Joe Lyons

Mansfield Homicide Suspect Arrested

On October 27, 2023, the Mansfield Division of Police responded to the area of 810 Ferndale Ave. reference to a shooting incident. Police found two victims deceased at the residence and four additional victims of Felonious Assault.

 

Through investigation, Major Crimes Detectives were able to identify Cyrus J. Ellerbe as a suspect in the 810 Ferndale Ave. shooting incident.

 

On November 8, 2023, after consultation with the Richland County Prosecutors Office, detectives from the Mansfield Division of Police took Cyrus J. Ellerbe into custody on an F1 Murder Charge.

 

The Mansfield Division of Police would like to thank the community for their support and diligence thus far while reminding everyone that the investigation into this shooting incident is ongoing and detectives are continuing to gather additional facts.

 

We encourage any member of the community that has information regarding this investigation, to call our crime tip line at 419-522-7463 and remain anonymous or contact Det. Sgt. Jered Kingsborough at 419-755-9729 or Det. Korey Kaufman at 419-755-9748.

2023 Veterans Day Breakfast

Message from the Mayor,

One of the best parts about living in our great city is the fact that we are a patriotic community. If you have served as a member of our United States military, Melanie & I would like to personally invite you and your guest to enjoy a delicious, free breakfast on Veterans Day, at the 5th annual Mayor’s Veterans Day Breakfast. The breakfast will take place Saturday, November 11th between 7:30 & 9:00 a.m. at the Ashland Eagles Club—and we hope you will join us as we honor you for your service to our great country!

A former CIA Officer pleaded guilty today to drugging and sexually abusing numerous women

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former U.S. CIA Officer pleaded guilty today to drugging and sexually abusing numerous women in multiple countries, including photographing and video recording more than two dozen nude and partially nude women without their consent while they were unconscious or incapable of consenting.

 

According to court documents, Brian Jeffrey Raymond, 47, of La Mesa, California, was employed by the U.S. government at the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City. Raymond admitted to drugging and sexually assaulting several women in his embassy-leased housing and elsewhere between 2006 and 2020. Additionally, Raymond admitted that, over 14 years, he photographed or video recorded 28 victims while they were nude or partially nude. Many of the recordings show Raymond touching and manipulating the victim’s bodies while they were unconscious and incapable of consent. Raymond attempted to delete the explicit photographs and videos depicting the victims after learning about the criminal investigation.

Under the plea agreement, Raymond will face between 24 and 30 years in prison and supervised release for life. He will also have to pay mandatory restitution to the victims of his criminal offenses. Sentencing hearings are scheduled for Sept. 18 and 19, 2024. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Acting Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division; U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves for the District of Columbia; Deputy Assistant Director William Ferrari of the U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service (DSS), Office of Special Investigations; and Special Agent in Charge James A. Dawson of the FBI Washington Field Office’s Criminal Division made the announcement.

The DSS Office of Special Investigations and FBI Washington Field Office are investigating the case. The Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs and National Security Division provided valuable assistance. The FBI’s Legal Attaché office in Mexico City also provided especially valuable assistance.

Trial Attorneys Angela Buckner and Katharine Wagner of the Criminal Division’s Human Rights and Special Prosecutions Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Meredith Mayer-Dempsey for the District of Columbia are prosecuting the case.

The Justice Department gratefully acknowledges the government of Mexico, including the Fiscalía General de la República, Fiscalía General de Justicia de la Ciudad de México, and Secretaría de Relaciones Exteriores, for their extraordinary efforts, support, and cooperation during the investigation.

Join Ashland Fire Department’s Red Helmet Christmas Charities for a Heartwarming Toy Drive

Hey there, folks! Guess what time it is? Yup, it’s that time of year again when the Ashland Fire Department’s Red Helmet Christmas Charities is revving up for action!

Get ready to spread some holiday cheer because they are hosting a fantastic toy drive at Foundation Plaza on Saturday, November 25th, from 9 am to noon. Not only is the Ashland Fire Department accepting new (unwrapped) toys, but they are also happy to take your cold, hard cash donations too.

These amazing gifts will find their way to the Associated Charities, the Ashland County Food Bank, and The Ashland Kroc Center, where they will be distributed to families in need right here in Ashland County.

And that’s not all, my festive friends!

The Ashland Firefighters themselves will be on the scene, serving up scrumptious hot chocolate and dishing out candy canes to sweeten the deal.

So, mark your calendars, gather up your generosity, and join in the spirit of giving. Let’s make this holiday season truly magical for those who need it most!

Ho ho ho hope to see you all there!

Ashland First Responders Go the Extra Mile

In a remarkable demonstration of dedication and compassion, the Ashland Police Division Officers, Ashland Fire Department, and EMS came together to assist an 80-year old woman involved in a single vehicle accident at Aldi’s this morning.

Although it was a minor injury crash, there was something truly noteworthy that caught my attention as I was leaving the scene.

I witnessed two Officers from the Ashland Police Division, along with members of the Ashland Fire Department and the Auer Towing driver, going the extra mile by retrieving groceries from the lady’s trunk and placing them in the ambulance.

Their empathy and thoughtfulness didn’t stop there.

Not only did the EMS crew accompany her home, ensuring her safety along the way, but I later learned from scanner reports that EMS even reached out to an Officer to search for her lost cane. Promptly, the Officer located the cane and personally delivered it to the woman’s home.

This exceptional level of care and attention demonstrated by these first responders deserves our gratitude and appreciation.

