Ashland, OH — September 11, 2024 — As Ashland prepares for a bustling weekend, with the county fair set to kick off this Sunday, Mayor Matt Miller provided an insightful update on the city’s current projects and answered several pressing questions from residents in an exclusive interview.
Fair Kickoff and Community Engagement
The county fair, a cornerstone event for Ashland, is right around the corner, and Mayor Matt Miller is enthusiastic about the activities planned. “When the fair kicks off on Sunday at noon, Melanie and I will be there for the grand opening,” Miller said. He emphasized that the fair provides a platform for recognizing community efforts, including the announcement of the Volunteer of the Year.
Following the opening ceremony, Miller will participate in emceeing the Junior Fair King and Queen contest, a role he particularly enjoys. “On Tuesday, Senior Citizens Day, Melanie and I will also be involved in the Senior King and Queen contest,” he added. Miller encouraged residents to look out for him and Melanie throughout the fair, stating, “We’ll be walking around even on other days next week.”
Development and Infrastructure Updates
As part of ongoing development, Miller addressed three major concerns from residents:
Pump House Development: The progress at the Pump House site has seen some significant advancements. “We are currently installing new electric service to both the existing office building and the area designated for new apartments,” Miller explained. He noted that Ohio Edison is set to bury the power lines before construction begins. Although progress is slower than desired, Miller assured that the project is moving forward as planned.
Charles River Expansion: On the topic of the Charles River expansion, Miller revealed that discussions have been on hold for approximately six months. “The project is currently on hold indefinitely,” he said. Despite this, Miller expressed optimism about the company’s continued presence in Ashland, stating, “Charles River remains our largest employer, and we are committed to supporting their growth here.”
East Main St. Bridge Replacement: The bridge and culvert project near Dairy Queen on East Main St. is progressing. “We’re aiming to go to bid at the next City Council meeting, with work potentially starting this winter,” Miller said. This project follows a sinkhole incident and will address critical infrastructure needs.
New Initiatives and Community Projects
Miller also touched on several new initiatives and ongoing projects:
Peggy’s Pumpkin People: In an effort to enhance downtown decorations during the fall, the city will unveil “Peggy’s Pumpkin People” this Saturday. “We’re excited about this new idea to brighten up downtown between our summer flowers and Christmas decorations,” Miller said. The initiative was inspired by a concept the Yoders encountered during their travels and promises to add a unique touch to Ashland’s fall aesthetic.
2024 Paving Program: The summer paving program is progressing with significant projects, including resurfacing Sandusky St. and sections of US 42. Miller anticipated that work on an additional 12 streets around the city will begin in late September. “We’re lining up the milling equipment, and construction should start soon,” he noted.
Veterinary Office Relocation: The new veterinary office across from the fairgrounds is rapidly taking shape. Dr. Kristine LaFever’s Claremont Veterinary Clinic is relocating to the former Buff’s Nursery site. “We’re looking forward to the grand opening of this new facility,” Miller said, though he noted that future plans for the old clinic location remain unclear.
Frontier Building Acquisition: The city recently purchased the long-vacant Frontier building for $25,000. Miller detailed that the building, which has been empty for over two decades, is in poor condition but holds potential. “We’re thrilled that Dr. Matthew Bernhardt and his son Zachary are interested in revitalizing the building,” he said. Their plan to establish a sports and athletic business will help fill the last vacant spot in downtown Ashland.
Cahn Grove Park Enhancements: Finally, Miller announced an upcoming dedication at Cahn Grove Park. “On Thursday, September 12, at 11:00 AM, we’ll dedicate the ball field in honor of a notable Ashlander,” he said. The park has seen extensive improvements, including new playground equipment, pickleball courts, and renovated pavilions.
Conclusion
As Ashland looks forward to a lively fair and continued development, Mayor Matt Miller’s updates highlight a period of both progress and anticipation. From community events to infrastructure projects, the city is poised for a dynamic fall season.
I would like to give a huge shout-out to Bill Harris Dealerships for sponsoring the monthly updates with Ashland Mayor, Matt Miller. this will help to ensure that Ashland County Pictures (ACP) will be able to continue serving the Ashland area with breaking news and up to date information.
The North Trimble Road Bridge over USR30 will be fully closed for 7 days beginning on September 11, 2024. Access to both on and off ramps will be maintained during the closure.
Traffic is advised to follow the attached detour during the closure.
BINGO, Open Pickle Ball, Middle School Night, Roller-Skating, and Photography are all on the menu!
