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Hey Mansfield, hope your week’s off to a good start!

In today’s wallet-friendly edition: A 90-year-old’s Valentine’s Day tradition, the Mid-Ohio Home Show, and a St. Patrick’s Day celebration + lots of fun things to do for free.

Today’s sponsor, American Hartford Gold, is helping folks around Mansfield protect their savings as gold and silver continue to gain momentum. Their free guide explains what’s driving the surge… and what to know before adding precious metals to your portfolio. Grab your free copy here.

📰 In the news

Quiet generosity spans generations: At OhioHealth Mansfield Hospital, 90-year-old Annette Albright’s decades-long Valentine’s tradition ended this year, after gifting a teddy bear and card to the first baby girl born each Feb. 14 — read the full story.

Safety overhaul moves forward: State transportation officials plan R-CUTs at the deadly Route 30 and Route 511 intersection after a fatal three-vehicle crash, a design shown to cut injury crashes by 72 percent — see what’s being proposed.

Momentum builds for community renewal: John and Mimi Fernyak have donated downtown Mansfield buildings to the Richland County Foundation, one of its largest gifts, keeping local control and partnering with Windsor Companies to spur redevelopment — read the full story.

Nothing prepares you for a pet emergency: I learned that the hard way after charging $10k to a credit card for life-saving surgery on my cat, Miss Stache. As soon as we got home, I signed up for Spot. It’s super affordable – and reimburses up to 90% of the bill.

Highlights this week:

• Create colorful mandalas on vinyl records
• Learn fruit tree basics for free
• Start your beekeeping journey with Dave Duncan

🫶 We got your back

Build-your-own bliss: Lunch feeling meh? Doc’s Deli perks it up with 100 mix-and-match ingredients, 10 signature sandwiches, and soups simmered from fresh, housemade components. It’s an easy, satisfying break that keeps veggie lovers happy without skimping on flavor.

All-ages playtime, upgraded: Between inclusive playgrounds, pickleball courts, and paved paths, Sterkel Park makes midweek resets easy. Thoughtful touches keep hangouts simple. Kids, dogs, or just your earbuds fit right in; wander, play, and breathe a little easier without fuss.

Nostalgia meets new releases: Whether you’re chasing a childhood grail or the newest issue, Toy Hunters stacks vintage action figures, retro games, statues, and oddities… the delightful clutter that steals hearts and shelf space. A low-risk detour when errands feel perilous and your inner kid needs backup.

Why your last diet didn’t work: Sustained weight loss is nearly impossible with diet alone. Your body literally fights back by making you hungrier the moment you start restricting calories. That’s why more doctors are recommending GLP-1s. The best part? Getting them has never been easier. We compared three programs to help you find the right fit. See which ones stood out →

Your data is for sale right now: There are over 400 websites selling your info to marketers, political campaigns, and scammers. They’ve got your phone number, home address, relatives’ names… you name it. That’s how robocallers seem to know everything about you before you pick up. You can remove your info one site at a time, or pay a service to do it for you. Here’s what we recommend →

📆 Free events worth checking out

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.

🍽 Connected Mid-Ohio Lunch @ Connection Space | Thursday (3/12) at 11:30 AM – Second-Thursday lunch at Mansfield’s Connection Space on Park Ave West, a decade-strong meetup where networking feels like catching up with neighbors, not collecting business cards. It’s free, there’s food, and everyone gets introduced, so even introverts leave with real contacts. RSVP, seats go fast.

🏃 Mansfield parkrun @ North Lake Park | Saturday (3/14) at 9:00 AM – This free, weekly 5K loops around North Lake, and everyone from stroller pushers to PR chasers fits right in. Show up on Saturday, trot, jog, or gloriously walk, then bask in the volunteer applause and earn your post-run pancakes. Low fuss, high camaraderie, Mansfield-style.

🏠 2026 Mid-Ohio Home Show @ Richland County Fairgrounds, Mansfield, OH 44906, United States | Saturday (3/14) at 9:00 AM – Kitchen stuck in 1994, or sick of that drafty hallway? The Mid Ohio Home Show has been Richland County’s weekend tradition since 1950, with vetted pros, practical ideas, and free admission. Swing by the Improveit booth, and you might score the makeover of your choice.

👪 NAMI Family Support Group @ NAMI Richland County – 2131 Park Ave W, Suite 200, Ontario, OH 44906 | Saturday (3/14) at 2:00 PM – Whether you are carrying the load for a loved one or just need a judgment-free spot to exhale, this peer-led NAMI group offers real talk, structure, and confidentiality. It is free, for family members, no therapy sales pitch, and yes, pastries and drinks.

🍽 Free Community Meal @ Mansfield Seventh-Day Adventist Church | Sunday (3/15) at 12:00 PM – Free community meal, every 3rd Sunday, noon to 2, no fees, just neighbors and conversation. Remember when lunch wasn’t eaten in the car? Come solo or with your crew, settle in for simple food, real connection, and unhurried catch-ups.

🍀 St. Patrick’s Day Celebration @ The Cove Coffee Shop & Pizza Company (Ontario) | Sunday (3/15) at 2:00 PM – St. Patrick’s Day at The Cove Coffee Shop & Pizza Company means live bagpipes from Mathew Boggs, good food, and drinks that don’t taste like dye. It’s free, friendly, and part of the Cove Connection Series. Bring friends, collect some luck, hear the pipes.

🐸 Pond Clinic @ Longview Center | Monday (3/16) at 6:00 PM – New or seasoned pond owner, fed up with algae and mystery minnows? This free clinic features Steve Fender of Fender’s Fish Hatchery, sharing real-world tips on maintenance, stocking, and keeping the geese humble, plus light refreshments. It is free, but register at https://richlandswcd.net/event/pond-clinic-6/.

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

📻 Mansfield report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 72°F – Low: 63°F – Precip: 20%

A slight chance of rain showers before 8am, then a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly sunny, with a high near 72. Southwest wind around 12 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible. Later: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms before 2am, then showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 63. Southwest wind 8 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

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Tomorrow – High: 70°F – Low: 30°F – Precip: 100%

Showers and thunderstorms. Cloudy, with a high near 70. Southwest wind 16 to 23 mph, with gusts as high as 38 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible. Later: Showers and thunderstorms before 11pm, then rain and snow showers likely between 11pm and 2am. Cloudy, with a low around 30. West wind 14 to 21 mph, with gusts as high as 36 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.

Are you quietly overpaying for car insurance? 🚗

Premiums have been climbing across Ohio but most folks won’t notice until they’re hit with a higher bill when it’s time to renew.

That’s exactly what happened to me. I had the same policy for half a decade. Autopay was on, it was out of sight and out of mind. Turns out I was blindly paying way more than everyone else I knew.

If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably overpaying too – here’s the comparison tool I used.

This house is wild

This stone and vinyl ranch delivers one-level living on a corner lot with a fenced yard. A sunlit living room with a stone fireplace flows to kitchen, dining area, and sunroom. Four main-floor bedrooms include a generous en-suite. The basement adds a third fireplace and flex space. An attached two-car garage, newer roof, and Anderson windows round it out.

Take a peek inside →