MANSFIELD — It’s difficult to quantify the value of the iconic “Shawshank Redemption” movie to Mansfield and north central Ohio. The movie, shot primarily at the former Ohio State Reformatory and other nearby locations, likely helped to save the gothic, historic prison, which opened in 1896. It helped to give a community, reeling in 1994 […]
Carl Hunnell
City editor. 30-year plus journalist. Husband. Father of 3 grown sons and also a proud grandpa. Prior military journalist in U.S. Navy, Ohio Air National Guard. -- Favorite quote: "Where were you when the page was blank?"
Posted inLife and Culture
Thousands ‘escape’ OSR in Mansfield for 10th Shawshank Hustle
MANSFIELD — More than 3,000 runners and walkers “escaped” from the former Ohio State Reformatory on Saturday morning as part of the 10th Shawshank Hustle. The 7K (4.3 miles) race left the grounds of OSR just after 8 a.m. and began the journey into downtown Mansfield. Runners and walkers made the turn in Central Park […]
Posted inLife and Culture
Mansfield to the world: Shawshank actors reflect on enduring legacy of film
MANSFIELD — It happened to Bob Gunton in the South American country of Chile. It happened to Mark Rolston in Rome. And it happened to Gil Bellows in Vancouver. Each of the actors told stories Friday afternoon about being recognized in other countries for their work in the iconic 1994 “Shawshank Redemption” film, primarily shot […]
Posted inLife and Culture
From prison to purpose: ‘Shawshank’ director shares movie’s transformative power
MANSFIELD — Director Frank Darabont doesn’t think people ever needed to have served time in prison in order to relate to his iconic “Shawshank Redemption” film. “The movie really does kind of play like a Rorschach test for people and they project their own life difficulties into that movie,” the 65-year-old director said Friday afternoon […]
Posted inLife and Culture
Column: Celebrate ‘Shawshank’ while remembering the horrors of the real OSR
Images that come to mind when you think of the Ohio State Reformatory in Mansfield likely depend largely on your age. Younger folks likely think of the characters of Red and Andy, Warden Norton and Capt. Hadley and the imaginative prison scenes from “The Shawshank Redemption.” Maybe you think of great music festivals at the […]
Posted inLife and Culture
Reviving hope: The iconic ‘Shawshank’ bus returns to OSR for 30th anniversary
“I hope I can make it across the border. I hope to see my friend and shake his hand. I hope the Pacific is as blue as it has been in my dreams. I hope.” — Ellis Boyd “Red” Redding, while riding the Trailways bus near the end of “The Shawshank Redemption” MANSFIELD — Ellis […]
Posted inNews
Proposed cannabis dispensary rules would allow max of 4 in Mansfield
MANSFIELD — The City of Mansfield would allow up to four recreational cannabis dispensaries, according to legislation local lawmakers will begin discussing Monday. And those dispensaries would only be permitted in locations zoned B-2 (general business) in the city’s current zoning code. That proposed legislation was made public Thursday morning, two days after City Council […]
Posted inCommunity Development
Developer withdraws plans for Brass Office Center redevelopment project
MANSFIELD — A long-time developer has dropped his plans to convert the former Ohio Brass office building into apartments. Attorney Bob Meyers explained his plan Tuesday evening to City Council during a public hearing to obtain historic status for the century-old building at 380 N. Main St., a move that would make the building eligible […]
Posted inCommunity Development
Main Street transformation: Mansfield City Council OKs final parts of $17 million improvement project
MANSFIELD — A Main Street road to improvement that began six years ago in Austin, Texas, cleared its last legislative hurdle at Mansfield City Council on Tuesday night. The conception of a $17 million Main Street Corridor Improvement Plan began in 2018 during the annual South by Southwest conference, attended by a group of 15 […]
Posted inOpen Source
Open Source: Trimble Road to close for 45 days for B&O Trail connector tunnel
OPEN SOURCE — We published this story in response to a reader comment and question submitted through our Open Source platform. Do you have a question you want our reporters to answer? Click here to submit it. “Will Trimble Road close at the same time the Home Road/Lexington-Springmill Road intersection is closed? If so, what would […]