Blowing Dust Advisory issued March 13 at 3:16PM EDT until March 13 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Wilmington OH (details ...)

* WHAT...For the Blowing Dust Advisory, visibility between one-quarter and one mile in blowing dust. For the High Wind Warning, west winds 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 65 mph.
* WHERE...Auglaize, Hardin, and Mercer Counties.
* WHEN...Until 8 PM EDT this evening.
* IMPACTS...Hazardous driving conditions due to reduced visibility. Damaging winds will blow down trees and power lines. Widespread power outages are expected. Travel will be difficult, especially for high profile vehicles.

High Wind Warning issued March 13 at 3:16PM EDT until March 13 at 8:00PM EDT by NWS Wilmington OH (details ...)

Special Weather Statement issued March 13 at 2:44PM EDT by NWS Wilmington OH (details ...)

Very strong wind gusts and dry soil is leading to areas of blowing dust across the area. This is causing visibility to be reduced to one mile or less in localized area.
Motorists should be prepared for rapidly changing visibility. Slow down and leave plenty of distance between you and the vehicle in front of you.
As winds slowly decrease late this afternoon into the evening, blowing dust should diminish.

Wednesday, September 26th, 2012

New Bremen pie sets record

By Margie Wuebker

NEW BREMEN - It's official - finally.

New Bremen Giant Pumpkin Growers recently received word the mammoth pumpkin pie baked in September 2010 set a new record for the Guinness Book of World Records.

Committee members had submitted the necessary documentation following the event, but the submission never arrived at Guinness headquarters in London, England. A second set of documents were sent, and Mayor Jeff Pape told village council members on Tuesday the record stays in New Bremen.

The official certificate has not arrived, but a presentation ceremony is being planned.

On Sept. 25, 2010, the Pumpkin Growers baked and served a pie that measured 20-feet in diameter and tipped the scales at 3,699 pounds. The effort eclipsed the group's previous record set in 2005 that spanned 12 feet in diameter and weighed 2,020 pounds.

The latest record-breaking effort involved 1,212 pounds of canned pumpkin, 233 dozen eggs, 109 gallons of evaporated milk, 525 pounds of sugar, 7 pounds of salt and 14.5 pounds of cinnamon.

Pape thought the announcement came at an appropriate time with the group's annual Pumpkinfest taking place Friday and Saturday at Lions Club Park.

Although there will be no attempt at another record-breaking effort, visitors will find plenty of pumpkin fare and a host of activities including a pumpkin pie-eating contest and pumpkin chucking. New this year is the Artisan Showcase on Saturday.

- Margie Wuebker

Archive of September 26th, 2012

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Poultry farm will expand to county's 2nd largest

Fort Recovery

FORT RECOVERY - The Ohio Department of Agriculture has issued permits allowing Wenning Poultry Farm to expand to almost 2 million laying hens. The expansion will make it the second largest hen operation in the county.

Rental for 4-H camp may rise due to utility costs

CELINA - Plans are in the works to increase the $50 rental fee for Harbor Point 4-H Campground to offset rising utility costs.

No decision on the issue was made at Tuesday's meeting with Mercer County Commissioners and OSU Extension Educator and 4-H Camp Director Barb Phares.

Overhead line of sight to improve in park

Council holds reading on pay raise for elected officials

NEW BREMEN - The days of unsightly utility lines hanging over Lions Club Park are nearly over.

Council members on Tuesday approved splitting the $386,760 cost to bury the lines with Crown Equipment Corp.

Property filing fee unchanged

CELINA - The fee for filing deeds, mortgages and other real estate documents will remain at $4 a copy.

Commissioners on Tuesday agreed with a recommendation by Mercer County Recorder Tammy Barger to keep the document filing fee the same as it's been for approximately 20 years.

Coldwater school board approves reading policies

COLDWATER - Coldwater school board members approved two reading skills assessments and intervention policies Tuesday. Both policies are aimed at improving literacy among elementary students.

Indoor soccer back at Breakaway

CELINA - Soccer players again may be running across the indoor field at Breakaway RecPlex.

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St. Henry's team and three local individuals advance to districts

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CELINA - St. Henry advanced as a team and three other Midwest Athletic Conference individual girls golfers are also moving on to Division II district competition after sectional play wrapped up on Tuesday at The Fox's Den in Celina.

Cavs roll to three-game sweep over Bulldogs

CELINA - Coldwater's volleyball team had to rally from deficits to win the first two games and then led wire-to-wire in game three to sweep Celina - 25-18, 25-19 and 25-19 - on Tuesday at the Intermediate School.