(COLUMBUS, Ohio)—Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and Ohio Department of Public Safety Director Andy Wilson today announced the availability of $1 million in funding to support the work of law enforcement and prosecutors to investigate and prosecute crimes of sexual assault in Ohio.
Funds awarded through the new Ohio Sexual Assault Investigations Grant Program can be used toward drug-facilitated sexual assault toxicology testing, sexual assault kit (SAK) testing, expert testimony, SAK storage upgrades, transportation/shipping costs, sexual assault investigations training, specialized DNA analysis, and other sexual assault investigation costs.
“Those who’ve committed sexual assault have no place in our communities,” said Governor DeWine. “The goal of this program is to help ensure that local law enforcement agencies have the tools they need to get offenders into custody as soon as possible.”
The Ohio Department of Public Safety’s Office of Criminal Justice Services (OCJS) is administering the Ohio Sexual Assault Investigations Grant Program. Agencies can submit reimbursement for sexual assault investigations connected to incidents that occurred on or after July 1, 2023.
APPLICATION: Ohio Sexual Assault Investigations Grant Program
Grant applications for the current fiscal year will be available through mid-June with additional funding slated to be released July 1, 2024. Individual grant amounts will depend on the number of qualifying entities that apply. Funding for the program was awarded by the Ohio General Assembly in the operating budget.
During his time as Ohio’s attorney general, Governor DeWine led a special initiative to test evidence from thousands of previously untested rape kits submitted by local law enforcement agencies in Ohio. Between 2011 and 2018, forensic scientists at the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation analyzed nearly 14,000 old rape kits submitted by local law enforcement, resulting in the upload of more than 8,600 DNA profiles into the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS). At the time that testing was completed in 2018, those profiles had led to more than 5,000 DNA matches.
“This new grant program is another example of Governor DeWine’s commitment to helping law enforcement get dangerous criminals off the streets,” said Ohio Department of Public Safety Director Andy Wilson. “The work of investigators is critical toward stopping future attacks and getting justice for survivors.”
By statute, OCJS is the lead justice planning and assistance office for the state, administering millions of dollars in state and federal criminal justice funding every year. OCJS also evaluates programs and develops technology, training, and products for criminal justice professionals and communities.
Thank you to Bill Harris Dealerships for sponsoring Ashland County Pictures “What’s News in Loudonville” With Mayor Jason VanSickle todays topics are:
Sports
Winterfest
Ladies Night
Downtown Revitalization
Mohican Community Theatre Presents
“Disenchanted”
Showtimes:
Friday, February 9th at 7:00
Saturday, February 10th at 7:00
Sunday, February 11th at 2:00
Friday, February 16th at 7:00
Saturday, February 17th at 7:00
Sunday, February 18th at 2:00
Sponsored by Bill Harris Dealerships
I would like to give a huge shout-out to Bill Harris Dealerships for sponsoring the monthly updates “What’s News in Loudonville” With Mayor Jason VanSickle
This exciting endeavor 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.
COLUMBUS—The Ohio House of Representatives today passed Substitute House Bill 2, which will invest the $350 million Strategic Community Investment Fund into projects throughout Ohio, announced State Rep. Melanie Miller (R-Ashland).
This one-time funding will be administered to statewide, regional, and local projects, with almost $1.3 million which will directly serve Ashland and Medina Counties.
“I am delighted to see these projects coming to the 67th District,” said Miller. “These investments in our community will have an impact for years to come.”
Miller championed several provisions that will positively impact Ashland and Medina Counties:
$1,000,000 to modernize the Ashland County Fairgrounds and build a new Mozelle Hall; and
$200,000 to build The Davy McClure Outdoor Education Shelter in the Ashland County Park District, creating an educational resource for the community;
$36,834 to install tornado sirens at the Homer Township Community Center;
$30,000 to renovate the Rowsburg Community Center, for residents to gather together;
$25,000 to expand sidewalks in Hayesville, connecting the southern portion of the village.
