Lorain County Community Guide - Sept. 23, 2021

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LORAIN COUNTY

AMHERST NEWS-TIMES • OBERLIN NEWS-TRIBUNE • WELLINGTON ENTERPRISE Thursday, Sept. 23, 2021

Submit items to news@LCnewspapers.com

Volume 8, Issue 38

New map reshapes House districts JASON HAWK EDITOR

AMHERST — Joe Miller might well be out of a job.

The Amherst Democrat has served in the Ohio House of Representatives since 2018 and is now in his second term. But his district was wildly reshaped just before midnight last Wednesday in a 5-2 party line vote by Columbus power brokers.

Now Miller lives inside the newly-drawn 53rd District, which in 2022 will include Huron

County as well as the western and southern parts of Lorain County.

Should he choose to run for re-election next year — and he wasn’t willing to commit to doing so in an interview the next morning — Miller would have to wage a rare incumbent vs. incumbent fight against Rep. Dick Stein, R-Norwalk.

His chances of winning that showdown are slim. While Miller’s current 56th District has been blue for many years, he said past elections show the new, more rural one is red by a 56-41

Joe Miller

Dick Stein

split among its voters.

“They purposely carved me out,” Miller said, taking aim at the Ohio GOP. “I’m not unique. I’m not the

Gayle Manning

only one who had something like this done,” he said. “This is how it works in today’s world.”

Over the objections of their political opponents and just minutes

before the deadline, Republican legislators pushed through a new voting map that gives them a veto-proof supermajority in the Ohio House for the next four years.

The map is likely to deliver Republicans a 62-37 seat advantage in the House and a 23-10 advantage in the Senate, according to majority leaders.

House Minority Leader and Redistricting Commission member Rep. Emilia Strong Sykes, D-Akron, called the new map a DISTRICTS PAGE A3

With virus surge, LaGrange Engine Club Show Oberlin College will require tests JASON HAWK EDITOR

OBERLIN — Final preparations are underway for the start of the fall semester at Oberlin College, where new COVID-19 protocols have been announced.

Student move-in dates and orientation will run from Monday, Sept. 27 to Sunday, Oct. 3. Classes are set to begin Monday, Oct. 4.

“It is very possible that we could have more COVID cases on campus in the first few weeks of the term than we had all last year,” said President Carmen Twillie Ambar in a message to the college community. “While this is an outcome that would match what public health officials deem reasonable, we want to again do all that we can to defy the odds, as we did last year.”

Starting Sept. 19, which is when resident advisors report for duty, new rules will be phased in.

All students, faculty and staff will be tested for COVID, regardless of vaccination status. Students must go to Hales Gym for testing the day they arrive on campus.

Unlike last year, however, they will not be required to quarantine for two weeks after arriving.

Those who are unvaccinated will be tested weekly for the virus. Students who test positive will be called by a doctor and must isolate in their rooms.

Roommates of students who test positive can request COLLEGE PAGE A3 Classifieds, legals, display advertising, and subscriptions Deadline: 1 p.m. each Monday Phone: 440-329-7000 Hours: 6:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday News staff 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 Send legal notices to jyoder@chroniclet.com Submit advertising to chama@chroniclet.com Copyright 2021 Lorain County Printing & Publishing Company

Photos by Jason Hawk | Wellington Enterprise

Stephen Norton hops on the 1939 John Deere L he restored in 2006 as a senior at the Lorain County JVS. He showed it proudly Friday at the LaGrange Engine Club Show in Wellington.

Horsepower, farming and family JASON HAWK EDITOR

WELLINGTON — Dan Rufener stood atop an enormous steam traction engine Friday morning.

The hulking steel machine looked every inch like a train in no need of tracks. Built in 1928, it was used for plowing fields, harvesting grain and running a sawmill.

“This is really the first mechanized power farms had use of,” said Rufener, who remembers working on the engine as a kid. “It brought harvest time into a whole new perspective, because you could do hundreds of acres at a time.”

All across the western edge of the

Lorain County Fairgrounds, dark plumes rose the smokestacks of Industrial Age behemoths as the 50th anniversary of the LaGrange Engine Club Show got underway.

Red and green tractors were parked everywhere, a testament to the county’s agricultural heritage.

While animals barns have been empty since the county fair ended in August, exhibitor halls and open air tents were packed with axes of every shape and size, old power tools, wooden handtools, deer trophies, tin signs and dozens of other goods for sale.

Duane Mason of Custom Chainsaw Carving in Rochester got ready to do demonstrations throughout the three-day show, and showed off

some of his already-finished pieces.

One of the first he unloaded from his truck was an elaborate bench, bookended by carvings of a bald eagle and a black bear. Mason, who has been carving about 20 years, said it bench took about three days to create.

He uses logs from his property, or trees knocked down in thunderstorms around the county.

“It’s fun to create something, but coming up with a new idea can be tough. I’ve done a lot of these,” he said, pointing at a life-size bald eagle, “but it can be a challenge to carve it in flight, or swooping down out of the air.”

ENGINE PAGE A3

INSIDE THIS WEEK Amherst

Oberlin

Wellington

Steele students ‘sign’ on to new language class • B1

Aldi gets Planning Commission approval for new store • B1

Village Manager Steve Dupee resigns post • A2

OBITUARIES A2 • CLASSIFIEDS A4 • CROSSWORD B2 • SUDOKU B2 • KID SCOOP B6

Page A2

Thursday, Sept. 23, 2021

Lorain County Community Guide

Grandma’s Attic Sale

The Brownhelm Historical Association will hold a Grandma’s Attic Sale from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, Sept. 24-25 at the Historic Brownhelm School, 1950 North Ridge Rd. It will feature seasonal items for autumn, Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas and other home decor. A plant sale will be included. Proceeds benefit the restoration and maintenance of the school.

Community day in Penfield

“Penfield Day at the Park” will start at 4 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 25 at Penfield Recreational Park, 40756 State Route 18. Celebrate the community with food, music, games, a bake sale, raffle, prizes, classic cars and a movie at dusk.

OBITUARIES Eddie Sue Kemp Eddie Sue Kemp went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, Sept. 14, 2021.

She was born June 16, 1948, in Louisville, Kentucky.

She attended Sharpsburg Baptist Church and graduated from Bath County High School in 1966. She had several jobs, which took her to locations such as California and Japan. She moved to Oberlin to be near family 27 years ago. She enjoyed spending time with her nieces and nephews. During a more than 35 year long battle with Multiple Sclerosis, she was able to volunteer and encourage many other MS patients in the Lorain County area.

She leaves to cherish her memory four sisters, LaQuita Kemp-Johnson, Estrellita Washington, Gail Jones and Sarah Jones-Wimbley; three brothers, Ronald Jones, Donald Jones and Mikah Jones; as well as beloved nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Edward W. Kemp, Nellie Kemp Jones and and stepfather, Ray Jones; as well as two nephews.

Family and friends were received Tuesday, Sept. 21, followed by a celebration of life at Christ Temple Apostolic Church, Oberlin.

Arrangements were entrusted to Carter Funeral Homes, Inc, Lorain, (440) 244-5200.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Eddie Sue Kemp, please visit our floral store.

Online condolences can be sent to carterfuneralhome@ yahoo.com or carterfuneralhomesinc.com.

JUDITH A. DANIELS (nee Conrad), 62, of Amherst Township, passed away Thursday, Sept. 9, 2021, at her home following a brief illness. Arrangements by Hempel Funeral Home.

VIVIENNE R. BICKLEY (nee Rick), 95, of Amherst, passed away Tuesday, Sept. 14, 2021, at New Life Hospice in Lorain following a full and meaningful life.Arrangements by Hempel Funeral Home.

CAROL J. TODD, 94, of Spencer, passed away Friday, Sept. 17, 2021, at Burbank Parke Care Center in Burbank, where she had resided the past three years. Arrangements

by Parker Funeral Home, Spencer.

STEVEN J. KNICELEY, 67, of Elyria, went to be with his Lord after a brief illness on Thursday, Sept. 9, 2021. Arrangements by Hempel Funeral Home.

CHERYL ANN SANDERS (nee Sobocienski), 80, of Amherst, passed away Monday, Sept. 20, 2021, at her home, surrounded by her family, under the care of New Life Hospice, following a full and meaningful life. Arrangements by Hempel Funeral Home.

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.

Dupee resigns as Wellington village manager to take vice president job JASON HAWK EDITOR

WELLINGTON — Steve Dupee tendered his resignation Monday night, and will step down in October from the Wellington village manager job he’s held since late 2016.

The move is not entirely unexpected for those who know Dupee’s situation.

In January, his wife Monica took over as city manager of Westerville, northeast of Columbus, and the family moved south.

For almost a year, Dupee has been making that 90- to 105-minute commute both ways, three times a week, and said it’s too dangerous to continue.

“Especially when you get on Route 58 and are behind that Amish buggy or a slow truck,” he said. “I had a couple of close calls last winter, and I said I just can’t do this anymore.”

On Nov. 1, he’ll step into a new role as assistant vice president of energy effiency and programs for American Municipal Power, overseeing those

Steve Dupee operations for both Ohio and Delaware.

Energy is an area in which Dupee has expertise. He was previously the electric director for the Oberlin Municipal Light and Power System, and has served on the AMP board, where he advocated for the launch of an energy efficiency program for its members.

When he took the village manager job in Wellington five years ago, it was a homecoming. He grew up in the Wellington Schools, and watched as his father, Bob Dupee, worked as the village’s first manager for 32 years.

Mayor Hans Schneider said he remembers the younger Dupee being somewhat hesitant to leave Oberlin to step into his father’s big shoes.

But in the years since, the town has made big strides forward, Schneider said. Issues that had been around for decades have been eliminated, and the village has prospered.

