Fostoria News Portage County Sheriff Bruce Zuchowski at public records request protest.

Portage County Sheriff Bruce Zuchowski Served With Public Records Request Post Unprofessional Behavior

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Fostoria News Portage County Sheriff Bruce Zuchowski at public records request protest.

Portage County Sheriff Bruce Zuchowski is pushing back after videos from last week’s Randolph Fair circulated on social media showing confrontations in which a critic accused him of being drunk.

The clips, posted to a Facebook page called The Bad Bruce Exhibit, show Sheriff Zuchowski at the Portage County Randolph Fair interacting with William Lane, a Portage County resident and longtime critic of the sheriff’s office. In one video Lane asked whether Zuchowski had been drinking. Zuchowski pointed to a plastic bottle and said it was water. Other footage captured a tense exchange inside a fair building, including Zuchowski telling Lane, “You’re dumber than a fly. This is my space,” and Lane responding that he pays taxes and telling the sheriff to leave him alone.

Zuchowski’s office issued a statement calling the intoxication claim “absurd” and describing Lane as a recently convicted felon with a years-long personal vendetta. The office said Lane and his young son entered the sheriff’s booth on Aug. 26, started a confrontation with volunteers, and said he would return Saturday to continue harassing the sheriff, his family, and sheriff’s office staff. The office said it received tips that Lane intended to provoke an arrest or physical contact so he could file another lawsuit.

“People who know me would know that I would never drink at a fair with a firearm around kids,” Zuchowski told Cleveland 19. “I’m not even going to go through that. That’s the stuff he’s throwing on the wall to see what sticks.” The statement said numerous witnesses, including the Portage County prosecutor, confirmed the sheriff was not intoxicated or impaired.

Lane has denied he is trying to get arrested. He said he notified the fair board hours in advance that he would be there for what he called constitutionally protected activity and that his goal is accountability, not a lawsuit. “Every allegation I make, especially the ones about crimes being committed, I have receipts,” he told 19 News. “I’ve always said openly if I get information wrong show me and I’ll recant it in a heartbeat.” He rejects the “vendetta” label and says he is documenting alleged corruption.

The two men have a documented history. Lane, a Marine veteran and permitted hemp farmer, has run The Bad Bruce Exhibit since 2024. A 2023 traffic stop in which deputies searched his vehicle after reporting they smelled marijuana — Lane said it was legal CBD — produced no charges and later became the basis of a federal civil-rights suit that was dismissed. He filed a second federal lawsuit in 2025 alleging retaliation over his social media posts; mediation failed. In August 2025, Lane recorded a store encounter in which Zuchowski said, “You will regret the day you ever met me.” Lane called it a threat; the sheriff’s office said Lane approached him while recording, no threat was made, and Lane is a convicted felon on probation from a strangulation case.

Court records cited by the sheriff’s office show Lane pleaded guilty last year in Erie County to fifth-degree felony obstructing official business with risk of physical harm. Zuchowski, a former Ohio State Highway Patrol assistant post commander, was re-elected in 2024 after a contentious campaign that included a now-deleted Facebook post about Harris campaign signs and a follow-up GIF that drew national attention.

As of early September 2026, neither side has backed down. The sheriff’s office said the behavior “will no longer be tolerated or ignored.” Lane continues posting video. No independent confirmation of intoxication has been reported by local news outlets covering the fair videos.

The Fostoria Free Press submitted a Public Records Request to the sheriff’s office regarding this matter, see below:

September 4, 2026

Records Custodian
Portage County Sheriff Bruce D. Zuchowski
Portage County Sheriff’s Office
8240 Infirmary Road
Ravenna, Ohio 44266
[email protected]
Fax: 330-298-2110

Public Records Request — O.R.C. 149.43

To the person responsible for public records:

Pursuant to Ohio Revised Code § 149.43, I request electronic copies of the following existing public records in the possession of the Portage County Sheriff’s Office. This request is not for commercial purposes.

Please produce electronic copies (PDF, native email, or other electronic format) if that is the manner in which the records are maintained. If paper copies are the only option, please provide an itemized cost estimate at $0.10 per page before copying.

