Lorain County Community Guide 3-7-24

Squad wins OASSA States title

Three cheers for Amherst cheerleaders!

The Amherst Steele High School cheerleaders won their second state championship last weekend at Walnut High School in Sunbury.

The squad, coached by Lauren Szabo, right, took first in the Ohio Association of Secondary School Administrators Game Day Division for D2.

“In a world where cheerleading isn’t seen as being a real sport, they continue on breaking down that wall to prove the world wrong,” Szabo said.

“We’re skydiving with no safety nets!” she tells them in her pep talks -- like the one she’s giving them at right when they were competing in nationals in Orlando in February.

They came in sixth in nationals but Szabo said she had a feeling they were going to win state. “That pit in your stomach feeling of just pure bliss when they call your team’s name for first place,” the six-year Head Coach Szabo said. “They deserved to feel that.”

Owen MacMillan

The Community Guide ELYRIA — The city denied a request from the owners of 39009 Chestnut Ridge Road to purchase their home, which the family said has been hit by cars multiple times and is unsafe. There were tears and visible frustration from owners Dennis and Pat Campanalie, family members and

supporters as the members of City Council voted 10-1 to deny the family’s request that the city buy them out of their home. The property was struck by a man fleeing police on Nov. 5, and that was the last straw for the residents and their families.

The crash damaged the home’s garage door and sent a large boulder through the front room.

Family members have said the house has been struck directly at least three times since 1993, including in a crash that killed both passengers of the vehicle in 2017, and the property has been partially damaged countless more.

“They’re worried about everybody else,” the couple’s daughter Barbara Campanalie-Whitlock said

EBT snafu drains funds

Carissa Woytach The Community Guide

In something they hope will never happen again, some benefit recipients were left in a lurch after their EBT accounts were drained last weekend.

Charlene Elder of Lorain said she checked her account ahead of her trip to Marc’s Saturday morning and saw her normal $291 allotment there. But when she went to check out, her electronic benefit card was declined, and when she pulled up her account there was only $1.41 left.

“It’s kind of embarrassing when you go to the store and it says ‘declined,’ and I’m like there’s no way,” she said. “I’ve been pretty lucky because my daughters have helped me get stuff and then a couple people from the building I live in — it’s a low-income building — they heard about what happened to me so they were also bringing me milk, bread, eggs and different stuff.”

Lorain County Job and Family Services Director Barb Tamas said her agency had yet to receive an official fraud alert from the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, but that she became aware of issues locally, including complaints of EBT cards being drained after recipients shopped at the Lorain Walmart and local Apples Markets. She said it may be a larger issue, having been made aware of similar problems in Sandusky and Huron counties. Many of the clientele impacted saw their funds “used” in a business in Chicago.

Tamas was unsure how many EBT recipients were impacted, but “(couldn’t) imagine Lorain County is the only place in the country” impacted. “This is just so offensive when it happens to our most vulnerable population,” Tamas said.

Elder said she called the number on the back of her card to report the theft, then made a report with Lorain police. Elder said her last purchase on the card was in mid-February at the Lorain Walmart. She said she was told a skimmer was used.

City won’t buy house repeatedly hit by cars

PHOTOS PROVIDED

FILE PHOTO

The owners of this house on Chestnut Ridge Road are upset that the city won’t

‘Future Summit’ to take place at LCCC March 25

The Community Guide

One of the final pieces of the five-year Lorain County Strategic Action Plan will fall into place this month when the county Board of Commissioners hosts a “Future Summit” at Lorain County Community College on March 25.

The event will be held in the Reaser Grand Room at the Spitzer Conference Center at LCCC from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. that day. All Lorain County community members are invited to attend and celebrate the conclusion of the planning process and launch of the Strategic Action Plan, county officials said in a news release Monday.

The event will include a presentation of the final plan and action prioritization exercises.

For more information and to register to attend the Future Summit, visit tinyurl.com/ bdd35ty6.

Commissioners announced the development of a Strategic Action Plan in July. The plan “will be a comprehensive document that outlines Lorain County’s long-term vision, goals, objectives and priorities” and will “provide a roadmap for the future development and growth of the county, guiding decision-making processes and resource allocation,” the board said.

Lorain County Special Projects Manager Dave Greenspan said the eight months of devel-

HOME

From A1 after the vote. “They’re thinking about how this affects the city and what it means, but my parents are in danger right now. They are the sacrificial lambs.”

Council members were not in an official session of City Council, but rather were in a special meeting of the Strategic Planning Committee which took place after the normal Council meeting.

They deliberated in an executive session for roughly an hour before reconvening to hold the vote.

“Obviously this is a difficult decision,” Council President Vic Stewart, Dat-large, said. “We understand what’s happened over the course of the years, but I think this Council as a whole we’ve made a decision. Dennis Campanalie attempted to speak with members of Council after the vote, but his family ushered him out of the chambers.

“Talking won’t do any

opment included community surveys, outreach, interviews, workshops, think tanks and focus groups.

