Lorain County Community Guide - Dec. 29, 2022

Amherst cops to get body cams

JASON HAWK EDITOR

AMHERST — A $98,190 state grant will help Amherst, one of Lorain County’s last holdouts on using police body cameras, equip its officers.

The award is part of nearly $4.9 million set aside by the Ohio Department of Public Safety to help law enforcement across the state buy and upgrade video

recording devices typically worn on officers’ chests.

“Officers have come to me and they’re wanting these cameras. Especially younger officers, they see the need for them,” said Amherst Police Chief Mark Cawthon.

Cameras can capture exactly what happens during a foot chase, or when police open fire on a suspect, he said.

Wellington police have been using body cameras since 2014.

Quadruple viral threat

Winter illnesses are hitting hospitals, pharmacies hard

JASON HAWK EDITOR

Hospitals “are filling up” as a quadruple threat of flu, COVID-19, respiratory syncytial virus and strep make the rounds, according to Lorain County Health Commissioner Mark Adams.

Flu is especially a problem, peaking four months early and flooding emergency rooms, he told members of the Lorain County Community Protection Team last week.

Local pharmacies are also reeling.

They’ve experienced shortages of over-the-counter pain and fever medications, as well as antibiotics, Adams said. The surges leave drug store shelves decimated for a couple of days before they are restocked.

“There is a lot of illness out there,” he said.

In a report to the public body of government, hospital and civic group representatives, Adams said about 10 percent of COVID tests were returning positive.

By comparison, flu was “the larger infiltrator,” with a 30 percent positivity rate among people who were tested, he said.

Mercy Health Lorain Hospital had to expand triage areas due to an increase in seasonal illness volume, according to Catherine Woskobnick, director of community health.

This July, they were instrumental in showing what happened when Officer Kayla Chrosniak shot upset resident Scott Bakker, who ran at police with a knife in hand.

Cawthon said he talked with Wellington Police Chief Tim

Barfield afterward about how cameras played a role in that incident, and also with Chief James McCann of Lorain, where officers shot and killed 49-year-old Christopher Boggess in October.

hold officers account-

able for their actions, and can also clear them after unwarranted accusations, Cawthon said.

“We want to make sure that we’re protecting everyone. That means our officers, our citizens and we’re documenting events we deal with,” he said.

Amherst Mayor Mark Costilow called the grant “a real nice Christmas present.”

Purchasing body cameras has

Christmas at The Elms

Cameras

Mark Cawthon Mark Costilow

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Photos by Jeff Barnes | Wellington Enterprise Santa and Mrs. Claus passed out gifts at the Sprenger Health Care Elms Nursing Home in Wellington on Wednesday, Dec. 21, making the holidays bright for its residents. Staff there organized a holiday party during the afternoon, with help from some elves — donors picked names and gift ideas from a Christmas tree at Colonial Barber Shop on West Herrick Avenue, and “adopted” Elms residents.

Beriswill branch closing

Denise (Beriswill) Breyley will retire Dec. 30 from Beriswill Insurance Agency in Wellington, where she has been an agent for 43 years.

The Wellington office will close and files will be integrated into the company’s Grafton office, 35881 Grafton Eastern Rd. according to a press release. Breyley thanked customers for their support and loyalty over the years.

“I have confidence that Scott Beriswill and Daniel Beriswill will continue to serve your account with the same promptness and care that you are accustomed to,” she said.

The Grafton office may be reached at (440) 926-3312 or beris01@ncwcom.com.

OBITUARIES

Laverne Arvin Henson

Laverne Arvin Henson, known as Pete, was born Sept. 24, 1932, to Fred and Mildred Standen Henson, in Brownhelm Township, Lorain County, Ohio.

He was a member of the Boy Scouts in Vermilion on the Lake and Milan chapters. He graduated from Milan High School in 1952 and was active in the FFA all four years, winning local, district and State medals in extemporaneous speaking contests.

Prior to graduating, he enlisted in the service becoming a Navy Hospital Corpsman stationed in Korea. During his military career he was the recipient of Defense Service Medal, Purple Heart, and United Nations Korea Medal. Upon honorable medical discharge from the Navy, he was employed as a Machine Set-Up Operator for New Departure- General Motors plant in Sandusky for 30 years years, retiring in 1982. Pete also served as a mounted deputy with Erie County Sheriff’s department for 7 years.

He continued to live at home running the family farm until marrying LaDonna Snyder from New London on Aug. 7, 1966. Together they owned and operated Briarwood Valley Farms, a rabbit processing plant, located in Sullivan, for 53 years. It was discontinued in 2021.

Together, Pete and LaDonna traveled to 49 of the 50 States, 6 of the Canadian Proveniences, Israel, Germany, Austria, France, and cruised to Hawaii twice, Alaska, Tahiti, through the Panama Canal from west coast to east coast and ports in between in the Central American countries.

During their business years they delivered meat and biomedicals from Connecticut and Florida to Michigan and St. Louis and Texas.

Pete was very active with Civil War reenactment, and was an expert on artillery, holding national certification in Civil War artillery. They attended many reenactments including Tiffin Days, Lime Village Days and Angola Indiana, Days and attended an Eastern Primitive Rendezvous at Schroon Lake, New York 1976. They attended several outdoor living history theaters, Ozarks, Shepherd of the Hills a passion play, Tecumseh, Trumpet in the Land at Schoenbrunn village, and at one time had a store in Gatlinburg Tennessee. He was passionate about Native American history, was a sub-chief of the Indians 7 nations, and taught Native American Sign Language. One of Pete’s biggest passions was flying in his yellow J3 Piper Cub. He also enjoyed boating on Lake Erie, as well as painting. Pete was commissioned to paint the PT 109 by one of the members who survived its sinking. He dabbled in racing at Sandusky Speedway, four-wheeling in his CJ 5 Jeep, was a member of the Rochester United Methodist church, and Rochester Historical Society, competed in western fast draw competitions, and loved to play the lap steel guitar. Pete was active with the International Lions Club in the Sullivan and Nova chapters for 25 years. He was preceded in death by his mother in 1991; his father in 1967; an older sister, Lois and a sister Eileen. Surviving are his loving wife of 56 years, LaDonna; brothers, Carl (Sheila) Henson of Sandusky and Dewayne (Tracie) Henson, of Oak Harbor; several nieces and nephews; and several great and great great nieces and nephews. Friends and family will be received Thursday, Dec. 29, from 11 a.m. until the time of services beginning at 1 p.m. at Eastman Funeral Home, 200 West Main St., New London. Burial will follow at Nova Cemetery. Expressions of sympathy may be shared online at www.eastmanfuneralhome.com.

