“Vietnam: Survival There & Home” — Ashland Native Greg Gorrell Breaks Decades of Silence in Powerful New Memoir
ASHLAND, Ohio — Ashland native Greg Gorrell, a longtime community leader and Vietnam War infantry combat veteran, has broken his silence on a lifetime of experiences that have shaped him — both in the jungles of Vietnam and in the country he returned to.
Gorrell’s new book, VIETNAM – SURVIVAL; THERE & HOME, chronicles his personal journey during the war — and the war he faced upon coming home to a deeply divided nation. A former forward observer, fire direction computer, and mortar gunner in the Mekong Delta, Gorrell served with the 3rd Battalion, 39th Infantry, 9th Infantry Division, enduring combat missions that left physical and emotional scars lasting a lifetime.
His book depicts “the good, the bad and the ugly” on both military and personal levels. It’s a raw, honest exploration of life, death, heartache, injury, mistakes, divorce, tragedy — and ultimately, a lifetime journey of survival, hope, faith, redemption, forgiveness, and reflection.
“I had to get the story out before it was too late,” Gorrell said during an interview at Hot Shots Shooting Center, where he’ll hold a book signing on May 3. “I’m in my 80th year. If I was ever going to tell the story, it had to be now.”
A 1963 graduate of Ashland High School and 1973 graduate of Ashland University, Gorrell was drafted into the Army and served with the 3rd Battalion, 39th Infantry, 9th Infantry Division. He was part of one of the first U.S. combat units trained specifically for missions in the treacherous terrain of the Mekong Delta. His roles included forward observer, fire direction computer, ammo bearer, and gunner in a 4.2-inch mortar platoon — positions that placed him in the thick of some of the war’s most brutal operations.
“I was part of what they called ‘search and destroy’ missions,” Gorrell explained. “You go out there with your M16, jump into rice paddies falling into a prone position, sometimes up to your neck in water and mud, knowing you could be ambushed at any moment.”
But if surviving the war was a test of endurance, coming home proved an even more complex challenge.
“I came home to flag burning at Travis Air Force Base,” he said. “Then I came back to Ashland and was asked to speak to a group. Halfway through, someone asked, ‘Why aren’t you guys winning this thing?’ And I just froze.”
That moment marked the beginning of decades of emotional suppression. Gorrell discarded nearly all of his military belongings, believing that throwing them away might put the war behind him. It didn’t. “That was just the beginning of years of shutting it down,” he said.
Vietnam: Survival There and Home is not just a memoir — it’s a reckoning. Across 30 raw and reflective chapters, Gorrell confronts the trauma, heartbreak, and moral complexity of the war, including its devastating impact on his first marriage, his faith, and his emotional well-being.
“I didn’t even talk about the war to my first wife,” he admitted. “Looking back, I regret that.”
The book also explores his long journey toward healing, particularly a return trip to Vietnam in 2016 with two of his sons. That pilgrimage — a combination of remembrance and reconciliation — became the foundation for one of the book’s most moving chapters. Gorrell kept a journal throughout the trip, which he now includes in the book.
“There were two reasons I went back,” he said. “To honor those we lost and to create new memories with my sons. I needed them to understand.”
Gorrell’s book is deeply personal, but he hopes it resonates far beyond his own story.
“This book is for anyone who has survived trauma — war, rape, abuse, loss — and is still looking for hope, healing, and maybe even forgiveness,” he said.
Despite the deeply emotional nature of the writing process — including many sleepless nights where memories came rushing back at 3:00 a.m. — Gorrell said he’s glad he finally told his story.
“It’s brought a level of peace. Not full closure, because the war never really ends — but peace,” he said.
To date, the book is available only in paperback and only through Gorrell himself or at local events, such as the upcoming May 3 signing at Hotshots. It’s priced at $20 — just enough to cover printing costs, with any proceeds going to the Ashland chapter of American Veterans Appreciation Events Inc.
“No money goes to me,” Gorrell emphasized. “This is about helping others, not making a profit.”