The mayor said it will also be tough watching a longtime friend leave.

“We’ve known each other since you moved to Wellington. We’ve delivered pizzas together, we’ve done fantasy football together, we’ve hit the movies together,” he said, wishing Dupee well.

Now a search begins to fill the full-time village manager job. Applications can be sent to Mayor Hans Schneider, Wellington Town Hall, 115 Willard Memorial Sq, Wellington, OH 44090.

WOW! sells Ohio markets for $1.25B JASON HAWK EDITOR

Cable provider WideOpenWest, better known as WOW!, has sold its Cleveland and Columbus markets to Canadabased Atlantic Broadband in a $1.25 billion deal.

The new owners have sent a “letter of commencement” as required by state law to officials in Lorain County cities were WOW! does business. They include Amherst, Avon Lake, North

Ridgeville and Vermilion.

WOW! says it services nearly 200,000 customers in the greater Cleveland area.

Atlantic Broadband is the eighth-largest provider of internet, television and digital phone services in the United States.

Customers will be gradually transitioned over to the new company and name over the next couple of months, according to a news release.

“We are excited to welcome WOW! customers

Fish fries in LaGrange

Score some fried fish by carryout only from 4:30-7:30 p.m. on Fridays, Oct. 1, 8, 15 and 22 at the LaGrange Lions Club, 240 Glendale Rd. The menu includes a lake perch dinner for $13, shrimp dinner for $13, half perch and half shrimp dinner for $13, a half dinner for $9, macaroni and cheese for $7 or a non-Lenten kids meal for $5. No phone orders. Cash only.

There will be a 50-50 draing every week. Raffle tickets will be sold for a 65-inch Samsun Crystal UHD TV with a drawing Oct. 22.

Distracted driving campaign

A social media campaign taking aim at bad habits behind the wheel has been started by teens at Marion L. Steele High School in Amherst.

Car crashes are the No. 1 cause of death for young people in America, and 75 percent do not involve drugs or alcohol — most fatal teen crashes involve reckless and distracted driving.

The Steele campaign is part of the Just Drive contest sponsored by New Jersey Manufacturers Alliance and hosted by a national nonprofit called Impact Teen Drivers.

It aims to change driving culture among high school students. The campaign draws on advice from students, teachers, doctors and first responders, who disseminate evidence-based tools to promote good

and colleagues to Atlantic Broadband as we continue to make major progress in our growth strategy,” said Frank van der Post, president of Atlantic Broadband. “We will work to provide an easy transition for our customers as we integrate operations in the short term and, in the years ahead, we look forward to introducing innovative service enhancements that will ensure our continued leadership in these markets.”

A message sent to cus-

tomers said Atlantic plans to “invest tens of millions of dollars in our network in Ohio to ensure that you have access to the best that technology has to offer, including even faster, more reliable internet.”

With the acquisition, Atlantic’s customer base will grow by 38 percent and more than half its revenue is now expected to come from the United States.

The company will also see a tax benefits windfall estimated at $140 million.

decision-making inside vehicles.

The Amherst Steele High School Student Wellness Group, led by teens studying medical health technology and Rotary Interact members, are driving the local effort. It kicked off with a health and safety fair Wednesday on the Steele Cafe courtyard and will continue with a social media blitz through Sept. 29.

Watch @mlswellness on Twitter for updates.

Steele students stand to win up to $10,000 for their efforts, with funds going to future student wellness programs.

CROP Walk is Oct. 3

The Amherst, Vermilion and Oberlin communities plan to join Sunday, Oct. 3 for the 2021 CROP Walk to raise awareness for hunger across the world.

The walk will start at 2 p.m. at the Five Points intersection in front of Amherst Town Hall, and is expected to last about an hour. It will be held rain or shine.

The CROP Walk is a nationwide movement sponsored

by Church World Service to raise funds to end hunger and poverty in the U.S. and around the world. Hundreds of religious groups, businesses, schools and others organize local events in their communities each year.

Monies raised are matched by the Nordson Corporation and 25 percent of funds benefit the Amherst Food Pantry.

All who are interested in walking or donating should call Tom Jewell at (440) 787-6399.

LETTERS Letters to the editor should be: • Written to the editor. We do not allow open letters or those to specific residents, politicians, or groups.

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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, Sept. 23, 2021

Lorain County Community Guide

Page A3

DISTRICTS

FROM A1 failure and repeated concerns about its constitutionality.

“The Republican members of this commission have once again failed the people of Ohio,” she said in a statement.

House Speaker Bob Cupp, R-Lima, did not issue a statement following the vote.

Redistricting is the result of a long fight to fix gerrymandering in Ohio, where courts have determined that oddly stretched boundaries have been used to unfairly ensure Republican control.

The new boundaries do fix several infamous “Snake on the Lake”style geographical issues.

This map, drawn by Republicans and passed in a The newer GOP-drawn 5-2 party line vote, entrenches the party’s control districts are much more over state politics for four years. square.

For example, Stein’s 57th district currently like Stein believes the more cohesive wraps from Huron County east with a boundaries make sense. long, thin tail that extends through WelNow Elyria, Sheffield, Sheffield Lake lington, LaGrange, Columbia Townand Lorain will be part of the 51st District. ship, Strongsville and juts north to Avon, They tend to vote to the left. curling around Elyria and parts of North “Just by looking at the map, I believe the Ridgeville. goal is to pack as many Democrats into That tail has disappeared on the new one district as possible so they can control map. Now Avon, Avon Lake, North Ridas many districts as possible,” Miller said. geville, Columbia Station and Grafton are Manning said Ohio’s counties are grouped together in the new 52nd District required to each have three representawhere Republican Rep. Gayle Manning tives. Barring an unprecedented third-party lives and plans to run again. victory, one party would represent Lorain “Before, Ridgeville was all carved out, County with a 2-1 advantage in the Ohio which irritated me and other Ridgeville House no matter how it’s divvied up. residents,” she said in a phone call.

Having two Republican county commisStein said it was clear after a statewide sioners in office for the first time in dereferendum two years ago that he would cades signals a major change in the wishes not represent that part of Lorain County of Lorain County voters, she said. much longer.

She is, however, uncertain the district “It wasn’t really at all a surprise,” he map will stay in place. Manning said she said the day after the redistricting decision. also suspects a lawsuit is on the way and Now his district will be “more compact” has the potential to go to the Supreme and have constituents who “are as a whole Court. more consistent” in their political beliefs, “There’s no doubt that this will end up he said. in the courts, hopefully sooner rather than “For those who felt I had a very gerrylater,” agreed Stein. mandered district before, they did well to That sentiment has also been voiced by eliminate that issue this time around,” said several Redistricting Commission memStein. bers, Gov. Mike DeWine and Miller.

As part of the restructuring, Manning “It’s not competitive. It’s not represenwill no longer represent residents of tational. It’s not what the voters wanted,” Elyria. She said she will miss them, but said Miller.

COLLEGE

FROM A1 to be relocated to The Hotel at Oberlin if rooms are available.

For the first two weeks of the semester, campus dining will be grab-and-go, after which dining halls will reopen.

“Our goal is to stamp out the spread of COVID and other viruses before they begin to spread across campus,” Ambar said. “After this initial period, we intend to resume the semester with relatively good health and a baseline from which to track infection.”

This summer, Oberlin College announced that students who plan to attend must be fully vaccinated by Oct. 7. With full U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval of the Pfizer vaccine, faculty and most employees will also have to be vaccinated.

In the meantime, masks have to be worn indoors by everyone on campus, regardless of vaccination status.

That includes visitors. Scott Wargo, director of media relations, said the public will not be barred from campus.

“What essentially is going to happen is visitors are going to be asked to follow campus policies,” he said.

The Yeomen and Yeowomen sports season has already started with spectators allowed — a giant change from last year — the Allen Memorial Art Museum doors are open to all, and plans are underway to once again welcome audiences to concerts, theatrical performances and other events.

For example, the Oberlin Orchestra and Contemporary Music Ensemble will perform for the public at 7:30 p.m. each Friday beginning Oct. 15 at Finney Chapel.

And the Oberlin Opera Theater is readying its production of “Acis and Galatea” for Nov. 11-14 at Hall Auditorium.

Students are also being allowed to freely travel off campus, and will be engaged in a variety of community service activities. Wargo said they will be involved at Oberlin Community Services, El Centro in Lorain and with reading programs in the Oberlin City Schools.

2021 Lorain County Fall Farm Tour Sponsored by Lorain County Farm Bureau

Saturday, September 25, 2021 • 12:00-5:00 PM Drive Yourself - Start at any stop and pick up a flyer Stop 1: Fenik’s Sweet Corn - 6413 Lake Avenue, Elyria Stop 2: Polen Implement - 42255 Oberlin Elyria Rd, Elyria Stop 3: Steve & Diane Jackson’s Farm

- 12050 Oberlin Rd, Oberlin

Stop 4: Whitney Farm - 16315 State Route 511, Oberlin Stop 5: CLA Angus Farm and McConnell Meats & Farm Market

- 15788 State Route 58, Oberlin Come and enjoy the value-added agriculture that Lorain County has to offer!

lorain.ofbf.org • 440-877-0706

Dan Rufener, who hails from the Toledo area, stands aboard a hulking steam traction engine used for harvesting fields and running a saw mill.

ENGINE

FROM A1

Mason said about 90 percent of each piece is done with a chainsaw, and only a few finishing details are added with a grinder or tremel.

Nearby, in front of the Junior Fair barns, classic cars were lined up with popped hoods.

Dave Kincaid of Elyria stood at the side of a mint green 1953 Chrysler Windsor Deluxe and explained how a previous owner had done a total frame-off restoration.

