MARION — In the 1990s, Hardin County was considering becoming the middle link between Marion and Allen counties in a project which would have transformed the abandoned Erie-Lackawanna railroad bed into a bicycle/hiking pathway. The issue grew controversial in Hardin County and eventually the local plans were dropped, but Marion County pressed on and today, what remains a line overgrown with vegetation in Hardin County, is a much-used economic and health boost to thousands of residents in Marion County.

LIMA — With emotions still raw from the recent death of teammate Keegan McKee, the Ridgemont girls played basketball on Wednesday night. And for three quarters, the Lady Gophers looked like they were going to ride the wave of those emotions to a sectional tournament victory as they held a 13-point lead over Lima Central Catholic going into the final eight minutes.

Mary Skilliter (left) is sworn in as a member of the Board of Trustees of the Ada Public Library by Natalie Walton, youth services coordinator.

Hardin Hills Health and Rehab Center celebrated Valentine’s Day with a party.

Members of the Kenton girls basketball team presented towels to the Ridgemont Lady Gophers with the number 33 on them in memory of Ridgemont player Keegan McKee, who died in a car crash last week. The Gophers play their first game since the accident today at 6:15 p.m. against Lima Central Catholic at Bath High School. Submitted photo

France Lake at Kenton’s Saulisberry Park was alive this morning with the honking of geese who seemed to be enjoying the exceptionally warm February weather. The mercury is expected to push up near 70 degrees by Friday before falling to more seasonable levels for the weekend. Times photo/Dan Robinson

LIMA — The first time Ada and Hardin Northern met this season, the Polar Bears were unable to recover after a poor second quarter in which they were outscored by 15 points and ended up with a 13-point loss. On Tuesday, the Polar Bears didn’t let the same thing happen twice. During sectional semifinal girls basketball play between the two country rivals, the Polar Bears - behind the scoring punch of Ashton Dye and Holly Wilson - pulled away for a 60-49 victory.

LEXINGTON — It figured to be a little easier than it was, but Riverdale used a fast start to take a 66-55 victory against Huron on Tuesday night in a Division III sectional semifinal game at Lexington. The No. 4 seed Falcons (12-11) raced out to an 18-7 lead but never was able to pull away from the No. 14 seed Tigers (2-19).

HARROD — The Upper Scioto Valley girls basketball team made quick work of Perry in a Division IV sectional semifinal Tuesday night, dismantling the Commodores 75-18. The game between the Northwest Central Conference opponents was a rematch of a contest in early December that saw the Rams come out on top 92-24. The win, which improves the No. 2 Rams to 19-3, sends them into a sectional final contest against No. 5 seed Crestview at 6:15 p.m. Saturday at Allen East High School.

BELLEFONTAINE — Two years ago, Benjamin Logan was starting a swim team. On Thursday, when Macy Arn jumps into the pool in the 50 freestyle, the Raiders will be represented for the first time at the Ohio High School Division II Swimming Championships in Canton. Arn, who qualified for the state meet with a fifth place finish of 24.48 seconds at Miami University, will swim her prelim heat on Thursday afternoon.