Tuesday, January 8th, 2013
Man charged in the shooting death of girlfriend Mindi Shinn of Rockford
By Margie Wuebker
CELINA - Daniel C. Martin, who is charged in the Nov. 8 murder of live-in girlfriend Melinda "Mindi" Shinn, remains incarcerated without bond following an initial appearance Monday afternoon in Mercer County Common Pleas Court.
Mercer County Prosecutor Matt Fox requested no bond for the 40-year-old defendant given the seriousness of the crime and the significant threat of flight. Martin eluded authorities for nearly 60 days prior to his arrest Wednesday. [More]
Republican expects education funding, Medicaid to be among budget battles
By William Kincaid
COLUMBUS - Republican Sen. Keith Faber of Celina was unanimously elected president of the Ohio Senate on Monday afternoon, becoming the first person from Mercer County to preside over the chamber since Thomas Godfrey in the late 19th century.
During the first day of the 130th General Assembly, Jim Hughes, R-Columbus, nominated Faber for president, calling him a dedicated, God-fearing, Christian family man who hasn't let his political office change him. [More]
By Gary R. Rasberry
COLDWATER - The long parade of honors for Coldwater's football team finally culminated in a presentation by the high school sports web site MaxPreps.com and the United States Army National Guard on Monday in the auditeria at Coldwater High School.
The Cavaliers' football team was honored by the MaxPreps Tour of Champions Football Tour as one of the top 50 football programs in the United States for the 2012 season. Coldwater is the only Ohio football team to be selected for the tour. [More]
Obituaries on January 8th, 2013
Jerry Wenning, 74, Van Wert, went to be with his Lord and Savior on Dec. 31, 2012, at Leesburg Regional Medical Center, Leesburg, Fla. [More]
Marion C. Diller, 70, Fairfield Glade, Tenn., died Jan. 2, 2013, at Cumberland House Hospice Center, Crossville, Tenn., after a long battle with cancer. [More]
Master Sgt. Luke L. Heitkamp, USAF, 66, of Panama City, Fla., passed away Jan. 2, 2013, at Bay Medical Center following a brief illness. [More]
Barbara Edwards, 84, formerly of Rockford, died at 7 a.m. Jan. 1, 2013, at her home in Phoenix, Ariz. [More]
Oran Barber, 99, Greenfield, Ind., and formerly of Mercer County, died Jan. 6, 2013, at Pleasant View Lodge, McCordsville, Ind. [More]
Local pictures on January 8th, 2013
Subscriber stories on January 8th, 2013
Local officials not ready to arm teachers; hundreds of educators sign up for gun course
Local school officials are not ready to arm teachers but some fear it may be the only option to keep students and staff safe.
"You're not going to stop them (shooters) by talking to them so what is the only defense you have?" asked St. Henry schools superintendent Rod Moorman.
CELINA - Donations, a grant, new client fees and cuts have kept the Reaching and Assisting Families in Transition program alive - at least through June.
ST. MARYS - City drivers soon will have one less stoplight to face.
The stoplight at the intersection of South and Front streets, near the former high school, will be removed in 30 days. Residents last year requested the light be removed since the school was relocated.
MINSTER - A New Bremen man was re-indicted by a grand jury for allegedly starting a fire at his former home in late May.
The previous indictment for Chad Bowers, 29, on two counts of aggravated arson, first- and second-degree felonies, is expected to be dismissed.
The Parkway Athletic Hall of Fame will enshrine three new members between the junior varsity and varsity boys' basketball games against Botkins on Saturday at Panther Gymnasium.
Compiled by Gary R. Rasberry
Parkway struggled mightily in the first half and Bradford protected its home court with a 44-24 win over the Panthers in nonconference girls' basketball action on Monday night.