(COLUMBUS) — Ohio Governor Mike DeWine announced today that the state has asked the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to conduct a damage assessment on impacted homeowners, renters and businesses for the 11 Ohio counties impacted by the tornadic severe storms on March 14, 2024. Governor DeWine declared a state of emergency for Logan, Auglaize, Mercer, Darke, Miami, Union, Delaware, Licking, Hancock, Crawford and Richland counties on March 17, 2024.
Six FEMA damage assessment teams will be inspecting and assessing the damage in all 11 Ohio counties on Tuesday March 26. The purpose for the Individual Assistance (IA) Preliminary Damage Assessments (PDAs) is to identify the type, and extent of disaster damages to homes and businesses and assess whether or not federal resources are needed to supplement local and state resources.
“Ohioans are resilient. When I toured the damage at Indian Lake, I heard over and over again from the residents I talked to about their resolve to rebuild. Having FEMA assess the damage is the next step in helping the affected communities recover,” said Governor Mike DeWine.
On the evening of Thursday, March 14th, a round of severe weather pushed through the state resulting in extensive damage across several counties. The storms ranged from EF-1 to EF-3 with wind speeds in excess of 150 mph in the largest tornadoes. Recovery efforts are ongoing, with state and local initiatives focusing on assisting storm survivors, debris removal, and long-term recovery.
Ashland County Sheriff’s Office, Hayesville Fire Department & EMS, and Ashland EMS responded to a two vehicle crash at the intersection of State Route 511 and County Road 1754 this morning around 8:12am.
Although it was reported that it was a head-on crash, Law Enforcement discovered that it was in fact a side collision.
Toby Ehrmantraut, 59, of Ashland driving a 2012 White Ford Pick-up truck traveling Eastbound on County Road 1754 and failed to stop at the stop sign intersection with State Route 511, and was struck in the drivers side by a 2008 Grey Hyundai traveling Southbound on State Route 511 driven by Lynn Glass, 41, of Ashland.
Lynn Glass was transported by Ashland EMS to Ohio-Health Mansfield Hospital and Emergency Department with unknown injuries.
The driver of the Pick-up truck, Toby Ehrmantraut, was not transported receiving minor injuries.
The crash remains under investigation by the Ashland County Sheriff’s Office
Ok, here is a tough one ladies and gentlemen. Let’s see how long it takes for someone out there to recognize this guy, maybe by his walk or the way he moves.
Video from the brazen burglaries in Hayesville, Ohio, in the early morning hours on Monday have just been released by the Detective Bureau, at the Ashland County Sheriff’s Office.
So, please take a good look at this video, and get this guy behind bars as soon as possible.
Ashland County Sheriff’s Office Detectives are hoping someone will see something in this video that will help get his identity. Anyone with information regarding the burglaries, please contact the Ashland County Sheriff’s Office, at (419) 289-3911. All tips are confidential.
Clinton Township – The Norwalk Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating a train versus passenger car crash that occurred Thursday, March 21, 2024 at 2:29 PM on Township Road 15 south of State Route 18 in Clinton Township, Seneca County.
Richard L. Rochester, age 90, of Tiffin, was driving a tan 2000 Honda Odyssey minivan southbound on Township Road 15. Railroad tracks intersected the roadway and an eastbound CSX train was actively crossing. Mr. Rochester drove around the railroad crossing gate and struck the side of a train car.
Mr. Rochester was wearing his safety belt and sustained fatal injuries as a result of the crash. He was trapped inside the vehicle and was extricated by mechanical means.
The crash remains under investigation.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol was assisted by the Seneca County Sheriff’s Office, Clinton Township Fire Department, Tiffin Fire Department, Seneca County Coroner’s Office, and D&D Towing.
In a heartwarming display of compassion and community spirit, students and staff at Crestview Elementary School have brought joy to our fur babies at the Ashland County Dog Shelter. Their efforts, part of the school’s “Kindness Month” initiative dubbed “Show Us Your Heart,” culminated in a generous donation drive throughout February.
Led by Molly Henderson and School Counselor Beth Cole, Crestview Elementary embarked on a mission to support their local shelters. Students eagerly participated, with each donation earning them a spot as the “I” in the word “KIND” displayed proudly in the school hallway.
The call for donations was met with overwhelming enthusiasm, as the community rallied behind the cause. The list of requested items, including essentials like Purina Dog Chow, soft treats, peanut butter, and cleaning supplies, struck a chord with many. Some students even went the extra mile by crafting homemade dog treats, showcasing their dedication to the cause.
The generosity didn’t stop there. Dana Emmons of Val’s Beauty Parlor in Medina caught wind of the initiative and wholeheartedly joined in, significantly boosting the donation pool through Facebook and her workplace.
The culmination of the donation drive was marked by a special visit to the Ashland County Dog Shelter, where the children were greeted by Dog Warden Joe Eggerton. The tour of the shelter proved to be a highlight for the students, who were visibly thrilled by the opportunity to interact with the shelter’s furry residents.
As the visit came to a close, expressions of gratitude echoed throughout the shelter. The Crestview Elementary School community’s kindness and generosity had made a tangible difference in the lives of the shelter animals and the staff caring for them.
In the spirit of giving and compassion, Crestview Elementary School has not only demonstrated the power of community but also instilled invaluable lessons of empathy and kindness in its students. Their efforts serve as a shining example of how small acts of kindness can make a big difference in the world, one paw at a time.
The Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force is offering a reward for information which would lead to the capture of fugitive Mark Urbine. Urbine is wanted by the U.S. Marshals Service and the Adult Parole Authority on a parole violation on the original charge of robbery and domestic violence. Urbine 32, is described as a white male with brown hair and blue eyes, standing 5 feet 5 inches tall. Urbine has ties to the cities of Mansfield, Toledo, Willard, and Monroeville OH.
Mark Urbine
The Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force is offering a reward for information which would lead to the capture of fugitive Dion Walker. Walker is wanted by the U.S. Marshals Service on a supervised release violation on the original charge of distribution of cocaine. Walker, 57, is described as a black male with black hair and brown eyes, standing 5 feet 7 inches tall. Walker has ties to the city of Mansfield.
Dion Walker
The Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force is offering a reward for information which would lead to the capture of Zachary Simmons. Simmons is wanted by the U.S. Marshals Service and the Richland County Sheriff’s Office on a probation violation for felonious assault. Simmons, 31, is described as a white male with brown hair and brown eyes, standing 6 feet 5 inches tall. Simmons has ties to the city of Mansfield.
Zachary Simmons
The Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force is offering a reward for information which would lead to the capture of fugitive Antoine Bentley. Bentley is wanted U.S. Marshals Service on a supervised release violation on the original charge for conspiracy to distribute and possess a controlled substance. Bentley, 40, is described as a black male with black hair and brown eyes, standing 5 feet, 9 inches tall. Bentley has ties to the city of Mansfield.
Antoine Bentley
If you have any information in reference to Mark Urbine, Dion Walker, Zachary Simmons, or Antoine Bentley, please contact the Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force at 1-866-4WANTED or Text keyword WANTED and tip to 847411 (tip411). Tipsters can remain anonymous and reward money is available.
My first meeting with Sheriff candidates Kurt Schneider and Chad Enderby was at the Ashland County Fair in September of 2023 where both had booths in their bid to be our next sheriff.
In talking to both candidates in those early days, it was clear Kurt Schneider had the vision of why he wanted to become our next Sheriff and what his priorities would be.
I subsequently heard candidate Enderby speak at the Black River school one evening and listened to him describe what he portrayed to be experience in the Sheriff’s office which I understood not to be an accurate portrayal of his real experience (or lack there of).
Rather than listen to second hand information, I picked up the phone and personally spoke to Sheriff Wayne Risner to verify what was being said by the candidate.
Sheriff Risner confirmed what we all now clearly know, Chad Enderby never worked a minute serving in the Ashland Sheriff’s department.
Enderby’s portrayal that he “had experience in the Sheriff’s department” disturbed me—it still does.
There is enough deception and half-truths we have to live with in Washington. I personally don’t want to worry about that locally with our top local law enforcement official.
I don’t want to have to dissect every word and listen for the “half-truth” part of what is being said. That is just a deal breaker for me in a job this important.
Contrast that with Kurt Schneider who has not only years of experience serving on Ashland County patrol but also working in the jail and with the canine unit and other special teams. Kurt has years of actual, real work experience in the Ashland Sheriff’s department.
Kurt has the full endorsement of the current Ashland County Sheriff Wayne Risner, Retired Ashland Sheriff Larry Overholt, and multiple Sheriffs outside of Ashland County he has worked with—they have seen his dedication, good judgment and hard work partnering with their departments and endorse him to be Ashland County’s next Sheriff.
I don’t know how it can be any clearer when multiple people who DO THE JOB tell us Kurt is the most qualified.
They do this job day in and day out. They know what it takes. They know Kurt. It’s just that clear.
Vote Tuesday March 19th to make Kurt Schneider our next Ashland Sheriff!
Cass Birchbauer
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Joe Lyons •
March 21, 2024
Clinton Township – The Norwalk Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating a train versus passenger car crash that occurred Thursday, March 21, 2024 at 2:29 PM on Township Road 15 south of State Route 18 in Clinton Township, Seneca County.
In a heartwarming display of compassion and community spirit, students and staff at Crestview Elementary School have brought joy to our fur babies at the Ashland County Dog Shelter. Their efforts, part of the school’s “Kindness Month” initiative dubbed “Show Us Your Heart,” culminated in a generous donation drive throughout February.
The Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force is offering a reward for information which would lead to the capture of fugitive Mark Urbine. Urbine is wanted by the U.S. Marshals Service and the Adult Parole Authority on a parole violation on the original charge of robbery and domestic violence. Urbine 32, is described as a white male with brown hair and blue eyes, standing 5 feet 5 inches tall. Urbine has ties to the cities of Mansfield, Toledo, Willard, and Monroeville OH.
The Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force is offering a reward for information which would lead to the capture of fugitive Dion Walker. Walker is wanted by the U.S. Marshals Service on a supervised release violation on the original charge of distribution of cocaine. Walker, 57, is described as a black male with black hair and brown eyes, standing 5 feet 7 inches tall. Walker has ties to the city of Mansfield.
The Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force is offering a reward for information which would lead to the capture of Zachary Simmons. Simmons is wanted by the U.S. Marshals Service and the Richland County Sheriff’s Office on a probation violation for felonious assault. Simmons, 31, is described as a white male with brown hair and brown eyes, standing 6 feet 5 inches tall. Simmons has ties to the city of Mansfield.
The Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force is offering a reward for information which would lead to the capture of fugitive Antoine Bentley. Bentley is wanted U.S. Marshals Service on a supervised release violation on the original charge for conspiracy to distribute and possess a controlled substance. Bentley, 40, is described as a black male with black hair and brown eyes, standing 5 feet, 9 inches tall. Bentley has ties to the city of Mansfield.
My first meeting with Sheriff candidates Kurt Schneider and Chad Enderby was at the Ashland County Fair in September of 2023 where both had booths in their bid to be our next sheriff.