Good morning, Mansfield.

The Richland County Foundation approved $1.48 million in grants to fund health care improvements, build 90 new apartments off Cook Road and support local projects such as an air show at Mansfield Lahm Airport, park renovations at Butler and 18 CTE scholarships.

Westbrook Country Club earned third place in Golf Inc. magazine’s private Clubhouse of the Year competition with a new 34,000 sqft addition unveiled in 2025.

The clubhouse on its Donald Ross-designed course offers modern facilities and sustainability measures+ like a reflective roof and landscaped stormwater areas.

According to the Old Farmer's Almanac, El Niño is forecast to bring a drier winter in Ohio with slightly below-normal snowfall; January remains the snowiest month (snowfall amounts vary by region) and light snow may fall from mid-January to early March.

Ohio homeowners with a homestead exemption will get a one-time property tax credit of about $450-$475 on 2026 tax bills mailed in February, benefiting roughly 710,000 residents; Gov. Mike DeWine signed the measure in June to help seniors + individuals with qualifying disabilities.

Sugar, a lively 2-year-old Chihuahua rescued from a Shelby home with 75 dogs, is the News Journal Pet of the Week at the Humane Society of Richland County (3025 Park Ave West in Ontario) and is available for adoption at $175, which includes her spay.

Richland County football teams are chasing playoff hopes in Week 10 after wins by Madison, Shelby, Ontario + Clear Fork last week.

Local matchups will continue today and later this week as teams work to boost their standings.