House Committee Passes Bill to Block Interchange Construction
COLUMBUS, OH – State Rep. Melanie Miller (R-City of Ashland) has issued the following statement on the passage of Amended Senate Bill 155, which would repeal a provision of the transportation budget requiring the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) to construct certain interstate interchanges:
“This is a significant step forward for the Brunswick community and a victory for the many residents who have worked tirelessly to make their voices heard in the district and in Columbus about the detrimental impact of this interchange. I’d like to thank my fellow committee members for their unanimous support of this legislation. This vote reflects the strong, shared commitment to addressing these concerns, and after years of debate, we are one step closer to a solution. I am optimistic about seeing this bill pass the House before the end of this General Assembly.”
Senate Bill 155 now moves to the House floor for a vote.
The Mansfield Division of Police received a call from authorities in Harrison County, Ohio, regarding a body found in their jurisdiction. The body was taken to the Cuyahoga County coroner’s office because of suspicious circumstances. The body was later identified as Trentin Isaac.
Mansfield Police Detectives are currently working with state and local authorities as there are more questions than answers at this point. The family and the community can be assured that the division will work diligently to not only answer these questions but also bring justice to the individuals who committed this act.
We continue to seek the public’s assistance with any information about this case.
Again, detectives investigating the case have received numerous unverified tips and rumors concerning videos and social media posts but no such evidence has been submitted to Mansfield Police. The department urges anyone with information regarding potential videos, photographs, or social media content related to Trentin or the circumstances of his disappearance to come forward immediately.
Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Mansfield Division of Police Detective Ronee Swisher at 419-755-9432.
One Killed in Single Vehicle Motorcycle Crash in Wayne County
Franklin Township – On Tuesday, November 19th, 2024, at 2:22 AM, the Ohio State Highway Patrol’s Wooster Post was notified of a single-vehicle motorcycle crash on Graber Rd (CR 159) east Fredericksburg Rd (CR 501).
A white 2005 Suzuki GSXR600 motorcycle was eastbound on Graber Rd and drove off the right side of the roadway, striking an embankment and then a group of pine trees.
The driver of the motorcycle, Nathan D. Coblentz, 17 years old, of Holmesville, was transported to Wooster Hospital by South Central EMS, where he died approximately an hour after the crash.
Mr. Coblentz was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash. Alcohol and drugs are not suspected to be contributing factors in this crash.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol was assisted on the scene by South Central Fire and EMS, TNT Towing, and the Wayne County Sheriff’s Department.
Children left unattended in running vehicles can lead to abductions, AMBER Alerts
COLUMBUS – The Ohio AMBER Alert Advisory Committee is reminding Ohioans that leaving unattended children in running vehicles, even for a brief period of time, can result in stranger abductions requiring an AMBER Alert activation.
From 2021 through 2024, of the 48 total AMBER alert activations in Ohio initiated by either the Ohio State Highway Patrol or Cuyahoga Emergency Communications System, six involved children being left in stolen vehicles.
These six stranger abductions were all the result of individuals, whether they were parents, guardians or caretakers, leaving children in running vehicles while the adult entered places of business for short periods of time. Activities included picking up pizzas, getting items at gas stations and dropping off siblings at day care or preschool. Each incident led to AMBER Alert activations because children were left unattended in running vehicles.
Vehicle thieves seek out targets of opportunity and take advantage of otherwise careful individuals. Unfortunately, in their impulsive rush to capitalize on opportunities to steal vehicles, these thieves do not take care to determine what is inside the vehicle.
“It is not safe to leave children in vehicles regardless of whether the vehicle is running,” said Ohio State Highway Patrol Captain Ron Raines, who is a member of the Ohio AMBER Alert Advisory Committee. “Even though the likelihood is low of having your vehicle stolen while left running with children in the vehicle, any inconvenience to the adult is not worth the risk.”
Entering into the holiday season, the Ohio AMBER Alert Advisory Committee wants adults to consider their obligation to take simple precautions to ensure the well-being of the children in their care. Children should never be left in a vehicle unattended because, in addition to the risk of abduction, they can suffer heat or cold-related injuries, depending on the time of year.
