Tuesday, June 4th, 2019
Tornado left debris scattered over miles
By Leslie Gartrell
CELINA - More than 100 volunteers showed up early Monday morning to help clear fields littered with debris from the Memorial Day tornado.
The Mercer County Soil and Water Conservation District led the charge for the cleanup after calling some local farmers to see if they needed help. Terry Wurster was one of those in need of help. [More]
Mariners help pick up debris in wake of tornado
By Colin Foster
CELINA - Grand Lake Mariners Head Coach Damon Haecker can see the havoc wreaked by last week's EF3 tornado in Celina from the porch of Dave and Gwen Howell's home.
"Our house is literally one block from where the tornado hit," said Haecker, who stays at the residence with his assistant coaches. "So obviously, from our front porch you can see how devastating it is."
The Mariners decided to do something about it. [More]
Obituaries on June 4th, 2019
Treva Claflin, 95, of Saint Marys, died 1:15 A.M. Friday, May 31, 2019, at Grande Lake Health Center, Saint Marys. [More]
Deloris E. Decker, 77, of Saint Marys, died 5:10 A.M. Saturday, June 1, 2019, at Saint Rita's Medical Center, Lima. [More]
Mary H. Knapke, 88, Minster, passed away at 1:10 AM on June 3, 2019 at Joint Township District Memorial Hospital, St. Marys, Ohio. [More]
Ruth M. Johnsman, age 91, of Celina, Ohio, passed away on May 31, 2019, at 5:07 [More]
Local pictures on June 4th, 2019
Subscriber stories on June 4th, 2019
Some fields finally dried out enough for tillage, other work
A slight break in the weather will likely spur a lot of traffic issues as farmers race to get into the fields, said Nicole Hawk, district administrator/education specialist for the Mercer County Soil and Water Conservation District.
The Celina Rotary Club has started a disaster-relief fund to benefit those affected by the recent tornado, according to a news release.
Donations can be sent to:
Celina Rotary Disaster     Relief Fund
P.O. Box 22
Celina, Ohio 45822.
CELINA - City employees would probably have at least two to three weeks of work ahead of them to rebuild tornado-damaged electricity infrastructure had their efforts not been substantially bolstered by 13 outside crews.
FORT RECOVERY - Kelli Thobe was officially hired at a special school board meeting Monday evening as the new elementary principal for prekindergarten through fifth-grade students.
CELINA - Police have received no reports of theft or burglary in the areas affected by the tornado despite rumors of looting, chief Tom Wale said.
More local dairy farms have closed during the past year as producers continue to cope with low milk prices due to oversupply.
Ongoing wet weather that began last fall and continues also is impacting dairy farmers.
Farmers can sign up at their county Farm Service Agency offices starting June 17 for the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Dairy Margin Coverage program.
CELINA - The entire roster hadn't arrived yet to Celina when the Grand Lake Mariners played in an exhibition with the Portland Rockets.
But head coach Damon Haecker liked what he saw out of those players in uniform Sunday night.