Bellville, Ohio – The Bellville Police Department is mourning the loss of one of its own after Officer Summer Kennard was killed in a tragic vehicle crash early Monday morning.
In a statement posted to social media, the department shared the heartbreaking news, saying, “It is with great sadness to inform you that the Bellville Police Department lost an outstanding officer. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Officer Kennard’s family and friends.”
The fatal crash occurred on February 3, 2025, at approximately 5:32 AM on U.S. Route 42 in Gilead Township, Morrow County, according to a report from the Morrow County Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol.
Kennard, 20, of Cardington, was driving eastbound in a 2010 Toyota RAV4 when she veered off the right side of the road. She then overcorrected, crossing left of center, and was struck by a 2013 Ford F-150 driven by 63-year-old Ricky Smalley of Galion.
Emergency responders transported Kennard to Morrow County Hospital, where she succumbed to her injuries. Smalley was also taken to the hospital but sustained only minor injuries. Both drivers were wearing seatbelts at the time of the crash, and authorities do not believe alcohol or drugs were factors.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol, along with the Morrow County Sheriff’s Office, Morrow County EMS, and the Cardington Fire Department, responded to the scene. The crash remains under investigation.
Kennard, who dedicated herself to serving the Bellville community, is being remembered as a devoted officer and a beloved friend.
Semi-Truck Overturns at State Route 3 and 95 in Wayne County
Wayne County, OH – A semi-truck rollover crash shut down a section of State Route 3 on Thursday afternoon, prompting a response from multiple emergency agencies.
According to the Wooster Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol, the crash occurred around 4:23 p.m. February 1st at the intersection of State Route 3 and State Route 95. The driver, 25-year-old Jarod Krznaric of Kent, Ohio, was operating a 2016 white International semi heading southbound on State Route 3. As he attempted to turn onto State Route 95, the truck overturned.
Wooster Township Fire Department & EMS responded to the scene, where minor injuries were reported.
Aber’s Towing & Crane Service was called in to assist with clearing the wreckage. Authorities shut down State Route 95 for cleanup operations before reopening the roadway later in the evening.
The cause of the crash remains under investigation.
Additional note:
Some was curious to know where we had went out to eat while in Wooster, it was BayLobsters Café & Fish Market at 3423 Cleveland Rd, Wooster, OH 44691, and is was great food and service! If you haven’t eaten there you should try it.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol reminds all motorists to do their part in keeping roadway workers safe by moving over a lane and slowing down when you see an emergency vehicle on the side of the road.
Over the last four years, 55 Patrol cruisers were involved in crashes while stopped on the side of the road due to drivers failing to move over and slow down. These crashes resulted in two deaths and 29 injuries to the public, as well as 16 injured troopers. Alcohol and/or drugs were a factor in 27% of “move over” crashes. Most of these types of crashes took place on interstates, unlit roadways and surfaces covered in snow, ice or slush.
“These crashes are avoidable when drivers pay attention, slow down, and move over,” said Governor Mike DeWine.
Ohio’s Move Over Law requires all drivers to move over to an adjacent lane when approaching any vehicle with flashing or rotating lights parked on the roadside. If moving over is not possible due to traffic, weather conditions or a second lane not being available, motorists should slow down and proceed with caution.
“When you move over, you’re helping ensure the safety of everyone who works on or travels our roadways,” said Colonel Charles A. Jones, Patrol superintendent. “It’s not just the law – it’s a simple act that can save lives.”
When driving in work zones, moving over and slowing down is also important. You can find out more information on Ohio’s work zones, and what troopers do to make them safer, by visiting http://www.workzonedashboard.ohio.gov.
Car Crashes Into Ashland Craft Vinyl, Driver Seriously Injured
ASHLAND, OH – A driver was seriously injured tonight after crashing into a local business, causing significant structural damage.
According to the Ashland Police Division, officers responded to the intersection of Cleveland Avenue and Middle Rowsburg Road at approximately 9:08 p.m., alongside the Ashland Fire Department & EMS.
