SHELBY — More than 330 stories tagged “Shelby” were published throughout 2025.
The most-read stories ranged from court cases and economic development to features and high school football. A four-part solutions journalism series on food access in Shelby was also published in May.
Here are the top five individual stories from the past year:
- Former Shelby teacher pleads guilty to all 21 counts in Richland County Common Pleas Court
- Former Shelby teacher sentenced to 15 years in prison for sex with juvenile
- Shelby’s Karl Milliron makes downtown investment with new restaurant and boutique hotel project
- Large structure fire burns in downtown Shelby on Wednesday
- A mother’s miracle: Shelby woman reflects on early labor experience
Diving deeper, below is a look at the top Shelby stories by category.
Business
Coffee businesses made a splash in the top five Shelby business stories of 2025, including Milk & Honey, Nomad Coffee and the Dunkin’ housed beside the Mickey’s gas station along OH-39.
Local businesses, including some new and one generations-owned, also received a heavy dose of attention from readers. Here are the top five:
- Sixth-generation owner leads Barkdull Funeral Home into 130th year
- Beyond Blessed Boutique makes move from Mansfield to Shelby
- Meet Milk & Honey: A new Shelby coffee company crafted with purpose
- Nomad Coffee finds winter home inside Shelby’s Black Fork Brewing
- ‘Ultimate Mickey’s + Dunkin’ experience’ now open in Shelby
Life and Culture
The buzz of Shelby’s inaugural bee festival and the annual parade and fireworks display during Bicycle Days proved to be fan-favorites during 2025.
Other most-read stories under the life and culture category included a look at the six members inducted in 2025 to the Shelby High School Hall of Distinction and the story of a Shelby mother’s early labor experience.
- A mother’s miracle: Shelby woman reflects on early labor experience
- Here’s your guide to Shelby Bicycle Days 2025
- Six new members inducted into Shelby High School Hall of Distinction
- Inaugural bee festival sparks buzz in downtown Shelby
- Rain, rain, go away: Shelby Bicycle Days parade stays dry after brief delay
Education
From senior Signing Day to scholarship ceremonies, there was much to be highlighted in the world of education. Nearly $300,000 in scholarship dollars were awarded to Shelby seniors between two events.
- Rodenbaugh hired as new Shelby High School assistant principal
- Nearly $269K in scholarships awarded to Shelby seniors
- ‘Thank you for believing:’ Shelby seniors declare plans during Signing Day
- Chronic absenteeism rate continues to fall at Shelby City Schools
- Shelby FFA awards over $16K in scholarships during banquet
Sports
Shelby’s historic run to the Division IV state championship game in Canton dominated the 2025 sports headlines. An accomplishment never previously achieved in program history, the Whippets finished a season never to be forgotten as state runners-up.
- Dream to reality: Shelby football earns first state final bid in program history
- DeVito’s 400 yards, 5 TDs lead Shelby to regional title win over Galion
- ‘More to do:’ Shelby sails past Lima Bath, sets sights on Galion, regional title
- Whippet pride districtwide: Shelby celebrates Final Four football bid
- ‘We’re with you:’ Shelby, Richland County inspire Whippets on way to Canton
Top stories from Plymouth and Shiloh
Not to be forgotten, several headlines from Plymouth and Shiloh also sparked attention over the past year.
Here are the top five individual stories from the past year among the two villages:
- Gordon to be sworn in July 8 as next Plymouth police chief
- The Coffee House in Plymouth invites customers to ‘have coffee at home’
- Plymouth seeks $500K grant for West Broadway Street bridge replacement
- Shiloh Civista Bank building plans in flux amid disagreements on costs
- New Shiloh councilmember wants to be proactive in community
These stories are only a few among many that stood out to readers in Shelby, Plymouth and Shiloh in 2025. The Richland Source team looks forward to continuing to share the stories of these communities in the coming year.