Your 2026 guide to July 4th fireworks displays in Richland, Ashland & Knox counties
Here’s everything you need to know to find fireworks near you in the weeks to come.
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Lexington school board aims to put new income tax, property tax renewal on November ballot
LEXINGTON — Residents of the Lexington Local school district will vote on two school levies in November. Only one would raise taxes. The board voted Wednesday to begin the process…
Open Source: Introducing Omni Block, the cost-cutting masonry unit coming to local homes
Energy prices and average temperature continue to climb in Ohio, with no sign of slowing down. The combination disadvantages homeowners, forcing them to run their air-conditioning longer. Omni Block is…
Downtown Forward project in Mansfield gets $5 million in historic tax credits for redevelopment
It will use buildings around the Brickyard downtown that Mansfield residents John and Mimi Fernyak are donating.
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The 19th Annual Bobolink Festival
06/27/2026
Can You Dig It?! – Kingwood Wine Walk
06/27/2026
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Girls flag football recognized as OHSAA’s 29th prep sport
COLUMBUS — The Ohio High School Athletic Association has elevated girls flag football to a fully recognized sport for the 2026-27 school year, following a unanimous vote of the OHSAA Board of Directors at its June meeting. Girls flag football becomes the OHSAA’s 29th recognized sport, including 15 sports for girls…
Mid-Ohio ESC hosts 4th annual Teacher Boot Camps
MANSFIELD – This summer, educators from districts in Crawford County, Morrow County and Richland County had the opportunity to participate in the fourth annual Teacher Boot Camps. Mid-Ohio Educational Service Center’s Business Advisory Council and Workforce Development partners in each county organized these programs to show teachers what goes on…
New-look Mansfield Speedway welcomes sprint cars to town
UPDATE: Friday’s Summer Sprint Car Opener has been canceled because of impending weather. Saturday’s races will go on as scheduled. Gates will open for early access at 3 p.m. with gates opening for walk-up customers at 4 p.m. There will be a driver autograph and meet-and-greet from 3:30 p.m. to…
Plymouth adopts criminal offense for ‘pointing and discharging of a firearm’
Plymouth village council set into motion two ordinances and four resolutions Tuesday night. One ordinance adopted a new criminal offense, another integrated Plymouth into Richland County’s emergency response protocol.
DOJ: 455 people charged in $6.5 Billion National Health Care Fraud Takedown operation
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The United States Department of Justice announced Tuesday the 2026 National Health Care Fraud Takedown. The operation resulted in charges against 455 defendants, including 90 doctors and other licensed medical professionals. They are accused of participating in health care fraud and opioid-abuse schemes involving over $6.5 billion…
Music Academy of Karate and Empowerment hosting annual Karate Summer Camp event
The Music Academy of Karate and Empowerment, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, will host its annual Karate Summer Camp Promotion and Fundraiser on July 25.
What makes Ashland BalloonFest fly? A year of planning and a love for balloons
A large team of volunteers will again make the Ashland BalloonFest happen June 25-28.
Ohio governor and wife enjoy Lake Erie Fish Ohio Day
PORT CLINTON — Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine and First Lady Fran DeWine celebrated the 46th annual Governor’s Lake Erie Fish Ohio Day with Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Director Mary Mertz, Division of Wildlife Chief Kendra Wecker, and other leaders from the conservation and tourism industries. “Walleye fishing on Lake…
Ohio AG: 6 Medicaid providers facing fraud, theft charges of a combined $326K
COLUMBUS — Indictments filed this month by the office of Ohio Attorney General Andy Wilson accuse six Medicaid providers of stealing a combined $326,824 from the government healthcare program for the needy. “Medicaid fraud steals from taxpayers and vulnerable Ohioans,” Wilson said. “If you try to cheat this program, you…
Auditions open July 12 & 13 for Mansfield Youth Theatre production of Newsies, Jr.
MANSFIELD — The Renaissance Theatre will host auditions for the Mansfield Youth Theatre production of Disney’s Newsies, Jr. Auditions will take place on Sunday, July 12, from 2:30 to 5 p.m., and on Monday, July 13, from 5 to 7:30 p.m. at the Renaissance’s Theatre 166 venue, located at 166…
Richland County commissioners say employee health insurance costs rising rapidly
Annual insurance premiums will have jumped 65 percent since 2022 if projections for next year materialize.
Milestone tribute: Bill and Judy Hess celebrate 50th wedding anniversary
Bill and Judy Hess of Shelby are celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary. They were married on June 25th 1976 at Clay Memorial Lutheran Church in Mansfield, OH. They have shared 50 years of love, faith, family, and devotion to one another. Bill and Judy have been blessed with four children:…
Richland County releases list of marriage applications May 28 through June 17
MANSFIELD — Listed here is a report of marriage applications applied for at the Richland County Probate Court from May 28 through June 17. These are enclosed in four consecutive PDFs at the bottom of this story. The reports are courtesy of Ema Pritchard, deputy clerk of the Richland County…
News Man Weekly: Speed bumps, DORAs and recapturing the music of Mansfield’s Ohio Express
What can fire up an old curmudgeon newsman’s heart more than the U.S. soccer team in the World Cup? Not much.
FBI: Two more arrests made in UFC plot involving Danville teen
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Two more men were arrested by the FBI since Friday in a fast-moving investigation of a plot to attack the June 14 Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Freedom 250 event at the White House, according to a press release issued Monday by the U.S. Department of Justice. William…
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