Lorain County Community Guide - April 8, 2021

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AMHERST NEWS-TIMES • OBERLIN NEWS-TRIBUNE • WELLINGTON ENTERPRISE Thursday, April 8, 2021

Missing crash victim found dead miles away

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Volume 8, Issue 14

AKRON CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL

CARISSA WOYTACH THE CHRONICLE-TELEGRAM

PENFIELD TWP. — A man apparently injured in a crash on Penfield Township was found dead in a field in Medina County Friday evening, Lorain County Sheriff’s Office confirmed Saturday.

Derek Roser, 33, of Wellington, was reported missing by his sister about 7 p.m. Thursday, roughly 12 hours after his vehicle had been found by the Ohio Highway Patrol near state Route 301 and Jones Road.

The 2015 GMC Terrain appeared to have been involved in a minor crash, but no one was around when troopers initially responded to the scene.

Late Thursday evening, Provided photo troopers, Sheriff’s depuDerek Roser, 33, was ties, LifeFlight and Welreported missing by lington Fire searched the his sister last Thursarea to no avail, returning day evening. A vehicle again Friday. registered to him was Friday evening, the involved in a Penfield Wellington Fire District Township crash on sent out an alert to resi- Thursday morning. dents in Penfield and Wellington townships to be on the lookout for Roser, with a text alert asking residents to check outbuildings on their properties.

Facebook posts on several law enforcement agency sites asked the same thing.

On Saturday, Lorain County Sheriff’s Office Maj. Donald Barker said Medina County Sheriff’s deputies found Roser about 7:30 p.m. Friday in a field about 50 yards off Chatham Road in Spencer Township.

It appears Roser walked away from the crash, trekking about five miles before lying down in the field and succumbing to the cold overnight.

According to the National Weather Service, lows Thursday night into Friday morning were in the 20s.

The crash, including whether drugs or alcohol were a factor, remains under investigation.

The Lorain County Sheriff's Office Facebook post about Roser was removed, Barker said, because his body had been found.

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Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday News staff Jason Hawk news@lcnewspapers.com Phone: 440-329-7122 Submit news to news@lcnewspapers.com Deadline: 10 a.m. Tuesday Send obituaries to obits@chroniclet.com

Photos by Jason Hawk | Amherst News-Times

Construction is underway on an $8.45 million, 23,000-square-foot Akron Children’s Hospital Facility in Amherst.

Signing of the times: Ceremony at $8.45M pediatrics center site JASON HAWK EDITOR

AMHERST — CEOs, contractors and politicians rushed to sign their names in permanent marker March 30 on a steel beam at the site of the new $8.45 million Akron Children's Hospital on Cooper Foster Park Road.

The 23,000-square-foot facility is under construction next to State Route 2 and Oak Point Road, with plans to open Dec. 6.

"It's exciting to see these projects

Copyright 2021 Lorain County Printing & Publishing Company

PEDIATRICS PAGE A3

Mercy Health Lorain Market President Edwin Oley signs a steel beam at the Amherst site.

Nurse shares what it was like to be hospitalized with COVID JASON HAWK EDITOR

AVON LAKE — As a nurse of four decades, Cindy Hannola knew exactly the kind of trouble she was in.

The 63-year-old Avon Lake resident remembers struggling through Christmas with what she had hoped was just a cold.

"At first I said, 'I sure do hope this is allergies.' Then I started clearing my throat over and over, sneezing and choking," Hannola said.

But her illness was nothing to shrug off. She tested positive for COVID-19 at a drive-thru clinic days later and quarantined.

Her son and his fiance also tested positive, but their symptoms faded over the next week. Hannola's didn't go away — she end-

Kristin Bauer | Chronicle

Cindy Hannola of Avon Lake poses for a portrait outside of her home on Wednesday, March 30. Hannola suffered from several long-hauler symptoms of the coronavirus after working as a nurse during the pandemic. ed up running a 101.6-degree fever, having aches and pains, losing all sense of taste and smell, enduring stomach pains and battling

dizziness.

She felt like she wasn't breathing correctly. She all but stopped eating, and was always thirsty for ice water.

"Your whole body is in a funk, you know? I just wasn't perking up the way NURSE PAGE A3

INSIDE THIS WEEK

Send legal notices to jyoder@chroniclet.com Submit advertising to chama@chroniclet.com

take shape, and I know that everyone's very excited about the first time we're actually going to be able to open the doors," said Grace Wakulchik, president and CEO of Akron Children's Hospital.

She said the goal is provide families in Lorain and surrounding counties get highly-specialized pediatric care without having to drive hours and take extended time off work.

Wakulchik said the new health center isn't just an investment in patients, but also in the economic development

Amherst

Oberlin

Wellington

Dialing a 988 number?

Add the area code • B1

It’s about time: OHS alumnus crafts wristwatch tribute • B1

Plans slowly evolve for Lorain County Fair • B1

OBITUARIES A2 • CROSSWORD B2 • SUDOKU B2 • SPORTS B4-B5 • KID SCOOP B6

Page A2

Thursday, April 8, 2021

Lorain County Community Guide

Springspiration Day

Springspiration Day will be held Wednesday, April 21 at Pittsfield Community Church, located at the corner of routes 58 and 303.

Registration will be at 10 a.m. with a program starting at 10:30 a.m. and a salad luncheon at noon.

The program will feature singer-songwriter Robert Blankenship, who shares his love for Christ through song and praise. He has been lead singer for the gospel group The Joint Heirs and has traveled the U.S. sharing the sounds of southern gospel harmonies. He also plays the guitar for the Blueridge Gospel Heirs.

COVID-19 safety protocols will be observed. An offering will be taken. Men are also invited to attend.

For reservations, call Janet Crumley at (440) 647-5170 or Lollie Cheatham at (440) 774-6309 by April 17.

Pancake breakfast

The Kiwanis Club of Wellington’s annual Pancake Day will be held this year from 7 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and 4-7 p.m. on Friday, April 16.

Because of the pandemic, it will be held as a drive-thru event at First Congregational Church, 140 South Main St., Wellington. Enter off Magyar Street.

Tickets are $5 each. Ages eight and under eat for $3.

Purchase tickets at Bremke Insurance, Fifth Third Bank, Main Street Wellington, at the drive-thru event or at www. wellingtonkiwanis.square.site.

OBITUARIES Jean M. Broadwell Jean M. Broadwell (nee Murray), 89, of Oberlin, died Wednesday, March 31, 2021, at her home after a six month illness. She was born May 28, 1931 in Oberlin, where she had been a lifelong resident.

Jean was a 1949 graduate of Oberlin High School, attended Miami of Ohio and received a Bachelor Degree in Education from Ashland College in 1954.

For 28 years, she was an elementary school teacher in the Oberlin City Schools, retiring in 1988, as well as substituting for 10 years. She was named as a Cleveland Jennings Scholar. Jean was a member of ZTA Sorority, Christ Episcopal Church in Oberlin and Oberlin Heritage Center. She was a volunteer for the Literary Book Group Sorosis, Oberlin Heritage Center and Mercy Health-Allen Hospital, Oberlin. Other interests included, reading and daily walks. Many people saw Jean out and about walking and enjoyed talking with her as she covered many miles around Oberlin. Her brisk pace amazed those who saw her and showed her pleasure in being out and enjoying the sights of her hometown.

Jean is survived by her husband of 65 years, Howard C.; children, Scott (Ellen) Broadwell of Oberlin, Julie Broadwell of Bowling Green, Ohio and Anne (Robert) Smith of Findlay, Ohio; grandchildren, Carrie Broadwell (Caleb) Tkach of Lafayette, Colorado, Steve Broadwell of Glen Ellyn, Illinois, Greg (Ashley) Smith of Hilliard, Ohio, Ally (Andrew) Zahler of Hilliard, Ohio, Zane (Krystle) Polack and 10 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Harvey and Mildred Murray.

Interment will be at the Chapel Grove at Christ Episcopal Church and the memorial service is to be announced at a later date.

Arrangements were in the care of Dicken Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Elyria.

Memorial contributions may be made to Mercy New Life Hospice, 3500 Kolbe Road, Lorain, OH 44053; Oberlin Public Library; Oberlin City Schools or a charity of choice.

For online condolences, visit www.dickenfuneralhome. com.

Our condolences go out to families that have suffered the loss of a loved one.

For information about placing an obituary or death notice in the Community Guide, call 440-329-7000.

Appeals court sides with Green Circle Growers on property taxes Firelands could lose $2.2 million in property taxes DAVE O’BRIEN THE CHRONICLE-TELEGRAM

AKRON — A divided Ninth District Court of Appeals has ruled 2 to 1 in favor of Green Circle Growers in a tax case that could result in millions of dollars in property tax refunds to the greenhouse from Firelands Schools, Lorain County and Camden Township.

In a decision handed down Monday, the appeals court ruled for the purposes of taxation, Green Circle Growers' greenhouses are personal property or business fixtures that are not subject to property taxes.

The Firelands school district and Lorain County had argued a 2018 Ohio Board of Tax Appeals decision in favor of Green Circle Growers, located on U.S. Route 20 in Camden Township, was in error when it reached the same conclusion. County and Firelands officials had argued the greenhouses are buildings, structures or improvements that are subject to property taxes.

Auditor Craig Snodgrass said Monday he was disappointed by the court's decision and is currently discussing appeal options with legal counsel as well as with the County Auditors Association of Ohio, in which he serves as second vice president.

"This is devastating to the county" and potentially to counties across the state, Snodgrass said.

As a result of the court's decision, the Firelands school district, Camden Township and numerous other entities that rely on the property taxes paid by the company may have to refund as much as $4 million in tax revenue. Firelands Schools alone could have to pay back $2.2 million in property taxes it has collected, according to the Lorain County Auditor's Office.

Firelands Schools Superintendent Mike Von Gunten referred all questions to the schools' attorney, Karrie Kalail of the law firm Peters Kalail & Markakis.

"We are disappointed with the court’s decision to classify Green Circle’s greenhouses as business fixtures and not as real estate. The reclassification of the greenhouses from real property to business fixtures significantly reduces the real estate taxes that support the Firelands Local School District," Kalail wrote in an email. "We believe the dissenting opinion more accurately concluded that these massive greenhouse units that have doors, windows, support posts, insulation, concrete floors, a roof and heating and air conditioning systems are more logically structures or buildings. The District will have to weigh its options but an appeal to the Ohio Supreme Court is likely here."

Messages seeking comment on the court's decision were left for attorneys at the Columbus law firm of Bricker & Eckler, which represented Green Circle Growers.

In 2016, Green Circle Growers asked the Ohio Board of Tax Appeals to reverse the Lorain County Board of Revision's decision on a property tax assessment of its 186 acres, which includes numerous large greenhouses.

At issue was whether the value of the greenhouses should be subject to taxation as "real" property or "treated as personal property that would be excluded" from the property value for tax purposes, according to the appeals court.

Green Circle Growers argued that its greenhouses can be moved and have been moved or sold in the past and are therefore business fixtures that, for the purposes of taxation, count as nontaxable personal property. The Board of Tax Appeals agreed and reduced the amount of property taxes the company owed, the Chronicle-Telegram reported in 2018.

Green Circle Growers’ taxable property value was reduced from about $40 million to $10 million, and the Lorain County Board of Revision and Firelands Schools appealed.

In the opinion released Monday, Judge Thomas Teodosio wrote for the 2-to-1 majority that legal precedent set by the Ohio Supreme Court is that a "business fixture" under Ohio law is "an item of tangible personal property that has become permanently attached or affixed to the land and primarily benefits the business conducted by the occupant on the premises and not the realty."

