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, May 16th, 2014
Photo by Mark Pummell/The Daily Standard

Mercer County Sheriff's Deputy Deric Kroft sits on board a school bus with Marion Local students Thursday morning. The sheriff's office established a countywide ride-along program in October to watch for traffic offenders and to build a rapport with children.

Related online story:
Area bus drivers are getting periodic backup as part of a new ride-along program launched by the Mercer County Sheriff's Office.
Uniformed deputies [More]
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