Ashland – National School Bus Safety Week begins Monday, October 21 and runs through Friday,
October 25. During this time, the Ohio State Highway Patrol will increase enforcement efforts regarding
school bus violations. These violations include passing a stopped school bus, school zone violations and
other school bus or school zone-related activity.
National School Bus Safety Week is supported by the National Association for Pupil Transportation and
serves as a reminder to motorists, students and school bus drivers of the important role they all have in
ensuring children’s safety. This year’s theme is “Safety First – Safety Always,” a unique reminder to
both motorists and students about the dangers that exist outside the school bus.
“School Bus Safety Week serves as an important reminder that keeping Ohio’s children safe as they
travel to and from school requires a collective effort,” said Governor Mike DeWine. “I encourage all
drivers, parents, and students to stay vigilant, follow traffic laws, and work together to ensure everyone
gets to their destinations safely.”
Prior to stopping, school buses display yellow warning lights that signify the bus is about to stop. Once a
bus comes to a complete stop, red flashing lights and a stop sign are displayed. Motorists approaching a
stopped school bus from either direction are required to stop at least 10 feet from the bus while the bus
driver is receiving or discharging students. When a road is divided into four or more lanes, only traffic
driving in the same direction as the bus must stop. Drivers may not resume their travels until the bus
starts moving.
“The Ohio State Highway Patrol is committed to ensuring the safety of students who rely on school
transportation every day,” said Colonel Charles A. Jones, Patrol superintendent. “While drivers are
legally required to stop for school buses when children are boarding or exiting, it is just as important for
students to look both ways and cross the road with caution.”
Since 2019, there has been a total of 6,415 school bus-related traffic crashes in Ohio, resulting in eight
fatalities and 2,064 injuries. One of the eight killed was an occupant of a school bus. During that time,
troopers have issued more than 16,500 citations for passing a stopped school bus and other school zone
violations.
Additionally, school buses are required to be inspected twice a year to ensure the bus is operating
properly. Every bus used to transport students is inspected before the beginning of the school year and
once randomly during the year. Since 2019, the Ohio State Highway Patrol has performed more than
200,000 inspections.
The Ashland University Jazz Orchestra will make its 2024-25 debut on Tuesday, Oct. 22, with a “Jazz at the Nest” performance. The 20-member ensemble will play a free concert at the Eagle’s Nest inside the Hawkins-Conard Student Center, starting at 7:30 p.m.
Directed by Scott Garlock, professor of music, the award-winning AUJO will present a world premiere, commissioned by AUJO/Knox College Jazz Ensemble in memory of Jorge Prats. The beloved Prats was a longtime professor and soccer coach at Knox who organized numerous overseas trips and performances in Spain that benefitted students at both Ashland and Knox, including as recently as this past spring.
In addition to the world premiere, Garlock said the performance will include “works from the Count Basie library, some original music by local composers and several popular tunes arranged for big band.”
The AUJO has been providing the AU campus and greater Ashland community with diverse jazz programming and internationally recognized jazz artists for more than 50 years. The ensemble consists of various saxophone, trombone, trumpet and rhythm instruments played by both music and non-music majors.
The Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District (MWCD) continues its commitment to providing outdoor recreation opportunities through its vast network of trails, emphasizing their critical role in promoting community well-being, conservation, and environmental education.
The MWCD trail system offers a wide variety of hiking, biking, and equestrian paths that meander through the scenic landscapes of the Muskingum River Watershed. These trails provide opportunities for individuals and families to connect with nature, stay active, and explore Ohio’s rich natural heritage.
MWCD is expanding and improving its trail network to meet the growing demand for outdoor recreational opportunities. As part of this effort, MWCD is seeking community input to develop a Master Trail Plan that will guide the enhancement and expansion of the trail system in the years ahead.
“We believe that trails are essential to the health and vitality of our communities,” said Pete Novotny, MWCD Chief of Recreation. “They offer more than just outdoor fun—they connect people to nature, improve our quality of life, and foster a greater appreciation for conservation.”
For more information about MWCD’s trails or to participate in the ongoing survey to shape future trail development, visit www.mwcd.org/trail-survey.
Your participation will help guide the MWCD’s efforts in planning and expanding the trail network in the coming years. Together, we can ensure that our trails continue to be a valuable resource for outdoor enthusiasts.
Veterans and Active-Duty Military Welcome to Enjoy a Free Breakfast
Ashland, Ohio—Mayor Matt Miller will again host the annual Mayor’s Veterans Day Breakfast to
honor our community’s military service members on Monday, November 11th from 7:30 to 9:00
a.m. at the Fraternal Order of Eagles Club, located at 400 Eastlake Drive. Breakfast will be
continuously served throughout the morning.
