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°
Friday, August 12th, 2011
Photo by Shelley Grieshop/The Daily Standard

Marlene Hein of Chickasaw, at right, brushes and fluffs the tail of her show cow while her friend, Chelsea Basista of Maria Stein, sprays it with a bottle of instant freeze. The 18-year-olds are showing several cows at this year's Mercer County Fair, which opens today at the fairgrounds in Celina.

Related online story:
CELINA - Adrenaline levels have been turned up a notch for the 159th annual Mercer County Fair that kicks off this afternoon.
Visitors will be treated to high-flying stunt cyclists, a demolition derby, Go Kart and Motocross racing and a Tug-A-Truck competition throughout fair week. [More]
Additional pictures on this date