Lorain County Community Guide - Dec. 5, 2019

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LORAIN COUNTY

AMHERST NEWS-TIMES • OBERLIN NEWS-TRIBUNE • WELLINGTON ENTERPRISE Thursday, Dec. 5, 2019

www.lcnewspapers.com

Volume 6, Issue 49

THE SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS

BULLETIN BOARD Thursday, Dec. 5 • AMHERST: Hand-knit scarves at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 5 at the Amherst Public Library.

You’ll learn how to knit with your hands by making a scarf to take home with you. Absolutely no experience is needed. All supplies will be provided.

This program is intended for ages 12 and up.

Registration is required; visit www.amherstpubliclibrary.org or call 440-988-4230.

• SOUTH AMHERST: A tree lighting with Santa will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 5 at the South Amherst fire station, 105 West Main St. It will feature music by the Firelands High School choir. After the lighting, kids can sit on Santa’s lap.

• OBERLIN: A lecture by Christina Sharpe, a professor at York University in Toronto, will be offered at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 5 at the Allen Memorial Art Museum, 87 North Main St. Sharpe will speak in conjunction with the exhibition “Afterlives of the Black Atlantic.” Her research focuses on black visual, queer and diaspora studies.

Her book, “In the Wake: On Blackness and Being,” explores how contemporary black lives are swept up in the afterlives of slavery.

A reception will follow and galleries remain open until 7:30 p.m.

• ELYRIA: The 18th Annual Zero-Proof Mix-Off will be held from 5:30-7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 5 at the Lorain County Community College Spitzer Center, 1005 North Abbe Rd. Try and vote for your favorite non-alcoholic “mocktails,” which will be judged by a panel.

The event is designed to draw attention to alcohol-related driving deaths in Lorain County.

• OBERLIN: Neos Dance Theatre will preview its holiday show “Home for the Holidays: A Big Band Christmas” at 7:15 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 5 at Kendal at Oberlin’s Heiser Auditorium.

The event will feature singer Kelly Knowlton. It is free and open to the public.

Dec. 5-7 • WELLINGTON: The Wellington Drama Clubs and Community Theater will present “It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play” at 7 p.m. on Dec. 5-7 at the Patricia Lindley Center for the Performing Arts, 627 North Main St. Tickets will be sold at the door. They are priced at $10 for adults; and $5 for senior citizens, students and children.

Doors open at 6:30 p.m. on show days. For more information, visit www.lindleycenter.com.

BULLETIN BOARD PAGE A3

U.S. Postal Service Use Only

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 Copyright 2019 Lorain County Printing & Publishing Company

Jason Hawk | Lorain County Community Guide

Rose Boyer is so excited Friday to meet the one and only Santa Claus at Oberlin Cable Co-op that she throws a hug around his neck. Look inside for a lot more holiday pictures!

2020 PRIMARY See you Candidates must file before at the Christmas for spring races Mix-Off JASON HAWK EDITOR

When one election ends, another begins, and candidates are already starting to file for the March 17 primary in Lorain County and across Ohio.

It's expected to be a wild spring, with Democratic presidential hopefuls jockeying to take on Donald Trump for control of the White House.

Eighteen have announced campaigns — top contenders are Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont, Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, former Vice President Joe Biden, Sen. Cory Booker of New Jersey and Pete Buttigieg, mayor of South Bend, Indiana.

Three Republicans have also thrown in against Trump to seek their party's nomination: former Congressman Joe Walsh of Illinois, former Massachusetts Gov. Bill Weld and businessman Roque De La Fuente, who in 2016 ran as a Reform Party candidate.

None are on the ballot yet in Ohio.

Perhaps the next biggest race will be in the 4th Congressional District, where Democrats are desperate to unseat Republican firebrand Jim Jordan.

Filing to run so far are challengers Shannon Freshour of Marysville and Jeffrey Sites of Lima. Retired Oberlin City Schools teacher Janet Janet Garrett, a Democrat, has chosen not to run after back-to-back landslide losses.

At its easternmost point, the snake-

shaped 4th District encompasses Oberlin, Elyria and a few other Lorain County communities.

Also on the ballot is the 7th Congressional District seat, currently held by Republican Bob Gibbs. The district includes Wellington and LaGrange.

There will also be a race in the 9th Congressional District, represented by Democrat Marcy Kaptur. It skirts the lakefront through Lorain County.

In state elections, Ohio's 55th, 56th and 57th House Districts will be on the primary ballot.

Democrat Joe Miller has already filed to seek another two-year term in the 56th, which covers Lorain, Amherst and Oberlin as well as part of Sheffield Lake. It includes and South Amherst, Kipton and Pittsfield Township.

Two Ohio Supreme Court seats are also on the primary ballot.

At the county level, Probate Court Judge James Walther of Lorain is seeking re-election to a six-year term.

Two Lorain County commissioner seats are up for grabs — those currently occupied by Democrats Sharon Sweda of Amherst and Lori Kokoski of Elyria.

A fight is brewing in the county prosecutor race, with Democratic incumbent Dennis Will of Sheffield Village and Republican challenger Robert Gargasz of Lorain filing early.

Lorain County Sheriff Phil Stammitti of Amherst, a Democrat, is seeking re-election to a four-year term.

PRIMARY PAGE A2

STAFF REPORT

Enjoy a nice mocktail with us.

The 18th Annual ZeroProof Mix-Off will be held from 5:30-7:30 p.m. tonight at the Lorain County Community College Spitzer Center, 1005 North Abbe Rd., Elyria.

Alcohol isn't for everyone, and tossing back a non-alcoholic drink or three can make the roads a little safer.

The Mix-Off is a chance to taste-test a number of zero-proof drinks and vote for your favorite — and there's no cost.

Editors Jason Hawk of The Lorain County Community Guide and Julie Wallace of The ChronicleTelegram are helping to judge the drinks, along with Amanda Deery of the Elyria Law Director's Office, Amherst police Lt. Mark Cawthon, Lori Cook of AAA East Central, North Ridgeville Police Chief Mike Freeman, Dr. Eric Lockhart of the Lorain MIX-OFF PAGE A2

INSIDE THIS WEEK Amherst

Oberlin

Wellington

Former students say goodbye to Powers • B1

State ‘religious liberty’ bill alarms school board • C1

United Way to put focus on southern Lorain County • D1

OBITUARIES A2 • SUDOKU C3 • KID SCOOP C4 • CLASSIFIEDS D2 • CROSSWORD D3

Page A2

Thursday, Dec. 5, 2019

Lorain County Community Guide

OBITUARIES Dorotha Mae Preston

Theo M. (Brouse) Wessell

Dorotha Mae Preston, 94, of Wellington, died Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2019, at the Elms. Born Dec. 12, 1924, Dorotha was the daughter of the late John and Hazel (nee Bowen) Naegele. Dorotha was a 1943 graduate of Wellington High School.

Dorotha worked as a secretary for Sterling Foundry for many years, she then worked at Harrison Ford and then for Dr. Jack Coates. An active member of the Wellington Congregational United Church of Christ, she attended various women's groups and sang in the choir. Dorotha had a love for the outdoors and enjoyed watching the birds and making sure they were well fed. She enjoyed her morning trips to McDonalds for her cup of coffee and catching up with friends. Most of all, Dorotha cherished her family, whether it was a quiet conversation, a big gathering, or making cookies with her sisters, she enjoyed being with family.

She is survived by her devoted daughter, Beth Hannon (Gene Hartman) of Wellington; her beloved grandchildren, Jennifer and Brandon and her great-grandson, Bryce.

Dorotha was preceded in death by her husband, William Preston; son, David Preston and sisters, Lilly Gray and Nettie West.

Friends and family will be received Thursday, Dec. 5, 2019, from 4 p.m. until the time of services beginning at 6 p.m. at the Wellington Congregational UCC, 140 S. Main St., Wellington. Pastor Cheryl Lindsay will officiate and a private burial will take place at a later date at Greenwood Cemetery, Wellington.

Donations in Dorotha's memory may be directed to the Wellington Congregational Church.

Expressions of sympathy may be shared online at www. eastmanfuneralhome.com.

Theo Margret (Brouse) Wessell "Gaga", 78, of Oberlin, passed away peacefully at home Saturday, Nov. 30, 2019. She was surrounded by her loving husband, daughters and grandchildren. Theo was born July 21, 1941, and grew up in Wellington, the daughter of Kenneth Penrose and Florence Larissa Brouse.

She graduated from Wellington High School in 1959 and then attended Fairview School of Nursing and graduated as an RN in 1962. She headed to California with some nursing friends to start their nursing careers and lived under the "Hollywood" sign. After a few years, "home" was calling and she returned to Wellington and began working at Allen Hospital as the shift supervisor. In 1965, she married Don Wessell and joined him as business partner and Director of Nursing at Welcome Nursing Home. She devoted her entire career and life to "People Helping People". She had high standards and expected the same from everyone that life put into her path. Her expectations continued even after she and Don retired in 2000.

Don and Theo have four daughters and 12 wonderful grandchildren. Theo loved nothing more than spending time with her family. There was always something to celebrate and she was the party planner extraordinaire.

She had a knack for making Taco Tuesday as special as a Disney trip. She loved spending time in Marblehead, Ohio, boating to the Islands of Lake Erie with her family and traveling with lifelong friends internationally. She made fast friends wherever she went. Theo was a fierce advocate for continuing education and serving others. She and Don were instrumental in establishing the Oberlin School Endowment Fund in 1986 and a Named Scholarship for Long Term Care Education with the Ohio Health Care Association in 2001. She was proud to be an Honorary Rotarian an organization that she was involved with for many years as a Rotary Ann. Rotary’s moto of "Service Above Self" was how Theo lived her William R. Skinner, life.

89, Oberlin, son of Janey She is survived by her loving husband of 54 years, Don Martin Skinner Johnson and Wessell of Oberlin; daughter, Jill Herron (Steve) of VerRobert E. Skinner, passed milion, Kelly Wessell (Shane Sowers) of Medina, Heidi away Saturday, Nov. 23, Freas (Adam) of Oberlin and Meghan Foisy (Chris) of 2019, surrounded by his Lorain; grandchildren, Andrew, Samuel, Luke, Theo, wife Susan and their chilMorgan, Jack, Emerson, Adam, Larissa, Christopher, Nadren. He was born Jan. 1, than, Adeline and Aaron, as well as many loving nieces 1930, in Tampa, Florida and and nephews locally and in California. in 1966, obtained his Ph.D. She was preceded in death by her father, Kenneth from Columbia University.

Brouse; mother, Florence Brouse; sisters, Joanne Kyle, After graduating, he beMary Jane Frey, Jackie Wilson and brother Charles gan his career as a professor "Bubbie" Kyle. of geology at Oberlin ColHer fantastic life will be celebrated Friday, Dec. 6, lege, where he taught for 2019 at First United Methodist Church of Oberlin, 45 over 35 years. A lover of both science and music, he colSouth Professor St. A Celebration of Life Service will lected records and shared his love of vocal performance begin at 11 a.m. in the church sanctuary. Family will with hundreds of listeners. greet people after the service. A private family burial In addition to his wife of 62 years, Susan, he is survived will follow in the Spring. by children, David Skinner of Boston, Massachusetts, In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Jonathan Skinner of Dunedin, Florida, Janey Skinner of the Oberlin School Endowment Fund, Oberlin Schools Richmond, California and Deborah Cannon of Columbus; Endowment Fund thru the Community Foundation of five grandchildren; one great-grandchild and a brother Lee Lorain County, 9080 Leavitt Rd., Elyria, OH 44035, H. Skinner of Albuquerque, New Mexico.

440-774-1458; Ohio Health Care Association Education He was preceded in death by his parents.

Foundation, 55 Green Meadows Dr., Lewis Center, OH A memorial service will be held in the New Year in 43035 614-436-4154 or the Oberlin Rotary Charitable Oberlin.

Fund, P.O. Box 123, Oberlin, OH 44074.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made Rest in Peace our Sweet Lady Gaga. to a charity of your choice.

Online condolences may be made to www.cowling Arrangements were in the care of Dicken Funeral Home funeralhomeoh.com. & Cremation Service, Elyria.

For online condolences, visit www.dickenfuneralhome.com.

AMBER SCHAFFER (nee Tyree), 26, of Norwalk, passed away Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2019, as a result of an DIANA ADAMS, 49, of Lorain, passed on to be with automobile accident. Hempel Funeral home was in charge the Lord on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2019. Hempel Funeral of the arrangements.

Home will be handling the arrangements.

MYRNA JOYCE BROOKS (nee Powell), 74, of DONALD "DONNIE" R. BYRD, 56, a lifetime resiBerlin Heights, went home to be with her Lord and Savior dent of Amherst, passed away Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2019, on Monday, Nov. 25, 2019, at Avon Cleveland Clinic folfollowing a sudden illness.Hempel Funeral Home is han- lowing a sudden illness. Hempel Funeral Home handled dling the arrangements. arrangements.

William R. Skinner

SOLUTION TO SUDOKU ON PAGE C3

SOLUTION TO CROSSWORD ON PAGE D3

PRIMARY

FROM A1 County Clerk of Court Tom Orlando, a Democrat hailing from Avon, has filed to seek re-election for another four-year term.

