Lorain County Community Guide - Dec. 24, 2020

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AMHERST NEWS-TIMES • OBERLIN NEWS-TRIBUNE • WELLINGTON ENTERPRISE Thursday, Dec. 24, 2020

www.lcnewspapers.com

Volume 7, Issue 52

MERRY CHRISTMAS

and happy holidays from our families to yours.

Dancing through the snow Quarter

percent sales tax repealed

GrowPoint party spreads a little Christmas cheer JASON HAWK EDITOR

ELYRIA — 'Twas the week before Christmas, and Todd Rainey was moving fast.

With a big red Santa hat pulled down over his ears, he delivered dozens of colorfully-wrapped presents Dec. 15 from the back of a box truck to the hands of volunteers outside the Elyria South Community Center.

Within minutes, a party had been set up and was in full swing with hot cocoa, carols and flurries of soapy bubbles snowing down.

Star Jones, 12, was one of about 60 kids who was caught off guard by the visit from Rainey and his friends from GrowPoint Church in Amherst.

"I came out and I was all, 'What's going on?' It totally got me by surprise," she said.

GrowPoint has been partying all over Lorain County as Christmas draws near, visiting Boys & Girls Clubs members from Wellington to Oberlin, Lorain and Vermilion.

"They've been everywhere," said Diane Crumley, area director for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeast Ohio.

The bash in Elyria was the

JASON HAWK EDITOR

Kristin Bauer | Chronicle

▲ Zyaire Crutcher, 6, plays in the snow on Dec. 15 while at the Boys & Girls Club in Elyria. GrowPoint Church hosted a Christmas party for the students as well as provided gifts and winter clothing to them.

Jason Hawk | News-Times

◄ Todd Rainey, pastor at GrowPoint Church in Amherst, hustles to get presents unloaded before a surprise party for children who take part in Boys & Girls Clubs programs.

CHRISTMAS PAGE A4

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SALES TAX PAGE A4

First 500 vaccine doses arrive JASON HAWK EDITOR

ELYRIA TWP. — Strange to think a package so small could mean so much. Wedged into a cardboard box the size of a microwave oven — not giant pallets — were Lorain County Public Health's first 500 doses of COVID-19 vaccine.

The shipment was received Monday morning at the health department's

headquarters on Murray Ridge Road.

"This is everything we've been working really hard for," said Public Health Nurse Lynn Sheffield, who unboxed the vials. "So we're incredibly excited."

Starting Wednesday afternoon, emergency medical workers — firefighters who often have first contact with patients — will be the first to get the shots, said Deputy Health Commissioner Mark Adams.

VACCINE PAGE A4

Bruce Bishop | Chronicle

Nurse Lynn Sheffield shows the small boxes containing the first 500 doses of COVID vaccine to arrive at Lorain County Public Health.

INSIDE THIS WEEK

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

ELYRIA — An unpopular quarter-percent sales tax hike imposed in 2016 was repealed last week as one of the Lorain County commissioners' final acts of 2020.

Effective April 1, the rate will roll back to 6.5 percent.

"It did the job that it was intended to do, and that was to get us back “Increasing the on solid sales tax was ground, the right thing to prevent to do then, and devastating repealing it is layoffs and the right this to cuts that we do now.” would have Commissioner had a very Lori Kokoski difficult time recovering from," said Commissioner Lori Kokoski.

After voters rejected a proposed hike, she and then-Commissioner Ted Kalo implemented it anyway, saying the increase was necessary to keep services in place.

Kokoski said she struggled with that decision, but money had dried up during the Great

Amherst

Oberlin

Wellington

Steele High graduation requirements change • B1

Langston students learn about being ‘Normal’ • B1

Gift of reading inspires Lions Club charter member • B1

OBITUARIES A2 • CLASSIFIEDS A5 • KID SCOOP A6 • CROSSWORD B4 • SUDOKU B4

Page A2

Thursday, Dec. 24, 2020

Lorain County Community Guide

Wellington school board

The Wellington Board of Education will meet via Zoom on the following dates: • A special meeting has been called for 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 29.

• An organizational meeting and work session will be held at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 5.

• A business meeting will be held at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 19.

Ambulance board meeting

The South Lorain County Ambulance District board of trustees will meet at 2 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 28 at 179 East Herrick Ave., Wellington.

OBITUARIES Ramona Hastings Ramona Eleanor Carmen Hastings, 100, died Saturday, Dec. 12, 2020, at her North Carolina home surrounded by family. Born in LaGrange on June 8, 1920, Ramona was the middle child of George and Eva (nee Brush) Hamberger.

She attended LaGrange grade school and graduated with the Belden High School Class of 1938. Ramona married Wayne W. Carmen on November 21, 1940, the couple was married for 52 years until his death in January of 1993.

On March 15, 1998, she married James R. Hastings. Their marriage lasted 16 years until his death in November of 2014. Ramona moved to Charlotte, North Carolina at age 95, to live with her son, Bruce after Jim's death.

Ramona worked at Cleveland Steel Products. For many years, Ramona worked at Lorain Medina Rural Electric (LMRE) and retired as the head of the billing department. She was also well known in the area for Ramona's Candies.

A member of the Seventh Day Adventist Church, she attended first in LaGrange, then Clarksfield and finally in Charlotte, North Carolina. An avid gardener, she also enjoyed doing crossword puzzles and loved music, especially playing her organ. She played often at home while she and Wayne or later Jim, sang.

She leaves behind her loving sons, Bruce Carmen of North Carolina and Robert (Cindy) Carmen of California; two grandchildren, Christopher of Florida and Kimberly of California and three great-grandchildren, Matthew of Texas, McKensie and Caleb of Florida.

In addition to her husbands, she was preceded in death by her grandson, Shaun and siblings, Helen and William.

Private services are being held and arrangements were entrusted to Norton-Eastman Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Ramona's honor may be made to the charity of your choice.

Expressions of sympathy may be given at: www.nortoneastmanfuneralhome.com.

MARGARET 'MARGE' RUTH KEPLER (Darmstaedter) of Amherst, went to be with the Lord she loved on Sunday, Dec. 13, 2020. Arrangements by Hempel Funeral Home.

DONLEY LYNN FISHER, 61, of Amherst, went home to be with his Lord and Saviour on Wednesday, Dec. 16, 2020, at Mercy Regional Medical Center in Lorain. Arrangements by Hempel Funeral Home.

THOMAS FRANKLIN JUSTICE, 87, of Sheffield Twp., went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Thursday, Dec. 17, 2020, at University Hospitals Elyria Medical Center following a brief illness. Hempel Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

DIXIE LEE FITZPATRICK (nee Baker), 81, a lifetime resident of Lorain, passed away Thursday, Dec. 17, 2020, at Mercy Regional Medical Center following a long and full life. Arrangements are in the care of Hempel Funeral Home.

MYRNA BALTZELL (nee Miller), a lifelong resident of Amherst, born April 2, 1936, entered joyfully through the gates of Heaven on Saturday, Dec. 19, 2020, at the age of 84. Myrna's arrangements are in the care of the Hempel Funeral Home.

JOANNE SCOTT (nee O'Connor), 81, of Elyria, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Sunday, Dec. 20, 2020, at the Wesleyan Village following a long and full life. Arrangements by Hempel Funeral Home.

Mix holiday drinks the Zero Proof way STAFF REPORT

The doors are locked shut but the spirit of the Zero Proof Mix Off is alive.

The annual party is usually a chance to knock back some crazy holidaythemed drinks. They're made with tons of fun but absolutely no alcohol — perfect for designated drivers.

The Mix Off is the Lorain County Safe Communities Coalition's way of encouraging folks to drive sober.

In the midst of the pan-

demic, the Coalition has canceled the event but is releasing a book featuring six winning "blast from the past" drinks and two new recipes from area businesses.

Lorain County Public Health is urging residents to prevent the spread of the virus by avoiding gatherings with people outside your household.

That's why the Coalition's book "right-sizes" recipes to fit small household celebrations.

To get the Mix Off book, visit the customer service desk at any Discount Drug Mart location in Lorain County or the Lorain

County Public Health offices at 9880 South Murray Ridge Rd., Elyria Township.

You can also download it at www.loraincountyhealth.com/drivesober.

“Many people look forward to the Mix Off as a kickoff to the holiday season. Let’s follow the Coalition’s lead and find new ways to celebrate,” said county Health Commissioner Dave Covell.

“When we choose to not drink and drive, we choose to put others first. Likewise, when we choose to not gather for the 2020 holiday season, we choose to put others’ health first.”

TRY THIS!

“Christmas at Hogwarts” was the 2019 Best Student Drink Winner, created by the Lorain County JVS: • 4 cups cream soda • 2 cups vanilla ice cream • 1/2 cup butterscotch topping • Whipped cream • Butterscotch topping (as desired) Blend cream soda, ice cream and butterscotch topping in a blender. Garnish with whipped cream and extra butterscotch topping.

SPREADING HOLIDAY CHEER

Provided photo

“The hospice activity made me feel grateful and happy that we could make someone smile that day,” said senior McKayla Ortiz of Wellington.

Students paint windows to cheer O’Neill nursing home residents Being separated from family and friends is difficult — so a group of Lorain County JVS seniors decided to show O'Neill Healthcare residents they aren't forgotten.

Working with the Hospice of the Western Reserve, health students trained to become volunteers for the semester — then they surprised the North Ridgeville nursing home residents by painting windows with positive messages and seasonal artwork.

In previous years, students have

worked directly with hospice patients in nursing facilities to improve their quality of life. However, with COVID-19 restrictions, a new approach was needed.

“We met with the students to plan a project that would bring joy and encouragement to our patients and the residents of O’Neill Healthcare in North Ridgeville,” said Michele Gillum, Hospice of the Western Reserve volunteer service manager. “We discussed how isolated they are, and how they

must feel. The students wanted to find a way to let residents know they are not forgotten. That’s how the project came to life.”

O’Neill Healthcare and the JVS pooled resources to purchase the art supplies. The students divided into three teams to develop themes for the memory care unit, assisted living dining area and activities area.

“I felt like we did such a kind act and it probably changed a lot.

Kindness changes everything,” said student Michaela O’Donnell.

Amherst school board receives donations The Amherst Board of Education has received the following donations: • $25 from Studio Q Photography for the Steele

High School student council.

• $6,000 from Superintendent Steve Sayers and family to be used for

merit-based scholarships for graduating seniors and to provide assistance to students who aren't able to pay field trip fees.

