Source Daily

Dry dam engineering proposal set for more Mansfield City Council discussion:

https://www.richlandsource.com/news/dry-dam-engineering-proposal-set-for-more-mansfield-city-council-discussion/article_904fe564-0cdb-11ec-8c51-cf09319d2b4b.html

Ashland City Schools parent circulates petition urging district to require mask wearing:

https://www.ashlandsource.com/education/ashland-city-schools-parent-circulates-petition-urging-district-to-require-mask-wearing/article_8b402498-0ce1-11ec-b37c-6bc6f25fc782.html

Dr. JH Craig Home 1890:

https://www.richlandsource.com/area_history/dr-jh-craig-home-1890/article_8710c684-6dfa-11e5-b2ee-e73f8f865d3d.html

Obituary of Deb Keener:

https://www.richlandsource.com/obituaries/deb-keener/article_957100b0-0cda-11ec-b594-4fb2daf029fd.html

You're listening to Source Daily. Join us Monday through Friday to stay up to date with what's happening in North Central Ohio. We’ll be sharing a closer look at one of our top stories, along with other news, local history, memorials, answers to your questions, and more. Today - The Mansfield City Council will have a second reading tonight on legislation that would fund engineering and design work on a dry dam along the city's north side.

As of now, the immediate future remains as murky as the water it would prevent from flowing into more than 100 acres of the city's flood plain. On August 17th, the council gave a first reading on the $1.5 million design work for the Touby's Run Flood Mitigation project. And the proposal is scheduled for a final vote later this month on the 21st. But council members have made it clear that the funding decision could be punted into early 2022 for the dam in North Lake Park. Some council members, especially 3rd Ward representative Jon Van Harlingen, even favor a delay until after the first of the year.

Why? Well, that's when overall city finances will be clearer. We may also know more about the rules around the American Rescue Plan funds by then -- specifically the availability of a $1 trillion infrastructure bill currently being debated in Congress.

So if that's the case, with four council seats up for election in November, it's possible that new local lawmakers will join the debate on a project that was first brought to the table 6 years ago.

The delay was actually originally proposed in August by city engineer Bob Bianchi, who likely feared the possibility council may reject the design effort, putting the project on the shelf for an undetermined period of time. Bianchi asked the City Council - if it does fail, obviously we wouldn't be bringing it back for who knows when, right? In his mind it may be safer to push the decision. And as I mentioned, Van Harlingen, the council finance committee chair who has expressed the most concerns about the city's water and sewer funds, was quick to support a possible delay.

He explained that the concerns and comments about the finances and the water and sewer funds are real and postponing until after the first of the year would be smart. The dry dam is just one of almost 30 pieces of legislation the council will tackle tonight. In fact there are five committee meetings. Also on the schedule is a public hearing at 6:45 p.m.

Make sure to check in with us for updates at richlandsource.com

Before we continue, a quick message from our sponsors at Black Belt Pro Fitness...

It’s back to school season! Did you know that regular practice in the martial arts has been shown to improve focus, goal-setting and academic performance? 

The team at Black Belt Pro Fitness, Mansfield’s premier martial arts studio, is all about helping kids and teens become healthier and more confident in all areas of life. They teach self-control and self-respect above any physical technique... and of course, they make it fun too! Right now they have classes for kids ages 4 and up. They also have membership options for the whole family. Visit them blackbeltprofitness.com to learn more.

Now, some local history… Did you know that the home of the Richland Area Chamber of Commerce was once the family property of one Dr. Craig? The building, at the corner of Third and Mulberry, was built in 1890 with handmade bricks in a style that combined qualities from both Victorian and Queen Anne architecture.

When Dr. Craig passed away in 1918, his house remained with a single family until the 1940s when it began a professional career accommodating a number of businesses, including a prominent insurance agency. Finally, in 1978, the chamber of commerce took up residence in the stately landmark which is as we know it today.

Next, From Ashland Source… A parent whose children attend Ashland City Schools launched an online petition earlier this week that urges the school district to “require universal indoor masking for students” and other measures to fight the spread of COVID-19 in schools. 

Ashland City Schools had decided back in August that it would not require students and staff to wear masks in school buildings or buses. Instead, the practice of wearing a facial covering is simply “highly recommended.”

But Ashland City Schools isn't alone. No school districts in Ashland County have required the wearing of masks, with the exception of Crestview and Mapleton — which require mask wearing on school transportation.

The Change.org petition had garnered 14 signatures as of Friday. The goal was set at 100. Tiffany DeFrancisco, the petition’s creator, said the school district should also require the wearing of facial coverings outside and offer students the option of remote learning.

Her daughter, who wears a mask to school, says that she and others who choose to wear a mask get picked on. Students at Ashland City Schools returned to class Aug. 31. Since then, there have been four cases recorded among students and no cases among staff.  Meanwhile, other schools in our area are beginning to react to a surge in COVID-19 cases. 

Several in Richland County have either reinstated a mask mandate, closed schools or canceled extracurricular activities in response to the rash of cases. DeFrancisco said she will continue to advocate for mask wearing through the circulation of the petition. She hopes to present the petition to Ashland City Schools officials at an upcoming board meeting. Finally, we’d like to take a moment to remember Deb Keener of Mansfield.

Deb was born in 1962 in Trumbull County. She grew up in West Virginia before moving back to Ohio. Deb married the love of her life, Daniel and the two shared a blessed thirty four years of marriage together. She was a proud grandmother who loved and adored her precious grandchildren. They were the apple of her eye and brought her much joy. Deb also enjoyed spending time outdoors, walking in the woods and camping. She loved vacationing, shopping and playing her guitar. A social lady, Deb loved the company of others and enjoyed working with the public.

Deb is survived by her husband, her daughters, her grandchildren, and her beloved dog, Zeus. She was preceded in death by her parents. Thank you for taking a moment with us to remember and celebrate her life.

Thanks for listening, join us again tomorrow!

Also, make sure to head over to richlandsource.com and click be a member button to help support independent local journalism that informs and inspires. Every contribution goes to helping us make Richland County a better place and to help keep our journalism free. Also, if you like this podcast and want to hear more, make sure to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts!

Support the show: https://www.sourcemembers.com/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

1486th Transportation Co. activated in Mansfield to assist Louisiana with hurricane relief:

https://www.richlandsource.com/news/1486th-transportation-co-activated-in-mansfield-to-assist-louisiana-with-hurricane-relief/article_bf1dc7ea-0ccb-11ec-8357-afcd5e04a24c.html

Labor Day Parade returns to Mansfield on Monday, Sept. 6:

https://www.richlandsource.com/news/labor-day-parade-returns-to-mansfield-on-monday-sept-6/article_2d655e4e-0b3b-11ec-8093-2fbe32995945.html

'The first domino has fallen': Local leaders react as Cooper Progress Park lands first tenant:

https://www.knoxpages.com/business/the-first-domino-has-fallen-local-leaders-react-as-cooper-progress-park-lands-first-tenant/video_2bfccef8-0c34-11ec-9f86-f3a4ea1ac7cf.html

Harry Franklin Andrews:

https://www.richlandsource.com/obituaries/in_memoriam/harry-franklin-andrews/article_161dc5e0-0ce5-11ec-b51b-9366120c7080.html

You're listening to Source Daily. Join us Monday through Friday to stay up to date with what's happening in North Central Ohio. We’ll be sharing a closer look at one of our top stories, along with other news, local history, memorials, answers to your questions, and more. Today - About 100 members of the Ohio Army National Guard's 1486th Transportation Co. from Mansfield are being activated to assist with Hurricane Ida relief efforts in Louisiana. 

Before we begin, we’d like to take a moment to thank our Sponsors at First Federal Community Bank. Today, First Federal Community Bank wants you to meet Travis Smith, Assistant Vice President in Commercial Banking, as he continues to help Mansfield area business owners and investors expand their business or start a new one.  

Travis thrives on being a resource for the community to explore all of their business banking needs through a collaborative approach. Together you’ll talk about the resources available to meet your goals. First Federal Community Bank looks forward to collaborating with more local business, owners and investors soon. Equal Housing Lender, Member FDIC.

About 100 members of the Ohio Army National Guard's 1486th Transportation Co. from Mansfield have been activated to assist with Hurricane Ida relief efforts in Louisiana. 

