The Ashland County Historical Society is excited to announce the return of the Living History Cemetery Walk at Ashland Cemetery. Ashland’s historical figures will come to life through local re-enactors. Each character will spend a few minutes telling stories about their lives in Ashland and how they were an important part of our history. Period costumes worn by the re-enactors will further heighten the experience with an aura of authenticity.
Join us on Sunday, September 24 from 1:00 – 3:00 pm for a fun-filled afternoon of education and exploration! Guided tours will begin promptly at 1:00 pm, with groups leaving every ten minutes. The last tour will depart at 3:00 pm.
Be sure to stop by our check-in booth upon arrival to be placed in your tour group!
This year’s cast of characters are as follows:
Helen (Phillips) Arnold – former Ashland County probation officer (Debbie Sickmiller); Sarah (Killgore) Wertman – the first woman in the United States to graduate from law school (Deleasa Randall-Griffiths); Benjamin Frank Zercher – former Mayor of Ashland (Ed Krakora); Dr. J. Allen Miller – former President, Dean and teacher at Ashland College (Dave Kowalka); Henry J. Schulz – former fire chief of The Citizens Relief Fire Company (Ken Hammontree); and Judge Mildred (McKibben) Myers – the first woman in Ashland County to hold public office (Barbara Tate).
The Living History Cemetery Walk is appropriate for families and people of all ages.
The event is open to the public, rain or shine, for a suggested donation of $5. No reservations are required
Sunday, May 15, 2023 – 1:00pm
Address:
523 W Main Street
Ashland, OH 44805
Presented By: Ashland County Historical Society & Cleo Redd Fisher Museum
When Eleanor Roosevelt said that strength and courage can be gained by looking fear in the face, she must have been speaking of someone like my friend, Santa.
In 2007, several folks gathered together and decided we needed to host a Christmas Morning Breakfast for people who are alone. What better place than to hold our first event, at the little church on Center Street which was the Art Center.
Plans were made, volunteers were contacted, and the excitement was sizzling as we opened the doors on December 25th, to a large group of hungry, lonely people. We fried bacon and eggs, served muffins, coffee and juice. Several firemen came to assist folks down the stairs.
Young and old came, single parents with children, divorcees, widows and widowers, and some came just because it was wonderful!
Then, who should arrive, but Santa, with a booming Ho! Ho! Ho! He was a hit! He hugged and talked with everyone there, had small gifts for each one and when I wasn’t looking—he disappeared.
The next year, he came again. I told the firemen to block the doors if Santa tried to disappear again. Caught! His true identity was revealed. This was the beginning of a long friendship and we are still fast friends today.
Sierra was his little rescued dog, and went everywhere with him on his scooter—but don’t try to pet her because you could lose a finger. She was only loyal to him.
Santa is a veteran and a diabetic. He continues to visit churches, nursing homes and folks in the city. Nothing stops him from from helping where he can, and he always prays for each person and dog he sees.
Santa is an inspiration to me. He makes me laugh, and at times makes me weep in anguish, at his surgeries and for loosing Sierra. His grief was acute, but the joy before was even greater.
Sierra didn’t need a new car, or a vacation in Hawaii. For her, bliss was to be close to Santa, have a belly rub or a scooter ride on a sunny day, a cuddle and a soft word. Santa always said, “God sees my heart and so does Sierra.”
Consider visiting the Ashland County Dog Shelter, walking a dog, and maybe rescuing a pup. Your life will never be the same.
Blessings,
Dianne Hammontree, secretary of Homeward Bound 501[c]3
COLUMBUS—Asst. Majority Whip Sharon Ray (R-Wadsworth), State Rep. Melanie Miller (R-City of Ashland), and State Senator Mark Romanchuk (R-Ontario) today held a press conference on newly introduced legislation that came as a result of constituent concerns about a highway interchange in Medina County. The Representatives and Senator were accompanied by leaders and residents of the City of Brunswick and the surrounding communities.