• $6,280.87from the Amherst Junior High School PTO for items purchased for the maker space at the school.

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

• 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. Include your name, address, and daytime telephone number for our records. Up to two signatures.

• 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.

SOLUTION TO CROSSWORD ON PAGE B4

SOLUTION TO SUDOKU ON PAGE B4

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

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Thursday, Dec. 24, 2020

Lorain County Community Guide

Heartfelt goodbyes

James Cordes

Sharon Sweda

Lori Kokoski

Dennis Will

Gerald Innes

Page A3

Judith Nedwick

Cordes, Kokoski, Sweda, Will and other county workers bow out JASON HAWK and LAINA YOST

ELYRIA — Maybe it was a trick of the light. Or maybe James Cordes really was blushing Wednesday as his co-workers offered warm tributes.

Since being hired as its chief administrator in 2000, he has "lived and breathed Lorain County," navigating it through turbulent times, said Commissioner Lori Kokoski.

Cordes has a soft side most people don't see, because often his job has meant taking hard stances and being the "tough guy," said Commissioner Matt Lundy.

"He's really a teddy bear.

He has a tough outer shell, but the way he talks about wanting to help people, take care of people, I think that's been demonstrated," he said.

In their final meeting of the year, commissioners honored the departing administrator by dedicating the James R. Cordes Community Room at the Lorain County Transportation Center.

They made the move two days before his exit, and just weeks after voting to fire him from the job he's held the past two decades.

The situation stems from the results of the November election, in which Republicans David Moore and Michelle Hung unseated Democrats Kokoski and Sharon Sweda.

While campaigning, Moore and Hung both promised to fire Cordes, which county Assistant Prosecutor Gerald Innes said could have opened the door for a wrongful termination suit.

Hoping to head off a costly verdict, sitting commissioners decided to make the change now and allow Cordes to exit with a substantial severance package.

Known for his gruff demeanor and playing hardball, Cordes has long been a polarizing figure.

Kokoski worked with him for 16 years and said she did not get along with him at first. "I let other people skew my opinion of him at first. It took me a while to realize that my first impression of him was mistaken," she said.

There was also pressure to fire him early on, but Kokoski said she was "lucky" former commis-

sioners Betty Blair and Ted Kalo headed off the notion.

In a tearful goodbye, she praised the outbound administrator's knowledge, ability to move projects forward, long hours at the office and at home and the compassion she found under his rough exterior.

In a parting message, Cordes said it's been a privilege to serve and he is sorry to leave.

"I’m almost 62 and not in the greatest health, as the board has known," he said. "The last few years have not been generous and kind to me in the health department, so this may be just the opportunity and push needed to make a decision I probably wouldn’t have made otherwise for a little while, and may have made too late."

His successor and new commissioners should weigh how their immediate decisions can impact the county several years down the road.

"You can be old school and still be progressive.

You can be old school and still look to the future and be a visionary," he said.

"I would challenge the new folks coming in to be visionary. It's easy to do easy and hard to do hard.

That sounds like a stupid statement, but sometimes too many people do easy when they should do hard."

In a unanimous vote, Kokoski was appointed to serve as county administrator in Cordes' stead from Dec. 19 to Jan. 3.

The commissioners' 2021 organizational meeting will be held Jan. 4.

Wednesday's meeting was farewell for a number of influential public servants: Sharon Sweda When Kalo resigned in 2019 to become Lorain's clerk of courts, Sweda was appointed to serve out his unexpired term. She did not win re-election this fall.

During her tenure, "she was very instrumental in many county issues, and the support she gave to various service organizations and projects in Lorain County," said Lundy.

He praised the energy with which Sweda approached the job and the real estate experience she provided the Board of Commissioners. "You talk about being an advocate

for business. No stronger voice that you've been for business, no question about that," Lundy said.

Sweda delivered her farewell remarks in the form of a Christmas list.

"For our new leadership team, may Santa guide you to hire more than fire, give you wisdom on difficult decisions, a willingness to be bipartisan and to double the carry forward that we’re leaving you with this year," she said. "My personal wish is that Santa will push me to find where I can continue to serve."

Lori Kokoski Kokoski was first elected to the Board of Commissioners in 2005, serving 15 years. She leaves after serving as president of the board this year.

Lundy said she championed veterans and the fight against addiction, and deeply values law enforcement. Kokoski's passion for the county dog kennel has also saved countless dogs from being euthenized.

"With Lori, her head and her heart are always in the right place," he said. "I've got to tell you, folks, she's very deep in her faith.

She's a good, Christian woman."

Kokoski's goal was always to lift up and help the people of Lorain County in times of need, Lundy said, describing her as fair, reasonable and responsible, and willing to make tough decisions when required.

"I hope I made a positive impact during my tenure that improved the quality of life for our citizens for years to come," Kokoski said. "I pray that next year is better than this year. Please be kind to each other until this pandemic is over. Listen to the experts about preventing the spread of this virus and help others if you are able to."

Sandy Strohsack Hired in 2000 as an administrative assistant, Sandy Strohsack rose through the ranks to become the commissioners' chief of staff in 2019.

"She was an advocate for Lorain County, dealing with many departments and residents," Kokoski said. "Her first-class expertise, good nature and sense of humor with working associates will be remembered and missed."

Fatal crashes reviewed The Lorain County Traffic Fatality Review Committee met Dec. 2 to analyze five crashes that killed seven people between Aug. 27 and Nov. 10. It found: • Two crashes involved a motorcycle, and the motorcyclists did not wear helmets at the time.

• Two crashes involved drugs.

• Two crashes involved high speed.

• One crash involved alcohol.

• One victim was under the age of 25.

As of the meeting date, 12 fatal crashes

and 13 deaths had occurred on Lorain County roadways in 2020.

A seat belt was not used in 33 percent of the crashes, alcohol was a factor in 17 percent and other drugs were a confirmed factor in 8 percent.

Getting behind the wheel after taking certain medications, using marijuana or other drugs puts everyone on the road at risk for a deadly crash, said a release from county Health Commissioner David Covell.

Toni Shanahan Hired in 2005, Toni Shanahan has served as administrative assistant to all three current county commissioners.

She worked most recently under Kokoski, who said Shanahan is especially good at handling calls from people who help, and has often dealt with difficult situations.

"She has been through everything with us, through the good and the tough times, and I know she will continue to do great things in her life, because that is who she is," Kokoski said.

Maureen Simen Hired in 2019, Maureen Simen served as administrative assistant to Sweda.

Though Simen was only there a short time, Sweda said she became known as conscientious and astute, analytical and caring.

Dennis Will Racking up a criminal conviction rate of over 90 percent, Dennis Will has served as Lorain County prosecutor since 2005.

He lost a re-election bid in the spring primary to challenger J.D. Tomlinson, who went on to win the general election.

"The man just always constantly blew me away with his knowledge of the law," said Lundy, describing him as thorough with a great sense of humor and ability to stay calm in tough situations.

A Marine Corps veteran, Will spent 25 years as an Elyria police officer, one year as a sheriff's deputy, one year as prosecutor for Sheffield Village and 11 years as an assistant county prosecutor.

Gerald Innes After serving 28 years as Lorain County assistant prosecutor, Gerald Innes will retire Dec. 31.

His legal career began in family and business law, and Innes has since represented the county's elected officials, libraries, schools, social service agencies and more. Among the many organizations in which he's been active are the Lorain County Bar Association, school levy committees and Kiwanis.

"I'd probably pay $1 million today if you could find someone who doesn't like Gerry Innes. I don't think you can find that person out there," said Lundy.

Commissioners on Wednesday dedicated the Gerald A. Innes Jury Assembly Room at the Lorain County Justice Center in his honor.

"We’re lucky to have one thing that drives us, which is we want to do the greatest amount of good for the greatest amount of people," Innes said. "...

I’ve been really lucky to have four prosecutors who lived by that."

Judith Nedwick Appointed to serve as

Lorain County recorder in 2003, Judith Nedwick was elected to the post in 2004.

Her November re-election bid was unsuccessful, however. Voters chose challenger Mike Doran for the post.

Sweda said Nedwick has had a profound impact on residents, from property owners to veterans who have benefited from her guidance.

"I look around the county, and I don't know anybody who hasn't been affected by Judy's work," she said.

Nedwick served more than 20 years in the county auditor's office, the bulk of those years as the transfer office supervisor.

She is the current vice president of the Ohio Recorders' Association.

Tracy Lopez Hired as an emergency operator at Lorain County 911 in 1994, Tracy Lopez is now stepping down as the agency's director.

She has overseen a tremendous evolution in the technology used by 911 dispatchers over the past 26 years, Sweda said.

"What folks really don't understand is that she has probably endured some of the most difficult challenges from the perspective of a director," she said, crediting Lopez with vastly improving communication between first responders.

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Page A4

Lorain County Community Guide

Thursday, Dec. 24, 2020

Mayfield passes to gift receivers in Oberlin JASON HAWK EDITOR

OBERLIN — Santa traded in his vintage red and white suit this past week for brown and orange.

Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield didn't wear a big white beard or hitch up the reindeer. But he did deliver toys to 26 Boys & Girls Clubs locations across Northeast Ohio.

In Oberlin, he and wife Emily Wilkinson donated $5,000 worth of gifts to kids at Eastwood and Prospect elementary schools, where the clubs are running virtual learning centers during the pandemic.

"This was completely out of the blue. Nobody knew it was coming," said district spokeswoman Melissa Linebrink.

Mayfield didn't visit Oberlin, but sent gift cards, guitars, remote-control cars, basketballs and — of course — footballs.

“The kindness shown to our students from Mr. Mayfield and his wife warmed their hearts this holiday season. No one Provided photos was expecting this amazing, selfless gift,” said Jay Nimene, Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield and his wife, Emily director of family and student Wilkinson, loaded up shopping carts at Meijer in Avon and delivered them to kids at the Boys & Girls Clubs in support services for the Oberlin Cleveland. They also sent gifts to Lorain County.

City Schools.

Birds, books and beyond

Many birders keep ‘life lists” to journal their birding experiences, such as the date, time and place they first saw a new avian species.

The “My Forever North America Life Bird List and Beyond” book allows birders to keep track of those discoveries.

The book includes all Checklist Code 1-2-3 birds and plenty of extra pages to record rarities, log travel and make notes. It features a chronological numbered list of up to 400 birds, with room for many more.

The book can also be used for keeping annual totals, or totals covering a certain area — for example, Ohio Birds 2021 or Lorain County Birds 2022.

