Critter Chronicles: Bugs

http://chronicle.northcoastnow.com/files/2012/02/Bugs-friendship-apl-150x99.jpg BUGS Meet Bugs the bunny rabbit. Bugs is a big-boned girl that likes kids. She was surrendered to the shelter because her family didn't have enough time for her. She's been waiting for a home since July. BREED/DESCRIPTION: English spot SEX: Female AGE: 5-6 years old ADOPTION FEE: $10 ORGANIZATION: Friendship APL of Lorain County 8303 Murray Ridge Road Elyria, OH 44035 CONTACT: adoptions@friendshipapl.org or (440) 322-4321 WEBSITE: www.friendshipapl.org For more pets seeking homes, check out the Critter Chronicles column every Sunday in The Chronicle-Telegram. If you work or volunteer for a nonprofit pet adoption agency and would like to see your pets included in Critter Chronicles, please email skline@chroniclet.com.

Indians: Tribe arbitration streak still intact

The Indians avoided an arbitration hearing for another season, agreeing to terms Friday on a one-year contract with their only remaining arbitration eligible player, All-Star shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera. Cabrera will earn $4.55 million in 2012. The contract was $75,000 above the midpoint of what Cabrera was asking at arbitration ($5.2 million) and the $3.75 million Cleveland was offering. The Indians have not gone to arbitration with a player since 1991.

Gas leak under repair in Lorain

LORAIN - Columbia Gas is on the scene of a natural gas leak in Lorain this afternoon. The leak happened when the Water Department was digging and hit a service line going to a house in the 3900 block of Jaeger Road, forcing Jaeger to close between Kolbe and Route 58. The incident happened around 1:45 p.m. and repairs are continuing. There were no evacuations as a result of leak, which fire officials classified as not very serious.

Charges against former councilman dropped

ELYRIA — Prosecutors on Thursday dropped domestic violence and aggravated menacing charges against former Elyria City Councilman Herman Larkins. “We’re still talking about that case, and we reserved the right to re-file,” Elyria City Prosecutor Matt Mishak said. Mishak said he couldn’t discuss the reason the charges, which stemmed from a Sept. 8 incident in which the 79-year-old Larkins allegedly pulled a gun on his stepson, were dismissed. Elyria Law Director Scott Serazin did not return calls seeking comment. Elyria Municipal Court records indicated that Larkins acknowledged that there was probable cause for the charges and paid $179 in court costs. According to Elyria police, Joseph Wisher Jr., Larkin’s stepson, told officers that he went over to Larkins’ Middle Avenue home for dinner and, when he tried to sit down at the table, Larkins asked him why he was moving his things on the table without permission. Larkins also told him “that he better ask permission to sit down,” the police report on the incident said. Wisher told officers that when he asked to sit down, Larkins told him to “Sit down and shut up.” A few minutes later, Wisher told police, he said he was leaving and told Larkins “You can’t talk to me like that.” Larkins then allegedly got up from the table and got what appeared to be a rifle from the closet and pointed it at Wisher’s head and told him to get out. Wisher told officers he feared Larkins was going to kill him. Larkins told police that he and Wisher had been joking about the items on the table but it turned into a “serious exchange,” and he ultimately asked Wisher to leave. When Wisher refused, Larkins told police he got out the gun and asked him to leave, although the former councilman said he never pointed the gun directly at Wisher. Police seized a .22-caliber rifle from a closet next to the dining room and a shotgun from the upstairs of the home. Larkins said he was pleased with the charges being dismissed and said he never threatened Wisher. “I am pleased because this clears my record,” he said. “I hated to think of the future with a (criminal) record.” Larkins represented the city’s 5th Ward in 1996 until 2007. Contact Brad Dicken at 329-7147 or bdicken@chroniclet.com.

Guerra to be imprisoned for life, judge says

ELYRIA -- Angel Guerra was sentenced this morning to life plus eight years in prison without the possibility of parole for the July 20 shooting death of Moises Velez. A jury convicted Guerra earlier this year of aggravated murder and other charges. Richard Alvarado, Guerra's codefendant, testified during the trial that Guerra shot Velez outside Southerers Place in Lorain. Alvarado received 15 years in exchange for his testimony. Kenneth Ortner, one of Guerra's lawyers, said today he didn't believe prosecutors proved his client killed Velez. The family of Velez crowded into the courtroom and tearfully urged Lorain County Common Pleas Judge Mark Betleski to impose the maximum sentence of life without parole. "It's true that on that day only one heart stopped beating, but my entire family feels like they all died," Angelee Velez, Moises Velez's sister, said during the hearing. Guerra also pleaded guilty to felonious assault and weapons charges in connection with an earlier shooting outside Club Copa in Lorain. See Saturday's Chronicle for more on this story.

