State Route 94 to Close Oct. 28 for Culvert Replacement

WAYNE COUNTY, Ohio — A section of State Route 94 just north of Warwick Road will close Wednesday, Oct. 28, for a culvert replacement, according to the Ohio Department of Transportation.

The work is expected to be completed Friday, Oct. 30.

The posted detour will direct motorists north on State Route 94 to U.S. 30, west on U.S. 30 to State Route 57, north on State Route 57 to State Route 585, and north on State Route 585 back to State Route 94. Motorists traveling in the opposite direction will follow the route in reverse.

Drivers should plan for additional travel time while the closure is in place.

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Ashland Events Bring Business Networking, Park Celebration and Family Fun

ASHLAND — A busy lineup of local events will give residents opportunities to connect with businesses, celebrate Lincoln Park’s opening, enjoy Halloween activities and find support for families affected by substance use.

The announcements, shared through the Ashland Area Chamber of Commerce’s Weekly Pulse, include the following events.

Families Finding Hope

Catholic Charities and the Ashland County Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse, known as ACCADA, will offer “Families Finding Hope: Supporting Wellness and Resilience” on Monday, Oct. 19, from 6 to 8 p.m.

The free community program will take place at the Pathways Peer Support Program, Suite 20, at 34 W. Second St. in Ashland. Another session is scheduled for Monday, Dec. 7, at the same time.

The program welcomes family members, friends and community members affected by a loved one’s substance use or other behaviors of concern. Topics include healthy coping skills, compassionate boundaries, the effects of trauma and addiction, and support for the emotional, financial and physical challenges families may face.

The Mental Health and Recovery Board of Ashland County supports the program. No childcare will be available.

For information or registration, call Catholic Charities at 419-289-1903 or ACCADA at 419-289-7675.

Coffee, Conversation and a Facility Tour

Chamber Coffee & Conversation will take place Tuesday, Oct. 20, from 9 to 10:30 a.m. at Hedstrom Ball Bounce & Sport, 2040 Cellar Drive.

Attendees can network and tour the company’s new facility in Ashland’s business park.

Lincoln Park Ribbon Cutting

The City of Ashland, Rotary Club of Ashland and Norma Foundation invite residents to Lincoln Park’s ribbon cutting and grand opening Tuesday, Oct. 20, at 5 p.m.

The park is located at 11th Street and Troy Road. Food and festivities are planned, and the basketball court, playground and pavilions will be open.

The dog park will remain closed because of recently planted grass.

Organizers invite neighbors to celebrate a gathering place designed for families, young people and pet owners.

Trick or Treat at Ashland Woods

The Inn at Ashland Woods will host a Halloween event Tuesday, Oct. 20, with dinner and raffles benefiting United Way of Ashland County available from 5 to 6 p.m.

The menu includes “Halloweenies,” “Monster Munch Chips,” “Graveyard Dirt” and “Spooky-licious Cider.”

Trick-or-treat doors open at 6 p.m.

Safety Council to Discuss Workers’ Compensation Claims

The Ashland Area Safety Council will present “Lifecycle of a Claim” on Wednesday, Oct. 21.

Stacy Harrington, a regional business consultant with the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation, will explain the workers’ compensation claim process, what employers can expect at each stage and how they can navigate and manage claims.

The announcement did not include a meeting time or location.

Iron Wing Parts Plans Grand Opening

The community is also invited to a grand opening and ribbon cutting for Iron Wing Parts at 1111 Faultless Drive in Ashland.

According to the announcement, the business brings more than 25 years of experience sourcing and delivering OEM and aftermarket parts for a variety of machinery and vehicles.

A date and time for the celebration were not included in the supplied announcement.

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Reward Offered for Hasan Hill, Wanted for Felonious Assault

MANSFIELD, Ohio — The Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force is asking for the public’s help locating Hasan Hill and is offering a reward for information leading to his capture.

According to the task force’s Oct. 19 release, Hill, 35, is wanted by the Richland County Sheriff’s Office and the United States Marshals Service for felonious assault.

Hill is described as a Black male, 5 feet 7 inches tall, weighing approximately 150 pounds. Authorities say he is known to frequent the Mansfield and Cleveland areas.

Anyone with information about Hill’s whereabouts can contact the Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force at 1-866-4WANTED or submit information through the U.S. Marshals Service online tip page.

