Good morning, Mansfield.

Destination Mansfield-Richland County held its annual tourism meeting today at the Historic Ohio State Reformatory where local leaders celebrated 2024’s big events and previewed 2025 plans such as the new facilities at Ohio Bird Sanctuary — award winners were honored for their contributions to boosting local tourism. Attendees reviewed the successes that increased visitor spending and job growth in the region.

Pooch Patrol, a family-operated dog boarding facility, opened Thursday at 1415 S.

Lexington-Springmill Road in Mansfield—with a ribbon cutting ceremony marking the new business launch.

The Humane Society of Richland County will pursue animal cruelty charges against the former owners after the Mansfield PD responded on May 3rd to a neighbor report—an abandoned and emaciated young puppy named Ezekiel was found locked in a crate and given urgent veterinary care.

Richland Academy of the Arts added four music teachers — Mickey Quimby, Megan Potter, Christian Watson, and Robert Futrell — to expand its music programs and support its Empower the Arts Capital Campaign.

The new instructors bring strong experience in music education and performance to help modernize the academy’s offerings for local students.

Mid-Ohio Educational Service Center hosted its second annual Vision Student Networking Day on May 9 to connect 16 students with visual impairments from 11 districts—providing hands-on adaptive learning experiences and a creative art session led by professional illustrator David Spencer. The event aligned with each student's Individualized Education Program to support social, vocational and independent living skills.

High school juniors and seniors from Richland, Crawford and Morrow counties joined the first Speech Pathologist Mentoring Program by the Mid-Ohio Educational Service Center to earn 60 hours of career training including job shadowing, tool development and college coursework information. The program offered a $500 stipend to each mentee and was celebrated with a ceremony on May 8 — marking a key milestone in local career education.

Richland County Children Services will host a foster parent recruitment event on June 11 from 5 to 8 p.m. at 731 Scholl Road—if it rains, it will move to Malabar Intermediate School at 205 W.

Cook Road—and offer free food, games, prizes and live music from a balloon artist and The Oolong Gurus.

ParaPsyCon VI

10:00 AM – 2:30 AM — The Ohio State Reformatory — Ticket prices vary — Experience a weekend filled with paranormal speakers, vendors, and self-guided tours.

Youth Strings Spring Concert

3:30-5 p.m. — Renaissance Theatre — Free entry — Celebrate the talent of young musicians in an inspiring seasonal finale performance.

The Mayor’s Show: Rising Artists of Mid-Ohio

9 AM – 8 PM — Mansfield Richland County Public Library — Free entry — Celebrate local artistic talent in a vibrant public art exhibition featuring top award winners.

Peace on My Block Party

5:30-9 p.m. — Arlin Field — Free entry — Celebrate community with games, activities, and a fireworks show featuring Miss Ohio and a fighter jet flyover.

Group Sound Bath Experience

7-8 p.m. — Mansfield shotokan dojo and sales LLC — Bring your own mat — Unwind and de-stress with soothing sounds from various instruments.

Final Friday Concert Series

5:30-10:30 p.m. — The Brickyard in the Carrousel District — Free entry — Enjoy a night of live music with three acts and refreshments available for purchase.

NAMIWalks Richland County

8 AM – 12 PM — Ontario Marshall Park — Fundraiser entry — Participate in a 5K to support mental health initiatives in the community.

Summer Fun Camp at North Lake Park

9 a.m.-3 p.m. — North Lake Park — Registration required — A fun-filled program for children ages 6-11 this summer.

Kingwood 5K Run

9:00-11:00 a.m. — Kingwood Center Gardens — Registration $25, walk-up $30 — Participate in a chip-timed race benefiting gardening and education programs while enjoying the beautiful grounds.