Archive for July, 2009
State budget’s kindergarten provision to affect some local districts
The addition of slot machines at racetracks may be grabbing the attention of many now that Ohio lawmakers have inked out the state’s $51 billion budget. But school officials are looking deeper into the text, trying to figure out how they will be able to afford the changes coming to education. At the top of [...]
Lorain’s Premier Soccer Academies expanding its goals
LORAIN — When snowflakes begin falling this year, you won’t have to put away your softball, baseball or flag football gear. In an attempt to pay its bills, the $10 million Brad Friedel’s Premier Soccer Academies will contract with leagues to play games inside its huge indoor fieldhouse. Chief Operating Officer Craig Umland said the [...]
More belt tightening for Elyria police and fire chiefs
ELYRIA — News that the city’s income tax revenue is dropping fast is nothing new for Police Chief Mike Medders. Since November 2008, Medders said he saw the writing on the wall and started cost-saving measures. The Police Department not only receives money from the general fund, which is made up of local income tax [...]
Lorain police seize $100,000 in cocaine, Uzi, cash in drug bust
LORAIN — A kilo of cocaine as well as an assortment of guns and cash were seized during what police are calling a “significant” drug bust Tuesday. The Lorain police Narcotics Bureau, along with the Lorain County Drug Task Force and the Drug Enforcement Agency, served an outstanding warrant for trafficking in cocaine to 58-year-old [...]
Malnourished calf dies after weeklong fight
GRAFTON TWP. — The steer calf rescued a week ago from a barn containing starving and dead animals died Tuesday, according to the Friendship Animal Protective League. “Henry didn’t make it,” said Greg Willey, the APL’s executive director. “I’m devastated beyond belief.” He said Bob Slagle, a farmer who assists the APL in animal rescues, [...]
Corrections for July 15, 2009
A story Tuesday detailing the death of a Vermilion teen in a three-vehicle accident in Erie County on Sunday night contained an incorrect version of the sequence of events that lead to his death. According to an updated release by the Ohio Highway Patrol, the car in which David Ryan Kelm, 17, of Vermilion, was [...]
Local roundup for July 15, 2009
Man hurt in crash remains critical ELYRIA — An Amherst man who crashed his motorbike Monday afternoon is still fighting for his life in a Cleveland hospital. Police still don’t know what caused Michael C. Kelley, 47, to flip his bike on state Route 57 between Furnace Street and West River Road, said Elyria police [...]
Elyria Fire Department audit to be released today
Update 12:49 p.m. July 15, 2009: Grace says Fire Department audit won’t be released today. ELYRIA — The long-awaited Fire Department audit is here. After nearly a year, the 331-page document arrived at City Hall on Tuesday afternoon. An executive summary of just over 200 pages is due to be delivered today. Mayor Bill Grace [...]
Teen back on trial for murder in death of robbery accomplice
ELYRIA — Summer Rush testified Tuesday that she ran into her daughter’s room and grabbed the child to protect her while gunshots rang out in a G-Street duplex in Lorain on April 26, 2005. After the shooting stopped, she emerged and found her child’s father, William “B.J.” Fiske III, bleeding and calling 911. “I saw [...]
Crash hurls man from 1934 classic coupe
ELYRIA — A North Ridgeville man was ejected from his classic car Tuesday morning and critically injured after a crash at the intersection of Cleveland and Olive streets. Police said Robert Franks, 69, was driving his 1934 Ford coupe west on Cleveland Street at 11:15 a.m. when Goldie Salyi, 75, of Elyria, ran a red [...]
Vermilion Schools busing safe from cuts for now
VERMILION — When the school board voted in February to put an emergency two-year operating levy on the May ballot, Superintendent Phil Pempin said busing probably wouldn’t be affected because the city has so many railroad tracks and crossings that it makes walking a safety concern for youngsters. But that levy didn’t pass, so on [...]
Columbia Schools names high school principal new superintendent
COLUMBIA TWP. — The Columbia school board has tapped Columbia High School Principal Graig Bansek for the district’s vacant superintendent position. Bansek will take over as schools chief Aug. 1, replacing John Kuhn, who was recently hired to take over the top spot for nearby Midview Schools. The school board hired Bansek during a special [...]
Reps would like to see expansion of slot machines
LORAIN — State Rep. Joe Koziura, D-Lorain, said Tuesday that putting video lottery terminals in the state’s seven racetracks is a good idea, but it shouldn’t be limited to just racetracks. Koziura said the budget bill passed Monday provides exclusivity to the racetracks for slot machines. “Horse racing is a dying industry throughout the country,” [...]
