The legislation was passed by the Ohio House during Wednesday’s vote
COLUMBUS – State Rep. Melanie Miller (R-City of Ashland) supported House Bill 23 on Wednesday, which is the historic transportation budget legislation investing $12.6 billion into the state’s infrastructure. The legislation was passed by the Ohio House during the vote.
As a member of the Economic and Workforce Development Committee, Miller sees this bill to have potential for job creation for Ohio residents.
“This critical transportation budget is going to improve our infrastructure in all parts of the state, and it’s also a big jobs bill,” said Miller. “This is a strong investment to create jobs, attract businesses and to improve the lives of Ohioans. It will also incentivize those outside of our state to come here to live, work and raise a family.”
The legislation is the largest commitment of highway infrastructure spending in Ohio history with $12.6 billion in funding for Ohio’s transportation system over the next two years.
Other key components of the bill include:
Funding $2.2 billion for pavement, $717 million for bridges, $360 million for dedicated safety upgrades, and $1.5 billion for large, capacity adding projects such as reconfiguring urban interstates.
Creating the Rural Highway Fund, $1 billion in new money focused solely on projects that add capacity or reduce commute times to employment centers in counties that do not have a municipality over 65,000 residents.
Providing reliable transportation routes for workers in rural parts of the state who otherwise might be forced to relocate in order to gain employment.
Finding faster ways to connect areas of the state by funding the Strategic Transportation and Development Analysis to study links between Columbus and Sandusky and Columbus and Toledo.
Investing $14 million to establish the Ohio Workforce Mobility Partnership Program, which allows one or more regional transit authorities (RTA) to work together to provide service for the workforce between the territories and supporting the employment needs of economically significant employment centers.
Requiring the Public Utilities Commission (PUCO) and the Environmental Protection Agency to create and submit a report to the General Assembly within 90 days of the effective date on the transportation of hazardous materials and waste in the state.
Mandating that an operator be notified of a wayside detector system defect. Requires DOT and PUCO to ensure the messages are sent.
Requiring that a train must have a two-person crew related solely for safety.
Preventing park districts being pulled into an improvement district without consent to standardize the practice used by other local government entities.
Clarifying that the prohibition of counties and townships using traffic cameras applies only to enforcement of red light or speeding violations and not the detection and enforcement of criminal offenses.
Allowing for the permanent registration of noncommercial trailers.
The legislation now moves to the Senate for further consideration and deliberations.
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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.
Richard Seaman, chairman of Seaman Corporation, author and board chairman of the Burton D. Morgan Foundation, will be the speaker at Ashland University’s 2023 Burton D. Morgan Lecture and Lunch on Monday, March 20, 2023. The event is free and open to the public with advanced registration and will begin at 11:45 a.m., in the John C. Myers Convocation Center (820 Claremont Ave.).
Seaman will present “A Vibrant Vision: The Entrepreneurship of Multigenerational Family Business.” His 2019 book by the same name chronicled lessons learned from growing a small family business into a sustainable multi-million dollar business – the Seaman Corporation, located in Wooster, Ohio.
The annual event, held in memory of noted entrepreneur Burton D. Morgan, is hosted by the Burton D. Morgan Center for Entrepreneurship at AU, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, and is supported by the Burton D. Morgan Foundation.
“It is an honor to have Richard Seaman speak this year and to have our students and the community learn how he grew and sustained a family business,” said Tom Sudow, director of the Burton D. Morgan Center at AU. “He is a most appropriate speaker to present on the 20th anniversary of the Morgan Center as someone who knew Burt Morgan personally and has been a leader in (his) foundation, which maintains the ideals that were so important to Burt Morgan.”
Seaman joined Seaman Corporation as a plant manager and served as CEO from 1976 to 2015. He assumed the leadership role of the family business after his father passed away at the age of 55. Under his leadership, the industrial-coated fabric business increased its revenue from $10 million to more than $150 million. He served as commissioner of the Ohio Third Frontier, was recognized as an honored life member of his industry trade organization, the Industrial Fabrics Association International, and was selected as a Wall of Fame honoree by the Wooster Area Chamber of Commerce. In 2015, Seaman was chosen by Ernst & Young as Entrepreneur of the Year for northeast Ohio.
