Wednesday, October 21st, 2020

Man, 66, is latest area COVID death

By Leslie Gartrell
CELINA - A Celina man is the 26th person to die from COVID-19 in Mercer County, according to a Mercer County Health District news release.
Five new cases were also reported on Tuesday, raising the county's total to 1,350.
In Auglaize County, eight new confirmed cases brought that county's total to 864.
The most recent Mercer County resident to die from COVID-19 was a 66-year-old Celina man, according to the release. Staff from the health district expressed their sympathy to his family and friends.
Health officials also reported 145 probable cases, 1,193 people who have recovered, 94 pending tests, 4,034 negative test results, nine hospitalizations, 26 deaths and two probable deaths from COVID-19. Of the 1,350 cases, 126 are active, according to the release.
In Auglaize County, five of the eight new cases involved females, according to a county health department news release. Their ages are 18, 19, 32, 41 and 64. The ages of the three males are 4, 55 and 60. All are self-isolating, according to the release.
Department officials also reported 162 probable cases, 76 total hospitalizations, 599 people who have recovered and 14 deaths. Of the 1,026 total cases, 401 are active, according to the release.
As of Tuesday night, the Ohio Department of Health had reported 185,639 confirmed and probable cases in the state, 17,388 hospitalizations and 5,083 confirmed and probable deaths from COVID-19.

COVID-19 data:
Ohio cases  185,639
Ohio deaths  5,083
Mercer Co. cases  1,350
Mercer Co. deaths  26
Auglaize Co. cases  864
Auglaize Co. deaths  14
Additional online story on this date
CELINA - The number of COVID-19 cases continues to mount in Mercer County, yet the disease has not resulted in catastrophe, Mercer County Health District Administrator Jason Menchhofer said. [More]
Subscriber and paid stories on this date
Voters urged to mask up
CELINA - Mercer County Board of Elections officials urged voters to wear their masks when voting in person, noting 50% of poll workers are 60 and older, making them especially vulnerable to COVID-19.
MINSTER - After twice receiving identical bids from two prospective buyers for a 17-acre wooded tract, village officials hope the tie is broken when the next round of bids is received.
CELINA - A judge rejected a Bradford man's guilty plea to charges that include vehicular homicide on Tuesday as officials await lab results that reportedly could lead to more serious charges.
Mercer County's unemployment rate improved in September, while remaining the third-lowest in the state.
The rate dropped from 5.2% in August to 4.4% in September, according to the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services.
WAPAKONETA - Auglaize Mercer Business Education Alliance Executive Director Shelly Busse is resigning, creating a leadership opening at the business advisory council that has gained statewide recognition.
ROCKFORD - Village officials plan to use $28,631 of coronavirus relief funds to replace water meters around the village, saying new no-contact meters would help ensure the safety of business employees and residents.
Flyers beat Big Green in tourney opener
MARIA STEIN - Ottoville kept it close early, but Marion Local rounded into form as the match went along, finishing off a 25-17, 25-15, 25-11 sweep to advance to the second round of the Division IV tournament at the Hangar on Tuesday night.
All-Western Buckeye League Soccer
Bath's Chandler Clark and Shawnee's Zach Chambers were named the Western Buckeye League's Players of the Year in girls and boys soccer, respectively, by the league coaches.
All-Western Buckeye League Volleyball
Ottawa-Glandorf senior Maddie White was voted the Western Buckeye League's volleyball Player of the Year on Tuesday.
White was a major contributor
Compiled by Gary R. Rasberry
Minster got a final tune-up before starting the postseason on Thursday with a 23-25, 25-15, 25-20, 15-25, 15-7 non-conference win over Leipsic on Tuesday.