Lorain County Community Guide - Jan. 26, 2023

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AMHERST NEWS-TIMES • OBERLIN NEWS-TRIBUNE • WELLINGTON ENTERPRISE Thursday, Jan. 26, 2023

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Volume 10, Issue 4

Mercy moving out of Amherst Healthplex JASON HAWK EDITOR

AMHERST — Mercy Health will move out of the Lorain County Metro Parks-owned Amherst Healthplex recreation center at the end of January.

After 10 years as a tenant there, the company has decided not to renew its lease, according to Met-

ro Parks Director Jim Ziemnik.

“It’s a cordial parting of ways.

It’s a business decision,” Ziemnik said Friday.

A letter from Mercy to its patients said the company will start moving its outpatient rehabilitation and therapy services out of the Healthplex as of today, Jan. 26.

Those services temporarily will move to Mercy’s medical office building at 3600 Kolbe Road in

Veteran thanks VA doctor who saved his life

Lorain before relocating to an existing occupational health facility at 1957 Cooper Foster Park Road within a couple of months, according to the letter.

Mercy Health Lorain Hospital said in a statement it decided to relocate the services after "an extensive evaluation to address economic challenges and ensure long-term sustainability in (its) ministry."

"It is important to note that while we are making changes to help offset the financial headwinds we are facing, we are also evolving to further serve our patients and deliver on our commitment to the communities we serve," it said, noting patients will continue to receive the same care at the new location.

Ziemnik said the parting of ways means a roughly

$100,000-per-year hit for the park system — but he said rent had nothing to do with Mercy Health’s decision to leave.

Instead, insurance was the reason, he said. Ziemnik said Mercy has changed its policy regarding the potential liability of covering accidental injury claims at a rented facility.

HEALTHPLEX PAGE A2

Black History Month

JASON HAWK EDITOR

SHEFFIELD — Kenny Greer is grateful to be alive.

The Vermilion resident wore a broad smile last Thursday as he thanked the man responsible, Dr. Joseph Von Kaenel, who has worked at the Lorain County Veterans Affairs Clinic the past 14 years.

“All your patients appreciate what you do for the VA,” Greer said, presenting Von Kaenel with an acrylic oil portrait of the physician by artist Jared Mitchell.

Greer was drafted into the Army during the Vietnam War in 1969, and was stationed in Germany until 1971.

About three years ago, he was getting a checkup when Von Kaenel asked why he was losing blood — Greer said he had no idea what the doctor was talking about.

DOCTOR PAGE A3

Bruce Bishop | Oberlin News-Tribune

Tirzah Legg, gallery director at FAVA, holds the winning image selected by a panel of judges. The acrylic on paper of Jimi Hendrix painted by Anya Loefler is one of the paintings that will be turned into banners slated to hang around downtown Oberlin.

Bruce Bishop | Community Guide

Kenny Greer hugs Dr. Joseph Von Kaenel.

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Oberlin HS art students’tributes will appear on banners, at FAVA exhibit JASON HAWK EDITOR

OBERLIN — Pippa Brandt and acclaimed novelist Toni Morrison were born seven decades apart.

But Brandt, an Oberlin High School senior, said she feels like she can related to the author of “The Bluest Eye” and “Song of Solomon” because they share some of the same stomping grounds — Morrison was born and raised in Lorain.

“I think it’s really important for people to know who she is, especially because she grew up here,” Brandt said.

Now her portrait of Morrison will hang at the Firelands Association for

Copyright 2023 Lorain County Printing & Publishing Company

Sophomore Derrell Freeman, who plays basketball for the Oberlin Phoenix, jumped at the chance to draw one of Ohio’ native sons.

LeBron James is one of the greatest ball players to ever grace the court. But Freeman said he was more impressed by the legend’s investment in Akron’s I Promise School, which works to prevent struggling students from falling through the cracks.

“He built that school,” Freeman said. “That’s something inspiring.”

David Mendez, a junior, chose to make a portrait of Larry Doby, the second player to break the color barrier in Major League Baseball and ARTISTS PAGE A3

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the Visual Arts during Black History Month as part of an exhibition of works by Oberlin High art students.

Jurors have chosen 12 of the pieces to print as banners that will fly from city light posts along Route 58, between College and Vine streets.

Hanging student-made banners is an old tradition that has gone by the wayside for several years.

Art teacher Mallory Tulcewicz, who joined the high school staff this year, said she was excited to revive the practice.

She challenged teens to research Black heroes of yesterday and today — from athletes to activists, musicians and political figures — and depict them in charcoal, acrylic paint of colored pencil.

Amherst

Oberlin

Wellington

Flames destroy Westwood family’s mobile home • A4

Black History 101 Mobile Museum is coming • B1

Ashland County chase ends on Cemetery Road • B1

OBITUARIES A2 • CLASSIFIEDS A4 • BULLETIN BOARD A6 • PUZZLES B2 • KID SCOOP B6

Page A2

Thursday, Jan. 26, 2023

Lorain County Community Guide

OBITUARIES Linda L. Isabell

Walter ‘Walt’ Charles Jewett

James J. Mitchell

Linda Lou (nee Robinson) Isabell, 75, of Oberlin, transitioned from this life to glory surrounded by her children on Friday, Jan. 13, 2023, at Mercy Allen Hospital in Oberlin, following a lengthy illness. Linda was born to James T. and Elizabeth A. (nee Brown) Robinson on May 28, 1947, in Fayette County, West Virginia. In 1955, Linda and her family relocated to Oberlin, where she resided for over 67 years.

Linda was a 1966 graduate of Oberlin High School and attended Oberlin Business College in the late 1960's.

Linda was employed at Oberlin Public Library for nearly 30 years until her retirement due to illness in December 2018. She was a previous employee of the Oberlin Clinic from 1970-1978, as well as a substitute aide for Oberlin City Schools from 1984-1988.

Linda's life purpose was her work in the Oberlin community, always investing her focus on enriching, uplifting, and generating awareness for the advancement in the education of our youth, social and racial justice. Her community involvement spanned nearly four decades as she served as a founder or groundbreaking member of empowering organizations such as Oberlin Black Alliance for Progress (OBAP), Oberlin African-American Genealogy and History Group (OAAGHG), and Oberlin Underground Railroad Society (OURS) among others.

Linda's ultimate community project was her passionate commitment to Oberlin's annual Juneteenth Celebration, for which she tirelessly served on the committee for 20 years. If you knew Linda well, then you know that she was a humble person who selflessly worked behind the scenes to get things accomplished and never desired acknowledgement or accolades. Linda's sole interest was to err on the side of equality for all in her contributions toward the betterment of Oberlin and the inclusion of its Black community.

In addition to her community involvement, Linda enjoyed engaging in spirited discussions about local and national politics, listening to Gospel music, baking the best sweet potato pie, pouring unconditional love and life lessons into her three children (and their friends), and relishing in the joy of her favorite role as Grandma.

Above all, Linda was a committed woman of God and steadfast in being a good, strong, and faithful servant. Her foundation in the church began as a child at the teaching of her father, Tom (aka Radio), who was a Pastor. She kept the Word at the core of conversations as her opportunity to spread and share her love for the Lord with everyone. Linda was a member of Oberlin House of the Lord Fellowship.

Linda is survived and forever loved by her daughter, Carrie of Oberlin; sons, Marcus of Lakewood, and Brandon (Njinju Fogap) of Columbus; special companion, Clark Shephard of Oberlin; grandson, Wynton Isabell; granddaughter, Zora Isabell; bonus granddaughter, Alicynth Nembo; sisters, Bessie Mae Lightfoot, Beatrice Robinson and Mary Geneva (Ralph) Smith, all of Charlotte, North Carolina; brother, Thomas Robinson of Charlotte; sisters-in-law, Ann Robinson-Lewis, Naomi Robinson and Sharon Robinson, many nieces and nephews, cousins, friends and all of the kids (now adults) who grew up knowing and adoring her as Mrs. Isabell.

Special acknowledgement and thanks to Janeen Bunner, Marla Diop, and Marissa Clark for their loving care of Linda throughout her illness.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Benjamin F. Isabell, Sr., and brothers, Leon, Jeremiah, and Leslie Robinson.

Linda's Home Going Celebration was held Wednesday, Jan. 25 at Christ Temple Apostolic Church, Oberlin, with Dr. Albert G. Miller of Oberlin House of the Lord Fellowship officiating.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly encourages memorial contributions in honor of Linda L. Isabell to Oberlin Underground Railroad Society, P.O. Box 426, Oberlin, OH 44074.

Cowling Funeral Home, Inc. of Oberlin is handled arrangements. To express online condolences, please visit www.cowlingfuneralhomeoh.com.

A life that's been loved is a life that's been lived…

James J. Mitchell, 81, a lifelong resident of New London, died Saturday, Jan. 21, 2023, at Fisher Titus Medical Center. Born on April 1, 1941, he was the son of the late Barton and Marian (Washburn) Mitchell.

Jim was a 1959 graduate of New London High School. Jim retired from the Firelands Electric CoOp in 2008 after 42 years. Prior to working at Firelands, he drove a bread delivery truck for Nickles Bakery and worked for several farms in the area. Farming was a lifelong passion for Jim and he continued to raise sheep and hogs on his own farm throughout his life.

Jim was a member of the IBEW electrical workers union, and for nearly 30 years he volunteered at the Lorain County Fair as an electrician. Jim was a life member of the New London Eagles and a past president. He was also a life member of the Sons of the American Legion.

Jim was a generous and giving person with both his time and resources, but always remained quiet and humble in his giving. He enjoyed volunteering with the Eagles, helping to plan the car shows and other events. Jim cared deeply about his community and gave his time regularly to both the park and the Reservoir campground, working on their electrical systems. In the early 2000's, he was honored as the Citizen of the Year. In his earlier years he enjoyed playing softball, he coached Little League for several years, supported the New London wrestling program, and volunteered on the chain gang at football games. Jim enjoyed his vacations in Florida, going dancing and socializing with friends. Those who knew him will remember his quiet and gentle nature and his ability to carry on a conversation with anyone. Most of all, Jim cherished his time with his family, especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Survivors include his sons, James P. (Connie) Mitchell of Ashland, John (Chris) Mitchell, and Josh (Kathy) Mitchell, both of New London; his adopted children, Angie (Ben) Wittman and Ryan (Mashala) Lorentz; grandchildren, Anthony, Jessica, Jamie, Mason, Ashley, Samantha, Sarah, Morgan, Julia, Amelia, Tate, Tanner, Trevor, Lathan, Shea, and Ava; 12 great-grandchildren; one greatgreat-grandchild and several nieces and nephews.

Jim was preceded in death by his wife, Bonnie L. (nee Jackson) Mitchell; his companion, Linda Lorentz; sisters, Patricia Janosko, Virginia McKisson, and Frances Leach; and his daughter-in-law, Amy Mitchell.

