As a little girl growing up in Indianapolis, Ind., Lisa Thomsen used to play teacher with her stuffed animals as well as write letters to missionaries overseas. Through the years, Thomsen has seen those interests come to life as she has done missionary work in Southeast Asia and also become a teacher.

Despite the rain, crowds enjoyed the Farmers and Merchants Picnic in Ada on Saturday, and the Immaculate Conception Church summer festival in Kenton on Sunday.

Scam artists prey on senior citizens for a reason. Most have regular incomes, many own their own homes and often they are lonely and anxious to talk with someone they trust, said Deb Sturgeon.

MOUNT VICTORY — For the FFA members at Ridgemont, planning a trip to compete in the organization’s national convention is nearly an expectation. Under the guidance of teacher Stephanie Jolliff, the local chapter has competed at the national level eight of the last nine years and earned national championships for the chapter in 2007 and 2011.

Forest village workers Jim Harder (left) and Bryce Rainsburg installed “speed humps” on Zimmerman Street Thursday afternoon.

ADA — Families and friends will be making their way to the Ada Village Park on Friday and Saturday for the 103rd annual Farmers and Merchants Picnic. Visitors from all over the are come to attend the picnic each year, including those who used to live in the village, according to organizer Bernie Mackey.

Master gardeners, casual gardeners and Amish farmers took a walk together through the fields of Levi Yoder’s Dudley Township home to learn more about fruit and vegetable production Tuesday evening.

Family and elected Hardin County officials honored the memory of late Commissioner Ed Elliott, who died earlier this year, on Tuesday morning at the Hardin County Courthouse with the dedication of a framed photograph of the inside of the courthouse.

An Ada Police Department SUV cruiser ended up on its side following a crash Monday afternoon.