MINSTER - Rita Hoying of Minster lays out Valentine's Day cards on her dining room table, smiling at designs dating back more than a century.

Many

Note:

Scott Bruns withdrew his candidacy at a meet-the-candidates forum on February 26.

Long-entrenched Mercer County Commissioner Jerry Laffin is being challenged in the Republican primary on March 6 by political newcomer Scott Bruns.

Mercer County Commissioner Bob Nuding is being opposed in the Republican primary by Rick Muhlenkamp.

The winner of the March 6 primary will face any independents who file by March 5 to run in the Nov. 6 general election. No Democrats filed for the position.

Mercer County voters are being asked March 6 to approve a countywide property tax levy to support the Mercer County-Celina City Health Department.

School district residents in New Bremen and Coldwater will see new levies on the March 6 primary election ballot - one to construct a new school and the other for operating expenses to offset a future deficit.

ST. HENRY - The village is increasing its police department with a new auxiliary force.

Council members on Monday night unanimously approved an ord [More]

CELINA - City council members on Monday unanimously approved the 2012 budget.

The ordinance sets aside $38.94 million for all city accounts and funds. Of the total, $6.53 million is designated for the city's general fund used for operating costs, including the police and fire departments. [More]

CELINA - Six teachers were awarded $100 mini-grants on Monday from the Celina Education Association for classroom supplies.

The grants, announced d

ST. MARYS - City council members on Monday gave first reading of an ordinance authorizing a payment plan for the $2.7 million the city owes for an unbuilt coal-fired plant.

CELINA - City administrators are reviewing the requirements of a $225,000 federal grant to make sure the fire department can purchase the vehicle it needs.

WAYNESFIELD - Parkway fended off all of Waynesfield-Goshen's chances to get the lead over the final quarter and a half to pick up their seventh win o

Compiled by Gary R. Rasberry

It will be an All-Auglaize County final as Minster and New Bremen will play for the Midwest Athletic Conference's seventh-grade girls basketball championship on Thursday at 6 p.m. at Fort Recovery Middle School after semifinal action on Monday at the Fort.