Friends and family will be received on Friday, Jan. 27 from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. at Eastman Funeral Home, 200 West Main Street and Saturday, Jan. 28 at the New London Christian Missionary Alliance Church, 4625 State Rt. 162, New London, from 10 a.m. until the time of services beginning at 11 a.m. Burial will follow at Golding Cemetery.

Donations in Jim's memory may be directed to the New London Parks.

Expressions of sympathy may be shared online at www. eastmanfuneralhome.com.

Walter “Walt” Charles Jewett went to his eternal Home in the early morning of Saturday, Jan. 21, 2023.

Walt and his surviving wife, Barbara Jane (Jane), co-coached Team Jewett for 66 years. He is also survived by the rest of their starting lineup which includes their children Sonia (Brian), Don (Tess), Ken (Terri), and Sandy (Kevin), 11 grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.

As a sports enthusiast, Walt knew the importance of having a gameplan. For him, this included two simple plays: 1) sharing Christ's gospel, and 2) meeting the call of 'good and faithful servant'. He was naturally an exemplary son, sibling, husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend. Because of his faith, God brought Walt Home and inducted him into the Heavenly Hall of Fame.

Walt was born in Rochester, Ohio on Nov. 6, 1935, as one of eight children to John and Abbie Jewett. He loved life on the farm in Rochester and would always be a farmer at heart, but he also had a calling as an entrepreneur. He founded Walt's Auto Supply and Anytime Stor-N-Loc, and eventually owned Westview Mobile Estates.

Walt and Jane have been long standing members of Ashland Grace Church, where Walt served as an Elder and Business Commission member for many years. They spent several months together in London, UK, supporting church missions and outreach. Additionally, Walt's rich bass voice could be heard on Sundays in worship teams and church chorus.

Fun statistics about Walt: 1) was once the youngest mayor in Ohio when he served as mayor of Rochester; 2) jockeyed in horse races at county fairs throughout Ohio; 3) travelled the Buckeye state singing in the King's Quartet and with the Fun Center Chordsmen; 4) hustled friends and family in cards nearly every week; 5) was known for his epic dad-jokes.

God's playbook allowed Walt to live a diverse and fulfilling life. We wished him peace, but didn't want him to pass. We said good bye, but we didn't actually want him to go. We wanted him close, yet wished him Home.

Hallelujah… he's Home!

Family and friends are invited to attend a Celebration of Life gathering on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023. Visitation will begin at 10 a.m. with the Celebration beginning at 11 a.m. at Ashland Grace Church, 1144 West Main Street, Ashland, OH 44805.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Ashland Pregnancy Care Center, www.ashland carecenter.org, or Gentiva Hospice, www.gentivahs.com.

Our condolences go out to families that have suffered the loss of a loved one.

To place an obituary or death notice in the Community Guide, call (440) 329-7000.

HEALTHPLEX FROM A1

“That was a really big disconnect for us,” he said.

Mercy had two contracts with the public parks system, one for rent and the other for naming rights. Ziemnick said both are now up for grabs.

The park system is searching for a new tenant to fill the roughly 10,000 square feet available on the Cooper Foster Park Road recreation center’s second floor.

Ziemnik said he’s spoken with a “few” companies that have expressed interest. However, because of patient confidentiality laws, giving them tours of the space has been difficult.

After Jan. 31, tour availability will open up and Ziemnik said he feels confident the space will be filled within a year, based on the hot real estate market.

Whether the new tenant will be

another health care provider is questionable, he said. The Metro Parks are willing to negotiate with any company that is compatible with promoting health and fitness.

In the meantime, Mercy’s departure shouldn’t impact the public, said Ziemnik — members will have the same access to classes and services.

Reporter Carissa Woytach contributed to this story.

CORRECTION: The name of Oberlin College Bonner Scholar Fawad Mohammadi was misspelled in last week’s coverage of the NAACP’s Martin Luther King Day ceremony. We apoligize for the error.

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Thursday, Jan. 26, 2023

Lorain County Community Guide

Page A3

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Kenny Greer talks about his doctor, Joseph Von Kaenel, as fellow patient Jac Scaife holds the painting that hung in the Veterans memorial wall nn Amherst for the last year. The painting was presented to the doctor at a ceremony at the Veterans Affairs clinic on Abbe Road in Sheffield.

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But something was wrong, and Von Kaenel discovered his patient had early-phase colon cancer.

Greer said he was able to beat the lifethreatening disease with an operation but no chemotherapy.

“He nipped it in the bud,” said John Sekletar of Amherst, a Navy veteran and member of American Legion Post 118.

Sekletar also heads the Veterans Mural Association, which built Patriot Park in Amherst. Mitchell’s painting of Von Kaenel has hung on a wall at the Park Street installation for the past year.

Now Von Kaenel will get to hang the painting at the VA clinic for visitors to see.

It’s a fitting tribute, said Sekletar — while the longtime physician did not serve

in the military himself, “his contribution to Lorain County veterans has been immeasurable,” he said.

Von Kaenel was given the painting in a room full of his patients, including Lorain County Veterans Affairs Clinic Director Carol Savage.

“I’m a veteran as well, and he’s actually my provider as well,” she said.

Every day, Von Kaenel shows how much he cares for veterans’ well-being, she said.

Because of that care, all his patients love him, “including me,” said Savage.

Von Kaenel said chose he his profession “to serve the vets who did serve.”

“He’s a good doctor. He’s very patient with his patients. He does this because he loves to work with people,” Sekletar said.

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ARTISTS FROM A1

the first in the American League.

“I learned what he had been through, and how young he was,” Mendez said. “It made me feel like you could do anything in life if you really put your mind to it.”

Senior Brookelyn Anderson, who runs track for the Phoenix, chose to depict world record-holder Florence Griffith Joyner.

“She’s a track icon, and I run track,” said Anderson, who like “Flo-Jo” runs the 100 and 200 meter dashes.

Senior Kaia Kolowski’s piece pays tribute to activist and polarizing political figure Angela Davis.

A second-wave feminist who campaigned against the Vietnam War, Davis ran twice as the Communist Party candidate for president of the United States.

Since the 1990s, she has called for the abolition of prisons and has authored a number of books on class, race and gender.

Kolowski said she’s been interested in Davis since writing a poem about her in

sixth grade.

“She’s an activist, so she speaks out for civil rights. That’s important because everybody deserves to have their voice be heard, and everybody deserves to be treated like a person,” she said.

Oberlin students’ artwork will hang at FAVA, 39 South Main St., Oberlin, from Feb. 1 to March 5. Gallery hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and 1-5 p.m. Sundays.

A reception is scheduled for 1-3 on Saturday, Feb. 4 at the gallery. Students who created the top three pieces, as judged by a panel of school, city and FAVA members, will receive cash awards.

Gallery Director Tirzah Legg said the exhibition is part of an effort by FAVA to better showcase artists of color.

“They have been severely underrepresented” in the art world, she said — particularly Black, female artists. “There’s been progress made, but obviously a lot more can be done.”

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Brookelyn Anderson, a senior at Oberlin High School, works on a drawing exercise Wednesday, Jan. 18. Her portrait of track star Florence Griffith Joyner is part of an exhibition that will be on display at the Firelands Association for the Visual Arts throughout Black History Month.

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Thursday, Jan. 26, 2023

Lorain County Community Guide

Community Foundation announces $1M in grants AMHERST TWP. — More than $1 million in grants have been approved for 47 organizations, the Community Foundation of Lorain County Board of Directors announced.

The grants focused on arts and culture, education and youth development, health and human services, and strengthening Lorain County.

The recent grants include Solidarity Urban Farms, which received $30,000 to continue work combating food insecurity in Lorain.

The Episcopal Church of the Redeemer manages the urban farm, which provides healthy food for the church’s community meals program, healthy activities for neighborhood children and families, free food for neighbors and produce for sale to the community. United Way of Greater Lorain County, Second Harvest Food Bank of North Central Ohio, Lorain County Urban League, Main Street Lorain and the YWCA are partners with the program.

Recently, staff at Solidarity Urban Farms and Second Harvest Food Bank of North Central Ohio have been able to include Solidarity Urban Farms produce as eligible for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, WIC and senior coupons, including delivery to families using WIC. “The generous support from the Community Foundation will support us continuing to operate Solidarity Urban Farm,” said Fr. Alexander Barton, executive director.

“This grant will allow us to provide healthy options for the community and a safe place for the youth in our community.”

Grants include: Arts and culture • Elyria Arts Council - $38,700 • Lorain County Historical Society - $25,000 • North Pointe Ballet - $20,000 • Oberlin Heritage Center/O.H.I.O. - $20,000 • Oberlin-Wellington Rescue Theater Project - $10,000 • Southern Lorain County Historical Society - $3,634 • Dancing Classrooms Northeast Ohio - $3,000 • Firelands Association for the Visual Arts - $20,000 • Oberlin Choristers - $7,000 Education and youth development • Big Brothers Big Sisters of Lorain County - $50,000 • Camp Imagine - $15,000 • Effective Leadership Academy - $25,000 • Girl Scouts of Northeast Ohio - $15,000 • LifeAct - $15,000 • National Inventors Hall of Fame - $49,900 • OberlinKids - $15,000 • Save our Children of Elyria, Inc. - $50,000 • Youth Challenge - $22,000 • Girls on the Run Northeast Ohio - $5,000 • RePlay for Kids - $7,859 • Standout Production Group/Scholastic Games - $6,500 Health and human services • A Dementia Friendly Life Foundation - $50,000 • Blessing House - $75,000 • Coalition for the Uninsured of Lorain County - $38,750 • El Centro de Services Sociales - $60,000 • Flat Rock Homes, Inc - $20,000 • Hospice of the Western Reserve, Inc. - $15,000 • Humility of Mary Housing - $35,000 • Lorain County Health & Dentistry - $50,000 • L.C. Lutheran Presbyterian Cooperative Ministries - $20,000 • Lorain County Office on Aging - $42,269 • Mercy Foundation of Lorain County - $55,000 • NAMI - $13,500 • North Ridgeville Community Care - $10,000 • Prevent Blindness, Northeast Ohio Chapter - $15,000 • Primary Purpose Center, Inc. - $20,000 • Road to Hope House, Inc. - $50,000 • The Salvation Army Elyria - $40,000 • A Kid Again (Northern Ohio Chapter) - $10,000 • Avon/Avon Lake Community Resource Services, Inc. - $5,000

Westwood family loses dog and mobile home to flames JASON HAWK EDITOR

AMHERST TWP. — A Westwood Estates man and his two sons lost everything early on the morning of Saturday, Jan. 14 when their mobile home burned to the ground.

Beds, couches, clothing, family photos — nothing survived the blaze, said Jennifer Irazzary, sister of homeowner Anthony Ritz.

The family dog, Dolf, was caged while Ritz was working the third shift and died in the fire, Irazzary said.

While material possessions can be replaced, Dolf’s death devastated her brother, she said: “It was his dog,

his buddy. When his kids were gone, Dolf kept him company.”

Amherst Fire Chief Jim Wilhelm said his crew was called to 309 Oak St. just after 2 a.m. When they arrived, the mobile home was already beyond saving.