County Recorder Judy Nedwick, an Elyria Democrat, is seeking to retain her office for another four years.

County Engineer Ken Carney, an Amherst Democrat, is also looking to stay in office for four more years.

There are also county treasurer and coroner races slated.

Candidates in all partisan races have until 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 18 to file to run.

The deadline is much earlier this election cycle. That's because the primary, usually held in early May, has been bumped up by two months.

In 2020, it falls on St. Patrick's Day. The primary date also means local boards and councils must move more quickly to get issues on the March ballot.

So far: • Rochester Township will ask for a five-year, twomill renewal of its fire and EMS levy.

• Sheffield Township plans to ask for a renewal of its five-year, half-mill ambulance and EMS levy.

• The Amherst Public Library is hunting for 0.73 mills over 15 years to pay for an expansion of its Spring Street building. The new money would be used to create a 10,000-square-foot addition on the south side of the library at a cost of roughly $5 million.

• The Avon Public Library is asking for an additional two mills over 20 years for construction and expansion.

• The Wellington Fire District is seeking a 2.75-mill replacement levy for five years.

• The Wellington Schools are debating whether to take a second swing at its $8.7 million combination levy and bond issue, which failed in November.

MIX-OFF

FROM A1 County Coroner's Office, Franco Gallo of the Educational Service Center of Lorain County, Jose Flores of The LCADA Way and Tracy Green from Lorain County Community College.

Lorain County Public Health and the Safe Communities Coalition sponsor the free even every year to shine a light on the destructive role alcohol has played on local roads.

Alcohol has been involved in 42 percent of this year's deadly traffic crashes in Lorain County, as of Sept. 6.

They involved people with a blood-alcohol concentration of at least .20, which is 2.5 times higher than the legal limit.

In 2018, 372 crashes occurred when someone drove while under the influence. Nine people died because of those crashes.

LAST YEAR'S WINNING RECIPE The "Thin Blue Line Shine" by the Ohio State Highway Patrol won both Best Overall and the People's Choice awards.

• 1/2 gallon apple cider • 1/2 gallon apple juice • 4 cinnamon sticks • 1 whole clove • 1 cup white sugar • 1 cup brown sugar • 2 tsp. vanilla extract • Whipped cream (optional) • Caramel sauce (optional) Bring the apple cider, apple juice, cinnamon sticks, whole clove, white sugar, and brown sugar to a boil in a large pot. Reduce heat to medium low and simmer for 20 minutes. Remove from heat and cool completely. Stir vanilla into cooled mixture. Pour into jars and refrigerate. Serve hot or cold, top with whipped cream and caramel garnish if desired.

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

• Concise. There is a limit of 350 words on letters.

• Polite. Letters that use crude language or show poor taste will be rejected.

• Opinions. We reserve space for letters that share a unique perspective. Press releases are not letters and will be considered for publication in other parts of the paper.

• Free of advertising, product or service endorsements or complaints, poetry, language that could raise legal problems, or claims that are measurably false.

• Signed. Letters submitted at our office or by postal mail should bear a signature. Those submitted via e-mail should include the author’s name, address, and daytime phone number for our records. Letters submitted electronically are preferred. We accept up to two signatures per letter. We also accept letters of thanks, which highlight the generosity and gratitude that are the hallmarks of our small-town communities.

The deadline to submit letters is 10 a.m. each Tuesday. They are used on a space-available basis.

We reserve the right to edit any submission for length, grammar, spelling, and clarity, or to reject any submission.

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.

SUBSCRIPTION RATES: $40 for 52 weeks in Lorain County; $45 in Erie, Huron, Ashland, Medina, and Cuyahoga counties; $50 in all other Ohio counties; $55 outside Ohio.

Periodical postage paid at Wellington OH.

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Lorain County Community Guide, PO Box 4010, Elyria OH 44036.

Thursday, Dec. 5, 2019

Lorain County Community Guide

Page A3

BULLETIN BOARD Dec. 5, 12 and 19 • CARLISLE TWP.: Santa Shop 2019 will be held from 5:30-8:30 p.m. on Thursdays, Dec. 5, 12 and 19 at the Lorain County Metro Parks Carlisle Visitor Center, 12882 Diagonal Rd. Your kids can do their own shopping for grandparents, teachers, friends, family and even pets. There are many gifts to choose from, and free gift wrapping will be available. Children must be attended by an adult.

The event is sponsored by the Friends of Metro Parks in Lorain County. Proceeds benefit the park system.

Friday, Dec. 6 • OBERLIN: The Mercy Health Allen Auxiliary Holiday Craft Show will be held from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 6 at the hospital, 200 West Lorain St. Admission is free. There will be a variety of crafters, door prizes, a silent raffle, 50-50 raffle and a poinsettia sale. • ELYRIA: The annual Lorain County Office on Aging/ RSVP holiday cookie sale will be held starting at 8 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 6 at the Lorain County Administration Building, 226 Middle Ave., and at the Lorain County Justice Center, 225 Court St. • AMHERST: Miracle on Main Street will be held at 6 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 6 in the city’s historical downtown district.

Presented by Main Street Amherst and Sliman’s, it will feature holiday lights, business specials, music by the Madrigals of Steele High and a Christmas parade down Park Avenue to Town Hall. At the end of the parade, the Madrigals will lead the community in Christmas carols and Santa will light the city’s Christmas tree. • OBERLIN: Slow Train Storytellers will meet at 7 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 6 at the Slow Train Cafe, 55 East College St. Tell your story in an open mic format. The them is “Revolution.â€? To register, email kgwaite@gmail.com. • OBERLIN: “Soulful Sundown,â€? an informal, interactive spiritual circle, will be held at 7:15 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 6 at Oberlin Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, 355 East Lorain St. There will be stories, music and activities for all ages.

All are welcome. • OBERLIN: “State of the State Department and Diplomacyâ€? will be presented at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 6 at Kendal at Oberlin’s Heiser Auditorium.

Retired State Department official Gordon Evans will speak as part of the News and Views series. The event is free and open to the public.

Saturday, Dec. 7 • WELLINGTON: A quarter auction will be held at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 7 at the Wellington Eagles, 631 South Main St. The auction will benefit Lorain County Toys for Tots.

Check your couch cushios, check the floor of your car and buy a few rolls of quarters for a good cause. • AMHERST: A free crochet workshop for all skill levels will be held from 10:30 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Dec. 7 at the Amherst Public Library.

Beginners and those who would like to start a new project should take a “Jâ€? hook and a skein of Lily “Sugar and Creamâ€? yarn. All attendees are welcome to take their current projects. • AMHERST: Read to a therapy dog from 11 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Dec. 7 at the Amherst Public Library.

Canine reading buddies all ears waiting for you to read to them. All ages can take a favorite book or choose one from the library’s collection. • WELLINGTON: A Christmas bazaar and cookie walk will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 7 at The First Congregational Church, 140 South Main St. It will feature a variety of vendors and crafts upstairs.

Downstairs will be crafts made by church members.

At the cookie walk, you can choose your own cookies for $7 per pound. A soup and sandwich lunch will be served from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. • WELLINGTON: Christmas in the Village will be presented by the Wellington Chamber of Commerce from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 7 at Town Hall.

The Lorain County Community Guide bulletin board is for local nonprofit and not-for-profit events. Items are published on a space-available basis and will be edited for news style, length, and clarity. Send your items to news@ lcnewspapers.com.

Crafters and food will be available. There will be a Christmas parade at 1 p.m. Visit with Santa after the parade. If you’d like to participate in the parade, call the Chamber office at 440-647-2222 between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. No other Santas, please. • SOUTH AMHERST: The 3rd Annual Firelands Band Boosters Breakfast with Santa and Craft Show will be held Saturday, Dec. 7 at South Amherst Middle School, 152 West Main St. Breakfast will run from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. and includes all-you-can-eat pancakes, sausage and eggs. The craft fair will run from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Dec. 7 and 8 • BROWNHELM TWP.: Brownhelm’s Old Fashioned Holiday at the Benjamin Bacon House, hosted by the Brownhelm Historical Association, will be held from 3-8 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 7 and 2-6 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 8 at Mill Hollow Park.

Travel back in time to 1862 for a holiday gathering where members of the BHA portray Brownhelm residents as they prepare for the annual holiday party at the Bacon’s. Tours leave approximately every 12 to 15 minutes from the Carriage Barn and last about 30 minutes.

You’ll also enjoy an outdoor campfire, hearth cooking demonstrations and music in the Carriage Barn. Get in the holiday spirit with this annual tradition sponsored by members of the BHA and Lorain County Metro Parks.

The event is free.

Sunday, Dec. 8 • LORAIN: FIRSTmusic will present an Advent music service at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 8 at First Lutheran Church, 1019 West Fifth St. Organ and choral music by Hugo Distler will be set in a reflective service of evening prayer. Violin, flute and oboe will join the First Choir under Director of Music Brian Wentzel.

This concert is free and open to the public. • AMHERST: A breakfast with Santa will be held from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 8 at the Amherst Steele High School cafetorium.

The Comets football and cheer teams are sponsoring the fundraiser. Tickets are $5; ages two and under eat for free.

For more information, contact Christa at amherstqbclub@gmail.com or 440-752-0591. • OBERLIN: A Sunday Object Talk will be held at 2 p.m. on Dec. 8 at the Allen Memorial Art Museum, 87 North Main St. Oberlin College student Lucy Haskell will speak on “Valicia Bathes in Sunday Clothes,â€? a work by Vik Muniz from his series “Sugar Children.â€? The 1996 photograph is featured in the exhibition “Afterlives of the Black Atlantic.â€? • AMHERST: A holiday treat swap will be held at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 8 at the Amherst Public Library.

Make a batch of cookies, brownies, bars or candies and take the recipe to share. Registration is required; visit www.amherstpubliclibrary.org or call 440-988-4230.

Monday, Dec. 9 • AMHERST: The Amherst Public Library board of trustees will hold a regular meeting at 6 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 9, followed by a 2020 organizational meeting. Both will be at the library and are open to the public. • OBERLIN: “A Life Connected and Other Storiesâ€? will be presented Dec. 9 at a meeting of Meatless Mondays

NEXT WEEK Thursday, Dec. 12 • OBERLIN: The Oberlin Public Library board of trustees will hold a regular meeting at 5 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 12, followed by a 2020 organizational meeting.

Both will be at the library. • AMHERST: The annual cookie walk at Amherst United Methodist Church will be held at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Dec. 12 at 396 Park Place.

The monthly soup lunch will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., featuring vegetable beef soup, chicken dumpling soup and sloppy joes, pie and salad bar. • WELLINGTON: The Afternoon Book Group will meet at noon on Thursday, Dec. 12 at the Herrick Memorial Library.

Readers will discuss the "Taste of Home: Grandma's Favorites" cookbook as they provide a dish of one of the book’s recipes for the group

to sample. • OBERLIN: The Low-Vision Support Group will meet at 4 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 12 at Kendal at Oberlin's Green Room for the audio presentation “Reclaiming Independence: Staying in the Driver’s Seat When You No Longer Drive.â€? • OBERLIN: A lecture on Cleveland’s new Environmental Dashboard exhibit at the Great Lakes Science Center will be offered at 1:15 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 12 at Kendal at Oberlin's Heiser Auditorium.

John Petersen's environmental communications class from Oberlin College will talk about the dashboard and Oberlin's revised Climate Action Plan. The event is free and open to the public. • OBERLIN: “Giant Pulses from Tiny Starsâ€? will be presented at 4:35 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 12 at the Wright Physics Laboratory, room 201, 110 North Professor St.

Natalia Lewandowska, postdoctoral researcher at West Virginia University, will speak. A reception in her honor will be held at 4:10 p.m. in the Anderson Lounge on the second floor.

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and Beyond at the Oberlin Public Library.

Doors open at 5:45 p.m. for a vegan potluck. At 6:30 p.m., there will be a presentation on happy stories of strong people moving through adversity.

The event is free and all are welcome. For more information, contact Kimberly Thompson at kimmert2001@ yahoo.com or 805-245-0730. • NORTH RIDGEVILLE: The Lorain County chapter of the Ohio Genealogical Society will meet at 7 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 9 at the North Ridgeville Branch Library, 35700 Bainbridge Rd. A social time will begin at 6:30 p.m. Attendees can share with fellow members an object, a story, or a discovery pertaining to your family tree or your genealogy research. Light refreshments will be available. Take a snack to share.

For more information, call Norm at 440-856-5170. • OBERLIN: American Civil Liberties Union members will meet at 7 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 9 at the Oberlin Public Library.

Items of concern continue to be redistricting, women’s reproductive freedom and the prospect of official or commercial discrimination in the name of “religious freedom.�

Tuesday, Dec. 10 • OBERLIN: A Tuesday Tea program will be held at 3 p.m. on Dec. 10 at the Allen Memorial Art Museum, 87 North Main St. At the turn of the 20th century, American museums were populated with plaster casts, which museums considered equally instructive for connoisseurs and the public. Hannah Wirta Kinney, assistant curator of academic programs, will explore how plaster casts became entwined with debates about the educational role of museums in the period. • OBERLIN: A holiday open house will be held from 3-6 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 10 at Neighborhood Alliance Senior Enrichment Services, 90 East College St. The nonprofit will open the historic Jeanne Beattie Butts House to the public. The event will feature holiday crafts, beverages and light appetizers.

