May 21, 2013

Teen found dead Friday was shot; police seek suspect

Antonio Robles

LORAIN – The 17-year-old who was found dead on Lexington Avenue on Friday died from a single gunshot wound to the head and police are seeking a suspect in connection with the shooting. Lorain police Lt. Roger Watkins said in a news release police determined that Deandre McDowell was shot somewhere else and his body [...]

Dogs taken from Ariel Castro headed to foster care so kidnapped women can decide if they’d like to adopt them

CLEVELAND — Three dogs seized from a man charged with holding three women captive and raping them over a decade were ready Tuesday for foster care placement until the women decide if they want to adopt them. John Baird, chief Cleveland animal control officer, said the dogs — a Chihuahua and two terrier-poodle mixes — [...]

Ohio Internet cafe crackdown advancing

COLUMBUS — State lawmakers in Ohio are moving fast on proposals cracking down on storefront sweepstakes parlors whose legality has been questioned. Committee votes were scheduled today on a pair of bills, one effectively banning the so-called Internet cafes and another extending an existing moratorium on setting up any new venues. Floor votes on both [...]

Cleveland plans to double number of red-light cameras

CLEVELAND — State lawmakers may be considering a ban of controversial red-light cameras, but one of Ohio’s largest cities is planning to double the number they have in service. Cleveland City Council approved a contract Monday with a vendor that will add the cameras to 26 more intersections in the city. The city already has [...]

Oklahoma death toll revised to 24 from 51; authorities say many victims were counted twice

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MOORE, Okla. — Emergency crews searched the broken remnants of an Oklahoma City suburb Tuesday for survivors of a massive tornado that flattened homes and demolished an elementary school. At least 24 people were killed, including at least seven children, and those numbers were expected to climb. As the sun rose over the shattered community [...]

Nancy Smith’s attorneys file for new trial

ELYRIA — Citing newly discovered evidence of children’s testimony being tainted by improper interview techniques, Nancy Smith’s attorneys filed paperwork Monday asking for a new trial for the former bus driver at the center of the controversial Head Start child molestation case. Smith’s lawyers also asked Visiting Judge Virgil Sinclair Jr. to put off holding [...]

Elyria mayor places ads to promote ‘unbiased’ blog

ELYRIA — Mayor Holly Brinda has begun writing a blog about city matters and answering questions from residents, but some have taken issue with Brinda using city funds to advertise the blog. An advertisement for the blog appeared in the May 12 edition of The Chronicle-Telegram and again Sunday. The ad reads: For the rest [...]

Elyria takes steps to put tax renewal on November ballot

ELYRIA — City officials took the first steps Monday toward placing a 0.5 percent income tax renewal issue on the upcoming November ballot. By passing two ordinances saying they intend to go to the electorate in the near future and support efforts to pass the issue, City Council members are beginning the process OF starting [...]

Quasar withdraws appeal, won’t operate sludge pond

PITTSFIELD TWP — French Creek BioEnergy LLC withdrew its appeal challenging the Pittsfield Township zoning inspector’s issuance of a cease-and-desist order and notice of violation. The company, operating under Quasar Energy Group, announced it would not go through with its proposal to operate a sludge pond constructed off of Quarry Road in a news release [...]

Judge temporarily shutters Shopway

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ELYRIA — A court order has temporarily shuttered an Elyria business that police said was involved in drug sales and fraud, and that the city called a nuisance to the community. Lorain County Common Pleas Court Judge James Miraldi said a month ago that he did not have a good feeling about Elyria’s Shopway Food [...]