Home values to take leap
Dave O’Brien
The Community Guide
Lorain County residential property values will rise an average of 31 percent this year after the 2024 sexennial reappraisal process, according to the county auditor.
The sexennial — every six years — reappraisal is a house-to-house, parcel-to-parcel effort to determine the value of 171,000 residential, agricultural, commercial and industrial parcels in the county.
State law requires every county parcel to be reappraised every six years.
County Auditor Craig Snodgrass said multiple factors, including the housing market and regional housing and land sales, affect property values.
That does not necessarily mean an equal increase in taxes, he said.
“That does not mean your taxes will go up 31 percent,” Snodgrass said. “It might be 10 percent, it might be 12 percent.
Some will be higher and some will be lower. We’re looking at conditions that may affect the value. Sales are the largest factor, but we look at other things as well.”
The reappraisal numbers can be found at auditor.loraincounty.com/auditor
He will then take his presentations and data on the road. Homeowners starting with those in Elyria, Elyria Township and North Ridgeville will get letters offering them the chance to register for an in-person explanation of their valuation. The letter will include instructions on how to register for a 15-minute appointment Aug. 5-8 at the Lorain County Community College University Partnership Ridge Campus, 32121 Lorain Road, North Ridgeville.
Anchor away
“And if they (homeowners) don’t believe it’s correct, it’s higher or lower, they can bring in any evidence they have of
The Community Guide
ELYRIA — Brady Cook was led out of a Lorain County Common Pleas courtroom Friday in handcuffs to begin serving a six-month sentence in the Lorain County Jail for sexually assaulting a 16-yearold girl at an after-prom party in May 2023.
The incident for which he was sentenced happened just two weeks before he graduated. It was at a party on Tail Feather Drive in North Ridgeville. Many there were drunk or high, according to court records.
The victim told police she woke up early on the morning of May 13, 2023, to pain in her genitals and she said she saw Cook nearby.
North Ridgeville police began an investigation.
Cook was charged in October with two counts of rape and one count of tampering with evidence. He pleaded not guilty and was released on bond.
In a plea agreement approved by the victim, the now 19-year-old North Ridgeville man and former Elyria Catholic High School quarterback pleaded guilty May 14, 2024, to felony charges of abduction with a sexual motivation, gross sexual imposition and tampering with evidence,. After his jail term ends, Cook must serve six months under house arrest, and will be on probation for five years.
Cook also is now a Tier II sex offender, requiring him to register his address with the sheriff’s office every 180 days for the next 25 years. Lorain County Common Pleas Judge Melissa Kobasher also ordered a substance abuse evaluation and said he is to have no
contact with the victim.
Assistant Lorain County Prosecutor Tina Kishman said the sentencing agreement was made with the approval of the victim.
In an emotional impact statement, the victim told Kobasher she was traumatized by questions and jokes at her expense in school. She said she felt taken advantage of, and can’t sleep.
“I hope that you get what you deserve, and that maybe me reading how broken I am will break you, too,” she told Cook.
Cook also read a brief statement in court.
“I’m extremely sorry for any pain and suffering that I’ve caused you and your family. I’m aware of how my careless actions have affected others and the ones that I love. I hope one day forgiveness can be granted because I am truly sorry for the horrible acts that I’ve done. I’m so sorry,” he said, addressing the victim by name.
Cook’s attorney filed a lawsuit in December on behalf of Brady Cook and his mother, Stephanie Cook, against Nathan and Jennifer Tarorick, the couple who hosted the after-prom party.
The lawsuit alleges that if the Taroricks hadn’t hosted an underage drinking party and “hadn’t gotten Brady drunk and wasted,” the crime would not have happened. Through their attorney, the Taroricks have denied the allegation.
BRUCE BISHOP / COMMUNITY GUIDE
OBITUARIES
Wilbur Lowell Kelsey
Wilbur Lowell Kelsey died Friday, July 12, 2024, at the age of 91, at his home surrounded by family. Born November 26, 1932, to the late Harold and Maxine (nee Skeeles) Kelsey. Wilbur was a lifelong Huntington resident.
He graduated with the Wellington High School Class of 1950. Wilbur was a farmer and hauled milk for over 30 years. An active member of the Huntington Historical Society for many years, Wilbur helped refurbish the schoolhouse.
Arline Ann Sklarek
Survivors include his children, Susan Spurlock, Ralph Kelsey, and David Kelsey; fourteen grandchildren; fifteen great-grandchildren; four great-great-grandchildren; and his sister, Barbara Falkner. Wilbur was preceded in death by his wife, Shirley; daughter, Deborah Prantee; and siblings, Edward Kelsey, Doris Siegfried, and Marilyn Brown.
Visitation will be held Tuesday, July 16, 2024 from 4 to 7 p.m. in Norton-Eastman Funeral Home, 370 S. Main St., Wellington where Funeral Services will be held Wednesday, July 17, 2024 at 11 a.m. Burial will follow in Huntington Cemetery.
Expressions of sympathy may be given at www.nortoneastmanfuneralhome.com
Christine Ann Schartman
Christine Ann Schartman, 82, of Penfield, passed away Thursday, July 11, 2024 at home, surrounded by her loving family.
Born July 28, 1941, in Cleveland, she was the daughter of the late Anna (nee Ondo) and Andrew Rusnak. Christine spent most of her youth in North Ridgeville and was a 1959 graduate of North Ridgeville High School.
Christine worked for a time in the Library at St. Peters High School before moving to Penfield when she began working for Strongsville Savings Bank. Strongsville Savings became Fifth Third and she worked in the bank for 30 years. Christine also served as a treasurer with Penfield Township. She was an active member of St. Patrick Catholic Parish and served on the finance committee. Christine enjoyed spending time outdoors, mowing the lawn, gardening both her vegetable garden and flower garden. She was a talented baker and cook and canned many things from her gardens. Christine also sewed and made clothes for the family as they grew. She always remembered everyone’s birthdays and anniversaries with a special card.
