Joe Lyons •
April 4, 2024
Assistant Fire Chief Ed Stoner conveyed the importance of transparency and accountability in utilizing community donations. “What we’re doing today is trying to let people in the community know what’s going on with their money, what we’re spending their money on that they donate to memorial contributions to.”
The highlight of the donation is a state-of-the-art combi tool, equipped with both spreading and cutting functionalities. Stoner elaborated on its utility, explaining its role in firefighting operations, particularly during vehicle-related incidents. “We purchased this combi tool for spreading and cutting. We use it on fire calls, vehicle fires to open hoods, trunks, things like that.”
Jeff Bullard, representing AMVETS Post 1969, shed light on the organization’s commitment to community service and the significance of their contribution to the fire department. “The AMVETS is a nonprofit organization… those monies that we have… we have to donate it. And it was a pleasure to be able to donate here to the local fire department.”
Moreover, Bullard highlighted the diverse community initiatives supported by AMVETS, including contributions to youth sports facilities and a project to honor military veterans through the display of flags in Hayesville. He emphasized the importance of community involvement in identifying veterans for recognition.
Luke Ricketts, a Factory Representative for Howell Rescue Systems Inc., elaborated on the versatility and impact of the 17c Combination Tool. Ricketts emphasized its compact design, requiring less storage space while delivering exceptional performance in both spreading and cutting operations.
“With its compact, lightweight design, it’s perfect for extrication as well as forcible entry on the fireground with the RIT Tips,” said Ricketts. “The Brute tip is Genesis’ strongest tip for brute force operation such as spreading, peeling, and moving steel. Tips can easily be removed to use the tool as a cutter or to utilize The brute tip, forcible entry tip, or ram extension.”
The end of the event saw Assistant Fire Chief Ed Stoner accepting a check worth $4,000 from Hayesville AMVETS Post 1969, by trustee Jeff Bullard. This donation will assist the acquisition of Genesis Rescue Systems Tools and accessories, further enhancing the Hayesville Fire Department’s emergency response capabilities.
The collaboration between the Hayesville Fire Department and AMVETS Post 1969 exemplifies the power of community partnerships in bolstering public safety and stresses the invaluable contributions of organizations.
Joe Lyons •
April 3, 2024
Joshua Boucher, 43, of Mount Gilead, Ohio, bond set at1 Million. Boucher faces a third-degree felony charge for “Failure to Comply with an Order or Signal of a Police Officer” under Ohio Revised Code Section 2921.331.
Joe Lyons •
April 3, 2024
The family of Dawn Boucher has initiated a GoFundMe campaign to aid with the substantial medical expenses incurred after she became the victim of a tragic incident of domestic gun violence. On April 1, 2024, Dawn Boucher suffered life-threatening injuries when she was shot through the cheek and neck by her husband, Joshua Boucher.
The latest update on the GoFundMe page, provided by Dawn’s mother, Teresa, reveals the grim reality of her condition. Dawn endured a grueling 12-hour surgery, and there is now a significant probability that she will be left quadriplegic due to the severity of her injuries.
Dawn Boucher, a dedicated mother of two, Dylan, 25, and Gabbie, 17, is a Nurse Practitioner specializing in mental health care. Described as devoted to her career and a cherished colleague, Dawn also finds solace in caring for animals on her property, including horses and puppies. Her commitment to helping others underscores her selfless nature and unwavering compassion.
The sudden and traumatic nature of the incident has placed immense strain on Dawn’s children, exacerbating their emotional and financial burdens. With the prospect of mounting medical bills, loss of income, and other household expenses, the family is reaching out for support from the community during this challenging time.
The GoFundMe campaign aims to alleviate the financial strain on the Boucher family by covering medical expenses, household bills, and additional needs that may arise, especially concerning transportation and groceries for Dawn’s children. As Dawn starts on the journey of healing and adjusts to her new reality, the family anticipates numerous challenges ahead.