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Monsters recognize teddy bear nonprofit with grant

CBz Buddies, a nonprofit based in Vermilion, was awarded a grant for $3,500 from the Cleveland Monsters Community Foundation during the Monsters hockey game on Sunday, Dec. 18.

Since 2018, CBz Buddies has provided emotional support to children involved in traumatic situations by

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been on his mind for three years, due to unrest around the country due to the deaths of suspects at the hands of police.

Having police use the technology will “help the public know they are protected,” Costilow said.

When he was named chief in late 2021, Cawthon said purchasing body cameras was a priority.

His predecessor, Chief Joseph Kucirek, had reservations. When Oberlin and Wellington became the first police forces in Lorain County to require the cameras, Kucirek was hesitant.

His concern at the time was privacy — video footage collected by police is a public record under Ohio law, and Kucirek said that opened residents’ private homes to an invasion of privacy.

Cawthon said he has the same sentiments, but feels the benefits outweigh the concern.

Just like written police reports, camera foot -

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giving teddy bears to first responders and domestic shelters. The stuffed animals are given to children involved in stressful situations.

In 2019, CBz Buddies began partnering with Good Knights of Lorain County to provide a bear with the beds they build for children that do not have one. The Monsters also set a new record

with 12,476 bears being tossed onto the ice for their annual teddy bear toss during the Dec. 18 game.

More than 1,200 stuffed animals were donated to CBz Buddies to help them to continue to comfort children in need.

For information about the nonprofit, visit cbzbuddies.org.

age can be redacted to protect privacy, he said. Faces of uncharged suspects can be blurred, for example.

The major sticking point in the past year has been price.

Amherst police applied for $168,000 in funding to cover not only cameras but the cost of digital storage and vest mounts, docking stations.

The grant covers more than have those costs, but Costilow said he’s not sure where the rest will come from.

Amherst employees were given massive pay raises this year to offset the effects of inflation — most received increases of 8.25 percent in 2023, and 3.5 percent in both 2024 and 2025 under new contracts approved by City Council.

Costilow said his first obligation in the 2023 budget is to make sure there is sufficient general fund revenue to cover that larger payroll. Additional purchases — such as body cameras — may

hinge on what unspent money the city carries over from 2022.

The state grant should be used to purchase as much body camerarelated equipment as possible in the coming year, Costilow said. Some police officers may have to share until there are enough for everyone.

Ohio law enforcement has used cruiser-mounted video cameras for many years, and is increasingly moving to embrace body cameras.

The Ohio Office of Criminal Justice Services said that interest was clear this fall — it received $11.4 million worth of grant requests for this round of funding.

The Amherst Police Department is one of 44 Ohio agencies that will get body cameras for the first time.

Sixty-eight others will use grant funds to expand or upgrade existing technology.

In Lorain County, Grafton police will get $11,961; Sheffield police

will get $20,131; and Lorain County Metro Parks rangers will get $8,341.

Each of those agencies already use body cameras to some extent, according to Gov. Mike DeWine’s office.

Police in Avon, Avon Lake, LaGrange, Lorain, North Ridgeville, Oberlin, Sheffield Lake, South Amherst, Vermilion and Wellington already use body cameras. The Lorain County Sheriff’s Office does too, and Elyria has a limited number and is in the process of rolling out more.

Kipton police do not have body cameras.

"Body cameras are an essential tool for policing, and the funds we're awarding today will help agencies purchase around 1,660 new body cameras and associated technology," said DeWine said in a news release. "Body cameras are important not only for providing transparency to the public but also for adding an extra layer of protection for our officers."

“We have been chock full to the gills. We are seeing a lot of flu, a lot of COVID, a lot of RSV in adults,” she said.

Adams said the good news is that while COVID was still present at elevated levels in the waste stream, which showed it continues to circulate, those levels seem to have plateaued.

The more worrisome news is that the holidays give disease plenty of chance to spread.

Traveling recently by air, Adams said he was astonished by how many people were flying with respiratory illnesses.

“I get that we want to get out, haven’t been able to get out in the last few years,” but people who are sick should protect loved ones by staying home, he said.

At the same time, Adams noticed a large number of people have resumed wearing masks in public to prevent spreading all kinds of illness. Masks have been normalized, with “no hatred” shown to those who choose to wear them.

Adams also cautioned against getting too close to small children if there is any risk of transmitting disease.

Many adults don’t understand the risk of spreading RSV, he said — grown-ups can have the illness with minor symptoms, but the disease can be incredibly harmful to infants and toddlers.

Lorain County Probate Court Judge James Walther learned that lesson the hard way.

After being exposed to a sick child in his courtroom, he became very ill, he told fellow Community Protection Team members.

Walther asked Adams for advice on whether plexiglass shields installed early in the pandemic should remain in place in his courtroom. He said he tries to have “a personal touch” during hearings involving veterans, adoptions and people with mental illness and has thought about removing the barriers.

Adams said strategically placed dividers can be a good protective measure, but not all are equally effective. He offered to visit the probate court to give recommendations.

Sherry Clouser, administrator at the Lorain County Court of Common Pleas, said judges and bailiffs there have removed select plexiglass shields. They have remained intact for

jurors, however, to provide a better sense of safety against COVID, colds, flu, pink eye and other easilytransmissible diseases, Clouser said.

Lorain County Commissioner Matt Lundy and Avon Lake Mayor Gregory Zilka both asked about overdoses, saying they are bothered that the opioid epidemic has been overshadowed by the COVID pandemic.

Adams said they are right to worry. The overdose rate has “never been higher in Lorain County,” he told the Community Protection Team.

In April, the number had already passed 140 and was bound to surpass 200 by the year’s end, he said.

Adams didn’t immediately have an updated number available, but later said there had been 261 ER visits for drug overdoses and 104 deaths. Overdoses aren’t always fatal, but death certificates after a deadly OD can lag behind by quite some time — and the winter holidays usually see a spike.

Woskobnick said she is concerned about the spread of “rainbow fentanyl” in local schools.

The extremely potent opioid looks like Skittles candy, masked to be easily passed around, she said.

ABOUT THE COMMUNITY GUIDE

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

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

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

Second Harvest gets relief in year-end legislative vote

third more people in need of assistance compared to pre-pandemic,” she said.

LORAIN — A year-end spending bill passed by Ohio legislators provides $25 million in federal relief funds to Ohio food banks in a time of critical need.

Second Harvest, based here in Lorain County, will get part of almost $1 million earmarked for the region.

The state General Assembly included the cash in a mammoth bill that authorized nearly $6 billion, mostly in federal funds.