So "… even if we were to agree with the Firelands (Board of Education) that the greenhouses met the definition of 'buildings,' 'structures,' or 'improvements' as defined in (Ohio law), it would not preclude their classification as business fixtures" under Ohio law, Teodosio wrote.

The Board of Tax Appeals also did not abuse its authority or discretion in choosing the appraisal offered by Green Circle Growers' expert over one provided to the board by an expert hired by the Firelands school district, according to the appeals court.

And despite Firelands' argument that the case would "allow property owners to escape tax liability in a manner not intended by the General Assembly, it has not developed an argument nor offered any authority or evidence to support its opinion that such speculative consequences were not contemplated or intended" by lawmakers, Teodosio wrote.

The court also rejected several arguments Lorain County made as either the same those made by Firelands or on the basis of not following the court's rules for separating out each "assignment of error" when arguing the appeal.

Teodosio's opinion was joined by Judge Lynne Callahan, with Judge Donna Carr dissenting.

In her dissent, Carr wrote that she would send the issue back to the BTA to examine appraisal evidence it previously heard.

She wrote that she "would conclude that the BTA erred in its classification of the greenhouses as business fixtures" and that "the matter centers on two issues: the characterization of the greenhouses as either real or personal

property and their appraised value."

"Buildings" and "structures" have similar definitions but are different from "fixtures" or "business fixtures," Carr wrote, and facts presented to the court "support the conclusion that the greenhouses are structures or buildings" subject to real property taxation.

The greenhouses are massive units that together span over 100 acres of land. They are used year-round and are both attached to concrete foundations as well as consisting of "walls, doors, windows, support posts, insulation, concrete floors and a roof," Carr wrote. "The greenhouses are enmeshed in the land as they are interwoven with other buildings such as warehouses and office buildings."

Some of Green Circle Growers' greenhouses have been in the same place on the property for 40 years with concrete foundations, heating and cooling systems and the appeals court is "calling it an Erector Set," Snodgrass said.

"That's real estate. Those are buildings," he said Monday.

Levies are passed with the intent of collecting a specific amount of money. If Green Circle Growers doesn't pay the larger share of real property taxes the county says it owes, the amount in dispute will be spread among residents, businesses and other taxpayers, Snodgrass said.

County agencies that have collected property taxes from Green Circle Growers through levies could be made to refund a total of $950,000, according to Snodgrass' estimates, and Camden Township stands to lose $450,000.

Firelands Schools and county agencies "have passed levies and bonds based upon a value, and if one person is not paying, someone else is. Where are those costs going to go?" he said.

"What's going to be the next legal argument for some other structure that 'We're personal property and not real estate'?"

Notified of the court's decision by a reporter, Camden Township Trustee James Hozalski said the township is awaiting a final decision if the appeals court's decision is appealed to a higher court.

"That's all that can be said about it.

It's out of our hands. Whatever's determined in the long run is what we'll have to abide by. We're just going to have to wait and see what happens," he said. "We're aware there might be a repayment so we're just waiting to see the final decision."

Snodgrass said the matter will be on the agenda for the County Auditors Association of Ohio executive legislative committee meeting in Columbus on Thursday, as other counties with large greenhouse operations could also face financial repercussions.

"This definitely has statewide ramifications. This is a bad decision, awful for Lorain County and statewide could be devastating and have far-reaching effect," he said. "I can't see how (greenhouses) could be personal property. What's next? This is a slippery slope that continues to erode the tax base. … The homeowners are always the ones left holding the bag."

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SOLUTION TO CROSSWORD ON PAGE B2

SOLUTION TO SUDOKU ON PAGE B2

ABOUT THE COMMUNITY GUIDE LORAIN COUNTY COMMUNITY GUIDE (USPS 673-960) is published every Thursday, 52 weeks per year by Lorain County Printing & Publishing Company, 225 East Ave., Elyria OH 44035.

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Thursday, April 8, 2021

Lorain County Community Guide

SEASONED VETERAN JOINS APD

Page A3

OHC seeks volunteers

The Oberlin Heritage Center's staff members will be out cleaning up the grounds from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, April 24, and you can help.

Join them to help spruce up the property for summer visitors. Projects include trimming, weeding and general yard clean up. Tools and supplies will be provided, or volunteers are welcome to take their own.

Park in the lot behind the Monroe House, off Vine Street. Masks will be required. For more information or to sign up, contact Liz Schultz at director@oberlin heritage.org.

NURSE

Jason Hawk | Amherst News-Times

Officer Durrell Binford is sworn in by Mayor Mark Costilow on Tuesday, March 30 as the newest member of the Amherst Police Department. He previously served six years as a trooper with the Ohio State Highway Patrol stationed in Milan and four years as an Elyria police officer. "It's no secret we have a younger department," said Lt. Mark Cawthon. "As a seasoned veteran, we think (Binford) has the kind of leadership and dependability we're looking for in the ideal officer."

Cawthon said he and other commanding officers will be looking to Binford to share his experience with younger patrolmen and new recruits.

Wellington Dukes football gets $2,000 grant The Wellington Dukes have received a $2,000 Leo Murphy Field & Equipment Grant from the Cleveland Touchdown Club Charities.

Named for the late Cleveland Browns trainer and honorary lifetime Touchdown Club member, the grant is awarded each year to youth

football programs in the Greater Cleveland area.

Wellington's grant will be used to buy equipment and other resources needed to help the Dukes play football safely.

The Impact Youth Cleveland Bearcats football and cheer program

also received a $3,000 grant.

“As these two programs look to recover from the COVID pandemic, we hope this grant will bring a bright future and sense of normalcy to both programs, their players and their communities," said Touchdown Club President Christina Webb.

Mary Miller of Mercy Health Lorain Hospital signs her name to a steel beam at the new Akron Children's Hospital construction site on Cooper Foster Park Road, Amherst, on Tuesday, March 30. The ceremony was the first held publicly by Akron Children’s Hospital since the start of the pandemic.

PEDIATRICS

FROM A1 of Amherst.

When the project was approved in October by the Amherst Planning Commission, its price tag was estimated at $7.5 million and developer Shaun Brady said it would create about 50 jobs.

The new center is a joint venture with Mercy Health. Lorain Market President Edwin Oley said Mercy is excited to partner with Akron Children's Hospital to better retain, recruit and train pediatric physicians and create a stronger network of care.

"One thing we know about folks in this county, that if given the option they would prefer to stay close to home (for) high-quality health care," he said.

The affiliation will offer patients unprecedented access to specialized pediatric care by way of maternal fetal medicine that focuses on high-risk pregnancies, Oley said.

When it opens, the new building will also provide primary care, cardiology, gastroenterology, nephrology, neurology, orthopedics, surgical consultation, radiology, vision, outpatient

lab and outpatient X-ray services. It will not provide general surgery or plastic and reconstructive surgery, as the hospital at first claimed in a fact sheet provided at the beam-signing event.

The project comes at a critical time for health care in Lorain County, said Oley. He said other health organizations have recently eliminated or moved services out of the county.

Amherst Mayor Mark Costilow spoke at the beam-signing ceremony, and said he is glad to see an Akron Children's Hospital under construction after two years of planning.

"I truly understand the importance of having quality and compassion in health care," he said. "My daughter's life started off somewhat rocky, and we spent a lot of time driving back and forth, hours away from home for specialized services."

Costilow's now-adult daughter Audrey has Down syndrome. The new facility will vastly improve the quality of life for local children with similar conditions, he said.

Brian Lapolla, vice president for

facilities, construction and public safety for Akron Children's Hospital, said the needs of kids were considered in every aspect of designing the new building.

"Every facility that we build is designed through the eyes of a child," he said. "We take a lot of those characteristics to heart so when families come they feel at home. It's an inviting place, great natural light, friendly finishes, so the care that's being received is welcomed."

Lapolla said kids shouldn't be scared to go and get the help they need — they should feel comforted by a friendly atmosphere.

He said the teams that helped design and build the new health center buy into that idea, and signing their names to the building's framework is a way to symbolize their commitment to children's well-being.

"I think it gives a sense of ownership of the structure," Lapolla said.

"Putting your name on it gives a sense of authenticity, I think, that stands the test of time."

FROM A1 I wanted to. I can't tell you how many times I called the doctor's office, telling them I was still not eating and still running a fever," she recalls now, four months later. "I was sleeping all the time. Just kept climbing back into bed, putting the heat pack on."

On New Year's Eve, after nearly falling over, Hannola decided it was time to go to the emergency room at University Hospitals St. John Medical Center in Westlake.

Family wasn't allowed in the waiting room with her, so Hannola clearly remembers sitting there alone, listening to the ragged coughs of other patients who probably also had the virus.

When ER doctors looked at Hannola's vital signs, the readouts scared the longtime nurse: Her oxygen level had sunk to 84 percent. Anything under 93 percent signals the danger of pneumonia or other respiratory disease, she explained.

Doctors immediately put her on 6 liters of oxygen, and fitted her with a rebreather mask, which helps reduce strain on the lungs.

Her white blood cell count was also deathly low, and bloodwork showed her body was producing clotting agents in an unusual way, as though she'd had a heart attack.

Hannola said COVID ward beds were nearly full at the time, and staff had to find a free room. She said they started her on steroids right away and began CAT scans and x-rays.

From a nursing standpoint, it struck her as odd that staff didn't begin breathing treatments in her room. Hannola said she later discovered they didn't want to risk aerosolizing the virus, causing it to spread through the hospital's air.

Later, doctors put her on remdesivir, an antiviral medication used to treat Ebola, Marburg virus and now COVID. Hannola said she was nervous, and her worry grew as nurses gave her a string of antibiotics over a four-hour period.

"Within about two to three hours after the remdesivir was given... I literally felt a burst of energy," she remembers.

Eventually, Hannola was released from the hospital.

Her troubles were far from over, though.

She has been back in and out of emergency care several times since, due to consequences of having COVID. Hannola said she contracted pneumonia and needed more antibiotics, and has continued to use oxygen.

At one point, her foot turned purple and her leg swelled, so she was once again rushed to the hospital to be tested for blood clots. A couple of weeks ago, she returned because of symptoms that hinted at a blood clot in her lungs.

Hannola said that even though the coronavirus is behind her, she doesn't know whether related respiratory problems will last for months, years or forever.

It's still hard to walk short distances without running short of breath — at times, she hasn't been able to make it to the driveway without huffing and puffing hard.

"It bugs me because I smoked for all of one year in my life, back when I was about 23," Hannola said. She thought choosing to quit meant she would have healthy lungs the rest of her life.

That's unlikely to be the case.

Multi-year studies are already underway to determine the long-term effects of the virus, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The federal agency says the most commonly reported long-term symptoms include fatigue, shortness of breath, cough, joint pain and chest pain; more serious complications can include inflammation of the heart, lung function abnormalities, acute kidney injury, hair loss, rash, memory issues and depression.

"Who knows whether this is over, or ever will be over for me?" Hannola said. "I read the reports on the x-rays and the CAT scans. But what are you supposed to do? You just keep going. You do the best you can."

Hannola said she hasn't been able to return to work overseeing group homes in Cuyahoga and Lake counties, and has been struggling to get by on a third of her normal income.

She wants to return to work — but the future is uncertain. The plan had been to retire at 66, when she would have been eligible for full benefits and with a strong 401K. Hannola is also worried about recovering fully from COVID, only to catch one of its more virulent variants.

She can't be vaccinated against the coronavirus yet — there's a three-month waiting period after coming off remdesivir.

"I don't need to go another round with this virus," Hannola said. "Obviously I didn't do so well with the first version."

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Page A4

Thursday, April 8, 2021

Lorain County Community Guide

Greatest sitcoms

Author and pop culture historian Martin Gitlin will speak at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, April 19 in a program sponsored by the Amherst Public Library.

