The Evening Leader
Nelson Body Shop honored at Statehouse for 100 years of service
COLUMBUS — Nelson Body Shop was honored at the Ohio Statehouse during a legislative session in recognition of the company’s remarkable 100-year history and its lasting commitment to serving the community. During the special recognition, Representative...
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Crescent Players bring “Seven Brides for Seven Brothers” to St. Marys
ST. MARYS — The Crescent Players are thrilled to announce their upcoming musical production of the classic Broadway hit, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, June 18-21 and June 2628 at the historic St. Marys Theater. Set in the rugged Oregon wilderness...
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Ralph’s World brings Kids Night to Feel Good Fridays
Van Wert - This Friday, Fountain Park welcomes Ralph’s World to the Feel Good Fridays stage for an evening designed to bring smiles, laughter, and unforgettable family memories. The free concert begins at 7:30 p.m. Based out of Chicago, Ralph’s World...
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Motorcycle, vehicle fatal crash on US Route 33 at State Route 65
WAPAKONETA - The Wapakoneta Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating a fatal crash that occurred on June 12, 2026, at approximately 7:37 p.m in Clay Township, Auglaize County, Ohio. The crash occurred on US Route 33 at the intersection of...
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Auglaize County Library opens door to creativity with Idea Lab
The Auglaize County Public District Library is preparing to launch an exciting new resource designed to spark creativity, innovation, and lifelong learning throughout the community. The upcoming Auglaize Idea Lab will provide residents with access to...
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Budget Bill to give funding to local projects if passed
Several district projects within the local area are set to receive some funding soon after some recent legislation was passed through the Ohio House of Representatives. According to some recent news shared in part by State Representative Angie King,...
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Midwest Electric held annual co-op meeting for members
Midwest Electric held its annual meeting on June 4 at St. Marys Memorial High School. Midwest Electric is an energy cooperative, which means that the members are also stakeholders in the company. Each year, the board meets with stakeholders to share...
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Warriors Way and the Generations of Love unite
A unique partnership between Warriors Way and Generations of Love is creating an opportunity for families to connect, learn, and grow together through an unforgettable day of hands-on experiences in Lima. The Collaborative Community Event, scheduled...
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St. Marys woman receives First Families designation
Kaycie Nelson Minnich of St. Marys, Ohio accepts her ‘First Families of Auglaize County’ certificate from Julie Koch, President of the Auglaize County Chapter of the Ohio Genealogical Society. Kaycie traced her family’s lineage in Auglaize County back...
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Minster Swimming Pool closed due to mechanical issue
The Village of Minster sent out a press release on Tuesday detailing an incident that occurred involving a mechanical issue that occurred at the Minster Swimming Pool. According to the release, sent by Village Administrator Don Harrod, stated that they...
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America 250—Auglaize County t-shirts now available
The Auglaize County Historical Society announces the arrival of the official America 250—Auglaize County t-shirts. The t-shirts feature the local logo for the national milestone on the front, while the names of Auglaize County villages and cities...
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Grand Lake Health hosts Children’s Wellness Adventure
Children and families from throughout the region are invited to embark on an exciting adventure as Grand Lake Health System presents this year’s Children’s Wellness Day, themed “Embark on the Grand Lake Health Expedition Around the World” at the...
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AEP Ohio announces transmission line project
Some local residents of Auglaize County can expect some updates to be made to their electrical system soon, with AEP Ohio announcing the Kossuth-West Moulton Transmission Line Rebuild Project. Not too long ago, residents within the radius of the...
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New Knoxville says goodbye to Class of 2026 Rangers
The New Knoxville Class of 2026 is officially moving on to greener pastures now, with the class of 32 Rangers officially getting their diplomas earlier this week. The Rangers were welcomed at their ceremony by their Class President/Salutatorian,...
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Class of 2026 graduates from Memorial High School
The MHS Class of 2026 graduated on May 24. The ceremony drew a crowd of family and friends to the St. Marys Memorial High School gym to watch as 144 students received their diplomas and accolades. Of those graduating, 56 seniors graduated with...
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Minster FFA members attend State FFA Convention
Thursday and Friday, April 30 and May 1, members of the Minster FFA Chapter attended the Ohio FFA State Convention in Columbus. Members were recognized for various accomplishments and competed in contests. While in Columbus, the members attended the...
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New story installed at Story Walk in K.C. Geiger Park
Earlier this month, a new story was installed at the Story Walk Trail in K.C. Geiger Park. The story is titled “Rocky and Friends Great Adventures: The K.C. Geiger Park’s Secret Mystery,” and was written by Mr. Mele’s fourthgrade class. The trail...