Tipsters may remain anonymous. Reward money is available for information leading to his capture.

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Families Share Heartbreak, Urge Drivers to Move Over at Mifflin Safety Event

MIFFLIN — Kathy Wigal went to a soccer game Saturday morning and found herself thinking about the moments her family will never have.

Her surviving son was coaching one team. Across the field was the team her son Philip might have coached, with his daughter playing.

She imagined the brothers competing against each other. The laughter. The friendly rivalry. Another family memory.

But Philip was not there.

The 35-year-old firefighter, husband and father of two daughters was killed while working at a crash scene on Interstate 71 in April 2022.

“We have the memory of all those fun times,” Kathy said. “But we’re not able to make any more.”

Hours after that soccer game, Kathy and her husband, Mike, stood before a gathering at the new Mifflin Community Volunteer Fire Department station and asked drivers to help spare another family their pain.

“Please, when you’re out on the road, I beg you to slow down and move over when you see flashing lights,” she said.

Their message was at the heart of the Move Over Law Awareness Event and Fundraiser held Saturday, Oct. 17, at the station, 16 Maine St. Auer Towing & Recovery, Safety First Driving Academy and the fire department brought together families, first responders, towing professionals and community members for an afternoon of remembrance, education and support.

The event featured food, family activities, auctions and the National Work Zone Memorial. Proceeds were designated for the American Traffic Safety Services Foundation, which supports roadway safety education, scholarships and remembrance programs.

But the families who spoke gave the cause its most personal meaning. They shared the lives behind the names and the empty places left at home.

Philip Wigal had wanted to become a firefighter since he was 4 years old, his mother recalled. He began training after high school in 2006 and built a life around helping others.

Kathy remembered sitting down for a family dinner when his emergency tones sounded. His oldest daughter, then just 2, already understood what would happen next.

“Bye-bye, Daddy,” the little girl said.

Philip left to answer the call.

On April 11, 2022, the Town and Country Fire District lieutenant was working at a crash scene on I-71 in Wayne County when a commercial vehicle struck emergency vehicles at the scene. He never returned home.

“There is a hole in our heart that will never heal,” Kathy said.

Mike described how he began taking memorial stickers to fire departments after his son’s death. He hoped firefighters would place them somewhere they would see before stepping out of their vehicles.

If seeing Philip’s name prompted someone to pause, look both ways and remember their training, Mike said, the sticker would serve its purpose.

The couple’s goal is to protect other families from the loss they carry every day.

State Rep. Melanie Miller thanked the Wigals for continuing to share their son’s story and discussed House Bill 132, legislation she and Rep. Meredith Craig championed in his name.

Miller told those gathered that the proposal sought stronger consequences for move-over violations and additional driver education. She and the family urged continued support for the effort.

“I wish that the circumstances that brought us here together today would have never happened,” Miller said.

She reminded the audience that every person working beside traffic has someone waiting for them.

“Behind every flashing light on the side of the road is a person,” she said. “Someone’s husband or wife, someone’s father or mother, someone’s son or daughter.”

For Christina Greenwood, speaking Saturday meant giving her son Jordan Thomas a voice.

Jordan was 25 and working as a third-year construction apprentice when he was killed in a work zone Feb. 28, 2026, she said. He had been back at work for just one week following the winter season.

Greenwood said an impaired driver entered the work zone, struck a generator and then struck her son before leaving the scene.

She spoke of Jordan’s smile, his laughter and the hugs she misses. He worked hard, wanted to make his family proud and carried his grandfather’s advice that honest effort mattered, whatever work he chose.

The grief, she explained, follows her through ordinary days.

“It is best described as having six broken ribs,” Greenwood said. “Nobody can see them, but it hurts to breathe every day.”

Still, she intends to keep showing up, saying Jordan’s name and asking for safer roads.

“I will keep being his voice,” she said, “and I will never let this world erase who he was.”

Mike Gallaway spoke on behalf of himself and his wife, Jenny, about their son Trenton, known as Trent.

Trent went to work for the Richland County Highway Department after high school and quickly found work he loved. He earned his commercial driver’s license and was building his future.

On Oct. 2, 2024, he was killed while working with a road crew when a driver attempting to pass struck him, his father said. Trent was 20.

