Scipio Township – The Norwalk Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating a commercial vehicle versus passenger car crash that occurred Wednesday February 14, 2024 at 06:00 PM on State Route 18 at the intersection of County Road 43 in Scipio Township, Seneca County.
Surrendra Rambarran, age 55, of Kissimmee Florida, was driving a red 2006 Freightliner semi southbound on CR 43. Brooklyn M. Bailes, age 21, of Tiffin Ohio, was driving a silver 2011 Chevy car eastbound on SR 18. Rhonda L. Bailes, age 45, of Bloomville Ohio, was a front seat passenger. Savanna N. Crisp, age 21, of Findlay Ohio, was a backseat passenger.
Mr. Rambarran’s Freightliner semi failed to stop at the intersection and the rear of its trailer was struck by Ms. Bailes Chevy car. Ms. Bailes Chevy car traveled off the right side of the roadway in the southwest corner of the intersection. Mr. Surrendra’s Freightliner semi came to a controlled stop on CR 43 south of SR 18.
Mr. Surrendra was wearing his safety belt and was not injured as a result of the crash.
Ms. Brooklyn Bailes sustained serious injuries and was flown by Mercy LifeFlight to St. Vincent Medical Center. She was trapped inside the vehicle and was extricated by mechanical means. It is unknown at this time if Ms. Bailes was wearing a safety belt.
Ms. Rhonda Bailes sustained serious injuries and was flown by Mercy LifeFlight to St. Vincent Medical Center. She was trapped inside the vehicle and was extricated by mechanical means. It is unknown at this time if Ms. Bailes was wearing a safety belt.
Ms. Crisp sustained minor injuries and was transported to Tiffin Mercy by Seneca County EMS. It is unknown at this time if Ms. Crisp was wearing a safety belt.
Alcohol and drugs are not suspected factors in the crash. The crash remains under investigation.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol was assisted by the Seneca County Sheriff’s Office, Scipio-Republic Fire Department, Seneca County EMS, Mercy LifeFlight, Keller Brother’s Towing, and Rush Repairs and Recovery.
In a Sub-rosa Indictment, 33-year-old Jordan Bicker of Ashland was charged with 11 counts of illegal use of a minor in nudity-oriented material or performance, classified as 5th-degree felonies, and 5 counts of pandering sexually oriented matter involving a minor, categorized as 4th-degree felonies.
During his bond hearing on February 13, 2024, presided over by Magistrate Paul Lange and attended by Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Michael Callow from the Ashland County Prosecutor’s Office, a bond of $15,000.00 was set. Options for bond included a surety bond, real estate or securities as collateral, or a cash deposit. The arraignment was scheduled for Thursday, February 15, 2024, at 9:00 a.m., to be conducted via Zoom Meeting video.
Jordan Bicker
Jordan Bicker is being represented by Attorney Daniel Sabol.
According to court documents, Lieutenant Detective Jason Martin of the Ashland County Sheriff’s Office questioned Jordan Bicker about his phone usage, during which Bicker admitted to viewing pornography but denied knowingly accessing child pornography. However, a text message found on his phone indicated otherwise. Upon further investigation, several hundred images of child pornography were discovered on Bicker’s phone, depicting young juvenile females engaged in sexual activities.
In the case of STATE OF OHIO vs. JORDAN BICKER (Case number 24-CRI-069), the charges are detailed as follows:
Eleven counts, 5th Degree Felony of ILLEGAL USE OF MINOR OR IMPAIRED PERSON IN NUDITY-ORIENTED MATERIAL OR PERFORMANCE (Section 2907.323(A)(3), 2907.323(B) of the Ohio Revised Code), a felony of the fifth degree.
In that on or about July 26, 2023, in Ashland County, Ohio, Jordan Bicker, did possess or view material or performance that shows a minor who was not Jordan Bicker’s child or ward in a state of nudity, in violation of Ohio Revised Code
Five counts, 4th Degree Felony PANDERING SEXUALLY-ORIENTED MATTER INVOLVING A MINOR OR IMPAIRED PERSON (Section 2907.322(A)(5), 2907.322(C) of the Ohio Revised Code), a felony of the fourth degree.
