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House Fire On Rolling Hills Drive

2013-05-23T18:44:26-04:00

ST. MARYS — Fire crews from two local departments battled a house fire on Rolling Hills Drive Thursday night.

The St. Marys Fire Department and St. Marys Township Fire Department responded with trucks and manpower to a fire call at 610 Rolling Hills Drive. As firefighters battled the blaze, flames shot through the roof and heavy smoke poured from the fire. Approximately 10 vehicles responded to the scene. A St. Marys electrical department truck also responded to the scene.

Officials at the scene told The Evening Leader all occupants of the home made it out safely. More details will be published when released by fire officials.

New Principal Hired

2013-05-23T09:23:20-04:00

ST. MARYS — The St. Marys City Schools Board of Education met for a special meeting Wednesday evening to pass several items related to personnel, including two retirements, several resignations and one appointment — Bill Ruane as principal at Memorial High School.

“He’s a proven commodity and we’re happy to bring him back home to continue his good work,” Superintendent Shawn Brown said.

Current Principal David Lewis will be stepping down at the end of the school year, Brown said, and will be taking a position at Miami Trace in Fayette County.

Ruane is a familiar face in the district; he was a teacher for St. Marys City Schools from 2004 to 2012, and spent the last year working as an administrator for the Coldwater school system.

Sheriff's Office Car Broken Into

2013-05-22T15:47:58-04:00

CELINA — Mercer County Sheriff Jeff Grey reports that his office is investigating a theft that occurred in the parking lot of Zuma Automotive, 314 S. Main St., Celina. An unmarked vehicle, assigned to a detective from the sheriff’s office was entered sometime between Monday and Tuesday and items were stolen.

Stolen from the vehicle were a sheriff’s office winter jacket with a metal breast badge, a sheriff’s office rain coat with a metal breast badge, a bullet resistant vest, a sheriff’s office Remington 870 12 gauge shotgun with extra ammunition in a green case, two Glock .40 caliber handgun magazines and extra ammunition, a sheriff’s office stocking cap, a black briefcase with evidence collection materials, an emergency throw-rope and loose change.

Anyone with information regarding this theft should contact the Mercer County Sheriff’s Office Detective Division at 419-586-7724.

Recount To Be Conducted In Race

2013-05-22T15:42:31-04:00

ST. MARYS — There will be a recount for the final council-at-large seat in the St. Marys Republican primary next week.

An automatic recount was triggered for the final spot between Dan Uhlenhake and Russell Bailey. The official vote ended in favor of Uhlenhake by a tally of 590 to 583. According to a state formula, a recount must be conducted if the difference between candidates is eight or less.

The recount is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. May 30 in the board office in Wapakoneta.

Local Happenings

2013-05-22T13:17:26-04:00

May 22: Stop by FJ Stallo Memorial Library in Minster today for information on the 2013 Summer Reading Club and a free ice cream cone.

A weekly divorce support group will be held from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. today at Wayne Street United Methodist Church in St. Marys.

Roughrider Seniors prepare for graduation set for Sunday at 2pm

2013-05-22T11:35:52-04:00

Roughrider Seniors prepare for graduation set for Sunday at 2pm

2013-05-22T11:35:52-04:00

Roughrider Seniors prepare for graduation set for Sunday at 2pm

2013-05-22T11:34:11-04:00

Riders Enjoy Fun In The Sun

2013-05-22T13:18:17-04:00

ST. MARYS — Students at the Intermediate School enjoyed a field day Tuesday by playing dodgeball in the gym, enjoying popsicles and water on the playground, as well as hula hoops, water balloons and multiple blow-up slides and obstacle courses.

With the last day of school approaching and summer around the corner, the students were full of energy and appreciated the day of fun with their friends.

Kennedi Burd, who was hula hooping with her friend and fellow fifth-grader, Shia Salisbury, said her favorite part of field day is the obstacle course.

“You have to run through things that stand up and then you have to jump over them,” she said.

Shia said her favorite part was yet to come — the water balloon toss.

“We’ve done it for the past three years so I know how it goes,” she said.

Nathaniel Hernandez, also a fifth-grader, said the water balloon toss is his favorite, too.

