Bellville
GOVERNMENT
Brenkus clashes with Bellville council over social media, mayor’s court
BELLVILLE — Facebook drama became official business Tuesday night when Bellville’s village council voted 5-0 to approve a new social media policy. The new policy clarified who can post on the village’s official social media pages, removing access from Mayor Teri Brenkus and other elected officials. Per...
Gilliam starts online petition in response to cruising crackdown on Miracle Mile
Kyler Gilliam's online petition might not change anything, but he wanted to express his opinion about the crackdown on cruising on the Miracle Mile. "The city is trying to punish everyone because of the few who have no regard for the laws that are placed to protect themselves and others," he said in an email. "They are the ones who should be punished. Mansfield is trying to take the easy way out and trying to get rid of it instead of doing their job and putting the real criminals away."
Two Richland County highways to close Monday for bridge and culvert work
The Ohio Department of Transportation is advising Mansfield-area motorists of two road closings. Ohio 603 at Crider Road will close Monday for the Crider Road bridge replacement project. The detour route will be Ohio 603 north to U.S. 30 west to U.S. 42 north to Ohio 603 and reverse. Work is expected to be completed July 12.
Mount Vernon monitors weather for July 4th celebration amid rain forecast
MOUNT VERNON — With rain in the forecast for Independence Day, city officials are keeping a close eye on the sky. The forecast calls for some sun, then turning cloudy with rain and a chance of thunderstorms. Mount Vernon Safety-service Director Tanner Salyers said city officials will make the...
John named Legislator of the Year by Ohio Society of Professional Engineers
State Rep. Marilyn John was named legislator of the year by the Ohio Society of Professional Engineers at the organization's 146th annual meeting in Columbus. John, R-Mansfield, was recognized in part for guiding an extensive House review of approximately one-third of Ohio’s occupational license boards, including the professional engineers license board. As chair, she led the Ohio House State and Local Government Committee's efforts to prepare a detailed report on barriers to entry or regulations that could be reduced or eliminated for Ohioans pursuing careers in these occupations.
Assistance with summer cooling bills available for low-income households
The Ohio Department of Development and Community Action Commission of Erie, Huron & Richland Counties Inc. are offering assistance to help Ohio’s families stay cool during the hot summer months. Through Sept. 30, income-eligible Ohioans can receive assistance in paying their electric bill, purchasing an air conditioner or fan...
Shelby lawmakers approve new deal with economic manager
SHELBY — Jessica Gribben’s work in Shelby and northern Richland County is only getting started. Gribben was hired in 2018 as the economic development manager to the City of Shelby and northern Richland County for the Richland Area Chamber & Economic Development. Over the past few years, she’s...
Pickle Run 5K set for Saturday
The Galion-Crestline Area Chamber of Commerce is encouraging residents to stay local to celebrate the Fourth of July. To kick off the festivities, the Crestline Lions Club will present the 2024 Crestline Fireworks at 10 p.m. today. The fireworks will be shot off from the old Hutson Stadium. There will...
Oregon’s Morrow County Fair is Free for Everyone
For 111 years, Morrow County has held one of the best small-town fairs in Oregon, along with the Oregon Trail Pro Rodeo. This year, it’ll run Aug. 14-17 at the fairgrounds in Heppner. The 2024 theme is “Admiration for Generations.” Thanks to generous sponsors and the Fair Board, admission...
Shelby student receives Ohio 4-H award for woodworking
A Mansfield resident was among the recipients of an Ohio 4-H Achievement Award presented in June at the Nationwide & Ohio Farm Bureau 4-H Center in Columbus. Carson Secriskey received the Woodworking Achievement Award. Secriskey, 16, has been active in 4-H for nine years. He has taken market and special interest projects to the Richland County and Ohio State fairs. Secriskey is active as a club officer and 4-H Committee liason, serves on the Junior Fair Board and was the first runner-up Fair King 2023. He is enrolled at Shelby High School and is the son of Jeff and Janice Secriskey.
Quilt of Valor an unexpected birthday gift for 92-year-old Wolford
MOUNT VERNON — Over 10,000 military veterans have received a Quilt of Valor. Mount Vernon resident John Wolford received his on his 92nd birthday. On June 27, Fran Kempton and Debbie Hudepohl presented Wolford with a panel quilt with border designs. Both women helped piece the quilt, and Hudepohl hand-quilted it.
Board votes July 16 on cell phone ban at Fredericktown Local Schools
FREDERICKTOWN — Fredericktown Local Schools has drafted an updated cell phone policy that would ban them during school hours for the 2024-25 school year. The policy was introduced at June’s special board of education meeting, in a quest to enhance student engagement and academic focus. The policy will...
Letter to the Editor: Edgewood Road Project
Are you aware of the local issue that’s going to be on November’s ballot? Resolution 2024-23 was passed by city council in March. The city administration calls it “the Edgewood Road Project,” which is misleading when it fact Edgewood is only a small portion of the city’s traffic plan for Mount Vernon. A larger part of the project is the proposed widening of East High Street over to Stevens Street, and merging it into New Gambier Road. A lovely home will be demolished in the process. No one knew of this part of the plan till a copy of the application filed by the city to ODOT was obtained with a Public Records request to the state. The city was not forthcoming with the information. It was a secret plan the city administration failed to disclose. They hid the information, not only from the citizens of Mount Vernon, but from the city council, who had to vote for it, as well.
Municipal Minute: Mount Vernon fire chief stresses fireworks safety
MOUNT VERON — Fireworks safety is uppermost in Fire Chief Chad Christopher’s mind as residents celebrate Independence Day. “We need to make sure we leave the fireworks to adults, and you need to know your surroundings,” he said. He also cautioned about seemingly innocent fireworks such as...
MV Farmers Market in full swing
The growing season is in full swing in Knox County and that means a bountiful supply of locally grown, fresh produce is available at the Mount Vernon Farmers Market. Two dozen vendors set up on Public Square each Saturday morning to provide a variety of foods including fruits, vegetables and herbs – all grown within 25 miles of downtown Mount Vernon. Shoppers will also find meats, baked goods, cut flowers, granola, goat milk soap, honey, unique jellies and maple syrup.
Freese Grant funds to help with track improvements
The Galion City Council passed several ordinances on June 25 pertaining to city improvement, including dispersing Freese Grant funds to Galion City Schools and selling bonds to fund city projects. School officials in Galion approached the oucncil about receiving Freese Grant funding to make improvements to the track around Unckrich...
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