Local Talk with Aaron Hines

Find out what's happening locally in the Mansfield Parks this spring and plans for the summer with Mike Woogerd - Mansfield Parks Superintendent - who sat down with WMAN's Aaron Hines.Did you know that Mansfield has a total of 21 parks, which covers more than 3,100 acres.

Mansfield Mayor, Jodie Perry, stopped in studio for her monthly visit with WMAN ( May 1st, 2026).  Jodie spoke with Aaron Hines on a variety of topics:- Proposed Data Center- Next Step in the possible Buc-ee's travel center- Damage to Liberty Park basketball courts- Demolition of West Park Shopping Center- New Public Pool in town

Mansfield Police Officer, Alan Edwards spoke with WMAN to share all the details on Bike-a-palooza 2026, which is coming up on May 9th at North Lake Park in Mansfield. He is helping oversee the event, which will be giving away 70+ bicycles to kids.

Pioneer Career and Technology Center - Superintendent Greg Nickoli was in studio this week to fill us in on their new, Advanced Manufacturing Center in Shelby.A $6.6 million state grant allowed Pioneer to renovate a building into the manufacturing center, expanding its welding program and adding a new residential electric program. RichlandSource.com reports, Pioneer Superintendent, Greg Nickoli, calling it a transformational investment in education and workforce readiness. 

State Representative Marilyn John visited WMAN to chat with Aaron Hines about $500,00 going to the renovation project of the historic Renaissance Theatre in downtown Mansfield.COLUMBUS – State Representative Marilyn John (R-Richland County) is pleased to announce that the Ohio Controlling Board recently approved the release of $500,000 for the Mansfield Renaissance Theatre “Road to 100” renovation project. The funding will support the replacement of seating in the historic 1,402-seat theatre, which hosts nearly 40 productions each year, including Broadway-style musicals, concerts, educational programs, and family shows. The “Road to 100” project is a restoration effort as the Renaissance Theatre approaches its 100th anniversary in 2028.“The Mansfield Renaissance Theatre holds tremendous cultural and educational significance and has made a lasting impact on my life and the people of Richland County over the past 100 years,” said John. “I hope that, as a result of this renovation, people can continue enjoying the theater for at least another 100 years.”The Ohio Controlling Board oversees requests for changes to budgetary authority for state agencies.

Ashland Band Director - Marty Kral spoke with WMAN on Thursday and shared the story of being able to find replacement instruments for his students to perform at Disney World after the Ashland High School Marching Band had 20% of their instruments stolen during a trip to Florida.According to AshlandSource.com, the 160 students, staff and volunteers made the 22 hour bus trip arriving at their hotel in Orlando on March 28th. The next day, the driver notice locks were missing on the band trailer and nearly all of the instruments stolen were personally owned by the students.School staff was able to find instruments via music stores in Orlando to replace those stolen, which allowed the Ashland High School Marching Band to march and perform at Disney World on Monday.

Mansfield Mayor, Jodie Perry, called into WMAN's "Local Talk" program with Aaron Hines for her monthly chat about the latest going on in town.  The mayor shares about a feasibility study to possible build a new public pool.  There has not been a public pool in operation in Mansfield since 2021.

Jake Furr, sports reporter for the Mansfield News Journal, dropped by the WMAN studio this week to sit down and chat with Aaron Hines to preview the 47th annual News Journal All-Star Classic, which will take place at Lexington High School on Friday, March 27th.  There will be a girls senior showcase at 6 pm, followed by the boys game at 7:30 pm.

Listen here to the WMAN play-by-play highlights of Mansfield Senior's thrilling victory, 65-61, over Alliance in the Regional Semi-Final on Wednesday at the University of Toledo and Savage Arena.Andrew Brooks scoring on a drive to the basket, Kaylen Brooks DEEP 3-pointer, Davion Mack's one handed SLAM DUNK, and DJ Corbin sealing the game with a free throw with :07 seconds to play an the final call to send the TYgers to the championship game on Saturday.Aaron Hines had the call on WMAN

Richland County Foundation President and CEO, Allie Watson, stopped by WMAN to share the news and plans about the organization receiving nearly 50 buildings in downtown Mansfield from John and Mimi Fernyak.  Allie explains 14 of them, which are located in and around the brickyard are going to be turned into housing and apartments.  