Gorrell has long been a cornerstone of the Ashland community. Over the years, he’s served as president of the Ashland City Schools Board of Education, Ashland City Council, Ashland Noon Lions Club, and several other civic organizations. He also served a mission at the historic Nauvoo, Illinois temple and is currently coordinating housing for missionaries across North Central Ohio.
Still, it’s his new role — that of author — that he believes may leave the most lasting impact.
“The stories of Vietnam veterans are vanishing,” he said. “We’re dying at a rate of over 400 a day. If we don’t tell these stories now, they’ll be gone forever. And the next generation won’t know.”
For Gorrell, the book is not only a legacy for his six children and 29 grandchildren & great grandchildren, but also a gift to his fellow veterans — many of whom have never told their own stories.
“I hope they’ll find the courage to share, even if it’s just with someone they love. Because their families want to know,” he said. “And if they don’t? Don’t worry about it. Tell it anyway.”
For more information on Vietnam: Survival There and Home or to purchase a copy, contact Greg Gorrell directly or attend the signing event at Hot Shots Shooting Center on May 3, beginning at 10 a.m.
“A Day to Remember” Students Stage Haunting Mock Crash to Confront the Reality of Drunk Driving
ASHLAND, OH — April 4, 2025. A haunting silence followed the blare of sirens as first responders entered into the parking lot of Ashland County-West Holmes Career Center. The scene was surreal. A crumpled vehicle against a pole, the front windshield shattered. A girl’s lifeless body lay sprawled across the hood, eyes closed, unmoving. Another passenger was slumped in the backseat, pinned and unconscious. The driver’s head was against the wheel, unresponsive.
But this time—thankfully—it wasn’t real.
The chaos, the grief, the horror were all part of a powerful student-led project, a mock crash so planned and convincing that even seasoned first responders admitted it stirred something deep within them. Organized by four high school seniors—Zoie Gaus and Jalynn Harris of Mapleton School, and Raelee Weiler and Lily Rhoades of Ashland School—the dramatic reenactment served as a gut-wrenching warning of what happens when impaired driving turns deadly.
Before the crash scene unfolded, students and Career Center staff gathered where a video was played, setting up for the following illustration.
“That call is every first responder’s nightmare,” said Amanda Young, health technologies instructor at the Career Center and one of the adult actors in the performance. “It’s the kind of thing that sticks with you, long after your shift ends.”
As part of their senior project, the four students created a full-scale simulation of an alcohol-fueled car crash. In their backstory, it was supposed to be a carefree Saturday night. After a school dance, the group stopped by Zoie’s house, where alcohol was consumed before heading to a party.
Raelee, blurred by booze, recklessly took the wheel.
They never made it.
The car, speeding into the darkness, slammed into a pole. Zoie was ejected through the front windshield, landing with a sickening stillness on the hood. Lily was thrown around. Jalynn was trapped in the backseat. Raelee survived with minor injuries—enough to be arrested at the scene for DUI and vehicular homicide.
The portrayal was brutally honest. Firefighters tore into the vehicle with the Jaws of Life to reach the pinned passengers. Deputies secured the scene. Zoie declared deceased, EMTs covered her body with a white sheet. A body bag was unzipped and zipped again. There was no Hollywood music, no slow fade to black—only the cold, stark realism of tragedy.
“I Heard Them Say I Was Gone”
For the student actors, this wasn’t just a performance. It was a confrontation with the unthinkable.
“The 2025 Mock Crash affected me in more ways than I knew it could,” Zoie Gaus said. “Hearing my friend make a 911 call, saying I wouldn’t wake up… hearing people call me deceased… it’s a moment I will never forget. Being zipped in a body bag is something that will stay with me forever.”
Raelee Weiler, who portrayed the driver, struggled to put the experience into words. “Seeing my best friend on the hood, dead—knowing it was because of me, because of a decision I made—that feeling is something no one should have to carry. And yet, so many people do. It’s avoidable. It has to be.”
