The public has been advised to avoid all contact with water at the four public beaches on Grand Lake after tests detected unsafe algal toxins, according to notices released by the Ohio Department of Health.

Recreational Public Health Advisories due to algal bloom/toxin were issued by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources on Thursday afternoon for the main west, main east, state park campground and Windy Point beaches. [More]

CELINA - Mercer County commissioners on Thursday voted to deny a proposed amendment that would have restricted short-term rentals of dwellings in East Jefferson Township.

However, they indicated the issue needs to be addressed in the zoning code and said they plan to pursue their own set of text amendments "as expeditiously as possible with a target adoption date yet this fall," according to a news release signed by commissioners Jerry Laffin, Rick Muhlenkamp and Greg Homan. [More]

ST. HENRY - St. Henry's Nolan Schmitz tied his own school record with 16 strikeouts and allowed just one ball out of the infield in a 2-0 victory over Marion Local in the Division IV sectional final Thursday at the Wally Post Athletic Complex. [More]

For many adults, the adage "make new friends, but keep the old" is easier said than done.

Most people would agree it was easier to make friends when they were children because they grew up alongside their peers as neighbors or classmates over a period of time. Making friends in adulthood is a different matter. [More]

MINSTER - School board members during their Monday meeting hired Covington High School Principal Josh Meyer as the district's next superintendent under a two-year contract.

Superintendent Brenda Boeke in her report said Meyer's annual salary will be $103,000 and his contract becomes effective Aug. 1. Boeke retires July 31. [More]

WAPAKONETA - Fort Recovery reached its first softball district final in memory as two other Midwest Athletic Conference teams bowed out in the Division IV district semifinals in Wapakoneta on Tuesday.

In the opener, the Indians withstood several blows from Minster before delivering the knockout with two runs in the top of the eighth to secure an 8-6 win. In the nightcap, New Bremen surrendered eight runs in the fourth inning on the way to a five-inning, 12-2 loss to Lincolnview. [More]

LAKE PLACID, Fla. - As a successful obstetrics and gynecology practitioner in Newark, Celina native Dr. Nick Reed delivered more than 12,000 babies during his 44-year career.

Now 84 and retired, "Doc" Reed said he's always had a sense of humor and has long believed laughter is the best medicine. [More]

St. Marys senior Karsyn McGlothen and Wapakoneta junior Allie Wilson were named the Western Buckeye League co-Softball Players of the Year by the league coaches as the WBL released its softball and baseball honors on Monday.

McGlothen, who set the [More]