Latest news with #WCMH
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
Mount Gilead holds candlelight vigil for fallen deputy Daniel Sherrer
MOUNT GILEAD, Ohio (WCMH) — The community gathered for a candlelight vigil Thursday to honor 31-year-old Morrow County Deputy Daniel Sherrer, who was shot and killed on Memorial Day. He died after responding to a domestic disturbance call where he found himself alone confronting an armed man. 'This has really hit the community really hard,' attendee Cathy Brake said. There were lots of tears, hugs, silence and prayers Thursday as people remembered Sherrer. 'I've lived in Morrow County my whole life and just to hear about this incident that's happened, it's breathtaking and it's really heartbreaking to the community,' resident Jennifer Fisher said. Outside of the growing memorial for Sherrer at the Morrow County Sheriff's Office, hundreds gathered for the candlelight vigil. 'Just a really deep, deep emotion of just thinking about his family and all of the officers that work here in Morrow County,' Brake said. The tight-knit community has been shaken to its core by Sherrer's death. 'Very, very sad thing especially for a small community like this and it almost made me tear up to see the community come together and support in a time like this,' said resident Hayden Styer. What we know about the conditions of the Mifflin Township officers who were shot Sherrer was a 2012 graduate of St. Charles Preparatory Academy in Bexley and studied at Bowling Green State University and Columbus State University. He spent his law enforcement career at the Morrow County Sheriff's Office since he was hired in May of 2021. 'Especially with how young he was in the department, only four years on, he had so much more to give,' attendee Abby Pence said. 'And from what I've read and heard it sounded like he was one of those good cops.' 31-year-old Sherrer was engaged to be married and is survived by his parents and other relatives. 'Just knowing that he's never going to have children, grandchildren, it's just sickening,' Brake said. Those at the vigil said in times like this there are often more questions than answers. Many are still struggling to make sense of Sherrer's death. Now, they're trying to find hope. 'Just seeing the community come together for this blue line family, it's definitely really meaningful to see how much support they actually have,' said Abby Pence. 'It's very heartwarming and it just shows the tightness of the community and the caring people that we have here,' Brake said. According to Morrow County Sheriff John Hinton and loved ones, Sherrer always had a smile on his face and loved the community he served. According to his obituary, Sherrer was an organ donor, choosing to help others after his death. Funeral arrangements have been finalized for Sherrer. According to Snyder Funeral Homes, visitation will be held from 1 to 7 p.m. on June 3 at Northmor High School in Galion. The school is located at 7819 State Route 19. Services to honor and celebrate Sherrer's life will take place at the school on June 4 at 11 a.m. Private graveside services will be held at Marion Cemetery. More details about Sherrer's funeral can be read here. A donation fund has been set up for his family. Donations can be mailed in or dropped off at Morrow County Federal Credit Union located at 800 West Marion Rd. in Mount Gilead. Checks should be made payable to 'Daniel Sherrer, In Memory of'. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
6 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Ohio lawmakers consider change to teacher pension fund
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — Ohio lawmakers are considering a sweeping change to the make up of Ohio's teacher pension fund that could force retirees and teachers off their own board. The State's Teachers Retirement System (STRS) has been embroiled in controversy of late, with retirees saying they've been denied promised cost of living increases while investment staff gets bonuses despite losing billions of dollars. Currently, a legislative subcommittee is reviewing pension boards around the country that could possibly change who sits on the STRS board. Over the past few years, teachers and retirees have worked to get 'reformers' elected to the board. These reformers won a majority of the seats of the 11-member board but retirees said multiple Ohio government officials are working to strip their power away. 'Everybody gets rich at STRS, our consultants get rich. Our investors get rich, our STRS management get rich,' said Robin Rayfield, the CEO of the Ohio Retirement for Teachers Association. 'The only people who don't get rich are the people who put the money in, and that is the teachers.' A manual outlining benefits was given to tens of thousands of Ohio teachers when they were hired, which says they are promised pension with a cost of living increase of 3% annually. Nearly a decade ago, STRS took that away and since 2020, retirees said they have lost 23% of their buying power. 'So we have teachers that are, you know, trying to live on 40, $50,000 I mean, they have roofs on their house that need to be replaced. They need to buy cars. I mean, how do you have an investment like that?' said Dean Dennis of a retiree watchdog group. FTC, FBI issue warnings about 'deals' that sound too good to be true This watchdog group has worked to get reformers elected that demand investment transparency and an end to lavish bonuses for investment staff members. Some of these bonuses are as high as $300,000. The group said they are receiving push back, first from Gov. Mike DeWine. A board member Wade Steen was previously kicked from the board by Gov. DeWine, before appointing G. Brent Bishop to replace him. But at the beginning of 2024, an appeals court determined DeWine overstepped his authority in removing Steen from the position. The governor called for an investigation into the board, claiming there is a hostile takeover by private interests at STRS. Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost obliged, and called for the removal of Steen and Rudy Fichtenbaum from the board in May of 2024. Retirees said Steen and Fichtenbaum were targeted because they backed reform. 'The people that we have elected want the most basic, simple things. They want transparency and accountability,' said Dennis. 'That's all we're looking for, because without accountability and transparency, you can't fix a broken pension system.' The Republican controlled Ohio Retirement Study Council is looking into changes to the make-up of the board. Rep. Sean Brennan (D-Parma), a retired teacher, serves on the bipartisan legislative subcommittee and is keeping an open mind. 'I've always believed in looking for best practices,' said Brennan. 'So if there is something that we could be doing in Ohio that's better than what we're doing now, then why not take a look at it? And as retirees, we paid in and have very much a vested interest in the future of the system. And I think we we are required to have a voice, and entitled to a voice.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
