VERMILION — Rachel Scott was described by friends and family members as kind-hearted, compassionate and friendly. She was always one to reach out to those who needed help. On April 20, 1999, she was the first person killed during the Columbine High School massacre. After her death, Rachel’s family wanted to make sure her message [...]

SHEFFIELD TWP. — An Elyria Township man was arrested after deputies found drugs and gun hidden under the hood of his car and in his gas cap early yesterday. Michael Turner, 20, is charged with trafficking in marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, carrying a concealed weapon, possessing criminal tools, aggravated possession of drugs, improper turn [...]

EATON TWP. — A Grafton Township man told sheriff’s deputies more than 3/4 of a ton of steel and scrap from property he farms in Eaton Township. Ronald Dobbins, 70, called the Sheriff’s Office to the property, on West Royalton Road between Giles and Durkee roads, Sunday afternoon. He told them that sometime between Thursday [...]

ELYRIA — The Lorain County commissioners passed a $52.8 million general fund budget today, although they acknowledged that the figure will likely change before the end of the year. Commissioner Ted Kalo said that predicting exactly what will happen with the county’s finances is difficult as is how outside factors ranging from the state budget [...]

Anthony Giardini of Lorain announced his candidacy this morning for the chairmanship of the state Democratic Party. He will seek to unseat Chris Redfern of Catawba Island, who was elected party chairman in December 2005. The 66 members of the party’s State Central Committee will pick the chairman next month, Giardini said. Two members, a [...]

EATON TWP. — An Eaton Township man with five prior drunken driving convictions was arrested early Monday after he nearly struck a sheriff’s deputy’s vehicle. Matthew Stephens, 38, then refused to stop for the officer and became physically combative with jail guards. Stephens is charged with drunken driving, failure to comply with a police officer [...]

SANDUSKY — An Elyria man was arrested after he led the State Highway Patrol on a chase through three counties but ran out of gas early yesterday. Marcquise Swingler, 30, is charged with operating a vehicle under the influence, failing to comply with the order of a police officer and reckless operation. A trooper with [...]