Village of LaGrange employee salaries

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Village of Grafton employee salaries

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Critter Chronicles: Zoo

http://chronicle.northcoastnow.com/files/2012/02/Zoo1-friendship-apl-150x99.jpg[smugmug url="http://elyriact.smugmug.com/hack/feed.mg?Type=gallery&Data=21407732_p9MdcW&format=rss200" title="Click%20any%20image%20to%20view%20larger." imagecount="100" start="1" num="100" thumbsize="Th" link="lightbox" captions="true" sort="true" window="true" smugmug="true" purchasable="false" size="M"] ZOO-ADOPTED Just because this cat's name is zoo doesn't mean he wants to live in a cage. This poor boy has been waiting for a home since June 21, 2011. He would just love to get out of his cage and into a loving home. Please help this shy guy out. You can find him in cage C-60 at the shelter. Cat adoption fees are still reduced! BREED/DESCRIPTION: Black and white Maine coon SEX: Male NEUTERED/SPAYED: Yes, neutered; shots up to date AGE: 5 years old ADOPTION FEE: $10 ORGANIZATION: Friendship APL of Lorain County 8303 Murray Ridge Road Elyria, OH 44035 CONTACT: adoptions@friendshipapl.org or (440) 322-4321 WEBSITE: www.friendshipapl.org For more pets seeking homes, check out the Critter Chronicles column every Sunday in The Chronicle-Telegram. If you work or volunteer for a nonprofit pet adoption agency and would like to see your pets included in Critter Chronicles, please email skline@chroniclet.com.

Critter Chronicles: Sprite

http://chronicle.northcoastnow.com/files/2012/02/Sprite1-friendship-apl-150x100.jpg[smugmug url="http://elyriact.smugmug.com/hack/feed.mg?Type=gallery&Data=21407707_5jCBcd&format=rss200" title="Click%20any%20image%20to%20view%20larger." imagecount="100" start="1" num="100" thumbsize="Th" link="lightbox" captions="true" sort="true" window="true" smugmug="true" purchasable="false" size="M"] SPRITE Meet Sprite, an adorable little black and white dog whose breed mix is anyone's guess! We're guessing she's a mix of Schipperke and Sheltie although her coat is on the shorter side. Truly, we don't know what she is as she came to us as a stray from Canine Lifeline but she sure is cute. Sprite's an active little dog who's got the stamina and bravado to keep up with any dog out there no matter their size. She's quite opinionated and happy to tell you what she thinks about things. Sprite seems to be quite a smart girl too -- she picks up on new routines quickly and would probably be the star of her obedience class. Sprite is crate-trained and may be house trained, too. BREED/DESCRIPTION: Schipperke/Sheltie mix SEX: Female NEUTERED/SPAYED: Yes, spayed; shots up to date AGE: 1-2 years old SIZE/WEIGHT: 25 pounds ADOPTION FEE: $75 ORGANIZATION: Friendship APL of Lorain County 8303 Murray Ridge Road Elyria, OH 44035 CONTACT: adoptions@friendshipapl.org or (440) 322-4321 WEBSITE: www.friendshipapl.org For more pets seeking homes, check out the Critter Chronicles column every Sunday in The Chronicle-Telegram. If you work or volunteer for a nonprofit pet adoption agency and would like to see your pets included in Critter Chronicles, please email skline@chroniclet.com.

Critter Chronicles: Phoebe

http://chronicle.northcoastnow.com/files/2012/02/Phoebe1-loveastray1-100x150.jpg[smugmug url="http://elyriact.smugmug.com/hack/feed.mg?Type=gallery&Data=21407383_c6gtHL&format=rss200" title="Click%20any%20image%20to%20view%20larger." imagecount="100" start="1" num="100" thumbsize="Th" link="lightbox" captions="true" sort="true" window="true" smugmug="true" purchasable="false" size="M"] PHOEBE If you're looking to add a little love and affection to your life, Phoebe is the girl for you! This sweetheart was rescued by a Love-A-Stray volunteer on a cold, windy day, when she was found running across four lanes of busy traffic. Phoebe was very thin, but even that didn't keep her sweet spirit from showing through. Since that day, Phoebe has been steadily gaining weight and her coat is shiny from the nutritional dog food her foster family is feeding her. Phoebe is a well-behaved dog who rarely barks, never has accidents and loves to snuggle. Phoebe enjoys walks and play in the backyard and is good with other dogs, too. Currently, Phoebe is enrolled in a training class to get her Canine Good Citizen certification from the American Kennel Club. Won't you give this sweetheart the second chance at life that she deserves? BREED/DESCRIPTION: American Staffordshire terrier mix SEX: Female NEUTERED/SPAYED: Yes, spayed; shots up to date AGE: About 1 year old SIZE/WEIGHT: 40 pounds ADOPTION FEE: $165 ORGANIZATION: Love-A-Stray in Avon Lake CONTACT: Lina at seaczar14@yahoo.com WEBSITE: www.loveastraydog.petfinder.com For more pets seeking homes, check out the Critter Chronicles column every Sunday in The Chronicle-Telegram. If you work or volunteer for a nonprofit pet adoption agency and would like to see your pets included in Critter Chronicles, please email skline@chroniclet.com.