Survivors include her husband of nearly 64 years, John; children, John (Renee) Schartman, Edward (Lori) Schartman, and Audrey (Axel) Schaedler, of Olmsted Township; grandchildren, Courtney (Carlos) Bonilla, and Carli (Kaleb) Batman; great-grandchildren, Leo and Luca; a brother, Richard (Gara) Rusnak; sisters-in-law, Sharon, Janet, and Marie; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Christine was preceded in death by her father, Andrew, at a young age; her mother, Anna and father who raised her, Charles Frame; and brothers, Andrew, Robert, and Michael Rusnak.
A Celebration Of Life will be held Sunday, July 28, 2024 at Penfield Township Hall beginning at 1 p.m. In lieu of flowers the family asks those attending the Celebration to bring a flower from their garden to be placed in a large arrangement.
Expressions of sympathy may be shared online at www. norton-eastmanfuneralhome.com.
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Arline Ann Sklarek (nee: Duray), 88, and a resident of Amherst, passed away Thursday, July 11, 2024, at New Life Hospice Center in Lorain, following a full and meaningful life. Hempel Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.
Russell E. Eaton
Russell E. Eaton, of Wellington, passed away Friday, July 12, 2024 after 78 years. Russ was born in Ashland on March 1, 1946, to the late Weldon and Mary (nee Ferber) Eaton.
He was 1964 graduate of Wellington High School where he enjoyed football, basketball, and chasing girls. Russ spent most of his life working on his family farm. He also drove truck for Penske Truck Leasing and later in life an independent driver.
An avid race car fan and driver, Sundays with Russ were always reserved for NASCAR. He was a talented woodworker, creating furniture and spun artistic bowls. Russ liked square dancing in his younger days, enjoyed mechanics and above all loved being with his grandchildren.
He is survived by his wife of 39 years, Paulann (nee Turner) Eaton; children, Susan, Daniel (Tabitha), David (Angie) and Douglas (Bobbie Sue) Eaton; stepchildren, Cheryl Wetherbee, Christine (Tom) Herb, Jonathan (Sherri) Ward; twelve grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren with twin great-grandchildren on the way. Russ is also survived by siblings, Barbara Barlow, Rodney Eaton, Wayne Eaton, Beverly Raftery, Kathy Drennen, and Robert Eaton.
A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, August 3, 2024, at the American Legion Pavilion, Wellington, beginning at 1 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to American Legion, 518 S. Main St., Wellington, OH 44090 or Beyond the Walls Church, 101 Woodford Ave., Elyria, OH 44035.
Condolences for the Eaton family can be expressed at www.norton-eastmanfuneralhome.com
FUNDRAISERS
Wellington’s 41st annual Harvest of the Arts, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 15 at 101 Willard Memorial Square, Wellington. There will be fine and folk art juried vendors, a handmade quilt raffle and lunch available in our Friends Cafe. Free parking and admission. Proceeds benefit community programming at Herrick Memorial Library. For more info, call (440) 647-2120. Elyria Eagle Riders 431 annual poker run to benefit Lorain County Dog Kennel, 11 a.m. Aug. 2 at 1255 Lowell St., Elyria. Cash prizes for best and worst hand, 50/50 and other raffles, poker chip for first 100. Cost is $25 per rider and $20 per passenger; $5 discount with a donated kennel item. Food and live music are provided at the end of the run. Contact (440) 2197223 for more information. ions Club of North Ridgeville 30th annual 5K Run/Walk and Kids Fun Run, fun run starts 8:45 a.m.; 5K start 9 a.m. Aug. 10 at Ranger Stadium, 34600 Bainbridge Road, North Ridgeville. $30 registration until Aug. 9, then price increases. $10 for fun run. For more information or to register, go to northridgevillelions.org and navigate to events.
Mind over Miles 5K run and 1M walk, registration opens at 8 a.m., race starts at 9 a.m. Aug. 11 at Black River Landing, 421 Black River Lane, Lorain. Staging will be from a picnic pavilion in
the park, with use of restrooms adjacent to the Train Station and ample parking for participants and guests. The course will travel near the lake shore with a turnaround in Lakeview Park. Entrance fee is $25 until Aug. 10, which includes a T-shirt and postrace refreshments. To sign up, visit MindoverMiles, shorturl.at/ BxPI7. Sponsorships available at shorturl.at/LCqen.
Lorain Community Senior Center fourth annual Bob Jackson All Star Classic Car Show, noon-4 p.m. Aug. 18 at 3361 Garfield Blvd., Lorain. Donation is $10 per vehicle, Dash plaques, People’s Choice Awards, AMMY, 50/50 raffle, basket raffle, DJ, food, refreshments and door prizes. Rain date Sunday, Aug. 25. For more information, contact Lorain Community Senior Center at (440) 288-4040 or lorainseniorcenter@outlook. com. All proceeds benefit Lorain Community Senior Center.
LCCAA seeking sponsors for wine tasting event, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Sept. 19 at Sunset Terrace Lakeview Park, 1800 W. Erie Ave., Lorain. In addition to wines for tasting, visitors can learn more about LCCAA programs and enjoy great door prizes. Sponsorships available at a variety of levels with benefits including free tickets and more. Interested sponsors should contact executive assistant Barbara Nicholls at (440) 2043178 or bnicholls@lccaa.net.
Anchors aweigh for his treasure
Bruce Bishop and Carissa Woytach The Community Guide
SHEFFIELD TOWN-
SHIP — It is a lot easier to drop off a 9,300-pound anchor than it is to pick it back up again, a Sheffield Township homeowner said.
Gary McCombs got the anchor from the American Ship Building Co. in Lorain more than 20 years ago. The company closed its doors in the early 1980s.
Since then, it’s been a marker for every pizza delivery person to come to the McCombs’ home on Elyria Avenue.
But on Tuesday, it started its journey to its new home in Elyria in front of the Lorain County Veterans Service Commission.
McCombs donated the anchor in memory of his neighbor, Thomas Pataky, 74, who died in 2020.
Pataky was a graduate of Clearview High School and served in the U.S. Air Force.
“They asked and I thought it would be a better display over (at) their place,” McCombs said.
Volunteers from Gross Plumbing helped pick up the anchor from McCombs’ yard. It was the group’s second attempt at moving the thing, as an earlier attempt in April was thwarted by the concrete pad installed around it.
Lorain County Veterans Service Commission Executive Director Jacob Smith said safety concerns prompted the group to decide to break up the concrete before attempting to move the anchor.
