The Ashland County Sheriff’s Office hosted an active shooter training, at the Black River Education Center this past week, June 26th – 29th 2023.
Trainers from the Sheriff’s Office and the Ashland Police Department provided classroom and scenario training to 61 county officers from the Sheriff’s Office, Ashland Police, Loudonville Police Officers, OhioHealth Police, and The Ohio State Highway Patrol.
Lt. Sims of the Ashland County Sheriff’s Office commented that this type of training is unfortunately needed across the country, in today’s times. “This is something Sheriff Risner feels very strongly about and has provided us the equipment to train with, Air soft guns and other items that provide realistic sounds, so we can train at real speed.” Lt. Sims continued, “We are able to make sure that officers are on the same page when it comes to what is expected of them.”
“We were very pleased with how our officers worked through the training.” Lt. Sims concluded, “We hope to continue this type of training every year. This year, Black River Schools opened their doors to us, and we thank them for the use of their building. We also had civilian volunteers during the scenarios. We thank them, and HOP munitions from Hayesville, who also participated in the scenario training.”
In an effort to educate recreational boaters nationwide about the dangers of boating while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, the Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District (MWCD) will be participating in the annual Operation Dry Water campaign. The mission of Operation Dry Water is to decrease the number of alcohol- and drug-related incidents and fatalities on the water.
Operation Dry Water weekend, July 1-3, is the national weekend dedicated to amplified recreational boater outreach, education, and coordinated enforcement surrounding boating under the influence. Alcohol use continues to be the leading known contributing factor in recreational boater deaths and a leading contributor in boating incidents. The MWCD encourages all boaters to enjoy this boating season and help keep everyone safe by choosing to boat sober all year long. Use of both legal and illegal drugs also impairs judgment and reaction time and creates dangerous circumstances while on the water.
“Individuals and families from across the country head to our nation’s waterways for a fun, safe, and pleasant experience out on the water. Our goal is to not only educate boaters on the dangers of impaired boating, but also to remind them of other safe boating practices, such as enrolling in a boater education course and always wearing a life jacket,” says Patrick Brockmeier, MWCD Chief Ranger. “To ensure that everyone is safe out on the water, we have partnered with Operation Dry Water to assist in educating operators and passengers on the dangers associated with boating under the influence. The MWCD wants boaters to have a safe and enjoyable summer while out on the water, and to do that boat operators and passengers must remain sober and alert while underway.”
As part of Operation Dry Water weekend, recreational boating safety advocates and volunteers, in collaboration with law enforcement in every U.S. state and territory, will be out at marinas and on the water educating boaters about safe boating practices. Law enforcement will also be working to identify and remove dangerous and impaired operators. In 2022, law enforcement officers across the nation removed 794 impaired operators from our nation’s waterways during the Operation Dry Water weekend.
MWCD supports these educational and enforcement efforts prior to the 4th of July holiday to ensure the safety of recreational boaters and water sport enthusiasts. The risk of serious injury is the same for operators and passengers when drinking. Additionally, alcohol use by passengers presents a danger regardless of whether the operator is consuming alcohol or not.
The Salvation Army Ray & Joan Kroc Corps Community Center in Ashland celebrated the grand re-opening of RJ’s Spray Park.
Key guest were: Majors Billy and Annalise Francis, Advisory Board Members, Dan Lawson, PhD, Director of Community Relations and Development, and other key leaders for The Salvation Army’s Ashland Kroc Center, Representatives from the Archer Family, and the Norma Foundation, Ashland Mayor, Matt Miller, and Ohio State Representative, Melanie Miller.
The Ashland Kroc Center’s splash pad was dismantled in 2020 to make room for the construction of the indoor water park and fitness center. Back by popular demand and thanks to the generous support of the Archer Family and the Norma Foundation, RJ’s Spray Park has been rebuilt.
RJ’S Spray Park Open House will take place on Saturday, July 1, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
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 new 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.
The Salvation Army Ray & Joan Kroc Corps Community Center in Ashland celebrated the grand re-opening of RJ’s Spray Park.
Key guest were: Majors Billy and Annalise Francis, Advisory Board Members, Dan Lawson, PhD, Director of Community Relations and Development, and other key leaders for The Salvation Army’s Ashland Kroc Center, Representatives from the Archer Family, and the Norma Foundation, Ashland Mayor, Matt Miller, and Ohio State Representative, Melanie Miller.
