SEWERS COLLAPSE & FLOOD HOMES

Tom Nemes got home from work Thursday night and quickly noticed something wrong. There was a smell coming from the basement and the furnace was acting strange. Nemes went to the basement to investigate and stepped into a couple inches of sewage.

"I could smell the foul odor and when I got downstairs I found water pouring out of the lower level bathroom and around the furnace. I had no idea what was going on, I had no idea where the water was coming from. I called the Lorain Fire Department immediately and said I needed assistance and they responded very quickly and were very helpful."

City crews were working along Oak Point Road pumping the sewers out around midnight last night. One of the workers said that they were dealing with a major collapse in the sewer system.

Nemes moved into his Mallard Creek Run home, off Oak Point Road, about a year and a half ago, he said this was never a problem that he ever dreamed would happen in his new home. Nemes has been in contact with Serve Pro, a company that specializes in cleaning up messes like this, but they can only come in when the water stops and Nemes has no idea when that will be.

Ed Norton was not available for comment.

EXECUTION DATE SET FOR FILIAGGI

The Supreme Court of Ohio Thursday set the date for James Filiaggi to be executed.

From The Supreme Court of Ohio page:
1998-0287. State v. Filiaggi.
Lorain Appeal # 95CA006240. This cause came on for further consideration upon appellee’s motion to set execution date. Upon consideration thereof,
It is ordered by the court that the motion is granted.
It is further ordered that the appellant’s sentence be carried into execution by the Warden of the Southern Ohio Correctional Facility or, in his absence, by the Deputy Warden on Tuesday, the 13th day of February, 2007, in accordance with the statutes so provided.

It is further ordered that a certified copy of this entry and a warrant under the seal of this court be duly certified by the Warden of the Southern Ohio Correctional Facility and that said the Warden shall make due return thereof to the Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas of Lorain County.

Filiaggi, now 41, was convicted in 1994 of killing his wife by shooting her four times.

IRAQ STUDY GROUP RECOMMENDS "GRADUAL PULLBACK"

President Bush meeting with the Study Group in July of this year. Photo from: www.whitehouse.gov

The New York Times is reporting that the Iraq Study Group has reached a consensus on Wednesday on a final report that will call for a “gradual pullback” of the 15 American combat brigades now in Iraq but they stop short of setting a firm timetable for their withdrawal.

The report was unanimously approved by the 10-member, bipartisan panel, led by James A. Baker and Lee Hamilton. The Study Groups report will be delivered to President Bush next Monday.

“I think everyone felt good about where we ended up,” one person involved in the commission’s debates said after the group ended its meeting. “It is neither ‘cut and run’ nor ‘stay the course.’”

“Those who favor immediate withdrawal will not like it,” the commission member said, but it also “deviates significantly from the president’s strategy.” from the NYT

As the commission wound up two and a half days of deliberation in Washington, the group said in a public statement only that a consensus had been reached and that the report would be delivered on Dec. 6 to President Bush, Congress and the American public. Members of the commission were warned by Mr. Baker and Mr. Hamilton not to discuss the contents of the report.

That warning went well eh?

To see the full report from the New York Times: CLICK HERE

MOTORCYCLE CRASH

A crash today between a motorcycle and a Gross Brothers work van sends the motorcycle driver to Elyria Memorial Hospital with a head injury. The accident occured at the intersection of Route 57 & Bell Ave. Elyria Fire Department and LifeCare Paramedics treated the man on scene having to convince him to go to the hospital for treatment.

MOTHER IDENTIFIED BY POLICE

Lorain Police have identified the mother of the child who was discovered in a W. 14th Street garage. Heather Heck, 23 of Lorain, was arrested and charged with Felony Child Endangering and Obstruction of Police Business. Police state that Heck admitted that the child is hers. Heck's boyfriend, who says he just found out Tuesday afternoon that he is the father, has not been charged. Police state that Heck had left the baby alone while she was at work and that she left him in the garage while she went away for the weekend with her boyfriend. Heck is now being held in the Lorain County Jail and should be in court tomorrow morning.

Robert Arroyo, a resident of 2222 W 14th Street, was getting ready to take his son to Lakeview Park Sunday when he heard a whining noise coming from inside the garage. He discovered the baby lying in a basket, covered in a blanket, in the back of a red Chevy Blazer. Police believe the baby had not eaten in two to three days, maybe more. They also believe the baby had been in that basket for two or three days. The baby remains in stable condition at Rainbow Babies & Children's hospital. Officials say that the baby could be released as early as today.