On Friday, Governor Mike DeWine announced that 250 total soldiers with the 1486th, the 112th Transportation Battalion from North Canton and the 1485th Transportation Co. from Coshocton will be ordered into state active duty on Wednesday.

DeWine's decision came after a request for assistance from Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards and the Louisiana National Guard. 

Stephanie Beougher, public information officer with the Ohio Adjutant General, said that the Ohio units will head down to Louisiana with several dozen tractor-trailer rigs.

Beougher explained that mission-wise, they won't know exactly what they will be doing until they actually arrive in Louisiana and are tasked. Soldiers will report to duty stations on Wednesday and will spend a few days there before leaving for Louisiana. They’ll be there for about three weeks, and the soldiers will provide general-purpose support during the relief mission. 

To stay up to date on this story and learn more about ways Ohioans are helping with the relief efforts visit us at richlandsource.com

Now, some local history… The Labor Day Parade, an annual tradition for many years in Mansfield, returns today! The parade saluting American working men and women steps off at 10 a.m. - so hopefully you haven’t missed it.

The first Labor Day Parade was in New York City. And in 1887, Oregon was the first state to make it an official public holiday. By the time it became an official federal holiday in 1894, 30 states already celebrated it, including Ohio in 1890.

Our parade was cancelled in 2020 due to COVID-19 concerns and even for this year the recent surge in cases is on top of mind for organizers.

This year there were 25 groups registered to participate, which is down a little from previous years. The parade will go east on Park Avenue and then turn north on Main Street. It’ll end at Richland Carrousel Park. But the fun doesn't end there. Free hot dogs, drinks and sno-cones will be offered at the carousel, as well as free rides on the merry-go-round. As you may already know the carousel is celebrating its 30th anniversary.

Next, we’d like to take a moment to highlight Friday’s beautiful ceremony to honor 2021 Lexington High School graduate Payton Jones. Jones, an 18-year-old, passed away on August 28th in a car accident in Morrow County. Jones recently began her freshman year at Southeastern University's Ohio Regional Campus in Columbus, a Christian college. She was active at Lexington High School, including as a cheerleader, athlete and photographer. Students and football players from Lexington and Clear Fork participated in a pre-game event, which included a moment of silence in Jones' memory. Students wore yellow in honor of her favorite flower -- the sunflower. We have a gallery of photos from the ceremony on our website. Just use the link in our show notes.

Next, From Knox Pages… We spoke to a handful of local leaders to get their reactions as Cooper Progress Park lands its first tenant. First, we hear from Jeff Gottke, the president of the Knox County Land Bank and Area Development Foundation. We also spoke with Matt Starr, the Mayor of Mount Vernon to get his take on the recent development. You can learn more about this story at knoxpages.com

Finally, we’d like to take a moment to remember Harry Franklin Andrews of Waverly. Harry was born in 1932, in Belleville. He was united in marriage to Saundra Andrews, who survives him. Also surviving are a daughter, two sons, four grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, and a sister.

Harry was a member of the Grace United Methodist Church, DIVCO Club of America, and the RSVP in Richland County. He worked as a milkman for 44 years and was a church youth group leader. He enjoyed traveling, including visiting all 50 states and internationally.

Thank you for taking a moment with us to remember and celebrate Harry’s life.

Also, make sure to head over to richlandsource.com and click be a member button to help support independent local journalism that informs and inspires. 

Every contribution goes to helping us make Richland County a better place and to help keep our journalism free. Also, if you like this podcast and want to hear more, make sure to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts!

Support the show: https://www.sourcemembers.com/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Richland County maintenance, EMA directors retiring at the end of 2021:

https://www.richlandsource.com/news/richland-county-maintenance-ema-directors-retiring-at-the-end-of-2021/article_67894fc0-0bf1-11ec-b7a9-6be4d80f5d4d.html

Mansfield Municipal Building courtroom mural 1948:

https://www.richlandsource.com/area_history/mansfield-municipal-building-courtroom-mural-1948/article_1ad61932-6090-11e5-8714-e732909f2f35.html

Commissioner urges Ashland County residents to 'stay diligent' in fighting COVID-19:

https://www.ashlandsource.com/news/commissioner-urges-ashland-county-residents-to-stay-diligent-in-fighting-covid-19/article_b072382c-0c06-11ec-846f-1f593cb42cda.html

LaFern Ethel Fisher:

https://www.richlandsource.com/obituaries/lafern-ethel-fisher/article_a53b9832-0c28-11ec-bb61-1fdcebdf8d3e.html

 

 

You're listening to Source Daily. Join us Monday through Friday to stay up to date with what's happening in North Central Ohio. We’ll be sharing a closer look at one of our top stories, along with other news, local history, memorials, answers to your questions, and more. 

Today - Two familiar faces will retire from Richland County government at the end of 2021.

Maintenance Superintendent Chuck Minnich and Emergency Management Agency Director Rick Evans have both informed county commissioners of their retirement plans. Commissioners accepted the retirements during a meeting on Thursday morning.

Minnich has worked in the maintenance department for 37 years, the last 18 as the superintendent. And Evans has worked in the EMA office since 2014. Minnich said he is thankful to current and past commissioners for their leadership and for giving him the opportunity to grow as a professional. He’s enjoyed working for Richland County and has had great satisfaction in the challenges. Minnich’s retirement takes effect on December 22nd. He said he especially enjoyed working on specialty projects, like building the new jail, building automation systems and the recent 9-1-1 project. But now, after 37 years working for Richland County, he’s looking forward to traveling with his wife and enjoying being a new grandpa. And Evans, whose last day will also be in December, told commissioners he had mixed feelings about the decision.

He explained that while he looks forward to enjoying his retirement, he’ll miss being in partnerships with the many county and state partners. Evans also said he was grateful to the county commissioners, past and present.

He continued to say that he’s learned a great deal and believes his skills grew considerably during his time as deputy director and then director of the agency. For him, it’s been an honor to be a part of Richland County government and working alongside so many talented people.

Also on Thursday, commissioners and department heads heard a presentation from Matt Hill in the county auditor's IT department on the new countywide alert messaging system, scheduled to launch the week of Sept. 13. And several other area counties use the system, including Ashland, Crawford and Knox.

Hill has said the outbound messaging system could be used for any number of messages, including snow and weather advisories, as well as alerts on missing persons and "most wanted" individuals.

Before we continue… Do you know about our Newsroom After Hours shows? The next one will take place on Sept 17, it’s heavy metal night! Following that on October 15th - we’ll host Hip Hop Halloween. Both shows will take place in Idea Works at 40 West 4th St in Mansfield. All are welcome - and the show is free! Join us to enjoy free food, courtesy of Doc's Deli, free beer, courtesy of Phoenix Brewing Company, and of course, great music. This 2021 season is powered by Mechanics Bank.

And for those of you who missed our Newsroom After Hours show on the 20th, here’s a peak…That was Winter by Mr Matthew... stay tuned for the rest of the song - we’ll play it at the end of the episode.

Now, some local history. The former Mansfield Municipal Building, located at the corner of Second & Walnut Streets, was about twenty years old when the upper floor was remodeled to accommodate larger courtrooms. At that time, the city commissioned local artist HR McBride to paint a mural over the bench in Judge Lutz’s courtroom.

McBride wisely chose to paint his historic scene on canvas, rather than directly on the wall, in case the plastered surface should ever be remodeled again or damaged in some way. He was worried about water leaks and probably didn’t envision that just 27 years later the building would be torn down.

Fortunately for us, McBride’s foresight made it possible for the mural to be relocated in 1975 where it presently ennobles the hallway outside of courtrooms today. Now, we’d like to take a moment to highlight a few upcoming events...

Today at 7pm head over to the Kingwood Center Gardens for Mozart at Kingwood. Bring a chair and blanket, relax, and enjoy orchestra, community chorus, and professional soloists on the mansion’s south lawn! 

And tomorrow, head to Pleasant Hill Lake Park for the Summer Concerts Series. Tomorrow’s they’ll be featuring the Gypsy Stew Band. The concert series ends in October, so make sure to check it out while you still can!

Next, From Ashland Source… An Ashland County commissioner took time to remind residents to stay "diligent" in the fight against COVID-19. 