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Fawn Way Farms river access donated to park district
Tucked away in the 18500 block of County Road 115A is a new Auglaize River access donated by the Place family, who own the nearby T.K. Farms. The recently named Fawn Way Farms River access is 3.8 acres in total. “It’s exciting,” Ryan Place said of the...
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New Bremen Board accepts major donation for stadium project
The New Bremen Board of Education came together on Wednesday to sort through some final items of the 20252026 school year, as well as accept a major donation. The New Bremen Board had a major donation come in from the New Bremen Athletic Boosters,...
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DARE Essay winners enjoy big day at Cincinnati Reds game
The afternoon had barely begun in Auglaize County when students from across the county’s school districts boarded school vans and made their way to the Auglaize County Sheriff’s Office in Wapakoneta, the designated meeting place for the D.A.R.E. essay...
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Grand Lake Health celebrates Stroke Awareness Month in May
May is Stroke Awareness Month. In recognition, Grand Lake Health asked Bill and Carrie Widman to give a testimonial about their experience with the Stroke Team at Joint Township District Memorial Hospital. On Dec. 2, Carrie Widman suffered a stroke....
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GLH Car Raffle winner announced for 2026
The winner of the 2026 Grand Lake Hospice Gala Car Raffle has officially been announced, with the winner having recently collected their prize at St. Marys Chrysler. As part of a yearly tradition, the Grand Lake Hospice holds a yearly gala to help...
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Gardener’s Swap & Share results in discussion on health benefits
Heritage Trails Park District Administrator Terry McDonald saw an estimated 80 people participate in the Gardener’s Swap & Share. “This is a great partnership with the library. We do put this on every year, and you don’t have to spend a penny. You can...
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BOE
The St. Marys Board of Education came together on Wednesday in order to congratulate local students for their recent achievements and to finalize a few items before the end of the school year. The meeting started with a moment of silence to honor the...
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Fall just got better at the Niswonger with Jason Crabb
VAN WERT – Van Wert LIVE is turning up the excitement this fall by announcing two brand-new shows – revealed on Friday – bringing inspiring music and spooky family fun to the Niswonger stage. Grammy Awardwinning artist Jason Crabb will take the stage...
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New Bremen Council plans for event months in advance
The New Bremen Council met on Monday in order to discuss a few important items for the village, even if some of them were for business farther in the year than most would be ready for. The council discussed a variety of things during the meeting, with...
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Prize winners announced for Selfie with a Marker contest
The Auglaize County Historical Society has announced the winners of its Selfie with a Marker contest, held in conjunction with National Historic Marker Weekend. Joe Schetter was the first prize winner, taking home more than $100 in prizes. Joe pictured...
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Curated collection to be open to the public
On Tuesday evening, May 5, a curated collection sale will open to the public, offering a rare opportunity to step inside a collection shaped by years of curiosity, travel, and a careful eye for detail. Hosted through Interior Motifs, the event features...
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Fish killed in Miami-Erie Canal due to manure runoff
On Sunday, April 26, 2026, officers of the St. Marys Police Department and personnel of the St. Marys Fire Department responded to the 600th block of Cleveland Avenue in reference to an unresponsive male, who had been discovered inside the residence by...
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Spring Sports Review - MHS seniors visit St. Marys Rotary
Five Memorial High School seniors visited the St. Marys Rotary Club on April 29 to give a brief review of how sports are going this spring. The seniors included Lauren Jacobs (Girls Track), Carter Verbryke (Boys Track), Bradey Triplett (Tennis), Kasey...
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Careful driving encouraged around livestock, farm equipment
The spring season is a big time for rural communities, especially for those located in Auglaize County. Farmers are working hard to bring food onto not only their table, but everyone in America’s as well, whether that’s through rigorous agricultural...
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Continuation of DORA approved by St. Marys City Council
On April 27, St. Marys City Council held a Public Hearing at 6:15 pm to hear the public’s opinion on the continuation of the Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area (DORA) in the downtown business district. No one from the public spoke. Afterwards,...
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St. Marys celebrates Arbor Day with a tree planting ceremony The City of St. Marys celebrated Arbor Day
with a tree planting ceremony on April 24 in Mill Park. Gregg Clark, Superintendent of Urban Forestry & Parks, gave a speech and dedicated two trees that were pre-planted in K.C. Geiger Park in honor of Floyd Sheaks and James Boehmer. Floyd Sheaks...
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Project Safe Return to bring families together this Sunday
With the world being filled with uncertainty right now, it has become a trying time for members of the military and their families. Some local concerned citizens, though, are hoping to ease this burden with an event this Sunday. Project Safe Return is...