“His buddies all had hot rods. To keep up, he dropped this Chrysler FirePower in it,” Kincaid said, showing off the engine.

At 180 horsepower, it was the company’s original hemi, he said.

Stephen Norton of Wellington had his own pride and joy to show — a 1939 John Deere L tractor he restored 15 years ago as a senior at the Lorain County JVS. “I had every part, every crank, bearing and seal, everything out of it,” he remembers. Norton even took his senior picture with the classic tractor.

The senior project earned him full marks at the vocational school and the

Restoration Award at that year’s LaGrange Engine Club Show.

The Nortons are no strangers to the annual event, and were there in 1970 when it began at Veterans Park in LaGrange.

Stephen’s mother, Cindy Norton, remembers her family running a chicken barbecue booth that first year as the only food vendor.

Since then the club’s show has exploded in popularity. Moving to the Wellington in 1992, it now sprawls across the fairgrounds and draws thousands of visitors.

The show has been a passion for five generations of Nortons, said Cindy. Now her grandchildren are involved, driving their own tractors around and chomping down french fries, Italian sausages and fried cheese.

“It’s family. It’s community,” she said.

“I love being here talking to people.

We’re out here constantly talking to everybody who comes by. That’s what it’s all about — making these memories with friends.”

Page A4

Thursday, Sept. 23, 2021

Lorain County Community Guide

School mask mandates

Nearly 58 percent of Ohio’s K-12 public school students were under local mask mandates as of Friday, according to Gov. Mike DeWine’s office.

That’s up from only 35 percent of students statewide as of Sept. 1.

DeWine said he is pleased to see more school district superintendents and boards “make the right decision and require masks to protect students and teachers from COVID-19 spread.”

“The mask policies are working to limit the spread. In Ohio school districts where masks are optional, case rates are higher than in districts that require some masking, and we see better week-to-week trends in schools where everyone wears a mask,” he said. “Most importantly, there have been fewer quarantines in schools where everyone wears a mask, helping us towards meeting the goal of keeping Ohio children in the classroom.”

LETTER

Laina Yost | Chronicle

Carl Lasser introduces descendants of Wilson Bruce Evans’ family Saturday at Martin Luther King Jr. Park in Oberlin.

Descendants celebrate first meeting of Evans Home Historical Society LAINA YOST THE CHRONICLE-TELEGRAM

OBERLIN — Descendants of Wilson Bruce Evans gathered in Oberlin on Saturday to commemorate the first meeting of the Wilson Bruce Evans Home Historical Society.

Wilson Bruce Evans, a freed Black man, ran part of the Underground Railroad in his basement. He was also part of the infamous OberlinWellington rescue of local freedom seeker John Price.

The historical society was formed after Oberlin locals wanted to restore Wilson Bruce Evans’ home at 33 East Vine St., built by him and his brother in the 1800s.

Both his descendants and local Oberlin historians have worked over the past year to begin rehabilitating the home to eventually open it to the public.

Doris Hughes-Moore, the greatgreat-granddaughter of Wilson Bruce Evans, said the home will be a beacon of a people and a town that came together to save the life of a Black man.

Wilson Bruce Evans was born free in North Carolina. He and his wife Sarah Jane Leary Evans joined a network of people in Oberlin — the Copelands, Langstons, Learys, Walls and Scotts — as abolition activists.

He spent three months in a Cleveland jail for his work to set John

Price free. John Price was a slave who escaped to freedom and found refuge in Oberlin.

Slave-catchers led by a U.S. Marshal kidnapped him under the Fugitive Slave Law of 1850 and fled to Wellington to await a train.

They wanted to return him to his former owner in Kentucky, but Wilson Bruce Evans and other Oberlin residents marched to set him free.

Hughes-Moore said her ancestors always valued education. She said she hopes that opening up the house will teach others the lessons of history.

Hughes-Moore recognized the work of her ancestor Dorothy Inborden Miller. Miller, the granddaughter of Wilson Bruce Evans, was born at 33 East Vine St. and became its owner in 1941.

Her work led the house to be added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980. In 1997, not long after her death, the house was declared a National Historic Landmark.

The house needs some rehabilitation work. After Miller died, the historic home sat empty for 15 to 20 years. The property was divided among cousins and Hughes-Moore.

Carol Lasser, manager of the Wilson Bruce Evans Home Historical Society and professor emeritus of history at Oberlin College, said they’d like to rebuild the porch so it reflects how it used to be in 1856.

They would also like to have a

meeting room and exhibit space.

They plan to add ADA-compliant bathrooms as well.

Lasser said they want the home to be a place of education about Wilson Bruce Evans and the fight for racial justice.

They hope to have the home opened to the public in 2022.

Nina Grooms Lee, the great-greatgreat-granddaughter of Wilson Bruce Evans, said the family is committed to rescue and preserve this history, because it’s not just African-American history, but all of America’s history.

“It deserves to be held up; it deserves to shine,” Grooms Lee said. “And it deserves to be told in a way that our whole country can be proud of.”

Grooms Lee said her ancestors' work to fight for equal rights for African-Americans has given all the descendants pride and strength.

Many descendants have gone on to be a first in history, Grooms Lee said.

“We never forgot that we were standing on the shoulders of great giants like Wilson, Sarah and Aunt Dot,” she said. “... And I know that I’m just continuing down a trail that was blazed for me, my siblings, my cousins and my family so that we can continue to push forward and clear hurdles for our children, our community through our continued struggle for true equality.”

Thanks to those who made Harvest of the Arts possible To the editor: It was lovely to be back in the Wellington square celebrating a beautiful fall day at the Harvest of the Arts. Our 38th event was a wonderful family-friendly day enjoyed by all.

Special thanks to the village of Wellington, the Wellington fire and police departments and Scott Markel for helping to make the Harvest possible. We are also grateful to the Platinum Petal for decorating the Town Hall entrance and to Hook’s Greenhouse and Quiet Willow Designs for donating raffle prizes. This event would not be possible without the countless volunteer hours from our Friends of the Library — we are appreciative of their time and talents.

Thanks to everyone who supports the Harvest of the Arts and the Herrick Memorial Library. The Harvest is the largest fundraiser for our organization and provides funds for the library programming that we all love. See you in 2022!

Sara Eastman Secretary, Friends of the Herrick Memorial Library

CLASSIFIEDS LEGALS ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS CITY OF LORAIN, OHIO PURCHASE OF SLUDGE CAKE MATERIAL - Utilities Department Calendar Year 2022 Sealed bids will be received by the Utilities Department of the City of Lorain, Ohio until: TIME AND PLACE FOR RECEIVING BIDS: UNTIL - 11:00 AM EST, Friday, October 1, 2021, Utilities Department, 1106 First Street 44052.

TIME AND PLACE FOR OPENING BIDS: 11:15 AM EST, Friday, October 1, 2021, City of Lorain Council Chambers, Lorain City Hall 1st Floor.

For the purchase each year of approximately: 150 Wet Tons of Sludge Cake Material, per year Each bid must include pricing for a two (2) year contract with two (2) optional one (1) year extensions.

All in accordance with specifications now on file at the Engineering Department.

Bids must be accompanied by Certified Check or Cashier's Check or Letter of Credit equals to ten percent (10%) of the amount bid, or a bond for the full amount of the bid as a guarantee that if the bid is accepted, a contract will be entered into and a performance bond properly secured. Should any bid be rejected, such instrument will be forthwith returned upon proper execution of a contract. Cash deposits will not be accepted. The bid check/bond should be enclosed in the sealed bid, but in a separate envelope clearly marked 'BID CHECK/ BOND' with the bidders name & address on the bid check/bond envelope.

Each bidder must ensure that all employees and applicants for employment are not discriminated against because of their race, creed, color, handicap, sex or national origin. All bidders must comply with the provisions of the American with Disabilities Act. Bidders shall be required to comply with all Federal and State laws and regulations concerning these matters.

Bid blanks and specifications may be secured at www. cityoflorain.org or at the Law Department, 200 West Erie Avenue, Lorain, Ohio, 44052 between the hours of 8:30 AM and 4:30PM Monday through Friday. Bidders are required to use the printed form which will be available upon application.

The Director of Public Safety/ Service reserves the right to make separate or combination awards and to accept or reject any or all bids and to waive any informalities in the bids received.

By order of the Director of Public Safety/Service L.C.C.G. 9/23-30/21 20689132

ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS CITY OF LORAIN, OHIO PURCHASE OF GRANULAR ACTIVATED CARBON Utilities Department Calendar Year 2022 Sealed bids will be received by the Utilities Department of the City of Lorain, Ohio until: TIME AND PLACE FOR RECEIVING BIDS: UNTIL - 11:00 AM EST, Friday, Octo-

ber 1, 2021, Utilities Department, 1106 First Street 44052.

TIME AND PLACE FOR OPENING BIDS: 11:15 AM EST, Friday, October 1, 2021, City of Lorain Council Chambers, Lorain City Hall 1st Floor.

For the purchase each year of approximately: 50 Tons Granular Activated Carbon Each bid must include pricing for a one (1) year contract with two (2) optional one (1) year extensions.

All in accordance with specifications now on file at the Engineering Department.

Bids must be accompanied by Certified Check or Cashier's Check or Letter of Credit equals to ten percent (10%) of the amount bid, or a bond for the full amount of the bid as a guarantee that if the bid is accepted, a contract will be entered into and a performance bond properly secured. Should any bid be rejected, such instrument will be forthwith returned upon proper execution of a contract. Cash deposits will not be accepted. The bid check/bond should be enclosed in the sealed bid, but in a separate envelope clearly marked 'BID CHECK/ BOND' with the bidders name & address on the bid check/bond envelope.

