Monday, November 19th, 2018
Stucke named state Beekeeper of Year
By Tom Stankard
MARIA STEIN - Beekeeper Ron Stucke said he started harvesting honey 30 years ago because the gooey nectar "is one of life's greatest rewards."
His dedication to keeping bees alive and desire to spread awareness about his favorite flying insect has earned him the title "Beekeeper of the Year" from the Ohio State Beekeeper's Association. Three people wrote letters of recommendation to net him a nomination. Each described Stucke as "passionate," his wife, Carolyn, said. [More]
Obituaries on November 19th, 2018
Patricia M. (Phlipot) Wagner Borchers, age 85, of Homer Street, Versailles, pas [More]
Donald W. "Donnie" Hamilton, age 62, of Coldwater, Ohio, died November 17, 2018 at his home. [More]
It is with sadness we share the news of the passing of our beloved Douglas Jame [More]
Dean A. Kerns, age 62, of Minster, died Saturday, November 17, 2018 at his home [More]
Edward F. Imwalle, age 81, of Vandalia, passed away Friday, November 16, 2018, at Story Point in Troy, Ohio. [More]
Local pictures on November 19th, 2018
Subscriber stories on November 19th, 2018
COLUMBUS - A Celina High School graduate has been named one of Forbes' 2019 30 Under 30 in the manufacturing and industry category.
About this time
DARKE COUNTY - Emergency responders were dispatched on Saturday afternoon to the Darke County Airport at 9724 State Route 121 on reports of an airplane crash.
BELLEFONTAINE - As potent as the St. Marys offense has been this season, it was the Roughrider defense that came up with the plays that led to a victory Saturday night.
WOHSBC Roundup
Compiled by Gary R. Rasberry
The West Ohio High School Bowling Conference season got underway Saturday at Plaza Lanes in Celina and Community Lanes in Minster.
CELINA - Former Celina swimming standout Paige (Mertz) Bader takes over her alma mater's swim team this season with great enthusiasm.
"I've told p
COLDWATER - The Coldwater swim and dive team is growing again.
Coach Matt May enters his second year as Coldwater coach. He will be assisted by veteran coach Dan Otten.
FORT RECOVERY - After a historic 2017-18 season with the program producing its first state qualifiers, Fort Recovery's swim team is primed to go further this season.
MARIA STEIN - Marion Local swimming coach Scott Smith enters every season with one big goal in mind.
"My goal is to get somebody to districts this year - that's always my goal," the coach said.
Minster returns several swimmers from last year
MINSTER - It's Dawn Schwieterman's first year as Minster's head swimming coach, but she has been around several of the athletes before and is excited for a new opportunity.
NEW BREMEN - Cresta Ritter enters her 16th season as head coach of the New Bremen swimming team.
GIRLS
Ritter's excitement for this season is as high as ever, particularly on the girls' side.
ST. MARYS - Katie Szymczak has an experienced boys' team with lofty expectations and a young girls' team that brings back a few district qualifiers.
All in all, Szymczak said the outlook is positive as the Roughriders get ready to dive into the water.
CELINA - The motto on the back of the shirts of Celina's wrestling team reads "Finish what you started."
The Bulldogs started out 7-0 in Western B
COLDWATER - Veteran Coldwater wrestling coach Rob Schmidt has more than half his wrestlers in camp already and is waiting for the rest to finish their football commitments before taking on the next season.
ROCKFORD - The Parkway wrestling team continues to make strides in the program. The Panthers finished fifth at the LCC sectional last season with four wrestlers qualifying for district.
ST. MARYS - The St. Marys wrestling team had one of its strongest regular seasons in winning the WBL dual match title at 8-1. In the league tourname
CELINA - Changes abound for the Celina bowling program as the team will compete exclusively in the Western Buckeye League after the league voted not to allow teams to compete in other conferences such as the West Ohio Bowling Conference.
COLDWATER - Coach Rick Hartings' Coldwater girls' bowling team has experience back from last season's Division II state runner-up season.
The Cavalier boys, which missed the state tournament, will look to retool with just one letter winner returning this season.
MARIA STEIN - Bowling is a club sport at Marion Local.
But with growing numbers in the program, bowling co-coaches Karen Bruggeman and Sue Bruns are hoping bowling will soon be a recognized school sport.
MINSTER - Returning starters for the boys team include Alex Heuker (152.0 average), a district qualifier last season, and Luke Jacobs (159 average). Luke Lazier and Austin Moeller will also be key bowlers for the team, coach Brian Schmiesing said.
NEW BREMEN - Coach Brian Alig returns for his fifth season as coach of New Bremen.
The Cardinals have a combined eight returning bowlers (five boys, three girls).
ROCKFORD - The rollers from Rockford are looking to have a strong season.
And husband-and-wife coaching tandem Dan and Brandy Cairns believe the Parkway Panthers have the pieces to do it.
ST. HENRY - St. Henry had a third-place finish at the Division II state bowling tournament last year.
Six lettermen return to the lanes for the Redskins this season in hopes of having another strong campaign.
ST. MARYS - Both the St. Marys boys' and girls' bowling teams shared Western Buckeye League championships and qualified for state last season.
The