High demand drives spikes home values
The median housing home value in Lorain County last year reached its highest level since 2007, continuing the steady climb of recent years, according to the latest census data.
The median home value in Lorain County was $207,500 in 2022, a 5 percent increase from the previous year and the highest value since its peak prior to the 2008 housing crisis, according to the Census Bureau’s 2023 American Community Survey.
“Certainly we are well past when the bubble burst back in 2007, 2008,” Lorain County Auditor Craig Snodgrass said. “We have
far exceeded those values, so we have recovered since then. And it is not slowing down, we have not leveled off in terms of sales prices.”
Median home value in the county reached its apex in 2006, surpassing $214,000, before gradually falling through the 2010s and bottoming out in 2013 and 2014 at about $169,000.
All home values have been adjusted for inflation to 2022 dollars.
Outside of a dip in 2017, housing value has climbed steadily since in Lorain and neighboring counties, as they did across the country.
Yuzey Yilmaz, an associate professor in economics at Cleveland State University, said that the increase
HOMES PAGE A2
Oberlin College illuminates
Mercy Health, Anthem reach new contract for Medicare, Medicaid through 2028
A new contract between Bon Secours/Mercy Health and Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Ohio extends Anthem Medicare Advantage, Medicaid and other members’ access to affordable health care at Mercy Health until 2028, the parties announced Friday.
The Oberlin College campus community celebrated autumn on Saturday with an evening of live music and camaraderie under the illumination of Japanese lanterns.
Lined across Tappan Square, the hundreds of lanterns illuminating the square provided colorful brightness with a series of live performances and gatherings from the campus community.
The illumination night was part of series of events taking place this homecoming weekend including Oberlin College’s football game against Depauw
University and numer-
ous gatherings on campus with several Oberlin alumni classes being honored with reunions.
At the center of the square the crowd was treated to a performance from Oberlin College Taiko, a group practicing the art of traditional Japanese Taiko drumming.
The event also featured a number of food trucks.
Illumination is a new addition to Homecoming in 2023, following a springtime tradition that typically follows commencement. Adding illumination to the slate of Homecoming events, is a desire to unite the campus community with returning alumni on hand to enjoy the bright lights.
Mercy Health and Anthem reached a multiyear agreement providing Anthem members with continued access to care at all Mercy Health hospitals, outpatient care centers and physician offices.
Details of the agreement are not being released due to confidentiality provisions in the contract, the parties said in a joint news release.
All Anthem Medicare Advantage and Medicaid health plan members will have continued in-network coverage at Mercy Health.
Anthem has agreed to cover any claims that patients may have made during the period of time that Mercy Health was out of network with Anthem Medicaid, since July 1. The agreement also extends coverage for Anthem employer-based and Affordable Care Act plans. With the new contract, Anthem members covered by these plans will
CONTRACT PAGE A2
County Oberlin Sports Man memorializing veterans ● A3 OBITUARIES A2 • CLASSIFIEDS A4 • CROSSWORD A7 • SUDOKU A7 • KID SCOOP A8 INSIDE THIS WEEK Thursday, Oct. 5, 2023 Submit items to news@LCnewspapers.com Volume 10, Issue 39 Homecoming court named ● A5 Firelands Homecoming ● A6
STAFF REPORT STAFF REPORT
OWEN MACMILLAN THE COMMUNITY GUIDE
JEFF BARNES | The Community Guide
TOP: Rin Siegel, Arielle Zakim, Morgan Cianfichi, and Claire Vallely roast marshmallows during Illumination at Tappan Square in Oberlin on Sept. 30.
ABOVE: Graham Evans plays with Oberlin College Taiko drummers.
Summit Academy in Lorain closed
with attention deficits.
Beverly Baker Lee
Beverly Baker Lee, 98, died Thursday, September 28, 2023 at UH Elyria Medical Center. The daughter of the late Lawrence Baker and Helen Neidhardt Baker, Bev was born November 26, 1924.
She graduated from Wellington High School in 1942. Bev attended Business College in Oberlin and worked as a secretary for the Wellington schools.
After raising her three daughters, she worked as bookkeeper for H.R. Lee & Sons. In her younger years, Bev was an active member of the First Congregational Church in Wellington. She enjoyed sewing, baking, reading, gardening, and traveling with her husband. She dearly loved spending time with her family. Because Jesus made the way, Beverly had hope for eternity and looked forward to Heaven and a life without pain and suffering. She will be remembered in the hearts of many, both young and old, as a compassionate lady who generously gave of her time and talents to serve others.
Survivors include her daughters, Linda (Joe) Graham of Raleigh, North Carolina; Laura (Doug) Allen of Wellington; and Janet (Scott) Jaenke of Medina; six grandchildren, Carrie (Jason), Mandy, Jenny, Michael (Seohyeon), Thomas, and Benjamin; three great-grandchildren, Emily, Elizabeth, and Charles Joseph.
Bev was preceded in death by her husband, Charles R. Lee; brother, Richard Baker; and sister, Dorothy Baker Hintz. Beverly requested only a private family graveside service. Burial will be at Greenwood Cemetery, Wellington.
Donations in memory of Bev can be sent to Compassion International, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80997.
CONTRACT
have access to affordable coverage at Mercy Health until 2028.
“I’m proud that both organizations continued to focus on our shared priority: the communities we serve,”
Anthem Ohio President Jane Peterson said in the joint news release. “We worked together to creatively address affordability for our members and the financial needs of an important care provider. This agreement provides long-term stable access to care at Mercy Health without cost increases for our members and employers.”
“We understand that being out network can be very difficult, and we are pleased that patients with Anthem insurance can now see our physicians and use our hospitals at an in-network cost,” Dr. John Luellen, president of Mercy Health Lorain and Youngstown,said in the joint news release. “We sincerely believe that access to quality health care services is vital for our communities. This new agreement protects our patients’ access to compassionate care close to home.”