Earlier this week Commissioner Denny Bittle explained that the delta variant is getting a little more difficult to deal with in our county.

His reminder came while his colleague, Commissioner Jim Justice, took time off after being exposed to COVID-19.

Bittle's reminder also comes amidst rising cases around the nation, state and county. In Ashland, there were 54 hospitalizations and six deaths reported in the month of August -- following 17 hospitalizations and one death in July. 

That puts Ashland County in the high COVID-19 transmission category. 

But despite the recommendation, most people in Ashland County appear to not be wearing masks.

Vickie Taylor, the Ashland County Health Department commissioner, said that although masks are highly suggested, there is no 'requirement' or order mandating masks. And she doesn’t not think most people are wearing masks if the location does not require it. 

One group that is masking - employees at the health department.

Finally, we’d like to take a moment to remember LaFern Ethel Fisher of Ontario. LaFern was born in 1934 in Ashland.

She was a graduate of Ashland High School. Later, LaFern worked many office jobs and retired from the Bellaire, Ohio School System following 30 years of service.

She is survived by her sister, her brother, and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a son, two daughters, and a brother.

Thank you for taking a moment with us to remember and celebrate LaFern’s life. Thanks for listening, join us again tomorrow!

Also, make sure to head over to richlandsource.com and click be a member button to help support independent local journalism that informs and inspires. 

Every contribution goes to helping us make Richland County a better place and to help keep our journalism free. 

Also, if you like this podcast and want to hear more, make sure to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts!

And as promised, more of Winter by Mr Matthew

Support the show: https://www.sourcemembers.com/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Richland County coalition shares facts on youth alcohol use:

https://www.richlandsource.com/news/richland-county-coalition-shares-facts-on-youth-alcohol-use/article_33ceae4e-0b2b-11ec-8ee7-4b16a64764e2.html

Native Son: Nabisco crackers made in Mansfield

https://www.richlandsource.com/area_history/native-son-nabisco-crackers-made-in-mansfield/article_4386e0d6-b6c3-11e4-875c-87d069902490.html

Mount Vernon City Schools mandates masks for students starting Sept. 2

https://www.knoxpages.com/education/mount-vernon-city-schools-mandates-masks-for-students-starting-sept-2/article_bff0c79a-0b62-11ec-b3fe-eb6429ff1e53.html

Andra Joy Webb

https://www.mansfieldnewsjournal.com/obituaries/mnj220552

 

 

You're listening to Source Daily. Join us Monday through Friday to stay up to date with what's happening in North Central Ohio. We’ll be sharing a closer look at one of our top stories, along with other news, local history, memorials, answers to your questions, and more. 

Today - The Richland County Youth Substance Use Coalition has three different committees working together to reduce youth substance use in Mansfield. 

One of the committees that ‘s involved is the Alcohol Misuse Prevention Committee.

This committee educates on the risks of underage alcohol use and reduces misperceptions around it. They want to let people know that not everyone drinks alcohol and this is especially true for youth.

Recently, the committee has collaborated with local businesses and organizations to hang up educational posters. The posters say “Parents Who Host Lose The Most”.

Why? The posters stress that underage drinking is harmful to a developing brain and increases the chance of becoming addicted to alcohol. And parents should be aware of the risks of underage drinking from both a health standpoint and a legal standpoint. Underage drinking is harmful not only to youth but to the community as well.

We spoke with Joseph Snyder, Assistant Richland County Prosecutor. Snyder explained that for adults to allow underage drinking - it’s sending the wrong message to those who are underage. It’s also lacking the good judgment of a more experienced adult. 

Snyder also said that the risk associated with underage drinking extends not just to the harm caused on an underage person’s own mental and physical health, but that of others who may be harmed as a result of the alcohol consumption.

And on top of that, an adult who provides alcohol to anyone underage is risking jail time and monetary fines... even on a first offense.

Check out our full story at richlandsource.com, or use the link in our show notes. There, we have a list of businesses and organizations that participated in hanging up educational posters.

Before we continue… I’d like to take a moment to highlight The Source Member Program. Memberships support daily reporting and research-driven solutions stories. Real world impact happens regularly in the form of community discussions and events. 

We believe you deserve to be confident in your community’s news. So Visit SourceMembers.com to join.

Now, some local history… 

It has long been a rumor of local lore, echoing out of the dim past, that the Nabisco Company started in Mansfield. This is sort of true.

It can also be said that Nabisco started in dozens of other cities as well because the National Biscuit Company was born as an amalgamation of 114 independent bakers all over the country.

Our city has a special claim, however, because the first president of the company was the baker from Mansfield. So in its newborn months and inaugural year the main office of the company was headquartered here.

There is no longer a big Nabisco presence in Mansfield, but it is still here, there and everywhere on the shelves of stores in town and around the world.

Now, we’d like to take a moment to highlight a few upcoming events...

Next week The Mansfield Youth Theatre will present Disney’s The Little Mermaid on the stage of the Renaissance Theatre. Shows are on September 10, 11, and 12 as a part of the Mechanics Bank Education Series. Tickets are $15, general admission, and on sale now at the Renaissance Box Office, via phone, and online.

Also, North End Community Improvement Collab is hosting a free class on buying a home. If you’re thinking about buying a home and don't know where to start financially - this is the event for you. It’s available for in-person and online

Head over to richlandsource.com to read more about these events and discover more fun things to do.

Next, From Knox Pages… 

Starting today Mount Vernon City Schools will require all students and staff to wear masks indoors, regardless of vaccination status. Mount Vernon is the third district in Knox County to reverse its initial mask-optional policy since the school year began. 

The district currently has 37 active student cases and four active staff cases.

The district plans to monitor COVID-19 cases and quarantines during September and adjust policies accordingly based on the number of cases within the student body and local community.

But for now it’s masks indoors for everyone. The district will encourage frequent mask breaks and the use of outdoor learning spaces.

Two other districts in Knox County also implemented indoor mask mandates this week.

Fredericktown began mandating masks for students Wednesday, and began mandating masks for staff earlier on Monday. East Knox began mandating masks on the fourth day of the school year following positive cases. And finally, Danville Elementary implemented a mask mandate Monday, but masks remain optional in their other building. 

Finally, we’d like to take a moment to remember the life of… Andra Joy Webb who passed away following a battle with Covid-19.

Andra was born in Mansfield in 1959. She was a graduate of Mansfield Senior High where she played trumpet. Andra worked for Ideal Electric as an overhead crane operator and later worked as a semi-truck driver travelling all over the country. She enjoyed a close relationship with her parents and moved in to help take care of them until her mother’s passing in 2015 and her father’s passing earlier this year.

Andra’s top three passions were her love for the Lord, art, and music. She regularly attended Honey Creek Baptist Church in Bellville where she sang and played guitar & keyboard. She was also a songwriter and recorded 6 albums. Andra was a lover of nature and especially enjoyed being in the woods and collecting objects for her art projects. She was a gifted painter and wood sculpturist. Her family and friends will cherish her songs and works of art and will miss her dearly. Thank you for taking a moment with us today to remember and celebrate Andra’s life.

Thanks for listening, join us again tomorrow!

Also, make sure to head over to richlandsource.com and click be a member button to help support independent local journalism that informs and inspires. 

Every contribution goes to helping us make Richland County a better place and to help keep our journalism free. 

Also, if you like this podcast and want to hear more, make sure to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts!

Support the show: https://www.sourcemembers.com/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Local ODOT spokesperson has personal interest in work-zone safety:

https://www.richlandsource.com/news/move-over-local-odot-spokesperson-has-personal-interest-in-work-zone-safety/article_75cc2bc2-0a73-11ec-ac24-b77017551ea1.html

These Ohio women dominated pro football:

https://www.richlandsource.com/area_history/these-ohio-women-dominated-pro-football/article_7eeb456a-2376-11eb-b211-e330a298bbb9.html

Mansfield Music Fest sees 12 bands take the stage in closing show:

https://www.richlandsource.com/life_and_culture/mansfield-music-fest-sees-12-bands-take-the-stage-in-closing-show/article_5398deec-086b-11ec-9fd4-1fe34c11711e.html

DeWine calls for Ohio Dept. of Education to investigate Bishop Sycamore:

https://www.richlandsource.com/sports/football/dewine-calls-for-ohio-dept-of-education-to-investigate-bishop-sycamore/article_5ba35502-93d2-5301-a8e7-d4076420b11d.html

Richard R. “Dick” Cleckner:

https://www.richlandsource.com/obituaries/richard-r-dick-cleckner/article_b14bda02-0a7e-11ec-9e07-d7af9d836dac.html

 

 

You're listening to Source Daily. Join us Monday through Friday to stay up to date with what's happening in North Central Ohio. We’ll be sharing a closer look at one of our top stories, along with other news, local history, memorials, answers to your questions, and more. 