7 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
Marysville school board member arrested after fight with bar owner
MARYSVILLE, Ohio (WCMH) — A Marysville school board member was arrested over the Memorial Day weekend after an argument with the owner of a bar, according to police. Jermaine Ferguson, 34, was arrested early Saturday when he reportedly got into a fight with the owner of Stephens Lounge on Main Street after he was removed, according to an incident report. Ferguson 'appeared heavily intoxicated,' police said. As an officer was trying to separate the two, Ferguson allegedly pulled away from the officer multiple times and continued to argue with the owner. Decades-old Mexican restaurant at Easton Town Center quietly shuts down Police said Ferguson then wrestled with the officer before he was eventually taken to the ground. Ferguson told the officer that he was at the bar talking to a woman that he knew, when her brother punched him in the face, according to the incident report. The officer noted that Ferguson had dried blood on his lips. The officer asked Ferguson if he wanted to call someone to pick him up from the police department, but he said he didn't want to call his wife, according to police. Why South-Western City Schools parents are considering leaving the district In a statement to NBC4, board president Bill Keck said the board is aware of the arrest, calling it a 'personal legal matter.' Keck directed all questions to law enforcement. 'Our focus remains on serving students, families, and staff with integrity, transparency, and a strong commitment to educational excellence,' Keck said. Ferguson was charged with obstructing official business and has pleaded not guilty. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
7 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
When funeral services will take place for Morrow County deputy killed on Memorial Day
MOUNT GILEAD, Ohio (WCMH) – Funeral arrangements have been made for a Morrow County sheriff's deputy who was shot and killed in the line of duty on Memorial Day. Deputy Daniel 'Weston' Sherrer, a 2012 St. Charles graduate, will be laid to rest Wednesday at a private ceremony at Marion Cemetery, in Marion. Visitation will take place from 1 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at Northmor High School, which is between Mount Gilead and Galion. Marysville school board member arrested after fight with bar owner Services to honor and celebrate Sherrer will begin at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the school, with former sheriff and current pastor Steve Brenneman officiating. Sherrer was engaged to be married and is survived by his parents and other relatives. He responded Monday night to a report of a domestic disturbance at a residence south of Marengo. A man there, Brian Wilson, confronted Sherrer, who was fatally wounded in a shootout. Wilson, facing a charge of aggravated murder, remains hospitalized and is in the custody of the Delaware County Sheriff's Office. Sherrer's body was taken to the Montgomery County Coroner's Office before a police escort brought him back Wednesday to Mount Gilead in a 120-mile procession. Gov. Mike DeWine has ordered flags flown at half staff until the completion of funeral services, and several local businesses have come together in support of the Sherrer family. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
7 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
Officials release video showing when 2 Mifflin Township officers were shot
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — A suspect is still on the run after two Mifflin Township police officers were shot on Wednesday night. The Franklin County Sheriff's Office held a news conference on Thursday to show body camera video of how the shooting unfolded. Franklin County Sheriff Dallas Baldwin said the incident started during a traffic stop by Mifflin Township officers about 6:45 p.m. Wednesday near the intersection of Perdue Avenue and Mecca Road, in a part of the Northeast Side that falls outside of Columbus city limits. During the stop, Baldwin said that the passenger in the car, Daveonte Dixon, 21, started to run away. When officers chased after him, Dixon turned and fired, hitting the two officers. When funeral services will take place for Morrow County deputy killed on Memorial Day On Thursday, police continued to search for Dixon, who is on probation. Officials said he should be considered 'armed and dangerous.' Chief Deputy Rick Minerd said Dixon could be anywhere, but they won't stop until he's taken into custody. The warrants for his arrest have been entered nationally. 'There's no rock that you're going to hide under, Mr. Dixon,' Minerd said. 'We're going to bring him to justice.' 'Let's get this bum off the street,' he said. Minerd added that the gun used in the shooting has been recovered, but they believe Dixon may have access to other guns. Anyone who helps Dixon avoid capture will also face charges, he said. Dixon has prior convictions, including burglary and obstruction of justice, and is legally prohibited from carrying a firearm. Those with information are asked to contact law enforcement, with Central Ohio Crime Stoppers offering a $10,000 reward for information that leads to an arrest. Baldwin said the driver of the vehicle in the traffic stop cooperated with police, is not considered a suspect, and has been released. The Mifflin Township Police Department has five full-time officers. Mifflin Township said one of the injured officers will be released from the hospital Thursday while another underwent a second surgery Thursday morning and continues to recover. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