The crash involved a 2005 Ford Escape XLT driven by Tyson Lewis, 44, of Ashland, who was traveling eastbound when he lost control and slid into Ashland Craft Vinyl at 1221 Cleveland Ave.
Ashland EMS transported Lewis to OhioHealth Mansfield Hospital with serious injuries.
The cause of the crash remains under investigation by the Ashland Police Division.
Due to severe structural damage, Ashland Craft Vinyl will remain closed until necessary repairs can be made.
Multi-Vehicle Crash Involving Semi Reported at U.S. Route 250 & U.S. Route 42
ASHLAND, OH – Ashland Police Division, Ashland Fire Department, & EMS. Responded to a four-vehicle crash, including a semi-truck, occurred at the intersection of U.S. Route 250 and U.S. Route 42 on Tuesday, January 28, 2025, around 3 p.m.
According to crash report by the Ashland Police, the crash began when Jordan Duposki, 20, of Ashland, Ohio, driving a 2004 Honda CR-V, attempted to make a left turn from U.S. Route 42 onto East Main Street (U.S. Route 250) but failed to yield the right of way.
A 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt driven by a 17-year-old from Nova, Ohio, was traveling northbound on U.S. Route 42 and struck the rear of Duposki’s Honda CR-V. The impact caused the Chevrolet Cobalt to slide sideways into a 2013 Hyundai Elantra, driven by Rachael Witmer, 31, of Sullivan, Ohio, who was traveling southbound in the left lane.
The collision then involved a 2013 Kenworth semi-truck, driven by Travis Carlisle, 48, of Ashland, Ohio, which was traveling southbound in the right lane.
Emergency responders reported minor injuries at the scene.
Towing services assisted with vehicle removal:
The 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt was towed by Bates Towing
The 2013 Hyundai Elantra was towed by Gibbs Towing
The 2013 Kenworth semi-truck was towed by Abers Towing
Note: Sorry, I had forgot to get this posted yesterday
Semi Runs Red Light, Causes Crash at Ashland Intersection
Ashland, OH – A semi-truck ran a red light at a busy Ashland intersection Tuesday morning, colliding with a car and injuring a passenger, according to Ashland Police Division crash report.
The crash occurred around 7:30 a.m. at the intersection of the I-71 on/off ramp and U.S. Route 250. Ashland Police Division officers, along with Ashland Fire Department & EMS, responded to the scene.
Police say David Wolske, 61, of Frazeysburg, Ohio, was driving a 2024 Peterbilt semi eastbound on U.S. Route 250 when he failed to stop for a red light. His truck struck a blue 2022 Hyundai Elantra, driven by Andrew Miller, 21, of Lorain, Ohio, as Miller attempted to turn left onto the I-71 on-ramp.
Neither Wolske nor Miller reported injuries, but Miller’s passenger, Elizabeth Hernandez, 20, of Lorain, was hurt in the crash. Fire crews had to cut the door off the Hyundai Elantra to safely remove Hernandez from the vehicle. She was transported by Ashland EMS to Ohio Health Mansfield with non-life-threatening injuries.
Ashland to host Heart of Ohio Our Community Salutes Ceremony
Inaugural Event Honoring Area High School Students Enlisting in Military Service January 31, 2025
Ashland, Ohio—The City of Ashland is partnering with Our Community Salutes (OCS), a national non-profit organization to be ‘the first to say thank you’ to area high school students who have made the decision to enlist and enter into the United States military after graduation. This inaugural event, entitled “Heart of Ohio Our Community Salutes,” will be held at 2:30pm on Sunday, April 13, 2025 at Mount Vernon Estate, 1041 U.S. 250, Ashland, OH 44805.
Founded in 2009, Our Community Salutes’ mission is to recognize and honor high school enlistees and their commitment to military service, as well as provide parents and guardians of enlistees with community support as their son or daughter transitions into military service. Thousands of military-bound graduates are recognized across the U.S. each year at OCS ceremonies.