The $20 cost benefits the Black River Audubon Society. For more information, visit www.blackriveraudubon.org or mail check or money order to Black River Audubon Society, P.O. Box 33, Elyria, OH 44036. Be sure to include your name and mailing address.

Oberlin elementary school students cheer after receiving $5,000 worth of gifts from Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield.

Ken Wood of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeast Ohio said Baker teamed up with Meijer and BodyArmor to buy and send gifts. "It was a wonderful gesture," he said.

Presents went to nearly 600 kids who attend clubs in Lorain, Cuyahoga, Summit and Erie counties.

“We have so much respect

for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeast Ohio and the work they do every day to help kids in our community,” Mayfield said. “Emily and I are so grateful for partners like Meijer and BodyArmor to step up to help us deliver joy to these kids, and we encourage others to pitch in to help this organization as well.”

Wide support for Lorain County anti-smoking effort This fall, Lorain County Public Health surveyed 286 adults in the county to gauge public perception of tobacco use, tobacco marketing toward youth and tobacco policy.

A majority of survey respondents supported policies that prevent youth from using tobacco. This support is important because 95 percent of American adult smokers begin smoking before they turn 21.

“The community survey is just one example of the work LCPH does to prevent sickness and death caused by tobacco,” said Health Commissioner David Covell. “In fact, a goal in our Community Health Improve-

ment Plan is to see less tobacco use in both adults and youth by 2022.

These responses from the community will further support LCPH’s tobacco prevention efforts and inform decision-makers."

Highlights of survey responses include: • 92.4 percent agreed or strongly agreed that tobacco use by adults should not be allowed on school grounds or at school events.

• 62 percent agreed or strongly agreed that smoking should not be allowed in outdoor public spaces.

• Nearly 97 percent agreed or strongly agreed that tobacco com-

panies should not be allowed to advertise toward youth.

• 73.6 percent expressed agreement or strong agreement that flavorings, including menthol, should be prohibited in e-cigarettes and other tobacco products.

In the last six years, LCPH has worked with Lorain County leaders to help them develop and adopt eight tobacco-free policies that aim to prevent people, especially youth, from starting to use tobacco. They also aim to help people quit using tobacco and reduce harmful health effects caused by exposure to secondhand smoke.

CHRISTMAS

FROM A1

The first 500 doses of the Coronavirus vaccine from Moderna.

VACCINE

FROM A1 In the meantime, the doses were moved to a refrigerator unit.

Lorain County received the Moderna vaccine, which unlike the Pfizer-made version doesn't require supercooling. It can be stored for up to six months at between -13 and 5 degrees Fahrenheit, Sheffield said.

"This is a great step forward," said Adams. "It's that first initial step in protecting people, for public health being on the offensive side instead of defense. So now we've got the ball, we go forward with it and get in the process of getting back to normal."

He said the county expects to get weekly shipments.

Officials will fill out a survey each Monday about how many doses they can take and distribute.

After emergency medical technicians, the vaccine will go to primary care providers, group homes and other congregate settings.

Adams said police and non-EMT firefighters will be vaccinated later. Teachers have also been bumped up the list for inclusion in the first phase of inoculations.

"They moved a lot of individuals who were considered in the original plan to be in phase two. They moved them to phase one," Adams said.

Most nursing homes will be handled by pharmacies under a federal program and will get the Pfizer vaccine, he said.

Lorain County Public Health will be responsible for vaccinations at some that did not sign on to the federal program.

The target for mass vaccinations of the general public remains April and May. But Adams said that if more vaccine can be quickly produced, those shots could be available sooner.

"We hope, we aspire for it to be sooner," he said. "But we'd like to prepare everybody that if there is an issue, there are millions to be vaccinated who want the vaccine in this country."

There's no reason to expect supply chain issues or shortages, he said.

largest of the season. About 140 students attend a virtual learning center there during the day because the Elyria Schools have moved completely online.

Crumley said the Christmas party was a welcome break for kids who needed a little relaxation.

"I think this is definitely about morale, and recognizing that with everything going on that holiday spirit is still alive," she said.

GrowPoint members knew indoor parties couldn't be held because of COVID-19, but didn't want to shut down the fun in a year already plagued with shutdowns, said Rainey, who is executive pastor at the Amherst church.

That wouldn't be fair to the kids, he said: "We want them to know we believe in them, that there is hope, the old saying, 'This too shall pass" and not to give up."

His hope in throwing the parties is that kids "would see the love of Jesus — not just hear about it, but see an expression of it."

Kristin Bauer | Chronicle

Kailani Jackson, 6, plays in the snow at the Boys & Girls Club in Elyria.

SALES TAX

FROM A1 Recession. The county was facing a 35 percent budget cut that would have meant layoffs, and they would have hit the Lorain County Sheriff's Office hard.

"I actually voted no because I didn't want to go against the will of the voters, and I reversed my decision a week later because of how bad the impact was going to be," she said.

The decision to lower the sales tax came after commissioners approved a $33.7 million temporary budget for the first quarter of 2021.

They expect to carry forward roughly $21.9 million from the 2020 budget.

The amount marks a significant recovery, according to numbers provided by county Budget Director KC Saunders.

Sales tax collections have surged

from about $24.8 million in 2017 to $32.5 million this year.

When businesses were shut down in March and April due to COVID-19, no one suspected the sales tax would help end the year strong, Saunders said. But with it as an anchor, the county's revenue for 2020 is up 9.9 percent or roughly $6.5 million.

Kokoski said residents are shopping local instead of traveling across county lines, leading to the boost.

That's put Lorain County in a "state of security," said Commissioner Sharon Sweda, who brought the motion to repeal the quarter-percent tax.

Good leadership isn't always popular, she said, but Kokoski and Kalo made the right call and the county's budget has stabilized.

Rolling back the tax should not put the county back in the danger zone,

Sweda said.

"We have been very good stewards of the taxpayers' money. We've managed things responsibly through some difficult times," said Commissioner Matt Lundy, who voted against the increase in 2016.

He said he doesn't like sales taxes, period, because they are "regressive" — those who aren't wealthy pay the same rate as those who are.

Lorain County still has one of the lowest sales tax rates in Ohio at 6.75 percent, Lundy said. He also pointed out that county government only gets a fraction of that amount.

A 5.75 percent cut goes to the state of Ohio, and a quarter percent goes to the Lorain County Jail. As of April 1, that will mean only a half-percent can be tapped by commissioners.

Thursday, Dec. 24, 2020

Lorain County Community Guide

Page A5

In ‘stand your ground’ battle, Oberlin seeks veto JASON HAWK EDITOR

OBERLIN — A bill expanding Ohio's "stand your ground" law had Oberlin City Council members angry Monday, and calling for Gov. Mike DeWine to veto.

Republicans pushed Senate Bill 175 through the state Legislature late last week. If signed by DeWine, it could allow Ohioans to open fire on just about anyone they deem a threat.

The state has had a castle doctrine in place for years, allowing residents to protect themselves from intruders at home or in their vehicles. The new bill would carry that idea over to public places.

It would also erase the shooter's responsibility to try to escape a threat before opening fire in self-defense, said Oberlin Law Director Jon Clark.

Oberlin Council voted unanimously to ask DeWine to block the bill, which he has hinted he may do.

Even so, there's a good chance the veto would be overturned by "hypocrites in Columbus" who "praise the police while ignoring the police," said an upset Coun-

cilman Kelley Singleton.

"Maybe after they have the guts to pass this, they could go redact the Bible to get rid of 'Thou shalt not kill,'" he said.

Council President Linda Slocum said the bill would ignore due process and make the shooter judge, jury and executioner.

The "stand your ground" expansion was viewed as purely political by Councilwoman Elizabeth Meadows. "It appears the Ohio Legislature is trying to give a goodbye gift to our departing president, and hopefully we can stop that," she said.

No Democrats voted for the bill, but a handful of Republicans defected to oppose it in both the House and Senate. It passed the House by a 52-31 margin Thursday and the Senate 18-11 on Friday.

Among the officials elected to represent Lorain County, Rep. Dick Stein, R-Norwalk, Rep. Gayle Manning, R-North Ridgeville, and Sen. Nathan Manning, R-North Ridgeville, all backed the "stand your ground" bill. Rep. Joe Miller, D-Amherst, voted against it.

"Every person in law enforcement I spoke to said stand your ground has caused more prob-

lems," said Miller in a phone interview Monday. "When people should be trying to deescalate a situation, this gives them the mindset they can respond with deadly force and be OK under the law."

The same night, Stein said lawabiding citizens ought to be able to protect themselves no matter where they are.

"I think it's more of a consistency issue, saying that as long as you're not the person being confrontational, and it's simply an act of protecting yourself or your family, the location shouldn't mean the difference between guilt or innocence," he said.

Laura Irvin of Moms Demand Action, a nonprofit that seeks to reduce gun violence, told Oberlin officials she strongly opposes the bill.

"It's a deadly bill, especially for communities of color," she said.

She voiced worries that the measure, which she referred to as "kill at will," doesn't spell out what kind of threat would justify a shooting.

In testimony earlier this month to the Senate's Government Oversight and Reform Committee, Ohio State University history and sociology professor

Randolph Roth said the research on "no duty to retreat" provisions has painted a clear picture.

Coupled with "the inability of so many American men to walk away from a fight or an argument, even when it would be easy to do so," such laws cause more deaths, he said.

"Guns are not the fundamental reason why America is by far the most violent affluent society in the world," he said. "We even beat our children to death at the highest rate. But the fact that so many Americans own and carry guns (particularly modern handguns) has made violence in this country worse than it would otherwise be. We need to establish a better balance between rights and responsibilities when it comes to firearms."

City of Delaware Police Chief Bruce Pijanowski, speaking for the Ohio Association of Chiefs of Police, called the law "incomprehensible" because they don't address underlying issues behind violence.

"If, as a state, we are serious about our approaches to mental health, addiction and police use of force, then we need to support real solutions to those issues," he said. "Nowhere in this or any

Firelands suffers ‘Zoom bombing’ CARISSA WOYTACH THE CHRONICLE-TELEGRAM

SOUTH AMHERST — A Zoom meeting at a Firelands School building was hacked Dec. 14, forcing the building to suspend live online classes.

A seventh grade online class from South Amherst Middle School was hacked, with a person posing as a student joining the meeting displaying pornography on their screen, according to emails sent to parents and disclosed to with The Chronicle-Telegram.

The teacher immediately removed that account from the class and livestreamed classes were put on hold while the district worked to tighten security measures.

