Loudonville Police Department responded to a complaint of animal abuse, on 05/18/2022. When Officers arrived, they found the caller’s dog, “Luna,” had been beaten and abused so badly, that the dog had to be sent to the Ark Veterinary Hospital in Wooster, Ohio.
Loudonville Police Department Sergeant, Sean Gorrell, said in a report, “We soon learned that the injuries to Luna had been so severe that Luna had to be euthanized.”
On July 14th, 2022, the Ashland County Grand Jury indicted Spencer Thomas Spreng, age 21, of Oberlin, Ohio, on one count of Cruelty to Companion Animals (a felony of the fifth degree).
On November 7th, of 2022, Spencer changed his plea from “Not Guilty” to Guilty by remote videoconferencing.
A Bench Warrant for Spencer’s arrest was issued on 11/21/2022, and his bond was revoked, and he was ordered to be remanded to the custody of the Ashland County Sheriff’s Office.
Sergeant Sean Gorrell stated, “We would like to thank the Ashland County Dog Warden’s Office for their assistance with this case. We would also like to thank all Loudonville Police employees who worked diligently on the case, the Ashland County Prosecutor’s Office, and all involved witnesses for their helping in securing justice.”
In a Sentencing Hearing by remote videoconferencing, on January 4, 2023, Spencer appeared with his attorney Robert Rolf Whitney, and the Ashland County Prosecutor’s Office represented by Michael Joseph Callow. Judge Ronald Forsthoefel sentenced Spencer Thomas Spreng to the following:
A one hundred fifty (150) days term of incarceration at Ashland County Jail with work-release participation permitted and Community Control for 2 years.
The Court imposes the following nonresidential sanction(s) pursuant to R.C. 2929.17:
• Pursuant to R.C. 2929.17(A) the defendant must follow all local, state, and federal laws and ordinances, and may not leave the state without the permission his/her supervising officer.
• The defendant SHALL NOT use, possess, or consume any alcoholic beverages, mood altering chemicals or drugs of abuse. The use of medical marijuana is prohibited while the Defendant is subject to community control sanctions.
• The defendant shall obtain both a substance abuse assessment and mental health
assessment from licensed service providers approved by his/her supervising officer; and shall thereafter participate in and successfully complete all substance abuse and mental health treatment recommendations of their respective service providers.
• The defendant shall report all prescription medications to his/her supervising officer within twenty-four (24) hours of receiving a prescription from a licensed physician or other appropriately licensed health care provider, and he/she shall not possess or use any prescription medication which has not been prescribed for the defendant by a licensed physician or other appropriately licensed health care provider.
• The defendant shall execute all necessary and/or appropriate waivers to permit the Adult Parole Authority and the Court to monitor the defendant’s compliance with Court’s orders, as well as any counseling or treatment recommendations.
• The defendant is ORDERED to abide by the following curfew: defendant to be at approved residence between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m., unless in conflict with verified employment or granted permission by his/her supervising officer to do otherwise.
• The defendant is ORDERED to obtain and maintain gainful employment. The defendant shall not lose his/her employment for cause.
• The defendant SHALL abide by and follow general rules, regulations and/or special condition recommendations of his/her supervising authority, and he/she shall obey all laws and all orders of the Court.
• The defendant shall complete 24 hours of community service work in the manner and form approved by his/her supervising officer
• The defendant SHALL keep his/her supervising officer informed of his/her residence and place of employment.
• The defendant SHALL NOT enter the grounds of any correctional facility, nor attempt to visit any prisoner without the written permission of his/her supervising officer, and SHALL NOT communicate with any prisoner in any manner without obtaining permission from his/her supervising officer.
• The defendant SHALL report any arrest, citation for a violation of law, conviction, or any other contact with a law enforcement officer to his/her supervising officer within 24 hours of the arrest, citation, conviction, or other law enforcement contact.
• The defendant SHALL NOT associate with persons having a criminal background and/or persons who may have gang affiliation, or who could influence Defendant to engage in criminal activity, without the prior permission of his/her supervising officer.
• The defendant SHALL give all information regarding his/her financial status to his/her
supervising officer, to assist in determining defendant’s ability to pay specific financial
obligations.
The defendant shall pay the court costs in this case, including a sum of $30.00. taxed as costs pursuant to Ohio Revised Code Section 2949.091 and a sum of $30.00, to be paid over to the Treasurer of the State of Ohio, pursuant to Ohio Revised Code Section 2743.70.
