Archive for April, 2011
Commissioners rescind vote to give back portion of pay
ELYRIA — The Lorain County Commissioners have rescinded a vote earlier today to slash their pay by 10 percent. The original resolution, which passed unanimously during the commissioners’ regularly scheduled meeting, called for the commissioners to return $76,976 annual salary to the county’s general fund. But Assistant County Prosecutor Gerald Innes told the commissioners during [...]
Man hit repeatedly, car keyed in dispute over parking space
ELYRIA — An Elyria man had to be treated at the hospital after he says a female struck him with her vehicle repeatedly in the Giant Eagle parking lot in a dispute over a parking space. Eric Sanford, 41, told police he was a passenger in his car, which was being driven by his 19-year-old [...]
Southern Ohio woman found dead stuck in window
LEBANON, Ohio — Police say an Ohio man found his wife’s body lodged in a basement window at their home when he returned from an out-of-state trip. Investigators in Lebanon in southwest Ohio do not suspect foul play in the death of 44-year-old Esther Kline. Police say in a statement that there are indications she [...]
Lorain County Track and Field Hall of Fame inducts its third class
Five multiple state champions and a legendary coach make up the third Lorain County Track and Cross Country Hall of Fame induction class. Elyria high jumper Mark Cannon, Oberlin sprinter-hurdler LeRoy Fields, Amherst distance runner Peter Kummant, Clearview sprinter Mark Walden, Clearview sprinter Francene (Woods) Johnson and longtime Amherst coach Dick Cooley will be recognized [...]
18,500 dead people on Ohio’s voter rolls, secretary of state says
COLUMBUS — Ohio’s top elections official says it appears that thousands of voters considered “active” are anything but. Secretary of State Jon Husted says a report has found nearly 18,500 dead people on the state’s voter rolls. Records of registered voters were cross-checked with a list of deceased Ohioans maintained by the state Health Department. [...]
It’s official: Gov. Kasich signs bill allowing more snow days
COLUMBUS — Gov. John Kasich has given Ohio schools more snow days, a move that he jokes will mean “more sled-riding.” Kasich signed a bill today providing schools with five calamity days per year, up from three. The measure applies to the current school year. He says the legislation reflects that student safety is a [...]
Former Browns player wants to buy closed Sandusky water park
SANDUSKY — A former Cleveland Browns running back is making a bid to buy an indoor water park in northern Ohio that’s been closed for three years. Jamal Lewis and a business partner have put in a $3 million offer to buy the Maui Sands resort just outside Sandusky. Lewis last played in 2009. He [...]
Baseball: Elyria High rallies but falls in 8th inning
ELYRIA — The way Scott Sency was throwing Tuesday, Medina looked to have things well in hand after scoring four runs in the third inning against Elyria. Not so fast. Elyria knocked Sency from the game with a big sixth inning and forced extra innings. But the Pioneers couldn’t finish off the Bees, who scored [...]
Streak snapped: Indians get just one hit in loss to Angels
ANAHEIM, Calif. — Once again, Fausto Carmona pitched well enough to win. Unfortunately for him, Dan Haren did even better. Haren threw a one-hitter, allowing only Shin-Soo Choo’s clean single in the fourth inning, and the Los Angeles Angels beat Cleveland 2-0 Tuesday night to snap the Indians’ eight-game winning streak. “Haren was on his [...]
Grafton woman dies in Durkee Road, Route 82 crash
EATON TWP. — A Grafton woman died as the result of extensive injuries received in a two-vehicle crash Tuesday evening at Durkee Road and state Route 82. Suzanne Johnson, 48, died at the scene from severe multiple blunt force trauma, according to Lorain County Coroner Paul Matus, who said Johnson sustained internal chest and abdominal [...]
State gives final OK to $22 million train underpass on 58 in Wellington
WELLINGTON — Final approval was given Tuesday to a nearly $22 million underpass on state Route 58 by the Transportation Review Advisory Council, according to Joel Hunt of the Ohio Department of Transportation. The council committed $16.7 million for the underpass project — about $14.2 million for construction and about $2.5 million for right of [...]
Cavaliers refuse to back down, still fighting for wins
INDEPENDENCE — Though they’re guaranteed to finish with the fourth-worst record in franchise history, the Cavaliers still have some fight in them. Lanky center Ryan Hollins personified that spirit Monday night in Detroit, getting ejected after a fourth-quarter skirmish with Charlie Villanueva in a game Cleveland went on to win, 110-101. “Anything can definitely happen [...]
