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Thursday, March 5th, 2026
Former St. Marys patrolman sentenced
By Abigail Miller
WAPAKONETA - A former St. Marys police officer was sentenced to a brief stint in jail and probation this week in Auglaize County Common Pleas Court, after using his police database to attempt to identify visitors at his estranged wife's residence.
Lucas M. Wessel, 39, was sentenced Monday to 540 days in jail, with all but 10 days suspended, and five years of community control sanctions on four counts of possession of criminal tools, all first-degree misdemeanors. [More]
Obituaries on March 5th, 2026
Ruth Neargarder
Ruth E. Neargarder, 86 of Coldwater, Ohio and formerly of Frenchtown, Ohio, pas [More]
Patricia Lane
Patricia Irene (Beougher) Lane, age 83, of Celina, Ohio, passed away on March 4, 2026. [More]
Timothy Poeppelman
Timothy Michael Poeppelman, age 55, of Dogwood Drive, Fort Loramie, passed away [More]
Local pictures on March 5th, 2026
Subscriber stories on March 5th, 2026
School district announces new leadership alignment
CELINA - Superintendent Brooke Gessler announced Wednesday her recommendation for the next Celina High School principal and other administrative assignments for the next two school years.
On-the-job training
Long-term thinking led tent maker to create CELINA University
CELINA - Aspiring to expand its horizons in various sectors, the local company formerly known as Celina Tent has developed an in-house training initiative to support its workforce and military and commercial customers.
Horse & Buggy Tales
19th-century records of freed slaves
Editor's note: Although language and conventions have changed, we reprint this column as written by Bronsart H. Gilberg in 1958 to accurately portray the historical record.
Defensive dominance
St. Henry shuts down Minster to reach regional final
SPRINGFIELD - If December's St. Henry-Minster girls basketball game was a masterclass in defense, Wednesday's rematch in the regional semifinals was the Redskins' doctoral dissertation.
2026 Division I State Bowling Preview
Bulldogs look to make presence known at state
Compiled by Gary R. Rasberry
For the Celina girls bowling, there's a hope that the third time is the charm.
While for the Bulldog boys, it's a return to an event that paid off well the last time they took part.
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Photo Albums
St. Henry vs Minster girls basketball

