Ashland County Democratic Party held their annual Soup and Salad Dinner at the Ashland Kroc Center. Their Guest Speaker the 33rd President of the United States, President Harry S. Truman portrayed by Kenneth Hammontree of Living History Productions.
A little set up about Harry S. Truman
On October 15, 1950, Harry Truman flew to Wake Island for a meeting with his supreme commander in the Pacific. General MacArthur was at the airport,” Truman later complained, “wearing a greasy ham and eggs hat that evidently had been in use for twenty years.” The Wake Island Conference was nonetheless a fairly cordial affair. At that point MacArthur’s successful counteroffensive in Korea made him a hard man to fault, however six weeks later, the picture had changed dramatically. Chinese troops had gone to the aid of North Korea, and MacArthur had vastly underestimated the effect of their intervention. His forces reeled back in retreat, once again abandoning Inchon and the capital city of Seoul to the invaders.
In unauthorized statements to the press, the General began complaining about the constraints preventing him from carrying the war to Chinese soil. MacArthur issued a statement in Tokyo on March 24 that Truman believed undermined his peace initiative. It was an attempt to formulate U.S. policy by going over Truman’s head. MacArthur refused to be muzzled, and on April 11, 1951, Truman relieved MacArthur of his command on the grounds that the General was “unable to give his wholehearted support to the policies of the United States Government. There was an enormous public outcry and much wiping of tears when MacArthur addressed a joint session of Congress on April 19, 1951.
Changing commanders in a middle of a war was bad policy, Truman at first tried to work with MacArthur despite the general’s sometimes poor judgment in matters of strategy; but when MacArthur sent his own message to the Chinese without first notifying the President, making future negotiations between Washington and China impossible, Truman knew that the General had to be fired.
Throughout the Political storm of criticism Truman kept silent. He knew that public opinion is fickle and that the furor would abate. Indeed, perhaps nothing so became Truman in his White House years as his refusal to give in to popular confusions. In the end, the removal of MacArthur in all probability kept the United States out of war with Russia and World War Three.
During the difficult years from 1950 to 1953, he courageously defied the pressures of the hour. His steadiness was perhaps nowhere more sharply outlined than in November and December, 1950 when with the intervention of the Chinese the war took a deadlier turn and at home Truman’s own life was threatened.
Many men have aspired to be President of the United States, but Harry S. Truman was never one of them. The position came to him as an obligation. “If ever there was a man who was forced to be President, I am that man,” he said accepting his social responsibility. Truman who was sometimes outrageous, always full of common sense and uncommon insights was in some historian’s opinion the greatest president we in America had ever experienced. He was an exceptional man with down-home, across-the-back-fence feeling of a born storyteller. “Where the Buck stops” will always be attached to Harry S. Truman.
Montgomery Township – Troopers from the Ashland Highway Patrol Post are investigating a serious injury crash which occurred on IR-71, northbound, near milepost 188 in Ashland County, Ohio.
On Thursday, March 16, 2023 at approximately 1343 hours, a 2004 Volvo semi-truck and trailer were disabled on the right berm of IR-71. A 2019 Ford F-350 commercial service truck was on scene, assisting with repairs for the semi-truck and trailer. The service truck was attempting to block the right lane of IR-71.
The driver of the disabled semi-truck was outside of the vehicle and was attempting to disconnect the truck and trailer. A 2015 Freightliner box truck was driving in the right lane of travel and struck the rear of the service truck, which then struck the driver.
The driver of the Freightliner box truck was treated on scene and the passenger was transported to the Ashland UH Samaritan Medical Center with non-life threatening-injuries.
The driver of the service truck was also transported to the Ashland UH Samaritan Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries.
The driver of the disabled commercial vehicle was transported to Ohio-Health Mansfield Hospital with serious injuries.
I-71 northbound was closed for approximately 2 hours.
Other agencies assisting at the crash scene were: Ashland City Fire Department and the Ohio Department of Transportation.
Drugs and alcohol are not considered to be factors in the crash. The crash remains under investigation.
Ashland County Sheriff’s Office and Ashland EMS responded to report of an unresponsive man found at a pond on Ashland County Road 1095.
“Reports on Facebook of a old man found in a pond on Co. Rd, 1095 is not the case” said Ashland County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy David Blake, “ it is believed that he had a medical condition and collapsed by the pond, This isn’t related to the missing Ashland man.”
Ashland EMS transported the male to Samaritan Hospital.
On Friday evening of the conference, March 24 at 6:30pm, we are opening the doors for the public to join us for a FREE bluegrass gospel concert, by Williamson Branch, Nashville, TN. Don’t miss it! If you have questions, call our office at (419) 962-1515.
3rd annual “Step Out of the Boat” Conference
Come and hear 20 Former Amish, Mennonite, Hutterite, and Mormon speakers tell their radical stories of stepping out in faith, overcoming immense fear and unbelief, and accomplishing God’s purposes for their lives. Our speakers are traveling from ID, CO, SD, MN, KS, and many eastern and southern states in the US.
This is all happening at the third annual Step Out of the Boat Conference, Bethel Baptist Church in Savannah, Ohio. The dates are March 22-25.
You will be encouraged, inspired, and challenged to move away from your own comfort zone and make a difference in this generation.
Join us for tons of food, fellowship, and board games.
