COLUMBUS, Ohio – Ohio Governor Mike DeWine held a press conference earlier today, voicing strong opposition to the proposed ballot initiative on redistricting.
Governor DeWine stated, “If this amendment were to be adopted, Ohio would actually end up with a system that mandates – that compels – map drawers to produce gerrymandered districts. In fact, Ohio would have gerrymandering in the extreme.”
In his prepared remarks, Governor DeWine emphasized the pitfalls of the proposed amendment, arguing that it would mandate gerrymandering by prioritizing proportionality over other considerations such as keeping communities of interest intact and respecting political subdivision boundaries.
Prepared Remarks from Governor Mike DeWine:
Good morning.
Today, I want to discuss redistricting and the efforts to end gerrymandering in Ohio. Our current redistricting provisions, passed with bipartisan support, have proven ineffective and need change. However, the proposed amendment on this fall’s ballot, aimed at eliminating gerrymandering, will not achieve this goal.
Gerrymandering occurs when politicians manipulate geographic borders to maximize elected seats for a particular party. The proposed amendment mandates proportionality, requiring map drawers to create districts based on past statewide partisan election results. This approach forces gerrymandering, leading to extreme gerrymandered districts and widespread voter dissatisfaction.
The amendment’s focus on proportionality supersedes important factors, such as respecting political subdivision lines, keeping communities of interest together, ensuring equal participation of racial, ethnic, and language minorities, and maintaining population equality in districts.
Examples of gerrymandered maps, like those created by Dave’s Redistricting and the Ohio redistricting commission’s democratic members in January 2022, demonstrate how proportionality leads to bizarre and unfair district configurations. These maps split cities, counties, and townships, creating districts with predetermined partisan outcomes, disenfranchising independent voters, and increasing legislative polarization.
The Iowa system offers a better alternative, removing politics from map drawing by prohibiting the use of past voting patterns, ensuring compact districts, and not favoring any political party, incumbent, or member of Congress. This system has been successful for decades, providing a model for Ohio to follow.
In conclusion, the proposed ballot initiative will worsen gerrymandering and require future constitutional revisions. We must defeat this flawed proposal and work towards a solution that truly ends gerrymandering, such as adopting the Iowa system.
After defeating this initiative, I will collaborate with the General Assembly to introduce and vet a resolution, holding hearings and gathering citizen input to place a proper initiative on the ballot for voter approval.
Governor DeWine’s sample maps referenced during the press conference are posted below.
Gerrymandering refers to the manipulation of electoral district boundaries to create an undue advantage for a party, group, or socioeconomic class. This practice undermines fair representation and can lead to disproportionate political power.
Governor DeWine urges Ohioans to reject the proposed amendment and support a system that ensures fair and representative districts.
MILAN – The Milan Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating a two-vehicle fatal crash. The crash occurred July 31 at 12:35 p.m. on the Ohio Turnpike, westbound near milepost 82 in Harris Township, Ottawa County.
The preliminary investigation revealed a Lincoln Nautilus, operated by Doris Klingshirn, 78, Elyria, was traveling west on the Ohio Turnpike when it struck the rear of a Kenworth semi-tractor-tanker, occupied by Jarrel Harrington, 37, Windsor Mill, Maryland. The Kenworth became disabled in the roadway due to a mechanical issue.
Doris Klingshirn sustained minor injuries and was transported by ground ambulance to Mercy Health – St. Vincent Medical Center in Toledo. The front passenger in the Lincoln, Kenneth Klingshirn, 92, Elyria, succumbed to fatal injuries at the scene.
Harrington sustained possible injuries and was treated at the scene by EMS.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol was assisted at the scene by the Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission, Harris-Elmore Fire Department, Sandusky County EMS, Lucas County Coroner’s Office, Madison Motor Service, and Interstate Towing and Transport Specialist.
The crash remains under investigation at this time.
So what is there to do this year at the Ashland County Veterans Appreciation Day? You and your family are invited to join us on August 10th, starting at 11am at the Ashland County Airport for a fun filled day honoring our Veterans! Activities include:
– 11AM – Opening Ceremonies
– 12PM – All Veterans Photo
– 12PM – Free Lunch Begins
– 1PM – Lincoln Highway Band
– 3PM – Ken Hammontree
– 3:30PM – Phil Dirt and the Dozers
– 6PM – Disco Inferno
– 9:30PM – Fireworks OR Drone Show (TBA)
– Huey Helicopter Rides ALL DAY! (Cost is $125 per person)
– Static Displays, Food Trucks, and Vendors ALL DAY
– Jeep Rides ALL DAY!
– Kids Activities ALL DAY!
Everyone is invited to this wonderful event to honor our Veterans! More activities are still being planned so keep checking back for updates. This event is completely FREE to attend!
Ample parking will be available and golf cart transportation from parking to the main gate will be provided for those that wish to use it!
July 29, 2024 – Ashland County authorities have confirmed the arrest of Deltino J. Crain in connection with the fatal hit-and-run incident that resulted in the death of 63-year-old Mark Ramsey of Mansfield. The tragic event occurred on April 19, 2022, along U.S. Route 42 in Milton Township.
Details of the Incident
According to the Ohio State Highway Patrol, the fatal crash occurred late on the night of April 19, 2022. At 11:06 p.m., the Patrol’s Wooster Dispatch Center received a report of what was initially believed to be a single-vehicle serious injury crash in the northbound lanes of U.S. 42 near Township Road 1688.