“We are excited to approach these final steps in the process to launch the Lorain County Strategic Plan,” he said in a news release.

Multiple focus groups and workshops were held in late 2023 to gather information from the public, businesspeople, elected officials and other interested parties.

More than 180 people attended six focus group workshops in February, to provide organizers with input and questions that were turned into a second survey as part of the planning process.

That survey is available online at tinyurl. com/4yh5t2cb.

The board has said they want the plan completed and ready to roll out by Lorain County’s bicentennial celebration in May.

In August, commissioners awarded a $95,000 contract to the Minneapolis-based research and consulting firm Future iQ and $14,000 to the Community Foundation of Lorain County to help develop the strategic plan.

good now, Den,” Dennis Campanalie’s brother Ron Campanalie said.

The Campanalies are residents of Elyria’s 3rd Ward, and Councilwoman Mary Siwierka, D-3rd Ward, voted in favor of denying the request.

“As we just declined the offer to purchase, we are also asking the city engineer to take a look at any and all improvements that can be made on the right-of-way and to work with the homeowner on any improvements on your property,” Siwierka said.

“We (Council) kicked around several different ideas, some are practical, some are things we can afford, some are not.

“And I think I speak for those up here, we feel for the whole situation and it was not an easy decision to make.”

Several family members following the meeting told The Chronicle-Telegram that they would consider the city and Council members responsible for any future accidents and damage.

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

Jeanette Willis named Living Angel during Life Savers Ball

Lauren Hoffman The Community Guide

“Tonight we celebrate not only an ‘old soul’ but also a guiding light … ladies and gentlemen, please stand with me to acknowledge our Living Angel 2024, Jeanette Willis.”

Dr. Alexander Zolli beamed as Jeanette Willis stood enveloping him in a hug. The audience roared with applause and Willis wiped away tears.

On Saturday evening over 200 people from the medical profession came together to celebrate the 38th annual Life Savers Ball put on by the American Cancer Society at Lorain County Community College. Presented by the Cleveland Clinic and Zolli and his wife, Maria, the event Saturday night was one of motivation, courage, faith, inspiration, love and hope Zolli said.

The high point of the evening, the presentation of the Living Angel for 2024 was also one of celebration.

“Our angels portray powerful messengers of the shortcomings of cancer — as they navigated through their crucibles of adversity, they exposed its limitations,” Zolli began. “Vibrant colors enrich the portrait of our newest angel, highlighting the passions of her life: Knowledge, Service and Caring for others.”

Willis began her journey to being named a living angel Christmas Day 1961 in Lorain’s St. Joseph Hosptial, rounding out the youngest of nine.

Growing up in Lorain Schools, Willis continued her educational

journey at Lorain County Community College where she received her bachelor’s degreee in in organizational management from Tiffin University through the University Partnership.

“The passion for service for our angel began when she worked in Rae Ann Suburban nursing home and interned at Bendix Corporation,” Zolli said.

Her passion for others meanwhile, Zolli said, is what shines brightest.

“In her own words, ‘I have always loved the elderly which is why I believe I was always told that I had an old soul,’ and through working and carefully planning for many months, she blended together her service, love and passion for others in her unique nonprofit creation: Health Awareness Network Connection or HANC,” he said.

Since 2013, Willis has used her nonprofit to educate the community on all aspects of a healthy lifestyle, encourage health promotion and recognize cancer survivors.

“I was really surprised when Alex and Maria told me that I was going to be the next angel back in February,” Willis said. “I am not a doctor or a cancer survivor but I am a caregiver.”

One of Wilis’ trademarks is her use of a “unique medicine” for her cancer patients: medicine vials containing one month’s supply of daily bible verses.

In addition to working with members of the community, Willis also was a caregiver to her mother who

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battled kidney cancer as well as her husband, Stanley, who was diagnosed with lung cancer.

“She applied the same around-theclock care and love for both of them and reflecting on these experiences, she considers them both unfortunate and fortunate,” Zolli said. “Our angel has made a lasting imprint in our community … she marches quietly but attracts the attention of those in need.”

Willis has joined 37 other recipients of the Living Angel award going back to 1995 when the benefit and award dinner first began. To date, the American Cancer Society Life Savers Ball is the longest running event of its kind in the nation. Twelve other Living Angel recipients were present at the ball Saturday night and they welcomed Willis with open arms into the fold.

“This is really truly unbelievable for me and it seems so much bigger than what it may seem to everybody else,” Willis said. “They say that one is four women are caregivers for a family or friend and I am glad that I did it for the two most important people in my life. I’ve always called my mother my angel and to this living Angel award for me its for both of them.”

Contact Lauren Hoffman at (440) 328-6902 or lhoffman@chroniclet.com.