The bill will repeal a portion of the State Transportation Budget, which would require the Ohio Department of Transportation to construct an I-71 interchange on Boston Road in the City of Brunswick.
“Boston Road is not fit for an interchange like this,” said Miller. “We would have to destroy homes, level a hilly road that is unfit to carry highway traffic, and for that to be in statue is not right. This interchange is bad for Brunswick and was forced upon the residents and that is why I am pushing for this legislation to repeal the interchange.”
“This proposed interchange was the result of one community – Strongsville – trying to legislate a neighboring community – Brunswick – to fix a problem they created,” said Ray.
“This interchange is bad for Brunswick and all of Medina County for financial and safety reasons, and is just bad policy overall.”
This legislation to repeal the interchange was introduced today, as well as a Senate companion bill by Senator Romanchuk.
Medina, OH– The Medina Highway Patrol Post is investigating a traffic crash which occurred on Interstate 71 South near mile post 216 in Montville Township, Medina County.
The crash occurred at 09:54 AM when a southbound 2012 Harley Davidson pulling a trailer lost control. The Harley Davidson traveled off the left side of Interstate 71, struck the median cable, and overturned.
The driver, Dennis Shaffer, age 66, from Bristolville, Ohio and his passenger Marry Shaffer, age 60, also from Bristolville, Ohio were ejected from the motorcycle.
Both occupants were air lifted to Metro Health Hospital with non-life threatening injuries.
The following agencies assisted the Ohio State Highway Patrol at the scene. The Ohio Department of Transportation, Medina LST, Montville Township Police Department, and Montville Township Fire Department / EMS,
Both occupants were not wearing helmets and drugs and or alcohol do not appear to be a factor in this crash.
Interstate 71 South was closed near the crash scene for approximately 45 minutes. The crash remains under investigation.
Deputies learned through an investigation, which was opened on 09/12/23 at 9:35 p.m., that two middle school students had a conversation at school on Tuesday about shooting up the school Wednesday.
This investigation took place after it was reported that one of the suspect students sent a text message to another middle school student Tuesday night telling the student not to go to school on Wednesday, and the text included a gun emoji.
The Sheriff’s Office made the school aware of the incident late Tuesday night into Wednesday morning and made contact with both suspect students and their families.
Charges were filed this morning with Richland County Prosecutor Jodie Schumacher. No other students are believed to be involved.
The Sheriff’s Office has added patrol to Madison Schools.
The suspect students are currently being evaluated by medical professionals and upon being cleared medically will be transported to the Richland County Juvenile Attention Center.
MANSFIELD – The Ohio State Highway Patrol has completed an OVI checkpoint that occurred on September 9th, 2023, on US Route 42, near milepost 15, in Mifflin Township.
The checkpoint was held from 8 PM to 10 PM. During the operational hours, 421 vehicles drove through the checkpoint. One vehicle was diverted and no OVI arrests were made.
After the checkpoint, saturation patrols continued in the area. 27 traffic stops were initiated with four OVI arrests made.
The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) assisted with traffic control during the checkpoint.
Dasani Antaijza Unique Cherry Age: 20
Black / Female / 5’ / 86bs / Brown Hair / Brown Eyes
Wanted by U.S Marshals Service and the Richland County Sheriff’s Office on the charge of illegal conveyance.
Ties to the Bellevue and Sandusky area.
Vernon Cole Age: 48
White / Male / 5’11’’ / 175lbs / Brown Hair / Brown Eyes
Wanted by the U.S Marshals Service and Richland County Sheriff’s Office on the charge of breaking and entering.
Ties to Mansfield and Savanah area..
Anthony Alexander Age: 38
White / Male / 200 lbs / Brown Hair / Brown Eyes
Wanted by the U.S Marshals and Adult Parole Authority for PV on the original charge of possession of drugs F2..
Ties to Mansfield and Marion area. .