RECORDS REQUESTED

1. All incident reports, call-for-service records, supplemental reports, and CAD entries relating to the Portage County Randolph Fair (Randolph Fairgrounds) for the dates August 25, 2026 through August 31, 2026, in which Sheriff Bruce D. Zuchowski, Chief Deputy Ralph Spidalieri, any deputy, or William Lane is named or described.

2. All body-worn camera, in-car camera, or other official audio/video recordings created by Portage County Sheriff’s Office personnel at the Portage County Randolph Fair on August 26, 2026 and August 29, 2026. (Provide Quote for Video)

3. All written complaints, citizen complaints, internal complaints, and emails received by the Sheriff’s Office from January 1, 2024 to the present that allege:
a. intoxication, impairment, or alcohol use by Sheriff Bruce D. Zuchowski or Chief Deputy Ralph Spidalieri while on duty, armed, or at a public event;
b. threats, harassment, or unprofessional conduct by Sheriff Zuchowski or Chief Deputy Spidalieri;
c. misconduct related to William Lane or “The Bad Bruce Exhibit.”

4. All internal-affairs files, administrative investigation files, inquiry files, and disposition letters concerning Sheriff Bruce D. Zuchowski or Chief Deputy Ralph Spidalieri from January 1, 2021 to the present. If any portion is withheld as confidential law-enforcement investigatory material under R.C. 149.43(A)(1)(h) and (A)(2), produce the non-exempt portions and cite the specific statutory ground for each redaction or denial.

5. The current Portage County Sheriff’s Office policies, general orders, or SOPs on:
a. consumption of alcohol while on duty or while armed;
b. carrying a firearm at public events, fairs, or off-duty details;
c. body-worn camera and in-car camera activation and retention;
d. citizen complaints and internal-affairs investigations;
e. public-records requests.

6. The official news release or statement issued by the Sheriff’s Office on or about August 31, 2026 and September 1, 2026 concerning events at the Randolph Fair and William Lane, together with all drafts and all emails among Sheriff Zuchowski, Chief Deputy Spidalieri, and public-information or command staff that discuss that statement, dated August 26, 2026 through September 3, 2026.

7. All emails, text messages on agency-issued devices, and written correspondence from August 20, 2026 through September 3, 2026 to or from Sheriff Bruce D. Zuchowski or Chief Deputy Ralph Spidalieri that contain any of the following terms: “Lane,” “William Lane,” “drunk,” “intoxicated,” “fair,” “Randolph,” or “Bad Bruce.”

8. The Sheriff’s Office records-retention schedule currently in effect.

If any requested item does not exist, please state that in writing. If any record is withheld or redacted, provide a written explanation that includes the legal authority for each denial, as required by R.C. 149.43(B)(3). If this request is ambiguous or overly broad as to any numbered item, please contact me promptly to clarify that item rather than deny the entire request. R.C. 149.43(B)(2).

I request that you acknowledge receipt of this request and produce the records promptly, or within a reasonable period of time as required by R.C. 149.43(B)(1).

Failure to comply will result in the commencement of a Request for Writ of Mandamus in The Ohio Supreme Court pursuant to ORC 149.43(c)

Please reach out by email if you have any questions about each item in this request.

Sincerely,
The People
(Ohio Law does not require a name to be given for public records requests.)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=13E-MVxC6wQ

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Northwood Woman Honored with ‘Saved by the Belt’ Award After Surviving Ohio Crash

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Northwood Woman Honored with ‘Saved by the Belt’ Award After Surviving Ohio Crash

FREMONT, Ohio — A resident of Northwood in northwest Ohio was celebrated on Tuesday with a special state recognition for making it through a serious car accident last month, thanks to buckling up. Amy Craun was given the Ohio State Highway Patrol’s (OSHP) “Saved by the Belt” award after escaping major injuries in a September 11 collision in southwestern Sandusky County.

“Amy stands as a vivid example of how seatbelts can save lives,” OSHP Sgt. Matthew Davis noted in a press release. “Buckling up should be a habit for every single trip, no exceptions.”

As part of the honor, Craun also got a commemorative license plate. The award program, developed by the OSHP and the Ohio Department of Public Safety, highlights those who wisely choose to wear seatbelts in potentially deadly situations. OSHP data shows that 482 people lost their lives in Ohio traffic accidents last year because they weren’t using available seatbelts.