He'll explore the best sitcoms in history, with funny snippets and challenging sitcom trivia based on his book, “The Greatest Sitcoms of All Time.”

This program will take place on Zoom. Registration with an email address is required, and attendees will receive an email with a link to access the program.

To register, visit www.amherstpubliclibrary.org or call the reference desk at (440) 988-4230.

Transfer station opens

The Amherst Transfer Station is now open for use by Amherst residents.

The Republic Services site will run from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Wednesdays and 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Saturdays through Nov. 20 at 8045 Pyle-South Amherst Rd. The station accepts only regular trash, construction debris and yard waste. No recycling or scrap steel.

Energy audits

Providing Oberlin With Efficiency Responsibly does free home energy audits. Funding assistance is available to Oberlin residents to help make their homes more energy efficient and save money in the process.

For more information, visit www.poweroberlin.org or call (440) 935-0995.

LETTERS Prioritize quality child care To the editor: The COVID-19 pandemic has made it clear just how essential but fragile our child care system is.

When child care providers shut down during the early months of the pandemic, parents found themselves scrambling to find alternative child care options. Since then, many child care providers have had to shut their doors permanently due to decreased enrollment and higher operating costs. Without quality child care options, parents have been forced to leave the workforce altogether to become full-time caregivers.

Anyone who has experienced child care challenges knows that child care is essential to keeping our families, businesses and communities running. Now more than ever, we need policymakers to invest in child care so that providers can keep their doors open, parents can return to work and young children can get the nourishing early education they need to succeed in school and beyond.

Over the next few months, legislators at the Ohio Statehouse are working on the two-year state budget. While legislators face many tough decisions, it would be extremely short-sighted to not address our child care crisis.

As an early childhood professional, I see firsthand just how essential early learning programs are to our community. We are the workforce behind the workforce – the dedicated professionals who provide quality care and early learning opportunities to Ohio’s youngest children and who make it possible for parents to go to work and earn a living. If we want families and children to be successful in life, we must start supporting them better and taking the financial burden of quality child care off their shoulders. Parents shouldn’t have to choose between paying bills, buying groceries or paying for their child to be in a safe high-quality preschool where they can build a solid foundation for their K-12 success.

We must do better. Ohio legislators must make investment in quality, affordable child care a priority in the state budget.

Jeni Hoover

Read before you spray To the editor: Lawn pesticides used in Oberlin commonly contain a mixture of mecoprop, dicamba, and 2-4 D (dichlorprop). Cautions on the material safety data sheet include, “If inhaled, move the person to fresh air; if the person is not breathing call 911 or an ambulance....”

This does not tell the whole story. Depending on the wind, the application on lawns drifts through neighborhoods for hours and sometimes a few days. Inhaled or on exposed skin (including that of the applicator), it causes immediate irritation, headaches and long-term health issues including risks of various cancers and damage to kidneys and liver.

A study done by the National Institutes of Health published in the International Journal of Epidemiology in May 2020 found that the use of the pesticide dicamba can increase the risk of developing numerous cancers, including liver and intrahepatic bile duct cancers, acute and chronic lymphocytic leukemia, and mantle cell lymphoma and is suspected of causing damage to liver and kidneys and birth defects. It also found dicamba can alter liver function in a way that is known to induce liver tumors and promote liver cancer in combination with other carcinogens.

Similarly, numerous studies confirm a link between 2,4-D and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. The Environmental Protection Agency has classified mecocprop as a “teratogen” which means it causes birth defects. And so forth.

Federal regulation of these and other pesticides is incomplete and neither consistent nor very effective because of the political clout of the manufacturers driven by the huge profits to be made. Nevertheless, it is fair to say that chemical pesticides are seldom contained at the point of application, they go where wind and water take them including neighboring properties. There is no “safe” level of exposure. Children, animals and birds are highly vulnerable. Combined with other chemicals, toxicity can increase many times over.

On this basis, I ask for a moratorium on any lawn chemicals with dicamba, mecoprop, 2,4-D or others similarly toxic, and formation of a group to study the issue further and report on alternative methods of lawn care without the use of chemicals known or suspected to be carcinogenic, mutagenic or endocrine disrupters.

David W. Orr

IN-DEPTH FOCUS ON THE PANDEMIC

'Don't ease up': Covell worries about possibility of third wave JASON HAWK EDITOR

The pandemic isn't over.

Yes, vaccinations are helping tremendously, with more than 101,450 people in Lorain County already getting at least one dose, said local Health Commissioner David Covell. And yes, hospitalizations and deaths here have slowed.

But Covell is concerned the good news will cause residents to ease up on safety protocols just as progress is being made, which could allow the pandemic to drag on through the summer.

"I know we all want to rip the mask off and run, but we have to hang in there a little bit longer," he said.

Schools in France announced last Wednesday that they've closed for three weeks because of a new spike in COVID cases, and the French are once more shutting down non-essential shops, according to the

Associated Press.

There's also a ban on most travel more than about six miles from home.

The so-called "third wave" of COVID infections is also being tracked in Russia, and German health officials are warning the spike could be the worst yet.

Covell previously said trends in Europe are a preview of how the pandemic will evolve in America about a month later.

The United States has been keeping ahead of that wave — so far, at least — through aggressive vaccinations. It's put a little over 150 million shots in people's arms, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Because vaccines went to the oldest Ohioans first, the average age of people who are now getting sick and admitted to local hospitals is much younger, said Covell. They are not filling up intensive care units, though.

Local health officials

have been watching the spread of three variants that have caused massive problems in the United Kingdom, Brazil and South Africa. They were expected to sweep the United States like wildfire in February, but so far have been well-contained — a total of 12,053 variant cases had been recorded by the CDC as of April 1, with only 310 of those cases in Ohio.

Covell said statistical modeling still shows a bump in new COVID cases coming in early April, and Lorain County figures have reflected a small increase in the past few days.

But it's too early to tell whether those cases mark the start of a spike like the one seen in late October and November, he said.

"Hopefully it's just a couple weeks uprise and then we'll go down again," Covell said.

Models are very good at predicting when increases will come, and not very accurate about how large they will be, he said.

As was the case last summer, warm weather is bound to help, according to Covell. That's especially true for schools, with some classes and all spring sports outdoors.

Most cases reported by schools involved sports and other extracurricular activities, he said.

The vaccination of a large majority of teachers and other school employees will also help limit the spread, he said.

In Lorain County, there were 7,594 school workers eligible to be vaccinated by the health department.

A total of 5,729 — that's 75.4 percent — got both doses in county-run clinics, the health department said following a public records request. Covell said an unknown additional number of school employees got shots elsewhere.

Lorain County Public Health is not able to provide a breakdown showing vaccinations by school district, spokeswoman Katie Bevan said.

Experts see burnout as pandemic wears on DYLAN REYNOLDS and JASON HAWK

If you’re feeling burned out after a year dealing with COVID-19, you’re not alone.

Stress has always been part of the human condition, psychiatrist Dr. Francoise Adan said, but the circumstances of the pandemic have just amplified the tension many people are feeling and caused them to feel burned out.

Adan is the chief whole health and well-being officer at University Hospitals and director of the UH Connor Integrative Health Network.

Addressing that stress must start with awareness, Adan said. It starts with intentionally taking time to pause and ask simple questions of yourself.

“How am I when I am at my best? … What is the sign that I’m not doing well?” she offered as a couple of mindful questions that can boost self-awareness.

But Adan said most people are better at caring for others than themselves. Many don’t realize that they are going about their day with an empty “gas tank” of energy, she said.

Some things Adan said may help in “refilling your gas tank”: getting a good night’s sleep, eating nutritious food, minimizing caffeine and alcohol, connecting with loved ones, seeking purpose, meditating, exercising, listening to uplifting music and saying no to commitments you don’t have time for.

Still, she understands that resilience is challenged by the extended loss of access to some of the things people use to build resilience in the first place, such as spending time with certain loved ones or practicing certain hobbies.

“I think this is a time to have a lot of self-compassion and drop the judgment that, ‘I should have done this, I should have done that.’ This is not going to help us in any way,” Adan said. “It has been a very difficult time, a very challenging time, and many of us have not had access to our usual tools that provide us some way to build up resilience.”

Some people who need

help with emotional or mental health struggles seem to delay seeking assistance during the pandemic, said Elaine Georgas, interim executive director of the Mental Health, Addiction and Recovery Services Board of Lorain County.

“Our goal is the earlier the better. If people can connect, we prefer that,” she said.

Georgas also encouraged people dealing with pandemic-related stresses to reach out to someone, whether it’s to a trusted friend or professional help if needed.

“Anyone can reach out to someone else to check in. Those are the valuable tools,” she said.

The MHARS Board has also worked with partnered community organizations to mobilize “COVID Care Teams” — crisis counselors who can listen to residents struggling with impacts of the pandemic and help them access resources to lift the weight off their shoulders.

COVID Care Team counselors can be reached at (440) 240-7025 or (440) 322-6308.

Brooke Sherman, director of crisis services at The Nord Center in Lorain, said many people who were coping with pandemic-related stress over the past year have finally reached a breaking point.

Calls to The Nord Center actually dropped in 2020, she said — now they have returned to pre-pandemic volume.

"When we have prolonged stress, people have different ways of coping," Sherman said. "As the chronic stress continues, some of the adaptive things we did at the beginning of the pandemic — we said, 'We're going to beat this virus' — are gone."

The result has been an uptick in substance abuse issues, she said. Trying to deal with the weight of COVID, others have turned to overeating, zoning out and avoiding their normal responsibilities.

An initial drop in calls when the pandemic began was also noted by Lorain County Children Services, Executive Director Kristen Fox Berki said.

“What we notice from our data is normally a large number of calls we receive from mandated reporters

are from teachers,” she said.

“And when we look at our data, we can see that towards the beginning, from March probably all the way out into the summertime or so, calls from teachers really decreased.”

That was bound to happen when schools were either shut down or learning remotely, Fox Berki said. As more students have returned to the classroom, she said call volume has slowly returned to a more typical level.

One thing that has benefited children in need of the agency’s services through the pandemic, Fox Berki said, is that Children Services case workers have been able to be out in the community the whole time addressing families’ concerns.

Michael Eppley, executive director of the National Alliance on Mental Illness Lorain County, reported an increase in calls for help.

"I've noticed we're getting a lot more calls from people experiencing stress than we were a year ago," he said.

Callers have been asking for help understanding their family and friends' mental illnesses.

There's also been a moderate increase in requests for comfort and counseling for suicide survivors, Eppley said: "There have been increases in calls from time to time, but we haven't seen a huge increase at this time in suicides."

The pandemic intensifies the effects of the stressors that often lead to suicide, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine.

That's a huge concern, since COVID-19 infected 76 million people worldwide in 2020. Economic stress — felt by so many as a result of shutdowns and job losses — is associated with higher suicide rates, and social isolation is directly related to an increase in suicidal thoughts, Johns Hopkins doctors Angela Liang and Paul Nestadt said in a guide about the psychiatric implications of the pandemic.

Participation in religious communities is associated with lower suicide rates, they said. With many churches and other places of worship closing their doors and curtailing events, that's a cause for concern.

A little more than half of suicides are carried out with firearms. Again, Liang and Nestadt rang the alarm, as U.S. firearms sales jumped 41 percent in March 2020 and showed a more than 50 percent increase through the fall.

Most callers seeking NAMI guidance are under tremendous stress. They aren't necessarily talking about COVID-19, Eppley said, but its contribution to their worries is undeniable.

People are social animals, and social distancing and isolation isn't in our nature, he said.

"Everybody's lives, even people without mental illness, have really been pushed to the limits the past year, with not being able to get together with family and friends," he said.