In that on or about July 26, 2023, in Ashland County, Ohio, Jordan Bicker, did, with knowledge of the character of the material or performance involved, knowingly solicit, receive, purchase, exchange, possess, or control material that shows a minor participating or engaging in sexual activity, masturbation, or bestiality, in violation of Ohio Revised Code
MANSFIELD, Ohio – The Richland County Board of Commissioners released the State of the County Video during regular session on Tuesday morning. This video highlights the 2023 year in review and includes presentations from County Commissioners Darrell Banks, Tony Vero, and Cliff Mears, as well as County Administrator Andrew Keller and Sheriff Steve Sheldon.
The video is the second installment in a series of three Richland County branding videos and shines a spotlight on many of the County’s notable projects, community investments, and the County’s financial position. The Commissioners plan to release a State of the County Video on an annual basis as a part of the Board’s emphasis on transparency and local government accountability.
On February 11, 2024, at approximately 8:47 PM, Ontario Police were called to 1019 Landings Court in Ontario regarding a violation of a protection order. The caller indicated that the subject was also armed.
Upon arrival officers were confronted by 32-year-old Jareth Vance of Perrysville as he held a female hostage at gunpoint. Officers tried to rescue the hostage and Vance fired at them, striking one of the officers.
After the shooting occurred a hostage escaped Vance’s control and he shot her as well. Her condition was not known at the time of this news release. Vance then barricaded himself inside the residence where he held a 16-year-old hostage.
The Richland County ASORT team along with Hostage Negotiators were called along with Mansfield Police, Shelby Police, The Richland County Sheriff’s Office and the Ohio State Highway Patrol assisted on scene.
After a four-hour standoff Vance surrendered to law enforcement with no further injuries. The 16-year-old hostage was then rescued unharmed.
The 6-year veteran officer is currently hospitalized and in stable condition. The Ontario Police Department would like to thank everyone for the tremendous outpouring of support for our officer and the female victim. It is greatly appreciated.
Imagine stepping back in time and witnessing a pivotal moment in history firsthand. That’s exactly what students at Genesis Christian Academy in Ashland, Ohio had the opportunity to do when Kenneth Hammontree, a history teacher at the academy, portrayed Martin Luther and the Reformation on October 31, 1517. This immersive experience allowed the students to gain a deeper understanding of the remarkable events and a day in history.
Martin Luther: The Key Figure of the Protestant Revolution
Whatever opinion one holds regarding the value of Luther’s reformatory work, he is by common consent the key figure in the Protestant Revolution that changed the course of the church and all of Europe. On October 31, 1517, there was only one Protestant – Martin Luther. A few years later, there were millions. The violent explosion known as the Reformation split the church of the 16th century into a number of segments, of which the Lutheran Church is one.
The Start of the Reformation: Luther’s 95 Theses
The Reformation began on the eve of All Souls’ Day, October 31, 1517. On that day, Martin Luther, professor of Biblical studies at the newly founded University of Wittenberg in Germany, announced a disputation on indulgences. He stated his argument in 95 Theses. Though they were heavily academic and moderate in tone, news of them spread like wildfire throughout Europe. All marveled that one obscure Augustinian Monk, a Black Friar of the Augustinian Hermits to be exact, from an unknown university had stirred the whole of Europe.
Luther’s Stand Against the Roman Catholic Church
Luther saw that the trade in indulgences was wholly unwarranted by Holy Scripture, reason, or tradition. His contemporaries knew at once that Luther had touched the exposed nerve of the Roman Catholic Church. Christian Europe was never the same again. Luther was excommunicated by the Pope in 1520 and finally outlawed by the Emperor Charles V at the Diet of Worms in 1521. Luther’s dramatic stand against both the Pope and Emperor fired the imagination of all Europe.