As part of the agreement, Mercy Health has agreed
to dismiss a lawsuit filed in Virginia as the organizations form teams to address claims submissions and payment processes.
Negotiations started in late 2022 between Anthem, also known as Elevance Health, and Bon Secours/Mercy Health. Mercy Health said it was experiencing inflationrelated cost increases, and the cost of labor, supplies and medications was going up between 7 percent and 9 percent.
Mercy Health said in June that Elevance owed Bon Secours/Mercy Health more than $100 million in late and unpaid claims.
Anthem’s previous contract with Mercy Health was set to expire Jan. 1, 2025. Anthem Medicare Advantage members were expected to pay more for care at Mercy Health starting today if an agreement wasn’t reached.
Anthem said members may contact the Member Service phone number on their Anthem ID card for assistance with any questions.
Mercy Health patients can call (888) 354-0205 for more information.
LETTERS
Letters to the editor should be:
• Written to the editor. We do not allow open letters or those to specific residents, politicians, or groups.
• Concise. There is a limit of 350 words on letters.
• Polite. Letters that use crude language or show poor taste will be rejected.
• Opinions. We reserve space for letters that share a unique perspective. Press releases are not letters and will be considered for publication in other parts of the paper.
• Free of advertising, product or service endorsements or complaints, poetry, language that could raise legal problems, or claims that are measurably false.
• Signed. Include your name, address, and daytime telephone number for our records. Up to two signatures.
• The deadline to submit letters is 10 a.m. each Monday. They are used on a space-available basis. We reserve the right to edit any submission for length, grammar, spelling, and clarity, or to reject any submission.
Summit Academy School in Lorain is closed effective today, with more than 50 students and their families now needing to find somewhere else to further their education.
In an email to The Chronicle-Telegram, Summit Academy Management Director of Communications Denise Henry said the Summit Academy School Lorain Governing Authority voted to close the school on Illinois Avenue effective today.
“Summit Academy is extremely saddened by this outcome,” Henry wrote Friday. “Families and staff members are being notified of the decision today.”
A meeting was held Aug. 30 to inform families of the school’s uncertain future and to provide them
HOMES
FROM A1
in value has been driven by the demand for homes outpacing the supply, both nationally and in Northeast Ohio.
Lorain County fell well short of the national median home value of $320,900 in 2022 but surpassed the Ohio median of $204,100.
Snodgrass and the auditor’s office are now undertaking a full reassessment of property values in the county, which is done every six years.
Snodgrass said the numbers his office has seen through that process and those he has heard from neighboring county auditors also demonstrate a rise in value.
“I know my fellow auditors who have been going through updates, they’re seeing some huge increases as far as how much they’re going to have to bring up values to meet what the market is telling them,” Snodgrass said.
He cautioned that the census numbers and those coming out of his office should not be compared or conflated directly because they are collected and used differently.
The auditor’s office is wrapping up its fieldwork in its reevaluation process, but Snodgrass said it is clear that the market has been on the rise.
“Right now we’re see-
with information about other local high schools and online schools, Henry wrote.
Families who couldn’t make it to the meeting were contacted by phone the following day.
Lorain Schools is working with families to see if the district can serve their students, spokeswoman Lisa Roberson said Friday.
“Earlier this month, we first became aware that the future of the school was uncertain, and students who live within the district’s boundaries could be impacted,” she wrote in an email. “At that time, we actively began reaching out to families to let them know we were here to help if they needed support with enrollment into Lorain City Schools.
“We see all children who live in Lorain as our children and stand ready to
ing our ratios at about 30 percent below market,” he said. “So if somebody’s selling for $100,000, we’re saying it’s worth say $70,000… That’s not just in the cities, it’s across the townships (and) villages. So everybody is really, I think, sharing in this huge boom in sales.”
Snodgrass said this is the first year the auditor’s office is doing the revaluation fully in-house rather than contracting and the process is slightly ahead of schedule.
He said he hoped to start releasing numbers by late spring 2024.
While values and sales prices are on the rise, Snodgrass said that there are fewer actual housing transactions taking place.
“Transfers in our office are down, but the values they’re selling for are up,” he said. “You’re getting into an issue of supply and demand. There’s just not a lot of inventory and you’re still getting many, many offers on housing stock and it’s pushing numbers up.”
The low supply of homes has not been an issue in Lorain County in recent years, as large housing developments in the eastern portion of the county have ballooned the populations of communities like Avon, North Ridgeville and Columbia
serve all families,” Roberson said.
Roberson said she didn’t have an exact number of students who might end up enrolled with Lorain Schools “as families continue to register with us for several reasons.”
Lorain Schools enrollment numbers “fluctuate slightly from day to day.
But I do know several students with special needs have enrolled with us this month,” Roberson said.
Summit Academy officials told The Chronicle in early September that the school’s future was uncertain due to staffing shortages.
As of Sept. 2, the school’s enrollment was 28 students in grades nine to 12 and 26 in sixth through eighth grades. The public community school primarily served students on the autism spectrum and those
Station.
But, as the larger of those new neighborhoods finish development and the supply chain issues have raised the cost of new construction, developers have ceased to keep up.
“They just can’t build them fast enough,” Snodgrass said. also pointed to supply and demand as a — if not the — main driving factor of the increase in median home value.
“(It’s) artificial, probably,” he said. “It’s the mortgage market and mortgage rates. I mean, people got... affordable low-rate mortgages, and now no one wants to sell. That’s the whole story, actually…”
The issue of unmet supply and rising prices is less impactful in Lorain County than in the direct Cleveland area, Yilmaz said, but it could still have negative impacts on the affordability of housing.
“What is going to happen is housing is not going to be affordable,” he said. “Especially for (the) working class, blue-collar people, they cannot rent or buy a house. And that would put pressure on the policymakers in county and local government.”
Yilmaz said that median home values do not have a “one-to-one” relation-
All Summit Academy Schools are tuition-free, nonprofit community schools for alternative learners, according to the schools’ website.