Julie Chase-Morefield, president and CEO of Second Harvest, said she the nonprofit is grateful for the support.

“In this time of record inflation and economic instability, we are helping a

“This will help us purchase the food and supplies needed to continue serving our communities.”

Headquartered in Lorain, Second Harvest serves Lorain, Erie, Huron and Crawford counties.

The funds will be used to provide protein, shelfstable and non-food items, according to spokeswoman Emily Faust.

The Ohio Association of Foodbanks issued a joint statement thanking state Sen. Nathan Manning (R-North Ridgeville), Sen. Theresa Gavarone (R-Bowling Green), Rep. Gayle Manning (R-North Ridgeville), Rep. Riordan McClain (R-Upper Sandusky), Rep. Joe Miller (D-Amherst), Rep.

Dick Stein (R-Norwalk) and Rep. DJ Swearingen (R-Huron) for backing the bill.

“Months of historically high costs for food, housing, utilities, fuel and other basic household expenses have contributed to record demand for help from our statewide hunger relief network, especially from working families and older adults,” said Lisa Hamler-Fugitt, executive director of the Ohio Association of Foodbanks.

Last quarter, its 12 regional food banks and 3,600 partner charities served 38 percent more households than they did a year ago, she said.

Need is growing as Ohioans spend down their savings and take on debt to get by, she said.

Miller sworn in to represent new 53rd OH House District

OWEN MACMILLAN THE CHRONICLE-TELEGRAM

The ceremony took place at the Avon Lake Public Library in front of about a dozen residents and serves as Miller’s legal oath of office for his third term, which begins Jan. 1.

Redistricting changed Miller’s constituency, District 56, losing areas in the southern portion of Lorain County and picking up Avon Lake and a portion of Avon.

The new District 53 contains Amherst, Lorain, Sheffield, Sheffield Lake, Avon Lake and a small portion of Avon.

Miller said his previous district was split among urban, suburban and rural areas, which led to issues being “spread thin” legislatively, but the new district is more compact and will have more focused issues.

“Avon Lake is very similar to the areas I already represent,” he said. “It is the same lake economy, and I think some of the issues we deal with will be very similar and will cover the entire district. I think we can drill down and work on some issues in a positive way.”

Zilka endorsed Miller in the November election and said he has known and worked with Miller for years.

Zilka pointed to Miller advocating for keeping jobs in Avon Lake and in Lorain County when the Avon Lake Power Plant closed, years before Miller knew he would one day run to represent the community.

“I have a great deal of admiration for Joe Miller,” Zilka said. “I just thought that was something that demonstrated his character and his dedication and commitment to the community. I was very pleased to

support him.”

Miller will be sworn in again in Columbus, but he said he felt it was important to hold the legal ceremony in front of his new constituents.

“I want to make sure that everybody in Avon Lake comes to realize that it’s very important for me to be in their community,” he said.

“(To) learn about their issues, learn about what they’re dealing with and then try to make sure if there is anything I can do … for Avon Lake.”

Zilka called it an “honor and a privilege” to be asked to swear in Miller, adding that he wasn’t even aware he had the power to do so because he had never been asked.

Every vote counted as Miller edged his opponent, Republican Marty Gallagher, by a margin of just over 3 percent; but he said the support from Avon Lake was crucial.

“I appreciate the overwhelming support,” he said. “I was very happy to receive the amount of support I did; I was not expecting that in Avon Lake. It says a lot about the engagement of the Avon Lake voters and their preparedness.”

Prior to redistricting, Avon Lake had been represented by state Rep. Gayle Manning, R-North Ridgeville, whom Zilka said had always been responsive to the needs of Avon Lake.

Zilka said he believed that Miller would “continue that tradition” of listening to the people he represented.

“I think (Miller) does a very responsible job, and the responsibility of representatives is to represent, not take care of their own interests,” he said. “I think Joe has his mind and his heart in the right place, and that the residents of his new district are going to be very pleased with their new representative.”

Volunteers needed to deliver hot meals

The Amherst Office on Aging is looking for volunteers who can spare a few hours each week to deliver hot meals to senior citizens.

Meals are delivered Monday through Friday between 10:30 a.m. and noon. Volunteers can choose a day that works best for them, or fill in as a substitute. Clients love meeting volunteers and knowing that someone cares about them.

To learn more, call the Office on Aging at (440) 988-2817 during business hours.

AVON LAKE — Mayor Greg Zilka swore in state Rep. Joe Miller, D-Amherst, as the representative for the newly realigned District 53 last Thursday.

Joe Miller

JVS students baked over 25,000 cookies

PITTSFIELD TWP. — The spirit of the holidays and the smell of cookies filled the halls of the Lorain County JVS as junior bakery and pastry arts students prepared pre-ordered cookie boxes for their annual holiday cookie fundraiser.

This year’s class baked more than 25,000 cookies, including Sicilian white, mint shortbread, jam thumbprints, peanut butter kisses, chocolate walnut and coconut snowballs.

Instructor Chris Moore shared the lessons students learn with this annual project.

“It is about the organization, paying attention to details, quality of craftsmanship and learning through repetition, how to increase your speed without sacrificing quality,” he said.

Large boxes contain nine

to 10 dozen cookies, while small boxes hold five to six dozen.

This year, 117 large boxes and 118 small boxes were ordered. Cookies are pre-sold beginning in early November.

Marissa King, a junior from Firelands, said she was nervous at first, but as she helped put orders together found it wasn’t as stressful as she’d feared.

King baked the Sicilian white cookies but said the classic sugar cookie is her favorite.

Moore said the funds generated help cover the cost of supplies, but most of the money is put into the program’s activity account.

It follows students into their senior year. The funds are then used toward their chef jackets and annual awards banquet.

‘A lot of questions’

Reports: Wellington PD staffer has been reinstated after four-month investigation

JASON HAWK EDITOR

WELLINGTON — A Police Department staffer is back on the job after a nearly four-month internal investigation, despite Chief Tim Barfield’s recommendation she be fired.

Denise Swanson, who has served as the chief’s administrative assistant since 2019, was reinstated Tuesday, Dec. 13, according to public records obtained by The Chronicle.

She was suspended without pay in late August, but her status was quickly changed to paid administrative leave.

The move came months after Swanson accused former Sgt. Jeff Mecklenburg of assaulting her at Wellington’s police auxiliary building on Kelly Street.

The village’s investigation is detailed in reports by Village Manager Jonathan Greever, Sgt. Jim McPike and Barfield.

“Unfortunately, I think it just leaves a lot of questions,” Mayor Hans Schneider said. “… It’s a disappointing bit of reading. I think everyone will have their own interpretation of it.”

