UPDATE: Woman Identified After Being Found Dead at Richland County Rest Area

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MANSFIELD — Troopers with the Ohio State Highway Patrol’s Mansfield Post are continuing to investigate after a woman was found dead Tuesday morning at a rest area in Richland County.
According to the Ohio State Highway Patrol, troopers responded at approximately 6:14 a.m. on June 9 to the eastbound rest area on U.S. Route 30 near Interstate 71 after receiving a report of an unresponsive person on the ground in the parking lot.
When troopers arrived, they located Cassandra Johnson, 40, of Mansfield, unresponsive and lying next to her vehicle. Local EMS responded to the scene and pronounced Johnson dead.
Lieutenant Jason P. Murfield, commander of the OSHP Mansfield Post, said in an earlier interview at the scene that the call came from a truck driver who had pulled into the rest area and discovered a body on the ground near a vehicle.
Foul play is not suspected at this time, according to the patrol. However, Lieutenant Murfield said investigators do not rule anything out until the investigation is complete.
The cause of Johnson’s death remains under further investigation by the Ohio State Highway Patrol Mansfield Post.

ASHLAND | Family Seeks Community Support After Chimney Fire Destroys Home

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ASHLAND COUNTY, OH — A home located northeast of the city of Ashland along State Route 89 was heavily damaged by a chimney fire, leaving a local family without a place to live and now turning to the community for support as they begin the rebuilding process.
In a GoFundMe post, Amber Zarella shared the story of Glenda Weese and her two grandsons, Jordon and Daniel, whom she met through scouting as their boys became close friends. Zarella said Glenda has been raising her grandsons for the past 13 years, providing them stability and care while working hard to build a life together.
After years living in Columbus where she worked as a home health aide, and 5 years in Wooster before moving the boys to Ashland County Ohio. The family spent several years in a mobile home before Glenda was finally able to purchase a house about 18 months ago. With the help of her grandsons, friends, and extended family, she poured countless hours into renovating the fixer-upper, turning it into a safe and stable place they could finally call home.
That sense of security was shattered on Sunday, February 1, when a chimney fire broke out, leaving the home uninhabitable and destroying most of the family’s belongings.
“Tragically, a chimney fire turned their lives upside down and left them without a home,” Zarella wrote. “They are now facing the overwhelming task of navigating next steps, while also replacing nearly everything they lost.”
Zarella started the GoFundMe campaign to help ease the financial burden of rebuilding and to assist with essential needs as the family works toward recovery. Donations will go toward housing, replacing lost items, and helping Glenda and her grandsons regain stability after the fire.
“Any donation, no matter the size, will make a meaningful difference,” Zarella said. “If you’re unable to donate, please consider sharing this campaign so others may help.”
Those wishing to help Glenda, Jordon, and Daniel can find the fundraiser here:

BREAKING | Ashland Walmart Evacuated as Police Rush to Find Suspect Yelling Threats & Claiming to Have a Gun

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ASHLAND, OH — A frightening incident at the Ashland Walmart on East Main Street triggered a rapid police response and the evacuation of customers this evening after reports of a man making alarming threats inside the store.
According to Lt. Aaron Kline of the Ashland Police Division, officers were dispatched to the Walmart at 6:45 p.m. following a 911 call reporting that a customer inside the store was shouting threats.
“We got a call out to Walmart at 6:45 p.m.,” Lt. Kline said. “A customer had said the end of the world is coming. He has a gun. He can’t wait to start taking people out.”
As officers arrived, customers were seen quickly exiting the grocery side of the store. Police immediately cleared and searched the building while other officers worked with a Walmart employee reviewing surveillance video.
“They were able to see him leave the store with his wife, get into a vehicle, and leave the area,” Kline said.
Police, Sheriff Deputies, along with the Ohio State Highway Patrol conducted a thorough search of the surrounding area, including nearby businesses, hotels, and gas stations, and continued double-checking locations as a precaution.
“We’ve checked the area — all the surrounding businesses, the hotels, gas stations, everywhere in the area has been checked,” Kline said. “I don’t believe at this time there’s anything out there for Ashland. We’ll keep everybody posted if we hear different.”
Lt. Kline confirmed that while the individual allegedly claimed to have a gun, it is not yet confirmed whether a weapon was actually displayed.
“I don’t know that he brandished a weapon,” Kline said. “He said that he has a gun and can’t wait to start taking people out. We’re not far enough along to know that for sure yet. This is the beginning stages of this.”
Police said they have identified a suspect and believe the individual is from out of the area, though that information is still being verified.
Inside the store, the urgency of the evacuation was evident, with shopping carts abandoned throughout the aisles as customers rushed to exit.
The Ashland Police Division emphasized there is no known ongoing threat to the community at this time and said updates will be provided if additional information becomes available.
Source:

1. Police coroner vehicle Wayne County, crime scene investigative truck.

BREAKING | Ashland – Murder-Suicide Reported at Orrville Power Plant; Investigation Ongoing

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Murder-Suicide Reported at Orrville Power Plant; Investigation Ongoing

ORRVILLE, OH — A shooting incident at the Orrville Power Plant on Thursday afternoon has been confirmed as a murder-suicide, according to a press release from Orrville Police Chief Cory M. Seiler.
Officers with the Orrville Police Department were dispatched at approximately 3:17 p.m. on January 22, 2026, to the 1100 block of Perry Street following reports of shots fired at the power plant. Upon arrival, officers secured the scene and located two adult males in a parking lot suffering from apparent gunshot wounds.
Emergency medical services were immediately coordinated, and the area was quickly secured. Authorities emphasized that there was no active or ongoing threat to the public at any time during the incident.
A preliminary investigation determined that the suspect, Robert R. Simon, 69, of Wooster, approached the victim—identified as a 46-year-old male—and discharged a firearm, striking him. Following the shooting, Simon sustained an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound and was pronounced deceased at the scene.
The victim was transported to a local hospital with life-threatening injuries. Despite medical intervention, he later succumbed to his injuries.
Multiple agencies responded and assisted at the scene, including the Orrville Fire Department, Wooster Police Department, Wayne County Sheriff’s Office, and the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI). BCI has assumed the lead in the investigation, which remains active as investigators work to determine the circumstances leading up to the incident.
Anyone with information related to this case is encouraged to contact BCI at 855-224-6446.
Following the incident, Orrville Mayor Matt Plybon addressed the community in a statement posted on Facebook:
“Earlier today, a shooting incident occurred at the Orrville Power Plant. First responders immediately secured the scene, and there is no ongoing threat to the public. One employee was injured, and our thoughts and prayers are with him and his family. The individual responsible is deceased. The incident remains under active investigation, and the Orrville Police Department is working closely with the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation. We will share updates as confirmed information becomes available. We appreciate the community’s patience as we work to gather all the facts surrounding this tragic event.”
Authorities say additional details will be released as the investigation continues and verified information becomes available.

UPDATE (Press Release) Sadly after life flighted the victim passed away.

Police officers investigating crime scene with law enforcement vehicles in Fostoria Ohio.

ASHLAND | Release of 911 Call in Fatal East Liberty Street Shooting, New Details Emerge

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A New Year’s Day shooting on East Liberty Street in Ashland has left one man dead, another charged with aggravated murder, and a community searching for answers. Newly released information tied to the 911 call offers a clearer picture of what investigators say happened inside the home that afternoon.​

Victim and suspect

  • The victim has been identified as John “Lefty” Grehn, 61, who was living at 102 East Liberty Street with longtime friend John Palermo.​

  • The suspect, Palermo’s son, 24‑year‑old Robert Palermo of Ashland, is charged with aggravated murder, an unclassified felony alleging he purposely, with prior calculation and design, caused Grehn’s death on January 1, 2026.​

911 call and immediate response

  • Around 2:15 p.m., Ashland Police were dispatched after a 911 call from John Palermo, who reported that his son had shot Grehn inside the residence.​

  • Responding officers found Grehn dead in the home that Thursday afternoon, and Ashland County Coroner Dr. Dale Thomae ordered the body sent to the Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner’s Office for autopsy, with results still pending.

Argument over a dog

  • Prosecutor Christopher Tunnell says the deadly encounter began as a verbal argument between Robert Palermo and Grehn about Grehn’s dog being allowed in the house.​

  • The dispute reportedly paused when Grehn went downstairs to the living room, but authorities allege that during this lull, Palermo went upstairs, took a handgun from a locked box, loaded it, then returned to the living room and resumed the confrontation.​

Alleged shooting sequence

  • According to the complaint and prosecutor’s account, Grehn was seated on a couch when Palermo allegedly opened fire, shooting him multiple times and causing his death.​

  • The charging documents assert that Palermo acted “purposely, and with prior planning,” language that supports the aggravated murder count and the claim of prior calculation and design.​

Bond, legal stakes, and next steps

  • Magistrate Emily Bates set bond at $2 million in Ashland County Court of Common Pleas, also approving a personal recognizance bond with strict conditions if Palermo were to be released, including GPS monitoring, a nightly curfew, no firearms, and no contact with his father.​

