MANSFIELD — Kelly Blankenship didn’t throw up a financial stop sign Tuesday night during a City Council meeting. But the city’s finance director certainly issued a blinking yellow light in terms of revenues through the first four months of 2025, part of which she attributed to a change in state tax collection rules. “As far […]
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 inNews
Mansfield secures $141K grant for automated license plate reader cameras
MANSFIELD — The city streets will be quietly “patrolled” by two dozen automated license-plate reader cameras for another year. Safety Service Director Keith Porch told City Council on Tuesday evening Mansfield has been awarded a $141,000 grant through the Ohio Violent Crime Reduction Grant Program. He said funds will be used for investigative overtime costs […]
Posted inCommunity Development
Mansfield OKs $58K contract to address artesian spring issues on B&O Trail connector
MANSFIELD — Underground artesian springs are impacting the construction of a $2.1 million, 1.1-mile, multi-use path linking the Richland B&O Trail to Trimble Road. That’s why the City of Mansfield Board of Control on Tuesday morning approved an additional $58,275 contract with Adena Corp. to remedy the issue. City engineer Bob Bianchi told the board that once the […]
Posted inNews
News Man Weekly: Children Services, Gettysburg and teen charged in 2 homicides
In this episode of News Man Weekly, host and Deputy Managing Editor Carl Hunnell is joined by Tara Lautzenhiser, the new executive director for Richland County Children Services. Lautzenhiser talks about her goals for the public child welfare agency, challenges its case workers face every day, its finances and the growing need for more licensed foster […]
Posted inNews
Mansfield City Council to accept $27.5K in ‘unanticipated forfeiture revenue’
MANSFIELD — No need to bring snacks and drinks to Mansfield City Council on Tuesday evening. Unless something changes, local lawmakers may be done in time to get back home and settle in comfortably for televised conference finals in the NBA and NHL, as well as the Cleveland Guardians at Minnesota Twins baseball game. There […]
Posted inGraduations
Crestline High School Class of 2025 graduates 37 students on Sunday
CRESTLINE — The 37-member Crestline High School Class of 2025 graduated on Sunday afternoon during commencement exercises in the high school gymnasium. Valedictorian Hannah Grunkemeyer delivered the student address for a class that included salutatorian Brock Rowe. VFW Dept. of Ohio Commander Kari Pfeifer, a Crestline High School graduate, delivered the commencement address. Diplomas were […]
Posted inNews
COLUMN: Crisis intervention training makes difference for officers, citizens
MANSFIELD — A Richland County probation officer gave me the best compliment possible Friday on the stage at the Mansfield Playhouse. “You’re good,” he said. “I felt like I was in the moment.” That’s exactly the goal of the Crisis Intervention Team training, an effort by the mental health community to help law enforcement officers […]
Posted inLife and Culture
Mission complete: Mansfield’s Gary Jakubick photographs every Gettysburg monument
MANSFIELD — The historic 1863 Civil War battle in Gettysburg was not planned by the probing Union and Confederate armies. It ignited as the result of a skirmish that began between scouting parties, colliding in the eastern Pennsylvania community of about 2,400 residents. A friendship echoing a lifelong respect for the single bloodiest battle of […]
Posted inNews
Mansfield teen may face adult court homicide charges for 2nd time in 3 months
MANSFIELD — A 17-year-old Mansfield teen may be bound over for trial as an adult for the second time in just three months on homicide-related charges. The alleged crimes occurred just six months apart, according to court records. The teenager was arraigned Tuesday in Richland County Juvenile Court on eight new counts, ranging from aggravated […]
Posted inNews
17-year-old suspect arraigned on charges related to 2023 Mansfield homicide
MANSFIELD — A 17-year-old male was arraigned in Richland County Juvenile Court on Tuesday on unspecified charges related to the 2023 shooting death of Jason Antrican. The defendant was charged May 2 in the death, according to Juvenile Court Judge Steve McKinley, who said a pre-trial hearing in the case could occur as soon as […]