Donations to help support the Neighborhood Alliance Senior Enrichment Center will be accepted. • OBERLIN: “Oberlin’s Historic Links to Faith Healingâ€? will be presented at 7;15 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 10 at Kendal at Oberlin’s Heiser Auditorium.

Historian Matthew Hintz will speak about faith healing, a religious movement that was prevalent in the late 1800s and early 1900s. He will highlight Oberlin residents connected to the movement and their impact on its regional organizational structure and revivals. The free community program is presented by the Oberlin Heritage Center and is open to the public. • WELLINGTON: The Herrick Memorial Library board of trustees will meet at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 10 at the library. The meeting is open to the public. • WELLINGTON: An open house will be held from 2-7 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 10 at the Herrick Memorial Library.

Join staff in celebration of the upcoming holidays and the library’s productive year. Cookies and punch will be provided and there will be crafts for children. • WELLINGTON: A book page wreath workshop will be held at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 10 at the Herrick Memorial Library.

Ages 18 and up can learn how to make a simple book page wreath for decorating windows, doors or a wall. The library will supply all materials needed for this free class.

Space is limited and registration is required. Call the library at 440-647-2120 to register.

Dec. 11 and 18 • WELLINGTON: Visit Putter the therapy dog from 3:15-4:15 p.m. on Thursdays, Dec. 11 and 18 at the Herrick Memorial Library.

Children can spend 15 minutes reading a book or story to Putter and build their reading skills. Putter is a registered therapy dog that absolutely adores listening to a good story. He does not mind if the child makes reading mistakes.

Stop in at the library to reserve a reading spot or call 440-647-2120.

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Page A4

Lorain County Community Guide

Thursday, Dec. 5, 2019

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AMHERST NEWS-TIMES THURSDAY, DEC. 5, 2019 • SERVING AMHERST SINCE 1919

The last goodbye

Police hiring practices cause friction Former students visit Powers before demolition JASON HAWK SEAN McDONNELL

JASON HAWK EDITOR

With two officers moving departments and more possibly on the way, Amherst Mayor Mark Costilow is frustrated with Lorain police hiring practices.

Patrolman Mike Taliano recently left his Amherst post of 17 years and was hired

by Lorain under what's called an "exceptional appointment."

One other officer is in the process of following him out the door and a couple others have talked about it, according to Amherst Lt. Dan Makruski.

Lorain Police Capt. Mike Failing confirmed that Taliano and Jared Warner, both formerly of Amherst police, recently were hired.

Failing said Taliano started with the department a few weeks ago. Warner is currently in the training program and starts on Monday. Failing said both officers will be working patrol for Lorain.

It's not exactly a mass exodus, but Costilow said it's an unfair one, especially for a small police department.

Neither of the neighboring cities have their own charters. As statutory cities, they must use the Civil Service exam to hire police officers, Costilow said.

The exceptional appointments provision used by Lorain police speeds up the department’s hiring process.

Lorain police are in a “staffing crisis,” said Lorain FOP President Kyle Gelenius.

He said the exceptional appointments are needed to fill positions. The department is authorized for 113 officers, but the current staffing is in the low 90s.

“We lose officers faster than we can hire them,” Gelenius said. “From my understanding, the current Civil Service list is expired. So we are in desperate need of police officers.”

Gelenius, who worked for Amherst

Glue sticks and cafeteria food.

That's what the inside of Powers Elementary School smelled like Sunday to Jessica Barnes.

Scents proved to be powerful triggers for former students who visited the Washington Avenue school one final goodbye before the 67-year-old building is torn down.

For Guy Wharton, who attended in the mid-1960s, the smell that mattered as he stood in the school's combination gym and cafeteria was no-bake cookies.

He tasted no-bake cookies there for the first time a half-century ago. "I can almost taste them right now," Wharton said.

Now a bassist for the band The Buckshot, he also got his first turn on stage at Powers.

It was for a play, and Wharton recalled wearing a cowboy hat and holster.

The sounds of school were also important to Barnes. Her favorite memory was "probably when I was in third grade and we would sing a lot of songs in class," she said — especially "You Are My Sunshine."

Looks sure have changed.

GOODBYE PAGE B2

Jason Hawk | Amherst News-Times

Former students line the main hallway at Powers Elementary on Sunday, getting one last look at their old stomping grounds before the school is torn down.

DEAR SANTA

HIRING PAGE B2

It's Nahorn by a nose Final vote count gives councilman a 7-ballot win Jason Hawk | Amherst News-Times

Five-year-old Gracie Huddleston hops up on Santa's lap Sunday afternoon during "Christmas In the Village" at the Amherst Historical Society's Sandstone Village on Milan Avenue.

JASON HAWK EDITOR

The wait is over. Matt Nahorn doesn't have to be anxious anymore.

Back on Election Night, he stood just three votes ahead of Democratic challenger David Kovacs — too close to rule out a recount in the race for Amherst City Council's Fourth Ward seat.

When votes were certified by the Lorain County Board of Elections last week, just enough were thrown out to edge Nahorn to safety.

The final, official results stand at 347 for Kovacs and 354 for Nahorn, the incumbent Republican.

With the uncertainty behind him, Nahorn said he can "just keep moving forward and not get hung up" on the race's outcome.

A difference of less than half a percent would have triggered a recount.

But in the low-turnout November election, a seven-ballot win did the trick.

The big takeaway from the razor-close election? "Try to be a good listener," said Nahorn.

He said he doesn't have all the answers but he's trying hard to find them for residents of the Fourth Ward.

Top concerns there include stamping out power outages and limiting the impact of large-scale road paving projects, he NAHORN PAGE B2

A little kindness goes a long way JASON HAWK EDITOR

"Join us at recess by the soccer field if (you) want to spread kindness," the handwritten note said.

It was found stuffed into Logan Hall's locker at Nord Middle School. His mother, Stacey Fiala, said she thought it might be from "a little third grade girlfriend" but the truth turned out to be so much sweeter.

The author, Kayla Oslejsek, secreted similar notes into all her classmates' lockers, hoping to start a chain reaction of good will.

"There's been bullying and I wanted to stop it. And I want the kindness to come instead," she said.

Oslejsek told us she was called names in second grade

Jason Hawk | Amherst News-Times

Pictured are (front) Kayla Oslejsek, Logan Hall, Ben Smith, Loyalty Hughes, Alayna KINDNESS PAGE B2 DeJesus, (back) Brielle Mullins, Liam Hill, Ada Bischof and Hunter Elwell.

SUBMIT YOUR NEWS TO: NEWS@LCNEWSPAPERS.COM

Page B2

Thursday, Dec. 5, 2019

Amherst News-Times

GOODBYE

Council member needed

Seeking to fill an open Village Council seat, South Amherst is asking for applications.

With two open seats on this fall's ballot, only David Troike filed to run, winning unopposed with 270 votes. Jed Willis, whose term will expire Dec. 31, did not seek re-election. That leaves the village hunting for someone interested in helping make decisions for the next four years.

Interested residents should send a letter of interest to Village of South Amherst, Council President, 103 West Main St., South Amherst, OH 44001. Letters will be accepted until Jan. 13. Assuming there is at least one application, an appointment will be made at a special meeting at 7 p.m. on Jan. 27.

FROM B1

Most saying farewell Sunday took time to hunt through yearbooks to see pictures of their younger selves and old friends.

Russ Marty, a 2000 graduate, now teaches at Steele High School and is the district's historian. He shared a laugh at his own Powers Elementary class photo, and the bowl cut he wore.

"That poor kid," he joked.

Just inside the school's entrance, a video recorded in 1961 by namesake and former principal Fred Powers showed smiling kids marching to class.

Marty, who is Powers' great-grandson by marriage, said the principal loved to record on a handheld tape recorder, capturing kids stepping off the school bus or performing in holiday concerts.

Today, Beth Schwartz serves as principal and is the steward of the old Powers building in its final month.

"My fondest memories are always seeing kids when they come in in the morning," she said. "They're so excited and they're sometimes even holding hands. They have a great energy."

The lights will turn off at Powers on Thursday, Dec. 19, when kids leave for winter break.

That afternoon, teachers will pack the last of their classroom materials to be taken to the new PK-3 school on South Lake Street, said Schwartz.

The public can tour the new school at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 5, when a dedication ceremony is planned.

Students will report to the first day of classes at the new Powers on Monday, Jan. 6.

The old school is scheduled for demolition this spring.

Asbestos and other hazardous materials will be removed starting in late January or early February and the walls will be torn down in late March or early April.

HIRING

FROM B1 police in the past, said Costilow should be asking why police are leaving Amherst.

“I think the mayor should look in his own backyard,” he said.

Costilow said the appointments are “making it too easy to jump ship.”

He said officers who follow Taliano and Warner may be able to take their sick time and accrued vacation with them — and may have the option to demand a buy-out.

"That's a lot of effort we put in to train people as well as they are, we give them all these benefits," he said. "Then another city can say, 'Come on over.'"

Costilow and Lorain Mayor Joe Koziura said they haven’t spoken directly to each other. Instead, Costilow said he's talking to his legal counsel — not about anything so drastic as filing a lawsuit, but to feel out what options are available.

That may mean sending a letter to Koziura or James McCann, who be-

NAHORN

FROM B1 said.

Nahorn said he wants constituents to know they can call him with their concerns. He can be reached at 440787-7507.

It's worth noting that Nahorn has a habit of winning by a hair. In 2017, he won his first term by just five votes.

This year, the certified official election results leave Amherst Council with four Democrats and three Republicans.

That's a small but noticeable shift that gives Democrats a voting majority for the first time since 2011.

The tipping point was in the Third Ward, where Republican Chuck Winiarski chose not to seek re-election.

Democrat Jake Wachholz defeated Republican Shelma Bockey in a run-off for the seat.

came Lorain's police chief Monday.

Gelenius said Amherst has no standing in who Lorain hires. He said the exceptional appointments are being used on seasoned and trained cops, making them exceptional. He said Lorain’s law director and Civil Service Commission already have ruled on the matter.

Lorain Police Chief Cel Rivera agreed. He said no one has contacted him about the hires, but he heard internally that it may be seen as an issue. Rivera said he understands that Amherst doesn’t believe the hirings rise to the level of exceptional appointments, but he disagrees.

Rivera said the department is hiring for entry-level positions and getting officers with training and experience. That makes them exceptional.

Lorain Mayor Joe Koziura said his city has lost officers, too, some staying for six months before taking jobs elsewhere.

“We did all their training. We did all the background, we did everything needed and they left," Koziura said. “They’re free agents. If they want to leave they can leave."

Taliano has a history with the Lorain Police Department. His father, Geno, was a longtime detective for Lorain police, and attended the swearing-in ceremony to watch his son join his former department.

"He grew up as a Lorain kid," Failing said. "It's probably nice to come back to the city that your dad worked for."

Costilow said he can understand the draw of a larger city.

"I can see where Lorain might be appealing to someone who wants action," he said.

But Makruski said Amherst has its benefits.

There are "good people here, good community, great schools, great public service between the police, fire and street department," he said.

So when Oslejsek started inviting kids out to the soccer field, they formed a Kindness Club, and she wrote positive messages in chalk: "You are beautiful" and "You are wonderful." Five people showed up right away and the idea slowly grew bigger.

Fiala said she was moved by the little girl's effort. "It was just something so sweet and positive and genuine. It was amazing," she said.

Oslejsek's family is raising a great little girl, she said. "I hope people take this to heart and try to mimic that behavior in their children."

Other kids did get involved in spreading kindness.

Take fourth-grader Liam Hill, who is secretly "The Chalk Artist." For weeks, his classmates would head outside for recess and see positive messages written out in chalk and signed only by his pen name.

The opening of a new library at Nord Middle School this year that wowed Hill, and he said he wanted to pay forward that feeling by being nice to others. So he decided to write aspirational messages for his friends, hoping they'd add their own.

KINDNESS

FROM B1 because she’s shorter than many other students, so she knows how it feels to be an outsider.

That's the big reason she took this fall's lessons on kindness at Nord to heart. The school made kindness a theme and challenged kids to show it to each other.

"They've really taken this kindness initiative and ran with it," said school counselor Deborah Raesler.

"The premise is, how can we include other people? How can we make sure everyone has someone to play with, someone to talk to?" she said.

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Amherst News-Times

Girls start season with a win Penalties made all the difference Nov. 27 as the Comets girls opened the winter basketball season with a 45-39 victory over North Ridgeville.

It didn't look good for Amherst in the first period. North Ridgeville, led by Madyson Rosado, leaped out to a 14-10 lead.

Rosado finished the night with 17 points to her name, including a pair from outside the paint.

Play crawled along in the second quarter, with only single-digit gains for each team, and Amherst started to pick up pace in the third, going 11-7.

