Local News

Troopers Investigating Serious Injury Crash on I-71

 

Montgomery Township – Troopers from the Ashland Highway Patrol Post are investigating a serious injury crash which occurred on IR-71, northbound, near milepost 188 in Ashland County, Ohio.

On Thursday, March 16, 2023 at approximately 1343 hours, a 2004 Volvo semi-truck and trailer were disabled on the right berm of IR-71. A 2019 Ford F-350 commercial service truck was on scene, assisting with repairs for the semi-truck and trailer. The service truck was attempting to block the right lane of IR-71.

The driver of the disabled semi-truck was outside of the vehicle and was attempting to disconnect the truck and trailer. A 2015 Freightliner box truck was driving in the right lane of travel and struck the rear of the service truck, which then struck the driver.

The driver of the Freightliner box truck was treated on scene and the passenger was transported to the Ashland UH Samaritan Medical Center with non-life threatening-injuries.

The driver of the service truck was also transported to the Ashland UH Samaritan Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries.

The driver of the disabled commercial vehicle was transported to Ohio-Health Mansfield Hospital with serious injuries.

I-71 northbound was closed for approximately 2 hours.

Other agencies assisting at the crash scene were: Ashland City Fire Department and the Ohio Department of Transportation.

Drugs and alcohol are not considered to be factors in the crash. The crash remains under investigation.

Photo Credit Kyle Bickel

Man Down on Ashland County Road 1095

Ashland County Sheriff’s Office and Ashland EMS responded to report of an unresponsive man found at a pond on Ashland County Road 1095.

“Reports on Facebook of a old man found in a pond on Co. Rd, 1095 is not the case” said Ashland County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy David Blake, “ it is believed that he had a medical condition and collapsed by the pond, This isn’t related to the missing Ashland man.”

Ashland EMS transported the male to Samaritan Hospital.

Free Concert

On Friday evening of the conference, March 24 at 6:30pm, we are opening the doors for the public to join us for a FREE bluegrass gospel concert, by Williamson Branch, Nashville, TN. Don’t miss it! If you have questions, call our office at (419) 962-1515.

3rd annual “Step Out of the Boat” Conference

Come and hear 20 Former Amish, Mennonite, Hutterite, and Mormon speakers tell their radical stories of stepping out in faith, overcoming immense fear and unbelief, and accomplishing God’s purposes for their lives. Our speakers are traveling from ID, CO, SD, MN, KS, and many eastern and southern states in the US.

This is all happening at the third annual Step Out of the Boat Conference, Bethel Baptist Church in Savannah, Ohio. The dates are March 22-25.

You will be encouraged, inspired, and challenged to move away from your own comfort zone and make a difference in this generation.

Join us for tons of food, fellowship, and board games.

 

Register today at www.mapministry.org.

 

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Free Concert

On Friday evening of the conference, March 24 at 6:30pm, we are opening the doors for the public to join us for a FREE bluegrass gospel concert, by Williamson Branch, Nashville, TN. Don’t miss it! If you have questions, call our office at (419) 962-1515.

3rd annual “Step Out of the Boat” Conference

Come and hear 20 Former Amish, Mennonite, Hutterite, and Mormon speakers tell their radical stories of stepping out in faith, overcoming immense fear and unbelief, and accomplishing God’s purposes for their lives. Our speakers are traveling from ID, CO, SD, MN, KS, and many eastern and southern states in the US.

This is all happening at the third annual Step Out of the Boat Conference, Bethel Baptist Church in Savannah, Ohio. The dates are March 22-25.

You will be encouraged, inspired, and challenged to move away from your own comfort zone and make a difference in this generation.

Join us for tons of food, fellowship, and board games.

Register today at www.mapministry.org.
 
 

Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day at AU’s Maplerock Jazz Festival

The 42nd edition of the Maplerock Jazz Festival, an educational and entertaining event that features the Ashland University Jazz Orchestra mixing with jazz luminaries and regional scholastic groups, will take place on St. Patrick’s Day this year. This Friday’s festival will be held inside AU’s Center for the Arts (331 College Ave.).

First, area high school bands are scheduled to perform in a non-competitive format from 1-4:30 p.m., at Hugo Young Theatre and the Elizabeth Pastor Recital Hall. In addition to performing, the groups will take part in workshops with instruction from the guest artists. This is free and open to the public.

At 7:30 p.m., the AUJO, accompanied by special guests Rob Parton (trumpet), Christopher Burge (saxophone), Jackie Warren (piano) and Sammy DeLeon (Latin percussion), will take the Hugo Young stage. They will play a variety of selections during the program.

