Lorain County Community Guide - March 21, 2019

COMMUNITY GUIDE

$1.25

LORAIN COUNTY

AMHERST NEWS-TIMES

Thursday, March 21, 2019

•

OBERLIN NEWS-TRIBUNE

•

WELLINGTON ENTERPRISE

www.lcnewspapers.com

Volume 6, Issue 12

CODING COMPETITORS

BULLETIN BOARD Thursday, March 21 • AMHERST: The Women Business Owners Network will meet at 6 p.m. on Thursday, March 21 at The Brew Kettle, 300 Church St. Ashley Funni of Pure Haven will present “Easily Change to Safe Toxic Free Products In Our Homes.” The business spotlight will be Liz Oesterman of Pure Haven.

Be sure to take enough business cards and literature for an exchange. For reservations and directions, contact Karen Cheshire at 440-967-5503 or wbonlorain@gmail.com.

For more information about the group, go to www.wbonlorain.org or Facebook.

• OBERLIN: The Indigenous Peoples’ Day committee will meet at 6 p.m. on Thursday, March 21 at the Oberlin Public Library.

The meeting is open to the public and will focus on planning for the 2019 celebration.

• ELYRIA TWP.: “Autism: One Piece at a Time” will be presented from 6-8 p.m. on Thursday, March 21 at Murray Ridge School, 9750 South Murray Ridge Rd. This free event is open to parents, professionals, and community members. It will feature resources from several area organizations as well as a presentation by Martiza Molis, author of the book “Autism in Our Home: The Making of a Bittersweet Family,” which is an essential reference for overwhelmed families of children with autism.

RSVPs are preferred but not required. Email ei@murrayridgecenter.org or call 440-284-3655.

For more information, contact Heather Knoble or Stacie Starr at 440-329-3760.

• ELYRIA: The Lorain County Office on Aging’s annual meeting will be held at 3 p.m. on Thursday, March 21 at 320 North Gateway Blvd., third floor.

The meeting provides the public an opportunity to learn more about the Office on Aging and the services offered to improve the health, well-being, and independence of aging and other adults with special needs living throughout Lorain County.

For more information or to RSVP, call 440-3264800.

• WELLINGTON: After a two-week break, gentle chair yoga sessions will resume at 10:30 a.m. on Thursdays at the Herrick Memorial Library.

Deb Lansman leads this ongoing program designed to stretch and strengthen muscles and develop flexibility, which is followed by a networking time with tea and biscuits. The cost of the class is a donation. Registration is required at the library or by calling 440-647-2120.

• OBERLIN: “The Namling School Project in Tibet and the Remarkable Life of TashiTsering” will be presented at 7:15 p.m. on Thursday, March 21 at Kendal at Oberlin’s Heiser Auditorium.

Bill Siebenschuh, Kendal resident and Oviatt Professor of English Emeritus, Case Western Reserve University, will speak.

The event is free and open to the public.

• AMHERST: Learn about black and white television shows with a program at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 21 at the Amherst Public Library.

Joel Keller will speak on American shows of BULLETIN BOARD PAGE A3

Classifieds, legals, and subscriptions Deadline: 1 p.m. each Monday Phone: 440-7751611

U.S. Postal Service Use Only

Display advertising Mandy Saluk 937-564-8005 News staff Jason Hawk Jonathan Delozier Submit news to news@lcnews papers.com Deadline: 10 a.m. each Tuesday Visit us online lcnewspapers.com

Jonathan Delozier | Lorain County Community Guide

Sixth-graders Blake Carruthers, Jonah Stump, and Drew Denger from Wellington’s McCormick Middle School were among the many from local school districts who put their coding skills to the test March 14 in this year’s SpherOlympics, sponsored by the Educational Service Center of Lorain County. Small “Sphero” robots were programmed to complete one of many student-designed obstacle courses. Course designs seen on the floor at Lorain County Community College’s Spitzer Conference Center included classic mazes and sports fields.

RELIEF: Pain prescriptions falling JASON HAWK EDITOR

Pain pill prescriptions continued to drop at a fast clip last year, both in Lorain County and statewide, according to a new report by the Ohio Board of Pharmacy.

Doctors across Ohio dispensed 100 million fewer legal opioid doses in 2018.

In our county, the number of doses dropped by 2.5 million.

That’s good news, said University Hospitals doctor Randy Jernejcic, who also chairs the Northeast Ohio Opioid Hospital Consortium.

When physicians write opioid prescriptions, they have to strike a difficult balance, he said.

They consider the patient’s needs, whether alternative therapy might be less risky, how long pain medication might be necessary, and the patient’s risk for addiction.

“You don’t want to see people suffer. You don’t want to see people hurting. You would like to be able to err on the side of treating the pain... there are so many factors and it’s so complicated,” he said, describing the decisions doctors must make.

But despite the restraint shown by prescribers, the numbers remain staggering — 11.5 million people live in Ohio and there were 467.6 million opioid doses prescribed in 2018. That breaks down to 40.5 for every man, woman, and child in the state.

By comparison, there are 301,300 residents in Lorain

HEAT MAP

Graphic by Jason Hawk | Lorain County Community Guide

Darker areas show where more opioids are prescribed per capita. The data shows the southern part of Ohio has the most; Adams County leads with 77.5 doses for every person who lives there.

County. The report shows 10.2 million doses here last year, or 33.9 for every single person.

Hot spots are concentrated in the southern and eastern parts of the state, with the most pillsper-person flooding rural Adams County on the Kentucky border.

Other high-dose counties include Marion, Perry, Pike, Ross, Scioto, and Vinton.

In our neck of the woods, neighboring Huron (57.7 doses per capita) and Erie (46.4 doses per capita) counties have the most.

It’s worth noting that the number of prescription pain-killers prescribed by doctors has been steadily dropping for six straight years.

PRESCRIPTIONS PAGE A2

INSIDE Amherst

Oberlin

Wellington

Officials want second power main service

Legion Field community garden is closing down

‘Pump and Run’ 5K to be new St. Patrick’s tradition

OBITUARIES A2 • CLASSIFIEDS C4

Page A2

Thursday, March 21, 2019

Lorain County Community Guide

OBITUARIES Elizabeth Romot

Elizabeth Romot entered her eternal life peacefully on March 14, 2019, at the age of 92.

She is preceded in death by her loving husband, Joseph; sisters Leona Borer and Lydia Peters; and her mother and father, John Bodi and Lydia Pogum.

Elizebeth is survived by siblings Julia Borer, Ester Kay, and John Bodi. Her loving children, Linda Crumpton, Charles Romot, James Crumption, and Ira Romot will miss her very much as will her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Elizabeth lived a full and beautiful life. She brought sunshine with her wherever she went and gifted it to all she knew and met. She enjoyed carrot cake, cooking for family and friends, a good cup of tea with a touch of sugar (just a touch, not good to go overboard), marveling at the songs of yellow finches, children playing, and the feeling of a warm summer breeze on her face.

Elizabeth demonstrated the way a person should live a life: robustly and with deep compassion.

Elizabeth, you are missed in our lives; you will be held in our hearts. We will forever bask in the loving memories we shared with you. Bless you.

Elizabeth Patterson

Elizabeth “Betsy” (Hostetler) Patterson, age 69, of London, passed away peacefully Thursday morning March 14, 2019, at her residence.

She was born April 28, 1949, in Plain City, Ohio. Elizabeth brought a sense of fun, generosity, kindness and joy to everything she did. She loved her family enormously. Betsy taught school one year in both London, Ohio, and West Virginia before teaching 21 years in Oberlin, Ohio. She was a member of the Madison County Retired Teachers Association and a faithful member of various churches throughout her life.

She was preceded in death by her parents, H. John Hostetler and Frances (Kramer) Hostetler; and a niece, Beth Marquart. She is survived by her husband of 47 years, Allan A. Patterson, retired pastor; daughters Katherine Helen Patterson-Paronto (Jarron), Laura Frances Cooper (Aaron); son, Matthew Alexander Patterson (Amelia); grandchildren Isaac F., David A., Elizabeth Janae Paronto, Liliana Elizabeth, and Joseph A. Cooper; and seven siblings.

A visitation was held Monday at Ferguson Funeral Home, 202 East Main St., Plain City, Ohio.

Funeral services were held Tuesday, March 19 at London Christian Fellowship, London, Ohio, with pastors Rob Swartz and Preston Yoder officiating.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Madison County Retired Teachers Association.

Please visit fergusonfuneralhomeinc.com to share a special memory.

Richard R. Baldwin Sr.

Richard Rowland Baldwin Sr., 83, of Amherst, passed away Sunday, March 17, 2019, at Amherst Manor Nursing Home. Friends may call Friday, March 22 from 11 a.m. until the time of the funeral service at 1 p.m. at Hempel Funeral Home, 373 Cleveland Ave., Amherst. Burial will follow at Ridge Hill Memorial Park, Amherst.

John M. Tezie The Rev. John M. Tezie, Senior Priest-Retired, died Tuesday, March 12, 2019, after having received the prayerful support and consolation of the Sacraments. A wake was held Friday, March 15 and funeral Mass was celebrated Saturday, March 16 at Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church, South Amherst. Interment was at St. Joseph Cemetery, Amherst. Arrangements were entrusted to Hempel Funeral Home, Amherst.

Traffic crashes

The Lorain County Traffic Fatality Review Committee met March 6 to review six local crashes that resulted in six deaths between Aug. 3 and Jan. 31.

The committee noted that: • One pedestrian who died was impaired by alcohol and drugs at the time of the crash.

• Four fatal crashes involved a driver who was impaired by alcohol; two of those drivers were also impaired by drugs at the time of the crash.

• Three of those who died were not wearing seat belts.

• One crash involved a motorcyclist who was not wearing a helmet.

• One crash involved a snowmobile operator that was not wearing a helmet.

Miller aims to repeal HB 70 JASON HAWK EDITOR

Firelands teacher-turned-elected representative Joe Miller is championing legislation to end state takeovers of struggling school districts such as neighboring Lorain.

The former Amherst city councilman said he plans to introduce a bipartisan measure that would roll back parts of House Bill 70.

On the books since 2015, the bill has allowed state-run "academic distress commissions" to strip local control from three school districts in Ohio, including Lorain, Youngstown, and East Cleveland.

In each, a state-appinted CEO now calls the shots without oversight from voters.

“Placing these districts under state control has been a disaster,” said Miller, who retired from teaching at Firelands High School and stepped down from council after being elected to the Ohio General Assembly in November.

“In each case, the academic distress commission has been unable to work effectively alongside the district’s teachers, school leaders, and community at large. After three years, we haven’t seen any evidence that state takeovers improve academic achievement. It’s time for us to restore local control and give struggling schools the support they need to succeed.”

Rep. Don Jones (R-Freeport) is siding with Miller in the effort to repeal HB 70.

They want to dissolve the academic distress commissions and return power for local leaders to offer support such as after-school enrichment and health services.

“We need more local control — not less," Jones said.

"Academic distress commissions have not only taken away school and community pride, but have proven to be unsuccessful in their mission. I’m looking forward to working on this legislation and hope for its eventual passage to ensure all of our children are receiving a

“After three years, we still haven’t seen any evidence that state takeovers improve academic achievement.

It’s time for us to restore local control...”

JOE MILLER 56TH DISTRICT OHIO HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

top-flight education.”

Miller and Jones aren't the only ones who want to change the way failing school systems are handled.

In an email from his campaign Monday, Miller said he wants a full repeal of HB 70. "While some are OK with small tweaks to HB 70, I'm not," it said.

Reps. Kent Smith (D-Euclid) and Steve Hambley (R-Brunswick) have introduced House Bill 127, which would stop additional school takeovers, though it would do nothing to reverse what's happened in Lorain.

“House Bill 70, which created state takeovers, was poorly designed, rushed into law, and done with zero public input,” said Smith. “School districts that were headed in the right direction have had their voices silenced, their students harmed, and their communities upended by a ‘Columbus’knows-best’ approach that has made the situation worse, not better.”

As it stands, HB 70 allows takeovers in districts that underperform on state report cards for three straight years.

Hambley and Smith say — and are backed by the data — that those districts haven't improved in terms of state report card grades, nor have they become better learning

environments.

At high risk are the Ashtabula, Canton, Columbus, Dayton, Euclid, Lima, Mansfield, North College Hill, Painesville, and Toledo school systems.

In Lorain County, most districts are in decent shape, though it's no secret several wrestle with both finances and grades.

While the Amherst Schools are in no immediate danger, some city officials have told us they fear HB 70 set the stage for a campaign to take over all school districts statewide, removing local influence.

On March 13, state Sen. Nathan Manning (R-North Ridgeville) also took aim at HB 70, introducing a measure that would restructure the way the academic distress commission oversees the Lorain Schools.

"I have heard the concerns of parents, teachers, and community leaders and Senate Bill 110 is collaborative plan to improve accountability and return local control to Lorain," said Manning. "Even if House Bill 70 were good policy, local school leaders and residents have said they do not want something forced on a local school district from Columbus."

His Senate bill would affect only Lorain. It would allow state superintendent Paolo DeMaria and mayor Chase Ritenauer to each appoint two members to the academic distress commission and for the Lorain board of education to appoint one teacher.

It would also require an annual financial and performance audit for the school system by the auditor of state to identify operational inefficiencies.

Ritenauer is no fan of HB 70 and took to Twitter recently to say appointed Lorain Schools CEO David Hardy was given a fair chance and found lacking.

"The city benefits if he succeeds. From his appointment in 2017 until late 2018/early 2019 I kept quiet. He deserved a chance to lead," Ritenauer wrote. "What has occurred as of late is inexcusable and needs remedied. My focus is on HB 70, which allows for the worst vices to run rampant."

PRESCRIPTIONS

FROM A1 Since 2012, the total number of opioids dispensed to Ohio patients has fallen by 325 million doses, the Board of Pharmacy reports — and doctors have written 4.6 million fewer prescriptions.

Physicians are also using the Ohio Automated Rx Reporting System far more often to do checks on patients who might receive pain-killers.

Launched in 2006, the system collects information on who gets controlled-substance prescriptions. That info is available to more than 41,000 doctors and pharmacists statewide, as well as law enforcement agencies.

Last year, health care providers requested more than 142 million patient reports. The result was an 89 percent drop in the reported number of Ohioans “shopping” around hoping to get opioids.

Jernejcic agreed “that there are certainly people who aren’t honest with you, frankly,” about their need for pain-killers.

At the same time, he hopes the reduction in doses has correctly targeted those at risk for opioid abuse, not patients who truly need pain medication.

“These are great drugs for certain people. If my patient needs it, I don’t want there to be a barrier to them getting it,” he said.

“We all have a role to play in battling this public health crisis, and this continued downward trend in opioid prescriptions demonstrates that Ohio’s prescribers are making significant progress in their efforts to prevent addiction,” said Gov. Mike DeWine.

“When this crisis first emerged, prescribers were led to believe that opioids were not addictive, but we know today that is not the case,” he said.

That’s an incredibly misleading claim — opioid addiction was recognized all the way back in the 1860s when Civil War soldiers treated with morphine

developed dependency. And after Bayer introduced heroin to the market in 1898, Congress reacted to widespread addiction issues by enacting a number of laws restricting public access to opioids and narcotics, making them prescription drugs.

Fast forward to 1995 when Purdue Pharma introduced OxyContin, an opioid that it marketed as being less addictive.

Doctors prescribed it like crazy and the new crisis was born.

In October 2017, a public health crisis was declared in the United States following several years of through-the-roof overdoses.

While much of the attention early on focused on heroin abuse, what became clear was that a majority of opioid addiction cases started with legally-prescribed drugs. When users ran out, they went hunting in family medicine cabinets or sought out street dealers to get the next fix.

ABOUT THE COMMUNITY GUIDE THE COMMUNITY GUIDE is published every Thursday.

OWNER: Schloss Media SUBSCRIPTIONS: $40 per year in Lorain County; $45 in Erie, Huron, Ashland, Medina, and Cuyahoga; $50 in all other Ohio counties; and $55 outside of Ohio.