In the face of adversity, any contribution to the GoFundMe campaign will be deeply appreciated by the Boucher family, offering a lifeline of support during their time of need. To donate and stand in solidarity with Dawn Boucher and her loved ones, please visit the GoFundMe Page
Joe Lyons •
April 3, 2024
Officers responded to 67 E. Chestnut St. at approximately 02:02 pm today after receiving a 911 call that a shooting had occurred. Upon arrival Mansfield Police Officers located a 16-year-old victim inside the residence with what appeared to be a gunshot wound(s).
The victim was transported to Ohio Health Mansfield by the Mansfield Fire Department where the victim was pronounced deceased a short time later.
The Richland County Coroner’s Office will be sending the victim for an autopsy as this is an ongoing investigation.
Major Crimes detectives are working to find out what led to the shooting death as well as to identify a suspect(s). Details are very limited as this is an active and fluid investigation.
Additional details will be released once they are available.
Anyone with information about this investigation is asked to please call Major Crimes Detective Ronnie Swisher at (419) 755-9432.
Joe Lyons •
March 31, 2024
Officers responded to 423 Spring St. at approximately 01:49 am on March 30, 2024 after receiving a 911 call that a shooting had occurred. Upon arrival Mansfield Police Officers located a 25-year-old victim inside the residence deceased.
It appears the victim sustained multiple gunshot wounds thus resulting in the victims death. The Richland County Coroner’s Office will be sending the victim for an autopsy as this is an ongoing investigation.
Major Crimes detectives are working to find out what led to the shooting death as well as to identify a suspect(s). Details are very limited as this is an active and fluid investigation. Additional details will be released once they are available.
Anyone with information about this investigation is asked to please call Major Crimes Detective Rick Clapp at (419) 755-9470.
Joe Lyons •
March 28, 2024
Ashland – Transformation Network and New Life Community Church are partnering to relaunch Celebrate Recovery in Ashland. Celebrate Recovery is a Christ-Centered 12-step recovery program with the goal of helping everyone overcome their hurts, habits, and hang-ups. Celebrate Recovery isn’t only for those with addictions but is also for people that have depression, anxiety, fear, sexual addictions, food addictions, family issues, mental health issues, and various types of abuse issues. This ministry provides help, motivation, education, and a family to do life with.
Celebrate Recovery is an environment where you’ll develop lifelong friendships and be empowered to be victorious in life through Christ.
Celebrate Recovery Ashland would like to offer help to the community and to those who are struggling with any hurt, habit, or hang-up. Celebrate Recovery is different from other recovery programs in that we believe that Jesus Christ helps those who need help with all types of issues. There are always underlying issues that make people want to cover up the pain with drugs and alcohol. Celebrate Recovery provides a safe place to express what you are dealing with and offers hope and encouragement to get through it.
Celebrate Recovery meetings will be held at New Life Community Church 1489 St Rt. 511 every Thursday. The night will start off with a meal at 5:30, followed by a large group meeting at 6:30, and share groups starting at 7:30. Join us for our kickoff meeting April 11, 2024. We are saving a seat for YOU.
About Transformation Network:
Joe Lyons •
March 27, 2024
Responding to the community’s requests, Ashland County Pictures is thrilled to announce the launch of its long-awaited Tip Line, made possible through partnership with Boost Mobile Ashland situated at 332 E Main Street, Ashland OH.
Residents can now easily report accidents, fires, crimes, or any other news tips by simply calling or texting the dedicated News Tips line at 419-770-7127. This initiative aims to ensure swift broadcasting of crucial information, enabling the delivery of live updates accompanied by videos and pictures.
We are extremely proud to partner with Boost Mobile Ashland in our mission to provide timely and comprehensive news coverage to the community.
But that’s not all! In an effort to enhance our services and cater to our rapidly expanding audience of over 125,000 individuals, Ashland County Pictures is excited to introduce a brand-new online platform. Developed from scratch, this platform promises an enhanced user experience and better accessibility to news content.
Joe Lyons, the founder of Ashland County Pictures, invites the audience to participate in shaping the future of our online presence. We are presenting three distinct designs for our new platform, and we want YOU to vote for your favorite!