News staff: news@LCnewspapers.com

Phone: 440-329-7122

Submit news to: news@lcnewspapers.com

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LAUREN HOFFMAN / CHRONICLE

Maria Zolli affixes the Living Angel necklace on 2024 recipient Jeanette Willis on Saaturday during the 38th annual Life Savers Ball event presented by the American Cancer Society at Lorain County Community College.

Carissa Woytach

The Community Guide

A man who shot and paralyzed a woman at a Lorain County Metro Park in 2008 has been charged with murder in connection with her death more than a decade later, Lorain County Prosecutor J.D. Tomlinson announced during a news conference last week.

Matthew Plas, 41, was arraigned earlier this week on a murder charge stemming from his May 6, 2008, attack on Shawn Stevens.

Plas is serving a 33-year prison sentence for the attempted murder of Stevens.

Stevens, then 43, was hiking in the Carlisle Reservation when Plas, then 25, attacked her without warning.

According to ChronicleTelegram archives, Plas passed by Stevens while she was hiking near the Duck Pond in the Metro Parks.

“Peaceful here, isn’t it?”

Plas asked her as he passed. He then shot her in the back without warning, paralyzing her.

He then beat her, attempted to rob her, sexually assaulted her and put her in the trunk of his car after he believed she was dead.

Stevens was still alive and able to attract the attention of passersby. As they called police, Plas drove off at high speed, then dumped Stevens behind a closed business on Oberlin-Elyria Road.

Plas pleaded guilty to charges of kidnapping, aggravated robbery, attempted murder and felonious assault and was sentenced to 33 years in prison in 2009.

The incident left the mother of four and grandmother of seven paralyzed from the waist down.

Shawn Stevens herself told The ChronicleTelegram in 2009 that the 33-year prison term handed down to Plas wasn’t nearly enough years in prison.

“I wish the judge would have shown him the same mercy he showed me, which was none,” she told The Chronicle.

Stevens, 55, died in 2019, with Lorain County Coroner Dr. Frank Miller ruling her death was a result of complications from the 2008 attack.

The month after his wife’s death Dec. 28, 2019, Mark Stevens told The Chronicle he wanted Plas to serve more time behind bars. Mark Stevens died in July 2020.

During Tomlinson’s news conference Friday, Stevens’ daughter Carol Shaffer, of Fairview Park, echoed her mother’s sentiments.

“Thirty-three years is not

enough,” she said. “He just had gotten out of jail when he did this.”

“He’s a Tier III sex offender, do you think he’s not going to come out and do it again? And he can’t even say sorry.”

Shaffer, who was “unofficially adopted” by Stevens at 4 years old, said her mother was there for every major moment in her life — from her first fight in school to the birth of her first child.

Shaffer, alongside her sisters Jenessa Eller, of Elyria, and Robyn Kaselak, of Akron, attended Friday’s news conference, holding up photos of their mother from before her attack, including Stevens holding her first grandchild, Ernesto Santiago, in 2002.

They said Stevens’ fourth daughter, Audrey Brandt, could not attend Friday’s news conference.

Shaffer said Stevens suffered nerve damage from the attack and was bedridden and in pain for more than a decade because of it — robbing her of time in her children’s and grandchildren’s lives. She never got to take her grandchildren to the zoo, or the Duck Pond she loved to visit, Shaffer said.

“For 12 years he put her on death row,” Shaffer said. Delayed for years

Tomlinson said her case was initially sent to his predecessor, Dennis Will, for review, but was never sent to the grand jury.

After Tomlinson took office, he said Stevens’ case stalled again.

In May 2021 attorney Tony Cillo told The Chronicle-Telegram that he was reviewing the case and determining whether to bring murder charges against Plas.

About a year later, Cillo left the prosecutor’s office and never notified anyone of the pending case, Tomlinson said.

In 2023, the Stevens fam-

ily contacted Tomlinson’s office for an update on the case, Tomlinson said, and it was assigned to major trial attorney Matt Kern and investigator Buddy Sivert for evaluation and referral to the grand jury.

Cillo disputed Tomlinson’s claim that he had not made the county prosecutor aware of Stevens’ case. He said he spoke with Tomlinson and James Burge, a former Lorain County Common Pleas judge now serving as Tomlinson’s chief of staff.

“That’s a case that was discussed,” Cillo said Friday. “I don’t know why they would be going there.”

Cillo said Plas was not the only case the prosecutor’s office needed to bring charges on.

He said the murder charge against Plas was “certainly appropriate.

“I don’t think I had seen a more vile set of facts where the victim had lived in a 27-year-career ... I hope they hold him responsible for the murder because he sure should be,” he said.

Cillo, a Republican, is running against Tomlinson — his former boss and incumbent Democrat — for Lorain County prosecutor. The pair will face off in the general election.

Former Lorain County victim advocate supervisor Kathy Rednour said she was in touch with two of Stevens’ daughters when Tomlinson took office, and they had originally wanted to see the case sent to the grand jury before Stevens’ husband, Mark, died, which did not happen.

She said she brought it, and another case out of Lorain, up to Burge before she left the county.