Mansfield Senior boys basketball coach, Marquis Sykes, sat down with Aaron Hines of WMAN following the TYgers district championship game win over Lima Shawnee, 64-61, on Saturday night.  Senior High won their 1st district title since 2014 behind stellar performances by Kaylen Brooks and Andrew Brooks, who combined for 37 points to help the TYgers punch their ticket to the Division III Regional Tournament on Wednesday at 8 p.m. vs Alliance at the University of Toledo.  You can hear the Mansfield Senior Regional Semi-Final on Wednesday, March 11th "live" on WMAN.

Richland County EMA Director, Sarah Potes, joined WMAN's Aaron Hines on Friday to share important information ahead of the winter storm and dangerously cold temperatures forecasted for the entire state of Ohio. The snow begins on Saturday and should wind down early Monday, while the extreme cold is going to stick around through the end of the month.

Shelby head football coach, Rob Mahaney, sat down with Aaron Hines on Tuesday morning to preview Friday's Division IV State Championship game in Canton vs Glenville.  Rob, also shared about the amazing community support, playing in Week 16 for the state title for the 1st time in school history, incredible seasons by so many players and Mahaney growing up in Northeast Ohio about 15 miles from the Hall of Fame stadium.

Aaron Hines tracked down Indian Hill football coach, John Rodenberg, for a State Semi-Final preview of the game vs Shelby (13-0) on Friday. John is in his 4th year at Indian Hill and has won 4 state championships in his coaching career, which now is in his 32nd year.  The Braves (13-0) are playing in the State Semi-Finals for the 1st time in school history.

What a run it has been in the last 3 years for Shelby High School in sports, as the Whippets have had a team reach the final four.  It started with boys basketball in 2023/24 with their run to Dayton, followed by the girls volleyball team last November (2024), and now, 2025, the football team is playing in the state semi-finals for just the 2nd time in school history.Marc Hartz, sports writer for the Shelby Daily Globe, joined WMAN's Aaron Hines on Wednesday to talk about the recent success, community support and much more.

Shelby Football Coach, Rob Mahaney, sat down for his weekly chat with WMAN's Aaron Hines for a preview of the Whippets (13-0) Division IV State Semi-Final vs Indian Hill (13-0).  Neither school has reached the state championship game. For Shelby, it's their 2nd ever trip to the final four ( 2017), while this is the first for the Braves.

Here is the WMAN radio play-by-play of the Brayden DeVito to Kayden Paz touchdown pass in the 2nd quarter of Friday's Regional Final win vs Galion.  The play took around :15 seconds to develop and was an incredible play.

Brayden DeVito scored his 200th career touchdown on Friday night in Shelby's Regional Final win over Galion. This is the WMAN radio call of Brayden's TD in the 3rd quarter.  DeVito now has 201 career TD's.

Hear from Shelby Football coach, Rob Mahaney, who stopped into the press box at Arlin Field in Mansfield on Friday, following the Whippets regional final win over Galion. Rob spent time chatting with Aaron Hines and Erik Will of WMAN.

Brayden DeVito of the Shelby Whippets joined WMAN's Aaron Hines and Erik Will in the press box, after Shelby beat Galion, 41-7, to win the schools 2nd ever Regional Championship and punch their ticket to the Final Four!

Mansfield News Journal Sports Reporter, Jake Furr dropped into the WMAN studio on Wednesday morning to give Aaron Hines  his thoughts on Shelby vs Galion Regional Final, which will be played at Arlin Field in Mansfield on Friday night at 7 pm.

Shelby Football coach, Rob Mahaney, joined Aaron Hines from WMAN to preview the Whippets Regional Final vs Galion on Friday. Plus, Mahaney gives his thoughts on the win last week over Lima Bath and playing at Arlin Field vs a rival for a berth in the final four.

Galion Football coach, Matt Dick, spent time talking with WMAN's Aaron Hines ahead of the Regional Final game on Friday vs Shelby.  

Brayden DeVito joined Aaron Hines and Erik Will in the postgame show on Friday, after the Shelby Whippets, 49-7, Regional Semi-Final win over Lima Bath at the Whippet Athletic Complex.  DeVito scored 6 touchdowns in the 1st half and now has 60 total TDs on the season.  The victory for Shelby puts the Whippets into the Regional Championship game for just the 5th time in school history.  Shelby (12-0) will now play Galion (11-1) at Arlin Field on Friday with a spot in the State Final Four on the line. 

Galion football coach, Matt Dick, visited with WMAN's Aaron Hines to preview the Tigers Regional Semi-Final on Friday at home vs Sandusky Perkins.  10-1 Galion is the #2 seed, while the 9-3 Pirates are the #6 seed.  The winner players either Shelby or Lima Bath in the Regional Championship game on Friday, November 21st.