BACK TO STONEY BROOK

Above: Capt. Joe Pronesti & Bob Yost

Elyria Firefighters responded to the Stoney Brook Condo’s early this morning for a report of a structure fire. The fire was already out when Firefighter’s arrived, an alert Lorain County Sheriff Deputy who was in the area quickly put the fire out with his extinguisher.

A strong smell of gasoline was still in the air while Firefighters and Elyria Police waited for the Fire Prevention Bureau to arrive and begin their investigation. This is not the first time Stoney Brook has been hit by a suspicious fire; one of the first stories on TMC NEWS back in July was a condo fire at Stoney Brook. To see previou story: CLICK HERE

The investigation is ongoing.

CHEMICAL SPILL IN WELLINGTON

Wellington Fire Department responded just before noon to the area of Jones Road near Rt. 301after an off duty fire officer located, what appeared to be, a spill of agricultural pesticides. Fire officials investigated and found a significant area on Rt. 301 and Jones Rd. in Penfield Township having some type of chemical on the road and grassy areas.

Traffic in the area was diverted and neighbors were notified, but not evacuated, as a precaution. Fire officials discovered the source of the spill to be Dave Marvin of the Marvin Seed Company in Litchfield. Marvin’s sprayer had a valve break from the tank and unloaded 650 gallons of product on the roadside. Chemtron of Avon was contacted to clean up the spill.
No injuries were reported and officials state that Marvin’s Seed Company will have to pay the clean up costs which could run in the neighborhood of $2,000.00.

CASEY COLEMAN 1951-2006

Casey Coleman, long time Cleveland Sportscaster, died this morning after a long battle with pancreatic cancer. Coleman was diagnosed with the cancer in October of 2005, in June Doctors told him he had about six months to live. Coleman, best known for being the voice of the Browns for many years, was recently inducted into the Journalism Hall of Fame and Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson declared September 26th to be Casey Coleman Day. One of Coleman’s favorite tributes was when the Cleveland Browns named their field house in Berea after him.

BABY FOUND IN LORAIN GARAGE

A Lorain resident made a shocking discovery when he went into his W. 14th St. garage Sunday afternoon. Robert Arroyo was getting ready to take his son to Lakeview Park when he heard a whining noise coming from inside the garage. Inside he found a red Chevy Blazer, when he opened the door the stench of urine was like a punch in the face. Inside the car was a baby lying in a basket covered with a blanket. Police believe the baby has not eaten in two to three days, maybe more. They also believe the baby has been in that basket for two or three days. LifeCare Ambulance Paramedics responded to the scene and transported the child to Community Health Partners, he was later transported to Rainbow Babies & Children Hospital in Cleveland where he is now listed in stable condition. The portion of the garage where the baby was found belongs to Arroyo's neighbors, a young couple who tell Lorain Police that they just got back from Pennsylvania today and do not know how the baby could have gotten into their garage.

Lorain Police Department is continuing to investigate.

LIGHT UP LORAIN

Hundreds of people filled Lorain’s Veteran Park downtown Saturday night for the 11th Annual “Light Up Lorain”. Gary Fischer and his daughter Natalie hosted the event offering to warm people up with free hot chocolate and treats. After leading the crowd in a rendition of Jingle Bells they turned the entertainment over to the Little Lighthouse Learning Center Singers & The Mason School Choir.

About 6:15 the big moment came when Lorain Safety Service Director Mike Kobylka flipped the switch turning on the Christmas lights in the park and igniting the fireworks in the City Hall parking lot and appeared off the roof of City Hall.

The event was co-sponsored by the Lorain Growth Corporation, The City of Lorain, The Lorain Police Department, The Lorain Fire Department and the Lorain Palace Theatre.

Mike Callender, Executive Director of the Lorain Growth Corporation, said that the event was created to spotlight downtown Lorain and to showcase all of the businesses in the downtown area. “Downtown Lorain has so much to offer and we are adding more businesses all the time. It is great to see so many families coming downtown tonight, I just hope they like what they see and come back more often and support the local shops and restaurants.”

To see more photos: CLICK HERE

SIFTING THROUGH THE RUBBLE

The fire was the talk of the clubhouse today at the Carlisle Golf Course on Slife Road in Carlisle Township. Pictures of the fire have already been framed and being displayed for the golfers who took advantage of the warm weather today and hit the links.

James Mullins, who has owned the golf course for the last 30 years, took TMC NEWS on a tour of the rubble left behind from the fire. Mullins estimates the damage to be in the neighborhood of $900,000.00. “I had 2 Model A’s in there and they of course are completely destroyed. I’m not sure what the insurance will cover, I won’t know until sometime next week but I’m sure it won’t cover everything. The building itself will be about 30 some thousand to rebuild if we do it ourselves, but we are getting kind of old to be doing that sort of work.”

