Students buzz through Spelling Bee

ELYRIA — The Invacare Corp. announced Wednesday it has filed for bankruptcy protection in a move that is expected to reduce its net debt by 65 percent.

In a news release from the medical equipment manufacturer and distributor, company officials said they have entered into a restructuring support agreement with its debt holder in a move Invacare says will reduce its debt balance and provide additional cash flow to invest for future growth.

The agreement was filed in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas and does not impact Invacare’s global operations.

“The actions announced today mark a big step forward for Invacare. Having the full support of our secured term loan lender and a majority of our convertible noteholders will enable the prearranged filings to proceed efficiently,”

“The company expects to emerge with significantly less debt on its balance sheet and will secure additional liquidity to support long-term growth. Global demand is strong, and by increasing our financial flexibility we will be able to focus on continuing to design, manufacture and distribute products that help make life’s experiences possible. We have a clear vision for the future, and we are working expeditiously towards our goals.”

Upon emerging from Chapter 11, the company said it expects to be in a stronger financial position.

“Invacare has the right leadership, vision and the financial commitment from the sponsorship group to succeed, and we are confident that this Chapter 11 process will result in a comprehensive recapitalization transaction that will not only stabilize liquidity but also de-lever the balance sheet and better position Invacare for future

INVACARE PAGE A2

BRUCE BISHOP | Oberlin News-Tribune

TOP: Marcus Ploenzke, who finished third in the Langston Spelling Bee, with the overall winner Hailey Petzak. Hailey, a sixth grader at Langston Middle School, cannot move on to the next round of the countywide spelling bee because participants must be in seventh grade.

RIGHT: Overall Langston Middle School Spelling Bee winner Hailey Petzak with second place finisher Jesse Canterbury as the spelling bee official congratulates her and talks about Hailey’s return next year when she will be eligible to go to the countywide spelling bee.

OBERLIN — Oberlin’s Langston Middle School held its inaugural spelling bee Jan. 31. Langston Middle School English teacher Margo Fox organized the event, which was held to determine which students would move onto the preliminary round of the Lorain County Spelling Bee later this spring.

“We wanted to open our event to all of our middle school students,” Fox said in a news release. “The event is a great opportunity to have our students speak in front of an audience; and it allows them to showcase their knack for spelling words. I am so proud of all the students who took the time and effort to study the words for our very first spelling bee.” The Bee’s overall winner was sixth grader Hailey Petzak. Hailey cannot move onto the next round because participants in the county-wide bee must be in seventh grade.

Second-place winner Jesse Canterbury will move on, alongside Jayvier Smallwood, Marcus Ploenzke and Sylvia Nisky. The 39th annual Educational Service Center of Lorain County and The Chronicle-Telegram Spelling Bee will be held at 6 p.m. March 9 at Avon Middle School.

Forrest E. Williams

September 19, 1945 -

January 28, 2023

Forrest E. Williams ‘Dr. Joe,’ was called home to his Lord and Savior on Saturday, January 28, 2023. He was at home with his family by his side under the excellent care of Hospice services.

Joe touched the lives and hearts of so many throughout his life. He was born in Denver, Colorado and raised in Wellington, the son of Wilbur and Evelyn Williams and was the second of six children.

He graduated from Wellington High School with the class of 1963. After high school, Joe pursued his medical career in the U.S. Air Force, where he met his wife, Marlene Benham. Following 20 years in the service, the family moved to Bingham, Maine where they lived for six years until they moved back to Ludlow, Vermont, where he worked as a Physician’s Assistant at both Chester and Ludlow Family Medicine. Joe was known for his genuine compassion for all of his patients as well as his dedication to his faith, family, and friends.

His passion for the outdoors was prominent and was passed on to all of his grandchildren. If you didn’t see him in the office, you could find him fishing on a lake or sitting on a stump in the woods.

Joe is survived by the love of his life of 56 years, Marlene Williams; two daughters, Jolana Washburn and Julie Hance; two sons-in-law, Scott Washburn and Jeffrey Hance; four grandchildren, Jacob Washburn, Rebekah Washburn, Meekah Hance, and Kagan Hance; two sisters, Annalee (Dick) Vernon and Kay Herrick; three brothers, Dan (Karla) Williams, John (Susie) Williams, and Mark (Carol) Williams; several nieces and nephews, and his brothers and sisters in Christ from Ludlow Baptist Church.

The funeral was at Ludlow Baptist Church on Saturday, February 4, 2023.

Knights of Columbus

AVON — The FBI’s Cybersecurity Program will give a presentation at the Knights of Columbus at 7 p.m. Feb. 16 at Ragan Hall, 1783 Moore Rd, Avon, by Special Agent Jeffery P. Kassouf.

Kassouf has 20 years of experience involving complex financial fraud, counterintelligence and cyber investigations and is in the Criminal, Cyber, Response, and Services Branch (CCRSB) Division in the FBI’s Cleveland Field Office. His talk will include the types of cyber investigations the public normally may encounter, along with ways to be aware and protect yourself from a cyber threat from criminal actors.

Please RSVP by Feb. 13 to rudybreglia@gmail.com.

Snacks and refreshments will be served. Public is welcome

Primary

FROM A1

Mark Costilow, a Republican; Law Director Anthony Pecora, a Democrat; and Councilman Jake Wachholz, D-Ward 3.

Ballot issues

Amherst Township: Precinct 3, local option Sunday liquor sales, Whiskeyville Golf Club.

Eaton Township: The township is asking voters to approve a five-year, 2.5-mill replacement levy for fire and EMS service. Mapleton School District: The district, mostly in Ashland County but including a small piece of Rochester Township in southeastern Lorain County, is seeking an additional five-year, 0.75 percent income tax to cover current expenses.

Midview School District: The district is asking for a substitute 10-year, 8.69-mill levy for necessities. Lorain County Board of Developmental Disabilities/ Murray Ridge Center: A five-year, 1.285-mill renewal levy.

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