Ashland County ministers give $10,000 for vandalized cemetery; officials say investigation has stalled

At a council meeting, the Ashland County Ministerial Association presented a $10,000 check to help cover repairs after extensive vandalism at a local cemetery.

Mr. McNeeling, speaking for the association, said the group represents about 40 to 45 churches and ministries across Ashland County and that its members ‘‘want to be a part of active part of this community and make a difference.’’ He handed the check to council leaders for use on cemetery restoration.

City officials told the council the community has raised about $65,000 so far to address the damage and has spent roughly $35,000 reimbursing the cemetery board for immediate restoration work. Officials said most headstones have been reset but some remain broken and will need to be replaced.

Officials said the local Elks Lodge has donated about $13,000 beyond the funds collected by the city, and a local monument company has offered discounted services to assist with repairs and the replacement of damaged markers. The historical society is involved as the technical owner of the county’s military veterans monument, which is included in restoration planning.

The city estimated total vandalism damages at around $250,000 (approximate). A city official updated the council on the police investigation and said efforts to process fingerprints and track cell phones had so far produced no leads: ‘‘We are not any closer,’’ the official said, adding that some in the community suspect the vandalism may have been committed by someone from out of town, but investigators have not confirmed that.

Council members thanked the ministerial association and other donors; officials said the cemetery board is committed to completing repairs as quickly as possible. The meeting then moved on to the first ordinance on the agenda.