Lorain County Community Guide - June 13, 2019

COMMUNITY GUIDE

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LORAIN COUNTY

AMHERST NEWS-TIMES

Thursday, June 13, 2019

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OBERLIN NEWS-TRIBUNE

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WELLINGTON ENTERPRISE

www.lcnewspapers.com

Volume 6, Issue 24

READY TO PARTY?

BULLETIN BOARD Thursday, June 13 • LORAIN: A Hungarian Friends Society bacon fry will be held at 4 p.m. on Thursday, June 13 at St. Lad’s Picnic Grounds, 4221 Clinton Ave. It will be held rain or shine and is open to the public. The menu includes bacon, sausage, lecso, paprikas potatoes, bread, and refreshments. The cost is $12; Langos $2.

For more information, call Ilona Kiss at 440985-1183 or Laszlo Somogyi at 440-322-7689.

• OBERLIN: The Oberlin Public Library board of trustees will meet at 5 p.m. on Thursday, June 13 at the library. The meeting is open to the public.

• WELLINGTON: Meet local children’s book author Andi C. Kryszak at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, June 13 at the Herrick Memorial Library.

Learn about her first book, “My Name is Curly.”

Copies will be for sale for $23.99 after the program.

Registration is required and can be done by calling 440-647-2120 or by visiting the library.

Following the presentation, Putter the therapy dog will be available to listen to young readers from 11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.

• WELLINGTON: A summer kickoff with Mr. Puppet will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, June 13 at the Herrick Memorial Library.

The destination is Imagination Station. Mr. Puppet is open to all ages. Register at the library or by calling 440-647-2120.

• OBERLIN: The Low-Vision Support Group will meet at 4 p.m. on Thursday, June 13 at Kendal at Oberlin’s Green Room for the audio presentation, “Summary of Research and Development 2019.” All are welcome.

• OBERLIN: NAACP Branch 3196 will meet at 6 p.m. on Thursday, June 13 at the Oberlin Public Library. The executive committee will meet an hour earlier.

The agenda includes the status of two resolutions submitted for consideration by the NAACP at its national convention in July, representation at the convention, and recognition of graduating seniors who received college book scholarships last month from the branch.

Friday, June 14 • CARLISLE TWP.: The District 9 Natural Resources Assistance Council will meet at 9 a.m. on Friday, June 14 at the Lorain County Metro Parks’ Carlisle Visitor Center, 12885 Diagonal Rd. The council will be scoring Round 13B submissions to the Clean Ohio fund program. A total of BULLETIN BOARD PAGE A3

Classifieds, legals, and subscriptions Deadline: 1 p.m. each Monday Phone: 440-7751611

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File photo

Raegan Keating of LaGrange shows her Yorkshire terrier to judges during last year's inaugural Dog Days of Summer festival held in Wellington.

Summer is festival time!

JASON HAWK EDITOR

Get your dancing shoes, your sweet tooth, and your game face on — summer means festival fun in Lorain County.

Here's hoping for sunshine as we celebrate agriculture, jam along with bands, and explore our heritage at a list of fairs and parties between today and the start of the school year.

Note that some favorites, such as Dancing on Main Street in Amherst, have been discontinued.

Others, like the Columbia Homecoming, have been rescheduled for another year.

• THE AVON HERITAGE DUCK TAPE FESTIVAL will be held from 4-10 p.m. on Thursday, June 13 and Friday, June 14 and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday, June 15 at Veterans Memorial Park, 3701 Veterans Memorial Parkway.

Admission and parking are free.

The festival features carnival rides, a parade, Duck Tape crafts, food, vendors, and entertainment.

The event culminates with a fire-

works show at dusk Saturday.

• THE 53RD ANNUAL FESTIVAL OF THE FISH will be held from June 14-16 in downtown Vermilion.

Friday attractions include beach yoga at 8:30 a.m. at Main Street Beach, the Guppy Pageant and Junior Miss Pageant at 12:30 p.m., the Princess Pageant at 2 p.m., the Queens Pageant at 3 p.m., Disco Inferno from 7-11 p.m., and fireworks over Lake Erie at dusk.

Saturday events include a 5L and one-mile run at 9 a.m., a sand castle contest at 9 a.m., Vermilion Windjammers Big Band at noon, a crazy craft race at 1 p.m. at the public boat docks, a Sunset Harmony concert from 2-6 p.m., an antique wooden boat parade at 3 p.m. at McGarvey's Landing, AC/DC tribute band Dirty Deeds from 8-11 p.m., and a lighted boat parade on teh river at dusk.

Sunday attractions include the Vermilion Port Authoriy paddle poker run at 8:30 a.m. a Father's Day parade at 12:30 p.m. on Liberty Avenue, visiting royalty introductions at 1:30 p.m., and a concert by The Elephants from 3-6 p.m.

• THE OBERLIN JUNETEENTH FESTIVAL will be held from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, June 15 on Tappan Square.

It will feature games, a parade, food, a children's bike raffle, face painting, a clown, kids' fingerprinting, contests, and musical performances by Utah Witherspoon, Donna Simmons, the CMA and Mt. Zion church choirs, children's choirs, and more.

The event celebrates the emancipation of slaves and commemorates their struggles in the name of reaching freedom.

• THE JUNETEENTH BLUES FEST will be held from 3-7 p.m. on Saturday, June 15 at Lakeview Park, 1800 West Erie Ave., Lorain.

It will feature musical performances by ET King, KC Harmon, and Wallace Coleman as well as an appearance by "Abraham Lincoln." A pound cake contest will be held at 4:30 p.m. There will also be food and giveaways.

• THE OHIO SCOTTISH GAMES will be held Saturday, June 22 at the Lorain County FESTIVALS PAGE A2

INSIDE Amherst

Oberlin

Wellington

American Legion post closes in SA village

OPINION: Experiencing the Gibson’s Bakery trial

WHS graduates aren’t afraid to face the future

OBITUARIES A2 • CROSSWORD C3 • CLASSIFIEDS C4

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Thursday, June 13, 2019

Lorain County Community Guide

OBITUARIES

COLUMN

Ira S. Steinberg

Hot weather? It's salad season!

A memorial service for Ira S. Steinberg will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, June 15 at Kendal at Oberlin.

Sam Sebastian

Sam Sebastian, 91, of Lorain, passed away Wednesday, June 5, 2019, at his home following a full and meaningful life. Services were held Monday, June 10 at Broadway Assembly, Lorain.

Burial was at Ridge Hill Memorial Park, Amherst Township. Arrangements were entrusted to Hempel Funeral Home, Amherst.

Kenneth E. Phillips

Kenneth Earl Phillips of Wakeman, Ohio, passed away Sunday, June 2, 2019. Friends may call Saturday, June 15 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Hempel Funeral Home, 373 Cleveland Ave., Amherst, with a memorial service to follow at 4 p.m.

Cassie S. Fleming Cassie Sue Fleming (nee Belcher), 76, of Amherst, passed away Thursday, June 6, 2019, at her home following a lengthy illness. Services were held Monday, June 10 at Toledo Road Church of Christ, Lorain. Burial was at Ridge Hill Memorial Park, Amherst Township. Arrangements were entrusted to Hempel Funeral Home, Amherst.

Old-fashioned games

Visit the Oberlin Heritage Center, 73 1/2 South Professor St., to enjoy a variety of old-fashioned games like ring toss, jump rope, hoop and stick, and more.

They are available for free during OHC’s open hours, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays. Visitors just need to sign out the games at the Monroe House for use on the Heritage Center’s grounds.

For more information, call 440-774-1700.

Mow your lawn!

It's June and you know what that means — the grass is growing at an incredible speed.Wellington councilwoman Helen Dronsfield issued a plea June 3, asking residents to mow their lawns. She said the village had sent out more than 40 letters informing people the grass was higher than eight inches tall.

"The village does not want to mow your lawn," she said. Having Wellington's workers mow a quarter acre will cost you $130.

I finally got to sit on my porch swing. Everyone is mowing their lawns. That's one thing you have to do in the summertime.

I love being outdoors. The fresh air is good for you. I love the smell of freshly mowed grass!

Everyone will be having cookouts, family gatherings, and going camping. I have some recipes for you to try during all that fun since I know everyone will be doing a lot of grilling. And, especially if you don't have air conditioning, you don't want to have your oven on this time of the year.

I recently tried a delicious angel food cake with strawberries and whipped cream mixed with strawberry juice — I shouldn't have eaten any since I'm trying to lose weight. I just have to cut down on my portions and give up some of the foods I enjoy, like chips and ice cream. I have faith I can do it!

I'm going to make some chicken salad this week. I put grapes, walnuts, onions, and celery in mine — I love putting it on top of shredded lettuce. I found out you will save money by buying Bibb or Romaine lettuce, as they last longer. When you buy bagged salad, you need to use it within two days, as it spoils easily.

Until next time, enjoy these recipes!

PENNY’S PANTRY PENNY CASE

Pineapple Chicken Salad • 1 oz. ranch dressing mix • 1/2 cup mayonnaise • 1/4 cup pineapple juice • 2 cups cubed, cooked chicken • 1 cup sliced celery • 20 oz. pineapple chunks (reserve juice for above) Combine dressing mix with mayonnaise and pineapple juice.

Add chicken, celery, and pineapple to mixture and toss well to coat. Chill.

Idaho's Greatest Potato Salad • 4-6 medium or large potatoes, peeled and quartered • 3 hard-boiled eggs, peeled and chopped • 1 medium chopped onion • 2-3 ribs of celery, chopped • 3 slices bacon, cooked crisp and crumbled • 4 sweet pickle slices, chopped • 4 1/2 tsp. lime or lemon juice • 2 tsp. prepared mustard • 1/4 tsp. garlic powder • 4 drops hot pepper

sauce • 1 cup mayonnaise or dressing spread • 1 tsp. paprika Cook potatoes in salted water, covered, for 20 minutes or until fork tender. Drain and let cool. Dice potatoes and put half into a large bowl. Chop eggs and add to potatoes in the bowl. Stir in half of these ingredients: onion, celery, bacon, pickles, juice, mustard, garlic powder, pepper sauce, and dressing.

Mix well. Add remaining potatoes, veggies, and dressing items and mix well. Smooth the top of the salad and decorate with sliced hard-boiled eggs and lightly sprinkle with paprika. Refrigerate, covered, until ready to serve.

Surprise Salad • 2 cups well-drained sauerkraut • 2 cups shredded carrots • 1 cup finely chopped celery • 1 cup finely chopped green bell pepper • 1/2 cup chopped onion • 1/4 cup chopped pimento • 1/2 cup sugar • 1/3 cup white vinegar • 1 tsp. salt • Dash of pepper In a large bowl, combine first six ingredients. In a separate bowl, combine sugar, vinegar, salt and pepper; pour over sauerkraut mixture. Toss well.

Refrigerate, covered, at least four hours before serving.

Macaroni Salad • 16 oz. elbow macaroni or shells • 1 medium onion, chopped • 1 cup chopped celery • 1 cup chopped green peppers • 1/2 cup chopped seedless cucumber • 4-6 hard-boiled eggs, chopped • 1 can tuna in oil • 2 cups whipped salad dressing • 1/4 tsp. mustard • 1/2 cup sweet pickle juice • 1/2 tsp. seasoned salt • 1/4 tsp. pepper Boil pasta as directed; drain and let cool. Put in a large bowl along with all the vegetables, eggs, and tuna. Mix dressing items and pour over pasta mixture. Mix well. Refrigerate.

Note: Sometimes I'll put some cherries and dill weed in for flavor.

Ranch Cheeseburgers • 1 oz. ranch dressing mix • 1 lb. ground beef • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese • 4 large hamburger buns Combine ingredients (except buns) and mix well. Shape into four patties. Cook thoroughly. Serve on toasted buns with lettuce, onion, and tomato.

Penny Case is a lifelong resident of Wellington who loves to cook and share recipes.

Send recipes to her at 22 Johns St.

FESTIVALS

FROM A1 Fairgrounds in Wellington.

The event features a parade of clans, pipes and drums, highland dancing, harpists, fiddling, and athletic competitions such as the caber toss.

For ticket and schedule information as it becomes available, visit www. ohioscottishgames.com.

• THE 14TH ANNUAL OBERLIN CHALK WALK will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, June 22 throughout the city's downtown area.

Take part for free and join artists of all ages and skill levels to cover sidewalks with colorful pictures. Pastels and others supplies will be provided.

• THE LORAIN INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL will be held from 5-11 p.m. on Friday, June 28, noon to 11 p.m. on Saturday, June 29, and noon to 6 p.m. on Sunday, June 30 at the Black River Landing.

Admission is $3 and parking can be found along Broadway. The festival is a celebration of diversity and heritage through food, music,

costume, and tradition.