Dr. Harry Kestler, a microbiologist at Lorain County Community College who specializes in viruses and vaccines, said it's time to relax a little.

"You don't want to go all out and make-believe it's Florida and spring break.

That's going to get us all in trouble and cause viral spread," he said. "But I think it's time to let up a little bit and have some human contact.”

He's been carefully watching national data, specifically eyeing trends in Ohio, Michigan and Florida. Based on the numbers, Kestler said he believes vaccinations are doing an outstanding job of containing the coronavirus.

With 2.8 million shots going into American arms every day, the United States is on track to have all willing adults vaccinated by the Fourth of July. And Kestler said the death rate due to COVID-19 has not risen to the terrible spike it hit last year.

It's important to keep wearing masks, even after being vaccinated, he said.

But it's time to "get out of the cabin" and get some fresh air.

Kestler said he's started meeting with fellow researchers in person again, and the result has been incredibly therapeutic.

"We need to start coaxing people out of the cave, out of the cabin, because after what we've been through I think that's mentally healthy," he said.

Thursday, April 8, 2021

Lorain County Community Guide

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Focus turns to transportation for vaccine clinics LAINA YOST and JASON HAWK

Need a ride?

People without vehicles in Lorain County could face challenges getting to vaccine clinics. That’s why Lorain County Public Health is working to get people a ride to a clinic if they need it.

Sara Tillie, a program manager at the local health department, said staff members have been working with Lorain County’s mobility manager to fill the gaps for people who don’t have access to transportation.

Lorain County does not have a countywide transportation system, and without that ride, many people who live too far from a clinic may have to skip an available appointment.

Tillie said the first step has been making sure clinics are within walking and biking distance of homes and apartments, particularly in communities like Elyria, Lorain and Oberlin.

LCPH has offered clinics at Elyria High School and Second Baptist Church. It’s also been to New Russia Township Hall near Oberlin and several school buildings in Lorain.

Lorain and Oberlin have several upcoming clinics scheduled in April. As of Thursday evening, Elyria had no firstdose vaccine clinics scheduled yet for April.

Elyria Mayor Frank Whitfield said he’s working with LCPH to find accessible sites in town for mass vaccination clinics.

He’s also been in touch with Lorain County Health and Dentistry about how it can help provide better access, too.

“With the lack of transportation in the county, we know the short-term solution has to be to make the locations more accessible,” Whitfield said.

But for those not within walking or biking distance, Tillie said they are working with Lorain County Transit and other partners to run shuttle loops in high-density communities.

Lorain County Mobility Manager Sharon Pearson said she wants to provide rides for people who may fall through the cracks, especially people of color, those from low-income households, or vulnerable people with mobility limitations who live alone and have no relatives.

The United Way's 211 phone

These resources may be the right fit for travel to your COVID vaccination clinic: • Lorain County Transit provides rides on fixed routes with variable fares. Hours are 5:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Visit tinyurl.com/LCTroutes for more information.

(440) 329-5525 • Lorain County Jobs & Family Services offers free rides to eligible Medicaid clients. Hours are 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday through Friday.

(440) 284-4355 • The city of Avon provides its residents with rides to vaccination clinics for free. Hours are 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday.

(440) 934-7433 • The Wellington Office on Aging provides $1 rides to vaccination clinics for village of Wellington residents. Hours are 9 a.m. to noon on Monday, Tuesday and Saturday; 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Thursday and Friday.

(440) 647-4626 ext. 5

Bruce Bishop | Chronicle

Cars line up at a Lorain County Public Health COVID-19 vaccine clinic last week at the Avon Fire Department. Transportation to vaccine appointments has been an ongoing issue during the pandemic. line is also being used to connect people in need with transportation options for vaccine appointments, she said.

Pearson said some people don't have access to the internet to schedule appointments, or have trouble making the online system work for them.

When they call 211 for help, a series of questions about accessibility help determine whether transportation assistance might be a good fit, Pearson said.

In some cases, that's as simple as mapping out convenient bus routes to a pharmacy where shots are being given. In others, people may be eligible for rides provided by certain Medicaid programs.

Tillie said staff members also are working with LifeCare’s dispatch system so people can dispatch a ride if needed.

They’re making use of buses and vans from Lorain County Transit and other organizations.

The LCADA Way has 13 vans on hand that it hasn't been able to use as much during the pandemic. President Dan Haight said the agency has used them to run a senior meal delivery program, but it also now is planning to use them to get people to clinics.

Haight said people can use

the service by going through United Way’s 211 number. He said LCADA’s mission is to remove barriers to treatments, which falls directly in line with providing rides to clinics. In fact, Haight said his agency drove more miles in the 201920 year than Lorain County Transit did.

“We’re glad to play a part in this,” he said.

Kendal at Oberlin also volunteered a large passenger van toward the effort.

CEO Barbara Thomas said the vehicle, which was bought specifically for community outreach projects, will probably be used to provide rides to people in the Wellington area.

"We know that we're a bubble here at Kendal, but we also know the community needs to achieve the herd effect to get immunity," she said. "That's important to us. We want the community to be restored."

Riders will be required to wear masks en route to and from their vaccination appointments, and seating will be socially distanced.

Thomas said she is confident those safety steps will keep drivers and passengers safe and healthy.

The tricky part could be making sure people get a ride to a clinic that’s close to them.

Tillie said that’s where Lorain County Public Health comes in to make sure spots and extra vaccines are available.

“We’re being a lot more thoughtful in that as long as you can get to the bus, and get to the clinic, we’ll make sure they have vaccines available,” she said.

Tillie said it’s the most vulnerable populations that don’t have access to rides. She said the aim is to remove as many barriers as possible to make sure people can get the vaccine, and get it at the same time as everyone else.

LCPH is also making sure people who are homebound can get vaccines. The organization is using its own list of homebound clients, but it also is working with area organizations.

The Lorain County Office on Aging is assisting older adults to access vaccine clinics, Executive Director Lauren Ksiazek said.

"There are two main barriers we are seeing: transportation and homebound status," she said.

For adults who cannot leave home because they are unable to move freely, the Office on Aging is collecting their names and contact information and forwarding it to Lorain County Public Health. From there,

• The city of Oberlin now has two electric vehicles that residents can use at an $8 per hour base rate. Conditions apply. Details at www.swaymobility.com/oberlincarshare.

• Various apps such as Lyft, Uber and GoGo Grandparent provide on-demand rides for a fee.

• 440 Ride is a private company that offers rides for a fare, 24/7.

(440) 453-8614 • CDC Transportation is a private, fare-based valet and courier service. It is not affiliated with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

(216) 501-9651 county health workers call to arrange an in-home vaccination visit.

"It’s been a blessing that they are now able to do this," Ksiazek said. "It was a concern we heard from many of our clients."

Lorain County Public Health will be promoting its transportation options more in April, so Tillie said people should stay tuned.

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Gutter Topper is proudly manufactured right here in Ohio and made to withstand our wicked weather. It is a smooth, solid aluminum cover that has no holes or gaps on top. A sloped, self-shedding design prevents spinners, pine needles, shingle grit or

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The Gutter Cover Company also offers a safe and effective way to stop big icicles and ice damming. An optional add-on product called Heater Cap can be installed with or without Gutter Topper that gently heats the gutter area with a self-regulated heat cable. Heater Cap can be installed on most existing gutter covers.

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Page A6

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NYT White House chief to give Oberlin College keynote about the Iraq War, Hurricane Katrina and the SEAL Team 6 raid in which Osama bin Laden was killed.

And Baker wrote extensively about OBERLIN — Peter Baker, chief White Trump's controversies, from his two House correspondent for the New York impeachments to his involvement in the Times, will deliver the keynote address to storming of the U.S. Capitol. graduating seniors at Oberlin College this Baker's work has also carried him year. abroad. He and wife Susan Commencement will be Glasser spent four years held Friday, May 14 at the in Moscow, reporting on Austin E. Knowlton AthletRussian President Vladimir ics Complex.

Putin's rise to power, the To limit risks posed by second Chechen War and COVID-19, there will be terrorist attacks. Baker also two separate ceremonies extensively covered the that day — one at 9 a.m. wars in Afghanistan and and the other at 2 p.m. — Iraq, and will be rememeach with about 300 gradubered as the first American ates and 600 guests. newspaper journalist to Only ticket-holders will report from Taliban terribe admitted. Graduates will tory in northern Afghanistan each be allowed to invite after Sept. 11. two guests, and all in atLater, he reported from Peter Baker tendance will be required Iraq before Saddam Husto wear masks and sit six feet apart. sein's regime was overthrown, and briefly During his nearly 33-year tenure at the was stationed in Jerusalem as the Times' Washington Post and the New York Times, bureau chief there.

Baker has covered the past five presidenAt commencement, Oberlin College will cies, writing about Bill Clinton, George W. present Baker with an honorable doctor of Bush, Barack Obama, Donald Trump and fine arts degree. now Joe Biden.

Honorary degrees will also be given to Baker's work "exemplifies OberRenata Adler, John Harbison and Michael lin’s tradition of excellence and public Sorrell. service," said a statement provided by Adler was a staff reporter for The New Scott Wargo, the college's director of Yorker, served as chief film critic for The media relations. "His dedication to pro- New York Times and has published two viding informed understanding of the acclaimed novels in which journalists play political realm is inspiring. Given the major roles. current environment graduating seniors Harbison is a composer known for are facing, it is more important than contributions in an array of disciplines, ever to inspire them with the words of from opera to symphonies and large choral an individual who has risen to the chal- works. He is perhaps best known for his lenge of navigating difficult and comPulitzer Prize-winning "The Flight Into plex circumstances and set an example Egypt" and 1999's "The Great Gatsby," of excellence through their work." commissioned by the Metropolitan Opera.

Baker has had a front row seat to pivotal Sorrell, a 1988 graduate of Oberlin Colevents in American history. lege, has since 2007 served as president of He co-authored the story that broke the Paul Quinn College in Dallas, Texas. It is Monica Lewinsky scandal, and covered the nation's oldest historically Black colClinton's impeachment hearings. He wrote lege located west of the Mississippi River.

JASON HAWK EDITOR

Oberlin College starts to relax pandemic rules JASON HAWK EDITOR

OBERLIN — With just one new COVID case on campus in the past six weeks, Oberlin College has started to relax its pandemic protocols.

Spring sports were allowed to launch Friday afternoon with a doubleheader against visiting Hilbert College.

Oberlin had announced intentions in January to "stay the course" and cancel its competitions for the season due to fears about more contagious coronavirus variants.

But "the great news is that the COVID-19 positivity rate on our campus has been negligible," said college President Carmen Twillie Ambar in a video message to the campus community last week.

With only 10 positive cases resulting from 6,724 tests since the start of 2021, Oberlin College felt several of its safety policies could be gradually peeled back, said COVID-19 Campus Health Coordinator Katie Gravens.

"We hope that by the fall we can open the campus up," she said in a phone

interview.

On Monday, the college stopped using The Hotel at Oberlin for isolation of student who may be sick.

Now the hotel is once more aggressively hiring for housekeeping staff, room attendants and other jobs, though Gravens had no word on when it will open to overnight guests.

Fairchild House on West Lorain Street will now be used for isolating students who test positive for COVID-19 or develop symptoms.

Others who need to quarantine after being exposed to the virus will do so in their own residences.

Gravens said the state will begin to ship Johnson & Johnson vaccine doses directly to Ohio colleges this week. The conservative goal is to have at least 80 percent of the campus vaccinated by July 1.

A survey earlier this year showed 95 percent of students want the vaccine, and 89 percent of faculty and staff said they want the shots too.

After getting their doses, all must upload their vaccination cards to a database.

"This will allow us to determine the level of herd immunity on campus,

99 LB.

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which is the degree of protection that we have," said Gravens.

