The Ohio State Highway Patrol is reporting 22 crashes resulting in 23 deaths on Ohio’s roadways during the 2023 Memorial Day weekend according to provisional statistics. This is the highest number of traffic fatalities in Ohio since 2020 when 20 individuals were killed.
The four-day reporting period began Friday, May 26 and ran through Monday, May 29.
During the reporting period, state troopers made 19,980 traffic enforcement contacts, including 399 impaired driving arrests, 233 drug arrests and 2,797 safety belt citations. In addition, the Patrol made 10,463 non-enforcement contacts including 2,107 motorist assists.
Motorists are reminded that roadway safety is a shared responsibility and are encouraged to call #677 to report drug activity and dangerous or impaired driving.
For a statewide breakdown of enforcement and crashes during the Memorial Day holiday weekend, please visit: https://statepatrol.ohio.gov/static/links/MemorialDay2023_PIO.pdf.
The Salvation Army’s Ashland Kroc Center is one more splash closer to the opening of RJ’s Spray Park with the pouring of the concrete on Monday, May 22, 2023.
Officials from the Kroc Center, Simonson Construction Services and Rain Drop Products were on hand as subcontractor Sloan Concrete used a large concrete pump truck to pour the concrete while their crew worked diligently to smooth it all out. It took a total of 11 concrete trucks to pour the entire splash pad!
The old spray park was dismantled in 2020 to make room for the Kroc Center’s indoor water park, which opened in 2021. The new spray park, dubbed RJ’s Spray Park after Ray and Joan Kroc, will be adjacent to the existing picnic pavilion that was relocated when construction began for the indoor water center.
A community celebration for the opening of RJ’s Spray Park is tentatively scheduled for Saturday, July 1. Following the grand opening, the spray pad will be open to the public from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Monday through Friday. Additionally, the spray park’s close proximity to the picnic pavilion will allow access to families benefitting from the Ashland Kroc Center’s Summer Food Service Program, which helps children who receive free or reduced-price lunch in school during the summer.
Operated in conjunction with the USDA and from the Kroc’s picnic pavilion during the summer months, the Kroc’s Summer Food Service Program provides a free, healthy meal each weekday from June 12 to August 11. Nutritious meals will be served on site from 12:15 to 12:45 p.m. for children under the age of 18. There is no registration required. Each week brings different themes for kids to enjoy in conjunction with the meals, such as the Touch-a-Truck activity for the first meal on Monday, June 12.
To stay up-to-date on the latest developments of RJ’s Spray Park or the Summer Food Service Program, please follow @AshlandKroc on Instagram and Ashland Kroc Center on Facebook.
Chad Henthorn Age: 48
White / Male / 5’10’’ / 200 / Brown Hair / Brown Eyes
Wanted by the U.S Marshals Service and Richland County Sheriff’s Office for aggravated possession of drugs F3 and tampering with evidence F3.
Ties to Mansfield, Greenwich, Shelby areas.
Seth Gardner Age: 43
White / Male / 6’0’’ / 185 / Brown Hair / Green Eyes
Wanted by the U.S. Marshals Service and Richland County Sheriff’s Office for a probation violation on the original charge of robbery F1.
Ties to the Mansfield area and Cape Girardeau, MO .
Derrick Taylor Age: 44
White / Male / 6’2’’ / 245 / Brown Hair / Brown Eyes
Wanted by the U.S Marshals Service and Richland County Sheriff’s Office for felonious assault F2.
Ties to the Mansfield, Butler, Baltic, and Wooster areas.
Richard Kiser Age: 56
White / Male / 5’7’’ / 180 / Brown Hair / Brown Eyes
Wanted by the Richland County Sheriff’s Office for a failing to provide change of address as sex offender
Ties to the Mansfield, New Philadelphia, Conneaut, Bergholz, Lawrenceburg, TN
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.
On Wednesday, May 17, 2023, the Richland County Grand Jury returned an indictment on William Carter for Murder (2 counts), Felonious Assault, Having Weapons Under Disability, and Tampering with Evidence. This is a result of the recent homicide at 20 Dunbilt Court on April 30, 2023.
Major crimes detective lead Detective Larry Schacherer and the entire bureau did an excellent job following up on both self-generated and public leads to secure this indictment.
Mr. Carter is currently incarcerated in the Summit County jail on unrelated charges and will answer to this indictment when he is returned to Richland County.
We are hopeful that this arrest will not only allow the victim’s family some relief but also, begin to help alleviate community fears as to the recent rash of gun-related incidents. We ask that you respect the victim’s family’s privacy at this time.
Major crimes detectives are diligently continuing to follow up on the remaining homicides. If anyone has any further information please call the Mansfield Police Tip Line at 419-522-7463
On May 15th, Christ Yoder of Sullivan, Ohio, appeared before Judge John L. Good, in Ashland Municipal Court concerning case number 23TRD03200, related to a citation for “NO YELLOW FLASHING LIGHT.”
What makes this case interesting, is that this is the first Amish individual to plead not Guilty.
This is a game changer; so far every Amish has plead No Contest.
Although Mr. Yoder was found guilty, it opens the door for the next case, where Judge John L. Good will rule on the Constitutionality of this law.
That is why I say this is a game changer.
All eyes are on what happens here in Ashland County.
Mickey Robinson is coming to Fusion Church Lexington May 26th, at 7PM. Public is welcome and bring a friend to this free event.
