Archive for July 11th, 2008
Ohio plans first execution since moratorium
COLUMBUS (AP) — Ohio is planning its first execution since a U.S. Supreme Court decision ended a national pause on killing inmates. The Ohio Supreme Court on Friday set an execution date of Oct. 14 for Richard Cooey, who was convicted of raping and murdering two University of Akron students in 1986. Executions had been [...]
Head-on crash today bottlenecks Route 58
PITTSFIELD TWP. — Two men were flown by helicopter to MetroHealth Medical Center in Cleveland on Friday afternoon following a head-on crash on state Route 58. Both men were the drivers in each of their vehicles—one which held a family of four. State troopers said the driver of the southbound vehicle went left of center, [...]
Stocks fall sharply on Fannie, Freddie worries
NEW YORK (AP) — Stocks tumbled Friday as investors focused on troubles at mortgage companies Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and watched oil prices climb further into record territory. The Dow Jones industrials fell more than 200 points and slid below the 11,000 mark for the first time in two years. Investors seemed unimpressed by [...]
Suspect arrested in western Pa. triple killing
MARIANNA, Pa. (AP) — A man suspected of killing his wife and two young children in the family’s rural home in western Pennsylvania was arrested Thursday after a daylong manhunt and charged in their deaths. Orlando Maurice Guarino, 38, was charged with three counts of homicide after being captured in Washington, Pa., said [...]
Bodies of 2 missing U.S. soldiers found in Iraq
DETROIT (AP) — For more than a year, Gordon Dibler held out hope that his stepson, Army Pvt. Byron W. Fouty, would return home from Iraq. Then military officials delivered the grim news that the body of Fouty and another soldier captured during an ambush south of Baghdad had been found. “Every day that [...]
Antioch faculty to keep teaching as school closes
DAYTON, Ohio (AP) — Former faculty at Antioch College, which is temporarily closing amid financial problems, plan to teach in coffee shops, bookstores and parks to keep alive the spirit of the private school known for its pioneering academic programs. Scott Warren, former associate professor of philosophy and political theory at Antioch, said [...]
Indians: Offense explodes, puts stop to 10-game skid
CLEVELAND — The Indians will avoid a dubious distinction — at least for now. On a 10-game losing streak entering the series opener with Tampa Bay on Thursday night, Cleveland drubbed the Rays 13-2 in front of 22,665 fans at Progressive Field to win the first of a four-game set that will take the Indians [...]
Indians notes: Wedge uses team meeting to move forward
CLEVELAND — Indians manager Eric Wedge held a team meeting for the first time since ace CC Sabathia was traded to the Milwaukee Brewers on Monday, and it took place in the home clubhouse by design. “I wanted to make sure everyone, including the (disabled list) guys, was in that room, because we are a [...]
Elyrian says mixed martial arts saved his life
SHEFFIELD — The casual sports fan might take a look at a mixed martial arts fight and think the sport is violent and breeds violent behavior. But for Superior Cage Fighting general manager Nate White, the sport softened him and proved to be his salvation. “I was headed toward one of two things — prison [...]
Softball: South Amherst Slammers advance to OGSO state tourney
LAGRANGE — The South Amherst Slammers slugged their way into the OGSO state tournament Thursday night, but not without a struggle. The 10-and-under Slammers took a seven-run lead into the bottom of the seventh inning at LaGrange Community Park. It was almost not enough. Grafton rallied for five runs and had a runner at third [...]
Ohio State football: Alums not fans of new ticket policy
COLUMBUS — The run-up to another Ohio State football season is bringing moans and groans, not from players in training but from alumni association members upset with a new lottery that decides which of them may buy game tickets. “It seems incredibly unfair,” said Don Dennis, a ticket buyer since 1991. “It’s unbelievable to me, [...]
Baseball notes: Mariners release Sexson, still owe him $6 million
Slugger Richie Sexson was finally released Thursday by the Mariners after a slump that lasted for most of two seasons and made him a target of constant booing from frustrated Seattle fans. The Mariners would have loved to have been able to trade Sexson, but his $14 million salary made that nearly impossible. So now [...]
Cavaliers: Top pick Hickson signs deal
CLEVELAND — The Cavaliers still haven’t added free agents, but they locked up an important player Thursday. First-round draft choice J.J. Hickson, the 19th overall selection, signed a multiyear contract with the team. The 6-foot-9 power forward led the Atlantic Coast Conference in field-goal percentage last season at .591, while averaging 14.8 points and 8.5 [...]