Call 440-775-1611 and get home delivery via USPS. PERMIT: (USPS 024-360) PERIODICAL POSTAGE: Paid at Wellington, OH

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Lorain County Community Guide, 144 South Main St., Cadiz, OH 43907.

How can I submit a news item?

News should be sent to news@lcnews papers.com no later than 10 a.m. each Tuesday. We publish submissions on a space-available basis. We reserve the right to hold or reject any submission.

We also reserve the right to edit all submissions.

Can my event be listed in the paper for several weeks?

Once submitted, nonprofit event listings stay in our bulletin board as long as we have space available, up to four weeks prior to the event. You don’t have to submit it again unless there are changes.

Will you guarantee that an item will print on a certain date?

We do not reserve space or make promises with the exception of obituaries, classifieds, legal ads, and display ads.

Thursday, March 21, 2019

Lorain County Community Guide

Page A3

BULLETIN BOARD FROM A1 the early 1950s that influenced and shaped popular culture.

• LORAIN: The 2nd Annual Black River Summit will be held Thursday, March 21 at the Antlers Grand Ballroom, 300 Washington Ave. Doors will open and a free lunch will be served at 11:30 a.m. Presentations will start at 1 p.m.

Presenters include Lorain mayor Chase Rittenauer, Lorain County commissioner Matt Lundy, representatives from the Lorain Port and Finance Authority and the Ohio Lake Erie Commission, Great Lakes National Program Office director Chris Korleski, Radhika Reddy of Ariel Ventures, and more.

The summit is open to the public and intended to provide outreach and transparency on restoration projects and the status of the lower Black River.

Saturday, March 23 • NORTH RIDGEVILLE: Penny and Fritz Brandau, members of the Black River Audubon Society and the Ohio Bluebird Society, will give a presentation about Eastern Bluebirds at 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 23 at the North Ridgeville Branch Public Library, 35700 Bainbridge Rd. This program will focus on how to choose the right bluebird habitat, what features to look for when choosing a bluebird nest box, and how to monitor your nestbox. It will also touch on bluebird predators and competitors and there will be a video of the family life of bluebirds.

Since class size is limited, registration is requested by calling 440-670-3684.

• SOUTH AMHERST: The Day With a Prince and Princess Pancake Breakfast will be held from 9-11:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 23 at South Amherst Middle Schoo, 152 West Main St. Attend dressed as your favorite prince or princess (this is optional!) and enjoy all-you-can-eat pancakes, games, face painting, crown making, a nail polish station, and make-and-take swords. Create an autograph book to have all princes and princesses sign. Hear the Firelands select choir perform dressed in costume. There will also be pictures, raffle baskets, and treats for an additional charge.

All are welcome. The cost is a donation a the door. There will be prizes and early picture times for children who pre-register; RSVP by March 20 by calling Sheila Iwanek at 440-315-5731. Be sure to include the number of adults attending and the number and names of children attending.

• WELLINGTON: A kids’ resale event will be held from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturday, March 23 at Westwood Elementary School, 305 Union St. Many sellers will be set up, offering gently-used children’s items. The event is sponsored by the Westwood Parent Co-op. There will also be a bake sale.

Seller space is available; if interested, call Connie Frenk at 440-213-6656.

Sunday, March 24 • WELLINGTON: The 3rd Annual Friends of Senior Citizens Breakfast Fundraiser will be held from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sunday, March 24 at the Wellington Eagles, 631 South Main St. The menu includes scrambled eggs, choice of sausage or bacon, hash browns, biscuits and gravy, toast, and juice, milk, or coffee.

Entertainment will be provided from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Advance tickets can be purchased by Friends members Virginia Haynes at 440-567-3602; Bernie Nirode at 440-724-3804; Brenda Sears at 440-935-

LETTERS Letters to the editor should be: • Written to the editor. We do not allow open letters or those to specific community members, politicians, or groups.

• Concise. There is a limit of 350 words on letters.

• Polite. Letters that use crude language or show poor taste will be rejected.

• Opinions. We reserve space for letters that share a unique perspective. Press releases are not letters and will be considered for publication in other parts of the paper.

• Free of advertising, product or service endorsements or complaints, poetry, language that could raise legal problems, or claims that are measurably false.

• Signed. Letters submitted at our office or by postal mail should bear a signature.

Those submitted via e-mail should include the author’s name, address, and daytime phone number for our records. Letters submitted electronically are preferred. We accept up to two signatures per letter. We also accept letters of thanks, which highlight the generosity and gratitude that are the hallmarks of our small-town communities.

The deadline to submit letters is 10 a.m. each Tuesday. They are used on a space-available basis.

We reserve the right to edit any submission for length, grammar, spelling, and clarity, or to reject any submission.

The Lorain County Community Guide bulletin board is for local nonprofit and notfor-profit events. Items are published on a space-available basis and will be edited for news style, length, and clarity. Send your items to news@lcnewspapers.com.

2466; Dottie Pogorelc at 440-647-0777; or Calvin Woods at 440-315-7676.

Tickets will also be available at the door.

They are $10 for adults or $3 for children ages six and under.

The Friends of Senior Citizens is a nonprofit dedicated to supporting services and activities for healthy seniors in southern Lorain County.

• LORAIN: Pasta Paradise will be held from 2-6 p.m. on Sunday, March 24 at Jackalope Lakeside Restaurant, 301 Lakeside Ave., to benefit the Lorain Historical Society.

Tickets are $20 per person and can be ordered by calling 440-245-2563 or emailing info@lorainhistory.org.

The buffet menu includes chicken alfredo with bowtie pasta, mild Italian sausage with penne pasta, and pasta Bolognaise along with tossed salad, dessert, coffee, tea, or water, and a glass of house wine or draft beer.

• OBERLIN: Cooper Labinger will perform a piano recital at 3 p.m. on Sunday, March 24 at Peace Community Church, 44 East Lorain St. A 2015 graduate of Oberlin College and volunteer pianist at the church, he will play works by Beethoven and Chopin. Light refreshments will be served after the concert.

For more information, call the Revs. Mary or Steve Hammond at 440-774-3031.

Monday, March 25 • AMHERST: Ohio Sen. Nathan Manning (R-North Ridgeville) and Ohio Rep. Joe Miller (D-Amherst) will hold office hours from 5-6 p.m. on Monday, March 25 at the Amherst Public Library, 221 Spring St. No appointment is necessary. Office hours are an opportunity for constituents to voice concerns, ask questions, petition their representatives, and learn about state government.

• AMHERST: “Inflammation: The Silent Killer” will be presented at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, March 25 at the Amherst Public Library.

Chiropractor Jeremy Watson will speak. Learn what inflammation is, whether your body is inflamed, and how to “de-flame” through nutrition and lifestyle changes. Improve energy levels, decrease joint pain and heal GI issues with the information you learn at this program.

Tuesday, March 26 • NORTH RIDGEVILLE: The Lorain County Good Deeds Program will be held at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, March 26 at the North Ridgeville Academic Center, 34620 Bainbridge Rd. Learn how to plan for the future, avoid probate, and save time and money. Judge James Walther will speak on survivorship deeds, wills, and estate matters. Recorder Judy Nedwick and her staff will be available for deed research from 5-6 p.m. (you can call 440-329-5148 to get a copy of your deed in advance).

The free event is sponsored by the Lorain County Bar Association.

• OBERLIN: Learn to create and manage a blog at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, March 26 at the Oberlin Public Library.

The introduction to blogging will cover platforms and hosts, establishing and keeping goals, and attracting readers. Monetizing a blog will not be covered.

To register, call 440-775-4790.

The event is sponsored by the Friends of the Oberlin Public Library, the Oberlin Writer’s Group, and The Bridge.

Thursday, March 28 • AMHERST: Free Alcohol Server Knowledge training sessions will be offered on Thursday, March 28 at the Mercy Health Amherst Healthplex, 47160 Hollstein Dr. Two sessions will be offered (choose one): 9-11 a.m. or 6-8 p.m. ASK training is for liquor permit holders, staff, servers, and bartenders.

Space is limited. Register at www.eventbrite.com (search for ASK training), by emailing kevers@ loraincountyhealth.com, or by calling Kat at 440322-6367.

The event is sponsored by Lorain County Public Health, Communities That Care of Lorain County, and the Safe Communities Coalition.

• OBERLIN: Activist folk singers Annie Patterson and Charlie King will perform at 7 p.m. on Thursday, March 28 at the First Church in Oberlin, 106

North Main St. Patterson is the creator of the “Rise Up Singing” and “Rise Again” songbooks. King is a musical storyteller.

Tickets range from $10 to $20 for adults; children are free. No one will be turned away for lack of funds.

The concert is a benefit for the Oberlin Sanctuary project.

For advance tickets or more information, visit www.riseupandsing.org/events.

March 28 and April 25 • OBERLIN: “Bark in the Park” will be held at 2:30 p.m. on Thursdays, March 28 and April 5 on the North Coast Inland Trail near Splash Zone.

Take a walk with Lorain County Metro Parks staff and their dogs. Pre-registration is required for this free event. For more-information, call 440-7745059.

Starting March 29 • SHEFFIELD: The French Creek Theatre production of “Little Women” will play from March 29 to April 14 at the Ewing Theatre, 4530 Colorado Ave. From their Massachusetts home in Civil War America, Jo, Meg, Amy, and Beth March plan their futures, but the present time is what they’ll cherish forever. Woven together with each sister’s unique flaws, hopes, and dreams, the classic novel gets the musical treatment in this adaptation of Louisa May Alcott’s celebration of a family unbroken by life’s trials.

Performances are at 7:30 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and 3 p.m. Sundays.

Tickets are $16 to $18 for adults and $10 for children. The box office is open from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily; tickets can also be purchased by calling 440-949-5200 ext. 221 or at www.metroparks.cc/ theatre.

• OBERLIN: Lenten fish fries will be held from 5:30-7 p.m. on Fridays, March 29, April 5, and April 12 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 410 West Lorain St. Dinners include fried fish or shrimp, soup, french fries, cole slaw, macaroni and cheese, dessert, and beverage. Takeouts will be available.

Tickets will be available after Mass, at the rectory, and at the door. They are $13 for adults and $6 for children ages 10 and under.

Saturday, March 30 • OBERLIN: “One Step More,” an Oberlin women’s history walk, will be offered at 1 p.m. on Saturday, March 30.

Celebrate Women’s History Month with this free 90-minute walking tour offered by the Oberlin Heritage Center. You’ll be guided in and around the downtown area to landmarks and monuments with historic connections to women’s continual efforts to gain rights and respect.

While the tour is free, advance reservations are requested. Visit www.oberlinheritagecenter.org or call 440-774-1700 to register or to learn more.

• PITTSFIELD TWP.: A free Career Tech Saturday event will be held Saturday, March 30 at the Lorain County JVS for students in fourth, fifth, and sixth grades.

Doors open at 8:30 a.m. and the camp will run from 9-11:30 a.m.

This is a career exploration program designed to give elementary students hands-on experience in various career tech areas. The opportunity can spark the interest of younger students by providing fun activities while they learn a new skill set. Kids will have the opportunity to select two activities and create make-it-take-it projects. A light lunch will be provided at the end of the camp.

Parents and guardians are invited to see firsthand all that the JVS has to offer and even take a class or two themselves.

Students must register to participate. You can find the registration link at www.lcjvs.com.

• BROWNHELM TWP.: The Brownhelm Historical Association will collect scrap metal from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, March 30 at the Brownhelm School and Museum, 1940 North Ridge Rd. For more information, email brownhelmhistory@ gmail.com.

• WELLINGTON: Children in grades K-5 can make Easter decorations from 1:30-3:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 30 at the Herrick Memorial Library.

Register by March 27 at the library or by calling 440-647-2120.

• AMHERST: A free crochet workshop for all skill levels will be held from 10:30 a.m. to noon on Saturday, March 30 at the Amherst public Library.

Beginners and those who would like to start a new project should take a “J” hook and a skein of Lily “Sugar and Cream” yarn for the first MORE ON PAGE A4

EMAIL CONTACTS JASON HAWK: jason@lcnewspapers.com — Editor MANDY SALUK: mandy@lcnewspapers.com — Display advertising JONATHAN DELOZIER: jon@lcnewspapers.com — Reporter and photographer

Page A4

Lorain County Community Guide

Thursday, March 21, 2019

BULLETIN BOARD workshop. All attendees are welcome to take their current projects.

• OBERLIN: “How to Write and Get Published” will be presented from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, March 30 at the Oberlin Public Library.

The event will feature writer, speaker, and Writer’s Digest online editor Brian Klems.

The workshop will provide a crash course on craft, style, and voice. It will include the basics of sentence construction, how to avoid passive tense, using vivid language, self-editing, making characters memorable, the art of compelling dialog, and more. Learn how to write query letters and seek a literary agent.

The seminar is sponsored by the Friends of the Oberlin Public Library, the Oberlin Writer’s Group, the library, and The Bridge.

Space is limited and registration is required. Call 440-775-4790.

Sunday, March 31 • OBERLIN: The Northern Ohio Youth Orchestra’s spring concert will be held at 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, March 31 at Finney Chapel, 90 North Professor St. This performance caps NOYO’s 50th anniversary season and there will be a post-concert celebration and reception at the Carnegie Building, 52 West Lorain St., immediately following the performance.

The concert will feature the Amati Strings, the Wind Symphony, Sinfonietta Strings, and the Philharmonia Orchestra with music by composers ranging from John Philip Sousa and Paul Desmond to Aaron Copland and George Gershwin. It will culminate in a performance of Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue” with piano soloist Elena Loskova, an Oberlin Conservatory faculty pianist, with David Pope leading the Philharmonia Orchestra.

Tickets are available at www.noyo.org or at the door. General admission door prices are $10, $7 for seniors, and $5 for students. Children ages three and under are free.

For more information, visit www.noyo.org or call 440-775-3059.

• OBERLIN: “Options and Rights as a Funeral Consumer” will be presented at 1 p.m. on Sunday, March 31 at the First Church in Oberlin UMC, 106 North Main St. This Cleveland Memorial Society program is free and open to the public.

Monday, April 1 • NEW RUSSIA TWP.: A special meeting of the New Russia Township trustees will be held at 7 p.m. on Monday, April 1 at 46300 Butternut Ridge Rd. The purpose is to discuss a contract with the South Amherst fire department.

• OBERLIN: A vegan potluck will be part of the Meatless Mondays and Beyond meeting at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, April 1 at the Oberlin Public Library.

It will focus on the many cheese-centered dishes and delicacies that can be made vegan: nachos, cream cheese, lasagna, macaroni and cheese, spreadable cheese, cashew cheese, scalloped potatoes, a commercial vegan cheese, Mexican casserole. Be inspired to try a new recipe and create a dish to share at the potluck.

Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and the presentation will be held at 6:15 p.m. The night is free and all are welcome.

For more information, contact Kimberly Thompson at kimmert2001@yahoo.com or 805-245-0730.

• OBERLIN: Phyllis Gorfain of Oberlin Drama at Grafton will lead a panel of volunteers and post-release actors at 7:15 p.m. on Monday, April 1 at Kendal at Oberlin’s Heiser Auditorium.

Gorfain is the recipient of the 2019 Governor’s Award for Arts Administration for her work as founder and artistic director of Oberlin Drama at Grafton.

The event is free and open to the public.

FOOT & ANKLE PAIN?

Northern Ohio Foot & Ankle Specialists, LLC

Kareem R. Dolce, DPM

New London 111 E. Main St. 419-660-0099

Marc D. Dolce, DPM, FACFAS

Norwalk

Nicholas A. Brown, DPM, FACFAS

368 Milan Ave. (Next to Bob Evans) 419-660-0099

dolcepodiatry.com

Wakeman

24 Hyde St. 440-839-0039

Tuesday, April 2 • OBERLIN: The Oberlin Heritage Center Annual Meeting and Community Awards Dinner will be held from 6-8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 2 at The Hotel at Oberlin.

The featured speakers will be Gary Kornblith and Carol Lasser, sharing insights from their new book “Elusive Utopia: The Struggle for Racial Equality in Oberlin, Ohio.” Kornblith and Lasser are emeritus professors of history at Oberlin College, active community historians, and avid researchers of lived histories that challenge celebratory portrayals of Oberlin.