On Friday evening of the conference, March 24 at 6:30pm, we are opening the doors for the public to join us for a FREE bluegrass gospel concert, by Williamson Branch, Nashville, TN. Don’t miss it! If you have questions, call our office at (419) 962-1515.
3rd annual “Step Out of the Boat” Conference
Come and hear 20 Former Amish, Mennonite, Hutterite, and Mormon speakers tell their radical stories of stepping out in faith, overcoming immense fear and unbelief, and accomplishing God’s purposes for their lives. Our speakers are traveling from ID, CO, SD, MN, KS, and many eastern and southern states in the US.
This is all happening at the third annual Step Out of the Boat Conference, Bethel Baptist Church in Savannah, Ohio. The dates are March 22-25.
You will be encouraged, inspired, and challenged to move away from your own comfort zone and make a difference in this generation.
Join us for tons of food, fellowship, and board games.
Ashland Police Division, Ashland Fire Department & EMS responded to a two vehicle crash on Claremont Avenue in front of Miller’s Hawkins Market this evening.
The 42nd edition of the Maplerock Jazz Festival, an educational and entertaining event that features the Ashland University Jazz Orchestra mixing with jazz luminaries and regional scholastic groups, will take place on St. Patrick’s Day this year. This Friday’s festival will be held inside AU’s Center for the Arts (331 College Ave.).
First, area high school bands are scheduled to perform in a non-competitive format from 1-4:30 p.m., at Hugo Young Theatre and the Elizabeth Pastor Recital Hall. In addition to performing, the groups will take part in workshops with instruction from the guest artists. This is free and open to the public.
At 7:30 p.m., the AUJO, accompanied by special guests Rob Parton (trumpet), Christopher Burge (saxophone), Jackie Warren (piano) and Sammy DeLeon (Latin percussion), will take the Hugo Young stage. They will play a variety of selections during the program.
Tickets for the evening concert are $10 for adults, $5 for students and free for AU students and high school participants. Please note the on-line ticketing system Ashland and many other colleges and universities use is currently down, so tickets will be available at the door (cash only).
Scott Garlock, director of the award-winning AUJO and professor of music at AU, noted that the Maplerock Jazz Festival is one of the oldest jazz festivals in Ohio and is named after the process by which the region’s Indigenous people extracted maple syrup.
Rafael Martinez Age: 38
White / Male / 5’8’’ / 180 / Black Hair / Brown Eyes
Wanted by the U.S Marshals Service and Richland County Sheriff’s Office and Adult Parole Authority for a bond violation on the original charge of trafficking in fentanyl and aggravated trafficking F1 and F2, and a parole violation on the original charge of rape F1.
Ties to the Cleveland area.
Clarence Webb Age: 60
Black / Male / 5’10’’ / 180 / Black Hair / Brown Eyes
Wanted by the U.S Marshals Service and Richland County Sheriff’s Office for aggravated possession of drugs.
Ties to Mansfield area.
Jaleeka Burton Age: 27
Black / Female / 5’4’’ / 147 / Black Hair / Brown Eyes
Wanted by the Richland County Sheriff’s Office for aggravated possession of drugs.
Ties to the Mansfield area
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.
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 County Prosecuting Attorney Christopher R. Tunnell Announces Law Enforcement Officer of the Month for March
Ashland County Prosecuting Attorney Christopher R. Tunnell is pleased to announce that the Office of the Month for March 2023 is Loudonville Police Department Sergeant Sean Gorrell.
Sergeant Gorrell has been instrumental in several recent investigations involving sexual assault, violent crime, and theft offenses. Sergeant Gorrell is a go-getter who follows up on lead after lead. One of his most positive attributes is his investment in collaborating with various agencies. This team player approach has resulted in building valuable relationships within our community.
Sergeant Gorrell leads by example and takes every opportunity to give credit to others. Because of his strong communication skills and investigative discernment, Sergeant Gorrell’s cases have been successful. He has made a positive impact on our community.
Prosecutor Tunnell added, “Sergeant Gorrell is the epitome of a small town police officer. His concern for everyone in his community is immediately apparent. He is always willing to lend a hand regardless of the nature of the investigation or where the crime occurred. He is an asset to Loudonville and to Ashland County.”
Each month Ashland County Prosecuting Attorney Christopher R. Tunnell will select an officer of the month to recognize the good work being done in our community by our law enforcement officers.
Montgomery Township – Troopers are investigating a fatal crash that occurred on US 42 near mile post 10 in Ashland County on Saturday, March 11, 2023 at approximately 2:27 P.M.
A 2011 Ford Explorer was traveling northbound on US 42 when it drove left of center and struck a 2015 Subaru Forester head-on that was traveling southbound. After the collision the Subaru Forester traveled off the right side of the roadway into a ditch while the Ford Explorer became disabled on the roadway.
The driver of the Subaru Forester, Joseph S. Meredith, 21 years old of West Salem, Ohio, sustained non-life threatening injuries and was taken by ground transport to UH Samaritan Medical Center in Ashland. The driver of the Ford Explorer, Emery J. Back, 53 years old of Plymouth, Ohio, sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased at UH Samaritan Medical Center in Ashland.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol was assisted at the crash scene by Ashland Fire and EMS. US 42 was closed for approximately 2 hours. Both parties involved in the crash were wearing their seatbelts. Drugs and alcohol are not considered to be factors in the crash.
Joe Lyons •
March 16, 2023
