MINSTER - Local author Rich Stein flips through the pages of his latest children's book "The Thanksgiving Train" and smiles like a proud new father.

A 42-year-old St. Marys man died Wednesday evening after being struck by a semitrailer while running across U.S. 33, just west of St. Marys.

Robert Scott Schmitt, 625 E. Spring St., was pronounced dead at the scene of the accident at 4:20 p.m. along the four-lane highway. [More]

Celina Mayor Sharon LaRue faces opposition at the Nov. 6 general election after cruising through the May primary election unopposed.

LaRue, a Republican, is being challenged by a write-in campaign by Ron Hammons, a Democrat.

Celina Auditor Emily Stewart, a Democrat appointed about a year ago to the vacant city auditor post, is being challenged by independent candidate J. Matthew Sawmiller in the November general election.

COLDWATER - A sold-out crowd was treated to a cacophony of music ranging from the big band sounds of Duke Ellington and Count Basie to a banjo infused Dixie Medley on Tuesday evening.

Eight people who allegedly ordered cemetery monuments or grave markers but never received them made a second trip to Mercer County Common Pleas Court on Wednesday to watch as a Celina businesswoman entered a plea to 24 counts of theft by deception.

The emergency room area of Coldwater hospital will nearly double, according to plans recently made public for the $3.5 million renovation project.

COLDWATER - Some board of education members want more input from the community about issues, concerns and decisions made at Coldwater Exempted Village Schools.

SHAWNEE TOWNSHIP - After playing 80 scoreless minutes the first time around in the regular season, Celina and Shawnee fans were looking at another 80 minutes of scoreless play and overtime in their postseason matchup. [More]

FINDLAY - The Findlay Trojans girl's soccer team maintained their dominance in their home district by whipping Celina 3-0 on Wednesday night in Division II tournament action at Graham Memorial Soccer Stadium. [More]

BATH TOWNSHIP - The two trademarks of postseason play for the St. Marys girl's soccer team have been an explosive offensive and even stingier defense

Last Game: St. Henry ensured at least a .500 season with a 41-18 win over Versailles. ... Fort Recovery dropped to 5-4 on the season with a 45-7 loss at Coldwater.

Last Game: Coldwater won eight games in a season for the 12th straight year in beating Fort Recovery 45-7 to close out the home schedule. ... St. John's struggled in losing to New Bremen 17-7 at Cardinals Stadium.

Last Game: The Cardinals came up with a big middle two quarters to beat St. John's 17-7 to get their second win of 2007. ... Marion Local secured a share of its first conference title since 2001 with a 35-6 drubbing of Anna.

Last Game: Minster fell to 0-9 as Parkway pulled away for a 34-14 win. ... Anna saw its playoff chances fade out as Marion Local won 35-6.

Big Effo

Last Game: Defiance held off a late scoring frenzy by Bath to take a 35-27 win. ... Celina's chance to make it three straight wins ended quickly as Ottawa-Glandorf posted a 42-6 win at Celina Stadium.

Last Game: St. Marys kept its shot at a playoff spot alive in pulling away from Kenton 28-14. ... Elida fell to 0-9 with a 42-10 loss to Wapakoneta.

Compiled by Gary R. Rasberry

Friday night could mean one of several things for the Parkway football team.

It could mean getting ready for Week 11 for the first time since 1999, or getting ready to play basketball.