The piece will be taken to Banks Manufacturing Co. in Grafton for sandblasting and fabrication — turning the humble ship’s anchor into a gold Navy Chief’s insignia.
“We want to get it, preserve it and dedicate it to the (Navy and Coast Guard) chiefs of Lorain County,” Smith said.
Veterans Commission service officer Ken Lane said the chiefs are considered the backbone of the Navy. Smith estimated it would be at the Veterans Service Commission office on Abbe Road in the fall.
HOME VALUES
From A1
reappraisal, recent sales or defects to the property that may affect the value.
“They can bring it in,” Snodgrass said.
“It’s not required, it’s a choice to come in or not.”
Other appointments will be offered in other sections of the county, all of whom will be informed ahead of time by letter:
n Amherst, Amherst and Brownhelm townships, Lorain, Vermilion: Aug. 12-15, Heritage Presbyterian Church, 515 N. Leavitt Road, Amherst;
n Commercial and industrial properties countywide: Aug. 19-22, Lorain County Auditor’s Office, second floor, County Administration Building, 226 Middle Ave., Elyria; n Brighton, Camden, Carlisle, Columbia, and Eaton townships; South Amherst, Kipton, Grafton, Grafton Township, Henrietta Township, Huntington Township, LaGrange, LaGrange Township, Penfield Township, Pittsfield Township, Rochester, Rochester Township, New Russia Township, Oberlin,
Wellington, Wellington Township: Aug. 26-29, The Lodge of New Russia Township, 46300 Butternut Ridge Road, New Russia Township; n Avon, Avon Lake, Sheffield Lake, Sheffield, Sheffield Township: Sept. 9-12, Joyce E. Hanks Community Center, 4575 E. Lake Road, Sheffield Lake.
Some rural and agricultural property values will go up then be adjusted down due to the Current Agricultural Use Valuation program, or CAUV program, Snodgrass said.
“A lot of farms are being sold, people are developing (those properties), which has really affected the valuation of the rural lands.
“However with the benefit of the CAUV program, many of those properties will get reduced down ... But from a valuation perspective we’re seeing a large jump due to sales.” Another factor is that there are six school levies on the November ballot in Lorain, Avon Lake and Columbia Township to be decided by voters.
Kelsey
Schartman
Eaton
Amherst awaits ruling on Rt. 2
Dave O’Brien
The Community Guide
Amherst Mayor Mark Costilow said Tuesday that the city still has not heard anything about the lawsuit Amherst filed against the Ohio Department of Transportation for the maintenance of state Route 2.
That means it’s still unclear if ODOT will continue to maintain the state highway that runs through Amherst.
The city sued to uphold a 1963 agreement in which Amherst pays $2,000 per year for ODOT to maintain the approximately four miles of Route 2 within Amherst city limits.
The state wants the agreement renegotiated and gave Amherst a July 1 deadline to do it.
The matter also is headed before a judge in Columbus after Amherst sued ODOT last month to enforce a 60-plus-year-old agreement between ODOT and the city.
Amherst Mayor Mark Costilow said Friday he hopes a judge in Franklin County Common Pleas Court, where the city filed its lawsuit June 24, will
intervene and enforce the existing agreement.
ODOT warned the city in a December letter that it would stop maintaining Route 2 within city limits as of July 1 unless the city negotiated a new agreement, according to Costilow and the city’s lawsuit.
ODOT spokesman Matt Bruning said Tuesday that he was looking into the matter, but that the agency’s policy is not to comment on pending lawsuits.
Further messages seeking comment were left for a spokesperson at ODOT’s District 3 headquarters in Ashland.
According to Costilow, the state agency is now asking the city to pay approximately $170,000 per year for ODOT to continue maintaining and repairing Route 2 within city limits. That apparently also includes snow and ice removal costs.
Negotiations between the city and ODOT ahead of the lawsuit were unsuccessful, the city’s attorneys wrote in a news release announcing the court filing.
ODOT has not yet filed a response to the lawsuit in
Judge Kim Brown’s courtroom, according to online court records.
ODOT “wants to charge us whatever they say it costs,” Costilow said.
“Whatever they spend is what they want the city of Amherst to pay. And we have no say in it, in what chemicals they use, the timing, what companies they hire.”
Costilow said right now, mowing is the major concern. Any grass that grows along Route 2 will probably need to be mowed at least once more by the end of the summer, he said.
“According to the notice they put us on, they will not be continuing” to do that, Costilow said.
He said he hadn’t received any communications from ODOT since the lawsuit was filed.
“I’m looking out for the taxpayers,” Costilow said. “We have a long-standing agreement. They (ODOT) made an agreement, we signed it, and it’s still on the books.
“We never got our land back, so they should keep to their agreement they will maintain” Route 2.
Area man helps train sailors at Great Lakes
Alvin Plexico
U.S. Navy Office of Community Outreach
GREAT LAKES, IL-
LINOIS — U.S. Navy
sailors are some of the most highly trained people on the planet, and this training begins at Recruit Training Command or RTC Great Lakes — otherwise known as boot camp.
Every enlisted sailor starts their Navy journey at boot camp at Naval Station Great Lakes in Illinois. That’s where Scott Rose, a North Ridgeville native, is stationed as an investigator with RTC Great Lakes.
A 1988 graduate of North Ridgeville High School, Rose joined the civil service two years ago.
“I joined the Navy investigation team to continue my service that started in the U.S. Air Force,” said Rose.
“After graduating high school, I joined the Air Force and served four years in the security forces.” The skills and values needed to succeed in the Navy civil service are similar to those found in North Ridgeville, according to Rose.
“I learned from my hometown that putting your best foot forward is the most important step for a successful journey in life,” Rose said.
During the 10 weeks they are at RTC Great Lakes, sailors learn five warfighting competencies — firefighting, damage control, seamanship, watchstanding and small arms marksmanship.
Naval Station Great Lakes is the Navy’s largest training installation and the home of the Navy’s only boot camp.
Located on more than 1,600 acres overlooking Lake Michigan, the installation includes 1,153 buildings, 39 of them on the National Register of Historic Places.