Each bidder must ensure that all employees and applicants for employment are not discriminated against because of their race, creed, color, handicap, sex or national origin. All bidders must comply with the provisions of the American with Disabilities Act. Bidders shall be required to comply with all Federal and State laws and regulations concerning these matters.

Bid blanks and specifications may be secured at www. cityoflorain.org or at the Law Department, 200 West Erie Avenue, Lorain, Ohio, 44052 between the hours of 8:30 AM and 4:30PM Monday through Friday.

Bidders are required to use the printed form which will be available upon application.

The Director of Public Safety/ Service reserves the right to make separate or combination awards and to accept or reject any or all bids and to waive any informalities in the bids received.

By order of the Director of Public Safety/Service L.C.C.G. 9/23-30/21 20689135

PUBLICATION OF LEGISLATION The following is a summary of legislation adopted by Lorain City Council on September 7, 2021. The complete text of each item may be viewed or purchased in the Clerk of Council Office @ Lorain City Hall, 200 W. Erie Ave., Lorain, OH, during normal business hours or contact Nancy Greer @ 204-2050 (Nancy_Greer@ cityoflorain.org). The following summary of legislation passed has been reviewed/approved by the Law Director for legal accuracy as required by state laws.

Resolution 31-21 Fondly remembering the life and legacy of Lorain Businesswoman Marie Bonaminio. 32-21 Supporting the Lorain City Schools 6.8 Mill add'l levy on the 11/2/21 General Election Ballot. 33-21 Auth the S/S Director to waive the city sidewalk requirements for the project proposed for Martin's Run Wetland Complex. 34-21* Concurring w/ the

expenditure of $784,570.55 of ARPA Funds. Ordinance 131-21* Assessing the cost to abate nuisance by demolishing unsafe & vacant buildings through 2020 & 2021. 13221* Auth the S/S Director to accept a grant from LC Solid Waste Management District.

133-21* Assessing the cost to abate nuisance by cutting noxious weeds during current CY. 134-21*Declaring that real property owned by the City @ 3945 W. Erie Ave is available for sale & auth S/S Dir to sell the property. 135-21 Adopting the rec of Planning Commission to rezone 3956 Globe Ave from I-1 to R-2. 136-21Adopting the rec of Planning Commission to rezone 205 W. 21st St. from B-2 to R-3.

137-21* Auth the S/S Director to accept the donation of real property @ 1346 W. Erie Avenue. 138-21 Adopting the rec of Planning Commission to rezone the rear lot behind 205 W. 21st St. from B-2 to R-3. 139-21 Adopting the rec of Planning Commission to rezone 2100 Reid Ave from B-2 to R-3. 140-21 Adopting the rec of Planning Commission to rezone 1657 Broadway from I-2 to I-1. 141-21* Assessing the cost to abate nuisance by removing garbage/junk/litter during current CY. 142-21* Auth Auditor to pay invoice for $9656.25 submitted by IT Dept invoking the Then & Now Exception process. 143-21* Auth Auditor to pay invoice for $40k submitted by Courts invoking the Then & Now Exception process. 144-21* Auth the S/S Director to enter contract to purchase a new computer server from Dell Technologies to replace old evidence room server. 145-21* Auth the S/S Director to enter contract for purchase of 3 Dodge Chargers & 5 Ford Explorers w/ all emergency equipment installed thru State Purchasing not to exceed $511,619.

146-21* Auth the S/S Director to enter contract for purchase of 9 vehicles w/ all emergency equipment installed thru State Purchasing not to exceed $643k. 147-21* Auth the S/S Director to enter contract for purchase of 3 Chevy Traverses w/ all emergency equipment installed thru State Purchasing not to exceed $87,317. 14821*Auth the S/S Director to enter contract for purchase of 1 Chevy Malibu w/ all emergency equipment installed thru State Purchasing not to exceed $17,928. 149-21 Auth the S/S Director to enter into an amendment to a contract w/ HDR Engineering for the Water Treatment Facility Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment & General Plan. 150-21 Auth the S/S Director to advertise & enter contracts for purchase of chemicals for use in the Utilities Dept, Water, WPC Division. 151-21* Auth the S/S Director to enter into an argrmt w/ Agri-Sludge amending Contact C-18-027 & Ord. 140-18 for the hauling & disposal of sludge. 152-21* Auth the S/S Director to purchase w/o competitive bid replacement equipment and parts for the sludge press @ BRWWTP. 153-21 Auth the S/S Director to enter contract w/ lowest/ best bidder for Martin's Run Wetland Restoration Program.

154-21* Appropriation. 155-21 Vacating, by petition, a portion of Regina Ave. (60' in width) from the south line of sublots 123 and 303 of the Falbo Subdivision northerly a distance of 20'. (*Denotes legislation was passed as an emergency.)

L.C.C.G. 9/16-23/21 20689606

Thursday, Sept. 23, 2021

Lorain County Community Guide

Page A5

TikTok theft trend shuts down Steele HS restrooms JASON HAWK and LAINA YOST

Provided photo

Morgan Dicesare and her steer, T-Bone, compete at the Lorain County Fair.

Firelands FFA at the fair MARIA DICESARE FIRELANDS FFA

WELLINGTON — In order for Firelands FFA members to show at the Lorain County Fair, they need to develop a Supervised Agricultural Experience project, sign up to show the project and keep records of finances and journal their time.

Firelands FFA students spent countless hours working to get animals and still life projects ready for the Lorain County Fair. Our chapter works very hard all year round to make sure every member has a successful fair!

We are proud of the members that had outstanding projects at fair: Ag. Shop and Crop Awards • Amy Gerber — Grand Champion FFA Vegetable (cabbage) • Garrett Schlechter — Best of Show Field Crop (mixed grass hay) • Kelsey Hardwick — Grand Champion FFA Poster • Gracie Groot — Grand Champion FFA Engineering (picnic table) • Katelyn Konicek — Reserve Grand Champion FFA Engineering • Joel Polen — Champion Engineering Restoration and Grand Champion Restoration Lagrange Engine Club (John Deere tractor) • Parkey Frey — Reserve Champion Restoration (Dodge truck) • Teah Hildebrandt — FFA Supreme Exhibitor Beef and Dairy Awards • Michael Ranney — Grand Champion Bred, Born, and Raised Modern Beef Steer, 5th Place Senior Beef Showmanship • Isabella Delgado — Reserve Grand Champion Beef Breeding • Tristan Born — 3rd Overall Bred, Born and Raised Modern Beef Steer, Reserve Champion Senior Modern Beef Showmanship • Morgan DiCesare — 3rd Beginner Modern Beef Showmanship Fowl Awards • Amy Gerber — Best Bantam Duck, Reserve Grand Champion duck, 3rd Place Overall Waterfowl Showmanship, Reserve Grand Champion Overall Waterfowl, Class Champion Waterfowl Senior Showmanship, Reserve Grand Champion pigeon Pair, Reserve Grand Champion Pigeon Showmanship, Class Champion Egg Layer, Best Overall Standard Chicken, 5th Place Fancy Chicken Showmanship, 1st Place Market Chicken Senior Showmanship, Grand Champion Overall Market Chicken Showmanship.

• Holden Harker — Reserve Class Champion Market Turkey • Grace Stanley — 3rd Place Meat Chicken Showmanship Sheep Awards • Holden Harker — Grand Champion Breeding Sheep Aged Ewe, 4th Place Senior Beginner Showmanship, 4th Place Sheep Breeding Ewe Lamb Goat Awards • Michael Ranney — 5th Place Senior Goat Showmanship Cavy Award • Teah Hildebrandt — Reserve Champion Showmanship, Class Champion Sow

Horse Awards • Maddy Chenoweth — Champion Trail, Champion English Equitation Senior, Champion English Showmanship Senior, Champion Western Showmanship Senior, Champion Ranch Riding, Champion Western Horsemanship, Saddle Horse Supreme Showman, 3rd Place Large Animal Sweepstakes Showmanship (4-H) • Allison Tuggle — Grand Champion Hunter Under Saddle (4-H) Royal Court • Morgan DiCesare — 2nd Runner Up • Steven Jessel — 1st Runner Up Volunteers Junior Fair Board members are volunteers who spend hours upon hours working to get the junior fair ready. The junior fair is designed, planned, and run by this group of determined youth. We thank all of you for your hard work and dedication to make this year's fair happen.

Firelands FFA Members serving on Lorain County Junior Fair Board include: • Steven Jessel — executive member • Madison Chenowith —executive member • Katelyn Konicek • Morgan DiCesare • Maria DiCesare • Madisyn Jessel • Holden Harker • Matthew Schnell • Gracie Groot • Gracyn Gifford • Zoe Gifford • Amy Gerber The Firelands FFA has not only had success at the Lorain County Fair but at Erie County Fair as well. Congratulations to Krystal Scheeres, Grand Champion Pack Goat Obstacle Course, Grand Champion Senior Dairy and Market Goat Showmanship, Grand Champion Overall Dairy Goat, Grand Champion Senior Dairy Doe, Senior Premier Exhibitor, 5th Place Pack Goat Showmanship, 1st Place Senior Dairy Doe, 1st Place Mature Dairy Doe, 2nd Place Best Udder.

Amazing job to all our Firelands FFA members with your projects this year!

Thank yous A special thank you to the Buyers of Firelands FFA members’ animals at the fair: Miller’s Apple Hill, Tom’s Country Place, Cairns Shorthorns, DRC Construction, Schlechter Bros Country, Harvest Farm Market, Shagovac Heating & Cooling, Laborers Union Local, Jamie Brasee, Farkas Farms, Green Circle Growers, Jim’s Custom Kitchens, Richard’s Tree & Crane Service, Addie’s Antiques, Fath Farms, Pat Gede, Born Farms, Kalt Manufacturing, Ag Credit, Sunrise Cooperative, T.L. Keller Meats, Avon Lake Animal Clinic, C&T Camels, Triple M Service, Adam Smyth, KMU Trucking & Excavating, Nielsen Jewelers, Denes Concrete, Bricklayers & Allied Craftworkers, FCA Kids Farm, Cuyahoga Fence.

