Update: On May 7, Governor Mike DeWine announced that hair salons, barbershops, day spas, tanning facilities and nail salons can re-open on May 15. MANSFIELD — It’s been six weeks since a statewide order forced Melissa Cary to close her salon in downtown Mansfield. Like many salon owners, Cary’s small business isn’t just her livelihood. It’s […]
Katie Ellington, Staff Reporter
Posted inEducation
Bellville PE teacher mails her postcard collection to students
BELLVILLE — Barb Hendrix has collected postcards for decades. Over the years, they amassed around her home, largely forgotten, in closets and cabinets. So when Hendrix, an Ashland resident and teacher at Bellville Elementary School, was looking for a way to stay connected with her students, she decided to put the postcards to good use. […]
Posted inCovid-19, News
COVID-19 takes a physical and mental toll
MANSFIELD — Heather Yeichner’s body was weak, but inside, she was fighting. The mother of two inhaled through an oxygen mask as she lay in bed, confined to the hospital’s COVID-19 wing. One thought kept her going. “All I wanted was to see my kids again,” Yeichner said. “That was my motivation.” The Mansfield resident […]
Posted inCovid-19, News
United Way of Richland County announces COVID-19 community relief package
MANSFIELD — United Way of Richland County has announced it will adjust the way it allocates funds to partner agencies this year in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Since COVID-related complications could delay the evaluation process (and thus donations) for months, the allocations committee and United Way board chose instead to fund all partner […]
Posted inCovid-19, News
Lexington med supply company creates product to aid COVID-19 patients
LEXINGTON — Just three weeks before the coronavirus outbreak hit Seattle, Victoria Langer was there marketing a product designed to help patients experiencing Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome, (ARDS). Now, demand for that specialty medical product has skyrocketed across the country. Hospitals are requesting Langer’s manual prone positioning package to help reduce the risk of pressure wounds […]
Posted inEducation
Lex teacher, Shelby grad Longnecker receives state teacher award
LEXINGTON — When Cheryl Longnecker logged on to a Zoom conference call Tuesday morning, she thought she was in for a staff meeting. What she didn’t know is that her current and previous coworkers were gathered onscreen to watch her receive an award from the Ohio Department of Education. “I feel very blessed and very […]
Posted inEducation
Ziegelhofer reflects on 45 years in education as he prepares to leave Lexington schools
LEXINGTON — Mike Ziegelhofer said he has been led by one guiding principle throughout his career as educator. “I did my best to try to treat each kid as if he or she was my own,” said Ziegelhofer, the outgoing superintendent of Lexington Local Schools. “Every decision I made was based on what I’d want […]
Posted inEducation, Graduations
Clear Fork seniors get graduation parade
BELLVILLE — It’s an unusual senior year for the class of 2020. Students are wrapping up their classes online, missing spring sports and musicals, wondering what will become of traditions like prom and commencement. Nevertheless, the senior class at Clear Fork High School got a unique celebration Friday night — their very own parade. The […]
Posted inBusiness
Young entrepreneurs receive $8k in startup funding
MANSFIELD — Like all good entrepreneurs, Ty Callahan’s business idea sprung from a search for solutions. Callahan’s passion for baking began about three years ago when he was flipping through television channels and accidentally discovered the cooking network. But it didn’t take long to notice there were many people who couldn’t enjoy baked goods, even […]