Free throws edged the Comets ahead.

Capitalizing on penalties, the girls went 17 of 24 from the line and they finished out the fourth period 16-12.

Amaya Staton led the Amherst line-up with 15 points and Faith Lewis had 12.

Page B3

COMETS SCHEDULES Wrestling • Friday, Dec. 6 at 6 p.m. at the Cobos Insurance Tournament, 175 Avon Belden Rd., Avon Lake.

• Saturday, Dec. 7 at 10 a.m. at the Cobos Insurance Tournament, 175 Avon Belden Rd., Avon Lake.

• Thursday, Dec. 12 at 7 p.m. versus Avon at home.

• Saturday, Dec. 14 at 9 a.m. at the Bellevue Invitational Tournament, 200 Oakland Ave. • Thursday, Dec. 19 at 6 p.m. versus Olmsted Falls, Avon and Berea-Midpark at 165 East Bagley Rd., Berea.

• Friday, Dec. 20, time TBD, Hudson Tournament, 2500 Hudson Aurora Rd. • Monday, Dec. 23, time TBD, Ed Goff Tournament at Keystone, 580

Opportunity Way, LaGrange.

• Saturday, Jan. 4 at 9 a.m., Perry Pin City Tournament, 1 Success Blvd., Perry.

• Thursday, Jan. 9, time TBD, at Avon Lake, 175 Avon Belden Rd. • Thursday, Jan. 16 at 7 p.m. at Westlake, 27830 Hilliard Rd. • Monday, Jan. 20 at 9 a.m., Amherst JV Tournament at Steele.

• Thursday, Jan. 23 at 6 p.m. at Midview, 38199 Capel Rd., Grafton.

• Saturday, Jan. 25, time TBD, at Avon JV Tournament, 37545 Detroit Rd. • Thursday, Jan. 30 at 7 p.m. versus North Olmsted at home.

• Thursday, Feb. 6 at 7 p.m. at North Ridgeville, 34600 Bainbridge Rd.

FALCONS SCHEDULES

Provided photo

The Amherst Comets defeated the Talawanda Brave 3-2 in a revenge game Sunday to take the George DiPaolo Memorial Thanksgiving Hockey Tournament title.

Comets are Thanksgiving tournament champions Some new hardware came home this weekend from Oxford, Ohio, where the Comets hockey team won the George DiPaolo Memorial Thanksgiving Hockey Tournament.

The fun started Friday with a 5-2 win over Wheeling Park.

The Patriots took just as many shots on goal as Amherst did — but they didn't have goalie Brady Grove to make the difference. Nick Ciura opened the Amherst scorefest on a power play goal and was followed by two each by Jacob Kramer and Michael Hughes.

Miami was the next to fall, losing 7-2 on Saturday.

After a scoreless first period, Hughes heated it up on a power play. Hughes had

Wrestling • Saturday, Dec. 7 at 10 a.m. at Edison, 2603 State Route 113 East, Milan.

• Thursday, Jan. 9 at 6:30 p.m. versus Oberlin, Wellington and Keystone at Wellington, 629 North Main St. • Friday, Jan. 10 at 3:30 p.m. and Saturday, Jan. 11 at 9:30 a.m. versus Perrysburg, Highland, Valley Forge and Strongsville at Perrysburg, 13385 Roachton Rd.

• Thursday, Jan. 16 at 6:30 p.m. at Keystone, 580 Opportunity Way, LaGrange.

• Thursday, Jan. 23 at 6:30 p.m. versus Black River at home.

• Thursday, Jan. 30 at 6:30 p.m. at Clearview, 4700 Broadway, Lorain.

• Thursday, Feb. 6 at 6:30 p.m. versus Vermilion at home.

• Saturday, Feb. 15 at 9;30 a.m. at Painesville Harvey Heritage Schools, 200 West Walnut St., Painesville.

two, Kramer had a hat trick, and Joey Kramer and Avery Winkelman each put one in the net.

Grove had 24 saves as Miami took shot after shot.

Later in the day, Amherst took a 3-7 loss to Talawanda — the team's first of the year. The Brave's Reid Beramati went on a rampage, scoring six goals; the team took a massive 34 shots at Grove.

For Amherst, Thomas Hall put up a pair and Joey Kramer had one goal.

The Comets had their revenge, coming back with a 3-2 victory over Talawanda in the title game.

Beramati was out of the picture. That gave Bela Farlow, Harmych and Ciura room to work the net for the victory.

POLICE REPORTS • Nov. 13 at 8:46 p.m.: Chad Seifert, 22, of North Ridgeville, was charged with violating a protection order. A police report alleged he was trespassing at Maude Neiding Park after closing time.

• Nov. 13 at 9:17 p.m.: A Sunrise Drive home was burglarized. A garage side door had been forced open and in a bedroom officers found drawers opened and the contents scattered about.

• Nov. 13 at 11:39 p.m.: A suspicious male was reported on North Main Street, where he was spotted in the backyard of a residence.

• Nov. 14 at 4:47 p.m.: A woman said her underage daughter had received nude pictures from an adult man, who also solicited nude pictures of the girl.

• Nov. 15 at 3:53 p.m.: Joshua Riley, 19, of Amherst, and a 16-year-old Lorain boy were charged with possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

• Nov. 15 at 4:27 p.m.: A customers allegedly left Sunoco on Route 58 without paying for gas.

• Nov. 15 at 10:38 p.m.: Aaron Bohon, 42, of Amherst, was charged with operating a vehicle while intoxicated, BAC over .17 percent, failure to control, driving outside marked lanes and weaving.

• Nov. 16 at 12:20 p.m.: A woman was taken to Mercy Health Lorain Hospital after she was attacked by her dog. The animal was quarantined by the dog warden.

• Nov. 17 at 2:22 p.m.: An Amherst woman said she needed to talk to a mental health provider. She was taken to Mercy Health Lorain Hospital for an evaluation.

• Nov. 17 at 8:04 p.m.: Officers were called to Westchester Drive for an unwanted family member who showed up to Thanksgiving dinner.

• Nov. 17 at 8:51 p.m.: Leona Smith, 29, of Elyria, was arrested on a warrant through Lorain County 911 for contempt of court, child support.

• Nov. 17 at 11:14 p.m.: A 44-year-old woman was taken to the hospital after overdosing. She was revived with naloxone.

• Nov. 17 at 11:29 p.m.: A naked woman found walking down the middle of Cooper Foster Park Road was allegedly trying to get hit by vehicles. She was taken to Mercy Health Lorain Hospital for evaluation.

• Nov. 18 at 5:16 p.m.: Brian Monhollen, 25, of Lorain, turned himself in on a warrant through the Amherst Police Department for failure to appear in court.

The original charges were receiving stolen property and possession of criminal tools.

Bond was immediately posted but Monhollen was taken into custody on a warrant through the Lorain Police Department for contempt of court; the original charges were drug possession.

• Nov. 19 at 10:09 a.m.: A man said he was the victim of fraud. Several checks were cashed in his name without authorization.

• Nov. 21 at 4:46 p.m.: Robert Vaughn, 43, of Lorain, was arrested on a warrant through the Amherst Police Department for failure to appear in court on original charges of theft.

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Page B4

Thursday, Dec. 5, 2019

Amherst News-Times

2019 CRAZY GAMES

Beware scammers who pose as Amherst cops If you get a call from the Amherst Police Department, it might not be an officer or dispatcher on the other end. It might be a scam artist.

Police Lt. Dan Makruski warned last week that people who live outside the city — from Hilliard to Cleveland to Minnesota — have been getting calls from the station's main line at 440-988-2625.

They come from what's known as a "spoofer," a person who tricks your phone into seeing the wrong number.

Sources who answered the scammer told police that the caller knew their name, claimed to be following up on an open case, and tried to get information from the resident.

The caller was described as having a man's voice with a heavy Indian accent, according to Makruski.

"We remind everyone to use great caution when answering personal questions from unsolicited callers," Makruski wrote in a media release. "If there is any doubt as to the authenticity of the caller, hang up and take necessary steps to reach the organization or agency from which the caller claims to be calling."

Amherst police aren't alone in being the victims of a spoofing scam. A similar rash of calls was identified Nov. 15 by Wellington police. In those calls, scammers would claim a family member had been arrested.

Photos by Jason Hawk | Amherst News-Times

They're a pre-Thanksgiving tradition every year: The Crazy Games are played the last day before break at Amherst Steele High School. Classes compete for glory and points in zany battles, including sack races, scooter relays and "Hungry Hungry Hippos." The senior class aced the games this fall and the Comets' gym erupted with cheers.

Election results certified

None of the races that played out Nov. 5 at the polls in Lorain County required recounts, and there were no surprise shifts from unofficial Election Night results.

The Board of Elections met Nov. 25 to certify the results. The complete and official tallies put turnout at 28.58 percent, or 58,738 votes cast out of 205,513 registered voters here.

The board also chose two replacement polling places for the March primary after the normal polling places reported they were unable to host voters on those days.

The changes are temporary ones for the primary election, according to Director Paul Adams, and should revert back to their original locations for the 2020 presidential election.

Adams said the unavailable locations are the American Legion Post 211 on Walker Road in Avon Lake and the VFW Post 1662 in Amherst. Both have rental halls that are booked on March 17, which is both the primary election and St. Patrick's Day. In Amherst, The 1907 at Central School, an independent and assisted-living center at 474 Church St., will replace the VFW post as the polling place, the board decided.

Adams said the former school building has a "very, very large" cafeteria that can accommodate voters, polls and poll workers.

Notices will be sent through the mail to all affected voters at a later date closer to the March primary, Adams said.

PRIMARY CARE FOR THE UNIVERSE OF YOU If you or a loved one need care, Mercy Health is close to home with the health care services you need. And we’re always accepting new patients at all of our convenient locations throughout Lorain County. From walk-in care to online scheduling, we’re here when you need us.

To schedule an appointment, call 440-988-3705 or visit mercy.com

12403LORADV

INSIDE: HOLIDAY LIGHTS ARE A TRADES TRADITION • C2

OBERLIN NEWS-TRIBUNE THURSDAY, DEC. 5, 2019 • SERVING OBERLIN SINCE 1930

‘Religious liberty’ bill raises BOE alarm JASON HAWK EDITOR

Just how far does religious freedom stretch in the classroom?

The Ohio Student Religious Liberties Act of 2019 is working its way through the General Assembly and could shift the dynamic between science and faith in public schools.

The proposed law is already raising eyebrows at the Oberlin City Schools.

"To me personally, it's just a violation of church and state," said Board of Education member Barry Richard.

"I would agree," fellow school board member Ken Stanley agreed during a Nov. 26 meeting.

Sponsored by State Rep. Timothy Ginter (R-Salem), the bill has

already cleared the Ohio House and moved to the Senate.

It says schools can't "prohibit a student from engaging in religious expression in the completion of homework, artwork, or other written or oral assignments."

Richard, who is the Board of Education's legislative liaison, said that may mean a student could insist in science class that

the Earth is less than 10,000 years old, as some creationists believe.

The American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio has also rung alarm bells over HB 164.

Earlier this year, Chief Lobbyist Gary Daniels testified the legislation is "a true mixed bag."

On one hand, he said, it removes existing language that restricts Ohio students' rights

to religious liberty in public schools. On the other, the bill is unnecessary because First Amendment protections already exist, he said.

In some ways, it "gives religious speech more protection than secular speech," he said.

"This can and ultimately will result in the proselytization and un RELIGION PAGE C2

MAN OF THE HOUR

A photo from the Oberlin Students for a Free Palestine Facebook page shows a memorial that was erected to commemorate a militant Islamic leader.

Photos by Jason Hawk | Oberlin News-Tribune

The Jolly Old Elf, Saint Nicholas, Kris Kingle — Santa Claus leads a countdown Friday for the lighting of Oberlin’s town Christmas tree at Martin Luther King Jr. Park.

Santa helps light city Christmas tree JASON HAWK EDITOR

The most popular man in the world rolled up in style Friday night, spreading cheer to starry-eyed children gathered at Martin Luther King Jr. Park.

An Oberlin fire engine delivered the one and only Santa Claus to town. Fire Chief Bob Hanmer opened a door and out hopped a couple of Santa's little elves. Then Santa was ushered out onto the Vine Street sidewalk and was engulfed in a sea of smiling faces.

Dressed in his iconic red suit, Old Saint Nick made sugar plums dance in the eyes of kids as he made his way to the Oberlin community Christmas tree, shaking hands all the way. City Councilman Kelley Singleton handed him a bullhorn, and Santa counted down, "5, 4, 3, 2, 1," and the tree lit up in brilliant white.

Hanmer's "sleigh" took Santa downtown to Oberlin Cable Co-op on East College Street for photos. Outside, Oberlin Rotarians served chili and hot chocolate to families who waited on the sidewalk.

▲ Reya Williams is wide-eyed and chants Santa’s name as he approaches. ◄ Children gather around Santa on East College Street.

Phoenix stadium tear-down begins JASON HAWK EDITOR

Demolition of the old Phoenix stadium next to Oberlin High School is underway.

