Page B2
Thursday, May 2, 2019
Amherst News-Times
LETTER Flynn has best interest for Amherst at heart To the editor: My wife and I have known Andy and his parents, Kathy and Glenn, since he was in St. Joseph grade school with our sons, some 20plus years now. Throughout this time, we have witnessed Andy develop into a professional, determined, and caring adult. Andy’s education at St. Joe's, where his mother still works, has instilled in him a backbone of dedication, integrity, and will to serve others. He takes on commitments diligently, and has a strong work ethic, as evident from his attendance at more than 30 city government and community organization meetings since announcing his candidacy. Additionally, Andy continues to meet with residents to learn about what issues are most important to the people of our community – not afraid to put on his boots and tour the flooded back yards of properties with severe drainage issues. We have always known Andy to serve others before himself, so it is no surprise that he has led a positive campaign of action in service to others, the pinnacle of which is his offering assistance to relocate a sentimental rose bush for a resident whose property will be affected by upcoming roadwork. Andy underwent this by contacting a friend who is a green thumb and member of the Amherst Garden Club to evaluate the condition of the bush, so they can transplant it at just the right time for the plant to live and thrive in its safe new home. Andy truly takes the concerns of neighbors seriously and with heart. Andy Flynn has shown that he is committed to learn as much as he can to prepare himself to be an outstanding advocate for our ward and all of Amherst. He has demonstrated an infectious drive and passion to bring positive ideas and decision making toward the betterment of our community. We fully support Andy Flynn as Amherst’s next fourth ward councilperson and ask that you please cast your vote with us for Andy (Andrew) Flynn on Tuesday, May 7. Darrell McCarty
Amherst Pat Catan's to be spared maker." The Michaels Companies purchased the craft store chain from Strongsville-based Lamrite West in 2016. In late January, following a period of underperforming sales, the company said it would shutter all 36 stores bearing the Pat Catan's name across Ohio, Pennsylvania, Michigan, and West Virginia. It promised to keep a dozen open but did not release a list. “This was not an easy decision and I am grateful for the contributions of our Pat Catan’s team members," said CEO Chuck Rubin. "As we work through the closing process, we intend to provide employment opportunities or transition support for all team members.” The company expects to spend between $44 million and $48 million in the process.
JASON HAWK EDITOR
Relax — there are no "going out of business" signs in the windows of Pat Catan's on Cooper Foster Park Road. It's true the store will close sometime later this year. But it is one of the few locations that will survive the brand's demise and get a second chance under the Michael's banner. "I can confirm that after a comprehensive review, we have identified the Amherst location as one of the 12 Pat Catan's locations that we intend to rebrand and reopen as new Michaels stores later this summer," said public relations manager Mallory Smith. "We look forward to reopening and inspiring the Amherst community to unleash their inner
UNDEFEATED Courtesy photo
Young Firelands wrestler Emily Shupe took first place March 17 at the girls state championship, ending the season with an outstanding 29-0 record.
Young request denied
Limited driving privileges will not be restored at this time for Adrianna Young, the Oberlin woman convicted of killing Debra Majkut of Amherst Township in 2015. She was granted judicial release in January 2018 after serving about eight months of her four-and-a-halfyear sentence for aggravated vehicular homicide and assault. But recently Young had asked to be allowed to drive to and from work and to attend counseling meetings. It was a bold request considering both the nature of the conviction and judge James Miraldi's previous indication that she would never legally be allowed behind the wheel again. That stance was upheld in an April 22 ruling against restoring driving privileges.
Vote for Main Street
Main Street Amherst is in the top 25 communities across the country that could win the America's Main Street Contest. Director Teresa Gilles is asking for local folks to continue to vote for the Amherst nonprofit. You can vote every 24 hours, 25 times from the same IP address. For example, you can vote 25 times from your home and then 25 times more from work in the same day. Cast your ballot at www.mainstreetcontest.com/profile/21.
SILHOUETTES
FROM B1
Biennial Steele HS Gallery of Success nominations are open The Amherst Alumni Association and Steele High School student council are accepting nominations for the 2019 Amherst Schools Distinguished Alumni Gallery of Success. It recognizes graduates whose exceptional achievements have added to the eminent reputation of the Amherst school district. Inductions are made solely on merit. Honorees will be chosen by a committee comprised of student council members. To make a nomination, submit the alumnus name, current address, year of graduation, age, occupation, biographical information, and a listing of distinguished honors including community service. All nominations must also include the nominator's name, address, and phone number. Mail entries to Marion L. Steele High School, c/o Gallery of Success, 450 Washington St., Amherst, OH 44001. Nominations may also be mailed to gallery@ amherstk12.org in PDF format only. The deadline for consideration is Friday, May 17. Honorees and those who submitted nominations will be notified no later than June 30. The Gallery of Success ceremony will take place Friday, Sept. 27 at Steele.
RISE
FROM B1 to get up and running in our county. Lloyd said it will have about 10 employees, including security on the premises during operating hours. In the first seven months, he expects to serve between 4,500 and 5,500 customers. While he couldn't say when opening day will be, it's close. Hours will be 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. To get into the building, visitors will have to be buzzed in. To access the waiting room, they'll have to show both a valid Ohio identification card and their state-issued medical marijuana card. Once inside, pharmacists will be on hand to talk about what products are available, safety, and physician recommendations. Purchases will be made in another room, where only six customers will be allowed at a time. They'll be able to sniff samples before deciding while product will be retrieved from the former bank's repurposed vault. Rise is owned by Green Thumb Industries, or GTI, which manufactures a number of branded cannabis products including flower, concentrates, edibles, and topicals. Customers will not be able to buy marijuana in cigarette form, which remains illegal under Ohio law.
Photos by Jason Hawk | Amherst News-Times
Kelsey Traut, Bailey Smith, Cameron Dumais, and Liah Miller show some of the studentmade art made to get across a message about the dangers of opioids. Easels of student-made posters made another exhibit. Many featured fire-breathing lizards and messages such as "Heroin is a monster. Don't let it turn you into one." "Chasing the dragon" is a slang term of Chinese origin. It describes the never-ending pursuit of the next high from opium, heroin, morphine, oxycodone, and other drugs. "The dragon is going to get you one day if you're chasing it," said health student Bailey Smith, who drew a stunning image of a beast emerging from a pill bottle. Movies depict dragons as powerful villains, which inspired Cameron Dumais to draw one surrounded by phrases like "Heroin steals lives" and "Say no, love yourself." "Those are all saying you're going to kill yourself by putting yourself in a bad situation," she said. "The dragon is going to steal your life." Kelsey Traut and Liah Miller encountered a situation far less fantastical — while enjoying a sunset at Lakeview Park, they snapped a photo of a pill bottle discovered in the sand. "We were just hanging out and couldn't believe that the bottle was right there. The problem with drugs is so broad, it seems like it's everywhere you look," said Traut.
Silhouettes pay respect to former Amherst graduates who lost their lives to overdoses. Names are kept confidential unless the family of the deceased wishes to share. Anyone in the community can borrow the memorial to display at community events or businesses by emailing kim_haney@ amherstk12.org.