Nearly 5,000 people in Allen County are without jobs, the highest number in quite some time for the area.  The Ohio Department of Job & Family Services released the state’s latest unemployment numbers Tuesday, and Allen County checked in with an 8.6 percent unemployment rate, the 21^st highest of Ohio’s 88 counties.  A year ago that number was 7 percent.

Elsewhere in the area, Auglaize County saw a jump in jobless claims, up to 6.4 percent from 4.8 percent in July of ’07.  Putnam County’s rate also went up, from 5.6 last July to 6.7 last month.  Even Hancock County, where unemployment has traditionally been lower, saw a jump in unemployment figures, going from 4.9 percent last year to 6.6 this July.

The Mercer County Sheriff's office has had enough of the behavior of numerous adults in the Duckfoot's Landing area near Celina..

9 total arrests were made over the past weekend- on charges ranging from open containers of alcohol to disorderly conduct..

Sheriff Jeff Grey said they've been hearing from regular residents who live near the resort area for quite a while..

The sheriff also said from now on- any charges traced back to a local tavern will result in charges against the tavern and its employees..

The University of Northwestern Ohio has entered an agreement with the U-S Army and Bowling Green State University to provide access to ROTC programs to UNOH students, starting September 24…

Retired Sgt. First Class Randy Gonzalez who is the admissions military representative for UNOH says there are advantages for students who sign up:

For more information, contact Randy Gonzalez at: 419-998-3175 or you can go online.

Lima City Council members met on Monday, and heard the pleas of 2 military veterans who say that the current VA clinic located on Bell-fountain Avenue provides inadequate care.. Air Force Veteran, King Seay stated that the nearest VA Hospital is at least an hour away..

In other business by city council- they approved a 50 percent- 15 year real estate tax abatement for Buffalo Wild Wings restaurant- to build a new facility on land north and south of Allentown Road..

A major player in the fast-food world is helping out locally in the world of education..

MAC Grants is a program put together by local McDonald's owner Jerry Lewis and endorsed by the Ohio State Teachers Association..

The MAC Grants provide up to 500-dollars for hands-on activities to enhance learning for students in kindergarten through the 8th grade..

Applications are currently being accepted by calling 419-225-5916..

Lima Police Chief Greg Garlock has responded to local ministers who have called for changes in the practices and policies of the SWAT team..

In a written statement- Chief Garlock said they will closely examine current policies- and do an overall policy evaluation..

Most of the reaction from the ministers stems from the shooting death of Tareka Wilson last January- in a SWAT team raid that led to the arrest of Anthony Terry..

Lima Memorial Health System's Emergency Center has assisted the Perry and Waynesfield Fire and Rescue squads..

L-M-H has purchased defribrillator monitors- to help the squads perform E-K-G's on patients suffering chest pain or heart attacks..

Doctor Valerie Lint is the E-M-S Diretor for Lima Memorial..

A presentation of the equipment took place this morning in the ambulance emergency area of the hospital..

The Hancock County Sheriff’s office reporting a fatal accident that happened just before 7-30 on Sunday night- at the intersection of County Road 128 and Liberty Township Road 89..

66 year-old Charles Wells of Mount Cory was killed when the truck he was riding in was struck by an oncoming Honda Prelude being driven by 35 year-old Bret Grayson of Findlay..Wells was with 57 year-old Marilyn Emans of Mount Cory..

Grayson failed to yield the right of way at the intersection- as he was westbound on township road 89..

Transported to St Vincent Medical Center via Life Flight were Grayson- Emans- and 35 year-old Chalon Bailey- who was with Grayson- was taken to Blanchard Valley Hospital in Findlay..

The Lima-Allen County Neighborhoods in Partnership recently applied for a matching grant to fund the cost of screen printed tote bags for each attendee- as they prepare to host the regional neighborhood network conference..

LACNIP got the grant money through the matching grant program..

LACNIP will match the 25-hundred dollar request by poroviding 125 volunteer labor hours..

If you're new to the area- or new to the business world- and ready to start your own store or personal venture- you might be interested in a course offered by the Lima-Allen Council on Community affairs..

It's called Business Beginnings 2008- and it will be offered 3 different times this month..Paige Townsend with LACCA talks about the program..

The classes are this Thursday- next Tuesday- and next Thursday at 6pm..For more information- call 419-879-2909..

A “conversation on education” took place in Lima on Friday afternoon- headed up by Governor Ted Strickland..

The forum consisted of invited audience members from all over the Lima-land area- inside Reed Hall at Rhodes State College..

One of those invited guests was Lima mayor Dave Berger..

Governor Strickland also went over his 6 principles for education reform..

The forum was broadcast live on the internet- and was replayed Friday night at 10pm on WBGU-TV Channel 27 in Bowling Green..###

Motion are filed in Allen County Common Pleas Court in a lawsuit brought by the natural father of murdered two-year old Mia Jorris who was beaten to death in March, 2007.

Gilberto Ugalde alleges Allen County Childrens Services did not do enough to stop the abuse against the girl and her brother who survived.

Director Scott Ferris says the agency will seek immunity, ask the judge to dismiss the suit and put on hold the collection of evidence in the case until a ruling is made..

Previous court records show Childrens Services denied any misconduct saying the injuries were the results of actions by individuals for whom it was neither liable or responsible.

The University of Northwestern Ohio is welcoming about 500 students coming from 22 states. The influx is the largest on any one day at the university.

Monday is the first day of classes for the College of Technologies fall session.

The college of business fall quarter classes start on September 24.

Over 3,700 students attend the university and 1,200 live in campus dorms. Over 200 students graduate from ONOH every six-weeks.

It’s been an all too familiar story in Lima this summer, and it has happened again.  The Lima Police Department reports that they are investigating a shooting that happened at around 3 a.m. today.

The shots were reportedly fired in the 100 block of E. Kibby St.  The victim was taken to St. Rita’s Medical Center by a person who was at the scene of the shooting.  Police investigators are currently talking to them and trying to get more information on what happened.

The incident is the latest in a string of gun violence that has plagued Lima this summer.

The charter review commission for the city of Lima met on Thursday night- and heard from the city's director of Human Resources- Vince Ozier- who gave suggestions to the commission in the area of hiring more minorities in the future..

Also- Law Director Tony Geiger made a suggestion that the members not get bogged down by language specifics- and to focus on specific issues- then those ideas would be passed on to city council..