The Ashland County Engineer’s Office, Kelly Hickey, Administrative Assistant/Safety, has announced that County Road 700 will be temporarily closed in two separate locations for essential culvert replacements.
First Closure:
Location: A section of County Road 700 in Jackson Township between Township Road 251 and County Road 175, specifically between House #184 and County Road 175.
Dates: Monday, June 3rd, and Tuesday, June 4th.
Details: The road will be closed overnight and is expected to reopen by 8:00 AM on Tuesday, June 4th.
Second Closure:
Location: Another section of County Road 700 in Jackson Township between Township Road 101 and State Route 42, specifically between House #76 and House #63.
Dates: Tuesday, June 4th, and Wednesday, June 5th.
Details: This section will also be closed overnight, with the anticipated reopening by 8:00 AM on Wednesday, June 5th.
Motorists are advised to plan alternate routes during these closures and to exercise caution when traveling in the affected areas. The culvert replacements are crucial for maintaining road safety and infrastructure integrity.
For further information, residents can contact the Ashland County Engineer’s Office.
The Ashland County Engineer’s Office appreciates the public’s patience and cooperation as these necessary repairs are completed.
Wooster Township – On Wednesday, May 29, 2024 at 4:57 AM the Ohio State Highway Patrol’s Wooster Post was notified of a single vehicle crash on SR 226 south of Township Road 76 (Valley Road).
A white 2014 Volkswagen Jetta was northbound on SR 226 and drove off the left side of the roadway striking a culvert, guardrail, and overturning into a creek bed at the bottom of an embankment.
The driver of the Jetta, David E. Ellis, 64 years old, of Shreve, died at the scene of the crash. Mr. Ellis was seat belted in the Jetta. Alcohol and drugs are not suspected to be contributing factors in this crash.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol was assisted on scene by the Wayne County Coroner’s Office, Wooster Township Fire and EMS, Bear’s Towing, and the Wayne County Sheriff’s Department.
James D. Taylor has been charged with Aggravated Vehicular Homicide, a second-degree felony, in connection with the death of 12-year-old Tye David Miezejewski. The charges stem from an incident on May 24, 2024, in which Taylor, while operating a 2009 Chevrolet Silverado, allegedly caused Miezejewski’s death.
James D. Taylor
In a video bond hearing yesterday at 2:30 PM, Taylor, represented by Attorney Patrick Farrell, appeared before Ashland County Court of Common Pleas, Magistrate Paul T. Lange. Ashland Prosecuting Attorney Christopher Tunnell represented the State of Ohio. Taylor entered a plea of not guilty.
Magistrate Lange set Taylor’s bond at $100,000, which can be met through a surety bond, a bond secured by real estate or securities, or a cash deposit. The bond conditions include several strict requirements:
Taylor must not use, consume, or possess any drugs of abuse or alcohol, and he will be subject to random drug and alcohol testing at his own expense. The use of any product containing THC is prohibited while he is on bond.
Taylor is required to seek a drug/alcohol assessment from a properly credentialed addiction treatment professional and comply with the recommended treatment plan. He must make an appointment and provide verification to the court within fourteen days of posting bond.
He will be subject to passive monitoring through Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) tracking and must comply with all associated terms and conditions. He is prohibited from entering any GPS exclusion zones and must adhere to curfew restrictions from 9:00 PM to 6:00 AM at his approved residence.
Taylor is barred from operating any motor vehicle.
He is also prohibited from having any contact, direct or indirect, with members of the victim’s family.
Magistrate Lange has scheduled a preliminary hearing for this case on Friday, May 31, 2024, at 10:00 AM via video.
Floods are deadly weather disasters that kill more Americans every year than hurricanes or tornadoes. As leaders in organizations whose missions include protecting lives and property from flooding, we know firsthand the devastation that flooding can inflict on our communities, and in honor of National Dam Safety Day approaching on May 31, we want to recognize the importance of that significance. Floods can literally wash away lives, homes, businesses, public infrastructure and the environment. Moreover, they pose a significant threat to communities themselves, and can forever alter the character of the places we call home.
