Archive for February 10th, 2008
CLOSED: With some area businesses leaving, what’s next?
Suddenly, prices of milk and bread start climbing. Foreclosures rise. And pink slips begin appearing on office desks. If you remember 2001, or 1991, 1982, 1980 or 1975, then you know the warning signs. CHRONICLE FILE Smokey Bones restaurant is one of the Midway Mall-area restaurants that have closed in the past year. Economic advisers [...]
Obama, Huckabee win delegates
WASHINGTON — Sen. Barack Obama swept the Louisiana primary and caucuses in Nebraska and Washington state Saturday night, slicing into Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton’s slender delegate lead in their historic race for the Democratic presidential nomination. The Illinois senator also won caucuses in the Virgin Islands, completing his best night of the campaign. [...]
Lorain police probe of building inspector continues
LORAIN — An investigation of Chief Building Inspector William Desvari remains open two days after he was escorted out of his office and placed on paid administrative leave, Mayor Tony Krasienko said.Lorain police plan to pore over Building Department records as part of the probe, but neither Krasienko nor Safety Service Director Robert Gilchrist will [...]
Writers respond positively to deal offer
LOS ANGELES — Striking Hollywood writers on Saturday gave resounding support to a tentative agreement with studios that could end a strike that has crippled the entertainment industry. However, it appeared the approval process might briefly delay their return to work. About 3,500 writers packed the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles to hear from union [...]
Blotter: Feb. 10
Elyria police Thursday, Feb., 7 1 p.m. – Circuit City, Market Drive, employees chased a man they said has stolen televisions from the store. 3:50 p.m. – 400 block N. Abbe Road, Jeep Liberty Sport’s window smashed. 4:30 p.m. – 400 block Cleveland St., Ford Explorer’s window smashed. 5:40 p.m. – 1000 block Melvyn Lane, [...]
Elyria troupe twirling for Mickey Mouse
ELYRIA — With a twirl, twist and toss, the Deputies Baton, Flag and Drum Corp has wowed local parade audiences for years with its high-octane baton twirling and acrobatics. The team has traveled around the country making people smile, and it’s always been about putting on a good show. But this weekend, the group of [...]
Democrats endorse incumbent engineer
The Lorain County Democratic Party has endorsed Engineer Kenneth Carney over his primary opponent, Thomas Hesmond. County Democratic Chairman Tom Smith said the executive committee has endorsed all Democratic incumbents and thinks Carney is doing a good job. In addition, Smith said the party questions Hesmond’s loyalties because he last ran four years ago against [...]
Workers patch problematic potholes
Whoever wrote “Winter Wonderland” had obviously never driven on — or repaired — a winter road. In the winter, subzero temperatures and freezing water cause roads to swell, split, crack and bubble ,and make driving along high-traffic roads feel as if you’re skating down Mount Rushmore on rollerblades. To top it off, hot asphalt factories [...]
Educators wary of Strickland school plan
COLUMBUS — Some education leaders say Gov. Ted Strickland’s plan to expand his control over education policy by creating a cabinet-level education director would politicize Ohio’s public schools. State Superintendent Susan Zelman, whose role could be greatly diminished under Strickland’s plan, said it would undermine the independence, transparency and continuity of public education. “Do you [...]
Rogue informant leaves trail of damaged lives
CLEVELAND — Wes Ballard is trying to put his life back together after serving 10 months in jail because of a tainted drug operation involving a dishonest informant and a federal agent whose conduct is facing multiple investigations. Ballard and 25 other people were arrested in an investigation meant to clean up the drug trade [...]
Critics say Akron serwer sale would raise rates
AKRON — The mayor’s proposal to sell the city’s sewer system to private investors and use the money to help high school graduates pay for college will lead to higher utility rates, critics said. Mayor Don Plusquellic, in announcing the idea Thursday, said he wants to raise more than $100 million. A group that represents [...]
Cleveland pays $1M to settle wrongful death suit
CLEVELAND — The city agreed to pay $1 million to settle a wrongful death lawsuit filed by the mother of a teenager who was shot and killed by police. Harriet Green said Friday the settlement, which contains no admission of guilt, achieves justice for her son, Ricardo Mason, 16, who was shot on Aug. 27, [...]