ASHLAND, Ohio – Whether you are looking for a place that offers spiritual enrichment and encouragement, a clean, family-friendly place to get physically fit, where your kids can grow their soccer, and swimming skills; or you just need a local spot to have fun this fall, The Salvation Army Ray & Joan Kroc Center of Ashland has all of that and MORE!
“In keeping with the mission of The Salvation Army, and the wishes of benefactor Joan Kroc for the Kroc Center facilities to focus on recreation, education and the arts, The Salvation Army Ray & Joan Kroc Corps Community Center in Ashland provides opportunities that bridge the gap between potential and opportunity for children and adults,” explains says Dan Lawson, PhD, Director of Community Relations and Development. “Our programs and services are focused on a holistic approach to caring for individuals, strengthening families, and enriching the lives of seniors.”
To deliver on that commitment, The Ashland Kroc Center programming and recreation teams collaborate with local instructors and coaches to provide a variety of classes and events. A small sampling of some of the new and upcoming classes is outlined below. All activities are open to both members and nonmembers alike; however, individuals and families with a Kroc Center membership do receive a discount, and all the drop-in fitness classes are included with the membership fees.
For adults:
BINGO: Calling all BINGO enthusiasts! Join The Ashland Kroc Center for a jackpot of a good time, fun prizes, and fellowship each Friday, Sept. 13 – Nov. 22, from 10 to 11 a.m. Free for members and non-members alike.
Open Pickle Ball Night: When it’s too cold to play outside, the Kroc has you covered! Come join us and play on Mondays at 6 p.m., Sept. 30 – Dec. 2. Free for members, just $5 per person for non-members.
Fundamentals of Photography: Join instructor Paul Keske on Wednesdays, Sept. 18 – Nov. 6 from 5:30 – 7 p.m. Students should bring their DSLR or mirrorless camera, camera manual and a flash drive to each session. Member cost is $28, and non-member fee is $40.
Drop-in Fitness Classes: Our fall sessions include Aqua Aerobics, Praise Craze, X-Treme Hip Hop Step Aerobics, Zumba, multiple variations of Spinning and Yoga, and more! All drop-in classes are FREE to members of the Kroc Center and are just $7 per person for non-members.
For families:
Family Fun Night: Bring the whole family to the Kroc Center and enjoy a night out together! We will offer a variety of activities each month which may include laser tag, bounce houses, roller-skating, giant Jenga, and seasonal crafts.
o Offered the first Friday of the month, Oct. 4, Nov. 1 & Dec. 6, 5 to 7 p.m.
o Free for members of the Kroc Center, and non-members are just $5 per person.
Family Roller-Skating Night: Bring your family and practice your skating moves in our gym! Feel free to bring your skates or borrow ours and enjoy this fun family activity.
o Offered the third Friday of the month, Sept. 20, Oct. 18 & Nov. 15, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
o Free for members of the Kroc Center, and non-members are just $5 per person (including skate rental!).
For kids:
Youth Self Defense with Ted Weaver: Thursdays, Sept. 12 – Nov. 21 (No class Oct. 31). Join one of our longest-standing instructors, Ted Weaver! Students will learn various ways to protect themselves in real life situations. There will be opportunities to break boards and much more!
o Ages 7-9: 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. | Member Price: $40 | Non-Member Price: $52
o Ages 10 – 13: 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. | Member Price: $45 | Non-Member Price: $70
Middle School Night: Just for middle school-age students (grades 5-8), this kids-only drop-off event will include board games, laser tag, dodge ball, roller skating, video games, and more!
o Offered the second Friday of the month, Sept. 13, Oct. 11 & Nov. 8, 5 to 7 p.m.
o Free for members of the Kroc Center, and non-members are just $5 per middle-schooler.
Bounce-N-Play: Fridays, Sept. 6 – Nov. 22 | 9:30 to 11 a.m. | Age: 2 to 5 Non-Member Cost: $5 per child (adults are free); Member Cost: Free. Get out of the house and enjoy some time playing in our Field House! We will have a Bounce House set up and will also incorporate other child-appropriate activities.
To see the full offering of classes and activities at the Ashland Kroc Center now through August, please go to the Program section of the Ashland Kroc Center’s website and download a digital version, or stop by one of the Welcome Desks during regular business hours and pick up a hardcopy.
Online registration and membership information is available at: https://krocsales.usaeast.org/#/ashland.
If you have questions or want to register for a class over the phone, please call the Ashland Kroc Center at (419) 281-8001.
