GRAND LAKE - Blue-green algae toxin levels in Grand Lake already are more than 20 times higher than they were last year at the same time. Blame the weather, officials say.
Samples taken near Celina's water intake pipe show the levels for microcystin - a liver toxin - were 46.4 parts per billion (ppb) on April 12 and 46.2 ppb on April 18. Last year they were 2.3 and 0.4 ppb in corresponding weeks. [More]
Ohio Department of Natural Resources Director Jim Zehringer said it was never the state's intention to miscommunicate information about this year's alum treatment on Grand Lake.
Zehringer and other state representatives met with the editorial board of The Daily Standard on Wednesday. [More]
MINSTER - Top-seeded Minster rode the right arm of senior Austin Knapke and the Wildcats produced one big offensive inning to defeat the Fort Recovery Indians 10-0 for a five-inning win in the finals of the Division IV sectional baseball tournament upper bracket on Wednesday at Hanover Street Park. [More]
ST. MARYS - A calcium deposit on the stone blocks on the new St. Marys middle and high school building has spread out of control and left officials scratching their heads.
NEW BREMEN - Board members on Wednesday night completed the district's administrative team with the hiring of high school principal Brian Pohl and middle school principal Jason Schrader.
Hours at several area post offices could be reduced in a new strategy to cut costs in the government agency.
A proposal released this week shows daily office hours would be reduced from eight to four at post offices in Burkettsville, Osgood, Yorkshire, Mendon and Montezuma.
ROCKFORD - Parkway's five-year financial forecast continues to outshine other area districts', showing a $2.67 million surplus by 2016.
Treasurer Debbie Pierce on Tuesday presented board members with her latest forecast, which includes future staff pay raises and increases in insurance costs.
CELINA - Board members of the Mercer County Educational Service Center accepted the resignation of long-time curriculum director Jeff Tuneberg on Tuesday night but intend to rehire him back with a reduced workload.
ST. MARYS - School board members on Wednesday agreed to purchase two new table saws and nonskid flooring for the locker rooms for a total of about $25,747.
First Day of the Western Buckeye League Track Meet
Compiled by Gary R. Rasberry
The Celina girls' track team is trying to win its first Western Buckeye League title since 2009 and the Lady Bulldogs got off to a great start after the first day of the league meet on Wednesday at Wapakoneta.
Shawnee scored its game-winning run via a bases-loaded walk in the seventh inning during Wednesday's Division II sectional final and the Indians advance to the district baseball tournament in Bluffton after beating St. Marys 4-3 at Ed Sandy Field in Elida.