His family remembered a hardworking young man who enjoyed trucks, hunting, lifting weights with his brother and spending time with friends. He was funny, liked teasing his mother and fiercely loved his family, friends and faith.

Six days before his death, he bought the GMC Denali he had saved for.

Mike asked drivers to picture someone they love standing inside the work zone they are approaching.

For the people working there, he explained, that stretch of pavement is their workplace, just as an office, factory floor or nurses’ station is for someone else.

The families’ accounts continued through letters read by Ashley Williams.

Jim Shriner, owner of Broad & James Towing and Auto Care in Columbus, remembered a longtime employee named Bill who was killed beside I-71 in September 2012.

Bill was a reader, a history enthusiast, a golfing companion and a father devoted to his three daughters. Within the family business, he was family too.

Shriner’s statement recalled the early-morning telephone call that brought news of the crash and the daughters who had to grow up without their father.

“Please support the move over law,” his statement urged, “and please do not drive distracted or impaired.”

Another letter came from Shayla Holland, whose husband, Joshwa Holland, was killed while working in a highway construction zone Sept. 18, 2026. He was 27.

She remembered Josh as her best friend, a father, an outdoorsman and someone willing to stop what he was doing to help another person.

They had plans. They had a little boy to raise.

Then she faced the task of explaining to their 4-year-old son that his dad was not coming home.

Behind a brief news report about a fatal crash, she wrote, is a family whose entire life has changed.

“He was my husband. He was a dad. And he was our whole world.”

The danger was familiar to the firefighters hosting the gathering.

Mifflin Fire Chief J.J. Bittinger recounted a July 1, 2021, crash in which a semi struck the department’s utility truck on I-71, pushing it into another fire vehicle.

Bittinger had just walked between the vehicles. His wife, who also serves with the department, was nearby and initially did not know whether he had been caught in the wreckage.

Thankfully, he said, no one was injured.

His account brought the message close to home: these crashes happen on the roads local crews travel and work every day.

The crash statistics supplied for the event recorded 730 move-over crashes through Oct. 14, 2026, including 93 classified as fatal or severe-injury crashes.

Saturday’s speakers asked the public to remember the people within those numbers.

A firefighter who left dinner to help a stranger. A young man proud of his first career. A son whose mother misses his hugs. A father with three daughters. A husband who should have come home to his wife and little boy.

Their families cannot change what happened. By telling their stories, they hope to change what another driver does next.

Slow down. Pay attention. Move over.

Note:

Time is running short. Philip Wigal’s Law must clear the legislature before the current General Assembly ends at the close of 2026. If it does not, the bill dies and would have to be reintroduced in the next session, starting the legislative process again.

That deadline adds urgency to the families’ plea. After unanimous House passage, they are asking residents to keep calling and writing their state senators and the Senate Judiciary Committee, urging them to advance House Bill 132 for a Senate vote before the year ends.

For Mike and Kathy Wigal, every call is another chance to protect someone else’s child. They cannot bring Philip home, but they continue sharing his story in the hope that another family will never have to endure their heartbreak.

Residents can contact Sen. Mark Romanchuk’s office at 614-466-7505 or through his official contact form. Readers elsewhere can use Find Your Senator to reach their own senator.

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One Last Push to Help Richard Bland Get a Heavy-Duty Electric Trike

ASHLAND — Richard Bland is known as a man who helps elderly neighbors, lends a hand with chores and would give someone the shirt off his back. Now, friends are asking the community to help him get dependable transportation of his own.

Richard’s fundraiser remains open, with supporters making one last push toward a sturdy electric tricycle that can handle regular use and serve him for years.

Many Ashland residents recognize Richard from his travels around town, often wearing his bright reflective vest. With his bicycle broken or needing significant repairs, he has been covering those miles on foot.

Fundraiser organizer Kelly Dull, who went to school with Richard in the 1980s, said he walks about an hour just to reach his volunteer work at the Ashland Thrift Store.

As of this writing, the fundraiser showed $2,837 raised toward its $4,000 goal through donations, leaving $1,163 to reach the posted target.

The planning figures supplied for the effort list $3400 for the trike and $400 for the trailer, totaling $3,800 before tax and additional equipment. Final pricing will depend on the purchase terms when the order is placed.

