It seemed like an impossible choice, adopt a rescue dog, or pick out a puppy. Ken and I had a fenced-in back yard and we could give a home to a dog in need, but we were waiting for direction or guidance. We found a place that had a litter of puppies and spent an hour surrounded by impossibly furry bundles of energy whose teeth were so small we couldn’t even feel them gnawing on our toes. We held them and snuggled them, looked at each other and knew these pups weren’t for us.
On our way home we felt led to stop at our vet’s office. As soon as we entered, our vet came out with a little two-year-old neglected boy and said, “I feel this little guy should go home with you.” As this pup crawled onto my lap on the way home, I knew that this decision… God’s decision, had been right all along.
Ken and I named our boy Simon Peter but nicknamed him The Great Houdini. Pete was the dog version of this great artist. Pete could climb and jump and wedge his little body through a slightly opened door. Just when we thought we had tackled every escape situation, he found a new way out.
I used to love to read in the back yard and have Pete on the bench next to me untethered. While I was engrossed in my book, Pete would slither off the bench and be halfway up Center Street, before I sensed his absence. Determined to thwart him, I barricaded off the north side of the house with fence and trellis. The little stinker turned his attention to the south side and off he went, either chasing an Amish buggy or checking out the customers at SAVE-A-LOT.
Pete hadn’t ignored his boundaries to be bad or because he wanted to leave his nice cozy home. He was just curious and wanted a squirrel or a bird or a horse, “good things.” Boundaries stood in the way of his pleasure. Since he was a dog, he didn’t know boundaries were for his benefit, so he wouldn’t be hurt or even killed.
God sets up fences for us, just like I did for Pete, to keep us from harm and sometimes from death. While we are chasing “good things,” like Pete did, God sees the danger and draws us closer to Him. Pete didn’t try to escape anymore, he just basked in my love and stayed safe within his boundaries.
Slow your pace, draw boundaries around your work, and take time for the people you love.
Blessings,
Dianne Hammontree Secretary of Homeward Bound Dog Shelter
COLUMBUS, OH – State Rep. Melanie Miller (R-City of Ashland) has released the following statement condemning the Hamas bombing into Israel:
“The unprovoked attack by Hamas on the people of Israel is truly horrific. This senseless terrorist attack underscores the need for a unified response against such violence and cowardice. My heart goes out to the victims and their families. I stand firmly with our Israeli friends and Prime Minister Netanyahu as they defend themselves. May we all pray for Israel.”
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State Representative Melanie Miller is currently serving her first term in the Ohio House of Representatives. She represents the 67th House District, which includes all of Ashland County and the western portion of Medina County.
Governor DeWine Issues Statement on the Hamas Bombing into Israel
(COLUMBUS, Ohio)—Governor Mike DeWine issued the following statement condemning the Hamas bombing into Israel:
“Fran and I extend our deepest sympathies to the victims and their families of the unprovoked attack on Israel today. We offer our support to the people of Israel and condemn this unjustified act by Hamas.”
ASHLAND, Ohio – The Ashland University Department of Theatre is presenting the Pulitzer-prize winning play “Proof” by David Auburn from Thursday through Sunday, Oct. 19-22. All performances will take place at the Studio Theatre in the Center for the Arts, with the Thursday, Friday and Saturday shows beginning at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday’s matinee at 2 p.m.
“Proof” is part of the College of Arts and Science’s Symposium Against Indifference: Perspectives on the Mental Health Crisis series this year. There will be a panel discussion with local mental health professionals following the Sunday show.
In addition, there will be an open house and reception for AU theatre alumni and friends on Saturday at 4 p.m., as part of AU’s Homecoming festivities. The reception will be held on the stage of the Hugo Young Theatre and the theatre spaces, scene and costume shops will be open.
“Proof” focuses on Catherine whose father Robert was a mathematical genius and professor. She had spent years taking care of him, but his recent passing raises several questions, such as should she leave Chicago to live with her sister Claire in New York, how much of her father’s genius or madness will she inherit and what is to become of the 103 notebooks he left behind that one of his former students, Hal, hopes to find something valuable in. When a mathematical proof of historical proportions is discovered, its authorship tests the bonds of family loyalty and love.
