ONTARIO — Jonathan King knows that sometimes it pays to be an outsider. Before King became the assistant principal at Ontario High School, he spent several years teaching at Madison. This year, King spearheaded Ontario’s Warrior Wishmaker program, a collective of fundraisers throughout the district to provide Christmas gifts to students in need. King said he […]
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 inNews
Ontario mayor updates school board on Safe Routes to School initiative
ONTARIO — Ontario Mayor Kris Knapp knows the wheels of government grind slowly. Efforts to improve safety and mobility in “old Ontario” may take years, but Knapp outlined a plan to get started at a school board meeting Tuesday night. “I’ve learned real quick in government, it doesn’t happen overnight. It takes years,” Knapp said. “By […]
Posted inEducation
Ontario High School to offer on-campus business degree program
ONTARIO — Local high schools routinely lose a handful of academically ambitious juniors and seniors who chose to complete most or all of their coursework on a college campus. Ontario High School Principal Chris Smith wants to offer those students the best of both worlds. Starting next fall, Ontario High School students will be able to […]
Posted inEducation
Mansfield BOE president: District won’t cut Spanish Immersion school
MANSFIELD — There was standing room only at the Lowell T. Smith board room Monday night. While school board members spent more than 190 minutes in executive session, parents and community members waited. The room echoed with chatter. Two women sat to knit. Another brought a package of cookies from the grocery store to share. […]
Posted inNews
Mansfield Fire Dept. promotes Krueger, swears in Danals
MANSFIELD — Joshua Krueger thought he wanted to become a police officer. Then he got his EMT certification and it led him down a different path. “I did my ride time with Sandusky Fire Department and decided this is exactly what I want to,” said Krueger, the newest lieutenant with the Mansfield Fire Department. Krueger […]
Posted inHousing
Land bank approves three more properties for Lead Ohio grant
MANSFIELD — The Richland County Land Bank board approved three more residences for a lead remediation program Friday. The land bank is in charge of overseeing Richland County’s Lead Safe Ohio Program, which is funded through the Ohio Department of Development. The Land Bank was allocated $1,358,000 last year for the program, which funds exterior […]
Posted inOpen Source
Lexington grad helps launch Bezos’ Blue Origin rocket
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — Greg Rhodes stood on the beach and watched his dream go up in flames. It was everything he could have hoped for. The rocket Rhodes helped create was airborne. Blue Origin’s New Glenn pierced the atmosphere, leaving only a trail of smoke and violet-sapphire beam of light behind. Even now, the […]
Posted inEducation
Mansfield City BOE salutes honor band students
MANSFIELD — Alexander Grant is accustomed to performing onstage and on the football field with his peers in the Mansfield Senior High School music program. But as the senior prepared for a trumpet solo at Tuesday’s board meeting, he laughed and admitted he was a bit nervous before playing the National Anthem. The Mansfield City […]
Posted inSports
Richland County Bears take 4 gold medals at Special Olympics Winter Games
MANSFIELD — Chris Kukowski glided down the hill, weaving back and forth between the poles with ease. Skiing is nothing new for Kukowski. He’s been hitting the slopes since he was ten years old. But this was his first year competing in winter sports with the Special Olympics. After finishing his run, Kukowski slid to […]
Posted inNews
Bellville, Butler police officer dies in two-vehicle crash with Galion man
BELLVILLE — The Mount Gilead State Highway Patrol Post is investigating a fatal crash that resulted in the death of 20-year-old police officer Monday morning. Summer R. Kennard, 20, was driving eastbound on U.S. Route 42, when she drove off the right side of the roadway, according to a media release from the Ohio State […]