Articles by Joe Di Lullo
Meet Your Neighbor: Josh Crosswhite takes pride in cutting hair and community service
Show Caption Hide Caption Participants in the Reno Works program receive free haircuts In an effort to help prepare them for job interviews, Caliber Hair & Makeup Studio in Midtown Reno offered free haircuts to participants in the Reno Works program. CRESTLINE — A second-generation barber keeps on clipping in Crestline. His small-town barbershop led to a second location with the same name in Willard.
Meet Your Neighbor: Galion brothers have high hopes for their growing business
Joe Di Lullo August 12, 2024 at 5:02 AM·3 min read GALION — Two brothers are each others’ keeper. They seek the good of the other — especially as they tend to their lawn care business. Meet your neighbors, Michael and Brayden Drake, owners of Drake’s Lawn Care and upperclassmen at Galion High School.
Brummage witnesses firsthand the positive impact of Richland County Transit
People might not realize it, but they can catch a bus ride to the Richland County Fair through Saturday. Enjoy your time before you go by riding Richland County Transit with your friendly West Fourth Street, Route 9 driver, who regularly drops folks off at the fairgrounds. Meet your neighbor, Tim Brummage, who worked at RCT in the 1980s as a mechanic’s helper. "Altogether, I’ve been with Richland County Transit for nearly 12 years,” he said, adding he will celebrate 10 years as a driver Sept. 2.
Brummage witnesses firsthand the positive impact of Richland County Transit Original
People might not realize it, but they can catch a bus ride to the Richland County Fair through Saturday. Enjoy your time before you go by riding Richland County Transit with your friendly West Fourth Street, Route 9 driver, who regularly drops folks off at the fairgrounds. Meet your neighbor, Tim Brummage, who worked at RCT in the 1980s as a mechanic’s helper. "Altogether, I’ve been with Richland County Transit for nearly 12 years,” he said, adding he will celebrate 10 years as a driver Sept. 2.
Meet Your Neighbor: Pharmacist Lisa Thomas knows how to use her gift for gab
Joe Di Lullo July 29, 2024 at 5:16 AM·2 min read CRESTLINE − A local pharmacist has a knack for remembering the names of her patients and treating them like family. Meet your neighbor Lisa Thomas is a native of Wooster and resident of Richland County for nearly 26 years. Her grandmother taught her how to treat people, and it’s stuck with her. "If you learned someone’s name say hello so-and-so and when they left, thank you so-and so," she said.
Meet Your Neighbor: Pharmacist Lisa Thomas knows how to use her gift for gab Original
Thomas makes it a mission to make customers feel welcome and educated about their Rx Show Caption Hide Caption Why is the FTC planning to sue big pharmacy benefits managers? An interim report from the FTC claims PBMs profit at the expense of patients and independent stores by chasing higher-priced drugs for larger rebates. CRESTLINE − A local pharmacist has a knack for remembering the names of her patients and treating them like family.
Meet Your Neighbor: Chris Korbas ends 40 years of volunteer service for the City of Shelby
Joe Di Lullo July 22, 2024 at 5:07 AM·2 min read SHELBY — Fighting fires requires bravery and a thirst for excitement. While some firefighters are paid, volunteer firefighters are needed more than ever. Meet your neighbor, Chris Korbas, a recently retired 40-year volunteer firefighter with the Shelby Fire Department. Korbas became a volunteer firefighter along with one of his best friends in 1984. “I just retired last month,” Korbas said.
Meet Your Neighbor: Chris Korbas ends 40 years of volunteer service for the City of Shelby Original
Show Caption Hide Caption Former fire chief killed at Trump rally protecting family honored The Buffalo Township Volunteer Fire Department has draped Corey Comperatore's gear in black and displayed it as a memorial at the firehouse. SHELBY — Fighting fires requires bravery and a thirst for excitement. While some firefighters are paid, volunteer firefighters are needed more than ever. Meet your neighbor, Chris Korbas, a recently retired 40-year volunteer firefighter with the Shelby Fire Department.