Axon Body 4 Camera integrated with an AI voice companion

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A live AI assistant body camera integrates artificial intelligence directly into a body-worn camera, allowing it to provide real-time information, support, and assistance to the wearer, often a law enforcement officer, during an incident. Examples include Axon’s Axon Assistant, which offers features like real-time translation, policy Q&A, and license plate lookups directly from the Axon Body 4 camera. These systems are designed to enhance officer safety, improve communication, speed up incident resolution, and provide a transparent record of events by reducing delays and empowering officers with critical information in the field.
 

How it works

  • Real-time information processing:
    The AI assistant processes video and audio from the body camera in real-time. 

  • AI-powered features:
    It provides various capabilities, such as:

    • Real-Time Translation: Translating conversations on the spot for officers or to create a transparent record. 
    • General Q&A: Accessing policy documents or other relevant information via voice command. 
    • Information Lookups: Performing tasks like vehicle license plate lookups or checking hotlists by connecting to external systems. 
  • Direct integration:
    The AI is placed directly on the device, making information readily accessible to the officer in the field. 

Benefits

  • Enhanced Officer Safety:
    Provides critical information quickly, helping officers make informed decisions during critical incidents. 

  • Improved Communication:
    Facilitates faster and more transparent communication by enabling real-time translation and access to information. 

  • Greater Efficiency:
    Streamlines evidence collection and communication by reducing delays and offering immediate access to data. 

  • Increased Accountability:
    Creates a detailed and accurate record of multilingual interactions and events, contributing to fairness and clarity in the justice system. 

Examples 

Seneca County Project Lifesaver: A Lifeline for At-Risk Residents

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Seneca County Project Lifesaver: A Lifeline for At-Risk Residents

Seneca County, Ohio, is home to a vital program that brings peace of mind to families caring for loved ones prone to wandering due to cognitive conditions. Operated by the Seneca County Sheriff’s Office under the leadership of Detective Misty Wheeler, Project Lifesaver is an international search and rescue initiative offered free to participants. The program provides wearable transmitters to at-risk children and adults, helping deputies locate them quickly if they wander. According to a recent article by Sheri Trusty, Seneca County Sheriff’s Office Public Relations Coordinator, the program has been a “godsend” for local families.

A Beacon of Hope for Families

For nearly 17 years, Lynn Darfus has cared for her husband, who has early onset dementia. As his condition progresses, he has begun to wander, a frightening development for any caregiver. “It’s been a godsend for us. He just recently started wandering off, and I can rest easy a little bit, knowing someone will help us when that happens,” Darfus said. Her husband is one of 19 clients enrolled in Seneca County’s Project Lifesaver, which supports individuals with conditions like autism, dementia, or Alzheimer’s disease. “Anyone with a medically diagnosed condition that makes them prone to wander qualifies for the program,” Detective Wheeler explained.

Another resident, identified only as “Linda” to protect her son’s privacy, cares for an adult son with severe autism. She regrets not knowing about the program sooner, saying, “I would have loved to have had this when he was little. He’s always been a runner.” Linda added, “I’ve been so grateful for Project Lifesaver. It puts my mind at ease.” She hopes more parents of children who wander will learn about the program, noting, “I don’t think a lot of parents know it’s available if their children are runners.”

How Project Lifesaver Works

Project Lifesaver equips participants with transmitters worn on the wrist or ankle, each emitting a unique frequency. Sheriff’s deputies carry receivers in their cruisers, which detect the transmitter’s signal, acting like a metal detector that grows stronger as it nears the missing person. This technology allows for rapid location of individuals who wander, reducing the risk of harm. Detective Wheeler visits participants’ homes approximately every 60 days to maintain the transmitters, ensuring they are clean, functional, and have fresh batteries.

“Detective Wheeler is fantastic. You couldn’t ask for anyone better,” Darfus said. “She’s very helpful, polite, and knowledgeable. You can tell she genuinely cares. I think the world of her.” Linda echoed this sentiment, calling Wheeler “great” and emphasizing the immense relief the program provides. “This has been such a major weight lifted off me. There’s no price you can put on it,” she said.