Like Cillo, she was grateful to see Stevens’ case move forward.

“I don’t think any family of a murder victim should have to wait five, six years for something to happen,” she said.

The daughters of

from left,

Why all the cones? New gas lines

Lauren Hoffman

The Community Guide

OBERLIN — Residents in Oberlin can expect to see the all-too-familiar orange cones and flaggers this summer as Columbia Gas ramps up for its 2024

Accelerated Main Replacement Program in the city.

Comprised of 10 sections ranging across East College and Orchard streets, the project is a direct result of a 2008 court ruling that requires the company to replace all of its bare steel and cast iron pipes with new plastic ones.

The project will begin shortly after the April 8 total solar eclipse and is expected to cost the city $1.5 million. The project will affect 228 customers.

“We are abandoning around 12,400 feet of pipe

and are replacing 12,000 feet with the new plastic piping which will be laid right over top of the old piping,” said Ben Cutler, public affairs manager for Columbia Gas.

The project is expected to come in three main phases across 10 sections and will include both replacing the pipe and restoring the land afterward.

“The first phase we go into is put in the new mainline, which is essentially the line that runs parallel on any street,” Cutler said. “You could think of it like the main artery and our crews are currently doing camera work to be able to start boring in and placing this.”

Once the main line is complete, new plastic service lines will be put

into each home and restoration will begin. During the service line placement, 77 customers will have their meters moved outside of the house to make sure the new pressure system coming in will not cause problems.

“I know the most important thing for Council is the restoration as that is where the calls come in,” Cutler said.“Folks don’t see their gas lines, but they see their sidewalks and their trees and tree lawns, and we do our best and never anticipate taking out any trees, so we do everything we can to avoid that from being an issue.”

Similar restoration work recently wrapped up in Amherst, where 6,000 feet of new pipe was placed along 37 properties. As in Am-

IMAGE PROVIDED

The 10 sections in Oberlin are shown that will be worked on during the 2024 Accelerated Main Replacement Program. Sections L1-3 are expected to be worked on first, sections L6-10 second and L4 and 5 done last.

herst, Cutler assures the city that roads will not be closed completely during the work, but people can expect to see flaggers out.

“We don’t ever anticipate closing a full road and are very cognizant of police, fire and EMS being able to get through,” he said. “We

than they did last year. Not unlike the groundhog, they are local predictors of the coming of spring. Last year the flowers emerged on Feb. 15. A bit later but, hey, we’ll take it, right?

Historic Y gets $1 million matching grant

The Community Guide

The Neighborhood Alliance has received a $1 million matching donation to raise money for its reinvention of the historic Elyria YMCA.

The commitment comes from an anonymous “generous donor.” It will match every $3 donation from the community with a $1 donation up to $1 million total. It applies

to donations made through the end of 2024.

Neighborhood Alliance is undertaking a six-phase capital improvement campaign to repair and renovate three buildings into new service locations. Two of the new locations will be in Lorain, and the third will be in the former YMCA in Elyria.

“Renovation of the former YMCA

is a legacy project,” Alicia Foss, president and CEO of Neighborhood Alliance, said. “Once bustling with swim lessons and racquetball teams, this iconic building is now an active hub for Neighborhood Alliance’s services from senior nutrition to family support. I am proud of the history of this building and our organization.”

are really good about closing lanes and take traffic control very seriously.”

The project is expected to take around five months and will wrap up in time for winter. A community information session is also planned for March before the project begins, with a

date that has yet to be set.

For more information on the project including a timeline, Cutler said information will be posted regularly on Columbia Gas’ social media accounts as well as on the Oberlin city website.

Contact Lauren Hoffman at (440) 3286902 or lhoffman@chroniclet.com.

Officials brace for half million eclipse visitors

Hoffman The Community Guide

OBERLIN — With three weeks left until the total solar eclipse, cities in and out of the totality zone in Lorain County are continuing to ramp up preparation.

Fire Chief Robert Hanmer went before Oberlin City Council Monday night to discuss what Oberlin could potentially be looking forward to, despite not being one of the cities in the path of totality.

“We are expecting anywhere between 139,000 and 556,000 visitors to the state, particularly Lorain County on April 8 when the eclipse occurs,” Hanmer said. “That’s compared to the current 315,964 who currently live here.” Hanmer told Council that an area of concern is the exit and traffic after the event.

“We know from the 2017 eclipse that the states of Colorado, Oregon, Tennessee, Kentucky and Missouri all were impacted by intense traffic from everyone trying to leave at once, leading to 13-hour traffic jams in some places,” he said. “This is our biggest concern also and especially what that could mean for fuel.”

Hanmer warned of long lines for fuel as well as shortages that the county and Oberlin should prepare for. Further, Oberlin College is holding an event at its football complex which could potentially bring even more people than normal into the small town.

“The message we are

pushing is arrive early, stay late and stay put,” he said. “I know that some viewing parties are going on and people are coming whether we like it or not so we have to prepare for that.”