To stay up-to-date on the latest classes and events, please follow Ashland Kroc Center on Facebook or @AshlandKroc on Instagram.
Ashland- In a heartfelt gesture of gratitude, the Ashland Mental Health Recovery Board (AMHRB) presented surprise gifts to the dispatchers at the Ashland County Sheriff’s Office today. The presentation aimed to acknowledge the crucial role that dispatchers play in managing emergency calls and supporting mental health and substance use crisis responses.
David C. Ross, Executive Director of the AMHRB, delivered the gifts and spoke to the dispatchers, emphasizing the importance of their work. “We are here today to surprise some of the dispatchers with an appreciation gift,” Ross said. “Each year, our association, along with Ohio’s behavioral health authorities, provides grant funding to recognize first responder organizations within the county that excel in their work, especially in areas related to mental health and substance use.”
Ross elaborated on the unique challenges faced by dispatchers, noting their critical role in managing high-stress calls with composure and making rapid, effective decisions. “The calls you handle can be extremely emotional and urgent,” Ross continued. “You remain calm under pressure and make split-second decisions that are vital in determining the appropriate response and ensuring the right resources are deployed.”
The AMHRB’s gesture was aimed at recognizing the dispatchers’ dedication, particularly given their crucial role in mental health crisis situations. “We wanted to offer a token of our appreciation for the hard work and professionalism you exhibit every day,” Ross added. “Your role is essential in setting the stage for successful outcomes in these challenging situations.”
Sheriff E. Wayne Risner of the Ashland County Sheriff’s Office expressed his gratitude on behalf of his team. “The mental health board means a lot to us,” Risner said. “We have a group of some of the finest dispatchers anywhere in Ohio. They handle a significant volume of calls, many of which involve mental health concerns. Their professionalism and dedication, especially during tragic incidents, make a substantial difference.”
Risner praised the dispatchers for their ability to handle a diverse range of calls, stressing the importance of their role in supporting both emergency response teams and the community at large. “Every call they answer is different, and their ability to manage these calls with expertise and care is something we take great pride in,” he added.
The surprise gifts, which were personalized for each dispatcher, were well-received by the team, reflecting a shared sense of appreciation and respect for their essential contributions to public safety and community well-being.
The City of Ashland will be treating for mosquitos throughout the entire City. Insecticide will be applied throughout each of the Wards and will also include the areas of Brookside Park, Brookside West Park, Cahn Grove Park, Community Soccer Stadium, Spring Run Park on 16th Street, Emmons Field, Miller Field, Evergreen Park, and Davis Road Parks utilizing the services of an area contractor.
The mosquito control application uses a combination of fogging and spraying, depending on the size of the area. The larger parks will utilize fogging around the perimeter of the parks, the ballfields, and the tree lines with minimum impact to the fields and grass areas. The city streets and smaller parks will be sprayed or fogged. To find out more about the insecticide used, please see this Material Safety Data Sheet for the insecticide.
Schedule
Second Round of 2024:
Ward 1 & 2: September 11, 2024
Ward 3 & 4: September 12, 2024
The application of the insecticide will begin at approximately 7:00p.m. In order to limit the risk of human exposure, the time of application follows the conclusion of all scheduled park activities including ball games, concerts, and pavilion use. Please remember that Ashland City Parks close at 10:00p.m.
Locations
All Wards in the City of Ashland
Brookside Park
Brookside West Park
Cahn Grove Park
Davis Road Park
Kinnaman Park
Spring Run Park (16th Street)
Emmons Field
Miller Field
Evergreen Park
Community Soccer Complex
Bicentennial Park
Strategy
Adultacide (Fogging) — Targets the adult mosquitoes.
Mosquito Traps — Set around the City and County of Ashland, the traps allow the Ashland County Health Department to monitor the types of mosquitoes in our area and the diseases which they are currently carrying.
Dunks — Dunks are placed in the standing bodies of water where they slowly release a bacterium which is eaten by the mosquito larvae. The dunks last about 30 days in the water but have long-term effects as they kill mosquitoes in their developmental stages. Dunks are available for free at the Ashland County Health Department.
Barbera Rissler died as a result of the injuries sustained in the crash.
Ripley Township – The Norwalk Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating a truck versus horse drawn buggy serious injury crash that occurred on September 10, 2024 at 07:11 p.m. on Baseline Road near New State Road in Ripley Township, Huron County.
The preliminary investigation showed a 2015 Chevy 2500, operated by Dustin L. Thompson, age 43, traveling west on Baseline Road. A horse drawn buggy, operated by Barbara Rissler, age 16, was traveling west on Baseline Road in front of Mr. Thompson.
