Two local teens were injured in a crash on East Sandusky Avenue Thursday afternoon.

The Bellefontaine Police Department responded to a three-vehicle accident in front of the Hyland Hills Plaza just before three o'clock.

Officers report that a westbound 2000 Mercury Cougar driven by Amber Shape, 17, of West Mansfield, rear-ended a '99 Honda Civic operated by Dylan Davis, 16, of West Liberty.

Davis's car then struck the rear of a '99 Ford Taurus driven by Chelsea Simms, 17, of Urbana.

Davis and Simms were stopped in traffic.

A passenger in Davis's car, 17-year-old Austin Lapp of West Liberty, suffered minor injuries.

Amber Shape also suffered minor injuries.

The Bellefontaine Kiwanis Club recognized "Students of the Month" at this week's meeting. The twelve outstanding youth for November included:

Ohio Hi-Point Career Center- Niki Hayman and Drew Goings

Riverside High School- Sara Emerich and Richie Ames

West Liberty-Salem High School- Audrey Ingram and John Krabill

Ohio's unemployment rate was 7.3 percent in October, up slightly from 7.2 percent in September, according to data released this morning by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services. Ohio's nonfarm wage and salary employment decreased 9,000 over the month, from 5,402,600 in September, to 5,393,600 in October.

"Ohio's labor market continued to reflect a weakening national economy," ODJFS Assistant Director Sherry Keys-Hebron said. "Job losses occurred in both the goods-producing and service-providing industries as the unemployment rate increased slightly to 7.3 percent."

The number of workers unemployed in Ohio in October was 435,000, up from 433,000 in September. The number of unemployed has increased by 91,000 in the past 12 months from 344,000.

Thad Matta

Jeramie Simmons hit two 3-pointers in a 15-3 run at the outset and Ohio State never trailed in beating Delaware State 70-42 Thursday night in its season opener.

David Lighty and last year's high school Mr. Basketball in Ohio, William Buford, each had 13 points. Simmons finished with 10.

"All of us out there have been playing together for 30-some practices so far," said Lighty, the most experienced member of the team despite being just a junior. "When we get out there on the court, it's time to let all of our anger out that we had on each other, to (take) it out on the other team. It's all of us playing together."