Wellington officials learned Swanson and Mecklenburg had been involved in a long-term, extramarital relationship that raised questions even before the alleged assault on April 28.

“Of note, it appeared that the two employees met on village property to engage in behavior which would run afoul of standard codes of conduct,” Greever wrote.

That included Swanson allegedly asking whether she could test a firearm at the police auxiliary building, and pointing out there were no security cameras there.

There were also concerns that the couple drank alcohol and had sex at the police auxiliary building, according to McPike. However, those allegations could not be substantiated.

“Normally, this type of relationship would be none of my business, and is certainly not against the law,” he wrote. “However, Mr. Mecklenburg did have a position of authority over Ms. Swanson at work.”

There was, however, evidence that a violent incident took place April 28, McPike concluded.

Had Mecklenburg not immediately resigned, McPike said he would have pointed out violations of the Wellington Police Department’s law enforcement code of ethics, oath of office, standards of conduct, conflicting relationships policies as well as the village’s workplace harassment and bullying policies.

Swanson said that just before 6 a.m. on the morning in question, Mecklenburg entered her office and started screaming, calling her a liar, whore and slut and threw his keys at her.

During the altercation, Swanson called Barfield and he stayed on the line while it played out, she said.

Swanson said she ran outside, where the verbal abuse allegedly continued. According to the investigative documents and a previous interview by The Chronicle, Swanson slapped Mecklenberg in the face, then ran inside behind a locked door.

Later that morning, Barfield drove to Mecklenburg’s house, where the sergeant denied knowledge of the incident, even though Barfield had heard him on the phone call, according to investigatory records.

“Mr. Mecklenburg then stood up and put his hands behind his back as if submitting to an arrest,” McPike wrote.

for a lawyer.

Barfield then met with Swanson, who provided a written statement about the incident. McPike said he discovered the plan was for Lt. Josh Poling to conduct an investigation, but that was halted when Mecklenburg offered his resignation via text message.

Mecklenburg later accused Swanson of “wide ranging” and “deeply concerning” actions.

Among them was that she had previously attempted to harm herself, according to allegations listed in a report by Greever. Swanson was required to attend counseling, documents showed.

In the months that followed, Mecklenburg provided copies of electronic conversations with Swanson to village investigators.

In August, Barfield decided to suspend Swanson. She reacted by filing a criminal complaint with the Lorain County Sheriff’s Office.

Lt. Robert Vansant and Det. Jason Aschemeier were not convinced by her account of events.

Mecklenburg denied threatening or assaulting Swanson, according to Vansant’s final report, and said that after looking for Swanson all night he had showed up at the auxiliary building, where she confronted him in a rage.

Mecklenburg said Swanson became physical, smacking him and throwing items at him.

Vansant’s report also claimed Swanson admitted to attempting to stab Mecklenburg in the past, then throwing a knife at him.

Aschemeier reviewed statements by both parties and “determined that both statements appear to be false and minimized,” Vansant wrote.

The sheriff’s office concluded there was not enough evidence to prove Swanson was assaulted.

Investigations were hampered by a lack of security cameras at the police auxiliary building.

Schneider said he was surprised there were none there, and expected a request from Barfield to have surveillance cameras installed in the wake of the allegations.

No such request materialized.

Now Schneider said the village is “moving in the direction” of placing cameras at the facility.

Wellington officials have since August carried out an internal investigation, but not a criminal one, even though it arose from allegations of assault.

“I have no idea why it wasn’t,” Schneider said in an interview. “There’s a lot of questions regarding, you know, I think we all have questions on those actions following that. Why wasn’t backup called, or someone sent down there when it was first alerted to Barfield? Why would he show up by himself at Mecklenburg(‘s house)? It’s just a lot of questions.”

There have also been internal discussions about why the incident played out as it did, he said.

Barfield’s role, for example, was never part of the investigation, Schneider said: “I don’t know why the investigation didn’t delve into that more.”

the advice of his attorney. Because he was no longer an employee and the investigation was not criminal in nature, officials could not force him to be sit for an interview.

But Swanson, who remained on the payroll, also refused to be interviewed, according to investigatory documents. She also cited the advice of her attorney when refusing to appear to a mandatory Oct. 13 meeting for questioning.

McPike wrote that her actions violated policies on conduct, following directives and orders, general standards and attendance, and were gross insubordination.

In a Nov. 28 hearing, which Swanson did attend, village officials said they could not prove that she had broken any rules, policies or regulations specifically with relation to the April 28 incident.

However, failing to cooperate with the investigation as a village employee was also deemed gross insubordination by Barfield. Both he and Poling recommended her termination.

Swanson wrote a Dec. 2 letter, telling Barfield she was committed to keeping her job as his administrative assistant, and arguing she had not been insubordinate.

“There is no logical reason for me to go from (2021) Employee of the Year to an insubordinate, unimportant and needless employee in quite literally… just over one year,” she wrote.

Swanson said she was “terrified to be involved in anything further regarding this matter.”

The decision rested with Schneider.

After reading the investigatory documents, he took the full five days allotted to confer with legal counsel before giving his verdict.

“At the end of the day, I thought it was in the best interest of the village to reinstate,” Schneider said in an interview.

He wrote that Swanson had no record of disciplinary issues prior to the investigation.

“I have taken into account your prior unblemished record as well as the lack of cooperation from both yourself and former Sgt. Mecklenburg, which hindered the department’s ability to conduct a full, thorough and beyond reproach investigation,” Schneider wrote in a letter telling Swanson to report to work Dec. 13.

The decision comes as the Wellington Police Department is going through major changes.

Barfield has announced he will retire effective Feb. 3, and according to Schneider is using his paid time off through that date, with the exception of a couple of days in January.

Poling is serving as acting chief in the interim. McPike has been hired to replace Barfield as chief in 2023.

It is unclear whether Swanson will remain in the administrative assistant role when McPike becomes chief, Schneider said.

The mayor said he is appreciative of the work Barfield has done with the department in the past eight years.

Wellington police are also expected to move to 12-hour shifts in early 2023, a change Barfield opposed.

Village Council has not voted to approve the longer shifts, but Schneider is approaching the move as a certainty.