Both bleachers and buildings at the Oberlin High School field will be completely gone by the week of Dec. 20, said Tim Rini of Greenspace Construction.

The former football field, tennis courts and southern part of the parking lot will be used for the footprint of Oberlin's new elementary school, which will be home to preschool through fifth grade.

The Board of Education plans to spend about $17.76 million on the new facility.

It will include a much-debated

expanded gym, which will add to the cost of the school.

A field house is not in the cards, following a price estimate of up to $3.5 million. Doubling the footprint of the state-funded gym will cost about $1 million.

That money and about $500,000 more for flooring upgrades and outdoor canopies was moved last Tuesday out of the district's rainy day savings fund.

"I think it's the right move," school board member Barry Richard said of springing for the larger gym. "The 3,900 square feet's too small, with what the state's giving us. Doubling it makes a lot of sense."

Superintendent David Hall STADIUM PAGE C2

Jason Hawk | Oberlin News-Tribune

Oberlin City Schools Superintendent gives an update Tuesday, Nov. 26 on plans for a new elementary school.

He said teachers and other staff have been meeting with ThenDesign Architecture to help develop the interior of the building, with special attention to storage needs.

SUBMIT YOUR NEWS TO: NEWS@LCNEWSPAPERS.COM

Memorial to Islamic Jihad leader raised by students SEAN McDONNELL THE CHRONICLE-TELEGRAM

Student groups at Oberlin College recently put a memorial commemorating Bahaa Abu el-Atta, a senior commander from the Palestinian militant group Islamic Jihad, after he and his wife were killed in an attack

by Israel Defense Forces.

According to reporting from The Associated Press, Israel targeted and killed the leader in a rocket strike on Nov. 12.

It’s reported that Abu el-Atta died with his wife while they slept in their home in eastern Gaza. The strike then set off the heaviest fighting in months between the militant group and Israel.

Two student groups, Oberlin Students for a Free Palestine (SFP) and Oberlin Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP), both pro-Palestinian groups, created an installation to commemorate the lives of Abu el-Atta and more than 30 other Palestinians.

Black flags with each person’s name were erected around a sign and Palestinian Flag.

The sign read: “Last week, Israel unleashed violent airstrikes on the Gaza Strip to assassinate Bahaa Abu al-Atta (sic) and his wife on Tuesday, November 12th. In the process, killing 34 unarmed Palestinian civilians, including 8 children. Oberlin Students for a Free Palestine and Oberlin Jewish Voice for Peace have created this installation to commemorate the lives of these 34 Palestinians who died at the hands of Zionist Settler Colonialism.”

The Associated Press reported at least 34 Palestinians, including 16 civilians, were killed in the fighting that ensued after the targeted killing.

Islamic Jihad militants fired some 450 projectiles toward Israel during the two days after Abu el-Atta’s death, with most landing in open areas or being intercepted.

In a statement, Oberlin College PALESTINE PAGE C2

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Thursday, Dec. 5, 2019

Oberlin News-Tribune

Donations needed

Oberlin Community Services is accepting donations of baby diapers (sizes four and up), cream of chicken soup and cooking oil to help those in need. Donations can be made from 9 a.m. to noon and 1-5 p.m. Monday through Friday at 285 South Professor St.

LETTER Words of Thanksgiving To the editor: On Nov. 25, Oberlin Community Services distributed special holiday food to more than 250 households in the community — a record number — so that they could celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday with turkey and all the trimmings!

A big round of thanks to everyone who so generously donated to this effort: • To Leo Braido, who coordinated the food drive at Oberlin IGA and matched individuals’ giving.

• To OECC and Prospect, for running food drives.

• To Walmart, Agrinomix, Mercy Allen Hospital and the Oberlin Rotary Club, all of whom provided generous financial support.

• To the many volunteers who helped sort, organize, distribute and deliver the holiday food baskets.

• To all of the generous community members who contributed!

All of us at OCS are deeply touched by the generosity of so many! What a beautiful community effort!

We hope you will continue to help us share the joy of the holiday season by joining us at First Church in Oberlin on Friday, Dec. 13, at 7 p.m. for the Empty Mugs Brass and Organ Spectacular. The concert is free; the live auction and sale of handcrafted pottery help to raise money for OCS’s emergency assistance fund. This event is a great place to buy holiday gifts and a wonderful way to enjoy the festive holiday while supporting OCS. Thank you again to all who so generously gave to OCS’ Thanksgiving distribution, and best wishes to everyone in the community for a truly happy holiday season.

Margie Flood Executive Director Oberlin Community Services

RELIGION

FROM C1 wanted coercion of students of different religious beliefs and those with none."

Weighing in on the creationism example, Daniels said a biology teacher would not be able to give a lesser grade to a student who completed a homework assignment with answers based on their Young Earth beliefs.

Daniels said previous attempts at "religious liberty" bills have been ruled unconstitutional and HB 164 could likewise lead to costly litigation for schools in Ohio.

The bill could also cause "unfortunate distractions for students, teachers and school administrators, and alienation of religious minorities in our classrooms," he said.

Ginter has denied the ACLU's concerns, saying the Ohio Student Religious Liberties Act is not intended to shove science to the side.

A passage of the proposed bill says, "Assignment grades and scores shall be calculated using ordinary academic standards of substance and relevance, including any legitimate pedagogical concerns," though it ends by saying schools "shall not penalize or reward a student based on the religious content of a student’s work."

Richard is urging residents to call State Sen. Nathan Manning (R-North Ridgeville) about HB 164. The senator's office number is 614-644-7613.

Heather Plahuta, legislative aide to Manning, said he has not taken a hard stance on the bill.

She said Manning is welcoming all opinions on the proposal and will take them into account, but it's to early in the process to say which way he leans.

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Members of the masonry trades junior class from the Lorain County JVS, along with a few sophomore students, stand by their holiday lights display.

Holiday lights a tradition for trades FOR THE NEWS-TRIBUNE

Helping set up holiday lights at the Carlisle Visitor Center has become a tradition for masonry trades students at the Lorain County JVS. For more than 10 years, students have built a holiday display as part of this annual event, which will be held from 5:30-9:30 p.m. through Dec. 30 at 12882 Diagonal Rd., Carlisle Township.

“The fun thing for me about this project is that the students don’t actu-

said the larger gym will give students more space to run. It can also be used after school.

"We will use it. It will allow additional community use as well," he said.

A new stadium is not in the works.

Board member Ken Stanley has said there are no plans to replace the stadium. Hall and others have left the question a

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including Chabad Oberlin. He said the college has allowed the group to put up its own signs and messages, and freely celebrate Jewish culture on campus. He said it is not his place to say what any student groups, including SFP and JVP, put up or say on campus.

“We’re allowed to do that without any real worry from the college,” Elkan said. “But that comes with a responsibility ... Just because you're able to doesn’t mean that you should.

It doesn't mean that you shouldn’t either. There has to be a lot of critical thought.”

Elkan said what also shouldn’t be lost is that the Jewish community on campus is strong.

“There’s a very vibrant Jewish community that's able to celebrate and be Jewish and be prideful about being Jewish on campus,” Elkan said.

Elkan said on a typical Sabbath dinner, Chabad Oberlin might have 50 to 75 students weekly. Bigger holidays generally will see 150 students or more.

“We have contact with hundreds and hundreds of Jewish and not Jewish students on campus,” he said.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

STADIUM

HOLIDAY

FRESH CUT TREES

with the Ohio State University.”

A request for comment from Oberlin Students for a Free Palestine has not been returned.

Rabbi Shlomo Elkan, who is codirector of Chabad Oberlin, said the biggest challenge is that these memorials happen without any dialogue between groups. He said if the Jewish community on campus and the groups that put up the memorial had discussion, it would help.

However, the two national groups the Oberlin students group are under do not allow for it.

“As a matter of policy, these two groups (Students for a Free Palestine and Jewish Voice for Peace) will not engage in dialogue because they feel it normalizes the conflict,” Elkan said.

He said discussion, formal or informal, about symbols and how they are presented and make people feel, would only help the community. He said groups putting up memorials should understand what those symbols do, and others should understand why those memorials are being put up.

“We can agree to disagree, but there should be a conversation around it,” he said.

Elkan said Oberlin College does not actively police its student groups,

FROM C1

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This year, sophomores who are shadowing the program helped make and paint the pieces.

Garrett Melton is one of the 10thgraders and has enjoyed his time in the lab. “We get a lot of work done in here, but we also have a lot of fun and I like that," he said.

Visitors can vote on their favorite display, and the masonry students hope you vote for number 22.

Votes are taken inside the Carlisle Visitor Center, where refreshments are also offered for a small fee, courtesy of Friends of the Lorain County Metro Parks.

PALESTINE

FROM C1 said it was aware of the installation on campus by two student groups that offended some members of its “large and diverse community.”

The college said the installation was in Wilder Bowl for several days and then was removed. Spokesperson Scott Wargo said the students removed it without being asked.

“Oberlin students, like all citizens, are entitled to their own thoughts and expressions and are individually accountable for how they engage in public discourse,” the statement reads. “Students do not speak for the college, and the college does not dictate the views of its 2,850 students. The opinions presented by the installation were solely those of the student groups that created it and do not represent the views of Oberlin College.

"Oberlin opposes all forms of anti-Semitism, as we do all forms of prejudice and oppression. We actively work with our students, faculty, staff and alumni to build upon Oberlin’s deep commitment to Jewish life and scholarship. This year, through a re-imagining of programming and reallocation of resources, Oberlin’s Jewish Studies program is experiencing a renewal with new faculty, new programs, and a shared program in Hebrew

VISIT US

25

ally think they are learning, but this is exactly what we are doing out in the field, we are just making it out of holiday items,” said masonry trades instructor David Rudisill.

For the past few years, students have created iconic characters from the classic holiday movie “How the Grinch Stole Christmas.” They've worked hard to build tributes to Cindy Lou Who, Max the reindeer-dog, and of course, the Grinch himself, as well as a Christmas tree, snowman and presents.

Each item is made of brick and mortar and then carefully painted.

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little more nebulous, saying a new home for the Phoenix could be part of another phase of campus construction, but it would be at least six years down the road.

For the foreseeable future, varsity football games will continue to be played at Oberlin College, which this year charged the public schools $1,050 per game to use its field. Athletic Director John Carter has been negotiating a similar deal for next year.

Hall said ThenDesign Architecture has met several times in the past month

with district staff to discuss how the new school's construction will play out, including how parking will be handled.

That includes not just how to fit contractor, teacher and student vehicles during construction, but also making sure there are plenty of spots once the new school opens its doors.

For now, Phoenix fans have been cleared to park on both sides of the Greenspace construction fence through basketball season. That will change once construction starts in March.

More space could be freed up at the nearby Pleasant Street School, which is marked for demolition.

Abbey Ranieri of ThenDesign Architecture said a demolition package will be put together by the end of the year. It will include abatement of asbestos and other hazardous materials.

Both the school and the district maintenance building on the same property will be torn down. The vacated space could be used for parking or practice fields.

85 SOUTH MAIN STREET OBERLIN OHIO 44074 DECEMBER 2, 2019

BOARD AND COMMISSION MEETING DATES ALL MEETINGS WILL TAKE PLACE AT 85 SOUTH MAIN STREET DECEMBER 9, 2019 ...SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING – 5:15 P.M. – CONFERENCE ROOM 1 PURPOSE: TO ADJOURN INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION TO DISCUSS THE EMPLOYMENT AND COMPENSATION OF THE OBERLIN CITY MANAGER DECEMBER 10, 2019 ..HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION – 5:00 P.M. – CONFERENCE ROOM 1 DECEMBER 10, 2019 ..PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION – 6:00 P.M. – CONFERENCE ROOM 1 CANCELED 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.

Thursday, Dec. 5, 2019

Oberlin News-Tribune

POLICE REPORTS • Nov. 1 at 9:21 p.m.: A juvenile girl was arrested after a domestic dispute. Police recommended a domestic violence charge to the Lorain County Juvenile Court.

• Nov. 2 at 3 p.m.: Matthew Valerino, 38, of Oberlin, was charged with operating a vehicle while intoxicated and failure to reinstate a license.

Police seized 157 grams of suspected Kratom. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, Kratom is a plant derivative from Southeast Asia and is not illegal but can have psychotropic effects.

• Nov. 4 at 11:56 a.m.: Scott Miller, 61, of Oberlin, was charged with violating a temporary protection order.

• Nov. 5 at 11:13 a.m.: A break-in and theft was reported at a North Cedar Street residence.

• Nov. 5 at 5:56 p.m.: Two grinders, an e-cigarette and a bong, all with marijuana residue, were turned over to police by Oberlin College security.

• Nov. 5 at 9:20 p.m.: An officer responded to a crash at Cedar and West Lorain streets and found a male lying on the ground in front of a crashed vehicle. Police smelled marijuana; in a nearby flower bed, they found a digital scale, several bags of suspected marijuana, paper money and a few package of cigarillos.

• Nov. 7 at 3:17 p.m.: A hanging basket on an East Lorain Street porch was reportedly burned.

• Nov. 7 at 7:35 p.m.: A rag was found on fire under the front door of a North Professor Street house. A report listed the incident as attempted arson.

