We would like to thank the following individuals for these generous donations that will assist in future animal rescues.
Corey Roscoe for the donation of a Pet Thermometer. Corey is the Director, State Policy Volunteer Engagement, Outreach, Engagement & Training of The Humane Society.
Dominick Lesinski for donating a Micro Chip Reader. Dominick is the Client Services Director for 24Pet, a division of Pet Health Inc.
You are an asset to our community and we Thank You!
For Immediate Release Contact: Robert Denhard
July 20, 2022 614-644-3366
robert.denhard@insurance.ohio.gov
COLUMBUS – Summer is a popular time of year to be out and about enjoying the state's natural wonders, highlighted by the millions of visitors welcomed to Ohio State Parks.
To help keep everyone on the path for a good time, Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Director Mary Mertz and Ohio Department of Insurance Director Judith L. French are sharing important things to know about safety and insurance.
"There’s adventure in every direction in the Buckeye State – whether people are looking for hiking, biking, fishing, boating, or camping – one of our 75 state parks has something for everyone,” Mertz said. “It is important that people take the proper precautions for whatever activity they choose and be prepared in case the trip does not go as planned.”
Outdoor experiences can quickly derail if other elements are uncooperative. A storm or rogue campfire can wreak havoc on an RV/camper, tent, and campsite items. Theft of expensive gear, equipment, and bikes and kayaks could occur. And injuries happen.
"Review your vehicle and property insurance policies and talk with your agent about the possessions you use outdoors and if they are insured," French said. "Understand and be comfortable with your coverage amounts, coverage limitations, and the deductible levels. A deductible is the amount the policyholder pays before the insurance company pays its portion of an insured loss."
Directors Mertz and French provided the following information:
Stay Safe
Bring sunscreen, a first aid kit, water, and food.
Hiking and biking off designated trails, participating in water activities without a life jacket, and leaving campfires unattended can lead to trouble. Call 911 for help in an emergency.
Secure your valuables.
Keep campfires as far away as possible from a tent, equipment, and natural surroundings.
Do not use fuel-burning supplies in enclosed areas.
Go to ohiodnr.gov for posted guidelines and check ODNR’s social media pages for any alerts or advisories.
Review Your Insurance
Different protections may be applicable across different types of insurance policies. This includes auto, homeowners, condo, and renters insurance and specialized insurance coverage for RVs, ATVs, and watercraft when it comes to outdoor gear and equipment, watercraft, and vehicles.
Review your policies and discuss coverage approaches with an insurance agent. Shop around and compare coverage options.
Review your liability insurance, which can provide protection if you cause damage or injury, and evaluate umbrella coverage for greater financial protection.
Keep your insurance information with you. Immediately contact your insurance company or agent if an insurance situation arises.
If you suffer an injury and are worried about being out of your health plan's medical provider network, new laws protect patients from receiving and paying surprise medical bills above the patient's in-network rate from health care providers for emergency care or, in certain circumstances, unanticipated out-of-network care.
More Information
Ohio State Parks information is available on the Ohio Department of Natural Resources website, ohiodnr.gov, and the agency's social media pages. If you have insurance questions and complaints, contact the Ohio Department of Insurance at 800-686-1526, consumer.complaint@insurance.ohio.gov, and insurance.ohio.gov, where educational insurance materials are available.
June 9, 2022
As utility pole attachments such as cameras, banners and flags continue to gain popularity in many of our communities, Ohio Edison reminds the public that a formal approval process must be followed to ensure utility pole attachments, like cameras, are safe and legal.
Prior to attaching any object to Ohio Edison utility poles or equipment, the requestor must receive
approval from the company to ensure the safety of residents and utility personnel. FirstEnergy’s pole
attachment guidelines can be found here: Joint Use Policies (firstenergycorp.com)
Additionally, prior to connecting a device to Ohio Edison power lines, the requestor MUST apply for electric service for each specific location. Failure to do so creates major safety concerns and often
results in accidental theft of electricity. Only Ohio Edison is authorized to perform work on its
equipment for new service connection.
Entities interested in any attachments to Ohio Edison owned poles or equipment and/or establishing electric service for a device are encouraged to contact their Regional External Affairs representative to learn more or get the process started.
Safety is our top priority, and we look forward to continuing to work together to make our communities stronger and our customers lives brighter!
6/16/2022
(COLUMBUS, Ohio) — With the warm-weather storm season heating up, Attorney General Dave Yost is reminding Ohioans to watch out for home-repair scammers and fake charities soliciting donations on behalf of individuals affected by storms.