Hanmer also talked about the importance of having bathrooms accessible for the influx of people. Additionally, he said emergency responders will be spread thin everywhere.

“We will be by ourselves, there will not be any mutual aid that we can rely on for police, fire or EMS but we are doing our absolute best to have extra staffing and personnel on hand,” he said. “Still some other places might be short-staffed due to this so we also want to push patience.”

Another concern is Ohio’s weather. According to Hanmer, April 8 has historically been a day with 68 percent cloud cover and has the potential for snow. This unpredictable weather could make the situation worse.

“Weather plays a huge part in who’s coming and we anticipate people to be looking at weather the day before, so if it’s sunny expect a ton of people,” he said. “But if it is cloudy and all these people are here, that could be a problem too.”

Hanmer said that local law enforcement has already been in talks with gas stations to stock up on fuel and told Council and business owners to prepare for a large increase in customers and people.

“Be prepared but do not panic,” he said.

Every Thursday, The Lorain CountyCommunity Guide brings you news from Amherst, Oberlin, Wellington and surrounding areas of Lorain County

Lauren

Thursday, March 7, 2024 Lorain

Cats in hats celebrate Dr. Seuss by reading his books to students

Carissa Woytach

The Community Guide

LORAIN — Dr. Seuss’ creations were loose in Larkmoor Elementary School on Friday morning.

Dozens of cats in dozens of hats, and Thing One and Thing Two paraded through the halls of Lorain Schools’ largest elementary building, stopping to read books to its preschool through fifth grade students.

The Things and the Cats in Hats, 45 in all, were volunteers from Lorain Metropolitan Housing Authority, who donated their time and 601 books to the students of the school to take home and to fill the building’s library, said Principal Chantelle Lewis and LMHA CEO Judith Carlin.

The effort was part of the building’s inaugural Parent Palooza, a celebration for National Read Across America Day and Dr. Seuss’ birthday, which invited caregivers into the building to make crafts with their students and learn more about the district’s new science of reading curriculum.

Championed by the National Education Association, Read Across America looks to promote children and teens to read through events and partnerships. It falls on Dr. Seuss’ birthday, which is today.

Local officials meet with county on 911

Carissa Woytach

The Community Guide

Local safety forces and city officials met with representatives from Lorain County 911 and MARCS radios to discuss what it would take for individual departments to remain on private radio systems.

The vast majority of safety forces in Lorain County backed the L3 Harris/ Cleveland Communications Inc. system over the Motorola/Multi-Agency Radio Communications System (MARCS). The Lorain County commissioners previously had a contract with Cleveland Communications in 2022, but rescinded it in early 2023, with claims from Commissioners Jeff Riddell and Dave Moore that CCI’s bid was improper and the process was rigged. Neither have provided evidence to support their claims, according to previous reporting, and two outside investigations found no evidence of wrongdoing. The commissioners approved a new agreement with Motorola for its MARCS system in December, prompting police and fire chiefs in the county to look at their local options — and for the county to hold the information sessions.

Elyria fire recently switched to the L3 Harris/ CCI system while keeping its dispatch out of the 911 center. The process took some time — only going live in late February when a news release from the

Carlin, who joined her Chief Operating Officer Gale Sayers Proby as Thing One and Thing Two, said her staff plans to partner with Larkmoor Elementary for future activities and supply drives.

Contact Carissa Woytach at (440) 329-7245 or cwoytach@ chroniclet.com.

County accepts grants toward several projects

ple buildings, but state officials chose only the County Administration Building for funding. Perkins said much of the cost-savings benefit will come from installing LED lighting, as well as timers and controls for lights in public hallways, stairwells and the county parking garage.

mated $4.5 million project.

Lyn Ickes, stormwater outreach and maintenance manager for the Stormwater Management District, said the design phase is almost complete and the work will begin in September or October this year. grants

grant from the Ohio Department of Development for energy conservation improvements to the County Administration Building.

The money will be used to improve energy efficiency by installing energysaving infrastructure in the six-story building on Middle Avenue in Elyria.

Deputy County Administrator Karen Perkins estimated that the total project will cost between $788,000 and $917,000, with the rest being paid for by the county.

The improvements will be paid back over eight to 13 years, with the county “reaping some savings based on the fixtures or devices” being replaced, she told the board.

“It takes a little time but we will recoup our money,” Perkins said.

The county submitted grant applications for multi-

The grant funding was awarded through the Energy Efficiency Program for Ohio Communities, or EEPOC, which helps retrofit existing buildings with energy-efficient technology.

Once the project is sent out to bid, it will be 60 to 90 days before a contractor is chosen for the work, Perkins said.

The board also entered into an agreement with the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation to obtain $1 million in funding for water quality projects being done on the Gerber property in Eaton Township.

The Gerber property is a 60-acre plot on state Route 83 owned by the Lorain County Stormwater Management District, and will be turned into a stormwater detention area similar to the the Lake Avenue Stream Restoration project in Elyria Township.