Meet Your Neighbor: Chris Korbas ends 40 years of volunteer service for the City of Shelby
Meet Your Neighbor: Chris Korbas ends 40 years of volunteer service for the City of Shelby SHELBY — Fighting fires requires bravery and a thirst for excitement. While some firefighters are paid, volunteer firefighters are needed more than ever. Meet your neighbor, Chris Korbas, a recently retired 40-year volunteer firefighter with the Shelby Fire Department. Korbas became a volunteer firefighter along with one of his best friends in 1984. “I just retired last month,” Korbas said.
Meet Your Neighbor: Lexington's Murrays share their testimony after challenging pregnancy Original
Show Caption Hide Caption Watch parents surprise their daughter with news she's been waiting for These parents surprised their daughter on her 10th birthday with the news of their pregnancy, something she’s been waiting for her entire life. LEXINGTON — Imagine naming your baby girl Mia but not knowing if she would survive the pregnancy. Meet your neighbors and lifelong residents of Richland County, Grayson and Lori Murray.
Meet Your Neighbor: Lexington's Murrays share their testimony after challenging pregnancy
LEXINGTON — Imagine naming your baby girl Mia but not knowing if she would survive the pregnancy. Meet your neighbors and lifelong residents of Richland County, Grayson and Lori Murray. The couple were already parents to Vera when they vacationed in Florida during Christmas break last year. Throughout the vacation, Grayson kept teasing Lori about getting pregnant because they had just had Vera. She eventually took a pregnancy test, and it was positive. They were very excited with the news.
Meet Your Neighbor: Crestline's Keller Ranch is a family affair
CRESTLINE — A new cattle ranch has grown into a labor of love. Meet Your Neighbors, Jeremy and Ashli Keller, partners in Keller Ranch. It all started after Jeremy’s father, Frank Keller, talked to his granddaughter, Saylor, about trying to get some animals. That evolved into the purchase of two Highland cattle. “It got contagious. We all fell in love with them,” Jeremy noted. “From there it escalated quickly.
Meet Your Neighbor: Crestline's Keller Ranch is a family affair Original
Show Caption Hide Caption 6 Of The Smartest Dog Breeds You Should Know About Dogs are often much more intelligent than we humans give them credit for. Here are six of the smartest dog breeds and their positive traits. Australian Cattle Dog. Australian cattle dogs, like many other herding breeds, are good at solving problems. Papillon. The Papillon, also known as the Continental Toy Spaniel, is a clever breed that loves to be taught new tricks. German Shepherd.
At Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, operations manager Dave Schwall found a perfect outdoor job
Show Caption Hide Caption Scott Dixon talks about his Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio win Chip Ganassi Racing's Scott Dixon won the 2019 Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio. LEXINGTON — Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course will rev its engines to celebrate America’s independence July 5-7 when the Honda Indy 200 is run. The 80-lap NTT IndyCar race is the biggest of the season for the track and its staff. Meet your neighbor and operations manager for the sports car course, Dave Schwall.
Meet Your Neighbor: Dr. Marissa Miller 'discovers' a home in Shelby
Joe Di Lullo June 22, 2024 at 4:00 PM·4 min read SHELBY — Dentists have an eye for teeth. Cellists have an ear for music. The latter brought an ambitious cellist here, but the former keeps a local dentist practicing her art. Meet your neighbor and native of central Maryland, Dr. Marissa Miller. After graduating high school in the mid-'90s, Miller chose to attend at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, because there was a professor of cello with whom she wanted to study.
Meet Your Neighbor: Dr. Marissa Miller 'discovers' a home in Shelby Original
SHELBY — Dentists have an eye for teeth. Cellists have an ear for music. The latter brought an ambitious cellist here, but the former keeps a local dentist practicing her art. Meet your neighbor and native of central Maryland, Dr. Marissa Miller. After graduating high school in the mid-'90s, Miller chose to attend at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, because there was a professor of cello with whom she wanted to study.