“It had been burning a little while before somebody saw it. Pretty much from the front to the back, it was on fire,” he said.

An older Buick Rendezvous was also destroyed in the fire, and flames melted siding on neighboring homes to the north and south, Wilhelm said.

He said the home’s furnace had been acting up, so Ritz used space heaters to keep the temperature up and pipes from freezing. One appeared to have malfunctioned, start-

ing the fire.

Other than Dolf, no one was home at the time.

Ritz’s sons were with family while he worked, said Irizzary.

A GoFundMe campaign has been launched to help the family recover, with a $20,000 goal. It can be found at www.tinyurl.com/RitzFire.

The Red Cross also provided assistance.

Wilhelm said Amherst firefighters were called again to Westwood on Monday, Jan. 16, this time to a mobile home on Honey Lane.

A grease fire there caused damage, but was limited to the kitchen area, he said. A resident was able to douse flames with a fire extinguisher, and firefighters ventilated the home.

COLUMN

Until next time, my friends JASON HAWK EDITOR

It’s time to say goodbye.

This is my last week as editor of The Community Guide. I’ve spent a good portion of it moping about, waxing nostalgic and sighing a lot, even though it’s my choice to move on.

I’ve spent most of the past 20 years — can it really have been that long?

— writing thousands of stories about Amherst, Oberlin and Wellington and the rural areas around them. I’ve adopted these towns through hard work.

By endless phone calls.

In thousands of hours of town and school meetings.

By covering the good, the bad and sometimes the ugly. By arguing with people and celebrating with them. By watching teams win and lose. By watching kindergartners grow tall and walk across the graduation stage.

The people here are family.

Now it’s time to let go — not of the towns, but of the job.

I’m not the dark-haired college graduate I was in 2002 when Kathleen Willbond and Ken Carpenter gave me a chance, and I was hired at the weekly papers. Long hours at desks, in courtrooms, in Council chambers and on sidelines have added a lot of white to the top of my head (and let’s be honest: a lot of weight around the middle).

I knew, attending college in the late 1990s, that journalism was a tough industry. Knowing print news was shrinking quickly even then, my adviser even point-blank asked me once: “What are you going to do with this degree?”

I also knew it wasn’t the highest-paying vocation.

When I proposed to my wife-to-be, I warned her about the wages I’d be

bringing home. And I’ve half-joked about it since to many young people who have been interested in journalism: “Are you ready to take a vow of poverty?” I’ve asked.

But money isn’t everything. And two decades on, the two factors driving me to leave at last are simply time and stress.

My children are at the age where I want to have a stable schedule for them, with fewer late-night commitments, and less workrelated baggage.

Now, I wasn’t hot in pursuit of change, necessarily. I didn’t send out 1,000 resumes. But when an opportunity came along that felt right, I said yes.

Earlier this month, I accepted an offer to serve as communications director for a local nonprofit.

I grew up in an extremely poor household; though my parents always made ends meet I still knew as a boy what it was like to go

without. In my new job, I’ll be able to help families that feel those same pressures.

So I leave The Community Guide in the skilled hands of the people at Lorain County Printing & Publishing, who so graciously purchased it in 2019 and have kept it humming along when others would or could not.

I do not know what the future holds for either the weekly paper or The Chronicle-Telegram. The folks there are working tirelessly to shine a light on the best and worst the county has to offer, to keep you informed, yet it’s no secret these are lean times for news businesses.

I know that Chronicle Editor Julie Wallace and President Bill Hudnutt will do what can be done and give what can be given. They have done so for me when it was not expected, and I am incredibly grateful.

Snuggling up

Strengthening Lorain County • City Fresh - $30,000 • Episcopal Church of the Redeemer - $30,000 • Friendship Animal Protective League - $20,000 • YWCA Elyria - $45,250 • Hearts of Patriots - $10,000 • Ideastream - $5,000 • SCORE Cleveland Chapter 30 - $3,000 The Community Foundation also announced the addition a grant cycle and a pivot to its four focus areas.

“Adding another grant cycle and having each cycle centered around a focus area will allow our staff, volunteers on our grants committee and donors to focus on emerging needs in our community and ensure that we meet the needs of our nonprofit partners,” said Cindy Andrews, president and CEO of the Community Foundation of Lorain County.

Previously, the foundation has offered two community grant cycles, with applications due in February and July and grant awards announced in December and June.

The new cycles will have health and human service organizations apply by Feb. 1 with awards in May, education and youth development organizations apply by March 1 with awards in July, and arts and culture and strengthening Lorain County apply by July 1 with awards in October.

“The new grant cycles give us the opportunity to strategically discuss our program areas, reach out to donors more effectively and help broaden our Grants Committee,” said Maria Grega, chair of the Grants Committee.

The new grant cycles will go into effect Jan. 1.

To learn more about the Community Foundation of Lorain County’s grant cycles and see the list of grant awards, visit peoplewhocare.org.

CLASSIFIEDS LEGALS NOTICE TO AMHERST PROPERTY OWNERS

Pursuant to Resolution No. R-22-01 passed by Council of the City of Amherst on January 24, 2022, a list of the estimated assessments for the 2022 Public Sidewalk Removal and Replacement work completed

has been made and is on file with the Clerk of Council located at 206 South Main Street, Amherst, Ohio.

LCCG 1/19, 1/26; 2/2/23 20714198

Jeff Barnes | Amherst News-Times

Second-grader Brylee Leaisure and her mother, Ashlee, sit and read to Trully the therapy dog during “Canine Reading Buddies” at the Amherst Public Library on Jan. 17. The regularly-scheduled time is a chance for kids to practice their reading skills with an audience that will never judge.

WOBL up for national bluegrass awards OBERLIN — Radio station WOBL has for the first time been nominated for Bluegrass Station of the Year by the Society for the Preservation of Bluegrass Music of America.

In addition, Michelle Lee, host of Gold Country’s Smoked Country Jam and Bluegrass Borderline has been nominated for Bluegrass DJ of

the Year. This is Lee’s third nomination for the title, which she won in 2022.

Lee can be heard on WOBL 107.7 FM and 1320 AM from 7-11 a.m. on weekdays and noon to 5 p.m. each Sunday. Both shows can also hear be heard at www.woblradio. com.

“We truly appreciate the support

of all our listeners, bluegrass fans and artists that have helped put WOBL Radio and Michelle Lee at the forefront of bluegrass music,” said a news release from station Vice President Renee’ Tollett.

The 48th Annual SPBGMA Bluegrass Music Awards will be held today through Sunday at the Sheraton Music City Hotel in Nashville.

Thursday, Jan. 26, 2023

Lorain County Community Guide

Page A5

COVID cases have plummeted — now what?

JASON HAWK EDITOR

Data shows COVID-19 was likely the No. 1 cause of death nationwide last year, Lorain County Health Commissioner Mark Adams said last week.

In January 2022, Ohio was walloped with about 28,000 new cases each day. Now they’ve plummeted to around 1,400 per day across the state, he said.

That leaves the state health departments and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention debating when exactly the pandemic should be declared “over,” said Adams.

“They’re taking a little bit of time to make that call,” he told the Lorain County Community Protection Team.

Cleveland Clinic Avon Hospital President Rebecca Starck said she is no longer seeing an influx

of patients due to the virus.

The newest omicron subvariant making the rounds seems to be quite contagious but “it’s not creating significant, severe illness,” she said.

In her mind, that signals that COVID is becoming endemic, joining the ranks of seasonal diseases such as the common cold and flu, Starck said — troublesome, for sure, but most people have some protection from vaccines or exposure.

Starck said she is “confident we’ve see the worst of the pandemic behind us in this country and most of the world,” and that the virus will “fizzle out in severity.”

COVID is now usually accompanied by minor cold-like symptoms, Adams said.

Someone who tests positive but has zero symptoms should spend some time at home, but in most instances will be able to quickly

return to work so long as they wear a mask, he said.

Another airborne nuisance called respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, caused some alarm this fall when cases started to escalate. Adams said those too are trending downward, as are serious influenza cases.

Don’t count the flu out just yet, though, he warned. The 20222023 flu season started unusually early and flu tends to move in waves, so it could easily have a resurgence this winter.

Schools saw illness-related absences rise after Thanksgiving, but they have since leveled off, said Educational Service Center of Lorain County Superintendent Franco Gallo.

Pharmacies across Lorain County started rationing flu medications in December because customers rushed their shelves, Adams said. The urge to stockpile those over-the-counter

remedies caused shortages.

Now Adams said most pharmacies have taken flu medicine supplies out of back storage rooms and put them back on store floors.

Demand for COVID test kits remains high, however, said Lorain Public Library System Director Anastasia Diamond-Ortiz.

“Surprisingly, they’re still going at a steady clip,” she told the Community Protection Team.

At the same time, there is less demand for masks. Gallo said the ESC has plenty of K-95 masks for anyone who needs them.

A concern for the coming months is the imminent end of emergency Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, which were expanded early in the pandemic, said Second Harvest Food Bank President and CEO Julie Chase-Morefield.

In March, local SNAP allotments will decrease by about $4

million per month, she said.

“There is no control over this at the local level or the state level,” she said. “There’s going to be a lot of unhappy people, but we want to be clear this is a federal decision.”

Chase-Morefield said families with young children and elderly adults are the most likely to be affected by the change.

She said she believes that will cause demand for Second Harvest assistance to spike this spring among families with kids.

The nonprofit is already working to get the word out about how to access food pantries across Lorain County.

Grocery stores will also probably take a hit when the SNAP benefits are scaled back, ChaseMorefield said. Reducing that financial assistance will remove $4 million from the county’s economy, so she is worried about a domino effect.

Sweda chosen to lead county Democratic Party DAVE O’BRIEN THE CHRONICLE-TELEGRAM

Sharon Sweda was unanimously elected chairperson of the Lorain County Democratic Party's Executive Committee during a meeting last week, effectively making her the head of the party in the county.

It took only a single round of voting by Democratic leadership to pick Sweda, a businesswoman and former Lorain County commissioner. No one else was nominated for the position.

"Well, that was better than 15 rounds," Sweda joked, referencing the U.S. House of Representatives' recent four-day struggle to choose a new speaker, eventually selecting Kevin McCarthy, R-California.

Sweda replaces Anthony Giardini, who stepped down effective Dec. 31.

In her remarks, Sweda said it is important that the county party work together to recruit, train and support strong candidates for office and encourage participation at the polls on Election Day. "I recognize that your vote is actually reflecting all of the confidence that we all have together, collectively, that we can move forward and we can build a strong next chapter for the Lorain County party," she said.

There is "a lot of chaos" in national and county government at present, Sweda said. To fight that, the party needs to be involved in "robust but responsible" and "value-based fund-raising" to give supporters value for their money.

She said she wants to bridge gaps, forge relationships, get out the vote earlier, lead by example and attract unaffiliated voters to support the Lorain County Democratic Party.

With Jan. 6, 2021, still fresh on people's minds, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine "willing to sign bills making it harder to vote" in the Buckeye State, and local police and first responders being used as "political pawns" by Lorain County Republicans, Sweda said it is time that "Democrats stand for American values."