Mr. Thompson failed to keep an assured clear distance ahead and struck the rear of the buggy. After the collision, the buggy traveled off the right side of the roadway. The Chevy continued westbound before coming to rest on the roadway.
Mr. Thompson was not wearing his seat-belt and was not injured as a result of the crash.
Ms. Rissler was ejected from the buggy and sustained serious injuries. She was flown by Med-flight to Ohio-Health Grant Medical Center, Columbus.
Dorcas Rissler, age 21, was a passenger in the buggy. She was ejected and sustained serious injuries from the crash. She was transported by Shiloh EMS to Ohio-Health, Mansfield.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol was assisted at the scene by Shiloh Fire and EMS, Med-Flight, and Clark Brother’s Towing.
Mansfield’s Mayor Jodie A. Perry has announced city-wide Trick-or-Treat has been scheduled for Thursday, October 31, 2024, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. for those residents who wish to participate.
Residents wishing to participate in Trick-or-Treat are asked to turn on their porch light between the hours of 5:30 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.
We also want to remind everyone there will be small children walking around during this time and to take extra precautions when driving.
Some additional recommendations are listed below:
· First and foremost, you do not have to participate if you do not want to or if you do not feel safe.
· Do not participate if you or your child feels sick, has symptoms of COVID-19 or is at high risk of complications due to underlying medical conditions or with a compromised immune system.
· Avoid rubber or plastic costume masks.
· Go only during times designated by local authorities.
· Trick-or-Treat in small groups.
· Stay in your own neighborhood.
· Take only wrapped candy or treats and examine all treats before eating.
Trick-or-Treat is an opportunity for our neighborhoods and the community to come together to provide a fun, safe environment for children and families to celebrate with one another. The City of Mansfield wishes all a safe and fun Halloween.
JEFFERSON CITY, MO — The number of marijuana-related poison control calls involving children aged five and under in Missouri has skyrocketed by 2,300% over the past six years, according to the Missouri Department of Health & Senior Services.
Data reveals a dramatic increase in such incidents from just 7 calls in 2018 to 168 calls in 2023. The numbers have surged year-by-year as follows:
2018: 7 calls
2019: 26 calls
2020: 57 calls
2021: 102 calls
2022: 125 calls
2023: 168 calls
Experts attribute this alarming trend to the proliferation of child-friendly marijuana products and packaging. The marijuana industry has increasingly introduced edibles that closely resemble popular candies and snacks. These products, which often come in bright colors and feature cartoon-themed packaging, are particularly appealing to young children. As a result, toddlers may mistakenly consume these items, not realizing they contain high doses of THC, the psychoactive component of cannabis.
The issue has been exacerbated by Missouri’s evolving marijuana laws. In 2018, before the state legalized medical marijuana, there were only 7 such poison control calls. Following the legalization of medical marijuana in November 2018 and its sale beginning in October 2020, the number of calls began to rise. The situation worsened after the state fully legalized marijuana in November 2022, with recreational sales starting in February 2023.
The increase in these incidents highlights growing concerns about the safety of marijuana products, particularly those marketed with child-friendly features. Advocacy groups are calling for stricter regulations, including bans on edibles designed to appeal to children and requirements for child-proof packaging on THC-containing products.
As more states adopt similar legalization measures, experts warn that without appropriate safeguards, such trends may continue.
City of Sandusky – The Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating a two-vehicle fatal crash, that occurred on September 8, 2024 at approximately 8:15 P.M. on Cleveland Road at the intersection of Cowdery Street in the City of Sandusky Erie County.
Andrew D. Johnson age 77, of Sandusky, Ohio was operating a 2003 Jeep Wrangler traveling westbound on Cleveland Road. Charles L. Grissom, age 60, was operating a 1998 Honda VT750 traveling eastbound on Cleveland Road. Mr. Johnson failed to yield while making a left turn when he struck Mr. Grissom.
Mr. Johnson was wearing his seat belt and did not suffer any injuries due to the crash. Mr. Grissom was transported to the Firelands Regional Hospital in Sandusky for his injuries. He was later pronounced deceased at the hospital. Mr. Grissom was not wearing a helmet while riding his motorcycle.
Alcohol and/or drug use are believed to be a factor at this time. The crash remains under investigation.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol was assisted on scene by Sandusky Police Department, Sandusky Fire Department, and Sandusky Towing.
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Joe Lyons •
September 11, 2024