🌟 Vote for Your Favorite Design: Click here to view the designs and cast your vote!
Your input is invaluable in helping us tailor our platform to meet your preferences and needs. Let your voice be heard, and together, let’s build a platform that truly serves the community.
Stay tuned for more updates as we embark on this exciting journey of growth and innovation with you, our valued audience!
Joe Lyons •
March 26, 2024
The use of drones poses a significant and evolving threat to the safety and security of correctional institutions in the United States. Criminal networks have increasingly turned to drones as a means of smuggling contraband, including drugs, cell phones, and even weapons, into correctional facilities, presenting unprecedented challenges to traditional security measures.
A recent report from www.rand.org highlights the growing concern surrounding the infiltration of correctional facilities by drones. Unlike conventional smuggling methods, drones offer a relatively low-risk and highly efficient means of delivering contraband directly to incarcerated individuals. Their ability to swiftly penetrate correctional airspace, coupled with the difficulty in swiftly detecting and intercepting them, has compounded the problem.
The lack of a standardized definition for “drone incidents” hampers efforts to quantify the scope of the issue, hindering comparisons across facilities and systems. This ambiguity underscores the need for cohesive strategies to address the multifaceted challenges posed by drone activity in correctional settings.
The report emphasizes the urgency of adopting a multifaceted approach to counter the drone threat, combining technological innovations, core correctional practices, and strategic partnerships with law enforcement agencies at the state and federal levels. Key findings from a workshop convened to address this issue include:
The absence of standardized terminology and reporting practices for drone incidents.
The rapid evolution of drone technologies, necessitating ongoing assessment and adaptation of detection solutions.
The cost-prohibitive nature of existing drone detection technologies for many correctional agencies.
The need for collaborative efforts to combat highly coordinated drone activities orchestrated by criminal organizations.
The crucial role of basic correctional strategies and human resources in complementing technological solutions.
To effectively mitigate the risks associated with drone activity in correctional facilities, the report offers a series of recommendations:
Development of standardized reporting protocols and terminology for drone incidents.
Creation of vulnerability assessment tools tailored to correctional settings.
Establishment of a centralized database cataloging available detection solutions.
Provision of guidance and resources to assist agencies in grant writing and funding acquisition.
Implementation of operational evaluations to determine the efficacy of layered security approaches.
Enhancement of intelligence-sharing mechanisms to facilitate interdiction and investigation of drone incidents.
By adopting these recommendations and fostering collaboration among stakeholders, correctional institutions can bolster their defenses against the growing threat posed by drones, safeguarding the integrity of their facilities and the well-being of incarcerated individuals.
Joe Lyons •
March 25, 2024
The Rotary Club of Ashland invites the public to hear Bob DiBiasio, senior vice president of public affairs for the Cleveland Guardians, at the Ashland Theater Tuesday April 2.
DiBiasio, who has been with the team for 45 years, has become the team’s chief goodwill ambassador and is a frequently requested speaker across Northeast Ohio along with making TV and radio appearances. This mark’s DiBiasio’s fifth spring visit to the local Rotary Club and always has plenty of great baseball stories to share, said Rotarian Mitch PIskur.
Boxed lunches from the Greens Bistro & Pub are available beginning at 11:45 a.m. The $16 lunch can be ordered by calling Amy Noel, 419-496-0429, and then paying at the door. Or you can order and pay online at www.ashlandrotary.net under upcoming events. Lunch orders must be made by noon Friday March 29.
For those not interested in lunch, you are welcome to hear DiBiasio speak, beginning about 12:15 p.m. The event is free, but donations for local Rotary projects will be accepted.
Joe Lyons •
March 25, 2024
Richland County- TRAFFIC ADVISORY: (Monday, March 25, 2024) State Route 603, at its intersection with Crider Road, will close Monday, April 1 for three days.
This is in coordination with the Crider Road bridge replacement project.
The detour route will be SR 603 north to U.S. 30 west to U.S. 42 east, and reverse.
Estimated completion: Wednesday, April 3, 2024