NEW BREMEN - Board of education members Wednesday night approved the replacement of aging boilers at the elementary/middle school building.

Slagle

Gov. John Kasich's plan to increase the tobacco tax by 60 cents a pack to balance a state income tax cut is getting mixed reviews.

Retailers and grocers say the move will hurt their profits and cost jobs, while health groups believe the hike will help curb tobacco use.

ST. MARYS - St. Marys school board members on Wednesday approved spending $316,050 from the permanent improvement fund.

Two new buses and updated playground equipment at the primary school are among the projects.

CELINA - Three new cruisers soon will be added to the sheriff's fleet of 29 vehicles.

Mercer County Commissioners this week approved action by sheriff Jeff Grey to purchase one unmarked and two marked vehicles. Each of the three 2014 Ford Utility Police Interceptors costs approximately $25,650.

COLDWATER - Fire destroyed a 40-foot-by-60-foot barn Wednesday night along St. Anthony Road.

No injuries were reported and the cause remains undetermined. A dollar loss was not available.

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. - Bob Weir is back on the road with his five-man band, Ratdog, keeping alive the songs and spirt of the beloved Grateful Dead, for which he sang and played rhythm guitar, to old and new generations of fans.

After pulling away from Russia in convincing fashion on Tuesday, Marion Local quickly turned its focus on a Tri-Village team that has been dominating all season.

The pollsters dropped the ball in 1990. Despite an 18-2 record and a history of recent appearances in the state tournament, Charlie Maier's Coldwater Cavaliers ended the season unranked in Division III in the Associated Press's girls basketball poll.