The Birth of the Protestant Movement
In 1529, at the Diet of Speyer, the Emperor Charles V attempted to stop Luther’s movement by force. However, some of the princes of the various German states stood up in ‘protest’. The movement, which intended to reform Catholicism from within, separated and became known as the Protestant movement. However, in the end, Luther’s movement split the Christian Church in Europe.
The Life and Journey of Martin Luther
Martin Luther, the great German Reformer, was born in Eisleben as the son of a peasant and studied law at the University of Erfurt. In 1505, he joined the Augustinian Hermits in Erfurt, and after taking a dramatic vow during a terrible thunderstorm experienced a sudden conversion. Luther was ordained in 1507 and after studying theology and law, he was sent to the University of Wittenberg. There, he soon became a Biblical Bachelor and Sententiary in 1509, and later, a Doctor of Theology.
Luther’s Opposition to Indulgences
During a visit to Rome, Luther became acquainted with the heathenish life of the Roman Curia. Luxury and license were everywhere as he realized, as never before, the uses that were being made of the vast sums of money extorted each year from the German people and Church. The Elector and Archbishop Albert of Mainz had made an arrangement with Leo X to raise a large sum of money by the sale of indulgences. Luther’s main thrust at first was not to break away from the mother church but to eliminate indulgences and corrupt preachers such as Tetzel.
Luther’s Stand for a Translated Bible
In 1518, Luther’s 95 Theses were condemned by the Pope and Luther was summoned to Rome. Luther refused to recant on all issues unless his ideas could be refuted on scriptural grounds. For his own safety, he was seized and taken to the Wartburg Castle under the protection of Frederick of Saxony. There, in the castle, he devoted his energies to translating the New Testament into German so that the Bible might be read by all. Luther opened up a new world for the average person to read and understand the Bible in their language, German. He affirmed the final authority of a self-interpreted Bible and rejected non-scriptural beliefs held by the Church.
In conclusion, the portrayal of Martin Luther and the Reformation on October 31, 1517, performed by Kenneth Hammontree at Genesis Christian Academy in Ashland, Ohio, provided students with a unique opportunity to witness a significant moment in history. Luther’s role as the key figure in the Protestant Revolution and his stand against the Roman Catholic Church shaped the course of Christianity and European society. Through his translations of the Bible, Luther empowered the common man to read and understand scripture, challenging the authority of the Church. These events continue to have a profound impact on religious and cultural practices to this day.
Ashland Police Division and Ashland EMS responded a dog attack on Pleasant Street, a woman was viciously attacked by a pit bull. The woman suffered serious injuries to her head/arm and transported to the trauma center at Ohio Health in Mansfield.
Lieutenant Bloodhart of the Ashland Police Division stated that Officers and EMS personnel arrived at the scene at approximately 11 am. They found a 53-year-old woman who had been bitten by a dog. The victim, who was on her own property at the time of the attack, suffered injuries that required urgent medical attention. As a result, she was transported to Mansfield for treatment.
Following the attack, the Ashland County dog warden was contacted and arrived at the scene shortly after. The warden, Joe Eggerton, took custody of the pit bull and placed it in quarantine for testing purposes. It is essential to determine if the dog was carrying rabies since it lacked proper vaccination records and was unlicensed. The severity of the injuries inflicted on the woman led to the pit bull deemed a vicious dog.
As of now, charges have not yet been filed in relation to the attack on Pleasant Street. The investigation is ongoing, with both the Ashland Police Division and the Ashland County dog warden working together.
According to Google, pit bulls accounted for a staggering 82% of attacking dogs in 2023. These powerful and strong canines were responsible for 92% of the 131 attacks on children, 58% of the 283 attacks on adults, 81% of the 69 human deaths, and 63% of the disfigurements. These statistics shed light on the concerning prevalence of pit bull aggression and the potential dangers they pose.
The recent pit bull attack on a woman highlights the importance of responsible pet ownership. It serves as a reminder that even well-loved and cared-for dogs can exhibit aggression under certain circumstances.