Families with middle schoolers were encouraged earlier this month to apply for enrollment in Summit Academy’s expanded Community School for Alternative Learners in Lorain.
Lorain Schools provided transportation through Auxilio Transportation Services to 49 students attending Summit Academy who would normally be enrolled in the public school.
Approximately 62 students attending Summit Academy lived within Lorain Schools boundary and 42 previously attended Lorain Schools, officials have said previously.
ship with rent prices, but that increased valuation of homes would be expected to raise rents over time.
In the city of Lorain, median housing value peaked in 2005 at nearly $163,000 with values falling to a low of about $101,600 in 2015. Since then, the city’s values have generally risen steadily to $120,200 in 2022.
Yilmaz said he expects housing costs nationally and locally to come back down to Earth, but probably not in the form of a crisis like what was seen in the 2000s.
“I don’t expect things to stay the same,” Yilmaz said. “Your expectation in the long run is that more houses would be built and things would go back to normal. That’s the natural expectation.”
Snodgrass said he sees the increase in home valuations as a good sign for Lorain County.
“The unique thing here is it’s not just one area that’s thriving, this is across the board,” Snodgrass said. “Obviously we know the eastern edge has been growing forever and a day, and it continues to, but so do the other parts of the county. I think Lorain County is a good, desirable place to live and people recognize that.”
Phone: 440-329-7122
Submit news to: news@lcnewspapers.com Deadline: 10 a.m. each
Page A2 Lorain County Community Guide Thursday, Oct. 5, 2023 OBITUARIES ABOUT
COMMUNITY
LORAIN COUNTY COMMUNITY GUIDE (USPS 673-960) is published every Thursday, 52 weeks per year by Lorain County Printing & Publishing Company, 225 East Ave., Elyria OH 44035. SUBSCRIPTION RATES: $40 for 52 weeks in Lorain County; $45 in Erie, Huron, Ashland, Medina, and Cuyahoga counties; $50 in all other Ohio counties; $55 outside Ohio. Periodical postage paid at Wellington OH. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Lorain County Community Guide, PO Box 4010, Elyria OH 44036.
THE
GUIDE
SOLUTION TO SUDOKU ON PAGE A7 SOLUTION TO CROSSWORD ON PAGE A7 Classifieds, legals, advertising, subscriptions Deadline: 1 p.m. each Monday Phone: 440-329-7000 Hours: 6:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday News staff: news@LCnewspapers.com
Monday
Send obituaries to: obits@chroniclet.com
afuentes@chroniclet.com
advertising to: chama@chroniclet.com
Lorain County Printing & Publishing Company
Send legal notices to:
Submit
Copyright 2023
FROM A1
DAVE O’BRIEN THE COMMUNITY GUIDE
Local man seeks to memorialize veterans one brick at a time
ELYRIA — One man’s passion for supporting veterans is paving the way for all vets with ties to Lorain County to be memorialized
— one brick at a time.
Dave Ice, a member of Veterans of Foreign Wars
Post 1079 and part of the Honor Guard, started Bricks for Vets about three months ago after noticing the existing walkway hadn’t been updated in nearly 50 years with some bricks nearly unreadable.
“Now, any veteran is able to get a brick put on the property whether they are a member or not, if they’ve passed away or are currently serving,” the Elyria High School graduate said.
He has contacted the Valor Home of Lorain County, which provides transitional housing for homeless male veterans, to ensure veterans there are recognized as well.
“We offered free bricks for the Valor Home veter-
ans, the people who work there and their families,” Ice said.
Of the 25 homeless veterans there, only about half wanted a brick.
“A lot of them don’t want recognition,” he said.
“They don’t like to talk about it.”
Representatives from the state, city officials, police and fire also will be on hand for the unveiling, where the Church of the Open Door band will perform patriotic tunes with two members sounding taps and a student from Marion L. Steele High School in Amherst singing the national anthem.
The unveiling coincides with the VFW post’s centennial, which is in October, Ice said.
“This is an ongoing project,” Ice said. “As long as I’m here, I’m going to continue providing bricks.”
So far, 100 new bricks have been laid with many more to come.
Bricks are available for $50 for VFW members and $75 for nonmembers.
Anyone who purchases a Heroes Banner through the city can purchase a brick for $50 as well, whether or
Dave Ice, VFW Post 1079 member
not they are a member of the VFW.
Each brick has the logo of the branch of service and four lines of text.
“The bricks are all different,” Ice said. “There’s no set pattern. I think that’s what people like about them. And everyone loves the logo.”
All money made from the sale of the bricks goes toward their cost and the cost of landscaping.
“I’ve always believed in trying to help veterans,” Ice said. “Everyone is welcome to come to the ceremony. Hopefully, it’s a nice way to get new members and give the community the opportunity to see things we do for veterans outside of our post.”
Serving from 1983 to 1993, Ice worked as a mechanic in the Army. After he was discharged, he continued working as a mechanic for a time, but eventually went to work for the U.S. Postal Srevice, where he was a mail carrier for 12 years in Elyria. He currently lives in Avon Lake.
Contact Dave Ice at armydaveice2112@gmail. com.