Reservations are requested for those attending the event, and they can be made here. For additional information, contact Tom Sudow at tsudow@ashland.edu or 216-396-4030.
Ashland’s Burton D. Morgan Center for Entrepreneurship Studies, established in 2003, focuses on serving the educational needs of students by actively promoting, encouraging and developing entrepreneurial knowledge through experiential learning. The center facilitates, and its programs, serve as a vital tool in the overall integration of entrepreneurship across the AU campus, allowing students opportunities to practice entrepreneurial skills in a low-risk environment.
(Ashland) – According to the Ohio State Highway Patrol, from 2018 to 2022, there were 10,103 crashes in Ohio where vehicle defects were a contributing factor. Brake failures and tire blowouts were the most common causes in vehicle defect-related crashes.
During the same timeframe, there were 42 vehicle defect-related fatal crashes, resulting in 49 deaths on Ohio’s roadways. Tire blowouts were the leading cause in 31 percent of these fatal crashes. In addition, there were 2,779 injury crashes in which a vehicle defect was a contributing circumstance.
“Keeping your vehicle in good operating condition by routinely checking your tires, brakes, headlights and other equipment are simple things motorists can do to prevent vehicle defect-related crashes,” said Governor Mike DeWine. “When you ensure your vehicle is roadworthy, you are helping keep our roadways safe.”
Older vehicles were involved in nearly half of all vehicle defect-related crashes from 2018-2022. Vehicles from model years 2000-2009 accounted for 49 percent of these crashes, while vehicles from model years 2011-2020 were involved in 26 percent of the crashes.
“A lot of these are preventable crashes,” said Colonel Charles A. Jones, Patrol superintendent. “If you’re not keeping up with the maintenance of your vehicle, you are putting your life and the lives of others at risk.”
The Patrol reminds you to call #677 when you see unsafe driving or if you are in need of assistance on Ohio roadways.
Ashland County Grand Jury indicted a Cleveland Ohio Man on two counts of identity fraud and one count of falsification after a traffic stop by an Ashland Post Trooper on I-71 in 2022.
Indicted reads as follows:
COUNT ONE: IDENTITY FRAUD a felony of the fifth degree.
In that on or about June 7, 2020, in Ashland County, Ohio, Juwuan U Leonard, did, without the express or implied consent of Joshua Wyatt, use, obtain, or possess personal identifying information of Joshua Wyatt with intent to represent Joshua Wyatt’s personal identifying information as his own personal identifying information, in violation of Ohio Revised Code.
COUNT TWO: IDENTITY FRAUD a felony of the fifth degree.
in that on or about June 7, 2020, in Ashland County, Ohio, Juwuan U Leonard, did, without the express or implied consent of Joshua Wyatt, use, obtain, or possess personal identifying information of Joshua Wyatt with intent to hold himself out to be Joshua Wyatt, in violation of Ohio Revised Code.
COUNT THREE: FALSIFICATION a misdemeanor of the first degree.
In that on or about June 7, 2020, in Ashland County, Ohio, Juwuan U Leonard, did knowingly make a false statement, or knowingly swear or affirm the truth of a false statement previously made, when the statement was made with purpose to incriminate another, in violation of Ohio Revised Code
The Ohio Attorney General’s Office through the Bureau of Criminal Investigation Missing Persons Unit assists local law enforcement and families in locating and recovering missing children and adults. The unit issues Endangered Missing Child Alerts, Endangered Missing Adult Alerts, and is involved in issuing AMBER Alerts and Blue Alerts in coordination with local law enforcement. Staff members aid in searches for missing children and adults using social media, public records, law enforcement databases, and other resources.
Colonel Robert Springer will address area Vietnam era veterans at their annual reunion dinner on March 25, 2023. Col. Springer is a 1960 graduate of Ashland High School and served two tours of duty in Vietnam as a Marine Corps pilot. Best known as a NASA space shuttle astronaut, Colonel Springer started his career flying F4 Phantom fighter jets over the skies of Vietnam. He also flew the legendary Huey helicopters.
