explained the decision.
"Following a thorough investigation, I determined that the allegations were not substantiated, and therefore, coach Stokes has been fully reinstated as head football coach and weight room monitor," Boeke said in an email on Tuesday.
Following the Jan. 29 announcement, Stokes received a mass of support from former players and students, parents and other coaches across various social media platforms.
In six years at Minster, Stokes has an overall record of 57-23, including a 17-3 mark in five straight playoff appearances. This past season, Minster went 8-4 and had its quest for a third straight state championship appearance stopped short with a 28-14 loss to Crestview in the Division VII regional semifinal.
Additional online story on this date
Celina council gives state green light to do reconstruction in 2020
CELINA - City council members on Monday night passed legislation authorizing the Ohio Department of Transportation to reconstruct West Market Street in 2020. [More]
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Celina
CELINA - Mayor Jeff Hazel painted a rosy picture of Celina's government and economy on Monday night during his state of the city address.
Now in his eighth year as mayor, Hazel spent the bulk of his lengthy address reflecting on positive city developments, trends and projects in 2018.
NEW BREMEN - John-Michael Lander told New Bremen New Knoxville Rotarians on Tuesday that he used to do anything his coach asked of him to become a better athlete.
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ROCKFORD - Parkway school board members on Tuesday discussed possibly allowing three-hour delays during inclement weather.
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WAPAKONETA - Immunization rates are declining nationwide and even more so in Ohio, and board of health members learned on Tuesday that Auglaize County's could be following suit.
CELINA - Both Fort Recovery and Celina had their offensive struggles on Tuesday night.
The teams were a combined 9 of 31 from the floor in the fir
MARIA STEIN - Marion Local hit top-ranked Fort Loramie with its best shot on Tuesday night.
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Area Roundup
Compiled by Gary R. Rasberry
Celina wrapped up the Western Buckeye League regular season with a 6-3 dual-match record after defeating Van Wert 54-26 on Tuesday at the Cougar Den in Van Wert.