“Shady storm chasers make my blood boil – they look to severe weather watches and warnings to try to make a quick buck,” Yost said. “And bogus charities come from the same swamp. Their goal is to rip off people who are trying to help.
“My office works hard to show Ohioans how to spot these swindlers.”
Unscrupulous contractors travel to storm-damaged communities to offer their services to homeowners, but then perform shoddy work or no work at all. In many cases, they go door to door, claiming that they can complete the work immediately.
The Attorney General’s Office advises consumers to follow these steps to avoid home-repair scams:
Research the business. Ask for identification from the company representative; note the person’s name, address and phone number; and be cautious of any contractor who won’t provide this information. Check out the company’s reputation with the Ohio Attorney General’s Office and the Better Business Bureau. You can also search for possible previous lawsuits filed by the attorney general’s Consumer Protection Section.
Get multiple written estimates. Obtaining at least three written estimates from three distinct contractors could help you weed out bad apples. Beware of contractors that have only a few projects for you to review.
Don’t make large payments in advance. Instead, pay in increments – for example, a third at the beginning of the job, a third after half of the work is completed to your satisfaction, and the final third when the job is completed.
Get all promises in writing. Insist on a written contract detailing the costs, the work to be done, the starting and end dates, and any verbal promises made by the contractor. The contract should also note whether subcontractors will be used and whether the contractor has or will obtain the necessary licenses and permits. Insist on being provided a copy of every document you sign or initial.
Understand your cancellation rights. If the contract resulted from a door-to-door sale, you generally have three days to cancel the contract, according to Ohio’s Home Solicitation Sales Act. The seller should give you written notice of these rights.
Consider paying with a credit card. Paying with a credit card, as opposed to paying in cash, generally gives you greater protections to dispute unauthorized charges.
When it comes to making charitable donations, donors should research charities and ask questions. Donors should follow these steps to ensure that gifts are used as intended:
Visit the attorney general’s Research Charities webpage to see whether charities have complied with registration requirements, to connect with charity watchdog organizations and to learn what others say about the group. News articles and other postings can also provide useful details about groups, board members and key employees.
Request to view 990 forms, which most tax-exempt groups must file with the Internal Revenue Service. These forms describe where organizations get their funding and how they spend it.
Support familiar, established organizations with a strong track record of success and experience in dealing with natural disasters. Tragedies can sometimes prompt the creation of new charities that may or may not have the needed expertise to provide meaningful relief or run a charity effectively.
Talk with friends and family about unfamiliar solicitations. Have they heard of the group? Do they know of anyone who has been assisted by it?
Ohioans who suspect unfair sales practices or misuse of charitable resources should contact the Ohio Attorney General’s Office at www.OhioProtects.org, Charitable.OhioAGO.gov or 800-282-0515.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Hannah Hundley: 614-906-9113
Starting in July 2022, the Ashland County Sheriff’s Office will conduct the sale of all real estate subject to foreclosure on the “Official Public Sheriff Sale Website” which is operated by RealAuction based on a contract with the Ohio Department of Administrative Services.
The process and procedures under which these sales will be completed are detailed at the RealAuction website: https://ashland.sheriffsaleauction.ohio.gov. All prospective bidders should familiarize themselves with this process.
To bid on a property offered by the Ashland County Sheriff’s Office you must register with RealAuction.
RealAuction will conduct webinar training. Registrants for webinar training must contact RealAuction Customer Service at 877-361-7325 or email customerservice@realauction.com.
All sales are pursuant to the provisions of the Ohio Revised Code 2329.15. Sheriff Sales are held on scheduled Tuesday mornings at 10:00 A.M. Properties are advertised for three consecutive weeks in the Thursday edition of the Ashland Times Gazette Newspaper. This is your legal source of information. Withdrawal orders received by our office are updated as quickly as possible. Employees of the Sheriff’s Office or its affiliates do not have access to the inside of the properties. These sales are “Buyer Beware” and “Sold As Is”. Bidding will start at 2/3rds of the appraised value unless otherwise directed by the court order. To access tax records, court cases and deed information – please go to the following link: www.ashlandcounty.org.
All Real Estate Tax Sales will still be held in the lobby of the Ashland County Sheriff’s Office on scheduled Tuesdays until further notice.
We just wanted people to be aware. Beginning on May 9th there will be sales representatives from Law Enforcement Partners in our area working on the advertising for a calendar project for the Ashland County Sheriff’s Office. The company’s information is as follows:
Law Enforcement Partners
2530 Scottsville Road, Suite 6
Bowling Green, KY 42104
The representatives that will be in the area are:
Linda Mann
Katie Nunley
If you have any questions or problems, feel free to contact our office.