Mullins said the front part of the building was used to do repairs for golf carts and other vehicles they use on the property. The middle section is where the Model A’s and all the extra parts were stored and in the back, well just a bunch of stuff. “We won’t be able to start cleaning it all out until after the adjuster goes through it all, I am just hoping nobody tries to go in and steal anything for scrap. We have cameras set up that I am able to watch from inside the house and I also have my 45 just in case.”

Mullins said he was grateful to not only the Carlisle Township Firefighters but also all the Firefighters who came in from other communities to put out the blaze. “The building can and will be rebuilt, I am just happy that nobody was hurt.”

To see all photos: CLICK HERE

CRASH IN CARLISLE

Imagine The Ohio State Buckeyes taking on the St. Jude 8th grade football team. That is what happened today on Whitehead Road in Carlisle Township when a half ton Sears delivery truck went up against a Gravely riding lawnmower crossing the street. 90 year old George Downs of Whitehead Road was driving his riding lawnmower across the road as David Przybys of Cleveland was driving northbound on Whitehead. When the two collided it ejected Downs off the mower and onto the street. Downs suffered minor injuries from the crash. LifeCare Ambulance Paramedics transported him to Elyria Memorial Hospital.

Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating the crash.

SCRAP THIEF CRASHES WHILE FLEEING

When the Dean Schramm, owner of Schramm Signs, showed up to work today he spotted a man stealing old signs from his property. Schramm tried to stop the man but he fled the scene almost running him over. Scrhamm then called 9-1-1 to report the theft and they alerted the Elyria Police. When the Police Dispatcher put out the description of the truck that the man was driving Officers quickly recognized it as a truck that had been reported stolen from Bay Electric out of Lorain earlier this month and was being used in recent robberies of scrap. Shortly after the report went out an Elyria Police Officer Scott Willis spotted the vehicle on Lorain Blvd and attempted to pull it over. The truck fled driving into the parking lot of the Lorain County 9-1-1 office striking a parked car. Although the man tried to escape on foot the Willis was able to apprehend him.

The owner of Bay Electric was contacted and came to the scene to recover his truck. He then returned to Schramm Signs to return the stolen items, valued at $10,000.00, off the back of his truck. Elyria Police have charged Guy Boggs, 47 of CLeveland, with the following: Receiving Stolen Property, Aggravated Robbery, Breaking & Entering and Reckless Operation.

On a side note: The car that was struck in the 9-1-1 parking lot belongs to the 9-1-1 operator who took the call about the theft.

CARLISLE GOLF COURSE FIRE

An employee of the Carlisle Golf Course on Slife Road in Carlisle Township spotted a fire in one of their storage buildings this morning around 9am and quickly called 9-1-1. Carlisle Township Fire Department responded with mutual aid from Lagrange Township, Eaton Township and Columbia Township Fire Departments. The fire destroyed the building and all of its contents. A friend of the owner was on scene and said that although insurance will cover most everything, the owner was storing his vintage cars inside the building. She said he was upset over the idea of losing those vehicles. LifeCare Paramedics spoke with the 80-year-old owner and evaluated him at the scene to make sure he was ok.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

To see more photos: CLICK HERE

CRASH ON GULF ROAD

Two people were trapped in their car late Thursday night after their car went off Gulf Road and crashed into a tree. Elyria Firefighters, using the Jaws of Life, worked to free the two people while LifeCare Paramedics rendered care. Once the two were extricated from the car one was taken to Avon Emergency Room while the other was taken to Elyria Memorial Hospital. Both were taken to MetroHealth Medical Center shortly after arriving the local Emergency Rooms.

One witness that we spoke to said that she was driving north on Gulf Road when she saw people flagging her down. “They had seen the accident first and stopped me to see if I had a cell phone to call 9-1-1. I didn’t have one so I went to the first house I could find and pounded on the door and got them to call for help. I just hope they are ok, they look so young and they weren’t responding to us.” The woman was visibly shaken and did not want to tell us her name.

Elyria Police Department is investigating the cause of the crash.

To see all photos: CLICK HERE

WHAT ARE YOU THANKFUL FOR?

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

Thanksgiving, a day to spend with your family, eating turkey, watching football, sleeping in and of course Pumpkin Pie… (Begin Homer Simpson Impression) ummmm, Pumpkin Pie!

Now aside from all the holiday trappings this is also a day that we look back over the past year and reflect. The holiday itself makes us think about what it is that we are most Thankful for. We have asked a number of people what it is that they were Thankful for this year, some of the people you will know, others you may not. We thought you would like to read what others have found to be important in their lives and what they are giving thanks for this holiday season.

