ASHLAND COUNTY PROSECUTING ATTORNEY CHRISTOPHER R. TUNNELL RECOGNIZES DONATINI AND RAFELD FOR YEARS OF SERVICE
Ashland County Prosecuting Attorney Christopher R. Tunnell, in a brief presentation at the Ashland County Prosecutor’s Office, recognized Michael D. Donatini, First Assistant Prosecuting Attorney, and Ruth Rafeld, Ashland County Victims Assistance Coordinator, for their years of dedicated service to the Prosecutor’s Office and to Ashland County. Donatini was recognized for fifteen years of service, and Rafeld for ten years of service.
Michael Donatini is the First Assistant Prosecuting Attorney at the Ashland County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office. He joined the Prosecutor’s Office in February of 2008. Michael advises officers of the county and its fifteen townships on a wide variety of legal issues related to their duties, including contracts, real estate, zoning, employment, and tax levies. He also represents the county and townships in civil litigation, and has been known to appear in juvenile hearings as well as adult felony matters. As First Assistant, Michael has an array of administrative duties relating to the internal operation of the office.
Tunnell commented, “I’ve been in prosecutors’ offices since 2001 and come across a lot of assistant prosecuting attorneys. I don’t know any that are as dedicated or competent as Michael Donatini. He is a real asset to Ashland County. It’s a pleasure and an honor to work with him every day.”
Donatini stated, “After fifteen years at the prosecutor’s office, it still feels like I’ve fallen into the perfect career. I love being able to serve the community where I was born and raised. Each day still brings new challenges for my mind and something new to learn, so the work never gets boring. Best of all are the relationships I’ve built with law enforcement, local government officers and employees, other attorneys, and especially my coworkers at the prosecutor’s office. It’s really a pleasure to work alongside so many great people who are so dedicated to public service.”
Ruth Rafeld, the Ashland County Victims Assistance Coordinator, joined the office in March of 2013. Mrs. Rafeld ensures that victims of felony crimes in Ashland County receive fair and courteous treatment during the course of prosecution, keeps them informed as to developments in their case, when court hearings will occur, and what to expect at each hearing. Mrs. Rafeld ensures that every victim’s voice is heard by both the court and the prosecuting attorney.
Tunnell commented, “There’s nobody better in the role of helping victims than Ruth Rafeld. She comes to work every day with a renewed spirit of optimism and a drive to advocate on behalf of those who have been affected by crime. She makes a positive impact in Ashland County every day. It is humbling to be able to work with her.”
Rafeld added, “I have considered it an absolute honor to provide support for those weathering a storm. I am grateful to be working in a community like Ashland, where a victim-centered approach is embraced. I look forward to the coming years at the Ashland County Prosecutor’s Office.”
VFW Post 1067 JR Vice Commander, Tim Chandler, of the Ashland County Joint Veterans Council has presented a plaque to Keith Searl and Karen Graves of Miller’s-Hawkins Market, at 1617 Claremont Avenue, for their outstanding and continued contribution to the Veterans Bean Soup lunch at the Ashland County Fair.
Chandler said, “They have always donated a great deal for the bean soup and the cornbread, and this year they went far above and donated more than half the items needed for the soup and cornbread.”
Ashland County Prosecuting Attorney Christopher R. Tunnell would like to thank Ashland County’s School Resource Officers for all their hard work and dedication to our children.
Thank you to Deputy Shelby Hammond at ACCA, Deputy Angie Hamilton at Black River, Officer Jeremy Jarvis at Ashland, Deputy Brian Martin at Hillsdale, Deputy Brandon Hendrix at Mapleton and Officer Ben Kick at Loudonville for all that you do to keep our kids safe.
An Ashland Post Trooper attempted to stop a vehicle, around the 185mm, in the southbound lane of I-71 yesterday, just after midnight. The male was later identified as Arthur Cook Jr., 43, of Wooster, Ohio, who fled southbound into Richland County.
As Cook exited I-71 into the westbound lane of US Route 30, he entered the rest area, turning through the parking lot, and exiting the rest area into the entrance, back into the westbound lane of US Route 30, going eastbound at a high rate of speed.
For safety reasons, the Trooper did not follow, but attempted to get over to the eastbound lane, thus losing Cook.
According to reports released by Captain Donald Zehner, of Richland County Sheriff’s Office, Deputies located the vehicle, abandoned behind a barn on Crider Road. Arthur Cook’s wallet and ID were found in the abandoned vehicle.
The report went on to say that while Deputies were looking for Cook, he jumped into the Sheriff’s Deputy’s, Ford F-150 pickup and fled the scene.
Ohio Highway Patrol aviation joined the pursuit, and Officers were able to apprehend Cook, after a struggle in a field, off of Crall Road in Richland County.
Cook remains in the Richland County Jail on a federal warrant, for a parole violation with more charges from Wooster, Ashland, and Richland counties.