The Lorain International Princess Pageant will kick off the fun at 7 p.m. on Thursday, June 27 at the Lorain High School Performing Arts Center, 2600 Ashland Ave. Concerts include Latin City Soul from 7-8:30 p.m. Friday, The Rockn' Ravers from 9-11 p.m. Friday, The James Kilbane Band with Irish folk from 7-8:30 p.m. Saturday, U2 tribute band One from 9-11 p.m. Saturday, and Hillbilly Idol from 12:30-2 p.m.

Sunday.

The Lorain International Parade will begin at 11:30 a.m. on Sunday, June 30 from Broadway and 15th Street to Lorain city hall.

• THE AMHERST HISTORICAL SOCIETY'S VILLAGE FAIR will be held from noon to 9 p.m. on Saturday, July 13 and 1-5 p.m. on Sunday, July 14 at the Amherst Sandstone Village, 777 Milan Ave. The festival will feature live music, classic cars, a poker run, craft vendors, contests, face painting, a bounce house, and other kid-centered

events. There will also be concessions and beer.

• THE 37TH ANNUAL OUTDOOR BASKETBALL FESTIVAL will be held Saturday, July 20 and Sunday, July 21 at Park Street Park in Oberlin.

The 16-team double-elimination tournament is played rain or shine. The cost to enter is $225 per 12-person team.

• THE LAGRANGE LIONS FESTIVAL will be held from 4-11 p.m. on Saturday, July 27 at LaGrange Lions Park, 240 Glendale St. • THE 9TH ANNUAL OUR LADY QUEEN OF PEACE FAMILY FEST will be held from 6-11 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 2 and Saturday, Aug. 3 at 708 Erie St., Grafton.

Events include a car show, balloon artist, magic and escape artist, Feud Time game, DJ, family fun games, beer garden, food, craft vendors, bingo, and 50-50 raffle.

Saturday will culminate with fireworks at 10 p.m.

• THE OBERLIN FAMILY FUN FAIR will be held

from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 3 in downtown Oberlin.

See more than 100 classic cars line the streets. Try bubble soccer, take part in a hula hoop contest, obstacle race, buy kettle corn, and enjoy food and sidewalk sales.

• THE DOG DAYS OF SUMMER will be held Sunday, Aug. 4 in Wellington with details TBA. Play games and enter contests, learn from speakers, see demonstrations, shop for pet-related items, learn about adopting a pet from a rescue group, enter for chances to win prizes, and have fun with your pets.

• BREWFEST WATERFRONT DISTRICT will be held from noon to 6 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 10 at the Black River Landing in Lorain.

The 21-and-over party is $25 per ticket in advance or $35 the day of the event. Enjoy craft beer, cocktails, food trucks, and live bands.

• THE NORTH RIDGEVILLE CORN FESTIVAL will be held from 5-11 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 10, 8

a.m. to 11 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 12, and noon to 6 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 13 on Bainbridge Road between Rt. 83 and Root Rd. Admission and entertainment are free. So is parking at the North Ridgeville Academic Center, with free shuttle service provided.

Enjoy rides, games, music, a corn eating contest, car show, fireworks, parade, and bands — oh, and delicious corn!

• THE 174TH ANNUAL LORAIN COUNTY FAIR will be held from Monday, Aug. 19 to Sunday, Aug. 25 at the fairgrounds in Wellington.

See horses, cows, pigs, fowl, rabbits, and many other animals. Watch races, see demonstrations, enter contests, browse vendors, appreciate art and collections, and eat, eat, eat! Ticketed grandstand shows include performances by Granger Smith and Foreigner, as well as tractor pulls, horse pulls, and the ever-popular demolition derby.

For more information, visit www.loraincountyfair.com.

ABOUT THE COMMUNITY GUIDE THE COMMUNITY GUIDE is published every Thursday.

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Thursday, June 13, 2019

Lorain County Community Guide

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BULLETIN BOARD $983,060 is available for Clean Ohio projects in Huron, Lorain, and Medina counties.

The meeting is open to the public.

Saturday, June 15 • SOUTH AMHERST: The South Amherst Historical Society’s 2nd Annual Cruise-In will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, June 15 at South Amherst Middle School, 152 West Main St. The family-friendly community event will feature food, music, and vehicles of all types. It will be held rain or shine.

Registration is $5 and all years, makes, and models are welcome. There will be door prizes, a 50-50 drawing, and dash plaques.

For more information, call Larry Jones at 440309-7767.

• AVON LAKE: The 4th Annual Design Engineering and City of Avon Lake Cruise-In will be held from 4-8 p.m. on Saturday, June 15 at the Weiss baseball fields, 33401 Webber Rd. The event will benefit the Valor Home of Lorain County, which provides transitional housing and support services to homeless veterans.

Organizers are expecting 350 to 400 cars, motorcycles, race cars, luxury and exotics section from the North Olmsted Auto Collection, and more.

There will be a vintage first responder and military section with vehicles from different cities and departments from northern Ohio. There will also be event T-shirts, raffles, product giveaways, food trucks, music, face painting, and coloring books for kids, local vendors, and more.

Admission and parking is free.

For more information, call 800-264-9472.

The rain date will be from noon to 4 p.m. on Sunday, June 16.

• OBERLIN: A community free hot meal will be offered from 5-5:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 15 at Grace Lutheran Church, 310 West Lorain St. All are welcome.

Starting June 17 • ELYRIA: A free six-week class for children with family members, loved ones, or friends of individuals with mental illness will be offered from 5:30-7:30 p;.m. on Mondays starting June 17 at the Catholic Charities Elyria meeting room, 628 Poplar St. These classes are taught by highly trained and certified facilitators. The course deals with exploring coping skills through hands-on activities. They are a safe place for children to find support while interacting and connecting with other children living through similar situations.

You must register for this class by contacting NAMI Lorain County at 440-233-8181 ext. 224 or by email at office@nami-lc.org.

Tuesday, June 18 • AMHERST: A dine-to-donate event to benefit the Friends of the Amherst Public Library will be held from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Tuesday, June 18 at Olde Town Pizza House, 195 Cleveland Ave. No flyers are needed. The Friends will earn a percentage of total sales to support free programs and services for the library.

For more information, call 440-988-4280.

• OBERLIN: “The Importance of Salt in Health and Disease” will be presented at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, June 18 at Kendal at Oberlin’s Heiser Auditorium.

Elyria nephrologist Vivek Nadkami will speak about the role of sodium in maintaining healthy

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 news style, length, and clarity. Send your items to news@lcnewspapers.com. tissues and risk factors for common diseases such as hypertension.

Wednesday, June 19 • WELLINGTON: “What’s Cookin’ Wednesday” will be held from 4-7 p.m. on June 19 at First Congregational Church, 140 South Main St. Pick up your evening meal quickly and easily in convenient containers. The featured meal will be a choice of beef stroganoff or beef and noodles, plus green beans, applesauce, bread, and dessert. No pre-purchase is required!

Meals are $10 per person or $35 for a family fourpack. Dinners are available for carry-out only.

For more information, call 440-647-3308 or 440371-7103.

• OBERLIN: “Road Scholar Adventures” will be presented at 7:15 p.m. on Wednesday, June 19 at Kendal at Oberlin’s Heiser Auditorium.

Road Scholar ambassador Jerry Polizzi will talk about how trips through the former Elderhostel can help the curious and adventurous discover the world in the company of like-minded travelers.

The lecture is free and open to the public.

destruction.

The Lorain Historical Society will hold tours to commemorate the 95th anniversary of the tornado.

They are $5 each; space is limited and reservations are recommended. Call 440-245-2563 or email info@lorainhistory.org.

Tours at the Moore House, 309 West 5th St., will be at 6 p.m. on Thursday, June 20; 11 a.m. on Saturday, June 22; 6 p.m. on Thursday, July 25; and 11 a.m. on Saturday, July 27. A tour will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 24 at the Carnegie Center, 329 West 10th St. On the Moore House tour, attendees should be prepared for long periods of walking and standing as they are guided through the first and second floors with only limited chances to sit.

The Carnegie Center program will be a “sitdown” presentation adapted from the same information. Each tour will last about one hour.

Friday, June 21 • OBERLIN: Family Fun Night will be held at 7 p.m. on Friday, June 21 at Depot Park, 246 South Main St. The new program has been launched by the city of Oberlin recreation office. Each month during the summer, a family-friendly event will be held in one of the city’s many parks. Family Fun Nights are free and open to the public.

The first will be a family exercise and walk night to encourage the use of outdoor exercise equipment at Depot Park, as well as participation in various kids’ activities, use of the North Coast Inland Trail, and more.

For more information, call 440-775-7254 or email reacreation@cityofoberlin.com.

Thursday, June 20

Saturday, June 22

• AMHERST: The Women Business Owners Network will meet at 6 p.m. on Thursday, June 20 at D’Tutanelli’s Pizza, 103 Milan Ave. The speaker will by attorney and real estate broker Amy Price, owner of House to Home Real Estate Professionals. The business spotlight will be Khristal Kramer-Nutt, owner of D’Tutanelli’s.

Dinner will be ordered off the menu.

For reservations and directions, contact Karen Cheshire at wbonlorain@gmail.com or leave a message at 440-935-3194.

• OBERLIN: The Indigenous Peoples’ Day committee will meet at 6 p.m. on Thursday, June 20 at the Oberlin Public Library.

Members will continue to discuss plans for Indigenous Peoples’ Day, which will be observed Oct. 14 on Tappan Square. There will also be a screening of an hour-long documentary titled “We Still Live Here,” which focuses on a cultural revival of the Wampanoag people, whose ancestors ensured the survival of the Pilgrims.

• AMHERST: Learn how to upcycle old T-shorts into washable tote bags at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, June 20 at the Amherst Public Library.

The project requires no sewing or previous crafting experience, and you’ll get a bag that’s perfect for hauling groceries, books, and more. All materials will be provided for registered attendees ages 10 and up. To register, call 440-988-4230 or visit www.amherstpubliclibrary.org.

• OBERLIN: The Oberlin Chalk Walk will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, June 22 throughout the city’s downtown.

Hundreds of sidewalk artists of all ages will color the town’s walkways. Professional artists Dan Cherney, Hector Castellanos Lara, Wendy Mahon, and Robin VanLear have been commissioned to make drawings this year. Local artists include Cara Romano, David Spencer, and Chris Colbert. Pick up free chalk at registration stations around downtown Oberlin and create your own sidewalk “canvas.”

The event is organized by the Allen Memorial Art Museum, the Firelands Association for the Visual Arts, Oberlin Business Partnership, Oberlin Heritage Center, and Oberlin Public Library.

For more information, visit www.oberlinchalkwalk.com. The rain date is Sunday, June 23.

• OBERLIN: Unlock the magic of The Secret Garden at 6 p.m. on Saturday, June 22 at a mystery location that will be revealed June 21.

The fundraiser supports Oberlin Community Services, which provides a choice food pantry that serves all residents of Lorain County. The nonprofit also provides direct assistance, referrals, and other services to Oberlin and southern Lorain County residents who need help meeting basic needs.

For more information, call Shirley Hull at 440774-3704. To learn more about OCS or to get involved, visit www.oberlincommunityservices.org.

• OBERLIN: A free clothing giveaway will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, June 22 at Rust United Methodist Church, 128 Groveland St. Donation pick-ups are available. There will be free refreshments. For more information, call-Barb Henning at 440-774-6509 or Linell Walker at 216403-7582.

Starting June 20 • LORAIN: Explore the history of the tornado that touched down June 28, 1924, in Sandusky and Lorain, killing 85 people and leaving a trail of

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Lorain County Community Guide

Thursday, June 13, 2019

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INSIDE: WOUNDED COP SUES HIS ATTACKER • B2

AMHERST NEWS-TIMES THURSDAY, JUNE 13, 2019 • SERVING AMHERST SINCE 1919

Legion Post 197 quietly fades away JASON HAWK EDITOR

Gen. Douglas MacArthur once said that old soldiers never die — they simply fade away.

That's what's happened at American Legion Post 197, which effectively shut down in May. The South Amherst post's last six active members have applied to have their memberships transferred to American Legion Post 118 in Amherst, according to adjutant Nita Swiers.

Eventually, the post's charter will be pulled, bringing an end to its more than 70-year history in the village.

Swiers said the six remaining officers were "holding the post together" but after years of dwindling numbers couldn't keep it going anymore.

There were too few boots on the ground left to hold programs, she said. The last the post supported was the 2017 South Amherst Memorial Day parade but for the past two years, there weren't enough active members to have an honor guard.

LEGION POST PAGE XX

Established 1964

Handmade by Chris's son-in-law Pepi and grandsons Nick & Phillip

your choice of breakfast meat & toast

JOB OPENING Photos by Jason Hawk | Amherst News-Times

Nick Laudato takes off from the start line of a bicycle obstacle course in the Steele High School parking lot under the direction of Ptl. Sanders Sanchez.

