The Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force is offering a reward for information which would lead to the capture of fugitive Earl Whipple. Whipple is wanted by the U.S. Marshals Service and the Richland County Sheriff’s Office for rape. Whipple, 49, is described as a white male with brown hair and hazel eyes, standing 5 feet 8 inches tall. Whipple has ties to the cities of Mansfield, Shelby Ohio, and High Springs Florida.
Earl Whipple
The Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force is offering a reward for information which would lead to the capture of fugitive Mario Jester. Jester is wanted by the U.S. Marshals Service and the Adult Parole Authority for a parole violation on the original charge of aggravated robbery. Jester, 54, is described as a black male with black hair and brown eyes, standing 5 feet 6 inches tall. Jester has ties to the city of Mansfield.
Mario Jester
The Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force is offering a reward for information which would lead to the capture of fugitive Quinness Howell. Howell is wanted by the U.S. Marshals Service and the Crawford County Sheriff’s Office for trafficking in drugs. Howell, 19, is described as a black male with black hair and brown eyes, standing 5 feet 8 inches tall. Howell has ties to the city of Mansfield.
Quinness Howel
The Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force is offering a reward for information which would lead to the capture of fugitive Calvin Brooks. Brooks is wanted by the U.S. Marshals Service and the Richland County Sheriff’s Office on a probation violation on the original charge of aggravated burglary. Broks, 52, is described as a black male with black hair and brown eyes, standing 5 feet 8 inches tall. Brooks has ties to the city of Mansfield.
Calvin Brooks
If you have any information in reference to Earl Whipple, Mario Jester, Quinness Howell, or Calvin Brooks please contact the Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force at 1-866-4WANTED or Text keyword WANTED and tip to 847411 (tip411). Tipsters can remain anonymous and reward money is available.
The Mid-Ohio Delta Waterfowl chapter is proud to hold its annual banquet March 2, 2024 at Mount Vernon Estates in Ashland.
Located at 1041 US-250 in Ashland, the chapter is expecting more than 200 patrons to enjoy an evening supporting waterfowl conservation & hunting.
There are several ticketing options available. All event admission tickets include your annual Delta Waterfowl membership and dinner. Dinner will consist of pulled pork, pulled chicken, baked beans, macaroni & cheese, salad, and dinner rolls.
The banquet will have several raffles including a silent, live and card games. Prizes include waterfowl hunting gear, more than 12 firearms and various local company donations. All firearm background checks will be processed on-site.
The Mid-Ohio Delta Waterfowl chapter has been holding event banquets since 2016 and has continually grown each year.
Ashland Police Division to hold “Coffee with a Cop” event February 9th
Opportunity for community members to meet local police officers
Ashland, Ohio— The first Coffee with a Cop of 2024 is set for Friday, February 9, in Goldberry Roasting Company’s new home, located at 1262 Franklin Avenue, Ashland, Ohio. All are welcome to attend any time between 7:30-8:30 a.m. to discuss community issues, build relationships, and enjoy a free cup of coffee with your local APD officers.
“This program encourages positive interactions between officers and residents,” says Chief David Lay. “Please join us for some coffee and conversation.”
The mission of these events is to allow the opportunity for community members and local officers to get to know each other one-on-one without any set agenda or discussion topic.
“We have hired some outstanding young men and women to serve as police officers here in our great city, and these events are a great way for our residents to get to know these important safety officials.” said Mayor Matt Miller.
If your organization is interested in hosting Coffee with a Cop, please contact Amanda Furman at (419) 289-4181.
In a small town like Ashland, Ohio, the disappearance of a teenager sends a chill through the community. Nevaeh “Lilly” Kitchen, a 15-year-old girl, vanished into thin air sometime after 6pm this evening. As the night grew darker, the search for Nevaeh intensified, but the answers seemed elusive.
Nevaeh Kitchen was last seen in the 200 block of E 8th Street, headed south. Her physical description painted a picture of a petite girl with dark red hair and brown eyes. She was dressed in a black sweatshirt with red writing, black yoga pants, and shockingly, no shoes.
