Results for local school districts were mostly sterling on the state report cards released Wednesday by the Ohio Department of Education.

All but one of nine area schools received excellent or excellent with distinction ratings on the state review for last school year. One school bumped up a rating, five remained the same and three dropped one level. [More]

No cases of the rare fungal meningitis sweeping the country have been reported locally, and it appears the tainted steroid causing illnesses and deaths wasn't distributed here.

However, area health officials warn the information they're receiving about the contaminated medication and the New England drug company that manufactured it continues to change. [More]

MINSTER - Local author Richard Stein has published his 10th children's book after a 3 1/2-year hiatus.

"Anthony Ant: Seeking Santa" tells the story of an ant who does everything possible - from eating hard beans and taping his eyelids open to singing holiday tunes and leaving the light on - in order to see Santa Claus and the reindeer on Christmas morning. The efforts left him so exhausted he slept straight through the occasion, only to awaken in the spring to find a present beside his bed. [More]

LIMA - Wednesday's Division II sectional semifinal volleyball matchup at Lima Senior High School was all about revenge for Celina.

The Bulldogs were still stinging from a loss against Bath to close the regular season last week, but Celina returned the favor to open the postseason with a 25-21, 25-15 and 25-23 sweep over the Wildkittens. Celina will now face Shawnee on Saturday at approximately 4:45 pm., following the opening game which features Van Wert against Defiance starting at 3:30 p.m. [More]