Notices
Public legal notices and court announcements
Ashland County Fair board settles political dispute with Democrats
Fair board settles with Democrats over anti-Trump material in 2025 LOCAL Fair board apologizes to Democrats over anti-Trump buttons at 2025 fair Staff Report Updated Sept. 18, 2026, 11:36 a.m. ET (This story has been updated because an earlier version included an inaccuracy) ASHLAND — A settlement has been reached involving a dispute that arose after the Ashland County Democratic Committee was removed from the Ashland County Fair in 2025. The Ashland County Agricultural Society, commonly known as the Ashland County Fair Board, and the Ashland County Democratic Committee have agreed on a settlement that includes First Amendment training, according to a news release. In addition to training, the Fair Board has apologized to the Democratic Committee and its members. On Sept. 18, 2025, the Fair Board removed the Democratic Committee after receiving complaints about political buttons and materials displayed at its booth, including materials critical of the president of the United States. The buttons at the booth had messages about President Donald Trump, including "Is he dead yet?" and "One day, we will wake up to his obituary" alongside "He's not my president" and "We will survive," Fox 8 News reported. At the time, the Cleveland station reported that Ashland County Sheriff Kurt Schneider was planning to contact the U.S. Secret Service about the buttons. The claims against the sheriff remain pending in the Federal District Court for the Northern District of Ohio. The Fair Board issued a statement on Sept. 18: "The Ashland County Democratic Committee did not engage in any improper conduct at the 2025 Fair. They were peacefully exercising their constitutional right to political expression and should not have been removed because others objected to their message. It was not the Board’s intention to unfairly characterize the Democratic Committee’s protected political expression or cause reputational harm to the organization and its members. The Fair Board apologizes for this mistake. The Fair Board recognizes that protected political expression may not be restricted because of its viewpoint or because members of the public find it offensive or objectionable." As part of the settlement, the board agreed to revise its exhibitor standards to protect political expression from viewpoint discrimination or censorship resulting from others’ complaints. Fair Board members and personnel responsible for regulating exhibitor expression will also receive First Amendment training. The Fair Board has confirmed the Ashland County Democratic Committee is welcome to participate in future county fairs. The 2026 Ashland County Fair runs from Sept. 20-26. “This settlement restores the public record and affirms that Ashland County Democrats have the same right as everyone else to engage in peaceful political expression,” Democratic Committee Chair Heather Sample said in the news release. “We don’t believe the Fair Board acted with malicious intent in last year’s expulsion, we do appreciate the Fair Board’s apology and its commitment to protecting the First Amendment rights and safety of all exhibitors.” Featured Weekly Ad
Two Indicted in $1.7 Million Ponzi Scheme
(TOLEDO, Ohio) — Two people accused of defrauding investors of $1.7 million through a Ponzi scheme involving elderly victims have been indicted in Lucas County, Ohio Attorney General Andy Wilson and Department of Commerce Director Sherry Maxfield announced today. George Flanner, 70, of Toledo, and Kristin Holcomb, 69, of Chelsea, Michigan, face dozens of felony charges including securities fraud, aggravated theft, engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity and theft from a person in a protected class. According to the indictment, Flanner used his position as a licensed investment adviser in Ohio to solicit clients – many of them elderly – for the Made in the Trade Investment Club, a Michigan company operated by Holcomb. Holcomb has never been licensed to sell securities. From May 2022 through November 2023, at least 19 clients from Ohio and Michigan invested more than $1.7 million with the club. Records show the funds were deposited into Holcomb’s personal brokerage account, which she used for day trading. An investigation by the Department of Commerce’s Division of Securities found that Holcomb used investor funds for personal expenses and to make Ponzi-style payments to prior investors. Investigators also determined that she allegedly paid Flanner $211,715 over a 13-month period, despite Flanner telling clients that he was not paid to solicit their investments. Despite being fired by his company in 2023 for failing to disclose the investments in Holcomb’s company, Flanner allegedly continued to advise investors without a license. The attorney general’s Special Prosecutions Section is prosecuting the case in Lucas County Common Pleas Court. Indictments are criminal allegations. Defendants are presumed innocent unless proved guilty in a court of law. MEDIA CONTACT: Dominic Binkley: 614-728-4127 -30-
Mahoning County Sheriff's Office Announces Sheriff's Sales Information
Sheriff's Sales
Property Owners with Past Due Taxes Encouraged to Enroll in Payment Plan
Property Owners with Past Due Taxes Encouraged to Enroll in Payment Plan es-exclude-start-header Home County News County News Detail es-exclude-end-header Back to County News listing page Treasurer’s Office can help with delinquent tax payment plans to avoid collection action Media Contact: Jennifer Ciaccia, Press Secretary216-250-5863 | [email protected] CUYAHOGA COUNTY, OH – The Cuyahoga County Treasurer’s Office is encouraging property owners with past due real estate taxes to act now and explore the County’s payment plan options. Property taxes were due on August 13, and late payments and interest charges have been assessed on unpaid tax bills. The next interest charges will be applied in December. “Our office is committed to doing everything we can to help residents stay current on their property taxes and, most importantly, stay in their homes,” said Cuyahoga County Treasurer Brad Cromes. “We offer a variety of payment options for those who have fallen behind, and we encourage anyone who needs additional support to visit our Financial Empowerment Center. Our goal is to work with residents, connect them with the right resources, and guide them toward financial stability.” Under Ohio law, delinquent property taxes accumulate compounding penalties and interest charges. If left unresolved, those charges can result in significantly higher tax burdens and, ultimately, foreclosure. The Treasurer’s Office offers a variety of delinquent tax payment plans to help property owners get back on track, while making smaller payments over time. Payment plans may be extended for up to 60 months, with interest deferred. If those payment plans are successfully completed, interest charges are forgiven. Property owners can also arrange for monthly automatic payments to be deducted from their bank accounts. To remain in good standing, property owners enrolled in a delinquent tax payment plan will need to pay their current property taxes on time. While a delinquent tax payment plan remains in good standing, the associated parcel will not be subject to a tax certificate sale or placed on the Sheriff’s Sale list. Residents experiencing financial challenges are encouraged to seek assistance from the Cuyahoga County Financial Empowerment Center. There, residents can speak with counselors one-on-one for help with budgeting, debt reduction, preventing foreclosures, and creating greater financial stability. Residents can explore options for setting up a delinquent tax contract in person on a walk-in basis at the Treasurer’s Office located at 2079 E. 9th Street Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. For more information about delinquent tax assistance, contact the Treasurer’s Office at 216-443-7400 (option 1). Was this page helpful? Yes No How could we make it better? Leaving an email can assist us in troubleshooting the issue. Submit Cancel Thank you for your feedback Your feedback means a lot to us. We use it to improve the experience of all of our users. es-exclude-start-footer es-exclude-end-footer