The Ashland Police Division immediately launched a search operation, allocating every available resource to find Nevaeh. Lieutenant Aaron Kline spearheaded the efforts, coordinating with other agencies. However, the initial search yielded no tangible leads.
Amid the growing urgency, the Ashland County Sheriff’s Office Drone Team was brought in to cover larger areas and Ashland’s wooden terrain. Aerial surveillance, combined with the tireless efforts of the Officers and Deputies, proved fruitless. Without any breakthroughs.
With no concrete leads to follow, law enforcement turned to the public for assistance. The authorities appealed to the community, urging them to come forward with any information that could help unravel the mystery.
Although Police believe it is a case of a runaway child. So, the question remains, what happened to Nevaeh?
Ashland University’s 2023-24 Environmental Lecture Series, featuring a theme of “Does green infrastructure improve urban environments?” will kick off on Thursday, Feb. 1, with special guest Jean-Michel Guldmann, professor emeritus and Academy Professor of City and Regional Planning at Ohio State University’s Knowlton School of Architecture. He will present “Tree and Building Shade for Urban Heat Migration: Measuring Shade Temperature Effects and Population Exposure in Columbus, Ohio” at the Ronk Lecture Hall inside AU’s Dwight Schar College of Education, beginning at 7:30 p.m.
The event is free and open to the public. There is also an option to attend via a webinar; participants must register at this link for the webinar.
Guldmann will discuss the climate change and temperature increases that are expected to impact cities more harshly due to the urban heat island effect. Urban heat island refers to metropolitan areas being warmer than the rural areas surrounding them because of the buildings, roads and other infrastructure that absorb and re-emit the sun’s’ heat. A critical urban planning and policy issue is devising natural and design-based solutions to stem the urban heat island, which can be detrimental to public health and energy consumption.
Guldmann’s presentation will include analytical research on shade effects from buildings and trees, using geospatial and statistical techniques applied to sites in the Columbus area. Tree canopy volume has distinct effects on land surface temperature and modeling simulates such impacts of neighborhood tree greening scenarios and identifies population groups that are shade-deprived.
Guldmann was a professor at KSA from 1977-2012 and served as its interim director from 2005-07. He taught courses on optimization, decision analysis, population/economic forecasting and energy and regional modeling at OSU, as well as Capital Normal University in Beijing and Gazi University in Ankara, Turkey. He has supervised to successful completition the dissertations of 31 Ph.D. students and authored a book, “Industrial Location and Air Quality Control: A Planning Approach,” and more than 100 peer-reviewed journal articles.
“For more than 30 years, the AU Environmental Lecture Series, has connected AU students, faculty and members of the North Central Ohio community with leaders and experts in environmental problems and solutions,” said Patty Saunders, who serves as director of the environmental science program and organizes the series with input from other environmental science faculty. “We are always excited to learn more about specific case studies and research stories, and we especially like these opportunities for our students to learn about different careers and career paths.”
Current support for the AU Environmental Lecture Series is provided by donations from individuals and support from Ashland University, while previous series have been supported by AU and grants from the National Science Foundation, the Lubrizol Foundation, the GTE Foundation and the Fran and Warren Rupp Foundation.
Green Township- On Wednesday January 24, 2024 at approximately 6:15 p.m. the Ashland Highway Patrol Post was advised of an injury crash involving a church bus and a passenger car on State Route 39 near Township Road 749.
A 2015 Chevrolet Equinox was operated southbound on State Route 39 by 71-year-old Rickie Bilger of Loudonville, Ohio. A 2011 Thomas Built bus was operated northbound on State Route 39 by 68 -year-old David Switzer of Loudonville, Ohio.
The Chevrolet and Thomas Built bus collided within the middle of both travel lanes. The Thomas Built traveled off of the west edge of State Route 39, struck a ditch line and came to rest. The Equinox was redirected facing northbound and came to rest in the southbound travel lane adjacent to the west edge of State Route 39.