Naval Station Great Lakes supports more than 50 ten-
MASS COMMUNICATION SPECIALIST 1ST CLASS JAMES GREEN / U.S. NAVY
North Ridgeville native Scott Rose is stationed at the Naval Station Great Lakes in Illinois, where he is an investigator with Recruit Training Command Great Lakes. Naval Station Great Lakes, on 1,600 acres overlooking Lake Michigan, is the Navy’s largest training installation and the home of the Navy’s only boot camp.
ant commands and elements as well as more than 20,000 sailors, Marines, soldiers and Department of Defense civilians who live and work on the installation. Two commands at Naval Station Great Lakes are Surface Warfare Engineering School Command Great Lakes, or SWESC GL, and Surface Combat Systems Training Command Great Lakes, or SCSTC GL. Every surface Navy engineer, quartermaster, boatswain’s mate and deck seaman attends SWESC GL for technical training. These sailors leave SWESC GL as surface warriors, ready to perform aboard ships operating around the globe. Instructors at SCSTC GL provide a culture of excellence and warrior toughness by building a surface warrior mindset to complement the technical and tactical
skillsets.
“After being involved in any investigation incident with a sailor, I try to insert my experience and life skills to assist them in a successful Navy career,” Rose said. “Guiding young sailors to be the best they can be and to steer them on a path of success is a very fulfilling and rewarding experience.”
“I would like to thank my father, William Rose, who proudly served in the Army,” Rose said. “He and my mother, Judith, taught me the definition of humility. I also want to thank my brother, Michael Rose, who served in the Navy as a corpsman. My other brother, Patrick, served in the Navy as an electrician’s mate. Of course, I want to thank my wife, Kristine, as well for her support throughout my career.”
OberlinKids turns 10
Kindergarten readiness program has successful first decade
Carissa Woytach
The Community Guide
OBERLIN – OberlinKids celebrated a decade of early childhood education for the city’s youngest students on Saturday.
The program offers yearly development screenings up to age 5 and free kindergarten readiness programs through United Way of Greater Lorain County’s community collaborative.
Since the pandemic, the nonprofit has seen an increased need for not just educational programs, but social-emotional supports and connectivity for parents, director Jenn Keathley said.
Standing in the courtyard outside 23 Eric Nord Way, Keathley was surrounded by children chasing bubbles from a bubble machine, playing with sand and water tables and other play equipment.
“I tell people all the time I have the coolest job ever — I get to play with kids all day (and) help families,” she said.
It does not feel like a decade worth of kids and families have gone through the program, she said. Those first kids are now in high school or recently graduated.
“It’s really amazing,” she said of seeing the program, and its children, grow over the years.
“It gives you the good feelings and you always want to do more — you’re never satisfied, you may always want to improve.”
Saturday’s event included a survey for those families to give feedback on how OberlinKids could improve.
She said about 84 percent of eligible families in Oberlin participate in the program, but the group’s goal is to see all families use the free service.
During the summer, OberlinKids offers members access to its community classroom at the Oberlin Enrichment and Activity Center — formerly Propsect Elementary School.
The classroom invites caregivers and their children to structured
playgroups on Tuesdays and Thursdays, with time to connect socially afterward.
During the pandemic, the group began offering literacy kits with themed books and activities, and has continued since social distancing ended due to the program’s popularity, Keathley said.
“It looks like a real preschool classroom,” she said.
“So families can have the opportunity to experience that environment and the kids can feel comfortable — their caregiver has to stay with them, it’s not a drop-off. …
“We really wanted to encourage, especially coming out fo the pandemic, the social-emotional connections and making friends.”
Since 2014, more than 350 kids have attended the program, with 230 families referred to community organizations for additional services.
And 270 children have been screened for communication, motor, cognitive, social and emotional milestones.
Concert series to provide free family fun at Tappan Square
The Community Guide IF YOU GO
OBERLIN — Get ready to tap your feet at Tappan Square this summer as the city continues its summer concert series and family fun nights.
For the first time, the city is combining live music on the square with its family fun nights to create a summer to remember.
The concerts and events take place from 6 to 8 p.m. every Friday now through July 26.
“There has been some iteration of summer concerts on the square for a number of years,” said Diane Ramos, communications manager for the city.
“This is the second year the city has organized it. For the first year, we have combined with the recreation department. So far, combining the two has drawn some big crowds. We’ve had three concerts so far and have three more to go, so we’re hoping to keep it up.”
Concertgoers are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and picnic blankets to enjoy the concerts, and take time to explore the many shops and restaurants in downtown Oberlin before or after the shows, she said.
Shows so far have had ‘80s pop and rock, ‘70s classic rock and hits from the ‘60s to the 2000s.
The remaining line up includes:
n Match City, a pop rock/ modern music mix, on Friday
n The Bottom Line, a motown/ classic R&B act, on July 19
n Cleveland Keys, dueling pianos/ Top 40, on July 26
“We’ve worked with the Cleveland Music Group to get some of the acts they represent and we’ve had bands reach out to us as well,” Ramos said. “We’ve tried to get a variety of
WHAT: Tunes on Tappan Summer Concert Series and Family Fun Nights
WHEN: 6 to 8 p.m.
Fridays, July 19, July 26
WHERE: Clark Bandstand, Tappan Square, 58 N. Main St., Oberlin
COST: Free FOR MORE
INFORMATION: Visit https://cityofoberlin.com/ concerts/ or call (440) 775-7217
bands so there is something for everyone and we have a well-rounded and entertaining line up for the people.” All of the concerts are free to attend, as are the Family Fun Nights.
Family Fun Nights include bouncy houses, games and activities, arts and crafts, face painting, balloon animals, a caricature artist, food trucks and more.
“It’s a fun evening,” Ramos said. “There are great live bands with different genres of music and a lot of good, family-friendly activities going on and great food and snacks for a fun and entertaining Friday night throughout the summer.”
While the concert series may expand in the future, for now the city plans to keep it to six weeks.
“We have a number of other city-sponsored events throughout the year, like the Art Fair in the Square in September, Halloween events in October and all of our winter events,” Ramos said. “There is something going on in Oberlin all of the time.”
For more information, visit https://cityofoberlin. com/concerts/ or contact City of Oberlin Office of Communications at info@ cityofoberlin.com or call (440) 775-7217.