For now, the college does not plan to make vaccinations a requirement for enrollment, she said — the hope is that voluntary vaccinations will lead to herd immunity and make that step unnecessary.

People who do share their vaccination cards with the college will no longer be required to undergo monthly COVID testing.

Quarantines will also no longer be necessary for vaccinated students arriving on campus. The exception will be students who travel internationally.

The Oberlin College campus remains closed to the general public for the duration of the spring semester. Gravens said the plan is to start opening access to some outdoor spaces throughout the summer, but indoor spots are still off-limits.

Gravens said progressive attitudes among the campus population allowed Oberlin to avoid the outbreaks experienced at other colleges across the nation.

"I think it's that they believe in science," and had solid plans in place early in the pandemic, she said.

SCHOLARS VICTORIA JACKSON and JOURNEY TOOLE have been named to the dean's list for the Fall 2020 semester at Hiram College.

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Thursday, April 8, 2021

Lorain County Community Guide

ABIGAIL JOHNSON of Oberlin has been named to the dean's list for the Fall 2020 semester at Ashland University. A graduate of Oberlin High School, she is majoring in middle grades education.

SEBASTIAN GRIM of Oberlin has been

named to the dean’s list for the Fall 2020 semester at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities.

The following Oberlin students have been named to the dean's list for the Fall 2020 semester at Bowling Green State University: JACK FREAS, PATRICK KNOWLES, CODY GILBERT, MARCALA MOORE, ELIJAH CHAMBERS, AARON STEVANUS and ELIZABETH SCHOFIELD.

B

OUR TOWNS

Lorain County Community Guide • Thursday, April 8, 2021

Slowly and surely, county fair plans evolve “I don’t think it’s going to be a repeat of last year.”

JASON HAWK EDITOR

Lorain County Fair Board President Marie Waite

WELLINGTON — Preparations for the Lorain County Fair are moving ahead in the hopes that it will look nearly normal, with most pandemic restrictions lifted.

The fair is scheduled for Aug. 22-29. President Marie Waite said she wants to open the festivities with harness racing at 4

p.m. that Sunday.

State health orders canceled senior fairs across Ohio in 2020.

Gov. Mike DeWine announced limitations the day after Lorain County Fair Board members had a heated argument that resulted in a vote to hold only its Junior Fair.

"I don't think it's going to be a

repeat of last year," said Waite. "I think we'll have some kind of a fair. But to what extent, we're just going to have to wait and see. I hope we don't have two years in a row of just Junior Fair."

Longtime fair Secretary Charisse Nikel said work behind the scenes is moving ahead on the

assumption there will be a full fair.

The deadline for concessions and other vendors to sign contracts was in mid-March, and she said the numbers are on par with most normal years.

Waite said those vendors are in a bind, hoping for a chance to

JUST HOPPIN' THROUGH

make the income they depend on.

"They didn't make any revenue last year, really," she said. "Can they afford to buy all the stuff they sell, to restock, and hope they make the money this year?"

One of the biggest concerns for fair organizers centers on bigdraw events at the grandstand, Nikel said. The Monday and Tuesday night musical headliners are often announced in February, COUNTY FAIR PAGE B2

Oberlin HS alum crafts tribute to his hometown JASON HAWK EDITOR

OBERLIN — James Henderson's grandfather loved buying watches.

Every year during visits to Oberlin, he'd stop at Herrick Jewelers on West College Street and buy a watch as a present for his only grandson.

Henderson said he grew up feeling the weight of a watch on his wrist and enjoying the familiar reflex of glancing at the time.

Now the 1986 graduate of Oberlin High School is paying tribute to his hometown.

Henderson has launched the Oberlin Watch Company, and with help from professional Provided photo timepiece designers is ready Raised in Oberlin, James Henderson is releasing a wristwatch to release the that pays tribute to his homeOBIE1. town, using his alma mater's The wristcolors. watch, with a white face and red and blue dials — Oberlin High School's colors — is a tribute to the place he grew up.

"For the people who really love mechanical watches, and I'm one of them, there's the argument that it's great to take it out in the morning to wind it, to hear it click," said Henderson, 52, who now lives in Salem, Massachusetts.

He's led an adventurous life, traveling the world. After graduating from the University of Oregon, Henderson taught in Japan, where he met his wife — they've since lived in Finland, Portugal and Scotland.

While teaching in Finland, he spotted a heavy watch that drew his eye, and reminded him of his grandfather.

"It wasn't inexpensive, but I had a little money and decided I'd earned it," Henderson remembers. "That was what I'd say was the first real, serious bite toward a renewed love of timepieces."

Jason Hawk | Oberlin News-Tribune

▲ The Easter bunny takes a tour of Oberlin aboard a fire engine, waving to kids along a winding parade route.

Jason Hawk | Amherst News-Times

► One of several Easter bunnies drives around Amherst on Saturday morning in an event arranged by Main Street Amherst,

Kristin Bauer | Chronicle

▼ Treva Novotny waves to the Easter bunny for a photo taken by Emily Martinat The Elms Retirement Village in Wellington on Friday afternoon.

WATCHES PAGE B2 1960-2021

Celebrating 61 years in service!

988 suicide hotline launch will mean changes for Amherst dialing JASON HAWK EDITOR

AMHERST — If you call folks in Amherst often, you may have to retrain your fingers.

Trusty old 988 numbers will still work, but starting April 24 you'll need to dial the 440 area code first. If you don't change that habit

by the fall, you'll end up reaching the National Suicide Prevention and Mental Health Crisis Lifeline.

In October, President Donald Trump signed the bipartisan National Suicide Hotline Designation Act passed by Congress.

Amherst resident Susan Watson, a behavioral health nurse, was part of the campaign to pass the bill.

"Everyone knows 911," she said. "With 988, you can reach millions of people in the same, easyto-remember way."

Almost no one has the actual hotline number of 800-273-8255 memorized, Watson said. Making it a simple, three-digit code will mean it's easy to recall and dial in times of need.

With that goal in mind,

Watson was among the lobbyists who petitioned 511 members of Congress last summer, sharing signatures collected online.

She is passionate about fighting the rising suicide rate in the United States, which according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention was the PHONES PAGE B2

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Page B2

Oberlin school layoffs on the radar JASON HAWK EDITOR

OBERLIN — Five staff will be laid off from the Oberlin City Schools next fall unless the district has enough retirements to avoid it.

The Board of Education voted last week to notify workers that a literacy aide, assistant librarian, courier, custodian and head custodian will be cut. The move comes as Oberlin plans to close two elementary buildings and open a brand new school.

Thursday, April 8, 2021

Lorain County Community Guide

In a letter to the board, librarian Melissa Stalnaker said she was "heartbroken and furious" at the situation.

She was hired in 2017, and as the most recent departmental hire her job is on the line.

"The board promised that there would be no cuts because of the new school," and that personnel reductions would come through attrition, she said.

Board President Jason Williams and former President Anne Schaum said they did not recall promising there would

be no layoffs. Quite the opposite — combining two elementary operations under one roof is expected to be more efficient and require fewer workers, they said.

Saving on operating costs was part of the appeal of the new building, board members said.

Superintendent David Hall said personnel are not being laid off this spring, but contractually the district has to warn workers about staffing cuts that could come in 2021-2022.

"We want to provide our staff members with

as much notice as possible," he said.

Right now, no staff have submitted letters of retirement, Hall said — two could land on his desk in the next couple of weeks, though.

One way or another, the new elementary school on North Pleasant Street will be fully staffed, he said.

That means that any staff who are formally laid off could be recalled in the fall if jobs open up, said Hall.

"That is definitely our hope," said board member Ken Stanley.

COUNTY FAIR

FROM B1 but don't expect them to be locked down this year until at least June.

Capacity in outdoor grandstands remains, for the time being, restricted to just 30 percent for social distancing by state order.

Mask-wearing will also be required unless there's a big shift in Ohio's health rules by August.

"That's the way it looks today," DeWine said in a March press briefing. "It certainly is possible that by the time we get to the second month of fairs, or even possibly the first month of fairs in June, we may be off the health orders. We don't know. We just hope things continue to go well."

The governor said he anticipates having full county fairs this year, and issued a revised health order calling for fair boards to work with county health officials. The order says each fair and animal exhibition must have an on-site compliance officer for COVID safety.

Official guidelines issued in March put the Ohio Farm Bureau at ease, since they signaled that state, county and independent fairs

will be able to move forward with planning.

“These fairs bring great pride to Ohio communities, and the 4-H and FFA exhibitors at our fairs proudly represent what Ohio agriculture is all about," said Farm Bureau Executive Vice President Adam Sharp. "Putting these guidelines in place will help to keep fair attendees safe and we look forward to a successful, and much needed, fair season across Ohio.”

Nikel said she is optimistic that COVID vaccinations — including those done in clinics held at the Wellington fairgrounds — will move Ohio in the right direction.

"There are still mandates out there, but we're hoping that by the time August comes some of them will be lifted," she said.

But there is still some friction among Lorain County Fair board members about what safety measures should be kept in place, Waite said. Some simply don't see a need for masks or social distancing.

"There are others of us who say

we want masks on," said Waite, noting that COVID case numbers have started to rise in the past week, both locally and statewide.

With cases exploding in Europe and subsiding in hot weather states such as Texas and Florida, it's impossible to tell how Ohio will swing.

Ohio's county fairs will begin in June. Waite said she and other Lorain County organizers will be watching them for problems, especially the Medina and Huron county fairs.

When the third week of August finally arrives, the plan is to celebrate the 175th anniversary of the Lorain County Fair, a milestone that was supposed to be observed in 2020.

Waite said that no matter what safety guidelines are still in place, she expects plenty of people to turn out at the fairgrounds.

It probably won't be recordbreaking attendance, though — she feels too many older residents will decide to sit out another year out of caution.

8. Secret storage 9. Stole fur 10. One opposed 11. Indian restaurant staple 12. U.S. customary unit of force, pl.

15. Soaked 20. DNA and RNA 22. Argonaut’s propeller 24. Shared work surface at an office 25. *Sasha Baron Cohen’s “Subsequent Moviefilm” role 26. Be sorry for one’s wickedness 27. Pita, in UK 29. *Like Roberto Benigni’s fictional son 31. Husband to a widow, e.g.

32. Checked out 33. Stradivari competitor 34. *”Fences” winner and “Ma

Rainey” nominee 36. Poker ante 38. *”Nomadland” director 42. Shadow 45. *The Trial of the Chicago 7” screenwriter 49. Greek “t” 51. Sandwich sausage 54. Necklace lock 56. Radio receiver 57. Nutritious leafy green 58. Got A+ 59. Ice on a window 60. Happening soon, old fashioned 61. Caffeine-containing nut tree 62. Editing arrow 63. Chinese monetary unit 64. Friend in war 67. *Nominee for Billie Holiday role

THE OSCARS ACROSS 1. Hedgehog of video games 6. And so forth, acronym 9. *Oscar-nominated black and white movie 13. Treeless plain 14. Grazing field 15. Moses’ mountain 16. Sty sounds 17. Nelson Mandela’s org.

18. Like beer at a kegger (2 words) 19. *Posthumous nominee 21. *Anthony of “The Father” 23. “What’s up, ____?”

24. Huge pile 25. Protestant denom.

28. Feed storage cylinder 30. Load again 35. Relating to ear 37. Flighty one 39. Proclaimed true without proof 40. Musician David Lee ____ 41. Ascetic holy Hindu 43. Eastern European 44. Plural of #10 Down 46. 500 sheets 47. Looking for aliens org.