"People who use our government to expel good government are not what we are about. We are Democrats. We have American values. And I think there is no better time for us to be the example to those who are unaffiliated," she said.

Jeff Barnes | Community Guide

Sharon Sweda gives a speech after being voted chairperson of the Lorain County Democratic Party executive party on Jan. 18.

"I can't imagine there are many unaffiliated people who look at those images from Jan. 6 and say 'We want that.'"

A veteran of the real estate and title industry, Sweda was chosen by fellow Democrats to replace Ted Kalo on the Board of Commissioners in February 2019 after he resigned to become Lorain Clerk of Courts.

Sweda was required to run to keep the seat in November 2020, but lost the election to Republican David Moore.

She also served as president of the Amherst Democratic Organization for 2021.

In March 2021, Democrats recommended Sweda for an open seat on the

Lorain County Board of Elections, but Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose rejected the recommendation. LaRose said he did so because of questions about how Sweda may have misused county resources, including her email account, during her 2020 election campaign.

Though State Auditor Keith Faber's office confirmed it was investigating the matter of Sweda's emails, no mention of the issue was made in the county's latest annual audit.

Sweda also ran for state Senate in 2018, but lost to Sen. Nathan Manning, R-North Ridgeville.

Pending approval by LaRose, Giar-

dini will remain one of two Democratic members of the Board of Elections after fellow Democrats voted unanimously on Wednesday to recommend he keep that post.

Giardini thanked party membership for continuing to have faith in him and called Sweda's selection "a wise choice we made this evening."

Giardini received a standing ovation from those present for the vote at Lorain County Community College's Stocker Arts Center.

"There are so many times in life when 'thank you' doesn't seem like enough, and this is one of them," Sweda said of her predecessor.

Jan. 6 suspect from Wellington will get to shed monitor STAFF REPORT

Clifford Mackrell, the Wellington man accused of attacking a police officer while storming the U.S. Capitol, has asked to be rid of an ankle monitor while awaiting trial.

He has worn the device for nearly two years since being charged with felony counts of physical violence on the Capitol grounds, assaulting a police officer and civil disorder, as well as misdemeanor counts of entering and remaining in the restricted federal building and engaging in disorderly and disruptive

conduct — all stemming from the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection in Washington, D.C. Wearing an ankle monitor “for such an extended period of time has become overly burdensome for Mr. Mackrell,” according to a motion filed by his attorney, federal public defender A.J. Kramer.

He argued Mackrell ha been fully compliant with the conditions of release, including reporting to pretrial services, negative drug screenings and no violations of his electronic monitoring condition.

Kramer wrote that wearing the ankle device can be painful, since Mackrell’s job requires

him to be moving around on his feet most of the day. It also prevents him from wearing boots, which “presents a number of issues in the winter as he generally works outdoors.”

The motion was filed with Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly in U.S. District Court in the District of Columbia.

The court indicated it intends to grant the request to do away with the monitor, but first has to determine what conditions will be imposed instead.

With hundreds of defendants and mountains of video evidence, the Jan. 6 insurrection has led to backlogged cases.

The COVID-19 pandemic has

not helped, further delaying proceedings.

The court has repeatedly ruled that the “ends of justice” outweigh the right to a speedy trial.

Mackrell’s trial has been pushed back numerous times, and is now scheduled for May 10.

He has pleaded not guilty to all counts.

A plea deal, the terms of which were not available via the court docket, expired in August. Records show both sides continue to work toward an agreement.

On Tuesday, the court scheduled hearings for March 20 and April 26, and a pretrial conference for May 9.

According to the FBI, Mack-

rell was identified in the Jan. 6 crowd at the Capitol after a tipster recognized him as a member of the Wellington High School Class of 2018.

Investigators quickly discovered his Facebook page, where Mackrell allegedly ranted the day of the riot against government corruption. The FBI said he suggested getting “rid of all of them because well it is out literal job as american’s to kill the tyrannical government. [sic].”

The agency claimed Mackrell was seen repeatedly striking a Capitol police officer, then pulling off the officer’s face mask in an alleged attempt to expose him to a chemical spray.

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Thursday, Jan. 26, 2023

Lorain County Community Guide

Lawsuit filed over county’s rescinded radio contract DAVE O’BRIEN THE CHRONICLE-TELEGRAM

Cleveland Communications Inc., which won and then lost a nearly $8 million contract to provide Lorain County emergency first responders with a new radio system, has sued the Lorain County Board of Commissioners for alleged breach of contract and denial of due process after two commissioners voted to rescind the agreement less than a month after it was signed.

In an 18-page lawsuit filed in Lorain County Common Pleas Court on Friday, Parma-based CCI accused the county of breaching its contract when county Commissioners David Moore and Jeff Riddell voted to rescind the 19-day-old agreement over what they said were concerns about how CCI won the bid.

The lawsuit, which is assigned to Judge John Miraldi's courtroom, seeks to force the board to reinstate the contract and pay compensatory, punitive and other damages in excess of $15,000, attorney fees and court costs.

In the lawsuit, CCI called the county's decision to rescind the contract "unconstitutional, illegal, arbitrary, capricious, unreasonable and unsupported by the law and a preponderance of substantial, reliable and probative evidence."

The county didn't have a lawful reason to terminate the contract, CCI's attorneys wrote. A clause in the agreement, according to CCI, was that the county had to give it 60 days' notice before

terminating the contract.

In that event, "the county shall pay the contractor (CCI) for all equipment which had at that point been purchased for the project, services rendered and expenses incurred in connection with the project through the effective date of termination," according to the lawsuit.

The board's Jan. 9 agenda "gave no notice of the purported reasons for the vote to rescind the contract and funding," according to CCI's lawsuit. "Nor did any other communication give CCI or other interested parties sufficient notice of the meeting or advanced notice of the issues that they would need to address."

"To the contrary, Commissioners Moore and Riddell purported to find — without any evidentiary or lawful basis — that the bidding process was flawed because in the end, CCI presented the only sufficient bid," CCI wrote.

The lawsuit further alleges the bid process was valid and lawful, that CCI submitted a valid proposal complying with the county's requirements, that no other valid bids were received, and that the contract was lawfully awarded to CCI in December.

Background CCI was chosen to build a countywide radio system on the back of the L3 Harris radios, which are Wi-Fi compatible and favored by the Lorain County Fire Chief's Association, Lorain County Sheriff Phil Stammitti and the Lorain County Deputies Association.

Stammitti and those groups

all spoke out in favor of the L3 Harris radios in December after years of planning to swap out the current, obsolete system.

The L3 Harris radios are the same radios recommended in the final draft of a 275-page study by Mission Critical Partners, a consulting firm hired by the county in 2018 to investigate countywide communications.

Mission Critical recommended L3 Harris as a modern system compatible with the Multi-Agency Radio Communication System, or MARCS, which is used in the majority of Ohio counties.

Fire chiefs whose departments are on the old radio system said the L3 Harris radios would allow for better communication at fire scenes. They pointed to the success of the Avon, Avon Lake, North Ridgeville, Sheffield and Sheffield Lake fire departments, which already use the L3 Harris radios.

Moore, a Republican, was not present at the Aug. 3, 2022, meeting where then-Commissioner Matt Lundy, a Democrat, and Commissioner Michelle Hung, a Republican, voted to start the competitive bidding process.

CCI's bid was the only bid received after both CCI and Motorola Solutions, the MARCS vendor, requested and received a 14-day deadline extension. Motorola did not end up submitting a bid and a second bid by Avonbased Vasu Communications was incomplete, officials said.

Nor was Moore present on Dec. 21 when Hung and Lundy voted to spend millions in American Rescue Plan Act funds with CCI

to provide the radios to deputies and interested fire departments that don't have them — including Elyria and Lorain, the two largest cities in the county.

On Jan. 9, Moore and Riddell, a Republican who replaced Lundy on the board, voted 2-1 to rescind the contract with CCI over Hung's objection.

The deputies association filed a union grievance for health and safety concerns with Stammitti, who told them he did not have the power to fix the issue but that they had the right to binding arbitration under their contract.

Fire departments in several municipalities were working on plans to join the project and pay monthly subscription plans to the radio system when the contract was rescinded. As part of the contract, CCI had 60 days to reach agreements with those fire departments or cities.

The Oberlin and Rochester fire departments also had signed radio system user agreements prior to the contract being rescinded at the county level, according to CCI's lawsuit. Those agreements are only good "if the network contemplated by the contract comes into existence," according to the lawsuit.

Elyria was working on a plan to pay monthly maintenance fees to join the system when the contract was rescinded. The plan became "dead in the water" after the commissioners' Jan. 9 vote, Fire Chief Joe Pronesti said.

Commissioners respond Assistant Lorain County Prosecutor Dan Petticord, the board's

legal counsel, said he had no comment on pending litigation.

Riddell said he had received a copy of the lawsuit, and that he didn't think it was appropriate to discuss it publicly until after discussing it with Petticord.

Moore had no comment on the lawsuit itself but said it was "too bad" CCI sued: "As a county, we're still moving forward on the infrastructure so that our sheriff is taken care of," he said.

County officials are meeting with Mission Critical Partners today "and going over some of the miscommunication that's going on," Moore said.

"I feel confident that this is something that will be worked out in the next 60 to 90 days," Moore said. "We're going to move forward to make sure the infrastructure is there for what the local communities need. I want us to keep moving forward. I don't want to slow anybody down."

In a statement to The ChronicleTelegram, Hung wrote that CCI fulfilled a promise by one of its attorneys at the Jan. 9 meeting.

"Clearly, CCI came to the meeting, they said what they were going to do and now they have done it," Hung wrote, adding that she couldn't comment on the lawsuit itself on advice from legal counsel.

But "in a final blow to those attending and watching the meeting, while the feed was still rolling on the 9th, Moore and Riddell shared a disgraceful celebratory fist bump victory with utter disregard for the health, safety and welfare of the residents and the county's first responders," she wrote.

BULLETIN BOARD Libertarians examine voting

Lorain County Libertarians will present a public program on ranked choice voting as an alternative to our current election system at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 26 in the fellowship hall of Elyria First United Methodist Church, 312 Third St., Elyria.

The speaker will be Justin Wells of Rank The Vote Ohio, which advocates changing our system of electing public officials to a method that encourages consensus and requires majority vote. All are welcome and should enter at the Holly Lane entry to the fellowship hall.

Music to soothe the soul

“Chasing the Blues Away with Music” will be presented at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 28 at the Amherst Public Library.

Music therapist Hannah Gonzalez will lead children ages 9 months to 6 years old in musical activities. Registration is suggested. Sign up at www.amherstpubliclibrary.org.

See ‘The Big Year’

Greg Miller, who inspired one of the main characters of the 2011 comedy “The Big Year” with Jack Black, will speak at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 28 at the French Creek Nature Center’s Ewing Hall, 4530 Colorado Ave., Sheffield.