Yee haw! Fun at the bike rodeo Lorain County Community Newspapers is looking for a full-time reporter with a focus on Amherst, Oberlin, and Wellington! The job requires a flexible schedule, an interest in life in small communities, the ability to write snappy stories and capture engaging photos, and great organizational skills. Night and weekend availability is a must — we work when and where news happens! City councils, school boards, high school sports, human interest stories, cops and courts, businesses, planning and development, social issues, and more. We want to fill this position quickly. Send your resume to news@lcnewspapers.com today!

JASON HAWK EDITOR

Do you know the rules of the road?

Kids who put pedal power to the test Saturday at the Amherst police department's annual bike rodeo sure do.

Officers set up an obstacle course in the Steele High School parking lot to teach all kinds of important skills for young riders: using traffic signals, learning balance and direction, how to check brakes and tires, and making sure to use helmets.

One of the most important rules police taught was to always ride with motor traffic, not against it, said Lt. Mark Cawthon.

Amherst has its fair share of residential neighborhoods perfect for riding bikes with little traffic, as well as bike-friendly parks, he said.

But there are plenty of danger areas, too, and kids and adults alike need to be well-versed in sharing the roadways.

For example, drivers need to always give a three-foot berth to cyclists — a new passing law enacted across Ohio last year.

Rider safety was the event's top

priority.

Cawthon said falls involving bicycles are pretty common and can cause serious injury. That's why police are looking to "ticket" riders found wearing proper safety gear.

They'll frequently stop to award citations to kids following the rules. The tickets can be cashed in at Hastee Tastee for free ice cream.

Those kids are also entered into a drawing for AAA's Helmet Smart program, where they have a chance to win a free bicycle.

SUBMIT YOUR NEWS TO: NEWS@LCNEWSPAPERS.COM

BIKE RODEO PAGE B2

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Class reunion

Members of the Marion L. Steele High School Class of 1979 will celebrate their 40th reunion on July 12 and 13.

The event on July 12 will start at 5:30 p.m. at Rockin' on the River, 421 Black River Ln., Lorain. The cost is $5 per ticket at the entrance.

There will be a tent for just the Class of 1979.

Various food trucks will be available for purchasing food and drinks.

The main event will start with cocktails at 5 p.m. on July 13 at the Amherst VFW, 165 Cleveland Ave. Dinner will be at 6 p.m. Tickets are $40 per person by July 5.

For more information, email mls1979rocks@ gmail.com or look for the Marion L. Steele Class of 1979 40th Reunion page on Facebook.

High school diplomas

Two Amherst students were among those celebrating their graduation as part of the Ohio Connections Academy's Class of 2019.

They are Desiree Peterson and Paul Turley.

Thursday, June 13, 2019

Amherst News-Times

Injured patrolman sues his attacker from 2018 standoff JASON HAWK EDITOR

Body ravaged by bullets and unable to return to duty, an Amherst police officer is suing the Sheffield Lake man who shot him last year.

Eugene "J.R." Ptacek has filed a civil suit against his attacker, Martin Robinson, in the Lorain County Court of Common Pleas.

A jury already found Robinson guilty of 16 criminal counts, including aggravated attempted murder, attempted murder, felonious assault, and inducing panic.

He is currently serving time at the Correctional Reception Center in Orient, Ohio.

Now Ptacek is asking for a second jury to award damages for the physical and mental anguish he's suffered.

The suit makes three claims for recovery and asks for at least $25,000 for each — plus whatever amount the jury may choose to award.

The complaint recounts how Robinson barricaded himself in his home May 31, 2018, sparking a five-hour standoff with the Lorain County SWAT team.

As one of the team's members, Ptacek breached Robinson's front door with a battering ram so others could deploy a robot, then

Ptacek

Robinson

turned and ran.

That's when Robinson opened fire with a 20-gauge shotgun, hitting Ptacek from behind.

The bullet ricocheted and fragmented, damaging Ptacek's stomach, colon, rectum, and intestines.

The suit calls Robinson's conduct "so extreme and outrageous as to go beyond all possible bounds of decency" and "utterly intolerable in a civilized society."

Ptacek, a police officer of 17 years, was flown by helicopter to Metro Health Medical Center in Cleveland and remained hospitalized for 31 days, followed by weeks of in-patient

rehabilitation.

To date, he has undergone five surgeries related to the shooting and has disfiguring internal and external scarring.

Gunshot fragments remain in his abdomen and Ptacek suffers from neuropathic pain in his leg and walks with a limp.

The "injuries were life-threatening and will continue to plague J.R. indefinitely," according to the suit.

In addition to the lasting affects on his physical and mental health, Ptacek has been unable to return to his duties with the Amherst police force.

The suit seeks to recover medical expenses and lost earnings.

GOVERNMENT BUSINESS

Zoe Rousseau gets a little instruction from Ptl. Jason Nahm on Saturday during the Amherst police department's annual bike rodeo.

BIKE RODEO

FROM B1

There were winners Saturday: Target donated four rad bikes for a prize drawing at the rodeo.

Police also gave away free helmets and T-shirts.

Olde Town Pizza House donated snacks and kids also burned some energy in a bounce house.

Cawthon said the rodeo is an opportunity for officers to have positive interactions with residents. Firefighters and paramedics were also there to give tours of their emergency vehicles.

Ethan Vincent practices bike-handling skills by delivering a newspaper.

Courtesy photo

Third-graders in Jackie Fink's class at Nord Middle School recently visited Amherst city hall to learn about government and visit mayor Mark Costilow. Here, they take a seat in city council chambers to debate getting rid of plastic straws and requiring people to wear helmets when riding bikes.

CHURCH DIRECTORY All Amherst-area churches are invited to post service times in the News-Times. Send your listing to us via email at news@ lcnewspapers.com.

• St. Joseph Catholic Church, 200 St. Joseph Dr., has Masses at 4 p.m Saturdays (St. Joseph Church, Amherst); 5:30 p.m.

Saturdays (Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, South Amherst); 8:30 a.m., 11 a.m., and 5 p.m. Sundays (St. Joseph); 9 a.m. Mondays (St. Joseph); 8 a.m. Tuesdays (Nativity); 7 p.m.

Thursdays (St. Joseph); and 9 a.m. Fridays (St. Joseph).

• St. Paul Lutheran Church, 115 Central Dr., has traditional worship services each Sunday at 8:30 a.m. and informal services at 11 a.m. Sunday school and Bible study begin at 9:45 a.m.

Nursery care is available during worship services and Bible study. Community prayer box and dog station available.

• Good Shepherd Baptist Church, 1100 Cleveland Ave., has Sunday school at 9:45 a.m. and worship services at 11 a.m. each Sunday. Bible study for all ages is at 9:45 a.m. on Sundays.

Bible class is at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesdays.

• Faith Baptist Church, 440 North Lake St., has Sunday school for all ages at 9:30 a.m. and worship service at 10:45 a.m. Nursery care is available during both. Ablaze Youth Group meets at 6 p.m. on Wednesdays.

• Family Fellowship, 780 Cooper Foster Park Rd., has Sunday services at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m.

• New Beginnings Church of Christ, 591 Washington St., has Bible classes for all ages at 9:30

a.m. and worship at 10:30 a.m. on Sundays. A training room class for ages two to four and junior worship for kindergarten through fifth grade is available.

• St. John’s United Church of Christ, 204 Leonard St., South Amherst, has worship at 9 a.m. each Sunday. Sunday school for children is held during the service.

• Freedom House, 1240 Park Ave., has services at 10:30 a.m. on Sundays and 7 p.m. on Thursdays. Prayer meetings are held at noon on Wednesdays.

• Amherst Church of the Nazarene, 210 Cooper Foster Park Rd., has Bible classes for all ages at 9:30 a.m. and worship at 10:30 a.m. on Sundays. A prayer service is held at 7 p.m. on Wednesdays. Next Step services are held at 6 p.m. on Saturdays.

• Trinity Evangelical Free Church, 46485 Middle Ridge Rd., has a traditional Sunday worship service at 9 a.m. and a contemporary service at 10:45 a.m. There is children’s programming during both services.

Grades six to 12 meet at 9 a.m. only. Summit (young adults ages 18 to 30) meets from 7-9 p.m. on Thursdays at the church.

• Eversprings Missionary Baptist Church, 49536 Middle Ridge Rd., has Sunday school at 10 a.m., Sunday worship at 11 a.m., and Sunday evening services at 6 p.m. Wednesday services are at 6 p.m.

• Heritage Presbyterian Church, 515 North Leavitt Rd., has Sunday service at 10:30 a.m.

• South Amherst First United Methodist Church, 201 West Main St., offers a contemporary worship service at 10:30 a.m. each Sunday.

• Elyria Zion United Methodist Church, 43720 Telegraph Rd., Amherst Township, offers a traditional service at 9 a.m. each Sunday.

• Cornerstone Community Church, 111 South Lake St., has Sunday service at 10:30 a.m.

Wednesday service is at 6:30 p.m.

• Community Congregational United Church of Christ, 379 South Main St., has Sunday worship and Sunday school for ages three and up at 10 a.m. Nursery care is provided for those three and under. Communion is offered the first Sunday of every month.

• St. Peter’s United Church of Christ, 582 Church St., has Sunday worship service and church school at 10 a.m.

• A Fresh Wind Church, 1115 Milan Ave., has Sunday worship service at 10 a.m. and Solomon’s Porch youth ministry at 6 p.m.

• Amherst United Methodist Church, 396 Park Ave., has Sunday worship at 10:30 a.m. For information, call 440-988-8330 or visit www.amherstchurches. org.

• Old Stone Evangelical Church, 553 South Main St., has adult Sunday school at 9:30 a.m. and worship at 10:30 a.m. Sundays. A free community supper is offered from 5-7 p.m. the second Wednesday of each month.

A free community breakfast is served from 8:30-10:30 a.m. the second Saturday of each month.

Carry-outs are available at either meal.

• Brownhelm United Church of Christ, 2144 North Ridge Rd., worships each Sunday at 11 a.m.

Sunday school for children is held during the service.

Thursday, June 13, 2019

Amherst News-Times

Visit yesterday with Amherst native's book STAFF REPORT

Author Mike Finley has published a new online book about his hometown of Amherst — but he's not looking to cash in on it.

Diagnosed with metastatic prostate cancer, Finley said earlier this year that writing his reflections and memories of golden days here has been part of his therapy.

"A negative diagnosis makes you wonder what matters most in life," he wrote in an introduction to the 240-page work. "Family certainly.

Friends, yes! But also the past generally, where you came from, what it all meant to you."

"Amherst, Ohio: The Book" is meant as a gift to friends who live here, once lived here, or are still "a little in love with Amherst, as I have been

Finley for 60-plus years," he told us.

Finley has authored a number of books, mostly in the business genre. They include "Why Teams Don't Work," "Why Change Doesn't Work," "Transcompetition," and "The Accidental Leader" with psychologist Harvey Robbins.

His pieces have also appeared in a number of periodicals from Rolling Stone to Success Magazine.

Now he lives in Saint Paul, Minn., though his thoughts often turn to his years growing up on Park Avenue in Amherst and attending St. Joseph School and Steele High School.

As a schoolboy, he started writing stories, nonfiction, and poetry Don't expect "Amherst, Ohio: The Book" to be an academic history of the town. It's largely anecdotal, with stories about listening to Beatles LPs, childhood nightmares, a junior year full of detentions at Steele High, and being abandoned by his father — all set against a litany of towny names from the 1960s.

Finley's book is available at www.bit. ly/2IgH0Ne. You can read it on the Web, download it at no cost, or order a bound copy from www.peecho.com for $20.

Hall of Fame nominations

The Amherst Athletic Hall of Fame committee is accepting applications for the fourth class of its Athletic Hall of Fame.

Nominations will be accepted for the Class of 2020 through the end of the day on Wednesday, July 31. The newest class will be announced at homecoming on Friday, Sept. 27. An induction ceremony will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 1 in the gym at Steele High School.

To nominate new members, fill out a form at www.tinyurl.com/amhersthall.

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POLICE REPORTS • May 27 at 8:10 p.m.: A 45-year-old man at Motel 6 on Rt. 58 told police he didn't want to live anymore. He was taken to Mercy Health Lorain Hospital for evaluation.

• May 28 at 9:43 a.m.: A person flagged down police to turn in a wallet he found. It was returned to its owner.

• May 28 at 11:38 a.m.: Money found inside Discount Drug Mart was returned to its owner.

• May 28 at 3:30 p.m.: A woman said someone fraudulently used her credit card to make cash withdrawals.