Kelly also hopes to provide practical items such as a helmet, mirrors, tall safety flags, reflective materials, a lock and lights. The goal is to help Richard get around more easily while equipping him for his daily trips.

For Richard, those trips often lead to helping someone else. He mows lawns, rakes leaves, assists elderly residents and offers encouragement rooted in his faith.

In a previous interview, he spoke gratefully about those who have helped him through the years.

“People have been so good to me,” Richard said. “I thank them, and I pray for them.”

Now, Richard is praying for a dependable trike, and friends hope the community will help finish the effort.

Even $5 can help move the fundraiser closer to its goal. Anyone unable to donate can help by sharing the appeal.

To contribute or share, visit Richard Bland’s fundraiser.

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DIANNE’S DOGHOUSE

My Puppy Mary

“That’s my girl.” I often whispered this phrase to Mary to show my affection and admiration for her. Mary was a constant presence in my life whether in bed, riding in the truck or making her many Therapy Dog visits. 

Mary was the first Ohio Court dog and was on the stand with her child who had to testify against their abuser. More children followed and she continued to absorb their stress one-by-one. She gave them confidence to proceed with the attorney’s questions.

She was so sweet that she became a social butterfly when in the public eye, so everyone she met just assumed she was perfect… but potty training wasn’t in her itinerary. 

A Shih Tzu is the hardest pup to train because they get loved-on by so many humans that they think they are special and should be able to do or not to do whatever they choose. It was a little embarrassing to admit that it took three years until she quit peeing in the house.

Dogs understand living in the moment in a way that humans never will. We get so caught up in the past, but they do not. People hang on to everything. Even when the bad times are behind us, we still carry the hurt around.

Try as we might, sometimes we get so caught up in that pain that we convince ourselves that good times might never come—not because there’s nothing good left in the world, but because we think we don’t deserve it. This is my theory. So according to this theory, we should all be more like dogs!!!

I have had the privilege of helping humans train their dogs for many years, some went on to guide, some to comfort, some to assist in ways most people never realized. These pups watched over their humans like they were their whole world, responding to cues with quiet brilliance.

Dogs don’t just guide and support, they love! They support and love us through our toughest moments, teaching us to walk by faith and not by sight.

Blessings,

Dianne Hammontree

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Remembering Sergeant Tyler Carr: 22 Years of Service, a Life Cut Short

MANSFIELD, Ohio – Family, Friends and fellow Troopers are mourning the loss of Sergeant Tyler Paul Carr of the Ohio State Highway Patrol’s Mansfield Post, who died Thursday, October 8, following an off-duty traffic crash. He was 46.

Carr, of Shelby and formerly of Smithville, died at OhioHealth Mansfield Hospital from injuries sustained in the crash.

The Patrol announced his death on Facebook that day, sharing its sorrow and asking that his family, the Mansfield Post, the Bucyrus District and the entire Patrol family be kept in people’s thoughts.

Carr spent 22 years serving with the Ohio State Highway Patrol. He took pride in his work and in helping protect others. In 2020, he was promoted to sergeant.

But there was much more to Tyler than his uniform.

He loved the outdoors. He explored off-road trails in his Jeep Rubicon, rode motorcycles over rugged terrain and often traveled out West looking for his next adventure. He also enjoyed hunting.

Tyler was a skilled mechanic who could fix just about anything. Working with his hands brought him satisfaction, whether he was making a repair or getting ready for another trip.

Born March 11, 1980, in Wooster, Tyler was the son of Philip and Beth (Falor) Carr. He graduated from Smithville High School and the Wayne County Career Center in 1998. He later completed training through the Ohio Peace Officers Training Academy.

His obituary remembers his dedication to his work, his love of adventure and the place he held in the lives of family and friends. It also mentions his beloved cat, Butt Butt.

Tyler leaves behind his daughter, Kaitlyn Raine Carr of Lewis Center; his parents, Phil and Beth Carr of Delaware; his brother, Zachary and his wife, Lauren, of Delaware; his nieces, Rory and Laena Carr; and numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.

For those who knew him, the loss is personal. They are saying goodbye to a father, a son, a brother, a friend and a fellow trooper.

Friends may call Friday, October 16, from 10 to 11:45 a.m. at Wilbur Berkey Field House, 100 Smithie Drive, Smithville. Funeral services will follow at noon, with Chaplain Dan Vickey officiating.