Thank you.
The METRICH Enforcement Unit and The Ashland County Sheriff’s Office are pleased to announce the release of the “METRICH App” for public use. The METRICH App is available for both Apple and Android devices. The App will provide useful information to the public such as drug education, addiction resources, and helpful links. Users will be able to view press releases, and calendar events which are tailored to the specific counties within the METRICH region along with providing the availability to citizens to submit direct tips to METRICH detectives while remaining anonymous.
The METRICH Enforcement Unit App is the first of its kind to be used by a drug taskforce within the state of Ohio. They hope citizens within the METRICH region will take full advantage of this new platform and together they can reduce the availability of drugs that enter our community daily.
Counties within the network include Ashland, Crawford, Hancock, Huron, Knox, Marion, Morrow, Richland, Seneca and Wyandot counties. The METRICH App is not meant to be used for emergency situations. If you have an emergency, please call 911. To download the app search for METRICH in the Apple App Store or Google Play.
Ohio is home to one of the largest Amish populations in the world, with many of the state's Amish communities located in northeast Ohio. It is estimated that over 36,000 Amish citizens live in Holmes County and its adjacent counties, where tourism draws millions of visitors each year.
Members of the Old Order Amish communities do not drive motorized vehicles or farm equipment, instead relying on horse-drawn buggies. Motorists must remain cautious as they share roads and highways with buggies or other horse-drawn equipment in Amish communities.
Buggies and horse-drawn equipment
Normal speeds for horse-drawn buggies range between five and eight miles per hour. Horse-drawn vehicles may travel even slower when pulling large farm equipment or when crossing intersections.
Reflective slow-moving vehicle signs, shown to the right, are mounted to the back of farm equipment and animal-drawn buggies to warn motorists of their slow traveling speeds.
The potential for restricted vision for horse-drawn vehicle drivers should also be considered. When pulling large loads of hay or other equipment, horse-drawn vehicle drivers may not be able to see cars behind them.
Automobile drivers should be extremely cautious when passing buggies and horse-drawn equipment. Motorists should pass only when legal and safe. Before passing, anticipate any left hand turns into fields and driveways, and when passing, allow plenty of room. Horses are unpredictable and passing cars may frighten even the most road-safe horses.
When approaching a stop sign or traffic light, motorists should leave extra space – at least 10 to 12 feet – between their car and horse-drawn equipment stopped in front of them. Buggies may back up a few feet after coming to a complete stop.
While traveling behind moving horse-drawn vehicles, motorists should be aware of their closure time. Closure time is the time a driver has to recognize and respond when coming upon other vehicles. Drivers have much less time and distance to react to slow-moving vehicles than other automobiles.
Many Amish communities are located in the rolling hills of rural northeast Ohio. In addition to the state and federal highway system, rural roadways are important connections for the communities and tourists alike.
Rural roads are often narrower or may vary in width more than city streets. Narrow roadways provide less room to maneuver and can be especially dangerous when passing horse-drawn vehicles.
A loose gravel or grass berm area can also be hazardous.
Open ditches along rural roads are often deep and close to the road.
Seemingly open roadways may have sharp dips or unexpected turns.
In cold weather, a road shaded by trees or buildings may be especially icy.
Blind corners created by wooded areas, corn fields or other tall crops are also hazardous.
Today, we mourn the loss of Retired Sheriff Kenneth W. Etzwiler. Sheriff Etzwiler served as the 34th Sheriff in Ashland County from 1973-1992.
Kenneth William Etzwiler, 86 of Ashland passed away early Thursday, August 5, 2021 in the Good Shepherd Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.
He was born on December 22, 1934 in Loudonville the son of the late William and Mary Margaret (Stouffer) Etzwiler. Kenny was a 1952 graduate of Loudonville High School. He proudly served in the United States Army. Kenny married the former Louise Swainhart on September 23, 1967.
He retired in 1992 after more than 20 years as the 34th Ashland County Sherriff. He was previously employed as a Sergeant with the Loudonville Police Department and a Trooper with the Ohio State Highway Patrol.
Throughout his life he was an avid animal lover. Kenny along with his wife, Louise raised dogs and enjoyed both the outdoors and wildlife.
He was a former member of Trinity Lutheran Church, Ashland Eagles Aerie #2178, Moose Lodge #1383, Elks Lodge #1360, Post #88 of the American Legion, Ashland County Conservation League, and the Buckeye State Sherriff’s Association.
