Severe Thunderstorm Watch issued March 22 at 5:43PM EDT until March 23 at 12:00AM EDT by NWS Wilmington OH (details ...)

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HAS ISSUED SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH 73 IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT EDT TONIGHT FOR THE FOLLOWING AREAS
IN INDIANA THIS WATCH INCLUDES 8 COUNTIES
IN EAST CENTRAL INDIANA
FAYETTE UNION WAYNE
IN SOUTHEAST INDIANA
DEARBORN FRANKLIN OHIO RIPLEY SWITZERLAND
IN KENTUCKY THIS WATCH INCLUDES 3 COUNTIES
IN NORTHERN KENTUCKY
BOONE CAMPBELL KENTON
IN OHIO THIS WATCH INCLUDES 32 COUNTIES
IN CENTRAL OHIO
DELAWARE FAIRFIELD FAYETTE FRANKLIN HOCKING LICKING MADISON PICKAWAY UNION
IN SOUTH CENTRAL OHIO
ADAMS HIGHLAND PIKE ROSS SCIOTO
IN SOUTHWEST OHIO
BROWN BUTLER CLERMONT CLINTON HAMILTON WARREN
IN WEST CENTRAL OHIO
AUGLAIZE CHAMPAIGN CLARK DARKE GREENE HARDIN LOGAN MERCER MIAMI MONTGOMERY PREBLE SHELBY
THIS INCLUDES THE CITIES OF ABERDEEN, ADA, ALEXANDRIA, AURORA, BATESVILLE, BEAVERCREEK, BELLEFONTAINE, BELLEVUE, BLANCHESTER, BRIGHT, BROOKVILLE, BURLINGTON, CAMDEN, CELINA, CHILLICOTHE, CIRCLEVILLE, COLDWATER, CONNERSVILLE, COVINGTON, DAY HEIGHTS, DAYTON, DELAWARE, DILLSBORO, DOWNTOWN CINCINNATI, DOWNTOWN COLUMBUS, DOWNTOWN DAYTON, EATON, ERLANGER, FAIRBORN, FAIRFIELD, FLORENCE, FORT THOMAS, FRANKLIN, GEORGETOWN, GREENDALE, GREENFIELD, GREENVILLE, HAMILTON, HIDDEN VALLEY, HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, HILLSBORO, INDEPENDENCE, KENTON, KETTERING, LANCASTER, LANDEN, LAWRENCEBURG, LEBANON, LIBERTY, LOGAN, LONDON, MANCHESTER, MARYSVILLE, MASON, MIDDLETOWN, MILAN, MILFORD, MINSTER, MOUNT CARMEL, MOUNT ORAB, MOUNT REPOSE, MULBERRY, NEW BREMEN, NEWARK, NEWPORT, OAKBROOK, OSGOOD, OXFORD, PEEBLES, PICKERINGTON, PIKE LAKE, PIKETON, PIQUA, PLAIN CITY, PORTSMOUTH, RICHMOND, RIPLEY, RISING SUN, SEAMAN, SIDNEY, SPRINGBORO, SPRINGFIELD, ST. MARYS, SUMMERSIDE, TIPP CITY, TROY, URBANA, VERSAILLES, VEVAY, WAPAKONETA, WASHINGTON COURT HOUSE, WAVERLY, WEST COLLEGE CORNER, WEST JEFFERSON, WEST UNION, WHEELERSBURG, WILMINGTON, WINCHESTER, WITHAMSVILLE, AND XENIA.

Tuesday, September 15th, 2020

City to purchase security cameras for park

By William Kincaid

CELINA - City officials plan to purchase and install security cameras in Westview Park following an incident of vandalism that had occurred late last month as part of a reported crime spree that originated at the Mercer County Fairgrounds.

City councilors at Monday's regular meeting approved legislation to make several appropriations, including $3,959 toward the purchase of security cameras from NuWave Technology for Westview Park. The ordinance was passed as an emergency measure after councilors suspended the rules requiring three public readings.

This is the second time vandals have caused damage to Westview Park this year, mayor Jeff Hazel told the newspaper, explaining the need for a camera system.

"It's not about spying on people, but it's about when there is an incident - maybe there's a fight, maybe something else happens or damage, obviously - we're able to try to quickly nip that in the bud and put a stop to it," he said.

Mercer County fair officials on social media noted three individuals had broken into a fairgrounds building and commandeered golf cars, driving them from the east end of the fairgrounds to Celina's Westview Park.

One cart was driven into Westview pond and others were damaged, with bent frames, busted lights and ripped off tire rods. On fairgrounds, the carts allegedly tore up the newly resurfaced track and knocked over flower boxes and portable toilets. At Westview Park, vandals reportedly tore from the walls bathroom stalls and toilet paper and soap dispensers. They also were accused of destroying a small free library that was donated by the Rotary Club.

Hazel said the perpetrators must be caught and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law, adding the investigation is ongoing.

The legislation also appropriated $4,580 for security cameras at the new Celina Police Department impound building on city property next to the solar field on Meyer Road.

Additionally appropriated was $130,358.88 received via federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act. Hazel told the newspaper he's looking into the possibility of transferring the funds to the Mercer County Small Business COVID-19 Grant Relief Program.

It makes more sense for the city to use the county's program rather than create it's own, Hazel said.

Archive of September 15th, 2020

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Additional online stories on this date

County records 16th virus death

CELINA - A Rockford resident is the 16th person to die from COVID-19 in Mercer County, according to a health district news release on Monday.

District officials also gave an update on outbreaks throughout the area and reported seven new cases of the virus, raising the county's total to 921. [More]

Clean Sweep

Bulldogs shut out Riders in tennis

CELINA - For coach Jan Morrison, Monday was one of the best all-around performances for her Celina girls tennis team this season.

The Bulldogs imp [More]

Subscriber and paid stories on this date

St. Henry administrator to retire Oct. 31

ST. HENRY - Village council members accepted the retirement of village administrator Ron Gelhaus after a nearly two-hour executive session on Monday evening.

Village creates COVID fund

COLDWATER - Village council members on Monday night passed an emergency resolution creating a small business COVID-19 relief fund.

The fund is in

Fort nets nearly $46K for fire expenses

Staff reports

FORT RECOVERY - The Southwest Mercer Fire District was awarded a nearly $46,000 grant through the Assistance to Firefighters Grants Program.

St. Marys to create COVID grant program

ST. MARYS - City officials will create a grant program assisting small business owners who have been adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

St. Henry superintendent: Staff, students adapting

ST. HENRY - School board members met briefly on Monday evening and discussed the first few weeks of in-person teaching.

Superintendent Julie Garke had nothing but praise for the students and staff of the district for their flexibility and ability to adapt.

New Bremen Cidertime event canceled due to pandemic

NEW BREMEN - A long-standing tradition in the village of New Bremen has been canceled this year due to concerns associated with the coronavirus pandemic, village councilors learned at Monday night's regular meeting.

Celina man in court on 2nd domestic violence case in 2 years

CELINA - A Celina man made his initial appearance in Mercer County Common Pleas Court for his second case of domestic violence in two years.

Faran

Area Roundup

Celina edges Elida 1-0

Compiled by Gary R. Rasberry

Makenna Klingshirn's goal early in the second half was all Celina needed to pick up the 1-0 win in Western Buckeye League girls soccer action at the soccer stadium.