Shelby head football coach, Rob Mahaney, spent time with WMAN's Aaron Hines to preview Friday's Division IV Regional Semi-Final vs Lima Bath.Mahaney also gave his thoughts on his teams win over Orrville last week, Brayden DeVito moving into 4th place in state history in passing yards & 14th all-time in TD passes, how good the defense has been playing all year and Shelby, with a win, looking to play for a Regional Championship for the 5th time in school history.

Shelby head football coach, Rob Mahaney, took time to chat this week with WMAN's Aaron Hines about Friday's playoff game vs Orrville. Plus, how did the team handle a bye week, Brayden DeVito closing in on 4th place all-time in passing yards in state history and much more.

Aaron Hines sat down with Orrville Red Riders head football coach, Brent Besancon for a preview of Friday's Regional quarterfinal at Shelby vs the Whippets.  The game will be broadcast live on WMAN and iHeart Radio.

Former Ashland University coach, Lee Owens, has a new book, which was released back in September.  Owens coached at AU, Akron, Ohio State and at the high school level at several local places, where he won a state title at Galion in 1985.Lee spent time talking with Aaron Hines from WMAN about the book, how it came to be and being a football coach of a program is like being a CEO.---------ASHLAND, Ohio – Lee Owens, longtime football coach at Ashland University, motivational speaker and team-culture coach, will be back on campus for a special event featuring his new book, “The Spirit of a Team: Successful CEOs and Coaches Share Their Strategies for Achieving Excellence,” on Saturday, Nov. 8.The event will begin at the Eagles’ Nest inside the Hawkins-Conard Student Center at 10:30 a.m., with Owens reading an excerpt from the book followed by a question-and-answer session. Around 11:30 a.m., Owens will shift to the AU Campus Store, where copies of his book are available for purchase, for a signing and meet-and-greet. Then, fans can head over to Jack Miller Stadium to cheer on the 17th-ranked Eagles’ in their key match-up against No. 11 Findlay at 1 p.m.“The Spirit of a Team,” which Owens co-authored with award-winning sportswriter Larry Phillips, provides real-life examples of how CEOs, coaches and players have achieved success in the biggest arenas of business and sport. Stories of exemplary leadership come from the likes of Matt LaFleur, Green Bay Packers head coach; Luke Fickell, University of Wisconsin coach; Dwight Schar, the founder and longtime CEO of NVR, one of the nation’s largest home builders; and many more.“The Spirit of a Team” includes a foreword by Jim Tressel, the lieutenant governor of Ohio and former Ohio State University coach. The book was released Sept. 2, 2025.Owens led the AU football team to one of its most successful runs in program history, accumulating a 137-61 record from 2004-22.The Eagles made six appearances in the NCAA Div. II Championship field (winning three games) and won four conference championships – three in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference and one in the Great Midwest Athletic Conference – during his tenure.Prior to coming to AU, Owens served as a head coach at the University of Akron for nine seasons and coached at four different high schools, including Massillon Washington for four years.For more information about the event, contact Amanda Brown, director of the Campus Store, at [email protected] or 419-289-5336

Clear Fork football coach, Aaron Brokaw, spent some time talking with WMAN this week to preview the Colts 1st round playoff game on Friday at home vs Orrville.  #8 Clear Fork (6-4) and #9 Orrville (6-4) last played each other back in 2015. Both were apart of the Ohio Cardinal Conference. The winner on Friday night will play Shelby on November 7th in the Regional Quarterfinals.

Aaron Hines of WMAN was able to track down and chat with Lexington football coach, Andrew Saris, for a preview of the OCC Championship game vs Ashland on Friday.Lexington is 8-1, and has won 7 straight games - averaging 46 points per game, while the Arrows are 9-0 and are scoring 41 points per game.Saris spoke about the balance of his team right now, running and passing, everything is clicking for the Minutemen.WMAN will broadcast the game on Friday night at 7 p.m.

OSU Mansfield Dean Director, Jason Opal, visited with WMAN to share about Buckeye Preview Days, Tuition Free Program at Ohio State Mansfield, and enrollment is up, this year overall and with first year students. 

