Lou Whitmire

Ohio

Reporter at Mansfield News Journal

OSU grad, dog lover, loves family, being a news reporter and movies. Contact me at @LWhitmir

Articles

U.S. Marshals release new age progression photos in Mansfield cold case of Lester Eubanks

1 week ago | mansfieldnewsjournal.com | Lou Whitmire

New information was released Tuesday by the U.S. Marshal for the Northern District of Ohio in the hunt for one of the agency's 15 Most Wanted fugitives ― Lester Eubanks, who was convicted of killing a 14-year-old Mansfield girl on Nov. 14, 1965. Lester Eubanks, 81, who escaped from an Ohio prison in 1973, was added to the USMS 15 Most Wanted fugitives list in 2016.
Fried chicken, pizza, coffee: FriendShip Kitchen celebrates its grand opening

2 weeks ago | mansfieldnewsjournal.com | Lou Whitmire

FriendShip Kitchen celebrated its grand opening Wednesday at 744 Park Avenue West with members of the community and the Mansfield-Richland Area Chamber of Commerce. Lilly Deleon, loyalty marketing manager for FriendShip Food Stores and Beck Suppliers, said it was founded by the Beck family, who have run Beck Suppliers for 75 years. "We are celebrating our 75th anniversary," Deleon said. "Friendship Kitchen in 2026 will be celebrating our 40th anniversary.
Ohio Museum of Horror set to open in Galion with serial killer-themed restaurant

2 weeks ago | mansfieldnewsjournal.com | Lou Whitmire

GALION ― Nate Thompson makes short horror films and screens them in his hometown of Monroe, Michigan. "We've been selling out the local theatre," he said. When he's not making movies, he operates the Michigan Museum of Horror in an old coffin maker/undertaker business which was, for a time in the 1860s, a funeral home. He also used to be in a heavy metal band.
More chicken and pizza restaurants on horizon for Ontario

2 weeks ago | mansfieldnewsjournal.com | Lou Whitmire

ONTARIO ― Summertime will bring several new eateries to Ontario, including East of Chicago Pizza, Raising Cane's, WingStop and a second location of Starbucks. East of Chicago Pizza is opening a business the first full weekend in June in the strip mall on West Fourth Street where 4th Street Coffee House operates, said Benji Hall, zoning inspector for Ontario. The pizza business will be pickup and delivery only.
80-year-old Madison Township woman suffers severe burns in yard barn fire

3 weeks ago | mansfieldnewsjournal.com | Lou Whitmire

MADISON TOWNSHIP - An 80-year-old woman suffered severe burns around 12:40 p.m. Thursday when a fire broke out inside her yard barn at 1225 Poth Road. The victim's name was not disclosed due to Marsy's Law. Madison Township Fire Chief Ken Justus said the woman is in the burn unit at Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. She was transported by the fire department rescue quad EMS personnel to OhioHealth Mansfield Hospital and then transported by helicopter to the Columbus hospital.
Destination Mansfield says 2024 put Richland County on 'a big stage'

3 weeks ago | mansfieldnewsjournal.com | Lou Whitmire

The Destination Mansfield-Richland County 2025 annual meeting had the perfect backdrop to celebrate achievements in 2024 and set sights for the future. Tourism industry partners Wednesday gathered at The Ohio State Reformatory prison-turned-museum for lunch in the Central Guard Room where Morgan Freeman (Red) and Tim Robbins (Andy) ate their meals in the film, "The Shawshank Redemption," shot in and around Mansfield and North Central Ohio in the summer of 1993.
Fifth District dismisses case to change cause of death in jail incident

3 weeks ago | mansfieldnewsjournal.com | Lou Whitmire

The Fifth District Court of Appeals dismissed a Richland County case May 6 regarding a man who sought to have the cause of death of his stepson changed from "accidental" to "homicide," and from "excited delirium" to "positional asphyxia as a result from restraint of another."But, although the Fifth District dismissed the case, the judges said the appellant can refile his action.
Fifth District dismisses case to change cause of death in jail incident

3 weeks ago | marionstar.com | Lou Whitmire

The Fifth District Court of Appeals dismissed a Richland County case May 6 regarding a man who sought to have the cause of death of his stepson changed from "accidental" to "homicide," and from "excited delirium" to "positional asphyxia as a result from restraint of another."But, although the Fifth District dismissed the case, the judges said the appellant can refile his action.
Juneteenth to bring parade, festival downtown to Mansfield

3 weeks ago | mansfieldnewsjournal.com | Lou Whitmire

The Mansfield community will celebrate the 4th annual Juneteenth Parade and Festival June 14 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.The free daylong celebration will kick off with a Linedance Party at 10:30 a.m. in front of the Renaissance, and the parade will step off at 11 a.m. at Marion Avenue and Park Avenue West. Featured in the parade will be marching bands, drumlines and dance groups from across Ohio, local churches, businesses, organizations and political candidates.
Richland County Drug Court graduates 14 in program

3 weeks ago | mansfieldnewsjournal.com | Lou Whitmire

There were 14 drug court graduates recognized Tuesday at the 23rd annual Richland County Drug Court graduation in Richland County Common Pleas Judge Phil Naumoff's courtroom. The late retired Common Pleas Judge James Henson started drug court in 1997 with the late Richland County Chief Probation Officer Dave Leitenberger. It was one of the first five in the state. A moment of silence was observed in their honor. Judges Brent Robinson and Naumoff continue the tradition today.