ODNR officials break ground for the new visitor center at Mohican State Park.
LOUDONVILLE, Ohio — The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) today broke ground and will begin construction for a new visitor center at Mohican State Park. “We are thrilled to begin work on the new visitor center at Mohican State Park,” said ODNR Director Mary Mertz. “This facility is designed to blend seamlessly with the park’s natural beauty while providing modern amenities and educational opportunities for our visitors. It will enhance the overall experience for everyone who comes to explore and enjoy one of Ohio’s most cherished parks.”
Strategically located near the park’s main entrance, the new visitor center will be a prominent feature visible from the roadway. Nestled next to the State Scenic Clear Fork of the Mohican River within the floodplain, the site offers a unique blend of natural beauty and accessibility. The building’s design includes an extended, low-slope ramp leading to the entrance, flanked by educational rain gardens and gathering spaces, providing visitors with interactive and educational opportunities.
There will be a grand and inviting entrance to the visitor center with landscaping that will address any flooding issues. The space will also feature exterior porches and a fireplace, encouraging visitors to gather and enjoy the outdoors even more.
The heart of the visitor center will be a central exhibit space, with two wings extending from it. One wing will house restrooms and a merchandise area, while the other will contain staff support, storage, and mechanical spaces. The building will offer entry points at both ends accessible from the parking lot and the campground. The main entrance vestibule will be designed to lock off from the rest of the facility, allowing off-hours access to restrooms and drinking fountains.
Inspired by traditional forest lodges, the new visitor center will feature olive green exterior siding atop a stone base, reflecting the stone outcroppings found throughout the park. A steeply sloped roof with dormers will create a spacious, well-lit interior, accentuated by heavy timber trusses. Shaded porches and stone chimneys will add to the building’s inviting, homey ambiance.
As one of Ohio’s most frequented parks, Mohican State Park is a place where nature’s history meets adventure. Once the hunting grounds of the Delaware nation, it is now a sanctuary for outdoor enthusiasts. Visitors can hike, bike, ride horseback, or paddle through various landscapes. Naturalist programs offer insights into the diverse plant and animal life native to the area. Guests can stay in the lodge, cozy cabins, or camp under the stars. Whether seeking tranquility or thrills, Mohican State Park invites exploration and relaxation.
“The Mohican area has an amazing story to tell, and we are proud to share that story with Ohioans of all ages in the new visitor center,” said Park Manager Jenny Roar. “This exciting project will inspire future generations and provide a place for visitors to learn about the history, conservation practices, and recreational opportunities of this beautiful region. We hold a valuable piece of Ohio’s history here at Mohican, and it is important to us to showcase this remarkable area in our new facility.”
The new visitor center is expected to be completed in the fall of 2025.
The ODNR Division of Parks and Watercraft provides exceptional outdoor recreation and boating opportunities by balancing outstanding customer service, education, and conservation of Ohio’s 76 state parks and waterways.
In 2024, join ODNR as we celebrate 75 years of protecting Ohio’s natural resources and providing outstanding and award-winning recreational opportunities.
ODNR ensures a balance between wise use and protection of our natural resources for the benefit of all. Visit the ODNR website at ohiodnr.gov.
The Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force is offering a reward for information which would lead to the capture of fugitive David Werntz. Werntz is wanted by the U.S. Marshals Service and the Richland County Sheriff’s Office for theft of a firearm and improper handling of a firearm. Werntz, 19, is described as a white male with brown hair and brown eyes, standing 5 feet, 6 inches tall. Werntz has ties to the city of Mansfield.
David Werntz
The Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force is offering a reward for information which would lead to the capture of fugitive Tracy Baker. Baker is wanted U.S. Marshals Service and the Richland County Sheriff’s Office for possession drugs. Baker, is described as a white female with blond hair and blue eyes, standing 5 feet 4 inches tall. Baker has ties to the cities of Mansfield and Edison OH.