The change was proposed as a way to limit police overtime, which exploded in 2022, according to previous discussions by Council.

this complaint is for the sale of the above described property, and for the sale proceeds to be used for debts and administration expenses of the estate of Mary Taylor. The Complaint prays that all defendants be required to answer and set up their interests in said real estate or be forever barred from asserting the same. You are required to answer the complaint within twenty-eight (28) days after the last publication of this notice, which will be published once each week for six (6) consecutive weeks. You are required to file an answer by February 10, 2023. In the event of your failure to answer or otherwise respond, judgment by default will be ren-

Director to enter into a beneficiary agrmt w/ Neighborhood Alliance to provide economic relief to the org. 254-22* Appropriation. (*Denotes legislation was passed as an emergency.) L.C.C.G. 12/29/22; 1/5/23 20713594

But Barfield said he wasn’t there to arrest Mecklenburg, only to find out what happened, according to McPike’s written report. After some back and forth, Mecklenburg asked

The process also was complicated by a lack of cooperation by Swanson and Mecklenburg, according to McPike.

He wrote that Mecklenburg chose not to be interviewed by police, on

Schneider said the Wellington Police Department is entering a new chapter.

“Our expectations are we present a professional police force, where they do their job diligently to the best of their abilities, above board,” he said.

Fall semester ends, winter term to begin at Oberlin College

OBERLIN — The fall semester is over at Oberlin College and Conservatory.

Winter term begins Saturday, Jan. 3 and runs through Sunday, Jan. 25. The four-week period

allows students to explore interests outside of the college’s regular semester course offerings. They are tasked with completing 100 hours of independent project work.

“Students use this time to explore topics of personal interest, develop a new skill, conduct intensive research, prepare for a future career and expand their academic experience,” according to the

college.

The spring semester will begin Monday, Jan. 30 and runs through Sunday, May 14.

Commencement is scheduled for Monday, May 22.

“At the end of the day, I thought it was in the best interest of the village to reinstate.”

Mayor Hans Schneider

Provided photo Marissa King of Firelands stops for a smile as she fills the cookie boxes for the annual Lorain County JVS holiday cookie sale.

Commissioners OK $4M for emergency new radios

DAVE O’BRIEN and KEVIN MARTIN

ELYRIA — The Lorain County Board of Commissioners voted last week to spend $4 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds to upgrade fire and police department radios countywide to a system backed by fire chiefs and police officials.

Commissioners Matt Lundy, a Democrat, and Michelle Hung, a Republican, voted to spend the money on the L3 Harris radio system after multiple Lorain County fire chiefs and the Lorain County Sheriff's Office said their current radio systems are a danger to public and first responder safety during emergencies.

The vote was 2-0. The assembled fire chiefs, sheriff's deputies and first responders stood and clapped for commissioners after the vote.

Commissioner David Moore, a Republican who has criticized the process that led to the radio project, was excused from the meeting due to illness.

Lundy called the project "more than a $4 million investment going back into the communities" that will keep the public and first responders safe.

"We have heard far too many stories that have surfaced with issues of safety on the job," he said. "We don't want any lives being lost, and we want to make sure rescues are successful and that everybody goes home for the day to their families."

Hung called the investment a good deal for Lorain County.

“Folks, this has been a long road, and it started on May 9th, 2018, with the previous Board of Commissioners Ted Kalo, Matt Lundy and Lori Kokoski. We would not be here today if it were not for them seeing the vision of what this could be for Lorain County,” Hung said.

“I want to thank each and every one of our first responders and safety service personnel who supported this project that I have said many, many times is near and dear to my heart," she said.

"We are here now because all of us worked together to bring safe, updated, state-of-the-art radio communications for our residents, so when they make that call in their most dire time of need, agencies across Lorain County can arrive on the scene, communicate, plan and implement life-saving support."

Hung addressed a 2019 study conducted by Mission Critical Partners under the previous board that recommended the county move to the L3 Harris system.

The report, Hung noted, outlined the risks to Lorain County with the lack of a countywide radio system, and how that could negatively impact first responders in their ability to assist in disasters.

Fire chiefs and other first responders said the L3 Harris radios are leaps and bounds superior to their current radios, and better than the Multi-Agency Radio Communication System, or MARCS, that was also being considered.

Avon, Avon Lake, North Ridgeville, Sheffield and Sheffield Lake already are using the L3 Harris radios.

Avon Lake Fire Chief Jeremy Betsa, who was instrumental in getting the four cities and village together, said the current system used across the majority of Lorain County was found to be "not public safety-grade" by the consulting firm Mission Critical in a 2019 study.

The old radios had poor or nonexistent service in newer, more energy-efficient buildings and there were times when firefighters inside a burning building could not communicate with those outside if they were in trouble or in the middle of a rescue.

Since the L3 Harris radios went into service in his city on June 19, radio communication between Avon Lake firefighters within their city and with their neighbor has been "flawless," Betsa said.

The new radios will allow all Lorain County first responders to enter buildings and communicate without losing radio signals, he said.

"This is not a political endeavor of any kind," Betsa said. "It's public safety communications."

Sheffield Mayor John Hunter agreed. He wants "to make sure the rest of the county has the same protection and same equipment" his village police and firefighters have, he said.

Oberlin Fire Chief Robert Hanmer said the radio issue is "the most unified front between police, fire and even EMS on one radio communication system."

"Usually we're coming here butting heads on the system again, but this is the first time in my 27 years in the fire

service that (I have) ever seen such a support for one system," he said.

The current radio system was decent when Hanmer began his career 27 years ago, he said, but now "we're to the point where you can stand on the street curb and look at a firefighter hanging in a window trying to talk to you on his radio and we cannot hear that communication."

The MARCS system initially worked but flaws showed when firefighters entered buildings and could not communicate with each other, Hanmer said.

"It is of utmost most importance that we get a system like that that we can rely on. In the fire service, we have a motto: Failure is not an option. Right now, the Harris radio system is not failing anybody. So failure is not an option to us. We support this system," he said.

Wellington Fire District Chief Mike Weatherbee, the acting president of the Lorain County Fire Chiefs Association, said after years of waiting the county finally has the opportunity to upgrade emergency radio communications.

“We're this vote away from achieving that reality. Years and years have been put into this. We have this chance to move to a state-of-the-art system,” he said.

Standing at a scene watching his firefighters mask up and prepare to enter a dangerous situation while knowing the gaps in their communication is a scary feeling, Wetherbee said.

"It's a very scary feeling when you've lost a firefighter under your command, which I've done. I would not ever want any other chief in here to have to go to a family and tell them that their loved one lost their life on your fire scene. I was second in command that day. And being second in command. It's not easy just to say well, I wasn't the head cheese that day. It still haunts (you) every time you see the family. And that's something we're trying to eliminate here," he said.

Without support from the county, Wetherbee said it would cost his department about $300,000 to implement the Harris system. Many of Lorain County’s smaller departments would be unable to afford such an upgrade, he said.