Students were still tasked with

completing work through Google Classroom, according to the emails.

Superintendent Mike Von Gunten said in an email to The ChronicleTelegram that the district is working with its technology department and internet providers after the “Zoom bombing” incident.

"We are doing everything we can to provide our students a safe learning environment for those families that selected online learning," he wrote. "We continue to be in regular contact with our students and parents while we pursue all options in regards to technology moving forward."

Firelands Schools is far from alone in experiencing a “Zoom bombing” incident.

In March, the FBI issued a warning about online classroom hijack-

firearms legislation is there a dollar for mental health or addiction services. Both are underfunded, overlooked and often criticized when things go wrong."

But supporters said the "no duty to retreat" provision is long overdue.

Among them was Dean Rieck, director of the Buckeye Firearms Association. He testified that lethal force is justified when a person is not at fault for creating a threat and has a reasonable belief they are in immediate and unavoidable danger.

"If you honestly believe you are about to die, it is cruel and absurd to expect you to attempt escape, delaying your own selfdefense and putting your life in even greater danger," said Rieck.

"Ohio’s Duty to Retreat law is an injustice to victims of crime and an outrageous legal requirement."

John Weber of the National Rifle Association agreed in additional testimony.

"If a person facing an unlawful attack has to consider retreat or tries unsuccessfully to retreat, the unlawful aggressor may gain a crucial advantage in the very brief window the victim might have to effectively react," he said.

NOW THAT'S THE SPIRIT

ing during the COVID-19 pandemic, suggesting not making meetings public and limiting screen-sharing options.

In May, it warned of child sexual abuse materials being displayed during Zoom meetings. At that time, the agency had received almost 200 reports of incidents involving those materials in the United States and other countries.

Locally, the Lorain County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the incident at Firelands, Capt. Daniel Ashdown confirmed.

The Sheriff’s Office handles internet crimes within its jurisdiction, from wire fraud or extortion cases to online threats against schools within its jurisdiction.

But if the hack originated out of state or overseas, prosecuting anyone becomes more difficult.

Provided photo

These Wellington High School teachers weren't embarrassed to make Ugly Holiday Sweater Day a success on Dec. 15.

$525K literacy grant goes to Langston Middle School JASON HAWK EDITOR

OBERLIN — Teachers hope a $525,000 investment will help put Langston Middle School students the path to literacy.

The district has struggled for years to raise standardized reading scores among its youngest learners, earning a D on the most recent state report card with letter grades.

Earlier this year, the Ohio Department of Education gave

more than $1 million to address reading in kindergarten through fifth grade. A second Comprehensive State Literacy Development Grant award was announced Thursday for grades six to eight, bringing the total to $1.57 million to be used over the next five years.

"It's for new ideas, fresh ideas," said Superintendent David Hall.

The money will allow the Oberlin City Schools to hire a literacy coach — someone to provide support to teachers and

arm them with new strategies for reaching kids.

The grant will also pay for a curriculum overhaul, books and data analysis to help move Langston forward, Hall said.

It will increase educational options available to students who have been traditionally underserved, said William Baylis II, the district's curriculum director.

And the money is needed more now than ever, said Hall.

The COVID-19 crisis has caused some students, the ones

most at risk, to fall behind.

The benefits will be visible in the fall, Hall said. About 300 students are expected to directly benefit from the grant to Langston.

In the meantime, Oberlin is hoping to reopen its public school doors again for in-person classes on Tuesday, Jan. 19. Students have been learning online since September.

The district is averaging a 93 percent attendance rate, Hall told the Board of Education Monday, though he acknowl-

edged some students have struggled with remote learning.

School board member Anne Schaum said difficulties aren't unique to Oberlin; there's been a lot of news about the challenges students are having trying to keep up with expectations.

"What we are facing here in Oberlin is definitely a universal problem, as teachers, students, families are all struggling through this together," she said.

"It might not be much of a consolation, but at least we know we're all in it together."

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LEGALS ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS CITY OF LORAIN, OHIO COOPER FOSTER PARK DR. & ASHWOOD BLVD. WATER DISTRIBUTION SPOT REPAIRS Sealed bids will be received by the Engineering Department of the City of Lorain, Ohio until: TIME AND PLACE FOR RECEIVING BIDS: UNTIL - 11:00 AM, Thursday, January 7, 2021 Lorain time, Engineering Department, Lorain City Hall 4th Floor.

TIME AND PLACE FOR OPENING BIDS: 11:15 AM, Lorain time, City of Lo-

rain Council Chambers, Lorain City Hall 1st Floor.

Bids must be accompanied by Certified Check or Cashier's Check or Letter of Credit equals to ten percent (10%) of the amount bid, or a bond for the full amount of the bid as a guarantee that if the bid is accepted, a contract will be entered into and a performance bond properly secured.

Should any bid be rejected, such instrument will be forthwith returned upon proper execution of a contract. Cash deposits will not be accepted. The bid check/bond should be enclosed in the sealed bid, but in a separate envelope clearly marked 'BID CHECK/BOND' with the bidders name & address on the bid check/ bond envelope.

Labor shall be paid not less than the prevailing wage rate as determined by the Ohio Department of Commerce as state in Section 4115 of the Ohio Revised Code.

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

Bidders may request printed sets for a non-refundable fee payable either by check or

money order for each set taken out. Checks are to be made payable to the City of Lorain.

The Director of Safety/Service reserves the right to accept or reject any or all bids.

By order of the Director of Safety/Service

L.C.C.G. 12/17-24/20 20674699

ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS CITY OF LORAIN, OHIO LOCAL ROADWAY REHABILITATION PROJECT OHIO PUBLIC WORKS COMMISSION ROUND 34 CONTRACT A KING AVE., W. 26TH ST, G ST., W. 35TH ST. ROADWAY REHABILITATION Sealed bids will be received by the Engineering Department of the City of Lorain, Ohio until: TIME AND PLACE FOR RECEIVING BIDS: UNTIL - 11:00 AM, Friday, January 15, 2021 Lorain time, Engineering Department, Lorain City Hall 4th Floor.

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

COMPLETION DATE: August 24, 2021 Bidders must be listed on the ODOT pre-qualified list for

highway construction. Bidders shall submit a list of available equipment, and labor shall be paid not less than the prevailing wage rate as determined by the Ohio Department of Commerce for Lorain County.

NO BID WILL BE OPENED WITHOUT THE CERTIFICATION OF QUALIFICATION OR THE ACCEPTABLE LETTER OF APPLICATION ATTACHED TO THE OUTSIDE AS DIRECTED. Bids must be accompanied by Certified Check or Cashier's Check or Letter of Credit equals to ten percent (10%) of the amount bid, or a bond for the full amount of the bid as a guarantee that if the bid is accepted, a contract will be entered into and a performance bond properly secured.

Should any bid be rejected, such instrument will be forthwith returned upon proper execution of a contract. Cash deposits will not be accepted.

Each bidder must insure that all employees and applicants for employment are not discriminated against because of their race, creed, color, sex or national origin. All bidders must comply with the provisions of the American Disabilities Act. All federal minority business enterprise and women business enterprise requirements shall be met. All contractors and subcontractors involved with the project will to the extent practicable use Ohio products, materials,

services and labor in the implementation of their project.

Bid blanks and specifications may be secured at the Engineering Department, 200 West Erie Avenue, Lorain, Ohio, 44052 between the hours of 8:30 AM and 4:30PM Monday thru Friday. Electronic packages may be secured, via email Matt_Kusznir@ cityoflorain.org or the city website, www.cityoflorain.org.

The Director of Safety/Service reserves the right to accept or reject any or all bids.

By order of the Director of Safety/Service

L.C.C.G. 12/17-24/20 20674666

ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS CITY OF LORAIN, OHIO LOCAL ROADWAY REHABILITATION PROJECT OHIO PUBLIC WORKS COMMISSION ROUND 34 CONTRACT B ROSEBUD PL., ROSECREST DR., E. 34TH ST., E. 41ST ST., LEXINGTON AVE. ROADWAY REHABILITATION Sealed bids will be received by the Engineering Department of the City of Lorain, Ohio until: TIME AND PLACE FOR RECEIVING BIDS: UNTIL - 11:00 AM, Friday,

January 15, 2021 Lorain time, Engineering Department, Lorain City Hall 4th Floor.

TIME AND PLACE FOR OPENING BIDS: 11:30 AM, Lorain time, City of Lorain Council Chambers, Lorain City Hall 1st Floor.

COMPLETION DATE: August 24, 2021 Bidders must be listed on the ODOT pre-qualified list for highway construction. Bidders shall submit a list of available equipment, and labor shall be paid not less than the prevailing wage rate as determined by the Ohio Department of Commerce for Lorain County.

NO BID WILL BE OPENED WITHOUT THE CERTIFICATION OF QUALIFICATION OR THE ACCEPTABLE LETTER OF APPLICATION ATTACHED TO THE OUTSIDE AS DIRECTED.

Bids must be accompanied by Certified Check or Cashier's Check or Letter of Credit equals to ten percent (10%) of the amount bid, or a bond for the full amount of the bid as a guarantee that if the bid is accepted, a contract will be entered into and a performance bond properly secured.

Should any bid be rejected, such instrument will be forthwith returned upon proper execution of a contract. Cash deposits will not be accepted.

Each bidder must insure that

all employees and applicants for employment are not discriminated against because of their race, creed, color, sex or national origin. All bidders must comply with the provisions of the American Disabilities Act. All federal minority business enterprise and women business enterprise requirements shall be met. All contractors and subcontractors involved with the project will to the extent practicable use Ohio products, materials, services and labor in the implementation of their project.

Bid blanks and specifications may be secured at the Engineering Department, 200 West Erie Avenue, Lorain, Ohio, 44052 between the hours of 8:30 AM and 4:30PM Monday thru Friday. Electronic packages may be secured, via email Matt_Kusznir@ cityoflorain.org or the city website, www.cityoflorain.org.

The Director of Safety/Service reserves the right to accept or reject any or all bids.

By order of the Director of Safety/Service

L.C.C.G. 12/17-24/20 20674698

PUBLICATION OF LEGISLATION The following is a summary of legislation adopted by Lorain City Council on Dec 7, 2020.

The complete text of each item may be viewed or purchased

in the Clerk of Council Office @ Lorain City Hall, 200 W. Erie Ave., Lorain, OH, during normal business hours or contact Nancy Greer @ 204-2050 (Nancy_Greer@cityoflorain. org). The following summary of legislation passed has been reviewed/approved by the Law Director for legal accuracy as required by state laws.