Boys basketball: Admiral King sweeps Southview
LORAIN — The postseason atmosphere reached the Shot Palace a little early, as Lake Erie League Erie Division rivals Admiral King and Southview met Saturday afternoon for the 84th time. As in any other top-notch rivalry, the records were disregarded and what happened between the lines mattered most. And when the final horn sounded, Admiral [...]
PAC Wrestling: Depleted Black River wins another title
OBERLIN — After losing their top three wrestlers to season-ending injuries, the Black River Pirates weren’t looking forward to the Patriot Athletic Conference tournament on Saturday and were planning to focus on individual achievements. “Ask the coaches what my speech was at the beginning of Monday’s practice,” coach Corey Kline said. “I told the kids, [...]
Dan Coughlin: Put an end to Pro Bowl
Football’s Pro Bowl, which began in 1939, should have ended its run years ago, retired with the leather helmet and tear-away jerseys. I guess they’ll wait until a superstar is injured for life or somebody gets his leg bit off by a shark in the waters off Oahu. Baseball’s All-Star Game at least has a [...]
WSC Wrestling: North Ridgeville takes title
FAIRVIEW PARK — North Ridgeville won its second championship in as many days Saturday, adding a West Shore Conference wrestling tournament to the conference basketball title it won Friday night. The win, coupled with their 7-0 dual-match championship, gave the Rangers their first outright title in recent history. Their previous championships were shared wins, the [...]
SWC Wrestling: Brecksville wins 3rd straight
AVON LAKE — Though the Southwestern Conference tournament had its share of upsets at different weight classes, the team competition was a coronation for the three-time reigning champion, Brecksville-Broadview Heights. Saturday night, the Bees left no doubt what SWC team was best. After cruising through the conference dual matches at 7-0, Brecksville took the tournament [...]
Swimming: Elyria Catholic has best sectional ever
LAKEWOOD — It wasn’t just an average weekend for Elyria Catholic at Lakewood High. It was a record-filled two days for the both the girls and boys swim teams. Junior Evann Heidersbach and freshman Caroline Hamp led the Elyria Catholic girls to their best-ever sectional finish on Friday as the Panthers finished in second place [...]
Boys basketball: Avon caps perfect week versus Wellington
WELLINGTON — It was quite a week for Jim Baker and his Avon basketball team. The Eagles made it a clean sweep on the week Saturday in handing Wellington its first home loss of the year, 68-63, in non-conference play. Avon, with two West Shore games coming up this week, improved to 11-7 overall. Wellington, [...]
Girls basketball: Brookside drops Leonard’s last game
CLEVELAND — Unless a coach wins a state championship or quits during the regular season, that coach’s last game will be a loss. Gene Leonard can at least take comfort in knowing his team made a respectable showing, despite adversity, in his swan song. Leonard, who has coached basketball at Brookside High School for 35 [...]
Timothy John Choka, Sr.
Timothy John Choka, Sr., 40, died Thursday, February 7, 2008 at Metro Health Medical Center in Cleveland. He was the owner of Choka Renovation. He was the beloved husband of 12 years to Aggie (nee Abernethy); loving father of Dan Michaud, Samantha Knoll (Charles), Jessica Lett, Joyce and Timothy Jr. Choka; devoted son of June [...]
Mark L. Robinson
Mark L. Robinson, 48, of Elyria, died Thursday, February 7, 2008 at EMH Regional Medical Center in Elyria. Arrangements will be announced by Brown-Robinson Funeral Home, Elyria.
Marion Retay
Marion Retay, 88, died Friday, February 8, 2008 at Palmcrest East Nursing Home in Elyria, where she had been a resident for the past 20 years. She was born April 27, 1919 in Brooklyn, New York and was a former Lorain resident. She had attended Murray Ridge Workshop and St. Mary Church, both in Elyria. [...]
Mable H. Lynk
Mable H. Lynk, 91, of Sheffield Village, died Friday, February 8, 2008 at EMH Regional Medical Center in Elyria. Arrangements will be announced by Brown-Robinson Funeral Home, Elyria.
Lizzie King
Lizzie "Mother King" King, 94, of Elyria, passed away in her sleep Thursday, February 7, 2008, at Life Care Center of Elyria. She was born in Thomaston, Georgia and lived in Elyria for 45 years. Mother King, as so many called her, was a member of Mt. Nebo Baptist Church for 10 years before becoming [...]