Some believe pit bulls have been unfairly stigmatized due to isolated incidents of violence, it is crucial to remember that all dogs have the potential for aggression. Adequate training, socialization, and responsible ownership can help prevent such unfortunate incidents and ensure a safe environment for both humans and animals.
(COLUMBUS, Ohio) — A former chairman of the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio, two former FirstEnergy Corp. executives and two entities have been indicted by a Summit County grand jury as a corrupt enterprise for their alleged role in the House Bill 6 scandal, Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost, Summit County Prosecutor Sherri Bevan Walsh and Summit County Sheriff Kandy Fatheree announced yesterday.
“This indictment is about more than one piece of legislation,” Yost said. “It is about the hostile capture of a significant portion of Ohio’s state government by deception, betrayal and dishonesty. Shout it from the public square to the boardroom, from Wall Street to Broad and High: Those who perversely seek to turn the government to their own private ends will face the destruction of everything they worked for.”
Charged with a combined 27 felony counts are Samuel “Sam” Randazzo, former PUCO chairman; Charles “Chuck” Jones, former CEO of First Energy; Michael Dowling, former First Energy senior vice president of external affairs.
Two companies controlled by Randazzo – the Sustainability Funding Alliance of Ohio and IEU-Ohio Administration Co. – are also named in the filing. Both are alleged to be shell companies created solely for furthering Randazzo’s alleged criminal activity.
“Jones and Dowling actively worked to spend FirstEnergy money to improperly influence Randazzo to exercise the authority of PUCO chairman to advance FirstEnergy’s regulatory and policy agendas,” the indictment says. Specifically, the indictment accuses the enterprise of engaging in a scheme to corrupt the PUCO chairman and ratemaking policies, stealing millions of dollars from FirstEnergy and a nonprofit trade group, and tampering with government records.
The state charges stem from an investigation conducted by a task force organized under the Ohio Organized Crime Investigations Commission, within the Attorney General’s Office. The task force was created at the request of the prosecutor of Summit County, where FirstEnergy is headquartered. By Ohio law, the attorney general’s OCIC task force cannot initiate an investigation without a request from a prosecutor.
“These individuals used First Energy to break the law and betray the public’s trust,” Prosecutor Walsh said. “This indictment is another step toward bringing justice for the residents of Summit County and Ohio. We appreciate the ability to work jointly with Attorney General Yost and the Ohio Organized Crime Commission. This collaboration between state and county law enforcement is an example of government doing its best to fight crime and corruption in not only Summit County but throughout the state.”
The task force, led by Deputy Attorney General for Law Enforcement Carol O’Brien, includes agents, analysts, paralegal and accountants from Yost’s Bureau of Criminal Investigation; the Summit County Sheriff’s Office; and prosecutors from the Summit County Prosecutor’s Office. The Ohio Ethics Commission also assisted in the investigation.
“Today we take another important step toward ensuring that the individuals involved in this scandal are held accountable for their actions, which ultimately impacted the pocketbooks of every hardworking Ohioan,” Sheriff Fatheree said. “I am very proud of my Detective Bureau and of all those involved in this investigation.”
Randazzo and others have been indicted and prosecuted in federal court for their role in the House Bill 6 scandal. These state charges mark the first criminal charges against Jones and Dowling.
The conduct alleged in the indictment took place between 2010 and 2021 in Summit County, Franklin County and Florida.
Randazzo was indicted on 22 felony counts:
One count of engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity (F1)
One count of grand theft (F1)
Two counts aggravated theft (F2)
One count of bribery (F3)
Three counts of telecommunications fraud (F1)
Eight counts of money laundering (F3)
Six counts of tampering with records (F3)
Jones was indicted on 10 felony counts:
One count of engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity (F1)
Two counts of aggravated theft of $1.5 million or more (F1)
One count of bribery (F3)
Two counts of telecommunications fraud (F1)
Four counts of money laundering (F3)
Dowling was indicted on 12 felony counts:
One count of engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity (F1)
Two counts aggravated theft of $1.5 million or more (F1)
One count of bribery (F3)
Two counts of telecommunications fraud (F1)
Four counts of money laundering (F3)
Two counts of tampering with records (F3)
Sustainability Funding Alliance of Ohio is included in 11 criminal charges:
One count of engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity (F1)
Two counts of telecommunications fraud (F1)
Six counts of money laundering (F3)
Two counts of aggravated theft (F2)
IEU-Ohio Administration is included in five criminal charges:
One count of engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity (F1)
One count of grand theft (F4)
One count of telecommunications fraud (F1)
Two counts of money laundering (F3)
Indictments merely contain allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless proved guilty in a court of law.
