Richland County, Washington Township – The Mansfield Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating a two-vehicle fatal crash. The fatal crash occurred on December 21, 2022, approximately 10:20 AM on State Route 13 at Orchard Park Road.
Wayde Looker, age 64, of Fredericktown, was driving a 2016 Dodge Ram pick-up, pulling a 2020 MAXXD gooseneck trailer south on SR 13. Mr. Looker had a passenger, Perry Hurshberger, age 34, of Fredericktown.
Bryan Flynn, age 30, of Bellville, was driving a 2015 Chevrolet Sonic traveling behind the 2016 Dodge Ram and MAXXD trailer when Mr. Looker slowed and attempted to turn west onto Orchard Park Road. Mr. Flynn failed to stop and struck the rear of the MAXXD trailer.
Mr. Flynn was pronounced deceased at the scene. Mr. Looker nor Mr. Hurshberger were injured in the crash.
The Mansfield Post was assisted by Washington Township Fire, Richland County Coroner’s Office, Richland County Sheriff Department and Shelly Smith Towing.
Maeve Kelly, a psychology major at Ashland University, was named the winner of the Outstanding Undergraduate Student Leader award within the six-state Mid America region of the National Association for Campus Activities (NACA) recently.
Kelly has served as the co-leader of AU’s Campus Activities Board (CAB) for two years and is responsible for organizing social events that will engage the resident student population. She oversees the day-to-day operations of the student organization, while constantly seeking out ways to develop and enhance campus programming.
“NACA has a long tradition of recognizing excellence in college activities on a national level. This is quite an honor,” noted Robert Pool, vice president for student activities at AU.
This marks the first time an AU student has ever earned an individual honor from NACA and it is CAB’s first award from the organization since 2013.
Kelly, from Medina, Ohio, became a member of CAB’s executive team at one of its most pressing times – the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. With the uneasiness of socialization for some students returning to campus in the fall of 2020, Kelly and the CAB team went to work to provide entertaining, safe events for all. “When we got back from COVID, I could see how it was more important than ever to have these fun events,” she said.
Kelly took over as co-leader in the fall of 2021 and has continued to build back CAB and then some. This past semester, the organization put together the always-popular Grocery Bingo, a number of activities during Homecoming week, holiday-themed events like Fall Fest and Trick-or-Treat, blood drives, bowling nights and Stress Less Fest, a relaxing night before final exams that had a “huge turnout,” according to Kelly.
“All of the events we’re trying to make are pretty original or unique to AU. They wouldn’t be possible without all of our members having that passion. It’s really cool to see different members plan them,” said Kelly.
With her award-winning passion for student life, Kelly has set a new standard for student experience at AU. “College is so much more than going to classes. CAB provides that experience, which is such an important and vital part to our campus. It is such an honor to lead the group and work with students,” she said.
In addition to leading CAB and majoring in psychology, Kelly is working towards a minor in communications, as well as serving as manager of the café in the College of Business and Economics and treasurer of the College Democrats. She is grateful for the many leadership opportunities AU has afforded her.
“Ashland has totally lived up to my expectations,” she said. “I’m involved in so many different organizations. It’s been awesome building my leadership background, which will be very helpful in the future.”
Cynthia Linehan, with Ashland County EMA, released Ashland County Warming Center Locations for the upcoming weather, calling for snow with temperatures dipping down below zero, with winds of 25 to 35 miles per hour, with higher gusts.
Trinity Lutheran Church (times vary) 508 Center St.
Ashland County Sheriff’s Office 1205 E. Main Street
Hayesville Fire Station 8 High Street
Savannah Fire Station 6 Haney St.
Kroc Center 527 E. Liberty, Thursday 5:15a.m. to 8p.m.; Friday 7:30a.m. to 12:30p.m.
Ashland Transit will provide rides 6a.m. to 9p.m. Thursday and Friday.
ISSUED: 12/20/2022 6:02 AM www.weather.gov/CLE OVERVIEW:
▪ High confidence continues for a multi-hazard storm system to reach the area Thursday night through Saturday.
▪ Significant winds and extreme cold, including dangerous wind chills, still appear to be the greatest threats from the storm.
There is very high confidence in strong winds across the region, including wind gusts above 40 mph on Thursday night in far NE OH and NW PA and 45-55 mph across the entire area Friday and Saturday. Winds could down trees and blow around unsecured items. Winds will pose a hazard to traveling high profile vehicles.
Winds would likely cause considerable blowing and drifting of any new snowfall.