Ashland Arrows head football coach, Scott Valentine, sat down this week with WMAN's Aaron Hines to discuss the Arrows season so far, which has been perfect at 9-0. Ashland is averaging over 41 points per game, the defense is only giving up 10 points game and they have held 7 of 9 opponents to a single touchdown.  Coach Valentine, who has been the head coach at Ashland for a total of 20 years, and overall has been a coach for 30 years, gave his thoughts on Lexington (8-1, 5-0), who the Arrows (9-0, 5-0) play for the outright Ohio Cardinal Conference Championship on Friday at 7 pm in Lexington.  You can hear the game live on WMAN and iHeart Radio.

Shelby football coach, Rob Mahaney, spent time visiting with Aaron Hines from WMAN to recap last week's impressive, 52-14, win over Clear Fork, which puts the Whippets all alone in 1st place in the Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference with 3 weeks left in the regular season.  Mahaney gives his thoughts on Friday's game at Ontario (4-3, 2-2) for the state ranked Shelby Whippets, who are now 7-0 and 4-0 in the MOAC.

Ontario football coach, Aaron Eckert, sat down with WMAN's Aaron Hines to talk about Friday's big game at home vs Shelby. The Warriors have won 2 in a row and are 4-3 overall, 2-2 in the Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference.  The last 4 or 5 games between Ontario and Shelby have been some of the memorable games in the last two years.  You can hear Friday's game on WMAN at 7 p.m.

Shelby football coach, Rob Mahaney, spent time chatting with WMAN's Aaron Hines about their 6-0 start and Friday's big game in the MOAC at home vs Clear Fork.  Shelby is 6-0, 3-0, while the Colts are 5-1, 3-0 in the league.  The Whippets defense has not given up a point since September 12th and has had back-to-back shutouts.  Clear Fork has only given up 1 offensive TD in the last 3 weeks.  Shelby's offense is scoring over 46 points per game, while the Colts are averaging 27 points a game.  You can hear the game "live" on WMAN.

Clear Fork football coach, Aaron Brokaw, talked about his teams 5-1 start to the season, as the Colts head into a big game on Friday in the MOAC at Shelby (6-0).  WMAN's Aaron Hines caught up with coach Brokaw on Tuesday. Clear Fork and Shelby are both 3-0 in league play. You can hear Friday's game on WMAN.

The IHRA, International Hot Rod Association, is in Wayne County at Dragway 42 and the Darana Dragway in West Salem this weekend. Driver Kallee Mills spent some time talking with iHeart Radio, and  Aaron Hines, about the Nitro Outlaw Series that is running September 24th - September 27th.

The IHRA, International Hot Rod Association, has a big event this week in Wayne County at Dragway 42 and the Darana Dragway in West Salem.  Driver Dan Hix phoned into WMAN to talk with Aaron Hines from iHeart Radio about the Nitro Outlaw Series that is running September 24th - September 27th.

Ashland University Men's Basketball coach, John Ellenwood, spent time this week talking to WMAN's Aaron Hines about a big event next month for his team and the community. Ellenwood shared that former Ohio State Buckeye great, Clark Kellogg, is coming to Ashland to speak on Oct 15.

High School Football: The Galion Tigers are off to a great start at 3-0.  Galion has outscored their opponents 117-20 through 3 weeks.  Head coach, Matt Dick is in his 10th year and joined WMAN's Aaron Hines to share what he has liked and a preview of the MOAC opener on Friday at Shelby.

The Shelby Whippets are off to a 3-0 start to the season. Shelby football coach, Rob Mahaney, visted with WMAN's Aaron Hines to talk about what he has liked so far, Week 4 vs Galion on Friday and Whippets QB, Brayden DeVito, reaching 10,000 yards passing for his career.  WMAN will broadcast Friday's game "live" from the Whippet Athletic Complex.

Clear Fork football coach, Aaron Brokaw, sat down with WMAN's Aaron Hines to chat about the Colts 2-0 start to the season. Brokaw is in his 3rd year at Clear Fork, who has won back-to-back games to start the year for the 1st time in 7 years. 2018 was the last time Clear Fork started 2-0, which that season saw a perfect 10-0 regular season and the Colts played in the Regional Championship game that year too.  Friday night, Clear Fork (2-0) travels to Lexington (1-1) in Week 3. You can hear the game "live" on WMAN and iHeart Radio with Aaron Hines and Erik Will.

Jason Opal, OSU Mansfield Dean and Director, visited with iHeart Radio, WMAN on Thursday to share the latest on what's happening on the local campus. Opal was thrilled to report that enrollment is up around 20% and he is excited heading into his 2nd year in the role. Jason talks about upcoming events and how many different degree options available on the Mansfield campus.