The Ohio AMBER Alert Advisory Committee is composed of representatives from the Ohio Emergency Management Agency; Ohio State Highway Patrol; Ohio Department of Transportation; Attorney General’s Office – BCI, Missing Persons Unit; State Emergency Communications Committee; Buckeye State Sheriffs’ Association; Ohio Association of Chiefs of Police; Ohio Association of Broadcasters; a victim’s advocate; a community member and a representative from a local/regional AMBER plan.
Mansfield Police Seek Public Assistance in Disappearance of Trentin Isaac
The Mansfield Division of Police are seeking the public’s assistance in locating Trentin Isaac who has been missing since November 12, 2024. Despite extensive search efforts by law enforcement and family members, Trentin’s whereabouts remain unknown.
Detectives investigating the case have received numerous unverified tips and rumors concerning videos and social media posts allegedly related to Trentin’s disappearance. However, to date, no such evidence has been submitted to the Mansfield Police for investigation.
The department is urging anyone with information regarding potential videos, photographs, or social media content related to Trentin or the circumstances of his disappearance to come forward immediately.
The Mansfield Division of Police would also like to remind the public that, while we appreciate the community’s concern and support, we strongly discourage individuals from attempting to conduct their own investigations. In particular, the public is urged not to approach or attempt to contact individuals who may have relevant information.
All tips, leads, and inquiries should be directed to the Mansfield Police Department to ensure the integrity of the investigation.
Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Mansfield Division of Police Detective Ronee Swisher at 419-755-9432
ASHLAND, OHIO — Stepping into history is an experience few ever truly get to savor. At Genesis Christian Academy, students were offered a rare glimpse into the past as their American History teacher, Kenneth Hammontree, transformed himself into William Clark of the famed Lewis and Clark Expedition. This immersive reenactment left students in awe, blending the tangible presence of the past with the visceral reality of the present.
Dressed in an elk-hide outfit he handcrafted, complete with a raccoon cap, deerskin moccasins, and a .50 caliber musket rifle, Hammontree brought the world of early 19th-century exploration to life. His ensemble included a string of pelts, ranging from beaver to fox and otter, and photographs of his journey along the Lewis and Clark Trail. Through these tools and his vivid storytelling, Hammontree gave students more than a lesson; he offered an unforgettable experience.
The Story of the Corps of Discovery
The Lewis and Clark Expedition is one of the great tales of American history, a blend of heroism, resilience, and exploration. Led by Captains Meriwether Lewis and William Clark, the Corps of Discovery was tasked with mapping the uncharted wilderness of the American West following the Louisiana Purchase of 1803. Alongside them was Sacagawea, a Shoshone teenager carrying her infant son, who served as an interpreter and guide.
Their journey took them through treacherous terrain, across rivers, and over mountains, exposing them to the untouched beauty of what would become the western United States. Along the way, they cataloged flora and fauna unknown to Western science, encountering animals like grizzly bears, pronghorn antelope, and mule deer for the first time. They also mapped vast stretches of land and interacted with numerous Indigenous tribes, whose assistance was critical to their survival.
“The bravery and endurance of these men and women were extraordinary,” Hammontree told students during his portrayal. “They ventured where no Americans had gone before and returned with stories that transformed the nation’s understanding of its vast new territory.”
Indigenous Perspectives: The Other Side of the Story
As transformative as the Lewis and Clark Expedition was for the fledgling United States, its legacy is more complex for the Indigenous tribes they encountered. The expedition’s journey through Sioux, Nez Perce, Shoshone, and Mandan lands heralded the beginning of profound change — much of it devastating.
President Thomas Jefferson’s instructions to Lewis and Clark included establishing relationships with the tribes and asserting U.S. sovereignty over their lands, even if the tribes did not comprehend these foreign concepts. Gifts such as flags and peace medals symbolized goodwill from the American government, but the underlying message was one of impending ownership.
“The Indigenous peoples had no frame of reference for what these explorers were bringing,” Hammontree explained to his audience. “They saw trinkets and tools, but they couldn’t foresee the tide of change that would upend their way of life.”
In the years following the expedition, waves of trappers, hunters, and settlers decimated animal populations vital to the tribes’ survival. Beaver, buffalo, and elk were hunted to near extinction, stripping Indigenous communities of critical resources. Tribes who had thrived for generations in harmony with the land faced displacement, starvation, and cultural erosion.
