Friday, May 30th, 2025
A dozen fire stations respond to Maria Stein; cause unknown
By Abigail Miller
MARIA STEIN - Dozens of concerned neighbors and distraught parishioners watched firefighters from three counties battle for hours against a massive blaze that eventually decimated a nearly 135-year-old Catholic church on Thursday in Maria Stein. [More]
From staff reports
MARION TOWNSHIP - A 22-year-old Maria Stein man was killed and a 24-year-old Chickasaw woman was airlifted with unknown injuries following a head-on collision Thursday afternoon south of Celina, per a news release from Mercer County Sheriff Doug Timmerman. [More]
Obituaries on May 30th, 2025
Gloria J. Howell, 78, of St. Marys, OH died 12:41 p.m. Wednesday May 28, 2025 at St. Rita's Medical Center in Lima, OH. [More]
Theresa Salome (Boeke) Langenkamp, age 85, formerly of St. Rt. 47, Sidney, pass [More]
Dorothy Luella (Broering) Boeckman, age 98, formerly of Eastview Drive, Fort Lo [More]
Theresa Rose Linn, age 75, of Celina, Ohio, passed away at 3:15 a.m. on Thursday, May 29, 2025, at her home. [More]
Martha Schaadt, 93, Celina, died May 29, 2025, at her residence
Funeral serv [More]
Joyce Shively, 86, died May 29, 2025 at her rural Celina home.
Arrangements a [More]
Local pictures on May 30th, 2025
Subscriber stories on May 30th, 2025
MARIA STEIN - The Rev. Ken Schnipke, pastor of The Christ Our Light Family of Parishes, said the best thing people can do right now is to pray for St. John the Baptist Church in Maria Stein, which was devastated by fire on Thursday afternoon.
Looking at nearly 200 years of history
MARIA STEIN - The oldest church in Mercer County, St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, has been a gathering space for worship, weddings, baptisms and funerals for almost 200 years.
ST. MARYS - St. Marys Police Chief Brian Christopher was placed on administrative leave this week following allegations of workplace misconduct, a news release from Director of Public Service and Safety Greg Foxhoven states.
Although the Indiana Board of Animal Health declared the state is "HPAI-free" this week per World Organization for Animal Health standards, the Ohio Department of Agriculture is still tracking when the Buckeye State could be declared free of the disease by WOAH standards.
Coldwater holds off Oak Harbor rally to advance to finals
BLUFFTON - With three of the four teams at the Division V district baseball tournament having 20 or more wins, Coldwater knew it was going to be a battle to get to the district final.
ELIDA - After winning in a no-hitter in its tournament opener, Minster looked for another big win in the Division VII district baseball semifinals on Thursday.
Compiled By Gary R. Rasberry
Coldwater freshman Johnny Pohlman finished seventh in the long jump to wrap up his season at the Division II regional track and field meet on Thursday at Lexington High School.
Celina
CELINA - Commencement for 163 Celina High School graduates of the class of 2025 was held May 18 at Celina Stadium.
Valedictorian Brooke Faber is the daughter of Keith and Andrea Faber. She will attend the Ohio State University with aspirations of becoming a doctor of physical therapy.
Coldwater
Coldwater High School said goodbye to a "phenomenally" resilient class of almost 100 students in 2025, principal Jason Hemmelgarn said.
"We are alw
Fort Recovery
FORT RECOVERY - Fort Recovery said goodbye to a class full of 77 self-starters earlier this month with the graduation of the class of 2025.
"What s
Marion Local
By EMMA WILKER
Marion Local High School

MARIA STEIN - The 72 seniors from the Marion Local class of 2025 marked a major milestone in their liv
Minster
MINSTER - The Minster High School 62-member class of 2025 was packed with outgoing personalities and hard-working kids, principal Austin Kaylor said.
"Over their four years, they shined in many ways - academics, athletics, band, FFA and many more," he said.
New Knoxville
NEW KNOXVILLE - Although New Knoxville High School's class of 2025 is small in numbers, it is mighty nonetheless, Mark Platfoot, grades 4-12 principal, said.
New Bremen
NEW BREMEN - For high school principal Marcus Overman, the class of 2025 stood out because of its willingness to communicate.
"(They were willing)
Parkway
ROCKFORD - Commencement for 83 Parkway High School graduates was held May 18 in the Parkway High School gym.
In total 79 seniors and 4 juniors graduated.
St. Henry
ST. HENRY - The 70 graduates that make up the St. Henry High School class of 2025 stood out for their vibrant personalities and the joy they brought to the village, principal Eric Rosenbeck said.
St. Marys
ST. MARYS - Full of great talent and leadership, the St. Marys Memorial High School class of 2025 are sure to be sorely missed, principal Jason Johnson said.
Tri Star Career Compact
CELINA - Commencement for 214 Tri Star graduates of the class of 2025 was held May 15 in Tri Star's Crown Student Union.
The event began with the p