COLDWATER - A blaze that consumed an apartment complex late Wednesday night, possibly injuring two residents, causing $500,000 worth of damage and leaving about 10 people homeless, has reportedly been ruled an accident by the state fire marshal.

Coldwater Fire Chief Brent Forsthoefel said his department responded to 911 N. Seventh St., Apt. 47, after receiving a call at about 11 p.m. Wednesday about an apartment fully engulfed in flames. [More]

Exterior work continues on the Reservoir Mill recently in St. Marys. Workers are removing additions to the 1846-1847 flour mill and stabilizing the original structure.

Construction crews are working on phase 1, which focuses on rehabilitating the exterior and making sure the foundation and interior are stable. The city received permission from the state to use $1 million from a $1.4 million revolving loan fund for phase 1, for the purpose of relieving "slum and blight" conditions. [More]

Compiled by Gary R. Rasberry

The Celina girls swim team will compete for state titles in two relays and an individual event at the OHSAA Division II State Swimming Championships.

On Thursday, the Bulldogs qualified for the A-Finals in the 200-yard medley and 400 freestyle relay while Claire Gass earned a spot in the 100 breaststroke A-Final during the preliminaries at Branin Natatorium in Canton. [More]

CELINA- A Mercer County agency is targeting a new state grant program to help some property owners get their downtown Celina building up to code.

County community development director Jared Ebbing said he is writing a grant application for $250,00 [More]

ST. MARYS - The two Republican candidates running for Auglaize County commissioner discussed county and national issues at a Wednesday forum hosted by the St. Marys Rotary Club.

Dave Bambauer and Steve Henderson are vying for the seat being vacated by Don Regula, who is retiring. With no Democratic candidates running in the primary, whoever wins the March 17 primary election will likely become the next commissioner. [More]

For Holden Cubberley, it was a big jump up on the podium.

For Vivian Niekamp, it was bouncing back from a tough finish a year ago.

And for Kameron MacLean and Xander Spees, it was a solid debut.

Celina junior Cubberley improved on his eighth-place finish at the Division II boys state diving championship a season ago by placing third in a competitive field at C.T. Branin Natatorium in Canton on Wednesday. [More]

COLDWATER - The H2Ohio program was rolled out to a packed room of Mercer County farmers on Tuesday evening as representatives from the Ohio Department of Agriculture and the Ohio Agriculture Conservation Initiative presented information and answered questions at the American Legion hall. [More]

MIDDLE POINT - Coldwater girls basketball coach Keenan Leichty received a round of hugs and congrats from Cavalier faithful outside the locker room Tuesday night.

He was waiting to celebrate with his daughter.

Kate Leichty scored eight of her 16 points in the fourth quarter, including the go-ahead scoop shot with 2.2 seconds which lifted the Cavaliers over Patrick Henry for a 47-46 victory in the Division III sectional opener at Lincolnview High School. [More]

CELINA - The race for a Mercer County commission seat beginning Jan. 2, 2021, finds incumbent Jerry Laffin of Coldwater facing off against challenger Andy Schwieterman of Celina for the Republican nomination.

The winner advances to the Nov. 3 general election to take on Democratic candidate Don Holtvoigt of Celina, who is running unopposed. [More]

CELINA - Mercer County Commissioner Rick P. Muhlenkamp of Celina is being challenged by county soil and water conservation Board Vice Chairwoman Theresa A. Howick of Celina for the commissioner seat beginning Jan. 3, 2021.

The winner advances to the Nov. 3 general election. No Democrats filed to run in the primary. [More]