The Ashland Kroc Center’s splash pad was dismantled in 2020 to make room for the construction of the indoor water park and fitness center. Back by popular demand and thanks to the generous support of the Archer Family and the Norma Foundation, RJ’s Spray Park has been rebuilt.
RJ’S Spray Park Open House will take place on Saturday, July 1, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
LUCAS – The Mansfield Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating a single-vehicle fatal crash that occurred on June 24 at approximately 6:22 p.m. on Mansfield Lucas Road at Rummel Road in Monroe Township.
The preliminary investigation shows a 1998 Ford Mustang, driven by Damon Mauk, 18, Lucas, was traveling southeast on Mansfield Lucas Road when Mauk lost control, traveled off the right side of the road, and struck a sign and a tree.
Mauk was transported to the Ohio Health Mansfield Hospital by ground ambulance where he succumbed to fatal injuries.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol was assisted on scene by the the Richland County Sheriff’s Office, and Monroe Township Fire and EMS.
COLUMBUS –The Ohio House of Representatives passed House Bill 158, joint sponsored by State Reps. Bill Roemer (R-Richfield) and Melanie Miller (R- City of Ashland). The legislation, which received overwhelming bipartisan support, updates Cosmetology and Barber Board statutes.
“This legislation will better serve aspiring cosmetologists and barbers who have experienced unnecessary burdens,” said Roemer. “House Bill 158 makes it easier for schools who teach cosmetology and barbering, students who want to start their licensure through career technical education programs, and out-of-state applicants seeking their licenses.”
The Cosmetology and Barber Board was consolidated from two separate boards in 2017, but the joint sponsors believe the law is not adequately adjusted to account for this merger.
“This legislation successfully modernizes the statutes authorizing the Cosmetology and Barber Board due to their consolidation years ago, which is why this is so important,” Miller said. “I am confident that these and other changes that update our code will serve to encourage the barber and cosmetology industry to grow and thrive here in Ohio.”
Key provisions of the bill include:
· Creating a unified barbering/cosmetology school license, to eliminate duplicative applications for facilities that teach both cosmetology and barbering.
· Enhancing license reciprocity from other states.
· Reducing fines for disciplinary actions.
· Establishing temporary pre-examination work permits for barbers.
· Lowering the age to apply for a barber license or to start barbering school to 16 years of age
· Eliminating a requirement that a barber student complete 200 additional hours of training before re-taking the licensing exam.
· Preventing the board from charging interest or penalty fees for unpaid fines.
· Creating an independent contractor license, eliminating “shop within a shop” licenses
· Creating a process to designate a license as “inactive.”
· Allowing the board to independently set the passing score for the barber exam, rather than keeping it in statute.
The legislation does not change the current training hour requirements for initial licensure.
House Bill 158 now heads to the Ohio Senate for further consideration.
Anthony Alexander Age: 38
White / Male / 6’0” / 200 / Brown Hair / Brown Eyes
Wanted by U.S Marshals Service and the Ohio Department of Corrections on the charge of possession of drugs F2
Ties to the Mansfield.
Steven Drummond Age: 26
White / Male / 5’9’’ / 160 / Brown Hair / Blue Eyes
Wanted by the U.S Marshals Service and Richland County Sheriff’s Office for failure to register F2.
Ties to Mansfield area and Gibsonton FL.
Alexander Piteira Age: 34
White / Male / 5’11’’ / 185 / Brown Hair / Brown Eyes
Wanted by the U.S. Marshals and the Richland County Sheriff’s Office for escape F-4
Ties to the Mansfield area
Marquise Morris Age: 34
Black / Male / 6’ / 165 / Black Hair / Brown Eyes
Wanted by the U.S. Marshals and the Richland County Sheriff’s Office for felonious assault F-2
Ties to Mansfield and Oxon Hill MD.
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.
Tipsters may remain anonymous, and a cash reward may be available. The Task Force’s “Dangerous Dozen” fugitives can be viewed at https://www.usmarshals.gov/sites/default/files/media/document/dangerous-dozen.pdf, which is updated monthly.