Ted Henry, NewsChannel 5 Anchorman
Let’s begin with the air we breathe. It’s free, plentiful and absolutely essential. The smiles I see from those I encounter along the path, friends and strangers alike. They build me up. Carry me through the roughest moments. I haven’t met a person yet for whom there are no rough moments. These greetings help. Another’s smile and quick kind word can make the most difficult moment, smaller.

The metro area we live in. It’s tough and gritty. We’re accustomed to failure, lost jobs, lost games and lost moments of opportunity. Nonetheless we feel blessed. That’s because we are. People here know how to make something from almost nothing. And they don’t complain. We have a resourcefulness here that can help this region endure. That’s a lot to be thankful for.

And finally, I live among the nicest, smartest and most sincere people in the world. That’s not local boosterism, it’s just the way it is. Ask anyone who’s ever lived elsewhere. They’ll tell you how kind and considerate are the people who live here. Tough times may not lash out at every individual I know, but they do come to every family I know. And what I’ve noticed in my sixty plus years is how tightly people here pull together in times of need.

There’s a strength of personal character here, coupled with a genuine caring for one another that blankets this whole region that I feel grateful for. I’ve seen this region prosper during the most encouraging times, I see it now stand tall when challenge abounds, and I know I’ll see it again, relaxed and having some much deserved fun when opportunity returns, when those up and down the streets of our cities find all the work and challenge and good health they can handle.

For this and more, I am grateful.


Jason Allan Gilbert, Interior Design Expert
I am thankful for my wife Jenna and daughter Lainey. I am also thankful it is not Christmas yet because I am poor. Oh and for TMC NEWS.

Michael Medders, Elyria Chief of Police
I am thankful that my son is not in Iraq and will be home for a couple days this weekend. Medders son, a First Lieutenant, is stationed in Fort Hood in Texas.

Craig Bevan, Retired Elyria Firefighter
My wife, friends, family, health, the freedom we have as Americans and that the Pilgrims wanted to set the tradition of having turkey and stuffing for a Thanksgiving meal. Just think if the Pilgrims had picked Goose instead of Turkey, we all could have gotten a little Goose instead of Turkey! OOO-WEEEE. Buckeyes are Number 1.

Brian Bell, Elyria Township Assistant Fire Chief
I am thankful for my wife and my two boys most of all. I am also thankful to be an American and to have such fine brothers and sisters overseas and here at home defending our rights and our freedoms. Thanks to you brave Americans for doing what you are doing.

Buddy & Tammy Barton
Buddy was the construction worker buried in the trench in Eaton Township.
We are thankful for all of the rescuers who worked to save Buddy’s life. We are thankful that Buddy is alive and with us this year. His recovery will be lengthy but they are telling us it will be a full recovery.

Ron Brlas, Assistant Fire Chief, Elyria Fire Department
I am thankful for the men that I have the opportunity to work with everyday. The average person does not have any idea what a group of dedicated and talented people there are at the Elyria Fire Department. I am happiest when I am scheduled to work on Thanksgiving or Christmas because I get to spend the day with my second family.

Bruce P. Bishop, Chief Photographer Chronicle Telegram and Owner/Photographer Bishop Photography
Let’s cover the obvious things first…. My healthy children, a good year in business, a job that keeps me busy, a wife that puts up with me, and a nice warm place to sleep every night.
Next year I’d like to be thankful that,
Our military is out of Iraq. People decide that Tuesday would be a great day to get married. Daylight savings time never goes away. Winning Powerball. Zero carb oranges, grapes, and ice cream. More hair on my head. tmcnews.net hits 250,000 views…gotta lookout for your friends. Chroniclet.com hits 1 million unique visitors… gotta lookout for your job. Not getting named in one of Lynda’s prayer request e-mails. And if all that fails, I can just repeat the things I’m happy for this year.

LIFECARE INVOLVED IN CRASH

A LifeCare Ambulance responding to a medical emergency at the Lorain County Community College this afternoon was struck outside of their station on West Ave and 2nd Street. The impact of the crash sent the red compact car up into an apartment building on the northwest corner of West & 2nd taking out a street sign and moving the concrete steps of the building off its foundation.

The driver of the red car, Benitha Fryson of Lorain, was driving west on 2nd Street while the Ambulance was northbound, with lights and sirens, on West Ave. The report states that the Ambulance stopped at the light to check around construction vehicles that were in the intersection, and then proceeded. Fryson, even though LifeCare had their lights and siren going, went through the intersection striking the ambulance. Elyria Police cited Fryson for failing to yield an emergency vehicle.