Troopers arriving on the scene discovered that Mark Ramsey had been standing next to his disabled pick-up truck when he was struck by a passing northbound vehicle. The vehicle did not stop and continued traveling northbound. Ramsey was transported to Mansfield Ohio Health, where he was pronounced dead.
In the days following the incident, authorities issued a press release seeking the public’s assistance in locating the suspect vehicle, described as a silver Dodge pick-up truck with likely damage to the front, right headlight assembly, and passenger side-view mirror.
The Indictment and Arrest
On 02/09/2024, a Subrosa Indictment was issued, charging Deltino J. Crain with two felony counts:
Count One: Aggravated Vehicular Homicide
In violation of Ohio Revised Code Section (specific section to be determined), Crain is accused of causing the death of Mark Ramsey recklessly while operating a 1992 Chevy 1500 pick-up truck. This charge is classified as a third-degree felony.
Count Two: Failure to Stop After an Accident
Crain is also charged with failing to stop and remain at the scene of the accident, as required by law. This charge, also a third-degree felony, is in violation of Ohio Revised Code Section (specific section to be determined). The indictment states that Crain had knowledge of the accident but did not stop to provide his name, address, or vehicle information to the injured party.
Court Proceedings
Crain was brought before the Ashland Court of Common Pleas, where bond was set at $100,000. The bond can be secured through a surety bond, real estate, securities, or a cash deposit, at the defendant’s option.
Several years ago I watched my dog, Simon Peter eat his breakfast. If he was really hungry he would finish off the bowl of food instantly.
Sometimes when his tummy was happy and not empty, he would check out what was left in the bowl and push it with his nose until it was hidden in a corner.
Pete knew just what he needed to be a healthy, growing dog. He didn’t grumble or plead for more. He was satisfied with enough.
God knows just what we need to keep us spiritually healthy and growing in Him. Do you ever grumble and plead for more instead of being satisfied with enough?
The children of Israel had to be satisfied with enough when God gave them their daily manna in the desert. Moses warned them not to hoard their manna for the next day. Those who did found their day-old manna smelly and filled with worms.
God wanted His people to trust Him for their daily bread on a daily basis—just like Pete trusted me. Do you ever ask God for enough or do you want more power or more money or more fame?
Like Pete, I’m blessed to have a Master who provides for my needs. If my eyes stray from God, my focus goes to wants. I don’t just want what is in my bowl, I want the whole twenty pound bag of dog food! Perhaps God knows that we don’t need more, we just need more of Him.
My wish for you is to have a wonderful life and to know when enough is enough.
The Mansfield Division of Police would like to ask the community for assistance in locating a runaway juvenile.
Savanna Pappendick ran away from a residence in Mansfield Ohio on February 26, 2024. Savanna is thought to possibly be in the area of Hollywood Maryland with friends, however, that information has not been confirmed.
Savanna does have contacts in the Brunswick and Parma Ohio areas as well. Savanna is listed as a runaway with The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (case number M827824090).
Savanna is now 17 years old, listed as 5’4’’ 110 bro/blue. Savanna does wear glasses on occasion. All efforts to locate Savanna by family, NCMIC, Children Services, and law enforcement have been unsuccessful.
If you or someone you know has information on the whereabouts of Savana Pappendick, please call Mansfield Division of Police Detective Ronee Swisher at (419) 755 – 9432 or National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at 1 – 800 – THE – LOST or Ashland County Children Service at (419)-282-5000
The Mansfield Division of Police is seeking information from the community to identify a suspect in an ongoing felony theft investigation.
On February 21st, 2024, the suspect entered several Park National Bank locations in Mansfield and the surrounding area. The suspect presented checks to the tellers requesting to cash them. The suspect received cash from each of the locations, however, it was later discovered that each of the checks presented were counterfeit.
Detectives are requesting the communities assistance in identifying this suspect in an effort to bring him to justice.
Anyone with information about this investigation or the suspect is asked to call Mansfield Police Major Crimes Detective Larry Schacherer at (419) 755-9766.
MILAN – The Milan Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol is currently investigating a pedestrian fatal crash. The crash occurred July 28, at 9:37 p.m., on the Ohio Turnpike, east of the State Route 51 interchange in Washington Township, Sandusky County.
The preliminary investigation revealed a Chrysler Pacifica, operated by Srivatsa Bhamidipati, 22, Monroeville, PA., was traveling east on the turnpike near mile post 82.2, when it struck Dencer Morales-Garcia, 31, Frontera Comalapa Mexico, a pedestrian in the roadway.
Morales-Garcia succumbed to fatal injuries at the scene.
Bhamidipati and passenger were not injured as a result of the crash.
During the investigation, the eastbound lanes of the turnpike were closed for approximately an hour and a half.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol was assisted at the scene by Sandusky County EMS, Woodville Township EMS, Harris/Elmore Township Fire Department, Sandusky County Coroner’s Office and the Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission.
The crash remains under investigation at this time.
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Joe Lyons •
July 31, 2024
July 29, 2024 – Ashland County authorities have confirmed the arrest of Deltino J. Crain in connection with the fatal hit-and-run incident that resulted in the death of 63-year-old 
DIANNE’S DOGHOUSE “ENOUGH”
The Mansfield Division of Police would like to ask the community for assistance in locating a runaway juvenile.
