WAPAKONETA - The fate of a St. Marys man accused of beating another man to death is now in the hands of jurors.

Jury deliberations began today after closing statements were made by Auglaize County Prosecutor Amy Beckett and attorneys for murder suspect Gordon W. Diggle.

CELINA - The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation (BCI&I) is on average 125 days behind on processing DNA evidence, according to Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine. [More]

After nearly a month of rain and more still to come, local officials are keeping an eye on water levels as they approach flood stage.

"We're watching it very closely," Mercer County Emergency Management Agency Director Mike Robbins said Monday.

CELINA - Voters in the Celina City Schools district will vote on a renewal with additional tax levy at the polls May 3. If approved, it would bring in $4.9 million annually for five years for the school's operating expenses.

COLDWATER - Village officials hope to snare an Ohio Department of Transportation enhancement grant that would be used to improve the village's Main Street (state Route 219).

CELINA - Eastview Park remains closed to the public due to dangerous conditions in the aftermath of last week's tornado, Celina Mayor Sharon LaRue said.

ST. MARYS - Inquiries from a resident about the city's finances led to law director Kraig Noble's explanation of the city's investments during Monday's council meeting. [More]

Travis Goettemoeller of Coldwater, a member of Mercer County Right to Life, won the 2011 Ohio Right to Life Pro-Life Oratory Contest held April 16 at Ohio Dominican University in Columbus.