Marion Local vs New Bremen boys basketball

St. Henry vs Spencerville boys basketball

Coldwater Middle School presents "Descendants"
All Photo Albums
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Today In History
Today in History: March 5, the Boston Massacre
Today in History: March 4, Abraham Lincoln's final inauguration
Today in History: March 3, Rodney King beaten by Los Angeles police
Wednesday, March 4th, 2026
Rockford plans new industrial park
By Erin Gardner
ROCKFORD - Village councilors in Rockford on Tuesday heard an industrial park is in the beginning stages of development.
Mayor Ron Searight, in his report, said Chene Development Inc., an investment committee that is locally owned and operated, is in the process of setting up the industrial park west of the cemetery off U.S. Route 33. [More]
Second half surges
Marion rallies past New Bremen; Spencerville beats St. Henry
By Joe Schatz
WAPAKONETA - Leading after the first quarter should be a good thing, but Tuesday night showed that basketball is not about how you start, but how you finish.
Marion Local led off the night with a 43-41 comeback victory over New Bremen, while St. Henry's lead slipped in their 51-44 loss against Spencerville in a pair of Division VI district semifinals. [More]
Obituaries on March 4th, 2026
Doris Freewalt
Doris Mae (Washburn) Freewalt, age 91, of rural Mendon, passed away Tuesday, Ma [More]
Kimberly Cummins
Kimberly Jo (Rammel) Cummins, 48, of rural Botkins, OH died 3:10 a.m. Sunday Ma [More]
Bruce Gander
Bruce Wayne Gander, 75, of Celina, Ohio, passed away on March 2, 2026. Bruce wa [More]
Timothy Poeppelman
Timothy M. Poeppelman, 55, of Fort Loramie, died of natural causes at Lima Memo [More]
Local pictures on March 4th, 2026
Subscriber stories on March 4th, 2026
Election board resolves absentee ballot question
CELINA - Following a drawn out, discursive and at times contentious 45-minute debate, the Mercer County Board of Elections voted 3-1 Tuesday to adopt a policy permitting the office to notify a voter in the event they returned an absentee ballot without the identification envelope.
Commissioners OK purchase of 2 ambulances
CELINA - Facing a three-year wait period for new ambulances, the Mercer County Commissioners are getting in line now to eventually procure two units for the Rockford and Celina branches of Mercer County Emergency Medical Services.
Celina man arrested on drug, gun charges
CELINA - A 28-year-old Celina man was arrested Monday on charges related to cocaine possession and the illegal possession of multiple firearms after the execution of a search warrant by the Grand Lake Task Force.
Commissioners extend funding for Imagination Library
WAPAKONETA - Auglaize County Commissioners approved a sizable county contribution Tuesday to the local United Way for the purpose of funding Auglaize County's Imagination Library program.
Film about Greenville researchers to debut in Cleveland
A Kentucky filmmaker's short documentary about a trio of Annie Oakley researchers at Greenville's Garst Museum will premiere at next month's Cleveland Film Festival.
Indians advance to district final
Compiled by Gary R. Rasberry
Fort Recovery overcame a sluggish start to take the lead at halftime and then pulled away in the fourth quarter to defeat Springfield Northeastern 45-38 in the Division VI Southwest District semifinals on Tuesday at Troy High School.
Congratulations St. Henry Redskins
2026 Division II Boys Bowling State Champions
Season Highlights:
Regular Season
MAC Runner-up (6-1)
MAC Tournament Runner-up
Postseason
Sectional Runner-up (3,296 pins)
District Runner-up (
Congratulations Coldwater Cavaliers
2026 Division II Boys Bowling State Runner-up
Season Highlights:
Regular Season
MAC Champions (7-0)
MAC Tournament Champion
Postseason
Third place at Sectional (3,290 pins)
District Champio
Congratulations Coldwater Cavaliers
2026 Division II Girls Bowling State Runner-up
Season Highlights:
Regular Season
MAC Champions (6-0)
Third place at MAC Tournament
Postseason
Sectional Champion (3,849 pins)
District Runner-
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Tuesday, March 3rd, 2026
Village may annex another 50 acres
By Abigail Miller
FORT RECOVERY - Fort Recovery councilors on Monday night heard local property owners plan to request an annexation of over 50 acres into the village for future development.
Village administrator Aaron Rengers informed councilors at their regular meeting that landowners Nathan and Jamie Fortkamp plan to submit a petition for the annexation of 51 acres on the corner of Flaler and Fort Recovery Minster roads. [More]
Obituaries on March 3rd, 2026
Cynthia Muter
Cynthia Renee Muter, age 55 of Celina, Ohio passed away on Sunday, March 1, 2026 at the Joint Township District Memorial Hospital in St. Marys. [More]
Barbara Baker
Barbara Joan Baker, age 83 of Rockford, Ohio, passed away peacefully on Saturda [More]
Local pictures on March 3rd, 2026
Subscriber stories on March 3rd, 2026
Celina BOE approves tax abatements for three projects
CELINA - School board members last week approved tax abatements for completed new construction projects undertaken in Celina by three property owners
2 dead in Wapak house fire
A house fire claimed the lives of two people Sunday night in Wapakoneta. No details about the victims were available as of press time Monday. The Ohio Fire Marshal's Office is assisting local fire officials with the investigation.
Coldwater man faces illegal gun, drug possession charges
CELINA - A 52-year-old Coldwater man was arrested over the weekend on charges related to bulk drug possession and illegally carrying a gun.
A crimi
Division VI Girls Basketball Regional Preview
Round Two
St. Henry, Minster meet again after defensive first contest
Compiled by Gary R. Rasberry
The first meeting between Minster and St. Henry was the definition of a defensive battle.
Whether the teams' re
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Monday, March 2nd, 2026
Cavs finish second
Fort Recovery, St. Marys reach final eight; Burden state individual champion
By Gary R. Rasberry
Compiled by Gary R. Rasberry
After several lean seasons, the Coldwater girls came close to winning another state bowling title.
Competing in their first Division II state tournament since 2021, the Cavaliers reached the championship match, losing in three straight games to Napoleon on Saturday afternoon at HP Lanes in Columbus. The runner-up finish is the fourth in program history, having finished runner-up in 2020 before winning the program's fifth title a year later. [More]
Obituaries on March 2nd, 2026
Stanley Schlater
Stanley Robert Schlater, age 71, of Willowdell Road, Versailles, passed away of [More]
Irene Howe
Irene Howe, 97, of New Knoxville, Ohio, died 1:50 P.M. Friday, February 27, 202 [More]
Local pictures on March 2nd, 2026
Subscriber stories on March 2nd, 2026
From barn to brick
Mercer County's historic churches are a legacy of faith
CELINA - Drawn to the area for its vast farmland, Mercer County's earliest settlers came from New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia and even Germany, bringing their strong religious faith with them.
Road closures
Ohio Department of Transportation District 7 has issued the following advisories on upcoming traffic impacts due to construction work in Mercer and A
Celina falls to Eagles
NORTHWOOD - Celina got out to a strong start, but the 3-pointers of Brooklyn Armstead just wore the Bulldogs down.
The Toledo Notre Dame Academy ju
St. Henry wins district
WAPAKONETA - Some relentless ball pressure defense forced 22 Lincolnview turnovers and propelled St. Henry to a Division VI district title Saturday afternoon at Wapakoneta High School.
Minster returns to regional
LIMA - After starting the season 5-3, people might have forgotten just how good Minster was.
There's no questioning it now. The Wildcats rolled in a 54-30 win over Riverdale in the Division VI District Championship at Lima Senior.
Area wrestlers advance to district
Compiled by Gary R. Rasberry
The Celina boys wrestling team will send eight to this weekend's Division II district tournament in Norwalk after a strong day at the sectional at Defiance High School. St. Marys will send six to Norwalk.
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More days in the news archive
Public Notices
Stay informed with Public Notices in print and online. In the past 30 days there have been 53 public notices. Including:
• 11 Bids
• 8 Meeting
• 7 Sheriff Sale
• 6 Notice by Publication
• 5 Public Sale
• 4 Financial Report
• 4 Zoning
• 2 Legislation
• 1 Foreclosure
• 1 Name Change
• 1 Child Custody Petition
• 1 Ohio Department of Agriculture
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