ONTARIO — One area of Ontario Local Schools’ state report card made a notable jump as the district retained its four-star rating. The College, Career, Workforce and Military Readiness score rose from two stars last year to four stars on the 2025-26 report card released Tuesday by the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce. The […]
Keith strickler
Posted inElections
Residents veto bond issue for Ontario school facility upgrades
ONTARIO — Ontario school district residents rejected a proposed new bond issue at the polls Tuesday. More than 69 percent of electors voted no, according to final, unofficial vote totals from the Richland County Board of Elections. The $40.3 million, 30-year bond would have provided funding to improve the school system’s existing facilities. Those funds also […]
Posted inEducation
Ontario teen Daisy Loper to be city’s mayor for a day
ONTARIO — Daisy Loper will soon become the youngest mayor in Ontario history. A junior at Ontario High School, Loper will be sworn in as the city’s first Mayor for a Day on May 12. Ontario lawmakers approved a resolution last year authorizing the Mayor for a Day program in partnership with Ontario Local Schools. […]
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 inCommunity Development
Reveille recommends sidewalks, downtown space in Ontario comprehensive plan
ONTARIO — Glenn Grisdale recommended Ontario City Council begin with “small things in a great way” for the city’s 20-year comprehensive plan. Reveille suggested the city focus on zoning code updates, connectivity, economic development and infrastructure.
Posted inEducation
Here’s how Richland County schools did on the Ohio School Report Cards
COLUMBUS — It’s that time of year again. The leaves are changing. The pumpkin spice lattes are brewing. High school football is back. And the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce has released its annual School Report Cards. In Richland County, eight of nine school districts received an overall three star rating or higher, indicating […]
Posted inNews
Ontario students engage in local government at Council meeting
About 90 middle and high school students in Ontario Local Schools got a crash course in local government Wednesday morning.
Posted inEducation
Ontario Schools awarded record-breaking grant to expand Career Tech
ONTARIO — Supt. Keith Strickler is about to build the STEM lab of his dreams. Ontario Local Schools was recently awarded a $642,849 grant from the Ohio Department of Education & Workforce. The department’s Career Technical Education (CTE) Equipment Grant Program is aimed at helping schools establish or expand CTE programming and gives priority to schools […]
Posted inEducation
Ontario investigates mandatory reporting issues in sexting case
Teen in trouble? Help is available. If you or a teen you care about are experiencing a mental health issue, you are not alone. To learn about available mental health resources in your area, call 211 or click here. If you are having thoughts of suicide or need to talk, please contact the National Suicide […]
Posted inArea History
Adena burial mound found north of Ontario soccer field
ONTARIO — Lisa Secrist’s fourth grade students held out their arms for balance and climbed up the mound one by one. Their giddy chatter echoed off the surrounding trees. The slightly muddy surface was covered with brush, sticks and autumn leaves, just like the rest of the woods. At first glance, the mound blended right […]