• May 28 at 7:32 p.m.: A woman reportedly thinking of ending her life jumped out of a car and ran away. She was found and taken to Mercy Health Lorain Hospital for evaluation.

• May 29 at 6:52 a.m.: Michael Tracy, 40, of Elyria, was arrested on a warrant through the Lorain County Sheriff's Office for child support.

• May 29 at 5:42 p.m.: Police investigated the theft of makeup from Discount Drug Mart on Rt. 58.

• May 31 at 10:52 a.m.: A stolen or forged check was reported by Lormet Credit Union on Cooper Foster Park Road.

• June 1, time undisclosed by police: Tajaria Alexander, 23, of Lorain, was charged with assault; Victorian Rivera, 22, of Lorain, was charged with assault and disorderly conduct; and Kala Weese, 25, of Lorain, was charged with assault, disorderly conduct, and open container in a motor vehicle. The charges stemmed from a domestic disturbance call at a North Main Street residence.

• June 1 at 12:58 a.m.: James Abbott Jr., 50, of South Amherst, was arrested on a warrant through the Huron County Sheriff's Office for child support.

• June 1 at 4:12 p.m.: A harassment

complaint was filed.

• June 1 at 5:41 p.m.: Brandon Vanche, 26, of Vermilion, was arrested on warrant, including one through Lorain County 911 on a second-degree felony count of possession of a dangerous drug.

• June 2 at 3:59 a.m.: Justy Ballard Jr., 36, of Lorain, was arrested on a warrant through the Amherst police department for failure to appear in court on misdemeanor drug charges.

• June 2 at 5:19 p.m.: Branden Danks, 27, of Lorain, was arrested on a felony warrant through the Lorain County Sheriff's Office for contempt of court for child support.

• June 3 at 9:30 p.m.: Police responded to a domestic disturbance on Meadowview Lane.

• June 4 at 7:18 p.m.: Officers responded to a domestic dispute on Cleveland Avenue.

• June 4 at 7:33 p.m.: A vehicle was vandalized on Lincoln Street.

• June 5 at 2:02 p.m.: A menacing complaint was filed on Milan Avenue.

Police said an investigation may also result in a charge of domestic violence.

• June 6 at 8:30 a.m.: A 15-year-old Lorain boy and 14-year-old Vermilion boy were charged with unruliness and possession of drug paraphernalia. The charges came after a school bus driver reported two boys were smoking marijuana on the bus.

• June 6 at 6:32 p.m.: A person took a large number of sleeping pills.

• June 6 at 8:56 p.m.: Deandrey Hudson, 28, of Lorain, was arrested on a warrant through the Elyria police department for failure to appear in court.

Editor’s note: Though charged, defendants are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

AMHERST JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL HONOR ROLL THIRD GRADING PERIOD RECOGNITION Sixth Grade Honor Roll: Sofia Anadiotis, Juelz Anderson, Trinity Anderson, Mia Aktinson, Brooke Baker, Isaiah Baldwin, Zoey Bally, Logan Banyas, William Bobek, Alexander Bozsoki, Angelic Cherney, Dylan Coughlin, Lola Coughlin, Ian DelValle-Cantres, Lucas Diedrick, Alexander Dokovski, Zachary Ellis, Cooper Fenik, Madison Gutierrez, Carter Hill, Nathan Hunt, Laila Jackson, Melissa Jean-Louis, Livia Jenkins, Lizza Jenkins, Elija Kender, Samantha Kilzer, Frank Klanac, Addison Lachman, Christopher LaTorre, Dina Lin, Dalton Lindsay, Ava Loeser, Selene Manholt, Tobias Marvin, Cooper Miller, Emanuel Morell, Hayden Nagy, William Nash, Jazmin Norman, Rocco Palermo, Nyeisha Reid, Margaret Ritenauer, Joshua Robinson, Joey Rodriguez-Lovell, Ariana Serrano, Emma Snodgrass, Ella Stevenson, Joseph Stokes, Kayson Sturgill, Robert Takacs, Harley Thomas, Isabella Thomas-Friend, Tripp Vallelonga, Amaya Walsh, Ryan Watkins, Colt Woch, Landon Woodworth, Isabelle Yuhasz-Berlin, Cole Zajkowski.

High Honor Roll: Fernando Amador, Brendon Bingham, Jenson Bischof, McKenna Bottomlee, Dax Bremer, Lance Buffa, Adrianna Charles, Henry Cislo, Allison Copeland, Aron Cortez, Alexis Costin, Caleb Crawford, Madilyn Daviduk, Carlton Davis, Taylor Davis, Riley Diar, Abby Diaz, Aubrey Dooley, Ashton Draga, Brady Edwards, Oliver Fekete, Katelynn Florek, Kylie Francisco, Ema Garcia, Jade Gedling, Reagan Groom, Riley Grooms, MacKenzie Gutierrez, Gabriel Hearn, Gabrielle Herold, Genevieve Herrmann, Mallory Heyd, Nina Hoffman, James Hoovler, Nevaeh Jackson, Jonathon Janosik, Jordyn Jones, Vladamir Jules, Andrew

Kliemann, Spencer Leibolt, Michael Lewis, Ella Lombardozzi, Austin Lugar, Alexander Mace, Lindey Mariast, Mallory Mayfield, Rylie Michael, Maguire Mihalek, Kaitlyn Molnar, Nicholas Moss, Hayden Nahm, Ashley Newman, Aubri Nunez, Logan Orlandi, Darwin Penano, Josue Perez, Abigail Phillips, Ryan Pieschalski, Logan Pitcock, Kora Pritt, Isabella Pugh, Makayla Radman, Tayler Radman, Charles Rados, Kendall Richardson, Carmela Rivera, Vegas Ronan, Brayden Rosebeck, Nevaeh Sadler, Alana Santiago, Jacob Schliesser, Madeline Settle, Jackson Solyom, Paitlyn Sooy, Ethan Steveski, Ben Susi, Gavin Taliano, Marin Tellier, Bianca Teppo, Akierra Thompson, Gewn Thompson, Emilio Trevino, Vittoria Verde, Brooke Vorhees, Vincent Washburn, Evann Watchorn, Kyan Woods, Joseph Zaworski.

All A's: Madeline Almady, River Ambroz, Jocelyn Anderson, Olivia Bailey, Miranda Bena, Callie Christner, Julia Cuyra, Kamille Coleman, Abigail Cooke, Landon Crosby, Avaree DiFilippo, Brayden Gallogly, Madelyne Gates, Aubrey Gonzalez, Grace Grove, Ainsley Hunker, Allison Jackson, Sadie Koba-Nelson, Mikayla Kroesen, David Lewis, Katherine Low, Anthony Martin, Cole Mayer, Cole Norris, Melissa Nunez, Sophia Pecora, Owen Perna, Claire Petrillo, Alexis Podboy, Candace Puhalla, Jeffrey Reichert, Alana Roth, Emma Sayers, Luke Schreiber, Ella Schubert, Aniya Smith, Dain Smith, Nathan Stewart, Carson Timko, Prince Tran, Roxy Trunzo, Cameron Velez, Noah Von Kaenel, Matthew Weidner, Mort Wilson, Addison Wood, Aiden Workman, Lucas Young, Adriano Zagar.

Seventh Grade Honor Roll: Logan Brown, Ja'Vyen Carter, Lindsay Cornwell, Caleb Cortes, Madeline Dean-Dielman, Carson Denman, Joshua Diaz, Alexandria

Doyle, Nancy Doyle, Madeline Durica, Sadie Farlow, Mason Fisher, Jacqueline Fuentes-Quiej, Andrew Gayheart, Christian Gendics, Sienna German, Baylor Gross, Zachary Gumble, Casey Hale, Ethan Homolya, Ethan Howard, Camden Hunter, Kaelyn James, Samuel Janik, Ava Kelley, Morgan Kessler, Ijanai King, Jennie Kirnus, Kayla Marsh, Nathan Mason, Carl Matos, Amanda McElheny, Emily McElheny, Olivia Merriman, Matthew Muntz, Jessica Nickoloff, Trent Odelli, Michael Parish, Ty Perez, Charles Porter, Kaylee Richards, Peyton Roberts, Victoria Ruiz, Madelyn Sanders, Keanna Sauvey, Megan Shafer, Madison Simulcik, Julianna Spataro, Natalie Sprinkle, Jacob Stawicki, Aaron Swiers, Taylor Traband, Christopher Turner, Kadence Vanche, Alexandrea Vargo, Gianna Vrooman, Ella Yonts.

High Honor Roll: Sara Anadiotis, Elizabeth Andreson, Ava Aschemeier, Grace Atherton, Ross Auvil, Ryan Auvil, Elizabeth Barry, Claire Bedo, Amelia Behm, Luke Bengele, Jessie Boonekamp, Alexa Bowens, Landen Bray, Gabrielle Breckenridge, Gabrielle Brezina, Angela Brillon, Hailee Bukovac, Mason Cawthon, Mackenzie Cheatham, Nicholas Costello, Hayden Coughlin, Gavyn Cumberledge, Margaret Deisler, Izabella DeJesus, Ruari Dever, Larissa Diedrick, Stephan Dokovski, Alyson Dotson, Katelyn Drop, Giavonna Franks, Jillian George, Elaina Gilles, Ashley Grapes, Brina Guan, Brooke Hendershot, Connor Hering, Ava Hoffman, Victoria Hopkins, Natalie Hudzinski, Henry Isaacs, Carson Jeffers, Jacob Jesko, Jordyn Jevcak, Elaine Kapalin, Michael Kobylka III, Alexa Koscho, Alivia Liddington, McKenzie Mayfield, Emilee McCann, Jacob Morris, Veronica Mudrock, Ava Murphy, Ryan Naelitz, Elle Niehart, Annabella O'Brien, Jaden Orlandi, Josiah Ortiz, James P'Simer,

Carrie Prichard, Lauren Prusak, Zoey Roy, Sean Sabol, Sabrina Schaeffer, Hananiah Smith, Addison Stump, Brooke Sultzer, valyn Survance, Ava Sweeney, Isabel Taylor, Manuel Trevino, Ryan Trowbridge, Vananthony Trunzo, Brianna Ujvari, ceily Waynar, Jonathan Williams, Chadwick Ryan Yoder, Julia Zack.

All A's: Sydney Alto, Corin Balut, Braeden Bard, Kendall Bott, Jackson Ciu, Aaron Clappas, Ava Darmos, Exekiel DeMurcurio, Kayla Ferancy, Audrey Frankart, Ava Gilles, Clara Horwedel, Elizabeth Iliff, Dane Janis, Elizabeth Kapalin, Mason Kinser, Paige Kotefski, Rylie Kuhn, Lauren Kukucka, Logan McCrone, Rachel McDerment, Cohen McGee, Joseph Miller, Jacob Nunez, Elaina Paradissis, Natalie Pleban, Mackenzie Price, Devin Ramirez, Holley Rangel, Ethan Ray, Alyssa Rodriguez, Bradyn Silvasy, Elizabeth Sonntag, Sabrina Stawicki, Mark Vitelli.

Eighth Grade Honor Roll: Hannah Aschenbach, Leah Biedenbach, Isabella Boone, Yasmine Bounit, Trent Branchen, John Cain, Ryan Campana, Alexandra Charles, Nicholas Ciura, Gage Cohoon, Cara Craddock, Isabella Dellipoala, Grant Dobo, Lucy Fenik, Nathan Fiala, Bishop Fryson, Grant Gabrie, Dani German, Trevor Gillam, Natalie Groom, Zoe Guilonard, Christian Heckmann, Caden Henry, Charly Hicks, Brayden Bribar, Maddison Kimmich, Leah Koscho, Blake Kubasak, Kathryn Lee, Hudson Lisner, Isabella Loder-Nickeson, Zachary Low, Joshua Ludwig, Mya Mandat, Rafael Martinez, Lindsey McConihe, Sean McQuate, Brennan Miller, Kayleigh Nieves-Green, Grayden Paradissis, Destiny Parsons, Drew Pieschalski, Garrett Pugh, Jeffery Rangel, Owen Shafer, Siddhartha Sharma, Christopher Smith,

Kayden Tackett, Collin Turley, Catherine Turner, Shelby Veard, Joshua Wallace, Xavier Wilgor, Ashlee Wysocky, Halle Zapolski.