Thank you to the amazing Livestock Sale Committee and auctioneers for volunteering their time to the Junior Fair auction; we couldn't have done it without you! We thank each and every one of the parents, award sponsors, and buyers for coming out and supporting our Firelands FFA members at the 2021 Lorain County Fair!

AMHERST — First one soap dispenser disappeared. Then others went missing from the bathrooms at Marion L. Steele High School, and vulgar graffiti started showing up on walls.

Now six students have been suspended and face criminal charges after allegedly taking part in a viral challenge that circulated on the social media platform TikTok. Principal Joe Tellier said his building has been hit by the so-called “devious licks” trend.

If you’re not up on the Gen Z lingo, here’s a primer: The website Urban Dictionary defines “licks” as the “successful type of theft which results in an acceptable, impressive and rewarding payday for the protagonist.”

Most of those paydays in Amherst have come from bathrooms, where students know there aren’t any surveillance cameras, said Tellier.

“I’m embarrassed to say I don’t even know how many soap dispensers we’ve lost,” he said.

Containers for feminine hygiene products have also been stolen, Tellier said.

He even caught a teenage boy trying to smuggle a circular seat from the cafeteria out of the building in his backpack.

“Basically everybody we’ve caught we’ve charged,” said Amherst police officer Brian Bowers, who is assigned to patrol the schools.

One adult student, Nicolas Ellis, 18, of Amherst, has been charged with petty theft. Five juveniles have been charged with theft and criminal mischief.

Bowers said pursuing criminal charges is important for restitution, since thefts and graffiti have cost taxpayers money.

“It has to be dealt with accordingly. It’s not something that’s just a minor issue,” agreed Amherst police Lt. Dan Makruski.

“It came up so fast and it has to be dealt with pretty fast,” or kids will think there are no consequences.

Students across the nation were posting videos bragging of their exploits

using the #deviouslicks hashtag as late as Monday. TikTok removed it from search listings by Tuesday morning, saying the behaviors depicted violated the platform’s community standards.

But the damage had already been done, and many schools had already taken drastic steps.

At Steele, many — but not all — bathrooms were closed Monday, Tellier confirmed. He said they were taped off both so custodians could make repairs and to prevent further damage while administrators figured out how to get the problem under control.

The lack of access set off anger among some Amherst Schools parents.

Shannon Jones said her daughter, a freshman, texted her Monday afternoon “about to cry because she had to use the bathroom and they were all closed.”

Her daughter eventually found an open restroom, but Jones was still upset.

“Now, I completely understand having to close the bathrooms for maintenance,” she said. “However, whey was this not communicated better to the students? …

All she knew was every bathroom she passed by between classes and during her lunch period was closed.”

Tellier sent a letter to parents Tuesday explaining the situation: “I understand the inconvenience this may have caused students, but please know that at no point during the day were all our restrooms closed,” it said. “Our main restroom, all single stall restrooms and all locker room restrooms were open all day.”

Contrary to rumor, students were allowed to use the facilities as needed and without being chaperoned, Tellier said.

All bathrooms were open to students Tuesday, he said, crediting custodians who in some cases had to paint walls.

But he was wary the TikTok trend would cause further issues, and asked parents for help. “Putting an end to this craze is going to take a concerted effort by all our stakeholders,” Tellier wrote.

Other Northeast Ohio school districts such as Elyria, Vermilion, Rocky River and Brunswick have also been dealing with their own “devious licks” problems.

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Lorain County Community Guide

Thursday, Sept. 23, 2021

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AMHERST — Ten students at Lorain County schools were named National Merit Scholarship semifinalists Wednesday, joining roughly 16,000 across the nation.

That number isn’t as large as it may sound — semifinalists represent less than one percent of all high school seniors in the United States, and make up the top half-percent in Ohio.

Andrew Solyom is the lone senior to receive the honor at Marion L. Steele High School in Amherst.

“I’ve always been pretty decent at math and reading. I retain things very well,” he said.

Solyom said he is undecided about his plans for after graduation, but is interested in architecture and engineering. He said the National Merit competition isn’t about the $2,500 in scholarship money he stands to earn this spring if he advances.

“I want to move past that, because I want to rely more on myself for college,” he said. “I want to earn some things before I go off to college, achieve some things.”

Academic goals top the list. Solyom also wants to enjoy his final year playing trombone for the Amherst Marching Comets and is intent on earning the rank of Eagle Scout in Boy Scouts Troop 427.

Also named as semifinalists Wednesday were Avon students Riyaz Ahuja, Jared Diaz, Ethan Nagamos, Angela Pedersen, Ryan Pitasky, Elizabeth White; Joshua Kerner and Rachel Sapola of Avon Lake; and Midview’s Joel Greenly.

Jacob Kodicovic and Travis Owen were also named at the Black River Schools, which is based in Medina County and includes portions of Lorain and Ashland counties.

In the spring, the field of National Merit finalists will be slightly narrowed to around 15,000. They will compete for some 7,500 scholarships worth nearly $30 million.

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AMHERST — A roundabout could be in the works for Oak Point Road, where traffic congestion has gone hand-in-hand with business growth in the past two decades.

City Council cast its final vote last week to create a tax incremental financing district for the commercial corridor.

It’s intended to divert tax money toward road, sewer and electric projects on Amherst’s northern border with Lorain.

Barring a ballot box challenge by residents, money should start flowing into a construction fund in mid-October to help pay for a massive overhaul of the area where busy North Lake Street, Oak Point, Route 2 and Cooper Foster Park Road converge.

It’s been a high-growth area since the early 2000s, when the Deerfield Shopping Center opened, anchored by Target and Lowe’s Home Improvement.

Also bringing traffic through: Cleveland Clinic and Mercy Health facilities, Premier Toyota and hundreds of new homes — and now an Akron Children’s Hospital health center set to open on Cooper Foster in December.

Reshaping the area’s roadways could run in the $10 million to $14 million range, according to Amherst Mayor Mark Costilow.

“It’s going to be a great gateway for both our cities,” he said, talking about how Lorain will also benefit from improvements.

“We know that with the shopping center over there and also the Cleveland Clinic, at certain hours of the day there is traffic congestion,” said Lorain Mayor Jack Bradley. “And the more congestion, the less likely it is you’re going to see future development.”

It’s crucial to address the problem now and encourage economic development, he said.

Lorain is working on its own TIF, with legislation already on Bradley’s desk and being reviewed by the Law Department.

He said it is meant to pave the way for Ryan Homes’ new Sandy Springs Trail

subdivision. It will bring about 160 more houses to Lorain’s west side, though they will be in the Amherst school district.

That TIF could benefit other development in the area as well, said Bradley.

With City Council approval, he expects it to be created before the end of the year.

Lorain has agreed to help cover the cost of traffic studies, which total around $40,000.

One such study was finished in 2020, said Costilow, but was done while traffic was greatly reduced due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Now another is in the works as the Ohio Department of Transportation weighs various ways to reconfigure the corridor.

Early ideas include either additional lanes or a “peanut-shaped” roundabout or traffic circle “where you have two in conjunction with each other” at the Route 2 bridge, according to Costilow.

“It sounds scary, but a lot of people have confidence in roundabouts,” he said. “I would guess it would be complicated at first, but I put my faith in the engineers and ODOT.” Costilow said he recently traveled to Carmel, Indiana, to see firsthand how such a configuration might actually work with real drivers. The city is home to more than 138 roundabouts — more than any other in the nation — and is a destination for engineers and officials interested in seeing them in use.

Whether a roundabout is ultimately installed has yet to be determined. ODOT District 3 spokeswoman Crystal Neelon said Tuesday that the state does not currently have information on the project.

ODOT at this point has “no involvement with any projects at Route 2 and Oak Point,” she said.

Costilow said the agency would be “heavily involved,” however, due to the impact on the highway on- and off-ramps.

More than a year of engineering work is expected before construction is ready to begin in late 2023 or early 2024, he said.

There is a chance some electric and sewer work could begin there earlier to prepare the area.

OUR TOWNS

Lorain County Community Guide • Thursday, Sept. 23, 2021

Signing on

B

Oberlin budget talks center on handling growth JASON HAWK EDITOR

Bruce Bishop | Amherst News-Times

Miranda Estanek watches video to get her sign oanguage training. She plans to go into nursing and hopes the skills will make it easier to communicate with patients.

Steele teens take virtual lessons from Ohio School for the Deaf JASON HAWK EDITOR

AMHERST — Miranda Estanek’s hands moved slowly last Wednesday morning, repeating gestures over and over and growing more confident each time.

They traced the same path as the hands of an Ohio School for the Deaf instructor on the screen in front

of her.

“Right now she’s telling us to go, and this means I’m learning,” the Marion L. Steele High School junior said, pointing straight ahead with her index fingers, then “picking up” knowledge from an outstretched hand and carrying it upward to her forehead.

Estanek is one of nine students — all girls — who are part of an American Sign Language pilot course this

fall in Amherst.

She made room in her course load because after graduation she aspires to study nursing. Estanek said it will be important to communicate with deaf patients, and health care employers increasingly see ASL training as a bonus when hiring.

Freshman Kora Pritt also jumped at the chance to be part of the pilot.

SIGN PAGE B2

Elevation drawings submitted to the city by Carnegie Management and Development of Westlake show how Aldi will look when built on the city’s southern edge.