Kenny is survived by one daughter, Candice Cranmore of Tiffin; two sons, Kim (Cathy) Johnston of Phoenix, Arizona and Kirk (Mindy) Johnston of Ashland; four grandchildren, Jamie (Rick) Brightbill of Ashland, Stacey Cranmore of Georgia, Jeff Johnston of Phoenix, Arizona and Kari (Chad) Emmons of Ashland; six great grandchildren, Morgan Cranmore, Carter and Clair Brightbill, and Hayes, Lyla, and Reed Emmons; one sister-in-law, Beverly Richardson of Loudonville; and one brother-in-law, Ted (Patty) Swainhart of Perrysville.
In addition to his parents, Kenny is preceded in death by his wife of 51 years, Mrs. Louise Etzwiler who passed on September 27, 2018; three brothers, Weldon, Larry, and Leland Etzwiler; one sister, Eileen Deibler; one granddaughter, Jody Cranmore; two sisters-law, Norma Paullin and Carol Waddell; one brother-in-law, Roger Swainhart; and a son-in-law, Dan Cranmore.
Funeral services will be held, Friday, August 13, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. in the Denbow-Gasche Funeral Home with Reverend Kevin McClain officiating. Interment will follow in the Miller Cemetery where the Ashland Veteran’s Honor Guard will conduct full military honors. Friends may call one hour prior to the service from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Associated Charities, 240 Cleveland Avenue, Ashland, Ohio or to Ashland County Humane Society, 1710 Garfield Avenue, Ashland, Ohio 44805.
For those unable to attend, online condolences may be shared on the funeral home’s website at denbowfh.com.
Denbow-Gasche Funeral Home & Crematory is handling the arrangements.
COLUMBUS, OHIO – The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) has established a new toll-free number for individuals to notify the agency if they believe their personal information was compromised and used to file a fraudulent unemployment claim: (833) 658-0394. This number is staffed by 50 dedicated, cross-trained customer service representatives, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. One way victims have been discovering identity theft is by receiving an IRS 1099-G form for unemployment benefits that were never received.
The phone number complements a secure online portal ODJFS established last month to provide a direct way for victims to report identity theft. Individuals who believe their identity was stolen and used to file a fraudulent unemployment claim can visit unemployment.ohio.gov, click on the “Report Identity Theft” button and follow the guidance for individuals. This includes three steps: 1. Complete the reporting form, 2. File your taxes with IRS guidance, and 3. Protect your identity.
Identity theft is a widespread national challenge. Many Ohioans have become victims, and their identities used to file fraudulent unemployment claims in both the traditional unemployment and Pandemic Unemployment Assistance programs. Last month, ODJFS issued 1.7 million 1099-G tax forms to individuals in whose names unemployment benefits were paid in 2020. Many of those individuals were never paid unemployment benefits and did not know their identity had been compromised until they received a 1099-G form.
Unemployment Fraud Tips:
With the increased claim volumes due to the COVID19 closures, the state has seen a significant uptick in identity theft-based unemployment fraud.
If it is fraud, we suggest that the individual file a police report, place a fraud alert on their credit report and notify the Ohio Department of Jobs and Family services.
For general information on how to respond to identity theft, please see the below link. You can also submit a report at a federal level of this unemployment fraud on this site.
Website: https://identitytheft.gov/
The information to contact the Ohio Department of Jobs and Family services is below. Ohio Fraud: 1-800-686-1555 or https://odjfs2.secure.force.com/OUIOFraudReportingPortal
To put a credit freeze or credit monitoring on your accounts, please see the Credit Reporting Agency Phone Numbers and Website Information:
Equifax – (800) 685‐1111 or https://www.equifax.com/personal/credit-report-services/credit-freeze/
Experian – (888) 397‐3742 or https://www.experian.com/help/
TransUnion – (888) 909‐8872 or https://www.transunion.com/credit-freeze/
Thousands of people have lost millions of dollars and their personal information to tax scams. Scammers use the regular mail, telephone, or email to set up individuals, businesses, payroll and tax professionals.
The IRS doesn't initiate contact with taxpayers by email, text messages or social media channels to request personal or financial information. Recognize the telltale signs of a scam.
Taxpayers should be on the lookout for new variations of tax-related scams. In the latest twist on a scam related to Social Security numbers, scammers claim to be able to suspend or cancel the victim’s SSN. It’s yet another attempt by con artists to frighten people into returning ‘robocall’ voicemails.
Scammers may mention overdue taxes in addition to threatening to cancel the person’s SSN. If taxpayers receive a call threatening to suspend their SSN for an unpaid tax bill, they should just hang up.