Reso 39-20* Concurring w/ the expenditure of $70,144 in CARES Act funding from Lorain County. 40-20 Auth the S/S Director to apply for, accept funding and enter into a contract on behalf the City of Lorain for construction of Planned Active Transportation Plan-SRTS. Ordinance 145-20 Adopting the recommendation of the Lorain Planning Commission to approve the request to rezone 141 E. Erie Ave from B-2 to R-2 Residential. 146-20* Assessing the cost to abate nuisance by removing litter, deposits of garbage, junk, debris, etc. during the current calendar year.

147-20* Amending Section 1548.04 of the Lorain Codified Ordinances "Requirements for Placement of Portable Storage Units" and repealing Ord. 143-20. 148-20 Auth the Chief of Police to accept an award from the Bureau of Justice Assistance for purchase of gas masks & other PPE. 149-20 Auth the Chief of Police to accept an award from Bureau of Justice Assistance for purchase of 29 bulletproof

vests. 150-20* Amending Ord. 28-15, Sec. 1, regulations for the Lorain Police Aux to provide catastrophic insurance. 151-20* Auth the S/S Dir to enter into a contract w/ Baumann Ent. For the demo of 225, 233, 239 Washington Ave, 488 W. 13th St., 700 & 1120 W. Erie Ave, 2243 Oakdale Ave, 2375 Apple Ave. 152-20 Auth the purchase of meter supplies for use by the Lorain Utilities Billing/Meter Div. 153-20* Auth purchase of a new fork lift w/o competitive bid for the Utilities Dept. Water Purification Dept through State Purchasing. 154-20* Amending Ord 45-10, maintaining balances of the General Reserve in accordance w/ ORD 5705.13A(3), created to supplement the General Fund for cyclical changes in revenue/expenditures. 155-20* Amending Ch. 1125.04 and 173-96 "Fence Regulations and Permit Fees" of the Lorain Codified Ordinances.

156-20* Auth the Auditor to pay an invoice submitted by the S/S Dept invoking the Then & Now Certification Exception process and paying said invoice. 157-20* Auth the purchase of a new Spartan Pumper from LFD through State Purchasing w/o bid not to exceed $506k. (*Denotes legislation was passed as an emergency.)

L.C.C.G. 12/17-24/20 20674920

Page A6

Thursday, Dec. 24, 2020

Lorain County Community Guide

© 2020 by Vicki Whiting, Editor Jeff Schinkel, Graphics Vol. ol. 37, No. 3

During the pandemic, many families have decided not to visit each other for the holidays. Public health leaders have recommended people celebrate at home with only their household members. This might make you and others in your family sad.

And for many families, money is tight right now and it’s hard to buy presents.

There is a gift that can cheer people up and you can give it without spending money!

Simply share the silly jokes on this page and give your loved ones the gift of laughter!

Children are born curious.

From their earliest days, sensory exploration brings delight and wonder. New discoveries expand their minds. When they unlock the joy of reading, their world widens further.

Magic happens.

Kid Scoop opens the doors of discovery for elementary school children by providing interactive, engaging and relevant age-appropriate materials designed to awaken the magic of reading at school, at home, and throughout their lives.

For more information about our literacy non-profit, visit kidscoopnews.org

Replace the missing vowels.

Draw lines to connect each riddle with its answer. Then, read the jokes aloud to your family.

Find each candy cane’s twin.

ANSWER: Orna-mints.

USE THE CODE:

=A =E =M

How many snowflakes can you find on this page?

Circle every other letter below to reveal the answer.

Circle every other letter:

=O =R =S

=T =V =Y

Superlative Fun Look through the

newspaper for three happy pictures.

Label one HAPPY, one HAPPIER and one HAPPIEST. Repeat this game with other words.

Standards Link: Understand comparative and superlative words and phrases.

Can you find the two identical ornaments? Color them!

SNOWFLAKES NEWSPAPER REINDEER S R E P A P S W E N PRESENTS T R E I N D E E R C HOLIDAY N V C A O W G R C Y MIRROR CANDY E I Y A D I L O H D HAPPY S S P C F C L R J N COLOR E I P T T O C R O A READ R T A A R W N I K C GIFT COWS P A H T C S P M E Q JOKE S E K A L F W O N S VISIT Standards Link: Letter sequencing. Recongized identical HAT words. Skim and scan reading. Recall spelling patterns.

Standards Link: Reading comprehension.

CELEBRATE

The verb celebrate means to do something special for a holiday or big event.

We plan to celebrate my grandpa’s birthday in July.

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

Winter Funnies

Good News/Bad News

In today’s paper, categorize stories as either “good news” or “bad news.” Explain why you think newspapers print “bad” news at times.

Are there some stories that are bad news to some and good to other people?

This week’s word:

Kid Scoop’s Super Silly Jokes for Kids is packed with more than 200 riddles, knock-knocks and groaners.

Order it at your local independent bookstore, Amazon.com or FoxChapelPublishing.com today!

Write down your favorite jokes and riddles about winter and send to a friend.

You can also mail them to a relative far away.

B

OUR TOWNS

Lorain County Community Guide • Thursday, Dec. 24, 2020

Gift of reading inspires new Lions charter member JASON HAWK EDITOR

WELLINGTON — Candice Regal knows firsthand the difference a Lions Club can make in someone's life.

Born with severe myopia, she is now blind in one eye and said her ophthalmologist gives no hope vision will ever return. She's also been having episodes where her other eye goes black.

"At first I wasn't scared through this whole process. But I finally realized my vision isn't coming back," Regal said.

There's been a string of difProvided photo ficult surgeries, but everyday life Tim Kershner and Candice Regal show the optical scanner has also been hard. Regal said donated by the Ashland Evening Lions Club to help Regal read once more. Now the duo is launching a Lions Club in reading a recipe or helping her children with school work has at Wellington.

Steele switches up grad credits system

times been impossible.

Then the Ashland Evening Lions Club reopened the world to her.

They gifted Regal with an optical scanner, a magnifying device that makes reading possible once more — with one eye, at least.

Now Regal wants to pay that kindness forward.

She is a charter member of the newly-launched Wellington United Lions Club, which intends to apply for a charter next week.

"There's so much I can see we can do for the community," she said.

The big focus is on children and families, said Tim Kershner of Ashland, who serves as the Lions' membership coordinator for a 10-county district.

Many kids in southern Lorain

HIGH SCHOOL ART SHOW Amherst Steele High School students had a great showing at the 38th Annual Lorain County Art Show, held at the Elyria West River Library.

The event is sponsored by the Educational Service Center of Lorain County. Here are some of the Steele student pieces that drew attention:

STEELE PAGE B2

LIONS PAGE B2

Different

and beautiful

Oberlin students chat with a real life 'Wonder' about being 'Normal' JASON HAWK EDITOR

JASON HAWK EDITOR

AMHERST — Graduation requirements will be relaxed at Marion L. Steele High School in a bid to make learning more flexible.

A new policy embraced last week by the Amherst Board of Education rolls back the minimum number of credits students must have from 24 to 22.

That number is "more reasonable," said Assistant Superintendent Michael Molnar, who is in charge of curriculum.

When COVID-19 forced the district to quickly jump online in the spring — just before graduation — it brought into relief some issues that had been on educators' minds for years, he said.

Not only did it spur action on the number of credits, but also the subject areas in which they're required.

"One is to remove a difficult and honestly unnecessary barrier for some of our students, and the other will open the door for more flexibility and personal choice for all of our students," Molnar said.

Ohio students must earn a minimum of 20 course credits units in certain subject areas. Most districts set the bar at 21 or 22, including those comparable to Amherst such as Avon, Avon Lake, Olmsted Falls, Midview, North Olmsted and North Ridgeville.

The takeaway, said Molnar, is that the quantity of credits isn't equal to the quality of credits.

The system should be less "scripted," he said, and students should have more freedom to choose courses that will be useful in their career paths.

The school board has chosen to reduce the number of credits required in science and social studies. Zero foreign language credits will now be needed.

Molnar said he doesn't anticipate a drop in the number of students who study foreign languages because

County are victims of the opioid epidemic, their families caught up in drugs, he said.

As of Thursday, the fledgling Wellington club had 23 members signed. Their charter will add to the more than 350 clubs in Ohio and 1.4 million members nationwide.

Regal grew up in the Lions tradition. Her father, Christ Community Church Pastor Gary West, was a member of the Medina Lions Club and served as district governor from 1993 to 1994.

She remembers passing out coloring books as gifts at Christmas, having ice cream socials to benefit public parks and collecting eyeglasses to go to the less fortunate.

OBERLIN — Nathaniel Newman doesn't have ears.

His eyes slant downward.

And if his nose and jaw appear oddly stretched, it's because they have been, over the course of more than 70 surgeries.

His smile looked wide and crooked Friday as he videochatted with sixth-graders in Oberlin — it was also unwavering.

Nathaniel Newman "I don't want to change my face. But obviously all these surgeries were done to better my physical health," the 16-year-old explained to Langston Middle School students.

Newman was born with Treacher Collins syndrome, so rare that it affects about one in 50,000 births.

The genetic condition can cause babies to have small or no cheekbones, tiny jawbones and no nasal airways — too much for any one surgery to repair.

"His lower jaw was so small and it did not grow with the rest of his body," said Nathaniel's mother, Magda Newman.

His tongue grew, though, so several operations were needed to extend Nathaniel's jaw to make room.

Speaking from their home in Washington state, Magda asked Oberlin children to feel their own faces.

They gingerly pushed fingers along the cheekbones and ridges they've always taken for granted.

In November, teacher Eileen Hickerson led an exploration of R.J. Palacio's novel "Wonder" about Auggie, a

▲ “Face Up-Close” Andrew Solymon 11th Grade Best of Show ► “Mother and Child” Skyler Frederick 12th Grade Best of Show and First Place People’s Choice Award ▼ “My Dog” Gabrielle Smith 11th Grade Excellence Award

DIFFERENT PAGE B2

“Live your normal. Your life, your experiences, the way you go through life is yours.

And that’s your normal.”

Magda Newman, whose son Nathaniel has Treacher Collins syndrome

▲ “Chuck Taylors” Juliana Janis 11th Grade Second Place People's Choice Award

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Page B2

Scam targets businesses

Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose is alerting businesses about a phishing email and warning recipients not to click a link alleging to be from his own office.

The email is not actually from the Ohio Secretary of State, but tells recipients they must “validate” their profile so they don’t experience any delays in service. It asks for detailed information to be submitted, including the victim's Social Security number.

