Wednesday, December 23rd, 2020
First phase of renovation project almost complete
By Sydney Albert

ST. MARYS - As the year winds to a close, so too does the first phase of the High Street reservoir mill renovation project.
Officials said the building is already getting interest from private groups despite Phase 2 not yet having a set timeline [More]
Second-half rebound lifts St. Marys past New Knoxville
By Gary R. Rasberry
ST. MARYS - The scoreboard may have shown that St. Marys was the winner on Tuesday night, but that didn't mean Roughriders coach Dan Hegemier was completely pleased post-game.
New Knoxville came out with fire and were up seven on their Auglaize County neighbor at halftime. The Roughriders rebounded in the second half and pulled away for a 57-44 victory at Grand Lake Health System Court in boys basketball action to improve to 5-2. [More]
Obituaries on December 23rd, 2020
Carol Ann Hurm, 78, of St Marys, died of COVID-19 on Monday, December 21, 2020, at St. Rita's Medical Center, Lima. [More]
Ed J. Behm, age 84 of Celina, passed away at 4:04 pm on December 21, 2020 at Mercy Health-St. Rita's Medical Center in Lima. [More]
Alberta M. Reno, 98, WWII widow, and resident of Indianapolis, passed away at Westminster Village North December 20, 2020, peacefully in her sleep. [More]
Ethel Huelskamp Borger, 90, St. Henry, died on Dec. 21, 2020, at Shane Hill reh [More]
Debra Barton Hole, 68, Celina, died on Dec. 21, 2020, at Mercy Health-St. Rita' [More]
Jerome L. McEldowney, 89, of Saint Marys, died Friday, December 18, 2020, at his residence. [More]
Brenda K. Stammen, age 70 of Celina, Ohio passed away on Sunday, December 20, 2020 at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center in Columbus. [More]
J. Scott Halterman, age 80 of Coldwater, died Wednesday, December 16, 2020 at Community Hospital in Coldwater. [More]
Local pictures on December 23rd, 2020
Subscriber stories on December 23rd, 2020
Retirement village planning expansion
CELINA - City council members this week gave first reading to legislation that would authorize the demolition of a blighted private building with city revolving loan funds, clearing the way for an expansion of a retirement village.
CELINA - Bids will be sought starting Dec. 29 for a project to construct wetlands, walking paths and vegetation on a 16.321-acre property in Franklin Township.
CELINA - Two new deaths and 14 new cases of COVID-19 were reported in Mercer County on Tuesday, raising the county's death toll to 61 and the total number of cases to 3,204.
CELINA - Mercer County Board of Elections members are seeking two part-time clerks to help directors run the office and prepare for and carry out elections.
Although Mercer County's unemployment rate rose slightly in November, the county improved its standing in state rankings, moving up to second lowest from third lowest in the state for unemployment.
FORT RECOVERY - An early cold spell and a late turnover ruined a double-digit comeback for Fort Recovery.
After trailing by 12 late in the third q
Area Roundup
Compiled By Tom Haines and Gary R. Rasberry
Fort Recovery jumped out to a 10-point lead in the first quarter behind eight points from Paige Fortkamp and never looked back in rolling to a 47-26 win against Wapakoneta in girls non-conference basketball action in Wapakoneta.