High Honor Roll: Ella Baker, Naudia Balek, Riley Banyas, Andrew Bentley, Anderson Bingham, Emma Bruewer, Colby Cabrera, Braden Carpenter, Hailey Counts, Andrew Cvetkovic, Devan Daidone, Owen Davis, Sierra Dorobek, Evan Draga, Jonathon Dvorscak, Rose Fedan, Mya Fritz, Gabrielle Fuller, Jules Gedling, Cameron Gendics, Alexa Goodrich, Ryan Graber, Anthony Green, Cooper Guilliams, Ava Haddix, Preston Hawkins, Kameron Hinton, Braden Hunker, Trevor Huston, Maxwell Hyde, Aidan Hylton, Mia Jones, Jenna Juristy, Lauren Kendall, Ava Komosa, Lillianne Kossow, Mia Ksenich, Paige LaBranche, Olivia McGrath, Kaitlyn Myers, Megan Myers, Keith Onacila, Kaylee Pajor, John Perez-Strohmeyer, Braden Pluta, Gavin Pogachar, Devin Pritt, Devanne Richards, Jacob Schneider, Jaedon Smath, Grant Sooy, Emma Stipanovich, Mackenzie Szudarek, Liam Taliano, Chloe Teppo, Donald Theisen, Molly Tremaine, Ryan Zaidi.

All A's: Alexis Alflen, Cait Alltmont, Megan Bollin, Kaitlyn Butler, Ada Carroll, Alexis Clappas, Morgan Donohue, Madison Elliott, Luke Figueroa, Jocelyn George, Meghan Glahn, Isabela Gotsis, Chase Hetrick, Lindsey Heyd, Madeline Kachure, Kylie Kimmich, Kaila Kocsis, Ashley London, Lily Macartney, Jack Manzo, Chase Mayer, Benjamin McKee, Sydney Miller, Emily Myers, Nathan Palos, Emily Peah, Spencer Plemons, Martin Polonkay, Damien Prinkey, Maren Rhoads, Jacob Sauer, Isabella Sekletar, Kendra Shimrock, Sereena Sperry, Payton TarBush, Sophia Traband, Carly Traut, Brandon Vasquez, Mattie Vazquez, Eva Wanek, Aurora Wilson.

Page B4

Amherst News-Times

Thursday, June 13, 2019

INSIDE: COUNCIL OK’S PYLE ROUNDABOUTS • C3

OBERLIN NEWS-TRIBUNE THURSDAY, JUNE 13, 2019 • SERVING OBERLIN SINCE 1930

Juneteenth 2019 will celebrate children The annual Juneteenth Festival will be held from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, June 15 on Tappan Square in Oberlin.

This year will focus on the importance of children, who organizers call "the future and our blessing."

The celebration will feature games, a parade, performances, food trucks, vendors, bike raffles, and more.

Musical entertainment will include Utah Witherspoon, Donna Simmons, the CMA and Mt. Zion church choirs, children's choirs, and various

others.

Because children are the focal point of the 2019 event, there will be more activities offered for children: games, face painting, contests, sweets, a visit from Sparky the fire dog, a bike giveaway, and a clown. Kids will be featured in the parade. There will also be fingerprinting for children.

Another highlight of the weekend will be the Oberlin Community Services Juneteenth picnic. It will be held from 5-7 p.m. on Friday, June 14 and this year will move

File photo

The African Royalty Drill Team gets 2018 Juneteenth Festival attendees on their feet.

OPINION

STAFF REPORT

from its traditional Spring Street Park venue to Tappan Square.

Juneteenth — originally June 19, 1865 — is considered the date when the last enslaved people in America were freed.

Although the rumors of freedom were widespread prior to this, actual emancipation did not come in Texas until June 19, almost two and a half years after President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation on Jan. 1, 1863.

Juneteenth symbolizes the end of slavery and the beginning of freedom. While its roots are in Texas, Juneteenth has become a day to celebrate freedom all over the United States.

Oberlin’s history of commitment to abolition and the cause of freedom make the community uniquely qualified to celebrate.

In the build-up to the festival, a Potter's Field Memorial Service was held Sunday at Westwood Cemetery.

Organizers said they planned to place a large permanent marker bearing the names of those who died at Potter's Field.

An associated event is Maafa, also known as the Holocaust of Enslavement, a national celebration commemorating the pain, suffering, and loss of life of Africans in the Diaspora.

The commemoration will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, June 14 at Westwood Cemetery.

This year, for the first time, the community will commemorate the children who escaped enslavement and died in Oberlin while on their journey to freedom in Canada.

A wreath will be placed on the large headstone of a child who was buried on the way to Canada.

FROM OHIO TO RUSSIA

Experiencing the Gibson's lawsuit A jury has ordered Oberlin College to pay $11 million to Gibson's Bakery following a month-long trial — but Friday's decision is not the end of the long-running legal fight that arose from student protests at the tail end of 2016.

The jury reconvened Tuesday for the next THE WAY I SEE IT phase, which addresses JASON HAWK punitive damages and could triple the payout.

It's unlikely the conflict will die there, regardless of what happens. The matter will almost certainly be played out in the court of appeals.

Standing on West College Street two and a half years ago with camera and notepad in hand, I never suspected that the chants and anger I witnessed would lead to one of the biggest civil cases in Lorain County history.

I thought that, in the wake of the 2016 presidential election, the yelling and screaming would be a flash-in-the-pan exorcism of political anxiety, and that once collectively purged everything would quickly return to normal.

I was wrong.

Recall the environment: Oberlin voters had backed Hillary Clinton by a more than 10-to-one ratio while across our once-solid blue county it was a dead heat, with Donald Trump losing by fewer than 150 votes. The Ohio totals gave Trump the state's electoral college electors by about 455,000 votes.

It seemed inevitable at the time that Democrats GIBSON’S CASE PAGE C2

JOB OPENING

Submitted photo

Julia Spondike stops by the Lorain County JVS to practice for her trip to Chongqing, China.

Now she’s really cookin’!

STAFF REPORT

Lorain County Community Newspapers is looking for a full-time reporter with a focus on Amherst, Oberlin, and Wellington! The job requires a flexible schedule, an interest in life in small communities, the ability to write snappy stories and capture engaging photos, and great organizational skills. Night and weekend availability is a must — we work when and where news happens! City councils, school boards, high school sports, human interest stories, cops and courts, businesses, planning and development, social issues, and more. We want to fill this position quickly. Send your resume to news@lcnewspapers.com today!

Her passion and love for food started at a very young age and now it is taking her places she never dreamed possible.

Julia Spondike, a 2017 graduate of the Lorain County JVS culinary arts program, will head this August to Kazan, Russia, to represent the United States at the WorldSkills Competition in cooking.

The road to Russia is first taking Spondike to Chongqing, China, where she will participate in the country's skills competition.

It is a two-day event with the potential for Spondike to medal, she said.

“This will be my first international experience,” she said.

“This will be a good stepping stone before I go to Russia. I will also get the opportunity to meet some of the people I might be competing against at WorldSkills as well.”

Southwestern China is know for its spicy food and Spondike said she is excited to try the cuisine and experience the culture during her nine-day visit.

Spondike — the only culinary representative from the United States — has been training for nearly a year for the WorldSkills competition, honing her skills through repetition.

The road to Kazan started with her choice to attend the JVS and its culinary arts program. “The

JVS culinary program and the whole team in the kitchen, chef Timothy Michitsch and chef Alyssa Rose, helped me further my education in cooking. I am a passionate learner and I wanted to get hands-on learning in the kitchen and be able to work and make delicious food, which I was able to do through their guidance and help,” said Spondike.

In Summer 2017, as part of the vocational school program, she won first place at the SkillsUSA National competition and was awarded a full tuition scholarship to the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York.

After this accomplishment, she was informed about the WorldSkills opportunity and was SPONDIKE PAGE C2

SUBMIT YOUR NEWS TO: NEWS@LCNEWSPAPERS.COM

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SPONDIKE

GIBSON’S CASE

FROM C1

FROM C1

interested in learning more.

“It took me nearly four months to get through the application process,” Spondike said. “It included questionnaires about my personality, my cooking style, where I see food going in the next five to 10 years, and what I wanted out of my future career.”

Challenging cooking projects, as well as test menu projects, also needed to be completed as part of the application process. “It included an appetizer, a soup, an entree and dessert; all that we had to complete within one week,” said Spondike. “It was very stressful and I was questioning whether I could do it or not, but I did!”

After the application process, there was a runoff between Spondike and one other person. This competition included two days, eight hours each day, and at the conclusion, she was selected to represent the United States for WorldSkills.

Spondike shared that she is eager and ready to take on this next challenge. “It will be a four-day competition, four hours each day, and I will be preparing and cooking two to three things each day. This time I will be cooking in bulk, so it will be one recipe but I will be making it for 18 or so people. That will be exciting.”

in their anguish would lash out and that Republicans in their revelry would gloat.

The morning after the election, someone flipped the American flag upside-down outside Oberlin High School in what appeared to be a kind of "the ship is sinking" protest.

Meanwhile, conservatives lined up behind a bogus social media claim that the American flag was being flown lower than the rainbow flag on Tappan Square — a falsehood perpetuated by a forced perspective photo and one that I easily debunked.

When the student protests began outside Gibson's, it seemed the public quickly chose teams along party lines. It certainly felt like an extension of Election Night drama.

The protests stemmed from the arrests of three Oberlin College students named Jonathan Aladin, Cecelia Whettstone, and Endia Lawrence. All later pleaded guilty to misdemeanor counts of attempted theft and aggravated trespassing.

They also all read statements saying their arrest wasn't racially motivated, an idea that had been central to the unrest on West College since the Gibsons are white and those charged were black.

School donations

The following gifts have been accepted by the Oberlin board of education: • $1,000 from Lloyd and Helen Taylor for the Oberlin High School choir.

• $500 from an anonymous donor for the Langston Middle School trip to Washington, D.C.

Thursday, June 13, 2019

Oberlin News-Tribune

When the Gibson family filed a lawsuit, it wasn't against the protesters and their constitutionally protected speech. It was against the college and its dean of students, whom the Gibsons said "aided and abetted" the protesters.

A year and a half after the protests, I was served with an order to give a deposition. What our attorneys thought would be an hour-long interview turned into a two-day affair. Lawyers for the Gibsons told me that my experience was not unique — that the depositions had been long and hard for other witnesses as well. David Gibson repeatedly offered apologies that I’d been entangled in the case.

Interestingly, the ordeal made a little history when our attorney, Steven Keslar, successfully argued that Ohio's shield laws provided a qualified immunity against questions that probed into the editorial process — in short, how decisions about how news is covered are protected by the First Amendment.

That set boundaries on the types of questions that had to be answered.

Still, the experience was traumatic, even though neither I nor the News-Tribune were named as parties to the suit. As I told my wife,

it felt just like seeing a police cruiser in the rear-view mirror even when you know they're not after you; there's that flash of hot and cold at the same time through your entire body.

Then, this spring, a subpoena arrived. Gibson's attorneys called upon me to testify close to the opening of the trial.

Because I was a witness, we had to deal with ethical and legal concerns when it came to coverage.

A larger media company might create a "firewall" to separate any employee involved in a suit from covering it. We're too small for that, which created a frustrating conflict.

It effectively chilled our ability to cover the trial.

Luckily, Lorain County has amazing journalists. The Chronicle-Telegram and Morning Journal provided excellent coverage.

Taking the stand was incredibly unsettling. My turn at the trial, though, was blessedly short and I left relieved.

Now we're back to a waiting game. Will Oberlin College be on the hook for millions more? Will the penalties see huge reductions in appellate court? Will Gibson's Bakery remain open? We'll see.

CHURCH DIRECTORY All Oberlin-area churches are invited to post service times in the News-Tribune. Send your listing to us via email at news@lcnews papers.com.

• Park Street Seventh-day Adventist Church, 99 South Park St., has Sabbath school at 9:30 a.m. followed by worship at 11 a.m. on Saturday.

Prayer meetings are held at 7 p.m. on Wednesdays via the prayer line (details on the church website). Visit www.parkstreetsda.org for more information.

• Oberlin Unitarian Universalist Fellowship meets at 355 East Lorain St. at 10:30 a.m. on Sundays for worship. Childcare is available.

• Christ Episcopal Church, 162 South Main St., holds Sunday services of the Holy Eucharist at 8 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Adult Christian formation is held at 9:15 a.m. on Sundays.

The Holy Eucharist is celebrated on Wednesdays at 8 a.m. Adult choir rehearsals are at 7:30 p.m. on Thursdays.

• Grace Lutheran Church, 310 West Lorain St., holds worship service and Sunday school at 10 a.m. on Sundays followed by fellowship and adult Bible study at 11:40 a.m.

• Sacred Heart Church, 410 West Lorain St., has a vigil Mass at 4 p.m. on Saturdays; Sunday Mass at 10:30 a.m.; and weekday Masses at 6:30 p.m.

Thursdays and 8:45 a.m.

Fridays.

• The First Church in Oberlin, United Church of Christ, 106 North Main St., has Sunday worship at 10 a.m. with communion the first Sunday of each

month. Childcare provided. Children’s church is at 10:15 a.m. Sunday school will be held for all ages at 11 a.m. For weekly information, visit www. firstchurchoberlin.org.