Burial will take place at Smithville Cemetery with Ohio State Highway Patrol honors.

Auble Funeral Home in Orrville is assisting the family. Condolences may be shared at www.aublefuneralhomes.com.

A Prayer in Memory of Sergeant Tyler Carr

Dear Heavenly Father,

We come to You with heavy hearts as we remember Sergeant Tyler Carr. Thank You for his life, his years of service and the people he helped.

Welcome him into Your peace. May he hear the words, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant.”

Be close to his daughter, his parents, his brother and all who loved him. Help them through the hard days ahead. Give them rest when they are weary and comfort when the grief feels too much to bear.

Be with his fellow troopers, too. Watch over them as they return to work, and bring them safely home to their families.

Remembering Tyler with love and care for those he leaves behind. Let them know they do not have to face this loss alone.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Rest in peace, Sergeant Carr. Thank you for your service.

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$100,000 Bond Set for Ashland Man Accused of Injuring Four-Year-Old Child

ASHLAND — An Ashland man accused of striking his girlfriend’s four-year-old child with his hand and a belt appeared by video Friday, October 9, in Ashland County Common Pleas Court, where the court set a $100,000 bond and imposed restrictions on contact with children.

Camryn Hathcock, 24, faces one count of endangering children, a third-degree felony, in case number 26-CRI-188.

The complaint, filed October 9 by Ashland Police Department, alleges the offense occurred on or about October 7 in Ashland County. It accuses Hathcock of administering excessive physical punishment or restraint that created a substantial risk of serious physical harm to a child.

During the bond hearing, Assistant Prosecutor Laura Stanley described the allegations as “extremely concerning.” She told the court the child sustained significant bruising on both sides of his buttocks and part of his hip after allegedly being struck with a belt.

According to Stanley, Hathcock initially admitted to officers that he had been “whipping him too hard earlier,” referring to punishment administered with his hand. Stanley said Hathcock then admitted using a belt after the child had another tantrum.

“This was not an accidental injury,” Stanley told the court, describing allegations of an adult repeatedly using physical force against a four-year-old child, resulting in significant visible injuries.

Stanley said Hathcock’s criminal history includes a 2020 assault offense, a related probation violation and a 2021 failure to appear. She acknowledged that he did not appear to have any felony criminal history, but said the prior offenses raised concerns about community safety and compliance with court orders.

The prosecution requested a $200,000 cash or surety bond, along with GPS monitoring, a curfew, no direct or indirect contact with the alleged victim and no unsupervised contact with any minor.

Stanley also raised concerns about Hathcock’s proposed residence on Cottage Street. She said his girlfriend told police he sometimes stayed there but spent most of his time at a local motel. A police report also indicated that a two-year-old sibling of the alleged victim lived in the home, Stanley said, although she did not know the younger child’s current location. She requested a separate no-contact restriction involving that child.

Hathcock requested appointed counsel, and the court appointed attorney Donald Wick to represent him. When asked whether he wanted to say anything before bond was set, Hathcock declined.

The court ordered a personal recognizance bond, a written promise to attend future hearings, along with a $100,000 bond that may be posted through cash, surety or real estate.

If released, Hathcock must wear a GPS monitor and observe a 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew at an approved residence. He must have no contact whatsoever with the alleged victim, have no unsupervised contact with any minors and refrain from living in a home where a child resides.

Additional conditions require him to remain in Ohio, attend all hearings, keep the court informed of his address and telephone number, and obey all laws and court orders. He must also refrain from using or possessing alcohol or drugs of abuse, enroll in the court’s drug and alcohol testing program and submit to random testing. Testing and GPS monitoring costs would be his responsibility.

Hathcock’s next hearing, an initial appearance, is scheduled for Tuesday, October 13, at 2 p.m. by video.

The charge is an allegation. Hathcock is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

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Ashland Woman Charged in Voter Registration Case; Magistrate Repeatedly Urges Her to Consult Attorney

ASHLAND — An Ashland woman accused of submitting a voter registration form for her deceased mother repeatedly offered explanations during her bond hearing Friday, prompting Magistrate Paul T. Lange to remind her that her statements could be used against her and urge her to discuss the allegations with an attorney.