Anyone who has received this email is urged to immediately delete it. If you clicked the link, it’s recommended that you swiftly inform your company’s information technology office.

Holiday light recycling

You can recycle your non-working holiday lights, power strips and cords by dropping them off at the Oberlin police station lobby, 85 South Main St., anytime through Jan. 15.

Caring fund

Having difficulty paying your Oberlin residential utility bills due to the pandemic?

The city’s Caring Fund can help. Contact Oberlin Community Services at (440) 774-6579 or visit www. cityofoberlin.com/coronavirus.

LIONS

FROM B1

Eyes remain her passion. With the Cleveland Clinic pulling out of Wellington, few resources remain close to home for people struggling with sight issues, Regal said.

Luckily, optometrist Julie Hill is among the Wellington club's charter members. Regal said she hopes to partner with Hill to promote eye health programs.

New members are welcome, though in-person meetings are not being held due to the pandemic. Call Regal at 440-387-9732 or Kershner at 419-685-7693 for information.

Kerschner said this is the fourth Lions club he's helped charter in the past two years. The last was launched in Shelby about two months ago.

While some older clubs have withered away, social media "prospecting" has found young families eager to join up to help their local communities, he said — "We're not our grandfathers' clubs anymore."

Membership doesn't necessarily mean making a tremendous time commitment, Kershner said.

"Give us your hour and the time you have, because doing just one little thing in a community could save somebody's life," he said.

DIFFERENT

FROM B1

boy with craniofacial differences.

It led honor student Thomas Wallace to find Nathaniel's story.

It was Wallace who learned Nathaniel and Magda conduct meetings via the online platform Zoom, and asked Hickerson to arrange one.

"Wonder" changed the world for people with Treacher Collins syndrome, Magda said.

It also inspired Nathaniel to write about his own experiences in "Normal: One Kid's Extraordinary Journey," which was published in January.

"We all have a mission to make the world a better place, to make it a place where we are all accepted," Magda said.

For Nathaniel, that means teaching the world about being different.

His life has been "normal" in some ways — playing outside, riding his bike and getting rowdy with his little brother, Jacob.

But he also endured unimaginable pain. Doctors broke every bone in Nathaniel's face and inserted 16 screws that over time were used to stretch his bones, just so he could breathe without the use of a tracheal tube.

Around the same time, Magda was diagnosed with cancer for the second time. Pictures show the pair — one with a metal brace piercing his face and the other without hair — always smiling.

That's because the Newmans have learned to never focus on the negatives, Magda said.

"No matter what life throws at you, no matter how many difficulties you are facing, we always want to find a silver lining," she said.

Nathaniel's journey isn't over. He'll still require another couple of surgeries, and he will always use a hearing device mounted on his skull.

Doctors have asked whether he wants prosthetic ears, though they wouldn't improve his hearing. Nathaniel said that's not his style, and he doesn't feel the need for purely cosmetic surgeries.

"It doesn't matter how you look on the outside. It matters how you are on the inside," his mother said.

STEELE

FROM B1 those credits count toward honors diplomas and are attractive to colleges.

At the same time, the number of elective credits needed to graduate will be raised.

A large majority of Amherst students had no problem hitting the old 24-credit goal, said Molnar — as of Dec. 12, there are already 84 Steele seniors with enough to graduate without further study.

For others riding it close, the new system could be a game-changer.

"It's not a lowering of our standards. It's creating greater flexibility to actually allow kids to take more, probably," said school board member Ron Yacabozzi.

As board member Rex Engle pointed out, allowing more flexibility will require guidance counselors to be much more involved in shaping students' routes.

"I really believe that this provides a much more personalized educational experience for our students, and allows them to pursue the passions they have have," said Superintendent Steve Sayers.

Thursday, Dec. 24, 2020

Lorain County Community Guide

Akron Children's Hospital starts Lorain County pediatrics rollout STAFF REPORT

LORAIN — Akron Children’s Hospital has started providing pediatric primary care in Lorain County while building a new health care center to open in about a year.

In a partnership with Mercy Health, the office at 3600 Kolbe Rd., Suite 209, is now Akron Children’s Hospital Pediatrics Lorain.

The Mercy Health Oak Point Primary Care and

Specialty Care pediatrics office at 5940 Oak Point Rd., Suite E, is now Akron Children’s Hospital Pediatrics Amherst.

Pediatricians Rashmi Shekhawat and Alba Ortega Close are working there already, and additional Akron Children’s Hospital providers will soon join the practices.

On Jan. 5, the Mercy Health Oberlin Primary Care pediatrics office at 224 West Lorain St., Suite 100, will become Akron Children’s Hospital Pediatrics Oberlin, with

Shekhawat planning to see patients there.

Medical records of established patients have already been transferred to Akron Children’s, so families do not need to do anything to continue to receive care.

The Amherst location also now provides pediatric cardiology services, and in January will add gastroenterology, nephrology and neurology.

This month, construction started on the new Akron Children’s Health Center Amherst.

The new 23,000 squarefoot health center is a $7.5 million project on nearly four acres on Cooper Foster Park Road. Akron Children’s is working with Cambrad Development on the project with building contractor Adena Corp.

MPG Architects designed the building.

Primary and specialty care previously based at the Oak Point Road location will move to the new Health Center once it is complete. The new center will employ about 50 people.

Nursing student spreads warmth with an extra credit glove drive FOR THE NEWS-TIMES

Alexis Costello, 25, of Amherst, is warming the hands of those in need through a glove donation drive to spread caring and positivity this winter.

The Lorain County Community College student collected gloves as part of a service learning project for her final semester as a student in the associate degree nursing program.

She will graduate this month and hopes to work as a registered nurse at a local hospital.

Costello collected more than 60 pairs of gloves through her "Gloves with Love" drive with donation boxes at LCCC in Elyria and Discount Drug Mart in Amherst.

She has worked full-time at the drug store for the past eight years, including throughout nursing school.

“I chose the glove drive because I wanted to collect something useful, especially this time of year, for those in need in our communities,” Costello said.

She specially packaged each pair of gloves in a small gift box and topped the gift with an inspirational note. The boxes will be donated to local organizations that can distribute the gloves to those who need them most, Costello said.

Reaching the finish line on her nursing degree is exciting, but not exactly where Costello pictured herself when she first started

Provided photo

Alexis Costello, a nursing student at Lorain County Community College, completed a service learning project and wanted to do more. That led to the Gloves with Love drive. taking classes at LCCC. A 2014 graduate of Amherst Steele High School, a high GPA earned her a two-year scholarship to LCCC. Costello wasn’t sure what to study, so she took classes that interested her, mostly in the health sciences field. By 2017, she earned an associate degree in individualized studies, and in 2019 she decided it was time to commit to earning a degree in nursing.

“I knew I was a hands-on learner and wanted to make an impact in people's lives. Nursing is most

definitely both of those things,” she said. “I took a chance and fell in love with the patient care aspect and impact that nurses have in their patient's lives."

Gloves with Love grew out of a service learning project.

“Alexis completed her assignment but wanted to give back to her community by taking on an additional assignment,” said instructor Nanci Berman.

“Alexis embodies the leadership and compassion needed in these ever-changing times,” she said.

Rosen-Jones is Rotary's senior of October The Oberlin Rotary Club honors a high school senior each month during the school year. These young people are recognized for character and positive attitudes. The Oberlin Rotary Club will donate $25 to a charity or project of the student’s choosing in their name.

SARAH COLSON OBERLIN HIGH SCHOOL

The Oberlin High School senior honored for the month of October is Emerson Rosen-Jones.

Starting in eighth grade, Rosen-Jones participated in marching band, playing both flute and piccolo and acting as squad leader during his junior year.

He also played in pep band for four years. He

played flute and piccolo in the Northern Ohio Youth Orchestra while taking private lessons. Other activities included jazz band, varsity e-sports, varsity track and field, Academic Challenge, all for one year, and World Language Club for two years.

Rosen-Jones twice participated in the Lorain County Solo and Ensemble Competition, receiving an excellent rating both times.

For Varsity track and field, he received the Coaches’ Award.

Outside of school, RosenJones said he had lots of fun as a junior counselor for Oberlin’s MAD camp.

He can often be found working at The Feve.

Rounding out his diverse interests, he enjoys crafts, including knitting, crocheting, sewing and whittling.

Emerson Rosen-Jones He has made gloves, hats, scarves and other items.

Believing in service, Rosen-Jones has been a member of the Interact Club, the community service club of Oberlin High School, sponsored by the Oberlin Rotary Club.

Throughout high school he has participated in many

service projects, including the BackPack Program.

He is the memorial correspondent and cares for the Young Ancestors Memorial located on the grounds of OHS, which honors students lost too soon.

He is secretary of the Queers and Allies Club, which is dedicated to providing a safe space for LGBTQIA+ members at OHS. Rosen-Jones has applied to Oberlin College.

Because he has always had an interest in both medicine and engineering, he may choose to study biomedical engineering. Within this field, he may choose to pursue the development of prosthetics, though he is eager to explore the range of possibilities linking medicine and engineering.

Mercy Health gets a high grade Mercy Health Lorain Hospital has been awarded an A in the fall Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade, a national distinction recognizing the hospital’s achievements providing safer health care.

This is the second time this year the nationally recognized rating organization has awarded the hospital with

an A. The Leapfrog Group is an independent national watchdog organization committed to health care quality and safety.

“The last several months have truly tested the mission of our ministry — a mission that not only prevailed but has thrived through the incredible

health care heroes that truly answered their call and cared for our community,” said Edwin Oley, president at Mercy Health Lorain. “This award is for our associates, who earned this recognition by never wavering from our commitment to the highest-quality, compassionate care available in Lorain County.”

Thursday, Dec. 24, 2020

Lorain County Community Guide

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After quarantine, in-person JVS classes will restart Jan. 19 JASON HAWK EDITOR

PITTSFIELD TWP. — Skyrocketing COVID cases pushed the Lorain County JVS fully online just before Thanksgiving. Now it's planning a return to hybrid learning after the holidays.

Limited in-person classes will resume Tuesday, Jan. 19 at the start of the second semester.

That will allow time for a two-week quarantine period after Christmas and New Year's Day. "We know people aren't supposed to gather for the holidays this year, but let's be

realistic," said JVS Superintendent Glenn Faircloth. "We know some will."

The delay is intended to reduce the chances of a COVID spike when the building opens, he said.

