CELINA - For 80 years, downtown Celina was home to a "five and dime" store where many families did their Christmas shopping each year.

The former Barr Co. 5 ¢ to $1 Store, which opened in 1914, couldn't survive the onslaught of retail giants and closed in 1994. [More]

ST. HENRY - The secret is out: this southern Mercer County village is one of the best places to raise kids in Ohio.

St. Henry actually is the seco

In an effort to save money, Mercer County Commissioners on Thursday chose the lowest bidders to perform herbicide spraying and pavement marking in 2011.

COLDWATER - The Coldwater boys' basketball team delivered an early Christmas gift to first-year head coach Mike Bruns on Thursday night at The Palace

Compiled by Ryan Hines and Gary R. Rasberry

Minster outplayed Spencerville in the fourth quarter en route to a 62-53 victory on Thursday night.

The game was tied at 45-45 after three quarters of play but the Wildcats outscored the Bearcats 17-8 in the final eight minutes of action.

MARIA STEIN - The struggles of the Marion Local Lady Flyers continued on Thursday night when the hosts dropped a 60-47 decision to the Bath Wildkittens.