Lily Rhoades said she could feel the weight of the moment from inside the scene. “We didn’t want to just shock people—we wanted to open their eyes. I think being in that car, watching the responders fight to save us, watching Zoie be declared dead, made it real. I hope it saves someone. Even just one person.”
For Jalynn Harris, whose father and close family friends are firefighters, the emotional impact was even deeper. “These accidents happen every day. I’ve heard about them my whole life. But this made me feel it. To know that one bad choice can tear apart a family, destroy friendships, and haunt first responders for years—it’s heartbreaking.”
The mock crash was more than a school project. It was a community-wide collaboration between the students and numerous agencies: the Ashland County-West Holmes Career Center administration, Hayesville and Jeromesville Fire Departments & EMS, the Ashland County Sheriff’s Department, the Ohio Highway Patrol, Fickes Funeral Home, School Resource Deputy’s Joe Fulton & Shelby Hammond, and the Ashland County Coroner’s Office. Adult actors Shannon Weiler and Amanda Young portrayed grieving mothers—each receiving the call that no parent ever wants to hear.
“Everything we did was grounded in reality,” said Amanda Young. “This wasn’t a drama club exercise. This is what happens. I’ve known families who’ve had to get that call. And now, these students do too.”
A Message That Hits Home
The mock crash comes at a critical time. Nationwide, impaired driving remains a leading cause of death for teenagers. In Ashland County, the scars from past tragedies are still fresh. That’s why events like this matter—because they force a pause, a reckoning.
“I hope the message hit home,” said Zoie. “We all want to make a difference. If one person thinks twice before getting behind the wheel drunk or high, then everything we went through was worth it.”
The audience—many of them classmates—left shaken. Some cried. Others sat in stunned silence. And that’s exactly what the students hoped for. Because this wasn’t just a performance. It was a plea. Don’t drink and drive. Don’t make that call necessary. Don’t make your family the next one to get that phone call.
Ashland County Sheriff’s Office, Sheriff Kurt J. Schneider, remarked, “I appreciate the collaboration between our local schools and the first responder community by providing a close up look at tragedies resulting from operating motor vehicles while impaired. These incidents have profound consequences for our families and communities. Mock scenarios, like this are very educational for our youth, which stress the importance of making sound, responsible decisions when getting behind the wheel of a motor vehicle. My hope is that each student gleaned something from the exercise which will result in good decision making, keeping them and their friends out of harm way.”
Ashland Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol Lieutenant Brad Bishop commented, “Today’s mock crash was an excellent opportunity to remind students the dangers of impaired and districted driving. As prom season approaches, this was a great demonstration to show the consequences of reckless behavior. I would like to thank our partner agencies for coming together to help prevent future tragedies and ensure the safety of our community’s young people.”
Ashland County-West Holmes Career Center Principal Rick Brindley told me, “The reason that our Health Tech Program does the Mock Crash every two years is to give students an idea of what actually takes place at the scene of a crash involving impaired drivers. It is a great effort for the four senior ladies, their teacher and all of the emergency crews that were in the meetings and at the scene today. We strive how important it is for our students if they are ever in that situation to not get behind the wheel or in a car with someone that is impaired. I always stress that they want to be here for tomorrow and to make the best decision possible for them to have a bright future. Just Be Safe!”
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Representative Miller Introduces App Store Age Verification Legislation
COLUMBUS – State Representative Melanie Miller (R-Ashland) today introduced new legislation that works to enforce an age verification step when downloading an app through the app store. This bill would help enhance safety for children under the age of 16 when using apps on their smartphones.
“Smartphones and the social media world have overexposed our children to risks like inappropriate online content, cyberbullying, and we’ve seen a huge increase in mental health concerns for minors,” said Representative Miller. “That’s why I’m introducing this legislation, to protect children from harmful content, reduce mental health risks, enhance data privacy, and encourage responsible technology use.”
Currently, eight other states have introduced or passed similar legislation including Utah, North Dakota, South Dakota, South Carolina, New Mexico, Hawaii, Illinois, and Alaska.