Firelands fires public school Bible teacher
Accused of sexting at former job
to direct a Bible education program in Firelands Schools has been fired after allegations surfaced that she exchanged sexual messages with students at a previous position in 2018.
LifeWise Academy, a nonprofit Christian organization based in Hilliard, fired Renee Beck, LifeWise CEO Joel Penton said.
LifeWise is a Christian education program that seeks to educate public school students about the Bible during school hours.
Beck was set to become the director of LifeWise’s Firelands Schools program, planned to launch this fall.
In a now-deleted Facebook post, LifeWise announced Beck’s hiring in April.
The board’s resolution alleged that Beck engaged in “sexual and explicit” communications with students in the district who were minors and that the communication took place both on and off school grounds. Beck previously had been given warnings and reprimands regarding improper contact with students via social media, the Daily Record reported.
“(Beck) was terminated for failing to disclose relevant and important information about her employment history,” Penton said, adding that the termination was related to the allegations.
In 2018, Beck was fired from her job as a teacher at Loudonville High School in Ashland County, part of the Loudonville-Perrysville school district. In its meeting on June 12, 2018, the district’s Board of Education voted unanimously to terminate Beck rather than accept her letter of resignation, the Wooster Daily Record reported.
Christina Jolliffe
CARISSA WOYTACH / COMMUNITY GUIDE PHOTOS
Josh Sperling, of Oberlin, plays at a water table with his son, Felix, 4, at OberlinKids’ 10th anniversary celebration.
18-month-old Remington Navarra, of Columbia Station, gets ready to slide down after her stuffed bunny “Bun Bun” at the OberlinKids 10th anniversary celebration on Saturday
OWEN
City Fresh provides produce
Oberlin nonprofit, Lorain libraries work to feed those in ‘food deserts’
Owen MacMillan
The Community Guide
LORAIN — If parts of Lorain could be considered food deserts, the Lorain Public Library System and Oberlin nonprofit City Fresh are working to provide a sort of oasis this summer.
The beginning of July marked the fourth year that the library system has participated in the nonprofit’s community supported agriculture program.
Called the City Fresh Farm Box program, City Fresh Executive Director Anna Kiss Mauser-Martinez said the project seeks to provide a food distribution model that is healthier for both customers and farmers.
“The idea is to connect local farmers with local eaters,” Mauser-Martinez said “(That) builds a more resilient food system, and one that both gives economic justice to farmers and farm workers as well as increased access to nutrient-dense, seasonal produce for eaters.”
The program allows residents across Lorain and Cuyahoga Counties to purchase boxes, called shares, from local farmers through City Fresh and then pick them up at one of 16 locations. Shares are purchased weekly through the City Fresh website in either individual or family sizes.
Along with the size options, boxes are available as a full-price share or limited income share and can also be purchased with Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits, commonly referred to as food stamps.
Mauser-Martinez said that shares purchased with SNAP benefits are sold at half-off their retail price without lowering the profits of local farmers, all of whom are located within 70 miles of Cleveland.
LPLS director Anastasia Diamond-Ortiz said that the partnership with City Fresh came naturally on top of the system’s existing food access programs, many of which are run with the help of Lorain County Public Health. It was the health department that put the library in contact wit produce “It’s been a wonderful partnership, because
there weren’t any other pickup spots in Lorain,” Diamond-Ortiz said. “So that was a huge benefit to the community, and it’s just grown and grown. My understanding is (Lorain) has become one of their most successful stops, and I really think that’s because it’s something the community clearly needs.”
Diamond-Ortiz said that bringing fresh produce into Lorain’s centrally located public libraries provides much-needed access in an area with limited public transportation options.
“We focus on making sure that we’re bringing food to the people who are most in need of access to nutrition,” Mauser-Martinez said. “We bring quality nutrition to those who have the least access and are the most marginalized. That’s always been central to our mission.”
Mauser-Martinez said the City Fresh model differs from most traditional community agriculture programs that require participants to sign up for an entire summer growing season.
Instead, the City Fresh program uses a week-toweek model that can be joined at any time. This is more flexible for consumers and though it doesn’t pay farmers before the growing season, it provides them with a larger pool of customers.
“In a traditional CSA model, people pay for the entire season upfront,” Mauser-Martinez said. “But, not everybody has their entire summer’s grocery budget ready in February. That is a great way to support small farm-
Wellington McCormick gets a new principal
The Community Guide
Robert Figuly has been hired as the new Principal of McCormick Middle School by the Wellington Exempted Village School District.
Figuly has been assistant principal at Sailorway Middle School in Vermilion for seven years.
“I believe in the importance of fostering an inclusive learning environment where every student can thrive socially, emotionally, and academically,” he said.
Figuly has two master degrees, one in education leadership from Baldwin Wallace University and one in curriculum and instruction from Capella University. He
earned his bachelor’s degree from Slippery Rock University. The Wellington School District Board of Education also announced the appointment of Pete Bailey as the district’s new treasurer. He replaces outgoing treasurer Mark Donnelly. The Board of Education voted on and approved his two-year contract during their meeting on Tuesday, June 25. He has a State of Ohio School Treasurer License and a decade of service within treasurer offices Bailey has a bachelor’s degree in business administration with minors in finance and accounting from Ashland University. Both new hires begin Aug. 1.
Opioid LINC documentary to be shown at Wellington Town Hall meeting July 29
The Community Guide
An unreleased, award-winning documentary about the breakthrough formation of Wellington’ Local Initiative Networking Compassion will premiere at 7 p.m. July 29 at the Patricia Lindley Center of Performing Arts at McCormick Middle School.
“The Wellington Experiment” was produced from late 2019 to early 2020 by filmmaker Patrick Shaver, a former Atlanta police officer.
It depicts interviews with the key leaders who were instrumental in the formation and success of the Local Initiative Networking Compassion effort, designed to combat the growing opioid crisis with a police-assisted program that provided links to treatment and recovery services.
The Town Hall meeting will give LINC leaders an opportunity to reintroduce the program to the community and allow key contributors featured in the documentary to look back at its historic roots and provide an update on its goals and the services it provides today.
A completely independent undertaking, Shaver wanted it to premiere in the community where it was filmed before its public release. Following the completion of the project in 2020, a series of events
delayed his getting back to Wellington until this summer, although it did receive an award for Best in Show at the 2022 Austin Revolution Film Festival. He plans to officially release the film by the end of summer.