“Proof” premiered in 2000 and was adapted into a major Hollywood film in 2005. This production is directed by Teresa Durbin-Ames, associate professor of theatre at AU, while Catherine will be played by Mattie Vermilya, Robert by Gabe Noble, Claire by Ellie Nickoli and Hal by Keever Whitehead.
Additional students working on the production include Saylor Starkey (stage manager), Lily Dowler (props master), Tobin Grendzynski (assistant light designer), Jesse Baker (assistant sound engineer) and Anthony Marchetta (assistant director). Guest artists consist of Justin Miller (scenic designer), D. Justin Bilewicz (costume designer) and Seth Morrison (lighting designer and technical director).
Tickets can be purchase at the AU Campus Store during normal business hours or online at ashland.edu/performing-arts-tickets. Tickets are $2 for AU students, $5 for non-AU students and $10 for adults, faculty/staff and senior citizens. A service fee will be added to any credit card purchases. Tickets will not be available for purchase at the door.
For more information, contact Teresa Durbin-Ames at 419-289-5821 or tdurbin@ashland.edu.
Day two for Deputy Cindy Benner Trial in Ashland Municipal Court on Four Charges of Dereliction of Duty brought a surprising ending when the state rested and the defense requested a Rule 29 motion.
You may ask, What is a Rule 29 motion in Ohio? I had to Google it.
According to Google:
“The court on motion of a defendant or on its own motion, after the evidence on either side is closed, shall order the entry of a judgment of acquittal of one or more offenses charged in the indictment, information, or complaint, if the evidence is insufficient to sustain a conviction of such offense or offenses.”
Ashland Municipal Court Judge John L. Good grants the motion dismissing two of the four charges.
The trial is expected to end today.
Day One for the Deputy Cindy Benner Trial
Day One for the Deputy Cindy Benner Trial including Jury selection. Court video with clear audio
(COLUMBUS, Ohio) — Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost is providing Ohioans with vital clarity and transparency in anticipation of the Nov. 7 vote on State Issue 1 and State Issue 2, two contentious citizen-initiated ballot proposals.
The First Amendment safeguards even wrong information, Yost noted, and the government largely lacks the authority to restrain information. To help ensure a meaningful and accurate public discourse on the two initiatives, the Attorney General directed two teams from his office – one for each issue – to conduct legal analyses of both. These are not policy analyses, but legal analyses – not “why,” but “what.”
“Ohio voters deserve an impartial resource that offers an objective analysis of the legal implications of both citizen-initiated initiatives,” Yost said. “The decision regarding which policy path is best for Ohio lies with voters, not with me.”
Issue 1 is a constitutional amendment that deals with reproductive rights and abortion, and Issue 2 is a proposed statute on recreational use of marijuana.
“The people of Ohio hired me to do a job,” Yost said. “I owe it to them to give them accurate information so they can make informed decisions. This work is for them.”
Led by the Attorney General, separate teams of attorneys and professional staff conducted the analyses, meticulously reviewing the appropriate citizen-initiated initiatives, discussing them at length, and preparing comprehensive explanations of their legal implications.
The final versions offer clarity in some areas and acknowledge the potential for legal disputes in others – without resorting to speculative projections.
To read the Attorney General’s legal explanations of State Issues 1 and 2, visit www.ohioattorneygeneral.gov/Ballot-Initiatives.
Deputy Cindy Benner Trial Started Today in Ashland Municipal Court on Four Charges of Dereliction of Duty
Cindy Benner, an Ashland County Sheriff’s Office Deputy, appeared in the Ashland Municipal Court, before Judge, John L. Good and a jury, for her Trial concerning four charges of dereliction of duty.
Benner was charged on March 2, 2023, by Ashland’s law director, Rick Wolfe, and plead not guilty on March 10, 2023.
Trial resumes at 9am tomorrow.