Representative Miller introduced this legislation during a press conference with her colleague Senator Michele Reynolds (R-Canal Winchester), who introduced Senate Bill 167, which is companion legislation. David Mahan from the Center for Christina Virtue, Tony Coder from the Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation, and Lt. Brian Steel from the Ohio FOP, also contributed to the importance of this matter.
This bill awaits a number and committee assignment.
Representatives McClain and Miller Introduce Legislation to Expand Midwifery Services in Ohio
COLUMBUS— State Representatives Riordan McClain (R-Upper Sandusky) and Melanie Miller (R-City of Ashland) recently introduced legislation to recognize and promote the great work midwives perform around the state. The bill creates new licensure framework for midwives in Ohio, expanding access to midwifery services and providing additional levels of care for Ohio women. McClain and Miller also championed this policy during the previous General Assembly.
The bill aims to achieve the following:
Recognize and provide new, optional licensure framework for midwives; Ensure that traditional (lay) midwives can continue to operate without licensure as they always have as long as they receive informed consent from their clients and carry out their limited scope of work; Create an advisory committee to oversee and advise on matters regarding midwifery; and Designate May 5th as “Day of the Midwife.”
“The miracle of birth is an awe-inspiring event and isn’t simply a procedure to be rushed as long as mom and baby are doing well,” said McClain. “Midwives provide a time-tested approach to prenatal care and childbirth that guides the mother through the natural processes to bringing a healthy baby from their womb into their arms.”
“I believe this legislation will benefit existing midwives, encourage others to become midwives, and reduce the number of maternity health deserts in Ohio,” said Miller. “If a woman wants a midwife for pregnancy, there are many types she can choose from that will give her different levels of care.”
McClain and Miller cited the issues surrounding access to maternity services, especially in rural areas, as a key driver behind the bill.
The legislation awaits a bill number and House committee assignment.
Norwalk Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol Investigating One Vehicle Fatal Crash
Wakeman Township – The Norwalk Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating a single-vehicle, fatal traffic crash that occurred on April 3, 2025, at 7:47 P.M. on State Route 60, south of Auster Road.
Preliminary investigation indicates that a 2016 Ford Focus hatchback operated by Daniel Palko Jr., 35, of Amherst, was traveling south on State Route 60 when it went off the right side of the roadway. The vehicle struck a cement culvert, went airborne, and collided with several trees. Mr. Palko was ejected from the vehicle.
Mr. Palko sustained fatal injuries as a result of the crash. Speed and alcohol use are suspected contributing factors in the crash, which remains under investigation.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol was assisted at the scene by the Huron County Sheriff’s Office, Wakeman Fire Department, Citizens Ambulance Service, Huron County Coroner, Ohio Department of Transportation and White’s Automotive Services
Three Ashland County Deputies Honored During Farewell Ceremony
ASHLAND, OH — The Ashland County Sheriff’s Office held a going-away ceremony Tuesday at its annex to honor three departing deputies: Chief Deputy David Blake, Deputy Joe Coffey, and Deputy Cody Mager. Mager is retiring, while Blake and Coffey have resigned to pursue new opportunities.
Family, friends, and fellow Law Enforcement officers from the Ashland Police Division and both Ashland and Wooster posts of the Ohio State Highway Patrol gathered to offer their thanks and well wishes. Sheriff Kurt Schneider and former Sheriff E. Wayne Risner spoke with deep appreciation for the departing deputies, recognizing their dedication and accomplishments.
“They’ve done a great job for the county, they’ve done a great job for the agency,” said Sheriff Schneider. “I wish them all the best in the endeavors of their life.”
Chief Deputy David Blake: A Career Spanning 47 Years
Chief Deputy David Blake began his career as a special deputy in January 1978, going part time while he work full-time at a state prison in January 1980, where he remained until his retirement in 2009. Blake then returned full time to the Sheriff’s Office in various roles, becoming jail administrator in 2014 and later serving as chief deputy beginning in 2021.
Former Sheriff Risner praised Blake’s decades of commitment. “He often worked six days every two weeks with us while holding down a full-time job at the prison,” Risner said. “He improved the jail by addressing security issues, keeping it clean, and bringing in new tools like body cameras and outer vests.”
