Local News

Homeowners go for extra (energy) credit

Bart Mills

LIMA — The advertisements promise easy cash, thousands of dollars in federal money available for the asking for anyone doing home remodels. The reality is, there are state and federal tax credits available for a multitude of home upgrades,... Full story

Judge says Chicago gun law case just one of many important cases U.S. Supreme Court will consider

Greg Sowinski

LIMA — Laws that make it difficult for Americans to own or possess guns aid criminals by making it harder for law abiding citizens to have access to the weapons, a judge said Friday. “The criminals who are carrying guns aren’t... Full story

Man involved in Captain Ds robbery released from prison

Greg Sowinski

LIMA – A man who testified against his cousin in the robbery of a Captain Ds restaurant last year was released early from prison Friday largely for helping police and prosecutors. Although Jackie Roberson’s testimony failed to convict... Full story

City moved around Glenn property for Vine Street project

Heather Rutz

LIMA — The land needed for the Vine Street underpass no longer includes 6th Ward Councilman Derry Glenn’s property. The city redesigned the curve of South Union Street near the underpass, Public Works Director Howard Elstro said. The... Full story

Utility work on Elida Road nearly complete

Heather Rutz

LIMA — Utility work on Elida Road is a sign of things to come. Next year is the big year for long-planned major changes to the busy stretch, from just west of Eastown Road to Robb Avenue. The Ohio Department of Transportation will install a... Full story

Bond cut in half to allow doctor to hire experts

Greg Sowinski

LIMA — While attorneys aren’t saying much in the case of a doctor accused of murdering his former wife, they strongly hinted Friday the case will boil down to a battle of the experts. Dr. Mark Wangler was in an Allen County courtroom... Full story

Couple goes against economic grain to open store

J.D. Bruewer

WAPAKONETA — It’s a dream they’ve been planning for 10 years. Dennis and Dee Smith bought a new home and built a barn next door. Now they’re opening a furniture and hardwoods store in the barn. When Dee Smith retired as... Full story

Hardin County police seize heroin, vehicle

Staff reports

KENTON - The Hardin County Crime Task Force seized more than 80 hits, or single-uses, of heroin from a Dunkirk man Thursday after an investigation of drug sales and use in the Dunkirk and Kenton areas. The task force also impounded the vehicle in... Full story

Man released early for testimony against cousin

Greg Sowinski

LIMA – A man who testified against his cousin in the robbery of Captain Ds last year was released early from prison today, largely for helping police and prosecutors. Although Jackie Roberson’s testimony failed to convict his cousin,... Full story

Police calls for Friday, Nov. 6

Staff reports

Police calls as of 10 a.m. Nov. 6 from Allen County Sheriff’s Office and Lima Police Department: 100 block of Pearl Street, Beaverdam — A 21-year-old man told police someone stole items from his garage overnight between Wednesday and... Full story

Man dies after 50-foot fall at Lima Refinery

Tyrel Linkhorn

SHAWNEE TOWNSHIP — A Lima man was killed Thursday morning after falling five stories while working on construction of a new tank at the Husky Lima Refinery. Adrian John Flores, 59, was pronounced dead at St. Rita’s Medical Center at... Full story

Family holds vigil for Grove fire victims

Tyrel Linkhorn

COLUMBUS GROVE — Randy Brenneman knows it was a miracle that he survived. “Angels came down and gave my mother-in-law one last breath to yell loud enough to wake us up,” he said. “That’s the last thing we heard from... Full story

Police confirm that husband shot wife in murder-suicide

Greg Sowinski

LIMA — Police announced Thursday that a man shot his wife and then turned the gun on himself, confirming their initial belief that the death of a couple earlier this week was a murder-suicide. Michael R. Bassitt, 61, shot his wife, Julie A.... Full story

Accused BW3s shooter to have two trials

Greg Sowinski

LIMA — A man charged with a shooting at a popular sports bar will have two trials for the charges against him, a judge ruled Thursday. Maurice Graves, 19, is charged in the Aug. 4 shooting of a teenager in the parking lot of Buffalo Wild... Full story

Ottawa faces unusual delays in replacing stop light

Nancy Kline

OTTAWA — Drivers have been surprised to find a four-way stop instead of a stoplight at the village’s busiest intersection. Ottawa officials have been just as surprised to find how hard it can be to replace a utility pole. Officials... Full story

Man unhurt in morning garage fire

Staff reports

BATH TOWNSHIP - A man who was sleeping when a fire broke out in an attached garage escaped injury Thursday morning with help from Bath Township firefighters. Chief Joe Kitchen said Michael Taflinger was the only person inside the home at 624 Mount... Full story

OSU-Lima, Rhodes agreement assists education majors

Beth L. Jokinen

LIMA — John Freed wanted to stay in Lima, so has been going through the sometimes frustrating process of transferring early childhood education credits from Rhodes State College to OSU-Lima. It just got a whole lot easier for Freed and other... Full story

Allen County revenue not good but better

J.D. Bruewer

LIMA — It’s not a rosy picture, but it’s better than expected. Allen County Auditor Rhonda Eddy told the county commissioners Thursday that revenue is up about a quarter million dollars over projections, but it’s still worse... Full story

Runner-up questions test used to hire new Wapakoneta chief

Greg Sowinski

WAPAKONETA — While a new police chief was sworn in last month, a protest by the man who didn’t get the job could change that if he successfully challenges the test used. Lt. Greg Lowry is challenging the test given by the Wapakoneta... Full story

Lima school board accepting applications for vacant seat

Beth L. Jokinen

LIMA — The Lima school board is getting started finding someone to fill a soon-to-be vacant seat. The board will accept applications until 4 p.m. Nov. 13 and hopes to begin interviewing in December, board President Saul Allen Jr. said... Full story

Saudi prison officers studying at ONU

Beth L. Jokinen

ADA — Abdulaziz Binklaib volunteers at his 8-year-old son’s school and may take his family to Florida for a vacation. Typical dad stuff, except Binklaib is doing them in small-town USA, far away from his home in Saudi Arabia. “I... Full story

Fire damages home, resident unharmed

Staff reports

DELPHOS - A Delphos man escaped without injury after fire damaged his home, thanks to a neighbor. Around 6:30 a.m. Wednesday, a neighbor noticed a fire at Carl Dienstberger’s home in the 200 block of East Fourth Street and called 911. Police... Full story

Fire guts trailer, teen escapes

Staff reports

PERRY TOWNSIHP -- Authorities say a kerosene heater appears to be the cause of a mobile home fire in the Colony Mobile Home Community that displaced a Perry Township family and killed two dogs Wednesday night. No one was injured in the fire, which... Full story

Civic Center board considers hiring marketing, fundraising personnel

Tyrel Linkhorn

LIMA — As the Veterans Memorial Civic Center board tries to move the center from surviving to thriving, they’re examining the possibility of hiring two people to do marketing and fundraising. The board held a special meeting Wednesday... Full story

Sales tax vote won't affect budget plans, commissioners say

Bob Blake

LIMA — Hope for the best, plan for the worst — that was the message the two Allen County commissioners who voted for a 0.5 percentage point increase in the county sales tax had a day after the increase was repealed by voters.... Full story

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