The county received $1 million in funding from the state’s H2Ohio program in December toward the esti-

The project has been at least 11 years in the making, she said.

Additionally, the board accepted $45,000 in Community Housing Impact and Preservation Program Lead Abatement Program funds from the state Department of Development to do lead-safe renovations, lead abatement and mitigation on up to three eligible houses in Lorain County.

Yet another $3,156 matching grant was accepted from the Ohio Department Of Transportation’s Office of Aviation for construction work at the Lorain County Regional Airport in New Russia Township.

The county also is expecting to receive another $191,000 from the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections to replace sprinkler heads at the Lorain County Jail.

In other business, the board made nearly $475,000 worth of changes to work being done to expand the Haven Center emergency shelter on East 30th Street in Lorain.

department had anticipated it would happen on Nov.

1 — with an agreement for Elyria to bear up to $25,000 in setup costs.

911 Director Rob Berner said Tuesday’s meetings, which included three different sessions throughout the day aimed at city officials from throughout the county, were to help those officials understand that they can stay on the private network, or move to the countywide MARCS system and maintain dispatch out of 911.

Sheffield Village Mayor Robert Markovich, and its Police Chief William Visalden Jr., were quick to point out the inefficiencies they had with MARCS when they tried it in 2021. Markovich said the system does not work in the valley, and alleged the building of the MARCS towers was not for Lorain County first responders’ benefit, but for MARCS’ to further its statewide system.

There are currently two MARCS towers in Lorain County. The county’s new agreement will see four more built to give about 95 percent coverage, MCM Consulting Group Project Manager Jason Roblin said. MCM Consulting recommended the Motorola/ MARCS radio system to the county in December. He said the county is moving forward with MARCS, and municipalities are welcome to join or use private systems like CCI. When asked what the

cost is to move to MARCS, Berner said it depends on the type of radios a local fire or police department purchases. There is also a $5-per-month-per-radio fee for using MARCS. That fee is in addition to the about $13 million spent by the county for the system’s buildout.

He cautioned local officials in the room Tuesday that if they choose to go with a private radio system like CCI, while the county can still handle their dispatch, they are not responsible if a tower fails.

He said there is interoperability with MARCS on the CCI system, to which Lorain Police Chief Jim McCann read MARCS’ policy that it does not allow any interoperability between systems. But radios, as pieces of equipment, can be programmed to work on either system.

MARCS Infrastructure Specialist Bob Bill said interoperability is available through temporary patches between the systems, which can be mapped out ahead of time, or done directly through dispatch.

If local departments choose to go with a private system, Berner said there is limited space at dispatch to accommodate the equipment allowing them to do so if that is what a municipality chooses, physical space may be a hindrance if multiple agencies make the switch at once.

The county commissioners said the sessions will provide guidance on the new MARCS system.

Kindergarten teacher Amanda Strauser fastens Riley Bonilla’s Cat in the Hat headband.

Keystone wins District!

they got the DIII

over Rootstown at Lakeview High School.

The pictures at right display some of the action as Keystone gets a 48-43 win to move onto the District Final.

Keystone trailed the entire first half, behind 27-22, at halftime. However the momentum swung in third quarter and Keystone took the lead for good.

And then, they went on to win the DIII District Final in an exciting nail-biter against Crestview. Keystone had jumped out to an early lead but Crestview came back to tie the game at halftime.

The pictures below depict the fight and determination they needed to win.

The game ended tied in the fourth quarter, but Keystone found some energy and a few critical baskets to go on to a 40-33 win in overtime for the District championship.

First,

District Semifinal win

The Keystone bench celebrates a Brooklyn Barber three-point shot against Crestview.

Keystone’s Helayna Houston moves the ball past Crestview’s Myer Miller.

At left, Keystone’s Vivian Cassell gets past Crestview’s Luvrain Gaskins for two points.

The Keystone Wildcats run onto the floor to celebrate as the final buzzer -- in overtime -- sounds in the DIII District championship.

The 2024 Division III Northeast District Champion Keystone Wildcats.

Keystone head coach Rocky Houston cuts down the net after the win over Crestview.

County

It only took Keystone’s Vivian Cassell one knee to get two points as teammate Jessica Forthofer looks on.

Keystone’s Madyson Sokolowski drives past Rootstown’s Melanie Plecko.

Photos by Russ Gifford

The Community Guide

BULLETIN BOARD

Auditions set for ‘Ripcord’

Auditions will be held March 17 and 18 at 7 p.m. at the Workshop Players theater, 44820 Middle Ridge Rd., Amherst.

“Ripcord,” which runs May 16-19 and May 24-26, takes place in a sunny room on an upper floor is prime real estate in the Bristol Place Senior Living Facility. When cantankerous Abby is forced to share her quarters with new-arrival Marilyn, she has no choice but to get rid of the infuriatingly chipper woman. Delightful, hilarious and touching, this thought-provoking play is a wonderful way to cap off Workshop Players’ first full season since the pandemic.