Blake will continue his service in law enforcement with the Richland County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputy Cody Mager: Decorated Veteran and Lifesaving Deputy Retires
Deputy Cody Mager, who is retiring, began his career in January 2006 in the corrections division before moving to the road patrol and later becoming a child support enforcement officer. Mager also served on the county’s SWAT team for 15 years.
A Marine Corps veteran and Purple Heart recipient, Mager was wounded during a Christmas morning attack in Iraq in 2006. His military honors include the Combat Action Ribbon, Iraq Campaign Medal with two bronze stars, Navy Unit Commendation with a bronze star, and several others for his exemplary service.
In his law enforcement career, Mager received numerous awards including the Lifesaving Award, multiple driving citations, and was named Officer of the Year. Sheriff Schneider and former Sheriff Risner both commended Mager for his service, leadership, and perseverance. Risner added that he was proud to have hired Mager during his tenure.
Deputy Joe Coffey: Moving on After Years of Heroic Service
Deputy Joe Coffey began his career with the Sheriff’s Office in September 2015, starting in the Jail Division before transitioning to the Road Division. He also served as a School Resource Officer at Ashland County Community Academy and later at Hillsdale Schools, before returning full-time to third-shift road patrol.
Coffey is known for his quick response and bravery, having earned several citations from the Buckeye State Sheriffs’ Association. These included recognition for his role in an officer-involved shooting, rescuing two people from being swept into the Charles Mill Dam, and responding to a fatal accident on I-71 involving a firefighter and a state trooper. He also received the Ashland County Prosecutor’s Distinguished Service Award.
Coffey is now heading to the Knox County Sheriff’s Office to continue his law enforcement career.
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On 04-02-2025 at approximately 1530 hours, Wooster Police investigated the theft of a license plate from a vehicle in the 600 block of Madison Avenue. The license plate was entered into the Flock Camera system (a camera system that reads license plates throughout the city), and it was determined that the license plate had been placed on a silver Honda Pilot and the vehicle was travelling in the Northern part of the City.
Officers located the vehicle and a short pursuit started before being called off by Wooster Police. The vehicle was spotted again on the East side of town and an officer initiated a traffic stop at Geyers Chapel Rd. just South of Back Orrville Rd. The suspect immediately exited his vehicle and fired several rounds at the Officer. The Officer returned fire at which time the suspect entered his vehicle and fled from the scene. Wooster Police did not pursue at this time due to damage from being struck by gunfire.
The Wayne County Sheriff’s Department and Ohio State Highway Patrol located the vehicle and a second pursuit started. The suspect fired several more rounds at Officers from the vehicle during the pursuit. No officers fired any rounds during this pursuit. The suspect vehicle entered the City of Wooster and The Ohio State Highway Patrol along with the Dalton Police Department collided with the suspect vehicle on Cleveland Rd at the Dix Expressway exit ramp.
The suspect was taken into custody and transported to Wooster Community Hospital and then transported via life flight to Akron General Hospital. The suspect sustained life threatening injuries from an apparent gunshot wound. No officers were injured during this event.
Assistance with the investigation is being provided by the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation and The Ohio State Highway Patrol. Agencies involved in the pursuit were The Wooster Police Department, The Wayne County Sheriff’s Department, The Ohio State Highway Patrol, Dalton Police Department, and Medway Drug Enforcement Agency.
Press Release provided by Captain Lemmon Wooster Police Department
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We hope you’re having a great day! As a reader and valued supporter of Ashland County Pictures, we’re happy to announce that we have added a new feature to ashlandcountypictures.com.
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Many of our supporters have asked the important question on the past, “Can I make a donation?”With this new feature that has become a possibility.
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Ashland County Breaks Ground on New Airport Terminal: A Major Step Forward for Economic Growth and Aviation Education
ASHLAND, OH – March 25, 2025 — In a landmark moment for Ashland County, officials broke ground Monday on a long-anticipated new terminal building at the Ashland County Airport, setting the stage for a wave of aviation and economic development that leaders say will reshape the region’s future.