Late Thursday Night into the Weekend
▪ There is very high confidence in very cold temperatures Friday through Sunday, including single digit or colder temperatures. Wind chills well below zero, including as low as -20 to -25°F, are possible Friday and Saturday night.
▪ There is still great uncertainty in how much snowfall to expect across the region at this time. However, accumulating snow is early Friday morning through early Saturday morning. Due to the immense size of the expected storm, snow could possibly extend into Saturday and Saturday night in the snow belt areas of Northeast Ohio and Northwest Pennsylvania.
Heffelfinger’s Meat Market is celebrating their one-year anniversary, at the new Ashland location. I was able to catch up with owner, Rick Heffelfinger, in a recent interview.
“Heffelfinger’s Meats is rooted in Jeromesville, started in Ashland, in 1934,” owner Rick Heffelfinger said.
Heffelfinger’s Meats is a $1.7 million premier Meat shop, located right off U.S. Route 250, at 1110 Commerce Parkway in Ashland, this 5,500 square-foot facility is located right beside the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicle building.
The facility in Jeromesville, which also has a small retail market, located at 469 County Road 30-A Jeromesville, Ohio, is the largest harvesting facility in Ohio, according to the state’s meat inspection division.
Heffelfinger said, “Heffelfinger’s Meats carries fresh and frozen meats; besides the usual Beef & Pork, they also carry Bison, Elk, Ohio Goat, Veal, Lamb, Duck, and Free-Range Turkeys.”
“We have had a great year,” Manager Jeff Brewer said. “The only problem is, some people do not even know we are here. I have had people come in saying, ‘when did you guys open up here at this location?’”
Two Dates Left for Ashland Christmas Village Besides Santa Claus, Santa’s sleigh will be there, along with his reindeer for families to enjoy and get photos with the kids.
Don’t forget to visit Santa’s elves, who will be serving up their own special batch of hot cocoa, and cookies from Mrs. Claus’s kitchen.
Admission is free including the photo with Santa and all are welcome. Make sure the kids bring their letter to drop off at the North Pole Mailbox.
All letters that include a return address will receive a handwritten letter back from the North Pole!
On December 17th, 2022, the Mansfield Division of Police held its annual Awards Banquet at the Ohio State Reformatory. This banquet is held to recognize the accomplishments of all members of the division.
The banquet concluded with the awarding of the division’s major awards, Officer, Supervisor, Detective, Civilian, & Top Cops of the year, (see below).
This is only a minor snapshot of the work conducted daily by all employees of the division. We are proud of all our members.
OFFICER OF THE YEAR:
This officer is an unspoken leader on our shift and assists other officers consistently. This officer requires very little supervision, is extremely reliable, and strives for excellence every day. He has positive interactions with the public and fellow officers, and rarely receives a complaint. He has a knack for creating a rapport with suspects to gain more information to assist him with an investigation or gain knowledge for a future incident. This officer has demonstrated his ability to be effective by generating a high amount of activity in each statistical category, even though he has been continually training officers.
This officer is consistently striving to better himself, whether that be through training, or by taking a proactive stance with policing. His self-initiative is unparalleled on his shift. This officer is a member of the SWAT team, the Opiate Response team, and also the Honor Guard. This officer is a Field Training Officer, and he takes this responsibility and role seriously, recognizing the importance of this position and the future of the department. Due to him continually having a “cub” this year, with very few breaks in between “cubs”, his stats do not reflect his activity.
This officer assisted with raising funds for a local charity to get to the donation level that we strived to get as a department. This officer has been nominated for numerous awards this year, and outside of work coaches area youth basketball. This officer is well deserving of this recognition due to the strength of his individual performance, and collaborative efforts with various units within the division. He looks for ways to better serve the department and our community. It is my pleasure to announce Officer Travis Stantz as Officer of the Year 2022.
SUPERVISOR OF THE YEAR:
This Sergeant started his career with The Mansfield Division of Police on August 20th, 2007, and was promoted to the rank of Sergeant on October 24, 2019. He is a member of the A.S.O.R.T. Team and Bike Unit. This Sergeant is also a certified Taser, Special Munitions, O.C. Spray, Fitness Instructor, and Field Training Officer Supervisor for the division. This supervisor teaches not only at in-service trainings but at Police Academies during his off time.