Shelby football coach, Rob Mahaney, visited with WMAN's Aaron Hines following the teams week 1 win over Madison. Mahaney, who is in his 7th year at Shelby, shared his thoughts on the Whippets game on Friday in Week 2, at home, vs county rival Lexington.  The Minutemen got a victory over Ontario last Friday and have not beat Shelby since 2015 - a stretch of 8 straight games.

The Lexington Minutemen got a 36-16 win in Week 1 vs Ontario. QB Joe Caudil accounted for 4 TD's and close to 300 total yards. Seven Allen, Dantrell Hughes each caught TD's, while Brandon Reaves ran the ball well. The defense for Lex had 4 takeaways, which were 4 INT's.Andrew Saris, who is in his 4th year at Lexington, sat down with WMAN's Aaron Hines to talk about the season opening win, and his thoughts on Friday's opponent Shelby.You can hear Friday's game, Lexington (1-0) at Shelby (1-0) on WMAN with Aaron Hines and Erik Will

Justin Berry, General Manager of Mansfield Distributing dropped into the studio to share the big news! WORLD RENOWNED BUDWEISER CLYDESDALES TOAPPEAR AT THE BRICKYARD IN MANSFIELD, THE WAYNE COUNTY FAIR, THE BELLVILLE STREET FAIR, AND THE ASHLAND COUNTY FAIRMANSFIELD, BELLVILLE, WOOSTER AND ASHLAND, OHIO, SEPT. 10TH – SEPT. 14TH – The world-famous Budweiser Clydesdales, the symbol of quality and tradition for Anheuser-Busch since 1933, are scheduled to make several appearances in our area between September. 10th and September 14th, including a single horse appearance at The Brickyard in Mansfield and full hitch appearances at the Bellville Street Fair and the Wayne and Ashland County Fairs where there will also be check presentations to the Folds of Honor Foundation that has supported families of our fallen and wounded military personnel since 2007.Mansfield Distributing, your locally owned and operated Anheuser-Busch distributor, is proud and excited to present the eight-horse Clydesdale team that will be harnessed and hitched to the iconic red beer wagon at the Wayne County Fair on September 11th, from 4pm to 6pm, the Bellville Street Fair on September, 12th from 4pm to 6pm, and the Ashland Country Fair on September, 14th from 3pm to 5pm. There will also be an opportunity for pictures with a single horse at The Brickyard in Mansfield on September, 10th from 5pm to 7pm.The Clydesdales’ appearances in our area are just a few of the hundreds made annually by the traveling hitches. Canadians of Scottish descent brought the first Clydesdales to America in the mid-1800’s. Today, the giant draft horses are used primarily for breeding and show.Horses chosen for the Budweiser Clydesdale hitch must be at least three years of age, stand approximately 18 hands – or six feet – at the shoulder, weigh an average of 2,000 pounds, must be bay in color, have four white legs, and a blaze of white on the face and black mane and tail. A gentle temperament is very important as hitch horses meet millions of people each year.A single Clydesdale hitch horse will consume as much as 20-25 quarts of feed, 40-50 pounds of hay and 30 gallons of water per day.Each hitch travels with a Dalmatian. In the early days of brewing, Dalmatians were bred and trained to protect the horses and guard the wagon when the driver went inside to make deliveries.The Budweiser Clydesdales can be viewed at the Anheuser-Busch Brewery and Grant’s Farm in St. Louis, MO. They also may be viewed at Warm Springs Ranch, the 300-plus acre Clydesdale breeding farm located near Boonville, MO.

New Madison head football coach, Kobi Johnson, spoke with WMAN's Aaron Hines to preview the 2025 Rams, and learn about Kobi taking over the program. Johnson played at Madison, and was on the playoff team in 2012, along with being on the coaching staff for the last several years. He is excited to get started on Friday, as the Rams host Shelby in the season opener. You can hear the game at 7 pm from Ram Field on WMAN.

Sgt. Mike Smith of the Mansfield Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol, and Ryan Swank, a Motor Vehicle Inspector with the Patrol, spent time on WMAN to talk about back to school safety and school bus Inspection. Many schools across the area are headed back to the classroom this week. 

Shelby Football Coach, Rob Mahaney, sat down with Aaron Hines to chat and preview the Whippets for 2025.  Rob is heading into his 7th year as coach, and there is a lot of excitement in Shelby this fall.  Shelby, who has a lot of talent on both sides of the ball, opens the season on Friday, August 22nd at Madison.  You can hear that game "live" on WMAN and the iHeart Radio app.