Today - The Ohio Department of Transportation's spokesperson has a personal interest in work-zone safety. Local Crystal Neelon has a family investment in work zone safety. Her husband, and the father of her children works for ODOT every single day. 

On Tuesday morning Neelon spoke during a pre-Labor Day holiday weekend event. The event was aimed at raising public awareness of work zone safety. She was just one of several speakers at the event, which was hosted by ODOT and the Ohio Laborers Union at the United Steelworkers Local 169 Union Hall.

Neelon explained that with work zone crashes so high, she worries about her husband’s safety. She doesn't ever want to tell her children that their dad didn't come home from his day at work. Neelon, whose district includes Ashland, Crawford, Erie, Huron, Lorain, Medina, Richland and Wayne counties, said Ohio had more than 4,500 work zone crashes in 2020. She also said we’ve had more than 2,500 as of last month in 2021 alone.

And five workers were killed in work zone crashes last year. Neelon noted that these numbers mean 100 times this year crews had to call home or go home and tell their families that they had been involved in a work zone crash.

And the approaching holiday weekend means more drivers on the roads, posing greater dangers to the men and women working to improve them.

Sgt. Ray Santiago also spoke during the event. He’s the Ohio State Highway Patrol's public information officer for northeast Ohio. Santiago called work-zone safety a serious issue.

He explained that it's something we need to address and keep at the forefront, especially coming into a holiday weekend. He says work-zone safety is something that the patrol and troopers aggressively enforce throughout the state to protect those that are working on our roadways and truly are keeping Ohio moving.

The sergeant said there have been 29,507 work-zone crashes in Ohio since 2016, resulting in 116 deaths. It's a lot of folks and those are a lot of families that will never be the same because of it.

Eric Finger, the ODOT District 3 project engineer, also spoke during the event. He said he’s worked on I-71 projects before and it’s terrifying to have traffic whizzing by you at 65-plus miles per hour and you have nowhere else to go.

He said it's especially scary when you have vehicles not paying attention. Mostly, he sees people on their phones. He’s even seen people trying to read books and drive, or eat and drive. It’s all an unnecessary distraction. 

Finally, Tim Farley, ODOT District 3 highway management administrator, said safety is the agency's overriding goal. They want zero accidents, zero near misses, zero injuries and zero fatalities. 

Before we continue, we’d like to thank our sponsors at Richland Public Health… When we stopped wearing masks to prevent covid 19… that was a big change. What hasn’t changed is that the virus is still with us and coronavirus variants are easily spread among unvaccinated people. Richland Public Health urges you to find a no cost local covid 19 vaccination provider at richland health dot org. 

Do your part so we can all enjoy Richland County TOGETHER.

Now, some local history… In 1971 a group of women known as the Toledo Troopers began playing in the Women’s Professional Football League. And before the end of the decade, the Troopers amassed seven consecutive perfect seasons. They became what many consider the winningest team in professional football history.

In total, 82 women played for the Toledo Troopers from 1971 to 1979 under their coach, Bill Stout. They practiced five days a week for five months out of the year, but they were only paid $25 a week. Off the field, they were businesswomen, students and mothers. 

Within Toledo, the Troopers were met with skepticism due to their gender. But that attitude changed once they began to play. The Troopers broke down barriers in women’s athletics, and because of their success, Toledo went on to have several other professional women’s football teams.

Next - Evening two of Mansfield Music Fest saw performances from 12 different bands play before a crowd of around 300 people on Saturday evening. The two-day event at Snow Trails marked the 10th Mansfield Music Fest.

While Friday's performances all took place inside ski the lodge, Saturday's lineup alternated between an indoor and outdoor stage. All 12 bands were from the Mansfield or surrounding area. Even The Truckin Trav food truck made an appearance to sell meals and snacks.

Several of the event's bands were either Mansfield Music Fest veterans or will perform for Richland Source's Newsroom After Hours in the near future. Visit us at richlandsource.com to learn more.

Next, From Ashland Source… Ohio Governor Mike DeWine has jumped into the wild high school football story involving Bishop Sycamore. He’s called for an investigation into the school by the Ohio Department of Education.

On Sunday, Bishop Sycamore lost to the second-ranked team in the country, IMG Academy of Florida, 58-0 in a game broadcast nationally by ESPN.

USA Today reported Tuesday that head coach Roy Johnson was fired after the game. Sports Illustrated reported that Johnson was investigated for fraud and he has an active bench warrant for failing to appear in a domestic violence case.

The school is also not a member of the Ohio High School Athletic Association, and is being accused of having players long past their high school eligibility. 

DeWine said while this weekend’s football game brought concerns about the health and safety of players, it also raised red flags about the school’s operations.

Finally, we’d like to take a moment to remember 

Richard Cleckner. Dick was born in 1944 in Mansfield and graduated from Mansfield Senior High School in 1962.

A U.S. Army veteran, he served three years during Vietnam and was honorably discharged in May of 1968. Following the service, he began work at Westinghouse and saw the company through many changes, most notably the merger of the Tappan and Electrolux family of companies. During this time, he also pursued his higher education attending Ashland College while working full time and raising a family. 

Dick’s calling was in task management and completion, heading up the area as director of quality control. He traveled the world implementing his philosophies and methods. Finally he retired in the late 1990’s but still continued to work as a consultant. Hard work was instilled in his DNA, his friends and family would attest that he simply loved to work.

He was a member of Berean Baptist Church and served in the nursery, as a greeter and In kid zone. He loved spending time helping kids grow in their education.

Quality control leaked into many aspects of his life, but most notably in planning trips. He loved spending time researching locations and all there was to see and do. Dick didn’t want to miss a thing, and served as the family “Trip Advisor” pointing out significant landmarks or sharing history on little adventures and vacations. He loved driving in general but mostly driving the grandkids around Mansfield to share stories passed down from his family.

He was also a talented photographer, a dedicated husband, dad, papa, and grandpa.

Donations in honor of Dick may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project. Thank you for taking a moment with us today to remember and celebrate his life.

Thanks for listening, join us again tomorrow!

Also, make sure to head over to richlandsource.com and click be a member button to help support independent local journalism that informs and inspires. 

Every contribution goes to helping us make Richland County a better place and to help keep our journalism free. 

Also, if you like this podcast and want to hear more, make sure to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts!

Support the show: https://www.sourcemembers.com/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Richland Carrousel Park success proves vision, cooperation can move mountains:

https://www.richlandsource.com/oped/editorial-richland-carrousel-park-success-proves-vision-cooperation-can-move-mountains/article_73da50a0-0997-11ec-8bf4-ab68d116f246.html?block_id=1098581

Then & Now: Richland Carrousel Park @ 25 Years:

https://www.richlandsource.com/area_history/then-now-richland-carrousel-park-25-years/article_99dcff3e-648b-11e6-af5f-7fe6061a43ec.html

Oct. 4 is deadline to register for the general election:

https://www.richlandsource.com/news/oct-4-is-deadline-to-register-for-the-general-election/article_fcc62900-09c1-11ec-9a8d-73c4d0f4082a.html

Ashland High School grad, AU product wins national water ski title:

https://www.ashlandsource.com/thrive/ashland-high-school-grad-au-product-wins-national-water-ski-title/article_f849e18e-17ca-5bf6-8fbf-3b06a2636dde.html

Donald Warren McNutt:

https://www.richlandsource.com/obituaries/donald-warren-mcnutt/article_d6082376-09cc-11ec-9e3f-238b01aa82cb.html

 

 

You're listening to Source Daily. Join us Monday through Friday to stay up to date with what's happening in North Central Ohio. We’ll be sharing a closer look at one of our top stories, along with other news, local history, memorials, answers to your questions, and more. 