This Sergeant is above average in (11) out of (16) statistical categories and leads all supervisors in (6) out of (16) statistical categories. He had (7) Felony Arrests, (7) Felony Warrants, (3) Misdemeanor Arrests, (1) Misdemeanor warrants, (11) Summonses, (8) Traffic Citations, (31) Parking Tickets, (26) Friendly Warnings, (51) General Offense Reports, ($21,500.00) Stolen Recovered Property, (2) Crime Alert Cards, and (11) Field Interview Cards.
This Sergeant continues to lead by example. Earlier this year, while on patrol he observed a vehicle crash and contacted the operator to see if he needed aid. The Sgt did not know the subject was wanted for murder out of Columbus, Ohio and was armed with a handgun. After a violent struggle in which this Sergeant suffered an injury, the subject was taken into custody. This supervisor continues to set an example for officers and supervisors by “leading from the front.” This sergeant continues to set the standard other supervisors should follow. I am proud to announce Sergeant Ryan Grimshaw as the 2022 Supervisor of the Year.
CIVILIAN OF THE YEAR:
The year 2022 proved to be a challenging year on afternoon watch due to several critical incidents on the shift. The incidents were relentless. Every day, behind every group of patrol officers, is a team assembled to monitor, coordinate, and document the logistics and specifics of each one of these incidents. Then, once in a generation, there is an exceptional member of the Division who stands out and does more for the officers and citizens they proudly serve. Here are a couple of examples.
On February 25, after gassing a residence on West Cook Road, officers and firefighters were struggling due to the effects of the gas, trying to get to a suspect in the attic. This member of the Division worked tirelessly to find additional gas masks for the safety forces on scene. At the exact same time, Crestline Police was investigating a homicide in their city relaying intel that the suspect was in Mansfield.
This member worked alongside members of the PSCC to oversee and coordinate Divisional resources, including the activation of ASORT, and ultimately the successful apprehension of the suspect and key pieces of evidence.
During a particularly challenging week in April, this member of the Division received a 9-1-1 call for a male shooting a high-powered rifle into a business and other passing vehicle in the North end of the city. In real-time, this Public Safety Dispatcher provided highly accurate information on the changing location of the suspect and fleeing vehicle ultimately leading to a successful arrest and location of the rifle. Just days later, this dispatcher fielded multiple 9-1-1 calls for shots fired into a vehicle on the greater Southside. A shooting victim was later located several blocks away and the specific incident location was in question as the crime scene was massive.
Without prompting, this dispatcher called back multiple callers and witnesses until able to determine a specific incident location. This played a key role in helping patrol officers and detectives’ piece together a timeline and locate evidence. The next day, during a shooting and subsequent homicide, this dispatcher was able to decipher multiple apartment buildings and apartment numbers and get safety forces to the correct location. In addition, he was able to get witness information and safely hold them there for patrol officers, leading to an identification of a suspect. Again, this one week.
Utilizing new technology in the radio room is not easy for all. New pieces of tech come from every direction but this dispatcher has taken the time to master each piece of technology and use their knowledge to assist officers and firefighters in the field. This was displayed during a shooting that was first called out by detectives. Before incoming calls could even be transferred to the PSCC, this dispatcher was able to use mapping software to plot the location. This dispatcher relayed the location information to responding officers who arrived on the scene and render medical assistance to the shooting victim, who had driven their car into a house. During a review of the call for service, officers were on the scene with the victim before the caller ever gave their address.
The actions listed are just a snapshot of what this member of the Division does daily. The intuition they follow along with their unparalleled dedication to the officers on the street has proven this is a once-in-a-generation Public Safety Dispatcher.
For his continuous dedication to the public safety forces and the citizens of Mansfield, I am proud to announce the 2022 Civilian of the Year – Shane Behrendsen.
DETECTIVE OF THE YEAR:
This detective is assigned to 2nd shift in the Detective Bureau and is a stalwart for young patrol officers on 2nd shift. This detective assists 2nd shift patrol officers in gaining knowledge and experience on a daily basis. 2nd shift patrol is comprised of the youngest and least experienced officers in the division. This detective is always willing to assist the young patrol officers with making photo line-ups and/or proctoring the photo line-ups, while the officers observe. Young patrol officers are encouraged to seek guidance from this detective by supervision and to “pick their brains.” This detective will help young patrol officers draft, serve and complete search warrants. He has a wealth of knowledge and insight that he shares with the young patrol officers. This detective has responded to multiple critical incidents and while completing his duties always finds time to help train and educate young patrol officers on the scene of the critical incidents. This detective is an asset to 2nd shift patrol, the Detective Bureau, and the division. He is dependable and valuable to the division and is deserving of recognition for all he does; while working in a section that is currently down fifty percent of its authorized strength. It is my honor to announce Detective Terry Butler as the 2022 Detective of the year.