Glen Pettry Age: 44
White / Male / 5’11’’ / 192 lbs / Brown Hair / Blue Eyes
Wanted by the U.S Marshals Service and Richland County Sheriff’s Office for illegal conveyance of drugs.
Ties to the Mansfield area.
Reward money is available for information directly leading to an arrest. Anyone with information concerning any of these fugitives can contact the Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force office at 419-774-3565 or the tip line at 1-866-4WANTED (1-866-492-6833) or you can send a web tip at the following webpage http://www.usmarshals.gov/district/oh-n/index.html.
The NOVFTF Akron Division consists of the following federal, state and local agencies:
United States Marshals Service, Mansfield Police Department, Ohio Adult Parole Authority, Richland County Probation, Richland County Sheriff’s Office, Ashland County Sheriff’s Office, Bucyrus Police Department, Galion Police Department, Huron County Sheriff’s Office, Lexington Police Department, Loudonville Police Department, Ohio State Highway Patrol, Ontario Police Department, Plymouth Police Department, Willard Police Department and Crestline Police Department.
Ashland – Nationally, around 11 percent of drivers are age 24 and younger. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, teen drivers have a higher rate of fatal crashes, mainly because of their immaturity, lack of skills, and lack of experience.
“Anytime a person gets behind the wheel, especially our teen drivers, it is a huge responsibility,” said Governor Mike DeWine. “To prevent senseless tragedies and save lives, young drivers should take this responsibility seriously and always keep their attention on the road.”
In Ohio, youthful drivers, age 15 to 24, were involved in 166,399 traffic crashes from 2021 to 2022. An action on the part of the youthful driver contributed to 63 percent of these crashes. Crashes where youthful drivers were at fault resulted in 441 fatalities and 45,540 injuries during the same timeframe.
To support young drivers, the Ohio State Highway Patrol oversees the DRIVE to Live education program. DRIVE to Live positively engages young drivers in conversations about good decision-making. The Ohio Department of Public Safety’s Teach Your Teen to Drive website also offers parents and caregivers helpful tips and a framework for having discussions with their teen drivers about risky driving behaviors that can lead to fatal consequences.
“Poor decisions while driving can impact young drivers for the rest of their lives,” said Colonel Charles A. Jones, Patrol superintendent. “Each time our troopers have the chance to interact with a young driver, it is an opportunity to stress the importance of safe driving habits.”
The leading causes of youthful driver crashes were following too close and failure to yield or running a red light or stop sign. Leading causes of fatal at-fault youthful driver crashes included unsafe speed, failure to yield or running a red light or stop sign, driving off the roadway and driving left of center.
A statistical map containing youthful driver crash information can be found here. To schedule a DRIVE to Live presentation for your school or group click here.
ASHLAND, Ohio – Abraham Edwards, a 2005 graduate of Ashland University and currently a faculty member at Michigan State University, was one of three recipients nationwide of the Mathematical Association of America’s 2023 Henry L. Alder Award for Distinguished Teaching.
The prestigious honor goes to “beginning college or university faculty whose teaching has been extraordinarily successful and whose effectiveness in teaching undergraduate mathematics is shown to have influence beyond their classrooms,” according to the MAA website.
Edwards is a professor at MSU’s Lyman Briggs College teaching a variety of math courses, ranging from college algebra, to the calculus sequence, to statistics for scientists, to an honors research seminar in experimental mathematics. He also guides interdisciplinary courses, such as “Proof! A History of Certainty in Mathematics and Science,” “Quest for the Sublime: Mathematics, Poetry, and the Romantic Age” and “Mathematics in Cultural and Historical Contexts.” In addition, he has mentored multiple student research projects, including two that led to publications co-authored with students.
Beyond the classroom, Edwards contributes to the National Science Foundation-funded TRIUMPHS group (Transforming Instruction in Undergraduate Mathematics via Primary Historical Sources) and leads a popular MAA MathFest workshop, titled “Learning from History: Teaching with Primary Source Projects in Your Mathematics Classroom.”