“I like to get wet, because sometimes in the summer I go to swim meets,” he said.

“I would have to say this one,” Alayna Thornsberry said when her group was done with the water balloons, “because you get wet.”

Jayde Snook said her favorite is the giant tiger slide.

“I like wild animals, so it’s been my thing,” she said. “I’ve been learning about them a lot.”

Leah Walter, a fourth-grader, said she liked the blow-ups and the break station.

“You get popsicles and water,” she said.

“(I like) the obstacle course,” Mizuki Yamane said, noting that it is also challenging. “This is my first field day.”

Austin Hertenstein said the water balloon toss is probably his favorite part of field day.

“Whenever the water balloon pops, you get wet,” he said.

Ali Burd, a fourth-grader, also said she loved the water balloons, and the saber-tooth tiger slide.

“My favorite part of field day is the water balloon toss and dodgeball,” Noah Storer said.

Kiley Tenant said she liked the obstacle course, which is called “Adrenaline Rush.”

Savanna Cox, a fifth-grader, said the slides are her favorite part of field day, and classmate Emily Stapleton said she liked the water balloon toss.

“I like the obstacle course and the water balloon toss,” Kalie Gayer said.

Cheyenne Martin agreed.

The activities were manned by volunteer parents. Julie Speckman and Kara Birt, the parent volunteers officiating the dodgeball games, said the kids love field day every year.

“It gives the kids an opportunity to have fun when they’ve worked so hard all year,” Birt said.

Athletes Prep For Competition

2013-05-21T13:25:04-04:00

ST. MARYS — The Auglaize County Special Olympics track and field had its first practice since the District competition at the Memorial High School track Monday evening.

There were athletes ranging in age from 8 to in their 60s, practicing everything from softball to track to wheelchair races. They were preparing for their next big competition, State, which will take place from June 28 through June 30 at Ohio State University’s campus in Columbus.

“All 88 counties in Ohio will be competing against each other,” said Rhonda Runnion, volunteer softball coach. “We’re very fortunate that in Auglaize County we have a very large and very well-organized Special Olympics. A lot of counties have almost lost theirs altogether. We have a lot of generous people in this county and they donate; we’re purely through donations. That’s how we’re funded.”

Runnion and her husband, Dana, have been helping with the Auglaize County Special Olympics since their son was 8; he is now in his late 20s.

“We usually take around 60-some athletes to state,” she said.”

There will be 51 Special Olympians participating in the State competition this year, in bowling, bocce, and track and field.

All teams are coached by volunteers who willingly give their time to creating an extracurricular activity for those who would not otherwise have one.

“We’re doing it mostly for the athletes — to build their self esteem,” Dana Runnion said. “They don’t fit in in the typical situations; athletic events and such. With all the extra activities that high schools do, you know, these kids aren’t included in that. I mean (the schools) do a great job teaching them, but as far as any outside things, we pretty much have to do that all ourselves.”

Participation is high every year, he said, and the athletes seem to love the activities.

Caroline Klopfenstein will be competing in the javelin throw. She has been participating in the Special Olympics for a long time, she said.

“I like it,” Klopfenstein said. “I like to walk to lose some weight. We’re going to Columbus to state. I can’t wait to walk around the track and throw the javelin.”

Kenton Stamm was practicing for his event, softball. He will also be competing in bowling.

“I did it last year, too,” he said. “I like doing Special Olympics. I like doing softball and walking around the track.”

Dana Runnion said it’s all about getting the athletes together.

“We’re trying to get the kids out and active,” Dana Runnion said. “And they’re with their peers.”

He said this upcoming state competition is one of the best things about the Special Olympics, for the coaches and for the participants.

“Going to state is a phenomenal thing,” he said. “To see athletes from all over the state and 88 counties, to participate in these events.”

He also stressed that the main goal in organizing these activities is to get the kids (and adults) out and active and having fun with their peers.

“I think it’s extremely important,” Rhonda Runnion said. “Just the awareness of how valuable special people are in our community; how they can all contribute, and how they’re able to do things just like typical people, you know, to their best ability. And we have all levels of abilities here. From wheelchair racing to ones who are able to run almost like (anyone else). It’s a very good event.”