Tuesday, July 26th, 2011

St. Marys getting a Tractor Supply Store

By Amy Kronenberger
ST. MARYS - Tractor Supply Company will be coming to St. Marys in the near future, bringing 20 to 30 jobs.
Safety service director Tom Hitchcock made the announcement at Monday's city council meeting.
TSC will take over the former Chief's grocery store in the St. Marys Square shopping center on Indiana Avenue. The outdoor portion of the supply store will occupy the building just to the north, said Todd Fleagle, manager of industrial and community development.
The project is being handled by Midland Atlantic Corporation real estate firm of Cincinnati, who owns the buildings. Fleagle said the firm does not yet have a timetable for the project, but he expects the work to begin soon.
The Chief store has been empty since fall of 2009, said Chris Palermo of Midland Atlantic.
"We've been working with TSC for a while now, and we're very excited to have them in St. Marys," he said.
Council also noted that work has begun on the Beer Barrel restaurant being built in the St. Marys Square. The restaurant near the J.C. Penney store is expected to open this year.
In other projects, the city received state approval Monday to begin work on an earthen bridge that will connect the new soccer fields on Beech Street with K.C. Geiger Park.
Hitchcock said Ohio Department of Natural Resources approved the plan, which includes dirt piled over one large culvert and a stone top. The bridge will be 10 feet wide at the top and taper down.
The city first submitted plans in April, but the state rejected that plan due to concerns for proper water flow, said Steve Dorsten, canal operations manager with ODNR. The city submitted a revised plan on June 2.
Resident Bob Valentine told council he noticed dirt already piled into the canal. The city began the work July 15 but then was advised by Dorsten to hold off until final approval, which they did.
Work on the bridge will continue this week.
Also near the new soccer fields, Rural Machine & Iron Works of Spencerville soon will begin constructing a chainlink fence around the fields. Beech Street residents asked the city for a privacy fence, but council rejected the suggestion due to the increased cost. The six-foot chainlink fence is estimated at $10,500, $8,000 cheaper than a privacy fence.
As a compromise, Hitchcock said the residents could purchase vinyl slats to fill the chainlink.
The proposed shelter house north of High Street has been awarded to Miami & Erie Contractors of Celina. The company submitted the lowest bid of $238,700, lower than the $250,000 budgeted for the project.
The shelter house will be located next to the canal and walk path and will have lighting and restrooms. Work will begin this week and is expected to be completed this year.
In new legislation, council passed in emergency an ordinance appropriating $12,570 into the voted tax fund. Hitchcock said a police van recently was totaled in an accident. The appropriated money was given to the city by the insurance company for the van.
The accident was not the fault of the officer driving the van, Hitchcock said. One car ran into a second car. The second car then spun into the police van.
Council also passed a resolution of sympathy for the family of the late James Davis. Davis was a teacher at Memorial High School, served as council president and served on the Ohio House of Representatives. He died July 19.
Council passed final reading of a resolution approving the preliminary 2012 budget. The city expects $44.73 million in expenditures.
Council member Pat McGowan expressed concern that the presented budget had too many gray areas and was concerned council didn't fully understand what they were approving.
Hitchcock said every capital improvement had a line-item cost presented in committee. However, because the budget is only preliminary, there will be assumptions in costs and gray areas. City auditor Doug Riesen agreed, saying the budget will undergo many changes before it reaches its final version at the end of the year.
Additional online stories on this date
COLDWATER - A 45-year-old Celina woman faces multiple charges after she nearly struck a police officer involved in a traffic stop early Sunday morning. [More]
Two area men implicated in armed robberies at area businesses received prison sentences during recent appearances in Mercer County Common Pleas Court [More]
Grand Lake Watershed
Local ag officials are hoping to find funds to start an On Farm Network for farmers in the Grand Lake Watershed.
The goal of the data-driven networ [More]
Subscriber and paid stories on this date
Celina
CELINA - Mayor Sharon LaRue will pay a contribution for her health insurance in August, something she hasn't had to do since taking office in 2004.
LaRue said she will pay following the recommendation of the law director.
Fuel efficient, lower cost rides now more popular
Rising gas prices have many consumers re-evaluating their priorities when purchasing a new vehicle, local car dealers say.
"People are more looking for fuel-efficient and lower-cost cars," said sales consultant Craig Zimmerman of Kerns' car dealership in Celina.
Parkway schools
ROCKFORD - Parents are concerned for their children's safety after Parkway school board members recently eliminated three bus routes.
In response t
COLDWATER - Village council on Monday inspected two vehicles that police chief Randy Waltmire acquired for his department at no cost, other than shipping.
Homeowners given until next year to install new sidewalks
ST. HENRY - Village council on Monday gave second reading to a resolution requiring construction of sidewalks in the Balcony Drive cul-de-sac.
The
ST. HENRY - School cafeteria meals will cost 10 cents more when students return to classes this fall.
Board members Monday night approved the incre
VAN WERT - A judge on Monday delayed the trial of a Van Wert man accused of murdering his 84-year-old grandmother last fall.
The new trial date for Shawn M. Jones, 36, is Oct. 17 - more than one year after he allegedly strangled Edna LaRue in her home in Van Wert.
Mercer County tied for the lowest unemployment rate in the state for the third consecutive month, according to figures released today by the Ohio Job and Family Services.
Compiled by Gary R. Rasberry
Solid performances by Grand Lake's pitchers went for naught as Lake Erie swept a doubleheader from the Mariners, 2-0 and 3-1, at Ned Skeldon Stadium in Maumee on Monday night.
Compiled by Gary R. Rasberry
Mason Mayberry threw a complete-game five-hitter as Bowling Green advanced to the winner's bracket title game with a 4-0 shutout of Greenville GTI in the 2011 state ACME tournament at Montgomery Field on Monday night.
The Celina Dolphins cruised to a convincing Tri County Swimming "A" Championships held Saturday at Coldwater's Community Pool.
The Dolphins scored