Tracy Baker
The Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force is offering a reward for information which would lead to the capture of fugitive Brian Sorensen. Sorensen is wanted by the U.S. Marshals Service and the Richland County Sheriff’s Office on a possession of fentanyl. Sorensen, 35, is described as a white male with brown hair and blue eyes, standing 5 feet 9 inches tall. Sorensen has ties to the cities of Mansfield, Mt. Vernon, and Piketon OH.
Brian Sorensen
The Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force is offering a reward for information which would lead to the capture of fugitive Jhousha Stewart. Stewart is wanted by the U.S. Marshals Service and the Richland County Sheriff’s Office for possession of fentanyl related compound. Stewart, 33, is described as a white male with brown hair and blue eyes, standing 5 feet, 11 inches tall. Stewart has ties to the cities of Mansfield and Columbus.
Dogs bring messages such as: You are loved, you are not alone, you are protected and guided by a divine higher power and when you are lonely, I am here. Those who can accept the gift of a dog are taught by some of life’s wisest teachers.
Let me give you a few examples:
Joseph follows me everywhere. Is he worried about me, or does he find me endlessly fascinating?
If I laugh, Joy joins in on my laughter with loud barks as she climbs up my body to give me wet kisses.
When I was recovering from surgery, Grace was beside me every minute while being very careful not to put any weight on my bandages.
When I come home, all three pups run to greet me like I’ve been gone for a year.
Then there was rescued Pete, who specialized in high spirited destruction, joyful escape from the yard, and compassionate friendship.
Mary taught a sixty-something woman how to handle middle age gracefully and cheerfully.
And then there was Jeff, who would be silent, sit close, and nuzzle me if I was having a bad day.
Finally, there was Jesse who would never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride in my truck.
Advice to all dog owners: put your feet up, sip your favorite beverage and get into a playful mood and let your dogs show you how your life can be much more fun!
Blessings,
Dianne Hammontree, secretary of Homeward Bound, Inc
Fairlawn, Ohio – History came to life last night at the Kiwanis Community Center in Fairlawn, Ohio, as Kenneth Neff Hammontree, portraying General George Patton, led a riveting round table discussion on the Battle of the Bulge and the Ardennes Offensive of Winter 1944-1945. The event provided an immersive historical experience for attendees, highlighting the strategic complexities and harrowing realities of one of World War II’s most significant battles.
Hammontree, a renowned historical reenactor, vividly recounted the events leading up to and during the Battle of the Bulge. He detailed how, on January 17, 1945, Allied intelligence from G-2 reported that Hitler had ordered a withdrawal of German forces from the Ardennes, marking the end of the offensive operations known as “Unternehmen: Wacht am Rhein” (Undertaking: Watch on the Rhine).
The German High Command had intended for this ambitious offensive to split the British and American Allied forces, capturing Antwerp and forcing the Allies into negotiating a peace treaty favorable to the Axis powers. Despite the high stakes, the Allies inadvertently facilitated Hitler’s plan by dividing their forces to the north and south of the Ardennes instead of massing them in one concentrated force.
Hammontree explained several factors that contributed to the Allies being caught off guard:
Radio Silence: The German attack was planned in total radio secrecy, evading even the ULTRA system, which was adept at intercepting German communications. Messages were delivered by horse and bicycles, maintaining the element of surprise.
Allied Overconfidence: The Allies’ overconfidence and focus on their own plans led them to underestimate the German threat.
Weather Conditions: Dense fog and the coldest, snowiest weather on record hampered Allied aerial reconnaissance, allowing Wehrmacht movements to go unnoticed.
Lack of French Resistance Intel: The absence of French underground resistance intelligence on German activities further blinded the Allies.
Post-July 20th Crackdown: Following the failed assassination attempt on Hitler on July 20, 1944, a severe crackdown by the SS silenced potential leaks within the German military, including the execution of over five thousand individuals.
