Thursday, March 19th, 2020
By William Kincaid
CELINA - A beloved school administrator and source of inspiration for many in the community and beyond died on Wednesday, prompting an outpouring of heartfelt remembrances and tributes on social media.
Celina Middle School Principal Ann Esselstein, who bravely mounted a three-year battle with cancer, died at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, Celina City Schools Superintendent Ken Schmiesing confirmed to the newspaper. [More]
From staff reports
CELINA - Authorities have identified the body of an adult male that was pulled from Grand Lake on Tuesday night as that of Tre Billger, a 26-year-old from Celina who was reported missing in mid-February.
At about 7:02 p.m. Tuesday, Celina police dispatch received a call reporting a body floating in Grand Lake along the shoreline near the Celina Rotary Lighthouse along South Main Street, according to a news release. [More]
From staff reports
  Mercer Health is postponing elective surgeries and procedures. Patients affected by this change will be contacted directly from their physician's office.
Elective status of surgical cases will be determined by the clinical judgment of Mercer Health physicians using criteria to ensure the safety and well-being of patients. Surgical procedures deemed necessary to avoid risk to life, permanent dysfunction, progression of disease or risk of rapidly worsening symptoms will still be performed. [More]
From staff reports
The following events/locations have been canceled, postponed or temporarily closed due to the coronavirus pandemic.
• The Western Ohio Civil War Roundtable meeting is canceled for March 26. Whether members will meet on April 23 will be decided at a later date. [More]
Obituaries on March 19th, 2020
Henry Rochus "Hank" Beyke, age 85 of Franklin, TN passed away March 17, 2020. [More]
Bill Carpenter, 69, St. Marys, died on March 17, 2020, at his residence.
Arra [More]
Patricia E. Heitkamp, age 67 of Carthagena, died Wednesday, March 18, 2020 at St. Rita's Medical Center in Lima. [More]
Irene E. Staugler Meinerding, 97, Wapakoneta, died at 10:15 p.m., March 10, 2020, at Mercy Health-St. Rita's Medical Center, Lima. [More]
Local pictures on March 19th, 2020
Subscriber stories on March 19th, 2020
CELINA - A drive-thru COVID-19 testing center closed the same day it opened after new directives from Gov. Mike DeWine were put into place on Wednesday evening.
CELINA - Local eateries are scrambling to survive after the Ohio Department of Health closed bars and restaurants to in-house patrons as of Sunday night.
CELINA - A home was deemed a total loss and a neighboring business suffered external damage after a fire broke out Wednesday morning.
Celina Fire
NEW BREMEN - School district superintendent Jason Schrader updated board members on Wednesday about the COVID-19 situation and what officials are doing to continue educating students.
Honda to suspend production at Marysville plant
COLUMBUS (AP) - The Ohio Supreme Court set a speedy schedule to hear an elections lawsuit filed by the state's Democratic Party, while the state said
Dream Team
FORT RECOVERY - The Fort Recovery Indians won their first Midwest Athletic Conference title in girls basketball since the 1990-91 season this winter.
Val Muhlenkamp played a big part in helping them achieve it.
Dream Team
NEW BREMEN - Good things happen when you put in the work.
New Bremen basketball player Madison Cordonnier can attest.
The junior guard has racke
Marion and Toledo standout exploring options
Luke Knapke's basketball career at the University of Toledo ended earlier than expected.
But he's got a lot of hoops left to play.
After the col
Upon learning that he had been selected Ohio's Mr. Basketball for 2020, Walnut Ridge senior VonCameron Davis ecstatically began thanking the coaches, personal trainers, teammates and opponents who helped him along the journey.