There were four passengers on the bus and one occupant was taken to Wooster Community Hospital by Loudonville Fire Department.
Bilger was taken by Perrysville Fire Department to Ohio Health Mansfield and was pronounced deceased.
Bilger was not wearing a safety belt at the time of the crash.
Drugs and/or alcohol are not suspected as factors in the crash.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol was assisted on scene by the Ashland County Sheriff’s Office, Loudonville Police Department, Perrysville Fire Department, Loudonville Fire Department, and Bate ’s Garage and Towing.
State Route 39 was closed for approximately 2 hours while the crash was investigated and the vehicles recovered from the area.
The crash remains under investigation at this time
Yesterday, Abdikadir Shire came before Ashland Municipal Court Judge John Good and the family of John Keener for the sentencing hearing after pleading guilty on Vehicular Manslaughter in the death of John Keener. It was a somber and emotional day as friends and family gathered to express their grief and anger at the devastating loss of their beloved John Keener. The heartfelt statements from John’s family shed light on the impact he had on their lives and the immense pain caused by his untimely death.
This tragic event unfolded when multiple 911 callers reported a collision between a 2012 Freightliner semi-truck, driven by a 37-year-old resident of Saint Paul, Minnesota named Abdikadir Abshir Shire, and a 2001 Toyota Camry operated by John Thomas Keener, a 40-year-old resident of Ashland, Ohio on the morning of Wednesday, November 1st, 2023, at the intersection of State Route 302 and US 42 in Ashland County, Ohio.
A Precious Bond
In a statement to the court, Katy Keener, John’s sister, recollected cherished memories and the deep bond they shared. She vividly painted a picture of their childhood together, filled with love, sibling squabbles, and moments of joy. She spoke of wanting to relive those memories and hold on to the connection they had. The loss of John has left a void that cannot be filled, and Katy struggles with the pain of knowing she will never be able to talk to him or see him again in this life.
A Family United in Grief
Jenny Uebel, John’s older sister, also spoke of the impact John had on their lives. She shared memories of his birth and the close relationship they had as siblings. She highlighted John’s musical talent, his love for computers, and his journey to become a successful mechanical engineer. The loss of John has left a significant hole in their lives, especially for John’s young son, Colin, and their aging parents.
Unanswered Questions and Lingering Grief
Deborah Keener, John’s sister-in-law, directed her words towards the driver responsible for John’s death. She expressed her deep anguish and asked the driver if he truly understood the magnitude of his actions. As a fellow CDL driver, she emphasized the training and responsibilities that come with the profession. Deborah questioned why the driver failed to stop at the intersection and the impact it had on their life. She conveyed the raw pain and sorrow experienced by the Keener family, and their longing for justice and closure.
The Pain of Loss
The loss of John Keener has created an unfillable void in the lives of his family and friends. Each day brings a reminder of his absence, and the grief they carry is a constant presence. The tragic accident that took John’s life has left them with unanswered questions, aching hearts, and shattered dreams. The pain they feel is unimaginable, and they struggle to find solace in their memories and faith.
Seeking Justice and Healing
The Keener family hopes that through sharing their experiences, they can shine a light on the devastating consequences of reckless actions on the road. They believe that stronger penalties should be imposed on those who commit such acts of negligence, in order to prevent further loss and heartache for other families. Their plea for justice is driven by the love they had for John and the desire to prevent others from experiencing a similar tragedy.
Understanding the Complexity of a Tragic Accident and the Constraints of the Judicial System
Municipal Court Judge John Good delivered a emotional speech while handing down the maximum sentence to a truck driver involved in a fatal accident. The judge’s words reflected his deep understanding of the circumstances surrounding the incident, as well as the limitations imposed by the legal system.
The Judge’s Personal Reflections
Judge Good began his speech by expressing his gratitude for the opportunity to serve as a judge in Ashland County. He acknowledged the privilege, humility, and satisfaction he derives from his role, highlighting that most days, he loves his job. However, he acknowledged that this is not one of those days.