The German offensive began on December 16, 1944, with a massive artillery barrage at 0530 hours, as four powerful German armies comprising 29 divisions surged into the semi-mountainous, heavily forested Ardennes region. American forces suffered the majority of their casualties in the initial three days of the offensive. Hitler’s forces included the 6th SS Panzer-Armee under General Sepp Dietrich, the 5th Armee under General Hasso von Manteuffel, and the 15th Armee under General Gustav von Zangen, totaling 475,000 Wehrmacht soldiers.
Hammontree recounted chilling tales of infiltration and sabotage by 350 English-speaking German soldiers who penetrated Allied lines, changed road signs, cut communication wires, and created widespread confusion. Security tightened with numerous checkpoints, leading to incidents such as General Bradley’s temporary detention due to a misunderstanding about the capital of Illinois.
One of the most harrowing moments of the offensive was the massacre near Malmedy, where SS Panzer troops executed an American observation battalion. General Patton’s furious response to the massacre was an order to shoot any captured SS soldiers on sight, a directive that General Eisenhower did not countermand.
Despite fierce German attacks, the town of Bastogne, defended by the 101st Airborne Division and the 10th Armored Division, held out. When the Germans demanded surrender, the defiant American response was famously summarized in a single word: “NUTS.”
By December 24, 1944, improved weather conditions allowed the Allies to deploy the Army Air Force, with P-47s attacking German troops and supply lines. The German offensive faltered, culminating in the Allies meeting on January 15, 1945, officially ending the Battle of the Bulge. The battle was the most costly for the Americans in WWII, with 80,987 casualties, including 19,000 killed.
Hammontree’s portrayal of General Patton and his detailed recounting of the Battle of the Bulge provided attendees with a profound appreciation of the bravery and strategic challenges faced during this pivotal moment in history.
Jefferson Township – The Mansfield Patrol Post responded to a report of a one vehicle crash on Interstate 71 near milepost 164.6, in Jefferson Township, at 1658 hours on June 3, 2024.
The preliminary investigation shows a 2022 Chevrolet Trailblazer was traveling northeast on Interstate 71 northbound. The Chevrolet was driven by Nanda Gurung, 56, of Rochester, New York. The Chevrolet traveled off the left side of the roadway, striking a guardrail. The Chevrolet over-corrected and struck a bridge wall causing it to overturn. The Chevrolet then crossed the median and came to rest on Interstate 71 southbound lanes. Mr. Gurung was transported by EMS to Ohio Health Mansfield where he succumbed to his injuries.
The left lane of Interstate 71 southbound was closed for approximately two hours during the investigation of the crash but all lanes are open at this time.
The Washington Township Fire Department, Jefferson Township Fire Department, and Laurence’s Towing assisted on the scene. The crash remains under investigation.
Perry Township – The Ashland Post of the State Highway Patrol was advised of an injury crash involving a motorcycle on State Route 302 near Township Road 63 at approximately 4:26 p.m.
A 2019 Kawasaki Z900 was operated by 36-year-old Dustin Parsley of Smithville, Ohio. Pursley was traveling westbound on State Route 302 and failed to control the motorcycle. Pursley was ejected from the bike and came to rest in a ditch line on the north side of State Route 302. The motorcycle came to rest in the eastbound travel lane of State Route 302.
Pursley was transported from the scene by Metro Life Flight with serious injuries to Summa Akron City Hospital.
The Patrol was assisted on scene by The Polk Jackson Perry Fire District, The Sullivan Fire Department, and Gibb’s Towing, LLC.
Alcohol and Drugs are not suspected as a factors in the crash, however, speed is suspected. Pursley was wearing a helmet at the time of the crash.
The crash remains under investigation at this time.
Tyler Sabo stood on the par three 8th hole, two holes down in match play, to the 15th ranked amateur golfer in the world, William Moll. The Ohio State Buckeyes, who entered the DI Men’s Championship as the 32nd ranked team in the nation finished 7th in stroke play, found themselves playing No. 2 seed Vanderbilt in the quarterfinals.