The evening will include a brief business meeting and presentation of the 18th Annual Community Awards.

Honorees include Marty Buck, Techies (Business Leader Service Award); Mike Demchak, Christian Community School (History Teacher of the Year); Ruby Denneen and John Elrod (Youth Community Service Award); and the OHC Westwood Cemetery GPS team of Rich Fredrickson, Judy Connolly, Camille Hamlin Allen, Amy Chuang, Judy Cook, Adam Freas, and Ron Gorman (OHC Volunteers of the Year).

Reservations are $40 for OHC members or $45 for the general public. Reserve at www.oberlinheritagecenter.org. For more information, call 440-7741700 or email ohcbiz@oberlinheritage.org.

• CARLISLE TWP.: “Southern Africa 2017” will be presented at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, April 2 at the Carlisle Reservation Visitor Center, 12882 Diagonal Rd. Kurt Sarringhaus and Steve Chavez will talk about a September 2017 safari experience in South Africa, Zimbabwe, Namibia, and Botswana. Sarringhaus will give an overview and share photos of animals while Chavez will present on African bird life.

This Black River Audubon Society program is free to the public. For more information on programs, volunteering, or becoming a member, visit www.blackriveraudubon.org or call 440-3656-465.

Starting April 2 • OBERLIN: “Topics in Clinical Neuroscience: Memory, Hearing, and Balance Losses” will be offered at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesdays, April 2, 9, and 16 at Kendal at Oberlin’s Heiser Auditorium.

Alan Lockwood, Fellow of the American Academy of Neurology, Fellow of the American Neurological Association, and professor emeritus of neurology at the University of Buffalo, will present the course on three areas of clinical neuroscience that impact our daily lives, particularly as we age.

What are different kinds of memory and its disorders? How does the sensory input from vision and the inner ear cause disorders such as falls and motion sickness? What can we do to minimize the risk of hearing loss as we age?

All are welcome. To register, call Lorain County Community College at 440-366-4148. The fee for class 4602 is $20.

Wednesday, April 3 • WELLINGTON: The Wellington Genealogy Group will meet at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, April 3 at the LCCC Wellington Center, 151 Commerce Dr. Betty Franklin from the Westlake Family History Center will explain how to enter information from your family tree at www.familysearch.org. After the lecture, she will offer assistance during a hands-on session in the computer lab. Familysearch.org is a free site but requires users to have an account.

Be sure to take log-in information to the workshop so that you have access to add information to your tree. College computers are available but also feel free to take your own laptop.

Ongoing • VERMILION: Grace’s Kitchen provides meals and companionship for those in need in the Vermilion area. Meals are served from 5:30-7 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays at Trinity Lutheran Church, 3747 Liberty Ave. Eight local volunteer groups provide assistance in this collaborative outreach. Meals are prepared by churches on a rotating basis, operating under the umbrella of Grace United Methodist Church All are welcome.

• ELYRIA: The Lorain County Waste Collection Center, 540 South Abbe Rd., takes household hazardous waste. It is open from noon to 4 p.m. each Monday, noon to 6 p.m. each Wednesday, and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. each Saturday.

• WELLINGTON: Coffee with a Cop is held at 11 a.m. on the first Wednesday of every month at the

MULLET LOGGING Buyer of Standing Timber

ive Selevcetsting r Ha

re EstF imaetes

Please mail name and number and we will contact you Protect your woods6419 Darlington Road South Log with horses Bellville, OH 44813

Wellington McDonald’s on Rt. 58.

Stop in and meet village police officers and have a conversation over a cup of coffee.

• AMHERST: The Meals on Wheels Program provides delivered meals five days a week between 11 a.m. and noon within the city limits.

The cost is $5 a meal. The Amherst Office on Aging can meet most dietary requirements: heart healthy, diabetic, soft. You can receive meals one day a week or multiple days — it’s up to you. Call 440988-2817.

Volunteers are needed to help deliver meals, both regular route drivers and substitutes. Routes take about an hour. Meal pick up time is at 10:30 a.m.

Volunteers are also needed to work with the Learning Farm, a school and workplace for those with developmental disabilities. They are interested in having volunteers visit and read stories, cook a meal with them, or do crafts.

• BROWNHELM TWP.: The Brownhelm Historical Association holds meetings on the first Wednesday of each month at the historic Brownhelm School and Museum, 1940 North Ridge Rd. Doors open at 6 p.m., a business meeting is held from 6:30-7 p.m., followed by refreshments and social time, and programs begin at 7:30 p.m.

• OBERLIN: The Oberlin African American Genealogy and History Group offers free walk-in genealogy assistance from 1-3 p.m. on the second and fourth Saturdays of each month at The Bridge (in the Backspace), 82 South Main St. • OBERLIN: The Connections peer support group for those suffering from mental illness, depression, and anxiety is offered from 7-8:30 p.m. on the first and third Thursday of each moth at Family Promise, 440 West Lorain St. The group is sponsored by the National Alliance on Mental Illness. You must RSVP to office@nami-lc. org or 440-233-8181 ext. 224.

• WELLINGTON: St. Patrick Church offers a Helping Hands Food Pantry from noon to 3 p.m. on the third Saturday of each month and from 6-8 p.m. on the following Tuesday. It’s located in the old St. Patrick Church at the corner of Adams and North Main streets.

The pantry is available to residents of the 44090 zip code area who meet federal eligibility guidelines of $24,119 annual income for a household of one, $32,479 for two, etc. Identification and proof of residency (a current utility bill) are also required.

For more information, visit www.helpinghands. stpatrickwellington.com.

• OBERLIN: Oberlin Community Services offers an open food pantry from 9 a.m. to noon and 1-5 p.m.

Monday through Friday for residents of southern Lorain County who need help meeting their food needs.

A large food distribution is held the second Saturday of each month from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

OCS serves eligible residents of Oberlin, Wellington, and New Russia, Carlisle, Kipton, LaGrange, Brighton, Penfield, Camden, Huntington, Rochester, and Pittsfield townships.

A picture ID and proof of address is requested. For more information, call 440-774-6579.

• OBERLIN: The Oberlin Drum Circle meets from 7-8:30 p.m. on the first Wednesday of each month at Oberlin Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, 355 East Lorain St. Take your instruments if desired; there are always plenty of extras. People new to drumming are welcome.

• WELLINGTON: Kiwanis meetings are held at noon each Thursday at Bread-N-Brew, 100 South Main St. • OBERLIN: A reading group meets at 7 p.m. on Tuesdays at Peace Community Church, 44 East Lorain St. • AMHERST: Soup and salad lunches are held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the second Thursday of every month at Amherst United Methodist Church, 396 Park Ave. The low-cost lunch includes soup, sloppy joes, salad bar, hot dogs, and pie.

The church also has a community free pancake breakfast from 8:30-10:30 a.m. the last Saturday of each month. All are welcome.

• OBERLIN: An Alzheimer’s Association caregiver support group meets at 2 p.m. the fourth Tuesday of each month at the First Church in Oberlin UCC, 106 North Main St. The group is designed to provide emotional, educational, and social support for caregivers. It will encourage caregivers to maintain their own physical and emotional health while optimally caring for people with dementia.

For more information, call 800-272-3900 or visit www.alz.org.

• AMHERST: Senior Citizens of Amherst is for the city’s seniors to socialize, dine, and be entertained from 11:45 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the first Friday of every month at the Amherst Eagles on Milan Avenue.

For reservations and memberships, call Sharon at 440-984-3162. Catered meals are served for $11, followed by a meeting. There are also $10 raffles.

Your Sales Team

TheDonnas@HowardHanna.com

INSIDE: SOFTBALL CHAMPS HUNT FOUR-PEAT • B3

AMHERST NEWS-TIMES THURSDAY, MARCH 21, 2019 • SERVING AMHERST SINCE 1919

Second city power main in the works ► Officials eager for zero-dollar deal with AMP Ohio to help stop the threat of citywide outages JASON HAWK EDITOR

Are you tired of sitting in the dark?

Power outages have been a thorn in the side of Amherst residents for a long time. Now officials hope to prevent citywide outages like the one that ground the town to a halt last May. They are praying for a deal with AMP Ohio that would lead to the construction of a second main power line into the city.

Amherst utilities superintendent Ron Merthe said there have been proposals for a second service feed under mayors John Jaworski, John Higgins, David Taylor — and now Mark Costilow.

“But the cost always came in at very large numbers,” he said.

Costilow said building a second feed without any kind of outside help would cost in the neighborhood of $6 million.

Now he wants city council to empower its community improvement corporation to negotiate with AMP Ohio, a nonprofit that generates and transmits power to its members, which include Amherst.

“They’re trying to get into the transmission business and they need to pass through our city somehow,” Costilow said. “In order to get the right amount of voltage through our line to get to where they need to go, they need to build a line to attach to ours. That would be our second feed.”

The deal may entail selling some of Amherst’s electric assets and erecting 69,000 kilovolt lines.

But Costilow believes AMP Ohio is willing to structure a deal that would entail no direct costs POWER FEED PAGE B2

Bank error affects 1,000 utilities bills

Jason Hawk | Amherst News-Times

Eighth grade wrestler Dominic Kinder puts Amherst Junior High School principal Andrew Gibson in a friendly headlock.

‘I like the physicality’ JASON HAWK EDITOR

Not too shabby — Dominic Kinder racked up a 32-0 record this wrestling season before falling at districts, but still managed a state tournament berth.

The Amherst Junior High School eighth-grade traveled south this weekend to the state

tournament.

“I like the competition of sports. I like the physicality of it. I’ve got a lot of support from family, friends, coaches,” he told us before leaving.

Kinder went to the state meet aiming for fifth place or higher in the 249-pound class.

After going 14-6 last year, he didn’t expect to be the star of the 2018-2019 season.

Then he started winning. And winning. And winning.

“I felt like I had something going after the first three tournaments when I didn’t lose. Then I really stepped up in practice.

I started practicing with the high-schoolers to have stronger competition,” Kinder said.

With 20 straight wins under his KINDER PAGE B2

TALK ABOUT SPOILED!

JASON HAWK EDITOR

About 1,000 Amherst households — maybe yours — were hit March 11 by a Northwest Bank mistake that improperly debited a month’s worth of utility charges.

The processing error was corrected as soon as it was discovered, said city deputy treasurer Karen Flynn.

“The bank has refunded everyone for the erroneous debit times two, because they got debited twice,” she said.

Residents who went to Northwest Bank were given a check immediately, while those who went to the utilities department got next-day credits.

Flynn said she is uncertain whether the problem was caused by human error or a computer glitch.

A letter to utilities customers was posted online: “We are aware that you may have encountered BANK ERROR PAGE B2

Jason Hawk | Amherst News-Times

Benny the therapy dog basks in the attention he gets here from human friends Claire Theisen, Blair Oravetz, and Sam Barrett. He’s a regular visitor to Amherst Steele High School, where students can pet away their anxieties for a few minutes in the hallway outside the cafeteria. Trust us — Benny loves every second of it.

SUBMIT YOUR NEWS TO: NEWS@LCNEWSPAPERS.COM

Page B2

Support the prom

Student council members at Steele High School are selling some neat items to raise money for the 2019 senior prom.

You can buy a "Once a Comet, Always a Comet" fleece blanket for $25; water bottles for $10 each; and Comets drawstring bags for $10 each.

The deadline for orders is 2:30 p.m. on Monday, April 1. Order forms are available at the high school.

Steele student pick-ups will be during lunch on Wednesday, April 24. Community item pickups will be from 5-7 p.m. that day in the school lobby.

For more information, email Kelly Massa at kelly_massa@amherstk12.org.

Commemorative brick sale

The deadline is drawing near on your chance to buy an engrave commemorative brick from the Amherst Schools Educational Foundation.

The nonprofit is selling bricks from Shupe, Powers, and Harris schools. They will be engraved and become part of the new Powers Elementary on South Lake Street.

Buy a brick for a student, family member, or yourself to own a piece of Amherst history and support both current and future Comets. Engraved bricks are $100. To place an order, complete a form on the district's Facebook page.

KINDER

FROM B1

belt, the stress started to set in. He began worrying about what a loss.

“Before matches you look and you see a big kid or strong kid you’ve never seen before,” he said. “You look at their record and they have the same kind of record you do. You think, ‘Man, I don’t want to lose this match.’”

But Kinder found that when he’s on the mat he’s able to put his anxiety aside and focus on the match.

One secret, he said, is he doesn’t like to stretch ahead of time — if he stands and gets loose, he feels he performs better.

Kinder already plans to play football this fall for the Comets as a freshman, then hit the mats for the wrestling team.

“I like the fight in it and the drive to win,” he said of his passion for the sport.

POWER FEED

FROM B1 to the city.

“It’s one of those ‘I have-to-pinch-me’ things to think it could be that good,” he said.

Merthe said the city needs a second main power feed.

Having one would mitigate the dangers of a blackout that would affect everyone within the city limits, he said.

That failure was caused by a faulty insulator on Ohio Edison’s main line about 15 feet from Amherst’s substation.

“If we would have been tied into the other side, our electric department would have just flipped some switch and we would have been fed,” Merthe said.

Having one feed is a rarity for towns the size of Amherst.

But let’s be clear: Having a second would not be a silver bullet for all outages. There will still be storm damage, blown transformers, and other localized problems.

But both Merthe and city electric foreman Rich Smith said the second service would go a long way.

Construction would take six to eight months, Smith estimated.

He said Amherst employees have a great working relationship with First Energy’s transmission crew, whom he called “very responsive.”

When there’s an outage, the crew turns out right away — but has to drive ATVs through 15 miles of wooded area searching for the problem before it can be fixed, Smith said.

“It’s a major process for them to find where they have to go. Once they find it, they’re good at getting it fixed,” he said.

BANK ERROR

FROM B1 a recent payment from your deposit account that was processed in error. Please know that Northwest Bank is making every effort to determine how this error occurred and they are taking the necessary steps to ensure this does not occur again. Our first priority is addressing any negative impacts you may have incurred due to this error.”

Northwest erased overdraft fees that resulted from the error for its own customers.

Residents who use other banks can also have overdraft fees reimbursed by Northwest.

Take a copy of your statement containing the fees to Northwests’s Amherst branch at 1175 Cleveland Ave.; the city utilities department, 480 Park Ave.; or the treasurer’s office, 480 Park Ave. The city has used Northwest Bank for well over 20 years, since it was Lorain National Bank, said Flynn.

Thursday, March 21, 2019

Amherst News-Times

SPRING SPORTS SCHEDULES Editor’s note: Remember, game times, dates, and locations are subject to change with little notice, especially when Ohio’s unpredictable weather comes into play.

VARSITY BASEBALL • Saturday, March 23 at noon at Elyria High School, 1915 Middle Ave. • Thursday, March 28 at 4:30 p.m. versus Lakewood at home.

• Saturday, March 30, time and location TBA, versus Bowling Green and St. Francis DeSales high schools.

• Monday, April 1 at 4:30 p.m. at North Ridgeville High School, 34620 Bainbridge Rd. • Wednesday, April 3 at 4:30 p.m. versus Midview at home.

• Thursday, April 4 at 4:30 p.m. versus Berea-Midpark at home.

• Saturday, April 6 at 11 a.m. versus Lorain at home.

• Monday, April 8 at 4:30 p.m. at the Olmsted Falls High School middle school field, 26939 Bagley Rd. • Wednesday, April 10 at 4:30 p.m. versus Avon Lake at home.

• Thursday, April 11 at 4:30 p.m. versus North Olmsted at home.

• Saturday, April 13 at noon at Elyria Catholic High School, 725 Gulf Rd. • Monday, April 15 at 4:30 p.m. versus Avon at home.

• Wednesday, April 17 at 4:30 p.m. at Westlake High School, 27830 Hilliard Blvd.

• Thursday, April 18 at 4:30 p.m. at Lakewood High School, 14100 Franklin Blvd.

• Saturday, April 20 at noon and 2:30 p.m. versus Big Walnut at home.

• Monday, April 22 at 4:30 p.m. versus North Ridgeville at home.