Residents of the apartment building did not see the crash but certainly felt it. One resident said she heard the crash then felt the building shake. “We had to climb down the fire escape ladder because the front door was blocked”.

Elyria Police Department is investigating the non-injury crash.

To see all photos: CLICK HERE

CAR TAKES OUT POLE

A single car crash in Carlisle Township sends a 20-year-old woman to the hospital. The woman was driving east on Parsons in the 39000 block, her car first went off the right side of the road the woman then tried to get back onto the road but slide sideways into a telephone pole snapping it in two. The vehicle rolled over and landed on its wheels, the driver then attempted to leave the scene by driving down a 300-foot driveway where she hit a campfire pit.

Carlisle Township Fire Department and LifeCare Ambulance responded and found the woman standing by the road waiting for them. The woman sustained multiple injuries to her shoulders, hands, head and neck. She was transported to Elyria Memorial Hospital and later LifeFlighted to MetroHealth Medical Center.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating the crash.

SEINFELD STAR SPEWS RACIST RANTS

“I’m Cozmo Kramer, Assman.”

Remember that line from Seinfeld? Well, today the actor who played Kramer might feel like an Assman. Michael Richards was performing at the Laugh Factory in LA last Friday night when some audience members heckled him.

Kyle Doss, an African-American, said that he and some friends were in the cheap seats and he was heckling Richards when suddenly, the comedian lost it. Richards went off on the men saying, "Fifty years ago we'd have you upside down with a fucking fork up your ass." Richards continued, "You can talk, you can talk, you're brave now motherfucker. Throw his ass out. He's a nigger! He's a nigger! He's a nigger! A nigger, look, there's a nigger!"

One of the men with Doss was outraged, shouting back "That's un-fucking called for, ain't necessary."

Jerry Seinfeld released the following statement this afternoon: "I am sick over this. I'm sure Michael is also sick over this horrible, horrible mistake. It is so extremely offensive. I feel terrible for all the people who have been hurt."

Seinfeld will be on The Late Show with David Letterman tonight and Richards will join them via satellite to discuss the incident.

Not that anyone should be surprised but the rant was caught on video tape by an audience member and is available on YouTube. To view the video visit our SPECICAL ASSIGNMENT section.

We do caution you the rant is racist and vulgar.

CANCEL THE JUICE

"I and senior management agree with the American public that this was an ill-considered project," We are sorry for any pain that this has caused the families of Ron Goldman and Nicole Brown Simpson." News Corp. chairman, Rupert Murdoch

Murdoch canceled the 2 part FOX TV special “If I Did It” with Judith Regan interviewing OJ Simpson about his book that is to be released at the end of the month. The interview and the book has Simpson explaining, hypothetically, how would have killed his ex-wife and her friend back in 1994.

Several Fox affiliates had already said they would not air the two-part sweeps month special, planned for next week before the Nov. 30 publication of the book by ReganBooks. The publishing house is a HarperCollins imprint owned - like the Fox network - by News Corp.

"If I Did It" cracked the top 20 of Amazon.com last weekend, but by this afternoon, at the time its cancellation had been announced, the book had fallen to No. 51. Amazon now lists the publication as “canceled”

TIME FOR A DRAFT?

At a time when some lawmakers are urging the military to send more troops to Iraq, "I don't see how anyone can support the war and not support the draft," said Rangel. "I think to do so is hypocritical."

Those are the words of Representative Charles Rangel of New York Sunday morning while appearing on Face The Nation. Americans would be required to sign up for a new military draft after turning 18 if Rangel, the incoming chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, has his way.

"There's no question in my mind that this president and this administration would never have invaded Iraq, especially on the flimsy evidence that was presented to the Congress, if indeed we had a draft and members of Congress and the administration thought that their kids from their communities would be placed in harm's way," Rangel said.

Rangel, a veteran of the Korean War, has said the all-volunteer military disproportionately puts the burden of war on minorities and lower-income families. Rangel said he will propose a measure early next year but admits that there is little apparent support among the public or lawmakers for it. "If we're going to challenge Iran and challenge North Korea and then, as some people have asked, to send more troops to Iraq, we can't do that without a draft." He said having a draft would not necessarily mean everyone called to duty would have to serve. Instead, "young people (would) commit themselves to a couple of years in service to this great republic, whether it's our seaports, our airports, in schools, in hospitals," with a promise of educational benefits at the end of service.

Outgoing Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld told Congress in June 2005 "there isn't a chance in the world that the draft will be brought back." Yet the prospect of the long global fight against terrorism and the continuing U.S. commitment to stabilizing Iraq have kept the idea in the public's mind.

