PAYING RESPECTS

To One of Their Own

Hundreds of Police Officer’s from around the United States came together Thursday to pay their respects to Cleveland Heights Police Officer Jason West. West, an Avon native, was shot and killed in the line of duty last week when responding to a fight in Cleveland Heights.

The funeral was held at St. Mary’s church in Avon on Stoney Ridge Road, it was there that hundreds of Police Officers lined the street and stood in honor of their fallen comrade. The streets of Avon were also lined with citizens wanting to show their support to Officer West, his family and his extended Police family. Flags, candles and hand drawn signs were could be found all along the procession route. Officer West was laid to rest in a private service a couple miles away at the Resthaven Memory Gardens on Center Road in Avon.

Jason West Memorial Fund

c/o School Employees County Credit Union

340 Griswold Road Elyria, OH 44035

To see all photos: CLICK HERE

REMEMBER THE TRUE MEANING

of Memorial Day

Today a Soldier posted a comment to this piece; I wanted to make sure everyone had the chance to see it. To the Soldier who posted it, thank you.

This day is so different than any other. Veterans Day is for those that have served over seas for this country. We (I) are all thankful we got to come home. Memorial Day is for those who gave all. They gave there life for their brothers to their left and right, they gave their life and left their family. This country is at a time of war and it makes this day so much more meaningful. It is a day where if you have ever served over seas in the armed forces you get to remember your buddy and celebrate their life.

A memorial isn't to remember how they died, but how they lived. - A soldier in the 82nd Airborne!

RIB BURN OFF

THIS WEEKEND

Just thought we would pass along a “Where to Eat” tip for this weekend. Convenient Food Mart on Cleveland Street in Elyria will be having another Rib Burn Off in their parking lot for the holiday weekend.

This weekend it will run Saturday and Sunday from 11am to 7pm each day. Store owner Dale Strnad along with Howard Bruce act as the Rib Masters and cook up some pretty mean chicken and ribs.
As our own TMC NEWS Gold Card member Jason Gilbert would say; “It’s a Big Cup of Awwwwwww, Yeah!

OUCH!

TOUR STOP

Not your typical tour stop but a minor crash on I-90 between a tour bus and a car backed up traffic for a couple miles. The tour bus was heading west on I-90 when the crash occurred and had 50 people on board. The people were removed from the bus as a large tow truck moved it off the highway and to a safer area on the birm where they jumped back on. As big of a mess as it was the Elyria Police kept traffic moving along the highway while the clean up and investigation went on. No injuries were reported and the Elyria Police Department is investigating the crash.

SEEING PURPLE

If you make your way into downtown Elyria this week you might be seeing a lot of PURPLE. Volunteers spent part of Sunday afternoon painting the town purple in an attempt to bring attention to the upcoming Relay for Life and cancer awareness.

Bobby Sears said that the color purple covers all types of Cancer, not just one and she wants people to be aware of it. “We would like to see all of the downtown businesses display some purple in their windows in a show of support. What we do here and during the Relay for Life is honor Cancer Survivors and to pay tribute to our family members and loved ones who lost their fights against Cancer.”

The Relay for Life will be held at Elyria Catholic High School on July 13th & 14th.


Anyone interested in a window sign can call Bobbie Sears at

440-322-6766.

HOME ROBBERY FOILED

Elyria Police responded Saturday night to a Clark Street home after receiving a call saying three men broke into the home and one had a gun. The caller told Police Dispatchers that one of the men fled the scene in a green 4 door Intrepid and that the man had a hand gun. The caller also stated that the other two men were still in the home and that they were holding them for the Police.

While Officers responded to the home Elyria Police Officer Tom Brezina spotted the Intrepid on Broad Street entering the downtown area. Brezina fell in behind the car waiting for confirmation from the Officers at the scene that the car he had was indeed the car they were looking for. When Brezina got the confirmation the car had pulled into the McDonalds drive-thru, other Officers quickly responded, surrounded the car and took the man, Aaron Legard, into custody. A search of the vehicle turned up handgun and marijuana.

Police arrested the following people:
Aaron Legard, 23 of Lorain. Charged with, Aggravated Robbery, Possession of Marijuana and Improper Handling of a Firearm.
Jerry D. Cannon, Charged with Complicity to Commit Aggravated Robbery
Jimmy John Christian Jr., 20 of Elyria. Charged with Trafficking in Drugs, Criminal Tools and Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor.
Matthew Pollock was arrested on an outstanding Bench Warrant.