• Nov. 7 at 10:52 p.m.: Justin Thomas, 35, of Oberlin, was arrested on a warrant through Oberlin Municipal Court for contempt, on original charges of domestic violence and disorderly conduct.

• Nov. 9 at 8:10 a.m.: A toddler was spotted walking alone on North Professor Street in pajamas but no coat in 25-degree weather.

• Nov. 9 at 8:57 a.m.: A woman reported her son missing.

• Nov. 10 at 10:04 p.m.: Savannah Lauderdale, 18, of Oberlin, was arrested on a warrant through the Lorain County Sheriff's Office on original charges of domestic violence and criminal damaging.

• Nov. 11 at 10:56 a.m.: A burglary was reported by a Groveland Street resident, with an estimated $500 worth of belongings taken.

• Nov. 11 at 6:58 p.m.: A tobacco grinder and a glass smoking device, both with suspected burnt marijuana residue, were turned over to police

by Oberlin College security.

• Nov. 12 at 9:10 p.m.: A boy was reportedly assaulted by a girl. The matter was referred to the juvenile court for consideration.

• Nov. 15 at 4:50 a.m.: A glass pipe with suspected marijuana residue was turned over to police by Oberlin

College security.

• Nov. 15 at 8:49 a.m.: Nicole Fertig was served with a warrant for contempt of court at the Huron Jail.

• Nov. 15 at 10:16 p.m.: A 17-yearold girl was reported missing.

• Nov. 15 at 11:37 p.m.: A manager at Walmart said a man pushed a cart with 17 items valued at $229 out of the store and drove off.

• Nov. 16 at 5:18 p.m.: A black 2005 Ford Escape was reported stolen from a West Lorain Street residence.

• Nov. 17 at 7:21 p.m.: An overdose was reported at Barrows Hall on Woodland Street. A female went with EMS for treatment.

• Nov. 17 at 9:54 p.m.: A man told police he wanted to "put a knife through his chest and take all his prescription medication," according to a report. He called the Nord Center Crisis Hotline, and later went voluntarily with paramedics.

• Nov. 18 at 1:35 p.m.: The treasurer at the First Church in Oberlin told police he found a fraudulent check had been forged for $3,810 to a name he did not recognize. The check had to have been created by someone because it was in a different format from the church's checks, which are kept in a safe, he told police.

Page C3

Kendal at Oberlin galleries

• “The Process of Printmaking” will be on display from Dec. 10 through Feb. 3 in the Kendal Gallery.

The exhibit is a collaboration with the Artists Archives of Western Reserve.

• James Peake’s origami sculptures and creations will be on display from Dec. 13 through Feb. 6 in the Community Gallery. An artist reception will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 10 in the Heiser Lounge.

OHS SCHEDULES Wrestling • Saturday, Jan. 4 at 10 a.m. at Columbia, 14168 West River Rd., Columbia Station.

• Thursday, Jan. 9 at 6:30 p.m. at Wellington, 629 North Main St. • Thursday, Jan. 16 at Brookside, 1662 Harris Rd., Sheffield Village.

• Thursday, Jan. 23 versus Clearview at home.

• Thursday, Jan. 30 at Clearview, 4700 Broadway, Lorain.

• Saturday, Feb. 15 at 11 a.m. at Wellington, 629 North Main St.

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

Council gives finance director a raise JASON HAWK EDITOR

A 2.5 percent pay raise has been granted to Oberlin Finance Director Sal Talarico.

The increase brings his annual salary to $122,879 and was made retroactive to Sept. 25, which is the anniversary of his hire date.

City Council unanimously ap-

proved the raise last Monday, fasttracking a vote with emergency passage.

Councilwoman Linda Slocum said officials met Oct. 15 to evaluate Talarico's performance as Oberlin's chief fiscal officer.

She said he "provides the city with superior fiscal leadership" and the merit increase publicly recognizes his good work.

"The city of Oberlin is fortunate to

have a good and competent and dedicated finance director," said Slocum.

"Council is extremely appreciative of your service and your long-term commitment to this community. Thank you, Sal." The quick vote resulted in applause from those gathered in Council chambers.

According to state records, Talarico's salary had been set at $106,646 as of 2015.

SOLUTION CAN BE FOUND ON PAGE A2

City of Oberlin Board, Commission & Committee Vacancies The City of Oberlin is accepting applications from individuals who wish to serve on the City’s Boards, Commissions and Committees.

Individuals who are selected will begin serving on Jan. 1, 2020.

Current Vacancies CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION-TWO VACANCIES Staggered Terms,Full-term is Three Years|Five-Member Commission Meets the first Wednesday, every other month at 5:30 p.m.

Responsibilities: Conduct practical and impartial examinations, provide a list of eligible employees, arrange for promotions for Classified Service positions and hear appeals on disciplinary matters involving Oberlin municipal employees. *FIRE CODE APPEAL BOARD-ONE VACANCY Annual Term | Three-Member Board Meets on an as-needed basis Responsibilities: Hear and decide appeals of orders, decisions or determinations made by the Fire Chief or any Municipal Fire Safety Inspector relative to the application and interpretation of the Fire Prevention Code. *FIREFIGHTER’S DEPENDENTS FUND BOARD-TWO VACANCIES One-year Term | Five-Member Board Meets on an as-needed basis Responsibilities: Make all necessary rules and regulations for the handling and processing of submitted claims and perform necessary duties to carry out the provisions of the chapter and the provisions of Ohio Revised Code Chapter 146. *HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSIONTWO VACANCIES Staggered Terms,Full-term is Three Years |Five-Member Commission Meets the third Tuesday of every other month at 4 p.m.

Responsibilities: Protect and promote the historic character of the City and oversee the appearance of construction and renovation projects,as well as make recommendations to City Council regarding the designation of landmarks and historic districts.

HOUSING RENEWAL COMMISSION-TWO VACANCIES Staggered Terms,Full-term is Three Years |Five-Member Commission Meets on an as-needed basis Responsibilities: Hear and decide appeals resulting from any decision made by a City administrative office in enforcing housing ordinances. The Commission may also authorize variances, provided they do not conflict with the public interest.

HUMAN RELATIONS COMMISSION – THREE VACANCIES Staggered Terms, Full-term is Three Years|Five-Member Commission Meets the first Tuesday of every month at 5 p.m.

Responsibilities: Work toward a wholesome attitude of mutual respect and understanding among all people and organizations within the City. The Commission may enter into any alleged disputes, disagreements,misunderstandings or acts which involve the unlawful or unfair infringement upon basic human rights or freedoms guaranteed by law and investigate them, present reports, facts, findings and recommendations to Council, and serve in an advisory and consultative capacity to the City and to the City administration.

INCOME TAX BOARD OF REVIEW-THREE VACANCIES Two-year Term | Three-Member Board Meets on an as-needed basis Responsibilities: Hear appeals made by any person dissatisfied with the rulings or decisions of the Income Tax Administrator. * OBERLIN COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT CORPORATION (OCIC) - THREE PUBLIC VACANCIES, THREE PRIVATE VACANCY Staggered Terms, Public Sector Members is Two Years | StaggeredTerms, Private Sector Members is Three Years| 11-Member Board Meets the second Wednesday of every month at 8a.m.

Responsibilities: Advance, encourage and promote industrial, economic, commercial and civic development within the City of Oberlin.

OPEN SPACE & VISUAL ENVIRONMENT COMMISSION-TWO VACANCIES Staggered Terms, Full-term is Three Years|Five-Member Commission Meets the fourth Tuesday of every month at 5 p.m.

Responsibilities: Serve as an advisory body to City Council and cooperate with all other City, county and state agencies which are active in the area of open space development and preservation.

PLANNING COMMISSION - TWO VACANCIES Staggered Term, Full-term is Three Years |Five-Member Commission Meets the first Wednesday of every month at 4:30p.m.

Responsibilities: Hold public hearings pertaining to the plan, design, location, removal, relocation, widening, extension and vacation of streets, parkways, playgrounds and other public places and approve plats for subdivision of land and the zoning of the City for any lawful purpose.

PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION – TWO VACANCIES Staggered Term, Full-term is Three Years |Five-Member Commission Meets the second Tuesday of every month at 6 p.m.

How to Apply:

Responsibilities: Serve as an advisory body to the City Council on any and all questions concerning the maintenance, operation and improvement of the public utilities serving the City, both privately and municipally owned.

RECREATION COMMISSION - TWO VACANCIES Staggered Term, Full-term is Three Years |Five-Member Commission Meets the third Tuesday on a bi-monthly basis (excluding summer months) at 7 p.m.

Responsibilities: Serve as an advisory body to the Council on any and all questions concerning the operation and improvement of City recreation programs.

RESOURCE CONSERVATION AND RECOVERY COMMISSION - TWO VACANCIES Staggered Term, Full-term is Three Years|Five-Member Commission Meets the fourth Tuesday of every other month at 6:30 p.m.

Responsibilities: Review proposed rules and advise City Council regarding the City’s refuse, recyclable materials and yard waste collection program UNDERGROUND RAILROAD IMPLEMENTATION TEAM COMMITTEE – ONE VACANCY Unlimited Terms Meets the second Wednesday of the month at 3 p.m.

Responsibilities: Serves as the primary advisory body to the City Council during the design, fundraising, construction, and implementation phases of the Underground Railroad Center Project.

ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS - ONE VACANCY Staggered Term,Full-term is Three Years|Five-Member Board Meets on an as-needed basis Responsibilities: Hear and decide appeals resulting from any order or decision made by a City administrative officer in enforcing zoning ordinances. The Board may also authorize zoning variances, provided they do not conflict with the public interest. *Specific qualifications apply to these boards,commissions and committees. All other board, commission and committee members must be residents who are qualified electors of the municipality.

Please contact the Clerk of Council Belinda Anderson at banderson@cityofoberlin.com or 440.775.7203 for details.

Individuals who are interested in serving can pickup an application at the Oberlin Clerk of Council’s office located at 85 South Main Street, Oberlin, or may visit the City website at www.cityofoberlin.com.

Applications deadline extended to Friday, December 6th at 4 p.m.

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Thursday, Dec. 5, 2019

Oberlin News-Tribune

© 2019 by Vicki Whiting, Editor Jeff Schinkel, Graphics Vol. 35, No. 52

As we approach the Season of Giving, Kid Scoop celebrates young people who make a difference all year long.

W

hen Mackenzie Bearup was 14 years old, she had a disease that forced her to stay in bed. To keep her mind off her pain, she read a lot. And the books started to pile up.

Mackenzie learned about a home for abused children that wanted to start a library. She gathered up her books and asked her friends for book donations.

She gave the home enough books to fill their library. She reached out to other homeless shelters to see if they could use donated books.

Today, she and her organization have collected over 55,000 books!

=E

=G

=H

=I

=K

=L

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=O

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Use the code to find out the name of Mackenzie’s organization:

J

“We learned that kids who own books do better in school,” remembered Vance.

Since starting their organization, the boys have collected 110,000 books and distributed them to 200 locations in all 50 states.

Draw a line to match eachpencil to its identical twin.

Can you find the one unique pencil?

emalle Williams was 11 years old when he saw a classmate named Carter being made fun of by other students because he was chewing on his pencil a lot. At first, Jemalle thought he would just ignore the kids doing the bullying. But after a while, he thought, “I should do something.”

“He was like the smallest kid in the class which made him an easy target,” said Jemalle.

“I thought long and hard on what to do to get them to stop without drawing attention to my own weirdness. It finally came to me, I had a lightbulb moment.”

What did he do? He started chewing on his own pencil.

T

hen the kids started making fun of him instead of Carter. Jemalle said, “It didn’t really phase me because I knew I had done a good thing.”

Jemalle went on to write a book called Different yet Alike based on his experience. He illustrated the book himself and made copies to sell. He raised $160 which he donated to his school to help with bullying education.

Carter appreciated Jemalle’s help and the two of them became friends.

You can read Jemalle’s book at the website differentyetalike.com

BOOK LOVERS’PUZZLE: Can you unscramble these book titles?

IDYRA FO A YWPMI IDK

DALISN FO HET EBLU PINDOLHS

Find the path from the book to the shipping box.

NIENIW HET HOOP

Standards Link: Spelling: Spell grade-level appropriate words correctly.

There are several words that mean something like the word to give.

Find the letters that spell each of these words on a page of the newspaper.

Connect the letters to spell each word.

GIVE CHARITY PHILANTHROPY GRANT CONTRIBUTE DONATE AWARD GIFT

the words in the puzzle.

DIFFERENCE Find How many of them can you DONATIONS find on this page?

SHELTERS S D D G N I V I G I FRIENDS R F O L I B R A R Y LIBRARY E C N E R E F F I D PENCIL SEASON T L A D A E W R R H GIVING L A T D S A E I E E BOOKS E S I K N L H E C L ALIKE H S O I L I C N E P CLASS READ S O N D E K K D I D KIDS B S S S S E A S O N HELP Standards Link: Letter sequencing. Recongized identical CHEW words. Skim and scan reading. Recall spelling patterns.