The Legacy of Lewis and Clark
The students at Genesis Christian Academy learned that the legacy of Lewis and Clark is as much about loss as it is about discovery. The pristine wilderness they described in their journals — vast plains, untouched forests, and roaring rivers — has been irrevocably altered. Today, much of that land is paved over, dammed, or polluted, a far cry from the Edenic landscapes the Corps of Discovery encountered.
Hammontree emphasized the bittersweet nature of progress. “American expansion paved the way for the country we know today,” he said, “but it came at a cost. The Indigenous way of life, their connection to the land, was shattered.”
A Lesson That Sticks
For the students at Genesis Christian Academy, Hammontree’s portrayal of William Clark wasn’t just a history lesson; it was a journey into the soul of America’s past. They witnessed the bravery and curiosity that propelled a young nation westward while grappling with the difficult truths of what that expansion meant for the original inhabitants of the land.
Through this reenactment, the history of the Lewis and Clark Expedition was brought to life, not just as a chapter in a textbook, but as a living, breathing story of adventure, resilience, and reflection — one that continues to shape America’s identity today.
Ontario Police Department Seeks Public’s Help in Shooting Investigation Behind PetSmart
Ontario, OH — The Ontario Police Department is asking for the public’s help as they investigate a shooting that occurred in the parking lot behind a PetSmart store.
Ontario Police responded to a call at 11:07 a.m. regarding a vehicle located at 2275 Walker Lake Road, where officers found two bullet holes in the driver’s side window and a woman slumped over the steering wheel with an apparent gunshot wound. She was transported to a nearby hospital for medical treatment; her current condition has not been disclosed.
In a press release, Ontario Police Chief Tom Hill said, “The Ontario Police Department is investigating a shooting that occurred behind the PetSmart store in Ontario. This incident is under active investigation, and we have no further information to release at this time.”
To assist in the investigation, the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) was called in to process the scene and gather evidence.
Authorities urge anyone with information that could aid in the investigation to contact the Ontario Police Department at 419-529-2115.
Ashland County Courthouse Installs Single-Point Entry with New Security Measures
Ashland, OH — Visitors to the Ashland County Courthouse will now enter through a single designated access point, as part of new security measures implemented to enhance safety at the courthouse. The shift to a single-point entry means previous entrances from Second Street and Church Street are no longer accessible, requiring all public entry to pass through a security checkpoint at the Third Street entrance.
Captain Joe Perry of the Ashland County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that the new access system, fully operational since October 1, includes a recently constructed security station featuring an x-ray machine and a metal detector. The installation of these devices aims to prevent any unauthorized items from entering the courthouse, aligning Ashland County with other courthouses across Ohio, many of which already have similar security protocols.
“Construction has been completed, and ADA compliance has been approved,” Captain Perry said. “Entry is now through the Third Street side, with an employee-specific entrance just west of the main entry, accessible via key fob.”
In addition to the upgraded entry system, the courthouse has enhanced its security personnel. Sheriff Risner has assigned an additional deputy to the courthouse, bringing the total number of officers on duty to two. Judge Stimpert has also offered support, providing his bailiffs for added security coverage when needed.
Courthouse hours remain unchanged, with doors open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, and closed on weekends and federal holidays.
This upgrade marks the Ashland County Courthouse’s first significant security enhancement and brings it in line with modern standards across Ohio’s judicial facilities.
Bloomville Village – The Norwalk Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol is currently investigating a fatal UTV crash that occurred in Bloomville Village, Seneca County, on Thursday, November 14, 2024 at 1:13 a.m. The crash occurred on College Street at its intersection with S. Prospect Street.
Jacob Maxhimer, a 22-year-old resident of Bloomville, Ohio was driving a 2020 CFMOTO ZFORCE 800 Trail westbound on College Street when he went off the right side of the roadway. The vehicle overturned, and Mr. Maxhimer who was not wearing a seat belt, was ejected and suffered fatal injuries at the scene.
Speed and alcohol use appear to be contributing factors in the crash, which remains under investigation.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol was assisted at the scene by Seneca County Sheriff’s Office, Seneca County EMS, Bloom Township Fire Department, Seneca County Coroner’s Office and Wilcox Towing.
Joe Lyons •
November 19, 2024