48. Kitchen whistler 50. Wails 52. Bad-mouth 53. Medieval torture device 55. Pied Piper follower 57. Politburo hat fur 61. *Daniel of “Judas and the Black Messiah” 65. Raspberry drupelets 66. Fuss, to Shakespeare 68. Void, as in marriage 69. Defective car 70. Given name of Jack Kerouac’s Paradise 71. ____ of Honor 72. Adam and Eve’s first residence 73. Money in Myanmar 74. Shoemaker without shoes, e.g.

DOWN 1. Undesirable roommate 2. Medley 3. Grannies, in UK 4. Tattooed 5. Universe 6. Panache 7. *Most 2021 Oscar nominations for one film, #9 Across

SOLUTION CAN BE FOUND ON PAGE A2

WATCHES

FROM B1 Over the following years, he found himself drawn to watches, and wound up selling them for prestigious companies, learning how artistry collides with wheels and cogs. But Henderson always found his way back to academia.

Today, his day job is running a nonprofit adult education program. On evenings and weekends, his attention turns to his love of watchmaking.

For much of the quarter-century he's worked with timepieces, friends have asked Henderson to make them custom watches. When an Oberlin Facebook group started clamoring for a model, he decided it was time.

In February, he launched Oberlin Watch Company, and this month is introducing the first run of the OBIE1.

Only 100 have been made. The watches are being sold online for $97.97; for information, visit www.tempusfugit.watch.

Henderson said he wanted to create something that would help unite Oberlin, which he said has been fractured in recent years.

"I was very concerned where I thought the town-gown relationships had eroded," he said, referring to the way Oberlin College is often viewed by local residents.

Henderson said the watch draws inspiration from several sources in town. He sent photos of Finney Chapel and Tappan Square to a close friend and French watch designer, to build a sense of Oberlin's architecture into the OBIE1.

Another influence was the Great Kipton Train Wreck of April 18, 1891, Henderson said. According to the Smithsonian National Postal Museum, a mail train and the Toledo Express smashed into each other head on while running at full speed, just west of Oberlin.

Investigators determined one of the engineer's watches had run four minutes slow, put the two trains on a collision course.

To prevent similar disasters, the regional rail companies hired Webb C. Ball, a Cleveland jeweler and watchmaker.

He developed reliable watches for engineers, and is credited with vastly improving the safety of about 125,000 miles of rail tracks across North America.

PHONES

FROM B1 10th leading cause of death in 2018.

That same year — the last the CDC has complete data on —more than 48,000 Americans ended their lives.

That's about one death every 11 minutes.

Almost 11 million adults in the U.S. seriously thought about ending their own lives, and more than three million went so far as to make a plan.

Former Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai, announcing the plan for 988, said certain groups having especially high risk.

More than 20 veterans die by suicide every day, for example. Young adults who identify as LGBTQ consider taking their lives at a rate four times higher than heterosexual adults. And suicide attempts by Black teens skyrocketed by 73 percent from 1991 to 2017.

Pai traveled in early 2020 to visit a mental health crisis center in Toledo.

"Among others, I met with counselors who speak with those who are struggling with suicidal thoughts," he said.

"Their dedication to helping those in need was inspiring.

And to me, it reinforced the need for the FCC to do everything possible to support their important work, and to do our part to address America’s suicide crisis."

Now those plans are being put in action. Starting April 24, people with 988 phone numbers in 82 communities across the country will need to start dialing the area code first.

There will be a grace period. Seven-digit dialing will still work until Oct. 24, when those calls will no longer be connected.

Beginning July 16, 2022, dialing 988 will automatically route the call to the suicide hotline.

"I think most people have already started to make the change," said Watson. "With cell phones, everything is already programmed in there with me, and dials 440 first."

But it could be an issue for the shrinking number of people, especially older residents, who have landlines and non-programmable phones.

Next on the FCC's agenda is adding a 988 texting option for people seeking help.

Acting Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel's agenda for an April 22 meeting calls for rules requiring service providers to support text messaging.

Watson said thousands of people are already trying to text the line.

SOLUTION CAN BE FOUND ON PAGE A2

Thursday, April 8, 2021

Lorain County Community Guide

Page B3

Firelands will honor tradition of stadium ceremony JASON HAWK EDITOR

HENRIETTA TWP. — A return to Falcons Stadium is planned for the graduating Firelands High School Class of 2021.

About 150 seniors are on schedule to receive their diplomas. Their commencement ceremony is planned planned for 7 p.m. on Friday, May 28, said Principal Cathy Keener.

"We feel that our stadium is going to allow us to meet our families' needs as far as atten-

dance," she said.

Because of social distancing needs, some thought was put into changing the venue, said Keener.

But the Firelands community sent a loud and clear message: It wants to carry on the tradition of graduating at the Vermilion Road stadium.

"It works very well there," Keener said. "People like it, and we have a lot of families that have graduated there generation after generation, and we want to keep that line."

Details must still be finalized about how many people will be

allowed into the stadium at one time. The stage will be moved toward the center of the field so both bleacher sides can be opened, which will allow more people to attend while spaced apart from each other.

Keener said she is working with Lorain County Public Health to determine what occupancy rules will be like.

They may well change by the time graduation takes place — everything is subject to change as vaccinations ramp up and COVID case counts fluctuate. Keener said she's been obsessively

Oberlin schools will ask for $300,000 solar farm grant JASON HAWK EDITOR

OBERLIN — Plans for a solar farm on North Pleasant Street have expanded dramatically, and now the Oberlin City Schools are chasing grant dollars for a $600,000 to $700,000 array.

Superintendent David Hall said March 30 that he expected to apply for up to $300,000 from the city of Oberlin's Sustainable Reserve Fund, which is available for green projects.

More solar panels would mean "more of a significant savings, more of a footprint, more of an impact, especially environmentally," Hall said.

A smaller "sample" solar farm was in the works earlier this year, with a price tag of about $218,000.

Working with Third Sun Solar of Cleveland, plans have been developed for a setup that would provide up to 80 percent of the power needed for Oberlin's new elementary school, which will open this fall.

"We can afford it. I think it's a great deal," said Board of Education member Ken Stanley.

It would take about 20 years for solar energy savings to pay back the cost of building the array, he said, and maintenance costs should be low.

According to Stanley, the efficiency of the panels will drop gradually over time, losing about 1 percent power output each year. So by the time the solar farm is paid off, it would still be collecting up to 60 percent of the electricity needed for the prekindergarten through fifth grade school.

If the district gets the city's green grant, the remainder of the solar project cost would come from construction funds, not general fund dollars, said Hall.

He said the Oberlin City Schools are also applying for an Oberlin College

Green EDGE Fund grant.

Assuming the district is successful in securing grants, the solar farm won't be up and running by the time the 20212022 academic year begins, Hall said.

At best, it would be in use by the end of October.

The new elementary school was envisioned from the outset as being as environmentally sustainable as possible, given the funds available to the district.

Stanley said it won't be as energy efficient as once dreamed.

"But I think we understood when we were building this building that it wasn't going to be that low," he said.

"A newer building gets used more, gets used in the summertime, especially."

New schools are expensive to operate, said board member Anne Schaum.

They have air conditioning — a luxury Eastwood Elementary teachers have dreamed about for years — and it will run around the clock.

The trade-off, said Stanley, is that air quality in the new school will be much better. The building's air-handling system will also help filter out contaminants, including airborne viruses such as COVID-19.

The new school will also benefit from high-efficiency LED lighting, which will also lower costs significantly, he said.

The Oberlin City Schools have also received a $25,000 grant from the Environmental Protection Agency to cover roughly half the cost of two electric car charging stations, each with two ports.

"Teachers can drive from wherever they are, plug in during the day, and be able to drive back home," said Stanley.

They will be open to the public, he said. Architect Brad Gellert said the state does require a fee for electricity to be used.

It remains unclear whether that cost will be passed on to electric car owners who use the stations.

Lane recognized for 45 years JASON HAWK EDITOR

AMHERST — He's shy about getting any pat on the back for it, but Amherst Patrolman Robert Lane is being celebrated by his fellow officers for serving the city since 1976.

That 45-year stint may make Lane the Amherst Police Department's longestserving member, according to Lt. Mark Cawthon.

The late Les George, who died earlier this year, put in 50 years in uniform but not all were in Amherst.

Lane keeps saying he's close to retirement, but has yet to announce a date.

"I don't know what that means," laughed Cawthon.

"He's still on the schedule for shifts. He's working

Officer Robert Lane has served 45 years with the Amherst Police Department. next month. Bob is Bob, he just keeps on going. It's in his blood and he loves it."

He said Lane's dependability and dedication are second to none. Given any task, there's no need to follow up — Lane is sure to get done, quickly and well.

"When he has a case, he digs into it. He's very thorough with his investigations," Cawthon said.

"And he doesn't necessarily like to hand his cases off to the detective bureau.

He wants to handle them himself and make sure they are resolved."

Julian Cross artwork on exhibit at FAVA Don't miss Oberlin High School senior Julian Cross' artwork, on display through April 18 at The FAVA Gallery via Zoom.

Access the exhibition by visiting exhibitions.favagallery.org/oberlin-hs-ibpsenior-exhibition.

Cross said that for most of his life, his notion of art was "simple, immature and carefree."

During a two-year journey through the International Baccalaureate art curriculum at OHS, he began to understand the power of his art – "and I did not lose the joy that goes into creating it," Cross said. "Learning how to combine this simplicity and joy with the construction of style and theme has been critical to my identity as an artist.”

Send your interesting news tips to news@LCnewspapers.com

checking the local numbers every day since the beginning of the school year, hoping for the best.

Cases in the Firelands Schools have been fairly in control, she said. As of Thursday, there had been just 27 students and 11 staff with COVID diagnoses, according to the Ohio Department of Health.

That's meant Firelands classes have been fully in person throughout the year. While some students have opted to learn fully online, the district has never used a hybrid model.

Keener said the senior prom

Single shot popular

Lorain County Public Health’s first COVID-19 vaccination clinic with the Johnson & Johnson shot sold out “like a rock concert” within a half-hour of appointments being made available, Health Commissioner David Covell told members of the county Community Protection Team last week.

The clinic, held at Christ Church in Columbia Township, was the first of what is anticipated to be multiple Lorain County Public Health clinics offering the Johnson & Johnson shot, Covell said. Clinic sizes are expected to increase in the future.

Some residents may prefer the Johnson & Johnson vaccine because it requires just one dose, while the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are recommended for two doses.

But both Covell and local hospital leaders continue to urge residents to accept whatever type of vaccine is available rather than waiting for a preferred brand.

“I know there is a lot of demand for Johnson & Johnson, but unfortunately we just don’t have that much right now,” Covell said. “… Vaccines are going to become more and more available, so hopefully within the next month, everyone who wants a vaccine will be able to get it relatively quickly.”

Dr. Rebecca Starck, president of the Cleveland Clinic Avon Hospital, said the primary goal of vaccination is to eliminate death, severe illness and intensive care unit admissions related to COVID-19.

Although early data has suggested the Johnson & Johnson vaccine has less overall efficacy compared with the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines, Starck said patients should not refuse the Johnson & Johnson shot if it is available.

“When it comes to severity of illness,

will also go forward. It is planned for Saturday, May 8 at the New Russia Township Lodge.

The formal will include both dinner and dancing. Students attending will be required to wear masks except while eating.

After watching 2020 fizzle without prom or a traditional graduation ceremony, Keener said she is excited to give both to the Class of 2021.

"I am so proud of them and the way that they have risen to the challenges that have been thrown at them through this school year," she said.

I would say that absolutely you can feel very confident getting the J&J. Risk of death, risk of intubation, risk of ICU stay is lower,” she said.

— Reporting by Dylan Reynolds

Still under red alert

Lorain County has the 13th-highest COVID-19 incidence rate of the state's 88 counties, with 198.8 new cases per 100,000 population over the last two weeks.

