Tuesday, July 26th, 2016
Japanese officials visit
By William Kincaid
CELINA - Officials from the sister cities of Celina and Minamiawaji, Japan, signed an agreement on Monday night reaffirming their partnership during an hourlong ceremony of mutual respect.
At the regular council meeting, members of the Minamiawaji delegation, who are being accommodated in Celina this week by Grand Lake International Association, introduced themselves, each bowing in accordance with Japanese custom. They also exchanged gifts with city officials. [More]
Council moves along resolution to hire firm
By Claire Giesige
NEW BREMEN - Village officials are proceeding with plans for the Front Street reconstruction project.
Village council members on Monday had second reading of a resolution to hire Access Engineering Solutions of Celina. The engineering firm will help the village complete the first stage of an Ohio Public Works Commission funding application for the project. [More]
Obituaries on July 26th, 2016
James "Gov" C. Miracle, 79, of Celina, Ohio, went home to be with the Lord on Thursday, July 21, 2016, at 4:00 am in Celina Manor. [More]
Allen D. Sprague age 66 of Minster, Ohio passed away at 5:15 PM Sunday, July 24, 2016 at his home in Minster. [More]
Daniel S. "Dan" Roop, 75 of Celina, Ohio, passed away at his residence on June 28, 2016 at 12:28 p.m. [More]
Juanita Alice Claybaker, 91, of St. Marys, Ohio died July 25, 2016 at Otterbein St. Marys. [More]
Carol J. Schlieper, 91, of Iroquois, IL passed away on Friday, July 22, 2016 in Fort Recovery, OH. [More]
Local pictures on July 26th, 2016
Subscriber stories on July 26th, 2016
CELINA - A Celina man feels city officials are unfairly targeting residential properties under the junk ordinance while turning a blind eye to some businesses he believes are just as cluttered.
ST. MARYS - Several area history enthusiasts attended Monday's city council meeting to show support for renovating the old Reservoir Mill on High Street.
Finance director to review options
COLDWATER - Village employees' health insurance rates may spike in the upcoming year.
A preliminary quote for 2016-2017 carried about an 11 percent increase over this year's $288,000 annual cost, finance director Jason Eyink said at Monday's village council meeting.
ST. HENRY - Village council members at Monday's meeting advanced plans to eliminate parking along a stretch of state Route 118.
The ordinance, which will have a third reading on Aug. 8, would ban parking in front of 501 N. Eastern Ave. to improve motorists' visibility.
Despite a modest rate increase, Mercer County has maintained the lowest unemployment rate in the state for the third consecutive month.
Mercer Coun
BERNE, Ind. - The annual Swiss Days celebration in Berne will feature music, food and a wide variety of events in keeping with the community's Swiss heritage. The festival starts Thursday and runs through Saturday.
I'm a fan of films about racing - "Days of Thunder," "Rush" and "Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby."
My college roommates were big NASCA
Compiled by Gary R. Rasberry
The Auglaize-Mercer Family YMCA (AMFY) Waves swim team will be represented by three swimmers at this week's YMCA Lon