• Wednesday, April 24 at 4:30 p.m. at Midview High School, 38199 Capel Rd., Grafton.

• Thursday, April 25 at 4:30 p.m. versus Berea-Midpark at Volunteer Park, 21410 Lunn Rd., Strongsville.

• Monday, April 29 at 4:30 p.m. versus Olmsted Falls at home.

• Wednesday, May 1 at 4:30 p.m. at Avon Lake High School, 175 Avon Belden Rd. • Thursday, May 2 at 4:30 p.m.versus North Olmsted at League Park, 6601 Lexington Ave., Cleveland.

• Monday, May 6 at 4:30 p.m. versus Avon at the Avon Early Learning Center, 3075 Stoney Ridge Rd. • Wednesday, May 8 at 4:30 p.m. versus Westlake at home.

• Saturday, May 11 at noon versus Vermilion at home.

VARSITY SOFTBALL • Monday, March 25 through Wednesday, March 27 at Coco Beach Softball Spring Training, Titusville, Fla., versus Hilliard Darby, Oak Harbor, Eastwood, Perrysburg, and Ashwaubenon.

• Monday, April 1 at 4:30 p.m. versus North Ridgeville at Strikout Lanes, 34600 Bainbridge Rd.,

North Ridgeville.

• Tuesday, April 2 at 4:30 p.m. versus Midview at home.

• Thursday, April 4 at 4:30 p.m. versus Berea-Midpark at home.

• Friday, April 5 at 4:30 p.m. versus Westlake at home.

• Monday, April 8 at 4:30 p.m. at the Olmsted Falls High School middle school field, 26939 Bagley Rd. • Tuesday, April 9 at 4:30 p.m. versus Lakewood at home.

• Wednesday, April 10 at 4:30 p.m. versus Avon Lake at home.

• Thursday, April 11 at 4:30 p.m. versus North Olmsted at Victory Sports Park #7 (HS field), 7777 Victory Ln., North Ridgeville.

• Monday, April 15 at 4:30 p.m. versus Avon at home.

• Wednesday, April 17 at 4:30 p.m. at Westlake High School, 27830 Hilliard Blvd.

• Monday, April 22 at 4:30 p.m. versus North Ridgeville at home.

• Tuesday, April 23 at 4:30 p.m. at Lakewood High Scohol, 14100 Franklin Blvd.

• Wednesday, April 24 at 4:30 p.m. at Midview High School, 38199 Capel Rd., Grafton.

• Thursday, April 25 at 4:30 p.m. versus Berea-Midpark at Roehm Athletic Complex, 7220 Pleasant Ave., Berea.

• Friday, April 26 at 4:15 p.m. versus Walsh Jesuit High School at LaGrange Community Park, 422 West Main St. (Prebis Tournament).

• Saturday, April 27 at noon versus Lake High School at LaGrange Community Park, 422 West Main St. (Prebis Tournament).

• Saturday, April 27 at 4 p.m. versus Mount Vernon at LaGrange Community Park, 422 West Main St. (Prebis Tournament).

• Monday, April 29 at 4:30 p.m. versus Olmsted Falls at home.

• Wednesday, May 1 at 4:30 p.m. at Avon Lake High School, 175 Avon Belden Rd. • Thursday, May 2 at 4:30 p.m. versus North Olmsted at home.

• Monday, May 6 at 4:30 p.m. at Avon High School, 37545 Detroit Rd. BOYS VARSITY TENNIS • Tuesday, April 2 at 4:15 p.m. at Vermilion High School, 1250 Sanford St. • Wednesday, April 3 at 4:30 p.m. versus Lakewood at home.

• Friday, April 5 at 4:30 p.m. versus North Ridgeville, location TBA. • Monday, April 8 at 4:30 p.m. versus Midview at home.

• Wednesday, April 10 at 4:30 p.m. versus Berea-Midpark at home, • Thursday, April 11 at 4:30 p.m. versus Rocky River at TriCity Park, 3640 Delmar Dr. • Friday, April 12 at 4 p.m. at the LCAAA Tournament, Avon Lake High School, 175 Avon Belden Rd. • Saturday, April 13 at 9 a.m. at the LCAAA Tournament, Avon

Lake High School, 175 Avon Belden Rd. • Monday, April 15 versus Avon Lake at home.

• Wednesday, April 17 at 4:30 p.m. at North Olmsted High School, 27301 Butternut Ridge Rd. • Thursday, April 18 at 4:30 p.m. at Olmsted Falls High School, 26939 Bagley Rd. • Monday, April 22 at 4:30 p.m. versus Avon at home.

• Tuesday, April 23 at 4:30 p.m. versus Parma at Veterans Memorial Park, 6328 State Rd., Parma.

• Wednesday, April 24 at 4:30 p.m. at Westlake High School, 27830 Hilliard Blvd.

• Saturday, April 27 at 8 a.m. at the Southwestern Conference Tournament, Oberlin College, 200 Woodland St. • Monday, April 29 at 2 p.m. at the Southwestern Conference Tournament, Oberlin College, 200 Woodland St. • Tuesday, April 30 at 2 p.m. at the Southwestern Conference Tournament, Oberlin College, 200 Woodland St. • Wednesday, May 1 at 4 p.m. at Elyria’s Ely Stadium, 1915 Middle Ave. • Thursday, May 2 at 4:15 p.m. versus Bay at Bradley Park, 513 Bradley Rd., Bay Village.

COED VARSITY TRACK AND FIELD • Wednesday, April 3 at 4:30 p.m. versus Midview at home.

• Wednesday, April 10 at 4:30 p.m. at Olmsted Falls High School, 26939 Bagley Rd. • Friday, April 12 at 3 p.m. at the Lorain County Invitational, Avon Early Learning Center, 3075 Stoney Ridge Rd. • Wednesday, April 17 at 4:30 p.m. at home for Senior Night.

• Saturday, April 20 at 9 a.m. — the 64th Annual Comet Relays at Amherst Steele.

• Wednesday, April 24 at 4:30 p.m. at Westlake High School, 27830 Hilliard Blvd.

• Friday, April 26 at 3 p.m. at the Berea Relays, Finnie Stadium, 141 East Bagley Rd. • Friday, May 3 at 3:30 p.m. at the Medina Last Chance Meet, Medina High School, 777 East Union St. • Wednesday, May 8 at 4:30 p.m. at the Southwestern Conference Meet, Amherst Steele High School.

• Friday, May 10 at 4:30 p.m. at the Southwestern Conference Meet, Amherst Steele High School.

• Wednesday, May 15 at 4:30 p.m. at the OHSAA District Meet, Amherst Steele High School.

• Friday, May 17 at 4:30 p.m. at the OHSAA District Meet, Amherst Steele High School.

• Wednesday, May 22 at 4:30 p.m. at the OHSAA Regional Meet, Amherst Steele High School.

• Friday, May 24 at 4:30 p.m. at the OHSAA Regional Meet, Amherst Steele High School.

‘FOCUS ALL YOU’VE GOT’ Jason Hawk | Amherst News-Times

Sometimes you have to sacrifice your first love if you want to succeed, world champion sprinter Jessica Beard told young athletes Saturday at Amherst Steele High School. Speaking at the annual Comet Clinic, which draws hundreds of aspiring track and field stars, she talked about making the decision to give up basketball.

It came late in her high school career, when Beard was a junior, but she knew sprinting could mean a free ride to college. Beard became the breakout star of the NCAA’s 400-meter circuit, then won the USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships — but said she realized she still has not been to the Olympics. That brought a renewed sense of purpose. “I really had to adjust some things and I realized that even though I was working really hard I wasn’t doing everything I should. I wasn’t giving 100 percent of myself.” Beard said young athletes need to know their bodies, get enough sleep, and push all the way through the last weightlifting rep with the same intensity as the first rep.

Thursday, March 21, 2019

Amherst News-Times

SOFTBALL PREVIEW

Page B3

Easter food baskets

The Amherst Salvation Army Unit will give Easter food baskets away to families living in the 44001 area code who need assistance.

If you need or know of a family that needs a food basket, call the Salvation Army at 440-3709403 by Monday, April 15 and leave a message; you will be contacted.

Pick-up and distribution will take place Thursday, April 18.

Recycling makes a difference

Steele High School students have recycled an awful lot this year.

According to a social media post by teacher Angie DeLeon, they have recycled materials equal to the weight of a giraffe, saved enough energy to power a retail store for a year, avoided greenhouse emissions that otherwise would have taken 10 acres of trees to offset, and saved 10 oak trees worth of paper.

Future Health Professionals

Amherst junior Aryanna Liddington is one of five Lorain County JVS students who recently participated in the HOSA - Future Health Professionals regional competition.

She competed in the medical terminology event at the Pioneer Career Center in Shelby, Ohio.

Jillian Wood of Amherst also competed in the sports medicine event, placing third. She will advance to the state competition this April in Columbus.

SkillsUSA competitor

Jonathan Delozier | Amherst News-Times

Returning starters for 2019 include sophomore McKenzie Cornwell, sophomore Kylee McGraw, junior Madison Wormsley, sophomore Lindsey Reavis, and senior Kasey McGraw.

Madison O’Berg was not available.

Four-peat dreams for Comets JASON HAWK EDITOR

With seniors Madison Oberg and Kasey McGraw leading the charge, the Comets are gunning for a fourth straight Southwestern Conference softball title this spring.

“I’d say those two are our leaders. They’re four-year starters.

They were starters on that team that went to state. So they know what it takes,” said varsity coach Lacey Reichert.

Oberg was named Lorain County Division 1 Pitcher of the Year in 2017-2018. At shortstop, McGraw earned SWC Player of the Year honors.

Both were named All-Ohio.

That experience, along with four other returning starters who got significant playing time last year, will be Amherst’s strength, Reichert said.

“They want to win,” she said.

“We can hit. If we can play good

defense and get good pitching, which I’m confident we’ll do, we should be able to score some runs and win some games.”

McGraw leads off the batting order and is capable of getting on base and moving runners more or less at will.

In the middle of the order, there are a few girls who can knock the ball out any time, said Reichert.

And then there’s Cassidy Kettleman, the left-handed freshman who is expected to excel.

“She can hit for power, she can drag, she can slap,” Reichert said.

“She’s just very multidimensional at the plate, which sets up well for us with the rest of our lineup,” The squad leaves Saturday for training camp in Cocoa Beach, Fla., where they have five games to prep for the season.

Reichert said it will be good for her young girls to see strict competition right off the bat, so to speak, but also a bonding experience.

When they return, they’ll face

a tough schedule — and that’s on purpose.

In conference play, Midview and Avon are anticipated to be worthy foes again. And the non-conference schedule has been designed to be as competitive as possible, said Reichert.

The Comets will play Massillon Perry, which won the Division 1 state championship; Perrysburg, which made the state final four; Oak Harbor, a powerhouse in Division 2; and Eastwood, which has a pitcher going to Rutgers.

Hopefully that will get the Comets ready for the mid-May tournament trail.

“We want to see good pitchers, good hitters, who put the ball in play and make our defense work.

We want to see every possible situation, scenario we can leading into tournament time,” Reichert said.

“What we’ve told the girls is we’ve got to win every game because everybody wants to beat the team that’s won the past three SWC championships.”

Salute to Comets winter sports stars Outstanding Comets winter athletes were recognized in a March 10 ceremony at Amherst Steele High School.

Southwestern Conference Scholar-Athletes included seniors with the highest GPA who earned varsity letters. They are: • Boys basketball — Scott Iliff • Girls basketball — Kamryn Dziak • Hockey — Michael Giannuzzi • Boys swimming — Stevie Soboslay • Girls swimming and diving — Emma Kelley • Wrestling — Adam Lough Students athletes who earned letters each of their four years in winter athletics included: • Wrestling — Tim Carrion • Girls basketball — Kamryn Dziak • Wrestling — Russell Hellinger • Girls swimming and diving — Emma Kelley, Annabelle Saultz • Wrestling — Adam Lough • Girls basketball — Audrey McConihe • Boys swimming and diving — J.T. Pluta, Stevie Soboslay The following student-athletes were given first team honors: • Girls basketball — Kamryn Dziak (All-SWC, All-Lorain

County, All-District, and Lorain County Division 1 Player of the Year); Amaya Staton (All-Lorain County) • Hockey — Jacob Fekete (All-SWC); Michael Giannuzzi (All-SWC); Jacob Kramer (All SWC and All-GCHSHL White Division and SWC Most Valuable Player); Tyler Waldecki (All-SWC).

• Boys swimming — Chase Aruskevicius (All-SWC in the 200 medley relay and 400 freestyle relay); Ethan Belak (All-SWC in the 200 freestyle relay and 400 freestyle relay); John Belak (All-SWC in the 200 freestyle relay and 400 freestyle relay); Justin Farmer (All-SWC in the 400 freestyle relay); Joey Haas (All-SWC in the 200 medley relay); Kevin Heyd (AllSWC in the 200 medley relay, 200 freestyle relay, and 100 breaststroke); Jeremy Onacila (All-SWC in the 200 medley relay and 200 freestyle relay) • Wrestling — Russell Hellinger (SWC champion at 220 pounds) Individual accomplishments earned recognition: • Tim Carrion has been a key member of the Comets wrestling program during his four years at

Steele. At the OHSAA district tournament at Mentor High School, he recorded his 100th career win in his first consolation round match.

• Freshman Diver Ethan Belak ended his first year as a high school diver at the OHSAA state diving championships in Canton, finishing in 22nd place.

• On girls basketball Senior Day, Kamryn Dziak needed just six points to reach 1,000 career points. She reached it on a three-pointer. Dziak finished her career with 1,067 points.

Two teams that won championships this winter were also recognized: • For the second year in a row, the hockey team won both the Southwestern Conference tournament and the Baron Cup 2 tournament. This is the first time in SWC history that the same team won both in the same season. Amherst finished the season with a 32-3 record and a two-year record of 62-5.

• The boys swimming and diving team completed its season at the SWC meet, where for the fourth straight year it brought home a conference title. The boys were undefeated in the dual meet season.

Aaron Kukucka, an Amherst senior in the carpentry program at the Lorain County JVS, received a gold medal in the teamworks team event at the regional SkillsUSA competition. He will advance to the next level of competition.

Youth Movement winners

Medical health technology students at Amherst Steele High School have won a $5,000 prize from the Cleveland Clinic.

At the end of the calendar year, teacher Kim Haney's class created a video to combat obesity among their peers as part of the 2019 Youth Movement Contest.

The prize money can be used for a school wellness program.

This year's students have worked to teach younger kids about the importance of trying healthy foods, protecting themselves from germs, and exercising regularly.

Superior ratings

Another perfect score — every single judge rated the Amherst Steele High School concert choir as superior this past week at the district contest, according to director Mark Skladan.

The school's wind ensemble also brought home a superior rating after visiting the Ohio Music Educators' Association Large Group Contest, said principal Joe Tellier.

POLICE REPORTS • March 11 at 4:34 a.m.: Thomas Hissem, 32, of Vermilion, was charged with operating a vehicle while intoxicated and using weapons while intoxicated. A report said he found found slumped at the wheel and showed signs of a drug overdose; there was a loaded handgun near him, according to police.

• March 12, time undisclosed by police: Damage to several items was reported in a room at Days Inn on Rt. 58.

• March 12 at 12:48 a.m.: Branden Denobriga, 37, of Elyria, was arrested on a warrant through the Lorain County Sheriff’s Office for contempt of court on a larceny charge.

• March 12 at 12:06 p.m.: Cassandra Young, 35, of Lorain, was charged with driving under suspension, expired plates, possession of marijuana, and drug paraphernalia.

• March 12 at 2:39 p.m.: A female allegedly stole more than $100 in packaged meat from Giant Eagle on Kresge Drive.

• March 12 at 8:19 p.m.: Police turned three allegedly undocumented immigrants from El Salvador over to the U.S. Border Patrol.

• March 14 at 12:23 a.m.: Russel Rineer, 29, of Lorain, was arrested on a warrant through the Amherst police department for failure to appear in court on original charges of driving under suspension and failure to use signals.

• March 14 at 11:04 a.m.: A woman said she is being harassed by her boyfriend’s ex-girlfriend and requested a temporary protection order.