Thursday, Oct. 5, 2023 Lorain County Community Guide Page A3 1854 Broadway Lorain, OH (440) 244-5173 Ohio’s #1 Independent Grocery Store By Ohio Grocers Association Prices Good for These Days in OCTOBER 2023 GROCERY HOME DELIVERY AVAILABLE NOW AT FLIGNERSMARKET.COM LET US DO THE SHOPPING FOR YOU! Fligners/MeatUsHere Find Us On Full Service Carry Outs We Carry Fligner’s Gift Cards and Gift Certificates We Accept Debit, Master Card, Visa, Discover & American Express. We Reserve the right to Limit Quantities Play Ohio Lottery and Mega Millions Here ATM Available Money Orders 59¢ Each We Carry Ohio Beef From Ohio Farmers You Can Now Pay Your Gas, Light, Cable And Many Major Credit Card Payments At Fligners! Not Responsible for Typographical Errors We Carry A Fine Selection of Beer, Wine & Tobacco at State Minimum Prices $299 LB. HATFIELD HONEY PIT HAM We Honor All W.I.C. And EBT $399 LB. ECKRICH HARD SALAMI $499 LB. SPRING MEADOWS 4 PEPPER CAJUN CHICKEN BREAST $399 LB. TROYER COLBY, COLBY JACK OR PEPPER JACK CHEESE JOIN THE CLUB For Up to The Minute Specials TEXT "FLIGNERS" TO 855-261-0566 Message & data rates may apply. Text STOP to opt out or HELP for help. OPEN Daily 8am - 6pm Sunday 8am - 2pm Flignersmarket.com RUSSER CANADIAN MAPLE HAM FREEZER BEEF Ohio Beef from Ohio Farmers Hind Qtr. 180-200 lbs. $419 Front Qtr. 200-220 lbs. $409 Full Side 380-400 lbs. $399 No Family Pack Required For Savings ALL OUR FRESH MEAT IS CUT BY ONE OF OUR “ARTISAN MEAT PROFESSIONALS” $129 ROMA TOMATOES GROBE'S APPLE CIDER $149 $399 LB. $369 LB. ECKRICH ALL MEAT OR GARLIC BOLOGNA 4 5-8 OZ. SNOW CRAB CLUSTERS $699 LB. JUMBO CELERY 3 LB. BAG CLEMENTINES 2 LB. BAG CARROTS 99¢ $399 BONELESS TOP ROUND ROAST $549 LB. SLICED FREE CHICKEN WINGS $189 LB. FRESH - NEVER FROZEN JUMBO HASS AVOCADOS 8 9 10 5 6 7 FRESH GROUND BEEF $299 LB. $399 18.4 OZ. ONLY KELLOGG'S FAMILY SIZE FROOT LOOPS LB. EA. CHICKEN BREAST $319 $6.99 GALLON $3.99 HALF GALLON $199 BONE-IN CENTER CUT PORK CHOPS LB. $189 LOIN END PORK CHOPS LB. BONELESS NEW YORK STRIP STEAKS $849 LB. $849 BEEF T-BONE STEAKS LB. $949 BEEF PORTERHOUSE STEAKS LB. $249 FRESH PORK SPARERIBS OR ST. LOUIS RIBS LB. FLIGNER’S HOMEMADE NEW BRATS $499 LB. • CLEVELAND TAILGATE • BACON CHEESEBURGER • SASSY BARBEQUE 40 LB. BOX $1.69 $1.59 LB. LOOSE BORDEN HALF GALLON WHOLE CHOCOLATE MILK 99¢ LB. FRESH GREEN PEPPERS 99¢ 10 POUND BAG RUSSET POTATOES $499 BU. EVERY GENER ATION READS NEWSPAPERS
you for subscribing and supporting local journalism that is essential to our community.
Thank
CHRISSY JOLLIFFE THE COMMUNITY GUIDE
DAVE ICE
“As long as I’m here, I’m going to continue providing bricks.”
Lorain County’s Donald Keehan named to Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame
Lorain County businessman, inventor and entrepreneur Donald Keehan, a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps, will be posthumously inducted into the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame as a member of the class of 2023, the Ohio Department of Veterans Services announced Sept. 28.
Keehan is among 20 “outstanding” inductees who will be honored for their accomplishments and achievements in post-military service at the 32nd annual induction ceremony in November, the ODVS said.
Members of the class represent 12 Ohio counties and four branches of U.S. Armed Forces. Gov. Mike DeWine recently approved the entire class and will offer his congratulations during the official ceremony.
Living members of the class range in age from 56 to 86. The three posthumous inductees include Keehan, a Korean War veteran
of the Marines and globally successful entrepreneur; famed Tuskegee Airman and Brig. Gen. Charles McGee; and Iraq War veteran Heath Robinson, who is credited as the inspiration for the PACT Act that provides funding and health care access for veterans who are dealing with illness related to toxic exposure.
Keehan was the founder of Advanced Polymer Coatings, an Avon-based business that provides polymer coatings for marine and industrial applications.
He held more than 14 patents, and “pioneered the use of proprietary patented polymers to create high-performance coatings,” including the MarineLINE and ChemLINE brands, the company said at the time of Keehan’s death in December.
“Don was the true definition of an entrepreneur and was often referred to as a disruptor in the industry; he never stopped pushing the envelope of technology, and he leaves a legacy through his work that all of us
here at Advanced Polymer Coatings are proud to carry on,” his company wrote when it announced his death.
“Each year I am awed by the contributions of our nominees to their communities, to the state of Ohio, and to the nation,” ODVS Director Deborah Ashenhurst said in a news release.
“They represent the powerful difference Ohio’s veterans make to the heart of it all.”
All 20 members of the class will be honored during the annual induction ceremony at 10 a.m. Nov. 9 at the Fawcett Center for Tomorrow on the campus of Ohio State University in Columbus.
The Class of 2023 joins 952 Ohio veterans who have been inducted since 1992 and represent all eras, branches of service, and walks of life.
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN: That the City of Oberlin is accepting applications from residents who wish to apply to serve on the City’s Boards, Commissions or Committees, for terms that will begin on January 1, 2024.
Applications and information concerning these vacancies are available at the Clerk of Council’s Office, located at 85 South Main Street, Oberlin, Ohio 44074, or can be completed on line from the City’s website at www.cityofoberlin.com. Please return applications to the office of the Clerk of Council, office hours are from 8:00 –4:30 p.m., M-F.
Deadline for applications is Friday, November 17, 2023 at 4:00 p.m.