The film is a “birding classic,” according to the Black River Audubon Society, which is sponsoring the event with the Lorain County Metro Parks. Miller will narrate the movie in a screening, sharing behind-the-scenes and “fact vs. fiction” insights.

Tickets are limited. They are $5 and may be purchased at www.loraincountymetroparks.com. If not sold out, tickets will be available at the door. Concessions will also be open.

“The Big Year” stars Black playing Miller. The big-name cast also includes Owen Wilson, Steve Martin, Rosamund Pike, Rashida Jones, Drian Dennehy and Jim Parsons. It is based on the 2004 nonfiction books “The Big Year: A Tale of Man, Nature and Fowl Obsession” by Mark Obmascik.

Metro Parks fundraiser

The annual Friends of the Lorain County Metro Parks Winter Indoor Rummage Sale will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 28 and Sunday, Jan. 29 at Henry’s Barn, 46223 U.S. Route 20, Oberlin.

All proceeds benefit the county park system.

Main Street annual meeting

Main Street Wellington’s annual meeting will begin at 7 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 30 at the Elms Retirement Village assisted living area.

Members and the public can attend to hear about 2022 successes and plans for 2023. Refreshments will be served. The Patricia Lindley Volunteer of the Year Award will be bestowed.

A networking time will begin at 6:30 p.m.

Learn to make bags

The Vermilion Sit and Stitch Quilt Guild will meet at Trinity Lutheran Church, 3747 Liberty Ave. at 7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 30.

Members Lorraine Beursken and Bonnie Stout will present a program on making lined, bags of many sizes, using up scraps or fabric already in your stash. These bags can be made with handles or drawstrings, very versatile.

Also at this meeting, members will display their blocks for the mystery quilt. There will be time for show and tell, a sharing of completed projects and UFO's.

For more information, call Sandy Neiding at (440) 967-4190.

Open gym nights

Amherst Junior High students are invited to free track and field open gym nights from 6-7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 31 and

The Lorain County Community Guide Bulletin Board is for local nonprofit and not-for-profit events. Items are published on a space-available basis and will be edited for style, length, and clarity. Send your items to news@lcnewspapers.com.

Wednesday, Feb. 15 at the school.

High school captains will lead AJH students through fun activities to teach about track and field and prepare for the upcoming season. Registration can be found at runamherst.com. No late registrations will be accepted.

NASA ambassador to visit

sor for most of his three-decade career with the Lorain County Metro Parks and now manages both Geneva and Headlands state parks. He also writes a nature column and is author of “Lorain County Metro Parks: The First 50 Years.”

Tens of thousands of raptors soar overhead each spring, for the most part unnoticed. Gerrone will discuss the phenomenon of raptor migration, the basics of hawk identification and the weather patterns and viewing locations for the best hawk watching.

This program is free to the public.

Democrat club meeting

The Avon Democratic Club will meet at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 9 at the Avon Senior Center, 36786 Detroit Rd. Discussions will involve 2023 and 2024 elections and Democratic candidates.

Learn about the solar system and beyond with NASA spokesman Bill Reed of the Lake Erie Nature and Science Center at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 1 at the Amherst Public Library.

He’ll talk about the vastness of space, the sun, planets and galaxy and what lies beyond. A portion of the program will take place on the library’s second floor terrace. In the event of inclement weather or cloudy skies, the program will be rescheduled.

Registration is requested at www.amherstpubliclibrary.org.

Dress up for tea time

Reminisce about closed park

An adult coloring night will be held at 7 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 13 at the Amherst Public Library.

Supplies will be provided, along with a variety of coloring page options for all skill levels. There will also be tea and cocoa to ease the stress of the day. This program is intended for ages 14 and up, and registration is required at www.amherstpubliclibrary.org.

“The Story of Euclid Beach Park” will be presented at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 1 at the Historic Brownhelm School and Museum, 1950 North Ridge Rd. John Frato, president of Euclid Beach Park Now, a nonprofit dedicated to preserving its memory, will tell the Brownhelm Historical Association about the amusement park’s beginnings in 1895 through its final days in 1969. The meeting is open to the public.

Doors open at 6 p.m. A business meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. with a social time at 7 p.m. before the historical presentation.

Black history program

A Black History Month program called “Telling New Stories About Black History in Oberlin” will be held from 4-5 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 4 via Zoom.

It will be sponsored by the Wilson Bruce Evans Home Historical Society, The Oberlin-Wellington Rescue Theater Project and the Oberlin College Africana studies and theater departments. Join the meeting at tinyurl.com/ OberlinBlackHistory.

A reader’s best friend

Canine reading buddies will visit the Amherst Public Library at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 4 and 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 21.

All ages are invited to read to licensed therapy dogs. Take a favorite book or use one from the library’s collection.

Democrat women to meet

The Lorain County Democratic Women’s Club will meet at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 7 at Golden Corral, 1519 West River Rd., Elyria.

Voting for club officers for 2023 will be held. Attendees must individually pay for the buffet.

Hawk migration program

“Northern Ohio Hawk Migration” will be presented at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 7 when the Black River Audubon Society meets at the French Creek Nature Center, 4530 Colorado Ave., Sheffield.

Gary Gerrone will speak. He served as naturalist supervi-

Wear your dressiest attire for a “Fancy Nancy” tea party at 3 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 11 at the Amherst Public Library.

The event will include crafts and activities for families with children of all ages. Registration is required at www.amherstpubliclibrary.org. Be sure to register each child separately.

Color your cares away

Get your game on

The Tabletop Game Time club for teens and adults will meet at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 14 at the Amherst Public Library.

Ages 12 and up are invited to drop in and learn to play games. A variety of 2-6 player card, strategy and party games will be available, including Catan, Bohnanza, Sagrada, Splendor, Azul, For Sale and more.

Black librarian’s story

“Virginia Proctor Powell Florence: A Life, A Legacy” will be presented at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 21 at the Oberlin Public Library.

Join the Oberlin Heritage Center for a program about the second African American and the first African American woman to earn a professional degree in librarianship. Powell Florence followed her mother's footsteps to Oberlin College where she graduated in 1919. She then earned a bachelor of library science degree from the Pittsburgh Carnegie Library School. Her 40-year career included positions in public libraries and schools in New York City, Washington, D.C., and Richmond, Virginia.

During her lifetime she faced discrimination in her choice of studies and career opportunities and was active in civil rights organizations.

Eboni Johnson, outreach and program librarian at Oberlin College, has championed research and recognition of Powell Florence. This program, offered during Black History month, is free and open to the public.

Backstage passes

Volunteers are needed for help building sets and running technical crew positions for “Barefoot in the Park,” the classic Neil Simon comedy to be performed at Workshop Players Theatre in Amherst next month.

Performances will be Feb. 23 to 26 and March 3 to 5. For information, call (440) 634-0427.

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OUR TOWNS

Lorain County Community Guide • Thursday, Jan. 26, 2023

High-speed chase ends on Cemetery Road Two suspects charged after road rage incident in Ashland County heads north JASON HAWK EDITOR

WELLINGTON TWP. — A road rage incident led to a roughly 15-mile high-speed chase last Thursday morning and ended just south of the Wellington village limits.

It started around 9 a.m., when Mark Phillips, 59, of Mansfield, tried to pass David Esterline, 63, of Polk, on State Route 89,

according to the Ashland County Sheriff’s Office.

Lt. Donald Sims said Esterline blocked Phillips from the passing and there was a near miss.

That led to a verbal fight in front of Esterline’s house, Sims said. In a call to the sheriff’s office, Esterline accused Phillips of grabbing a subcompact 9mm handgun from his vehicle.

When Phillips left, heading north, Esterline followed. He was still on the phone with dispatch-

ers and deputies weren’t far behind, said Sims.

He estimated that at points the two men reached speeds of 90 to 95 mph.

The pursuit crossed the border into Lorain County on Route 58 and ended on Cemetery Road near Wellington.

That’s when the two men jumped out of their vehicles — a red truck and black car — and fists started flying, according to Sims.

Troopers from the Ohio State Highway Patrol’s Elyria Post responded, as did Wellington police and Lorain County deputies.

Capt. Richard Bosley of the Lorain County Sheriff’s Office said his deputies went into the situation somewhat blind because they couldn’t copy radio traffic from other agencies.

That’s because they are using analog radio systems while neighboring law enforcement has upgraded to digital radio systems.

The two types can’t communicate with each other.

A log of radio traffic provided under a public records request revealed the confusion, saying “911 was attempting to relay information to our responding deputies and we were unable to hear the information.”

Esterline was charged with disorderly conduct, while Phillips was charged with aggravated CHASE PAGE B2

Lorain County

Property tax changes 2023 Changes in annual property taxes for 2022-23 tax bills for the owner of a home valued at $100,000 Black number indicates an increase in taxes (dollars). Red number indicates a decrease in taxes (dollars).

City, Township, Village, School District

Increase/ Decrease*

Amherst Township Firelands LSD ........................ .64 Elyria CSD .......................... -4.77 Oberlin CSD ........................ 1.39 Amherst EVSD .................... -4.21 Amherst City Firelands LSD ........................ .55 Amherst EVSD .................... -4.17 Amherst Township S. Amherst Village/ Firelands LSD ......................... .61 Avon City Avon LSD ........................... -3.94 Avon Lake City Avon Lake CSD ................... 4.15 Brighton Township Wellington EVSD ................ -1.46 Brownhelm Township Firelands LSD ........................ .70 Vermilion LSD .................... -1.58 Vermilion City/ Firelands LSD ........................ .22 Vermilion City/ Vermilion LSD .................... -2.06 Lorain City Firelands LSD ........................ .57 Camden Township Firelands LSD ........................ .71 Kipton Village/ Firelands LSD ...................... 1.33 Carlisle Township Keystone LSD ....................... -.78 Midview LSD ...................... -5.07 Elyria CSD .......................... -4.68 Oberlin CSD ........................ 1.47

City, Township School District

Increase/ Decrease*

Columbia Township Columbia LSD ..................-17.39 Olmsted Falls CSD ............... -.89 Strongsville CSD................. -9.94 Eaton Township Midview LSD ...................... -5.42 Columbia LSD ..................-15.88 Elyria City/Midview LSD...... -5.42 Elyria Township Elyria CSD .......................132.84 Keystone LSD ..................136.74 Elyria City Elyria CSD .......................... -4.65 Midview LSD ...................... -5.03 Grafton Township Midview LSD ...................... -5.17 Grafton Village Midview LSD ...................... -5.03 Henrietta Township Firelands LSD ........................ .56 Huntington Township Wellington Village/Black R .-23.55 Black River LSD................-23.55 LaGrange Township Keystone LSD ....................... -.78 LaGrange Village/ Keystone LSD ....................... -.79 Lorain City Lorain CSD ............................ .07 Amherst EVSD .................... -4.14 Vermilion LSD .................... -1.71 Clearview LSD ..................-83.16 Penfield Township Keystone LSD ....................... -.87

City, Township School District

Increase/ Decrease*

Pittsfield Township Keystone LSD ....................... -.79 Oberlin CSD ........................ 1.46 Wellington EVSD ................ -1.40 N. Ridgeville City N. Ridgeville CSD ............... -6.93 Rochester Township New London LSD................... .76 Mapleton LSD .................... -1.37 Wellington EVSD ................ -1.43 Rochester Village/ New London LSD................... .72 Rochester Village/ Wellington EVSD ................ -1.47 New Russia Township Keystone LSD ....................... -.75 Firelands LSD ........................ .63 Oberlin CSD ........................ 1.51 S. Amherst Village/ Firelands LSD ........................ .62 Oberlin City Oberlin CSD ........................ 1.51 Sheffield Township Clearview LSD ..................-83.09 Sheffield Lake City Sheffield Lake CSD ..........-12.02 Sheffield Village Sheffield Lake CSD ..........-12.52 Wellington Township Wellington EVSD ................ -1.48 Wellington Village/ Wellington EVSD ................ -1.48 Lorain City Elyria CSD .......................... -4.70 Elyria City Keystone LSD ....................... -.74

The calculations above are based on non-business credit rollback and owner occupancy credit rollback.