• The Empty Field Buddhist Community, 5 South Main St., Suite 212, meets at 8:30 a.m. on Sundays. Meetings include two 25-minute meditation periods and book study until 10:30 a.m. For more information, contact John Sabin at 440-574-1570 or jwsabin@gmail.com.

• First United Methodist Church, 45 South Professor St., has adult Sunday school at 9:30 a.m. and worship at 10:30 a.m. with infant care available.

• Christ Temple Apostolic Church, 370 West Lincoln St., has free hot breakfast from 8:30-9:30 a.m. on Sundays with Sunday prayer from 9-9:30 a.m. Sunday Academy is at 9:30 a.m. with classes for preschool to adults, followed by concession and refreshments. Worship and children’s church is at 11 a.m. Tuesday Bible study is at 7 p.m. Wednesday prayer is from noon to 1 p.m. First Friday prayer is from 7-8 p.m. Prison ministry at Lorain Correctional Institution in Grafton is at 6 p.m. on the third Sunday of each month. For transportation, call pastor Laurence Nevels at 440774-1909.

• Pittsfield Community Church has Sunday worship service at 10:30 a.m.

There is a new Mothers of Preschool children’s group.

For more information, call 440-774-2162.

• Rust United Methodist Church meets Sundays with a free community breakfast at 9 a.m., church

school for all ages at 9:30 a.m., and worship at 11 a.m. A noon prayer service is held each Wednesday.

Sparrow Bible Study is held Wednesdays at 7 p.m., 133 Smith St. Gospel Choir practices at 12:30 p.m. on Saturdays.

• Peace Community Church, 44 East Lorain St., has worship at 10 a.m. on Sundays. There is a children’s class during service. A peace vigil is held at noon on Saturday on Tappan Square.

• House of Praise International Church meets at 11 a.m. each Sunday at Oberlin High School with a service as well as children and youth ministries.

For details, visit www. hopchurch.org.

• Mount Zion Baptist Church, 185 South Pleasant St., has the Church at Study service at 9:30 a.m.

Sundays with the Church at Worship at 10:30 a.m.

The Church at Prayer is held at 6 p.m. on Wednesdays.

• Calvary Baptist Church, 414 South Main St., has Sunday school at 10 a.m. and worship at 11 a.m. with children’s church for preschool through third grade. Bible study is held at 6 p.m. on Sundays, with teens meeting at 7:15 p.m.

Wednesday is family night with Men of Action Bible study, Women of Faith Bible study, and teen and JOY Club meetings at 6:30 p.m.

• East Oberlin Community Church has Sunday school at 10 a.m. and Sunday worship at 11 a.m.

A friends and family meal is held at noon on the last Sunday of each month; take a dish to share. Pastor Chris Vough has office hours at 5 p.m. on Wednes-

days, followed by Bible study at 6 p.m. For more information, call 440-7743443.

• Life Builders Foursquare Church meets at the pastor’s residence, 43 East Vine St. Sunday praise and worship starts at 11 a.m.

Men’s Bible study is at 7 p.m. on Tuesdays. A women’s meeting is held twice each month on Sunday after church.

• Oberlin Missionary Alliance Church, 125 South Pleasant St., holds Sunday school for children and adults at 9:30 a.m. Sunday morning worship begins at 10:45 a.m. Weekly workshop begins with Wednesday prayer services at noon and Bible studies at 7 p.m. with pastor Lester Allen.

• Oberlin Friends (Quakers) meet for worship from 10:30-11:30 a.m. each Sunday in the education center at Kendal at Oberlin, 600 Kendal Dr. • Glorious Faith Tabernacle, 45637 East Hamilton St., has services Sundays at 11 a.m. with pastors Allan and Rochelle Carter. Sunday school is at 9:30 a.m. Intercessory prayer is held at 6 p.m. on Tuesdays with Bible study at 7 p.m.

• Green Pastures Baptist Church, 12404 Leavitt Rd., has Sunday school at 10 a.m. and worship service on Sundays at 11 a.m. A Sunday evening service is held at 6 p.m.

• The Kipton Community Church, 511 Church St., has Sunday services at 8:30 a.m. and 10:30 am. with youth Sunday school at 10:45 a.m. Communion is the first Sunday of the month. The church food pantry is open every Tuesday from 6-7:30 p.m. for our area.

Thursday, June 13, 2019

Oberlin News-Tribune

Page C3

Putting the healing power of music to work Music soothes the savage beast — and it can also have amazing healing effects.

The power of song is being used to help patients at Mercy Health Allen Hospital via a partnership with the Oberlin Center for the Arts.

This program, called Performing Artists in Residence or PAIR, brings artists directly to patients. At first they performed in common areas and soon they will begin playing bedside.

The purpose is to showcase how the arts play a role in fostering healing, enhancing patient experience, and increasing quality of life.

Studies have shown the ways in which arts can impact patients' need for

pain medication, decrease their length of stay, reduce their stress, and increased memory.

"I feel that the Performing Artists in Residence program allows us a chance to showcase the wealth of talent we have in Lorain County, while building connections between community members and spreading the healing properties of music," said Darren Hamm, executive director of the Oberlin Center for the Arts.

Students and professionals perform one day each week with sessions ranging from 45 to 90 minutes each time.

These musicians attend an employee orientation process to learn critical tips and

Council OK's roundabouts on Pyle Road JASON HAWK EDITOR

Mini-roundabouts have gotten a green light, so to speak, from Oberlin city council after a long period of debate.

In a 5-2 vote on June 3, council chose to use four traffic circles to slow traffic along Pyle-South Amherst Road.

Siding against the idea were council members Kristin Peterson and Kelley Singleton.

Construction could start in early September and will likely take about eight weeks, according to public works director Jeff Baumann.

In the lead-up to the vote, he described the various alternatives to roundabouts that had been considered for the mile-long corridor.

Stop signs cannot by law be used for speed control.

For speed bumps to be effective, there would need to be 10 spaced about 300 to 400 feet apart, according to the Federal Highway Administration.

"They're loud. They wreak havoc on your suspension. One of the things we learned is they slow emergency vehicle response time by about 10 seconds per speed bump. They reduce fuel efficiency and they annoy drivers," Baumann said.

Speed tables are a crosswalk device to improve accessibility for people with mobility impairments while also increasing visibility. But they'd be de facto speed bumps, he said.

Rumble strips alert drivers to a hazard or change condition ahead — they aren't intended to reduce speed and are also loud.

Engineers even considered "radical" ideas such as realigning the road so it zigs and zags instead of being a straight drag, Baumann said. There is not enough space in the right-of-way for that idea to work, especially if room is left on either side for sidewalks, which are not part of this project but are desired in another phase.

Officials also considered using chicanes, which are often used on race courses and stick out into the roads to create serpentine curves. The space needed was also prohibitive.

Baumann said mini-roundabouts were the best solution.

Peterson lives nearby and walks along PyleSouth Amherst frequently. She said she understands the roundabouts will calm traffic and slow drivers' speeds but she believes they will not make conditions safer for pedestrians.

"Losing the stop signs at Morgan and Spruce and Robin Park makes me really nervous," she said.

Speeding and safety along the stretch have been the source of complaints for decades and now is the time to take action, said councilwoman Linda Slocum, who threw her support behind the roundabouts.

"That road has long been identified as a dangerous thoroughfare and while we've been very fortunate that we've not had many accidents on that road and no serious accidents, to do nothing when this problem has been identified and been repeatedly called into question would be irresponsible on our part," she said.

Whether there are traffic circles or not, there still needs to be a police presence and drivers still need to obey the law, said councilman Ronnie Rimbert.

"The roundabouts, I have seen them," he said. "I have been in them. They can be a little confusing initially but I have seen them work and it's going to be an interesting conversation from here on out."

In the 1960s and 1970s, Pyle-South Amherst was a rural road on the edge of town — but it's no longer that way, said council president Bryan Burgess.

He expects more houses to built there and more families to move in and said "it's time that we bring that road into the city with a more traffic-calming, neighborhood feel."

regulations of working in a medical facility, including patient rights and privacy as well as alignment with the core values of Mercy Health.

Allen Hospital's participation in the therapy is rooted in bringing comfort and support to each patient throughout the healing process.

“We hope to use this initiative as a means to build stronger connections, tolerance, and acceptance by bringing a diverse group together, providing an environment for learning and growth amongst both staff and patients,” said Charlotte Wray, president of Mercy Health Allen Hospital. “We want our patients to heal in

Submitted photo

PAIR performs at Mercy Health Allen Hospital. a place that celebrates who we are as a ministry and as a community.”

All participating musicians are reimbursed by a stipend

and given a chance to donate all payments received to the Oberlin Center for the Arts to support future program operations.

Nuclear bailout raises red flag for city JASON HAWK EDITOR

A bailout for nuclear and coal power plants — one that could also gut Ohio's green energy incentives — has drawn objections from Oberlin city council.

The Ohio House of Representatives voted 53-43 on May 29 to pass a controversial bill that would add surcharges to customers' electric bills in a bid to raise nearly $200 million per year.

A great deal of that cash would go to FirstEnergy's Davis-Besse and Perry nuclear power plants as well as coal-fire plants in Ohio and Indians, critics have said.

City law director Jon Clark said House Bill 6, which now goes to the Senate, eliminates existing renewable energy and efficiency standards in favor of subsidies for First Energy, which last year declared bankruptcy.

The bill would allow subsidies to continue for solar plant projects that have already been approved.

It would also limit property tax

devaluation on the nuclear plants.

Doug McMillan, director of the Oberlin Municipal Light and Power System, said the biggest impact it would have on the city would be a likely devaluation on Renewable Energy Credits.

The bill would require many entities to liquidate their RECs, which could send prices into a tailspin.

The sale price of RECs has slid from $14 to $5 in the last few years, he said: "I'm not sure how much lower they can go."

House Bill 6 fails to recognize the significant investments cities like Oberlin have made in zero-emission and low-emission energy projects, according to a resolution passed by city council in opposition of the legislation.

Consider, for example, that Oberlin gets half its power supply from two landfill gas reclamation projects that would no longer be rewarded if the bill is signed into law, McMillan said.

The bill also cuts municipal power systems like Oberlin's out of Ohio Clean Air Program

funding.

The Ohio Municipal Electric Association and American Municipal Power — both of which the city is a member — pushed for amendments that would lessen the impact of the legislation on towns but was ignored. Now those lobbyists are trying to get the attention of senators.

The Oberlin resolution calls on state Rep. Joe Miller (D-Amherst) and Sen. Gayle Manning (R-North Ridgeville) to oppose the legislation unless changes are made.

House Bill 6 has been a target for anti-nuclear protesters angry that the state plans to subsidize atomic power generation.

However, Oberlin councilwoman said there are concerns the natural gas market is poised to become a monopoly if nuclear energy fails.

Natural gas prices are at a record low, which means other generators are having trouble competing.

Council's resolution in opposition of the bill was passed as an emergency measure and sent to Gov. Mike DeWine.

SUMMER FUN ACROSS 1. ‘70s hairdo 5. Used for Chinese cooking 8. Part of URL 11. *____-and-slide 12. Cone-shaped quarters 13. Formerly known as dropsy 15. “Les Misérables” author 16. Hissy fit 17. Sink hole 18. *It varies widely in different regions 20. One from the Magi 21. Native American emblem 22. Lavatory, abbr.

23. Like #21 or #37 in this crossword 26. Borrower’s warranty 29. Geological time period 30. Experienced sailor 33. Wraths 35. Turning abstract into real 37. Zippo 38. Carl Jung’s inner self 39. It’s considered abominable 40. Ticks off 42. Mightier than sword?

43. *Popular July 4th event 45. Climb Kilimanjaro, e.g.

47. Bigheadedness 48. Hawaiian veranda 50. Vegetarian’s protein source 52. *It won’t last long in the heat 55. Canada’s favorite tree 56. UN civil aviation agency 57. Another spelling for #54 Down, sing.

59. Listens to #19 Down 60. Accepted behavior 61. Copenhagen native 62. Flower precursor 63. D.C. time 64. Church part DOWN 1. *Bonfire residue 2. Mess up

3. Capital of Latvia 4. Porto, to many English-speaking tourists 5. Painful expression 6. Poppy product 7. *In need of a breeze 8. Like Beethoven 9. Fail to mention 10. *A farmer’s ____ 12. Sleeping sickness vector 13. Hoover’s middle name 14. *Blast from past in movie watching 19. ____-boots 22. Car nut 23. Bald eagle’s nest 24. Do like ivy 25. Yogurt-based dip 26. Cobbler’s concern 27. Nonsense

28. Red Sea nation 31. Actress Hathaway 32. Mammoth site, e.g.

34. *Summer castle material 36. *Light bearer 38. Very, in music 40. Big fuss 41. Kidnapper’s demand 44. Fits of shivering 46. *Noisy insect 48. El Pollo ____, pl.