Two new Kid Scoop books are here!

Theymake a great holiday gift.

Order from yourlocal bookstore, Target.com, BarnesandNoble.com and Amazon.com today!

This week’s word:

DISTRIBUTED

The verb distributed means to divide among several or many.

The books were distributed to kids in shelters.

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

Receive or Give?

Some say it is better to give ANSWER: “Will you support my caws?”

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

Standards Link: Problem-Solving: Use a variety of strategies to solve problems.

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

Letters to the Editor

Look through your newspaper for problems in your community. Can you and your friends come up with ideas to solve one of these problems? Work together to write a letter to the editor with your ideas.

ANSWERS: 1. Jack in the box 2. Ants in the pants 3. Brain drain 4. Burning the midnight oil 5. A rose between two thorns 6. Up hill and down hill

=B

When Chase Hartman was 10 and Vance Tomasi was 11, they started the organization called read.repeat. to get books in the hands of those who needed them.

Each word-picture puzzle has a meaning. Work with a parent to figure them out.

than to receive. Do you agree? Why or why not?

INSIDE: NO RECOUNT IN FOUR-WAY COUNCIL RACE • D2

WELLINGTON ENTERPRISE THURSDAY, DEC. 5, 2019 • SERVING WELLINGTON SINCE 1864

First Fridays launch tomorrow JASON HAWK EDITOR

"Frozen Fun" will be the theme of the inaugural First Fridays event in Wellington.

The running monthly festival will kick off Dec. 6. Main Street Wellington is urging businesses to stay

open until at least 8 a.m. and take part in promotions in a bid to generate more foot traffic downtown.

"There will be lots of free things. It's a big push to the get the community down in our businesses and give our businesses a chance to know our community more, too," said Main Street Director Jenny

Arntz.

Expect giveaways, sales, raffles, games, contests, display windows, live music and discounts, she said.

Customers will get "passports" to route them to participating businesses.

At Beriswill Insurance, 173 Depot St., there will be cookies and an appearance

by Elsa and Anna from

Disney's "Frozen."

It's likely to be cold out, but Arntz said First Fridays will be held rain or shin each month through 2020.

There will be all kinds of themes. January will be "Resolution Relief" and February will center on chocolate, wine and roses.

FRIDAYS PAGE D2

THE WONDROUS GIFT

Jason Hawk | Wellington Enterprise

New United Way of Lorain County President and CEO Ryan Aroney said his organization serves more than just Elyria and Lorain — it is working hard to help folks in Wellington and surrounding communities, too.

Aroney puts focus on southern LC for United Way JASON HAWK EDITOR

Many local residents are juggling two or three jobs just to keep up with bills. Ryan Aroney wants to help.

The longtime United Way of Lorain County marketing and engagement director has been promoted to president and CEO. He'll step into the new role Sunday, Dec. 1, filling the shoes of retiring Bill Harper.

A top priority for Aroney, he told the Wellington Kiwanis Club last Thursday, is to make sure people know the nonprofit serves all of Lorain County, not just its two biggest cities.

"We are down here in Wellington. This is important to us. This is one of our main pillars," he said.

Aroney told Kiwanians that the United Way's resources are directed to help feed the hungry, get kids ready for preschool and kindergarten, put working moms into high-paying jobs and help struggling families get back on their feet after fires or other disaster strikes.

The agency also advocates for healthier lifestyle choices through collaboratives such as THRIVE! Southern Lorain County, which serves Wellington and surrounding communities. It targets obesity, diabetes, heart disease, smoking and poverty.

The United Way of Lorain County is also examining how to improve transportation. Starting Jan. 1, it will have a full-time worker — Sharon Pearson, who is wrapping up her time as an Oberlin Councilwoman — assigned to coordinate a countywide transportation plan.

Using an Ohio Department of Transportation grant, she will look at public transportation such as busing, but also trails and bike paths.

Aroney is a native of Oberlin and a graduate of the Lorain County JVS, Lorain County Community College and Cleveland State University.

He joined the United Way in 2011 as a development associate and was promoted to marketing and engagement director in 2014.

In the last few years, he's focused on building partnerships between nonprofits so they're working together "instead of competing for grant dollars," he said.

Harper retired Nov. 27 after nine years as president of the United Way of Lorain County. He's spent the last several months getting Aroney ready for the job.

When the transition was announced earlier this year, Aroney called Harper "a trusted friend and mentor who has helped me grow personally and professionally."

“I’m truly honored to take over for Bill and I’m excited for the opportunity to build on his legacy.”

Photos by Jason Hawk | Wellington Enterprise

There was room at the inn Sunday night for Mary, Joseph and their newborn infant as the annual "Wondrous Gift" live Nativity was shared with the community at Wellington Town Hall. Moved inside due to a cold December rain, the event dramatized the Christmas story with shepherds, magi and an angelic ballerina. “I had somebody come to me and thank me for doing this because they had never heard the Christmas story,” Neptune said. “Well that’s a good reason to keep putting this on.”

ABOVE: Mary, played by Mary Matinyan, and Joseph, played by Dan Sword, hold the infant Jesus, played by Alice Burns, as soloist Brianna Tuttle sings “Happy Birthday Jesus.” ▼ Savanna Murray performs a ballet routine.

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No one doubled down on the need for extensive elementary school renovations when the Wellington Board of Education met in November following a big levy loss at the polls.

None of the officials

gathered at Wellington High School spoke in favor of — or against — a second try to get additional tax money again this spring.

Superintendent Ed Weber did talk about tight deadlines.

If the school board opts to ask voters again for help paying for renovations, it has to do so on Tuesday,

Dec. 17 at the last meeting of the year.

That's because the 2020 spring primary comes earlier than usual. Instead of May, it's scheduled for St. Patrick's Day, March 17.

The last day any Ohio school district or city can put a tax issue on the ballot is Wednesday, Dec. 18.

The short window leaves

SUBMIT YOUR NEWS TO: NEWS@LCNEWSPAPERS.COM

no time to change how much money or what kind of levy the Wellington Schools could ask for, said Weber.

"We either go with our same proposal over again or we're not on the March ballot," he said.

School board member LEVY PAGE D2

Page D2

CONTACTS • Hans Schneider, mayor: 440-647-4626 ext. 5 • Steve Dupee, village manager: 440-647-3827 • Stephen Bond, law director: 440-934-8080 • Marla Lent, secretary to the mayor: 440-647-4626 • Bill Bogan, Council at-Large: 440-864-3445 • Guy Wells, Council at-Large: 440-647-2672 • Keith Rowland, Council at-Large: 440-647-0822 • Helen Dronsfield, Council at-Large: 440-647-2959 • Mark Bughman, Council at-Large: 440-647-4076 • Gene Hartman, Council at-Large: 440-420-5898

FRIDAYS

FROM D1 A big one on our radar is Batman Day on May 1, which Arntz said will be a tribute to superheroes. She's hoping to convince Mayor Hans Schneider — who BAM! POW! ZING! loves Batman — to don his cape and cowl.

"With all these themes, there's so many different ways to go," said Arntz. "It's just trying to get people out of their houses, off their phones, enjoying company and enjoying meeting new people, learning about the town — hopefully dropping a few dollars to help our businesses."

Main Street Wellington hopes to generate the same kind of excitement that's been found in Amherst, where Walkin' on Wednesdays has kicked up enthusiasm during summer months.

Vermilion and Medina host similar events.

"It's been something that's been really embraced. So we're jumping on the trend and are very excited," said Arntz.

CLASSIFIEDS HELP WANTED

WELLINGTON TOWNSHIP HELP WANTED

The Wellington Township Trustees are accepting applications for part-time truck drivers to perform duties as required. Pre-employment DOT regulations covering alcohol and drug testing apply.

Valid driver’s license and CDL - Class B required.

Mail resumes by December 11, 2019 to Wellington Township Trustee LeRoy Brasee, Road Supervisor P.O. Box 425 Wellington, OH 44090 SERVICES

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

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South of Rt.18, Wellington 440-328-9140 kurtzchristmastrees.com

LEGALS DIVORCE NOTICE 19DR086772- Jeffery Ross, Sr. vs. Patricia Ross Patricia Ross whose last known address was 633 Blossom Drive, Lorain, Ohio 44052 and present address is unknown, will take notice that on October 2, 2019, Jeffery Ross, Jr. filed his Complaint for Divorce against Patricia Ross in the Lorain County Court of Common Pleas, Domestic Relations Division, 225 Court Street, Elyria, Ohio 44035. The Plaintiff has alleged that he and the Defendant were married on June 2, 2012 at Lorain, Ohio; that he and the Defendant have lived separate and apart for greater than one year and that he and Defendant are incompatible. The matter is set for a Discovery

Conference/Final Hearing on February 28, 2020 at 9:00 a.m. at the Lorain County Court of Common Pleas, 225 Court Street, 2nd Floor, Elyri a, Ohio 44035.

NOTE: THE DEFENDANT HEREIN, PATRICIA ROSS, HAS TWENTY EIGHT (28) DAYS IN WHICH TO RESPOND TO THE ABOVE COMPLAINT FOR DIVORCE AFTER THE POSTING.

L.C.C.G. 12/5-12-19-26/19; 1/2-9/20 20654603

PUBLIC NOTICE There will be a public hearing on December 9, 2019 at 6:00 PM at the South Amherst Village Town Hall to discuss the proposed water rate increase effective December 21, 2019, repealing and enacting South Amherst Codified Ordinance Section 921.04. (a) The Village does hereby establish water rates for the Village of South Amherst and Board of Trustees of Public Affairs with a two percent increase each year for the next three years as set forth below: P/first 1000 gallons/monthly minimum Jan-2020 11.59, Jan-2021 11.82, Jan-2022 12.05 P/1000 gallons over the first 1000 gallons Jan-2020 11.59, Jan-2021 11.82, Jan-2022 12.05 P/1000 gallons for bulk hydrant rate Jan-2020 20.40, Jan-2021 20.80, Jan-2022 21.21 User fee $15.00 per month The public is invited to attend.

L.C.C.G. 11/28; 12/5/19 20652929

PUBLICATION OF LEGISLATION The following is a summary of legislation adopted by Lorain City Council on November 4, 2019. The complete text of each item may be viewed or purchased in the Clerk of Council Office @ Lorain City Hall, 200 W. Erie Ave., Lorain, OH, during normal business hours or contact Nancy Greer @ 204-2050

(Nancy_Greer@cityoflorain. org). The following summary has been reviewed/approved by the Law Director for legal accuracy as required by state laws.

Reso. #46-19 Recognition & Appreciation to the Falbo Family and Terminal Ready Mix, Inc. for their generous donations and assistance w/ the installation of a new playground at Falbo Park.

Ord. #148-19 Assessing the cost of abating nuisance by cutting noxious weeds during the 2019 calendar year. 149-19 Assessing the cost of abating nuisances by demolition of the motel buildings located at 3917 West Erie Avenue, known as the Lake Motel. 150-19 Auth the S/S Director to enter into a professional services agrmt w/ Harvey, Abens & Iousue Co. LPA. 151-19 Amending Ord. 62-19, Section 15.3.7- Mayor Safety/ Service Director (Manager of Admin Services, LPD).

152-19- Transfer. 153-19 Appropriation. 154-19 De-Appropriation. 155-19 Changing the name of Sunset Avenue to Shipyard Way in the City of Lorain.

L.C.C.G. 11/28; 12/5/19 20654090

LEGAL NOTICE (CITATION BY PUBLICATION) To: Jose Fernandez Last Known Address: Jardines de Arroyo, Apt 302 Manzana B-3 Sector Buena Venturanza Santo Domingo, Republica Dominicana You are hereby notified that a Complaint or Motion containing a request for Divorce has been filed in the Lorain County Domestic Relations Court.

A hearing on this Complaint or Motion is scheduled for: the 12th day of February, 2020 at 9:00 a.m. before the Honorable Lisa Swenski of the Lorain County Court of Common Pleas, Domestic Relations located at 225 Court St. Elyria, OH 44053.

L.C.C.G. 11/28; 12/5-12-1926/19; 1/2/20 20654208

2nd SCLAD station to open in January JASON HAWK EDITOR

Working hard to open a second station by January, the South Lorain County Ambulance District has green-lit $15,000 for improvements to its Huntington site.

The money is being used to upgrade a portion of the Huntington Township recycling center, located at routes 58 and 162, which will be home to a 12-hourper-day SLCAD post.

A section used for smaller vehicles has been enlarged to house an ambulance. SLCAD Director Skip Gentry said the building's electrical system and garage door have also been updated.

"We wanted to be in ser-

vice there by January and we're meeting our goal," he said.

The plan is to improve response times near the Lorain-Ashland border.

About 1,400 people live in Huntington Township and reaching them from SLCAD's East Herrick Avenue headquarters can take 10 to 12 minutes.

The second post is expected to cut that time in half, said SLCAD President Butch Holmes. It will mean no more waiting for trains to pass on the tracks south of Wellington, he said.

The new post will operate from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., seven days a week.

Holmes, who is also a Huntington Township trustee, said part of the building will still be used

for recycling and storage.

"We want to do what's right for residents," said Gentry.

