Van Wert, OH

An Ottawa man has changed his plea on Tuesday in Putnam County Common Pleas Court. According to a bill of information, Jesus Tapia is accused of engaging in sexual conduct with another who was not his spouse, whose age at the time of the said sexual conduct was less than thirteen years of age. Tapia was charged with one count of Rape, a felony of the first degree.

MIDDLE POINT, Ohio (WANE) — Police in Van Wert County, Ohio, have asked the public to avoid an area in Middle Point where a search warrant was being served Tuesday. Just after noon Tuesday, Van Wert County Sheriff Thomas Riggenbach said deputies were serving a search warrant at a residence in Middle Point. The public was asked to avoid Bellis Road between Mason Street and Main Street and South Adams Street between Normal Street and Bellis Road.

A popular to-go art bag is coming back on Saturday, July 31 at ArtSpace/Lima. The bags will have Lego pieces and paint inside to create 2d and 3d art projects. As always, the bags will be available for pick up starting at noon in Cherry Alley behind ArtSpace, for Lego lovers of any age.

LIMA — The Lima Mall will host a teacher appreciation night from 6-8 p.m. Thursday, July 29, in the mall’s center court, 2400 Elida Road, Lima. Prizes and goodie bags will be given away to the first 50 teachers. School IDs are required to qualify.

VAN WERT — Cilantros Grill and Cantina restaurant had a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the grand opening of its new location on July 26, 2021. It opened for business on July 21, 2021. Cilantros was formerly known as El Mexicano on Westwood Drive, Van Wert. It is now located at 716 Ervin Drive in Van Wert. El Mexicano opened in 2006.

The Lima News’ 2021 Best of the Region is back, marking 26 years of asking residents of the area their opinions on their favorite places to shop, relax and eat. We asked for your opinions on 50 categories this year on a wide range of restaurants, stores, service providers, entertainment options and free-time activities. Click here to see the Best of the Region.

Most times you hear about people trying to keep wildlife out of their gardens but on Tuesday they were learning how to attract wildlife. Avid gardeners attending the weekly Allen County Master Gardeners' brown bag lunch at the Children's Garden. From mammals to amphibians to insects, they all need our help as their native habitats have become smaller because of human activity. By planting a simple garden, you can provide habitats that will attract songbirds, butterflies, and other wildlife. To create a wildlife habitat garden, you need four specific things.

1965 N. West St., Lima; 2619 Elida Road, Lima; 941 N. Cable Road, Lima; 575 Market St., Lima; 1920 Harding Highway, Lima; various locations in the region. 111 N. Elizabeth St., Lima; 2111 Allentown Road, Lima; 1350 Bellefontaine Ave., Lima. Honorable Mentions: Canalside Burgers and Brew, Ottoville; Happy Daz, various;...

Berne sisters Callie and Kenzie Neuenschwander found out this past year that getting up early to take care of their dairy wether goats paid rich dividends when fair time came around. Kenzie, the daughter of Eric and Jen Neuenschwander and Ben.

There was a huge construction event at Hermon Woodlands in Lima as a new fairy home neighborhood was installed. Kids geared up in construction helmets and took to the woods to build some new homes for the magical fairies that live in the Johnny Appleseed Metro Park. They gathered the materials they needed to start building, and even the queen fairy was there to help.

810 E. Main St., Coldwater; 221 Summit St., Celina; 1102 Elida Ave., Delphos; 890 S. Cable Road, Lima; 120 W. Northern Ave., Lima; 1107 S. Shannon St., Van Wert. Honorable Mentions: Kah Meats, Meijer, Lima; Stites, Lima.

Honorable Mentions: Buckeye Furniture Store, Lima; Lehmann’s Furniture, Delphos; Big Lots, various; Diller Furniture, Lima.

111 N. Elizabeth St., Lima; 2111 Allentown Rd., Lima; 1350 Bellefontaine Ave., Lima. 1064 Bellefontaine Ave., Lima; 802 S. Cable Rd., Lima; 4557 Elida Rd., Lima; 2025 N. West St., Lima; 1007 Lincoln Ave., Wapakoneta; 911 E. Wayne St., Celina. Honorable Mentions: Arby’s, various; Five Guys, Lima; Jalapenos, Lima.

3285 Elida Road, Lima; 2290 Harding Highway, Lima; 2001 Havemann Road, Celina; 1246 Bellefontaine St., Wapakoneta. 810 E. Main St., Coldwater; 221 Summit St., Celina; 1102 Elida Ave., Delphos; 890 S. Cable Road, Lima; 120 W. Northern Ave., Lima; 1107 S. Shannon St., Van Wert. Honorable Mentions: Walmart, various; Kohls...

3355 Harding Highway, Lima; 1448 Cable Road, Lima; 2501 Shawnee Road, Lima. Honorable Mentions: Bandido’s, Lima; El Cazador, Lima; El Azteca, Wapakoneta.