49. Not together 50. Off-limits 51. Newspaper piece 52. Conifer 53. Like 2016 54. Ages and ages 55. Flash dancers 58. Born, in society pages

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Thursday, June 13, 2019

Oberlin News-Tribune

Denneen is Rotary Senior of May

SOLUTION TO CROSSWORD ON PAGE C3

The Oberlin Rotary Club honors a high school senior each month during the school year. These young people are recognized for character and positive attitudes. They have contributed time and energy by helping the school and community and are excellent role models for the students at Oberlin High School.

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

DONNA SCHURR OBERLIN ROTARY

The Oberlin High School senior honored for the month of May was Ruby Denneen.

She has been involved

with the Drama Club all four years of high school. Joining in her freshman year, she has enjoyed being an actor in the plays and was very happy directing the spring play. Denneen was president of the club this year.

During her junior year, Denneen was president of the Queers and Allies Club, which promotes tolerance and respect for all students.

As vice-president of the Art Club, Denneen is involved in many activities that connect the arts to the community, including the art show during illumination.

This year she received a Scholastic Gold Key for artwork.

All of these activities, Denneen’s commitment to community service,

and her academic success secured her the honor of being in the National Honor Society.

One of the service activities which earned Denneen this accolade was her consistent weekly volunteer activities at the Oberlin Heritage Center. She has worked on research projects, tours, and many interesting activities. This summer

Denneen will be the OHC junior Intern. She recently received the Youth Community Service Award for her time volunteering there.

Other service activities include studying women’s history at Smith College the summer before her junior year and teaching English to elementary school students in Guatemala in 2018.

While volunteering in Guatemala, the program emphasized the fact that the group was there to help teach English, and not force our culture on them, which follows Rotary’s motto of “Service Above Self.”

After high school, Denneen will attend Oberlin College to study archaeology, art history, or East Asian studies.

Fire hydrant testing

The Oberlin water department will be flushing water mains in the city to test fire hydrants and improve water quality.

This routine maintenance procedure will begin Sunday, June 23 and continue through Tuesday, July 2. The majority of the flushing will be performed between midnight and 7 a.m. to minimize inconvenience to customers.

If required, flushing may continue during daytime hours.

Be sure to check tap water for discoloration before starting laundry of food preparation.

If the water is cloudy, only cold water faucets should be turned on until it clears.

To advertise in the classifieds, call 440-775-1611, 9-4 M-F RENTALS FREE HEAT Cozy and Convenient 1 and 2 bdrm MAPLE GROVE APTS 186–192 N. Oberlin Rd. 440-775-3098

PETS Free Kittens, litter-box trained. 440-935-3775.

(6:13, 20, 27)

SERVICES Floor repair and install carpet, wood, laminate, vinyl or ceramic. Call Joe Parr Sr. 440-647-4374 or cell 440-935-4778.

(12:26) Old refrigerators, appliances, scrap metal, batteries, cars--will pick up for free. Brian (440) 281-2516. (5:9-6:13)

SALES Clean Out Sale at 240 Heritage Drive, Wellington (behind Burger King) on Thursday June 13 and Friday June 14 from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

(6:6, 13) 4 Family Yard Sale June 13 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. and June 14 and 15 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 131 West Street, Wellington.

Fenton glass, clothes, tools, odds & ends. (6:13)

Yard Sale June 14 and 15 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 139 Park Place, Wellington. A little bit of everything!!

(6:13)

EMPLOYMENT HELP WANTED Wellington Union Cemetery needs a full time Sexton and a person part time as needed to mow.

Pay will be based on experience. Call 440-6472219 for more information (6:13, 20)

LEGALS PUBLICATION OF LEGISLATION The following is a summary of legislation adopted by Lorain City Council on June 3, 2019.

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 Nancy Greer @ 204-2050 (Nancy_ Greer@cityoflorain.org).

The following summary has been reviewed/approved by the Law Director for legal accuracy as required by state laws.

Reso. No. 19-19 Approving the necessity of acquiring, constructing and improving certain public improvements in the City of Lorain in cooperation with the Lorain ESID. Ord. No. 77-19 Determining to proceed with the acquisition, construction and improvement of certain public improvements

in the City of Lorain in cooperation with the Lorain ESID. 78-19 Levying special assessments for the purpose of acquiring, constructing, equipping and improving certain public improvements in the City of Lorain in cooperation with the Lorain ESID. 79-19 Approving the current replacement pages to the Lorain Codified Ordinances (through 4/30/19) 80-19 Approving the City of Lorain’s PY 2019 CDBG & HOME One Year Action Plan and auth the Mayor to submit for financial assistance and auth the S/S Director to enter into all contracts& agreements to accept financial assistance. 81-19 Auth & directing the S/S Director to enter into a sub-recipient agreement with Neighborhood Housing Services of Greater Cleveland Inc. to administer the City of Lorain’s down payment assistance program.

82-19 Assessing the cost of abating nuisance by removing litter and deposit of garbage, rubbish, junk, etc. during the current calendar year. 83-19 Appropriation.

(6:13, 20) DIVORCE NOTICE 19DU085841- Kiana Wright v. Cedric Wright, Jr. Cedric Wright, Jr. whose last known address was 6879 Cinderella Road, Jacksonville, Florida 32210 and present address is unknown, will take notice that on March 22, 2019, Kiana Wright filed her Complaint for Divorce against Cedric Wright, Jr. in the Lorain County Court of Common Pleas, Domestic Relations Division, 225 Court Street,

Elyria, Ohio 44035. The Plaintiff has alleged that she and the Defendant were married on February 12, 2014 at Jacksonville, Fl.; that four (4) children were born as issue of the Marriage; C.W., DOB: 7/13/2009, C.W., DOB: 1/21/2011, C.W., DOB: 10/21/2012 and C.W., DOB: 2/21/2015; that the Defendant is guilty of gross neglect of duty and that he and Defendant are incompatible.The matter is set for a Case Management Conference on August 12, 2019 at 9:00 a.m. at the Lorain County Court of Common Pleas, 225 Court Street, 2nd Floor, Elyria, Ohio 44035.

NOTE: THE DEFENDANT HEREIN, CEDRIC WRIGHT, JR., HAS TWENTY EIGHT (28) DAYS IN WHICH TO RESPOND TO THE ABOVE COMPLAINT FOR DIVORCE AFTER THE POSTING. (6:13, 20, 27, 7:4, 11, 18) NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING Village of Wellington, 2020 Proposed Tax Budget Notice is hereby given that on Monday June 17, 2019 at 7:30pm a public hearing will be held in the Village of Wellington Council Chambers, 115 Willard Mem Sq., Wellington Ohio to review the proposed 2020 Tax Budget. A copy is available for inspection at the Finance Director’s office.

Anyone with questions or comments is invited to attend.

By order of the Council of the Village of Wellington Hans Schneider, Mayor Vanya Hales, Finance

Director (6:13) PUBLIC NOTICE TO THE OWNERS, OCCUPANTS, MORTGAGEES, LESSEES AND ALL PARTIES HAVING AN INTEREST IN THE REAL PROPERTY LISTED HEREIN BELOW: The list of the properties below have been deemed dangerous buildings in the City of Lorain. As a dangerous building, the building constitutes a public nuisance. City of Lorain Ordinance Chapter 1523 defines these properties as Unsafe Buildings, according to Lorain Codified Ordinance 1523.01. These properties are considered Dangerous Buildings and according to LCO 1523.03 shall be considered Nuisances to the City of Lorain. Pursuant to LCO 1523.05, the Chief Building Official (CBO) of the City of Lorain has declared the properties listed below as dangerous buildings and by virtue thereof public nuisances.

A hearing is scheduled on the 3rd Thursday of June the 20th 2019 at 9 AM at Lorain City Council Chambers on the first floor located at: 200 W. Erie Ave Lorain, Oh 44052 before the Lorain Demolition Board (Board) pursuant to LCO 1523.06 for the purpose of presenting the determination of the CBO to the Board for its determination. All parties who have an interest in such parcels are entitled to attend and participate in the hearing.

2438 Lexington Ave 703 Dakota Ave 3018 Caroline Ave

1824 E 37th St 945 Brownell Ave 210 E 30th St 334 W 13th St 1917 E 29th St TO BE ADVERTISED: 6/13/19 and 6/20/19 LEGAL NOTICE TO KNOWN NEXT OF KIN OF ALEXANDRA BURMISTRENKO, TO WIT: ANTON MOZGOVOI AND TARAS MOZGOVOI, who residences are unknown, and cannot with reasonable diligence be ascertained: Please take notice that Alexandra Burmistrenko died on March 25, 2019. An application has been field with the Court to admit to probate the Last Will and Testament of the decedent, and that Michael D. Tully has filed an application with the Court to administer the decedent’s estate.

These applications were filed on May 28, 2019.

This matter has been captioned, In Re: Estate of Alexandra Burmistrenko, Lorain County Probate Court, Case No. 2019 ES 00512. These matters are scheduled for a hearing on July 25, 2019 at 1:30 p.m. The Probate Court is located at the Lorain County Justice Center, 225 Court Street, Sixth Floor, Elyria, Ohio 44035. You have the right to appear at this hearing.

By: MICHAEL D. TULLY CO., L.P.A. Michael D. Tully Attorney for the Estate of Alexandra Burminstrenko, deceased 6061 South Broadway Lorain, OH 44053 Telephone: (440) 233-8526 Facsimile: (440) 233-4603 (6:13, 20, 27)

INSIDE: TWP. EYES SLUDGE POND RULES • D4

WELLINGTON ENTERPRISE THURSDAY, JUNE 13, 2019 • SERVING WELLINGTON SINCE 1864

WHS GRADUATES: BE FEARLESS Class of 2019 is led by its dreams JASON HAWK EDITOR

Standing before her graduating classmates Sunday, Emily Watters expressed how proud she is to be a member of the Wellington High School Class of 2019.

Never stop trying and never settle for less than your best, the senior class president told her whiteand-maroon-clad friends.

"I ask you to remember these formative years — the teachers, peers, lessons, and experiences that have shaped you whether you loved it or hated it," said Watters. "As you're presented with decisions and job opportunities, I hope you do what brings you joy and what positively impacts this world we live in."

The class adopted this motto from author Roy Bennett as its guiding principle: "Don't be pushed around by the fears in your mind. Be led by the dreams in your heart."

Watters worked to reinforce that idea.

"If you let fear control your everyday life, you won't get very far," she said. "Each and every one of you has so much potential and you can accomplish so much more than you know."

The 143rd commencement ceremony honored 82 graduates, including 18 National Honor Society members, 17 honors diploma students, and 30 who achieved grade point averages of 3.5 or higher.

Five earned associate degrees: Meredith Becher, Samuel Becher, Ethan Moore, Hannah Soboslai, and Jessica Walton.

Principal Tina Drake presented the Citizenship Award to a student she said worked incredibly hard to make the world a better place — Grace Broome.

Together, the graduating class accumulated more

Photos by Jason Hawk and Russ Gifford | Wellington Enterprise

▲ Devyn Kranes, Emily Watters, Michael Casella, and Anna Esterly get ready for their commencement ceremony at Wellington High School.

GRADUATION PAGE D2

▲ Siblings Meredith Becher and Samuel Becher enter the gymnasium at the head of the Wellington High School Class of 2019. As Salutatorian Sam Becher remembered how an infamous Spanish project taught him to set priorities and to weigh the shortterm and long-term benefits of experiences. Meredith, the valedictorian, said living with obsessive compulsive disorder has taught her compassion for the everyday battles everyone fights.

JOB OPENING

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▲ Emily Weegmann, Alexis Lehmkuhl, Kaitlyn Whitaker, Lexi Timchuk, and Liliana Pocock re-enact the cap toss after graduation.

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Wellington Enterprise

GRADUATION

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than 5,900 hours of community service but one student stood out. Hannah Downing, who completed 782.5 hours, was presented with the Community Service Award.

Three-fourths of the Class of 2019's members are going on to study at a college or university. They were awarded $83,800 in local scholarship money, said Drake.

She left the Class of 2019 with this advise: "Push yourself to your limit and then go a step further."

Valedictorian Meredith Becher used her address to talk about her experience with obsessive compulsive disorder, a mental illness all too often saddled with social stigma.

What really defines us, she said, is how we live with our challenges, she said.

Becher believes she finished at the head of the class because she worked hard — but also because she checked every test she ever took twice. In that way, OCD was also a blessing, she said.

Everyone's struggles are different and being able to acknowledge that makes it possible to respect what your neighbors are going through, she told the class.