TRAIN HITS PEDESTRIAN... OR NOT

A train conductor traveling east through Elyria Sunday night contacted the Elyria Police Department reporting that he had struck one, maybe two people. The Conductor said that the incident occurred in the area of West River Road on the tracks. Elyria Police Officers, Elyria Fire Firefighters and LifeCare Ambulance Paramedics responded to the area and began searching for a victim. The nearly one hour search covered approximately 3 miles on both sides of the tracks and turned up no victims.

BLUE DOWN, ONE TO GO

42-39

Fans packed into Buffalo Wild Wings in Elyria today to watch their #1 Ohio State Buckeyes take on #2 Michigan Wolverines.

Today’s games was the 103rd meeting between the Big Ten Rivals and it was a nail biter right down to the end but the BUCKS pulled it off winning 42-39 over the men in blue. The Bucks, under the leadership of Head Coach Jim Tressel, are 5-1 against the Wolverines and their Head Coach Lloyd Carr.

For full details and a recap of today’s big game tune into NewsChannel 5 tonight at 11:30.

SCHEMBECHLER DIES IN MICHIGAN

Legendary University of Michigan Coach Glen E. “Bo” Schembechler died today. Schembechler was at a TV Station WXYZ in Southfield Michigan set to do an interview when he was found in the restroom lying on the floor with blood coming from his head. Police were sent to the TV Station along with the city Fire Department Paramedics around 9:30am. Schembechler was rushed him to the Emergency Room with a Police escort. Schembechler met with the media this week to discuss Saturday's game between the No. 1 Buckeyes and No. 2 Wolverines. He also talked about the device that was implanted to regulate his heartbeat after he was hospitalized last month. He said the device covered about half his chest, and doctors still were adjusting it. Schembechler said he did not plan to attend the game in Columbus, Ohio, and he doesn't go to road games anymore.
As the winningest head coach in Michigan football history, Schembechler's teams won or tied an impressive 13 Big Ten championships during his 21-year tenure. Under Schembechler's guidance, Michigan's 96-10-3 regular season record through the decade of the 1970s was the nation's best. He guided 17 teams to post-season bowl games (Ten Rose Bowls) and another 17 to top ten finishes in the final wire service polls (AP and/or UPI). In his 27 years of coaching, Schembechler's teams never had a losing season. Upon stepping down after the 1989 season, Bo retired as the winningest active coach in the nation (234-65-8) and fifth on the all-time list, only behind coaching legends Paul 'Bear' Bryant, Amos Alonzo Stagg, Glen 'Pop' Warner, and Woody Hayes. In addition to his coaching responsibilities, Schembechler served as Michigan's Director of Athletics between 1988-1990.After earning his diploma from Miami (Ohio) University in 1951, Schembechler received his master's degree from Ohio State in 1952 while serving as a graduate assistant coach. He continued his coaching career with brief stints as an assistant at Presbyterian College (1954), Bowling Green (1955) and Northwestern (1958) before spending five seasons as an assistant at Ohio State. in 1963, Schembechler was named head coach at Miami. of Ohio, a position he held until taking over the Michigan program prior to the 1969 campaign.

MALL OF SHAME

The management team of the Elyria Midway Mall should be putting pen to paper today writing out apology letters. To assist them I will supply a list of just some of the people they should be writing to.

As you have already read, first here on TMC NEWS, Midway Mall officials booted men and women off their property yesterday afternoon while they were waiting in line to purchase the new PlayStation3. These people, the Gamers, had been waiting outside overnight and throughout the day before they were told that neither the Mall nor Best Buy would be honoring the list that they had created the night before. Instead they said that they would allow people to start lining up at 10pm Thursday night. Calls to mall officials went unreturned from the Gamers who were attempting to come to reach a peaceful solution to the situation.

Because of the Mall Management’s unwillingness to sit down and work out an arrangement with the Gamers, NINE Elyria Police Cars were lined up along with mall security for the 10pm rush to line up. Here was their solution. A Lottery. Best Buy past out index cards to the 160+ people now waiting outside the store, they were to write their name down on the card then the first 26 names pulled would be allowed to stay and get their PS3 when the store opened. The problem is, none of the 32 people who had camped out and were on the list got on the Best Buy list.

Ok, so here are some of the people that should be getting letters.
1. Obviously the first 26 people on the list.
2. TMC NEWS, NewsChannel 5 and the Chronicle Telegram. We had much better things to do yesterday then go report on your shameful actions.
3. Mall Security Officers for putting them in the position you did.
4. Finally and most importantly, the Elyria Police Department. Pretty sure they had better things to do with their time and resources then to go baby-sit problems that you created.