“We are so proud to honor our local men and women who have made the decision to serve our great country in the United States military,” said Mayor Matt Miller. “We are inviting everyone in our community to come out and show these young men and women support as they embark on this important chapter in their lives. We are truly blessed that in every generation throughout our country’s rich history, God has raised up a group of people to defend our freedom.”
Featuring Jack Hughes, Congressional Fellow currently working at the Pentagon as the U.S. Army’s Budget Liaison to Congress, as the keynote speaker, the Heart of Ohio OCS ceremony will bring together community leaders, veterans, military enlistees and their families from Ashland, Holmes, Huron, Knox, Medina, Richland, Wayne counties.
Supported by the City of Ashland and local organizations and individuals, this will be an annual event. Student enlistees and their families will receive an invitation through their designated recruitment office. If you are interested in sponsoring this event, please reach out to Amanda Furman at furman.amanda@ashland-ohio.com.
About Our Community Salutes
Our Community Salutes (OCS) is a national, non-profit organization helping communities recognize, honor and support high school seniors who plan to enlist in the U.S. Armed Services after graduation. OCS includes community leaders, government officials, educators, businessmen, and veterans who feel strongly in the importance of community support and recognition of the patriotic young adults who will enlist in the military after graduation. Our Community Salutes was founded in 2009 and is a 501c3 non-profit organization.
Mansfield Update: Drug Investigation/Search Warrants/Arrest
On January 30, 2025, METRICH detectives conducted an investigation into illegal drugs entering and being distributed in the Richland County community. With the assistance of the Richland County Sheriff Deputies and Mansfield Police, a 2015 GMC Yukon being operated by a Bradley Fisher, w/m/32, of Mansfield, Ohio was stopped on Fifth Ave at US 30.
Deputies made contact with Fisher and after a brief dialogue, he fled in his vehicle and was involved in a crash with a Richland County Sheriff cruiser a short distance away from the initial stop, where he was apprehended. Mansfield Police K-9 Maxx alerted on the vehicle and 2 ounces of suspected cocaine were located during a search.
METRICH Detectives with the assistance of the Richland County Sheriff Office then executed a related search warrant authorized by the Honorable Judge David Badnell of the Mansfield Municipal Court for 1214 Bechtel Ave., Mansfield, Richland County. That search resulted in the seizure of approximately 5,000 grams (5 kilos) of suspected illegal drugs, Glock 19, 9mm handgun, $22,249.00 in US currency and other drug related evidence.
Bradley Fisher was incarcerated and charged with Failure to comply with order or signal of Police Officer,(F-3), Trafficking in Fentanyl (F-1), Trafficking in Cocaine (F-1), Possession of Fentanyl (F-1), Possession of Cocaine (F-1), Child Endangerment (F-3), Illegal Manufacture of drugs (F-2). Further Drug & Weapon related charges will be forwarded to the Richland County Prosecutor’s Office.
AU History Professor to Appear on Series of History’s Greatest Mysteries Episodes
Those in the Ashland community tuning into the History Channel’s documentary series History’s Greatest Mysteries will see a familiar face on Monday, Feb. 3, and throughout the sixth season of the popular show.
John Moser, Ph.D., chair of the history and political science department at Ashland University and a member of the AU faculty since 2001, will be making regular appearances—seven to be exact—as an expert commentator during the show’s current season.
In his upcoming debut episode, Moser will be discussing the Franklin Expedition, an 1845 voyage led by Sir John Franklin of the British Royal Navy that had set out to explore the Northwest Passage, the sea lane along the northern coast of Canada. The voyage’s two ships and 129 men disappeared and never returned, apparently having become icebound.
“The ships weren’t actually found until this century … no remains of the crew were on board. So, what happened to them is the real mystery,” said Moser.
