CELINA - Despite COVID-19 complications, Tri Star Career Compact officials are looking forward to an exciting second year at their new location with the addition of a new program and four new teachers.

Director Tim Buschur said the hiring of the new teachers is one of the biggest changes Tri Star has seen since it started. [More]

CELINA - Mercer County Fair officials have been forced to drop the country and Christian concerts from this year's fair schedule due to Gov. Mike DeWine's recent order prohibiting rides, games and grandstand events.

Fair officials had secured marquee acts Sawyer Brown and BlackHawk for the Aug. 14 country concert and Grammy Award-winning For King and Country for the Aug. 15 Christian concert. [More]

ROCKFORD - Although COVID-19 has put some of Rockford's bicentennial celebration on the back burner, residents can still look back in time to learn about the man who founded Mercer County's oldest village 200 years ago.

Rockford founder Anthony Shane was a scout, messenger, interpreter and entrepreneur who served in multiple battles throughout his life and in the War of 1812, according to local historian and author Harrison Frech. [More]

WAPAKONETA - Plans for the 168th Auglaize County Fair, set for Sunday-Aug. 8, had to be scrapped at the last minute after Gov. Mike DeWine's Tuesday announcement that fairs are limited to junior fair events only.

DeWine's order limits fairs to livestock competitions, 4-H and other events for children and teens. It also allows harness racing without spectators and food vendors. [More]

ST. MARYS - A group of scientists has begun testing another technique to clean up the water in the experimental Grand Lake St. Marys State Park West Beach area.

Officials from the Wright State University-Lake Campus, the Lake Restoration Commission and Ohio State University placed four floating wetlands in the water to see if they can remove the nutrients that feed the harmful algae. Professor Stephen Jacquemin and a graduate student placed the floating wetlands in the beach area on Tuesday. [More]