Make no mistake…it’s a scam.
Taxpayers should not give out sensitive information over the phone unless they are positive they know the caller is legitimate. When in doubt –hang up. Here are some telltale signs of this scam. The IRS and its authorized private collection agencies will never:
Call to demand immediate payment using a specific payment method such as a prepaid debit card, iTunes gift card or wire transfer. The IRS does not use these methods for tax payments.
Ask a taxpayer to make a payment to a person or organization other than the U.S. Treasury.
Threaten to immediately bring in local police or other law-enforcement groups to have the taxpayer arrested for not paying.
Demand taxes be paid without giving the taxpayer the opportunity to question or appeal the amount owed.
At present, the IRS does not accept bitcoin directly for paying tax obligations.
Taxpayers who don’t owe taxes and have no reason to think they do should:
Report the call to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration.
Report the caller ID and callback number to the IRS by sending it to phishing@irs.gov. The taxpayer should write “IRS Phone Scam” in the subject line.
Report the call to the Federal Trade Commission. When reporting it, they should add “IRS Phone Scam” in the notes.
Taxpayers who owe tax or think they do should:
View tax account information online at IRS.gov to see the actual amount owed and review their payment options.
Call the number on the billing notice
Call the IRS at 800-829-1040.
The Ashland County Sheriff’s Office has received Full Compliance Ohio Collaborative Law Enforcement Agency Certification status on EXEC ORDER (SAFE POLICING FOR SAFE COMMUNITIES) standards. This certification serves as a reminder of this agency's commitment to law enforcement and the community it serves.
Agencies are required to maintain Self-Certification compliance on an annual basis. Each year agencies shall maintain annual compliance documentation for all standards developed by the Ohio Collaborative Community-Police Advisory Board. This documentation is maintained by the agency and available for review by an Ohio Collaborative Law Enforcement Certification representative upon request. This compliance documentation permits each agency to prove it is complying with policy on an annual basis.
This certification would not be possible without the fine efforts of the Deputies, Corrections Officers, Detectives, Dispatchers, Administrative Staff and Maintenance Crew that keep this facility running day in and day out. And none of that would be possible without the support of the citizens of Ashland County, for which, We THANK YOU !!
Are you receiving public safety alerts? In the event of an emergency or tornado warning, an alert will be sent to the phone number(s) you provide and/or your email address. You can choose to receive a text or a voice message. Click the link, fill out the form and submit. It is that easy.
Did you know that Mental Health & Recovery Board of Ashland County has a page of resources for Older Adults? It’s part of the Older Adult Behavioral Health Coalition. Here is a link to it below FYI. Resources included but not limited to: Council on Aging newsletter, Area Agency of Aging Home delivered meals info, Coronavirus Disease 2019 CDC information, link to Council on Aging’s website, Staying Connected (Check in Program for 60 and over), many other resources.
Click the Link: Older Adult Behavioral Health Coalition Resources
The U.S. Secret Service has seen an alarming recent trend in counterfeit notes passed in the U.S.
Motion Picture notes and notes with foreign writing have grown significantly. These notes account for 12 percent of all counterfeit passed in the U.S. last fiscal year; current passing levels indicate that number will unequivocally grow this year.
Motion Picture and Foreign Writing notes have been identified in all current denominations. The foreign writing may be in large, bright colors, or in smaller typeset on the front or back of the note and in various languages, including Mandarin Chinese, Russian, and Turkish.
Motion Picture Notes and Foreign Writing notes generally do not contain a watermark, optical varying ink, micro printing or fluorescing security strip. Because the words “For Motion Picture Use Only” (or similar phrases) are often clearly written on the Motion Picture notes and because Foreign Writing notes often brightly display the foreign writing (such as Chinese characters), these notes can be easily recognized as fakes with just a quick glance.
If anyone attempt’s to pass one of these counterfeit notes (see samples below), please obtain as much information, as you can do so SAFELY, about the individual(s) and contact the Sheriff’s Office or your local Police Department.
Ashland County Sheriff’s Office
1205 East Main Street
Ashland, OH 44805
The contents contained on this website are not a public record. There is no guarantee that posted information will be available in the future.
Non-Emergency/Speak with a Deputy (24/7):
(419) 289-3911
Corrections Division (24/7):
(419) 281-9009
Main Reception (M-F, 8am to 4pm):
(419) 289-6552
Fax Number:
(419) 281-2060
E-Mail:
sheriff@ashlandcountysheriff.org
Submit a Tip:
http://metrich.com/submit-a-tip.php
Website Administrator:
webadmin@ashlandcountysheriff.org
