University of Toledo fires men's basketball coach Stan Joplin

3/16/2008

(Posted 8:40 p.m.) The University of Toledo has fired men's basketball coach Stan Joplin, The Blade has learned. University sources on Sunday night confirmed the firing of Joplin, who has been the Rockets' head coach for 12 seasons.

Joplin's team had an 11-19 record this year a season after capturing the Mid-American Conference regular-season championship.

Athletic director Mike O'Brien met with Joplin on Sunday in his office. Joplin, a star player for the Rockets from 1975-1979, had a career record of 203-155 at the school.

(Posted 8 p.m.) A Toledo Air National Guard student pilot died when his F-16 Fighting Falcon crashed south of Alamo Lake, Ariz., officials confirmed on Sunday. Second Lt. David J. Mitchell, 26, a member of the 180th Fighter Wing, was on an air-to-air training mission on Friday out of Arizona s Luke Air Force Base when the crash occurred. Officials said said Lieutenant Mitchell was learning to become a fully qualified pilot when the "tragic event" occurred.

The National Weather Service extended the flood warning for the Tiffin River near Stryker, which impacts Defiance, Fulton and Williams counties. The recent snow melt and runoff may result in major flooding in this region. The warning will remain in effect until Wednesday morning. At 6 a.m. Saturday the stage was at 12 feet and rising.

LAMBERTVILLE A 17-year-old arson suspect was arrested early Sunday morning after allegedly confessing to starting two house fires in the last week and another three fires in 2006. Monroe County Sheriff detectives who arrested the male suspect about 12:20 a.m. did not release his name, but said in a press release that he confessed to starting recent fires at 2070 Fountain Circle and 6741 Brentridge Lane, which are both new homes under construction in Lambertville.