A second-degree misdemeanor is punishable by, up to 90 days in jail, and a maximum $750 fine, under Ohio law.
Madison Township — The Mansfield Patrol Post responded to a report of a one vehicle crash on Mansfield Lucas Road near Illinois Avenue, in Madison Township, at 2:02 AM.
The preliminary investigation shows a 2014 Harley Davidson Street Glide was traveling southeast on Mansfield Lucas Road.
The Harley Davidson was driven by Mason C. Clover, 23, of Butler, Ohio. The Harley Davidson traveled off the left side of the roadway and down an embankment. Mr. Clover was pronounced deceased at the scene.
Mr. Clover was not wearing a helmet at the time of the crash.
A portion of Mansfield Lucas Road was closed for approximately two hours during the investigation of the crash.
The Richland County Sheriff’s Department, Madison Township Fire Department, and Laurence’s Towing assisted on the scene. The crash remains under investigation.
Tickets are on sale now for the Madrigal Feaste, a beloved and long-standing tradition at Ashland University. The 47th annual event, presented by the AU Department of Music, will be held Thursday, Nov. 30, through Sunday, Dec. 3, at Redwood Hall with doors opening at 6 p.m. each night and the royal procession beginning at 6:30 p.m.
The Madrigal Feaste takes audiences back to “Merry Olde England,” a term that refers to the country’s powerful and prosperous Elizabethan period, for an evening of fine singing, original comedy, award-winning dining and cherished traditions.
The dinner theater includes performances throughout by the AU Chamber Singers, a select vocal ensemble on campus. They dress in authentic period-style costumes and sing traditional Christmas carols, ceremonial music and madrigals—a cappella love songs from 400 years ago that include themes and topics that are relatable today—while actors entertain theatrically, with comic relief provided by the commanding butler and the court jester.
The four-course-meal, served family style, features roast beef, roasted potatoes and carrots, cashew salad, rolls, cookies, figgy pudding and wassail. Vegetarian and gluten-free options are available and can be selected when purchasing tickets.
All tickets must be purchased in advance (none are sold at the door) and are on sale through Monday, Nov. 27. They are available online at ashland.edu/performing-arts-tickets (credit card purchases will include an additional transaction fee) or in person at the AU Campus Store during normal business hours.
For more information, contact Ron Blackley, director of choral activities and professor of music at AU, at 419-289-5114 or rblackle@ashland.edu.
If you have a question for the Mayor please email them to pilyons@yahoo.com
Update on Claremont Avenue Project.
Follow up on year-end paving update.
Mansfield Plumbing Closing.
Follow up on Area Jobs and Hiring Places.
Mayor’s Annual Veterans Breakfast.
Ashland‘s Trick or Treat.
Notification of Ashland Leaf Pick up Program.
Update on Eagle Gas Station on Claremont Avenue.
Vision/Pumphouse Update.
Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area/ DORA.
I would like to give a huge shout-out to Bill Harris Dealerships for sponsoring the monthly updates with Ashland Mayor, Matt Miller.
This exciting endeavor will help to ensure that Ashland County Pictures (ACP) will be able to continue serving the Ashland area with breaking news, and up to date information.
I would like to thank the Ashland County Pictures supporters for their continued patronage without viewers like you, there would be no ACP.
Joe Lyons •
October 7, 2023
DIANNE’S DOGHOUSE
(COLUMBUS, Ohio) — Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost is providing Ohioans with vital clarity and transparency in anticipation of the Nov. 7 vote on State Issue 1 and State Issue 2, two contentious citizen-initiated ballot proposals.
Madison Township — The Mansfield Patrol Post responded to a report of a one vehicle crash on Mansfield Lucas Road near Illinois Avenue, in Madison Township, at 2:02 AM.
Tickets are on sale now for the Madrigal Feaste, a beloved and long-standing tradition at Ashland University. The 47th annual event, presented by the AU Department of Music, will be held Thursday, Nov. 30, through Sunday, Dec. 3, at Redwood Hall with doors opening at 6 p.m. each night and the royal procession beginning at 6:30 p.m.