  • Palermo, who has no known prior criminal history, remains in the Ashland County Jail; he faces a potential maximum sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole if convicted, though prosecutors are not seeking the death penalty, and the case continues under investigation by Ashland Police with assistance from state and county agencie

BREAKING | Ashland County Prosecutor charges 24‑year‑old Robert Palermo with aggravated murder in connection with the New Year’s Day shooting

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ASHLAND COUNTY, OH Prosecuting Attorney Christopher R. Tunnell has announced that a criminal complaint has been filed charging 24‑year‑old Robert Palermo of Ashland with aggravated murder in connection with the New Year’s Day shooting death of 61‑year‑old John “Lefty” Grehn. The case is proceeding in Ashland County Common Pleas Court, with Judge David Stimpert presiding.​

Charge and potential penalties

According to Tunnell, the complaint alleges that Palermo “purposely, and with prior planning” caused Grehn’s death, supporting a charge of aggravated murder under Ohio law. The offense, as charged, carries a maximum possible sentence of life imprisonment without the possibility of parole, though prosecutors are not seeking the death penalty at this time.​

Authorities have indicated that the ongoing investigation has not uncovered any statutory aggravating circumstances required under Ohio’s death‑penalty provisions to pursue capital punishment. The matter will be presented to an Ashland County grand jury for formal indictment at a later date, following completion of additional investigative steps.​

New Year’s Day shooting on East Liberty Street

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Snow falling at night with police vehicle lights illuminating a house in Fostoria, Ohio.
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Police officers investigating crime scene with law enforcement vehicles in Fostoria Ohio.
Police investigation scene in Fostoria during winter snow.

The charge stems from a shooting that occurred on the afternoon of January 1, 2026, at a residence in the 100 block of East Liberty Street in the City of Ashland. Ashland Police Division officers and Ashland Fire Division personnel were dispatched to the home at about 2:15 p.m. after a 911 call from a resident, identified as John Palermo, who was not injured.​

First responders found Grehn deceased inside the residence, and investigators believe his death resulted from multiple gunshot wounds. Police took Robert Palermo into custody at the scene without incident, and he is currently being held at the Ashland County Jail pending further proceedings.​

Investigation and autopsy

Ashland County Coroner Dr. Dale Thomae has ordered Grehn’s body transported to the Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner’s Office for a full autopsy, a standard step in homicide investigations of this kind. Autopsy results remain pending and are expected to provide additional detail about the cause and manner of death.​

The investigation is being led by the Ashland Police Division with assistance from the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation, the Ashland County Sheriff’s Office, the Ashland County Coroner’s Office, and the Ashland Fire Department. Detectives executed a search warrant at the residence and collected evidence related to the shooting; officials also confirmed that a dog found in the home was taken into custody by the Ashland County Humane Society and was not harmed.​

Prosecutor’s statement and bond hearing

Tunnell described the case as a “profound and tragic loss of life” and offered condolences to Grehn’s family, friends, and all who knew him. He emphasized that, despite the gravity of the allegation, Ashland “is and always will be a safe place to live and to raise a family,” urging the community to focus on the swift, professional response of local safety forces rather than “the negative aspects of one human’s poor choices.”​

During a bond hearing, prosecutors outlined preliminary details suggesting the shooting followed an argument in the home and requested a high bond; a $2 million bond was ultimately set, and counsel was appointed for Palermo. Future hearings, including grand jury consideration, will determine how the case proceeds.​

Presumption of innocence

Authorities stress that the filing of a criminal complaint is an allegation only and does not constitute proof of guilt. Like all criminal defendants, Robert Palermo is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law, and further information will be released as appropriate while protecting the integrity of the judicial process.​

MANSFIELD Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating a fatal single-vehicle crash that occurred early Monday morning on Interstate 71.

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MANSFIELD — The Mansfield Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating a fatal single-vehicle crash that occurred early Monday morning on Interstate 71.
According to the Patrol, the crash happened at approximately 4:38 a.m. on Monday, Dec. 29, 2025, near mile marker 166 on I-71. A 2020 white Jeep Cherokee was traveling southbound when it left the roadway, traveled down an embankment, and came to rest on Vanderbilt Road below the interstate.
The driver of the vehicle, identified as Leontine Vandyke, 81, of Marengo, Ohio, sustained injuries in the crash and was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment.
The front-seat passenger, Charlene Lagerberg, 70, of Columbus, Ohio, suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene.
Troopers reported that all roadways are currently open and traffic is flowing normally. The cause of the crash has not yet been determined, and the incident remains under investigation by the Ohio State Highway Patrol.
No additional information has been released at this time.
School bus incident captured on camera.

