Flood Advisory issued August 19 at 3:55PM EDT until August 19 at 7:00PM EDT by NWS Wilmington OH (details ...)

* WHAT...Flooding caused by excessive rainfall is expected.
* WHERE...Southern Mercer County in west central Ohio...
* WHEN...Until 700 PM EDT.
* IMPACTS...Minor flooding in low-lying and poor drainage areas.
* ADDITIONAL DETAILS... - At 355 PM EDT, radar indicated heavy rain due to thunderstorms. Minor flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly in the advisory area. Between 1 and 1.5 inches of rain have fallen. Additional rainfall amounts of 0.5 to 1.5 inches are possible. - Some locations that may experience flooding include... Coldwater, St. Henry, Fort Recovery, Chickasaw, Burkettsville, Montezuma, Carthagena and Maria Stein.

Special Weather Statement issued August 19 at 3:30PM EDT by NWS Wilmington OH (details ...)

Showers and thunderstorms will be capable of producing brief cold air funnels this afternoon and evening. Several funnel clouds have already been spotted across west-central Ohio, with this feature potentially moving into central Ohio over the coming hours. Keep in mind, the majority of these funnels will not reach the ground, but if they do, gusty winds and minor damage may occur.

Flood Watch issued August 19 at 12:40PM EDT until August 20 at 10:00AM EDT by NWS Wilmington OH (details ...)

* WHAT...Flash flooding caused by excessive rainfall is possible.
* WHERE...Portions of east central Indiana, including the following counties, Fayette, Union and Wayne and Ohio, including the following counties, Auglaize, Champaign, Clark, Darke, Delaware, Fairfield, Fayette, Franklin, Greene, Hardin, Hocking, Licking, Logan, Madison, Mercer, Miami, Montgomery, Pickaway, Preble, Shelby and Union.
* WHEN...From 4 PM EDT this afternoon through Thursday morning.
* IMPACTS...Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations.
* ADDITIONAL DETAILS... - A complex of storms will develop later this afternoon and continue overnight. Repeated rounds of storms, combined with the extremely wet soil conditions will increase the risk for flash flooding later this evening into the overnight hours.

Wednesday, October 21st, 2020

Man, 66, is latest area COVID death

By Leslie Gartrell

CELINA - A Celina man is the 26th person to die from COVID-19 in Mercer County, according to a Mercer County Health District news release.

Five new cases were also reported on Tuesday, raising the county's total to 1,350.

In Auglaize County, eight new confirmed cases brought that county's total to 864.

The most recent Mercer County resident to die from COVID-19 was a 66-year-old Celina man, according to the release. Staff from the health district expressed their sympathy to his family and friends.

Health officials also reported 145 probable cases, 1,193 people who have recovered, 94 pending tests, 4,034 negative test results, nine hospitalizations, 26 deaths and two probable deaths from COVID-19. Of the 1,350 cases, 126 are active, according to the release.

In Auglaize County, five of the eight new cases involved females, according to a county health department news release. Their ages are 18, 19, 32, 41 and 64. The ages of the three males are 4, 55 and 60. All are self-isolating, according to the release.

Department officials also reported 162 probable cases, 76 total hospitalizations, 599 people who have recovered and 14 deaths. Of the 1,026 total cases, 401 are active, according to the release.

As of Tuesday night, the Ohio Department of Health had reported 185,639 confirmed and probable cases in the state, 17,388 hospitalizations and 5,083 confirmed and probable deaths from COVID-19.

COVID-19 data:
Ohio cases  185,639
Ohio deaths  5,083
Mercer Co. cases  1,350
Mercer Co. deaths  26
Auglaize Co. cases  864
Auglaize Co. deaths  14

Archive of October 21st, 2020

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Additional online story on this date

Elections board gets COVID update

CELINA - The number of COVID-19 cases continues to mount in Mercer County, yet the disease has not resulted in catastrophe, Mercer County Health District Administrator Jason Menchhofer said. [More]

Subscriber and paid stories on this date

Officials take steps for safe voting

Voters urged to mask up

CELINA - Mercer County Board of Elections officials urged voters to wear their masks when voting in person, noting 50% of poll workers are 60 and older, making them especially vulnerable to COVID-19.

Minster stuck with tied bids for land sale

MINSTER - After twice receiving identical bids from two prospective buyers for a 17-acre wooded tract, village officials hope the tie is broken when the next round of bids is received.

Judge rejects man's guilty plea involving fatal crash

CELINA - A judge rejected a Bradford man's guilty plea to charges that include vehicular homicide on Tuesday as officials await lab results that reportedly could lead to more serious charges.

County jobless rate remains low

Mercer County's unemployment rate improved in September, while remaining the third-lowest in the state.

The rate dropped from 5.2% in August to 4.4% in September, according to the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services.

Council director officially resigns

WAPAKONETA - Auglaize Mercer Business Education Alliance Executive Director Shelly Busse is resigning, creating a leadership opening at the business advisory council that has gained statewide recognition.

COVID funds to buy water meters

ROCKFORD - Village officials plan to use $28,631 of coronavirus relief funds to replace water meters around the village, saying new no-contact meters would help ensure the safety of business employees and residents.

Off and running

Flyers beat Big Green in tourney opener

MARIA STEIN - Ottoville kept it close early, but Marion Local rounded into form as the match went along, finishing off a 25-17, 25-15, 25-11 sweep to advance to the second round of the Division IV tournament at the Hangar on Tuesday night.

All-Western Buckeye League Soccer

Clark, Chambers take top honors

Bath's Chandler Clark and Shawnee's Zach Chambers were named the Western Buckeye League's Players of the Year in girls and boys soccer, respectively, by the league coaches.

All-Western Buckeye League Volleyball

O-G's White named Player of the Year

Ottawa-Glandorf senior Maddie White was voted the Western Buckeye League's volleyball Player of the Year on Tuesday.

White was a major contributor

Wildcats defeat Vikings

Compiled by Gary R. Rasberry

Minster got a final tune-up before starting the postseason on Thursday with a 23-25, 25-15, 25-20, 15-25, 15-7 non-conference win over Leipsic on Tuesday.