Aldi site plan approved in Oberlin JASON HAWK EDITOR

OBERLIN — An Aldi grocery store is planned for the proposed Oberlin Crossing shopping center on the northeast corner of State Route 58 and U.S. Route 20 — but the project

doesn’t it look much like it did two years ago.

“Coming soon” signs disappeared long ago from the intersection. In late 2019, Carnegie Management and Development had announced plans to sink $10 million to $15 million into 120,000 square feet of new shop-

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Then COVID-19 struck.

“Unfortunately, the pandemic hit and our world went upside down,” Executive Vice President George Papandreas told the Oberlin Planning Commission last Wednesday

evening.

The company doesn’t see that original, expansive plan happening now — instead, it’s moving ahead with a project Papandreas said he believes the market will support.

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OBERLIN — Budget season kicked off Friday with a brainstorming session, as City Council members set goals for 2022 and outlined projects they want to pursue.

From snow removal to improving Oberlin’s drinking water quality, a lot of ground was covered by those currently in office as well as those preparing to join Council in January.

Much of the discussion centered on setting the stage for growth while being environmentally responsible.

For example, word of potential new home construction on the city’s west side gave rise to questions about infrastructure, as did discussion of commercial development along Route 20, Oberlin College’s conversion to geothermal power and the addition of the EDL renewable natural gas plant on the east side.

Central to the talks was Oberlin’s electrical system.

Frequent blackouts have irritated residents.

“When the power goes out, it’s potentially big problems for people, and I think we probably all agree we’re not where we need to be in terms of reliability of the system,” said Councilman Ray English.

City Manager Rob Hillard said an engineer has already been hired to review options for improvements. The Oberlin Municipal Light and Power System has already suggested a list of projects that could help cut down on outages, he said.

Councilwoman Heather Adelman said she believes the city needs to do more to wean residents off natural gas, since electricity has a much lower carbon footprint.

Making buildings more energy-efficient should be high on the priority list, Adelman said, and Councilman Kelley Singleton threw strong support behind the idea.

“That is something that will benefit everybody. It will lower everybody’s rates if our buildings are more sustainable and efficient,” he said.

Singleton also said Oberlin should put more resources toward helping residents weatherize their homes, ensuring less energy is wasted.

Outbound Council President Linda Slocum said she favors investing in a community solar array, which she feels would be a smart way to make Oberlin more energy independent.

Also on the radar for 2022 are several large road paving projects, targeting West College, Pleasant and Park streets.

Slocum expressed interest in finding a way to realign the five-way intersection where College and Pyle-South Amherst Road meet State Route 511, “to make it safer.”

BUDGET PAGE B2

Amherst Schools set threshold for a mask mandate JASON HAWK EDITOR

AMHERST — Facing pressure from parents and a steady stream of daily COVID cases among kids, the Amherst Schools have put a mask policy in place.

Masks will be required in any school building where 3 percent of the student population tests positive in a given week, according to a statement from Superintendent Steve Sayers.

The mandate will remain in place for 10 days, and can be stretched out if more positives are reported, he said.

Parents will be notified by email or phone when their child’s building hits the threshold.

The district is also exploring the possibility of providing a virtual learning option for all students in kindergarten through fifth grade.

Right now, it offers an online alternative only for children who have medical conditions that make learning from home the logical choice.

At the same time, the Amherst Schools are also redefining who is considered a positive case.

For the first four weeks of the fall semester, the district had 61 documented cases among its students and 52 undocumented cases.

Combined, those kids make up 3 percent of the student population.

But at the start of the year, the school system was reporting all probable cases of COVID-19 as positives, regardless of whether parents provided documentation.

On Tuesday, Lorain County Health Commission David Covell urged the district to report COVID cases to his agency only when families provide the proper paperwork from a health care provider.

“Once we have proper documentation, we will report your child’s positive case to LCPH, and your child’s absences will be documented as ‘medically certified,’” Sayers wrote.

Medically certified absences don’t count toward House Bill 410 requirements for school attendance.

(440) 926-3312 www.beriswillins.com (440) 647-6010

SUBMIT YOUR NEWS TO: NEWS@LCNEWSPAPERS.COM

MASKS PAGE B2

Page B2

MASKS

SIGN

FROM B1

As it stands, the biggest clumps of cases so far this year in Amherst have been among fourth- and fifthgraders at Nord Middle School, with another large group of sixth-graders at Amherst Junior High.

For the week of Sept. 13, there were 10 documented cases at Nord, which is 1.7 percent of the student body.

Masks have been a hot topic among the parents of Amherst students in the past month. Many feel the district should be doing more to prevent the spread of the virus, and a group of more than 200 formed on social media to rally around the idea of pushing for change.

Several of its members have voiced their intentions to attend a Board of Education meeting Monday, Sept. 27 to call for masking.

ALDI

FROM B1 “I like how it’s a different form of language, and I feel like a lot of people don’t get to experience it,” she said, practicing in teacher Maritza Layport’s room.

Layport said ASL “has become a world language” and its popularity is growing, especially in Ohio. It has also become highly visible during the pandemic, with sign interpreters on duty for state and federal press conferences.

Yet there aren’t enough trained teachers to go around, especially at the secondary school level, she said.

Layport speaks Spanish, and learned to sign in college. She admitted that without constant practice her grasp on ASL has slipped over the years, and now she is learning it all over again with her students.

They have made a two-year commitment to the class, and all said

they intend to take it further if given the chance. The highlight of the course is logging on twice weekly, along with peers from Olmsted Falls High School, for virtual lessons from the school for the deaf in Columbus.

The curriculum isn’t that much different from that used for Romance languages, Layport said: “They have to learn the same things we learn in Spanish and French — they just sign it.”

Steele Principal Joe Tellier said the class was kept small by design in its first year. Twenty students wanted to learn sign language, but the Ohio School for the Deaf asked to keep it under 10 to start.

He wants to see it expand, though.

“This is exciting to me,” Tellier said. “This is what I think we should be doing — pushing ourselves to learn in ways we haven’t before.”

proved American Rescue Plan funding at its fingertips this coming year, so some of the discussion centered on how to put it to work. Small business and property owner incentives were high on the list of suggestions.

Hillard said Oberlin needs to take more of a leadership role in the development of its downtown district, while incoming Councilman Bryan Burgess said the city needs to be more aggressive in efforts to attract new businesses and keep existing ones.

There may be “progressive” companies that are no longer comfortable in the more conservative parts of the state where they now operate, according to Singleton — he said Council should advertise Oberlin as a new home they can relocate to.

Demand for housing comes with business growth, said Slocum, who pushed for development of affordable housing. The city needs to both attract younger families and accommodate older people who don’t want to go to assisted living communities, she said.

Housing stock is critically low

right now, as home sale prices continue to soar.

“The market right now, I think, is just insane,” said English. “It’s insane nationally, but it’s also insane because of the lack of housing we have right here.”

Playing a major role in the talks are the city’s efforts to develop a “social equity plan.”

Hillard has been holding small group sessions throughout the pandemic to hear residents’ takes on how local government can help improve opportunities for all people, especially those populations that historically have been marginalized.

The end goal is to level the playing field through workforce development, affordable housing, changes to policing and many other tools.

Hillard said his final social equity plan report is still far off on the horizon.

No decisions were made in Friday’s hearing. The budget won’t be finalized until late in the year, with a final vote tentatively scheduled for Council’s Dec. 20 meeting.

FROM B1

BUDGET

FROM B1 “I’m not saying roundabout,” she said, though outbound Councilwoman Mary Price said that would be a “sensible” place to build one.

Council wants to see more sidewalks strategically installed across town, especially around the new Oberlin Elementary School. Adelman called for better walkability on Park Street, which provides access to the building.

“It’s very narrow for how much traffic goes up and down it every day,” she said.

She also advocated for improvements to the city drinking water system, including both the drinking water plant and for dead end lines.

“The water that comes through a lot of the pipes means that all of our residents have to replace faucets faster than other communities, just because of the sediment,” Price agreed.

There were questions, however, about whether Oberlin intentionally hardens its water to coat the inside of its pipes.

Council has congressionally-ap-

WORLD SERIES

will have 19,055 square feet of floor space and sit on 3.4 acres. Carnegie representatives described it Wednesday as “the first phase” of Oberlin Crossing, but said right now there are no other tenants locked in.

The site will include 96 parking spaces. Following a traffic study, the Ohio Department of Transportation is requiring Carnegie to create north and southbound turn lanes from Route 58 into the shopping center.

There will be no entrance or exit on U.S. Route 20.

The traffic study was conducted during peak hours in March and May, and estimates Oberlin Crossing would generate a little more than 2,500 more trips to the area each weekday. Carnegie also has informed the city of its intention to ask for a speed limit reduction to 35 mph in front of the store.

Planning Commission Chair Bryan Burgess noted the inclusion of Route 58 sidewalks in Carnegie’s design. He asked the company to consider tweaks to the site plan to accommodate a bike path and additional walkways the city plans to install in 2022.

“I would anticipate quite a lot of pedestrian bicycle access to the site,” Burgess said — as it is, many people walk down the highway in the berm, he said.

On site, there will be bicycle parking available. Consultant Jessica Leiter said Aldi also plans to include four dedicated parking spots for curbside pickup.

Leiter said Aldi is also open to installing electric car charging stations in the parking lot. That’s not an on-thebooks requirement, said Burgess — adding “yet” — but “you’d be ahead of the curve” to include it in plans, he told Leiter.

The Planning Commission made a number of other requests of the developer. For example, member William Miller asked about outside lighting colors and upward dispersion, saying there is an observatory at Oberlin College and if possible the skies should be kept dark. Leiter said there are some sconces that will project decorative light onto the side of Aldi, but they are not strong enough to light up the sky.