Edwards, who earned a master’s degree in mathematics from Cleveland State University in 2009 and a Ph.D. in mathematics education from MSU in 2016, credits his successful career path, in part, to his days as an undergraduate.
“What really struck me was how much the math faculty (at AU) seemed to enjoy teaching. I think that was what really got me thinking about a career related to mathematics teaching,” he recalled.
Edwards, originally from Grafton, Ohio, also appreciated the personal attention and support that Ashland prides itself on.
“I was able to study mathematics in small classes, taught by expert professors. This created an atmosphere in which learning was enjoyable and I felt supported in my academic journey. I wasn’t the best math student, not by a longshot. But, that’s what’s great about a college like Ashland. The faculty are willing to meet students where they’re at, and it put me on a trajectory to succeed in graduate school and in academia,” he said.
On September 4, 2023, at approximately 4:17 a.m., Ashland Police responded to an alarm at Bill Harris, Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, of Ashland.
Ashland Police Division Chief of Police, David Lay said in a press release, “The alarm led officers to discover the business had been broken into. Sgt. Eggeman located an occupied, dark-colored, Honda CRV at a residence on Baney Rd, south of the dealership. When he stopped the Honda, two suspects got out, and were ultimately taken into custody. The driver of the Honda fled, leading police on a high-speed pursuit into the county. The pursuit ended after the Honda returned to the city, where a sheriff’s deputy was able to deploy spike strips.”
“The Honda crashed on US 42, between South Davis Rd and East Main Street, where two more suspects fled on foot. With the help of the Ashland County Sheriff’s Office, Ohio State Highway Patrol of Ashland, and Richland County, officers were able to establish a perimeter,” Chief Lay explained.
“At approximately 6:46 a.m., a third suspect was taken into custody, near Country Club Lane. At this time, there is no description of the remaining suspect. Police extensively searched the area, using a canine, drones, and a helicopter.” Chief Lay concluded with, “ Anyone who sees anything suspicious, or has non-emergency information can contact Ashland Police at 419-289-1911.”
Fernando Evans, 20, along with Calvin White, 19, and Greenwood Lewis, 18, all three are from Cleveland, Ohio and were arrested and booked into the Ashland County Jail.
All three had Bond Hearings on Wednesday, September 6, 2023, before Magistrate Emily M. Bates, of the Court of Common Pleas of Ashland County.
The court found that Fernando Evans, is indigent and appointed Attorney Benjamin Zushin to represent him in: Count one: complicity (breaking and entering) and count two: failure to comply with an order or signal of a police officer.
Bond was set:
A bail bond secured by the deposit of ten percent (10%) of the amount of the bond in cash. The amount of the bond is $100,000.00. Ninety percent (90%) of the deposit shall be returned upon compliance with all conditions of the bond.
OR
A surety bond, a bond secured by real estate or securities, as allowed by law, or the deposit of cash, in the sum of $100,000.00, at the option of the Defendant.
The court found that Calvin White is indigent and appointed Attorney Jodie Dees to represent him in: Count one: complicity (breaking and entering)
Bond was set:
A bail bond secured by the deposit of ten percent (10%) of the amount of the bond in cash. The amount of the bond is $50,000.00. Ninety percent (90%) of the deposit shall be returned upon compliance with all conditions of the bond.
OR
A surety bond, a bond secured by real estate or securities as allowed by law, or the deposit of cash, in the sum of $50,000.00, at the option of the Defendant.
The court found that Greenwood Lewis is indigent and appointed Attorney Jennifer Harmon to represent him in Count one: complicity (breaking and entering)
Bond was set:
A bail bond secured by the deposit of ten percent (10%) of the amount of the bond in cash. The amount of the bond is $50,000.00. Ninety percent (90%) of the deposit shall be returned upon compliance with all conditions of the bond.
OR
A surety bond, a bond secured by real estate or securities as allowed by law, or the deposit of cash, in the sum of $50,000.00, at the option of the Defendant.