How we got here
These criminal indictments mark the latest development in Attorney General Yost’s continued work to hold those responsible for the House Bill 6 scandal accountable while saving Ohioans significant taxpayer dollars.
Through several civil court filings, Yost removed the ill-gotten gains from the corruption legislation, saving the state’s FirstEnergy customers nearly $2 billion over the life of HB6. Here is a timeline of those efforts:
September 2020: Seeking to right the harm caused to Ohio, Yost files a civil lawsuit against former Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder, FirstEnergy, FirstEnergy subsidiary Energy Harbor, and various accomplices.
November 2020: Yost moved to block HB6’s nuclear bailout, which would have taken $150 million a year from ratepayers to give to Energy Harbor. December 2020: Yost’s request to prevent the bailout is granted by a judge.
January 2021: Yost files a motion to prevent the “decoupling rider,” which would have cost customers $700 million to $1 billion through 2029.
August 2021: A judge grants Yost’s request to freeze $8 million of Randazzo’s assets after Randazzo began transferring and selling properties. The ruling was later appealed and affirmed.
In August 2021, Yost sues former FirstEnergy CEO Jones and Randazzo, among others, seeking to recover the $4.3 million bribe that FirstEnergy has admitted paying Randazzo.
About OOCIC
Established in 1986 within the Ohio Attorney General’s Office, the Ohio Organized Crime Investigations Commission (OOCIC) assists local law enforcement agencies in combatting organized crime and corrupt activities. “Organized criminal activity” means any combination or conspiracy to engage in activity that constitutes “engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity;” any criminal activity that relates to the corruption of a public official or public servant; or any violation, combination of violations, or conspiracy to commit one or more violations related to drug trafficking, manufacturing and/or possession.
In a significant ruling, Honorable Judge John L. Good of the Ashland Municipal Court has denied to dismiss previous cases against Amish residents in Ashland County who challenged the constitutionality of the Ohio Buggy light law. All four Defendants who were unrepresented by Counsel argued that the law, which requires all horse-drawn vehicles to have a flashing yellow light visible from a distance, violates their fundamental right to freedom of religion.
Honorable Judge John L. Good
The Background of the Case:
The defendants, Emery Troyer, Dan Troyer, Andrew Slabaugh, and Jacob Gingerich, are members of the Old Order Amish sects within Ashland County. They share the same religious beliefs and have been charged with violations of the Ohio Buggy light law. These individuals raised objections to the law, claiming that it infringes upon their right to freely exercise their religion under the First and Fourteenth Amendments of the U.S. Constitution and under Article 1, Section 7 of the Ohio Constitution.
The Defendants’ Testimony:
During the evidentiary hearing, all four defendants testified about their religious objections to the statute. They explained that their objections were based on sincere religious beliefs rather than mere cultural practices. According to their testimonies, they believe that their faith requires them to honor the traditions and practices of their ancestors, which include the use of dark clothing and unlit buggies. Bright colors and flashing lights go against their religious beliefs. The defendants also highlighted the potential consequences of complying with the law, such as being shunned by their community.
The state presented testimony
The State, represented by Rep. Scott Wigham, presented extensive testimony regarding the legislative process that led to the enactment of Senate Bill 30, now known as Section 4513.114. Rep. Wigham, who was a primary sponsor of the bill, described the years-long collaboration between the General Assembly, various Amish groups, and public safety officials. The goal was to address the alarming number of car on buggy crashes while minimizing the impact on Amish religious practices.
