By 1812Blockhouse
The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases continues to rise in recent days, both statewide and in Richland County.
In Ohio, over 3,000 daily cases have been reported three times in the last week, with the largest numbers recorded since February. Hospitalizations and ICU admissions have more than doubled since the beginning of the month. The 21 day trend rose from 1,183 on July 30 to 3,446 on Thursday.
Government and public health officials are taking notice. Earlier this week, Richland Public Health issued the following notice concerning the wearing of masks at its facility:
More…
By Marty Schladen, Ohio Capital Journal
In May 2020, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine announced $775 million in state spending cuts in the face of what he expected to be lower tax revenues due to economic dislocation caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
The cuts included $300 million whacked from K-12 education and $210 million from Medicaid, the health program for the poor. DeWine decided to make them instead of dipping into the state’s $2.7 billion rainy day fund.
In hindsight, the move is receiving scant support from a panel of Ohio economists.
More…
Special to 1812Blockhouse
Richland Soil and Water Conservation District, in partnership with The Cove Coffee Shop and Pizza Company, is hosting a free rain garden and rain barrel workshop on August 31.
The workshop begins at 6:00 p.m. at The Cove Coffee Shop and Pizza Company, located at 325 Shelby-Ontario Rd in Ontario. The workshop is open to the public and although free, registration is required by August 29 due to limited seating. Please register at https://richlandswcd.net/get-involved/calendar/rain-garden-and-rain-barrel-workshop-2.
The purpose of the workshop is to increase awareness and educate the public about the importance of stormwater management and the role Rain Gardens and Rain Barrels play in managing stormwater.
More…All About Richland, History & Tourism
By 1812Blockhouse
The local Plymouth landmark known as the Tubbs-Sourwine House has long had a connection with the rail line it faces.
Constructed on a rise at 49 Railroad Street between 1867 and 1870, it was originally the home of Henry Bitley Tubbs and Eve Reed Tubbs. More…
Special to 1812Blockhouse
Little Buckeye Children’s Museum needs your help by voting for them to receive a $25,000 grant from State Farm® to help improve the community.
Starting August 18 at 12:00 AM ET, U.S. residents who are 18 and older with a valid email address can vote for their favorite cause by going to littlebuckeye.org and clicking on the “Vote” button on their landing page. Voters can also go directly to Little Buckeye’s State Farm page at www.NeighborhoodAssist.com/entry/2039038 and vote.
Little Buckeye Children’s Museum has until August 27 at 11:59 PM ET to rally votes. Voters are allowed to vote up to 10 times per day. On September 29, the top 40 vote-receiving causes will be announced at www.neighborhoodassist.com and a $25,000 grant will be awarded to each of the affiliated nonprofits.
More…
Special to 1812Blockhouse
For the first time ever Downtown Mansfield, Inc. (DMI) will hold a second Secret City Tour in one year.
DMI’s Fall 2021 Secret City Tour will be Saturday, September 18 from 10:00 AM to 4 PM. Take a peek into some of Mansfield’s most exquisite historic buildings and architectural gems on this self-guided tour. With continued interest in downtown development, this tour offers a unique look to the past while challenging us to reimagine the future of these great spaces.
Buildings on the Fall 2021 Secret City Tour will include:
More…All About Richland, Challenges. Solutions.
By 1812Blockouse
Most of the cities along New York State’s Hudson River, north of New York City, existed for over a century before the Hedges, Larwells, Newman, and other families made their way to what is now Richland County. That said, the stories of prolonged economic decline and hoped-for revitalization in that part of the Empire State are something that 21st century Mansfielders would recognize.
Welcome to Newburgh
Some 60 miles north of New York City and 90 miles south of Albany is the city of Newburgh. Newburgh’s steeped history includes a stint as the headquarters for General George Washington’s Continental Army. The modern city is increasingly diverse, with strong Afircan-American and Latino communities.
More…
The Richland County Foundation Board of Trustees has announced approval of $1,147,667 in grants to nonprofit organizations during its August meeting.
The Foundation awarded $531,300 in scholarships for the 2021-22 school year to Richland County students. Scholarships are awarded based on a student’s financial need and grade point average.
A grant was made from an agency designated fund to Richland County Board of Developmental Disabilities to create an all-inclusive community park and playground at Sterkel Park in Mansfield.