"There is absolutely nothing wrong with getting help," Becher said. "We are going to have so much more responsibility from now on, so I believe it is important that we take care of ourselves so we can do our best."

District superintendent Ed Weber said it has been a joy watching the many accomplishments of the Class of 2019, including a perfect score on the ACT, success in new AP classes, seeing students earn FFA state degrees, and sharing in band, choir, theater, club, and athletic achievements.

"These students are now ready and well-prepared for the next journey in their lives. May their dreams come true," he said.

Jason Hawk | Wellington Enterprise

Graduate Ashleigh Martin cries with joy as she embraces her brother, U.S. Navy E5 Nick Martin, who surprised her at commencement.

A surprise Martin reunion JASON HAWK EDITOR

▲ Savannah Roby fights back tears as she prepares to address well-wishers. Chosen to speak as the vocational honor student, she remembered touring the Lorain County JVS and being afraid to leave her school and friends in search of new experiences.

Roby said she was lucky to find a calling she is passionate about in the field of landscape and greenhouse management.

"I missed you so much," sobbed Ashleigh Martin as she fell into her brother's arms.

She hadn't expected Nick Martin, who serves in the Navy, to make it to her graduation ceremony Saturday.

The proud young Wellington High School graduate had just crossed the stage to receive her diploma when her face went white — as white as the sailor's uniform her older brother wore

ABOVE: Emily Weegmann and Taylor Curtiss snap a selfie. BELOW: Dylan Andolsek, Parker Adler, Cameron Lara, and Ryan Whitaker.

— when she saw him spring from a hiding place to wrap her in a hug.

He'd been crouched low behind the faculty seating area, keeping out of sight and biding his time with a big smile stretched across his face.

Ashleigh's legs went rubbery and tears flowed freely as she returned his embrace.

"I didn't know you would be coming," she said, shocked by the turn of events.

The younger Martin had to return to her seat while commencement exercises wrapped

up and could hardly contain herself.

Nick told us he was able to fly in from Hawaii while his submarine was in dock.

"It's all for her," he said.

Recovering a little but still bubbling over, Ashleigh said she couldn't wait to spend a few days with her brother.

"I was surprised. I was shocked. I didn't think he would make it," she told us.

"I just want to spend time with him... tell him all the things I've done for a while since I was able to see him."

ABOVE: Evan Gerdin and Kayla Evans. BELOW: Landry Cole steps out of her wheelchair to walk across the stage for her diploma.

Thursday, June 13, 2019

Wellington Enterprise

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GRADUATION

TOP LEFT: Smiles from Lauren Shibley with older sister Erin after graduation. TOP RIGHT: Megan Rosecrans with new graduate Rianna after the ceremony. BOTTOM LEFT: Parker Adler is ready to go. BOTTOM MIDDLE: Erin Frenk shares a celebratory hug with principal Tina Drake. BOTTOM RIGHT: Liliana Pocock and Lexi Timchuk share a smile.

Work to begin soon on high school driveway JONATHAN DELOZIER REPORTER

Surface patches and repairs on the drive leading from North Main Street to Wellington High School and McCormick Middle School will be carried out by Cardinal Asphalt Company of Cuyahoga Falls.

The $19,000 project should begin within the next six weeks, said district superintendent Ed Weber.

“We're going to replace this little strip that has constant

traffic but that parking area needs complete reconstruction,” he said of the large lot shared by the two schools.

“The base is ruined. Even knowing that, we can't put $1 million into that parking lot right now but we can try to make that daily route from front to back a bit more passable.”

The road also stretches behind McCormick to the Patricia Lindley Center and exits onto Union Street.

Weber said the whole drive could receive a formal name such as Dukes Boulevard in

the future, possibly as a way to celebrate the district meeting certain state goals.

“I don't know if that would be next year or the year after but it would certainly nice to do a ceremony like that,” he said. “The staff and students are working very hard and something like that would be a deserving way to commemorate what they've done.”

If finances allow, Weber would like to replace the parking lot within two years.

That work as well as other large ventures such as replacement of Westwood Ele-

mentary School's heating and cooling system and extensive roofing repairs have been at the center of recent board of education talks about a permanent improvement levy, which the district has never had.

Money for improvement projects is taken out of the district's general fund annually, exceeding $600,000 each of the past two years.

Officials have suggested a 1.95-mill measure that would raise about $400,000 per year but no final decision has been made on millage or a

timetable for placing it before voters.

“This work right now is meant to get us through to when we can do a complete reconstruction of that whole parking lot,” Weber said.

“We've got this list of projects and we've had to decide which ones are at the critical level, things like the bleachers and the track. Now we're starting to get close to the next priority level. We can continue to chip along but if we are going to do things on a bolder scale we need that permanent improvement levy.”

Dynamic Dukes awarded medals at Westwood JONATHAN DELOZIER REPORTER

Medals were awarded to a group of “Dynamic Dukes” on May 29 at Westwood Elementary School.

The first-year program recognizes leadership qualities in students.

Principal Erica Ward introduced the awards this year, bringing the idea to Wellington from schools where she's previously worked.

“Teachers got to nominate two students per classroom,” she said. “We tried to do it every month. It was trying to look at things other than the academic side. It will continue into next year.

Now students will all know what the habits are and teachers are giving lessons that go along with what they mean.”

Those seven habits are aspects of Franklin Covey Education's Leader In Me model, a nationally promoted school transformation process that aims to develop life skills in young students.

The habits are being proactive, beginning with

Jonathan Delozier | Wellington Enterprise

Young students Leighla Selzer, Peyton West, Kendall Tomon, and Nathan Mann show off their medals. the end in mind, putting first things first, thinking win-win, seeking first to understand then to be understood, working together, and seeking balance.

“We want them to be the best person they can be in society,” Ward said. “That's what we focus on with this.

I've always done stuff with character education and we

decided as a building that these would be good qualities to teach students so they know how to talk to each other and they know how to own their actions.”

Kids ran onto Westwood's front lawn to receive awards, many demonstrating their skills by helping classmates find their places before a picture was taken.

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Wellington Enterprise

Pitts family endows agricultural fund at Wellington Schools The Wellington Schools Endowment Fund has announced the addition of the Dorrell and Hazel Pitts Family Educational Fund.

It will support agriculture-related grant opportunities in the Wellington public schools.

With the recent passing of Hazel Pitts, the family has chosen to honor her memory and that of her late husband Dorrell by creating this endowment, which recognizes their lifelong commitment to education, agriculture, and to the community.

Dorrell, a graduate of the Wellington High School Class of 1946 and Hazel, Class of 1944, were strong supporters of the schools. They farmed just south of town for almost 70 years and always supported the farming community as well.

“Dad and Mom were always supportive of the schools, attending many activities, but they were dedicated to farming, and would be pleased to see this support continued into the future,” said Sally Stewart.

“With the current rapid and innovative growth in agricultural sciences, this grant will serve the children of Wellington at the perfect time," said superintendent Ed Weber. "Our schools are thankful for this gift from the Dorrell and Hazel Pitts family and excited about the future of our agricultural science programs!”

The Pitts Fund can be used by teachers and students at Westwood, McCormick, and WHS. Projects can include domestic and commercial agriculture, agronomy, food systems, and more.

The Wellington Schools Endowment Fund provides backing for non-required school programs. It has grown to include more than $1 million in assets, which are managed by the Community Foundation of Lorain County.

Donations to the Endowment are never spent, but a percentage of the investment income is returned to fund three areas: teacher grants, scholarships, and the Saving for College program.

To learn more about the endowment or to contribute, visit www.tinyurl.com/wellingtonfund.

Amazing test scores

Several students at Wellington's McCormick Middle School achieved perfect AIR scores on the state achievement tests from the Ohio Department of Education. They are: • Marshall Mull, eighth grade, algebra I. • Matt Moore, seventh grade, math.

• Sydney Flanigan, Grace Denes, and Camryn Morris, fifth grade, English/language arts.

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Jonathan Delozier | Wellington Enterprise

Madison McMillion and Camryn Stump kick back on new furniture at Westwood Elementary School.

Comfy classroom upgrades JONATHAN DELOZIER REPORTER

A full classroom makeover for third-graders was carried out this spring at Westwood Elementary School, allowing kids to enjoy the end of the year on new beanbag chairs and couches while they took in lessons on a 60-inch touchscreen display.

Teacher Katie Reppucci was one of three district faculty members to submit a proposal in a contest to secure the upgrades, landing her students a work area also filled with new tables and Hokki stools.

Also known as “wiggle chairs,” the stools allow for range of movement to lean and wobble on a rounded base.

Roughly $10,000 was spent to upgrade the classroom.

Third-graders came to the

board of education's most recent meeting to discuss the benefits of their “flexible seating.”

“We get to switch our seats two times a day so we can move around and talk to different people,” said Camryn Stump. “We had desks before we had this stuff and they were just regular and in a row. Now, everything is so much more colorful and cool to look at.”

“It feels good, all in all,” said third-grader Brady Irwin. “You get to sit wherever you want and it's all really comfortable. It's way more comfortable now.”

Reppucci also recently earned Google Chromebooks for each of her 23 students through completion of after-school professional development courses.

“This allows them to choose where they learn best,” she said.

“Not everyone can focus and sit in a desk and chair all day

long. So if they need to get some wiggles out, maybe a yoga ball or wobble stool is good for them.

Maybe they want to sit on the ground and get comfy. They can cuddle up on the couch or the beanbag with a pillow. There's a lot of choice.”

The class redesign follow a pattern similar to Wellington High School's library upgrades that were completed in 2018, encouraging a relaxed, less structured atmosphere that traditionally has been exclusive to Montessori classrooms.

“I think some teachers get scared of taking away what they've always known,” said Reppucci. “But what they've done with this has blown my mind.

Engagement has definitely gone up. I allow them to sit with their friends or whoever they like.

They're taking ownership and a stance on their own learning.”

Township eyes sludge pond rules STAFF REPORT

Sludge ponds could be allowed only on a conditional basis in Wellington Township if an update to the zoning rules there is approved.

The zoning commission has been weighing changes throughout the spring for the controversial installations.

"Sewage sludge pond impound areas" or lagoons are typically glorified pits for disposing industrial waste or even human and animal waste.

A public hearing on the issue will be held at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, June 18 at the Wellington Township garage, 105 Maple St. A list of zoning resolution changes have been proposed.

They include requiring sludge pond properties to be at least 19

acres with 200 feet of road frontage, and located on state highways or county roads only.

They would have to be set back a minimum of 300 feet from the right-of-way and 500 feet from any existing homes.

Lagoons would have to be permitted by the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency and comply with the Ohio Administrative Code chapter on water quality standards.

Such ponds would have to be surrounded by an eight-foot-tall cyclone chain link fence.

Signs would have to be posted to declare what is stored in the pond, such as biosolids, along with a contact phone number.

Noise levels would be capped at 80 decibels and nuisance odors would have to be controlled.

Hours of operation would be set at 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday.

No properties are up for rezoning as part of this proposal, according to township fiscal officer Virginia Haynes.

Copies of the proposed zoning resolution amendment are available through July 17 at the township garage and Herrick Memorial Library.

Sludge ponds became a topic of contention in neighboring Pittsfield Township back in 2013, when residents objected to plans for one off Quarry Road.

French Creek BioEnergy LLC had planned to build one on property owned by Donald Ortner but ultimately abandoned those plans when township trustees said sludge ponds were an industrial use not permitted by their zoning laws.

The Ohio EPA said wetlands were damaged during construction there and Ortner was ordered to restore the land.

Traffic cameras could replace practice of chalking car tires JONATHAN DELOZIER REPORTER

New traffic cameras may be installed in downtown Wellington thanks to a recent federal court ruling.

A panel of judges found that is unconstitutional for police to use chalk to mark tires of personal vehicles for the purpose of enforcing parking time limits.

Seven cameras would cost the village $23,000, according to a quote obtained by police chief Tim Barfield.

No decision has been made on the purchase but mayor Hans Schneider said officials are look-

ing into it.

“We haven't looked at anything specific as far as a time frame but it's something the chief and I have talked about prior to him taking it before council,” he said.

“Council has been receptive to it so we're going to continue to look at it.”

Two cameras are already mounted on town hall's exterior but they do not have the capability to cover enough area for parking enforcement, Schneider said.

“It's not just for marking tires,” he said. “New cameras can be used for patrol and a whole list of things.”

A three-judge panel for the

Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals decided in April that it is a “trespass upon a privately-owned vehicle parked on a public street to place a chalk mark to begin gathering information to ultimately impose a government sanction,” saying the practice violates the Fourth Amendment's provision against unreasonable searches.

A parking pass program for downtown Wellington has been put into effect, allowing residents to purchase yearly passes for $60.

That measure came in response to concerns that some folks who live downtown don't have the capability to move their vehicles frequently enough to avoid tickets.