Shelby business starts renovation | Parks hit peak season | Suspected cocaine in Crawford stop | Football playoffs change | Father’s Day preview

By David Jacobs

Jun 13, 2025

Another economic development project is underway along the Mansfield Avenue corridor in the Shelby community.

Buckeye Superstore dealership is undergoing a major renovation at its location, 278 Mansfield Ave., while continuing daily operations and regular hours.

The dealership sells Chrysler, Dodge, FIAT, Jeep, RAM, Wagoneer brands, plus used vehicles.

"We still have the same great new and preowned inventories we have always had," it said in a post on its official page. "We are just a little cramped for the time being.”

A video posted by the 19-year-old dealership notes that the project includes a "whole new building."

Shelby Economic Development Manager Jessica Gribben announced the start of the project.

"Can't wait to see the final results," Gribben said in her Municipal Momentum newsletter.

An early look at the work at the Buckeye Superstore motor vehicle dealership along Mansfield Avenue in Shelby. (Image courtesy of Jessica Gribben)

In his State of the City address earlier this year, Shelby Mayor Steve Schag previewed the project that is near the new Mickey's/Dunkin' development that debuted on May 5.

The Buckeye Superstore is part of Shelby's Mansfield Avenue corridor of motor vehicle dealerships that also include Donley Ford of Shelby at 249 Mansfield Ave., and Rocket Chevrolet at 233 Mansfield Ave.

COMMUNITY

Shelby parks lead multiple efforts, look to fill staff position

The Shelby Parks Department is operating with three full-time employees and three part-time workers, while a temporary staffing agency, Spherion, continues efforts to recruit another team member, Parks Superintendent Jerry Marshall told the Board of Park Commissioners this week.

In a lengthy written report to the board, Marshall outlined progress on seasonal park preparations and ongoing maintenance issues separate from those that resulted in an 11-day delay in the opening of Seltzer municipal swimming pool.

He noted assistance from the Abraxas boys, who moved furniture from the bathhouse at Seltzer municipal swimming pool, put up shutters, and power-washed the pool deck.

Maintenance work included the installation of a new hot water tank and repairs to the concession stand features. They include new countertop and window installation by longtime Shelby Park Board member Dave Keinath and his son. Swimmers will find new grips on the pool's slide.

Shelby Parks Superintendent Jerry Marshall is shown on May 5 at Seltzer Park. (Photo by David Jacobs)

Additionally, flowers were planted in parks citywide by the Flower Girls, picnic tables were assembled, pavilion areas cleaned, and new playground donation recognition signage was installed at Veterans and North Seltzer parks.

At Black Fork Commons Plaza, staff encountered operational issues with the fountain’s feature and circulation pumps. The department is working with Roman Fountain to resolve the problem.

Lastly, a John Deere X750 mower was serviced at Ag-Pro for a steering issue. Technicians replaced a cracked spindle, with the repair costing $502.20.

Besides Keinath, Shelby park board members are board president Dave Downs, vice president Geoff Allen, Cathie Albert and Ralph Rosinsky.

REGIONAL LAW ENFORCEMENT

Suspected cocaine found in Crawford County traffic stop

CRAWFORD COUNTY— A K-9 alerted to the presence of narcotics during a traffic stop for speeding, leading to a drug arrest in Crawford County, authorities said Thursday.

A deputy sheriff stopped a vehicle driven by Kevin Manley, 39, of New Washington, on Crestline Road near Biddle Road at 3:39 p.m. Wednesday, the sheriff's office there said.

During the stop, signs of possible drug activity were observed as described by the authorities.

"K-9 Nora was then deployed and conducted a free-air sniff" of the vehicle and "alerted to the presence of narcotic odor in the vehicle," the Crawford County Sheriff's Office said in a statement.

"A search was then conducted on the vehicle and deputies located drug paraphernalia items and suspected cocaine," authorities said.

Manley was arrested on possession of drugs and drug paraphernalia and transported to the Crawford County Justice Center, the sheriff's office said.

A report will be forwarded to the Crawford County Prosecutor’s Office for consideration of all charges, the statement added.

The investigation is being led by the Crawford County Sheriff's Office. (Photos via sheriff's office)

COMING SOON

Father's Day: by the numbers

With Father's Day almost here nearly half of consumers (48%) plan to purchase a gift for a father or stepfather, followed by those purchasing gifts for a husband (25%), son (12%), brother (9%), friend (8%) or grandfather (6%), according to an annual survey by the National Retail Federation and Prosper Insights & Analytics

As in recent years, 58% of Father’s Day shoppers plan to purchase a greeting card, followed by clothing (55%), a special outing (53%) and gift cards (50%).

Similar to recent years, more than three-quarters of consumers (76%) plan to celebrate Father’s Day, which is Sunday.

Consumers are planning to spend $199.38 on average per person, or nearly $10 more than last year’s $189.81 average. Those between the ages of 35 and 44 tend to spend the most on the holiday, $278.90 on average.

These shoppers are also spending significantly more compared with last year, increasing their budgets by $27 on average, the survey found.

SPORTS

Changes coming to Ohio high school football playoffs

COLUMBUS -- Several significant changes highlight the 2025 Ohio High School Athletic Association football playoff regulations that were approved Thursday by the OHSAA Board of Directors.

Some other details from the OHSAA announcement:

-- The number of qualifiers per region will be 12 instead of 16, with the top four seeds in each region earning a first-round bye.

-- The first three rounds of the postseason will be hosted by the higher-seeded team instead of the first two rounds.

-- From 1999 through 2019, eight schools per region qualified for the playoffs, which was a five-week tournament.

-- In early 2020, the OHSAA approved a proposal from the Ohio High School Football Coaches Association to expand to 12 qualifiers per region, which added a week to the postseason. Shortly after that, the COVID-19 pandemic hit and the OHSAA allowed every school to participate in the 2020 playoffs.

-- The positive feedback from schools that season prompted the OHSAA to expand from 12 to 16 qualifiers per region from 2021-24.

Over the last year, feedback from schools showed a slight majority favoring 12 qualifiers per region, said Doug Ute, OHSAA executive director.

brown Wilson American football on grass — Photo by Dave Adamson on Unsplash

With the top four seeds in each region receiving a first-round bye, the first-round 2025 pairings include the No. 12 seed playing at the No. 5 seed, No. 11 at No. 6, No. 10 at No. 7, and No. 9 and No. 8.

In the second round, the No. 1 seed will host the winner of No. 12 vs. No. 5, the No. 2 seed will host the winner of No. 11 vs. No. 6, the No. 3 seed will host the winner of No. 10 vs. No. 7, and the No. 4 seed will host the winner of No. 8 vs. No. 9.

The 2025 divisions and regions are posted here.

WEATHER

Shelby forecast (live updates)

Huron County region (live updates)

AT A GLANCE

Shelby News Reporter homepage

Reporter David Jacobs can be reached at davidjacobs@shelbynewsreporter.com