The Salvation Army Christmas Angel Tree Toy Distribution
The Salvation Army conducted their Christmas Angel Tree Toy distribution, combined with their food distribution, today. Each year, the Angel Tree program helps provide Christmas gifts for hundreds of children and seniors in need, across Ashland Country.
Angel Trees have been set up at different businesses, and a little Angle with each “Wish list” is put on the tree. Anyone can pick what wish they would help fulfill. The generosity of anonymous donors who adopt “angels” from the Angel Trees helps make the season more rewarding for the gift giver and gives a sense of community to the recipients.
If you need help getting in the Christmas spirit, you need to go no further than the Ashland Kroc Center. Between the Majors and the staff you will be singing Christmas carols and shouting Ho Ho Ho and a very Merry Christmas!
The Kroc Center has teamed up with local businesses such as Buckeye Car Wash, Head Start, Ashland Post of the Ohio Highway Patrol, Ashland County Sherriff Department, Ashland Learning Zone, Calvary Baptist Church, Charles River, Lippert, Bo Lacey, Victory Chiropractic, Ashland University, Ashland University Tennis, Z’s Hair Design, Pentair, Dollar Tree, Lake Erie Frozen Foods, Church of Christ, Liquibox, Donley Auto Group, Ashland/ Holmes Career Center, National Pride Car Wash, and Walmart/ Woodforest Bank. Dearman Moving & Storage provided us with a storage pod for gifts collected throughout the season, and let’s not forget our student volunteers from South Central High School.
The Salvation Army is most often recognized for the iconic red kettles seen during the Christmas season. However, many may not be aware that donations collected during the holidays do so much more than they think. Not only do these funds help provide gifts to children who would otherwise go without, but they also help provide a wide range of critical social services to more than 25 million Americans all year long.
Every day of the year, Salvation Army service centers across the country provide basic necessities like food, shelter, clothing, and financial assistance. During the holidays, these requests typically increase, and The Salvation Army relies on the generosity of the American public to ensure people have a roof over their heads, food on the table, lights on the tree, and heat in the home.
Although the holidays are often a time of joy, many families are unable to celebrate as they battle the effects of poverty. The ongoing impacts of the pandemic, inflation, evictions, job loss, and other challenges have increased the number of difficult decisions that more people have to make, such as paying bills or buying Christmas presents for their children. The Salvation Army is there to help those most in need.
Red Kettles: Now in its 132nd year, the annual Red Kettle Campaign is one of the longest-running and most recognizable fundraising efforts in the world. Donations to red kettles in the United States help support those in need through sheltering, after-school programs, addiction-recovery programs, summer camps, disaster assistance, and many other social services throughout the year.
A HUGE Thank you and a BIG Merry Christmas to Major Billy Francis and his wife Major Annalise Francis, and their Awesome staff at the Salvation Army Ashland Kroc Center.
The Ashland County Sheriff’s Office recently celebrated the retirement of K-9 Oz, a valued member of their team. With his exceptional skills and dedication to the job, Oz has made a lasting impact on the Ashland County community. This retirement party was a special occasion to honor his service and express gratitude for his contributions.
Born on July 6, 2015, in the Czech Republic, K-9 Oz joined the Ashland County Sheriff’s Office on March 15, 2019. From the moment he arrived, Oz proved to be a remarkable asset to the road division, where he worked alongside his handler, Deputy Duewel. Over the years, Oz has played a crucial role in ensuring the safety of the community and has become an integral part of Deputy Duewel’s family.
Detective Duewel, Oz’s handler, expressed his gratitude to the Sheriff’s Office for the opportunity to work with such an exceptional K-9. He acknowledged Oz’s contribution to both his career and personal life, stating that Oz has been an incredible partner at work and a valued member of his family. Although Oz’s time as a patrol dog may be over, he will continue to fulfill his role as a devoted home protector.
Sheriff E. Wayne Risner highlighted the significance of K-9 Oz’s retirement, emphasizing his immense value to the Ashland County Sheriff’s K-9 program. Oz consistently exceeded expectations, meeting all annual certification requirements to be an active working K-9. Deputy Josh Duewel and Oz made an extraordinary team, and fortunately, they will continue their journey together, as Oz will remain with Josh and his family.
