A few years ago, I got a question from a good friend,” Can you buy a tree that is balled and burlapped and plant the tree in a pot and keep the tree in that same pot all year, outside and in front of your house?” My instant answer was yes, but it would take […]
Larry Phillips
I've lived in Richland County since 1990, married here, our children were born here. This is home. I have two books published on a passion topic, Ohio high school football. Others: Buckeyes, Cavs, Bengals, Reds, History, Disney.
Posted inLife and Culture
A Stroll Through the Garden: Why aren’t there songbirds in my yard?
A reader recently asked, “Why are there fewer birds in my yard than there were a few years ago?” There are many reason why there are fewer birds which needs a column all its own. The key is understanding the factors that influence bird presence in your yard and using that knowledge to develop a […]
Posted inNews
Published reports speculate on motive in double murder of former Ashland dentist & wife
The shocking Dec. 30 double murder of former Ashland dentist Spencer Tepe, 37, and his wife Monique, 39, in their Columbus home has drawn national attention — and speculation. Monique’s ex-husband Michael McKee, 39, a vascular surgeon in Rockford, Illinois, was charged with two counts of murder and is being held in an Illinois jail […]
Posted inNews
Police: Murder weapon recovered in slaying of former Ashland dentist & wife
COLUMBUS — Authorities believe they have found the gun used in the Dec. 30 slaying of a former Ashland dentist and his wife, Columbus Police Chief Elaine Bryant revealed on Wednesday. Former Ashland dentist Spencer Tepe, 37, and his wife Monique, 39, were found shot to death in their Columbus home. Their two children, a […]
Posted inNews
Ex-husband arrested in connection with double murder of former Ashland dentist & wife
COLUMBUS — An Illinois man has been arrested in connection with the Dec. 30 double-murder of former Ashland dentist Spencer Tepe, 37, and his wife Monique Tepe, 39, of Columbus. According to the Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office, Michael McKee, 39, was charged with two counts of murder and booked just before noon on Saturday. He is […]
Posted inLife and Culture
A Stroll Through the Garden: Bagworms are eating my spruce
An Ashland reader recently noticed some curious little, almost lantern-like attachment appearing on her spruce. At first glance, these little cocoons looked like little lanterns in her evergreen. These clear wing moths infested many of her spruce trees and potentially there are 130 other plants. When you first look at these cocoons, you may think […]
Posted inEducation
High school students can enter Firelands Electric Cooperative contest to win Washington D.C. trip
NEW LONDON — Firelands Electric Cooperative, in partnership with Ohio’s Electric Cooperatives and the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA), will sponsor up to two students on an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington, D.C., June 14 to 20. Firelands Electric, A Touchstone Energy Cooperative, is a member-owned, not-for-profit cooperative providing electric service to over 9,200 homes and businesses […]
Posted inNews
One man dead, another arrested after New Year’s Day shooting in Ashland
ASHLAND — One man is dead, and another in custody after a shooting Thursday afternoon, according to the Ashland Police Department. The following post was made on the Ashland Police Department Facebook page after 4 p.m. on Thursday: “Just after 2 p.m. on Jan. 1 Ashland Police Division Officers and Ashland Fire Department responded to […]
Posted inNews
Former Ashland dentist, wife found shot to death in Columbus
COLUMBUS — A former Ashland dentist and his wife were found shot to death in their home on Tuesday morning, according to a press release from the Columbus Division of Police. The victims were identified as Spencer Tepe 37, and Monique Tepe, 39, police reported. Authorities reported Spencer Tepe suffered multiple gunshot wounds. Two small […]
Posted inLife and Culture
A Stroll Through the Garden: Design a delectable diet for Baltimore Orioles
One of my readers asked me, “How can I encourage a Baltimore Oriole to come into myyard?” You can get a Baltimore Oriole or Icterus galbula to notice your feeders in an easy way with the feeders that you might find at various stores that have sections that specialize in feeding birds. The challenge is […]