Williams and its surrounding counties appear to have improved in their fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. Health officials say Williams County’s standing in the Ohio Public Health Advisory System was downgraded from Level 2, Orange, to Level 1, Yellow. Defiance, Fulton and Henry counties were all also downgraded to Yellow …

The Pioneer Village Council approves the costs for the design phase of a project to improve the water plant, over there. Council separately approved a resolution, seeking state approval to transfer money from the electric fund to the water and sewer fund. to help cover higher costs in the job.

A box of riot control munitions, found in an arms storage room in the sheriff’s office, sparks some pre-election rhetoric between current Sheriff Tom Kochert and former interim Sheriff Gary Mohre. The two face each other in the Nov. 3 general election. Kochert says the box lacked proper documentation, and …

Ohio health officials say school districts will not be allowed to use face shields, rather than facial coverings or masks in most cases, as a means of curbing coronavirus transmission. They cited guidance from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which says there is currently not enough evidence …

Doyle E. Bender, age 84, passed away surrounded by his family at his daughters residence on Saturday, August 15, 2020 where he had lived for the past 3 years. He was born on September 1, 1935 in Chesterfield Township to Edwin T. and Hazel (Croninger) Bender. Doyle was a graduate …

Guy William “Bill” Edwards, 78, of Bryan, passed away peacefully in his sleep on August 14, 2020 at SKLD in Bryan. He was born on May 28, 1942 in Bryan to Warren Hendrix and Iris Lucile (Mercer) Edwards. Bill attended North Central High School. Bill worked for Isaac’s in Bryan …

Patricia A. VanAuken, age 88, passed away on Friday, August 14, 2020, at her home. She had worked at Strydel in Stryker, Ohio, for 31 ½ years before her retirement. Patricia loved to travel, go to garage sales, work puzzle books and collect teddy bears and cardinals.  But time with …

Rickie “Rick” Ray Williams, age 74, of Napoleon, Ohio, passed away August 12, 2020 at St. Vincent Hospital in Toledo, Ohio. Rick served in the United States Navy during the Vietnam War. Prior to his retirement, Rick worked as a materials engineer for Detroit Diesel for 47 years. Born on …

A Paulding man is sentenced to community control for four years. Joshua Finfrock pled guilty to theft charges. A grand jury indicted Finfrock in June. Prosecutors told the court he robbed a disabled adult of $500 in cash while possessing a knife. Force or coercion conditions in the case were …

Andrea Hite, of Wauseon is sentenced to two years of community control. She is also ordered to pay prosecution costs. She will serve some time at CCNO as well. All connected to drug charges.