Wetherbee asked the commissioners to ensure the vote would stand, echoing fears professed by several chiefs that it could be reversed once Commissionerelect Jeff Riddell is sworn into office.

"As a fire chief, and a representative of almost 13,000 residents, 26 firefighters and my board of trustees, I hope that is not the case," Wetherbee said. "This is monumental. So we respectfully request the vote be allowed to stand. It's critical… It is by far the best of what's out there at this time and the most costeffective."

Elyria Fire Chief Joe Pronesti offered to sit with other chiefs and Riddell to talk about why the new radios are important. He said the lessons of 9/11 — when New York police, firefighters and EMS workers had trouble communicating with each other — underlines the importance of communication.

Pronesti said his biggest fear is "sending my firefighters to the northeast (Lorain County) for any kind of event and not having the ability to communicate."

Radman said his firefighters are "fed up" with not having adequate radios for years, and right now walking into a burning building is "like playing Russian roulette," he said.

"Sooner or later someone's going to die, either a resident or firefighter, because someone can't communicate," he said. "Seconds count when a house is filling up with smoke. … We need this system now. We can't wait any longer."

Lorain County Sheriff Phil Stammitti, sheriff's Capt. Daniel Ashdown and sheriff's Capt. Richard Bosley, and the president of the sheriff's deputies union also pushed for the new radio system.

"This is a system we definitely need and the system we definitely want" in a county of 500 square miles, multiple school districts, police and fire departments, Stammitti said.

Ashdown said he and Lorain County EMA Director Jessica Fetter borrowed a portable L3 Harris radio from the Sheffield Police Department, went to "all four corners of the county" and were able to talk to Sheffield police headquarters without a problem.

Bosley said in his 32 years in law enforcement, including as Avon police chief, the radios are "the most in-sync" officers and management have been on a single issue.

Echoing a letter he recently sent to commissioners, Lorain County Deputies Association President Adam Shaw said deputies "desperately need these radios."

Meter plan to stop loss of millions of gallons of water

JASON HAWK EDITOR

WELLINGTON — Each year, 66 million gallons of water flow through Wellington’s lines and disappear, unaccounted for.

Yes, a little is lost to leaks — but for the most part it isn’t seeping into the ground, said Water Superintendent Jon Love.

Some is flushed from hydrants, or gushes out when a main breaks, he admitted. The vast majority, though, is used by customers and just not billed because old water meters are horribly inaccurate.

That is why Wellington is gearing up for a meter replacement program that could cost at least $1.15 million and potentially north of $2 million, according to Village Manager Jonathan Greever.

“It’s high time for us to look at improving the system to begin with,” he said. “Separately, we’re looking at a lot of the technological improvements that an automated metering system would bring into place.”

Lost water is a problem for every town in America, said Love. Generally, 10 percent is considered acceptable.

Wellington’s problem is much bigger. About 35 percent of all its water is unaccounted for.

It’s “lost” when the mechanical parts of meters wear out, slowly becoming less and less accurate. That means home and business owners are using water they’re not paying for.

Water plant operator Don Novotny said a lot of meters in the village are 20 to 30 years old. Even some of the “new” developments in Wellington are about 30 years old, and have never had meters replaced, he said.

Wellington has one big advantage: It operates its own water treatment plant. Novotny said higher-quality water is easier on meters and prolongs their useful life.

But there’s still a hard limit on how long they can be used.

“We’re starting to hit double-digit inaccuracies at about 18 years,” said Greever. They typically double within three or four years after that.

Replacing every meter in Wellington would cut water loss to 10 or 15 percent, Love believes.

That’s important for homeowners, but also for industrial customers that use water by the millions of gallons, he said.

The village is looking at replacing electric meters at the same time, but water is the big issue in terms of cost, and water meters are also harder to change out because they’re located inside homes.

Novotny estimates the cost of new meters — the equipment only — will be at least $650,000 for a “budget” solution and upward of $1 million for a more robust one.

That doesn’t include installation, which Greever said could run in the neighborhood of $500,000.

Add to that some significant overtime and other incidental costs of a full, village-wide switchover, and the price tag climbs even higher, he said.

Inflation is also a factor that concerns village officials, as well as lead time delays caused by that now-familiar villain: supply chain issues.

CORRECTION

He’s already started exploring other options, including state funding and grants, but said purchasing new meters will likely involve borrowing money.

“The reason I’m involved with this to begin with is the rate increases we’ve been experiencing over the years,” he said.

Hartman said he’s not OK with continuing to jack up utility rates every three years just to cover the cost of lost water.

Fixing the problem will stop the village from hemorrhaging money, which will help recoup a large part of the project cost, said Greever.

On the flip side, accurate bills will also be higher. That makes the project a hard sell to the public, said Schneider.

That’s a big reason he’s trying to get information out in advance, he said.

The alternative is to do nothing, which Schneider said is not possible: “It’s only going to get worse,” he said.

Love compared the situation to a car with far too many miles on the odometer.

“When you drive it for 50,000 miles, you continue to drive it,” he said.

“What about when it has 400,000 miles on it?”

New meters will probably come bundled with more advanced features that will directly benefit customers, he said. Automatic alarms for leaks or bad batteries, the ability to check usage in real time online or automated alerts for peak use all used to be “Cadillac” bells and whistles, but are now pretty standard, said Love.

Because the project has yet to be bid out, it’s unclear which of those features might be included, said Greever.

Yet his eye is on a metering system that provides residents with use alerts, a perk he said would be especially useful for snow birds.

A sink leak in January, when a Wellington resident is wintering in Florida, doesn’t have to go undetected for months, causing a huge bill and potentially devastating damage, Greever said.

“We’ll be able to shut it off at the main immediately, you know?” said Love. “So we’ll get warnings on that. That’s a great weapon in the arsenal to have.”

Not to be overlooked is the reduction of work for Wellington employees. Novotny said meter reading is done inhouse now, and takes six days a month.

A system that wirelessly reports those numbers to the utilities office would free village workers to handle other tasks, he said.

Village officials plan to start talking to meter companies in early January.

Depending on how fast Council moves, and what kind of bids are put forward, Greever said he hopes to have a clear picture on pricing and installation by mid-2023.

A January 2024 rollout of the new meters is possible, he said.

Hartman said he expects Council to jump to fix a long-term problem that has long sapped Wellington’s budget.

“We know it has to be done. There really is no option,” he said.

JANUARY

JANUARY

JANUARY 11, 2023 OCIC - 8:00 A.M.

JANUARY 11, 2023 OURCIT - 3:00 P.M. - 36 S. PROSPECT ST.