Golf roundup: Paula Creamer shoots 60 at Jamie Farr
Paula Creamer knew she was playing well. She was surprised just how well. Creamer birdied nine of the last 11 holes, including the final three, for a 60, a course record, on the par-71 Highland Meadows layout Thursday. She held a 5-stroke lead after the opening round of the Jamie Farr Owens Corning Classic in [...]
Fire cleanup halted after EPA finds asbestos
CHUCK HUMEL / CHRONICLE A fire crew hoses down the collapsed remnants of General Industries on Taylor and Olive Streets in Elyria on Thursday. ELYRIA — The city has issued a stop-work order for the cleanup at General Industries after tests confirmed high levels of asbestos in the debris. The former factory was destroyed in [...]
Owner of smoldering building: ‘I will rebuild`
ELYRIA — “I guarantee you. It wasn’t me.” With six words, John Peshek hoped to put to rest any lingering speculation that he was the one who set the fire that destroyed the former General Industries factory. The cause remains under investigation, although Peshek said the only explanation he can come up with is someone [...]
Council will wait for investigation results
ELYRIA — While City Council members said they have many unanswered questions about the spectacular fire that gutted the former General Industries building, they are satisfied for now with waiting for the completed investigation before voicing them. Even Councilman Tom Callahan, D-at large, who was quickly shot down at Monday’s meeting by City Law Director [...]
Barrett replacement Heydinger won`t run for seat in November
Once again, the Democrats are shy one candidate to run in the November general election for the 58th Ohio House District. Heydinger State Rep. Thomas Heydinger — appointed in May to replace state Rep. Matt Barrett after he resigned in disgrace — backed out of the race Thursday. In a news release, Heydinger, D-Norwalk, cited [...]
Lorain cop faces four complaints, stays on duty
LORAIN — Police are investigating four separate complaints against police Sgt. James Wolford, who remains on active duty. But police officials won’t say what accusations have been leveled against the veteran officer, who has been on the hot seat before. Lt. Jim Rohner, who is heading up the investigation into Wolford, said the complaints were [...]
Police: Stolen Jeep`s driver cracked a brew during arrest
ELYRIA TWP. — A man driving a stolen Jeep early Thursday led sheriff’s deputies on a low-speed chase and — when finally found hiding under a stairwell — he cracked open a cold one instead of surrendering, deputies said. As a result, William J. Rivera, 39, of Lorain, was charged with failure to comply, unsafe [...]
Church cooks up a storm for festival
STEPHEN SZUCS / CHRONICLE Annie Maldonado, left, and Sister Carmen Torres prepare food for the Sacred Heart Festival this weekend in Lorain. LORAIN — Annie Maldonado’s arms were beginning to ache. After stirring more than 400 pounds of meat, she couldn’t help but feel a little overwhelmed, but she chose to stir on for a [...]
Blotter: July 11, 2008
Elyria police Wednesday, July 9 9 a.m. – Jamie’s Carpet Shop, Cleveland Street, company truck’s window smashed, stereo stolen. 9:02 a.m. – Convenient, West Ridge Road, stolen steak. 1:30 p.m. – 100 block Fourth St., a pregnant woman said the father of her child kicked her in the shin and stomach. 2:40 p.m. – Get [...]
Roundup: July 11, 2008
Milan man killed in motorcycle crash MILAN TWP. — A motorcyclist was killed Wednesday when a vehicle driven by a 19-year-old Vermilion man turned into his path, according to the Ohio Highway Patrol. Robert Still, 49, of Milan, was pronounced dead at the scene after being ejected from his motorcycle about 7:14 p.m. along Wikel [...]
Avon woman who got protection order against bailiff has legal and financial troubles
ELYRIA — An Avon woman who obtained a civil stalking protection order against an Avon Lake Municipal Court bailiff has had a string of legal and financial problems over the past few years. Cynthia Mingus, 28, was charged with passing bad checks for allegedly trying to purchase a 2004 Dodge Durango from Jack Matia Chevrolet [...]
Forecast: Weather-savvy teens
TV meteorologists give Elyria students preview of life as forecasters CHUCK HUMEL / CHRONICLE Don’t wear green when using the Chroma Key technique used by TV stations for on-air weather forecasters. Leah Weese, 13, of Elyria, wears a green coat and is seen as a disembodied head and hand on the monitor on the lower [...]