These percentages change yearly based upon any new levies that are passed per the Ohio Department of Taxation.

SOURCE: Lorain County Auditor

County property taxes trend down DAVE O’BRIEN THE CHRONICLE-TELEGRAM

Property tax bills for the majority of Lorain County residential property owners will decrease this year, the Lorain County Auditor's Office announced Friday.

Based on calculations provided by his office, Auditor Craig Snodgrass said residential taxpayers in 48 of 70 tax districts in the county will see decreases in their 2023 tax bills, while taxpayers in the remaining 22 districts will see increases.

Most of the increases and decreases are modest in nature.

The increases ranged from 22 cents to nearly $137 per $100,000 home value, while the decreases ranged from 75 cents to just over $83 per $100,000 home value.

When home values go up, tax rates come down on voted bonds or emergency levies, Snodgrass said Friday.

Voters cast ballots for or against levies designed to collect a specific dollar amount that doesn't change over the life of the levy. So as increased residential growth sees more taxpayers added to the rolls, every new property owner pays a slightly smaller slice of the tax "pie."

Taxpayers in Elyria Township will see triple-digit increases per $100,000 home

value after voters approved two fire and EMS levies in the November 2021 election — one a replacement levy and another an additional levy that raised taxes.

Taxpayers in the Clearview school district will see double-digit property tax savings after an emergency school levy expired and passed off the tax rolls, according to Snodgrass.

The next triennial reappraisal is scheduled for 2024. Until then, property owners who believe their property value is in error have until March 31 to file an appeal with the county Board of Revision.

Forms for that purpose can be found on the auditor's website, www.loraincounty. com/auditor.

Snodgrass didn't anticipate "a lot" of Board of Revision appeals, "but it's an individual's right to do so," he said.

Elyria Township residents will feel the biggest pinch after voting to approve issues 27 and 28 in the November 2021 election.

When those levies began collection this year, they raised the tax bill for the owner of a $100,000 home in Elyria Township (Keystone School District) by $136.74 and the owner of a $100,000 home in Elyria Township (Elyria School District) by $132.84.

The increases fall sharply after that.

PROPERTY TAXEDS PAGE B2

Provided photos

Khalid el-Hakim, founder of the Black History 101 Mobile Museum, holds a sign from the 1920s, when white supremacist policies allowed segregation to exist.

Black History 101 Mobile Museum is coming to Oberlin JASON HAWK EDITOR

OBERLIN — A traveling exhibit is coming to town with more than 10,000 artifacts telling the story of African Americans over the past 400 years.

The Black History 101 Mobile Museum will hold events in early March at Oberlin Elementary School.

David Hall, superintendent of the Oberlin City Schools, said seeing relics from the past will give students a deeper understanding that what they read in textbooks happened to real, flesh-and-blood people.

“I believe it’s important with Oberlin’s strong heritage, our tradition with Martin Luther King and the Underground Railroad,” he said.

King, the most celebrated American champion for human rights, visited Oberlin on a number of occasions. He delivered the commencement address at Oberlin College in 1965, three years before his death.

The city was famous for its role as a stop on the Underground Railroad, a covert network of safe houses that aided escaped slaves as they fled north to safety in Canada.

“I’m hoping our kids, when they see the museum recall what they’ve read,

and that history will come alive for them,” Hall said.

The school system, city and Oberlin College worked together to arrange the visit by Black History 101 Mobile Museum founder and curator Khalid el-Hakim.

He’s spent 30 years seeking out hidden treasures at flea markets, antique shops and auctions. El-Hakim has found and exhibits relics that tie to slavery, the Jim Crow era and the civil rights movement as well as Black Americans’ contributions to science, religion, education and the arts.

They include documents signed by Rosa Parks, Malcolm X, Martin Luther

A Good Fit Is

IMPORTANT

King Jr., Booker T. Washington, Frederick Douglass and other important figures.

El-Hakim has received international attention for making Black history accessible outside of traditional museum spaces.

A Michigan resident, he taught middle school social studies in Detroit for 15 years. He also worked for more than two decades in the hip hop industry as a manager and booking agent for artists such as The Last Poets, Proof of D12, Jessica Care Moore and Professor Griff of Public Enemy.

In 2020, he founded the MUSEUM PAGE B2

Especially When It Comes to Your Hearing

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Proudly serving Lorain County since 2001!

SUBMIT YOUR NEWS TO: NEWS@LCNEWSPAPERS.COM

Page B2

State experts urge Ohioans to get updated boosters COLUMBUS — Ohioans should give themselves the maximum protection against COVID-19 by staying up to date with vaccinations, including booster shots, according to two prominent state officials.

Much of the nation is now seeing a rise in a new, highly contagious variant known as XBB.1.5, according to Dr. Bruce Vanderhoff, director of the Ohio Department of Health and Ursel McElroy, director of the Ohio Department of Aging.

COVID case counts, hospitalizations and deaths have

Thursday, Jan. 26, 2023

Lorain County Community Guide

not peaked as high as in the past two winters, Vanderhoff said. Yet about 2,500 Americans and 90 Ohioans are dying each week.

He warned that those who are 65 and older — as well as those who are immunocompromised or have certain chronic conditions — are at greater risk for serious illness or death if they have not received the updated booster, which targets the more recent Omicron subvariants.

Data shows 79 percent of Ohioans who have died of COVID have been 65 and

older, according to the health department. While 86.9 percent of that population is fully vaccinated — some 1.77 million people — only 38 percent have the maximum protection of an updated booster.

That means more than 1.2 million older Ohioans are unvaccinated or not up to date with the booster that was made available in September.

“Based on the numbers, we have not given ourselves every advantage that we could,” Vanderhoff said.

“Many of these deaths are, sadly, preventable.”

Vaccines deliver strong cellular immunity crucial to fighting off COVID-19, but Vanderhoff said even that immunity can wane over time.

The updated COVID-19 vaccine can provide a oost to that immunity, he said.

“At the start of each new year, many of us resolve to take steps to improve our health, so I hope that more Ohioans will consider getting vaccinated or boosted,” Vanderhoff said.

Find locations offering shots at gettheshot.coronavirus.ohio.gov.

CHASE

FROM B1 menacing.

Both cases will play out in Ashland Municipal Court.

Sims said it’s likely there will be additional traffic charges.

There was no indication that drugs or alcohol helped fuel the incident, he said.

Ashland County deputies recovered the 9mm handgun from Phillips’ vehicle. Sims said it was loaded, but hadn’t been fired.

“We’re just happy no one was hurt in the incident,” he said.

If you are ever involved in a roadway altercation, Sims said his advice is to let it go and continue on your way instead of fighting back.

“You never know who you’re dealing with out there,” he said.

PROPERTY TAXES FROM B1 Homeowners in Avon Lake (Avon Lake School District) will pay an additional $4.15 per $100,000 of value on their homes.

The next two highest increases are a tie: An extra $1.51 per $100,000 home value for voters in the Oberlin City Schools living in Oberlin and New Russia Township.

Among decreases, voters/property owners in the Clearview school district will benefit from the expiration of an emergency levy, to the tune of $83.09 to $83.16 per $100,000 value of a home.

Huntington Township and Wellington village residents in the Black River School District will save $23.55 per $100,000 value of a home on their tax bills, while residents of the Columbia School District $17.39 per $100,000 value if they live in Columbia Township or $15.88 per $100,000 value if they live in Eaton Township.

A copy of the presentation Snodgrass gave on Friday can be found on his website, www.loraincounty. com/auditor.

County Treasurer Dan Talarek's office started mailing annual tax bills the second week of January, and payments are due by Feb. 10.

Questions about tax bills may

be directed to the auditor's office through its website, by sending an email to auditor@loraincounty.com or by calling (440) 329-5207.

Other facts • Lorain County collected a record amount in conveyance fees in 2022: More than $7.4 million resulting from nearly 7,900 valid property transactions between willing parties.

For every $1,000 of the value of a property sold or transferred, Lorain County collects $4. One dollar out of that $4 is a statewide, mandatory tax, and the county is allowed to increase the fee by another $3. Snodgrass said that additional $3 fee has been on the books in Lorain County ever since he could remember.

The 2022 total outstripped conveyance fee collections in 2021, when Snodgrass collected a then-record $7.3 million from 8,900 valid sales.

The discrepancy in sales numbers was made up by higher sale prices, Snodgrass said. The record was broken even after sales tapered off in the final four to five months of 2022, he said.

In 2020, Snodgrass collected $6.2 million in conveyance fees. Higher collections typically indicate a motivation and desire to live in Lorain

County, he said at the time.

• A total of 17,540 parcels of land, or nearly 10 percent of the 170,000 total parcels in Lorain County, changed hands in 2022, Snodgrass said.

• There were more property transactions in the city of Lorain than anywhere else in the county in December 2022, Chief Appraiser Fred Westbrook said. Elyria and Lorain, the county's two largest cities, tend to be the largest drivers of those numbers, he said.

• Home appraisal values are frozen until 2024, when a reappraisal update will go into effect Jan. 1 that year.

If a house was worth $100,000 in 2022, it will be worth $100,000 in 2023 barring new construction, remodeling, demolition work or a successful Board of Revision appeal.

Past history Property tax bills increased in 62 of 70 districts in 2022.

All but one tax district saw increases in property taxes in 2021.

Most Lorain County taxpayers saw modest reductions in their property tax bills in 2020 after several levies expired and housing stock grew in 2019.

SUPER BOWL ACROSS 1. COVID tester 5. Pep rally syllable 8. To overlay with thin gold coating 12. Sky bear 13. Abundant 14. Worrier’s worry?

15. Fishing spot 16. Blackhearted 17. Full of coral 18. *2023 Super Bowl stadium sponsor 20. Research facil.

21. Egg cell 22. King Charles to Prince Harry 23. Thief’s target 26. *2023 Super Bowl Halftime Show star 30. Mozart’s “L’____ del Cairo” 31. Bob Marley’s music 34. Yarn spinner 35. “The Poky Little ____” 37. Skedaddle 38. 18-wheelers 39. “Guilty,” e.g.