Dozens of community members, local and state dignitaries, and aviation supporters gathered under overcast skies on March 24 to celebrate the ceremonial launch of construction for the $1.95 million project. Among those in attendance were State Senator Mark Romanchuk, State Representative Melanie Miller, Ashland Mayor Matt Miller, all three Ashland County Commissioners, Sheriff Kurt J. Schneider, and representatives from JobsOhio & TeamNEO with the Ashland County Airport Authority.
Ashland County Commissioner Mike Welch kicked off the event by acknowledging the collaborative effort that made the project possible. “I’m also Vice President of Economic Development,” Welch said. “And all this would not have been possible without the help from our economic development team, including Cameo Carey and Lindsey Hoover from the Simonson Construction Group. You get a couple of hardworking ladies involved, and things happen!”
Welch praised his fellow commissioners— Denny Bittle and Jim Justice—for working together on a shared vision. “We recognize projects that are vital and make sense. We gave $550,000 of our American Rescue Plan Act dollars, and we added another $900,000 for a total of $1.45 million.”
The remaining funding, including a critical $300,000 grant from JobsOhio’s Site Inventory Program (OSIP), allowed the county to officially move the project into the construction phase.
“A Terminal Designed for Tomorrow”
Tom Zupan, Trustee with the Ashland County Airport Authority, expressed both pride and gratitude in his remarks. “Today marks the beginning of an important next chapter,” he said. “Our current terminal has served us well, but it’s no longer adequate to meet the needs of our growing aviation community. Rather than patching an aging structure, we made the decision to invest in something forward-looking.”
The new 4,100-square-foot terminal will include a public pilots’ lounge, classrooms, meeting spaces, and a designated observation area for visitors. It’s also being designed with future expansion in mind—including the possibility of establishing a permanent flight school that would help address a national pilot shortage.
“We’re especially excited to include a space for a future FAA Part 141-certified flight school,” Zupan said. “It’s a facility built not just for today but for the next generation.”
Zupan also acknowledged Airport Manager Denny Baum and Secretary Tracie Baum, as well as architect Brad Adams of VSWC, whose firm developed the terminal’s design. The construction contract was awarded to local contractor SCS following a competitive bidding process.
“Elevating Ashland’s Role in Aviation”
Steve Bechtol, also a member of the Airport Authority and a longtime advocate for the terminal project, took the stage to reflect on the years of work leading up to the groundbreaking. “This day has been a long time in the making,” he said. “The Ashland County Airport quietly serves our community, powered largely by volunteers.”
Bechtol emphasized the educational potential of the new facility, pointing to the need for more pilots and aviation professionals. “We’re seeing a surge in demand. One airline I spoke with is looking to hire 11,000 pilots over the next five years,” he said. “We can be part of the solution right here in Ashland.”
He spoke of how the terminal’s thoughtful design—complete with runway-facing observation rooms and aviation-inspired architecture—is intended to inspire youth. “We want local kids to be able to hang out here and dream about flying. This isn’t just about infrastructure—it’s about opportunity.”
Bechtol also referenced his personal aviation history, noting that his company, Blue Northern Enterprises—now part of Barr Air Patrol—operated from the Ashland County Airport for 17 years. “This is home,” he said. “We want to see businesses like ours continue to grow with the support of this new facility.”
“Investing in Growth and Community”
JobsOhio Sites Director Diana Rife outlined the larger impact the terminal will have. “This building will house a base of operations, classrooms, flight simulators, and will provide ADA-compliant facilities for visitors and aviation professionals alike,” Rife said. “This is about developing a skilled workforce and creating new career pathways right here in Ashland County.”
She emphasized that the $300,000 grant from JobsOhio was part of a broader statewide effort to invest in job-ready sites. “The support from state, federal, and local agencies—alongside private stakeholders—has been vital in moving this forward.”
“A Community Effort, A Vision Realized”
While much of the ceremony focused on the technical and financial aspects of the terminal, the prevailing message was one of gratitude and collective achievement.
