Richland County Jail has a new leader. Longtime Ashland County official Dave Blake steps in as jail administrator, bringing nearly 50 years of law enforcement experience to the role. This episode covers the leadership change, the legacy of outgoing Captain Chris Blunk, and new grant funding aimed at expanding addiction treatment services inside the jail.

Read more about this story:


Richland County Sheriff's Office hires Ashland County official to lead jail

Headlines:


Mansfield mayor plans State of the City address on Facebook livestream Thursday


Ashland, Mansfield students to display AU capstone projects April 10 to May 3


William Coffindaffer


March property transfers: Masonic Temple building sold to Fredericktown-based LLC

Richland County Jail has a new leader. Longtime Ashland County official Dave Blake steps in as jail administrator, bringing nearly 50 years of law enforcement experience to the role. This episode covers the leadership change, the legacy of outgoing Captain Chris Blunk, and new grant funding aimed at expanding addiction treatment services inside the jail.
Read more about this story:
<ul data-start="116" data-end="314">
<li data-start="116" data-end="314">
<a href="https://www.richlandsource.com/2025/04/02/richland-county-sheriffs-office-hires-ashland-county-official-to-lead-jail/" data-start="118" data-end="314">Richland County Sheriff's Office hires Ashland County official to lead jail</a>
</li>
</ul>
Headlines:
<ul data-start="333" data-end="1052">
<li data-start="333" data-end="542">
<a href="https://www.richlandsource.com/2025/04/01/mansfield-mayor-plans-state-of-the-city-address-on-facebook-livestream-thursday/" data-start="335" data-end="540">Mansfield mayor plans State of the City address on Facebook livestream Thursday</a>
</li>
<li data-start="543" data-end="747">
<a href="https://www.richlandsource.com/2025/04/01/ashland-mansfield-students-to-display-au-capstone-projects-april-10-to-may-3/" data-start="545" data-end="745">Ashland, Mansfield students to display AU capstone projects April 10 to May 3</a>
</li>
<li data-start="748" data-end="839">
<a href="https://www.richlandsource.com/2025/04/01/william-coffindaffer/" data-start="750" data-end="837">William Coffindaffer</a>
</li>
<li data-start="840" data-end="1052">
<a href="https://www.richlandsource.com/2025/04/01/march-property-transfers-masonic-temple-building-sold-to-fredericktown-based-llc/" data-start="842" data-end="1050">March property transfers: Masonic Temple building sold to Fredericktown-based LLC</a>
</li>
</ul>

Richland Source presents your daily dose of journalism. Listen to the top stories, breaking news and need-to-know information from your award-winning local news team.

Our music is by THE AFRXNTS

Richland&nbsp;Source presents your daily dose of journalism. Listen to the top stories, breaking news and need-to-know information from your award-winning local news team.
Our music is by <a href="https://linktr.ee/theafrxnts">THE AFRXNTS</a>

Source Daily

Blake Steps In as Jail Administrator Amid Transition

This week on The News Man Weekly, it’s a jam-packed show filled with theater, city finance, and community updates. First, we welcome members of the Mansfield Shakespeare Company to preview their upcoming free outdoor production of Twelfth Night at South Park. 

Director Christopher Hartman, assistant director and performer Leanna Uselton, and board member Mary Frankenfield discuss the joys and challenges of outdoor theater as well as the origins and future of the company.

Then, Mansfield Finance Director Kelly Converse joins us to break down the recent $748,000 email phishing scam that hit the city. She details how the fraud occurred, what internal errors contributed to the mistake, and how her office is changing its policies to prevent future attacks. Converse also addresses insurance recovery, cybersecurity reforms, and what state legislation could mean for local government protections.  

Plus, we’ve got your weekly local news rundown — including a proposed tax incentive deal for Ohio Valley Manufacturing, a new $50,000 grant program for downtown businesses affected by the Main Street construction project, a long-term water main replacement plan using voter-approved funds, and a look at what’s next for the revitalized Mansfield Speedway.  

This episode is proudly sponsored by Relax, It’s Just Coffee — downtown Mansfield’s go-to spot for great coffee, fresh pastries, and community conversation.  
Relevant links:
Racing reimagined: New owners share ambitious vision for Mansfield Speedway
Homegrown success: 2 Mansfield companies to expand with city help
Main Street businesses in Mansfield may see financial aid during corridor improvement project
Remember the main: Mansfield launches $3.6 million project to replace aging infrastructure
Mansfield finance director: Probe launched into email spoofing scam
Visit the Mansfield Shakespeare Company Facebook page

Intro song credit: Smoke And Drink, by Luke Watson.

Be a Source Member for unlimited access to local, independent journalism. 12% OFF in June with code "birthday" at checkout. 