40. Fabric inset 42. One of the sibs 43. *Super Bowl advertiser’s purchase 45. Anatolian language 47. Decay 48. “There it is,” à Paris 50. “Hold on!”

52. *Home of the Ravens, for both Super Bowl appearances 56. Cuckoo for these puffs!

57. Curved molding 58. Medicinal plant 59. Court orders, e.g.

60. Sonny & Cher and Abbott &Costello 61. Talk like a drunk 62. Actor Danson and character Lasso 63. “Owner of a Lonely Heart” band 64. *Star of the most-watched Super Bowl Halftime Show DOWN 1. Paddleboarding acronym 2. Court order 3. Between ports 4. Hungarian composer Bela

Khalid el-Hakim shows documents from the Black History 101 Mobile Museum’s collection.

MUSEUM FROM B1

Michigan Hip Hop Archive on the campus of Western Michigan University.

Hip hop “challenges mainstream sensibilities,” elHakim told the Columbia Metro Club in a 2020 lecture that can now be found online. “It connects communities globally across racial, social, economic, religious and political lines. It speaks truth to power by giving voice to the voiceless.”

From 3:30-5 p.m. on Monday, March 6, the mobile museum will be open to the public. Residents can view up to 300 artifacts.

Students will also be able to explore the museum offerings on Tuesday, March 7.

The school district credits the Lorain County Community Foundation JB Thomas Fund and retired orchestra teacher Harriet Thomas as key players in making the exhibition possible.

Shackles and other slavery-era relics are part of the mobile museum’s collection.

______ 5. *Either one of the opposing Super Bowl teams 6. Flambé 7. Position of leadership 8. *2023 Super Bowl AZ location 9. Frosts, as a cake 10. Hit the road 11. Like certain humor 13. Disprove 14. Dickens’s Heep 19. Each and all 22. One of a set of dice 23. Father, colloquially 24. Round openings 25. Pickled garnish 26. *Last year’s Super Bowl winners 27. Nimbus, pl.

28. Nigerian money 29. Torcher’s crime

32. Elmer’s, e.g.

33. Found at the pump 36. *Team with most Super Bowl appearances 38. Signing tool at the cash register 40. Greenwich-related acronym 41. Superior ones 44. Itsy-bitsy bits 46. Patterned table linen 48. Lacking clarity 49. Bread spreads 50. Donned 51. As opposed to base in chemistry 52. Snatchers’ quest 53. Cantina pot 54. *Overwhelming Super Bowl defeat 55. Fear-inspiring 56. 100 lbs.

SOLUTION CAN BE FOUND ON PAGE A2

SOLUTION CAN BE FOUND ON PAGE A2

Thursday, Jan. 26, 2023

Lorain County Community Guide

County replaces lost revenue with $11.2M in ARPA funds DAVE O’BRIEN THE CHRONICLE-TELEGRAM

ELYRIA — Shoring up the county's general fund after losses during the COVID-19 pandemic and putting a developmental disability services levy back on the ballot in 2023 were among the financial matters on the agenda of the Lorain County Board of Commissioners last week.

The board voted to spend more than $11.2 million worth of its remaining federal American Rescue Plan Act funds to replace revenue lost by the county general fund due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The vote was unanimous in support of the measure, which will recover what was lost "due to budget shortfalls due to decreased revenues as a result of the COVID pandemic," according to the board's agenda.

The board passed a similar measure in July, spending $8.7 million in ARPA funds to replace revenue lost in 2020 ($2.2 million) and 2021 ($6.5 million).

Rules allow ARPA funds to be used in this way. County government received slightly more than $60 million in ARPA funds from the federal government.

Commissioner David Moore said there was $21 million left unencumbered prior to last week’s meeting. The county has until the end of 2024 to vote to spend the money, and it all must be spent by the end of 2026 or else it returns to the federal government.

The vote leaves about $10 million left unspent, Moore said. The board has previously given out grants to nonprofits or businesses adversely affected by the

pandemic, used it to purchase equipment and gave some to the Lorain County Fair Board for renovations and new construction at the fairgrounds in Wellington.

The board also unanimously approved placing a five-year, 1.6875-mill renewal levy for the Lorain County Board of Developmental Disabilities/the Murray Ridge Center on the May 2 primary ballot.

The levy has yet to be placed on the official issues list at the Lorain County Board of Elections. The exact amount it would cost the owner of a $100,000 home wasn't said, but as a renewal it will not raise taxes.

Dr. Amber Fisher, superintendent of the Board of Developmental Disabilities and the Murray Ridge Center, told commissioners her agency serves more than 3,000 Lorain County residents from infants to adults, and funding from levy represents 35 percent of its annual budget.

The program has grown over the years, to include preschool, in-home and adult residential services, and includes the Murray Ridge School, where children with significant intellectual and physical disabilities get care and education, Fisher said.

The agency also partners with private providers and uses federal Medicaid funding to provide services. It also helps organize Special Olympics events.

Local funding is needed to match the federal funding, and "the levy we are seeking to renew represents more than 35 percent of our funding," Fisher said.

"We have a dedicated and missiondriven group of hundreds of employees" who know the importance of "effective stewardship of public funds," she said.

Alumni ball games back on in Oberlin

The Oberlin High School alumni basketball games have been rescheduled for Saturday, Feb. 18. The women’s game will start at 1 p.m. and the men’s game will be at 2:30 p.m., both in the high school gymnasium.

An alumni association table will be set up in the lobby with information about upcoming events to help graduates reconnect.

The games were originally scheduled to happen in December, but were canceled when 2022 graduate and former Phoenix basketball player Marcus Harrell was shot in Elyria.

Melissa Linebrink, a spokeswoman for the Oberlin City Schools, said it didn’t feel right to bring alumni onto the court immediately after the shooting, especially since many of those playing would have been Harrell’s friends and old teammates.

Fair takes home communication awards

The Lorain County Fair was awarded first place in the website category at the Ohio Fair Managers Association annual communication awards breakfast on Jan. 15.

It also won second place for its use of social media.

Calhoun was Oberlin Rotary Club’s Senior of November 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. The Oberlin Rotary Club will donate $25 to a charity or project of the student’s choosing in their name.

SARAH COLSON OBERLIN HIGH SCHOOL

Zenobia Calhoun was the Oberlin High School senior honored for the month of November.

She has been active with the OHS Drama Club, starting in her first year when she was cast in “Amateurs” and also served a year as club secretary. Calhoun is now trying her hand at directing in “Check, Please!” which will be performed Jan. 2022 at Oberlin High.

Calhoun said directing a play has been a great experience. She has loved working with actors, discussing their roles and helping them improve. She has also loved the process of seeing a show through from casting to performance and making all the creative decisions as part of that process.

Calhoun has also been a member of the OHS orchestra for four years, now leading the viola section. In October, she was part of the OHS string quartet for the national tour of “Beatles vs. Stones: A Musical Showdown.” Calhoun said it was exciting to be part of a professional music production.

Outside of school, Calhoun volunteers at the Oberlin Heritage Center. She has researched extreme weather events in Oberlin and documented the establishment of new businesses. She finds this work very rewarding because it connects the past with the future.

She has also studied piano with Katie Cross at the Community Music School for 10 years. Another of Calhoun’s passions is photography. She received her first camera for her 16th birthday and has studied photography at the Putney School for the Arts summer camp in Vermont. Calhoun said she loves portraying the world as she sees

it through her eyes. In her portraits, she shows her subjects as she sees them and enjoys the reaction from her subjects. In her nature portraits, she looks for patterns in water, fire and leaves and attempts Zenobia to capture these for just Calhoun a brief moment in time.

Calhoun has been a member of the Interact Club, sponsored

by Oberlin Rotary, throughout her OHS career and serves as its president. She has been involved with the club’s BackPack Program, which provides supplemental weekend food for elementary school students.

In both her junior and senior years, Calhoun led the Young Ancestors Memorial Program at the high school, which honors graduates who died much too young. Last spring, she helped plan and host a service to place new stones in the memorial, providing opening and closing remarks and putting together a quartet of OHS orchestra students to play for the ceremony.

Calhoun said talking to the families of those being honored and seeing how much the ceremony meant to them was very meaningful for her.

Calhoun has been accepted as a Rotary Future Outbound Student to study and live outside of the United States next fall.

As an International Baccalaureate Spanish student, she is hoping to be placed in a Spanish-speaking country to improve her fluency.

Following that year, she plans to attend college to major in psychology or neuroscience. Her interest is research focusing on the brain and human behavior.

Page B3

Commissioners change weekly meeting agenda DAVE O’BRIEN THE CHRONICLE-TELEGRAM

ELYRIA — Two of the three Republicans on the Lorain County Board of Commissioners are promising greater transparency in county government and their weekly — possibly soon to be biweekly — meetings, they said last week.

Newly elected Commissioner Jeff Riddell said the board is required by law to meet at least 50 times a year. Though for now the board is sticking with one regularly scheduled meeting each week at 9:30 a.m. on Wednesdays, it is playing with the idea of meeting twice per week.

The new meeting schedule would be Tuesdays and Thursdays "to put items up for public inspection and comment," he said. He proposed a trial period of 60 or 90 days for commissioners to elicit "if there's an appreciation for this."

Riddell said he believed this might invite more public comment and participation in county commission meetings, which are sparsely attended as they take place midweek at the start of the work day.

"We're trying to get the public engaged," Commissioner David Moore said. "We'd like to see evening meetings.

Maybe this will get the public in."

Evening meetings were tried unsuccessfully by the board during the first quarter of 2021 just after Moore and Commissioner Michelle Hung were elected in 2020, and members quickly reverted to their once-per-week Wednesday morning meetings.

The board unanimously approved making the first and third Tuesdays of each month their regular meeting times for specially scheduled public hearings on ditch repairs, annexation petitions, Community Development Block Grant hearings and other matters not typically heard during their regular weekly meetings.

The public saw for the first time last week how the board's agenda might change under Moore, the elected board president for 2023.

Moore called the weekly agenda "a living document" that will change with time as he and the other commissioners figure out what works and what doesn't.

"I'm excited about this because it's new and I'm trying to make it more transparent" to conduct county business, Moore said.

First, the additions: Commissioners added a second public comment section to their agenda. The public is now invited to go before the board and individuals have three minutes to speak on matters on the agenda.

Once the day's agenda is complete, there is a second public comment section to discuss what was done that day.

Moore said that Avon Lake City Council has two public comment sections on its meeting agendas: One at the start and one at the conclusion of business.

Moore also had staff put the weekly spending list, including requisitions, appropriations, transfers, bills and investments up on a screen in the board's meeting room and had the screen simulcast on the board's YouTube channel, where members of the public can watch meetings from their computers.

This allowed for items, like the Lorain County engineer's purchase of $468,468

worth of road salt from Cargill Inc. for winter 2022-2023, to be seen publicly by those without a paper copy of the weekly requisitions in their hands.

"What we're trying to do is show the public what we're voting on," Moore said, "to see amounts, dollars, who we're dealing with."

