MANSFIELD — Every year seems a busy year in a newsroom, but 2018 was especially frantic when reviewing the headlines at Richland Source.
Rarely is there a federal manhunt focused exclusively on Richland County, but that happened in 2018.
Even more unique is the presence of a serial killer in the community, but with the Shawn Grate cases unfolding in the courts, that took place this year as well.
There were some incredibly positive stories to be sure, and some personal victories, too.
Lexington’s Cade Stover will not only play football at Ohio State starting next year, but he also became the first Mr. Football in Richland County history.
The Dr. John Boyle murder case re-emerged when Boyle’s son, Collier Landry, helped produce a documentary about the 1989-90 case. Stunning local organizers with overwhelming interest, the Renaissance Theatre sold out one showing of the film on June 30 (1,400 tickets sold), necessitating a second showing on July 1 that attracted another 1,000 people. Landry returned to his hometown from California, and was part of a popular Q-A (following each showing) that included key figures from the case.
Among other interesting stories:
The $5 license plate tax passed by Mansfield City Council figures to raise $220,00 per year for the next 12 years to help fund downtown improvement projects, which would raise approximately $2.64 million over that time.
Also in downtown development, the Hudson & Essex restaurant project remains on course to open in the future.
The Richland County Foundation announced it will unveil the Mansfield Rising project in February.
Ontario acquired the former GM property on Nov. 6, and has begun work on it in hopes of redevelopment.
Meanwhile, it was a tough year in Shelby, where the dry dams idea died and the third school levy failure left both the city and its schools facing problems that could loom for years.
“For $10 million, this community could’ve invested in the future for generations to come, but now we will spend more money to restore 70-year-old buildings and we still haven’t solved our issues,” said Shelby superintendent Tim Tarvin.
Listed below were the best-read stories by Richland Source readers in 2018:
1. Gotcha, capture of federal fugitive Shawn Christy.
2. Murder in Mansfield to be televised on Dr. Phil.
3. Incident at muffler shop results in fatal accident.
4. Mansfield Sr. principal placed on leave.
5. American Pickers looking for valuables.
Honorable Mention:
6. Madison students walkout to protest superintendent.
7. Winter storm warning impacts region.
Also, while not one of the biggest stories of the year, it was a big deal around here. Richland Source celebrated its five-year anniversary. That is a salute to our readers. Without your support, we would not exist.