The director is seeking two females who can play women in their 70s, one female who can play 40s, two males who can play 40s and one male 25-35.

Join the Amherst golf league

The Amherst City golf league has openings for players for the upcoming season. Two-man teams or singles to play as subs or regulars are needed. This is a men’s league, mostly retirees, for fun with competition.

They play Tuesday afternoons at Forest Hills. Please contact Gregg at 440-277-7349 if interested.

‘9-to-5’auditions Saturday

Lorain Community Music Theater has extended auditions for 9 to 5 The Musical, the hilarious story of friendship and revenge in the Rolodex era.

Auditions will be held on Saturday, beginning at 12:45 p.m. See a complete list of characters at www.loraincommunitymusictheater.org.

Auditions will be held at St. Peter School, 3655 Oberlin Ave., Lorain.

The Production Team is searching for a diverse, inclusive, and non-traditional cast, including creative, charismatic actors/singers who move well. Auditions are open to actors high school aged and up.

Auditioners should come prepared with 16-32 bars of an up-tempo and ballad in the correct key. An accompanist will be provided. Please, no acapella or recorded music.

Those unable to prepare a song will be asked to sing the first verse of “My Country ‘tis of Thee” along with our piano. Please bring a head shot, resume, and a list of any conflicts from June 2 through July 28, 2024.

Performances will be July 25-28, 2024 (4 performances) at the Lorain Performing Arts Center. Production Staff includes: Keli Schimelpfenig, Director; Anthony Trifiletti, Music Director; Connie Laettner, Choreographer; Craig Koehler, Producer.

9 to 5, The Musical, is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). )For further questions, send an e-mail to LCMTshows@ gmail.com, and one of our Production Team Members will respond as soon as possible.

MARCH MADNESS

Amherst Historical Society scholarships

Amherst Historical Society is offering four $1,500 scholarships for Lorain County students that help impact the community.

– Two $1,500 scholarships are for trade school, trade programs, or certifications

– Two $1,500 scholarships are for college: One is a first year scholarship: the other if for students already in college. The deadline for applications for the scholarship is April 12 by 4 pm.

The scholarship application is available at https://amhersthistoricalsociety.org/scholarship/ or can be picked up or emailed. For more information, call (440) 988-7255; or email office@amhersthistoricalsociety.org

Diversity is theme of Genealogy program

Ohio Genealogy Society -- Lorain County Chapter will present an online program, “Faith of our Fathers” on Monday at 7 p,m.

Peggy Lauritzen, author, researcher, and instructor, will present this program on our country’s religious history and diversity. A number of different religions and their beginnings will be discussed. Before state and vital records were mandated, churches were valuable information that can be used as substitutes for vital records.

This virtual presentation on is free and open to the public. To join, request a link by emailing meetings@ loraincoogs.org.

Amherst Library events this week

The Amherst Public Library has a variety of programs and events for all ages. This coming week, there will be:

Monday at 6:30 p.m. - Make Your Own Herbal Tea

Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. - Tabletop Game Time

Thursday at 4 p.m. - Kids Art Workshop: The Eclipse

Solar eclipse program Thursday

Pittsfield Township Historical Society will host a program “Solar Eclipse 2024 - Path of Totality” given by Gary S. Gerrone, writer for the Chronicle-Telegram and an award-winning naturalist previously with the Lorain County Metro Parks. His informative, and free program will be held Thursday at 7 p.m. at the Pittsfield Town Hall. A limited supply of solar glasses will be available.

FOOD DISTRIBUTIONS AROUND COUNTY

Oberlin Community Services drive-up service, 1:304:30 p.m. Wednesdays, 500 E. Lorain St., Oberlin. Indoor choice pantry 1:30-4:30 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays and 1:30-3:30 p.m. each Friday. Call (440) 774-6579.

LCCAA Produce Center ordering windows are open 8 a.m. Monday through 11 p.m. Sunday or until appointments are full. Pickup is Wednesday and Thursday, 204 W. 10th St., Lorain (former LCCAA Bike Shop). Service is available weekly on a first-order, available-appointment basis to anyone in Lorain County living at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty level. Visit www.lccaa.net/ programs/produce_center to order or for more information.

St. Agnes Table of Plenty Food Pantry, gates open at 9:30 a.m., food distribution is 10 a.m. to noon at 611 Lake Ave., Elyria. Distribution is the fourth Saturday of the month on the following dates: March 23; April 27; May 25 and June 22. Enter on Bath Street. Car trunks should be clean and empty. Only Elyria residents.

St. Elizabeth Center hot meals: breakfast, 9-10 a.m. second and fourth Saturdays of every month; lunch, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday; dinner, 5-6 p.m. Wednesday at 2726 Caroline Ave., Lorain. Call (440) 242-0056 for more information.

