Friday, June 5th, 2020
2 residents, 3 staff have virus
By Leslie Gartrell
CELINA - A COVID-19 outbreak was reported at The Gardens at Celina on Thursday, and three new cases raised the county's total to 221.
One new confirmed case was reported in Auglaize County, raising that county's total to 70.
Five confirmed cases are connected to the outbreak at The Gardens at Celina. Three involve staff, and two involve residents, according to a Mercer County Health District news release on Thursday. The facility has 13 pending test results. [More]
By William Kincaid
CELINA - A Celina man said he was able to get his first night of decent sleep in a decade after finalizing an agreement to transfer his and his wife's flood-prone property to Mercer County.
The couple said though the agreement is far from ideal, it's the only solution they could find to relieve them of the nightmare of having to live through multiple flash floods over the years that caused extensive, costly damage and inflicted emotional distress. [More]
Obituaries on June 5th, 2020
John H. Beyke, age 81, of Egypt, Ohio passed away at his residence.
He was bo [More]
Local pictures on June 5th, 2020
Subscriber stories on June 5th, 2020
About 25% of residents out of work in April due to virus
Nearly a quarter of all Mercer County residents were unemployed in April due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
After maintaining the lowest unemployment rate in the state for more than three years, Mercer County dropped to 14th in a three-way tie with Clermont and Fairfield counties.
NEW BREMEN - Bremenfest 2020 has been canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Bremenfest Committee members announced the decision on their Facebook page on Wednesday evening.
Amazing Athletes
Bobby Hoying is Mercer County's only Mr. Football.
A three-sport star, Hoying was actually Mr. Everything at St. Henry.
During the 1990 season,
Amazing Athletes
Julie (Fortkamp) Smith was the leading vote-getter on the 1988 Class A All-Ohio volleyball team.
More than 30 years later, the former three-sport standout got the votes necessary to land on a list of St. Henry's all-time greatest athletes.
MERCER COUNTY - High school teams are back on the grind.
Athletes and coaches may have to stand six-feet apart, but they're ecstatic to be back together.
Compiled by Gary R. Rasberry
The Lima Junior Golf Association opened its season on Thursday with the Eagles Aerie #370 Open at Tamarac Golf Club in Lima.