MANSFIELD — Richland County Land Bank plans to purchase and demolish a building on Mansfield’s Main Street won’t move forward — at least not right now. Last month, the Land Bank board voted to apply for $549,500 in funding from the Ohio Department of Development’s Brownfield Remediation Program to purchase, abate and tear down a […]
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
Mansfield school union leader hopes to finalize RIFs by Easter
MANSFIELD — No one enjoys a reduction in force, but if there has to be one, getting through it quickly is the best case scenario. The Mansfield City School board voted Tuesday to approve the first resolution needed to enact a reduction in force ahead of the 2025-2026 school year. “What they did tonight was […]
Posted inEducation
Clear Fork supt. search narrows to Richland, Ashland & Knox county candidates
BELLVILLE — The Clear Fork Valley Local School board will interview three finalists for the position of superintendent at a special meeting March 4. Alan Keesee, Cody Reese and Jonathan Burras are the three finalists being considered for the position. Clear Fork received 13 applicants for the position, posted last month through the Mid-Ohio Educational Service […]
Posted inEducation
Shelby’s Sadie Buzard wins Richland County 3rd grade spelling bee
SHELBY — Victory was a five-letter word at this year’s Richland County Third Grade Spelling Bee. After several rounds, Sadie Buzard of Shelby Elementary School took the bee’s top prize by correctly spelling ‘navel.’ The ninth annual Mansfield-Richland County Third Grade Spelling Bee took place Feb. 21 at Madison Middle School. Bee organizer Linda Burrage estimated […]
Posted inCommunity Development
Ohio pulls $7.7 million in affordable housing funds for Turtle Creek project
MANSFIELD — A 120-unit affordable housing project on Mansfield’s southwest side has hit its biggest snag yet. The Ohio Housing Financing Agency is poised to withdraw $7.7 million in bond gap financing from the Turtle Creek extension project, which aims to construct additional apartments on James Avenue. OHFA awarded the Mansfield Metropolitan Housing Authority $7.7 million […]
Posted inEducation
Mansfield City Schools calls for 36-person reduction in force, slashing 14 administrative jobs
MANSFIELD — Teachers, staff and community members sat in stunned silence at Monday night’s Mansfield Board of Education meeting. After an hour-long, closed-door session, the Mansfield City Schools board voted 5-0 to approve a plan to cut $5.3 million from next year’s operating budget and submit it to the state. The board then voted to end […]
Posted inNews
Sweetheart to scammer: How one woman’s online romance led to living in her car
Online romance scam leaves a 71-year-old woman homeless; learn how to spot romance scams to protect yourself.
Posted inEducation
13 apply for Clear Fork superintendent position
MANSFIELD — Applicants for the position of Clear Fork Valley Local Schools superintendent include internal administrators, local high school principals and educators from across the state. Clear Fork received 13 applicants for the position, posted last month through the Mid-Ohio Educational Service Center. “We are pleased with the number of resumes we received and believe […]
Posted inCommunity Development
Land bank to apply for brownfield funding to tear down VOA-owned building
MANSFIELD — The Richland County Land Bank voted Tuesday to seek more than $500,000 to purchase, abate and demolish a building on Mansfield’s Main Street. Land bank members voted Tuesday afternoon to apply for $549,500 in funding from the Ohio Department of Development’s Brownfield Remediation Program for 290 North Main Street. The property is owned […]
Posted inNews
Mansfield BOE aims to cut costs by $8 million per year
MANSFIELD — Mansfield City Schools is projected to spend $3.9 million more than it takes in during the 2024-2025 school year. But with declining enrollment, climbing operating costs and uncertainty surrounding the future of federal education funding, school board Chris Elswick said cutting the district’s deficit to zero likely won’t be enough. Elswick said the district’s […]