Firefighters work to extinguish a blaze inside the former Smithville United Methodist Church this morning. The cause of the fire, which was unknown at press time, is being investigated by the State Fire Marshal’s Office.

Upper Sandusky City Council handled a variety of business for 2016 during its regular meeting Monday evening, including hearing the first reading of its salaries and wages and appropriations ordinances for the coming year. Auditor Mark Droll said a 2 percent across-the-board increase in employees’ pay was included in the salary ordinance, with the exception of a 1 percent increase for the fire contract.

When the American armed forces are short of personnel, the U.S. government comes calling with its “Uncle Sam wants you” campaign in an effort to enlist servicemen and women. While the American Red Cross does not have an “Uncle Sam,” its block red cross emblem is more well-known worldwide.

Many people in Wyandot County enjoyed the various floats in the Home for the Holidays parade.

Denny Derr of M-Tek Corporation gets some help from his granddaughter, Scarlett Gosche, in lighting the trees on the Wyandot County Courthouse lawn Saturday in downtown Upper Sandusky.

Upper Sandusky Mayor Scott Washburn (center) presents Jean Orians (left) and Pat Althouse with mayor’s awards before the annual lighting of the tree on the Wyandot County Courthouse lawn Saturday night during Home for the Holidays.

Many families enjoyed the fun Christmas festivities going on in Carey Friday.

Getting “cuffed and stuffed” is not supposed to be fun. But it was Friday for those arrested by Santa Claus and Wyandot County Sheriff’s Office Lt. Neil Riedlinger in Open Door Resource Center’s second annual “Be Nice” fundraiser.

Students in Anessa Stahler’s kindergarten class at St. Peter’s School this morning walked 34 donated pairs of pajamas to Open Door Resource Center, where they were met by Santa Claus. It was the sixth year for the pajama collection at the school, Principal Pat Anderson said.

Activities for Home for the Holidays in downtown Upper Sandusky begin tonight with the annual wreath auction, and a holiday-packed weekend is ahead. Sponsored by the Upper Sandusky Area Chamber of Commerce, Home for the Holidays’ main event is the Christmas parade starting at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, with the annual lighting of the tree on the Wyandot County Courthouse lawn to follow.