MANSFIELD — From sunny June days to the shifting colors of autumn, the tree lawn looks like a miniature park. A crabapple tree rises, surrounded by boxwoods and rings of bold zinnias and marigolds. For 10 years, a group of volunteers has cared for the triangular median where Woodhill Road forks into Marion Avenue. Now, […]
Katie Ellington Serrao
Staff reporter at Richland Source since 2019. I focus on education, housing and features. Clear Fork alumna. Always looking for a chance to practice my Spanish. Got a tip? Email me at katie@richlandsource.com.
Posted inEducation
‘Every second is a gift,’ former OSU/NFL wide receiver tells Mansfield students
Before he was a professional football player, Roy Hall Jr. was a hungry kid whose father was addicted to heroin.
Posted inEducation
Madison school board to vote on Mifflin closure, staff cuts next week
MADISON TOWNSHIP — The Madison Local Schools board of education will likely vote next week to close Mifflin Elementary School and cut at least 26 jobs districtwide. The school board met Tuesday, along with with Supt. Rob Peterson and Treasurer Bradd Stevens, to discuss the district’s financial future after residents rejected a proposed income tax levy […]
Posted inNews
Mya Frazier asks the question: Who benefits from the credit score system?
MANSFIELD — Mya Frazier still remembers the hopeless and embarrassment she felt because of a bad credit score. As a budding news reporter and divorced single mother in her early 20s, she struggled to pay for both bills and child care. Student debt loomed over her. She turned to credit cards. She sought out debt […]
Posted inCommunity Development
Ocie Hill senior housing project ‘waitlisted’ for state funding
MANSFIELD — A proposed affordable housing development on Mansfield’s north end has hit a bump in the road. The Richland County Land Bank owns the properties at 445 and 455 Bowman Street, the site of the former Ocie Hill Neighborhood Center. Earlier this year, the land bank board approved a purchase agreement with Wisconsin-based developer Volker, […]
Posted inEducation
New contract: Mansfield teachers will see 11 percent salary hike over 3 years
MANSFIELD — Officials say employees at Mansfield City Schools will be receiving bigger paychecks and better health insurance as a result of newly-approved union contracts and a new health insurance plan. The Mansfield City Schools board of education voted on several agreements Wednesday night, including three-year contracts with the Mansfield School Employees Association (MSEA) and […]
Posted inElections
Frontz to join Truex, Carver & Black on Bellville Village Council
BELLVILLE — Bellville residents re-elected three incumbents to village council Tuesday. Tim Truex, Deb Carver and Edd Black all retained their seats in the election for new, four-year terms to begin in January. The trio will be joined by Amy Frontz, a newcomer who will succeed councilman J.J. Burkhart. Burkhart did not run to retain […]
Posted inElections
Kotterman, Porter and Walker elected to Madison school board
MANSFIELD — Adam Porter ran for a seat once, twice, and on his third try earned a seat on the Madison Local School board of education. After unsuccessful runs in 2019 and 2021, Porter was elected Tuesday night. Incumbents Amy Walker and Mary Kotterman were also re-elected to their seats. Walker received 2,255 votes, according […]
Posted inElections
Elswick, Golden and Hamilton elected to Mansfield board of education
Deena Hamilton joins Chris Elswick and Linda Golden on Mansfield City Schools board after election win. Learn more about the new board members.
Posted inElections
Madison school voters reject proposed income tax
MADISON TOWNSHIP — More than 55 percent of voters rejected a new, 1.5-percent income tax for Madison Local Schools at the polls on Tuesday. There were 1,868 votes cast in favor of the measure and 2,312 against it, according to final, unofficial vote totals from the Richland County Board of Elections. “While I am disappointed in […]