Air Quality Alert issued July 17 at 12:43AM EDT by NWS Wilmington OH (details ...)
The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency has issued a statewide Air Quality Advisory for the entire state of Ohio as smoke from Canadian wildfires continues to adversely impact air quality.
Pollutants across the state are expected to range from the 'Unhealthy For Sensitive Groups' category in the southwest part of the state to the 'Unhealthy' category in the rest of the state. Hourly concentrations at times may reach the 'Very Unhealthy' to 'Hazardous' categories.
It is recommended, when possible, to avoid strenuous outdoor activities, especially those with heart disease and respiratory conditions like asthma. Watch for symptoms including wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, dizziness, or burning in the nose, throat, and eyes.
For additional information, please visit the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency's website at epa.ohio.gov.
72° 72° chance Sat 88° Sat 88° chance 66° 66° Sun 80° Sun 80°
Tuesday, August 8th, 2006
Photo by Margie Wuebker/The Daily Standard

Amanda "Mandy" Wycuff of Celina removes cookies from a baking sheet under the watchful eye of her mother, Alice Wycuff. The women, who serve as superintendents in household department at the Mercer County Banner Fair, plan to enter 33 baked items and canned goods in competition.

Related online story:
How sweet it is!
The 154th Mercer County Banner Fair officially opens at 3 p.m. today, but exhibitors have been working to prepare entries and bring them to the fairgrounds for judging in various departments. [More]
Additional pictures on this date