A juvenile female was certified to the court for Tampering with Evidence.

EXCITMENT IN GRAFTON?

A Grafton Police Officer hands a baby stroller to the family after he rescued it from the home.

Grafton Village Firefighters were called to a home on Greenwich after homeowners discovered a fire in their chimney. Grafton Village Fire Chief John Cutter said the homeowner had run the fireplace that morning and in the afternoon noticed smoke and an odor in the house. “The homeowner then began to investigate and discovered smoke coming out from the siding and that is when he called us. The fire was contained to the fireplace but we still had to do some digging just to be sure.”

Firefighters, with the help of Eaton Township Fire Department were able to extinguish the fire in a short amount of time. One neighbor said that this is the most exciting thing to happen in Grafton in a long time; he then admitted that this wasn’t event that exciting. This story would have never appeared had he not made that comment. Just too funny to let it go.

No injuries were reported.

NUMBER 400 TONIGHT

INTO THE WOODS

A single car crash early Friday morning left a man trapped in his Ford Escape.

The man was traveling north on Leavitt Road Friday morning around 2am when he lost control and went off the road, taking out a light pole and ending up buried in the woods.

Damage to the Escape was so extensive that Firefighters had to use the “Jaws of Life” to extricate the driver. Central Lorain County Ambulance Paramedics treated the victim until Metro Life Flight landed and flew him to Cleveland Metro Health Medical Center.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating the crash.

To see more photos: CLICK HERE

WOMAN ROLLS VEHICLE

A woman traveling along Diagonal Road Tuesday afternoon lost control of her vehicle, crashing it in the 12000 block. The vehicle flipped over several times and came to a rest on its wheels only after striking a utility pole.

Carlisle Township Firefighters had to use the “Jaws of Life” to extricate the woman from the vehicle. Firefighters and LifeCare Paramedics treated the woman while Metro Life Flight landed at the scene to transport her to the Metro Health Medical Center in Cleveland. Diagonal Road was closed in both directions for about an hour.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating the crash.

FALWELL DEAD AT 73

1933 - 2007

The Reverend Jerry Falwell was found unconscious in his office at 11:30 this morning by his associates. Falwell’s Cardiologist Dr. Carl Moore said that Falwell was found without a pulse and that all efforts to revive him failed. Falwell was pronounced dead at 12:40pm.

Falwell might be most remembered for comments he made after the attacks on 9-11 saying that God allows he enemies of America to give us what we deserve.
Falwell said, "What we saw on Tuesday, as terrible as it is, could be miniscule if, in fact, God continues to lift the curtain and allow the enemies of America to give us probably what we deserve."

Pat Robertson replied, "Well, Jerry, that's my feeling. I think we've just seen the antechamber to terror, we haven't begun to see what they can do to the major population."

Falwell said, "The ACLU has got to take a lot of blame for this. And I know I'll hear from them for this, but throwing God...successfully with the help of the federal court system...throwing God out of the public square, out of the schools, the abortionists have got to bear some burden for this because God will not be mocked and when we destroy 40 million little innocent babies, we make God mad...I really believe that the pagans and the abortionists and the feminists and the gays and the lesbians who are actively trying to make that an alternative lifestyle, the ACLU, People for the American Way, all of them who try to secularize America...I point the thing in their face and say you helped this happen."

Falwell later apologized saying that he was “tired” when he spoke.

Falwell was born in Lynchburg, Virginia on August 11, 1933.

FIRE AT CMG

If you were driving along Leo Bullocks Parkway this afternoon around 3, you couldn’t help but notice the huge plume of smoke coming from the Garden Street area.

The smoke was coming from a fire on the property of Elyria’s Central Maintenance Garage (CMG) on Garden. The fire source was a piece of machinery located in the back portion of the property and the diesel fuel was the cause of the heavy black smoke.

The Elyria Fire Department responded and extinguished the fire in a short time clearing the sky of the smoke.

ROLL OVER ON RT 2

A man-driving west on Route 2, between Middle Ridge Road and Leavitt, late Saturday night went off the left side of the road and when he tried to get back in his lane he overcorrected and lost control. The truck he was driving spun and rolled over coming to a rest on its roof. The driver then fled the scene leaving the truck and hundreds of yards of debris. In the debris was the man’s Lorain County Metro Parks Ranger uniform, badge and gun belt, minus the gun. State Troopers, County Sheriff Deputies, Amherst Police Officers and Amherst Firefighters searched the area to find the gun.