Having held a restitution hearing pursuant to R.C. 2929.18 and having considered the defendant’s present and future ability to pay, the defendant is ordered to make restitution in the amount of two thousand four hundred twenty-nine and 75/100 dollar(s) ($2429.75) to Mahlin Hawkins, Loudonville, OH 44842. All payments shall be made to and distributed by the Ashland County Clerk of Court.
This order of restitution by the Court can be converted to a civil judgement and collected by the victim through a civil action.
The defendant is remanded to the custody of the Ashland County Sheriff to complete the residential sanction imposed above.
The Court informed the Defendant that under federal law, a person convicted of a felony cannot lawfully possess a firearm pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 922(g)(1).
Lyme Township – The Norwalk Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating a two-vehicle fatal crash that occurred on January 14, 2023 at 4:57 PM. The crash occurred on State Route 547 at Section Line 30 in Lyme Township, Huron County.
Lacey Gerich, age 28, of Norwalk, was driving a blue 2016 Hyundai Tucson southbound on Section Line 30. Charlotte Jagel, age 1, of Norwalk was the right rear passenger. Thomas Eaton, age 44, of Bellevue, was driving a white 2023 Peterbilt 567 northeast on State Route 547. Ms. Gerich failed to yield from a stop sign and pulled into the path of Mr. Eaton. Mr. Eaton struck Ms. Gerich on the passenger side. Both vehicles came to rest off the southeast corner of the intersection.
Lacey Gerich was not wearing a safety belt and was pronounced dead at the scene by North Central EMS. Charlotte Jagel was in a child seat and was transported by North Central EMS to Fisher Titus Hospital for minor injuries.
Ms. Gerich’s vehicle was towed from the scene by Wilcox Towing. Thomas Eaton was wearing a safety belt and sustained no injuries.
Mr. Eaton’s vehicle was towed from the scene by Wilcox Towing.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol was assisted on scene by the Huron County Sheriff’s Office, Bellevue Fire Department, North Central EMS and Wilcox Towing.
UPDATE:, The 2011 Ford Escape has been recovered. Found in a field in Holmes County. It was trashed on the inside, and missing the catalytic converter.
Around 5pm this evening a 2011 Ford Escape was stolen from the Dollar Store in Perrysville.
Anyone with any information is ask to call the Ashland County Sheriff’s Office
Pursuit Into Ashland, on January 6th 2023, around 4:30 pm, that came off I-71 Southbound Lane, turning right on US Route 250, to Commerce Parkway and into the parking lot of Aldi’s, at 1033 Commerce Parkway, through the yard, and into the parking lot of Hampton Inn & Suites, back out on US Route 250, going East to I-71, back to the Southbound lane where the car stopped after having the right side tire go flat.
Little to no information has been released, it hasn’t be clarified what agencies were involved.
Today, Ashland Municipal Court Magistrate, Fred M. Oxley heard eight Amish responses to their fines and costs hearings.
Magistrate Oxley explained that these hearings were to determine a person’s ability to pay a fine and develop a payment plan, if necessary, or the court could order community service, asset forfeiture, wage garnishes or even jail time. If jail is ordered, a $50.00 per day credit would be assessed against the fines.
Elmer Hershberger, Mosie Shetler, Andy Swartzentruber, Eli L. Swartzentruber, Henry Swartzentruber, Susan Troyer, Eli J. Yoder, and Levi Yoder all reported that they understood their rights and understood what could happen.
Most of the Amish in court today said that they would not pay their fines, because it is against their religious beliefs, but they would take jail time. The next court date for the eight Amish is on April 14th, at 1pm.
According to a Sheriff’s Office report, 73 Amish have been cited with the violation of 4513.114 – Lights on Horse Drawn Buggy from 10/10/2022 to 01/03/2023.
Ashland County Sheriff’s Office Sheriff E. Wayne Risner commented “We don’t make the laws; we only enforce the laws, and we fully support this law, because it creates a safer environment on our Ashland roadways. As far as negotiating, we can’t. That is not within our power to negotiate. Just like if an English individual would have no lights on their vehicle, we would issue a citation, no difference.”