In addition to these local investments, Sub. House Bill 2 also included additional statewide capital investments of:
$600 million for the School Building Program Assistance Fund;
$400 million for the Public Works Commission Local Public Infrastructure and State Capital Improvement Program;
$397.6 million for higher education projects around the state; and
$250 million for local jail construction across Ohio.
The Strategic Community Investment Fund was established in the state’s main operating budget passed last year and includes excess funding from the previous fiscal year. Due to conservative fiscal stewardship, the Ohio House was able to dedicate this excess toward projects that will move Ohio forward.
This funding will be incorporated as part of the greater State Capital Budget bill, a two-year construction budget for capital projects.
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State Representative Melanie Miller is currently serving her first term in the Ohio House of Representatives. She represents the 67th House District, which includes all of Ashland County and the western portion of Medina County.
Thank you to Bill Harris Dealerships for sponsoring Ashland County Pictures “What’s News in Loudonville” With Mayor Jason VanSickle todays topics are:
Sports
Winterfest
Ladies Night
Downtown Revitalization
Mohican Community Theatre Presents
“Disenchanted”
Showtimes:
Friday, February 9th at 7:00
Saturday, February 10th at 7:00
Sunday, February 11th at 2:00
Friday, February 16th at 7:00
Saturday, February 17th at 7:00
Sunday, February 18th at 2:00
Sponsored by Bill Harris Dealerships
I would like to give a huge shout-out to Bill Harris Dealerships for sponsoring the monthly updates “What’s News in Loudonville” With Mayor Jason VanSickle
This exciting endeavor 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.
In a rather unexpected turn of events, the Ashland Police Division Officers found themselves taking a routine traffic stop to a whole new level.
It all unfolded on this sunny Ashland afternoon, around 2:30 pm, just in front of the Denny’s off US Route 250.
What started as a seemingly unremarkable traffic stop escalated into the apprehension of two individuals and the recovery of a stash of drugs after a thorough search of the vehicle.
The identities of the culprits remain shrouded in mystery as charges are still pending against them.
What we do know is that the driver, a 47-year-old man hailing from Columbus, Ohio, had an equally suspicious passenger, a 46-year-old male resident of Mount Vernon, Ohio.
To complicate matters further, during the arrest, one of the perpetrators, who seemingly needed a few more hours before going to jail, requested EMS to be called. Well, that call for aid ended up leading to him being transported to the ER, albeit in a more comfortable setting.
Now, the charges against both individuals are currently under review, leaving us eagerly awaiting the forthcoming details.
It seems like the criminals just can’t resist the allure of getting tangled up in Ashland’s web of justice.
COLUMBUS—The Ohio House of Representatives today passed Substitute House Bill 2, which will invest the $350 million Strategic Community Investment Fund into projects throughout Ohio, announced State Rep. Melanie Miller (R-Ashland).
This one-time funding will be administered to statewide, regional, and local projects, with almost $1.3 million which will directly serve Ashland and Medina Counties.
“I am delighted to see these projects coming to the 67th District,” said Miller. “These investments in our community will have an impact for years to come.”
Miller championed several provisions that will positively impact Ashland and Medina Counties:
$1,000,000 to modernize the Ashland County Fairgrounds and build a new Mozelle Hall; and
$200,000 to build The Davy McClure Outdoor Education Shelter in the Ashland County Park District, creating an educational resource for the community;
$36,834 to install tornado sirens at the Homer Township Community Center;
$30,000 to renovate the Rowsburg Community Center, for residents to gather together;
$25,000 to expand sidewalks in Hayesville, connecting the southern portion of the village.
In addition to these local investments, Sub. House Bill 2 also included additional statewide capital investments of:
$600 million for the School Building Program Assistance Fund;
$400 million for the Public Works Commission Local Public Infrastructure and State Capital Improvement Program;
$397.6 million for higher education projects around the state; and
$250 million for local jail construction across Ohio.
The Strategic Community Investment Fund was established in the state’s main operating budget passed last year and includes excess funding from the previous fiscal year. Due to conservative fiscal stewardship, the Ohio House was able to dedicate this excess toward projects that will move Ohio forward.