Their willingness to go above and beyond their duties is truly commendable, and I simply wanted to take a moment to express my thanks to all those who were involved in providing such exceptional assistance today.

Investigation Underway: What Happened to Shealeah Lachelle Staley in North Lake Park?

The Mansfield Police Department made a shocking discovery on Sunday, November 5th, at North Lake Park, when they stumbled upon a decomposed body while responding to another call.

After a preliminary investigation, the remains were identified as belonging to Shealeah Lachelle Staley, an Ashland woman who had been reported missing since August 31st.

The body was found deep within the woods of the park. This finding triggered the involvement of the Richland County Coroner’s Office and Mercyhurst University’s Forensic Anthropology Team, known for their expertise in meticulously processing crime scenes.

While there does not appear to be any foul play involved, it is crucial for investigators to piece together the puzzle of Staley’s death, and shed light on the circumstances surrounding her disappearance.

This tragic incident serves as a reminder of the invaluable role that professional agencies play in bringing closure to unfortunate events, while also extending compassion and support to those affected.

Back in October, I shared a Facebook post about Staley’s disappearance, after a request from Sara Mae to share the post, highlighting the urgency to find her. Thanks to all who shared the post.

Thanks to Richland News Network for the Photo’s

DIANNE’S DOGHOUSE “CHANGE”

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God certainly knew what He was doing when He created the changing seasons. I guess it’s the same for me. The seasons in my life change as I age, but they all work together for good. My children are grown and married and have given me beautiful grandchildren. December is, and has always been, a time of reflection for me…remembering the past seventy-five years and the people and dogs that have part of my life. I recall some of the dogs from my childhood to the present in this way:

Jet=Kindness

I learned so much by watching the way she rejoiced in life’s simplest moments. Every morning was Christmas morning. Every run was the best run. Every dinner was the best dinner. Jet taught me to be kind to others.

 

Rusty=Patience

I adopted Rusty when I was nineteen, working full time, was a first time renter and first time human with a dog. Rusty didn’t get the attention he needed, so training was quite a chore, but he loved me anyway and taught me patience.

 

Jesse=self control

Jesse taught me to wait to control my thoughts and emotions. She would snuggle up to me and say, “This is only a moment, it is not the rest of your life,” and I would immediately calm down, breathe, and tackle the problem.

 

This year, I’ve decided to make the biggest strides at Christmas and focus on others: humans and animals. I want to be grateful for the profound yet simple things. It’s impossible to dwell on my problems when serving coffee to a woman whose child is fighting cancer. Or when visiting a lonely gentleman in a nursing home. Or when a little girl tugs on your shirt and wants you to take time to see the drawing she made for her mommy. Or when you find a lost pup, give him a bath, a meal and then try to find his owner.

 

Christmas is truly a season of miracles. I pray that we all practice what Jet, Rusty and Jesse taught me; that portraying kindness, patience and self control will let us focus on others in the coming year.

Blessing, and Happy Thanksgiving, and Merry Christmas!

Dianne Hammontree, Secretary of Homeward Bound, Inc.

 

Veterans Day: Honoring the Heroes Who Served

 

Veterans Day originated as “Armistice Day” on November 11, 1919, to commemorate the end of World War I. Over the years, this day has evolved to honor all those who have selflessly served their country in times of war and peace. Congress passed a resolution in 1926, making it an annual observance, and in 1938, it became a national holiday. In 1954, the name was changed to Veterans Day to honor veterans from all wars. Today, this day holds great significance as the nation comes together to show gratitude and respect for the brave men and women who have defended our country.

In the United States in 2022, there are approximately 16.2 million military veterans. This accounts for 6.2% of the total civilian population aged 18 and over. Among these veterans, 1.7 million are women, making up 10.3% of the total veteran population. The diversity among veterans is notable, with various racial and ethnic backgrounds represented.

When we consider the history of veterans, it is important to acknowledge the different wars they have served in. While only 0.8% of veterans in 2022 served in World War II, 4.1% served in the Korean War, 33.6% in the Vietnam War, 24.4% in the first Gulf War, and 26.3% in the second Gulf War. These numbers highlight the sacrifices made by veterans across generations and the range of experiences they have encountered in service to their country.

The veteran population in 2022 is characterized by its diversity. Among veterans, 8.6% identify as Hispanic or Latino. The majority of veterans, 72.3%, identify as White alone (not Hispanic or Latino). African Americans make up 12.4% of the veteran population, while Asian Americans account for 2.1%. Additionally, 0.8% are American Indian or Alaska Native, and 0.2% identify as Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander. It is worth noting that these percentages only include those who have reported a single race.

In 2022, the age distribution among veterans is varied. Veterans aged 75 and older make up 26.5% of the population, demonstrating the wisdom and experience they bring from decades of service. In contrast, 8.5% of veterans are younger than 35 years old, representing a new generation of heroes stepping forward to protect and serve their country.

On Veterans Day, our nation comes together to honor and show gratitude to those who have served. Parades and ceremonies take place across the country, paying tribute to the bravery and sacrifices made by military veterans. One powerful example of this recognition is the ceremony held at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia. This solemn and moving event serves as a reminder of the dedication and unknown sacrifices made by countless individuals in service to our nation.

Veterans Day is a time for us to reflect on the significant contributions made by veterans. From World War II to the present day, these brave individuals have defended our country and protected our freedoms. As we observe Veterans Day, let us honor their dedication, bravery, and selflessness. Let us express our gratitude for their service and work towards creating a society that supports and uplifts our veterans. Together, we can ensure that their sacrifices are never forgotten.

ASHLAND WEATHER