The Limitations of the Court
Judge Good recognized the public’s skepticism in the court’s ability to administer justice in this particular case. He acknowledged the validity of their concerns, especially in light of the tragic loss suffered by the victim’s family. The judge emphasized the need for objectivity and impartiality, as well as the court’s responsibility to control emotions. Despite these constraints, he acknowledged the difficulty in providing a resolution that truly satisfies the principles of justice.
A Heartfelt Acknowledgment
During his speech, Judge Good expressed his deep appreciation for the heartfelt statements made by several individuals closely affected by the accident. Their words touched him, particularly the remarks made by Miss Uebel and Miss Keener. However, the judge acknowledged the inherent limitations in offering solace or healing to the grieving family. He recognized that the pain and loss caused by the accident are irreplaceable.
A Case of Negligence, Not Murder
The judge directed his attention to the truck driver, highlighting that the accident was not a deliberate act of murder. The incident was, as one speaker aptly described, an accident. Nevertheless, the repercussions of this accident will have lasting consequences for everyone involved.
The Act of Negligence and Its Consequences
Judge Good explained that the truck driver’s actions constituted negligence and a failure of due care. The driver failed to exercise the necessary attention while driving on unfamiliar roads. Despite the presence of warning signs, including rumble strips, flashing lights, and stop signs, the driver negligently proceeded through the intersection. Tragically, this act of negligence resulted in the loss of a life and forever changed the lives of both families.
Understanding the Legal Perspective
Considering different culpable mental states, the judge classified the truck driver’s conduct as negligence, as opposed to intentional or reckless behavior. The charge of vehicular manslaughter, a second-degree misdemeanor, accurately described the level of culpability. The judge emphasized that the maximum penalty for this offense, as prescribed by law, is 90 days in the county jail, a two-year license suspension, and a $750 fine.
The Sentencing Decision
In determining an appropriate sentence, Judge Good had to consider whether a jail sentence was necessary. Despite recognizing the genuine remorse shown by the truck driver and the stress of the situation, the judge was troubled by the driver’s initial dishonesty when questioned by authorities. His false statement about stopping at the stop sign raised concerns about his credibility and accountability.
Acknowledging the Magnitude of Loss
The judge acknowledged that no amount of punishment could truly match the magnitude of the loss experienced by the victim’s family. While a maximum sentence does convey the seriousness of the offense, Judge Good believed that even this was insufficient in capturing the gravity of the driver’s behavior.
The Sentence
Ultimately, Judge Good sentenced the truck driver to the maximum penalty allowed by law: 90 days in the county jail, an fine of $750, and a two-year license suspension. The judge acknowledged that this sentence, while necessary, still fails to fully address the gravity of the situation.
Conclusion
The sentencing hearing for Abdikadir Shire served as a painful reminder of the profound loss suffered by the Keener family. Their heartfelt statements expressed a range of emotions, from anger and frustration to deep sorrow and longing. John Keener’s untimely death has left a void in the lives of his loved ones that can never be filled. Through their grief, the family hopes to raise awareness about the devastating consequences of distracted driving and advocate for stronger penalties. They cherish the memories they have of John and hold onto the hope of one day being reunited with him.
Judge Good’s poignant speech during the sentencing of a truck driver involved in a tragic accident reveals the complex nature of the legal system and its limitations in providing complete justice. The judge’s words reflect his understanding of the pain and grief experienced by both families involved. While the sentence may seem inadequate to some, it represents the full extent of the court’s power under current legislation. As the community grapples with the aftermath of this devastating incident, it underscores the need for ongoing discussions and potential reforms to prevent such accidents from happening in the future.
ASHLAND, Ohio – Leaders at Ashland University and alumni of the school are embracing the opportunity to raise awareness and a greater understanding of the history of Jewish people, the Holocaust and today’s antisemitic threats, having formally partnered with Yad Vashem, the World Holocaust Remembrance Center.