GARAGE SALE WELLINGTON 200 Rerserve Ct. Thurs-Fri 10-4. Downsized lots to get rid of. Up walker, Shark robot sweeper, Christmas decor, lots of misc. PUBLICATION OF LEGISLATION The following is a summary of legislation adopted by Lorain City Council on September 18, 2023. The complete text of each item may be viewed or purchased in the Clerk of Council Office @ Lorain City Hall, 200 W. Erie Ave., Lorain, OH, during normal business hours or contact Breanna Dull @ 204-2050 (Breanna_Dull@ cityoflorain.org). The following summary of legislation passed has been reviewed/ approved by the Law Director for legal accuracy as required by state laws. Reso 32-23 Recognizing and commending Bob Cool for his continued dedication and community support. 33-23 Supporting Issue 23, the replacement levy for the Lorain County Metro Parks 34-23 Adopting a policy for City Council to review and approve requests for honorary street name designations. 3523 Adopting the Solid Waste Management Plan for the Lorain County Solid Waste Management District. Ord. 176-23 Amending Ord 82-14 and Lorain Codified Ordinance Ch. 775: Street Vendors/ Peddlers; Section 775.05Hours Regulated. 177-23* Auth the S/S Director to enter into a 1-year agreement w/ GHA Technologies for Microsoft 365. 178-23* Auth the S/S Director to enter into a prof. services agreement with Mazanec, Raskin & Ryder Co., LPA. (Laudato) 179-23* Auth the S/S Director to enter into a prof. services agreement with Mazanec, Raskin & Ryder Co., LPA. (Orona). 180-23* Auth the S/S Director to enter into an prof. services agreement w/ Keller Rohrback LLP for prof. legal services. 181-23 Adopting the rec. of the Planning Commission to approve the req to rezone 1005-1007 W. 17th St. (ZCA 3-2023). 182-23 Adopting the rec of the Planning Commission to approve the req to rezone parcels at Colorado & G. St. (ZCA 5-2023) 183-23 Adopting the rec of the Planning Commission to approve the req to rezone the parcel at Jaeger Rd. (ZCA 6-2023) 184-23 Amending the Lorain Zoning Code ord #4-21 and Sections 1151.06 of the Lorain Codified ordinances. 185-23 Auth the Lorain Municipal Court to accept a grant from the Nord Family Foundation to fund the position of Recovery Court Coordinator. 186-23 Amending Section 15.3.3 (Law Director) of Ord 83-21. 187-23* To give consent to ODOT to perform bridge lighting upgrades to LED on SR611, known as Henderson Bridge. 188-23 Auth the S/S Director to apply for & enter agreement for grant funding from NOACA-Vibrant Neo Brownfields Revolving Loan Fund. 189-23 Amending ord 139-23, auth the S/S Director to enter into contract for the Lorain Pellet Terminal Redevelopment Project Phase 1. 190-23 Auth the S/S Director to enter into a contract for the LOR-611 3 intersection safety improvements & US 6 Rd Diet Proj. 191-23 Auth the S/S Director to enter agreement for construction admin. & inspection for the LOR-611 three intersection safety improvements & US 6 Road Diet Project. 192-23 Auth the S/S Director to enter into a contract for construction mgmt services for the Phase 2 - Lead Service Line Rep. Proj. 193-23* Auth the S/S Director to enter into agreement w/ USDOT for Westside Connectivity Project. 194-23* Transfer. 19523* Appropriation. (*Denotes legislation was passed as an emergency.) LCCG 10/5/23 20726018 Page A4 Lorain County Community Guide Thursday, Oct. 5, 2023 Brasee’s Corn Maze & Pumpkin Patch Fri 4-10pm, Sat 11am-10pm, Sun 11am-6pm, CLOSED Monday-Thursday 18421 State Route 58, Wellington • 440-647-6749 • www.Braseescornmaze.com Mechanical Pumpkin October 7, 14, 21 from Noon - 6pm Weather Permitting Westwinds Massage - Amherst • Brickyard Bar & Grill - Oberlin • ClareMar Twin Lakes Camping Resort - New London Burnett’s Septic Service - LaGrange • MiBellaCasa Furniture - N. Ridgeville Sponsored by: Open September 16- October 29 Pick Your Own Pumpkins (While supplies last & No Wholesalers) 7 Acre Corn Maze New – Sat., Oct 21st The Haunted Walk Haunted Hayride with Walking Zombies Kids Corn Maze • Kids Zipline Pitch Black Straw Maze • Ninja Course Huge Bounce House • Infinity Climber Hayrides • Pumpkin Bowling Petting Zoo • Nightly Fire Rings Free Parking 20th ANNIVERSARY! IWILL He r B er THIS YEAR Call us today to getstarted on your better-hearing journey! 440.776.8379 Joshua Bowyer,Au.D. Practice Owner &Proud Community Member 224 WLorain St, Ste400 •Oberlin OberlinHearingCare.com CLASSIFIEDS
REPORT
DONALD KEEHAN
STAFF
Safe Harbor moves into former Red Cross building
It’s been a whirlwind year for Lorain County Safe Harbor Inc., its executive director said.
Sitting in what was the American Red Cross building at 2929 West River Road, Executive Director Jill Psota-Vazquez said the nonprofit purchased the new space in June, but work is just now starting on what will be the center’s new headquarters due to delays with contractors.
The same can be said for Community Development Block Grant funds it received from Lorain in 2022 to upgrade portions of Genesis House, the county’s domestic violence shelter. Genesis House received $65,000 in CDBG funds from Lorain, Psota-Vazquez said, but it wasn’t until earlier this month it was able to enter into an agreement with the city to finally spend those dollars.
The delay again was contractors, she said, with the nonprofit only receiving quotes from two different companies when the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development often requires three or more. It wasn’t for lack of trying, she said, but they often would have workers out to bid on the project and never heard back. The current agreement will allow Lorain County Safe Harbor to make the improvements needed to the shelter — such as upgrading the stairs into the basement, repairing damage to the front porch, upgrading to energy-efficient lighting and waterproofing — and be reimbursed with CDBG funds.
“We’re upgrading and maintaining (Genesis House) so the integrity of the shelter is there for years to come,” she said. A Lorain County Public Health Healthy Places grant of about $9,400 will fund playground equipment for children staying in the shelter, she said.
