PORTLAND, Ind. - Esther Stephen, the former Fort Recovery High School softball coach convicted of murdering her child's father, was sentenced to 55 years in prison Tuesday, bringing one part of the murder case to an end.

Jay County Circuit Court Judge Brian Hutchison handed down the sentence after allowing friends and family members of both 30-year-old Stephen and her victim, 31-year-old Shea Briar, to speak in court. [More]

CELINA - Celina City Schools voters on Election Day narrowly approved a roughly $75.9 million bond issue and a 0.5-mill levy for a school building project.

The levy passed with 1,744 votes - 51.69% - in support of the bond issue and tax levy and 1,630 votes -48.31% - against it. Only a handful of absentee ballots are still out and will not change the end result, according to board of elections member Toni Slusser. [More]

MARIA STEIN - Of the 23 batters he faced on Tuesday, Parkway's Justan Felver sent 17 right back to the dugout.

Felver's 17 strikeouts came up two short of the school record, and the Panthers scratched out a run in the second inning to earn a 1-0 win over Marion Local in a Midwest Athletic Conference baseball game at the Airport. [More]

ST. MARYS - City officials and a private citizen are exploring options for planting more native trees and plants in the city, which could help promote a healthy ecosystem.

Members of the city's parks and playgrounds committee, city council and Gregg Clark, supervisor of parks and urban forestry, discussed creating a habitat of native plants Monday at the suggestion of St. Marys resident Julie Metz. [More]

COLDWATER - Baker Woods State Nature Preserve has joined the ranks of the oldest know forests in the nation.

The woods, located at 4316 Saint Anthony Road, is one of four state nature preserves that in April were inducted into the Old Growth Forrest Network, a series of protected native forests where people can experience biodiversity and the beauty of nature. The OGFN organization is based in Easton, Maryland. [More]

CELINA - After an 18-month hiatus, Ken Bigham, Celina, found himself back in the saddle at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio, a few weekends ago, instructing and driving with Mid-Ohio Region-Porsche Club of America.

"I'd taken time of [More]