Elyria man sees opportunity in trash can pad
ELYRIA — The random way residents are placing their trash cans out for collection in the city has prompted one Elyria man to devise a product he would like to market to residents: a trash can pad. Russ VanWormer brought his idea to City Council’s Community Development Committee on Monday night. He doesn’t want money [...]
Nature preserve opens in Avon early next month
AVON — Lorain County’s first plant conservatory is nearly completed at the Miller Nature Preserve, and thousands of species are gently being put into place. The conservatory won’t open to visitors until May 7, but anticipation is building for the conservatory, which will house cactus to orchids, according to Lorain County Metro Parks Director Dan [...]
Longtime Avon Lake councilman decides to run for mayor
AVON LAKE — Avon Lake City Council President Greg Zilka will vie for the city’s top job. Zilka, 54, a retired teacher, announced Tuesday he will run for mayor this fall. President of Council for 13 years of his 26 years on Council, Zilka said his decision to seek the city’s top office, now held [...]
Sam Mazzola loses defamation lawsuit
ELYRIA — A county judge has ordered Sam Mazzola to pay a Lorain family $45,555.90 in a 2005 libel lawsuit. Lorain County Common Pleas Judge Christopher Rothgery’s decision in the case is unrelated to the Aug. 19 fatal mauling of Brent Kandra by a bear at Mazzola’s Columbia Township compound. Instead, the lawsuit focused on [...]
Police increase reward in fatal South Lorain drive-by shooting
LORAIN — Police have increased the reward for information leading to the arrest of those involved in the Aug. 13 drive-by shooting death of Damis Crawford. Lorain police Detective Steyven Curry said the reward is being increased to $5,000 from $2,000. “We’re appealing to the citizenship to assist us with information to bring closure to [...]
Veteran Sheffield Council member resigns, plans to travel, visit family
SHEFFIELD — A veteran member of Village Council has resigned. Ed Dugan, 54, submitted his resignation during Council’s regular meeting Monday night. Dugan, who was in the second year of his fourth term on Council, will step down immediately. Dugan’s decision to resign coincided with his retirement from the city of Lakewood, where he was [...]
Vermilion teachers agree to new contract
VERMILION — The Vermilion school board and Vermilion Teachers Association have reached agreement on a new two-year contract calling for no pay raises, a slight hike in health insurance premiums paid by teachers and a continuation of class size limits agreed to in a one-year deal reached in 2010. The new contract will run Sept. [...]
Sheffield OKs legislation to allow Internet gaming cafes
SHEFFIELD — The village is ready for Internet sweepstakes cafes to set up shop. Village Council approved legislation Monday night that will oversee operations of the increasingly popular businesses, which won’t be allowed to open until after April 25, the day a six-month moratorium expires, according to Mayor John Hunter. “Everyone may apply for permits [...]
Cavs notes: Joe Tait to call last game tonight
INDEPENDENCE — Joe Tait’s remarkable career as the radio play-by-play voice of the Cavaliers will end after he broadcasts tonight’s season finale against the Washington Wizards at Quicken Loans Arena. Tait, who last summer was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, has broadcast Cavs games for 39 of their 41 years of [...]
County commissioners say they’ll give back 10 percent of their pay
ELYRIA — The Lorain County commissioners agreed this morning to return 10 percent of their salaries to the county’s cash-strapped general fund. The reimbursement, suggested by Commissioner Ted Kalo, mirrors the 10 percent cut the commissioners imposed on their departmental budget last month. The commissioners’ salaries, about $76,000 annually, are set by state statute. Commissioner [...]
Bill would raise age limit for state judges
COLUMBUS — Ohio voters may be asked to decide whether to raise an age limit for the state’s judges. Current law allows people up to age 70 to be elected or appointed to the bench in Ohio. The maximum would be raised to 75 under a proposed constitutional amendment approved by the Ohio House on [...]
Man electrocuted trying to steal copper piping from mall
AKRON — Police in Ohio say a man was electrocuted trying to steal copper piping from a faded shopping mall. Akron fire Capt. David Ware said the man was on fire when firefighters arrived at the Rolling Acres Mall Tuesday afternoon. They’d been summoned by witnesses who reported hearing an explosion and seeing smoke coming [...]
Browns notes: Browns learn preseason foes
BEREA — The Browns know their preseason opponents. Now they just have to hope the lockout ends in time for a preseason. On Tuesday, NFL teams announced the opponents, sites and weekends for the four exhibition games. The Browns open by hosting the Super Bowl champion Green Bay Packers the weekend of Aug. 11-15 in [...]