The project heard resounding support from Lorain City Council at its Sept. 5 meeting, with several members commenting on how important the nonprofit’s mission is.
Lorain County Safe Harbor serves as the county’s only domestic violence center, but its work doesn’t stop there, Psota-Vazquez said.
“We’re known as Genesis House, but that’s just one piece of us,” she said.
It also provides education at area schools, legal advocacy and support groups. In the coming weeks, Safe Harbor staff will be working with several police departments and prosecutor’s offices for danger assessment training, Psota-Vazquez said. Once in place, individuals deemed high risk for domestic violence will be immediately
“(It’s) just ensuring they have all the supports because most of their support system has been obliterated from the abuser,” McKee said. “So (we’re) becoming that support system for them.”
Leslea McKee, Associate Director Lorain County Safe Harbor
linked with Safe Harbor for support.
With the added space in the former Red Cross building, Safe Harbor Inc. is now accepting donations for victims who are placed in a rapid rehousing program, helping them furnish apartments or homes while providing a year of case management. It will also house a computer lab for survivors to check emails or apply for jobs or benefits in a safe space.
“It’s growing, but it’s also getting back to the root of victim services,” she said.
Associate Director Leslea McKee agreed. With the added space and staff, the center is able to eliminate barriers for victims, providing them with housing and transportation to job interviews, medical appointments or court appearances. It’s gone far beyond just giving someone a 45-day stay in a shelter.
“(It’s) just ensuring they have all the supports because most of their support system has been obliterated from the abuser,” McKee said. “So (we’re) becoming that support system for them.”
Psota-Vazquez hopes to turn what was its outreach offices on Elyria Avenue in Lorain into a child advocacy center. Child advocacy centers coordinate the investigation, treatment and prosecution of child abuse cases by bringing a multidisciplinary team together to better serve the child who has been victimized, according to the Department of Justice. The centers also offer medical evaluation, victim support and therapy interventions all in one building.
Currently, the closest child advocacy center is Canopy in Cuyahoga County.
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
This year, Safe Harbor Inc. will be able to host its annual Silent Witness exhibit at its new space the last week of October.
The Silent Witness exhibit memorializes every life lost to domestic violence in Lorain County since 1989 and includes the individual or family’s story.
The exhibit will be at Marion L. Steele High School the week of Oct. 2; Fields United Methodist Church the week of Oct. 9; and Lorain County Community College the week of Oct. 16.
A ribbon cutting and candlelight vigil is slated for 5 p.m. Oct. 27 to honor lives lost to domestic violence in Lorain County and celebrate Safe Harbor’s new space.
It’s Empty Seat at the Table displays are at various businesses, nonprofits and churches displaying a frame with a story of a victim of domestic violence.
Participating sites include: Avon Lake United Church of Christ, Avon Lake Municipal Court, Ben Franklin Oberlin, Bistro Bella Luna, Broadway Mary’s, Cable Co-Op, Cafe Melissa, Cornerstone, Day of Prayer at God’s Kngdom, Elyria Library - West River Road Branch, Elyria Police Department, Flowers by Sharon, Ginko Gallery, Grafton Barbell, Hair Love Beauty, Hairways, Headstart, LCADA, Lorain County Community College, Lorain Library Main Branch, LMHA, Lorain Municipal Court, Lorain Police Department, Mermaid’s Tail, MHARS, North Ridgeville Police Department, Nord Center, Northwest Bank Oberlin, Northwest Bank Elyria, Oberlin Community Services, Oberlin Municipal Court, Sheffield Lake Police Department, Vermilion Municipal Court.
King & Queen
PROVIDED | Oberlin Schools
On Friday, Sept. 29, Oberlin High School named Jazlyn Frazier as Homecoming Queen for 2023 and Evan Hudson as Homecoming King for 2023. Both are seniors at Oberlin High School.
JVS interns earned over $380,000 this summer
Students earned over $380,000 through the Lorain County Joint Vocational School Summer Internship Program this summer.
According to a JVS news release, 99 students were employed over the summer by 83 local businesses through the program.
Summer internships are
available to students who have completed one year of career-technical training and have “superior attendance and strong teacher recommendations.”
On Sept. 28, the intern class was celebrated along with their family and friends at a recognition ceremony.
“This celebration tonight
is a testament to our community and the employers that hire our students,” Glenn Faircloth, JVS superintendent, said in a release.
“These students are the future of our community, and we thank your business partners for their continued support of our programs.”
Thursday, Oct. 5, 2023 Lorain County Community Guide Page A5 NOTICE: DISABLED MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY WHO MAY NEED ASSISTANCE, PLEASE CALL 775-7203 OR E-MAIL: banderson@cityofoberlin.com NOTICE REQUIRED: TWO (2) WORKING DAYS IN ADVANCE OF MEETING (48 HOURS) CLERK OF COUNCIL’S OFFICE. 85 SOUTH MAIN STREET OBERLIN OHIO 44074 OCTOBER 5, 2023 BOARD AND COMMISSION MEETING DATES ALL MEETINGS WILL BE Live Streamed @ http://oberlinoh.swagit.com/live OCTOBER 9, 2023 OFFICES CLOSED IN OBSERVANCE OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLE’S DAY OCTOBER 10, 2023 PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION - 4:30 P.M. OMLPS CONFERENCE ROOM OCTOBER 10, 2023 SPECIAL HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION – 5:00 P.M. –36 S. PROSPECT ST. – PURPOSE: GENERAL PURPOSES OCTOBER 10, 2023 CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION - 5:00 P.M. OCTOBER 11, 2023 OCIC - 8:00 A.M. OCTOBER 11, 2023 OURCIT - 3:00 A.M. - 36 S. PROSPECT ST. OCTOBER 11, 2023 CHARTER REVIEW COMMITTEE - 7:00 P.M.CONFERENCE ROOM 2 www.ccrcinc.com 440-242-014 3 INTERESTED IN OPENING A CHILD CAR E BUSINESS? THE CHIL DC AR ER ESOURCE CENTER STAFF CAN HELP! Step-by-step support to become licensed Sample policies, procedures and forms Discounts on materials and equipment Support with required trainings Celebrating 63 years in service! 1960-2023 INSURANCE AGENCY, INC. Beriswill home - farm - auto - health - life - business INSURANCE AGENCY, INC. home-farm-auto-health-life-business Scott Beriswill Daniel Beriswill www.beriswillins.com Protecting What’s Important Full service independent insurance agency. 35881 Grafton Eastern Rd. Grafton, Ohio 44044 (440) 926-3312
CARISSA WOYTACH THE COMMUNITY GUIDE
Falcons come close at Homecoming
Page A6 Lorain County Community Guide Thursday, Oct. 5, 2023 SPORTS Send sports news to news@lcnewspapers.com. Deadline for all submissions is 10 a.m. each Monday. Printed as space is available.
