Archive for November, 2011
Prison worker accused of sexual relations with prisoner
ELYRIA — A former corrections officer at the Lorain Correctional Institution in Grafton has been indicted on charges that she engaged in sexual conduct with a prisoner. Elizabeth J. Dennis, 31, of Akron, was arrested Wednesday and was released Monday after posting $4,000 bond. Dennis worked at the prison several years before quitting after allegations [...]
Tax break approved for Avon plant expansion
AVON — City Council has approved a tax break for a food production company whose plans call for the firm’s plant to nearly double in size and add 17 employees over a three-year period. Avon City Council voted 7-0 Monday night to OK legislation authorizing Mayor Jim Smith to enter into an agreement with Custom [...]
Stammitti, Will file to run for re-election
Sheriff Phil Stammitti and Lorain County prosecutor Dennis Will both announced Monday they have formally filed petitions to run for re-election. Will has served as prosecutor for seven years, and Stammitti has served as Lorain County sheriff for 11 years. It would be Will’s third term and Stammitti’s fourth term. The deadline to file petitions [...]
Canned goods for the needy stolen
ELYRIA — A burglar stole canned goods meant for the hungry from an Elyria church, according to an Elyria police report. Pastor Serena Jones told police she was last at the Jesus Christ Our New Nov. 21. Sometime between Monday and Sunday, someone broke the side window of the activity room and stole two speakers [...]
Robbery trial begins today for convicted killer
ELYRIA — Neil Simpson, who is serving life in prison without parole for the June 2007 murder of a Lorain pizza shop owner during a robbery, is scheduled to go on trial today in connection with two other robberies that summer, including a heist where a customer was shot. Simpson, 28, of Lorain, will be [...]
Firelands teacher remains in critical condition
Three men involved in separate car crashes last week are continuing to improve, according to a hospital spokeswoman, but a Firelands teacher involved in one of the crashes remains in critical condition. Donald Kneisel, 79, who was involved in the Russia Road collision Nov. 22, was listed Monday in good condition. James Muth, 39, a [...]
Girls basketball: Avon Lake girls lose opener
AVON LAKE — The Shoregals will remember their season opener as the one that got away. Avon Lake committed 22 turnovers and squandered a four-point halftime lead before falling at home to Brunswick 40-36 Monday in a non-league game. The Shoregals controlled the first half, jumping out to a six-point lead on three different occasions, [...]
Critter Chronicles: Rascal & Buster
RASCAL & BUSTER Meet Rascal & Buster. These poor boys are a sign of the times. They had a loving home but their owner became unemployed and couldn’t afford to keep them. She was very sad she had to surrender them to the shelter and hopes someone will adopt them together. These brothers love each [...]
Gloria M. Baumann
Gloria M. Baumann (nee Keiper), 80 years old, of Elyria, died Sunday, November 27, 2011, at her home. Gloria was born January 17, 1931 in Berea, and lived in Elyria since 1986. A graduate of Berea High School, she was employed by Fisher Brothers and the former A & P Grocery Stores, in the meat [...]
Lois R. Bohac
Lois R. Bohac, 82, of Grafton, passed away Monday, November 28, 2011, at EMH Healthcare, following a brief illness. Funeral arrangements are incomplete and will be announced by the Laubenthal-Mercado Funeral Home of Elyria, 440-322-4626.
Richard Russell Buttle, Jr.
Richard Russell Buttle, Jr., 93, went to be with the Lord November 23, 2011 at Keystone Pointe in LaGrange. He was born April 25, 1918 in Lorain and attended Lorain High School, where he played football. He moved to Elyria in 1939, where he lived until moving to Mesa, Arizona in 1992. He returned in [...]
Dennis L. Johns
Dennis L. Johns, 65, a lifelong resident of Elyria, died Wednesday, November 23, 2011, in his home, following a brief illness. Dicken Funeral Home, Elyria, will announce arrangements.
James Edward “Jim” Midkiff
James Edward “Jim” Midkiff, 74, of Columbia Station, passed away Sunday, November 27, 2011, at Southwest General Hospital, Middleburg Heights, following a sudden illness. He was born in Whitesville, West Virginia and had been a resident of Columbia Station for over 50 years. Jim served in the U.S. Air Force. He worked for General Motors [...]