Shaver recently reconnected with retired Wellington Police Chief Tim Barfield and said it is time to release the film, leading to its official premiere in Wellington. Led by Barfield, the program received local, regional, and national attention for providing police-assisted referrals for those seeking substance use recovery services. Barfield remains active with LINC serving as a board member.
LINC was formed in 2016 to help combat the growing opioid crisis. It was revitalized after the pandemic and is now operating as a not-for-profit organization governed by a 13-member volunteer board of directors.
The organization is funded through a three-year, $1 million Rural Communities Opioid Response Implementation grant issued from the U. S. Health and Resources Services Administration. The grant is administered by the Rural Response Network under the auspices of Riveon Mental Health and Recovery, (formerly The LCADA Way and The Nord Center).
ers and to build a resilient local food system in the face of things like the climate crisis. But there’s sort of reasons why people can’t pay premiums for food, and this still provides them access to it.”
Residents simply need to select their weekly needs and preferred place of pickup, then they can have a box packed with a variety of fresh, local produce ready wherever is best for them.
Pickups in Lorain are at both the Main Branch and South Branch library locations every Tuesday.
Just about every one of those Tuesdays, volunteers Debra Jackson and Joanne Eldridge-Tucker can be found at the main branch.
Both are members of the non-profit Friends of Loran Library — Jackson is the organization’s president — and both women have served as volunteers for the City Fresh pickup since the program came to Lorain four years ago.
“The whole point is to counter food deserts and get people exposed to and eating more fresh, nutritious food,” Jackson said. “... it works because people can pick whatever weeks and prices are convenient for them.”
Eldridge-Tucker said that her favorite part of the volunteer work was seeing families come in together, talking and learning about the different fresh foods.
“I feel kind of like an ambassador for healthy eating,” Eldridge-Tucker said. “We should all eat more fruits and vegetables, and the intention here is to make that possible, especially for the kids.”
MACMILLAN / COMMUNITY GUIDE PHOTOS
Friends of Lorain Library President Debra Jackson, left, and member Joanne Eldridge-Tucker work as volunteers for the City Fresh produce pickup at the Lorain Main Branch Library.
Volunteer Joanne Eldridge-Tucker shows off fresh blackberries available through the City Fresh farm box program.
GUARDIANS: MLB DRAFT
Infielder of dreams?
Guards had all the power, wasted it
There is a reason why a second baseman has never been the first pick in the Major League Baseball Draft. Now the Guardians must hope they are not the ones who find out why.
In the meantime, the Guards’ inexplicable, insatiable, ongoing love affair with middle infielders continues. With the first pick in Sunday’s MLB Draft — i.e. they could have had any player in the draft they wanted — the trailblazing Guardians selected Oregon State University second baseman Travis Bazzana. This was the first time in their history that the Guardians had the first pick in the draft. They used it on a player who plays a position that has never been the position of the first player taken in the draft. Gulp!
Bazzana’s numbers at Oregon State were great. In his three years with the Ducks he hit .360 with 52 doubles, 45 home runs, 165 RBIs, 66 stolen bases, 180 walks, a .497 on-base percentage, .660 slugging percentage and a 1.157 OPS. He is Oregon State’s all-time leader in hits, doubles and home runs, and he is also the first Australian-born player to be the first pick in the MLB Draft, and, oh yeah, he has a jazzy name.
What Bazzana is not is Charlie Condon.
“King Kong” Condon was not a middle infielder at the University of Georgia. What he was was a commodity that the power-starved Guardians have lacked for too many years: a bona fide, history-making slugger with the stats to prove it, and light-tower power.
When Sunday’s draft began, Condon was still on the board.
After the Guardians made the first pick in the draft, Condon was still on the board.
Right from the start, this appeared to be the draft the baseball gods finally decided should belong to Cleveland.
We know this because all the pieces of the puzzle fell into place, in favor of the team that, historically, was most in need of all the pieces falling into place.
How else do we explain that, in the lottery to decide the draft order of the 30 major league teams in the 2024 Major League Draft, the team that “won” the lottery, the team that emerged with the first pick in the first round, was the luckless Cleveland Guardians?
The Major League Draft is 60 years old. Prior to
Jim ingraham
Sunday night, Cleveland had the first pick in the draft a grand total of no times. That is not the only reason Cleveland has not won the World Series in the last 75 years. But it hasn’t helped.
So this year, the ghost of Abner Doubleday, and friends, decided that, after 59 years, it was Cleveland’s turn to be the star of the draft. In addition to gifting the first overall pick to Cleveland, it green-lighted the Guards to take arguably the best overall player in the draft.
If all that wasn’t enough — and it wasn’t, so keep reading — the player in question also filled Cleveland’s biggest need, which was a big-time slugger with lumberjack power.
That’s right, after 60 years of waiting, the baseball gods dumped college baseball’s Paul Bunyan in the Guardians’ lap.
That would be Charlie Condon, from the University of Georgia, the state that also produced, among others, Ty Cobb, Josh Gibson, Jackie Robinson and Frank Thomas.
Condon set multiple NCAA slugging records this past season, during which he hit .433 with a 1.565 OPS, 1.009 slugging percentage, .556 on-base percentage, 37 home runs and 78 RBIs in 60 games.
In recent years, as most Guardians fans know, the Guards have been about as power-deficient as any team in the majors. That made Condon a perfect fit for the Guardians with the first pick in the draft.
The only thing stopping the Guardians was the Guardians themselves. Inexplicably, that is exactly what happened.
With Condon, the answer to all of Cleveland’s powder-puff power problems sitting there waiting to hear his name called, the Guardians couldn’t help themselves from taking yet another middle infielder.
Instead of filling their biggest need by using the first pick in the draft to select the biggest slugger in the draft, the Guardians whiffed. Maybe Bazzana settled for less money than Condon was seeking. If so, Bazzana was a good fallback plan. I don’t dislike Bazzana. But Condon is Condon.
The Guardians are loaded with middle infield prospects throughout their organization, so how did they use the top overall pick in the MLB Draft in Fort Worth, Texas, on Sunday night?
By selecting a middle infielder.
