Wednesday, November 13th, 2019

Schools close, numerous auto accidents reported

By Sydney Albert
Schools in Auglaize and Mercer counties were closed on Tuesday due to the same icy road conditions that resulted in multiple slide-off accidents on Monday evening.
The National Weather Service predicted between 2 and 4 inches of snowfall for the Grand Lake area when officials issued a winter weather advisory on Monday. Local weatherman Dennis Howick told the newspaper he measured 3.8 inches of snow from the storm.
The snow had been preceded by rain, leaving roads slippery and treacherous for drivers. Mercer County Sheriff's Chief Deputy Gery Thobe said on Tuesday his office had received 18 calls of slide-offs and eight other crashes on Monday night.
Auglaize County Sheriff's Chief Deputy Mike Peterson reported deputies had handled 12 slide-offs on Monday night, largely in a two and a half hour window. He said none was serious in nature.
Road crews worked for hours clearing and salting roads on Monday night and again early Tuesday morning.
Mercer County Engineer James Wiechart said Tuesday afternoon that drivers had worked to clear county roads for four or five hours Monday night, and had been called again about 4 a.m. Tuesday. Drivers had been using salt as well as some deicing chemicals. He noted the sunny weather also had helped to clear the roads.
Andrew Baumer, Auglaize County's assistant engineer, said it took between two and a half and three hours to clear the 350 miles of county roads. While crews did their best to get salt down and help ease slippery driving conditions, he cautioned drivers that it takes time for plows and road salt to be effective.
"If you're out driving, you've got to make sure you slow down and take your time and give the trucks time to plow and the salt time to work to melt the snow and ice off," he said.
Additional online story on this date
WAPAKONETA - A Columbus-area woman charged in connection with a 2018 fatal shooting in St. Marys is tentatively set to go to trial April 27-May 1 in Auglaize County Common Pleas Court. [More]
Subscriber and paid stories on this date
ROCKFORD - Voters likely will consider a Parkway Local Schools' income tax levy renewal issue on the March ballot.
School board members on Tuesday approved a resolution declaring it necessary to renew a five-year, 1% income tax that generates about $1.175 million annually.
MENDON - The village's five employees will receive 3% pay raises for 2020
Council members approved the increases on Tuesday during their regular meeting. Raises will go into effect on Jan. 1.
MINSTER - Minster Local Schools's district treasurer Laura Klosterman's five-year forecast presented Monday night predicted the district could enter deficit spending in 2023.
WAPAKONETA - Auglaize County board of health members have decided that charitable organizations will no longer receive a discount on two license fees
ST. HENRY - School board members at Monday's meeting heard the district's five-year forecast, which predicts deficit spending by fiscal year 2021.
MARIA STEIN - Marion Local's five-year financial forecast shows possible deficits in fiscal years 2021, 2023 and 2024.
District treasurer Heather Cramer on Tuesday told school board members she also predicts a surplus in 2020 and 2022.
ST. MARYS - Abby Balster has resigned as St. Marys Chamber of Commerce director after serving four years in the position.
Balster left the chamber Nov. 5 and said she looks forward to spending more time with her family
"I want to watch my daughters grow into beautiful young ladies," she added.
AKRON (AP) - Shaq Vann rushed for 142 yards and four touchdowns and Eastern Michigan beat winless Akron 42-14 on Tuesday night.
Vann became the fir
2019 Division IV Volleyball State Champions
ROSTER:
#  Player  Pos.  Ht.  Gr.
0  Diana Heitkamp  L  5-7  11
1  Katie Howell  S  5-3  11
2  Gabi Heckman  S/RS  5-7  10
3  Megan Reinhart  OH/MH/RS  5-8  9
4  As