NOTICE:

Village Council President Gene Hartman said using federal American Rescue Plan Act funds isn’t an option anymore. Wellington’s allotment from Congress has already been put aside for other projects.

Michele Andrews lives in the Oberlin house featured in the new Netflix movie "White Noise." She was incorrectly identified in an article last week about a screening of the movie at The Apollo Theater. We apologize for the error.

Ohio health experts: Stay home if you’re ill

JASON HAWK EDITOR

COLUMBUS — New Year celebrations could be dampened by the spread of illness, starting 2023 off on the wrong foot.

In a press conference last week, Ohio Department of Health Director Dr. Bruce Vanderhoff talked about the “significant increase in respiratory viruses” plaguing the state and nation.

“Unlike the last two winters, it’s not just about COVID, but the combination of COVID, influenza and RSV, especially for those whose health is more vulnerable or who have not been adequately vaccinated,” he said.

All have the ability to cause serious illness if families don’t take smart precautions, Vanderhoff cautioned.

The best advice is to stay home and isolate if you’re not feeling well, according to Dr. Joe Gastaldo, medical director of infectious diseases at OhioHealth.

Have a plan to get tested for COVID if symptoms develop, he said. And both Gastaldo and Vanderhoff advised vaccination against COVID and the flu.

RSV, or respiratory syncytial virus, primarily affects young children and older adults.

It had a rapid rise this fall, but in the past few weeks has started to decline, Vanderhoff said.

The Centers for Disease Con-

trol and Prevention report RSV hospitalizations have fallen by two-thirds over the past month.

There is no vaccine for RSV, but there are some promising developments on the horizon, Vanderhoff said.

For now, prevention is key, he said. That can include masking in public, especially in crowded indoor spaces.

But the simplest and perhaps most important step is to wash your hands often, he said. That advice goes for COVID and influenza as well.

COVID cases in Ohio have increased moderately in the last few weeks, according to CDC tracking.

The dominant strains are now

better at getting around natural immunity that results from having COVID previously, but the defenses generated by vaccines are much more effective at preventing severe illness, said Vanderhoff.

He said Ohio is seeing about 600 hospitalizations a week for COVID. That’s roughly a 70 percent improvement from the last two winters.

The flu is far and away the worst viral offender right now, Vanderhoff said.

Flu season started early and reached one of the highest peaks in recent years.

The CDC and ODH are now reporting a slight drop in flu hospitalizations, but they’re not

likely to disappear soon, Vanderhoff said Wednesday.

“More likely, we’re looking at a situation where we could see sustained high levels with peaks and valleys for a number of weeks,” he said.

Flu season typically starts in December, said Gastaldo. This year is different — but the good news is protection against the predominant circulating strain is included in this year’s quadravalent shot.

“So that’s very good news,” he said. “And for me, it’s really a no-brainer. I get my flu shot every year. It’s something that I wholeheartedly recommend for everybody to get 6 months and older.”

CIURA SCORES FIVE

PANTHERS ROAR

TURNOVER TROUBLE

Jeff Barnes | Amherst News-Times

Gage Cohoon of Amherst spars with Westlake’s Sean Evilsizer for control of the puck during a game at Michael A. Reis Rink in Parma on Monday, Dec. 26. Nick Ciura had five goals in the Comets’ 9-0 shutout. Other scorers included Gavyn Cumberledge, Justus Owens, Vinny Kelley and Zach Owens. Splitting goalie duty, Maguire Mihalek and Logan Orlandi each had five saves.

Jeff Barnes | Wellington Enterprise

The Dukes’ Sean Whitehouse goes over Elyria Catholic defender Colin Kenneally in non-conference play before Christmas. Wellington found very little room to work, and were slammed by the Panthers 89-36. Whitehouse stretched for 11 points, while EC’s Thomas Niederst led all players with 14.

Photos by Russ Gifford | Wellington Enterprise

The Dukes led by 2 points heading into the fourth quarter during a Lorain County League holiday match-up last week, but that lead soured as Firelands pulled ahead for the 56-42 win. The Falcons converted on three straight Wellington turnovers to blow the game open. The Dukes’ Sean Whitehouse led all scorers with 26 points, while Firelands had more varied play — Nate Draga led his team with 14 points, and Jim Aunspaw and Niko Gotsis each chipped in 12. ABOVE: Wellington's Braden Hamer passes the ball inside past Firelands' Logan Urban.

Photos by Russ Gifford | Wellington Enterprise

Paige Kaltenbaugh’s 2 points made every bit as much difference as Pirates teammate Riley Kubitz’s 21 points last week, as Black River edged Wellington 42-41. Zoey Bungard was also in double digits with 15 to push past the Dukes. Wellington nearly came through in the fourth quarter; trailing 29-22 going into the final stanza, the Dukes outscored the Pirates 19-13 but fell just short. Taylor Morris and Gabby Miller each put up 13 points for Wellington, while Brooke Lehmkuhl had 10. ABOVE: Black River's Riley Kubitz drives past Wellington's Taylor Morris.

New Russia year-end meeting

New Russia Township trustees will hold their year-end meeting at 5 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 30 at 46300 Butternut Ridge Rd. It will be followed immediately by a 2023 organizational meeting.

Library closed

The Herrick Memorial Library in Wellington will be closed Jan. 1-2. It wil reopen Jan. 3.

Canceled

A New Russia Township trustees meeting scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 3 has been canceled.

Democratic women to meet

The Lorain County Democratic Women’s Club will meet at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 3 at Blue Sky Restaurant, 802 Cleveland St., Elyria.

The evening will include voting for club officers for 2023. RSVP by Dec. 29 to lcdwohio@gmail.com if you plan to order dinner. There will be a choice of three menu items for $15 per attendee.

2023 organizational meeting

The Wellington Board of Education will hold its 2023 organizational meeting at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 3 at the Westwood Elementary School cafeteria. The meeting is open to the public.

Great Lakes biodiversity

The Black River Audubon Society will present evolutionary biologist Robert Edwards at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 3 at the Carlisle Reservation Visitor’s Center, 12882 Nickle Plate Diagonal Rd., Carlisle Township.

Edwards will speak on “The Past, Present and Future of Biological Diversity and the Environment: Why Northeast Ohio and the Great Lakes Matter.” He is assistant curator of environment at the Cleveland Museum of Natural History. His research focuses on the causes, processes and patterns of species distribution across environments, a critical tool for protecting biodiversity and the health of the planet.

This program is free and open to the public.

NAMI offers family training

The National Alliance on Mental Illness of Lorain County and Grace Lutheran Church in Oberlin will host a “Family to Family” education course.