Instead of taking a perceived position of need in corner outfielder Charlie Condon, out of the University of Georgia, Cleveland added to its depth at second and shortstop by choosing Australian second baseman Travis Bazzana.
Bazanna, who played at Oregon State University, was MLB.com’s top overall player available in the draft and the first Australian-born player and second baseman to be chosen first overall.
It was the first time in franchise history that Cleveland has owned the top overall draft choice.
“There were a number of players that we felt were deserving of our consideration for the first overall pick,” team president Chris Antonetti said, when asked what was the difference between Bazzana and Condon.
“We got an opportunity to know all of them well and could see them all being very successful players. We would have loved the opportunity to welcome them all into our organization but that’s not how it works.
“We had to settle on one, and we’re thrilled to welcome Travis into the organization.”
In his best of three seasons with the Beavers this spring, Bazzana, 21, slashed .407/.568/.911 with 28 home runs and a 1.479 OPS over 60 games. The Pac-12 Player of the Year ranked second among NCAA Division I players in walks (76), tied for seventh in home runs and eighth in batting average.
He was a finalist for the Golden Spikes Award for top college player and chosen first-team All-American by multiple publications.
“We view him to be a dynamic player,” Antonetti said.
“He’s a guy who makes really good swing decisions, controls the strike zone really well, rarely swings and misses and can really impact the baseball.
And we think he has the chance to impact the game in a variety of ways.”
Growing up in Austra-
Go-kart track being built 3
Carissa Woytach
The Community Guide
Hundreds of acres of empty land stretch out on Lorain’s east side behind Camaco Manufacturing. It abuts the Black River, dubbed Cromwell Park after the former landfill that occupied a portion of the site. For decades it has been green space, eventually cut through by a bike path for the North Coast Inland Trail.
But by this time next year, 37.5 acres will be home to a first-of-its-kind go-kart track and amenities, developer Kris Mc-
Crone said. McCrone, owner of Ohio Motorsports Park, hosted a groundbreaking for his project, Lorain Ohio Kartplex, late last month, three years after first pitching it to Lorain City Council. The $12 million project includes $2 million each in support from the city and county, with a stipulation that taxpayer dollars are used last in the development. McCrone does not plan to ask for any tax abatements.
What will eventually be a 0.82-mile competition track, 0.42-mile rental track,
lia (Sydney), not exactly a baseball-crazed country, Bazzana had to overcome obstacles most players in the states don’t encounter.
“He has been relentless since the time he was 3 years old to take advantage of every resource available to him to become the best baseball player he could possibly be,” Antonetti said.
“It’s a testament to his hard work and the support system he has around him to be able to get to this point. In talking with Travis, he’s excited for the opportunity to join our organization. And if you’ve heard him speak, he’s very passionate about the opportunity he has to help us win games, and through that platform elevate the profile of baseball in Australia.”
“(It’s) an opportunity to make an impact on a lot of baseball players and a lot of people back (in Australia),” Bazzana told The Associated Press. “No one really expected anything from the Australian kid.”
Though it’s not official, Antonetti doesn’t foresee a problem signing Bazzana to his first professional contract.
Last year’s No. 1 overall pick, Pirates All-Star pitcher Paul Skenes, signed for a record $9.2 million.
“We have an agreement of terms in place but we need to work through a number of factors, including medical (examinations),” Antonetti said.
Antonetti claimed the decision on the first pick came down to the wire.
“We didn’t know exactly who our No. 1 pick would be until within a couple hours of the draft starting,” he said. “We had a small handful of players that we considered with the first pick.” Cleveland has taken position players with six of its last 10 first-round selections since 2015, including three straight — catcher Ralphy Velazquez last year.
Velazquez, the organization’s fourth-ranked prospect, has since been converted to first base and left field. He’s slashing .261/.371/.441 with nine homers and 46 RBIs in 71 games for Class A Lynchburg in his first full professional season.
In 2021, the Guardians picked right-handed pitcher Gavin Williams, who is a current member of their rotation, and catcher Bo Naylor was one of two first-round selections in 2018.
years later
0.35-mile indoor track, esports arena, restaurant and event center and retail store, will employ about 40 full-time employees and another 90 part-timers, McCrone said, in everything from logistics and hospitality to mechanics and technicians.
The outdoor kart tracks will be open about eight months out of the year, McCrone said, as they are able to comfortably operate above 40 degrees.
“Frankly, this has warped into something bigger than I even thought,” he said. “We didn’t plan doing anything out of the gate, we planned on doing just one outdoor track.”
And then it kept growing, he said. After several City Council meetings, the project seemingly idled for several years until a June 15 deadline was announced following a lengthy executive session last month.
McCrone said that the deadline came out of a February meeting he, his architect and co-developer had with Lorain Mayor Jack Bradley and Lorain County Commissioner Jeff Riddell about the project and a planned split between McCrone and Dr. Nick Jarmousek, owner of Xell LLC.
Travis Bazzana is shown on the video board after the Guardians selected him Sunday with the first pick in the MLB Draft.
PHOTO PROVIDED
MLS Class of ‘74 to hold 50th reunion
The Marion L. Steele class of 1974 will be having its 50th reunion the weekend of July 26.
We are looking for the following classmates: Debbie Green, David Jones, Jerry Pinson, Terry Lyman, Jerry Mattney, Frank Sabo, Patty Singleton, Brenda Smith, Craig Smith, and Tim Watson. If you have not received your invitation or know where any of the missing classmates are, please contact Raynelle Wasem Bozicevich at (440) 242-1283 or raynelle187@oh.rr.com.
Wellington plans 41st Harvest of the Arts
Wellington’s 41st annual Harvest of the Arts will be held from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sept. 15.
There will be about 60 fine art and folk art vendors, a handmade quilt raffle and lunch in our Friends Cafe.
Come visit us in historic Wellington at 101 Willard Memorial Square. Free parking and admission.
For more information, call 440-647-2120. This is a fundraiser for community programming at Herrick Library.
Oberlin history walks continue this month
The Oberlin Heritage Center will offer a history walk centering on civil rights throughout July.
The center, a nonprofit that seeks to highlight and preserve the history of Oberlin, hosts a monthly themed walk June to August. The theme for July’s tour is “Civil War to Civil Rights.”