The Board of Trustees approved grants from donor-advised funds to meet emerging needs at the following organizations:
Akron Children’s Hospital Mansfield Facility
Crawford County Education and Economic Partnership
Mansfield Area Y
Mansfield Art Center
Mansfield City Schools
Ohio Bird Sanctuary
Plymouth Area Historical Society
Plymouth-Shiloh Local Schools
Raemelton Therapeutic Equestrian Center
Renaissance Performing Arts
Richland Academy
Richland County Commissioners – Dog Warden
United Way of Richland County
Waleska United Methodist Church
Special Grants were awarded to:
Blessed to Run
Philanthropy Ohio
Plymouth Local Schools
Richland County Board of Developmental Disabilities
Career Technical Education Scholarship
One career technical education scholarship was approved for students to earn certifications and credentials at technical institutions. The Scholarship Committee implemented a rolling deadline for CTE scholarships to meet various enrollment deadlines. In aligning with Ohio’s Attainment Goal, the Foundation wants to help fill the gap between job openings and certified employees as well as lead the way to support workforce development through CTE scholarships.
Source: Richland County Foundation
By 1812Blockhouse; Ohio Department of Transportation
ODOT District 3 has released its weekly report highlighting road construction projects which are beginning or underway in the multi-county area it serves. What follows are posted projects taking place within Ashland, Crawford, and Richland Counties.
Please stay safe and pay attention to these closures and work taking place during the week beginning on August 15.
More…
By 1812Blockhouse
Thursday marked a day which demographers and politicians both dread and love — the day that US Census figures were released for states, counties, and incorporated areas. In this case, those were official numbers for the 2020 Census.
Around these parts, the result was rather positive.
Richland County saw its population increase by 0.4%, reaching a total of 124,396. Across Ohio, central Ohio saw the biggest gains, with Delaware County growing by over 22% to 214,124 residents. Other Ohio counties in the top six statewide for growth rates included Union, Warren, Franklin, Fairfield, and Licking.
More…
By 1812Blockhouse
Organizers of the long-sold-out 2021 Inkcarceration Festival announced this week that it is requiring all attendees to the event, including artists, staff, and crew, to show proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test.
A deadline has been set for later this month for vaccinations — August 26 (campers) and 27 (non-campers).
In its statement, the following additional guidelines were shared:
More…
By Nolan Simmons, Ohio Capital Journal
Thursday’s Lounge in Akron received a $25,000 fine in lieu of a liquor license revocation for violating health orders. Aftermath in Columbus got hit with a $20,000 fine in lieu of license revocation.
The Electric Co. in Mansfield received a $10,000 fine in lieu of a 21-day liquor license suspension, and Sky Mediterranian in Parma Heights also received a $10,000 fine in lieu of a license revocation. These were the largest individual fines for Ohio businesses violating pandemic health orders.
Mario Nemr, owner of the now-closed Thursday’s Lounge, told Cleveland.com that the COVID-19 pandemic had been the “nail in the coffin” for the historic Akron bar.
More…
By 1812Blockhouse, Avita Health System
With a doubling in reported cases of COVID-19 in the last week here in Richland County, health care providers are taking notice.
While there has not been a corresponding doubling of hospitalizations or deaths related to the pandemic, there is a heightened awareness of the virus and a renewed effort toward reasonable precautions and vaccination.
Avita Health System has released a temporary set of COVID guidelines as a result related to patient visitation, cafeteria and gift shop access, etc.. Those new guidelines include:
More…
Special to 1812Blockhouse
Mansfield’s streets got musical Friday afternoon, when 93-year-old Beulah Jones was treated to a surprise concert from the Renaissance Theatre’s cast of Hairspray the Musical on her front lawn.
Performers, Izzi Robles and Terrence Williams Jr., sang three of the production’s songs for Jones, including “Good Morning, Baltimore,” “Run and Tell That,” and “Without Love” before wishing her a happy birthday and heading off back to the theater for a final rehearsal.
“We heard through the grapevine that Ms. Jones was turning 93 today, and with our current production schedule for Hairspray, there was a perfect opportunity to surprise her with a mini concert,” said Renaissance Performing Arts President Chelsie Thompson. “A similar ‘Curbside Concert’ idea was offered in Columbus last year, and this was a great chance to pilot something comparable to see whether we can work with that same model to present on-the-go concerts to residents at their homes.”
Ms. Jones and her family expressed that they thoroughly enjoyed the concert and look forward to seeing more community concerts from the Renaissance Theatre in the future.
Click here to watch the surprise concert via Facebook Live video.
Source, Photos: Renaissance Performing Arts Association
By 1812Blockhouse
With the recent shuttering of the last manufacturer in America’s carousel capital, is there a future for what has been a mainstay of entertainment for generations?
That’s the question being asked in some circles, including in this piece on NorthJersey.com this past Friday.
Entitled, “Will the once-thriving wooden carousel business make a comeback?,” author Jim Beckerman looked at several carousels, all of which came from Mansfield. The last surviving company, Carousel Works, closed earlier this year after a January bankruptcy filing (our story is here).
More…