“This terminal is more than steel and drywall,” Commissioner Mike Welch said in closing. “It’s a symbol. A commitment to our community. A signal to the world that Ashland is growing, innovating, and investing in its future.”
From economic growth to flight education and regional tourism, the Ashland County Airport’s new terminal represents a bold new era in the county’s aviation history. Construction is now officially underway, with completion expected in 2026.
As Tom Zupan put it, “This building is Ashland’s front door to the skies—and we’re proud to finally open it.”
“This Is a Win for Ashland and for Ohio”
State Senator Mark Romanchuk took the podium with a message of gratitude and recognition for the coalition that made the project possible.
“Congratulations to the Ashland community and the Ashland County Airport Authority for finally getting this done,” Romanchuk said. “And thank you to our sponsor, JobsOhio, the county commissioners, and most importantly, the taxpayers of Ohio—because of them, we at the state level have the resources to support projects like this.”
Romanchuk also paid tribute to former State Representative Darrell Kick, who helped get the ball rolling years ago. “He was the one who really spearheaded this effort early on, and through the help of the Commissioners, the vision stayed alive. Though term limits have since moved him on, he did a yeoman’s job with me on this project.”
He closed by presenting a “President’s Letter” from the Ohio Senate to commemorate the groundbreaking, saying, “We look forward to coming back and seeing the completed terminal soon.”
“Ashland Will Now Sparkle Even More”
Following Romanchuk’s remarks, State Representative Melanie Miller brought her signature enthusiasm to the celebration.
“This is a very exciting day in Ashland County,” she said. “Ohio is known as the birthplace of aviation—thanks to the Wright brothers and the innovation that started in Dayton. So it’s only fitting that Ashland is carrying that legacy forward.”
Miller emphasized the economic and educational opportunities that the new terminal will bring. “We need more pilots. We need more aviation mechanics. And projects like this allow us to meet that demand while drawing more people to our region.”
She also touched on the importance of first impressions: “When people fly in—whether to Columbus, Cleveland, or Ashland—airports are the front door to our communities. We all remember the great ones and the not-so-great ones. With this terminal, Ashland’s front door will shine.”
As Chair of the new House Arts, Athletics, and Tourism Committee, Miller stressed the importance of tourism and its link to regional development. “This project puts Ashland on the map. It’s a chance to attract new businesses, students, and families to our area.”
She concluded by citing the state’s recently passed House Bill 54, Ohio’s transportation budget, which invests $11.48 billion over two years into infrastructure—including airports.
“One of the exciting initiatives we just launched is the Division of Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) under ODOT,” Miller said. “This will help Ohio remain a leader in efficient cargo transport and aviation innovation. Ashland’s new terminal is part of that vision.”
Ashland County, OH — A high-speed chase that began in Medina County and spanned multiple jurisdictions came to a end on Saturday when a 70-year-old Tallmadge man was arrested after refusing to stop for law enforcement.
According to the Ohio State Highway Patrol, Victor Head was driving westbound on I-76 in a black 2022 Tesla Model Y when a Medina County trooper attempted to initiate a traffic stop for speeding—clocked at 99 miles per hour. Instead of pulling over, Head accelerated and merged onto I-71 southbound.
The Medina County Sheriff’s Office and Lodi Police Department joined the pursuit as it continued into Ashland County. There, troopers from the Ashland County Post and deputies from the Ashland County Sheriff’s Office became involved. Spike strips were deployed near mile marker 184, successfully puncturing both passenger-side tires of the Tesla.
The vehicle came to a stop two miles later, near the 182-mile marker. Despite coming to a halt, Head initially refused to exit the vehicle. After a 15-minute standoff, he eventually complied and was taken into custody without incident.
Head was checked at the scene by Ashland EMS before being transported to the Medina County Jail. He has been charged with failure to comply with the order or signal of a police officer, a fifth-degree felony.
The standoff caused significant traffic backups in both directions on I-71, though no injuries were reported.
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Joe Lyons •
April 11, 2025