• March 14 at 12:05 p.m.: An identity fraud complaint was filed.

• March 14 at 12:33 p.m.: Shaquez Harris, 19, of Sandusky, was arrested on a warrant through the Amherst police department on an original charge of theft.

• March 15 at 12:25 a.m.: Kevin Del, 20, of Lorain, was charged with possession of marijuana and display of plates.

Editor’s note: Though charged, defendants are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Page B4

Thursday, March 21, 2019

Amherst News-Times

Luxury assisted living in the heart of historic Amherst

THE

1907 AT CENTRAL SCHOOL

Reserve Today - Fourth Month Free! * 10 luxurious room styles to choose from * Ample natural lighting and high ceilings * On-site pub with daily social hour * Chef-designed cuisine

The “Ellington” 1 bedroom • 1 bath 667 sq.ft

Health Care

Systems

The 1907 at Central School

474 Church Street, Amherst, Ohio 44001

(440) 988-1835

We’re bringing care closer to you.

So we can care better for you.

University Hospitals is expanding our primary care services in Amherst early April.

To schedule an appointment or learn more, call 440-482-8999.

The science of health. The art of compassion. © 2019 University Hospitals PCP 1060734

INSIDE: NEW PHOENIX BASEBALL COACH • C4

OBERLIN NEWS-TRIBUNE THURSDAY, MARCH 21, 2019 • SERVING OBERLIN SINCE 1930

Zion ends Legion Field garden deal

SPINNING A TALE

JASON HAWK EDITOR

Seeds of discord sprouted Monday in a contentious city council discussion over the future of the Legion Field garden.

Zion Community Development Corporation has decided to end its contract to oversee the 7,000-square-foot garden next to the Oberlin fire station on Hamilton Street.

“I know that this has been an issue for two years in terms of the future of the garden,” said city manager Rob Hillard.

A Feb. 25 letter from Michael Sabiers, president of the Zion board of directors, makes note that challenges within the organization prevent it from continuing to support the Legion Field site.

It didn’t elaborate, and no one from Zion CDC offered insight at Monday’s meeting.

Council got involved because the organization wanted to donate its high-tunnel greenhouse and other equipment there to the city.

Some residents also requested that the city recreation department take up the mantle as overseers of the community garden.

That idea did not sit well with council, which voted 4-3 not to accept Zion’s equipment donation.

Hillard said he’s heard concerns about the Legion Field garden since he became city manager two years ago and had planned this year to pursue improvements at the site.

He headed off questions about whether the city can afford to oversee the site.

“We do not have staff to pursue this, period.

That would be a resource allocation that would have to be considered,” he said.

“I find the city kind of caught between a rock and a hard place” and unready “to go into the gardening supervision business here,” said councilwoman Linda Slocum during discussion of the issue.

She wants to see the community garden space continue but said she feels a third party needs to be in charge.

The garden has been in place since 2010, when the land was donated by the American Legion as a place for young people to play, said councilman Ronnie Rimbert.

Then the city built ball fields on the other side of Hamilton Street. Rimbert said he had reservations when Zion asked to develop the garden and was upset that it was planted in the wrong location on the property.

“I ride that area. I don’t see all these tons of people out there working that garden. I really don’t,” he said. “And if somebody can tell me there’s hundreds of people out there working, excuse me, but I do not see them.”

Councilwoman Sharon Pearson said she’s a firm supporter of the community garden.

“We’re going to have to allow ourselves time, which might not be in time for the planting season this year,” she said. “It’s not that I want to say no, we shouldn’t do this. I just don’t know whether we have everything in order to proceed GARDENERS PAGE C2

Hearing Care That Puts YOU First Hearing care is more than hearing aids — call to start your better-hearing journey today.

440.776.8379

Richard J. Hetsko, Au.D., Doctor of Audiology Joshua Bowyer, Au.D., Doctor of Audiology Oberlin • 224 W Lorain St, Ste D | Elyria • 807 West Ave

www.oberlinhearingcare.com

Jason Hawk | Oberlin News-Tribune

Elizabeth Yasaki shows how to spin yarn from a number of sources including sheep’s wool, cotton, and alpaca fleece. She was among the many members of the Lorain County Spinners and Weavers Guild who gave demonstrations Saturday at the Firelands Association for the Visual Arts on South Main Street. They showed us how ordinary materials can be processed to make shawls, blankets, wristbands, and scarves — they even let us feel a variety of fibers to compare the softness. “We’re a touchy-feely group,” Yasaki smiled, urging us to get hands-on with her hobby. The spinners and weavers meet at 7 p.m. on the second Tuesday of each month at the Carlisle Nature Center, 12882 Diagonal Rd., Carlisle Township. Membership in the guild is $20 for the year or $10 for its newsletter only.

Audubon plans tribute to Copelands JASON HAWK EDITOR

A cherry tree will be planted this year on the site of an orchard once owned by some of Oberlin’s most interesting historical figures.

The Black River Audubon Society has been awarded a $2,900 “Susan Burke Plants for Birds” grant for an ongoing prairie restoration project on Hamilton Street.

It will pay for tree and shrub planting at a 60-acre site owned by the Western Reserve Land Conservancy.

Efforts there will include the creation of a bird and pollinator garden that features native trees, shrubs, and plants that may have played a role in the lives of slaves who escaped north to freedom.

A 30-acre field on the edge of the Great South Woods was once part of the Connecticut Western Reserve and in 1835 was purchased by Hiram Pease, according to the Oberlin College Archives.

He was the brother of Oberlin’s first white pioneer, Peter Pease.

Hiram was a wagon-maker who helped freed slaves flee along the Underground Railroad. A history of the property by Ronald and Nancy Hendrikson, who bought the land in 1986, calls him “a

JOHN COPELAND JR. staunch friend and supporter of people of color, both before and after their liberation.”

Pease sold portions of the land to black political figures including John Copeland Sr., a former slave who had been freed by his master in North Carolina and moved to the North. Originally bound for Indiana, they were convinced by abolitionist friends to come to Oberlin, where they would be safer from slave-catchers.

Copeland became active in an all-black network dedicated to Underground Railroad activity, according to the Hendriksons.

“Some believe that this organization was part of or evolved into a secret black military organization that by 1858 was known

as the Liberators,” they wrote.

“The Liberators stockpiled arms, drilled, and reportedly helped to maintain an escape route stretching from Syracuse in the east to Detroit in the northwest and reaching deep into the South, where black Ohioans prepared slaves for flight.”

The Copelands had eight children. The most famous was John Copeland Jr., an Oberlin College student who became active in the city’s Anti-Slavery Society.

He was among the participants in the 1858 Oberlin-Wellington Rescue of runaway slave John Price. After a lawman kidnapped Price and fled to Wellington to await a train bound for the South, the junior Copeland and a small army of Oberlin residents marched to save him, overpowering guards at the Wadsworth Hotel where their friend was being held.

The younger Copeland was hanged the next year for taking part in the Harpers Ferry raid orchestrated by John Brown in Virginia (now part of West Virginia).

The attack on the town arsenal there was staged as part of an effort to help slaves escape to the safety of the nearby mountains.

John Copeland Sr. purchased the Hamilton Street property a

SUBMIT YOUR NEWS TO: NEWS@LCNEWSPAPERS.COM

COPELANDS PAGE C2

Page C2

Sign code ruling

A public hearing has been scheduled for 6:30 p.m. on Monday, April 15 in city council chambers to consider amendments to Oberlin's sign code.

A Review of the city's sign code was initiated to ensure it complies with the 2015 Supreme Court ruling in Reed v. Town of Gilbert, Ariz.

It determined that laws regarding signage must be neutral when it comes to content so as not to infringe on the First Amendment's free speech guarantee.

Oberlin law director Jon Clark and attorney Todd Hunt of Walter Haverfield reviewed the city's sign code and recommended a list of changes to ensure compliance.

Changes include mostly small, detailed updates to single words or phrases that specify regulations must address public health and safety concerns.

GARDENERS

FROM C1 right now.”

Residents were also split on the issue.

The Rev. Brian Kenyon lives on South Professor Street directly next to the garden, which he called an eyesore.

“You’ve got mounds of mulch there. You’ve got mounds of stuff that a few years ago we had issues with mice and rats that we’ve never had before,” he said.

Jane Schaefer of North Pleasant Street disagreed: “Whether it’s an eyesore or not is a relative term. I think it’s beautiful. I think the people who garden there see it as beautiful,” she said.

Peter Crowley of West Lincoln Street has gardened there for years, growing snap peas and cherry tomatoes with his children.

Community gardens create new ways of relating to neighbors and the environment, he told council.

“We offer residents of all ages and capacities space and support to grow their own food. A 10-foot-by-10-foot garden can supply a household with fresh, healthy food annually worth $1,000,” Crowley said.

Some take produce home to feed their families while others donate the food to Oberlin Community Services.

“We are going to find a way to continue the garden in whatever way is possible because there’s a need. We were surprised by this thing as much as you,” he said.

Councilman Kelley Singleton recalled an annual report in 2018 that claimed 600 pounds of food were donated to OCS. A call to the nonprofit determined only 49 pounds had been donated, he said.

“Why does it have to be the city?” he asked gardeners at the meeting. “Why does the city have to maintain this for you? If this is what you want to do, go out and do it.”

COPELANDS

FROM C1 few years later in 1862.

The grant for the former Copeland farm was planned and written by Black River Audubon Society board members Andy Lance and Kate Pilacky.

It was one of 20 the National Audubon chose to fund for 2019 from a pool of 61 proposals spanning 30 states.

BRAS will partner with Oberlin College, Oberlin High School, the Oberlin African-American Genealogy and History Group, Zion Community Development Corporation, Oberlin Heritage Center, and Oberlin Rotary for the project.

The National Audubon Society awarded a $2,500 grant last year to its Black River chapter.

That money paid for trees and shrubs at Elyria’s Black River Audubon Park on West Bridge Street and other sites.

Recreation Commission Vacancy The Oberlin City Recreation Commission has a vacancy for an unexpired term ending on December 31, 2019. Applications for interested parties are available at the Clerk of Council’s office, located at 85 South Main Street, Oberlin, Ohio 44074, or by downloading from the City’s website, at www.cityofoberlin.com.

Applications will be received until the position is filled.

Thursday, March 21, 2019

Oberlin News-Tribune

Will you help the monarchs?

JASON HAWK EDITOR

It’s enough to give you butterflies in your stomach, or at the very least in your yard.

Oberlin has signed on with Monarch City USA in an effort to help restore the monarch butterfly population. How, you ask? By protecting milkweed and other pollinating plants.

The city is now one of four in Ohio to team up with the nonprofit, which is based in the state of Washington.

Founder Russ Stubbles envisions a trail of milkweed gardens in every city between Canada and Mexico to help the black-and-orange butterflies on their annual migration.

So far, about 30 cities nationwide have signed up to help but many more are needed, Stubbles said.

Monarchs can smell milkweed from 10 to 12 miles away.

“If every city in America would just put in some wilkweed, the monarch butterfly would just go hopping across America is the best way to put it — just like rocks on a pond,” he said.

Each fall, millions of mon-

Photo by Piccolo Namek

The monarch butterfly can smell milkweed from 10 to 12 miles away. Some environmentalists, such as Russ Stubbles, want to plant more milkweed to help butterflies along their annual migration. archs travel up to 3,000 miles to their ancestral breeding grounds to escape the onset of the cold season. The trip takes generations to complete.

The population in the middle part of the United States is always fluctuating, said Stubbles, who taught environmental science at Texas A&M. It’s dropped from an estimated two

billion to 80 million over the past 20 years. The good news is they are rebounding.

Meanwhile, monarchs west of the Rocky Mountains have been decimated by forest fires and floods.

An overall decline carries the potential for incredible damage to the “web of life.”

“If you take out one part of the web, you’re going to stress the other parts of the web. And if the monarch is the canary in the mine, you have have to ask why they are dying. What are we doing wrong? What happened?”

Oberlin public works director Jeff Baumann said the city will erect Monarch City USA signs and is considering a butterfly festival, possibly around Arbor Day. There are no plans to set aside land to plant perennial pollinator species like milkweed that would help butterflies, he said.

But what Oberlin employees have been doing already for three years is clearing invasive species such as Japanese knotweed and buckthorn to let pollinator plants thrive through the flowering season.

PHOENIX SPRING SCHEDULES Editor's note: Remember, varsity game times, dates, and locations are subject to change with little notice, especially when Ohio's unpredictable weather comes into play.

BASEBALL • Tuesday, March 26 at 5 p.m. at Monroeville High School, 101 West St. • Tuesday, April 2 at 5 p.m. at Brooklyn High School, 4500 School Dr. • Tuesday, April 9 at 5 p.m. at Fairview High School, 3701 West 210th St., Fairview Park.

• Thursday, April 11 at 5 p.m. versus Buckeye at home.

• Monday, April 15 at 5 p.m. versus Clearview at home.

• Tuesday, April 16 at 5 p.m. at Clearview High School, 4700 Broadway, Lorain.

• Thursday, April 18 at 5 p.m. at Brookside High School, 1662 Harris Rd., Sheffield.

• Wednesday, April 24 at 5 p.m. at Lutheran West High school, 3850 Linden Rd., Rocky River.

• Thursday, April 25 at 5 p.m. versus Black River at home.

• Friday, April 26 at 5 p.m. at Firelands High School, 10643 Vermilion Rd., Henrietta Twp. • Saturday, April 27 at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. at Lake Ridge Academy,

37077 Shady Dr., North Ridgeville.

• Friday, May 3 at 5 p.m. at Western Reserve High School, 3841 US 20 East, Collins.

• Saturday, May 4 at 10 a.m. and noon versus Rhodes High School at Oberlin College, 200 Woodland Ave. • Friday, May 10 at 5 p.m. at Rittman High School, 50 Saurer St. SOFTBALL • Tuesday, March 26 at 4:30 p.m. at Elyria Catholic High School, 725 Gulf Rd. • Tuesday, April 2 at 5 p.m. at Brooklyn High School, 7600 Memphis Ave. • Tuesday, April 9 at 5 p.m. Fairview High School, 3701 West 210th St., Fairview Park.

• Saturday, April 13 at 10 a.m. and noon versus Valley Forge at home.

• Tuesday, April 16 at 5 p.m. at Clearview High School, 4700 Broadway, Lorain.

• Wednesday, April 24 at Lutheran West High School, 3604 Linden Rd., Rocky River.

• Friday, April 26 at 5 p.m. at Firelands (South Amherst Middle School recreation fields), 152 West Main St. • Monday, April 29 at 5 p.m. at Columbia High School, 25540 Royalton Rd.

• Friday, May 3 at 5 p.m. at Western Reserve High School, 3841 US 20 East, Collins.

BOYS TENNIS • Friday, April 12 at 4:15 p.m. at Bay High School, 513 Bradley Rd., Bay Village.

• Monday, April 15 at Lake Ridge Academy, 37501 Center Ridge Rd., North Ridgeville.

• Friday, April 26 at 4:30 p.m. at Avon High School, 37545 Detroit Rd. • Friday, May 3 at 4:30 p.m. versus Lake Ridge Academy at home.

GIRLS TRACK AND FIELD • Wednesday, April 10 at 4:30 p.m. at Buckeye High School 3084 Columbia Rd., Medina.

• Wednesday, April 17 at 4:30 p.m. at Black River High School, 233 County Road 40, Sullivan.

• Thursday, April 18 at 4:30 p.m. at Brookside High School, 1662 Harris Rd., Sheffield.

• Wednesday, April 24 at 4:30 p.m. at Brookside High School, 1662 Harris Rd., Sheffield.

• Wednesday, May 1 at 4:30 p.m. at Fairview High School, 4507 West 213th St., Fairview Park.

• Tuesday, May 7 at 3:30 p.m. versus Firelands at Oberlin

College, 200 Woodland Ave. • Thursday, May 9 at 3:30 p.m. versus Firelands at Oberlin College, 200 Woodland Ave. BOYS TRACK AND FIELD • Wednesday, April 10 at 4:30 p.m. at Buckeye High School, 3084 Columbia Rd., Medina.