As previously announced, two visiting scholars—Yossi Kugler, Ph.D., a researcher at Yad Vashem, and Sarah Levy, a program coordinator of Echoes & Reflections—will be joining the AU community for two weeks in February. Now, a schedule of events, most open to the public, has been finalized during their stay:
· From Feb. 12-22, Kugler will be teaching a one-credit political science seminar course, “The Holocaust,” for interested AU students
· On Thursday, Feb. 15, Kugler, in conjunction with the Ashland Center for Nonviolence, will present a public lecture, “Knowledge and Lack of Knowledge in the Holocaust,” at the John C. Myers Convocation Center (Trustees Room) at 7 p.m.
· On Thursday, Feb. 22, at noon, Kugler will be at the Ohio History Center in Columbus as he’s been asked to speak during the Ohio Holocaust & Genocide Memorial & Education Commission meeting
· On Wednesday, Feb. 7, at 4 p.m., Levy will present virtually for the Nancy & David Wolf Holocaust & Humanity Center in Cincinnati
· On Thursday, Feb. 8, Levy will make a series of presentations at the Maltz Museum in Cleveland
· On Wednesday, Feb. 7, and Monday, Feb. 12, Levy will lead a series of seminars for AU education students, area educators and students from Ashland High School and Norwalk High School
“We are extremely excited about this opportunity for AU students, regional educators and local high school students to learn more about the Holocaust directly from scholars from Yad Vashem. With few Holocaust survivors still living today, it is more important than ever to continue to tell their stories and remember,” said Charles Neff, D.Min., the executive director of Christian ministry at AU. “Ashland University is proud to be a partner in that effort.”
With the unprovoked Hamas-led attack on Israel on Oct. 7 and the ongoing war there, plus a number of antisemitic incidents occurring in the U.S. and throughout the world, the timing of this programming could not be better. It should be noted, though, that AU’s partnership with Yad Vashem has been in the works since 2020.
AU President Carlos Campo, Ph.D., has made it a priority during his administration to provide impactful initiatives (outside of the traditional classroom) for the students, faculty and staff and Ashland community. This Yad Vashem partnership comes at the perfect time, with antisemitism incidents having taken place on U.S. college campuses, even in Ohio as noted by Gov. Mike DeWine. In a November statement, the governor said in part, “We will not tolerate hate and violence on our college campuses or anywhere in Ohio. These are despicable acts … I will ensure that the State continues our efforts to protect all Ohio students.”
Campo takes that message to heart. “While I’m pleased to report we haven’t had any specific antisemitic threats here at Ashland, we must stay vigilant and eliminate any form of hate. We’re thrilled to welcome Dr. Kugler and Professor Levy to Ashland and look forward to them educating our campus community and the community at-large about the Holocaust and the importance of remaining diligent against the forces and ideas that continue to threaten Jewish people around the world,” he said.
AU is able to welcome these visiting scholars, thanks to the support of Jason Lieberman ‘00 and Jim Smail, a member of the AU Board of Trustees. Lieberman, a Jew, and Smail, a Christian, joined forces for this cause. Despite practicing different religions and being about 30 years apart in age, they developed a bond over a shared vision.
For Lieberman, a vice president/financial advisor and portfolio manager for Morgan Stanley in Boca Raton, Fla., the cause is deeply personal. His grandfather came to the U.S. after the rest of the family nearly all perished during the Holocaust, and when Lieberman made his way to AU in the late 1990s he found few resources for Jewish students like himself. “I lost that part of my life,” he recalled, and now he wants to help “create a better experience.”
For Smail, the cause is personal in a different way. He always has been a “firm believer in the Bible text that the Jewish people are God’s own people,” and he also feels indebted to a Jewish family that took him “in as one of their own,” at the onset of what became his remarkably successful career in the banking and finance industry. By backing this cause Smail “will honor them and their faith in a very small way.”