ASHLAND | Heroic Siblings in Northern Ohio Save School Bus Driver During Medical Emergency

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ASHLAND| A brother and sister used teamwork to save their school bus driver in Northern Ohio.

The kids were on their way to school in Ashland when the driver suffered a medical emergency.

8-year-old Catrina noticed and told the older kids on the bus, including her 14-year-old brother, Charlie.

That’s when her brother got on the radio and called for help.

“My brother, like on the inside when something’s going wrong, he’s scared, but on the outside he’s like calm and concentrated,” said Catrina Thomas.

The bus driver is now out of the hospital and recovering at home.

She said that she teaches kids how to use the radio for emergencies like this.

Surveillance video from inside a school bus shows the moment heroic students in Ashland, Ohio, helped save a bus driver in medical distress.

The quick thinking of Catrina and Charlie Thomas, students at Crestview Local Schools, has earned them praise as heroes after the incident on December 19. Their actions, captured on bus surveillance footage, highlight the importance of emergency preparedness—even among young students.

What an inspiring story of courage and sibling teamwork! Have you heard about similar acts of heroism in your community? Share below.

Charred and destroyed cars in front of a burned-down house following an intense fire.

ASHLAND — An early morning house fire has left a young Ashland family displaced just three days before Christmas,

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Charred, destroyed vehicles and smoke-damaged structure after fire incident.
Burned house with charred exterior, remnants of fire aftermath, and damaged property.
Colorful outdoor decorations adorn the house and yard.
Charred house remains and melted vehicles after fire destruction in Fostoria, Ohio.
Charred and burnt house with damaged vehicles after fire incident in Fostoria.
Charred car and burned-down structure after fire incident in Fostoria, Ohio.
A damaged white fence in Fostoria with torn sections, wet from recent rain, in a residential yard.
Charred cars and burnt remnants of a house after a fire in Fostoria, Ohio.
Charred motorcycle remains in burnt debris after fire damage.
Frost damage to inflatable fencing in Fostoria, Ohio, with winter dead foliage and damaged fabric.
Charred house and burnt vehicle after a devastating fire in Fostoria, Ohio.
ASHLAND — An early morning house fire has left a young Ashland family displaced just three days before Christmas, but amid the loss, there was a powerful blessing: everyone made it out safely.
According to Ashland Fire Department Captain Mark Miller, crews were dispatched around 1 a.m. to a structure fire at 623 Hillcrest Drive. Firefighters arrived to find the home engulfed in flames.
The Ashland Police Division, Hayesville Fire Department, and Jeromesville Fire Department all responded to assist at the scene. The American Red Cross was also called in to help the displaced family with immediate needs.
Captain Miller said the intensity of the fire was such that heat damage extended beyond the home, melting a nearby fence and causing damage to the siding of a neighboring structures.
Inside the home was a young family with three small children — a 5-year-old boy and 2-year-old twins, a boy and a girl. Captain Miller emphasized how fortunate the outcome was given the circumstances.
“It’s a blessing that no one was injured,” Miller said. “Everyone made it out of the house.”
That blessing extended to the family’s dog, who also escaped the fire safely.
While no injuries were reported, the family lost nearly everything in the blaze. With Christmas just days away, Captain Miller noted that the family now has very little left.
Fire officials continue to investigate the cause of the fire.
While there were no injuries, the loss was devastating. Family member Ashley Oxender shared that her sister and brother-in-law lost everything they owned, including both of their vehicles and all belongings inside the home.
“They have what’s on their backs,” Oxender said. “Three days before Christmas. They lost all of the kids’ Christmas presents as well.”
Oxender said the family’s three children are now in urgent need of basic necessities:
5-year-old boy:
Clothing size 6/7
Shoe size 13
Twin boy and twin girl (2 years old):
Clothing size 3T/4T
Shoe size 8–9
Sippy cups
Two high chairs, if available
Adult needs:
Men: Large shirts, pants sizes 32–34, shoe size 10
Women: Pants 16/18, shirts 2XL, sports bras 2XL
All family members are in need of socks, underwear, clothing, shoes, and everyday essentials.
Oxender said the American Red Cross has already been in contact with the family to provide assistance. She also shared an uplifting update from the community response.
The Ashland Fire Department has stepped in to take care of the children’s Christmas presents, a gesture that has brought comfort during an incredibly difficult time.
Donations can be dropped off at 1490 State Route 60 in Ashland, or arrangements can be made to meet donors within Ashland to collect items.
“Thank you for all the prayers, thoughts, and donations,” Oxender said. “It truly means everything.”
As the investigation into the cause of the fire continues, the Ashland community is once again showing that in moments of loss, compassion and generosity shine the brightest.
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