MONTEZUMA - A major state project necessitating the complete shutdown of the State Route 219 bridge over Beaver Creek in Montezuma for now nearly three months is expected to get underway early next month and run through late summer.

The Ohio Department of Transportation had committed to the bridge restoration in March 2021 and was targeting a project starting date - and 22-mile detour - in late spring or early summer of 2025. [More]

ST. HENRY - It took all of 40 minutes inside of Redskin Gymnasium, but the MAC finale between St. Henry and Fort Recovery lived up to the billing.

After a slow start it was seniors Brayden Heath and Jack Huelsman that willed St. Henry (16-6) to a 74-69 win in double overtime to beat the Indians (12-10) in the regular season finale. [More]

CELINA - Just a little over five years since it began, 62% of the county's eligible children are a part of the Mercer County Imagination Library, each receiving a free, age-appropriate book monthly.

Dolly Parton's Imagination Library launched in Tennessee in 1995, and now the service works with more than 2,700 local partners, including in Canada, Australia and Ireland, and delivers more than 3 million books every month. [More]

MARIA STEIN - Marion Local and Coldwater battled in what could be summed up in two words: MAC basketball. A 12-0 run in the third quarter gave the Flyers a lead they would not lose in a 35-28 sectional final win over the Cavaliers at the Hangar Thursday night. [More]

  MONTEZUMA - Looking to get a handle on several issues in one fell swoop, village council members passed first readings of a bundle of ordinances intended to rid Montezuma of unsightly weeds, broken-down vehicles, junk, uncontrolled dogs and the residential use of recreational vehicles. [More]

Compiled by Gary R. Rasberry

The Grand Lake area will be well-represented at next week's Division II state diving championships after three girls and three boys qualified at Wednesday's district meet at Bowling Green State University.

With 14 girls out of 26 contestants earning a berth to state, the battle to reach the final 16 to earn a chance was competitive. [More]

ROCKFORD - After more than 25 years with the Rockford Police Department, Chief Bryan Stetler announced his retirement effective March 9.

During the village council's regular meeting, councilors approved a motion to accept his resignation while thanking him for his service. [More]

Versailles senior Katey Litten received the top honor from the Midwest Athletic Conference girls basketball coaches as the MAC released its all-conference team on Tuesday.

Litten, who will play next season at Thomas More College, was selected a [More]