The Problem of Car on Buggy Crashes
Contrary to popular belief, the majority of car on buggy crashes occur during the day and on straight sections of road. Most often, these accidents happen on State Routes where motorists are traveling at high speeds. The primary cause of these crashes is the significant speed differential between motor vehicles and horse-drawn buggies. Motorists have only a few seconds to recognize a buggy ahead and slow down. With distractions, speeding, impairment, or lack of attention, the window for reaction closes even tighter.
The Rationale Behind the Flashing Yellow Light Requirement
To help motorists identify buggies more quickly, Section 4513.114(B)(1) requires the use of flashing yellow lights on Amish buggies. The State has determined that yellow is a color associated with caution, prompting motorists to instinctively reduce their speed. Unlike reflective tape, slow-moving vehicle signs, reflectors, and lanterns, which are only effective at night, flashing yellow lights are visible during daylight conditions when most car on buggy crashes occur.
The Impact of the Yellow Light Requirement
The effectiveness of the flashing yellow light requirement is evident in the reduction of car on buggy crashes. Lt. Bishop of the Ashland OSP post testified that between August 31, 2022 (when the legislation came into effect) and the date of the Court’s hearing, there was a 22% decline in car-buggy crashes in Ohio compared to previous years. This significant reduction is attributed to the enactment of Section 4513.114(B)(1).
Religious Objections and Constitutional Protections
The defendants in the case, who are members of the Amish community, raised sincere religious objections to the flashing yellow light requirement. The Court recognized the legitimacy of these objections, as they were rooted in deeply held religious beliefs. Furthermore, the Court acknowledged that the privilege to travel on public roads, impacted by the requirement, is an important one for the defendants. The ability to travel is necessary for the Amish to practice their religious ceremonies and meetings.
Balancing Religious Liberty and Public Safety
While religious liberty is a fundamental right protected by both the United States and Ohio Constitutions, it is not absolute. The Court applied the three-part test established by the United States Supreme Court to determine the constitutionality of Section 4513.114(B)(1). It found that the burden imposed on the defendants’ right to freely exercise their religious beliefs was justified by a compelling state interest: reducing the number of car on buggy accidents in Ohio. The flashing yellow light requirement was deemed the least restrictive method to achieve this compelling interest.
Conclusion
Judge John L. Good’s ruling in this landmark case sets an important precedent for the balance between religious freedom and public safety. By carefully considering the sincere religious beliefs of the defendants and the compelling state interest to reduce car on buggy crashes, the Court struck a delicate balance. Section 4513.114(B)(1) and its requirement of flashing yellow lights on Amish buggies have proven to be an effective means of promoting public safety while respecting the religious practices of the Amish community.
Joe Lyons •
February 15, 2024
Scipio Township – The Norwalk Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating a commercial vehicle versus passenger car crash that occurred Wednesday February 14, 2024 at 06:00 PM on State Route 18 at the intersection of County Road 43 in Scipio Township, Seneca County.
In a Sub-rosa Indictment, 33-year-old Jordan Bicker of Ashland was charged with 11 counts of illegal use of a minor in nudity-oriented material or performance, classified as 5th-degree felonies, and 5 counts of pandering sexually oriented matter involving a minor, categorized as 4th-degree felonies.
(COLUMBUS, Ohio) — A former chairman of the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio, two former FirstEnergy Corp. executives and two entities have been indicted by a Summit County grand jury as a corrupt enterprise for their alleged role in the House Bill 6 scandal, Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost, Summit County Prosecutor Sherri Bevan Walsh and Summit County Sheriff Kandy Fatheree announced yesterday.
In a significant ruling, Honorable Judge John L. Good of the Ashland Municipal Court has denied to dismiss previous cases against Amish residents in Ashland County who challenged the constitutionality of the Ohio Buggy light law. All four Defendants who were unrepresented by Counsel argued that the law, which requires all horse-drawn vehicles to have a flashing yellow light visible from a distance, violates their fundamental right to freedom of religion. 