Meet Your Neighbor: Charles Marlow of Lexington says he lets his faith guide his life
LEXINGTON ― Valentine’s Day is in the rearview mirror, but a 42-year-old is still celebrating 24 years of love and marriage. Meet Your Neighbor, Charles Marlow, training coordinator with Charter Next Generation. Marlow and his wife, Anna, were married when they both were 18 and have known each other since they were 12. They are blessed with three children ― Keandre, Zavier and Laila ― ranging in age from 18 to 23. They have one grandchild, Lilliana.
Meet Your Neighbor: Shelly Krystofik finds her niche for creating fun at the library
SHELBY — Don’t step on his "blue suede shoes" Thursday. That's when an Elvis Presley impersonator will be at Shelby’s Marvin Memorial Library thanks to its adult programming coordinator. Meet your neighbor, Shelly Krystofik, a native of Shelby and employee of the library for the past 23 years. The Shelby Schools alum found her niche in creating events for adults. “All of the adult programming events are on Wednesday nights, either at 5 or 6,” said Krystofik.
Cody Adkins shares his creativity through film and much more
Show Caption Hide Caption 'Twisters': See the movie trailer for Universal Pictures' 2024 sequel View the trailer for 'Twisters' starring Glen Powell, Daisy Edgar-Jones, Kiernan Shipka, David Corenswet, Maura Tierney and Katy O'Brian. "Quiet on the set. Action!" Making movies since his childhood, a lifelong local is hitting his stride. Meet your neighbor and man of various talents, Cody Adkins.
Meet Your Neighbor: Colony Club president seeks new members to carry on the tradition
Joe Di Lullo May 13, 2024 at 4:17 AM·2 min read The 85th anniversary of the Colony Club is next year, but the warmth of the club’s president is available immediately. Meet Your Neighbor and president of the women’s club, Ann Rinehart. Beginning in 1940, the mission of the group has remained consistent. "Women’s fellowship and the welfare of the women and children in the area,” Rinehart said.
Meet Your Neighbor: Farming, family and volunteering are a natural fit for Adam Paynter
Joe Di Lullo Farmers' Advance SHELBY − Organic farming in rural Shelby or physical therapy in Bucyrus? A local resident born and raised in rural Crestline does both. Meet your neighbor, Adam Paynter, a third generation farmer and physical therapist with Avita Health System. Adam was taught the art of farming by his father, Dave Paynter. The Paynter Family Organic Farm in rural Crestline was certified organic in 1996 where they raise grain, organic-fed beef, cattle and poultry.
Mansfield-area author Mark Sebastian Jordan brings Richland County's history to life
Show Caption Hide Caption Kids seem to prefer storybooks that explain how and why It’s no surprise that children are constantly asking the question “why?” Research has now shown that children prefer to read books that explain how and why things happen.
Meet Your Neighbor: Mansfield's Nelson Shogren enjoys life on two wheels
Show Caption Hide Caption Ultimate Guide to Bike Safety This video covers essential tips and guidelines for bicyclists, including proper helmet usage, signaling techniques, and awareness of traffic rules. Summertime is a great time to ride your bike but also a good reminder for kids to be safe. Meet your neighbor Nelson Shogren, a bike safety and education volunteer at various Mansfield City Schools since 2015.
Meet Your Neighbor: Farming, family and volunteering are a natural fit for Adam Paynter
Paynter finds time gentleman farming when his day job is done Joe Di Lullo Special to the Mansfield News Journal SHELBY − Organic farming in rural Shelby or physical therapy in Bucyrus? A local resident born and raised in rural Crestline does both. Meet your neighbor, Adam Paynter, a third generation farmer and physical therapist with Avita Health System. Adam was taught the art of farming by his father, Dave Paynter.
Meet Your Neighbor: Farming, family and volunteering are a natural fit for Adam Paynter Original
Paynter finds time gentleman farming when his day job is done Joe Di Lullo Special to the Mansfield News Journal SHELBY − Organic farming in rural Shelby or physical therapy in Bucyrus? A local resident born and raised in rural Crestline does both. Meet your neighbor, Adam Paynter, a third generation farmer and physical therapist with Avita Health System. Adam was taught the art of farming by his father, Dave Paynter.