After Moll, a graduate student, landed his shot within a couple feet of the hole, the redshirt freshman from Ashland, Ohio, one-upped his opponent spinning his ball back into the cup for a hole-in-one.
“The hole-in-one was probably the most timely shot I’ve ever hit in my golf career,” Sabo said, “there was no better feeling than to see that go in with my parents there watching and my coach by my side to celebrate.”
Sabo’s parents rarely miss any of his matches and they surely were not going to miss their son playing in the national championship despite having to travel to Carlsbad, California.
It’s a twenty-seven-hour day for us and we got up at 2am Ohio time,” said Diane Sabo via text message at a little after 9pm EDT on Tuesday(the night before the Buckeyes would begin play at the Omni La Costa North Course). “We have to park and get shuttled to the 10th hole,” she added, “which is the furthest point away.”
Tyler Sabo with parents Diane and Mark Sabo
Sabo grabbed the lead in his match on the 13th hole and took some pressure off teammate, Senior Adam Wallin. Wallin then defeated 2022 NCAA Men’s Individual Champion Gordon Sargent in 19 holes to propel Ohio State to a 3-1-1 victory.
The win would send the Buckeyes into the semifinals to play the No. 1 ranked team in college golf, the Auburn Tigers. The Tigers shot 20 under par nine days earlier to a earn a come from behind win on the last day of the Baton Rouge Regional in Louisiana.
With less than a few hours to celebrate, Sabo prepared mentally to take on his next opponent, Josiah Gilbert. Sabo came into the match ranked around 2100 spots below Gilbert in the World Amateur Golf Rankings.
“Match play is totally different than stroke play,” Sabo added. Neal Shipley and Maxwell Moldovan had prepared him for his first opponent(Moll) the night before. Sabo felt since he had beaten both Shipley and Moldovan that he was ready to take on any opponent. “Having those two as competitors has prepared me for moments like that,” offered Sabo.
He pulled off a huge upset over the freshman Gilbert(1UP) though his Buckeyes fell short of beating the Tigers, 3-2. Ohio State finished 3rd out of 30 teams at the championship.
Florida Southern Hall of Fame golfer and Ashland High School golf legend, Steve Paramore, was excited about Sabo’s performance. “I was impressed with his ability to perform when the lights came on while he was on the biggest stage,” Paramore said, “he responded in the biggest moments and took on some great players.”
The 2022 First Team All-Ohio golfer from Ashland High School wrapped up his season for the Buckeyes in California but has a busy summer ahead after returning home to decompress.
Sabo is the 2nd alternate after a one-hole playoff in April at the US Open local qualifier at Brookside Golf & Country Club in Columbus. He would like to return to the final qualifier where he played just two years ago. Shipley has already qualified for the US Open.
The future is bright, and Sabo proved he belongs in the same sentence with the best golfers in college. None of us will be surprised to see this Buckeye own the course his next three years wearing scarlet and gray. We will surely be ready when he tees off on his next par 3 for the four words every golfer dreams of hearing, “it’s in the hole.”
Tyler Sabo with his Caddie, Aidan Chandler, at the US Open local qualifier
The Mansfield Division of Police would like to take this opportunity to remind everyone of the updated Cruising Prohibited Ordinance recently passed by Mansfield’s City Council. This ordinance went into effect May 7th 2024 however, the Mansfield Division of Police would like to give everyone time to adjust to the change.
Mansfield Police Officers will continue to conduct traffic enforcement in the Cruising Prohibited Designated Area however, Officers have been advised not to cite under the Cruising Prohibited Ordinance until July 1, 2024. Although, Officers are advised not to cite under this ordinance until July 1, 2024, Officers can still conduct traffic enforcement under this ordinance to assist in educating Motor Vehicle Operators and may take enforcement action on other traffic violations if observed.