Today - Earlier this month, we told you about a local group's plan to finally do something with a decaying former Westinghouse factory property on Mansfield's east side.

And yesterday, we shared the successful efforts that began more than 30 years ago to redevelop the downtown through Richland Carrousel Park. So what do those projects, separated by three decades of time, have in common?

First - both of these projects involve local residents who care about this community and are willing to step up to do something about it -- regardless of those who cast doubts and wring their hands.

And second - both offer a look at the value of vision. In the late 1980s, leaders like John Fernyak, Ed Meehan, Rex Collins, Bill Hartnett and many others had the ability to look beyond a horribly decaying downtown and see what it COULD be.

They had a vision, while others did not. And as retired Mansfield police Chief Phil Messer told us… The mayor had a vision of what the city could be. In his opinion, John Fernyak was the spark that began to turn Mansfield around to make it what it is today.

Messer explained that sometimes it's hard to visualize what can be when you're drowning in things like street prostitution, street crimes and strong-armed robberies.

Fernyak’s vision is now reflected in a downtown that’s remarkably far different 30 years later. It’s also important to note that both efforts also involve a public-private partnership. A merger of local talents among elected officials and private residents. 

And only time will tell if the new effort to transfer the former Westinghouse property to the Richland County Land Bank will lead to the successful demolition and rehabilitation of an area that's been an eyesore for as long as the carousel has been a success.

The vision for that property and the surrounding area is still being developed. But that’s how it goes -  neither Rome, nor the Richland Carrousel District, were built in a day.

But we’re encouraged by local leaders who are helping all of us see something that COULD be. Right now there’s the West End Neighborhood Plan in the OhioHealth Mansfield Hospital area. There’s the new Imagination District on Park Avenue. And the planned improvements with the Main Street Corridor.

But there’s even more to do, especially on the north end of the community.

The former Ocie Hill Community Center, which we reported on recently, is decaying. But it’s in consideration for transfer to the Land Bank. That could lead to demolition and redevelopment of a key property in a section of the city that’s really in need.

And on top of that it's time for Mansfield City Council to end multiple years of discussion and deliberation to move ahead with a plan for the much-needed dry dam in North Lake Park. It would move more than 100 acres on the north end out of the flood plain, protecting homes and businesses. It's time. Past time, in fact.

Ultimately, we’re thrilled to report on some great things happening in the City of Mansfield. It's time for our leaders to seize on that momentum and keep pushing forward.

Before we continue, a quick message from our sponsors at Black Belt Pro Fitness...

It’s back to school season! Did you know that regular practice in the martial arts has been shown to improve focus, goal-setting and academic performance? 

The team at Black Belt Pro Fitness, Mansfield’s premier martial arts studio, is all about helping kids and teens become healthier and more confident in all areas of life. They teach self-control and self-respect above any physical technique... and of course, they make it fun too! Right now they have classes for kids ages 4 and up. They also have membership options for the whole family. Visit them blackbeltprofitness.com to learn more.

Now, some local history… 

When the news became public in the late 1980s that a merry-go-round was in the works for downtown Mansfield, it ignited a firestorm of scathing abuse. The project was five years in the making, and even after it was open and doing business in 1991 the criticism was still smoking.

Conceived originally as a way to change perceptions about downtown’s then-questionable future, Richland Carrousel Park was placed right into the epicenter of Main Street’s teetering neighborhoods.

One gauge of sentiment about how hopeless any attempt at downtown revitalization might be is a bumper sticker from 1990 that read: Last One Out of Mansfield Please Turn Off the Carrousel.

But just drive through the Carrousel District today. You’ll see people on the sidewalks, people crossing the streets, people going to shops, people dining, people working out, people working. And you’ll see kids on the Carrousel. 

During the carousel's 24th anniversary we spoke with director, Sharon Bishop, about what makes it so special. 

Also - The deadline to register to vote or change your address or name in the voter registration database for the Nov. 2, 2021 General Election is Monday Oct. 4. For details visit richlandsource.com

Next, From Ashland Source… Jim Hooker's list of life accomplishments received an unusual and significant bump earlier this month. The Ashland High School and Ashland University alumnus is a U.S. Navy Seabees veteran who served in Vietnam and retired as vice president after working 38 years at Gorman-Rupp. Those achievements would be interesting on their own.

But he's not watching life pass through his window. To the contrary, Hooker has grabbed a tow rope and is managing the waves as an elite national water skier…. at age 74. In fact, Hooker recently won the overall championship in his age division at the USA Water Ski Association competition.

Jim was introduced to competitive water skiing when he was 45 years old. Prior to that, with his wife Sallie and their daughter Stephanie, the Hookers were recreational water skiers who spent many hours on Pleasant Hill Lake.

Now, jumping is Hooker's favorite, but he trains in all areas at least two days a week. Read our full story on Hooker and his incredible accomplishments at ashlandsource.com

Finally, we’d like to take a moment to remember Donald Warren McNutt of Mansfield.

Don was born in 1937 in Portsmouth, Ohio. He was a dedicated husband to his late wife, Irene whom he spent forty seven blessed years of marriage with. He loved his children and grandchildren. Some of his fondest memories were of the times he spent with his grandchildren. Known in the Mansfield area as the owner of Don's Sunoco. He was also dedicated to his business and the needs of his customers for over fifty years.

He is survived by his children, his adored grandchildren, numerous great-grandchildren; a host of nieces and nephews; and his siblings. Thank you for taking a moment with us today to remember and celebrate Don’s life.

Thanks for listening, join us again tomorrow!

Also, make sure to head over to richlandsource.com and click be a member button to help support independent local journalism that informs and inspires. 

Every contribution goes to helping us make Richland County a better place and to help keep our journalism free. Also, if you like this podcast and want to hear more, make sure to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts!

Support the show: https://www.sourcemembers.com/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

25th annual 'Cops and Kids' Sunday helps 145 local children buy new clothes:

https://www.richlandsource.com/news/25th-annual-cops-and-kids-sunday-helps-145-local-children-buy-new-clothes/article_8bdb777c-08e5-11ec-8e2c-cfc5dbb8f79a.html?block_id=1098581

Geyer's on Fourth Street: 1964:

https://www.richlandsource.com/area_history/geyers-on-fourth-street-1964/article_626c7d6e-dfc5-11e4-944a-9f666f5ab771.html

Open Source: How did Shelby City Schools get its Whippet mascot?:

https://www.richlandsource.com/open_source/open-source-how-did-shelby-city-schools-get-its-whippet-mascot/article_30ab0864-05d8-11ec-83d5-8353788d5e98.html

111 Fredericktown students/staff in quarantine due to COVID-19 exposure:

https://www.knoxpages.com/education/111-fredericktown-students-staff-in-quarantine-due-to-covid-19-exposure/article_3fb36102-0750-11ec-b3ed-6339edead4b7.html

James Keith “Jim” Crowl:

https://www.richlandsource.com/obituaries/james-keith-jim-crowl/article_95acbf42-073a-11ec-b8cc-8fc4781a477f.html

 

You're listening to Source Daily. Join us Monday through Friday to stay up to date with what's happening in North Central Ohio. We’ll be sharing a closer look at one of our top stories, along with other news, local history, memorials, answers to your questions, and more. 

Today - There were 145 local children at the 25th annual "Cops and Kids'" program - all picking out new clothes and shoes on Sunday.

Before we begin,

We’d like to take a moment to thank our Sponsors at First Federal Community Bank. Today, First Federal Community Bank wants you to meet Travis Smith, Assistant Vice President in Commercial Banking, as he continues to help Mansfield area business owners and investors expand their business or start a new one.  

 

Travis thrives on being a resource for the community to explore all of their business banking needs through a collaborative approach. Together you’ll talk about the resources available to meet your goals.  

 

First Federal Community Bank looks forward to collaborating with more local business, owners and investors soon. Equal Housing Lender, Member FDIC.

There were 145 local children at the 25th annual "Cops and Kids'" program - all picking out new clothes and shoes at the Walmart store on Possum Run Road on Sunday. Most of them were selected through the Kinship program at Richland County Children Services. 

The program is sponsored by the Fraternal Order of Police William J. Taylor Lodge #32 in Mansfield.