• Friday, April 12 at 3 p.m. at Avon High School, 3076 Stoney Ridge Rd. • Wednesday, April 17 at 4:30 p.m. at Black River High School, 233 County Road 40, Sullivan.

• Thursday, April 18 at 4:30 p.m. at Brookside High School, 1662 Harris Rd., Sheffield.

• Wednesday, April 24 at 4:30 p.m. at Brookside High School, 1662 Harris Rd., Sheffield.

• Friday, April 26 at 4 p.m. at Lutheran West High School, 3850 Linden Rd., Rocky River.

• Wednesday, May 1 at 4:30 p.m. at Fairview High School, 4507 West 213th St., Fairview Park.

• Friday, May 3 at 4 p.m. at Vermilion High School, 1250 Sanford St. • Tuesday, May 7 at 3:30 p.m. versus Firelands at Oberlin College, 200 Woodland Ave. • Thursday, May 9 at 3:30 p.m. versus Firelands at Oberlin College, 200 Woodland Ave.

Fair ticket sales

Tickets to see Granger Smith and Foreigner perform this summer at the 174th Lorain County Fair are on sale now.

You can only get them by visiting www. loraincountyfair.com/ entertainment.

Smith will perform on Monday, Aug. 19.

Foreigner will take the stage on Tuesday, Aug. 20. Both shows will be at 7:30 p.m. at the grandstand.

Thursday, March 21, 2019

Oberlin News-Tribune

Page C3

Fewer juvenile arrests, new police outreach JONATHAN DELOZIER REPORTER

The number of children arrested by Oberlin police officers fell by nearly half in 2018 compared to the previous year, according to an annual report released to the News-Tribune this past week.

Sixty-two juveniles were taken into custody last year, down from 112 in 2017 and 122 in 2016. The newest numbers fall more in line with totals of 75 and 81 in 2014 and 2015, respectively.

Lt. Michael McCloskey said there hasn’t been a significant shift or pattern that’s led to fewer juvenile arrests, attributing the decline to typical fluctuation.

“It’s hard to say because of the nature of

crime and that we can only get involved in things that are reported to us,” he said. “I haven’t seen any real long-term patterns or anything that I thought was concerning. You’re always going to have changes year to year.”

Total calls to the station last year remained steady at 17,794 compared to 17,549 in 2017.

Adult arrests rose to 483, an increase of 25 over the prior year.

More than 30 adults assault cases were recorded in 2018, the third straight year that total has risen.

Reported vehicle crashes jumped to 144 compared to 96 in 2017. One of those incidents led to a death while 10 resulted in injury and 70 involved property damage.

“We have seen a

significant increase in crashes that happen on private property, which can mean things like shopping center parking lots,” said McCloskey. “Having more large parking lots can be a reason but it’s also something that can just change between years.”

Intoxicated driving arrests dropped to 28 after totals of 43 and 40 in 2017 and 2016.

There were just 41 such incidents in 2014 and 2015 combined.

Such stops “are usually based on officers’ observations,” McCloskey said, “whether that’s erratic driving or other factors. Obviously, an officer has to have probable cause to stop someone for a traffic offense. If you’re talking about erratic driving or weaving, those things can be difficult to

File photo

Lt. Michael McCloskey details the past year for the Oberlin police department in a new annual report. catch, especially in a jurisdiction like Oberlin. There’s not a lot of highway and you can be through the city in a matter of minutes.”

Oberlin officers have been members of the Lorain County DUI Task Force since the program’s inception in 2016.

McCloskey said the OPD is working on a new collaboration with Lorain County LOSS, or Local Outreach to Suicide Survivors.

The program is run through the Nord Center and Lorain County Board of Mental Health. It aims to help those grieving for loved ones who took their own lives.

“Our role is basically making a phone call,” he said. “If an officer were to respond to the scene of someone who’s committed suicide, a team who is trained will come in to respond and reach out to family members and to offer grief counseling.”

The department is also in the process of setting up its own chapter of the Local Initiative Networking Compassion, or LINC.

The effort places those struggling with addiction in rehabilitation centers across the county.

Oberlin joined Wellington police in the program last year.

More than 100 people in Wellington have made use of the program since 2016.

“We’re working on implementation and have had meetings with the chief in Wellington,” said McCloskey.

“We want to develop our own policy and procedure. We want to get local people trained to be part of the program. It’s still very early in the stages of implementation.

We’ve previously worked with Let’s Get Real in Vermilion, so if someone wanted to turn themselves in for treatment, we could do that.”

Ortiz is Oberlin Rotary Club's senior of February DONNA SCHURR OBERLIN ROTARY

The Oberlin Rotary Club honors a high school senior each month during the school year. These young people are recognized for character and positive attitudes.

They have contributed time and energy by helping the school and community and are excellent role models for the students at Oberlin High School. The Oberlin Rotary Club will donate $25 to a charity or project of the student’s choosing in their name.

The Oberlin High

Ortiz School senior of February was Brendan Ortiz.

He has made a huge impact in each extracurricular in which he participates. Believing in service, Ortiz joined the Interact Club, the community service club sponsored by the Oberlin Rotary

Beware fake cops

Oberlin police are warning residents against a phone scam in which the caller asks for money on behalf of the city.

"This afternoon, a male advised he received a phone call from someone soliciting funds for the 'Oberlin police department,'" a March 15 social media post by police said. "Although the male resides outside of city limits, he has an Oberlin mailing address. Thankfully, the male hung up on

Kendal art exhibitions

The following exhibits are on display at Kendal at Oberlin: • In the Kendal Gallery is the annual member show of the Ohio Collage Society, a statewide organization for artists who currently practice the technique of collage.

The show runs through April 1.

• In the Community Gallery is an exhibit by local artist Malke (Bernadette Ginestet-Levine). The exhibit includes woven panels and mobiles.

The show runs through April 4.

• In the Friends Gallery is an exhibit of art from Oberlin High School students. It runs through April 5.

the caller and did not give out any personal information."

The Oberlin police department will not call you to solicit funds.

If you receive a

Club. He enjoys being part of the BackPack Program, which packs backpacks of food for Eastwood and Prospect children every week.

Ortiz is also a member of National Honor Society, drama club, and marching band.

He started playing sax in the marching band in eighth grade and has continued through his senior year. He has also played in the pep band during the off-season and dabbled in jazz band in his free time. Ortiz has earned medals during the annual solo and ensemble contest in past years, and plans on participating again this spring.

phone call from anyone claiming to be collecting money from the Oberlin police, hang up immediately.

For more information, call 440-7741061. edwardjones.com

Put Together A Professional Team to Help You Reach Your Goals As you work toward achieving your goals in life, you will need to make moves that contain financial, tax and legal elements, so you may want to get some help – from more than one source.

Specifically, you might want to put together a team comprised of your financial advisor, your CPA or other tax professional, and your attorney. Together, this team can help you with many types of financial/tax/legal connections.

For starters, you may decide, possibly upon the recommendation of your financial advisor, to sell some investments and use the proceeds to buy others that may now be more appropriate for your needs.

If you sell some investments you’ve held for a year or less and realize a capital gain on the sale, the gain generally will be considered short-term and be taxed at your ordinary income tax rate. But if you've held the investments for more than a year before selling, your gain will likely be considered long-term and taxed at the lower, long-term capital gains rate, which can be 0%, 15% or 20%, or a combination of those rates.

On the other hand, if you sell an investment and realize a capital loss, you may be able to apply the loss to offset gains realized by selling other, more profitable investments and also potentially offset some of your ordinary income. So, as you can see, the questions potentially raised by investment sales – “Should I sell?” “If so, when?” “If I take some losses, how much will they benefit me at tax time?” – may also be of importance to your tax advisor, who will need to account for sales in your overall tax picture. As such, it’s a good idea for your tax and financial advisors to communicate about any investment sales you make.

Your tax and financial advisors also may want to be in touch on other issues, such as Michael E. Verda AAMS Financial Adviser 12289 Leavitt Rd. Suite E. Oberlin, OH 44074 Bus.: 440-774-4625 Fax: 866-486-8146

mike.verda@edwardjones.com

your contributions to a retirement plan. For example, if you are self-employed or own a small business, and you contribute to a SEPIRA – which is funded with pre-tax dollars, so the more you contribute, the lower your taxable income – your financial advisor can report to your tax advisor (with your permission) how much you’ve contributed at given points in a year, and your tax advisor can then let you know how much more you might need to add to move into a lower tax bracket, or at least avoid being bumped up to a higher one. Your financial advisor will be the one to recommend the investments you use to fund your SEP-IRA. Your financial advisor can also help you choose the investment or insurance vehicles that can fund an estate-planning arrangement, such as an irrevocable living trust. But to establish that trust in the first place, and to make sure it conforms to all applicable laws, you will want to work with an attorney experienced in planning estates. Your tax professional may also need to be brought in.

Again, communication between your various advisors is essential.

These are but a few of the instances in which your financial, tax and legal professionals should talk to each other.

So, do what you can to open these lines of communication – because you’ll be one who ultimately benefits from this teamwork.

Edward Jones, its employees and financial advisors cannot provide tax or legal advice. You should consult your attorney or qualified tax advisor regarding your situation.

This article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor.

Steve Schmittle Financial Adviser 20 South Main Street Oberlin, OH 44074-1627 Bus.: 440-775-4357 Fax: 888-204-0352 Fax: 800-755-4944

steve.schmittle@edwardjones.com

This year Ortiz wanted to assure that the Oberlin jazz band had secure backing and would no longer be underfunded. He wrote a grant to secure funds for the school to repair instruments and purchase music.

Interested in science, Ortiz accepted the management of a hydroponic tower garden (one of four systems provides by the Green Edge Fund), which produces pesticide-free fresh vegeta-

bles. This year a crop of lettuce was used for the Interact Club’s presentation of a Hunger Banquet. Ortiz’ next step is to provide lettuce for student lunches at OHS. He also maintains jobs at Kendal at Oberlin, Splash Zone, and Fusion Restaurant.

Ortiz says that balancing his studies, volunteer activities, work, and extracurricular activities is not always easy.

Outside of school,

Ortiz is also active in 4-H and Boy Scouts and recently earned the distinguished Eagle Scout Award.

Though still undecided, Ortiz is thinking about Wooster as his college of choice after graduation. He has already been accepted into 11 early decision programs and is waiting to compare the financial packages that will be offered.

He plans to study environmental studies and political science.

AFFIDAVIT REQUIRED ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS CITY OF LORAIN, OHIO THE BLACK RIVER AREA OF CONCERN: RECLAMATION SITE RESTORATION PROJECT In accordance with Ordinance No. 94-17 passed September 18, 2017, sealed bids will be received by the Engineering Department of the City of Lorain, Ohio until: TIME AND PLACE FOR RECEIVING BIDS: UNTIL - 11:00 AM, Friday, April 5th, 2019 Lorain time, Engineering Department, Lorain City Hall 4th Floor.

TIME AND PLACE FOR OPENING BIDS: 11:15 AM, Lorain time, City of Lorain Council Chambers, Lorain City Hall 1st Floor.

SUBSTANTIAL COMPLETION DATE: September 30, 2019 Bids must be accompanied by Certified Check or Cashier’s Check or Letter of Credit equals to ten percent (10%) of the amount bid, or a bond for the full amount of the bid as a guarantee that if the bid is accepted, a contract will be entered into and a performance bond properly secured. Should any bid be rejected, such instrument will be forthwith returned upon proper execution of a contract. Cash deposits will not be accepted. The bid check/bond should be enclosed in the sealed bid, but in a separate envelope clearly marked ‘BID CHECK/BOND’ with the bidder’s name & address on the bid check/bond envelope.

Bidding documents will be provided via PDF downloads only. Hard copies will not be provided. Requests for bidding documents may be made by emailing info@coldwaterconsultants.com and providing name, email address, and company name. There is no charge to download the bidding documents. The document package will include one full-size set of Construction Drawings and a Project Manual which includes all Bid Submittal Forms. Reference documents will be included in the document package. Partial sets of Bidding Documents will not be available. Neither the Owner nor the Engineer will be responsible for full or partial sets of Bidding Documents. Bidders must acknowledge receipt of all items, including reference documents as part of their bid.

Please note that this is a re-bid of this project. Bidding requirements have been updated from the previous advertisement, however the scope of work has not.

Prospective bidders are encouraged to thoroughly review the updated bid documents to ensure compliance.

This project shall be subject to State Prevailing Wage Rates set forth by Ohio Department of Commerce as stated Section 4115 of the Ohio Revised Code. Attention is called to the fact that not less than the minimum salaries and wages, as set forth in the Contract Documents must be paid on this project. Each bidder must insure that all employees and applicants for employment are not discriminated against because of their race, creed, color, sex or national origin. All bidders must comply with the provisions of the American Disabilities Act. All contractors and subcontractors involved with the project will to the extent practicable use Ohio products, materials, services and labor in the implementation of their project.

The use of small businesses, minority business enterprises and women’s business enterprises is encouraged.

The Director of Safety/Service reserves the right to accept or reject any or all bids.

By order of the Director of Safety/Service, Daniel W. Given.

To be advertised: Thursdays, March 14th, and March 21st

O OH - 70097431

S Member SIPC

Page C4

Thursday, March 21, 2019

Oberlin News-Tribune

Community pride is key for new OHS baseball coach JONATHAN DELOZIER REPORTER

Mike Perry grew up in Oberlin and will now lead the Phoenix on the baseball diamond, taking over this season as varsity coach.

The new field general has signed on following a oneyear stint by current athletic director John Carter and Lynn Gray’s nine-year tenure.

Oberlin finished 0-16 in Patriot Athletic Conference play last season but Perry thinks community pride and a fresh approach can spell a more successful 2019.

“I went to Elyria Catholic but I grew up here and played on these fields,” he said. “I know Oberlin kids. I know a lot of these kids’ dads. I probably played with a lot of them. The one thing that drew me here is that this school means a lot to these kids. It’s not a big school. It’s a small community but they take a lot of pride in it. They take pride in each other.”

Perry, 49, spent 2015 and 2016 as an assistant coach at Elyria High School and last year served as head coach of the Lorain County Ironmen, a traveling collegiate summer team that plays home games at Lorain’s Pipe Yard.

He and Carter formed a friendship over the past decade while both played semi-professional baseball in Akron, leading to a conversation about OHS’s vacant coaching position.

Jonathan Delozier | Oberlin News-Tribune

Mike Perry takes over as varsity baseball coach at Oberlin High School, succeeding current athletic director John Carter.

“I stopped playing about five years ago but we were out there together for a while,” Perry said. “He’s a good player. We always talked on and off and when I heard about this opening I was like, ‘Heck yeah.’”

Carter spent seven seasons as a minor league pitcher, much of it with the Cleveland Indians organization.

Numbers are up on OHS’

2019 squad and Perry expects senior leadership to help spell a few W’s over the next few months.

“It’s going to take a little bit of patience, but at the same time we’re not giving anything away,” he said. “We fully expect to win this year.

We’re preparing to win this year. We have a good group of seniors who are good leaders and good players. They’ve

done a great job so far getting the younger kids to buy in. I know back in the 80s, no one wanted to play Oberlin. That kind of talent is still in this community. It’s just a matter of getting them to buy in.”

Young baseball athletes concentrating more on summer leagues has made recruitment harder for some high school programs, the coach said.

“Oberlin hasn’t been bit too bad by that yet and that’s a good thing,” Perry said.

“But at the same time, I’m trying to get these kids to understand, as far as baseball is concerned, there’s so much available to them after high school. Lorain County Community College is right here. If you want to continue playing, you can do it right around here.”

To advertise in the classifieds, call 440-775-1611, 9-4 M-F RENTALS FREE HEAT Cozy and Convenient 1 and 2 bdrm MAPLE GROVE APTS 186–192 N. Oberlin Rd. 440-775-3098 Large 2 bedroom apt.

Wellington. 440-6472672. (3:22)

SERVICES Old refrigerators, appliances, scrap metal, batteries, cars--will pick up for free. Brian (440)2812516. (4:25) Floor repair and install carpet, wood, laminate, vinyl or ceramic. Call Joe Parr Sr. 440-647-4374 or cell 440-935-4778.

