Today – Downtown Mansfield could soon add nearly a hundred new apartments inside some of its most recognizable old buildings — a move leaders say could flip the switch on downtown’s next chapter.

Today &ndash; Downtown Mansfield could soon add nearly a hundred new apartments inside some of its most recognizable old buildings &mdash; a move leaders say could flip the switch on downtown&rsquo;s next chapter.

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

Mansfield looks to convert landmark buildings into housing

Today – The Mansfield Playhouse is trying to hit a crucial fundraising milestone, and if it does, a potential $1 million gift could help launch a brand-new, fully accessible theater downtown.

Today &ndash; The Mansfield Playhouse is trying to hit a crucial fundraising milestone, and if it does, a potential $1 million gift could help launch a brand-new, fully accessible theater downtown.

Mansfield Playhouse Nears Fundraising Trigger for Possible $1M Gift

Episode 87 opens on a sobering note, as Carl reflects on the escalating conflict in the Middle East and offers a message of steadiness, prayer and compassion for families with loved ones in uniform. We continue that discussion briefly, touching on the human cost of war and the importance of being skeptical about what you see online.

After an update from Carl on the start of the Formula 1 season, we then dive into local headlines -- a transformational downtown Mansfield donation from John and Mimi Fernyak, the long-awaited return of Mansfield Speedway and the next phase of a proposed connector road in Lexington.

Finally, the show welcomes a very special guest: Paul Kemmerling, owner of Relax, It’s Just Coffee and the primary sponsor who believed in The News Man Weekly from the beginning. Paul shares the story behind launching an independent coffee shop in downtown Mansfield, how it evolved into a true community hub and what’s next for Relax. The conversation also veers into downtown revitalization -- and of course -- a little Formula 1 discussion between two superfans. 
This episode is powered by the great folks at Relax, It's Just Coffee. 
Related links:
Local control, lasting impact: Fernyaks donate downtown properties to Richland County Foundation
Public action, private investment: City Council to vote on downtown tax abatements
Opening Day draws near for Mansfield Speedway
Grant funding to study environmental impact next step for Lexington connector

Be a Source Member for unlimited access to local, independent journalism.

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Episode 87 opens on a sobering note, as Carl reflects on the escalating conflict in the Middle East and offers a message of steadiness, prayer and compassion for families with loved ones in uniform. We continue that discussion briefly, touching on the human cost of war and the importance of being skeptical about what you see online.
After an update from Carl on the start of the Formula 1 season, we then dive into local headlines -- a transformational downtown Mansfield donation from John and Mimi Fernyak, the long-awaited return of Mansfield Speedway and the next phase of a proposed connector road in Lexington.
Finally, the show welcomes a very special guest: Paul Kemmerling, owner of Relax, It&rsquo;s Just Coffee&nbsp;and the primary sponsor who believed in&nbsp;The News Man Weekly&nbsp;from the beginning. Paul shares the story behind launching an independent coffee shop in downtown Mansfield, how it evolved into a true community hub and what&rsquo;s next for Relax. The conversation also veers into downtown revitalization -- and of course -- a little Formula 1 discussion between two superfans.&nbsp; This episode is powered by the great folks at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.relaxitsjustcoffee.com/" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.relaxitsjustcoffee.com/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1772569496832000&amp;usg=AOvVaw3xOM--GhBihw7vulYu9Ny2">Relax, It's Just Coffee.</a>&nbsp; Related links:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.richlandsource.com/2026/02/26/local-control-lasting-impact-fernyaks-donating-downtown-properties-to-richland-county-foundation/" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.richlandsource.com/2026/02/26/local-control-lasting-impact-fernyaks-donating-downtown-properties-to-richland-county-foundation/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1772569496832000&amp;usg=AOvVaw3wxjQSp0-um_HDRiHZ33Gm">Local control, lasting impact: Fernyaks donate downtown properties to Richland County Foundation</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.richlandsource.com/2026/03/02/public-action-private-investment-city-council-to-vote-on-downtown-tax-abatements/" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.richlandsource.com/2026/03/02/public-action-private-investment-city-council-to-vote-on-downtown-tax-abatements/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1772569496832000&amp;usg=AOvVaw2E3aITMb25fGgUU2etqaYQ">Public action, private investment: City Council to vote on downtown tax abatements</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.richlandsource.com/2026/02/28/opening-day-draws-near-for-mansfield-speedway/" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.richlandsource.com/2026/02/28/opening-day-draws-near-for-mansfield-speedway/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1772569496832000&amp;usg=AOvVaw15Daz5ILoAPQoKdraF6rJp">Opening Day draws near for Mansfield Speedway</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.richlandsource.com/2026/02/26/grant-funding-to-study-environmental-impact-next-step-for-lexington-connector/" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.richlandsource.com/2026/02/26/grant-funding-to-study-environmental-impact-next-step-for-lexington-connector/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1772569496832000&amp;usg=AOvVaw0e4oM_jNQscBhD0QD76y2M">Grant funding to study environmental impact next step for Lexington connector</a></li>
</ul>
<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=1772569496832000&amp;usg=AOvVaw3aSGHiU3bYN6BfTWFbdv2u">Be a Source Member</a>&nbsp;for unlimited access to local, independent journalism.
Download our new&nbsp;<a href="https://www.richlandsource.com/app/" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.richlandsource.com/app/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1772569496832000&amp;usg=AOvVaw1mk3VxsRtu97qfXFsESS_O">mobile app.</a>

News Man Weekly: Relax Owner Paul Kemerling; War with Iran; Formula 1; Local Headlines and more!

Today – A new spot just opened on Shelby’s Main Street, taking over the old Ivory Bean space with espresso, bubble tea, and a plan to feel like a second home.

Today &ndash; A new spot just opened on Shelby&rsquo;s Main Street, taking over the old Ivory Bean space with espresso, bubble tea, and a plan to feel like a second home.

Mansfield looks to convert landmark buildings into housing

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