Among the 60-plus volunteers helping caregivers and children make selections were Chief Keith Porch, Assistant Chief Mike Bammann, Capt. Chad Brubaker, Capt. Shari Robertson, and also retired police officers, like former Assistant Chief Tobie Smith and Capt. Marijan Grogoza.

The program is open to children in preschool through 12th grade. And Bammann estimated that it’s helped provide around $380,000 in new clothes for children since it began.

The amount each child can spend is dependent on their grade, ranging from $125 for the youngest to $175 for the oldest.

It’s also a tax-free organization so the young shoppers didn’t have to pay sales tax.

Bammann explained that the children can buy clothing or other personal items - but no toys and no games ... none of that stuff. 

Many FOP lodges do similar programs before Christmas, but they found that they better serve the children and families of Richland County by doing it close to the beginning of the school year.

And events like "Cops and Kids" do more than help children gear up for school - they help build bridges between the police department and the community.

Baummann told us that the police and law enforcement here in Richland County spend a lot of time each year serving the community, especially children in need.

The FOP fundraiser is another way that allows the lodge to make donations to The New Store. If you aren’t already familiar with it, The New Store provides clothing to children year round.

In short, their fundraising efforts reach far beyond Sunday’s event. Even though he retired years ago, Bammann remains active as the president of the FOP.

He says that when he got into law enforcement, it was a career. But when he retired, he just didn't know how to quit. So even though he doesn't go to work every day anymore, he’s still part of the law enforcement community trying to give back, especially to the younger ones.

Now, some local history… Geyer's on Fourth Street was built in 1949 as a Red and White ‘self-service supermarket’. It originally had a carry out “dairy freeze” window where kids could buy frozen custard cones without entering the store.

The meat department offered pre-packaged, and thus “self service,” meats: one of few such markets in the state and the first of its kind in Mansfield.

The old supermarket on Fourth Street went through a number of names in its lifetime; in 1964 it was Geyer's Super Dollar.

But struggling through the 1990s it made a last gasp of lasting fame when the grocery served as a filming site for a scene in The Shawshank Redemption.

Next, we’re answering a question from our readers and listeners like you...

Today’s question comes from George Christoph. Christoph was curious about the history of the Shelby City Schools -- a whippet. We turned to Shelby City Schools Superintendent Tim Tarvin and Shelby High School Principal John Gies. Tarvin says there are two main theories about how the Whippet mascot came to be.

The first theory has ties to the Whippet Bicycle, which was manufactured here in Shelby. They released their Whippet bicycle in 1928. Around the same time, the company provided Whippets to the school's football team for training.

The second theory is described in the book “The History of Shelby Football 1894-1985” by Fred Eichinger. According to the book a man named George Evans first coined the term during a football game against Willard in the late 1920s. Evans was standing by the sidelines with two sports writers and remarked that the players “ran like a bunch of Whippets.”

Either way, by the early 1930s, the name caught on with the sports program of Shelby High School.

Tarvin said it’s possible that both theories are true and interrelated. And based on his own research, he believes Shelby is one of only eight schools in the country with a Whippet as its mascot. 

Tone

Is there something you’ve always wondered about Richland County that you’d like us to investigate? Check out richlandsource.com and click “Talk to Us”. Here, you can ask us anything and we’ll go out and find the answers. 

Next, From Knox Pages… Fredericktown Local Schools has 111 students and staff in quarantine. 

And as of Friday there are 16 active COVID-19 cases - 14 students and two staff. Now, the district is considering mandating masks indoors or switching to remote learning if case numbers and quarantines continue to increase.

Right now, Fredericktown has an optional mask policy. But Knox County deputy health commissioner Zach Green said that the incidence of quarantine is much higher this school year compared with last school year. And last school year there was universal masking.

Knox Public Health has strongly urged schools to adopt universal masking, which is in line with guidance from the CDC, the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Ohio Department of Health.

Already several schools across Ohio have closed or switched to remote learning because of spikes in COVID-19 cases.

You can learn more about this story at knoxpages.com

Finally, we’d like to take a moment to remember James Keith Crowl. Jim lived a life of being there for his family at all costs and being driven by hard work that he enjoyed doing.

Jim was a lifelong resident of Mansfield. He was a 1963 graduate of Lexington High School. Jim went on to serve in the US Naval Reserves from 1965 to 1970, where he was a radarman. He had the honor of serving on the USS Saratoga for a tour. 

In 1973 Jim graduated from The Ohio State University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering. He was a professionally licensed civil engineer and land surveyor within the State of Ohio.

In his professional life, he worked at Roger J. Au and Sons Construction, Richland County Engineer's office, City Engineer of Norwalk, Ohio, The Ohio State University Mansfield Campus, and in 1999, he retired from the Ohio Department of Transportation. He also operated his own engineering and land survey business.

Jim was a licensed amateur radio operator. He also was a member of St. Peter’s Catholic Church of Mansfield.

Jim is survived by his loving wife of 51 years, Judy, his children, his brother, and his grandchildren. He loved being a grandfather. He’s also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Thank you for taking a moment with us to remember and celebrate his life.

Thanks for listening, join us again tomorrow!

Also, make sure to head over to richlandsource.com and click be a member button to help support independent local journalism that informs and inspires. 

Every contribution goes to helping us make Richland County a better place and to help keep our journalism free. 

Also, if you like this podcast and want to hear more, make sure to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts!

Support the show: https://www.sourcemembers.com/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mansfield selected as preferred site for Air National Guard's 1st Cyber Warfare Wing:

https://www.richlandsource.com/news/mansfield-selected-as-preferred-site-for-air-national-guards-1st-cyber-warfare-wing/article_59e51e4e-05f7-11ec-a114-8743c7482f13.html

Newsroom After Hours:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/newsroomafterhours/

Kingwood Hall in the Sun 1926

https://www.richlandsource.com/area_history/kingwood-hall-in-the-sun-1926/article_1db04d2e-5818-11e5-83b0-97838b40f256.html

COVID-19 numbers continue to surge in Knox County, reflecting statewide trend:

https://www.knoxpages.com/news/covid-19-numbers-continue-to-surge-in-knox-county-reflecting-statewide-trend/article_cba7c798-05e3-11ec-b016-8750a8f1e403.html

Dorothy E. McKinley:

https://www.richlandsource.com/obituaries/dorothy-e-mckinley/article_91ab868a-040b-11ec-886b-37da78d4c3cb.html

You're listening to Source Daily. Join us Monday through Friday to stay up to date with what's happening in North Central Ohio. We’ll be sharing a closer look at one of our top stories, along with other news, local history, memorials, answers to your questions, and more. 

Today - Governor Mike DeWine applauded the U.S. Air Force's announcement earlier this week that the Mansfield Air National Guard Base has been selected as the preferred site for the Air National Guard's first Cyber Warfare Wing. The site is already home to the 179th Airlift Wing. 

Governor DeWine said he spoke directly with the Secretary of the Air Force who gave him this outstanding news. Ohio is about to get a leading-edge mission that will strengthen the fabric of the military community and further solidify Ohio as a national leader in cybersecurity excellence. 

DeWine emphasized that not only will this new mission bring more jobs into the community, but it'll also spur economic growth and create new opportunities. It’s a big win for Mansfield and the state.

The new cybersecurity mission in Mansfield will bring an additional 175 positions that are STEM and IT focused. It’ll also bolster Ohio’s efforts to gain a competitive advantage in the workforce by attracting cyber-security jobs.

Ohio was one of two locations under consideration, with the other being the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport in Minnesota. And the criteria that was considered included things like manpower, recruiting, and retention; building capacity and connectivity; environmental; construction costs; and cost of living. The Air Force hasn’t announced a timeline for the new mission yet, but the next step is expected to be an environmental assessment of the site.

U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown applauded the announcement for his hometown as well.

Brown said that Mansfield Lahm Air National Guard Base is the pride of Richland County. And placing the new cyber warfare mission in Mansfield will help Ohioans perform critical missions to support the warfighter and will expand the strategic capabilities of the service members at the base, who protect and serve their country with pride.