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Cardinals Legacy Paver Project open for donations until May 31
New Bremen Schools have recently started a new project involving the Cardinal Stadium, with hopes that plenty of people within the community will help with it, so they can leave a literal mark within the village. As of earlier this month, New Bremen...
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Minster Council discusses parking on Fourth Street, South Lincoln
The Minster Council came together on Tuesday, with one of their main topics being the subject of parking on several of their streets. Many local villages and cities have had parking on their minds due to the limited amount of space in each area. The...
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GLHS honors Chris Barfield, RN, with DAISY Award
ST. MARYS – Grand Lake Health System is proud to recognize Chris Barfield, RN, of Urgent Care/ Med Surg, as the latest recipient of the prestigious DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses. This national recognition celebrates nurses who consistently go...
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St. Marys City Schools become model for Writing Revolution
The St. Marys City School District was chosen by Ohio’s State Personnel Development Grant (SPDG) Team as one of four districts in Ohio to be a model for the implementation of the Writing Revolution process. On Monday, April 13, State Representatives Jo...
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Kentner to run Boston Marathon with Astronaut Williams
WAPAKONETA — When Amy Kentner leaves this Monday for Boston, she is not just heading to another race. She is stepping into a moment nearly 20 years in the making. Kentner will run the Boston Marathon alongside Sunita “Suni” Williams, a NASA astronaut...
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St. Marys Board visits Tri Star Career Compact
The St. Marys Board of Education meeting was held at a new location this Wednesday as they took a quick visit to Tri Star Career Compact in relation to some resolutions they had to make. There were several reasons why the board held the meeting at Tri...
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April Showers Hike receives 150 hikers and good weather
The St. Marys VFW Post 9289 held its monthly House Committee meeting on March 15 and reviewed the success of their Gun Bash fundraiser that was held on Feb. 21. John Brotherwood, Post Quartermaster and Chaplain, reported that the event was a major...
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St. Marys City Council passes Trash Rate increase at meeting
On April 13, the St. Marys City Council passed Ordinance No. 2026-03, which approved the refuse rate increase for the City of St. Marys. Section 5 of the ordinance was amended to include emergency language, changing the
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New Knoxville Council receives update from Chief of Police
Chris McKinney, Chief of Police for the Village of New Knoxville, gave his end-ofthe-year report to the Village Council during the April 8 meeting. His overall message was that 2025 was steady and the same as past years in terms of service and volume...
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JTDMH reopens renovated Outpatient Center
Joint Township District Memorial Hospital (JTDMH) is reopening their Outpatient Center today, April 10, 2026. The Center has been closed with outpatient traffic rerouted since August 2025. Around 15K sq. ft. has been renovated, including the central...
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Pat Wietholter exhibit reception at St. Marys Art Center on Friday
On Friday, April 10, the St. Marys Art Center will be hosting a reception for the opening of Pat Wietholter’s new exhibit. The reception is open to the public and will be from 6-8 p.m. at the gallery on Spring Street. There will be free food and...
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Minster Council thanks villages for storm damage repairs
Around seven ordinances were looked over at the recent Minster Council meeting on Tuesday, with five of them revolving around thanking local villages and organizations for their help in repairing the storm damage that had hit the village...
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Historical Society plans for spring bus trip to Tuscarawas County
The Auglaize County Historical Society takes to the road for its annual Spring Motor Coach Trip on Thursday, May 7, 2026. The destination will be Tuscarawas County, Ohio. Tuscarawas County is home to diverse attractions that reflect many chapters of...
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Happy Easter
Thirteen Wapakoneta area non-profit agencies will receive funding from the United Way of Auglaize County’s 2025 Support Campaign, with funding distribution beginning in July – and this year the agencies will receive what they asked for. Grant...
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Grand Lake Area Literature Festival Resounding Success
The Grand Lake Area Literature Festival, which took place on March 21, was a resounding success. This year, 1,400 people attended the festival at the Tri Star Career Compact, which is a 40% increase over last year. There was a 20% increase in awards...
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Auglaize BOE Conducts Public Test of Voting Equipment
The Auglaize County Board of Elections (BOE) held a public test of its voting equipment on Wednesday ahead of the 2026 Primary/ Special Election, allowing the public to see how the systems that tabulate ballots work and how the BOE ensures elections...
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Tri Star Hosts FFA Outdoor Power Equipment District Competition
On March 31, 12 District 5 FFA chapters came together at the Tri Star Career Compact to compete in an Outdoor Power Equipment Career Development event. Each FFA team brought 3 students who worked to complete different skill challenges and one team...
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Meet You Neighbor: Allie Phlipot
We continue further with our Meet Your Neighbor column by focusing on someone who contributes to the theater scene, the teacher/director known as Allie Phlipot. Phlipot is another strong employee of St. Marys City Schools, working mainly as a Memorial...