This funding will be incorporated as part of the greater State Capital Budget bill, a two-year construction budget for capital projects.
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State Representative Melanie Miller is currently serving her first term in the Ohio House of Representatives. She represents the 67th House District, which includes all of Ashland County and the western portion of Medina County.
Featuring Dinesh D’Souza, Dan Bongino & Nick Searcy
Tuesday, February 13 at 5:30 pm
At the Ashland Sheriff’s Annex 1205 E. Main Street, Ashland
IS THE UNITED STATES BECOMING A POLICE STATE?
Incredibly, the answer is yes and both sides of the political aisle agree. The only difference is that each accuses the other of seeking to establish a police state?
Who’s right? This film resolves the question by defining what a police state is, showing how it got started, how it operates, who’s behind it, and who’s in charge!
Feel free to bring your own snacks
Note: There is a seating limit. If necessary, we will have an additional showing at a later date
Hold the phone, folks! It seems a resident in Ashland County, Ohio could be walking around with a grin wider than the Mississippi River. Why, you might ask? Well, it turns out this lucky individual has got their hands on a Mega Millions ticket worth a cool $1 million!
Now, before we start imagining fancy yachts and endless vacations, let’s get into the nitty-gritty details. The ticket in question was sold at none other than the Beer Barrel Drive Thru in Ashland, a spot where dreams apparently come true.
Interestingly enough, this ticket was an auto-pick, meaning the stars aligned and the primary white balls matched up perfectly, granting our hero the million-dollar prize. Unfortunately, they missed out on the $358 million jackpot due to the Mega Ball slipping from their grasp.
Those winning numbers from Tuesday night’s drawing were 2, 10, 31, 44, 57, and don’t forget the Mega Ball 10 for good measure.
As luck would have it, there were also other fortunate souls out there with their own $1 million tickets. Two tickets, one sold in California, and the other in Pennsylvania, joined our Ashland County resident in the winner’s circle.
So, while we’re not quite retiring to our private islands just yet, we can’t help but celebrate the joy and the what-ifs that this remarkable story brings. Cheers to you, mystery winner, and may your newfound fortune bring you endless happiness and a lifetime supply of high-fives!
I would like to give a huge shout-out to Bill Harris Dealerships for sponsoring Ashland County Pictures. This will help to ensure that Ashland County Pictures (ACP News) will be able to continue serving the Ashland area with breaking news and up to date information.
Ashland County Sheriff’s Office, Hayesville Fire & EMS responded to a Dirt Bike versus Car accident in Hayesville on State Route 60 at High Street 7:09pm tonight.
A 2023 Hyundai going Southbound on State Route 60 (Mechanic Street) attempted to turn left on High Street when it was struck by a 2021 Kawasaki Dirt Bike going Northbound on State Route 60.
The driver of the 2021 Kawasaki Dirt Bike was transported to Ashland-Ohio-Health with Non-Life-Threatening-Injuries.
2023 Hyundai driver was not injured.
The driver of the 2021 Kawasaki Dirt Bike was cited due to the fact he had an off road motorbike with no lights, or tags on a State Highway, Assured Clear Distance Ahead (ACDA), No motorcycle endorsement.
Ashland County Sheriff’s Office, Nankin / Orange Township Fire Department, and Savannah Fire Department responded to a pick-up truck fire at the intersection of Ashland County Road 601 and State Route 58 this morning.
No reported injuries
I would like to give a huge shout-out to Bill Harris Dealerships for sponsoring Ashland County Pictures. This will help to ensure that Ashland County Pictures (ACP News) will be able to continue serving the Ashland area with breaking news and up to date information.
Joe Lyons •
February 8, 2024
(COLUMBUS, Ohio)—Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and Ohio Department of Public Safety Director Andy Wilson today announced the availability of $1 million in funding to support the work of law enforcement and prosecutors to investigate and prosecute crimes of sexual assault in Ohio.
COLUMBUS—The Ohio House of Representatives today passed Substitute House Bill 2, which will invest the $350 million Strategic Community Investment Fund into projects throughout Ohio, announced State Rep. Melanie Miller (R-Ashland).