Meet Your Neighbor: Farming, family and volunteering are a natural fit for Adam Paynter
Paynter finds time gentleman farming when his day job is done Joe Di Lullo Special to the Mansfield News Journal SHELBY − Organic farming in rural Shelby or physical therapy in Bucyrus? A local resident born and raised in rural Crestline does both. Meet your neighbor, Adam Paynter, a third generation farmer and physical therapist with Avita Health System. Adam was taught the art of farming by his father, Dave Paynter.
Meet Your Neighbor: Farming, family and volunteering are a natural fit for Adam Paynter
SHELBY − Organic farming in rural Shelby or physical therapy in Bucyrus? A local resident born and raised in rural Crestline does both. Meet your neighbor, Adam Paynter, a third generation farmer and physical therapist with Avita Health System. Adam was taught the art of farming by his father, Dave Paynter. The Paynter Family Organic Farm in rural Crestline was certified organic in 1996 where they raise grain, organic-fed beef, cattle and poultry.
Meet Your Neighbor: Fundraising and 4-H go hand-in-hand for this Galion woman Original
Joe Di Lullo Special to the Mansfield News Journal GALION — Summer is still a few months away, but one lifelong area resident craves the busy time. Meet your neighbor Donnetta Lester, an outgoing advocate for community engagement. Lester joined Dairy Maids and Gents 4-H Club at age 7, but as soon as she aged out she became an advisor and livestock committee member.
Meet Your Neighbor: Fundraising and 4-H go hand-in-hand for this Galion woman
Joe Di Lullo April 8, 2024 at 2:09 AM·2 min read GALION — Summer is still a few months away, but one lifelong area resident craves the busy time. Meet your neighbor Donnetta Lester, an outgoing advocate for community engagement. Lester joined Dairy Maids and Gents 4-H Club at age 7, but as soon as she aged out she became an advisor and livestock committee member.
Meet Your Neighbor: Fundraising and 4-H go hand-in-hand for this Galion woman
Joe Di Lullo Special to the Mansfield News Journal GALION — Summer is still a few months away, but one lifelong area resident craves the busy time. Meet your neighbor Donnetta Lester, an outgoing advocate for community engagement. Lester joined Dairy Maids and Gents 4-H Club at age 7, but as soon as she aged out she became an advisor and livestock committee member.
Meet Your Neighbor: Mansfield High senior has a passion for art, math and the carrousel
Joe Di Lullo April 1, 2024 at 5:12 AM·2 min read Over the past month, a local student has been volunteering on Sundays at Richland Carrousel Park in downtown Mansfield. Meet your neighbor, Sophie Henderson, a senior at Mansfield Senior High School. “I’ve been volunteering to help out with the Easter pictures,” said Henderson, who is involved with the National Honor Society.
Meet Your Neighbor: Mansfield High senior has a passion for art, math and the carrousel Original
Show Caption Hide Caption How to Access the eNewspaper How to access over 200 local eNewspapers across the USA TODAY Network. Over the past month, a local student has been volunteering on Sundays at Richland Carrousel Park in downtown Mansfield. Meet your neighbor, Sophie Henderson, a senior at Mansfield Senior High School. “I’ve been volunteering to help out with the Easter pictures,” said Henderson, who is involved with the National Honor Society.
Meet Your Neighbor: Mansfield High senior has a passion for art, math and the carrousel
Over the past month, a local student has been volunteering on Sundays at Richland Carrousel Park in downtown Mansfield. “I’ve been volunteering to help out with the Easter pictures,” said Henderson, who is involved with the National Honor Society. "We usually participate in any volunteer hours that they do here.” As a soon-to-be graduate in May, Henderson stays busy. “I have a job (at Besta Fasta); it’s so great. I work a lot. I read a lot. I draw,” she said. Henderson also enjoys being creative.