The eight-session program will begin from 6-8 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 4 and the last class will be Feb. 22. Sessions will be held at the church, 310 W. Lorain St.

The program is for family, significant others and friends of people with mental health conditions. Research shows it significantly improves the coping and problem-solving abilities of the people closest to a person with a mental health condition. Family-to-Family is taught by NAMI-trained family members who have been there,

NAMI honors Cieslak-Bahnsen

Lauren Cieslak-Bahnsen of Vermilion received the Malcom L. Peel Leadership Award at the annual meeting of the National Alliance on Mental Illness of Lorain County annual meeting and banquet in November.

The award is given to a community member who displays exemplary leadership through their place of work, their legal advocacy or by volunteering to help dispel the stigma surrounding mental illness.

Cieslak-Bahnsen didn’t always fit in well with others, remembers her first grade teacher, Marcie Jaworski.

But “Lauren would be the one with an arm around one of her peers who was having a bad moment or day,” she said.

After Cieslak-Bahnsen was hired to work at The Nord Center, she invited Jaworski to an art show featuring her clients’ work.

“Watching the trust and compassion these ‘art students’ had for Lauren was truly a light bulb moment for me. I could see the effectiveness Lauren had via artwork for people living with mental health symptoms,” said Jaworski.

Cieslak-Bahnsen holds a master’s degree in counseling and art therapy from Ursuline College and a bachelor’s degree in human development of family structures from Kent State University. Today, she is employed as a program manager at the Mental Health, Addiction and Recovery Services Board of Lorain County.

and includes presentations, discussions and interactive exercises. To sign up, call (440) 240-8477 or email office@nami-lc.org.

Tour the Jewett House

Guided tours of the Oberlin Heritage Center’s Jewett House will be held at 1:30 p.m. on the first Friday of each month in 2023, starting Jan. 6.

During the 45-minute tour, learn about Frank Fanning Jewett, Sarah Frances Gulick Jewett, Charles Martin Hall, the Aluminum Reduction Process and life in Oberlin during the Progressive Era. Additional topics include architecture, interior design, social reform and student boarders who stayed with the family during their time at Oberlin College.

Visitors meet at the Monroe House, 20 West Vine St., to register. The tour involves walking and climbing stairs. See oberlinheritagecenter.org for accessibility information and tour rules.

The fee is $4 per adult, or free for members, college student with ID, active duty military personnel and their families and children under 18 accompanied by an adult.

Amherst school board meeting

The annual organizational meeting of the Amherst Board of Education will be held at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 9 at the Marion L. Steele High School Creative Learning Center, 450 Washington St., Amherst.

The board will elect a president and vice president, and conduct other business. The meeting is open to the public.

Amherst library meeting

The Amherst Public Library board will meet at 5:45 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 9 at the library. The meeting is open to the public.

Explore old census data

“Lorain County in the 1950 Census: Insights and Discoveries” will be presented to the Lorain County chapter of the Ohio Genealogical Society at 7 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 9 in a virtual meeting.

Genealogist Scott Norrick of ancestralpast.com will teach attendees how to discover the unique life of our ancestors’ communities. This online program is open to the public and free. Contact meetings@loraincoogs.org to be added to the list to receive a link to the meeting.

Herrick library meeting

The Herrick Memorial Library board will hold a 2023 organiza-

tional meeting at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 10 at the library in Wellington. It will be followed immediately by a regular meeting. Both are open to the public.

Ambulance district meeting

The South Lorain County Ambulance District board will hold its 2023 organizational meeting at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 10 at 179 East Herrick Ave., Wellington. It will be followed by a regular meeting at 7 p.m. Both are open to the public.

Lewis book group

The C.S. Lewis and Friends Book Group will meet at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 10 at the Amherst Public Library’s DeLloyd Room. Readers will discuss Lewis’ book, “A Grief Observed.” For more information, contact Marcia Geary at (440) 988-9803 or mgeary@gearylawllc.com.

Oberlin library meeting

The Oberlin Public Library board will meet at 5 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 12 for its 2023 organizational meeting, followed by a regular meeting. Both will be held at the library and are open to the public.

Get your fill of fish

A fish fry dinner will be held from 5-7 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 14 at Pittsfield Community Church, 17026 State Route 58. The cost is $14. All are welcome.

Wellington school board

The Wellington Board of Education will meet at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 17 at the McCormick Middle School cafeteria. The meeting is open to the public.

Scanning Saturdays

The Oberlin Heritage Center will hold “Scanning Saturdays” from 10:30 a.m. to noon and 1-4 p.m. on Jan. 21 and 28 at the Oberlin Public Library.

Do you want a high-quality digital copy of your grandmother’s high school graduation photo? Or maybe of a snapshot of your uncle when he was in the service? Or a slide from that memorable vacation? The Heritage Center can help you preserve and share your photographs. Collections Manager Maren McKee can also share ideas for storing and labeling your photo collection.

Participants are asked to take a flash drive to take copies home

Appointments for this free service to scan up to 10 items are not required but are highly recommended. Make an appointment by contacting Maren at history@oberlinheritage.org or (440) 774-1700.

OHC is also looking to expand its collection of Oberlin images from the recent past. If you have photos that document community events, church history, neighborhoods, families and businesses from the 1960s on, consider making an appointment during Scanning Saturdays.

This year, millions of people are expected to celebrate Kwanzaa, a non-religious event honoring African-American culture and community. The holiday is celebrated for seven days, starting on December 26 and ending on January 1.

The holiday was created in 1966 by Maulana Ron Karenga, an African-American scholar. Karenga created this special holiday to honor AfricanAmerican heritage in a celebration of family and community.

The word Kwanzaa means first fruits in Swahili, an East African language.

On the last day of Kwanzaa, friends and relatives gather for a feast.

People come to honor ancestors, review the past year and make plans for the new year. There is lots of good food, dancing and music.

How many differences can you find between these two pictures?

o you know what that means? Habari Gani is how you say What’s the News? in Swahili. One day you may hear this holiday message as often as you hear Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, or Happy New Year. Habari Gani? is the ritual greeting of Kwanzaa.

Christmas symbols are the wreath, tree, holly, and more. Hanukkah symbols include the menorah, latkes and gelt. Follow each of the seven mazes below to find the meaning of the seven Kwanzaa symbols.

This week’s word:

GREETING

The noun greeting is a message of friendliness or respect.

Sheana asked, “Habari Gani?” to her friend during Kwanzaa.

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

Holidays at Your House

Which holidays do you celebrate during December? How do you and your family celebrate?

© 2022 by Vicki Whiting, Editor Je Schinkel, Graphics Vol. 39,