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, Ohio – Visitors to Byers Woods Park were looking up this past Saturday.
They were there for the 16th annual Bobolinks and Butterflies Festival, an event held by the Greater Mohican Audubon Society (GMAS) and Ashland County Park District to celebrate one of the county’s most distinct birds.
The male bobolink is a small blackbird with a yellow cap and white on its wings while female and nonbreeding birds are mostly brown. Several males during the walk performed a courtship behavior colloquially known as parachuting. A male bobolink flies out of the grass and sings in flight. Then the bird folds his wings over his head in a steep “V” shape and drops slowly to the ground.
While bobolinks were the highlight of the festival—the group saw around twenty individuals—they were only one of forty-nine species of bird seen or heard. GMAS member Christina Stump was encouraged by the attendance, a total of 38 guests and volunteers. “My goal was to overflow the parking lot,” she said, “and we accomplished that.”
After the morning walk, visitors heard two presentations on wildlife conservation. Louise Fleming-Dufala shared her journey to attract pollinators by planting pocket gardens. She explained that it is important to grow both host plants, which are used by caterpillars, and nectar plants, which are used by adult butterflies.
Something to avoid are nonnative cultivars, or hybrid species, which may be unclearly labelled. “Avoid native seed packs,” Fleming-Dufala said, “unless they are guaranteed native [to Ohio].” Fleming-Dufala recommends Natives in Harmony as a source for Ohio genotype plants.
Stump spoke about the impact of solar panels on grassland birds. “This is a growing concern, especially in the great plains region,” she said, referencing a recent article by the National Audubon Society. “We need to be working with our local officials to protect important habitat and find alternatives,” Stump said. She proposed functional solar, such as solar carports, as alternatives to using grasslands for solar projects.
Stump encouraged attendees to sign a community-organized petition opposing solar at Byers Woods, linked here: https://bit.ly/ByersWoodsPetition.
Also assisting with the festival were members of the Ohio Ornithological Society, Friends of the Ashland County Park District, and Ashland County Public Library.
As the group prepared for the afternoon butterfly walk—which included two uncommon dun skippers—GMAS member Gary Cowell Jr., spotted a young bald eagle flying over the park. One more reason to look up.
About the Greater Mohican Audubon Society
The Greater Mohican Audubon Society (GMAS) is a chapter of the National Audubon Society serving Ashland, Holmes, Richland, and Wayne Counties of North-central Ohio. The group is dedicated to environmental education, conservation, and restoration of habitat. The group holds bi-monthly bird walks and participates in national projects such as the Christmas Bird Count. For more information about the group, please visit the website https://gmasohio.com/ or follow us on Facebook @Greater Mohican Audubon Society.
Joe Lyons •
July 1, 2023
In an effort to educate recreational boaters nationwide about the dangers of boating while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, the Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District (MWCD) will be participating in the 
LUCAS – The Mansfield Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating a single-vehicle fatal crash that occurred on June 24 at approximately 6:22 p.m. on Mansfield Lucas Road at Rummel Road in Monroe Township.
COLUMBUS –The Ohio House of Representatives passed House Bill 158, joint sponsored by State Reps. Bill Roemer (R-Richfield) and Melanie Miller (R- City of Ashland). The legislation, which received overwhelming bipartisan support, updates Cosmetology and Barber Board statutes.
Anthony Alexander Age: 38
Steven Drummond Age: 26
Alexander Piteira Age: 34
Marquise Morris Age: 34
The male bobolink is a small blackbird with a yellow cap and white on its wings while female and nonbreeding birds are mostly brown. Several males during the walk performed a courtship behavior colloquially known as parachuting. A male bobolink flies out of the grass and sings in flight. Then the bird folds his wings over his head in a steep “V” shape and drops slowly to the ground.
After the morning walk, visitors heard two presentations on wildlife conservation. Louise Fleming-Dufala shared her journey to attract pollinators by planting pocket gardens. She explained that it is important to grow both host plants, which are used by caterpillars, and nectar plants, which are used by adult butterflies.
As the group prepared for the afternoon butterfly walk—which included two uncommon dun skippers—GMAS member Gary Cowell Jr., spotted a young bald eagle flying over the park. One more reason to look up.