The vocational school closed its physical doors as Lorain County went to purple alert in November.

It didn't happen because of wildfire spread of the virus in school, said Faircloth — to date, the JVS has reported only five student cases and two staff cases to the Ohio Department of Health — but he believes it was the right call to keep kids and staff safe.

In the past couple of

months, more has been learned about the coronavirus and its risks, said Faircloth.

With Lorain County downrated from purple to red alert status, and with the first vaccine rolling out to hospitals and paramedics, he said it's time for the JVS to try again.

Hopefully, case numbers will fall in early 2021. Faircloth said. The concern for schools will be staffing, which took a hit as employees were quarantined in the fall.

County Health Commissioner David Covell said teachers have been prioritized up the ladder for vaccines, and could possible received them in late January or February depending on avail-

ability.

In the interim, Faircloth is prepared to close the JVS again for a day or two at a time if staffing shortages become severe, though he said doing so would be a blow to morale.

If cases and hospitalizations explode again, and Lorain County returns to purple status, the school would not automatically return to remote learning. That, said Faircloth, would be a judgment call.

He doesn't want to have students online: "It's just a different type of energy in the building. I can walk through the halls, I can hear the laughter, hear the jokes. It makes me feel good."

Provided photo

Doctors Robert Thomas and Christopher Hass with Edwin Oley, president of Bon Secours Mercy Health's Lorain market.

Two Mercy doctors awarded for service LORAIN — Doctors Robert Thomas and Christopher Haas were honored by Mercy Health Lorain Hospital in a virtual ceremony on Dec. 10.

The health care system said both have made the kind of contributions that embody the ideals of Mercy's founders, the Sisters of the Humility of Mary, focusing on poor and underserved residents.

Thomas, a primary care physician, received the Sisters of the Humility of Mary Mission Leadership Award.

"He cares for patients with both expertise and compassion, valuing the human dignity of those he serves

above all else," said a release from Mercy.

Thomas focuses on helping his patients make meaningful lifestyle changes and can often be found alongside his patients at the gym, encouraging their workouts and walking alongside them, it said.

Haas, a urology clinician with more than 20 years of experience, was presented the Spirit of Leadership Award.

He has mentored and educated many physicians during his tenure as a professor at his alma mater, Case Western Reserve University.

"Known as a calm yet strong voice

as a physician leader, Dr. Haas is dedicated to serving patients, students and his family the same – with compassion," the announcement said.

“We are incredibly proud of the accomplishments each of our associates and our providers have achieved this year, despite the adversity of a global pandemic,” said Edwin Oley, market president at Mercy Health Lorain. “These two physicians are an outstanding example of our mission in action and how we continue to care for our community. I am extremely proud to call them colleagues.”

Parents chafing, but Wellington Schools remain online until Jan. 4 JASON HAWK EDITOR

WELLINGTON — Long weeks of all-online learning have some Wellington Schools parents chafing for a return to in-person classes.

The district went completely remote Nov. 26 when Lorain County hit purple on the state's COVID-19 alert system.

It was downgraded to red — which still marks severe spread of the virus — after 15 days, but Wellington students are still learning from home.

"Some kids just learn better in school," said Cassie SafkoWest, one of several parents who asked for answers during the Board of Education's business meeting.

School board members said Tuesday they have no intention of reopening buildings until at least Jan. 4.

Superintendent Ed Weber said the district plans to return to the hybrid model it used earlier in the year, not restart full-time, five-daya-week classes. And board President Brett Murner shot down a rumor that the district had decided to try three-hour days through the entire week.

There are still concerns about social distancing if

the entire student body were allowed to return, said board member Kevin Stump.

The Wellington Schools formed a plan for operating during the pandemic back in July and August, when educators and health officials didn't have a clear picture of how the virus might spread through schools.

That picture is clearer now, but not complete. Wellington has had six student cases and five staff cases, making it one of the betterinsulated districts in Lorain County.

Larger districts have had more cases: 81 in North Ridgeville, 59 in Avon Lake and 46 in Amherst, for example. But even smaller districts, like neighboring Keystone with 25 cases, have had their fare share, according to the most recent data from the state's coronavirus dashboard.

COVID-19 isn't going away. The county surpassed 10,000 confirmed cases Tuesday, with 1,274 and 14 deaths in the previous seven days alone.

School board member Jessica Reynolds said she wants Wellington students to return to classes too, but it's simply not a safe option right now. Schools with the

greatest spread are the ones operating full-time, she said.

The concern, said Reynolds, is protecting staff and preventing kids from taking the virus home to family members.

Parent Candice Regal did not speak in the virtual meeting, but did post her opinion on the situation.

"At home learning isn't school," she said. "I have a high school senior who is missing being at school but doing well with work, I have a third-grader that is struggling to understand and retain information and I have a kindergartner who needs the classroom structure badly."

It's hard to impose the classroom routine and structure at home and expect her youngest son to understand, Regal said.

"If I were a parent, and my kid was having trouble with learning online, I'd be trying to get in-person instruction also," said board member Ayers Ratliff. He said he doesn't blame parents for wanting full-time schooling.

Safko-West expressed frustration that students are learning remotely while winter sports have been allowed to move ahead. The Dukes got a late start to the season

due to a decision by the Lorain County League.

"I think sports is a choice.

You don't have to choose to go to a sport," Reynolds told her. School, on the other hand, is mandatory.

Murner said he is open to changing the school's pandemic plan. "Just like anything else, that's a living document," he said.

Any change would go to a Board of Education vote.

No such vote was called Tuesday night.

Provided photo

Dick Lee, Lucy Mattes, Kate Pilacky, David DiTullio, Grant Thompson, Kaeth Shaughnessy, and Ray Stewart.

A tree to honor late Jack Smith

The late Jack Smith, founder of the Black River Audubon Society, was influential in other nature-related organizations, such as the Western Reserve Land Conservancy.

Following in his footsteps, Audubon Society members continue to collaborate with the Conservancy on projects, including the Oberlin Preserve on Hamilton Street.

The Oberlin project, which included dozens of trees donated by Audubon, was completed this past summer. Recently, former conservation chair Andy Lance donated a small sapling he raised from a seed collected beneath a Moses Cleaveland sycamore in Cleveland’s Lake View Cemetery.

Moses Cleaveland trees are those deemed old enough to have been present when Cleaveland’s surveying party mapped the Ohio Western Reserve in 1796. A total of 150 were designated this way in 1946, one for each year, at that time, since Cleaveland’s work in the Reserve.

Kate Pilacky, Black River Audubon Society board member and a field manager for the Western Reserve Land Conservancy, knew exactly what she wanted to do with the unique gift — honor the memory of Jack Smith by planting the young sycamore at the Oberlin Preserve.

On Nov. 21, members of both organizations came together for a quiet tribute at the Preserve to honor the longtime benefactor of both organizations.

Smith's two favorite pastimes, nature and history, came together as two of his favorite groups planted this small tree that may, someday, be as historic as its parent in Cleveland.

Oberlin launches new app

The city has launched its new Oberlin Refuse and Recycling mobile app to make it easier for residents to stay connected to collection programs.

Oberlin residents can view refuse, recycling and special pickup collection schedules specific to their home address and receive reminders for their collection days.

They can also search the Waste Wizard material database to find out if a material can be reused, recycled, composted, donated or disposed of in the trash.

The app is available is the Apple Store and Google Play.

“Oberlin residents are very interested in recycling, composting, and diverting waste from the landfill," said Public Works Director Jeff Baumann. "These programs continue to evolve so it’s important to stay connected. Now it's even easier using our mobile app, Oberlin Refuse and Recycling. Sign up for collection day reminders and never forgot to put out your recycling again!"

Notice The City of Oberlin is accepting 2021 applications from community organizations for possible contracts related to the provision of service(s) to Oberlin residents. Applications are available at the City of Oberlin Website at www.cityofoberlin.com

Submission Deadline is January 22, 2021

85 SOUTH MAIN STREET OBERLIN OHIO 44074 DECEMBER 24, 2020 BOARD AND COMMISSION MEETING DATES ALL MEETINGS WILL BE Live Streamed @ http://oberlinoh.swagit.com/live DECEMBER 24, 2020 ..OFFICES CLOSED IN OBSERVANCE OF CHRISTMAS EVE DECEMBER 25, 2020 ..OFFICES CLOSED IN OBSERVANCE OF CHRISTMAS NOTICE: DISABLED MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY WHO MAY NEED ASSISTANCE, PLEASE CALL 775-7203 OR E-MAIL: banderson@cityofoberlin.com NOTICE REQUIRED: TWO (2) WORKING DAYS IN ADVANCE OF MEETING (48 HOURS) CLERK OF COUNCIL’S OFFICE.

Page B4

Lorain County Community Guide

Thursday, Dec. 24, 2020

Oberlin College alumni send $158K Henson earns Ohio in COVID relief to laid-off workers Friend Of 4-H Award JASON HAWK EDITOR

OBERLIN — Outraged by mass layoffs this summer at Oberlin College, an alumni group has delivered $2,500 pandemic relief checks to workers who lost their jobs.

The 1833 Just Transition Fund collected $158,000 in donations from 480 graduates.

Instead of giving to their alma mater, they diverted the cash to help 57 former maintenance and custodial workers pay rent and mortgages, buy food and cover medical expenses.

"I just feel like taking someone's job away in the middle of the pandemic, in the name of the school I have a degree from, is incredibly troubling," said Les Leopold, a spokesman for the Fund and a member of the college's Class of 1969.

"It just seems cruel."

More than 100 workers were laid off in 2020 as part of cost-cutting measures at Oberlin College. About 800 students protested at the stat of the year, before the COVID crisis forced the college to move classes online.

Leopold said the move also angered thousands of alumni, "a lot of them far angrier than I am."

They saw the layoffs as an affront to Oberlin's long tradition of supporting working people and the downtrodden, he said.

Many vowed never to financially back the institution again, which set off alarm bells in his mind.

The 1883 Just Transition Fund wasn't designed to punish the college, Leopold said, but to help steer it back on course.

"I think we're helping the college in the long run, frankly," he said.

"My desire is not to harm Oberlin.

My desire is to protect its reputation from harm... It really got to me after a while, when I saw people saying they'd had it with Oberlin."

Scott Wargo, director of media relations, said Oberlin College & Conservatory is taking "essential steps to build long-term excellent and gain financial sustainability while embracing its distinctive educational and academic mission," which have included "both strategic investments and shared sacrifices."