To the challenge of preventing and reducing the impact of floods, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District (MWCD) each apply our respective expertise in engineering and water resource management, and a range of sophisticated—and expensive—tools including levees, dams, and flood control structures. Even with our technical know-how and resources, however, successful outcomes often depend on our working together. And sometimes, in spite of all of our best efforts and collaboration, Mother Nature wins the battle.
For more than 90 years the USACE and MWCD have been partners in flood mitigation in Eastern Ohio. The Muskingum River watershed is historically prone to flooding, and in 1913 a flood in the watershed took the lives of nearly 500 residents, destroyed 69 bridges in the area and effectively wiped away Ohio’s canal system. The cost in property destroyed and resulting economic losses exceeded $300 million. This event, which remains as the greatest natural disaster in Ohio history to this day, was the impetus to creating the MWCD and starting its collaboration with the USACE.
The USACE operates and maintains the 16 dams on MWCD property and the MWCD cost shares major dam safety modifications as well as owns and operates the lakes and parks.
Just as both agencies work in close collaboration with each other, we both also partner with local organizations throughout Eastern Ohio to advance flood mitigation and prevention. First, there isn’t a monopoly on good ideas or insights, so having other frontline partners expands what you know and how fast you know it. Despite all the technology we have today, it doesn’t replace firsthand, human intelligence when working in the natural environment where things change rapidly. Second, local partnerships foster community engagement and support, which is essential for the success and sustainability of flood management initiatives. Finally, local partnerships enable the pooling of resources and expertise, maximizing the effectiveness of flood mitigation efforts.
Though the Corps of Engineers and MWCD are each large organizations, with strong budgets and the ability to hire experts in dam operations and watershed management, we still lean on each other to protect Eastern Ohio residents and their homes, farms and businesses. Similarly, together, and separately we have a network of smaller, local partners that share our missions, and which amplify our mutual success—all for the purpose of protecting lives and property. This also reinforces the fact that the best and most effective responses to disasters, should they occur, start at the local level, and are amplified by external organizations.
The lesson in all of this is that no single leader, government, or organization can ever have all the know-how it needs to fulfill such an essential, complex, and multi-faceted mission as protecting Eastern Ohio from flooding. When other missions such as the conservation of wild spaces and recreation opportunities are added, the need for collaboration becomes even more true. We are proud of what our organizations have accomplished together and of the relationships that exist with other groups that share our mission. The example of the value and success of collaboration in natural resources management is an important one that we hope other organizations can learn and benefit from as we work to make Eastern Ohio a better, more prosperous place to live and work. We will stay connected and not rest on our laurels. We know there is more work to do and we, jointly with our local partners, will identify new opportunities and challenges and take actions to protect property and lives.
In addition, in partnership with the USACE and as part of MWCD’s 90th anniversary, we invite you to celebrate Dam Safety Day with a dam tour. Saturday, June 1 from 10:00am-2:00pm the Dover, Atwood, Bolivar, Clendening, Leesville, Pleasant Hill and Tappan dams will be open to the public to discover the power of collaboration between our organizations while learning about dam safety and history.
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Craig Butler has a master’s degree in environmental science from Ohio University and is the former Director of the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency. He has served as CEO of the Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District since 2020.
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Colonel Jayson Putnam is a graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and has a Master’s of Science Degree in Engineering Management from the University of Missouri-Rolla. He has led the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Huntington District since 2021
ASHLAND, Ohio – If you’re looking for a local spot to cool off this summer, The Salvation Army Ray & Joan Kroc Center of Ashland has got some exciting news for you!
RJ’s Spray Park will be re-opening for the 2024 summer season on Saturday, June 1. To celebrate, The Ashland Kroc Center is hosting a special grand re-opening celebration from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Admission is FREE and the first 100 KIDS in the Spray Park will receive a free scoop of vanilla or chocolate frozen custard from Whit’s Frozen Custard!
Families will also be able to have fun playing disc golf, cornhole, a giant Connect Four game, and more on the lawn. Whit’s Frozen Custard of Ashland treat trailer will be onsite. After the first 100 kids get their free scoop of chocolate or vanilla frozen custard, all attendees will be able to purchase lunch, beverages, and frozen custard from Whit’s.