Village seeking a stop on proposed 3-C railway
WELLINGTON — Decades ago, this village was the first stop out of Cleveland when there was rail service between Cleveland, Columbus and Cincinnati. Officials would like to return to those days and land a stop on the state’s proposed 3-C (Cleveland, Columbus and Cincinnati) Rail Corridor. “Historically on the express train, we were the first [...]
Great gorgonzola: Annual Cheese Festival this weekend
WELLINGTON — Get out your best cheesecake recipe and enter Wellington Cheese Festival’s Cheesecake Bake-Off set for Saturday because this year, the winners are taking home much bigger prizes. The prize levels at this year’s Cheesecake Bake-Off have increased significantly thanks to the support of Janice and Larry Querin, according to Mike Eppley, executive director [...]
Wellington & Oberlin notebook: July 15, 2009
Poet returns to Oberlin The Oberlin Heritage Center will host a free talk, “John Vanek: A Writer Returns Home,” 7 p.m. July 21 at the Oberlin Public Library, 65 S. Main St. Vanek, a physician and award-winning poet, will read selections from his new book of poems, “Heart Murmurs.” Vanek was born and raised in [...]
Wellington & Oberlin calendar: July 15, 2009
Friday LifeShare community bloodmobile will on site 5 to 9 p.m. at Wellington Cheese Festival, Wellington. For information, call (440) 322-5700. Saturday Infant and child CPR, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Lorain County Chapter of the American Red Cross, 2929 West River Road N., Elyria. A basic course to prepare individuals to prevent, recognize and [...]
Obituaries for July 15, 2009
Gerard Piovarchy Troy S. Piroch Leora “Lee” Hottenrott Aida Maria Washington Frances A. Bertha Walter Sukey Steven B. Ellison Mary E. Korzan Read the full obituaries on The Chronicle E-edition at: http://www.chroniclet.com/ChroniclEdition/
Man flown to Cleveland hospital after being ejected from antique car in crash
ELYRIA — A North Ridgeville man was taken by Life Flight to MetroHealth Medical Center in Cleveland following a two-car accident in Elyria this morning. The accident occurred about 11:15 a.m. at Cleveland and Olive streets. Robert Franks, 69, who was driving west on Cleveland Street, was ejected from the antique car he was driving after being hit [...]
Sotomayor defends ‘wise Latina’ remark in second day before Senate committee
WASHINGTON — Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor vigorously defended herself today against charges that her speeches and rulings show racial bias, telling a Senate panel vetting her nomination that critics had misunderstood her record. “I want to state upfront, unequivocally and without doubt: I do not believe that any racial, ethnic or gender group has [...]
Woman treated after rollover accident in Wakeman
A Norwalk woman was flown to MetroHealth Medical Center in Cleveland from the scene of a one-car accident southwest of Wakeman this morning. The rollover accident, at 2976 Fitchville River Road, happened about 7:45 a.m. Suzanne Lorbach, 47, was initially trapped in her vehicle, a black Pontiac car, but “she managed to get herself out” [...]
New Cavalier Parker has all-around skills, needed depth
INDEPENDENCE — The Cavaliers’ courtship of Anthony Parker began in the spring of 2006, but it didn’t come to fruition until Monday afternoon. The former Toronto Raptors shooting guard officially signed a two-year, $6 million contract with Cleveland, taking advantage of a second chance to learn first-hand what playing for the Cavaliers is all about. [...]
Elyria’s Sito, Keystone’s Dill, Bell are softball All-Americans
Three of the top 17 high school softball players in America are from Lorain County representing two schools 10 miles apart. You don’t believe it? Ask Louisville Slugger and the National Fastpitch Coaches Association, which named their All-America teams Monday. Two are players softball fans might expect, Tess Sito of state champion Elyria and Kara [...]
AL looking to continue All-Star dominance tonight
ST. LOUIS — A lot sure has changed since baseball’s All-Stars last pulled into the Gateway City. Willie Mays, Roberto Clemente, Hank Aaron and Willie McCovey topped the 1966 NL batting order. It was 103 degrees in circular Busch Stadium, and Gaylord Perry got the win in relief of Sandy Koufax, Jim Bunning and Juan [...]
Avon makes powerful statement at Little League Majors tournament
AVON — Veterans Park hosted its own home run derby shortly before the one in St. Louis began. The format wasn’t the same, but spectators at Monday’s Little League Majors tournament game between the Avon Eagles and Cuyahoga Falls North must have felt as if they were watching Major League sluggers do their thing in [...]