As a nineteen-year-old professional skydiver, Mickey Robinson underwent a plane crash that left him with catastrophic injuries. After a near-death experience, Mickey courageously overcame multiple terminal medical complications and recovered miraculously, as documented in his memoir, Falling into Heaven. Since his second chance at life, Mickey has been a public speaker nationally and internationally, sharing words of encouragement and hope that continue to change lives and inspire people of all ages.
Mickey and his wife live outside of Franklin, Tennessee.
Falling Into Heaven: A Skydiver’s Gripping Account of Heaven, Healings and Miracles
Falling into Heaven is the true story of how a young skydivers life was changed when a fiery plane crash melted his face and mutilated his body. Miraculous healing and a spiritual adventure of a new life on earth followed this near death experience. Falling into Heaven is not just about a burned man getting better. It is about a dead man coming to life!
Ashland County Sheriff’s Office Deputies, Ashland County Sheriff’s Office Bomb Squad, ODNR Rangers, along with Loudonville Fire Department & EMS responded to the Mohican Young Star Academy, at 1012 ODNR, Mohican 51, in Perrysville yesterday, around 1:30pm for a Bomb Threat.
The building was evacuated, and Loudonville Fire Department & EMS were staged at the fire tower.
Mohican Young Star Academy staff advised of a juvenile male, who claimed to make a homemade bomb, which he said that he put in the heater in the main building.
The Sheriff’s Office report said that the juvenile male screwed the bottom off the heater, and placed it inside the heater, and he was very specific on where and how he did it.
A Bomb Squad Technician inspected the heater and advised that the heater was tampered with, but no device was found.
Reports are being sent to the Prosecutor’s Office to see if charges are warranted.
Matthew 25 Outreach Center distribution of fresh, nutritious fruits and veggies is coming to Ashland this Saturday – May 20th from 10 am to 1:00 pm at Luray Lanes (we’ll be outside in the parking lot).
Ashland Regional Ballet (ARB) and Opus II Dance Studio will once again collaborate to bring the 41st Annual Spring Dance Concert to the stage at Archer Auditorium on Saturday May 20th at 7:30 pm and Sunday May 21st at 2:30pm. Dancers ranging in ages from 5 years through adult and hailing primarily from the Ashland/Mansfield/Wooster area will perform in this traditional event. The performance showcases the entire student body of Opus II Dance Studio in a variety of dances designed to be great family entertainment at family friendly prices.
Each year Ashland Regional Ballet presents a special ballet production as part of this end of the school year celebration. This year’s featured ballet is Coppelia Act 3, choreography re-setting by ARB Artistic Director Sarah Cyders. They will also present “Dream Ballet” with Choreography by ARB Founder Hellie and School Director Ann Marie Benshoff-Todd . The students of Opus II Dance Studio will present the ballet “La Boutique”.
ARB Senior dancers featured in Coppelia are Gisella Blake of Ashland who will portray Dawn, with fellow Ashlander, Emma Schaefer as Lady Vienna; and Mikayla Jarvis of Wooster as Evening Prayer. Other dancers in prominent roles are the “Friends” Mira Bechtol, Adley Grabowski, Tara Tavalaee, and Allie Wentworth or Ashland and Megan Harrigan of Nova. The “Waltzers” will be portrayed by Haylee Cromer, Teagan Kime, Lilly Lehman, Samantha Metz, Lyla Metzger, Valerie Raubenolt, Elise Sabourin, and Audrey Smith. The “Villagers will be portrayed by ARB Company members Aliya Beasley, Sami Crist, Mary Hamilton, Jackalyn Metz, Lucy Ronk, Madelyn Shenberger and studio dancers Leo Mancha, Milo McDonald, Asher Robbins, and Nathaniel Studer. Also, of note is Skylynn Heichel of Ashland, who will appear in our contemporary pieces. Professional guests Brian Murphy, and ARB Alumnus Christina Lindhout will portray Franz and Swanilda.
The first portion of the program presents a wide array of contemporary dance styles including Tap, Jazz & Modern Dance. Benshoff-Todd mentions “One of the most exciting parts of this show is seeing how much our dancers have grown this year. It shows the promise of a bright long lasting future for the studio.” Choreography is by Schussler, and ARB Alumni Kimberly Cadley-Mach, Cyders and Benshoff-Todd. Schussler notes, “This has been a wonderful school year, full of good dancing and lessons well-learned. The Opus and ARB dancers are eager to show-off their accomplishments. It seems impossible that our school has been in dancing now for 41 years! We are very proud of everything our dancers have accomplished.”
Joe Lyons •
May 23, 2023
The Ohio State Highway Patrol is reporting 22 crashes resulting in 23 deaths on Ohio’s roadways during the 2023 Memorial Day weekend according to provisional statistics. This is the highest number of traffic fatalities in Ohio since 2020 when 20 individuals were killed. 
Chad Henthorn Age: 48
Seth Gardner Age: 43
Derrick Taylor Age: 44
Richard Kiser Age: 56
Ashland County Sheriff’s Office Deputies, Ashland County Sheriff’s Office Bomb Squad, ODNR Rangers, along with Loudonville Fire Department & EMS responded to the Mohican Young Star Academy, at 1012 ODNR, Mohican 51, in Perrysville yesterday, around 1:30pm for a Bomb Threat.
Matthew 25 Outreach Center distribution of fresh, nutritious fruits and veggies is coming to Ashland this Saturday – May 20th from 10 am to 1:00 pm at Luray Lanes (we’ll be outside in the parking lot).