RUSS GIFFORD | The Community Guide
TOP: Firelands’ Devin Linn and Jim Aunspaw lead the Falcons onto the field for their Homecoming game against Clearview on Sept. 29. The Falcons lost to the Clippers 19-16.
CENTERLEFT: Firelands crowned Logan Urban and Hailey Urban Homecoming King and Queen.
LOWER LEFT: Firelands’ Jim Aunspaw throws a pass over the outstretched hand of Clearview’s Greg O’Hern.
CENTER RIGHT: Firelands’ Collin Scott and Michael Lewis celebrate Scott’s touchdown against Clearview.
Wellington Schools
Wellington Schools has a new director of Student Services, Daniel Rahm. Rahm brings 20 years of experience in special education, with the past nine years as Principal at Brookside Intermediate School. Alongside Rahm, the student services team includes psychologist Sean MacKellar, special education coordinator Pattie Roush, behavior specialist Katie O’Connor and secretary Josyn Orsik.
Knights of Columbus
Mark Madere of SpectraLight Photography will speak about photo restoration at the Knights of Columbus at 7 p.m. Oct. 19 in Ragan Hall, 1783 Moore Rd., Avon. Madere will explain the causes of damage and fading in photographs and how to avoid it, as well as information on choosing a photo restoration company. The public is welcome to this free event.
Vermilion Community Band
The Vermilion Community Band is currently rehearsing for winter concerts. The band numbers about fifty musicians and there are openings in our band for all concert instruments, especially percussion, trumpets, string bass, and woodwinds. The band meets Thursdays in Lucy Idol Center from 7:00-8:30 p.m. Call (419) 503-3721 for information.
Ohio Genealogy Society
Genealogist Owen McCafferty II will present a program "Basics of Polish Genealogy in Poland Russia" at 7 p.m. Oct. 9. McCafferty is the owner of Saleker and Co. which specializes in Polish, Prussian, and Lithuanian genealogy. He will provide an introduction to genealogical research within the Russian Partition of Poland (also called Russian-Poland or Congress Poland). This online program is free and open to the public. To receive a link to the meeting, contact meetings@ loraincoogs.org and ask to be added to the list.
Brownhelm Historical Association
The fourth annual Clambake is 5 p.m. Oct. 21 at the Historic Brownhelm School, 1950 North Ridge Rd., Vermilion.
The clambake will be a drive-thru again this year to pick up your order. It will be catered by Pogie’s Catering in Amherst. For $45, each dinner consists of 1 dozen clams, 1/2 dozen mussels, lemon chicken breast, corn on the cob, red skin potatoes, coleslaw, clam chowder, melted butter, and dinner roll.
You may also order an extra dozen clams if you’d like for $15.
If you would like to use a credit card, order online at https://bit.ly/BHAClambake2023. If you want to pay by check, please send a note with your order and a check payable to Brownhelm Historical Association to:
CHEMISTRY 101
BULLETIN BOARD
The Lorain County Community Guide Bulletin Board is for local nonprofit and not-for-profit events. Items are published on a space-available basis and will be edited for style, length, and clarity. Send your items to news@lcnewspapers.com
Brownhelm Historical Association
Attn: Clambake Order
1950 N. Ridge Road Vermilion, OH 44089
Due date for purchase is Oct. 14. Once you’ve placed your order, just drive on down to the Historic Brownhelm School on Oct. 21 to pick it up curbside.
Amherst Historical Society
To register for a program, call (440) 988-7255 or email office@amherst historicalsociety.org
● The Amherst Historical Society would like to interview individuals with ties to the sandstone quarry – either those who worked there or had a family member who worked there. Interviews are being planned to begin in September or October.
● Acrylic Painting is 2-4 p.m. Oct. 7. It will be led by Brian Mickey at The Grange, 763 Milan Ave. It is $10 a person, ages 14-and-over. It is limited to 20 people.
Attendees must bring wo 16x20 stretched canvases, three acrylic brushes, acrylic paints (black, white, blue, red, yellow, brown, green, orange and purple), a wide palette knife and an optional apron and easel. Water, cups, palettes and paper towels will be provided.
● By My Lantern’s Light is 3-5 p.m. Oct. 21 and 22
at the Cleveland Avenue Cemetery. Tours will start every 15 minutes. Tours are $5 with ages 5 and under free and are paid the day of at the cemetery. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Please join us at Cleveland Avenue Cemetery 590 Cleveland Avenue, Amherst Ohio 44001. Additional parking is at St. Paul Lutheran Church 115 Central Drive, Amherst, OH 44001. Avon/Avon
Lake Republican Club
The Avon/Avon Lake Republican Club will host Bernie Marino, Republican candidate for U.S. Congress. The meeting is 5 p.m. Oct. 12 at Father Ragan Knights of Columbus Hall, 1783 Moore Rd., Avon. Guests cost $5.
CROP Walk
The Amherst Area C.R.O.P. Walk is Sunday at the 5 Points in Down Town Amherst... anyone who wants to join the walk, please come and join us....25% of the monies raised stay in Amherst at the Food Pantry at Good Sheperd Church!
