Richland County commissioners say they oppose a proposed Franklin Township data center, but they also say they do not have the legal authority to ban those projects countywide.

Richland County commissioners say they oppose a proposed Franklin Township data center, but they also say they do not have the legal authority to ban those projects countywide.

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Richland County Says It Can’t Block Data Centers Countywide

In episode 98 of the News Man Weekly, the crew riffs on graduation season, the Cavs’ Game 7 victory and the Sonic Temple music festival. We break down the latest developments surrounding the proposed Buc-ee's project, discuss the $1 million state grant awarded to demolish the West Park Shopping Center and recap the Ohio State Highway Patrol's latest OVI checkpoint. Carl also revisits the comedy classic Animal House in this week’s edition of “What’s Carl Watching?” complete with his top five favorite lines from the movie.

Later, we welcome Richland County Commissioner Tony Vero for a wide-ranging conversation about the proposed Franklin Township data center, the Buc-ee’s development, wind and solar restrictions, the future of the Westinghouse site and Richland County's direction over the next five years. The interview also explores the balancing act between economic growth and quality of life as local leaders navigate some of the biggest development conversations the county has seen in years.

This episode is powered by the great folks at Relax, It's Just Coffee. 

Related links: 
Find our Sonic Temple coverage here
Wrecking ball is next: State awards $1 million grant to demolish former West Park Shopping Center
One motorist cited for OVI during checkpoint on U.S. 42 on Thursday
St. Peter’s High School graduates 19 students during 2026 commencement
Annexation vote for Buc-ee’s planned for Mansfield City Council on Tuesday
Richland County commissioners oppose data center plan, but cannot ban them

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In episode 98 of the News Man Weekly,&nbsp;the crew riffs on graduation season, the Cavs&rsquo; Game 7 victory and the Sonic Temple music festival. We break down the latest developments surrounding the proposed Buc-ee's project, discuss the $1 million state grant awarded to demolish the West Park Shopping Center and recap the Ohio State Highway Patrol's latest OVI checkpoint. Carl also revisits the comedy classic&nbsp;Animal House&nbsp;in this week&rsquo;s edition of &ldquo;What&rsquo;s Carl Watching?&rdquo; complete with his top five favorite lines from the movie.
Later, we welcome Richland County Commissioner&nbsp;Tony Vero&nbsp;for a wide-ranging conversation about the proposed Franklin Township data center, the Buc-ee&rsquo;s development, wind and solar restrictions, the future of the Westinghouse site and Richland County's direction over the next five years. The interview also explores the balancing act between economic growth and quality of life as local leaders navigate some of the biggest development conversations the county has seen in years.
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=1779221215947000&amp;usg=AOvVaw1fe9jwufV-ltpx9BxhPQ0H">Relax, It's Just Coffee.</a>&nbsp;
Related links:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.richlandsource.com/tag/sonic-temple-art-music-festival/" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.richlandsource.com/tag/sonic-temple-art-music-festival/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1779221215947000&amp;usg=AOvVaw34gQdXpq1Z4jnAKSRZQR5-">Find our Sonic Temple coverage here</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.richlandsource.com/2026/05/14/wrecking-ball-is-next-state-awards-1-million-grant-to-demolish-former-west-park-shopping-center/" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.richlandsource.com/2026/05/14/wrecking-ball-is-next-state-awards-1-million-grant-to-demolish-former-west-park-shopping-center/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1779221215947000&amp;usg=AOvVaw1SqigzYAwjxCERvjEwX3_j">Wrecking ball is next: State awards $1 million grant to demolish former West Park Shopping Center</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.richlandsource.com/2026/05/14/one-motorist-cited-for-ovi-during-checkpoint-on-u-s-42-on-thursday/" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.richlandsource.com/2026/05/14/one-motorist-cited-for-ovi-during-checkpoint-on-u-s-42-on-thursday/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1779221215947000&amp;usg=AOvVaw39tcWjVtMqNYYd1q3xNcs2">One motorist cited for OVI during checkpoint on U.S. 42 on Thursday</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.richlandsource.com/2026/05/17/st-peters-high-school-graduates-19-students-during-2026-commencement/" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.richlandsource.com/2026/05/17/st-peters-high-school-graduates-19-students-during-2026-commencement/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1779221215947000&amp;usg=AOvVaw0Tj3utUGKRITikOGz9RsKJ">St. Peter&rsquo;s High School graduates 19 students during 2026 commencement</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.richlandsource.com/2026/05/18/annexation-vote-for-planned-buc-ees-planned-for-mansfield-city-council-on-tuesday/" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.richlandsource.com/2026/05/18/annexation-vote-for-planned-buc-ees-planned-for-mansfield-city-council-on-tuesday/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1779221215947000&amp;usg=AOvVaw1n7fbbmrTpAM2f1bfPl4Au">Annexation vote for Buc-ee&rsquo;s planned for Mansfield City Council on Tuesday</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.richlandsource.com/2026/05/12/richland-county-commissioners-oppose-data-center-plan-but-cannot-ban-them/" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.richlandsource.com/2026/05/12/richland-county-commissioners-oppose-data-center-plan-but-cannot-ban-them/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1779221215947000&amp;usg=AOvVaw0ijVNdjtlFU_FbOGfEsnLo">Richland County commissioners oppose data center plan, but cannot ban them</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=1779221215947000&amp;usg=AOvVaw3WV1bcvgbFpnNKuns_t_Fn">Be a Source Member</a>&nbsp;for unlimited access to local, independent journalism.

News Man Weekly: Richland County Commissioner Tony Vero on data centers, Buc-ee's, Westinghouse and more!

Today: Roller skating, skateboarding and a bit of nostalgia are coming together this summer as Skate Ohio prepares to open a new indoor facility at Ontario Center.

Today: Roller skating, skateboarding and a bit of nostalgia are coming together this summer as Skate Ohio prepares to open a new indoor facility at Ontario Center.

Skate Ohio expands with a new indoor spot at Ontario Center

Adam Compton was sworn in as a lieutenant with the Mansfield Fire Department, stepping into a first-line leadership role that oversees crew readiness, training, and on-scene decision-making. A Lexington graduate who joined MFD in 2018, Compton said he’s proud to carry on a family legacy in local fire service and wants to pay it forward to newer firefighters.

Read more: https://www.richlandsource.com/2026/05/08/adam-compton-promoted-to-lieutenant-in-mansfield-fire-dept/ 

Adam Compton was sworn in as a lieutenant with the Mansfield Fire Department, stepping into a first-line leadership role that oversees crew readiness, training, and on-scene decision-making. A Lexington graduate who joined MFD in 2018, Compton said he&rsquo;s proud to carry on a family legacy in local fire service and wants to pay it forward to newer firefighters.
Read more: <a href="https://www.richlandsource.com/2026/05/08/adam-compton-promoted-to-lieutenant-in-mansfield-fire-dept/">https://www.richlandsource.com/2026/05/08/adam-compton-promoted-to-lieutenant-in-mansfield-fire-dept/</a>&nbsp;

Richland County Says It Can’t Block Data Centers Countywide

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