“We are so thankful to live in the great United States of America, and we are so blessed that in
every generation God has raised up a group of men and women to defend our freedom by
serving in our country’s military,” said Miller. “We are so proud of our veterans and current
service members and this annual breakfast is one way we can say thank you to these local
heroes.”
Veterans and active-duty military members are welcome to stop by the Eagles Club anytime
between 7:30 and 9:00 a.m. for a delicious, free breakfast assortment, including egg casserole,
biscuits and gravy, pancakes and more
WARCOG 911 Dispatcher Arrested on Multiple Felony Charges
Wayne County OH – A 911 dispatcher with the Wayne/Ashland County Regional Communications and Operations Group (WARCOG), Andrew Mohn, 36, of Burbank, OH, who also is a Captain and EMT for Canaan Township Fire Department has been arrested and indicted on multiple serious charges, including rape and gross sexual imposition, according to documents from the Wayne County Court of Common Pleas.
Mohn faces the following charges:
11 counts of Rape (First-degree felony)
12 counts of Gross Sexual Imposition (Third-degree felony)
The indictment reveals a pattern of repeated sexual abuse, involving multiple child victims. According to the prosecution, Mohn admitted to law enforcement officials that he engaged in oral and anal penetration and possessed a large collection of child sexual abuse material, including images and videos that he shared with others.
Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Brianna Dietary has requested that Mohn be held without bond, citing public safety concerns. In a statement from the Bond Hearing, Dietary said, “This is a case of repeated sexual abuse of multiple child victims. The defendant’s admissions and possession of child sexual abuse material raise significant concerns for the safety of the public.”
On September 30, 2024, Judge Corey E. Spitler ruled that Mohn is to be held without bail. The first pretrial conference is scheduled for October 30, 2024, at 11:00 AM.
The Wayne County community remains shocked by the charges, especially given Mohn’s role as a public safety dispatcher along with being a Captain and EMT for Canaan Township Fire Department.
Canaan Township Fire Department, or WARCOG has not yet issued a public statement regarding the arrest.
This case is ongoing, and further details will be provided as they become available.
House Fire on Ashland County Road 1095 Leaves Home Heavily Damaged, Family Pets Lost
Ashland, OH – A devastating house fire at 1607 Ashland County Road 1095 has left a home in ruins and resulted in the tragic loss of two beloved family pets. The fire was reported at 10:46 a.m. this morning, with firefighters from Station #2 arriving at the scene just two minutes later.
The Ashland County Sheriff’s Office, along with the Ashland Fire Department and EMS, responded to the scene after a 911 call was placed by a sanitation worker from COUNTYSIDE Trash Removal LLC. The worker, while making his rounds at a neighboring home, noticed the fire and quickly contacted emergency services, preventing the situation from escalating further.
Fortunately, no one was home when the fire started.
Assistant Fire Chief Dan Raudebaugh explained stating, “It came in as a structure fire, and when our first unit, Engine 12, arrived, they confirmed flames and smoke showing on the rear of the structure. We managed to extinguish the fire from both inside and outside, but there was significant structural damage. I would estimate a near-total loss of the home’s contents due to smoke and heat.”
Tragically, the family’s dog and rabbit were unable to escape the blaze and perished. Witness described a touching moment during the aftermath. Ashland County Sheriff’s Dog Warden, Deputy Hall showed compassion by covering the body of the family dog with a blanket.
Ashland Fire Department’s Station #2 was the first on the scene, highlighting the critical role of Station #2 in such emergencies. Despite their immediate response, the fire had already caused extensive damage. “Even with our quick action, seconds make all the difference,” Raudebaugh said, referencing the lessons learned from a controlled burn in downtown Ashland the previous week. “In just three minutes, the structure was almost fully engulfed.”
The Mifflin Township Fire Department responded to the fire as mutual aid, assisting with a tanker.
The Red Cross was called in to support the displaced family, helping them in the aftermath of the fire.
The cause of the fire is undetermined. No human injuries were reported.
Two teams delivered two trailer loads of water, diapers, miscellaneous supplies, chain saws, generators, cots and blankets.
They were overwhelmed and blessed to receive them.
The big need is HEATERS, GENERATORS and CAMP STOVES FOR COOKING.
We will prepare to send our next truck load. You can drop off the supplies at LIVING WATERS, the old Savannah School. See Roger or Christa Spoerr.
Our goal is to raise the funds or purchase 25 generators with a 5 gal fuel container, extension cord, funnels and oil. These generators will be run and ready to go.
We have a semi-flat bed if we can find a semi truck and driver. Or we will take our trailers back.
We will put together work teams. We have some military tents, cots and heaters for house workers. We will need cooking teams, food and the rest to feed the teams. It’s a boy scout/girl scout adventure.
Preparedness Consulting Services, LLC @ Hominy Valley Singing Grounds. {They publish a daily list of needs}
Joe Lyons •
October 21, 2024