Sheriff Risner pointed out “The Sheriff’s Office has met with the Amish Bishops numerous times, before and after the law came into effect. We made flyers, and made sure they all had the information. The Sheriff’s Office has gone above and beyond, working to educate and explain this new law. An overwhelming population of the Amish are in compliance with this law.”
The Sentinel Warriors LEMC in Ashland County, has announce an Ashland County K-9 Fundraiser called “Soup for K-9’s” on February 11th, 2023 at 2293 State Route 603 in Mifflin, Ohio.
Ashland County K-9 units will there to do a demonstration.
Bill Bauer said. “We are looking for local companies to donate items for our silent auction.”
If anyone is interested in Donating, please email Bill Bauer at Billbauer88@gmail.com
On 11/05/2022, Detectives from the Mansfield Police Department’s Major Crime Section obtained a murder warrant for Nathan J. Olsen (W/M/40). This is in connection with the October 22, 2022 murder of Antonyo Powell at 20 Antibus Pl., Mansfield.
On 01/11/23 at approximately 7:00 AM, the U.S. Marshals Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force (NOVFTF) collaborated with Marshals in South Carolina to successfully serve this warrant resulting in the arrest of Mr. Olson at 290 Indian Ridge Ct., Fountain Inn SC.
This arrest is a direct result of excellent work by the entire Major Crimes Section of the Mansfield Police Department and the relationship with the Division of Police and the NOVFTF.
Anyone with any further information about this investigation please call Major Crimes Detective Richard Clapp at (419) 755-9470.
ASHLAND, Ohio – Ashland University will celebrate AU Unity Week Jan. 16-19 with a series of events to commemorate Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., while bringing students, faculty, staff and the broader community together for conversation, fellowship, engagement and service. AU’s Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusive Excellence (DEI) is coordinating the celebration, and all of the events are open to the public.
“I am so excited to bring Unity Week 2023 to Ashland University to honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King and to inspire us as we move forward,” said Brielle Nettles, executive director of DEI. “Through this series of in-person and virtual events, members of AU and the larger Ashland area can celebrate our rich diversity and come together in ways that advance unity, peacemaking, justice and joy. Inspired by Dr. King’s exhortation ‘The time is always right to do what is right,’ it is my hope that Unity Week will encourage us all to remain diligent and active in the work of building a beloved community.”
On MLK Day itself, Monday, Jan. 16, AU students will be volunteering from 12-4 p.m. for a number of community partners, including Ashland Special Needs Ministry, ACCESS, Safe Haven, Paid in Full and Ashland Parenting Plus. Students, faculty and staff can still sign up to help here.
That evening, AU is hosting “Unity in Fellowship,” which will feature a jazz band and readings of MLK texts and original works. It will take place at Jack and Deb Miller Chapel from 6:30-8:30 p.m.
On Tuesday, Jan. 17, a “Lunch and Learn” will be hosted by AU professors Peter Slade and Craig Hovey. They will lead a study and discussion of “Paul’s Letter to American Christians,” a sermon that King delivered at the inaugural convention of the United Presbyterian Church. This event will be held in ABCD Conference Room of the Hawkins-Conard Student Center, starting at noon (light food will be served).
A virtual fireside chat will be held Wednesday, Jan. 18, from 7-8 p.m., featuring attorney Bobby Alexander. A scholar, educator and equity champion, Alexander is focused on increasing access and opportunity for at-risk communities and his commitment to justice and equality will inspire the audience. Registration for the virtual event is available here.
On Thursday, Jan. 19, there will be a DEI Open House at the Robert Troop Center from noon-2 p.m. It is an opportunity for AU clubs and organizations, as well as community-based groups, to come together and showcase their work and share options how to join or support them (light refreshments will be served).
On 01/10/23 at approximately 11:20 AM, the U.S. Marshals Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force (NOVFTF), arrested Monteles Holland, who was wanted on an Aggravated Murder warrant. Mr. Holland is the suspect in the January shooting of Nayshawn Lovett at the Quality Inn at 500 N. Trimble Rd.
The suspect was located at in an apartment at 3725 Kimberly West Dr in Columbus, Ohio, and taken into custody without incident.
We are hopeful that this arrest will not only allow the victim’s family some relief but also, help alleviate any additional community fears. We ask that you respect the victim’s family’s privacy at this time.
Anyone with any further information about this investigation please call Major Crimes Detective Terry Butler at (419) 755-9791.
Joe Lyons •
January 16, 2023
