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 […]
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
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 […]
Posted inNews
Mansfield lawmakers call special meeting Monday to discuss cannabis zoning regulations
MANSFIELD — A special Mansfield City Council meeting is scheduled for Monday at 6:30 p.m. to discuss proposed zoning ordinances for recreational cannabis dispensaries. The meeting was called Wednesday morning by council members Cheryl Meier (2nd Ward), Laura Burns (1st Ward) and Stephanie Zader (At-large), who also requested discussion on repealing the current ban on […]
Posted inNews
Frustration emerges as Mansfield lawmakers postpone cannabis zoning vote
MANSFIELD — You can’t smoke ’em if you don’t got ’em. And Mansfield lawmakers can’t vote on zoning regulations for potential recreational cannabis dispensaries in the city if they don’t got ’em, either. Instead, a vote on such zoning rules and also a proposed repeal of a local ban on medical marijuana were pushed back […]
Posted inCommunity Development
Long-time developer wants to convert Brass Office Center into apartment complex
MANSFIELD — Bob Meyers said Tuesday night his plan to convert the Brass Office Center into an apartment complex is personal. The longtime local attorney and developer, who now lives in Columbus, said his Lawyers Development Corp. owns properties around the country. But he still considers Mansfield to be his hometown. It’s where he launched […]
Posted inLife and Culture
Gallery: Harness racing Monday evening at the 174th Richland County Fair
(Photos from Monday evening’s harness racing event at the 174th Richland County Fair. The fair featured two full nights of harness racing — Sunday and Monday — including parimutuel wagering. The week-long fair began Sunday and continues through Saturday evening.)