Tickets for the evening concert are $10 for adults, $5 for students and free for AU students and high school participants. Please note the on-line ticketing system Ashland and many other colleges and universities use is currently down, so tickets will be available at the door (cash only).

Scott Garlock, director of the award-winning AUJO and professor of music at AU, noted that the Maplerock Jazz Festival is one of the oldest jazz festivals in Ohio and is named after the process by which the region’s Indigenous people extracted maple syrup.

FUGITIVES OF THE WEEK March 13, 2023

Rafael MartinezRafael Martinez Age: 38
White / Male / 5’8’’ / 180 / Black Hair / Brown Eyes
Wanted by the U.S Marshals Service and Richland County Sheriff’s Office and Adult Parole Authority for a bond violation on the original charge of trafficking in fentanyl and aggravated trafficking F1 and F2, and a parole violation on the original charge of rape F1.
Ties to the Cleveland area.

 

Clarence WebbClarence Webb Age: 60
Black / Male / 5’10’’ / 180 / Black Hair / Brown Eyes
Wanted by the U.S Marshals Service and Richland County Sheriff’s Office for aggravated possession of drugs.
Ties to Mansfield area.

 
 

Jaleeka BurtonJaleeka Burton Age: 27
Black / Female / 5’4’’ / 147 / Black Hair / Brown Eyes
Wanted by the Richland County Sheriff’s Office for aggravated possession of drugs.
Ties to the Mansfield area

 
 

Richard KiserRichard 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.

Prosecuting Attorney Christopher R. Tunnell Announces Law Enforcement Officer of the Month for March

Ashland County Prosecuting Attorney Christopher R. Tunnell Announces Law Enforcement Officer of the Month for March

Ashland County Prosecuting Attorney Christopher R. Tunnell is pleased to announce that the Office of the Month for March 2023 is Loudonville Police Department Sergeant Sean Gorrell.

Sergeant Gorrell has been instrumental in several recent investigations involving sexual assault, violent crime, and theft offenses. Sergeant Gorrell is a go-getter who follows up on lead after lead. One of his most positive attributes is his investment in collaborating with various agencies. This team player approach has resulted in building valuable relationships within our community.

Sergeant Gorrell leads by example and takes every opportunity to give credit to others. Because of his strong communication skills and investigative discernment, Sergeant Gorrell’s cases have been successful. He has made a positive impact on our community.

Prosecutor Tunnell added, “Sergeant Gorrell is the epitome of a small town police officer. His concern for everyone in his community is immediately apparent. He is always willing to lend a hand regardless of the nature of the investigation or where the crime occurred. He is an asset to Loudonville and to Ashland County.”

Each month Ashland County Prosecuting Attorney Christopher R. Tunnell will select an officer of the month to recognize the good work being done in our community by our law enforcement officers.

Troopers Investigating Fatal Crash on US 42

Montgomery Township – Troopers are investigating a fatal crash that occurred on US 42 near mile post 10 in Ashland County on Saturday, March 11, 2023 at approximately 2:27 P.M.

A 2011 Ford Explorer was traveling northbound on US 42 when it drove left of center and struck a 2015 Subaru Forester head-on that was traveling southbound. After the collision the Subaru Forester traveled off the right side of the roadway into a ditch while the Ford Explorer became disabled on the roadway.

The driver of the Subaru Forester, Joseph S. Meredith, 21 years old of West Salem, Ohio, sustained non-life threatening injuries and was taken by ground transport to UH Samaritan Medical Center in Ashland. The driver of the Ford Explorer, Emery J. Back, 53 years old of Plymouth, Ohio, sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased at UH Samaritan Medical Center in Ashland.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol was assisted at the crash scene by Ashland Fire and EMS. US 42 was closed for approximately 2 hours. Both parties involved in the crash were wearing their seatbelts. Drugs and alcohol are not considered to be factors in the crash.

The crash is currently still under investigation.

“SPRING FORWARD”

DON’T FORGET TO SET CLOCKS AHEAD ONE HOUR TONIGHT

Daylight Saving Time begins on Sunday, March 12, 2023 at 2:00 A.M.

 

Are we getting rid of daylight savings time 2023?

Last year, the Senate passed the Sunshine Protection Act of 2021, introduced by Senator Marco Rubio (R-Fla.). The bill would make daylight saving time our normal time, effective in early November 2023.

It was sent to the House of Representatives in March, but no action was taken on it

ASHLAND WEATHER