Pittsfield Township Historical Society
Local historian Matt
Nahorn, of Amherst, will present information about the “prehistory of Northern Ohio” at 7 p.m. Oct. 12 at the Pittsfield Township Hall, corner of routes 58 and 303. The free program is open to the public.
Herrick Memorial Library
Register for programs by calling (440) 647-2120.
● READ to PUTTER: 3:15-4:30 p.m. Thursdays. Putter, our friendly therapy dog, will visit the Herrick Memorial Library every Thursday to listen to your child read. This is a wonderful way for children to practice their reading skills. Please call the Library (440-647-2120) to sign up your child for a 15-minute time slot to read to Putter.
● Fiber Arts Group
1-3 p.m. first Tuesday of each month
Do you enjoy knitting/ crocheting/needlepoint/embroidery? Join this newly formed group at the Herrick Memorial Library and work on your projects in the company of fellow fiber enthusiasts. Not interested in fiber arts but still want to come for the company? We’ll also have coloring sheets available to occupy your time.
● There is still time to register your child for the Herrick Memorial Library’s story times. Introduce your child to the love of books and reading by attending one of our story programs. Join us for stories, songs and other activities designed to develop language, literacy and social skills your child needs for school success. Register by calling 440647-2120.
Baby Story Times: ages birth to 2-yrs.with an adult Wednesdays at 10:30
Family Story Times: ages 2-1/2 to 5-yrs. with an adult.
Mondays: 6:00 PM, Tuesdays: 10:30 AM, Wednesdays: 11:30 AM
● Nora the Explorer
1:30-3 p.m. Saturday
In this fun family program Nora will bring animals from all walks of life. Learn about, get close and even touch some remarkable creatures. This program is open to all ages.
● Library Board Meeting
Tuesday, October 10 is the next Herrick Memorial Library’s Board meeting. The Board will meet in the Library’s Board Room at 10:30 a.m. This meeting is open to the public and all are welcome.
● Partial Solar Eclipse
11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Oct. 14
Join Herrick Memorial Library staff member Nick Blank at Union Park (old McCormick School site) for a program and viewing of the October partial eclipse; weather permitting. The Library will provide a limited number of special eclipse glasses to protect your eyes. These same glasses can be used for the April 8, 2024 full solar eclipse, so don’t throw them away.
Oberlin Heritage Center
● An introduction to historical redlining in Oberlin is 6:30 p.m. Oct. 17. Redlining is the discriminatory practice in which services, often financial services like loans, are withheld from neighborhoods often occupied by minorities, low-income, or otherwise marginalized groups. It is also a term used to describe many forms of housing segregation.
● OHC will present this new program at the Oberlin Public Library in the Community Room on Oct. 17 at 6:30 p.m. This program is free and registration is not required.
CS Lewis and Friends
CS Lewis and Friends Book Group will meet at the Amherst Library at 7 p.m. Oct. 10. We will be discussing the first book of CS Lewis’s Ransom (Space) Trilogy entitled Out of the Silent Planet. Please contact Marcia Geary at 440-988-9803 or mgeary@gearylawllc.com with any questions you may have about the group. All are welcome!
Amherst Library Board of Trustees
The Amherst Public Library Board of Trustees will hold a regular meeting at the library at 5:45 p.m. Oct. 9. The meeting is open to the public.
Oberlin Library Board of Trustees
The Oberlin Public Library Board of Trustees will hold a regular meeting at the library at 5 p.m. Oct. 12. The meeting is open to the public.
9. Hat-tipper’s word
10. Highest point 11. Splints site 12. Assigned spot
15. Rids of obstuction 20. Period in history 22. Mouth piece 24. Designer’s studio 25. *____-Mariotte Law 26. Dined at home 27. Late Princess of Wales 29. Defect 31. Two halves of two 32. Discussion intended to produce agreement 33. Galactic path
38. *Aurum, in English
42. Type of grave marker 45. It loves company?
49. PC “brain” 51. Limited in scope 54. Gelatin 56. Like one with high BMI 57. Artist’s model, sometimes 58. Application utilizer 59. Keep it up?
60. TV classic “____ Make a Deal”
61. Jealous biblical brother 62. Fairy-tale opening
Less than average tide
*Sn, or stannum, on periodic
dry humor
Thursday, Oct. 5, 2023 Lorain County Community Guide Page A7 SOLUTION CAN BE FOUND ON PAGE A2
ACROSS 1. “Planted” customer 6. Pie and mode connection (2 words) 9. *Atomic ____ unit 13. Salk’s conquest 14. Beesly of “The Office” 15. Secret storage 16. Crème de la crème 17. Flow alternative 18. a.k.a. vampire 19. *Any substance in chemistry 21. *Periodic table entry 23. Douse or soak 24. Pavarotti’s song 25. Between Big and Wolf 28. Mattress description 30. *Positively charged particle 35. Elevator manufacturing giant 37. Horsefly 39. Rabbit trap 40. Sure or uh-huh 41. Saintly rings 43. North Sea feeder 44. Flax flower genus 46. Shrivel, as in plant 47. Like undesirable row 48. Related on mother’s side 50. Barbara of “I Dream of Jeannie” 52. Porky’s home 53. Practice in the ring 55. Burmese neighbor 57. *Core of an atom 61. *C 64. Theater guide 65. Org. that gets parents involved in school 67. Sign up again 69. Supernatural being 70. Three, to Caesar 71. Grouchy Muppet 72. European sea eagles 73. News channel acronym 74. Liable to cry DOWN 1. Health resort in Baden-Baden, e.g. 2. River islet 3. Hip bones 4. To-do enumerations 5. Bingo and keno 6. Imitator 7. *Chemistry classroom 8. Fly in ____, or a reminder of the past
Like
34. Demanding attention 36.
a barred door
CAN BE FOUND ON PAGE
63.
66.
table 68. Like
SOLUTION
A2