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.
Ashland Downtown Dream Cruise and Car Show Raises Record-Breaking $26,000 for Local “Shop with a Cop” Program
Ashland, OH — In a heartwarming show of community spirit, Ashland Main Street’s Executive Director Sandra Tunnell presented a $26,000 check to Ashland Police Division Detective Kara Pearce for the “Shop with a Cop” program. This year’s donation brings the total raised by the Ashland Downtown Dream Cruise and Car Show to a staggering $223,000 since its inception.
The annual Dream Cruise and Car Show has become a major community event, drawing car enthusiasts from around the region while raising funds for the local Shop with a Cop initiative. The program helps spread holiday cheer by allowing local children to shop for gifts alongside officers from multiple law enforcement agencies, ensuring a memorable holiday season for everyone involved.
Over the years, the event’s contributions have steadily grown:
2011: $4,000
2012: $8,000
2013: $9,000
2014: $10,000
2015: $10,500
2016: $12,500
2017: $14,000
2018: $15,000
2019: $20,000
2020: $22,000
2021: $23,000
2022: $24,000
2023: $25,000
2024: $26,000
Each year, the event has broken its own fundraising records, helping make an ever-larger impact on the lives of Ashland’s children.
As part of the fundraising efforts, the community is invited to a silent auction on November 17, 2024, from 1 PM to 4 PM at O’Bryan’s Pub, located at 1065 Claremont Avenue. Guests can participate in friendly bidding wars on items donated by local businesses and community members, with all proceeds supporting Shop with a Cop. For added enjoyment, attendees can watch the Cleveland Browns game on a big screen while bidding for a great cause.
The holiday season’s main event will take place in December 2024 at the Ashland Walmart, where officers from the Ashland Division of Police, Ashland Sheriff’s Office, Ohio Highway Patrol, Mifflin Police, Loudonville Police, and Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District Rangers will join Ashland County First Responders. Together, they’ll help local children select gifts for family members and themselves, fostering a strong bond between law enforcement and the Ashland community.
Detective Kara Pearce expressed gratitude to the community for their ongoing support, saying, “This program brings so much joy to our local children, and it wouldn’t be possible without the incredible generosity of Ashland’s residents and businesses.”
Ashland, OH — In a display of unity and gratitude, the AU College Republicans, AU College Democrats, and Kappa Sigma fraternity came together on Monday night to honor local veterans at a special Veterans Day service. The event, held in Miller Chapel, featured speeches from campus leaders, including AU President Jon Parrish Peede, and representatives from each student organization.
The ceremony aimed to recognize the sacrifices made by veterans in the community, drawing a diverse audience of students, faculty, and area residents. The Ashbrook Choir provided a moving musical performance, adding to the evening’s reverent atmosphere. This collaboration across campus groups highlighted the shared respect for those who have served, fostering a spirit of remembrance and gratitude within the AU community.
(Ashland) – Ohio State Highway Patrol Trooper Richard Kluever has been selected as the 2024 Trooper of the Year at the Ashland Post.
The selection of Trooper Richard Kluever, age 36, is in recognition of outstanding service during the 2024 calendar year at the Ashland Post. Fellow officers stationed at the Ashland Post, elected Trooper Kluever based on his leadership abilities, professional ethics, courteous treatment of others, enthusiastic work attitude, and cooperation with supervisors, peers, and the public.
Trooper Kluever joined the Highway Patrol in 2012 and was a member of the 152nd Academy Class and earned his commission in 2012. Trooper Kluever began his career at the Bucyrus Post before transferring to the Ashland Post in 2015.
Trooper Kluever is originally from Lagrange, and was a graduate of Keystone High School in 2007. Trooper Kluever earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice at Youngstown State University, prior to joining the Ohio State Highway Patrol. Trooper Kluever was selected as the Ashland Post Trooper of the Year in 2015 and 2021. He has also received awards for safe driving and physical fitness. Trooper Kluever has earned Criminal Patrol Awards in 2021, 2022, and 2023 which is given annually to troopers who excel in felony enforcement. Trooper Kluever earned the state CPM award in 2023 for the most misdemeanor drug arrests of any trooper in the state. He continues to maintain high standards on a daily basis.
Trooper Kluever and his wife, Kristin, live in Spencer with their children: 3 year old Carson and 1 year old Canyon.
The Ashland Post is proud to present Trooper Richard Kluever as their Post Trooper of the year and he is now in contention for the District and State Trooper of the Year Award.
Patrol Investigates Fatal Crash Involving Commercial Vehicle and Pick-Up Truck
Sugar Creek Township – On Tuesday, November 12, 2024, at approximately 2:38 PM, the Wooster Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol was advised of a two-vehicle injury crash involving a pick-up truck and a commercial semi-truck on US-30 at the intersection with Kohler Road in Wayne County.
A 2024 International semi-truck, operated by 34-year-old Issai Capetillo of Pleasantville, New Jersey, was traveling east on US-30. Mr. Capetillo had stopped to make a left turn onto Kohler Road when he was struck in the rear by a 1999 Toyota Tacoma pickup operated by 45-year-old Robert Burr of Massillon, Ohio.
Mr. Burr was extricated by mechanical means and taken by Life-Flight to Akron General Hospital with serious injuries. Adam Sartin, age 41, of Orrville, Ohio, was the right front passenger in the pickup truck and sustained fatal injuries as a result of the crash. Mr. Capetillo was uninjured in the crash.
US 30 was closed for approximately 2 hours while the crash scene was being investigated. Neither the driver nor passenger of the Toyota pick-up were wearing safety belts. The Ohio State Highway Patrol was assisted on-scene by the Dalton Police Department, Kidron Fire Department, Wayne County Coroner’s Office, the Ohio Department of Transportation, and Rigz Towing.
The crash remains under investigation at this time.
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Joe Lyons •
November 18, 2024