First United Methodist Church community breakfast, at 9:30-10:30 a.m. every Sunday at 312 Third St., Elyria. Carryout packages are handed out at the Holly Lane kitchen entrance.

Cornerstone United Methodist Church free community breakfast, 9-11 a.m. every third Saturday at 2949 West River Road, Elyria. Call (440) 324-1202 for info. Spread the Word Ministries food pantry, 10 a.m. to noon every second Saturday of the month at 36 Kerstetter Way, Elyria. Free personal hygiene products 10 a.m. to noon every fourth Saturday of the month.

Oberlin weekday community meals, 5-5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday at 162 S. Main St., Oberlin. Walk-up meals are distributed from the big red building behind the church; drive-thru meals from the Morgan Street lot.

Sandstone Community Church food pantry, 9-10:30 a.m. Monday through Thursday at 201 W. Main St., South Amherst. Call (440) 986-2461. Firelands school district and/or Amherst residents only.

Oberlin Community Services drive-up service, 1:304:30 p.m. Wednesdays, 500 E. Lorain St., Oberlin. Indoor choice pantry 1:30-4:30 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays and 1:30-3:30 p.m. each Friday. Call (440) 774-6579. Community Congregational Church community meal, 5-6 p.m. the second Monday of the month at 379 S. Main St., Amherst, and noon to 1 p.m. the fourth Sunday of the month at Redeemer, 647 Reid Ave., Lorain. First Evangelical Lutheran Church food pantry, 10-11:30 a.m. Tuesdays at 1019 W. Fifth St., Lorain. Call (440) 244-6286 for more information.

Lorain Lighthouse United Methodist food pantry 1-2:30 p.m. the fourth Thursday of the month at 3015 Meister Road, Lorain.

St. Martin of Tours Food Pantry, noon to 1 p.m. the second and fourth Thursdays of each month at 1824 Station Road, Valley City (behind the white house).

Asbury UMC food pantry, 10 a.m. to noon the first and third Saturdays of each month at 1621 Middle Ave., Elyria. Call (440) 323-9596.

St. Patrick Helping Hands food pantry, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. the third Saturday of the month and 6-8 p.m. the following Tuesday at 510 N. Main St., Wellington.

St. Jude Helping Hands food pantry, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. the third Saturday of each month and 5-6 p.m. the following Tuesday at 590 Poplar St., Elyria. Please do not arrive until 30 minutes before start time. Call (440) 366-0118.

Goodwill Industries of Lorain County Food Pantry, 10 a.m. to noon every third Wednesday of the month at 145 Keep Court, Elyria. Participants must be incomeeligible and bring proof of residency (photo ID).

The Friendship Animal Protective League pet food pantry, 1-3 p.m. the second Saturday of the month at the garage of Friendship APL, 8303 Murray Ridge Road, Elyria. Patrons must wear masks and practice social distancing. Friendship APL asks that patrons of the pet pantry fill out a form with their information and their pet’s information at the time of arrival. For any additional information, email shelby@friendshipapl.org or call (440) 322-4321, ext. 229.

We found aleprechaun to answer questions about these mysterious little people! He wouldn’treally show himself to us. Mostly what we saw during the interview were his lips, oversized sunglasses and his hat.

A: Weefolk are we. Three feet tall at most.

Each leprechaun below has atwin. Draw alinebetweeneachtwin but remember: Leprechauns can be VERY tricky! Look closely.

A:

Leprechaun’s shoeshelf has toppled. Canyou matchthe pairs of fair yshoes?

Canyou read inches of the newspaper columns that areequal to 3feet?

A: It isn’teasy.Ifyou should see a leprechaun, get as close as you can without him seeing you.

Quickly take him in your grasp and don’ttake your eyes offofhim. Then ask where his pot of gold is hidden.

He will try to talk you into looking away.Ifyou do look the other way,hewill be gone when you look back.

A: We play tricks on people who don’tbelieve in us. We especially like to bother teachers who try to tell children that we don’texist.

One ne morning,Iwentfor awalk in the woods. Itripped on a __________. When I looked down, Isaw a_ little with agreen __________________.

“________________,”hesaid. “Myname is _______________. I’ma leprechaun. If youwantmy_ of __________, you’ll have to me rst!”

Itried to him, but he wastoo forme. He just laughed and called out to me,“ St. Patrick’sDay!”

Howmany shamrocks canyou nd on this page?

Standards

With hundreds of topics,every KidScoop printable activitypack features six-to-seven pages of high-interest extra learning activities forhomeand school! Getyour free sample todayat:

GIFT OF GAB

If someone has the “gift of gab,” it means thepersonis a goodtalker. The word gab comesfrom gob,the Irish wordfor mouth.

Katie had the giftofgab, which sometimesgot her in trouble for talking too much duringschool.

Tryto use thephrase gift of gab in asentence today when talkingwith your friends and family members

Abbreviations

St. is an abbreviation for Saint.Clip six examples of abbreviations from the newspaper.Write the whole word for each abbreviation.

Standards