Anna, OH

Dylan Andrew Ball, 22 years old, passed away unexpectedly Monday June 27th 2022 at his residence in Continental, Ohio. Dylan was born on a beautiful crisp fall morning on October 19th, 1999 to the late Nicole Marie Fowler and John Andrew Ball. While growing up, he loved spending time on his grandparents farm, playing sports with friends, gaming with his dad, enjoying his grandmother’s cooking, watching CSI Miami with his 2nd mom, hanging out with his siblings, and loved any social event. In his adolescence he attended Celina High School and later on to Elida High School where he was both an outstanding football player for each school. Dylan was known as a jokester with lots of friends and could be found most of the time sporting the most beautiful smile that could light up the room. He found an extended family in his employer, Valerio Construction Company in Continental, where he excelled at Roofing.

WAPAKONETA — Four people were killed and 150 were injured Monday when an Amtrak passenger train struck a dump truck on a railroad crossing in Missouri. More than a dozen people from the Miami Valley were among the more than 200 passengers on the train at the time of the crash.

LIMA —What started as a love triangle ended Thursday with a Van Wert man heading off to begin a four-year prison term for assaulting his romantic rival. Craig Hirschy, 33, was convicted by a jury on May 3 in Allen County Common Pleas Court on a first-degree felony count of aggravated burglary. Prosecutors said Hirschy broke into a home in the 2700 block of Lowell Avenue in Lima on the evening of Dec. 6, 2021, and attacked 41-year-old Thomas Blair.

ST. MARYS — U.S. Rep. Jim Jordan took aim at numerous targets when he spoke at the St. Marys Rotary Club on Wednesday, ranging from inflammatory but expected shots at the Biden administration, prominent Democrats and the Jan. 6 committee hearings to a more surprising comment seemingly accusing National Football League Commissioner Roger Goodell of lying to Congress.

LIMA — The Lima Police Department will soon implement new technology to detect crimes, addresing its “manpower shortage.” The mobile device could become the department’s eyes and ears at a scene and even collect evidence. The police department applied for an Ohio grant for violent crime...

LIMA — For one day only, the streets of Lima will be transforming into a giant, escape-room-style experience between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 15 for an “Alice in Wonderland” event. Follow Alice down the rabbit hole and enter a topsy-turvy world of adventure,...

Bellefontaine Citizen’s Police Academy Alumni member Jody Tom, right, serves up food for city residents Jefferson Bello and his daughter Natalie-Anne, 6, Wednesday afternoon at the Bellefontaine Police Department’s Downtown Business Appreciation Cookout, offering free lunchtime fare of brats and burgers, chips and water to area employees and families by the Logan County Courthouse fountain. Behind them at the left, Lt. Chris Marlow mans the grill for the event. (EXAMINER PHOTO | MANDY LOEHR)

Downtown Barbershop owner Andrew Steenrod, of Sidney, puts the bottom back onto his barber pole on Wednesday, June 29. About once a year the pole stops turning and Steenrod has to open it up to add some oil to loosen it back up. The pole uses an electrically powered magnet to rotate. Steenrod believes the pole to be about 60 years old. Steenrod was given the pole by James Theis, who owned a barbershop in downtown Sidney that was located next to The Spot according to Steenrod. Steenrod said Theis cut his hair when he was a kid.

Panera is well known for its fresh salads, hot paninis, and hearty soups. Fans of the eatery can't get enough of menu options like the Chipotle Chicken Avocado Melt or the Thai Chicken Soup. But you may want to exercise some caution when it comes to ordering its Home Southwest Corn Chowder, which has been recalled in 12 states, according to the FDA. The soup contains wheat that isn't labeled correctly on the package, which can cause serious issues for those with food allergies.

LAKEVIEW, Ohio — When the right amount of sunlight is in balance with an appropriate dose of nutrients, plants do very well. When that balance goes off kilter, vegetation can become unruly, aggressive, and out of control. In a watery environment, the situation is magnified.

TROY — The Troy-Hayner Cultural Center will host The Hamiltons at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 5, as part of their Lucky Lemonade summer concert series. The public is invited to come and sit awhile with Lonnie, Lawrence, Vance and Mike. This band was started over 50 years ago by Mom and Dad, Ronnie and Martha Hamilton. Lonnie and Lawrence began to join-in when they were just 11 and 12 and have continued the pursuit of this family tradition. Lonnie plays guitar, bass, fiddle, banjo and Lawrence plays guitar, bass and mandolin. On guitar and bass is Mike Powell who joined the group as a youngster. Vance Spellman joined the group a few years ago, and has also been playing the guitar since he was just a young kid.

Hideki Harada, who owns Kiki in College Hill with his wife Yuko, is opening a new fish and seafood butcher shop inside Findlay Market's Market House. Sen by Kiki, Sen meaning "fresh" in Japanese, will focus on sustainably and responsibly caught seafood, a press release states. The booth will carry sashimi-grade seafood and oysters, and serves...

PIQUA — Even though school is out for the summer, the campus of Upper Valley Career Center has been busy with summer camps. Superintendent Jason Haak told board of education members during Monday, June 27 meeting that two camps took place in June. Camp Excel brought in 58 students in grades 4-7 to participate in activities ranging from Basic Building & Carpentry, Cosmetology, Engineering Imagination, Science of Bees, Planes, Rockets & Drones, STEM Fun, and Vet Science. Schools represented this year were Anna, Jackson Center, Greenville, Holy Angels, Houston, Miami East, Piqua, Sidney, Troy, Tipp City and a homeschooled student.

A home in Celina, Ohio has hit the market for $275,000. However, there is one truly bizarre feature in this otherwise unassuming house that's raising eyebrows.

LIMA — Ottawa Lake Metro Park officially turned 50 this year. In recognition, the Johnny Appleseed Metro Park District organized a range of activities for both young and old. “Community support over the last 50 years has been pretty incredible and we appreciate it,” said Tyler Black, executive director...