Deborah Lynn Hughes, 68, appeared by video in Ashland County Common Pleas Court on Oct. 9 following an indictment charging her with false voter registration and identity fraud, both fifth-degree felonies.

The indictment, filed Oct. 8 in case number 26-CRI-180, alleges the offenses occurred between Aug. 12 and Aug. 17, 2026. The identity fraud count alleges Hughes used personal identifying information belonging to Jurline Lott without express or implied consent, intending to hold herself out as Lott.

During the hearing, Madilyn Morgan, a certified legal intern with the Ashland County Prosecutor’s Office, said the allegations involved Hughes mailing voter registration forms for both herself and her deceased mother.

From the beginning of the hearing, Hughes asked to explain her account. She told Lange she had been arrested at her home the previous night and wanted the court to understand that Lott was her deceased mother.

Hughes said she believed the matter had been resolved after deputies contacted her Aug. 20 and she explained that her mother had died.

She repeatedly objected to the indictment’s wording, saying it did not identify Lott as her mother or acknowledge her death.

“I’m her daughter, her only daughter,” Hughes said. “And I’m over all her affairs for signing things.”

Hughes described submitting the paperwork as part of updating addresses following a move from Richland County to Ashland. She said she and her mother had lived together for 15 years and that she routinely handled their mail.

“I was updating all the mail,” Hughes told the court, explaining that she included her mother’s paperwork with her own.

She disputed having the intent alleged in the charges and characterized what happened as a mistake made while grieving.

“I was just updating the address,” she said.

Hughes also told the court she took her mother’s death certificate to election officials after deputies visited her. According to her account, officials made a copy of the certificate.

“I said she’s dead. I just did the update,” Hughes said. “I said, I don’t know why I sent hers with mines. I’m just used to doing it.”

At several points, Hughes apologized for submitting the paperwork while continuing to dispute the allegations of intentional wrongdoing. She said she remained in mourning and had her mother’s cemetery monument installed the previous day.

“I was always, that was my job to do whenever, when she was alive, too,” Hughes said of handling her mother’s mail. “So, I took care of my mother.”

Lange Repeatedly Advises Hughes to Speak With Counsel

As Hughes continued explaining, Lange repeatedly clarified that the hearing concerned bond, rather than a determination of guilt or innocence.

“I’m not deciding whether or not you committed any criminal offense today,” Lange told her. “I’m only setting a bond.”

He advised Hughes of her right to remain silent and warned that anything she said could be used against her in future proceedings. When Hughes continued discussing the circumstances, he again explained that she could speak but that doing so carried consequences for her pending case.

Lange also clarified that reading the charges did not mean he was asking Hughes to agree with them or admit they were true. His purpose, he explained, was to ensure she understood what the state was alleging.

As Hughes responded to the false voter registration charge with another explanation about the mailing, Lange urged her to consult counsel.

“I would strongly recommend that if you do get an attorney in this case, you tell them your side of the story and let them represent you, ma’am,” he said.

He repeated that advice as she continued disputing the identity fraud allegation and describing her grief.

“Again, I strongly recommend you talk to an attorney,” Lange told her.

Later, after Hughes again explained why she had submitted her mother’s paperwork, Lange reiterated: “I strongly recommend you speak with your attorney about your side of the case.”

Hughes requested court-appointed representation. After reviewing her financial circumstances, Lange found her eligible and appointed attorney Christopher Immel.

Morgan told the court the state was aware of Hughes’ explanation. She said Hughes had no criminal history, there was no indication she posed a danger to the community, and the state did not anticipate additional charges stemming from the incident.

Morgan recommended a personal recognizance bond, which Lange granted. The bond allows Hughes to secure her release on a promise to attend future hearings without an upfront cash payment.

Her conditions require her to remain in Ohio unless she receives prior written permission from the court, attend all hearings, keep her contact information current, obey all laws and court orders, and enroll in the court’s pretrial supervision program. Lange did not require drug testing.

Hughes promised to attend future proceedings.

“I will. I will,” she told the court.

Her arraignment is scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 14, at 1:30 p.m. Lange directed her to report to the Ashland County courthouse for the video proceeding and said she would be able to speak privately with Immel beforehand.

When Hughes again asked whether she could tell her account at the next hearing, Lange directed her to consult her attorney, who would explain the purpose of that proceeding.

The charges remain allegations. Hughes is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.

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