K-9 Oz’s journey at the Ashland County Sheriff’s Office took a meaningful turn when he was transferred to Deputy Josh Duewel. Quickly, they became a dynamic duo, working tirelessly across all three shifts. The bond between K-9 handlers and their partners goes beyond professional collaboration; they become family. These four-legged officers eagerly await their workday, often waiting by the door with excitement. Oz’s absence during Deputy Duewel’s shifts will undoubtedly require an adjustment period for both of them. The personnel of the Sheriff’s Office will miss Oz dearly, knowing that he will receive the utmost care and attention in his retirement with the Duewel household.
The retirement of K-9 Oz left a lasting impact on the Ashland County Sheriff’s Office. Captain Don Sims, from the Enforcement Division, acknowledged Oz’s outstanding performance in serving the citizens of Ashland County and expressed how he would be missed by all personnel within the Sheriff’s Office. Though his active duty days may be over, Oz will always hold a special place in the hearts of those who worked alongside him.
The Ashland community has consistently shown their support for the K-9 program, proving their appreciation for the work these dogs do. The retirement ceremony for K-9 Oz is a testament to the value their partnership brings to the community’s safety. The citizens and personnel of the Ashland County Sheriff’s Office express their gratitude to the community for their unwavering support.
As the K-9 team leader, Deputy Detective Rick Kinter acknowledged Deputy Josh Duewel’s exceptional commitment and patience during his time as a K-9 handler. Oz’s training required extra time and effort, and Deputy Duewel proved his dedication to the role. Kinter humorously mentioned that a true K-9 handler is only certified after being bitten by their own dog, and Deputy Duewel can proudly wear that title. K-9 Oz excelled in tracking and narcotics detection, leaving a lasting impression on both Deputy Duewel and the Ashland community. While Oz enters retirement, Deputy Duewel begins a new chapter in his career without his trusted K-9 partner.
In conclusion, the Ashland County Sheriff’s Office celebrated the remarkable career of K-9 Oz during his retirement party. Oz’s dedication and hard work have made a significant impact on the Ashland County community. The partnership between Deputy Josh Duewel and K-9 Oz has been nothing short of exceptional, and they will continue their bond in the years to come. The retirement of K-9 Oz marks an essential milestone in the K-9 program’s history, leaving behind a legacy of expertise, dedication, and trust.
Joe Lyons •
December 21, 2022
This officer is an unspoken leader on our shift and assists other officers consistently. This officer requires very little supervision, is extremely reliable, and strives for excellence every day. He has positive interactions with the public and fellow officers, and rarely receives a complaint. He has a knack for creating a rapport with suspects to gain more information to assist him with an investigation or gain knowledge for a future incident. This officer has demonstrated his ability to be effective by generating a high amount of activity in each statistical category, even though he has been continually training officers.
This Sergeant started his career with The Mansfield Division of Police on August 20th, 2007, and was promoted to the rank of Sergeant on October 24, 2019. He is a member of the A.S.O.R.T. Team and Bike Unit. This Sergeant is also a certified Taser, Special Munitions, O.C. Spray, Fitness Instructor, and Field Training Officer Supervisor for the division. This supervisor teaches not only at in-service trainings but at Police Academies during his off time.
The year 2022 proved to be a challenging year on afternoon watch due to several critical incidents on the shift. The incidents were relentless. Every day, behind every group of patrol officers, is a team assembled to monitor, coordinate, and document the logistics and specifics of each one of these incidents. Then, once in a generation, there is an exceptional member of the Division who stands out and does more for the officers and citizens they proudly serve. Here are a couple of examples.
This detective is assigned to 2nd shift in the Detective Bureau and is a stalwart for young patrol officers on 2nd shift. This detective assists 2nd shift patrol officers in gaining knowledge and experience on a daily basis. 2nd shift patrol is comprised of the youngest and least experienced officers in the division. This detective is always willing to assist the young patrol officers with making photo line-ups and/or proctoring the photo line-ups, while the officers observe. Young patrol officers are encouraged to seek guidance from this detective by supervision and to “pick their brains.” This detective will help young patrol officers draft, serve and complete search warrants. He has a wealth of knowledge and insight that he shares with the young patrol officers. This detective has responded to multiple critical incidents and while completing his duties always finds time to help train and educate young patrol officers on the scene of the critical incidents. This detective is an asset to 2nd shift patrol, the Detective Bureau, and the division. He is dependable and valuable to the division and is deserving of recognition for all he does; while working in a section that is currently down fifty percent of its authorized strength. It is my honor to announce Detective Terry Butler as the 2022 Detective of the year.