The reunion dinner will be held at Ashland Eagles. Tickets can be purchased at the law office of DeSanto & Kellogg on Center Street in Ashland. This will be the fourth such Vietnam veterans’ reunion dinner. The dinner is organized by a group of Vietnam veterans associated with American Veterans Appreciation Events, Inc. and has been commissioned to hold the event by the National Vietnam War Commemoration.
Co-organizer Greg Gorrell said that Col. Springer is looking forward to coming “home” to speak to his fellow Vietnam veterans. According to Gorrell, while he is here Colonel Springer will address area high school students, encouraging them to patriotism and greatness.
Co-organizer Bob DeSanto said the veterans and their families find the reunions very meaningful. “Although the veterans’ tours of service were typically for only a few years, those years have a lasting impact on the veterans’ lives,” said DeSanto.
John Cadley, a navy combat medic, encouraged all area Vietnam era veterans to come to the dinner and enjoy fellowship with their fellow veterans.
Carl Richert, who also flew in F4 fighter jets over Vietnam, said, “I am sure interested in hearing what Colonel Springer has to say. Those were magnificent planes.”
Brooks Whitmore, another Vietnam veteran, said, “Most people know Col. Springer as an astronaut. It will be an honor to know him as a Vietnam veteran.”
Many veterans will remember that March 29 is Vietnam Veterans Day.
The doors open at 5:00 p.m. for the reunion dinner. Colonel Springer will be available to meet with veterans and friends before the dinner which will be served at 6:00 p.m. Master of Ceremony will be Vietnam veteran and Sheriff of Ashland County Wayne Risner. For information call 419-289-1454. Family and guests welcome.
The reunion will be on March 25 at Ashland Eagles Club, 400 Eastlake Drive, Ashland, Ohio.
At 11:22pm last night a Wayne County Sheriff’s Office Deputy attempted to stop a stolen dark blue 2012 Chevrolet Cruze, in Wayne County when the suspect fled on U S Route 30.
Ohio Highway Patrol, Ashland County Sheriff’s Office, joined the pursuit with speeds up 120mph. at one point the suspect drove the wrong way on U.S. 30.
Capt. Doug Hunter of the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office said, Justin M. White, 38, Navarre, Ohio is in custody and charges are pending.
Mitchell Fleming Age: 56
Black / Male / 5’10’’ / 200 / Bald / Brown Eyes
Wanted by the Richland County Sheriff’s Office for aggravated possession of drugs also for failure to register as a sex offender.
Ties to the Mansfield and Columbus areas.
II Age: 38
White / Male / 5’9’’ / 175 / Brown Hair / Blue Eyes
Wanted by the Richland County Sheriff’s Office for illegal conveyance F3
Ties to Mansfield North Olmsted, and Columbus, OH.
Brian Davidson Age: 43
White / Male / 5’10’’ / 150 / Gray Hair / Brown Eyes
Wanted by the Richland County Sheriff’s Office for aggravated possession of drugs.
Ties to the Mansfield area
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.
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.
Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Cleveland OH
135 PM EST Mon Feb 27 2023
Lucas-Wood-Ottawa-Sandusky-Erie-Lorain-Cuyahoga-Lake-Geauga-
Ashtabula Inland-Seneca-Huron-Medina-Summit-Portage-Trumbull-Ashland-
Wayne-Stark-Mahoning-Holmes-Ashtabula Lakeshore-Northern Erie-
Southern Erie-Crawford-135 PM EST Mon Feb 27 2023
This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for north central Ohio, northeast
Ohio, northwest Ohio and northwest Pennsylvania.
.DAY ONE…This afternoon and tonight.
Widespread rainfall is expected across the area today. New rainfall
amounts between 0.50″ and 1.25″ will lead to additional rises on
area rivers and creeks and perhaps some nuisance ponding in poor drainage
areas.
Wind gusts of 30 to 40 mph are expected today. Southeast winds will
be favored during the daytime hours before switching to the west-
southwest tonight.
Joe Lyons •
March 2, 2023