The cost of operating a second location has been worked into the ambulance district's budget without the need for a tax increase.

With calls on the rise, SLCAD had to take action, he said.

He expects calls for help to increase by 35 percent over the next two years, largely due to a minor population boom as folks move south from the northern part of the county.

Already this year, Gentry anticipates hitting the 1,900-call mark — far over the 1,439 handled last year and 1,217 in 2017.

The number drastically increased from September, when he projected reaching 1,800 by the year's end.

That's a lot of runs for both SLCAD paramedics and Wellington firefighters. But Gentry said the area has "been very, very lucky this year."

Usually, the 125-squaremile ambulance district has 30 percent of Lorain County's fatalities. That hasn't been the case in 2019.

And while crashes have plagued Route 2 between Amherst and Elyria, this fall has also been quiet in SLCAD territory.

When the second station opens, Gentry and company will continue to maintain staffing levels at the Wellington HQ.

No recount in four-way Council race STAFF REPORT

Gary Feron remains the odd man out after the results of the Nov. 5 Wellington Village Council race were certified last week.

There will be no recount in the four-way race, even though it was decided by a razor-thin margin, according to a review by the Lorain County Board of Elections.

Mark Bughman topped the field of candidates with 622 votes.

Helen Dronsfield and Guy Wells were separated by a single ballot — 608 and 607, respectively — to

round out the top three spots where seats were open.

All three are incumbents.

Feron, the lone challenger, wasn't far behind.

Final, official results posted by the elections board put him at 596 votes, which is still less than a halfpercent off Wells' lead.

Election Night results are always deemed "unofficial" in our reporting.

That's because provisional ballots or invalid ballots can shift races one way or the other, especially when turnout is extremely low.

Turnout in this year's general election was 28.58 percent, or just

58,738 ballots cast from the pool of 205,513 registered voters in Lorain County.

It was slightly higher in the village of Wellington, at 32.55 percent, likely due to the draw of an $8.7 million school levy, which was voted down.

Paul Adams, director of the Board of Elections, said there were 4,206 absentee ballots mailed in countywide and 4,772 people voted early in-person.

But in the face of some incredibly tight races, none required recounts and no results changed, Adams told the four-person board during a meeting Nov. 25.

HARD HIT IN HOME OPENER Photos by Russ Gifford | Wellington Enterprise

The Polar Bears proved fearsome last week, breaking away early in the Dukes girls basketball home opener for a 64-37 win. Margaretta's Jayden Moore scored 21 points and Taylor Malson added 18 more. Senior Jalen Gibbs was Wellington's biggest gun, pulling down 17 points and 12 rebounds on the night. Other Dukes found trouble in the paint — none broke the double-digit barrier. The team's next highest scorer, Karlie Frenk, had eight points, and the Polar Bears held the entire Dukes line-up to just 16 points in the second half.

LEFT: Wellington's Amanda Spiekerman tries to get past Margaretta's Elliana Schaefer.

POLICE REPORTS • Nov. 9 at 2:12 a.m.: Dillan Harmon, 22, of Wakeman, was arrested on a warrant and charged with driving under suspension.

• Nov. 12 at 12:05 a.m.: Robert Steele, 37, of Wellington, was charged with operating a vehicle while intoxicated. The charge came after an investigation into a suspicious vehicle at Certified Gas on West Herrick Avenue.

• Nov. 12 at 7:29 p.m.: A Wellington man told police he was the victim of fraud.

• Nov. 13 at 3:20 p.m.: Officers responded to a verbal altercation on Forest Street.

• Nov. 13 at 8:15 p.m.: A 17-yearold runaway was located at a North Mill Street home and turned over to Huron County sheriff's deputies.

• Nov. 14 at 3:10 p.m.: A woman

said an unauthorized utility accuont was opened in her name in Texas.

• Nov. 16 at 5:14 p.m.: A jar containing an estimated $120 in loose change was reported missing from a Barker Street home.

• Nov. 17 at 11:19 a.m.: A 93-year-old woman was found deceased at a Reserve Circle home, apparently from natural causes.

• Nov. 17 at 2:28 p.m.: Zachary Murphy, 26, of Burbank, Ohio, was charged with driving under suspension. A police report said narcotics and paraphernalia were found in his car and officers are investigating.

• Nov. 21 at 8:15 a.m.: A 15-yearold boy was charged with terroristic threats, a third-degree felony, after a complaint at Wellington High School.

• Nov. 21 at 1:11 p.m.: Karley

Cantu, 26, of Wellington, was charged with cruelty against a companion animal. After a welfare check by police, a dog was taken to the kennel where it would have shelter.

• Nov. 24 at 10:15 a.m.: A 57-year-old Wellington man said he was the victim of credit card fraud.

• Nov. 26 at 8:20 p.m.: Richard Kline, 60, of LaGrange, was charged with operating a vehicle while intoxicated and BAC over .17 percent.

• Nov. 28 at 1:24 a.m.: Officers were dispatched to Mosey Inn Tavern on North Main Street for a property damage complaint.

"If we don't have this vote, that door is closed," said Vice President Brett Murner.

President Dan Rosecrans, who lost his re-election bid, did not attend the meeting to weigh in.

On Election Night, Weber said he was crushed as the unofficial results rolled in and an $8.7 million request was rejected.

Ballots were certified last week

by the Lorain County Board of Elections. The official totals were 777 for the levy and bond issue (41.62 percent) and 1,090 against it (58.38 percent).

Those numbers were changed slightly from the unofficial Election Night count. That's because in recent weeks, provisional ballots were counted and invalid ballots were thrown out.

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

LEVY

FROM D1 Ayers Ratliff said he's not necessarily sold on a March levy attempt.

"I'd rather leave our options open," he said, with eyes toward a possible November 2020 try, when voters will head out in droves for the presidential election.

The Board of Education voted unanimously, 4-0, to at least think about whether to go back to voters.

Thursday, Dec. 5, 2019

Wellington Enterprise

TITANS WIN VIA DEFENSE

Page D3

ROYAL SMACKDOWN

Russ Gifford | Wellington Enterprise

Photos by Russ Gifford | Wellington Enterprise

The Dukes fell 64-41 to the Berea-Midpark Titans last week to start the season at the 20th Annual DiFranco Memorial Tipoff Classic. Wellington was held to just two field goals in the opening 14:30 as the Titans built a double-digit lead.Noah Diermyer led the Dukes with 18 points and Mason McClellan and Ben Bliss put up a pair of 10s. BereaMidpark's all-around offense and tight D — it out-rebounded Wellington 39-23 and minimized turnovers — won the night.

Black River's Sarah Kozik gets two points against Lake Ridge Academy, finishing the night with seven. The Pirates couldn't figure out how to contain the Royals, who racked up a big 60-32 win. Carter McCray led the Lake Ridge girls with 17 points; Black River was led by Lydia Wacker with 10.

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WHS HONOR ROLLS First-quarter honor and merit rolls have been announced at WHS. HIGH HONOR ROLL • Freshmen: Dustin Andolsek, Autumn Dudziak, Kayla Edwards, Maya Feron, Abigail Lemke, Marshal Mull, Brooklynn Neal, Adelle Pickering, Heather Reininger, Sadie Willis.

• Sophomores: Jonathan Brasee, Julianna Brasee, Annelise Broome, Natalie Calfo, Hunter Cantwell, McKenna Chappell, Trinity Farr, Lindsey Gott, Teddi Hardoby, Catherine Kasicki-Rodriguez, Jacob Knapp, Macy Marley, Phillip McKee, Tyler Moore, Brooke Noss, Maile Oswald, Melanie Solkiewicz, Jessie Teter, Jacob Weegmann, Kaitlyn Wright, Ava Zadorozny.

• Juniors: Lauren Alley, Jazmine Auble, Lane Benton, Cameron Brinker, Samantha Cochick, Heidi Cowling, Kaitlyn Diller, Hannah Fiegelist, Summer Leigh Hamilton, Jenna Krakomperger, Jillian Laposky, Dylan Lawson, Taylor Michel, Madalyn Mull, William Palmison, Payton Regal, Jacob Shaver, Kevin Xie. • Seniors: Jayden Black, Jon Bowman, Brandon Bremke, Rachel Bremke, Grace Dudziak, Cally Hardwick, Michael Kidd, Courtey Kroll, Bianca Massie, Jordan McKee, Caleb Mildenberg, Karen Murray, Madison Soboslai, Alexis Starner.

HONOR ROLL • Freshmen: Alaina Collins, Violet Haas, Joshua Higgins, Alexis Kline, Elise Krouse, Chelsea Manning, McKenna Soboslai, Mikayla Standen.

• Sophomores: Derrick

Andolsek, Chloe Black, Autumn Conley, Hannah Ingrassia, Jeremiah McKee, Miranda Song, Kavai Xia. • Juniors: Tyler Allen, Audrey Biltz, Alaine Bremke, Christina Capek, Brooke Danko, Ashley Elkin, Jacob Evans, Allison Haswell, Katrina Lazar, Lauren McClure, Wyatt Sasack, Bryce Tegtmeyer, Arianna Woody.

• Seniors: Jenna Calfo, Katlynn Caudill, Brooklinn Damiano, Cassady Dials, LeAnn Elkin, Gabrial Gayheart, Jalen Gibbs, MiKailah Godsey, Sophia Hardoby, Evan Kirkpatrick, Nicholas Laposky, Jillian Sizer, Joseph Solkiewicz, Katerina Strait, Adam Tummel, Alexis Wright.

MERIT ROLL • Freshmen: Megan Bartoto, Wayde Bowman, Joshua Buck, Ronald Dehart III, Michael Dietrich, Madison House, Gavin Ketchum, Trey Lawson, Morgan Lehmkuhl, Molly Lust, Karinna Mitterling, Mollie Shinsky, Joleisa Sizer, Joseph Tansey, Carson Taylor, Julian Tokay, Gwenyth Vannatter, Joshua Wright.

• Sophomores: Kennedi Benko, Rianna Danesi, Karlie Frenk, Karalyn Mitchell, Victoria Paramore, Bryanna Patton, Amanda Spiekerman.

• Juniors: Kendal Brasee, Eryn Mitterling, Robert Parsons, Troy Smith, Caleb Teague, Allyson Zvara.

• Seniors: Brienna Amend, Eric Benko, Benjamin Bliss, Benjamin Higgins, Richard Ingrassia, Evan Jackson, Katrina Kosa, Austin Krouse, Thomas Logar, Nicholas Martinelli, Nicholas Mascari, Scott McCraw, Kevin Rutkowski, Hope Schatz, Micah Smiley, Blake Spiekerman, Courtney Wallace.

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THE 1950s ACROSS 1. Bottomless pit 6. Banned insecticide 9. Exclamation of contempt 13. Start with a clean one?

14. Lennon’s lady 15. Editing command 16. Feudal lord’s property 17. Dunce 18. *Ayn Rand’s “____ Shrugged” 19. *Record-breaking Oscar-winner 21. *TV’s Jim Anderson 23. Immeasurable period 24. Editor’s oversight 25. Fugitive’s get-away 28. Vegas cube 30. Even smaller 35. “Rock of ____” 37. Cleopatra’s necklace 39. Saddam Hussein’s Islam 40. Surrender 41. Young Atlantic cod 43. Eastern ____ 44. Work the dough 46. Diamond Head island 47. Quarterback’s downfall 48. Pollen producer 50. Charged particles 52. *”____ must I be a teenager in love?”

53. Sound of pain or pleasure 55. Us, in Mexico 57. *Levittown, e.g.

60. *Like one born in ‘50s 63. Like a private circle 64. Highest card in “War” 66. Sea near Australia 68. “The ____ Runner,” pl.

69. *Cuban syllable 70. Musician’s exercise 71. Heroic poem 72. Boy toy 73. Sterilize DOWN 1. Cigar residue 2. Blister 3. New Haven Ivy 4. Kidney problem 5. Modus operandi 6. Point of entry 7. *Crick/Watson/Franklin discovery 8. Toffee, alt. sp.

9. Trodden track

10. “Cast Away” setting 11. *”A ____ Is Born” with Judy Garland 12. “For ____ a jolly ...”

15. Jamaican vernacular 20. Yards and miles, e.g.

22. Address abbreviation 24. T in ATV 25. *Source of immortal Hela cells 26. *Occupation of Ian Fleming’s protagonist 27. Mythological princess of Colchis 29. *Fashion designer who made a comeback in 1954 31. Small pieces 32. *Rose to Jackie 33. Methuselah’s father 34. *Tenant of Fred Mertz 36. Clothing line

38. Type of salmon 42. “Beats me!”

45. Formal objections, in court 49. And not 51. Like Santa after coming down the chimney 54. Taken follower 56. Inflict a blow 57. Barber shop sound 58. To, in the olden days 59. Swarm members 60. Pinto or black 61. Outback birds 62. Was a passenger 63. *”We’ll take ____ to Washington” 65. *Guevara’s nickname 67. Tyrannosaurus follower

SOLUTION CAN BE FOUND ON PAGE A2

Page D4

Thursday, Dec. 5, 2019

Wellington Enterprise

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