An explosion may have accelerated the destruction of a burning home on U.S. 68 at the south edge of Hardin County on Thursday morning. According to Assistant Chief Jason Johns of the Richland Township Fire Department, firefighters were notified of the fire at 10:18 a.m.

Kenton Lions Club members (from left) Dave Amweg, Judd Robinson and Jason VanBuskirk, with help from behind by Todd Oates, Bob Burgbacher and Daryl Flowers, act out a number called “Little People Dancing.”

It was a banner year for United Way of Hardin County and the board shared the success with its support agencies at a breakfast this morning at St. John’s United Church of Christ in Kenton. When the campaign started, Honorary Campaign Chairs Randy and Merrilee Rogers encouraged county residents to “give a little bit more” this year.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrated the opening of the new Ohio Means Jobs office in the Hardin County Courthouse annex building in Kenton Wednesday afternoon.

DUNKIRK — For most of his 90 years, Mack Newman has been a musician. He worked at various factory jobs during the day, but most evenings and weekends would find him playing guitar, saxophone or harmonica for a crowd of diners at an area restaurant or bar.

MANSFIELD — Kenton freshman C.J. Cook Jr. was about 10 seconds away from going into overtime with a berth in the Division II state wrestling tournament on the line.

Last month, break-ins were reported at 15 dog shelters throughout Ohio, including Hardin County. Over the weekend, officers from the Hardin County Crime Task Force took part in a raid in Mount Gilead which resulted in at least one arrest as well recovery of the dog stolen from the local shelter.

Shaye Creamer (left) was crowned the 2015 Hardin County Lamb Queen on Saturday evening at the annual Lamb Banquet in Kenton.

Ada Archer, 1, was the youngest bowler to take part in Saturday’s Bowl For Kids Sake event at Hillcrest Lanes in Kenton.

DOLA — The members of Hardin Northern’s pop a cappella choir Awakened Commotion is making some noise in area talent competitions. The students in grades eight through twelve brought home a third place in last weekend’s “Ohio Has Talent” program in Van Wert and is quickly gaining a reputation as a leader in the vocal music world throughout Ohio.