MANSFIELD — Teresa McDowell has dedicated her career to helping struggling students learn to read. But when she found out she’d been selected for a teaching award, words escaped her. “I was very humbled, highly honored,” McDowell said, after a moment of reflection. “I felt appreciated. “I tell my students here, ‘If you work hard […]
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 inSolutions
How an area agency on aging helped bridge the gap for in-home care
MANSFIELD — Kim McWilliams starts her workday at 8 a.m., but instead of clocking in at an office, she’s knocking on someone’s front door. McWilliams, a state tested nursing assistant (STNA), is a community care specialist with the Ohio District 5 Area Agency on Aging. Her job is giving senior citizens the support they need […]
Posted inElections
Lexington schools ask taxpayers to renew operating levy on March 19
LEXINGTON — Voters in the Lexington Local School District will see a renewal levy on this year’s March primary ballot. The fixed-sum emergency levy was originally passed in 1999, according to district treasurer Jason Whitesel. It generates $2.7 million in operating revenue each year. Whitesel said the levy revenue makes up about 10 percent of the […]
Posted inOpen Source
Mansfield couple leaps into forever with underground wedding ceremony
MANSFIELD — Leap Day will always have a special significance for Mike and Renea Zellner. The Mansfield couple tied the knot during an intimate wedding ceremony Thursday, making this Leap Day one they’ll always remember. The Zellners met while attending Mansfield Senior High School. “We dated for a short time, then kind of went our separate […]
Posted inNews
Housing authority: Marijuana use at home still illegal for tenants with vouchers
MANSFIELD — It’s now legal to use recreational marijuana in Ohio, but if you live in publicly-funded housing, things get a little more complicated. That’s because both recreational and medicinal marijuana use are illegal under federal law. Housing choice vouchers (Section 8) and other types of housing assistance are funded through the U.S. Department of Housing […]
Posted inNews
Emergent wetland causes slight delay to affordable housing project
MANSFIELD — Muddy conditions caused by rain and snowmelt have put a temporary damper on the county’s newest affordable project. The Mansfield Metropolitan Housing Authority (MMHA) is undergoing an extension project at Turtle Creek Apartments. The project will add 120 new affordable housing units adjacent to the existing senior complex. Last month, Executive Director Steve […]
Posted inEducation
Stingel Elementary students sweep the podium at 3rd grade spelling bee
MADISON TOWNSHIP — Students from Stingel Elementary dominated the podium at this year’s Mansfield-Richland County Third Grade Spelling Bee. Evelyn Lee won the competition. Kai Grassick was the runner up. Margot Biddle came in third. All three are students at Stingel Elementary in Ontario. Thirty-five students competed at the bee. Each student qualified through smaller competitions at […]
Posted inEducation
Ontario, Shelby pilot high school math course
ONTARIO — Scott Kreger has taught high school math for more than 20 years, mostly geometry and lower-level algebra. But in Kreger’s newest course at Ontario High School, students focus more on applying math to real-world scenarios. Mathematical Modeling and Reasoning (MMR) was developed by educators across the state. Schools began piloting a modified version as […]
Posted inEducation
Clear Fork seeks interim superintendent
BELLVILLE — Clear Fork Valley Local Schools has officially announced an opening for interim superintendent on Wednesday. The district is seeking applicants who can start on Aug. 1 “or sooner” according to a press release from the Mid-Ohio Educational Service Center (MOESC). The application deadline is March 15. Supt. Janice Wyckoff’s contract with the district […]
Posted inOpen Source
Open Source: Will the solar eclipse impact cell service?
Editor’s Note: This story was updated on Feb. 23 to add information about a portable cell tower in Richland County. MANSFIELD — Richland County officials are expecting an influx of up to 250,000 visitors ahead of the April 8 total solar eclipse. Richland County is along the event’s “path of totality” — making it a primary […]