The tour will highlight historical events that detail the city’s progress and setbacks relating to race and civil rights and covers early Oberlin to the 21st century, according to the center’s website.
The center will host the walk on the three remaining Saturdays in July — 13, 20 and 27 — and will meet on the front steps of First Church in Oberlin. The 90-minute tours start start at 11 a.m. each Saturday, according to the website.
The tour is $10 for adults and free for children and college students.
People interested in registering for the tour should visit www.oberlinheritagecenter.org, email tourinfo@oberlinheritage.org or call (440) 774-1700.
Fresh produce at Keystone-LaGrange Library
The Keystone Empowers You Collaborative will host a pop-up produce stand at the Keystone-LaGrange Library, 133 E. Commerce Drive, on the second and fourth Thursday of July, August and September from 5:30-6:30 p.m.
Reserve a bag of fresh fruits and vegetables online at bit.ly/KEYProducePickUp.
If you do not have internet access, you can leave a voicemail for your reservation at (440) 409-7460.
Bags of fresh fruits and vegetables are $12. You may pay ahead via Venmo (@Donna-Pycraft), or pay upon
SUMMER OLYMPICS
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90 degrees on compass
22. Popular deciduous tree
23. College treasurer
26. Balaclava (2 words)
30. Compass point between E and NE
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and white killer? 58. U.S.
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BULLETIN BOARD
pickup with cash or Venmo.
Fruits and vegetables are provided by Pycraft Farm Market and availability will vary based on what is in season.
For example, last July, customers received two halfpints of red raspberries, one bunch of green onions, one bunch of Swiss chard, one bunch of beets, one quart of pickles, one head of cabbage, two yellow squash and two zucchini.
Keystone Empowers You (KEY) is a community-based group funded in part by the United Way of Greater Lorain County, and facilitated by Lorain County Public Health.
WWII re-enactment in August
Camp Maxey, Texas 1944, which is a WWII 99th Infantry Division Living History Event, is on Saturday, August 3, 2024 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
This event is free to attend at Sandstone Village, 763 Milan Avenue, Amherst Ohio 44001, with free parking available at Sandstone Village.
For more info, please contact the Amherst Historical Society at 440-988-7255 or office@amhersthistoricalsociety.org
Happenings at Amherst
Library
The Amherst Library will host a tour of the Ohio Literary Trail from the comfort of the library Saturday at 2:30 p.m.
Author Betty Weibel will share highlights from her book, “The Ohio Literary Trail: A Guide,” which shines the spotlight on Ohio’s unique role in shaping culture and literature worldwide.
The Ohio Literary Trail has more than 70 sites across the Buckeye state, paying tribute to the authors, poets, illustrators, libraries, and creative influencers of the written word who have called Ohio home.
Copies of “The Ohio Literary Trail: A Guide” will be available for purchase and signing at the end of the program. The program is free. Registration is suggested at amherstpubliclibrary.org or (440) 988-4230.
Tokusatsu Club
Join the Amherst Public Library on Tuesday at 6 p.m. for Tokusatsu Club. Recommended for ages 15+, join in to learn about, watch, and discuss Japanese Tokusatsu films and television shows like Ultraman, Godzilla, Super Sentai, Kamen Rider, and more. You do not need to have attended previous sessions to attend this one. Tokusatsu
Club meets on the fourth Tuesday of the month at 6 p.m.. Summer Reading Fun Fair
Kids of all ages are invited to celebrate the end of Summer Reading at the Amherst Public Library Fun Fair. Enjoy fun and games on the second floor on Wednesday from 6-8 p.m. Kids and Young Adult Reading Club Grand Prize winners will be drawn during this event.
Adapted Storytime
Children with varying learning styles and abilities are invited to come together in a supported environment to participate in stories, songs, and activities where respect for differences is practiced and encouraged. The program will last 15-20 minutes, followed by social time. Content is designed for ages 3-7, but all ages are welcome. Registration is required.
School Bus Storytime
Do you have a preschooler or kindergartener about to ride the bus for the first time? Join the Amherst Public Library at 2 p.m. on July 27 for a special school bus storytime. Kids will get to meet a school bus driver, learn how to ride safely, and get a close-up look at what it’s like to ride to school with a bus ride around the block. Registration is required.
Music + Movement Storytime
Join the Amherst Public Library on Fridays, August 2, 16, and 30 at 11:15 a.m. for Music + Movement Storytime, designed for ages 2-6 and their caregivers. Stretch, sing, dance, and jump along in this fast-paced storytime.
Canine Reading Buddies
Our furry friends are back with Canine Reading Buddies at the Amherst Public Library on the first Saturday of the month and the third Tuesday of the month. All ages are invited to read to licensed therapy dogs on Aug. 3 at 11 a.m.
Weather Warriors
Officials from Lorain County Office of Emergency Management and Homeland Security will discuss how to prepare and plan for various weather-related emergencies from 2-3 p.m. Friday at the North Ridgeville Library. Preregistration required at LorainPublicLibrary.org/programs.
Rural Democrats to gather Saturday
The Lorain County Rural Democrats will have a picnic at Findley State Park instead of its monthly meeting. Anyone interested in joining should email ruralloraincounty@gmail.com for more information.
Calling all mystery and detective lovers
“Poe and the Origin of the Detective Novel” will be held Saturday from 2-3 p.m. at the Domonkas Library branch. Learn all about the early history of detective and mystery novels, Edgar Allan Poe and the continuing popularity of this genre. Preregistration required for the hybrid program at LorainPublicLibrary.org/programs.
PHOTO PROVIDED
Thisweek’s Kid Scoop page starsthe one and YOU! Complete the pageand then hang it in y roomsothat you can remind yourself everyda how wonderfulyou are!
Step IntoStardom
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Look through the newspaper for adjectives that describe you. Paste them under The Amazing ME!
When YouDepend Upon aStar
Wishesmadeonstars maynot alwayscometrue.But when you look at whatyou do every day, you’llfindthat you are astarwho can be dependedupon.
Fill in thiscalendartoshow your weeklyresponsibilities The ideastars at rightcan help
characteristics that contribute to self-esteem.
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Look throughthe newspaperfor words that start with each letterinyour name. Usethe wordstowrite a poem about YOU! Start each line of the poem with a letterinyour name. Example:
