Sen. Sherrod Brown hosted a phone conference to discuss the possible effects of repealing the Affordable Care Act, also called Obamacare, would have on rural communities. Brown called the possibility of the ACA repealment devastating, saying the ACA has been a lifeline for many rural Ohioans.

CAREY — Heavy rains have pounded the village of Carey for the past week, with more than 6.5 inches falling since last Friday, according to figures from the National Weather Service. Thursday, Mother Nature threw her heaviest punch, as rain flooded the village, turning roadways into lakes, shutting down streets and leading village officials to evacuate at least two homes as a safety precaution.

WHARTON — Wharton Community Festival has been offering family-friendly entertainment, food and fun for more than 45 years. The annual event is set for Saturday at Wharton Community Park.

BUCYRUS — Wynford Local Schools continues to move forward with plans for a new 6-12 school, passing a resolution during Thursday night’s school board meeting to place a $17.06 million bond levy on the November ballot. The levy will include a 1-mill property maintenance tax, which is more than the required .5 mill because of how small a mill is for the district, Superintendent Fred Fox said. That money only may be used for permanent improvement.

Areas of Wyandot County received around 3 inches of rainfall Thursday morning, according to the National Weather Service. The service reports rainfall from two gauges in Wyandot County — at Carey and Killdeer Plains.

FOREST — With the flood water receding from the streets and yards of Forest, the town’s village council discussed conducting a study to improve the storm sewer system. About 3.5 inches of rain fell on Forest on Thursday morning, Village Administrator Wes Davis said, and his workers spent the day keeping catch basins open and protecting the sanitary system from taking in the storm water.

Wyandot County Commissioners Steve Seitz (left) and Bill Clinger listen to Brent Bayes of Kalmbach Feeds on a tour of the Kalmbach MPK plant north of Upper Sandusky on Thursday. Seitz also acts as treasurer for NCE co-op.

Wyandot County Sheriff Mike Hetzel said an emergency alert system siren on Malabar Drive in Upper Sandusky had multiple malfunctions, going off five times in three hours last night.