Charges are as follows:
COUNT ONE: COMPLICITY (BREAKING AND ENTERING)
In that on or about September 4, 2023, in Ashland County, Ohio, FERNANDO EVANS did act with the kind of culpability required for the commission of an offense and did aid or abet another, to wit: Calvin White and/or Greenwood Lewis and/or Unnamed co-Conspirator I and/or Unnamed co-Conspirator 2, in committing the offense of Breaking and Entering a felony of the fifth degree.
COUNT TWO: FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH AN ORDER OR SIGNAL OF A POLICE OFFICER
In that on or about September 4, 2023, in Ashland County, Ohio, FERNANDO EVANS did operate a motor vehicle so as willfully to elude or flee a police officer after receiving a visible or audible signal from a police officer to bring his motor vehicle to a stop, in violation of Ohio Revised Code Section 2921.331 2921.331 FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH AN ORDER OR SIGNAL OF A POLICE OFFICER, a felony of the fourth degree.
FURTHERMORE, and the offender was fleeing immediately after the commission of a felony.
COUNT ONE: COMPLICITY (BREAKING AND ENTERING)
In that on or about September 4, 2023, in Ashland County, Ohio, CALVIN WHITE did act with the kind of culpability required for the commission of an offense and did aid or abet another, to wit: Ferando Evans and/or Greenwood Lewis and/or Unnamed co-Conspirator 1 and/or Unnamed co-Conspirator 2 in committing the offense of Breaking and Entering, ORC Sections 2911.13(A) & 2911.13(C), and the underlying offense was a felony of the fifth degree,
COUNT ONE: COMPLICITY (BREAKING AND ENTERING)
In that on or about September 4, 2023, in Ashland County, Ohio, GREENWOOD LEWIS did act with the kind of culpability required for the commission of an offense and did aid or abet another, to wit: Calvin White and/or Femando Evans and/or Unnamed co-Conspirator I and/or Unnamed co-Conspirator 2 in committing the offense of Breaking and Entering, ORC Sections 2911.13(A) & 2911.13(C), and the underlying offense was a felony of the fifth degree, in violation of Ohio Revised Code Section
Joe Lyons •
September 15, 2023
COLUMBUS—Asst. Majority Whip Sharon Ray (R-Wadsworth), State Rep. Melanie Miller (R-City of Ashland), and State Senator Mark Romanchuk (R-Ontario) today held a press conference on newly introduced legislation that came as a result of constituent concerns about a highway interchange in Medina County. The Representatives and Senator were accompanied by leaders and residents of the City of Brunswick and the surrounding communities.
Deputies learned through an investigation, which was opened on 09/12/23 at 9:35 p.m., that two middle school students had a conversation at school on Tuesday about shooting up the school Wednesday.
Ashland – Nationally, around 11 percent of drivers are age 24 and younger. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, teen drivers have a higher rate of fatal crashes, mainly because of their immaturity, lack of skills, and lack of experience.
ASHLAND, Ohio – Abraham Edwards, a 2005 graduate of Ashland University and currently a faculty member at Michigan State University, was one of three recipients nationwide of the Mathematical Association of America’s 2023 Henry L. Alder Award for Distinguished Teaching.
The court found that Fernando Evans, is indigent and appointed Attorney Benjamin Zushin to represent him in: Count one: complicity (breaking and entering) and count two: failure to comply with an order or signal of a police officer.
The court found that Calvin White is indigent and appointed Attorney Jodie Dees to represent him in: Count one: complicity (breaking and entering)
The court found that Greenwood Lewis is indigent and appointed Attorney Jennifer Harmon to represent him in Count one: complicity (breaking and entering)
COUNT ONE: COMPLICITY (BREAKING AND ENTERING)
COUNT ONE: COMPLICITY (BREAKING AND ENTERING)
COUNT ONE: COMPLICITY (BREAKING AND ENTERING)