Fostoria Free Press vs. The Simpletons: A Lesson in Law and Logic

In the small town of Fostoria, Ohio, a storm of misinformation and slander has been brewing, all sparked by a straightforward warning post. The Fostoria Free Press, in an effort to protect the community, posted a notice about a loose husky dog, paired with a rifle image and the caption: “Sadly, I am ready with my AR-15.” The message was simple—if another loose dog attacked livestock or poultry, the property owner would be prepared to defend their animals, as legally permitted under Ohio Revised Code § 955.28. Yet, this clear and lawful warning spiraled into a whirlwind of baseless accusations, slander, and impending legal consequences.

The Root of the Drama

Ohio law explicitly grants property owners the right to use deadly force against a dog if it is:

• Actively attacking or attempting to attack livestock or poultry.
• On the property without permission and poses an immediate threat.

Despite this legal clarity, a group of simple-minded individuals took it upon themselves to misinterpret and exaggerate the situation, spreading lies and falsehoods across social media. Their actions have not only damaged reputations but also set the stage for serious legal repercussions.

The Defamers: Who’s Who in the Circus

Jodi L. Moran

Jodi Moran didn’t just dip her toes into the waters of defamation—she dove in headfirst. Moran publicly claimed that the founder of the Fostoria Free Press threatened to shoot any animal that came onto his property and accused him of already killing a husky puppy. These fabrications are blatant lies, designed to incite outrage and harm reputations. As a result, Moran will face a lawsuit for libel, slander, and defamation of character, seeking $20,000 in damages.

Lorrie Wonderly Wolfelt

Not to be outdone, Lorrie Wonderly Wolfelt joined the smear campaign with equally false accusations. Wolfelt perpetuated the baseless narrative that the Fostoria Free Press was a danger to animals and the community. For her reckless and defamatory comments, Wolfelt will be sued for libel, slander, and defamation of character, with $30,000 in damages being pursued.

Bobbi Danner

Bobbi Danner has long been circling, waiting for an opportunity to pounce. Known for her emotionally charged, irrational online behavior, Danner concocted the lie that the founder threatened to fire someone for not supporting Trump. This baseless and inflammatory claim is a textbook example of slander. While no lawsuit has been filed against Danner yet, she is one post away from stepping into serious legal trouble.

Arianna Laney

A young and poorly informed participant in this chaos, Arianna Laney allowed her emotions to override her judgment. Her posts teeter on the edge of slander, but no lawsuit is planned for her at this time. Nevertheless, her involvement in spreading misinformation highlights the dangers of unchecked emotional reactions online.

The Legal Reality

Let this be a lesson to the simpletons: Ohio law protects property owners when it comes to defending their animals. Quoting directly from Ohio Revised Code § 955.28, deadly force against a dog is legally justified if the animal is attacking or posing an immediate threat to livestock, or poultry. This is not vigilante justice—it’s the law.

Yet, instead of understanding this, these individuals twisted the narrative, accusing the Fostoria Free Press of planning to kill every animal that stepped on the property—an accusation that was never made. Their ignorance of the law and eagerness to slander is not only irresponsible but also legally actionable.

You Can’t Hide from the Fostoria Free Press

These people seriously think flipping their Facebook profiles to Private Mode will stop The Fostoria Free Press from seeing their nonsense. Newsflash: We have eyes everywhere. Private settings won’t save you from accountability. So go ahead, hide behind your privacy walls—we already have the receipts.

Moving Forward

The lawsuits against Jodi Moran and Lorrie Wonderly Wolfelt are not just about financial damages; they are about accountability. When individuals weaponize social media to spread lies and destroy reputations, they must face the consequences. Bobbi Danner and Arianna Laney should take this as a stark warning—the next step could easily be a lawsuit.

To those who jumped to conclusions without reading or understanding the context: the law is not swayed by emotion or mob mentality. Simpletons who allow their emotions to cloud their judgment need to learn that spreading lies has serious repercussions.

This is not just a fight for reputation—this is a stand for truth and legal rights. The Fostoria Free Press will not be silenced by falsehoods or bullied by ignorance.

Consider this a much-needed lesson in law, logic, and consequences.

-Protected Under the First Amendment-

1. Opinions and Commentary:
   Statements that clearly express opinion rather than fact (e.g., calling someone “uneducated” or a “simpleton”) are generally protected. Opinions cannot be proven true or false.
2. Reporting and Criticism:
   Discussing public behavior and social media posts, especially when related to a public issue like community safety, is protected.
3. Factual Information:
   Sharing verifiable facts (e.g., screenshots of public posts) is protected, provided they are not altered to misrepresent the truth.
4. Satire and Snark:
   Using humor, sarcasm, or snarky commentary is also protected, as long as it doesn’t cross into false factual statements.