This week on The News Man Weekly, it&rsquo;s a jam-packed show filled with theater, city finance, and community updates. First, we welcome members of the Mansfield Shakespeare Company to preview their upcoming free outdoor production of&nbsp;Twelfth Night at South Park.&nbsp;
Director Christopher Hartman, assistant director and performer Leanna Uselton, and board member Mary Frankenfield discuss the joys and challenges of outdoor theater as well as the origins and future of the company.
Then, Mansfield Finance Director Kelly Converse joins us to break down the recent $748,000 email phishing scam that hit the city. She details how the fraud occurred, what internal errors contributed to the mistake, and how her office is changing its policies to prevent future attacks. Converse also addresses insurance recovery, cybersecurity reforms, and what state legislation could mean for local government protections.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Plus, we&rsquo;ve got your weekly local news rundown &mdash; including a proposed tax incentive deal for Ohio Valley Manufacturing, a new $50,000 grant program for downtown businesses affected by the Main Street construction project, a long-term water main replacement plan using voter-approved funds, and a look at what&rsquo;s next for the revitalized Mansfield Speedway.&nbsp;&nbsp;
This episode is proudly sponsored by <a href="https://www.relaxitsjustcoffee.com/" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.relaxitsjustcoffee.com/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1750209614623000&amp;usg=AOvVaw3qjTZWfAD2Hz0LapiRKL77">Relax, It&rsquo;s Just Coffee</a>&nbsp;&mdash; downtown Mansfield&rsquo;s go-to spot for great coffee, fresh pastries, and community conversation.&nbsp;&nbsp; Relevant links:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.richlandsource.com/2025/06/12/racing-reimagined-new-owners-share-ambitious-vision-for-mansfield-speedway/" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.richlandsource.com/2025/06/12/racing-reimagined-new-owners-share-ambitious-vision-for-mansfield-speedway/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1750209614623000&amp;usg=AOvVaw1E4fRKhktqccXj4zC8j0Eu">Racing reimagined: New owners share ambitious vision for Mansfield Speedway</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.richlandsource.com/2025/06/16/homegrown-success-two-mansfield-companies-to-expand-with-city-help/" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.richlandsource.com/2025/06/16/homegrown-success-two-mansfield-companies-to-expand-with-city-help/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1750209614623000&amp;usg=AOvVaw05hl0wE1tnYs2bOkpJPjp7">Homegrown success: 2 Mansfield companies to expand with city help</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.richlandsource.com/2025/06/12/main-street-businesses-in-mansfield-may-see-financial-aid-during-corridor-improvement-project/" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.richlandsource.com/2025/06/12/main-street-businesses-in-mansfield-may-see-financial-aid-during-corridor-improvement-project/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1750209614623000&amp;usg=AOvVaw3ByafVxWnFqm1lYDp_fBrB">Main Street businesses in Mansfield may see financial aid during corridor improvement project</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.richlandsource.com/2025/06/11/remember-the-main-mansfield-launches-3-6-million-project-to-replace-aging-infrastructure/" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.richlandsource.com/2025/06/11/remember-the-main-mansfield-launches-3-6-million-project-to-replace-aging-infrastructure/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1750209614623000&amp;usg=AOvVaw2PxPEp7cR-5aFAkoBuWfVB">Remember the main: Mansfield launches $3.6 million project to replace aging infrastructure</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.richlandsource.com/2025/06/06/mansfield-finance-director-said-investigation-ongoing-into-email-spoofing-scam/" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.richlandsource.com/2025/06/06/mansfield-finance-director-said-investigation-ongoing-into-email-spoofing-scam/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1750209614623000&amp;usg=AOvVaw1wCK8Lij8r6AuH4CEmsH-Q">Mansfield finance director: Probe launched into email spoofing scam</a> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/p/Mansfield-Shakespeare-Company-61550574027909/" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.facebook.com/p/Mansfield-Shakespeare-Company-61550574027909/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1750209614623000&amp;usg=AOvVaw33RmCBDKKO3rVg98wn2JBB">Visit the Mansfield Shakespeare Company Facebook page</a></li>
</ul>
Intro song credit:&nbsp;<a href="https://open.spotify.com/album/31PbqiNA0BZouNa9WHrl6H?si=F12DuHq3RtO33O7MPZvZDA" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://open.spotify.com/album/31PbqiNA0BZouNa9WHrl6H?si%3DF12DuHq3RtO33O7MPZvZDA&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1750209614623000&amp;usg=AOvVaw2a9Yf3750j3ig2J_0subdC">Smoke And Drink</a>, by Luke Watson.
<a href="https://www.richlandsource.com/members/" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.richlandsource.com/members/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1750209614624000&amp;usg=AOvVaw3ACW5HYUT9LiwWa800mNH_">Be a Source Member</a>&nbsp;for unlimited access to local, independent journalism. 12% OFF in June with code "birthday" at checkout.&nbsp;

News Man Weekly: Finance Director Kelly Converse discusses phishing scam; Mansfield Shakespeare Company previews show; Plus, local news of the week

Today - A nationwide protest movement made its way to Mansfield and Shelby this weekend, as hundreds of people took to the streets to speak out against President Donald Trump and what they described as growing authoritarianism in the United States.

Read more: https://www.richlandsource.com/2025/06/14/richland-county-residents-join-national-no-kings-protests/

Today - A nationwide protest movement made its way to Mansfield and Shelby this weekend, as hundreds of people took to the streets to speak out against President Donald Trump and what they described as growing authoritarianism in the United States.
Read more: <a href="https://www.richlandsource.com/2025/06/14/richland-county-residents-join-national-no-kings-protests/">https://www.richlandsource.com/2025/06/14/richland-county-residents-join-national-no-kings-protests/</a>

No Kings Chants Echo Through a Drizzly Saturday Morning

Today - We hear from former NASCAR driver Matt Tifft, who recently spoke with Source reporter Curt Conrad about how he and his wife Jordan are transforming the Mansfield Speedway into a year-round hub for racing, car culture, concerts, and more.

Today - We hear from former NASCAR driver Matt Tifft, who recently spoke with Source reporter Curt Conrad about how he and his wife Jordan are transforming the Mansfield Speedway into a year-round hub for racing, car culture, concerts, and more.

Blake Steps In as Jail Administrator Amid Transition

In 1 playlist(s)

Source Daily

Social links

Follow podcast

Recent clips