Meet Your Neighbor: Owen Niese carries on family tradition with Shelby Knights of Columbus
Joe Di Lullo March 24, 2024 at 4:16 AM·4 min read Measure Up, the Shelby Knights of Columbus #1968's annual campaign to support Richland Newhope, is nearly upon us. Owen Niese, grand knight of the council, said the campaign will be April 5-6. The Measure Up campaign has Knights from the council stand outside Shelby businesses and collect cash donations for Richland Newhope, the county agency responsible for serving people with developmental disabilities.
Meet Your Neighbor: Owen Niese carries on family tradition with Shelby Knights of Columbus Original
Show Caption Hide Caption Challenges Americans deal with when it comes to health care A new poll from KFF finds that health care is the expense category which Americans worry most about not being able to afford. Measure Up, the Shelby Knights of Columbus #1968's annual campaign to support Richland Newhope, is nearly upon us. Owen Niese, grand knight of the council, said the campaign will be April 5-6.
Meet Your Neighbor: Crestline's Dr. Sarah Metzger on life as a mom and a physician
Joe Di Lullo March 18, 2024 at 5:30 AM·3 min read CRESTLINE — A wife and devoted mother serves God’s kingdom as a family physician. Nine hearts unite her family in Crestline. Meet your neighbor, Dr. Sarah Metzger, whose office is at 330 Seltzer St. in downtown Crestline. Long before she decided to become a family doctor, Metzger thought she’d become a large animal veterinarian.
Meet Your Neighbor: Crestline's Dr. Sarah Metzger on life as a mom and a physician
CRESTLINE — A wife and devoted mother serves God’s kingdom as a family physician. Nine hearts unite her family in Crestline. Meet your neighbor, Dr. Sarah Metzger, whose office is at 330 Seltzer St. in downtown Crestline. Long before she decided to become a family doctor, Metzger thought she’d become a large animal veterinarian.
Meet Your Neighbor: Shelby church leader Martha Tidball has lifelong passion for stage
SHELBY ― A new resident of Richland County has been the director of music and liturgy at Most Pure Heart of Mary Catholic Church since August. Meet your neighbor Martha Tidball, a passionate leader eager to spread the faith. The liturgical year comprises six seasons, according to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Lent, Sacred Paschal Triduum and Easter Sunday are the busiest, said Tidball, despite all the activity during Christmas.
Mayor Linda Horning-Pitt's ancestral roots deep in Crestline OH area
You may drive on Horning Road and Stein Road in Richland County everyday but never knew their history ― until now. The roads are named for ancestors of Crestline’s current mayor. Meet your neighbor Linda Horning-Pitt, who began her second four-year term as mayor of Crestline after winning re-election in November. Joseph Horning, or Hornung, as it was spelled in his ancestral homeland of Muggensturm, Germany, arrived in America in 1846 with his wife, Katerina.
Mayor Linda Horning-Pitt's ancestral roots deep in Crestline OH area Original
You may drive on Horning Road and Stein Road in Richland County everyday but never knew their history ― until now. The roads are named for ancestors of Crestline’s current mayor. Meet your neighbor Linda Horning-Pitt, who began her second four-year term as mayor of Crestline after winning re-election in November. Joseph Horning, or Hornung, as it was spelled in his ancestral homeland of Muggensturm, Germany, arrived in America in 1846 with his wife, Katerina.
Mayor Linda Horning-Pitt's ancestral roots deep in Crestline OH area
You may drive on Horning Road and Stein Road in Richland County everyday but never knew their history ― until now. The roads are named for ancestors of Crestline’s current mayor. Meet your neighbor Linda Horning-Pitt, who began her second four-year term as mayor of Crestline after winning re-election in November. Joseph Horning, or Hornung, as it was spelled in his ancestral homeland of Muggensturm, Germany, arrived in America in 1846 with his wife, Katerina.
Meet Your Neighbor: Marvin Gallaway and his love for fire service
Chasing down fires is in his blood. His father took him on fire runs. The co-director of the Mansfield Fire Museum fought fires until his retirement in 2006. Gallaway got his start as a volunteer fireman at age 16 in Franklin Township and learned the ropes from his father. "They didn’t know how young they should allow young gentlemen to partake in Franklin Township with the volunteers (firemen),” said Gallaway. The township eventually decided that those under 16 were not allowed to go to fires.
