MANSFIELD — Ferris Bueller was right.
“Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it,” he said in the 1986 film, “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.”
But don’t worry. If you felt that this year flew by in flash, Richland Source has got you covered.
We’ve compiled a list of articles and multimedia projects we created in 2017. The selections were based in part on reader page views, as well as what the staff deemed noteworthy.
This will give you a snapshot of what took place in 2017 — the good, the bad and the ugly (but hopefully mostly the good).
1. Multi-state drug ring leads to massive Mansfield bust
Between 250 and 300 agents were involved in a series of drug trafficking busts in Richland County on Oct. 25. Numerous law enforcement agencies reported 39 federal indictments were served that day. Mansfield Police Chief said the drug sweep was the biggest in his 24 years in the community.
2. Heavy rain leads to flooding in Mansfield and Mansfield council hears possible solutions to mitigate flooding
Instead of looking like a winter wonderland, Richland County in early January looked more like it did in Biblical times aboard the ark. Several areas throughout Richland County received more than an inch of rain throughout the night of Jan. 11, causing heavy flooding.
About five months after the major flooding incident (and over a year after our “When the River Rises” series published), Mansfield City Council heard potential solutions to the issue of flooding during a meeting. The proposal calls for the creation of a 900-foot-long dam at the west end of North Lake Park, among other things.
3. Rover Pipeline fuels economy, controversy in north central Ohio
The $4.2 billion Rover Pipeline project arrived in the area earlier this year, bringing with it both money and controversy.
4. Residents concerned about state’s plan for Mohican Forest, ODNR explains changes to Mohican management plan and Forestry Council elects to modify Mohican plan
Talks of revising the management plan for Mohican Memorial State Forest have caused concern among area residents. At a Dec. 7 meeting, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources’ Forest Advisory Council chose to hold off on a vote on the Division of Forestry’s proposed management plan for Mohican-Memorial State Forest. Before voting on a plan that would rezone the forest and allow pine thinning in some areas, the council members want to see a series of modifications, several of which were based on concerns from the public.
5. Does my vote really matter? How one vote can sway a local election
According to Board of Elections Director Paulette Hankins, local races are often won or lost by 10 votes or less. Sometimes, the election can even end up tied – in this case, the winner is determined by a coin flip.
6. Stallone, Bautista to star in film at Shawshank site in Mansfield
The man who played such iconic characters as Rocky Balboa and Rambo visited Mansfield while filming the third “Escape Plan” at the Ohio State Reformatory.
7. Taking on a million-dollar home renovation
Interior designer Julie McCready and homeowner/investor Shane Allyne announced their plan in April to take on an extensive renovation of the property at 1 Lexington Ontario Road.
8. Chickens legislation fails in 7-1 vote, Mansfield bans medical marijuana cultivation, processing & distribution, Mansfield nixes pit bull ban, talks creating animal control officer position and Irresponsible dog owners to face stiffer penalties
Here are four stories on motions made by Mansfield City Council in 2017, from the failure of the chickens legislation, to the approval of a ban on medical marijuana cultivation, processing and distribution. And don’t forget the dog legislation — Mansfield got rid of the controversial pit bull ban and increased penalties for irresponsible dog owners.
9. Former Loudonville Girl Scout Camp to be converted to haunted attraction
Mansfield native Keith Bartram and his family announced plans in September of transforming a former Girl Scout lodge and cabins near Landoll’s Mohican Castle into a haunted attraction called Camp Deadwood.
10. Ontario man cracks Cowell at “America’s Got Talent”
Ontario resident Daniel Ferguson made an appearance on the hit television show, “America’s Got Talent,” cracking up judge Simon Cowell with his impersonations.
11. Mansfield’s 179th joins Puerto Rico hurricane relief efforts
Airmen from Mansfield’s 179th Airlift Wing and Springfield’s 178th Wing deployed to Puerto Rico in early October to aid in hurricane relief efforts. Their primary mission was providing meals for the first responders on the ground in Puerto Rico. They returned one month later.
12. Two Mansfield buildings to be renovated as apartments with historic tax credit, Shelby to construct new fire station with Milliron donation and 100 people attend Clear Fork schools groundbreaking ceremonies
It was a big year for renovation in Richland County in 2017. Two historic buildings in downtown Mansfield will be restored as apartment buildings thanks in part to assistance from the Ohio Development Services Agency. In Shelby, the historic firehouse will be retired from active use as philanthropist Grant Milliron plans to build a brand-new fire station for the city. And Butler and Bellville are getting new elementary school buildings.
13. No BS; cattle roam 5 miles to reach Mansfield neighborhood
Remember this? When four bulls were found strolling through the Trimble Road area in November?
14. Ontario frustrated with progress at former GM site, Crews actively working to fill pits at former Ontario GM site and Developers of Ontario’s former GM site ask for extension
The state of the former General Motors site in Ontario has consistently been a hot topic. Most recently, the site developer asked for an extension regarding an agreement that was supposed to bring the city 500 jobs by 2017 and promised to fill the pits on the property. Members of Ontario council have consistently expressed disapproval of the progress — or the lack thereof.
15. No easy answers to enhancing diversity in Mansfield City Schools
Studies show having just one non-white educator can increase the likelihood of graduation among non-white students. But currently there is a deficit of minorities as educators. Mansfield City School District has not been immune to this as just five percent of its educators are non-white.
16. Two men make Richland County Fair history by baking top two pies
For the first time at the Richland County Fair, the top two pies in the annual pie competition and auction were baked by men.
17. Mansfield actor owes life, career to divine intervention
Mansfield native David Kirst has become successful in the film industry thanks to hard work, a little bit of luck and one case of divine intervention.
18. Healing Hope
This series on infant mortality began in 2016 and continued in 2017, receiving national recognition by the Solutions Journalism Network late last year. It birthed (pun intended) a community baby shower, which took place at the Idea Works building in September 2017.
The Hunger in the Heartland series examines how food insecurity is affecting Richland County residents and what possible solutions exist to combat it.
20. Oasis in the internet desert (Part 1, 2, 3)
This three-part series is about internet deserts in rural Richland County.
21. Manufacturing Matters (Part 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
This series focuses on products that are made in Richland County.
22. Pigskin Podcast and The Open Mic Podcast
Richland Source launched two podcasts this year. Pigskin Podcast features interviews with football players and coaches, and The Open Mic Podcast spotlights Ohio musicians.
23. Prom/graduation and homecoming photo galleries
Photo galleries of local students all dolled up for the big dance and turning their tassels at graduation proved to be popular on our site.
24. Choral Countdown to Christmas
The second annual Choral Countdown to Christmas compilation includes 14 videos of choirs throughout north central Ohio.
25. Meeting a Mermaid: Tami Baker
Professional mermaid Tami Baker talks with Richland Source at the Mansfield Area Y about what it takes to be a professional mermaid, the ins and outs of her fin, and demonstrates how to swim like a mermaid.