Lora J. Wilms
Lora J. Wilms (nee Brooks), 90, and a resident of Brownhelm Township, passed away Sunday, November 27, 2011 at Denise’s Home Care in Lorain, following a lengthy illness. She was born October 4, 1921 in East Otto, New York. Brownhelm Township has been her home for the last 62 years. During World War II, Lora [...]
Browns LB Scott Fujita out with broken hand
BEREA – Browns linebacker Scott Fujita will miss a “significant amount of time” with a broken right hand that requires surgery. He broke the hand in two places Sunday in the second half of the 23-20 loss to Cincinnati. Coach Pat Shurmur said this afternoon Fujita will have surgery this week and could be placed [...]
Ohio State to introduce Urban Meyer at 5:15 news conference
COLUMBUS — Urban Meyer is returning to coaching — and to his roots. The former Florida coach and native Buckeye will take over at Ohio State, a program with a glittering past that has suffered through a difficult year of NCAA violations, suspensions and a 6-6 record. The university scheduled a 5:15 p.m. news conference [...]
Shots fired into Lorain home overnight
LORAIN — A Lorain man was arrested overnight after shots were fired into the home of a man he is feuding with. Ivan Brooks, 27, isn’t charged in the shooting but is a suspect, according to police. He was arrested for an outstanding warrant after he was pulled over speeding in Sheffield at 2:12 a.m., [...]
Flooding possible tonight and tomorrow
Flooding could become a problem across northwest Ohio, where up to 2 inches of rain is expected to drench areas already saturated by recent rainfall. An area that stretches from Toledo to Cleveland’s western suburbs and several counties to the south will be under a flood watch from late Monday night to late Tuesday. The [...]
Strong start falls apart as Browns slip to 4-7
CINCINNATI — The Browns finally solved the start Sunday. Now, if they could only figure out the finish. On a day when they scored their first first-quarter touchdown of the season, led by 10 points twice, including in the third quarter, and got an unexpected spark from running back Peyton Hillis, the Browns still managed [...]
Josh Cribbs voices frustration after another defeat
CINCINNATI — For better or worse, Browns special teams standout Joshua Cribbs remains the face of the franchise. That face, however, couldn’t even fake a smile following Cleveland’s latest late-game meltdown. “What we’re doing obviously ain’t working,” Cribbs said Sunday after the Cincinnati Bengals rallied for a 23-20 victory over the Browns. “Hard work isn’t [...]
Ohio gas prices fall another 11 cents a gallon
COLUMBUS — Sliding prices at the gas pump are now at the lowest levels Ohio motorists have seen since last winter. A daily survey from auto club AAA, the Oil Price Information Service and Wright Express today showed the statewide average price for regular gasoline was $3.12 a gallon, down 11 cents from the average [...]
15 Minutes: Meet Christmas tree salesman Greg Puskas
Greg Puskas Age: 55 Lives in: Sheffield Pursuit: Selling Christmas trees at Puskas Family Flowers, 2493 North Ridge Road, Sheffield Township. How long have you been selling trees? We’ve been selling trees here about 33 years. Everyone has a favorite tree. Have you seen the favorites change over time? Yeah, in the past it used [...]
Man dies in Grafton Township crash
GRAFTON TWP. — When the van in front of her swerved sharply to the left, Susan Ruck thought the driver was trying to avoid an animal in the two-lane road, but it was actually a car driving in the wrong lane. The car slammed into the pickup Ruck was a passenger in around 9 a.m. [...]
Gunfight reported outside bar in South Lorain
LORAIN — A gunfight erupted early Sunday morning outside Shots Club at 2217 E. 28th St. in Lorain. No one was reported hurt in what police said was a shootout between two men. Bar owner Michael Messer said Sunday night that the violence is out of character for his establishment. “This was a first-time thing,” [...]
Man with 39 suspensions caught driving again
ELYRIA — Terrence L. Taylor found himself in a familiar position Saturday: being accused of driving with a suspended license. Police said Taylor, 38, of the 1500 block of Paine Street in Lorain, has 39 license suspensions since Aug. 16, 2002, which works out to about one every three months. Police said Taylor, who was [...]