CELINA - Mercer County commissioners on Thursday turned out the 2025 budget that reflects a 5.4% increase from last year's appropriations and grants 2.5% cost-of-living raises to the county's 100-plus employees.

ROCKFORD - Following a lengthy investigation by the state fire marshal that took over a year, the Mercer County Prosecutor's Office has closed an investigation into a fire that decimated an auto repair shop and defunct bar and grill in Rockford in the spring of 2023. [More]

CELINA - A 25-year-old Celina man was spared jail time after pleading guilty to assault for biting his girlfriend's chin, an attack that left the woman needing stitches.

WAPAKONETA - A 26-year-old Minster man was charged this week with felony child sex crimes in Auglaize County Municipal Court.    Brett M. Reeves was charged with one count of unlawful sexual conduct with a minor, a third-degree felony; and one count of gross sexual imposition, a third-degree felony.

A Shelby County teen with autism was reported missing Tuesday night, leading to a widespread search and the issuance of an endangered child alert for Shelby and surrounding counties before the child was located by Tipp City police early Wednesday morning.

MARIA STEIN - While its offense struggled, Marion Local cranked up the intensity with its defense and remained unbeaten.

The Flyers overcame a half

ST. HENRY - The game was within reach for Coldwater after eight minutes of play Thursday night.

It took three minutes for St. Henry to put the game out of reach.

Compiled by Gary R. Rasberry

With Allen East having picked up victories over both teams earlier, Parkway and Coldwater looked to pick up a win as the two Mercer County wrestling teams faced off in the final match of a triangular meet on Thursday night at the Palace. [More]