Old firehouse | Shelby Farmers' Market season | regional updates

By David Jacobs

Jun 04, 2025

Point of emphasis on old Shelby firehouse

Shelby City Councilman Eric Cutlip reported from the Community & Economic Development Committee that he leads with a point of emphasis about the old 1872 Shelby firehouse that's on a path to private ownership.

"We wanted to highlight that the CIC is not buying the firehouse, and it is not being given to them," he said of Shelby's Community Improvement Corporation.

"They're just acting as a 'Realtor' in that scenario for the city,” he said in his remarks at Monday’s City Council meeting.

The 153-year-old firehouse, unused since a private ambulance service moved out in fall 2022, requires extensive repairs. The Shelby Fire Department moved into the current fire station off High School Avenue in 2018.

By transferring ownership of the firehouse, city officials seek to preserve the building while ensuring that it does not become a financial burden for Shelby taxpayers.

In April, Shelby City Councilman Nathan Martin eased any concerns as the process gets underway to put the firehouse in private hands with the goal of it being revitalized instead of remaining empty.

"It's still going to be a mainstay of our downtown," Martin said.

Shelby’s historic old firehouse is on Main Street in downtown. (Photo by David Jacobs)

COMMUNITY

Shelby Farmers’ Market set to make 2025 season debut

The Shelby Farmers’ Market makes its 2025 season debut from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, June 7 at Black Fork Commons in downtown.

The markets run each Saturday at those times through Aug. 30, per Destination Mansfield-Richland County.

Starting on June 7, the Marvin Memorial Library will host Saturday story time at the amphitheater every other Saturday during the market, the Shelby Farmers' Market noted on its Facebook page.

The market hosts multiple vendors. Black Fork Commons offers a pavilion area.

Aileen Stewart serves as market manager.

Shelby’s Connie Roub highlighted the importance of the Shelby Farmers’ Market.

“I’ve been a part of farmers market since it started and it’s my favorite Shelby community event,” she notes. “Love seeing all the Shelby people Saturday mornings!”

green fruit — Photo by Shelley Pauls on Unsplash

OBITUARY

Deborah Linn Spangler

REGION

Butler Apple Fest upcoming, features multiple events

A temporary closure of a portion of State Route 97 through the village of Butler in Richland County is upcoming as a June 6-7 festival nears in the village, the Ohio Department of Transportation reports.

Details:

-- State Route 97 (Main Street), from College Street to State Route 95, will close Wednesday, June 4 for the village of Butler summer festival event, formally known as the Butler Apple Fest on June 6-7

-- This closure is managed by the village.

-- The detour route will be State Route 97 east to College Street south to State Route 95 east to State Route 97, and reverse.

A full schedule of events is planned, including a parade for the festival, a beer garden, live music and children's activities.

See event details here via the Butler Area Merchants’ Association.

A schedule of events courtesy of the Butler Merchants Association.

The estimated road reopening is Sunday, June 8.

REGIONAL TRAFFIC

RICHLAND COUNTY — A portion of State Route 603 is closed between Welty Road and Schrack Road for a culvert replacement in Richland County, ODOT reports.

It’s part of a 10-day project, the Ohio Department of Transportation detailed on Tuesday afternoon.

The detour route for southbound motorists is:

-- State Route 603 south to State Route 39 east to State Route 95 west to State Route 603

-- The detour route for northbound motorists is the reverse, ODOT said.