Meet Your Neighbor: Marvin Gallaway and his love for fire service Original
Chasing down fires is in his blood. His father took him on fire runs. The co-director of the Mansfield Fire Museum fought fires until his retirement in 2006. Meet your neighbor, Marvin Gallaway, retired firefighter from Mansfield Fire Department. Gallaway got his start as a volunteer fireman at age 16 in Franklin Township and learned the ropes from his father. "They didn’t know how young they should allow young gentlemen to partake in Franklin Township with the volunteers (firemen),” said Gallaway.
Meet Your Neighbor: Marvin Gallaway and his love for fire service
Chasing down fires is in his blood. His father took him on fire runs. The co-director of the Mansfield Fire Museum fought fires until his retirement in 2006. Meet your neighbor, Marvin Gallaway, retired firefighter from Mansfield Fire Department. Gallaway got his start as a volunteer fireman at age 16 in Franklin Township and learned the ropes from his father. Marvin Gallaway stands in front of a 1943 Seagrave fire truck on display at the Mansfield Fire Museum.
Meet Your Neighbor: Kara Bechstein is inspired by her Renaissance Theatre coworkers
Meet your neighbor, Kara Bechstein, programming manager at Renaissance Performing Arts in downtown Mansfield. Connecting with audiences is integral to the growth that The Ren hopes to continue. Bechstein is tasked with programming shows that engage patrons across generations — young and old. “I really try to make sure we have something for everyone — whether you’re 2 or 92,” shared Bechstein. “People have been coming here for generations.
Meet Your Neighbor: Kara Bechstein is inspired by her Renaissance Theatre coworkers
Joe Di Lullo February 19, 2024 at 4:03 AM·2 min read Theatrical performances require collaboration. Interpersonal connections are a bedrock of a community’s strength. Meet your neighbor, Kara Bechstein, programming manager at Renaissance Performing Arts in downtown Mansfield. Connecting with audiences is integral to the growth that The Ren hopes to continue. Bechstein is tasked with programming shows that engage patrons across generations — young and old.
Meet Your Neighbor: Kara Bechstein is inspired by her Renaissance Theatre coworkers Original
Theatrical performances require collaboration. Interpersonal connections are a bedrock of a community’s strength. Meet your neighbor, Kara Bechstein, programming manager at Renaissance Performing Arts in downtown Mansfield. Connecting with audiences is integral to the growth that The Ren hopes to continue. Bechstein is tasked with programming shows that engage patrons across generations — young and old.
Meet Your Neighbor: 'Father Jeff' focused on faith and fitness in two parishes
Joe Di Lullo February 13, 2024 at 5:15 AM·2 min read Celibate and obedient. Those two vows are required for diocesan priests, according to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Exercise and fun are not formal vows, but a local priest makes sure he does both in his free time. Meet your neighbor, the Rev. Jeffery James Smith, pastor at Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church in Shelby and Saint Joseph Catholic Church in Crestline.
Meet Your Neighbor: 'Father Jeff' focused on faith and fitness in two parishes Original
Show Caption Hide Caption What is Lent and when does it begin? Ash Wednesday is on March 6. Here are some interesting facts about the Lenten season. Celibate and obedient. Those two vows are required for diocesan priests, according to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Exercise and fun are not formal vows, but a local priest makes sure he does both in his free time. Meet your neighbor, the Rev.
Meet Your Neighbor: Fritz Fagan is helping students prepare for a high tech world
Some students love their high school years. Others, however, can’t wait to start working in their chosen fields before they even graduate. Meet your neighbor, Fritz Fagan, the IT (Information Technology) support instructor at Pioneer Career and Technology Center in Shelby. Students enter Pioneer as a junior or senior. They can have relevant paid work either year. Upperclassmen have the advantage because their jobs can be used as a substitute for time in the classroom or lab, as it’s known.
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