The county remains under a Level 3 “red” advisory on Ohio’s color-coded alert system because of its high incidence rate of new cases, as well as the fact that the county exceeds the threshold for three of the seven “alert indicators” that contribute to a county’s advisory level.

Lorain County is exceeding the state-set thresholds for “sustained increase in new cases” and “proportion of cases not in a congregate setting.”

About half of Ohio’s counties are still under red advisories, but many have dropped to the Level 2 “orange” advisory or even the Level 1 “yellow” advisory as their case counts fall.

3M vaccinations

Vaccination data updated Sunday by the Ohio Department of Health shows 18.57 percent of the state's residents have received all recommended doses of COVID-19 vaccine, while at 31.62 percent have received at least one dose.

That's more than 2.17 million people who have completed their vaccinations, and 3.69 million who have started theirs.

In Lorain County, 18.45 percent of the population — 57,167 people — have completed their vaccinations as of the start of the week, while another 101,452 people (32.74 percent) have started theirs.

Homeowners ask for transfer JASON HAWK EDITOR

OBERLIN — Five homeowners are asking the state to let them leave the Oberlin school district on paper, and instead have their properties belong to neighboring Keystone.

The Oberlin Board of Education voted last week to formally oppose the request.

Anyone can ask the Ohio Board of Education to change their school district designation, but such moves are incredibly rare, said Oberlin City Schools Treasurer Robert Rinehart.

"I have never seen one go through before," he said.

The homes in question are all located in Pittsfield Township.

One is on State Route 303 along the two school systems' border. The other four are on West Road, not adjacent to the Keystone line.

Rinehart said he thinks the West Road location will lower the chances the transfer will be allowed.

"I would think all but the one are a long shot, the one on the edge. But usually they go as a package deal," he said.

The issue could be settled in arbitration, he said. If not, a magistrate will make a recommendation to the state education board, which will vote on the final decision.

The Keystone Board of Education would also have to vote to accept the five properties into its district, or to reject the request.

For now, Keystone has

signaled it is staying neutral in the matter, Rinehart said.

Taxes are the most likely reason the five homeowners are seeking to leave the Oberlin school district, said Rinehart, who has not talked with any. In addition to property taxes near the highest rate allowed under state law, the Oberlin City Schools collect an income tax.

All properties within the school district have a taxable valuation of $257 million, he said. The five parcels represent about $1 million in market value, or an assessed value of $300,000.

That means it would not be a big financial hit to have them leave, he said.

One homeowner reached out to the Guide to say grades, not taxes, are behind the request.

85 SOUTH MAIN STREET OBERLIN OHIO 44074 APRIL 8, 2021 BOARD AND COMMISSION MEETING DATES ALL MEETINGS WILL BE Live Streamed @ http://oberlinoh.swagit.com/live APRIL 13, 2021 .........PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION – 4:30 P.M. APRIL 13, 2021 .........SPECIAL RECREATION COMMISSION MEETING – 7:00 P.M. • PURPOSE: General Purposes APRIL 14, 2021 .........OCIC – 8:00 A.M. APRIL 14, 2021 .........OURCIT – 3:00 P.M. APRIL 16, 2021 .........COMPREHENSIVE PLAN COMMITTEE – 8:00 A.M. NOTICE: DISABLED MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY WHO MAY NEED ASSISTANCE, PLEASE CALL 775-7203 OR E-MAIL: banderson@cityofoberlin.com NOTICE REQUIRED: TWO (2) WORKING DAYS IN ADVANCE OF MEETING (48 HOURS) CLERK OF COUNCIL’S OFFICE.

Page B4

SPORTS

Thursday, April 8, 2021

Lorain County Community Guide

Send sports news to news@lcnewspapers.com. Deadline for all submissions is 10 a.m. each Tuesday. Printed as space is available.

REGAL STRIKES OUT 10

Photos by Russ Gifford | Wellington Enterprise

The Dukes cracked out 11 hits in the 10-3 victory, scoring three times in the first inning alone.

Junior Brook Noss had three RBIs and two doubles, while Payton Regal, the winning pitcher, struck out 10 Shoregals batters and added two runs two the Wellington tally.

The Dukes were Division III district champions in 2019 and, after sitting out last year along with everyone else because of the pandemic, are looking to reestablish their dominance. LEFT: Wellington’s Payton Regal throws to first base for an out. BELOW: Wellington's Mikayla Paramore lays down a bunt.

PIRATES HIT PARADE

RUNS GALORE

Photos by Erik Andrews | Oberlin News-Tribune

The Lake Ridge Royals opened their season Saturday with a decisive 2111 win over Oberlin. ABOVE: Pitcher Andre Yarber delivers to the plate.

BELOW: Silas Skvor drives a double to right center against the Royals.

TOUGH DAY FOR STREATOR

Photos by Russ Gifford | Wellington Enterprise

South Central scored a run in the top of the first, and Black River tied — then the Pirates put down the hammer. Over the next three innings, they racked up 11 runs en route to a 14-5 victory at the end of seven innings.

ABOVE: Black River’s Tyler Mrakuzic slides safely into home on a past ball against South Central. BELOW: Black River’s Ethan Foster winds for the pitch.

Photos by Erik Andrews | Oberlin News-Tribune

Pitcher Katlyn Streator and Catcher Sanayah Wilborn (ABOVE) confer on strategy as Columbia comes to bat Monday evening.

Streator (RIGHT) had a tough day on the mound as the Raiders made their rounds on the bases, racking up a 16-0 shutout. Columbia's Elise Aniol had three hits, including a double and a triple. Jessi Morlock pitched five innings for the Raiders, allowing just one Oberlin hit and striking out 11.

Thursday, April 8, 2021

Lorain County Community Guide

Page B5

KASTELIC ON FIRE TO START SEASON

Photos by Joe Colon | Amherst News-Times

Kate Kastelic (LEFT) struck out 12 batters as the Comets edged out Avon 2-0 on Saturday. Amherst's Rachel Miller had a home run for the win. Amherst’s Mckenzie Cornwell (ABOVE) makes the throw from her third base position. Lindsey Reavis (BELOW) eyes up a pitch against Avon.

COMETS Baseball • Amherst defeated St. Ignatius 4-2, with RBIs from Blake Kendall (2), Celeb McGee and Dylan Bailey. McGee scored an additional run.

Ty Weatherspoon was the winning pitcher, allowing four hits in seven innings.

• Josh Qualls led a 15-1 parade around the bases as Amherst demolished Vermilion.

He racked up five RBIs, three runs and a pair of doubles in the contest.

Austin Bray had three RBIs, two runs and a pair of triples. Caleb McGee walked away with three RBIs and a run, Dylan Bailey had an RBI, three runs and a double and Alden Steele had three runs, a triple and a stolen base. Graham Solak and Blake Kendall each had a run and an RBI. • Amherst fell 6-5 to Strongsville in extra innings.

That's not for lack of trying — the Comets' Blake Kendall recorded three RBIs, a home run and a run in the contest, while Josh Qualls notched a homer, a run and a triple. Caleb McGee had an RBI and Dylan Bailey had a run and a double.

Alden Steele pitched 3.2 innings, allowing two hits and striking out two Mustangs batters.

Softball • McKenzie Cornwell had two RBIs, but the Comets' early lead evaporated and Amherst fell 9-3 to Keystone.

Cassidy Kettleman had two hits, including a double.

• Kate Kastelic picked up the first win of the season, lifting Amherst to a 9-3 win over Glenoak in the opener.

She allowed just three hits and no runs in her five innings pitching, and struck out seven.

McKenzie Cornwell led the Amherst offense with a pair of hits and an RBI. Lindsey Reavis had a triple and two RBIs, and Cassidy Kettleman recorded two hits, an RBI and a run.

AMHERST JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL HONOR ROLL Sixth grade Honor Roll: Brooklyn Abraham, Peyton Adams, Olivia Adkins, Jack Alltmont, Peyton Alverson, Ian Anderson, Karina Ballesteros, Ashlyn Barry, James Beres, Briana Blankenship, Carter Boone, Brody Bottomlee, Brooklyn Brockmeyer, Ava Bublik, Laurinda Burslem, Samuel Burtis, Allan Mychal Carter, Miles Dean-Roberson, Ben DeJesus, Nicoll Dokovski, Honor Duesler, Jackson Frizell, Connor Galik, Adrianna Hall, Aiden Haney, Ajia Harris, John Heller, Collin Hill, Bryson Hodkey, Muhammad Imran, Daniel Irvin, Olivia Janosik, Isaac Jones, Rosalie Kapalin, Phoebe Knight, Taylor Kozak, Cole Lugar, Adrian Martinez, Nicholas Martinez, Delaney McCarthy, Courtney Melendez, Madison Mitchell, Dominic Morris, Cameron Murphy, Adriannah Ortiz, Gaige Patton, Anyja Peacock, Michael Pitts, Cameran Popovich Green, Spencer Robinson, Elizabeth Rucker, Diana Salazar, August Sauvey, Madison Schenko, Aubrey Schwarz, Sydney Shinsky, Gage Smith, Jason Sockol, Carson Szudarek, Kailey Tomasch, Joshua Tomlin, Maddox Violand, Walker Woods High Honor Roll: Zachary Anderson, Alexander Barnes, Grace Bender, Grace Berdiel, Cooper Bingham, Lincoln Blaus, Jersey Brockmeyer, Sophia Butler, Katelyn Campana, Rylee Cassidy, Sophia Collins, Jalyanah Daniels, Liana DelValle, Cecilia DiFilippo, Jadon Dotson, Hannah Drost, Anthony Falbo, Soleil Faudoas, Grace Fuller, Addisyn Gaetz, Marianna Gonzalez, MacGyver Hogan, Haley Huffman, Ellianna Kender, Rosalee Kitchen, Johnny Li, Anthony Litz, Jillian Markowich, Abbey McConihe, Genevieve McKinney, Ashley Owen, Richard Penano, Jaxon Perez, Alexandria Prater, Austin Prayzer, Naziya Reid, Gavin Richardson, Noah Riley, Gabriel Rooker, Hunter Ryan, Joselyn Salva, Addison Schwarz, Hannah Schwarz, Justin Seeley, Karina Shuster, Fisher Sims, Addison Smath, Aubrey Smith, Ian Smith, Robyn Sockol, Aviana Taylor, Emerson Timko,

