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 - 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. [More]

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. [More]

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.

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. [More]

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.