City code does require light poles to be shortened from 25 feet to 16 feet within 200 feet of a state highway.

A few residents spoke on the Aldi proposal, taking different sides.

Penny Maroldo, who lives on the north side of town, asked city officials to approve the project “and get us an Aldi as soon as possible.”

Eliza Weidenbaum disagreed, saying Aldi should renovate the former Eastwood Elementary School and avoid new construction that would damage the environment.

“We can meet our needs without paving over more land,” she said. “When we are wise, we know how to stop ourselves, cut our losses and do the course correction that we know we need to do.”

Site plan approval was granted in a unanimous vote.

That means construction is likely to begin in the first quarter of 2022, according to architect Kyle Davis.

Now the search continues for additional tenants. Carnegie representatives said they hope having Aldi as an anchor will be a catalyst for other businesses to sign on the dotted line. Papandreas said there is a concept in mind for the rest of the land, based on interest shown by one prospective tenant — but that’s not a sure deal.

SOLUTION CAN BE FOUND ON PAGE A2 36. Outback birds 38. Prickle on a wire 42. “Super” Christopher 45. Definitely 49. p in mpg 51. Glittery decoration 54. Digression 56. Bone hollows 57. Young female socialites, for short 58. Fail to mention 59. Earnhardt of racing fame 60. Coating of aurum 61. Attention-getting sound 62. Pirates’ affirmatives 63. *ALCS counterpart 64. *Nickname of Red Sox manager who won two World Series 67. “____ the season ...”

SOLUTION CAN BE FOUND ON PAGE A2

COMMUNITY PIG ROAST CAR SHOW

FOOD

EE

8. Nitrous ____, a.k.a. laughing gas 9. Sink or this?

10. Type of shark 11. Damien’s prediction 12. To put a girdle on 15. Showing signs of wear and tear 20. Writer ____ Jong 22. Retirement plan acronym 24. Like a Zoom session 25. Port of old Rome 26. *____ of dreams?

27. Let out of jail 29. *____ Classic 31. *Runner’s destination 32. Frankincense and myrrh, but not gold 33. Adjust, as laces 34. Between rain and snow

FR

ACROSS 1. Locker room infection?

6. Vow at #41 Across 9. Smoke plus fog 13. Veranda in Honolulu 14. Salmon on a bagel 15. Hindu religious teacher 16. To the left, on a boat 17. Hula dancer’s necklace 18. Cheryl Strayed on the Pacific Crest Trail, e.g.

19. *Winningest World Series team 21. *Infield shape 23. Acronym, abbr.

24. Make or break, e.g.

25. Repellent brand 28. Minimal distortion 30. Loathes 35. Make children 37. Low-____ diet 39. Cry of the Alps 40. Swarm like bees 41. Location of #6 Across vow 43. Tiny piece 44. Lack of intestinal movement 46. Siren’s song 47. Buffalo lake 48. Makes sense, 2 words 50. “Aid and ____” 52. “Game, ____, match” 53. Like time with Bill Maher 55. Road, in Rome 57. *Current baseball champions 61. *Won in NLCS or ALCS 65. Mode of communication 66. “____ Now or Never” 68. Styluses 69. *____ Martin, 5-time World Series champion 70. Bad-mouth 71. Upright in position 72. Let it stand, to proofreader 73. Is, in Paris 74. Rodeo rope DOWN 1. Kill 2. Spanish appetizer 3. Any minute, arch.

4. Winter cover 5. Of advanced technology, colloquially 6. Bad wishes 7. Buck’s partner

Thursday, Sept. 23, 2021

Lorain County Community Guide

FAMILY FUN

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 2ND 4 to 8 PM FAITH BAPTIST CHURCH 440 N. LAKE ST., AMHERST, OH For More Info Call (440) 988-8255

Thursday, Sept. 23, 2021

SPORTS

Lorain County Community Guide

Page B3

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

PIRATES PLUNDER Russ Gifford | Wellington Enterprise

Clearview was allowed a consolation touchdown in the second half, but otherwise Black River ruled the field Saturday night in a game played at Lorain High School.

The Pirates dominated from the start, with a 4-yard touchdown run from Brandon Rollin opening the scoring and a 35-yard pass from Andon O’Neal to Tyler Mrakuzic rounding out the first 12 minutes of play. Black River accelerated in the second quarter, adding another Rollin run for 26 yards to paydirt, a Joseph McKean touchdown rush of 18 yards and a 32-yard pass from O’Neal to Nathan Urbas in the endzone. McKean went on to score twice more before the Clippers’ Ethan Lorenzana punched one in from two yards out to finally get his team on the board. Charlie Wells had a 4-yarder across the line for one more Pirates TD, with a two-point conversion pass from Johnny Kray to Alex Sotherland. Eric Grosser kicked five PATs for Black River. LEFT: Black River's Tyler Mrakuzic makes the diving catch for a touchdown against Clearview.

MIDDIES DESTROY COMETS

Joe Colon | Amherst News-Times

Two teams entered Friday night with no wins to their name. Only the Middies left with a W, trouncing Amherst 45-7. Cameron Gendics had the Comets’ lone touchdown on an 81-yard pass from Christian Heckmann in the second quarter — and only after Amherst allowed their Southwestern Conference opponents to score four running TDs and one through the air, with junior wide receiver Mason Kucera ripping up the Comets defense for three of those. Kucera also put a cap on the game with a third quarter TD on a 30-yard bomb from Marc Reed. ABOVE: Quarterback Christian Heckmann lets one loose.

FOURTH QUARTER SURGE

Russ Gifford | Wellington Enterprise

Derrick Andolsek was the first to score in Friday night’s Lorain County League match-up between Wellington and LaGrange. And his 32-yard field goal was the last time the Dukes would put points on the board.

Wellington kept a tenuous 3-0 lead until the fourth quarter, when the Wildcats broke the game wide open. Ryne Shackelford caught a 9-yard touchdown pass from Konner Rodick to pull ahead, and Gideon Lampron added two running TDs from 5 and 22 yards out. Keystone kicker Landen Whitacre nailed all three PATs for a 21-3 final.

ABOVE: Andolsek kicks a field goal out of the hold of Ty Moore.

NO MERCY FROM FALCONS David Sands | Oberlin News-Tribune

Oberlin quarterback Andre Yarber has nowhere to run as Firelands' defense closes in Saturday at Oberlin College.

The Falcons gave no quarter, shutting out the Phoenix 61-0. Their offense opened a 19-point first quarter with a 5-yard Corey Newark run, followed by two huge touchdown passes of 68 and 85 yards from Kyle Ransom to receiver Timmy Phillips.

Phillips went on to catch a third — this time 60 yards — later in the game. Weston Strader had two TDs for the Falcons, one on a short scramble at the goal line and the other on a 16-yard interception return.

Austin Copen, Evan Tester and Colin Scott all ran up the score, while Aidan Newman hit seven of eight PAT kicks.

STATE CHAMPS

85 SOUTH MAIN STREET OBERLIN OHIO 44074 SEPTEMBER 23, 2021 BOARD AND COMMISSION MEETING DATES ALL MEETINGS WILL BE Live Streamed @ http://oberlinoh.swagit.com/live SEPTEMBER 27, 2021 ...RCRC – 5:00 A.M. – CONFERENCE ROOM 1 SEPTEMBER 28, 2021 ...OPEN SPACE COMMISSION – 5:00 P.M -CONFERENCE ROOM 1

Provided photo

The Murray Ridge Raiders Special Olympics softball team won the state championship on Saturday, Sept. 11 in competition in Sandusky. Its players defeated Stark Public 2 in a 22-5 rout. The Raiders went 6-2 this year, with 18 players from the Murray Ridge Center taking part in the season.

SEPTEMBER 30, 2021 ...SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING 6:00 P.M - CONFERENCE ROOM 1 - PURPOSE: To adjourn into executive session to discuss the employment and compensation of the city finance director.

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

Thursday, Sept. 23, 2021

Lorain County Community Guide

URBANSKY WINS IT FOR FALCONS

RIVALS TAKE IT TO THE LIMIT

Kristin Bauer | Amherst News-Times

Firelands High School's Jack Copley and Garrett Yakunovich guard Brookside High School's Jaycob Kolleda in Lorain County League competition Wednesday, Sept. 15. The Falcons won 2-0, with both goals off the foot of junior midfielder Alec Urbansky.

TAKING DOWN THE CHAMPS

Photos by Russ Gifford | Wellington Enterprise

Black River took a 3-2 win over Wellington last week, going 25-10, 18-25, 25-19, 23-25, 15-10.

For the Dukes, Karlie Frenk had 19 digs, McKenna Chappell had 15 assists and Gabby Miller put up 12 blocks, while Brooke Lehmkuhl had 21 points. For the Pirates, Abbie Graves had 26 assists and Nicole Beard notched 21 digs and 20 kills; Delaney Nixon had 18 points.

ABOVE: Wellington's Brooke Lehmkuhl goes for the kill at Black River. BELOW: Black River's Abbie Graves makes the set.

Kristin Bauer | Amherst News-Times

Amherst Steele's Laken Voss celebrates a point scored on her serve against Avon on Thursday, Sept. 16. Keeping their unbeaten season rolling, the Comets defeated the defending Southwestern Conference champions 25-5, 24-26, 25-17, 25-18.

-Advertorial-

Local Gutter Protection Professionals Jim Carbone

Elyria’s Gutter Cover Company

Cleaning gutters used to be a dreaded part of homeowner maintenance.

A necessary but dangerous chore. For those that did not want to risk their lives climbing the ladder, the only options available were either hiring a neighborhood kid to do it (those days are long gone), or trying to install a gutter screen which would likely get clogged and eventually blow away. That was twenty-five years ago and boy have things evolved.

