LEAD STORY: Steelworkers Walk in Shelby
ArcelorMittal Union Lines Drawn as Contract Talks Collapse
SHELBY — The industrial peace in Shelby officially expired at 11:59 p.m. Tuesday.
After months of deadlocked negotiations, roughly 450 members of United Steelworkers (USW) Local 3057 have walked off the job at the ArcelorMittal tubular products facility. The strike marks the region’s most significant labor disruption since the union’s last walkout in November 2021.
According to USW International Representative Steve Ackerman, the decision to strike came after a final meeting on Monday morning failed to produce an agreement. “We’re willing to keep meeting and negotiating,” Ackerman said, but noted that the company had not scheduled further talks as of the strike deadline.
The Core Fight: Conditions vs. Cash While wage specifics remain tight to the vest, the union has signaled that “labor conditions” are the primary sticking point.
Local 3057 has a history of fighting against what members have previously called “Dickensian” scheduling. During the 2021 strike, workers cited mandatory 56-hour workweeks and forced 7-day schedules as key grievances. That 2021 dispute was relatively short-lived—lasting only about nine days before a contract was ratified featuring a 13% wage increase over four years.
Whether this strike follows a similar short timeline remains to be seen. With global steel markets fluctuating and ArcelorMittal operating as a massive international entity, the 450 families in Shelby are currently bracing for a battle of attrition. Picketing is expected to center around the Union Hall as the “work stoppage” moves into its first full day.
TAXPAYER WATCH: The $59 Million Question
Ontario Schools Place 5.35-Mill Bond on May Ballot
ONTARIO — While inflation continues to squeeze local wallets, Ontario voters will soon decide if they can afford a major investment in their school district’s physical future.
The Ontario Local Schools Board of Education has voted to place a 5.35-mill bond issue on the upcoming May ballot. The 30-year bond is projected to cost property owners approximately $187 annually for every $100,000 of market value.
Where is the money going? The district is looking to generate $40.3 million locally to unlock an additional $19 million in state funding from the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission (OFCC). The project list reads like a triage report for aging buildings:
- HVAC Systems: $17.7 million (nearly 30% of the total budget)
- Electrical Upgrades: $6.3 million
- Technology Infrastructure: $4.2 million
The Dissent The move wasn’t without internal friction. Board member Brett Baxter abstained from the vote, citing concerns over state overreach. Baxter argued against allowing the OFCC to dictate the renovation priorities rather than the local community.
For FreeWire readers in neighboring districts like Bucyrus or Wynford, this bond serves as a benchmark. With Wynford’s recent bond millage estimated around 3.15 mills for debt retirement, Ontario’s request is a significantly heavier lift for taxpayers.
CONSUMER ALERT: “Galactic Misrepresentation”
AG Yost Sues Solar Company Targeting Ohio Homeowners
COLUMBUS/MANSFIELD — If a guy in a polo shirt knocked on your door promising to eliminate your electric bill with solar panels, you might want to check your contract.
Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost filed a lawsuit this week against G3 Solar, a Utah-based company, alleging a pattern of deception that Yost described as a “galactic misrepresentation.”
The Scheme The lawsuit claims G3 Solar used high-pressure sales tactics to lock homeowners into expensive financing deals with promises that the solar panels would offset their utility costs. Instead, many customers found themselves in a “double billing” nightmare—paying a monthly loan for the solar panels plus their regular electric bill because the system underperformed.
Local Impact Complaints filed with the BBB reveal the scope of the mess. Customers have reported unfinished installations, damage to their homes, and “complete radio silence” from the company when systems fail. One complaint detailed a system that didn’t work for months while the homeowner was stuck paying on a $57,000 loan.
Yost is seeking restitution for consumers and civil penalties.
CRIME BLOTTER: High-Speed Irony
Repeat Offender Leads Deputies on 100 MPH Chase
MANSFIELD — Some people never learn.
On Monday, Richland County Deputies engaged in a high-speed pursuit that tore down South Trimble Road at speeds exceeding 100 mph. The chase ended violently when the driver, Eric Barrino (21), crashed into a utility pole at Millsboro Road.
The Passenger While Barrino faces felony charges for failure to comply, the passenger, Feree Kent (20), is the real story here.
Kent was already wanted on a warrant for an eerily similar incident. In May 2024, Kent led police on a 110 mph chase through Bucyrus, driving the wrong way on one-way streets before breaking down near the Crawford County Landfill.
During that 2024 arrest, officers found more than just a reckless driver—they recovered $1,896 in cash, 41 boxes of Psilocybin mushroom edibles, and 91 THC cartridges.
Monday’s crash resulted in minor injuries and a new set of headaches for the pair. Barrino is being held on a $250,000 bond.
FREEWIRE BRIEFS
Mayoral “Vision” Summit Set for Jan. 28 The mayors of Mansfield, Shelby, Ontario, and surrounding villages will gather at the Mid-Ohio Educational Service Center on January 28 for a “Mayoral Vision 2026” panel. Hosted by the Richland Area Chamber, the event aims to align local leadership on economic development. Expect discussions on how the region plans to compete with the Columbus metro expansion.
Mansfield Local Leaves for Peace Corps Mansfield native Samuel Kime (22) is trading Ohio winters for the Himalayas. Kime departs Jan. 15 for Nepal, where he will serve as an English education teacher with the Peace Corps. It’s a solid reminder that local talent is still making a global impact.
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