Elias Toyoda, Maggie Tremaine, Michael Trifiletti, Sophia Trombley, Abigail Weidner, Nicholas Wilkinson, Matisse Williams, Christian Wolf All A's: Muhammad Adnan, Katelyn Banyas, Gavin Beckler, Chad Becraft, Ella Bengele, Grace Blazina, Milou Boonekamp, Cameron Born, Makenna Bosworth, Trent Bremer, Aubrey Brenot, Robert Brooks, Olivia Candelario, Ashley Ciura, Madison Clappas, Brennan Coughlin, Aniella D’Andrea, Gemma DelMonico, Christopher Dietsche, Cayden Dunlap, Tiffany Duong, Elliot Eastin, Evan Ferancy, Gavin Ford, James Gedling, Ryan George, Scarlett Grandon, Braylon Hans, Aamna Imran, Macey Johnson, Devin Juristy, Kaylan Kalchert, Corrinn Kinser, Emma Kucbel, Chase Lahetta, Alexander Latto, Ethan Leyva, Zachary Lopez, Mason Lymer, Declan Mackowski, Cecelia Magers, Sean Matos, Austyn Minor, Samantha Murphy, Cianna Ortiz, Zane Patten, Brohden Phillips, Larry Polonkay II, Connor Price, Anthony Reichert, Zane Rhoads, Kayla Rhodes, Makenna Roth, Ava Rousseau, Emma Sabol, Alexandra Sas-Sixbey, Madison Sayers, Cole Scanlon, Ella Schneider, Jacob Scott, Bridget Sonntag, Freyja Survance, Kane Taliano, Helena Torres, Gabrielle Ujvari, Isaac Vasquez, Sophia Vicens, Sophia Watson, Ethan Wilhelms, Maxx Wolshuck, Jaxson Yoder Seventh Grade Honor Roll: Emma Bangas, River Barnes, Maddison Beard, Hayden Buchs, Mackenzie Calin, Peytan Carpenter, Chase Chandler, Haley Conrad, Cailyn Cornwell, Weston Dewey, Savannah Diaz, Sawyer Dorazio, Exavier Eckenrode, Hunter Farlow, Canin Fritz, Ryan Gabriel, Keara Garcher, Morgan Giurbino, Spencer Haney, Elijah Hayworth, Aryanna HendersonMiller, Ethan Hoffman, Alaina Jarnigan, Lamaya Johnson, Brennen Jones, Payton Kopronica, Annabella Kubasak, Jacob Kuchnicki, Evan Kucirek, Peyton Leibacher, Marjorie Lopez, Sky-

lar Martin, Adamaris Martinez, Hector Mendez, Trenton Mihalic, Noah Miller, Addison Nail, Dillon Nekich, Paige Nolan, Cassie Patterson, Madison Post, Aidan Ramirez, Bryce Reed, Colin Reitzel, Jr., Stanley Robinson, Owen Satmary, Andrew Schliesser, Jacob Schob, Kaden Sikora, Hope Spurlock, Joseph Stevens, Ryan Sutton, Ethan Szucs, Grant Taylor, Elijah Torres, Carson Truman, Sophia VanTreuren, Jason Warner, Zaden Watkins, Troy Welch, Cianna Wilbert, Aedyn Wolf High Honor Roll: Addison Andrijowych, Reese Babics, Tyler Baker, Gavin Bard, Olivia Bennett, Grant Berman, Haley Boyles, Javiaun Bush, Spencer Cain, Isabella Castro, Sophia Chapman, Noah Cheatham, Paul Cherney, Allison Corwin, Carter Crawford, Logan Dietrich, Kellen Dimacchia, David Dudziak, Santino Gigliotti, Payton Gilles, Madison Giurbino, Ryland Grip, Kailee Gumble, Avery Hawley, Destiny Hayslip, Nathaniel Heuring, Olivia Huston, Chelsey Jordan, Kieley Keiffer, Luke Kelling, Nadia Kelly, Melina Lawson, Shakiya Lucky Hodge, Shawn Luster Jr., Mitchell Manns, Jeremy Marcaly, Isabelle McGee, Caydon Nahm, Christian Newman, Asa Nicely, Ivana Odafe, Diana Ortega, Phoebe Piepenbrok, Shyla Plezia, Zoey Roberts, Evie Roy, Aiden Sauer, Samuel Schneider, Camden Simo, Cali Smith, Owen Smith, Kiara Taylor, Phillip Thompson, Joli Thomson, Julian Vardous, Gabrieyella Vladic, Matthew Walker, Aaliyah West, Madison Wiersum, Hayden Woch, Caleb Yonts All A's: Asiya Adnan, Alaina Alflen, Violet Ambroz, Nicholas Aponte, Maria Bak, Hayden Baker, Abigayle Barry, Elise Bedo, James Bengele, Odalis Betances, Aiden Bindas, Garet Bott, Noah Branham, Grace Bruewer, Ariana Buffa, Seth Burtis, Kayla Bussard, Noah Clinton, Peyton Costin, Mia DelMonico, Tyler Denn, Aiden DiFilippo, Sofia DiFilippo, Makenna Dorobek, Corynn Dumke, Danielle Dury, Caroline Faber, Patrick Fellenstein, Nicole Ferguson, Kassidy Florek, Casey

Giancaterino, Caitlyn Gilboy, Brody Glick, Raekwon Harris, Alexzander Hopkins, Lucky Hovinetz, Gloriana Howard, Maren Jesko, Nyah Jesko, Hayley Jevcak, Kameron Kadow, Ava Kirschner, Alexander Kissane, Keegan Kocsis, Delainey Krasin, Andrei Kunakowsky, Kaitlyn Meyer, Jordan Miller, Paige Miller, Sarah Miller, Selah O’Brien, Vance Owens, Anthony Palumbo, Kendall Pogachar, Andrew Ray, Samuel Sas, Harrison Schneider, Gracie Smith, Emily Squires, Jackson Starett, Connor Swab, Ben Thompson, Hunter Thornsberry, Gabrielle Vasquez, Giancarlo Verde, Isabella Volpe, Leighton Waynar, Landon Wolf, Alaunah Yandura Eighth Grade Honor Roll: Sofia Anadiotis, Mia Atkinson, Hazel Beard, William Bobek, McKenna Bottomlee, Lance Buffa, Keagan Carpenter-Sanchez, Adrianna Charles, Aron Cortez, Riley Diar, Abby Diaz, Lucas Diedrick, Zachary Ellis, Logan Farlow, Katelynn Florek, Riley Grooms, James Hoovler, Elijah Kender, Samantha Kilzer, Mason Krause, Alexzander Lakner, Charles Lippus, Erika Malone, Taylor Marshall, Mallory Mayfield, Jakyra McGowan, Cooper Miller, Morgan Miller, Ashley Newman, Logan Orlandi, Justin Oslejsek, Logan Pitcock, Carly Pleban, Isabella Pugh, Nyeisha Reid, Joey Rodriguez-Lovell, Ariana Serrano, Jacob Sprinkle, Kayson Sturgill, Isabella Thomas-Friend, Akierra Thompson, Tyler Trentadue, Carter Walton, Vincent Washburn, Ryan Watkins, Landon Woodworth High Honor Roll: Olivia Bailey, Brooke Baker, Brianna Branham, Angelic Cherney, Henry Cislo, Kamille Coleman, Allison Copeland, Dylan Coughlin, Lola Coughlin, Caleb Crawford, Landon Crosby, Madilyn Daviduk, Alexander Dokovski, Oliver Fekete, Kylie Francisco, Madelyne Gates, Jade Gedling, Eagan Guilliams, Gabriel Hearn, Genevieve Herrmann, Mallory Heyd, Allison Jackson, Nevaeh Jackson, Jonathon Janosik, Livia Jenkins, Lizza Jenkins, Jordyn

Jones, Andrew Kliemann, Mikayla Kroesen, Izabelle Layne, Spencer Leibolt, Ella Lombardozzi, Katherine Low, Austin Lugar, Micah Mercado, Kaitlyn Molnar, Rocco Palermo, Darwin Penano, Josue Perez, Owen Perna, Tayler Radman, Charles Rados, Mackenzee Reitzel, Jonathan Roberts, Nevaeh Sadler, Jacob Schliesser, Luke Schreiber, Ella Schubert, Emma Snodgrass, Jackson Solyom, Nathan Stewart, Ben Susi, Robert Takacs, Gavin Taliano, Clark Tansey, Marin Tellier, Audrey Thomas, Emilio Trevino, Tripp Vallelonga, Vittoria Verde, Evann Watchorn, Colt Woch, Addison Wood, Kyan Woods, Kenzi Younes, Joseph Zaworski All A's: Madeline Almady, Fernando Amador, River Amboz, Jocelyn Anderson, Trinity Anderson, Zoey Bally, Miranda Bena, Brenden Bingham, Jenson Bischof, Sophia Blanden, Dax Bremer, Callie Christner, Julia Ciura, Abigail Cooke, Nora Darkow, Carlton Davis, Taylor Davis, Avaree DiFilippo, Aubrey Dooley, Ashton Draga, Brady Edwards, Brayden Gallogly, Aubrey Gonzalez, Reagan Groom, Grace Grove, MacKenzie Gutierrez, Gabrielle Herold, Ainsley Hunker, Laila Jackson, Sadie Koba-Nelson, Christopher LaTorre, David Lewis, Dina Lin, Dalton Lindsay, Ava Loeser, Lindey Mariast, Tobias Marvin, Cole Mayer, Jaylin Melendez, Maguire Mihalek, Hayden Nahm, William Nash, Cole Norris, Melissa Nunez, Sophia Pecora, Claire Petrillo, Ryan Pieschalski, Kora Pritt, Jeffrey Reichert, Kendall Richardson, Margaret Ritenauer, Carmela Rivera, Vegas Ronan, Brayden Rosebeck, Alana Roth, Emma Sayers, Madeline Settle, Aniya Smith, Dain Smith, Paityn Sooy, Ethan Staveski, Carson Timko, Prince Tran, Roxy Trunzo, Cameron Velez, Noah Von Kaenel, Brooke Vorhees, Amaya Walsh, Matthew Weidner, Christopher Welsh, Mirabella Wilson, Mort Wilson, Aiden Workman, Lucas Young, Adriano Zagar, Cole Zajkowski

Page B6

Lorain County Community Guide

Thursday, April 8, 2021

© 2021 by Vicki Whiting, Editor Jeff Schinkel, Graphics Vol. 37, No. 18

Take a walk outside and look around! Chances are you will see flowers starting to bloom.

April is a month to celebrate the colorful display of flowers in our community. Even pesky weeds bloom this time of year!

Which flower belongs to which state? Unscramble the letters underneath each flower to find out!

camellia

Color these drawings and enjoy the beauty of some of North America’s wildflowers!

ABAALAM violet

uttercups have cup-shaped flowers made up of five petals. People used to believe that the rich yellow color of butter originated from a high content of buttercups in the cows’ diet. This belief is false. Cows avoid buttercups because they are poisonous!

luebonnets are the Texas state flower. Some grow to be three feet high! The bluebonnet comes from the legume (bean) family.

he Indian Paint Brush is Wyoming’s state flower. It has been used to make dyes. The main pollinators of this wildflower are hummingbirds.

FLOWER: YELLOW STEM AND LEAVES: GREEN

FLOWER: PURPLE/DARK BLUE STEM AND LEAVES: GRAY-GREEN

FLOWER: RED-ORANGE STEM AND LEAVES: GREEN

NOSILILI goldenrod

Look closely: Can you find the two identical bouquets of flowers?

A

B

C

D

EKBRANAS oppies are the California state flower. They can be found blooming throughout the state in spring.

E

I

F

J

G

K

H

L

FLOWER: ORANGE STEM AND LEAVES: GREEN

On one page of the newspaper, find and circle the letters that spell each of the flowers on this page. Connect the circled letters to spell each word.

Standards Link: Language Arts: Follow simple written directions.

How many flowers do you see here?

Standards Link: Reading Comprehension: Follow simple written directions.

What’s missing?

Show a friend pictures from the newspaper with a piece of the picture missing. Then have them ask questions that can only be answered “YES” or “NO” to determine what is missing.

Standards Link: Understand meaning from context clues.

sunflower

BLUEBONNET BUTTERCUP LEGUME T N A I D N I H B E INDIAN T E N N O B E U L B FAMILY E M D O N B T T M H TEXAS BLOOM X O F Y L T R E F R BRUSH A L O O E D T U W I SEEDS S E O R G S I R S C AVOID S M C H U S W O C H PODS O U F A M I L Y V W DYES STEM P O D S E E D S S A COWS Standards Link: Letter sequencing. Recognize identical RICH words. Skim and scan reading. Recall spelling patterns.

SASANK

This week’s word:

ORIGINATE

The verb originate means to bring into being.

The annual holiday custom originated in ancient times.

Try to use the word originate in a sentence today when talking with your friends and family.

Spring Poems

Write a poem that describes spring in your community.