As a result of the new cyber mission, the Air Force will divest the eight C-130Hs flown at Mansfield. Senator Brown will continue to support the Airmen serving at the base and will advocate for additional resources to support the new operational mission.Learn more about this story at richlandsource.com

Before we continue… Do you know about our Newsroom After Hours shows? The next one will take place on Sept 17, it’s heavy metal night! Following that on October 15th - we’ll host Hip Hop Halloween. Both shows will take place in Idea Works at 40 West 4th St in Mansfield. All are welcome - and the show is free! Join us to enjoy free food, courtesy of Doc's Deli, free beer, courtesy of Phoenix Brewing Company, and of course, great music. This 2021 season is powered by Mechanics Bank.

And for those of you who missed our Newsroom After Hours show on the 20th, here’s a peak…

That was If Only, by Clint Knight, stay tuned for the rest of the song - we’ll play it at the end of the episode.

Now, some local history… 

Did you know that Kingwood Hall is named after Charles Kelley King, an influential and visionary at the Ohio Brass Company? Designed by renowned architect, Clarence Mack, construction on the home began in 1926 in the French provincial style. Following Mr. King's wishes, his garden estate and home opened to the public in 1953. Kingwood Hall continues to be enjoyed by visitors and maintains most of its original furnishings and decor.

You can read more about Kingwood Hall and see pictures today and as it as in the 1920s at richlandsource.com.

Now, we’d like to take a moment to highlight a few events coming up this weekend:

The Visual Bucket List Foundations is presenting its second designer purse bingo event tomorrow at Westbrook Country Club in Mansfield. A full meal and non-alcoholic drinks are provided. Tickets cost $50 and the fun and chance to help out a worthy cause starts at 5pm.

On Saturday, August 28th, One of Mansfield’s favorite Bands, CONNE, comes to the Backlot to play their own brand of R & B, jazz, funk, soul and blues. Tickets are $10 and the show starts at 8:30.

Head over to richlandsource.com to read more about these events and discover more fun things to do.

Next, From Knox Pages… Knox County saw 22 confirmed COVID-19 cases in June, and saw 57 cases in July.

And Through the first three weeks of August, the county has seen nearly 500 new cases – including 48 on Wednesday alone – as the highly contagious delta variant rips through the community and state. These numbers pale in comparison to Knox County's coronavirus peak last winter – but local health officials worry about the potential of the current surge, given the emergence of the delta variant and Knox County's 38% vaccination rate. The CDC has characterized the level of COVID-19 transmission in Knox County as "high," the highest level listed, given this sharp rise. In fact, all but one of Ohio's 88 counties are currently listed as "high-transmission" areas by the CDC – up from 48 out of 88 counties two weeks ago. The CDC has since recommended that even fully vaccinated people wear masks in public indoor settings in areas.

COVID-19 testing is available at Knox Public Health either by appointment or via an at-home test kit. To make an appointment to be tested for COVID-19 or receive the COVID-19 vaccine, call KPH at 740-399-8008.

Finally, we’d like to take a moment to remember Dorothy E. McKinley of Mansfield who lived to be 98. 

Dorothy was born in Galion and she enjoyed solving crossword puzzles, playing cards, Bingo, golfing, and bowling. She was very competitive in a good-natured way. Dorothy also enjoyed keeping her mind sharp watching Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune. She was blessed with a creative spirit that included art, coloring, calligraphy, crocheting and knitting. Dorothy loved baking cookies, watching the birds, gardening and working in her yard. She was a fan of the Cleveland Indians, enjoyed Jack and Jill Sundays at Dairy Queen, and her favorite color was purple. She was bitten by the travel bug and was interested in finding new places to go. Her family and friends were her top priority and she will be dearly missed.

Dorothy is survived by two daughters, three grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, and close family friends.Thank you for taking a moment with us today to remember and celebrate Dorothy’s life.

Thanks for listening, join us again tomorrow!

Also, make sure to head over to richlandsource.com and click be a member button to help support independent local journalism that informs and inspires. 

Every contribution goes to helping us make Richland County a better place and to help keep our journalism free. 

Also, if you like this podcast and want to hear more, make sure to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts!

And as promised, more of “If Only”, by Clint Knight…

Support the show: https://www.sourcemembers.com/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kimmy's Cucina of Lexington offers easy, precooked Italian meals:

https://www.richlandsource.com/business/kimmys-cucina-of-lexington-offers-easy-precooked-italian-meals/article_549dcc44-0078-11ec-927b-ff4798998939.html

Harding Way in Galion 1907:

https://www.richlandsource.com/area_history/harding-way-in-galion-1907/article_5806f002-54c8-11e5-a8bd-c3ee7998834e.html

OhioHealth officials see increase in vascular patients at new Ashland facility:

https://www.ashlandsource.com/life/ohiohealth-officials-see-increase-in-vascular-patients-at-new-ashland-facility/article_ad2d010e-011d-11ec-8dee-6bfb29f6ad5c.html

Larry G. Weyhmeller:

https://www.richlandsource.com/obituaries/larry-g-weyhmeller/article_4858a1f8-fae1-11eb-a39c-7fc1266c8e0f.html

You're listening to Source Daily. Join us Monday through Friday to stay up to date with what's happening in North Central Ohio. We’ll be sharing a closer look at one of our top stories, along with other news, local history, memorials, answers to your questions, and more. 

Today - Figuring out what to cook for dinner every single day is exhausting. But locals Kimberly and Roger Sterry want to make that easier.

Kimmy’s Cucina launched its meal service model back in January with its signature lasagna, meatballs and homemade sauces, then expanded to add items like sweet basil lasagna and a semolina ricotta pound cake this summer. Now, they have a seasonal variety of premade Italian meals that are ready to pop in the oven.

The Sterrys plan to continue with monthly specials and seasonal items like pulled pork bolognese and homemade soups in the fall. 

Roger and Kimberly have been married for almost 33 years. The entrepreneurial couple has always loved to cook and entertain. In fact, Kimmy’s Cucina isn’t their first culinary venture.

The couple owned Sweet Basil in Mansfield in the early 2000s, but closed it to focus on other pursuits.

Then, once the couple’s kids were grown, they began discussing the possibility of another business. They wanted a way to continue experimenting with recipes and preparing dishes, without the overhead of a restaurant or catering outfit. So Kimmy’s Cucina expanded from a food blog to a meal kit service with a unique model -- pre-made, frozen meals that simply need to be popped in the oven or on the stovetop.

Kimberly says that everything is just as easy as it can be.

And the couple feels that what truly sets their food apart is the ingredients and attention to detail.

They use meat from a local farmer, they import organic flour from Italy and grind their cheese by hand. The homemade sauces and marinaras are slow cooked for hours to get just the right flavor profile.

The Sterrys developed many of their recipes together, drawing inspiration from their travels and shared Italian heritage.

Some of their one-of-a-kind creations include a cauliflower puree with roasted vegetables, as well as a goat cheese and walnut ravioli in a roasted beet and radish sauce.

Kelli Catanese has ordered meals from Kimmy’s Cucina for the last five or six months. She said the cost and convenience make it a no-brainer.

Even her husband, who is also Italian, approves.

Barb Shewan is another regular customer. She said she appreciated having a meal kit option that’s locally owned and operated. All three of her teenagers are involved in sports, so having the pre-made meals means one less item on her to-do list. 

In addition to making meals, Kimmy’s Cucina also hosts the occasional cooking class. The Sterrys plan to expand even further in the fall with a Kimmy’s Cucina storefront located inside Lexington's historic mill.

For more information, visit kimmyscucina.com or follow along on Facebook and Instagram.

Before we continue… I’d like to take a moment to highlight The Source Member Program. Memberships support daily reporting and research-driven solutions stories. Real world impact happens regularly in the form of community discussions and events. 

We believe you deserve to be confident in your community’s news. So Visit SourceMembers.com to join.

Now, some local history… 

Did you know that Harding Way in Galion was named for President Warren G. Harding? Originally called Main Street, the years during the Harding administration saw a dramatic rise in the number of automobiles traveling on American roads. Since the first cross-country highway was routed through Galion along this Main Street, it seemed appropriate when the President died to name this stretch of road in his honor.

You can read more about Harding Way and see pictures at richlandsource.com.

Now, we’d like to take a moment to highlight a few events coming up this weekend:

The 5th annual Mansfield Jamfest continues tonight through Saturday featuring more than a fifteen bands playing bluegrass and country. Starting tonight at 4pm, and after 11am on Friday and Saturday, tickets start at $10 and up. Check out https://www.mansfieldjamfest.com/ for a full schedule.

