Saturday, April 26th, 2014

Crash leads to call for haz-mat crew

By Margie Wuebker
A hazardous material cleanup crew was dispatched to the scene of a traffic accident near Mendon Friday night.
The crash, involving a semi-trailer and another vehicle, occurred at 5:12 p.m. along U.S. 33 between Celina-Mendon and Hasis roads.
Medics were called to check the occupants as a precaution, but no one was transported from the scene, according to preliminary reports from the Wapakoneta Post of the Ohio Highway Patrol.
Witnesses reportedly noticed a liquid leaking from the trailer and alerted local Emergency Management Agency Director Mike Robbins as well as the Mendon Fire Department.
Robbins said the substance, which has the consistency of liquid soap, was leaking slowly from a destroyed 250-gallon tote. Two additional totes were damaged, but the remaining 12 appeared to be intact, he said.
The substance, which is used in the production of plastics, contains methanol which can be flammable, Robbins said.
However, he said gas readings at the scene did not suggest high levels of methanol. No evacuation was needed as the accident scene is 75 to 100 yards away from any homes, he said.
"There was a good stiff wind that helps dissipate fumes," Robbins said.
Authorities contacted Con-way, the trucking firm which owns the semi-trailer, and officials dispatched a cleanup crew from Fort Wayne, Ind.
The crew was to remove the damaged totes, check the remaining ones and then focus on the spill, he said. Removal of soil in the ditch is likely, according to the EMA director.
Robbins said Mendon firefighters constructed a dike in a nearby ditch to contain the spill until the cleanup crew arrived.
He expected the section of U.S. 33 to remain closed for some time with Mercer County Emergency Response Volunteers providing traffic control.
Additional online story on this date
COLDWATER - The Coldwater defense had a relatively uneventful six innings in the field as pitcher Derek Thobe was untouchable on the mound.
When the Cavaliers' defense finally did see some action in the final inning with Thobe's no-hitter on the line, they were ready. [More]
Subscriber and paid stories on this date
Primary 2014
CELINA - A five-year, 1.94-mill renewal levy for the Mercer County Developmental Disabilities agency is on the May 6 primary ballot.
The levy, which expires in December, will continue to collect about $1.2 million annually for general operations of Cheryl Ann Programs.
Primary 2014
CELINA - Voters in the May primary will be asked to renew a 1-mill property tax levy that funds the Mercer County Home.
The five-year levy for maintenance and operations, if passed, will generate $731,000 annually. A resident with a home valued at $100,000 will continue to pay $24.20 per year.
COLDWATER - A local man faces drug charges after Coldwater Police executed a search warrant at his home Thursday.
Brandon J. Hand, 18, 323 Northvie
Moeller's single in eighth gives Marion second MAC win
MARIA STEIN - Hannah Moeller's two-out single in the bottom of the eight scored Mindy Puthoff to give Marion Local a 2-1 win over Versailles in Midwest Athletic Conference softball action at the Flyer Athletic Complex in Maria Stein.
MINSTER - There is a downside to scoring 13 runs in the top of the first inning.
Just ask Minster baseball coach Mike Wiss.
After watching his team jump out to a big lead in its first at-bat, Wiss detected a lapse of intensity.
A year after it looked like his professional football dream had ended, Jordan Thompson now has a new opportunity.
The former Parkway and Ohio University standout signed with the Detroit Lions Friday after participating in a veterans mini-camp at the Lions' training complex earlier this week.
Friday's Local Roundup
Compiled by Gary R. Rasberry
The Minster Wildcats had an undefeated evening as they hosted the Katie Horstman Classic softball invitational held at Four Seasons Park on Friday evening.