(12:26)

HELP WANTED Blue Sky Restaurant – Looking for all positions in both locations: server, bussers, hostesses and dishwashers. Apply between 2 and 4 p.m. in Amherst.

(3:14, 21)

GARAGE SALES Garage sale: March 29 and 30 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 355 Fieldstone Court, Wellington.

Home furniture; indoor/ outdoor small furniture; living room and bedroom furniture.

(3:21)

LEGALS DIVORCE NOTICE 19DR085659 – Jose Otero vs. Frances Otero.

Frances Otero whose last known place of residence was 1910 Reeves, Lorain, Ohio, 44052 and

present place of residence is unknown, will take notice that on February 11, 2019, that Jose Otero filed his Complaint for Divorce against Frances Otero in the Court of Common Pleas, Domestic Relations Division, 225 Court Street, Elyria, Ohio 44035 of Lorain County, Ohio praying for a divorce and other relief upon the grounds of incompatibility and gross neglect of duty.

That Frances Otero is required to answer on or before the March 11, 2019.

The matter is set as follows, which all hearings will occur at the Lorain County Court of Common Pleas, 225 Court Street, Elyria, Ohio 44035 – 2nd Floor for a pretrial on April 9, 2019, at 11:30 a.m.

By Michael J. Tony, Attorney for Jose Otero on February 18, 2019 (2:21, 28, 3:7, 14, 21, 28) PUBLICATION OF LEGISLATION The following is a summary of legislation adopted by Lorain City Council on March 4, 2019. The complete text of each item may be viewed or purchased in the Clerk of Council Office @ Lorain City Hall, 200 W. Erie Ave., Lorain, OH, during normal business hours or contact Nancy Greer @ 204-2050 (Nancy_ Greer@cityoflorain.org).

The following summary has been reviewed/approved by the Law Director for legal accuracy as required by state laws.

Ord 25-19 Accepting a Law Enforcement Body Armor grant from the Ohio Atty General for $27,711 to purchase 15 tactical vests for the SWAT Team. 26-19 Auth the City of Lorain to enter into a MOU w/ FOP Lorain City Corrections Officers to change the effective date of insurance contributions. 27-19 Assessing the cost to abate nuisance by removing litter & deposit of garbage, rubbish, junk, etc. during the current calendar year.

28-19 Modifying Ord 28-94 for the purpose of opening up Nantucket Drive to thru traffic and interconnecting Williamsburg Heights subdivision and St. James Reserve subdivision. 29-19 Amending Ord 176-18 by increasing funding needed for design-build services for the new fire station. 30-19 Auth the S/S Director to modify an agrmt w/ highest rated & ranked engineering firm for prof services related to the construction of new water lines in West Lorain. 31-19 Auth the Auditor to pay invoices submitted by the Parks Dept that invoke the Then & Now certification exception process. 32-19 Appropriation.

(3:14, 21) ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS CITY OF LORAIN, OHIO LOCAL ROADWAY REHABILITATION PROJECT 2019 OHIO PUBLIC WORKS COMMISSION ROUND 33 CONTRACT B Sealed bids will be received by the Engineering Department of the City of Lorain, Ohio until: TIME AND PLACE FOR RECEIVING BIDS: UNTIL - 11:00 AM, Friday, April 12, 2019 Lorain time, Engineering Department, Lorain City Hall 4th Floor.TIME AND PLACE FOR OPENING BIDS: 11:15 AM, Lorain time, City of Lorain Council Chambers, Lorain City Hall 1st Floor.

COMPLETION DATE: November 30, 2019 Bidders must be listed on the ODOT pre-qualified list for highway construction. Bidders shall submit a list of available equipment, and labor shall be paid not less than the prevailing wage rate as determined by the Ohio Department of Commerce for Lorain County. NO BID WILL BE OPENED WITHOUT THE CERTIFICATION OF QUALIFICATION OR THE ACCEPTABLE LET-

TER OF APPLICATION ATTACHED TO THE OUTSIDE AS DIRECTED. Bids must be accompanied by Certified Check or Cashier’s Check or Letter of Credit equals to ten percent (10%) of the amount bid, or a bond for the full amount of the bid as a guarantee that if the bid is accepted, a contract will be entered into and a performance bond properly secured. Should any bid be rejected, such instrument will be forthwith returned upon proper execution of a contract.

Cash deposits will not be accepted.

Each bidder must insure that all employees and applicants for employment are not discriminated against because of their race, creed, color, sex or national origin.

All bidders must comply with the provisions of the American Disabilities Act. All federal minority business enterprise and women business enterprise requirements shall be met. All contractors and subcontractors involved with the project will to the extent practicable use Ohio products, materials, services and labor in the implementation of their project.

Bid blanks and specifications may be secured at the Engineering Department, 200 West Erie Avenue, Lorain, Ohio, 44052 between the hours of 8:30 AM and 4:30PM Monday through Friday.

A non-refundable fee of $50.00 either by check or money order is required for each set taken out.

Checks are to be made payable to the City of Lorain.

The Director of Safety/ Service reserves the right to accept or reject any or all bids.

By order of the Director of Safety/Service TO BE ADVERTISED: 3/21/19 and 3/28/19 LEGAL AD The City of Lorain is seeking proposals from emergency medical

service providers interested in providing EMS services for the City of Lorain, Ohio.

A complete proposal information packet can be obtained by contacting the City of Lorain Engineering Department (440)-204-2008.

Firms interested in being considered for a contract to provide the required services should reply with a formal proposal no later than 4:00 PM, Friday, April 12, 2019.

Proposals received after this deadline will not be considered.

Proposal should be transmitted to: Mr. Philip Turske, Contract and Grant Administrator City of Lorain Engineering Department 200 West Erie Avenue, 4th Floor, Lorain, Ohio 44052.

One original and three copies of the Proposal.

Name: To Provide Emergency Medical Services for The City of Lorain, Ohio By order of the Director of Public Safety/Service.

To be advertised: March 21, 2019 and March 28, 2019 ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS CITY OF LORAIN, OHIO THE 2019 CUTTING OF TALL GRASS AND DEBRIS REMOVAL FOR BUILDING, HOUSING, AND PLANNING DEPARTMENT PROPERTIES WITHIN THE CITY OF LORAIN Sealed bids will be received by the Contract Administrator of the City of Lorain, Ohio until: TIME AND PLACE FOR RECEIVING BIDS: UNTIL - 11:00 AM, Monday, April 12, 2019 Lorain time, Engineering Department, Lorain City Hall 4th Floor.

TIME AND PLACE FOR OPENING BIDS: 11:15 AM, Lorain time, City of Lorain Council Chambers, Lorain City Hall 1st Floor.

WORK: Grass cutting, debris removal, and disposal of the same, at lots,

houses, and other vacant parcels of land, either owned by the Building, Housing, and Planning Department, Lorain, Ohio, or designated to be cut.

Each bid must contain the full name of every person or company interested in the same and must be accompanied by a certified check on a solvent bank, drawn and made payable to the City of Lorain, Ohio, in the sum of ten percent (10%) of the amount of bid or a bid bond in the form acceptable to the City. This bond or check is a guarantee that if the bid is accepted, the contract will be entered into and its performance properly performed and secured. The bid check/ bond should be enclosed in the sealed bid, but in a separate envelope clearly marked ‘BID CHECK/ BOND’ with the bidders name & address on the bid check/bond envelope.

Bid blanks and specifications may be secured at the Engineering Department, 200 West Erie Avenue, Lorain, Ohio, 44052 between the hours of 8:30 AM and 4:30PM Monday through Friday.

A non-refundable fee of $10.00 either by check or money order is required for each set taken out.

Checks are to be made payable to the City of Lorain.

Each bidder must insure that all employees and applicant for employment are not discriminated against because of their race, creed, color, sex or national origin. All bidders must comply with the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Bidders shall be required to comply with all Federal and State laws and regulations concerning these matters.

The Director of Safety/ Service reserves the right to accept or reject any or all bids.

By order of the Director of Safety/Service

TO BE ADVERTISED: 3/21/19 and 3/28/19

INSIDE: WILLARD MURAL TO BE PRESERVED • D4

WELLINGTON ENTERPRISE THURSDAY, MARCH 21, 2019 • SERVING WELLINGTON SINCE 1864

STATE OF THE SCHOOLS

Jonathan Delozier | Wellington Enterprise

Superintendent Ed Weber talks about school financial and culrural improvements March 14 during the 2nd Annual State of Wellington Breakfast.

Educators say a levy is likely

JONATHAN DELOZIER REPORTER

Eleven million dollars is needed for improvements at Westwood Elementary School and Wellington High School, said district superintendent Ed Weber March 14 at the 2nd Annual State of Wellington Breakfast.

Weber and district treasurer Tina Gabler said investments in the district will be less costly if they’re not put off until the last minute.

They pointed to complications with replacing the Dukes football stadium bleachers in 2016 as an example of how waiting can be costly.

“If you’re going to make an investment, you want to make it at the right time so it doesn’t cost you double,” he added. “We’ve made some of those mistakes historically. We waited on the bleachers at Dickson Street until they were ready to crumble.”

Both Weber and Gabler indicated a strong possibility that a permanent improvement levy will be put before voters in the near future.

Comments at board of education meetings during the past year have hinted that a 1.95mill measure could be sought to raise roughly $400,000 annually.

However, there’s been no vote to put such as measure on the ballot.

“Westwood and the high school are at the point where we can fix them up at a much better cost than replacing them,” Weber said. “Our numbers say $11 million is needed to bring them up to the shape (McCormick Middle School) is in.”

The district has covered building fixes and upgrades with an annual transfer from its general fund, spending about $620,000 in fiscal year 2018.

The schools ended the fiscal year with $4.23 SCHOOLS PAGE D2

Photos by Jonathan Delozier | Wellington Enterprise

Runners make their way down Dickson Street Sunday morning to conclude the first Pump and Run 5K fundraiser for Wellington High School track and field.

Track community gets pumped JONATHAN DELOZIER REPORTER

A brand new fundraiser held Sunday for Wellington Dukes track and field stars invited visitors to show off their cardio and weightlifting skills.

The Pump and Run 5K was conceived and put on by firstyear coach Matt Kimmich, complete with a formal bench press contest followed by a brisk run amid temperatures that had dropped below freezing.

His team and roughly 50 community members gathered for the event at the Dickson Street stadium.

“I’ve been fortunate enough to be part of athletics here in Wellington,” Kimmich said. “I PUMP AND RUN PAGE D2

Below-freezing temperatures did not stop runners from enjoying themselves.

STATE OF THE VILLAGE

Officials cite solid finances JONATHAN DELOZIER REPORTER

A balanced $3.3 million general fund budget and new opportunities afforded by a recently income tax increase were highlighted by village officials March 14 during the 2nd Annual State of Wellington Breakfast.

Total village spending is projected to essentially break even in 2019 with revenue of $16.6 million and expenses sitting roughly $60,000 above that.

Wellington officials entered the year with a cash reserve balance of nearly $7.5 million.

Issue 34 raised the village income tax rate to 1.75 percent and enacted an equal tax credit for those who live in Wellington but work and pay taxes elsewhere.

The tax increase does not affect retirement or Social Security benefits.

“It was an extremely important issue for the public,” said village manager Steve Dupee, thanking voters for passing the increase in November. “The village tried on four occasions, three times in the (1980s) and once in the early 2000s, to raise the local income tax. Finally, we were successful this time and it’s put the village on good financial footing.”

Jonathan Delozier | Wellington Enterprise

Mayor Hans Schneider shares local accomplishments with guests March 14 during the 2nd Annual State of Wellington Breakfast.

Mayor Hans Schneider said the Wellington police department’s imminent move to a new station at 147 and 149 East Herrick Ave. as one of the biggest benefits of passing Issue 34.

He said planning for the new police station will take place this year with construction expected in mid-2020.

“Police currently operate on the first floor of town hall with about

1,000 square feet,” said Schneider. “They have 10 full-time employees. Everything is packed into there. We wanted to keep (police) in the downtown district and also knew it was important to keep them centrally located.”

The village purchased the new police station property in December for $465,000. Renovation and

SUBMIT YOUR NEWS TO: NEWS@LCNEWSPAPERS.COM

VILLAGE PAGE D2

Page D2

Summer basketball camp

A summer Black River girls youth basketball camp will be held for interested athletes in second through sixth grade. It will take place after school until 4:45 p.m. from May 28 to 30 in the Black River Education Center gym.

The cost to attend is $20 per camp, and each camper will receive a T-shirt. The main focus will be offensive skill-building, including shooting and ball handling. For participants who are in the sixth grade, coach Wes Hackman will meet students in the BREC library immediately after school until camp starts.

Interested athletes should email weshockman@ aol.com to register or fill out the registration form at www.blackriver.k12.oh.us.

Thursday, March 21, 2019

Wellington Enterprise

KEY TO THE VILLAGE

FCCLA culinary queen

Brittanasha Smith of Wellington received a silver medal in the culinary team event at the Family Career & Community Leaders of America regional competition held recently at Lorain County Community College. She is a junior studying culinary arts at the Lorain County JVS.

Basketball MVP

Jalen Gibbs, who had an amazing 2018-2019 season with the Dukes girls basketball team, has been named the Patriot Athletic Conference Stars Division Most Valuable Player. Congratulations!

Jonathan Delozier | Wellington Enterprise

Mayor Hans Schneider presents Wellington Implement owners Patti Young and Tom Stannard with a key to the village March 14 during the 2nd Annual State of the Village Breakfast. Wellington Implement celebrated its 90th anniversary in February.

VILLAGE

FROM D1 construction costs are expected to be around $1 million.

In economic development news, a 66,000-square-foot expansion of Forest City Technologies’ Maple Street building and the arrival of U.S. Screen at Wellington Industrial Park spelled a good year, Schneider said.

Six businesses set up shop in 2018 in the downtown district: The Charmed Farmhouse, Salon Image, Painted Porch Primitives, Simply Yoga, Sweet Life Bakery and Pizza, and Whitney Home Care.

“We had some great success in terms of relocation and new businesses finding a home here,” Dupee said. “Jenny Arntz, our Main Street director, and that organization work to support economic development in the downtown community and to create opportunities for businesses to locate there.”

Mercy Health opened a new health care facility Aug. 6 on Patriot Drive, offering walk-in services as well as occupational health, school, and sports physicals.

Infrastructure projects slated for the coming year include replacement of Erie Street’s ground water storage tank and Jones Road’s raw water pumping station.

The projects’ combined costs are estimated at about $1.2 million. The village will pay $142,000 of that up front with the rest covered by grants and low-interest loans from the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency and Ohio Public Works Commission.

Roughly $250,000 worth of construction meant to create a quiet zone for CSX trains passing through Wellington is set to be completed before July’s state-funded resurfacing of Rt. 18.

All costs for the quiet zone will come from the village but will be paid for with leftover funds from the Main Street underpass project.

Rt. 18 resurfacing will stretch 13 miles through Lorain County and just over one mile through Wellington. That project will also include a $50,000 waterline relocation.

Streets tabbed for village repair this year are Jones Street west of Union Street, the asphalt section of Courtland Street’s south end, the Brown Street extension near Apples Market, all three village railroad crossings, and concrete joint sections of Grand Avenue between Dickson Street and Rt. 18.

Last year’s village bicentennial celebration included the naming of Union School Park at the former site of McCormick Middle School.

The 4.6-acre property is set to be refurbished as a “passive park” with a large fountain entrance, 20,000 feet of walkways, and life-size Spirit of ‘76 monument.

Costs for that work are expected to fall around $1.6 million. No timetable for construction has been set and officials have said funds will be sought through grants and fundraising. The park planning committee will meet for the first time this year on April 1.

Schneider presented a key to the village to Patti Young and Tom Stannard of Wellington Implement as a congratulations for the business celebrating its 90th anniversary in February.

In his State of the Village speech, Schneider spoke of former village police chief and zoning inspector Morris Furcron, who passed away Aug. 13 at age 90.

“If you knew Mo, you knew Wellington,” Schneider said. “Mo treated everyone the same.

