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Hello Mansfield! Hope your coffee tastes especially good this morning. 

In today’s bring-the-kiddos edition: A spooky night at the Ohio State Reformatory, a restorative sound bath, and gold and silver’s hot streak + excuses to get the fam out and about this week.

Today’s sponsor, Spot Pet Insurance, is something I wish I had before a late-night emergency vet visit left me with a $10,000 credit card bill. It’s cheaper than Netflix… and means you never have to choose between your pet and your savings. It takes less than 5 minutes to sign up – get started here.

📰 In the news

More than road repairs: Mansfield City Council approved a $2 million plan to repave 5.7 miles of Ohio 13. Work will begin in August and take four months, with ODOT covering most costs — see what else passed.

Driving cross-sector partnerships forward: MOESC created a new School-Community Partnership Coordinator to connect local schools, businesses, nonprofits, and colleges across the Mansfield area. Amber Clay-Mowry is overseeing the role as the search gets underway — see responsibilities and desired skills.

Celebrating dedication and community support: Ashland City School Board honored 11 students of the month. Staff honorees included Rachel Britton and Meaghan Hostetler. The district will host its third annual Easter egg hunt April 9 — get all the details.

Gold & silver are hot: Coming off gold’s best year since 1979, the momentum is carrying well into 2026 with silver remaining one of the most talked-about assets. Curious why they’re back in focus? American Hartford Gold has a free guide that explains what’s happening and how people are approaching it today. It’s free – and definitely worth a read.

Compare rates for free: The national average for car insurance is around $175/month. Paying more than that? Same, so I did some shopping around and ended up cutting my premium in half. If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably overpaying too — here’s the comparison tool I used.

Highlights this week:

• Unwind with a restorative sound bath
• Smell laundry soap before you buy
• Needle felt your own leprechaun
• This top-tier home warranty is 50% off right now

🐾 One pet emergency can cost $10,000+

Together with our sponsor Spot Pet Insurance

Nothing prepares you for a late-night emergency at the vet. I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache.

From the initial exam fee just to be seen, to x-rays, surgery, medication, and follow-up visits… the bill racks up fast (to say the least). And at that moment? You’re not thinking about your savings, you’re just saying yes to whatever keeps them thriving.

As soon as we got home, I dug around online and ultimately signed up for Spot.

It’s super affordable and reimburses up to 90% on qualified vet bills. It was too late for me, but it’s not too late for you. Sign up today.

🫶 We got your back

Local sips, small bites: Craving an easy night out? Hudson and Essex pours Cypress Hill Winery’s house-crafted wines alongside shareable plates like charcuterie and Spanish-style shrimp, with a cozy, warmly lit vibe. Definitely a “we deserve nice things” kind of spot.

Gear-up without guesswork: From archery odds and ends to fishing tackle, camp cookware, packs, boots, and warm layers, Fin Feather Fur Outfitters makes gearing up easy. Knowledgeable staff, plus being employee-owned since 2017, help you skip the guesswork and leave with what works for your next outing.

Back to the big screen: The Ashland Theatre blends new releases, beloved throwbacks, and the occasional live event, giving you a ready escape from cabin fever. Grab a friend, pick something fun, and let the projector handle the heavy lifting, because your couch can wait until the credits.

Access cash without selling your home: A reverse mortgage can help anyone over 62 cover everyday expenses, support healthcare needs, fund home improvements, or even reduce pressure on 401(k) withdrawals – all while staying in your home. Longbridge offers a free calculator to estimate how much flexibility your home could provide, with no commitment required.

📆 Fun for the whole fam

Have an event to share? BaseLocal Verified Businesses can submit them for free! Learn more about how to submit an event here →

All events are subject to change without notice. Always check official event pages for the most up to date information.

🍲 Developmental Disabilities Awareness: Chili & Pie Cook-off @ Ashland County Fairgrounds | Thursday (3/5) at 5:30 PM – Whether your chili has a secret ingredient or your pie crust has opinions, bring your appetite to a free community cook-off for DD Awareness Month. Expect raffle baskets, music, a kids area, and local bragging rights, or sign up to compete using the link.

👨 Family Fun Night @ The Ashland Kroc Center | Friday (3/6) at 5:00 PM – Round up the crew and hit the Kroc Center for Family Fun Night, with laser tag, bounce houses, the LU interactive setup, games, crafts, and karaoke. Let the kids burn off energy while you call it quality time. Free for members, $7 for non-members.

🎶 March First Friday Live @ Social on Main | Friday (3/6) at 5:30 PM – First Friday Live is back, kicking off season five at Social on Main with Jeff Boyd and friends, free and all ages. Grab takeout from Hamiltons on Main, City Grille, or Athena, then wander over for music, neighbors, and that small-town flex we actually enjoy.

🐟 Lenten Fish Friday @ Knights of Columbus | Friday (3/6) at 5:30 PM – If you’ve given up steaks, or just love a proper fish fry, swing by for fried and baked fish with sides that change weekly. It’s $15 for adults, $7 for kids 6 to 12, and 5 and under eat free, parish hall vibes included.

🎃 Frights and Lights @ The Ohio State Reformatory | Friday (3/6) at 6:30 PM – Whether you’re chasing chills or local lore, settle in for a spooky flick at the Ohio State Reformatory, then prowl the dark halls on a guided flashlight tour. It’s equal parts history lesson, goosebumps, and quality time, with popcorn, a drink, and bragging rights included.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

🔥 Worth a peek

We’re always on the hunt for useful resources, deals, services, and products we think you’ll love. Here’s what caught our eye this week.

• Thinning hair? Don’t wait – here are 3 treatments that work
• This free tool helps connect you with the right financial advisor
• Got debt? You may be able to pay less than you owe
• Protect your pet from disaster with this pet insurance plan
• You can own physical gold and silver in your retirement account
• Treat yourself: Save on self-care during the CVS Epic Beauty Sale

📻 Mansfield report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 53°F – Low: 48°F – Precip: 47%

A chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 53. East wind around 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible. Later: Rain likely before 7pm, then rain and a chance of thunderstorms. Cloudy, with a low around 48. South wind around 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

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Tomorrow – High: 63°F – Low: 54°F – Precip: 93%

Rain before 7am, then rain and a chance of thunderstorms. Cloudy, with a high near 63. Southwest wind 6 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between three quarters and one inch possible. Later: Rain and a chance of thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 54. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Someone Googled you this week 👀

It may feel like an invasion of privacy, but unfortunately It’s the new normal. Whether you’re joining a committee, selling something locally, dating again, or just meeting new neighbors… people are going to look you up online.

Like it or not, the internet has a way of surfacing past mistakes and outdated information that no longer reflects who you are.

Thankfully, there’s a really easy way for you – or someone you care about – to clean up outdated results that no longer tell the real story. Learn more here.

This house is wild

The Wexford is a cozy, efficient 2-bed, 2-bath home with 1,300 square feet in Walker Woods, balancing easy living with convenience to shopping, dining, and entertainment. Trails and mature greenery wrap the community, creating a peaceful backdrop. A 15-year, 50% property tax abatement adds value, plus up to $15,000 in flex cash for upgrades or interest rate buy-downs.

Take a peek inside →