We now have smart phones, drones, self-parking cars.....and professional gutter protection.

Many home improvement companies such as roofers, window dealers and handymen may sell gutter guards, but the products offered may not be a permanent solution. They typically use gutter protection as a source of extra income to supplement their main business and the products offered are very similar to what’s available at the big box stores.

These are often screens and filters which in most cases, still need to be cleaned. This does not accomplish the goal of staying off the ladder. Don’t be fooled...ALL screens can clog.

There are many different names in the gutter protection industry but most of them seemed to be called “gutter or leaf something”.

Deciding on a solution may be a little confusing at first, bu the main goal should be to choose the best performing product and have it installed by the right company.

Think local and call a company that’s focused on gutter protection only. This way you can feel confident that all of their attention is being focused on the task at hand.

The Gutter Cover Company has been specializing in gutter protection in Northeast Ohio for over twenty years now. Proudly located in Elyria, they’re a

family owned local business that employs hard working, knowledgeable people who take pride in their work while at your home.

With an impressive proven track record of satisfied customers, they have an A+ BBB rating and excellent Angie’s List and Home Advisor reviews.

The Gutter Cover team will clean, tighten, re-seal, and properly align your gutters and then install the best gutter cover on the market, Gutter Topper. Manufactured right here in Ohio, Gutter Topper is a solid aluminum cover that has earned numerous excellent reviews from the top consumer research companies in the country. Independent product testing showed that Gutter Topper can handle heavy downpours up to 22’’ of rain per hour, 110mph winds and 300lbs/ft. without failing. Due to a unique sloped and smooth self-shedding design, not even spinners, pine needles, shingle grit or seed pods can clog the gutter. It’s available in 14 colors and also has a patented “bird block” system. Gutter Topper can be installed over the existing gutters if they’re in decent condition and if they’re not, new seamless gutters are also available. When installed, a lifetime transferable warranty ensures that the gutters will be free-fl owing forever.

The Gutter Cover Company also offers a safe and effective way to stop big icicles and ice damming.

This is NOT the old-fashioned zig-zag roof wires. An optional add-on product called Heater Cap can be installed with or without Gutter Topper which gently heats the gutter area with a self-regulated heat cable. An aluminum plate then covers the cable which protects it, hides it, and helps spread the heat to a larger area.

Controls are even located inside the warmth of your home. Heater Cap is perfect for problem areas and can also be installed on most existing gutter covers.

“Most of our competitors offer

micro-screens and gutter guards that can require replacing ALL your gutters and downspouts.

When you also factor in all the expensive TV and radio ads that they do, these big companies can often be quite pricey! We’d appreciate an opportunity to show you why we have been locally

known for over 20 years as gutter protection specialists. Long and uncomfortable sales pitches are NOT our style. Our free estimate are always on time and quite casual. Give us a call and you’ll see why Gutter Topper and Heater Cap are the best solutions for gutter protection and ice melting

in Northeast Ohio.”

- Jim Carbone, Owner Schedule a free estimate by October 23, 2021, and receive a $300 discount on the purchase of either Gutter Topper or Heated Cap by mentioning this offer. Additional discounts are available for Seniors and

Veterans. Call 440-366-0688 or 1-800-355-4367 today. View short videos of Gutter Topper and Heater Cap at www.

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Jim Carbone is the owner of Elyria’s Gutter Cover Company.

Shop Local and See the Difference!

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• Installation Includes: - Gutter & Downspout Cleaning - Resealing Seams & Tightening - Proper Slope Alignment

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Heat Available For Open Gutters & Most Existing Gutter Covers

Thursday, Sept. 23, 2021

Lorain County Community Guide

MIXED BAG FOR PHOENIX

Page B5

GOOD EFFORT

Erik Andrews | Oberlin News-Tribune

Oberlin split a pair of non-conference opponents in the past week, topping Crestwood 4-3 on Saturday before falling 4-1 to Open Door on Monday. The team stands at 3-5 and hosts Brookside this Saturday at the Hamilton Street fields before going on the road to challenge Orange on Monday afternoon.

RIGHT: Justin Chambers beats a defender to the ball.

BELOW: Daylon Mason works to contain the ball against Open Door.

Erik Andrews | Oberlin News-Tribune

Oberlin dropped to 1-9 on the season with a 3-1 loss to Brooklyn on Monday. The team played well in spurts, and stayed close to the Hurricanes early, tying the first set at 23-23 before Brooklyn put it away with a pair of service winners. ABOVE: Jacquelyne Grady sends the ball over the net.

DOWN AND OUT Angelo Angel | Wellington Enterprise

Wellington’s Gabby Miller returns a volley at Brookside High School on Thursday, Sept. 16.

The Cardinals swept the Dukes 25-23, 2519, 25-18.

THERE’S NO PLACE LIKE HOME

hartblacktop@yahoo.com

1-800-619-7808 • 24 HOURS Locally Owned • Free Estimates

Photos by Russ Gifford | Wellington Enterprise

The Dukes hosted Clearview and Oberlin in a cross country tri-meet Saturday in Wellington, their only home meet of the season. Joseph Fox won with a time of 18:25. ABOVE LEFT: Fox looks ahead.

ABOVE RIGHT: Oberlin's lone runner, Faith Dull.

JUNIOR COMETS ARE TOP FINISHERS

FROM FARMHOUSE TO LAKEHOUSE BUYING AND SELLING IS A BIG DEAL

Committed to Professional Service and Results

440-610-3293 Donnaprostejovsky@howardhanna.com Donnaprostejovsky.howardhanna.com

Provided photo

The Amherst Junior High cross country teams took first and second place at the Open Door Invitational.

Donna Prostejovsky, Realtor, CPRES

Page B6

Thursday, Sept. 23, 2021

Lorain County Community Guide

© 2021 by Vicki Whiting, Editor Jeff Schinkel, Graphics Vol. 37, No. 42

Should people be able to ride skateboards on sidewalks?

Some people say, “For sure!” and others say, “Definitely not!” Today’s Kid Scoop looks at both sides of the issue and lets you ask, think and decide for yourself.

Below are some TRUE facts about skateboarding history as well as a few that are FALSE. Do the math under each statement. If the answer is EVEN, that statement is TRUE. If the answer is ODD, it’s FALSE. 1958: The skateboard is made from roller skates attached to a board. It is a way to surf when there are no waves—sidewalk surfing.

12 + 14 - 8 =

Streets are dangerous places to ride skateboards. Riders risk being hit by a car or falling in front of one.

1963: The first skateboard contest is held in California.

27 + 19 - 4 =

Some people are afraid that skateboarders zipping along sidewalks endanger pedestrians, especially older people and small children who may have difficulty getting out of the way of a speeding skateboard.

1969: Tony Hawk wins the stunt competition at the first X Games.

21 + 11 - 9 = 1973: The invention of urethane wheels turns a formerly noisy, bumpy ride smooth and silent.

Because the urethane wheels grip concrete better, curbs, ditches and other terrain become skating courses.

27 + 15 - 3 =

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission suggests that skateboarders should never ride in the street.

Before you answer, ask, think and then decide.

Ask friends and family members for their opinion. Write down their reasons for or against skateboarding on sidewalks on a sheet of paper.

Concerns for the safety of skateboarders and pedestrians has led to the development of skate parks in many communities.

Find the two identical skateboarders.

1977: President Jimmy Carter makes history by skateboarding to his inauguration ceremony.

27 + 19 - 5 = 1985: Scientists in Norway discover an ancient skateboard dating back to the year 535 A.D. 17 + 13 - 7 =

List three reasons why some people say YES to skateboards on sidewalks and three reasons why some people say NO to skateboards on sidewalks.

YES

1976-78: The California drought forces homeowners to drain their pools. Empty pools become mini-skate parks. New tricks are invented.

19 + 19 - 8 =

2000s: Many cities have built skate parks and provide camps and lessons that are available to young people.

NO

22 + 8 - 4 = Standards Link: History/Social Studies: Students know how to interpret timelines.

Look through the newspaper to find: • A picture of a street or sidewalk • Something with wheels • A person who might ride a skateboard • The letters that spell pedestrian

You’ve asked questions, you’ve thought about what each side has to say. Now it’s time for YOU to decide. Write down your opinion here:

Standards Link: Research: Use the newspaper to locate information.

Standards Link: Research: Students compare information and draw conclusions.

The most important piece of equipment a skateboarder needs is a

Use the Skateboard Secret Code to find the answer.

Standards Link: Reading Comprehension: Follow simple written directions.

SKATEBOARD DEBATE SIDEWALKS S T D R E U S S I T AFRAID N O I N I P O I T E OPINION A S A Y S D A D H R RISK SECRET K F R E E I E E I C SAFETY N S F B T H E W N E RIDE D R A O B E T A K S WHEELS H T A P T E M L E H HELMET E W H E E L S K S T ASK THINK R E Y T E F A S E T PATH Standards Link: Letter sequencing. Recognize identical words. Skim and scan reading. Recall spelling patterns.

ISSUE

ANSWER: Because he wasn’t using his head.

Standards Link: Language Arts: Students respond to comments (e.g., gives reasons in support of opinions, responds to others’ ideas).

This week’s word:

PEDESTRIAN

The noun pedestrian means someone who travels by walking.

Pedestrians should always use crosswalks when crossing the street.

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

Brain Builders

Having a Say

Look at the letters to the editor section of your newspaper and read a letter that interests you.

Do you think the person did a good job of expressing his or her position on this debate?

What could you add to their letter?

Complete the grid by using all the letters in the word SKATER in each vertical and horizontal row. Each letter should only be used once in each row.

Some spaces have been filled in for you.

List three to five ways you can think of to exercise your brain.