When Lieberman and Smail woke up to the news of the Oct. 7 attacks, their perspectives and urgency changed. Lieberman, who was vacationing internationally at the time, admitted to a “different level of fear than I’ve felt in my life,” while Smail knew this was the perfect time to act.
“It’s so timely. What better time for (the Yad Vashem scholars) to come in to (educate) our students and anybody else that’s interested on the horrendous persecution that the Jewish people have gone though for centuries … to bring awareness of what happened on Oct. 7 and what the long-term ramifications of that could be … to start a program of educating and uniting Christian students and Jewish students,” said Smail, a strong advocate of the Christians United for Israel organization. “This was started way before Oct. 7, but what happened Oct. 7 gave what we’re doing a whole lot more meaning.”
Lieberman agreed that bringing awareness is paramount, especially to today’s students many of whom weren’t even born until 60 years after the Holocaust ended. “Lack of understanding and lack of awareness is something I experienced (25-30 years ago). The Holocaust seems surreal, almost something that didn’t happen. If I could help students become aware of this, so that something like this never happens again, that would be the significance to me. This isn’t a Jewish thing, it’s a humanity-type thing,” he said.
Campo is thankful for Lieberman and Smail for making AU’s Yad Vashem partnership possible and the impact it will have on the students and Ashland community. “We continue to express our desire for understanding, believing that right thinking and education can lead to better outcomes for our world. We hope that our students, faculty, staff and community will benefit from this most recent initiative as we work to combat the vitriol and animosity that seems to be on the rise in the U.S. and around the globe,” he said.
Joe Lyons •
January 29, 2024
The Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force is offering a reward for information which would lead to the capture of fugitive Mario Jester. Jester is wanted by the U.S. Marshals Service and the Adult Parole Authority for a parole violation on the original charge of aggravated robbery. Jester, 54, is described as a black male with black hair and brown eyes, standing 5 feet 6 inches tall. Jester has ties to the city of Mansfield.
The Mid-Ohio Delta Waterfowl chapter is proud to hold its annual banquet March 2, 2024 at Mount Vernon Estates in Ashland.
There are several ticketing options available. All event admission tickets include your annual Delta Waterfowl membership and dinner. Dinner will consist of pulled pork, pulled chicken, baked beans, macaroni & cheese, salad, and dinner rolls.
To purchase tickets, visit: 
Nevaeh “Lilly” Kitchen
Ashland University’s 2023-24 Environmental Lecture Series, featuring a theme of “Does green infrastructure improve urban environments?” will kick off on Thursday, Feb. 1, with special guest Jean-Michel Guldmann, professor emeritus and Academy Professor of City and Regional Planning at Ohio State University’s Knowlton School of Architecture. He will present “Tree and Building Shade for Urban Heat Migration: Measuring Shade Temperature Effects and Population Exposure in Columbus, Ohio” at the Ronk Lecture Hall inside AU’s Dwight Schar College of Education, beginning at 7:30 p.m.
ASHLAND, Ohio – Leaders at Ashland University and alumni of the school are embracing the opportunity to raise awareness and a greater understanding of the history of Jewish people, the Holocaust and today’s antisemitic threats, having formally partnered with Yad Vashem, the World Holocaust Remembrance Center.
For Smail, the cause is personal in a different way. He always has been a “firm believer in the Bible text that the Jewish people are God’s own people,” and he also feels indebted to a Jewish family that took him “in as one of their own,” at the onset of what became his remarkably successful career in the banking and finance industry. By backing this cause Smail “will honor them and their faith in a very small way.”
Lieberman agreed that bringing awareness is paramount, especially to today’s students many of whom weren’t even born until 60 years after the Holocaust ended. “Lack of understanding and lack of awareness is something I experienced (25-30 years ago). The Holocaust seems surreal, almost something that didn’t happen. If I could help students become aware of this, so that something like this never happens again, that would be the significance to me. This isn’t a Jewish thing, it’s a humanity-type thing,” he said.