Last year Ontario Councilman-At-Large Eddie Gallo was asked by the Ohio Republican Party if he would be interested in joining a grassroots coalition put into effect by Governor John Kasich. “The governor set up several coalition groups in different areas of interest at the local level,” said Gallo, who became involved with the Ohio Sportsmen […]
Demrie Alonzo, Correspondent
Armed Forces veteran receives high school diploma at age 72
Jerry Lee Niswander accepted his high school diploma from the Lucas School Board this past Tuesday at the monthly school board meeting. Niswander, a 72-year-old armed forces veteran, said he didn’t even know until recently that he could get his diploma. “Anyone who quit school to join the armed forces could get their high school […]
Strong Families, Safe Communities Grant awarded to Richland County
On Wednesday, Aug. 20, the Richland County Mental Health Board held a press conference to unveil their new Strong Families, Safe Communities grant. More than $1.4 million is going toward the provision of care coordination and crisis intervention for at-risk youth with developmental or mental disabilities in the state of Ohio. The grant is part […]
Lucas Schools Renewal Levy clarified for concerned residents
With a renewal levy coming up for the Lucas Local School District, Superintendent Dan Freund wanted to clarify some incomplete information published about the upcoming levy at Tuesday’s school board meeting. “This is a renewal levy,” explained Freund. “This is what we need to let people know.” The wording with the Richland County Board of […]
Hundreds turn out for Jason Sharp Benefit
More than 500 people showed up at New Life Christian Church in Bellville on Saturday, Aug. 10 to show their support and raise funds for Jason Sharp, a young father who recently suffered a debilitating stroke at the age of 26. Jason and his wife Michelle have two young boys and a third due in […]
Band shell contributors recognized at Ribtickler’s concert
The Debbie Kohler Memorial Band Shell featured the Ribticklers on Thursday, Aug. 14, which was rescheduled from Tuesday due to rain. At the start of the concert, Mayor Hutchinson recognized several businesses and people for their contributions to making the band shell a reality. Former mayor and current Council President Larry Collins was also there […]
Marshall Park band shell ready for summer concerts
Mayor Randy Hutchinson announced at the recent Ontario council meeting that the new band shell at Marshall Park is now complete. “We’ve schedule four concerts that I really think people will like,” said Hutchinson. On June 17 the country music group DeVault Ridge Band will be the kick-off performance at 7 p.m. Classic rock performers, […]
NAMI finishes 30th class of Family-to-Family education program
In 1998, a support group called Families in Touch would meet to discuss living with and understanding family members with mental illness. Darlene Reed and Mary Kay Pierce were part of that original group and soon formed a NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) organization in Richland County. “In 2001 we became a 501c3 under […]
Garage sales do well whether big or small or even online
Ten years ago Robert Martin and his wife had to empty out his great-aunt’s house after her passing. “She was the ultimate hoarder,” Martin said of his aunt. “I had no idea until I started opening drawers and cupboards and went into the basement. The amount of stuff in that house could have filled another […]
Haiti Garage Sale sends youth to build churches
Preparations are under way for one of the biggest annual garage sales held in Mansfield every year. At Berean Baptist Church, high school students, their parents, family, friends and other church volunteers are already pricing items and loading tables with merchandise to sell this week at their four-day event. “The first three years we had […]