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Armstrong Museum to host Artemis II launch party
WAPAKONETA — The Armstrong Air & Space Museum will welcome the community for a special live viewing event as humans return to the Moon for the first time in over fifty years. On Wednesday, April 1, the museum will host an Artemis II launch watch party,...
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Auglaize County lapel pin offers local way to celebrate America’s 250th
COLUMBUS – As the United States approaches its 250th anniversary, Auglaize County residents can celebrate local pride with a limited-edition county lapel pin now available through the County Commissioners Association of Ohio. Each America 250 Ohio...
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MHS thespians present “Damn Yankees” this Friday
MHS thespians will be putting on the musical “Damn Yankees” this weekend at the high school. Tickets are $10 for adults and $6 for students. The show starts at 7 p.m. on Friday, March 27, with two showings on Saturday, March 28, at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m....
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SMCPL to feature adult/kid oriented classes throughout April
The St. Marys Community Public Library is planning a slew of classes and events soon, with high hopes that people from the community will come and participate. The local library is always holding local events for people to join in on, aimed at kids...
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Auglaize County Health DAC fills board seat
The Auglaize County Health District Advisory Council (DAC) filled a seat on the Auglaize County Board of Health and heard department staff reports at its 2026 annual meeting on Monday at the Auglaize County Health Department. The DAC is made up of a...
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St. Marys Art Center features the photography of Debi Squire
On March 15, the St. Marys Art Center held a reception for the opening of an exhibit featuring Debi Squire’s photography. Squire is from Celina and is a retired Coldwater Physical Education and Health teacher, where she taught for over 32 years. She...
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Midwest Electric members donate $14,050 to 14 local organizations
ST. MARYS — Midwest Electric recently donated $14,050 to 14 westcentral Ohio charities and community projects through the cooperative’s Community Connection Fund. Thanks to the 90% of members who round up their electric bill and donate to this fund,...
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Steady weather expected until next Wednesday
The brief moment of peaceful, warm weather has come and gone for Auglaize County, with windstorms and snow disturbing the peace over the past week. This has left many with questions on what to expect this week when it comes to what’ll come down on the...
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NWS confirms tornadoes in Auglaize and Shelby Counties
The National Weather Service in Wilmington confirmed three tornadoes touched down in Auglaize and Shelby Counties during the severe weather on Wednesday morning. All three tornadoes were rated EF-0, which is characterized by wind speeds of 65 to 85...
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Severe weather rumbles through Auglaize County St. Marys Board recognizes swim, bowling teams for state runs
The St. Marys Board of Education came together to recognize the efforts of the swim and bowling teams for their recent runs in state competitions, as well as other similar achievements. The student athletes and coaches of St. Marys Memorial High...
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Wetlands, Ag projects to continue going into 2026
Mercer County Ag & Natural Resources Director Theresa Dirksen provided her Ag & Natural Resources Update to the Lake Improvement Association at their recent meeting in order to talk about important issues that involve or surround Grand Lake St....
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New Bremen Council receive news on major water leaks in village
The New Bremen Council came together on Monday to discuss a few important items despite having some members missing. The meeting started with a few quick reports made, with the Mayor’s Report simply consisting of one request. Mayor Robert Parker...
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Luncheon starts conversations on Auglaize County arts
The first-ever Auglaize County State of the Arts and Culture Luncheon was held on Thursday as a way to discuss and brainstorm ideas about how to advance local arts and culture. The event brought community leaders and partners together to begin to plan...
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First Friday Spotlight - The Hair Place
There are seven hair salons on Spring Street. The Hair Place is one of the oldest and most prestigious. The owner, Julie Liming, has been in business since June 2002, but she started working in a salon as a receptionist in 8th grade. Before Liming...
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Blue on Blue game raises money for AC Special Olympics
The Blue on Blue event took place in the Memorial High School Gymnasium on Wednesday, with teams from the Auglaize County Special Olympics and Auglaize County Sheriff’s Office competing. The game was done in order to raise funds for the Auglaize...
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Facts about Alzheimer’s and how to prevent it
Yvonne Miller with the Alzheimer’s Association shared information on Alzheimer’s and steps people can take to prevent it at the Rotary Club of Wapakoneta on Monday. Miller is the Volunteer Community Educator for the Alzheimer’s Association and does...
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Grand Lake Health System nominates Dr. James Luedeke for Healthcare Worker of the Year
ST. MARYS – Grand Lake Health System is proud to announce the nomination of Dr. James Luedeke, Primary Care Physician at Joint Township District Memorial Hospital, for the 2026 Healthcare Worker of the Year Award presented by the Ohio Hospital...
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