And if that isn’t your speed…The August Final Friday Concert Series presented by The Brickyard and Downtown Mansfield will have three artists, Macy Page, Talk Boy Trio, and Martini Affair playing on Friday starting at 5:30PM at 24 East Temple Street in Mansfield.

Head over to richlandsource.com to read more about these events and discover more fun things to do.

Next, From Ashland Source… The physicians and nurses working in Ashland’s newest emergency department have noticed a trend... a rise in the number of people suffering from heart and vascular ailments. 

Dr. Garrett Norvell, OhioHealth Ashland Health Center’s emergency department medical director, said that two years ago the number of patients with heart and vascular problems treated in Ontario was around 40 a month. But now, the Ashland and Ontario sites see a combined 90 patients a month.

But the discovery doesn’t stop there. 

Of those patients, many of them are actually “riding out their heart attacks”.

Norvell says that the local trend of delaying care is part of a larger picture. He says the region is part of a national swing.

A study published in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report points out the problem. The study says 41% of U.S. adults had delayed or avoided medical care in fear of contracting COVID-19.

But Norvell’s advice? Absolutely do not put off getting emergency treatment if you have chest discomfort that spreads into the neck, jaw, shoulder or back. 

Finally, we’d like to take a moment to remember Larry Weyhmeller. Larry was born in Mt. Vernon and graduated from Clear Fork High School in 1980. 

Larry married Brenda Hamilton and together they raised their three children.

Hardworking, Larry never sat still.  For 20 years he worked for Ariel Corporation as a machinist and most recently as supervisor.  Larry loved dirt track racing, hunting deer and turkey and horseback riding.  For over 10 years Larry served on the Bellville Fair Board.

Larry is survived by his wife, children, mother, siblings, special uncle, mother-in-law, brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law as well as nieces, nephews, and extended family.

Memorial contributions to the Fredericktown Western Saddle Club or Branded Pony 4-H may be made through the funeral home.

Thank you for taking a moment with us today to remember and celebrate Larry’s life.

Thanks for listening, join us again tomorrow!

Also, make sure to head over to richlandsource.com and click be a member button to help support independent local journalism that informs and inspires. 

Every contribution goes to helping us make Richland County a better place and to help keep our journalism free. 

Also, if you like this podcast and want to hear more, make sure to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts!

Support the show: https://www.sourcemembers.com/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mansfield police chief 'sad, frustrated & angry' over officer's performance, resignation:

https://www.richlandsource.com/news/mansfield-police-chief-sad-frustrated-angry-over-officers-performance-resignation/article_08250290-04e9-11ec-8cac-aff0f280ea7a.html?block_id=1098581

Then & Now: Bellville Grange Hall 1907:

https://www.richlandsource.com/area_history/then-now-bellville-grange-hall-1907/article_8c24f550-4cf3-11e5-8f04-c76d80753f8b.html

GALLERY: The Bucyrus Bratwurst Festival:

https://www.richlandsource.com/crawford_source/gallery-day-3-of-the-bucyrus-bratwurst-festival/collection_047d94a0-02f9-11ec-8d55-6ff522124290.html

Ashland County-West Holmes Career Center could have highest enrollment in decades:

https://www.ashlandsource.com/education/ashland-county-west-holmes-career-center-could-have-highest-enrollment-in-decades/article_e78e9134-041d-11ec-8737-8f1dd835e0e3.html

Toodly Burton Brown:

https://www.richlandsource.com/obituaries/toodly-burton-brown/article_9a9e6fb2-fc2e-11eb-a4d0-9f58c1f6bd2f.html

You're listening to Source Daily. Join us Monday through Friday to stay up to date with what's happening in North Central Ohio. We’ll be sharing a closer look at one of our top stories, along with other news, local history, memorials, answers to your questions, and more. 

Today - Mansfield police Chief Keith Porch said he felt a trio of emotions this week when Officer Jordan Moore’s resignation was accepted.

Porch was the assistant chief back when Moore was sworn into the department in 2018. And he said he felt sadness, frustration and anger when the officer resigned ahead of a pre-disciplinary hearing.

He had high hopes for Officer Moore when he first joined the Mansfield Police Department. 

So what led up to this? Well, Moore was placed on paid administrative leave on June 16 after he pursued and shot a man. The man was a suspect in an earlier shooting. Moore then chose to quit the department earlier this week after internal investigations found that he violated multiple department policies stemming from his investigations of two separate traffic accidents in May.

And Porch says that pending discipline and ultimate resignation were not related to the June shooting. For now, the shooting is still being investigated by the Ohio Bureau of Investigation.

In a May 19 accident on Ashland Road, a review found Moore didn’t respond to a reported accident. 

And in an accident on South Diamond Street on May 25, Moore was dispatched and left the scene to locate the suspect. But he did not conduct an OVI or physical control investigation, nor did he complete an accident investigation, but instead he arrested the suspect for intoxication.

The report also questions Moore's veracity, saying he was being untruthful. 

And Moore's personnel file also contains several disciplinary items, including written reprimands and suspensions. Porch said he understood the community’s concerns around the officer.

Still, Porch lamented that 99 percent of their officers are dedicated to serving this department and this community. Unfortunately Moore's actions detract from those efforts and take MPD leadership time that could be spent furthering more positive efforts.

Before we continue, we’d like to thank our sponsors at Richland Public Health… When we stopped wearing masks to prevent covid 19… that was a big change. What hasn’t changed is that the virus is still with us and coronavirus variants are easily spread among unvaccinated people. Richland Public Health urges you to find a no cost local covid 19 vaccination provider at richland health dot org. 

Do your part so we can all enjoy Richland County TOGETHER.

Now, some local history… 

Did you know that the Bellville Grange Hall on Church Street was built by “The Jefferson Grange 251 of the Patrons of Husbandry” in 1907? They had organized as far back as 1874 in order to promote the economic and political well being of the community and local agriculture but needed a space of their own.

Back then the fraternal organization was more formal than you might expect of a gathering of farmers. They had secret passwords, rituals, and even ranking degrees of membership.

You can read more about the Bellville Grange Hall and see pictures at richlandsource.com.

Now, we’d like to take a moment to highlight everyone who participated to make the Bucyrus Bratwurst Festival happen this past weekend. Between parades, live music, contests, and lots of food everyone had a great time.

Head over to richlandsource.com to read more and see pictures of the festival in all its glory.

Next, From Ashland Source… 

The Ashland County-West Holmes Career Center could have its highest enrollment in decades as the 2021-2022 school year starts.

School superintendent Rod Cheyney told the board at its Aug. 19 meeting that 415 students are officially registered for classes for the new school year and that the figure could end up being as many as 431.

Cheyney said: “We have a number of students we have not heard back from yet but we’ll definitely be over the 400 mark. That’s the first time since I’ve been here that we’ve had that many and someone said it may have been the 90’s since we had that many students here.”

Cheyney credited an active recruiting effort by the staff for the high number. The figure also reflects a higher percentage of students in home school districts who chose to attend Career Center programs.

Read more ashlandsource.com.

Finally, we’d like to take a moment to remember Toodly Burton Brown of Mansfield.

Toodly was a forklift operator at Newman Tech for many years. He was proud of his Apache Native American heritage. A humble man at heart, Toodly had a big character and loved to joke around with others. He was a fantastic father to his son and gave so much unconditional love that he was loved by all who met him. Toodly was full of life and enjoyed fishing and traveling to try new foods. He was a huge fan of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and a big shoe lover, especially Air Jordans. He loved and admired his best friend and dog, Chief.

Toodly is survived by his wife, son, brother, brother-in-law, sisters-in-law, godparents, three nieces, and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.

Thank you for taking a moment with us today to remember and celebrate Toodly’s life.

Thanks for listening, join us again tomorrow!

Also, make sure to head over to richlandsource.com and click be a member button to help support independent local journalism that informs and inspires. 

Every contribution goes to helping us make Richland County a better place and to help keep our journalism free. 

Also, if you like this podcast and want to hear more, make sure to rate and review us on Apple Podcasts!

Support the show: https://www.sourcemembers.com/

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.