A copy of City of Mansfield Ordinance 331.48 Cruising Prohibited is included below for reference.
331.48 Cruising Prohibited
(a) Definitions:
(1) “Designated Area” means that area of the City bound by Home Road on the west, Trimble Road on the east, Park Avenue West on south, and West Forth Street on the north.
(2) “Designated Hours” means the time between 8:00 PM and 3:00 AM from Friday evening into Saturday morning and Saturday evening into Sunday morning.
(3) “Traffic Control Point” means a reference point on a street within the Designated area within the Designated hours selected by a police officer for the purpose of enforcing this section.
(4) “Cruising” means driving a motor vehicle on a street past a Traffic Control Point, within a Designated Area, within Designated Hours, by the Mansfield Division of Police, more than two times in any two-hour period. The passing of a designated control point a third time under the aforesaid conditions shall constitute unnecessary repetitive driving and therefor a violation of this section.
2 (b) Cruising Prohibited. No person shall engage in unnecessary repetitive driving, also known for the purpose of this section as cruising.
(c) For purposes of this prohibition, upon a determination that a vehicle is Cruising, the person having control and/or ownership of the Cruising motor vehicle shall be considered the person cruising, without regard as to whether that person was actually driving the motor vehicle each time it passed the traffic control point.
(d) “Control or Ownership of a motor vehicle” shall be either the owner of the vehicle as stated on the vehicle registration, if said owner is present in the vehicle at the time of the violation, or if the owner is not present in the vehicle, the person operating the vehicle at the time of the violation of this section.
(e) Exclusions. This section shall not apply to any municipal, emergency, police, fire, ambulance or other governmental vehicle when such vehicle is being operated in an official capacity. In addition, this section shall not apply to any licensed public transportation vehicle, other business vehicles being driven for business or commercial purposes, or to residents of the designated area traveling to a specific destination.
(f) Penalty. Whoever violates any of the provisions of this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor on a first offense; on a second offense within one year after the first offense, the person is guilty of a misdemeanor of the fourth degree; on each subsequent offense within one year after the first offense, the person is guilty of a misdemeanor of the third degree.
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.
Joe Lyons •
June 11, 2024
The Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force is offering a reward for information which would lead to the capture of fugitive David Werntz. Werntz is wanted by the U.S. Marshals Service and the Richland County Sheriff’s Office for theft of a firearm and improper handling of a firearm. Werntz, 19, is described as a white male with brown hair and brown eyes, standing 5 feet, 6 inches tall. Werntz has ties to the city of Mansfield.
The Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force is offering a reward for information which would lead to the capture of fugitive Tracy Baker. Baker is wanted U.S. Marshals Service and the Richland County Sheriff’s Office for possession drugs. Baker, is described as a white female with blond hair and blue eyes, standing 5 feet 4 inches tall. Baker has ties to the cities of Mansfield and Edison OH.
The Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force is offering a reward for information which would lead to the capture of fugitive Brian Sorensen. Sorensen is wanted by the U.S. Marshals Service and the Richland County Sheriff’s Office on a possession of fentanyl. Sorensen, 35, is described as a white male with brown hair and blue eyes, standing 5 feet 9 inches tall. Sorensen has ties to the cities of Mansfield, Mt. Vernon, and Piketon OH.
The Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force is offering a reward for information which would lead to the capture of fugitive Jhousha Stewart. Stewart is wanted by the U.S. Marshals Service and the Richland County Sheriff’s Office for possession of fentanyl related compound. Stewart, 33, is described as a white male with brown hair and blue eyes, standing 5 feet, 11 inches tall. Stewart has ties to the cities of Mansfield and Columbus.
The Mansfield Division of Police would like to take this opportunity to remind everyone of the updated Cruising Prohibited Ordinance recently passed by Mansfield’s City Council. This ordinance went into effect May 7th 2024 however, the Mansfield Division of Police would like to give everyone time to adjust to the change.