Flood Watch issued September 20 at 1:07PM EDT until September 21 at 8:00AM EDT by NWS Wilmington OH (details ...)

* WHAT...Flash flooding caused by excessive rainfall is possible.
* WHERE...Portions of Indiana, including the following counties, Dearborn, Fayette, Franklin, Ripley, Union and Wayne and Ohio, including the following counties, Adams, Auglaize, Brown, Butler, Champaign, Clark, Clermont, Clinton, Darke, Delaware, Fairfield, Fayette, Franklin, Greene, Hamilton, Hardin, Highland, Hocking, Licking, Logan, Madison, Mercer, Miami, Montgomery, Pickaway, Pike, Preble, Ross, Scioto, Shelby, Union and Warren.
* WHEN...From 7 PM EDT this evening through Monday morning.
* IMPACTS...Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations.
* ADDITIONAL DETAILS... - Showers and thunderstorms producing heavy rain will impact the area overnight. Rainfall totals of 1 to 3 inches are expected with locally higher amounts. The heavy rain combined with saturated ground will lead to potential flash flooding.

Flood Warning issued September 20 at 1:05PM EDT until September 21 at 8:00AM EDT by NWS Wilmington OH (details ...)

...Forecast flooding changed to Minor severity and increased in duration for the following rivers...
St. Marys River at Rockford.
* WHAT...Minor flooding is forecast.
* WHERE...St. Marys River at Rockford.
* WHEN...Until Monday morning.
* IMPACTS...At 13.0 feet, State Route 117 near Route 118 north of Rockford is water-covered and closed.
* ADDITIONAL DETAILS... - At 12:40 PM EDT Sunday the stage was 13.0 feet. - Forecast...The river is expected to rise to a crest of 13.0 feet this afternoon. It will then fall below flood stage just after midnight tonight. - Flood stage is 13.0 feet.

Thursday, July 13th, 2023

Board approves resignation of St. Marys principal

By Abigail Miller

ST. MARYS - St. Marys High School Principal Jon Burke will leave the district to become the new superintendent of Delta-Pike-York Local Schools in August.

School board members approved his resignation during their regular meeting on Wednesday evening. Burke has worked at the district since 2014 and served as principal since 2018.

Superintendent Bill Ruane said Burke is leaving big shoes to fill.

"Jon Burke, congratulations to him," he said. "We're very happy for him. Unfortunately for us, we have to fill his position as high school principal and head girls varsity basketball coach."

Ruane added that he has put together a committee of teachers and representatives from the high school to find Burke's replacement. Interviews will start some time next week.

In other business, board members approved a resolution declaring the intent to put an emergency tax levy renewal on the November general election ballot.

On June 7, the board passed a resolution declaring the necessity to renew the existing five-year tax levy. The levy, which was first approved by voters in 2004, will continue to raise $1,838,898 for each year the levy is in effect.

The levy will be 5.823 mills in order to continue collecting the same figure. The cost to the owner of a $100,000 home would be $204.

Next, board members approved contributing $50,000 from the district building fund to the city of St. Marys to construct a parking lot near the new pedestrian walking bridge.

The proposed lot will be located on the other side of U.S. Route 33 and will be connected to the school. City public service and safety director Greg Foxhoven said the lot will have about 46 spaces. Ruane said construction of the parking facility will be finished by the 2023-2024 school year.

Lastly, the board approved a resolution to fix significant damage to the high school cafeteria roof. Ruane said the damage was caused by a hail storm, and staff noticed the damage in January or February. The damage caused leaks and unsafe conditions in the building.

Cotterman & Company honored the school's warranty on the cafeteria roof and is offering them a discount on the construction, which they plan to complete before the upcoming school year.

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The board will meet next at 6:30 p.m. Aug. 16 in the high school auditorium.

Archive of July 13th, 2023

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Suspect in abduction of child arrested

Officials: 10-month-old child uninjured

GRANVILLE TOWNSHIP - A 32-year-old woman suspected of abducting a child in Kokomo, Indiana, was arrested in Granville Township on Wednesday afternoon and taken to Mercer County jail on two felonious counts of assault on a peace officer. [More]

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Bug Bites

Summer, that time when creepy critters feast on folks

CELINA - Got a mystery bug bite and not sure what it is? Is it a tick, a mosquito or some other creepy critter? Although the summer months are long, hot and often itchy, following a few general rules and practicing preventive care can go a long way to prevent bothersome bites.

Schools get state grants for health and safety

Several area schools and the Auglaize County Educational Service Center have landed awards ranging from $5,000 to $55,000 each through the Ohio Department of Education's Stronger Connections Grant program to support local health and safety needs.

Early voting is underway in the state

WAPAKONETA - Early voting is underway for the pivotal Aug. 8 special election in Ohio that would make it more difficult to amend the state constitution, the results of which could have immediate consequences for an abortion rights amendment in the works.

High school principal: School receives best ever scores

MARIA STEIN - Marion Local High School Principal Tim Goodwin said preliminary results show the school achieved its best-ever rating in state tests.

Goodwin at this week's regular school board meeting noted preliminary results show that the school had a performance index of 108.1.

Ready for the Million

Sweet, Abreu win twin features in tuneup for big race

ROSSBURG - A pair of Californians picked up the $12,000 victories in the 25-lap twin preliminary features that opened up The Eldora Million on Wednesday night.