Thanks to the generosity of The Ashland County Community Foundation, after the June 1 celebration, RJ’s Spray Park will be FREE and open to the public during regular hours of operation for the 2024 season. Hours for the Summer are Monday – Saturday, from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. June 1 through August 18 (closed on July 4 and 5 for Independence Day).
“We are so grateful to The Ashland County Community Foundation for partnering to provide an option for the greater Ashland County community a free place to cool off and helping to cover a portion of the operating expenses for this summer,” says Dan Lawson, PhD, Director of Community Relations and Development.
“We are also extremely appreciative to Whit’s Frozen Custard of Ashland for donating the 100 free scoops of frozen custard and remaining onsite with all of their delicious food options for attendees to purchase lunch, beverages, and frozen custard.” Dr. Lawson adds.
Registration is not required but it is recommended. For quicker admission, go to: Free Spray Park
To see the full summer offering of classes and activities at the Ashland Kroc Center now through August, please go to the Program section of the Ashland Kroc Center’s website and download a digital version of their Summer Program Guide, or stop by one of the Welcome Desks during regular business hours and pick up a hardcopy.
ASHLAND – The Women’s Fund of Ashland County Community Foundation is inviting local women to take part in a new collective giving initiative called the EmpowHer Giving Circle.
Participants will be able to enjoy networking and socializing while pooling their charitable resources to support causes that benefit women in Ashland County.
“Giving Circles are an increasingly popular form of philanthropy, and the concept is truly a perfect fit for our Women’s Fund,” said Ashland County Community Foundation Chief Operating Officer Kristin Aspin. “We’re building community among women, promoting women’s advancement and strengthening local women.”
Following a successful pilot event in March, the Women’s Fund Steering Committee is now opening the EmpowHer Giving Circle up to the public by encouraging all Ashland County women to attend the first public Giving Circle. The event will be 5:30-7:00 p.m. Monday, June 24 at South Street Grille, 121 South Street in Ashland. Weather permitting, the event will be outdoors. In case of inclement weather, the Circle will be moved indoors.
Attendees are asked to register by June 10 via Eventbrite, where they may make an online donation of $25, $50 or $75. Alternatively, guests can register online and make a donation in any amount at the door.
Appetizers and one drink ticket per guest will be provided by the Women’s Fund, allowing 100 percent of the money donated to be given away. Half of the donation pool will be granted to a cause selected by the group at the event to benefit local women immediately. The other half will be invested in the Women’s Fund endowment at ACCF to provide grants and scholarships that will benefit local women for years to come.
Each attendee will have the option of nominating a nonprofit organization or other charitable cause that benefits local women. A few nominations will be selected at random, and the chosen nominators will give a brief, informal pitch describing the cause and the reason they chose to nominate it.
Following these presentations, participants will take part in a group discussion about their shared values and the causes being considered. They will then cast ballots to vote for the cause they would most like to fund.
At the March pilot event, Women’s Fund Steering Committee members and a small group of guests donated a total of $1,320. They chose to make their $660 grant to OhioHealth Foundation to be used toward the purchase of a special camera for Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners at the OhioHealth Ashland Health Center to use in the care of domestic violence and assault survivors. The camera will allow hospital staff to obtain high-quality images that can show survivors the extent of injuries and can be used as evidence in court.
The SANE camera project was later selected by the ACCF Community Grants committee to receive an additional grant.
“Though the EmpowHer Giving Circle grant was small relative to the total cost of this advanced equipment, it is highly significant that this pooled donation represented the first dollars granted toward a project that so clearly resonates with local women,” McNaull said. “These women not only raised money but also spread awareness for this important cause, using their collective voice to say, ‘this matters for women and for our community.’ That’s the power of this new Giving Circle.”
About Ashland County Community Foundation: Ashland County Community Foundation advances philanthropy and improves the quality of life in Ashland County by connecting people who care with causes that matter. ACCF has awarded over $30 million in scholarships, grants and distributions.