One item left off last week’s agenda was the assistant prosecutor/board legal counsel's report.

Moore said he asked Assistant Lorain County Prosecutor Dan Petticord, the board's legal counsel, if he minded not having a section of the agenda for his report. Moore said, and Petticord confirmed, that the attorney was comfortable with that change.

A section of the agenda for the county administrator's report also was left off the new agenda.

Moore said he sat County Administrator J.R. White, Deputy County Administrator Karen Perkins and county Budget Director KC Saunders at the front of the room during last week’s meeting with a microphone "so we can discuss what's going on, so we can discuss business in the public arena."

Finally, there were no "commissioner's reports" at the end of the meeting. This was used by previous boards to discuss upcoming or past events, to send out congratulations to members of the public Critics including Moore have said the reports were nothing more than backslapping self-promotion, politics and campaigning.

"I've done it three or four times," he admitted, asking: "Is there really a proper format?

Or should I have a press conference?"

The board sometimes goes into closed executive session to discuss items under Ohio's Sunshine Law — which allows for things like personnel matters, ongoing or pending lawsuits involving the county and real estate matters to be discussed behind closed doors.

If such matters come to a vote, that has to be held in public.

Moore, who has said he is not a fan of hours-long marathon executive sessions, said the executive session will be needed, "but not right now."

"With the litigation we have, I'm sure we'll have to have them," he said.

Many employment matters also can be handled primarily by the county administrator, Moore said.

He promised "more and more changes coming" as the new board has more public discussions about how to conduct its business.

Hung objected to the way some of the changes to the agenda were made. In a text to a Chronicle-Telegram reporter, she wrote that changes were made by Moore and Riddell without her input.

"At no time was my opinion on the matter requested. This does not come as a surprise to me as I have been critical in late 2022, notably for Moore's promise to the nonprofit community that once the ARPA dollars were distributed to the county, and Moore challenged Marcy Kaptur to send the money, he still continued to vote 'present,'" she wrote.

"There has been no explanation offered as to how the elimination of reports from commissioners is going to improve either the efficiency or the effectiveness of the governmental process," Hung wrote.

Help the Eco League collect nonperishables The Eco League at Marion L. Steele High School in Amherst will run a food drive throughout February with the goal of collecting 3,000 nonperishable items.

Residents can help by donating items at participating Main Street Amherst member businesses. At the end of February, donations will be taken to Second Harvest Food Bank. Requested items include infant formula, whole grain pasta, brown rice, canned chicken, applesauce, granola bars, canned good and juice.

85 SOUTH MAIN STREET OBERLIN OHIO 44074 JANUARY 26, 2023 BOARD AND COMMISSION MEETING DATES ALL MEETINGS WILL BE Live Streamed @ http://oberlinoh.swagit.com/live JANUARY 31, 2023 ... CITY COUNCIL RETREAT – 5:00 P.M. - 36 S. PROSPECT ST. PURPOSE: To Discuss Goals and Priorities for 2023 FEBRUARY 1, 2023 ... PLANNING COMMISSION – 4:30 P.M. - 36 S. PROSPECT ST. NOTICE: DISABLED MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY WHO MAY NEED ASSISTANCE, PLEASE CALL 775-7203 OR E-MAIL: banderson@cityofoberlin.com NOTICE REQUIRED: TWO (2) WORKING DAYS IN ADVANCE OF MEETING (48 HOURS) CLERK OF COUNCIL’S OFFICE.

Page B4

Lorain County Community Guide

SPORTS

Thursday, Jan. 26, 2023

Send sports news to news@lcnewspapers.com. Deadline for all submissions is 10 a.m. each Tuesday. Printed as space is available.

Raiders flex their muscles

Photos by Jeff Barnes | Community Guide

Columbia clinched a share of the Lorain County League title last Thursday in a quad meet with Wellington, Black River and Firelands at Wellington High School. The Raiders opened with a 58-24 win over the Pirates before taking down the Dukes 78-0.

▲ Fred Goebel of Columbia and Ethan Osenbaugh of Wellington wrestle in the 285-pound weight class. ◄ Nicholas Oleksiak of Columbia and Alysa McCain of Wellington wrestle in the 126-pound weight class. ▼ Will Shearer of Black River and Kameron Williams of Firelands wrestle in the 144-pound weight class.

High school athletes to honor veterans and active military Veterans and active military members will be honored Friday and Saturday at student sporting events across the state.

The Ohio High School Athletic Association will hold Military Appreciation Night during athletic contests at its member schools, including those in Lorain County.

“This initiative to show support for our military encompasses the entire school and community,” said Doug Ute, OHSAA executive director. “Many of our schools do this type of special recognition event already to thank our active and veteran military members and the OHSAA supports and encourages those ceremonies. Education-based athletics help develop the next generation of leaders, and our student-athletes will benefit from being a part of this program and thanking those who serve and protect our country.”

High schools around Ohio can participate by granting active and veteran military members free entry to its athletic contests, designating military members as honorary captains and honoring them with public address announcements and cheer, dance and band performances.

The OHSAA said student groups and sections can also play a role with creative themes that show pride in military members.

CIURA CELEBRATES FOUR GOALS

Thomas Fetcenko | Amherst News-Times

Amherst's Nick Ciura takes the puck down the ice while guarded by Olmsted Falls’ Cole Sigan on Sunday.

He scored the first four goals in the Comets’ 5-1 blowout, with Justus Owens adding an insurance goal in the third period. Both teams took 32 shots on goal, by Amherst tender Maguire Mihalek held up best with 31 saves.

Thursday, Jan. 26, 2023

Lorain County Community Guide

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SOLAK AND NORRIS ENSURE A COMETS WIN

Photos by Russ Gifford | Amherst News-Times

Eki Solak put 19 points on the board for the Comets and Cole Norris added 17 more as Amherst cruised to a 75-63 nonconference win over neighboring Firelands. The Falcons held a tenuous 3-point lead going into the second period, but that’s when the Comets offense stepped up, going 21-10 and 23-14 over the next two quarters. The Falcons rallied in the final frame but came up far short. Jim Aunspaw led the Falcons with 16 points, Niko Gotsis contributed 12 and Chris Radman had 11. ABOVE LEFT: Firelands' Christopher Radman splits Amherst's Trent Odelli and Cameron Gendics. ABOVE RIGHT: Amherst's Ryan Yoder knocks the ball away from Firelands' Devin Linn.

RAIDERS TOAST TO CHAMPAGNE

Photos by Russ Gifford | Wellington Enterprise

Trailing by 3 going into the fourth quarter on Saturday, the Dukes stumbled and gave up a 39-31 final to Lorain County League foe Columbia. Wellington was led by Brooke Lehmkuhl with 9 points. The Raiders’ Elise Champagne had a game high 18. ABOVE LEFT: Wellington’s Phylicia Lundy battles for a rebound. ABOVE RIGHT: Wellington's Brooke Lehmkuhl drives to the basket.

STEEN SAVES THE DAY

Photos by Russ Gifford | Community Guide

Kevyn Steen waited until the last shot of the game to get his name on the scoreboard. His 2 points made all the difference, giving Oberlin a 52-50 overtime win over Lorain County League rival Wellington. The Dukes’ Sean Whitehouse led all players with 30 points, including four baskets from beyond the arc. But he was the only one wearing maroon and white to cross the double-digit threshold — meanwhile, the Phoenix had Isaac Thomas, who put up 17 inside, while Marcus Perry and Chris Walker each notched 10. ABOVE LEFT: Wellington's Sean Whitehouse runs a fast break. ABOVE RIGHT: The Phoenix rush the floor to mob Kevyn Steen after he hits the buzzer beater.

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Thursday, Jan. 26, 2023

Lorain County Community Guide

© 2023 by Vicki Whiting, Editor Jeff Schinkel, Graphics Vol. 39, No. 8

One event makes something else happen.

That’s cause and effect!

News articles tell about the cause and the effect of things that happen. News articles report on something that happened and explain why. The headline tells what happened—or the effect.

The article gives more details

Read this silly article to answer these questions.

WHAT happened? This is the EFFECT.

and tells why it happened—or the cause. A good headline sparks your curiosity and makes you want to read the article to learn more.

My cousin told me a funny joke.

BLAZETON – K surprise in the peoarly Kindling sparked basketball game b ple watching last night’s Scorchers and the etween the Southside Flaming Torch HigEastside Embers at h School.

How many differences can you find “I ate a burrito just before the game,” said between Karly. “I overdid it w it h th e hot sauce I these two added. The burr dragons? be a bit upse ito caused my stomach to t when I star

WHY did it happen? This is the CAUSE.

Think about something that happened at your school this week. What was the CAUSE and EFFECT? CAUSE:

EFFECT:

Scrambled Story

Work with a family members to draw lines to connect each CAUSE with its EFFECT.

ted the game.”

The burrito cause in the belly of the d stomach gas to form Eastside Embers. star forward for the ball from a teammJust as she caught the ate, she burped.

The burp caused a out of her mouth, burst of flame to shoot burning the basket to a crisp. ball

“Karly took it wel and got right back l. She took a big breath three-pointer with in the game, shooting a later,” said coach a new ball moments Coalsworth.

“But from now on players will be stic,” said Coalsworth, “our and ice water befo king with orange slices re a game!”

I was late for school.

I left my popsicle in the sun.

Birds splashed and chirped happily.

I had a bad dream.

I missed the bus.

I got an A! I read a spooky story last night.

I laughed and told it to my friends.

Look at the pictures below. They tell a silly story of cause and effect. But they are out of order. Number the pictures to show the correct order.

Before and After

The cause of something happens before the effect. Look at a photograph in the newspaper. Try to imagine what happened before the picture was taken.

Why do you think that?

Standards Link: Identify cause and effect using visual cues.

Dragon Doubles

Only two of these dragons are exactly alike. Can you find them?

BASKETBALL BURP CAUSE J C A U S E J G K O DETAILS X L D E T A I L S R DRAGON I W A T E R E K S D EFFECT S R E B M E F N E E EMBERS H A P P E N F I M R FLAMES HAPPEN K Y S Q J F E H A S NEWS J H D A E R C T L W ORDER S W B U R P T X F E READ Z L H N O G A R D N THINK B A S K E T B A L L WATER Standards Link: Letter sequencing. Recognize identical WHY words. Skim and scan reading. Recall spelling patterns.

News Cause and Effect

Standards Link: Language Arts: Summarize main ideas in writing.

I studied each night before the big test.

It melted.

This week’s word:

SCOOP

The noun scoop means being the first to publish information that is of high interest and importance.

Carol got the scoop about the new stadium before all the other sports reporters.

Try to use the word scoop in a sentence today when talking with your friends and family members.

What’s your scoop?

ANSWER: Trying to blow out the candles on the cake!

Select an article in the newspaper. After reading the article carefully, write a summary of the effect or what happened. Then write the cause or why it happened.

I filled the bird bath with fresh water.

Write a sentence or short paragraph that tells the who, what, when and where of some news happening in your school.