Now of course the Mall or Best Buy will never write those letters but we hope that this situation has taught them a lesson for the future. The next time the new PlayStation or X-Box comes out perhaps more planning and organization. Then again, there are plenty of other places the Gamers can take their consumer dollars. Another lesson for the mall officials: you cannot “demand” that a person delete photos that they take from your parking lot. You are within your rights to ask them to leave your property, but to stand there and say “I demand that you delete those photos right now” is simply ridiculous. Oh, and repeating it a couple times doesn't help either. Might we suggest that next time you have a situation like this one that you relax, take a breath and resolve the issues before they get out of hand.

GAMERS BOOTED FROM MIDWAY MALL

NewsChannel 5's Paul Kiska interviews a booted Gamer

Mall officials, Mall Security, Best Buy Reps & EPD meet

Tom Welder shows TMC NEWS the list of 32 Gamers

Gamers started lining up and camping out last night at Best Buy’s around the country so they could be the first in line to buy the new PlayStation 3. Most malls are allowing the gamers to pitch their tents and hang out until the PS3 goes on sale tomorrow morning at 10am, all that is except for our own Elyria Midway Mall. Mall officials had security move the gamers off the property last night telling them that they would not be allowed to remain on the mall property to wait for their PS3’s. Before making the move the gamers created a list in the order that they were positioned on the mall property so that things would be orderly tonight when they would be allowed back on the property. This afternoon other gamers started showing up and the gamers who were waiting in the Marc’s parking lot got nervous when they saw them setting up so they went over also. Midway Mall security then flagged down an Elyria Police Officer and asked for help dispersing the gamers from their property again.

Tom Welder of Elyria told TMC NEWS that Midway Mall management is creating a dangerous situation. “We did this last year for the X-Box and the mall and Best Buy honored the list. Last night and today the security officers were telling people that the line and list was across the street in the Marc’s parking lot. Now they are saying that at 10 tonight the spots will be given to the first ones to the door, no list will be honored. They are just asking for problems tonight, if they do this and people, who have been camped out here since last night, don’t get their spot, they are just asking for trouble.”

Rich White, 13 of Elyria, said that the Mall is being ridiculous. “Why is it that all the other malls let people set up and wait but our own mall won’t let us? Not a very friendly mall if you ask me.”

Another gamer said that he wishes Westfield never sold the mall. “They at least worked with us as far as the list was concerned. These people who took over, claiming they are our “hometown mall” could care a less about our hometown and the people who live here. I would hate to see if things get out of hand tonight.”

On a side note: When TMC NEWS arrived at the mall and began taking pictures in front of Best Buy a representative of the midway mall approached and said that the photos taken would have to be deleted immediately. Obviously we refused to delete any photos. The representative tried to get the Elyria Police Officer that was at the scene to order me to delete the photos, that didn’t work out for him either. I told him that if he was asking me to leave the property that I would be happy to do that but I was not deleting any photos. A note to the Midway Mall management, relax and try to work with the people in the community that you serve. Being a bully to gamers and photographers is not a very good public relations move.

TMC NEWS contacted NewsChannel 5 to come in and attempt to work out a solution between the mall management and the gamers. Watch tonight at 5 for Paul Kiska’s LIVE report from the mall to see if the management will change their minds.

To see all photos: CLICK HERE

FROM OUR, "YOU'RE AN IDIOT" FILE...

Just when you thought you had heard it all. O.J. Simpson has struck a deal with ReganBooks and Fox Broadcasting for a book and interview deal reportedly worth 3.5 million dollars.

FOX plans to air two, one hour interviews with O.J. Simpson later this month entitled, “If I Did It”. The interview will run November 27th and 29th, the final week of the all important sweeps month. A book, with the same title, is scheduled for release on November 30th. Judith Regan, of ReganBooks, said that Simpson approached her about the project. She also told the associated press that she considers this “his confession”. In the book and interview Simpson discusses how he could have killed Ron and Nicole.

Simpson was acquitted in 1995 of murdering his ex-wife Nicole and her friend Ron Goldman. He was found liable for the deaths in a civil wrongful-death suit brought on by the Goldman family. Simpson has been living off his NFL pension in his Florida home, neither of which the courts can touch to pay off the judgment of 33.5 million dollars.

Fred Goldman, father of Ron Goldman, has publicly called for a boycott of any bookstore that carries Simpson’s book. “It’s morally reprehensible to me, to think that you are willing to give somebody airtime about how they would murder two people”.

WARNING TO ELYRIA PARENTS

Elyria Police are warning parents of two separate incidents of men attempting to entice young girls into their vehicles.