Ashland Common Pleas Court Judge David R. Stimpert along with Ashland County Prosecutor Christopher R. Tunnell and Stanley Gardner’s Attorney Don Wick held a Pretrial Hearing in case number 22-CRI-189 State of Ohio vs. Stanley Gardner at 8:30am via video.
Today, Timothy James McDaniel was laid to rest at the New Russia Township Cemetery in Lorain County, Ohio.
Timothy James McDaniel
June 11, 2003 ~ February 4, 2023 (age 19)
Obituary
Timothy James McDaniel, 19, of Nova, died Saturday, February 4, 2023 at Akron Children’s Hospital. Born on June 11, 2003, he was the son of Jeramy and Marie (nee Jankowski) McDaniel. Tim grew up in the Elyria area before moving with his family to Nova a few years ago.
Tim was currently working for Life Care Transport in Elyria and served on the Ruggles-Troy volunteer fire department. He had been attending the Lorain County Community College, and worked on the college radio station. Tim was an active member of Trinity Baptist Church in Ashland and was a member of Trail Life USA. He enjoyed shooting trap and competed on a team. Tim also enjoyed role playing card games. Tim was filled with compassion for others and as a final wish wanted to be an organ donor.
Survivors include his loving parents, Jeramy and Marie; brothers, Jonathon, Thomas, Isaac, and Josiah; grandparents, Tim and Robin Jankowski, James McDaniel, and Cindy Jackson; a special aunt and uncle, Andrea and TJ Wilkinson; and aunts, Sabrina and Stephanie Jackson; and uncle, Daryl Jackson III. Tim was preceded in death by his great grandparents Ann Jankowski and Jim Yenni.
Friends and family will be received on Monday, February 13 from 4-7 p.m. at Trinity Baptist Church 891 State Rt 511, Ashland, where services will be held on Tuesday beginning at 11 a.m. Tim’s father Jeramy will officiate. A private burial will take place at New Russia Township Cemetery at a later time.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Tim’s memory may be directed to a scholarship fund through Trail Life USA at www.tlusa222.com/mcdaniel-scholarship. Expressions of sympathy may be shared online at www.eastmanfuneralhome.com.
Reginald Canfield Age: 45
White / Male / 5’9” / 225 / Brown / Blue
Wanted by the Ohio Department of Corrections / Adult Parole Authority for sexual battery F3
Ties to Mansfield, Cleveland, and West Virginia.
Jacob Unger Age: 34
White / Male / 6’5’’ / 215 / Brown Hair / Brown Eyes
Wanted by the Richland County Sheriff’s Office on a bond violation for assault F4
Ties to Mansfield Ohio.
Allen Cochran Age:53
Black / Male / 5’8” / 175 / Black Hair / Brown Eyes
Wanted by the Richland County Sheriff’s Office for failure to provide address F1
Ties to Mansfield Ohio.
Richard Kiser Age: 56
White / Male / 5’7’’ / 180 / Brown Hair / Brown Eyes
Wanted by the Richland County Sheriff’s Office for a failing to provide change of address as sex offender
Ties to the Mansfield, New Philadelphia, Conneaut, Bergholz, Lawrenceburg, TN
Reward money is available for information directly leading to an arrest. Anyone with information concerning any of these fugitives can contact the Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force office at 419-774-3565 or the tip line at 1-866-4WANTED (1-866-492-6833) or you can send a web tip at the following webpage http://www.usmarshals.gov/district/oh-n/index.html.
Tipsters may remain anonymous, and a cash reward may be available. The Task Force’s “Dangerous Dozen” fugitives can be viewed at https://www.usmarshals.gov/sites/default/files/media/document/dangerous-dozen.pdf, which is updated monthly.
The NOVFTF Akron Division consists of the following federal, state and local agencies:
United States Marshals Service, Mansfield Police Department, Ohio Adult Parole Authority, Richland County Probation, Richland County Sheriff’s Office, Ashland County Sheriff’s Office, Bucyrus Police Department, Galion Police Department, Huron County Sheriff’s Office, Lexington Police Department, Loudonville Police Department, Ohio State Highway Patrol, Ontario Police Department, Plymouth Police Department, Willard Police Department and Crestline Police Department.
Ashland County Sheriff’s Office Deputy, Dan Saylor was promoted to Sergeant this afternoon, with his children and his fellow law enforcement in attendance.
Before Sheriff E. Wayne Risner swore in Deputy Saylor, he told those in attendance, that Deputy Dan Saylor earned this promotion, saying “you didn’t get this promotion from being a nice guy, you earned this promotion.”
According to Chief Deputy Blake, there were four others who applied for this position.
Sergeant Dan Saylor was sworn in as a part-time Special Deputy, in March of 2015, and went full time in May of 2015, as a Corrections Division Deputy.
Then in May of 2017, he was moved from the Corrections Division to the Enforcement Division.
Joe Lyons •
February 17, 2023
Reginald Canfield Age: 45
Jacob Unger Age: 34
Allen Cochran Age:53
Richard Kiser Age: 56