Community Support Makes It Possible

Seneca County Project Lifesaver is offered at no cost to families, thanks to the generous support of local Lions Clubs in Attica, Bascom, Bloomville, Fostoria, Old Fort, Republic, and Tiffin. “They fundraise for us so we can offer it for free,” Wheeler said. “The Lions Clubs deserve a lot of credit.” Cindy Beat, Seneca County Project Lifesaver President, was instrumental in bringing the program to the county. Inspired by her experience caring for her stepmother with dementia, Beat saw the value of the program after learning about its success in Erie County. “I thought it would be a good fit,” she said.

A Community Effort to Save Lives

The Seneca County Sheriff’s Office’s commitment to Project Lifesaver helps prevent tragic outcomes often heard in national news, where missing individuals with cognitive conditions are found far from home—or not found in time. “This program helps prevent that from happening and reduces stress on the family,” Wheeler said. Darfus agrees, stating, “Seneca County is lucky to have Project Lifesaver.”

For families like Darfus’s and Linda’s, the program is more than a safety net—it’s a source of hope and security. By combining advanced technology, dedicated law enforcement, and community support, Seneca County Project Lifesaver ensures that vulnerable residents are protected, and their families can rest a little easier.

Get Involved

To register a family member with Project Lifesaver in Seneca County, contact Detective Misty Wheeler at 419-447-3456. To support the program through donations, send checks to Seneca County Project Lifesaver at P.O. Box 812, Tiffin, OH 44883, or contact Cindy Beat at [email protected].

Source: Sheri Trusty, “Seneca County Project Lifesaver helps protect residents at risk of wandering,” Seneca County Sheriff’s Office.

Image Captions:

  • Image 1: Seneca County Sheriff’s Office Detective Misty Wheeler with one of her Project Lifesaver clients. (Submitted photo)
  • Image 2: Seneca County Sheriff’s Office Deputies carry Project Lifesaver receivers in their cruisers. (Photo by Sheri Trusty)

Fostoria Police Officer Overcomes Overdose During Traffic Stop; Two Arrested

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Fostoria Police Officer Overcomes Overdose During Traffic Stop; Two Arrested

Fostoria, Ohio – June 14, 2025 – A routine traffic stop in Fostoria turned into a life-threatening incident for one police officer, resulting in the arrest of two individuals and highlighting the dangers law enforcement officers face daily. The Fostoria Police Department released a press statement detailing the events that unfolded on June 14, 2025, at approximately 0211 hours.

The incident began when Fostoria Police Officers conducted a traffic stop in the 400 block of Columbus Ave. During the stop, officers developed a reasonable suspicion that there were possible illegal drugs in the vehicle. To investigate further, a K9 unit, Officer Jared Linding and Bandit, was called to the scene. After a positive indication by Bandit, probable cause was established, and officers began searching the vehicle for illegal substances.

During the search, Officer Brayden Moon located a white powdery substance in the purse of passenger Latoya Bowers. The substance, now presumed to be fentanyl, became airborne due to weather conditions and Officer Moon was exposed. Shortly after the exposure, Officer Moon collapsed and is believed to have suffered an overdose. Officers on the scene, Moira White and Jeremy Salaz, immediately began life-saving measures and called for EMS. Officer in Charge, Colin Taggart, arrived on the scene and administered several doses of Narcan to Officer Moon, reviving him. Officer Moon was then transported by EMS to Fostoria Community Hospital for further evaluation, where he was treated and later released.

Ms. Bowers was arrested for Corrupting Another with Drugs, ORC 2925.02, a felony of the second degree. The driver, Alex Tiell, was also arrested and charged with Complicity, ORC 2923.03, a felony of the second degree. Both Bowers and Tiell were transported to and are currently being held at the Seneca County Jail. Other charges will be filed pending further investigation and chemical testing.

Chief Gabe Wedge of the Fostoria Police Department expressed gratitude for the officers’ quick response and the life-saving training that paid off. “I cannot say enough, how proud I am of these officers and how they responded, saving a fellow officer’s life in this chaotic moment. Experience and training truly paid off, and an officer’s life was saved today because of it.”

The Fostoria Police Department continues to investigate the incident, with further updates to be provided as the case develops.

Contact:
Gabriel M. Wedge – Chief of Police
Fostoria Police Department
213 South Main Street, Fostoria, Ohio 44830-2322
Phone: (419) 435-8735

 

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