About the Women’s Fund: The Women’s Fund is a permanently endowed fund held at Ashland County Community Foundation and managed by the Women’s Fund Steering Committee. Annual fund distributions are used to make grants and provide scholarships that build community among women, promote women’s advancement and strengthen Ashland County women.
Women’s Fund Steering Committee Member Nichole
Aber speaks to attendees of the EmpowHer Giving Circle
On 05/28/2024, The Ashland County Sheriff’s Office in conjunction with Ohio BCI and the Ashland Police Department conducted a search of two properties in Polk, Ohio after receiving several confidential tips into the ongoing investigation of missing person Benjamin Brubaker.
The agencies exhausted the use of technical resources offered by BCI in efforts to follow up the on leads that were given to us. Benjamin Brubaker went missing in late 2005 from the Polk area.
This is an ongoing investigation. If you have any information regarding the disappearance of Benjamin Brubaker, please contact Ashland County Sheriff’s Office, Detective Bureau at 419-289-8362.
UPDATE: On Sunday May 26th the child, Tye David Miezejewski, 12 years old of Sullivan, Ohio passed away at Akron Children’s Hospital as a result of his injuries sustained in the crash. The crash is still currently under investigation and additional criminal charges for James Dwayne Taylor are pending through the Ashland County Prosecutor’s Office.
Sullivan Township – On Friday, May 24, 2024, at approximately 3:39 PM, a black 2009 Chevrolet Silverado was southbound on County Road 681, approaching Township Road 350. While traveling southbound, the Silverado struck a child who was riding his bicycle southbound in the roadway.
The driver of the Silverado, James Dwayne Taylor, 55 years old of Ashland, Ohio, was not injured as a result of the crash and remained on scene. The child, whose name is not being released at this time, received life-threatening injuries and was flown by medical helicopter to Akron Children’s Hospital in Akron, OH.
Mr. Taylor was arrested at the scene for Operating a Vehicle While Under the Influence of Alcohol. Additional charges are pending.
Assisting at the scene were: The Ashland County Sheriff’s Office, Sullivan and Polk Fire and EMS, and Aber’s Towing.
Boost Mobile, located at 332 E. Main Street in Ashland, marked a new chapter in its community service with a Grand Reopening and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony yesterday. The event, organized in collaboration with the Ashland Area Chamber of Commerce, celebrated the store’s reopening under new management and its continued commitment to the local community.
The festivities kicked off at 1 PM with an Open House, where visitors had the opportunity to meet the staff, explore the facility, and network with other business professionals. The highlight of the event, the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony, took place at 1:15 PM, drawing a crowd of local business leaders and residents.
Attendees enjoyed grilled Hot Dogs and Hamburgers seared to perfection by Devon, the Boost Mobile District Manager, Cellular Division and a variety of giveaways. The event provided a platform for Boost Mobile to showcase their store and reaffirm their dedication to excellent customer service and community engagement.
“We are thrilled to reopen our doors under new management and continue serving the Ashland community,” said Devon, “This event is not just about celebrating our reopening but also about thanking our loyal customers and welcoming new ones. We are committed to providing the best service possible.”
Boost Mobile has long been a proud supporter of local initiatives and media. Recently, they sponsored a news tip line for ACP News, ensuring the community stays informed. Residents can share news tips by calling or texting 419-770-7127.
The successful event highlights Boost Mobile’s role as a vital part of the Ashland business community, promising continued support and enhanced services for their customers.
Joe Lyons •
May 30, 2024
Wooster Township – On Wednesday, May 29, 2024 at 4:57 AM the Ohio State Highway Patrol’s Wooster Post was notified of a single vehicle crash on SR 226 south of Township Road 76 (Valley Road).
James D. Taylor has been charged with Aggravated Vehicular Homicide, a second-degree felony, in connection with the death of 12-year-old Tye David Miezejewski. The charges stem from an incident on May 24, 2024, in which Taylor, while operating a 2009 Chevrolet Silverado, allegedly caused Miezejewski’s death.
Friday, May 31 is National Dam Safety Day
