ELYRIA — Lorain County saw the value of its property drop by nearly $486.6 million between 2011 and 2012, according to Acting County Auditor Craig Snodgrass’ office, which will mean property taxes will change for virtually every property owner in the county. The total value of all of the property in the county was roughly [...]

ELYRIA — Doug Shawver, who resigned earlier this week as Lorain County Domestic Relations Judge Lisa Swenski’s bailiff after three days on the job, has a suspended driver’s license, according to records from the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles. Swenski, who had earlier declined to discuss the reasons behind Shawver’s sudden resignation, confirmed Friday when [...]

OBERLIN — The Oberlin community is mourning the loss of a community activist and watchdog. Shirley R. Johnson passed away at 3:35 a.m. Friday at the age of 95. Johnson suffered from heart and kidney ailments, according to her daughter, Emmy Johnson. Friends remembered Shirley R. Johnson as a fiery, no-nonsense woman who stood up [...]

LORAIN — The boil alert in Lorain was lifted after water samples tested negative for bacteria Friday afternoon. Lorain Water Plant Superintendent Dan McGannon said 13 samples tested Friday were negative for coliform bacteria, which can make people sick if consumed. McGannon said water samples also had good levels of chlorine, which kills coliform bacteria. [...]

As the 2013 flu season continues, two Lorain County hospitals are restricting their visitation policies. The new guidelines affect Mercy Regional Medical Center on Kolbe Road in Lorain and Mercy Allen Hospital in Oberlin. According to a statement released by Mercy Regional Medical Center on Friday, visitors younger than 14 are discouraged from visiting. Visitors [...]

Eligible seniors at Elyria High School are getting a new opportunity for hands-on experience in the world of work, thanks to the school’s first Senior Project Program. Over the course of three weeks in May and June, participating seniors will spend 75 hours interning in a field of their choice.  Advised by a high school [...]

Eleven Elyria police officers were promoted Friday during a ceremony at City Hall. Receiving promotions were Capt. Phil Hammonds, who will take charge of the Services Division, Capt. Andrew Eichenlaub, who heads the Patrol Division and Capt. Christopher Costantino, who will take the lead of the Detective Division. Four officers were promoted from sergeant to [...]