MANSFIELD — When Chris Smith took over planning his father-in-law’s annual “Helping Families with Cancer Benefit Bluegrass Festival” in 2017, he changed the name. It became “Mansfield Jamfest,” but he didn’t change its purpose — to give back to families in the Mansfield community. Two years in, he’s further expanding the annual bluegrass and country […]
Tracy Leturgey, Staff Reporter
Posted inOpen Source
Richland Source readers share memories from Shawshank filming
MANSFIELD — A quarter century ago, the Ohio State Reformatory and other spots around Richland County served as the backdrop for what’s become one of the most popular movies of its time, The Shawshank Redemption. It became a personal project for the community with numerous local families spotting their relatives and friends on screen as […]
Posted inLife and Culture
Kingwood opens outdoor play space
MANSFIELD — Kingwood Center Gardens introduced its first outdoor play space Monday morning. Through a collaboration with Mansfield’s Little Buckeye Children’s Museum and Lowe’s, the garden center aims to encourage imagination-based play with its “Little Garden Market.” It’s positioned directly in front of the Peacock Playhouse near the Park Avenue entrance. “It’s so fulfilling to go […]
Posted inNews
Eat More Chikin? Chick-Fil-A tests well in Mansfield, but some want customers to eat more local
MANSFIELD — While hundreds have lined up for the visiting Chick-Fil-A food truck over the past month, the experience left a local food truck owner disappointed. In early July, during one of Chick-Fil-A food truck’s first visits to Mansfield, customers wrapped around the Appleseed Shopping Center parking lot, while young entrepreneur Travis Moore sat along […]
Posted inLife and Culture
Shelby woman wins grand champion title with lemon meringue pie
MANSFIELD — A 70-year-old Shelby woman proved practice pays off Wednesday evening at the Richland County Fair. Barb Weaver, who makes at least one lemon meringue pie per month, was delighted when the pie so popular among her friends and family was recognized with a grand champion ribbon at the annual fair pie auction. “The […]
Posted inBusiness
Land Bank seeks environmental consulting firm for former Swan Cleaners
MANSFIELD — The Richland County Land Bank is looking for a qualified environmental consulting firm to oversee cleanup of the former Swan Cleaners building. The land bank was awarded $411,000 through a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency grant earlier this year to fund remediation activities at the former dry cleaners at 165 Park Ave. West. The consulting […]
Posted inLife and Culture
Richland County’s Mel Gibson crowned king at fair’s ageless beauty contest
MANSFIELD — Richland County’s own Melvin (Mel) Gibson was crowned king at the Richland County Fair’s 37th annual Ageless Beauty Contest. The nontraditional pageant features local nursing home residents, who compete for a crown and year-long titles of King, Queen, Duke and Duchess. A fiery, fun-loving 81-year-old from Liberty Nursing Center of Mansfield, Gibson stole […]
Posted inLife and Culture
Community garden along Marion Avenue brings hope to Mansfield
MANSFIELD — Rachel Justice was putting some finishing touches on a mural near a community garden in Mansfield Wednesday night when a man walking by took a moment to recognize her efforts. “He looked at me and said, ‘You give people hope,’” Justice said when recalling the incident on social media. Justice and her lifelong […]
Posted inLife and Culture
More than 300 volunteers tackle projects around Richland County
MANSFIELD — More than 100 people gathered in downtown Mansfield’s Central Park Friday morning to kick off the United Way of Richland County’s Day of Caring. Throughout the day, 310 volunteers from nearly 30 local businesses and organizations took on 13 beautification or cleanup projects across the county. “You’re going to make a difference in […]