The first one occurred last Friday in the College Park Apartments, near C building, when a man attempted to get a 7 year old female into his car as she got off the school bus.

The following is a description of that man and his vehicle:
White male, late teens to early 20’s, beard on his chin, dark blonde hair, wearing a white t-shirt and a black and white ball cap. He was driving an older silver to gray colored vehicle with rust on the back end.

Then Monday afternoon Elyria Police were called to the area of Clark & Fairlawn after a young girl was approached by a man asking her if she would help him search the neighborhood for his lost dog. The man first pulled up along side the 12-year-old female, who was walking home from school and told her to get into the truck. She responded, "NO". He then told her that he needed help looking for his lost puppy. The young girl quickly ran home and told her father who then called the Police. Several Police Officers checked the area and did not locate any vehicle or suspect matching the description.

The girl described the man and truck as follows:
White male, brown hair, clean-shaven, very pale skinned, wearing a brown leather jacket and appeared to be in his 30’s. The truck was described as a full size newer white pick up truck with tinted windows and an American Flag across the back window. The truck also has chrome mud guards and chrome rain guards around the tinted windows.

If anyone has any information about this man they are encouraged to contact the Elyria Police Department at 440-326-1213.

THE GAME OF THE CENTURY

The Game Of The Century! That is how this weekend’s game between #1 Ohio State and #2 Michigan is being billed. If you want to be in the stadium to see the game in person there are still tickets available on eBay. We found one seller trying to unload two seats in section 13a (the student section) for a mere $7,000.00. The seller is graciously offering to pick up the tab for Fed-Ex. The cheapest tickets we found are selling for just under $800.00, also with free shipping. If you are not heading to the Shoe to see the game you will be able to watch the match up on WEWS NewsChannel 5.

In the meantime we would like to find out who you think will win this weekend and by what score.

Hook Em… I mean Go Bucks!

LORAIN DUPLEX FIRE

Lorain Fire Department responded to a fire at 1841 Randall St. on the eastside of Lorain Saturday night. The fire that started in the kitchen area of a duplex caused approximately $50,000.00 in damages to the home and contents. Firefighters were able to keep the fire contained to just the one side of the duplex. LifeCare Ambulance Paramedics treated and transported one resident to Community Health Partners for a burn to his left hand.

CITIZEN CRITICAL OF CORDES

Lorain County Administrator, James R. Cordes

In Saturdays Chronicle Telegram, in the “off the beat” section, Lorain County Administrator Jim Cordes was talking to CT reporter Cindy Leise about his door to door campaigning in the city of Lorain. Cordes spoke of an alleged incident when a pit bull chased him. Cordes described the Lorain areas as, “tough-luck neighborhoods”. He then told Leise, “I got to see Craig Foltin’s improved city up close”.

To read the rest of this readers OP-ED piece please visit our OP-ED section. If you would like to comment first view our new comment policy before you do so your post does not get deleted. If you have something to say and would like to submit your own OP-ED piece please just email it to us at tmcnews1@aol.com

FIRE AT REP IN LORAIN

Lorain Fire Department responded to Republic Engineered Products (REP) around 2:30 this morning for a report of “molten metal spewing & igniting fires inside a building”.

Lorain Fire Officials said when they arrived they found a turntable on the third level that did not close and was spewing molten lead causing the fires. Firefighters evacuated all employees from the building then waited for the spewing metal to stop. After the fire was extinguished Firefighters stood by due to a gas leak and other safety issues.

There were no report of any injuries and the damage estimate is not known at this time.

CHRISTMAS COMES EARLY IN LORAIN

For the Lorain Fire Department Christmas came early this year with the delivery of 2 brand new fire trucks. For our Firefighter readers, those would be 2, 2006 Smeal / Spartan 1250 gpm pumper’s.

Lorain Fire Chief Tom Brown said that the new trucks come with a lot of new features that the older trucks do not have. “Some of the new features include rear and right side cameras for backing and right turns, advanced emergency lighting, rear sweep down tire chains, better designed body & midship mounted pump panel.”

Chief Brown said that the two trucks, both costing $300,000 and paid for with bond money, will be on the road in 2 to 3 weeks. Once they are on the road the Lorain Fire Department fleet will consist of 4 Pumper’s, 1 Tower Truck, 1 Heavy Rescue and 1 Command vehicle. There are still various support vehicles and vehicles in reserve.

When asked what is next for the Lorain Fire Department, Chief Brown said they would like one more pumper and support vehicles to replace aging ones and we are continuing to upgrade our dispatch facility.

To see more pictures of the new trucks: CLICK HERE