A jack of all trade when it comes to history, Moser will be offering his insight on other topics and legendary figures, such as the Secrets of the Sphinx, the Lost Places of the Old Testament, Pablo Escobar, Amelia Earhart and Nikola Tesla on History’s Greatest Mysteries.
Moser’s journey to becoming a television personality began when a producer caught wind of his expertise on the Great Depression, a topic that he has taught hundreds of AU students, researched and written about extensively, including a 2015 book “The Global Depression and the Coming of World War II.”
“Out of the blue, I got an email from the producer asking if my knowledge of the Great Depression, which is my main knowledge of interest academically, whether that extends to John Dillinger,” explained Moser.
Of Dillinger, the infamous 1930s era American gangster, Moser responded, “I said, ‘yeah sure I know a thing or two about him.’”
He continued, “They did a screen test via Zoom just to see how I would do on camera, and apparently, I passed that. They brought me out to this episode on John Dillinger (last March), and they apparently liked what they saw because they said we want to keep bringing you out.”
Moser credits his new-found small screen success to his academic expertise combined with an extensive background in community theatre, highlighted by regular performances at the Mansfield Playhouse as well as an upcoming role in Ashbrook Classical Theater’s “Much Ado About Nothing.”
“(They) want somebody with a certain amount of expertise, of course. The fact that I have a Ph.D. and an academic appointment matters, so Ashland University’s name is going to show up in all these episodes,” said Moser. “But they also want somebody who has some personality on camera I have a long history of doing community theatre, so that was not difficult for me. I think that’s why they kept inviting me back. I have a certain presence on camera.”
Moser enjoyed the experience during his four trips to film in Los Angeles last spring and is open to becoming a regular on History’s Greatest Mysteries or other History Channel shows.
“As long as they want to have me and it’s something I can work into my (academic) schedule … I hope to do the same thing this year,” said Moser.
History’s Greatest Mysteries, hosted by Laurence Fishburne, is a one-hour documentary series that examines the top theories surrounding the world’s most enigmatic unsolved mysteries. It currently airs on the History Channel each Monday at 9 p.m.
West Salem Woman Faces Drug Possession Charge, Bond Set at $10,000
ASHLAND COUNTY, OH – Susan Canfield, a West Salem resident, appeared in Ashland County Common Pleas Court via Zoom on Thursday afternoon for a bond hearing following her arrest on a felony drug possession charge.
Canfield, 52, was taken into custody after the Ashland County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant at her residence, 16 US Route 42, on January 28. During the search, authorities discovered 0.126 grams of methamphetamine along with drug paraphernalia. Canfield allegedly admitted to law enforcement that she used and sold drugs and directed officers to the location of the substances in her dresser.
She has been charged with aggravated possession of drugs, a fifth-degree felony under Ohio Revised Code 2925.11(A).
During Thursday’s hearing, Ashland County Prosecutor Christopher R. Tunnell recommended a $25,000 bond with a 10% cash deposit, electronic monitoring, and mandatory drug treatment. Magistrate Paul T. Lange ultimately set bond at $10,000, allowing it to be posted through a 10% surety bond, cash, or real estate.
Canfield, who was appointed a public defender, pleaded for leniency, telling the court, “I haven’t really been in any trouble since 2015. I take care of some children who really need me at home, and I don’t have money to post.”
Canfield has a criminal history dating back to 2008, with previous convictions for drug possession, receiving stolen property, and escape.
2008 Unauthorized Use of Property Misd in Medina Co
2009 Possession of Drugs Cocaine F5 in Medina Co
2009 Misuse of Credit Cards F5 and Receiving Stolen Property F5 in Wayne Co
2012 2 Receiving Stolen Property Credit Cards F5 and F4 Medina Co
2015 Escape F3 in Summit Co
2015 Possession of Drugs F5 and M1 possession of drug abuse instruments in Summit Co
2021 Contempt of Court in Ashland Co
Canfield next court appearance is scheduled for Friday, January 31, at 1:00 PM.
Joe Lyons •
February 3, 2025