He really was ‘Mr. Everything’ around here, supporting of pretty much everything you can think of. He will be missed but he will not be forgotten.”

The breakfast was held at the Wellington Eagles aerie. Guests included Lorain County commissioners Sharon Sweda and Lori Kokoski, county auditor Craig Snodgrass, sheriff Phil Stammitti, and Ohio Rep. Dick Stein (R-Norwalk).

PUMP AND RUN

FROM D1 wanted to come back and work with the kids because, in my opinion, it’s important for them to remember where they came from — to have that sense of tradition and sense of belonging.”

“The idea behind the Pump and Run is not just as a fundraiser but also to give the community something to hang their hat on,” he said. “Ten to 20 years from now, it would be great to hear on St. Patty’s Day weekend, ‘I’m going to Wellington for the run.’”

Junior runner Nick Martinelli finished first in the 5K with a

Photo by Christen Lewis

Jeff Walker gets a spot from Joe Bockmore.

time of 19:36, beating community member Matt Polo by a single second.

Track team members Jon Brasee, Parker Adler, and Emily Watters rounded out the top five.

The bench press competition was divided between men and women as well as age groups, with participants tasked with lifting between 45 and 100 percent of their body weight.

Kimmich said he and many others are looking forward to having a new six-lane running track installed on Dickson Street.

That work is scheduled to be completed by May and will allow Wellington to host track meets for the first time in years.

“We didn’t have any home meets for a nice track when I was in high school either,” said Kimmich, who graduated from WHS in 2001.

“For us to see so many updates here in the past couple of years, it’s great. By the end of next season we’ll have a brand new track, new lights, new stands, a new press box. It gives all of our sports teams something to feel good about.”

district has reintroduced advanced curriculum at WHS after a decade absence, launched high school and middle school coding courses, and partnered with the Wellington Schools Endowment Fund to create a “Kindergarten to College” program that matches 25 percent of families’ yearly contributions to college savings plans.

“All kids have gifts and talents,” Weber said. “All kids can exceed in some field. It’s part of our work to help them find those talents and offer the best programming for them.”

Officials plan to offer ACT Workkeys assessments to all students in the coming years and will allow eight to 15 students to take the test before the end of this school year.

The Workkeys assessment is offered at the Lorain County JVS and allows students to earn an array of workplace certifications before they graduate from high school.

To earn a Workkeys national career readiness certificate, students must complete assessments in applied math, graphic literacy, and workplace documents.

Wellington’s state report card performance index grade improved from 66.3 to 70.9 percent between 2016 and 2017 but remained essentially flat at 69 percent in last year’s evaluation.

Graduation rates remained at a B for the second straight year in 2018 but progress fell from a C to a D and improving at-risk K-3 readers dropped from a C to an F. “Our goal is for every student to graduate with college options and career skills,” said Weber.

“That means both. Sometimes someone will say, ‘I’m not going to college.’ We want to say, ‘Great. That’s your decision but it’s not our decision to not prepare you for college.’ The vision is for every student graduating from Wellington High School to have a college acceptance letter and a Workkeys assessment.”

SCHOOLS

FROM D1 million in reserve cash and a narrow positive spending margin of $26,657.

In 2019, however, deficit spending of $498,909 is predicted.

Projected deficit spending dips to $383,690 in 2020 but then jumps to $572,776 in 2021, $878,202 in 2022, and $1.23 million in 2023.

“That’s not a practice that we can continue,” said Gabler with regard to using the general fund for permanent improvement projects.

School board president Daniel Rosecrans has said the possibility of closing Westwood and replacing it with an addition to McCormick has been floated. A four-year facilities improvement plan is being formulated by the district.

Weber also summarized a strategic plan approved last year with goals of improving academic outcomes, communication with families, and use of financial resources.

Over the past two years, the

Thursday, March 21, 2019

Wellington Enterprise

Page D3

LINCOLN BALL

POLICE REPORTS • March 7 at 11:02 a.m.: A domestic violence complaint was filed on Park Street and is under investigation.

• March 9 at 6:06 p.m.: Georgiann Watson, 45, of Wellington, was charged with petty theft following a complaint at Drug Mart on North Main Street.

• March 9 at 8 p.m.: Officers went to a North Main Street residence for a disorderly conduct complaint.

• March 13 at 10:30 a.m.: A possible breaking and entering incident was reported on East Hamilton Street where a storage shed door was found open. Inside, there was evidence someone had stepped through the rotten wood floor next to a riding mower, according to a report. It also appeared someone had removed a window screen.

Editor’s note: Though charged, defendants are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Submitted photo

The Civil War Club at Wellington High School recently held its annual Lincoln Ball. One of the highlights is the students demonstrating traditional dance of the the era. Pictured are (front) Maddie Soboslai, Kelly Harwick, Savannah McKee, Lauren Gronsky, (back) Evan Kirkpatrick, Kevin Rutkowski, Justin Hartman, and Caleb Mildenberg.

DUKES SPRING SCHEDULES Editor's note: Remember, game times, dates, and locations are subject to change with little notice, especially when Ohio's unpredictable weather comes into play.

VARSITY BASEBALL • Thursday, March 21 at 4:30 p.m. at Lorain High School, 2940 Meister Rd. • Monday, March 25 at 4:30 p.m. at Open Door Christian School, 8287 West Ridge Rd., Elyria Township.

• Tuesday, March 26 at 4;30 p.m. versus Open Door at home.

• Thursday, March 28 at 5 p.m. at Brooklyn High School, 4500 School Dr. • Saturday, March 30 at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. versus Waynedale at home.

• Tuesday, April 2 at 5 p.m. at Black River High School, 233 County Road 40, Sullivan.

• Tuesday, April 9 at 5 p.m. at Firelands High School, 10643 Vermilion Rd., Henrietta Twp. • Thursday, April 11 at 5 p.m. at Columbia High School, 25540 Royalton Rd. • Saturday, April 13 at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. at Mapleton High School, 1 Mountie Dr., Ashland.

• Tuesday, April 16 at 5 p.m. at Brookside High School, 1662 Harris Rd., Sheffield.

• Saturday, April 20 at 11 a.m. at North Ridgeville High School, 33900 Dodge Ave. • Monday, April 22 at 5 p.m. at Keystone High School, 40810 Norwalk Rd., LaGrange.

• Thursday, April 25 at 5 p.m. at Lutheran West High School, 3850

Brighton 4-H update

Linden Rd., Rocky River.

• Monday, April 29 at 5 p.m. at Buckeye High School, 3084 Columbia Rd., Medina.

• Saturday, May 4 at 11 a.m. at Elyria Catholic High School, 725 Gulf Rd. • Tuesday, May 7 at 4:45 p.m. at Vermilion High School, 1250 Sanford St. •Thursday, May 9 at 5 p.m. at Western Reserve High School, 3841 US 20 East, Collins.

• Friday, May 10 at 5:30 p.m. at Johnstown-Monroe High School, 445 South Main St., Johnstown.

VARSITY SOFTBALL • Thursday, March 21 at 4:30 p.m. at Avon High School, 37545 Detroit Rd. • Saturday, March 23 at 11 a.m. at Elyria Catholic High School, 725 Gulf Rd. • Monday, March 25 at 5 p.m. at Avon Lake High School, 175 Avon Belden Rd. • Wednesday, March 27 at 5 p.m. at Rocky River High School, 20951 Detroit Rd. • Thursday, March 28 at 5 p.m. at Brooklyn High School, 7600 Memphis Ave. • Saturday, March 30 at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. at Rittman High School, 50 Saurer St. • Tuesday, April 2 at 5 p.m. at Black River High School, 233 County Road 40, Sullivan.

• Friday, April 5 at 5 p.m. at Smithville High School, 200 Smithie Dr. • Saturday, April 6 at 11 a.m. at Triway High School, 201 Park Dr., Shreve.

• Thursday, April 11 at 5 p.m. at Columbia High School, 25540 Royalton Rd. • Wednesday, April 24 at 5 p.m. at Lorain High School, 2940 Meister Rd. • Thursday, April 25 at 5 p.m. at Lutheran West High School, 3604 Linden Rd., Rocky River.

• Monday, April 29 at 5 p.m. at Buckeye High School, 3084 Columbia Rd., Medina.

COED VARSITY TRACK • Saturday, April 6 at 11 a.m. at New London High School, 68 Grove St. • Wednesday, April 10 at 4:30 p.m. at Black River High School, 233 County Road 40, Sullivan.

• Friday, April 12 at 3 p.m. at Avon High School, 3076 Stoney Ridge Rd. • Wednesday, April 17 at 4:30 p.m. at Keystone High School, 580 Opportunity Way, LaGrange.

• Wednesday, April 24 at 4:30 p.m. at Lutheran West High School, 3850 Linden Rd., Rocky River.

• Friday, April 26 at 3:30 p.m. at Mapleton High School, 1 Mountie Dr., Ashland.

• Wednesday, May 1 at 4:30 p.m. at Buckeye High School, 3084 Columbia Rd., Medina.

• Friday, May 3 at 4 p.m. at Vermilion High School, 1250 Sanford St. • Tuesday, May 7 at 3:30 p.m. versus Firelands at Oberlin College, 200 Woodland Ave. • Thursday, May 9 versus Firelands at Oberlin College, 200 Woodland Ave.

The Brighton Buckeyes have started their 2019 4-H year. The first meeting was held Jan. 10 and focused on officer responsibilities. Officers were elected Feb. 7. Luke Forthofer was elected president. Lily Dowdell was elected vice president. Nolan Kinas was elected secretary. Adele Dowdell was elected treasurer. Heather Reininger was elected reporter. The club historian is Cecelia Howells, Colton Bremke was elected education officer and Violet Howells was elected recreation officer. The next meeting will be held March 25.

Village pavement contractor approved JONATHAN DELOZIER REPORTER

Upcoming road projects in the village will be handled by Cuyahoga Falls-based Cardinal Asphalt.

Wellington village council approved the contractor's $108,156 bid March 18 to carry out resurfacing projects on Courtland Street, Jones Street, Wenner Street, a new public parking area on Taylor Street, as well as railroad crossings on Barker, Maygar, and Prospect Streets.

Work is expected to be done before summer.

Cardinal's bid was chosen over eight others that ranged as high as $152,512.

Streets selected were some of the lowest-rated in a recent study conducted by the Poggemeyer Design Group that provided an assessment of all village roadways.

Two-thirds of streets were rated “good” or “very good” in the study. Fourteen were rated “fair,” nine as “fair-poor,” and four as “poor.”

“Ultimately, the village is in pretty good shape in this regard,” said village manager Steve Dupee of the study. “This has allowed us to prioritize our future street improvements. It's a good way to look ahead.”

SCHOLARS The following Wellington students have been named to the dean’s list for the Fall 2018 semester at Baldwin Wallace University: • ABBEY DRAKE, a graduate of Wellington High School who is majoring in theater design and technical studies.

• EZRA OHLY, a graduate of Wellington High School.

• HANNAH DUNLAP, a graduate of Wellington High School who is majoring in early childhood education.

• MICHAELA TOTH, a graduate of Wellington High School who is majoring in arts management and entrepeneurship.

• SHELBY HELMICK, a neuroscience psychology major.

VALERIE LOWREY of Wellington has been named to the president’s list for the Fall 2018 semester at Miami University, where she is studying psychology.

AUTUMN FOX of Wellington is a member of the choir at Ashland University.

A 2018 graduate of Wellington High School, she is majoring in nursing.

RACHEL KOWALSKI of Wellington has been named to the dean’s list for the Fall 2018 semester at Shawnee State University.

Subscribe to our community newspapers TODAY! Get your group subscription of 52 issues to the Lorain County Community Guide, Amherst News-Times, Oberlin News-Tribune, and Wellington Enterprise for one low price!

ONE YEAR: $40 in Lorain County; $45 in Erie, Huron, Ashland, Medina, or Cuyahoga counties; $50 in all other Ohio counties; and $55 outside Ohio — OR TWO YEARS: $75 in Lorain County; $85 in Erie, Huron, Ashland, Medina, or Cuyahoga counties; $95 in all other Ohio counties; and $105 outside Ohio CLIP AND RETURN THIS FORM TO 144 SOUTH MAIN ST., CADIZ, OH 43907 PAYMENT ACCEPTED BY CHECK, MONEY ORDER, OR CREDIT CARD (CALL 440-775-1611 TO PAY BY CREDIT CARD) NAME _________________________________________________ MAILING ADDRESS ____________________________________ CITY ______________________ STATE ____________________ ZIP ___________________ EMAIL _____________________________________________________ PHONE _____________________________

Page D4

Wellington Enterprise

Thursday, March 21, 2019

Energy saving award for NN “These kinds of improvements lower the village’s wholesale power costs...”

STEVE DUPEE VILLAGE MANAGER

JONATHAN DELOZIER REPORTER

Courtesy photo

A mural painted by Archibald Willard entitled “Fellowcraft” is set to be preserved and displayed at The Spirit of ‘76 Museum thanks to a grant from the Ohio History Connection.

Willard mural set for preservation JONATHAN DELOZIER REPORTER

An $18,000 matching grant from the Ohio History Connection will help The Spirit of ‘76 Museum preserve and display one of three recently-discovered cloth murals painted by Archibald Willard.

The grant will account for 60 percent of the $34,000 total it will take to complete the project.

The remainder will come from the museum’s general fund or through personal donations.

Museum director Scott Markel said the restoration process will take six to nine months and will be carried out at Cleveland’s Intermuseum Conservation Association.

“We’re not having anything repainted,” he said. “We’re stabilizing the fabric, the paint, and the structure of the mural itself.

It’s not on a traditional canvas, just regular cloth. At the end of the project it will be pretty much a giant, wall-hanging painting.

It will be framed, stretched, and preserved.”

In 2016, the three murals were brought to the Wellington Masonic lodge after being found in storage at the Ohio Masonic Home in Springfield.

The murals each measure roughly 130 square feet and represent a degree of Free Masonry: entered apprentice, fellowcraft, and master mason.

The “Fellowcraft” mural has been chosen for the initial preservation because it is the

only one with a visible Willard signature.

Markel said the museum will work this year to create a “tilting table” display that will show off one more mural to visitors.

“We haven’t decided which mural will go on the tilting table yet,” he said. “We hope to eventually have all three on a rolling track to put on display all at once. Next year is the Wellington Masonic lodge’s 175th anniversary. The grand master of Ohio is coming to do a dedication and since these are Masonic prints it would be great to have at least one be part of that.”

Funds from the Ohio History Connection going toward the project represent one-fifth of the $90,000 the organization is awarding this year in grants.

NN Inc. has been recognized for energy-saving efforts at its Shiloh Avenue location.

The business received an Ambassador of Energy Efficiency Award March 13 from Efficiency Smart.

NN Inc. has worked with the Columbus-based nonprofit since 2014 on numerous kilowatt-hour cutting initiatives and in 2018 upgraded to LED lighting at its Wellington facility.

That work is expected to save more than a million kilowatt-hours each year, which amounts to $83,700 annually and $1.35 million over the LED lights’ lifespan.

Village manager Steve Dupee and Tom Coyle of Efficiency Smart presented the award to NN Inc. plant manager Mike McClure and general manager Brian Simon.

“Dollars we’re not spending on energy costs can be used to help in other ways,” Dupee said. “These kinds of improvements lower the village’s wholesale power costs and reduce our costs for transmission and capacity. It seems like this relationship between NN and Efficiency Smart continues to be strong. We certainly appreciate it.”

NN Inc. is the 33rd recipient of the award since the program began in 2013.

T.A.P.E. Inc. received the award in 2013 when it occupied the building at 22038 Fairgrounds Rd., which now houses Mohr Stamping. In 2015, Discount Drug Mart on North Main Street earned recognition.

The village entered a new agreement with Efficiency Smart in 2016. It is set to run through the end of this year.

Roughly 300 residences participating in the program have each seen an average $34.70 in annual savings. Rebates are paid out to homeowners who’ve installed energy saving appliances such as washers, refrigerators, and furnace fan motors using Efficiency Smart guidelines.

“It has lowered our operating costs,” said Simon. “In our automotive environment, we always have to be thinking about that. This has been a great partnership.”