He said the college negotiated in good faith with the United Auto Workers, which represented the employees, and reached a tentative agreement to keep custodial services in-house.

The college was told it would be presented to members for consideration, Wargo said: "The UAW changed its position and declined to present the tentative agreement to membership, therby depriving them of their ability to consider the proposal."

That was in August, as college heads were preparing to begin a year upended by the COVID-19 crisis.

To prepare for students' safe return, the college "moved forward with urgency and selected an Ohio-based subcontractor with an excellent national reputation."

Only one former custodian com-

pleted the application process to work with the new vendor, said Wargo. The college extended health care coverage through June 2021 for those who didn't get coverage through another job, and provided severance, professional development benefits and job search support.

The majority of the college's former campus dining employees are now employed by AVI, the new dining vendor, at similar rates of compensation, he said.

The 1833 Fund alumni don't think the college took the right path.

"It's hurtful to look back and see the college lay off its most vulnerable employees," said 2002 Oberlin graduate Cassandra Ogren, who now works with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters in Washington, D.C. "It goes against everything the college stands for."

As a researcher, she said outsourcing jobs that have traditionally supported families and replacing full-time workers with part-timers has become a disturbing trend in many industries.

Janitorial and food service jobs were once careers. Now they're no longer viewed that way, Ogren said, because of outsourcing decisions like the ones at Oberlin College.

Ogren said she and classmates started campaigning for economic and social justice at the college.

Their time in Oberlin instilled values that she feels have now been betrayed.

Replacing union workers with a private contractor that offers lower wages

LaDonna Henson of Briarwood Valley Farm in Sullivan was presented with the Ohio Friend of 4-H Award at the Bob Evans Farms 4-H Volunteer Recognition Event held virtually Dec. 1.

The Friend of 4-H Award recognizes individuals and businesses from outside the “4-H family” that have greatly supported the 4-H program.

This award is sponsored

by Frederick and Kathryn Pepple of Wapakoneta.

Henson has been a wealth of knowledge for Ohio 4-H rabbit related events and publications. She contributed pictures and informaLaDonna Henson tion to rabbit handling and processing presentations used across the state to educate 4-H members about the importance of quality assurance and delivering a quality product to processors.

She has provided pelts, meat cuts and quality photos over the last 10 years for use in the Ohio State Fair Rabbit Skillathon competition.

Ohio 4-H is the youth development program of Ohio State University Extension, the outreach arm of the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences.

In 2020, more than 156,000 young Ohioans participated in 4-H clubs, groups, and special interest programs. Ohio has more than 16,000 active 4-H volunteers.

MARTY RECEIVES CARE AWARD

Retirement incentive offered by Amherst school board A $1,000 retirement bonus will be paid to eligible full-time Amherst Schools support staff who announce their retirement by the end of business on Feb. 1.

The Amherst Board of

Education approved a "mini-incentive" deal on Dec. 14 with Ohio Association of Public School Employees Local 208.

Superintendent Steve Sayers said it is intended to help the district re-

duce its staffing to preCOVID-19 pandemic levels.

"We think this is actually going to be a costsaving measure for us as we start to look at staffing for 2021-2022

and beyond," he said.

To receive the one-time retirement incentive, eligible employees must submit an irrevocable letter of resignation stating they will step down May 31.

BOARD GAMES ACROSS 1. Dealer’s hand, in cribbage 5. Wade’s opponent 8. Galsworthy’s “The Forsyte ____” 12. Nevada city 13. Prima donna 14. Weasel’s cousin 15. Makes collar for RBG 16. Between the id and superego, pl.

17. Can be hot or cold, meteorologically speaking 18. *Real estate-related board game 20. Elvis Presley’s “____ and Fortune” 21. Preface, e.g.

22. *A top one is a game piece in #18 Across 23. Open carriage 26. Having a malignant influence 30. “Wheel of Fortune” request 31. Stay clear of 34. Knife wound 35. Touch of color 37. Computer network acronym 38. Awaken 39. Wet nurse 40. Castrated man 42. Yale-____ College, Singapore 43. Aircraft’s additional equipment holder 45. They’re denoted in red 47. Eric Stonestreet on “Modern Family” 48. Allergic reaction to bee sting 50. Amusing 52. *Word game 55. Don McLean: “Drove my chevy to the ____” 56. Joie de vivre 57. Charlie Parker’s nickname 59. Bake an egg 60. Knocks on the door, e.g.

61. 1970s hairdo 62. Milk ____, candy 63. Swallowed 64. Reason to cram DOWN 1. Tube in old TV 2. Paper unit 3. “He’s Just Not That ____

Provided photo

Sally Marty of Amherst has been named the Ohio Renal Association's Dialysis Healthcare Worker of the Year. She was nominated by Gayle Nemecek, who is the chief operating officer for Centers for Dialysis Care. Marty, who has been a nurse for 43 years, serves as nursing supervisor at CDC West in Cleveland. Her career started in a hospital setting, and Marty has also worked in hospice; the majority of her decades of work has been dedicated to providing compassionate care to dialysis patients.

You” 4. Herzegovina’s partner 5. Excessive sternness 6. Convex molding 7. *Candy Land difficulty level 8. *Napoleon-themed game of strategy 9. Niels Bohr’s study object 10. Autry or Wilder 11. Simon’s former partner 13. Performed comprehensively or in-____, pl.

14. Butcher’s refuse 19. Beginning of sickness 22. TV classic “Hee ___” 23. *Board game island ready for settlers 24. True inner self 25. Linear particle accelerator, for short 26. Take-out handout

27. Half human-half goat, pl.

28. February “People,” e.g.

29. *Game with rooks 32. *Game involving Mr. Boddy’s murderer 33. Chewbacca’s sidekick 36. *a.k.a. draughts 38. Type of parallelogram 40. Liberty Tree, e.g.

41. Vacuums, e.g.

44. Extra shirt, e.g.

46. Sabbath, alt. sp.

48. Audience’s approval 49. Window treatment 50. Bloody king of Israel 51. “Metamorphoses” poet 52. Serum, pl.

53. *The Game of ____ 54. Makes mistakes 55. Acid drug 58. Part of URL

SOLUTION CAN BE FOUND ON PAGE A2

SOLUTION CAN BE FOUND ON PAGE A2

Thursday, Dec. 24, 2020

Lorain County Community Guide

TENSE FINAL MINUTES

Page B5

A CLOSE GIRLS GAME

Photos by Russ Gifford | Wellington Enterprise

The Dukes started hot and led 34-30 at the end of three periods, but the Clippers fought their way back into the mix and surged ahead in the fourth for a 47-43 season opener win. Brooke Rebman led all scorers with 18 points for Clearview, and Olivia Romes chipped in 10 more. Wellington's roster was more rounded. Karlie Frenk led the Dukes with 14, and while no other girls broke into double digits there were eight girls on the board. ABOVE: Wellington’s Teddi Hardoby moves with the ball against Clearview. BELOW: The Dukes’ Amanda Spiekerman and Jill Laposky battle for possession.

Photos by Angelo Angel | Chronicle

Coming back was hard to do, but Amherst's Ty Weatherspoon did the trick Saturday night, deflecting a long shot to seal a 59-56 Comets victory over Midview.

Down 56-52 with two minutes left, Amherst cut the distance in half with a George Gotsis put-back. George Fayer put the green and gold ahead with a threepointer, then drew a foul and sank a pair from the key. Weatherspoon had 14 points on the night, Austin Bray had 11 and Fayer notched 10. The Middies' Aden Gregory led all scorers with 18 and had backup from teammate Tyler Dawson with 17. ABOVE: Amherst’s George Fayer looks for someone to pass to while in midair as Midview’s Marc Reed defends during Southwestern Conference action. RIGHT: Amherst's George Gotsis takes a jumper.

CLARK HAS A HOT START

'CATS PULL AHEAD

Russ Gifford | Amherst News-Times

Russ Gifford | Wellington Enterprise

Samuel Clark led the Clippers to a 55-44 victory in a delayed season opener against Wellington last week. He racked up 19 points, pushing Clearview to a 33-17 first half advantage that was impossible to shake. Drew Unangst led the Dukes with 14, and Cole Standen had 11. ABOVE: Wellington's Cole Standen accelerates to the lane against Clearview.

The Falcons started off 25-10 against the Wildcats Friday night, but a late-game burst gave Keystone a 66-59 win.

Ryan Walsh ended with 17 points for the 'Cats; Rocky Houston had 15 and Sean Saterlee had 14. For Firelands, Mitchell Hodges and Jackson Talbott each racket up 16, while Kyle Ransom pulled down 14 points and Caden Bomback had 10. ABOVE: Firelands’ Jackson Talbott moves with the ball at Keystone. RIGHT: Alex Angle shoots from a distance.

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Thursday, Dec. 24, 2020

Lorain County Community Guide

PHOENIX GET SCORCHED

TRIBUTE TO SENIORS

Russ Gifford | Amherst News-Times

Photos by Erik Andrews | Oberlin News-Tribune

When high school teams hit the courts for the start of a COVID-delayed season, Columbia was a bit more ready to get going than Oberlin. The Raiders were hot from beyond the arc and torched the Phoenix 99-70. George Wilson led the charge with 20 points for Columbia, with backing from Brandon Fisher (16 points) an, Trevor Hottell (15), Cody Davis (14) and Caleb Borling (13). Trajen Chambers had a team-high 19 points for Oberlin.

Also breaking into double-digits were Isaac Thompson with 17 and Ty Locklear with 16. ABOVE: Trajen Chambers drives to the hole in first half action against Columbia.

LEFT: Marius Harrell goes airborne in traffic down the lane for a lay-in.

The Falcons found a convincing 57-22 Senior Night win over the Wildcats on Saturday, as Abbey Schmitz went on a 17-point crusade. Madison Sutton contributed 10 points to the Firelands effort. Delaney Peters was a one-woman show for Keystone with 16 points, the only 'Cat to net more than four. ABOVE: The 20202021 Firelands girls basketball seniors are Madison Sutton, Grace Sherban, Sammy Novak, Dylan Koba-Nelson and Megan Sutton.

TWO BIG LOSSES

Erik Andrews | Oberlin News-Tribune

In their first week on the court after a three week stand-down, the Phoenix squared off twice with Columbia, coming up short 66-15 at home and 76-22 on the road. Oberlin was led by Desiree Randleman with five points and Sanaya Wilborn with four in the opening contest, while Casey Amato and Mar'kila Holloway each contributed nine points in the second game. ABOVE: Casey Amato pulls up for a jumper against the Raiders.

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