The driver was later found at his home a short distance away with injuries to his arm and cuts on other parts of his body. LifeCare Ambulance Paramedics and Amherst Firefighters treated the man at his home while Ohio State Troopers and Lorain County Sheriff’s Deputies questioned the man. It was reported that the man had tried to claim that someone stole his pick up truck.

LifeCare took the man to Community Health Partners where he was later flown to Cleveland Metro Health Center.

To see more photos: CLICK HERE

TRAIN SLAMS CAR IN AMHERST

While Amherst Firefighters were dealing with the mess on Route 2 they received a call for a train that struck a car at the Oberlin Road crossing. When Firefighters arrived that discovered that the occupants had gotten out of the car before the collision. The train dragged the car several hundred yards before coming to a stop.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating this crash.

To see more photos: CLICK HERE

REAR END COLLISION ON RT 2

While dealing with the mess on the railroad tracks Amherst Firefighters were called to respond back to Route 2 for another crash in the westbound lanes between Middle Ridge and Leavitt. Firefighters had to make the trek back to their vehicles to respond back to the highway.

The new crash occurred this way. A man who was stuck in traffic during the first crash had turned off his lights, like many of the other cars had done while waiting. During the time he was waiting he had fallen asleep. When the highway was reopened traffic began to flow again with the exception of the sleeping man in the Ford Escape. A Ford Focus traveling westbound came up behind the dark Escape and collided with it. LifeCare Ambulance Paramedics responded with the Amherst Firefighters again and transported both drivers to area hospitals for treatment.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating this crash.

To see more photos: CLICK HERE

SATURDAY CRASHES

E. BROAD & S. ABBE

CAR STRIKES AMBULANCE ON WAY TO HOSPITAL
Witnesses from Speedway said they heard the siren screaming just before the collision. “They had the lights and sirens going when the car pulled in front of them, but it looks like the car got the worst of it.” Carlos Schmidt said he sees too many people at that intersection trying to speed past emergency vehicles and felt this was just a matter of time. “We get a lot of ambulances coming through here cause the hospital is just down the road so we see these people trying to get through the intersection real fast so they don’t get stuck at a red light. I wonder where they are going that is so important.”

The ambulance was from Columbia Township and they were transporting a man to Elyria Memorial Hospital when the crash occurred. The ambulance received very little visible damage unlike the car which received heavy front end damage. The man Columbia was transporting was turned over to LifeCare Ambulance and they completed the transport. The driver of the car was also taken to EMH for her injuries.

Elyria Police is investigating the crash.

To see more photos: CLICK HERE

West Ridge Road

This two car crash sent one car into a ditch and the other into the front yard of a West Ridge home. Carlisle Township Fire Department and LifeCare Ambulance responded to the scene and treated the victims. LifeCare transported two people to local hospitals.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating the crash.

To see more photos: CLICK HERE

ABBE ROAD & BURNS ROAD

A rear end collision sent one car into the electrical box that controls the traffic lights at the intersection of N. Abbe and Burns Road. Elyria Firefighters and LifeCare Paramedics treated and transported two from this crash to Elyria Memorial Hospital.

Elyria Police are investigating the crash.

To see more photos: CLICK HERE

Leavitt Road & Middle Ridge Road

This two car collision sent one vehicle rolling over and resting on its roof. Four people, including children, were treated by Amherst Firefighters and LifeCare Paramedics and taken to local hospitals.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating the crash.

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MAN FALLS 50 FEET IN CASCADE

A 20 year old Elyria man, Michael Beal, was “hiking” in Cascade Park late last night and fell approximately 50 feet. Beal, who was alone, was unable to call for help.

Around 6:30 this morning, approximately 5 hours after he had fallen, a park employee, who was in Cascade unlocking the bathrooms doors and getting the park ready for the day, heard Beal yelling for help. The park employee notified the Elyria Police Department who then sent an Officer to investigate. Elyria Police Officer Scott Willis found the man in the woods after parking his car near the ford crossing and hiking about 300 yards. Officer Willis found Beal at the base of the famous Pink Floyd Rock. Officer Willis accessed Beal’s injuries and requested the Elyria Fire Department and LifeCare Ambulance to the scene.

Elyria Firefighters and LifeCare Paramedics arrived and began treating Beal while other Firefighters searched for the best and safest way to move Beal out of the woods. Firefighters dropped boats in the water and moved the man across the Black River to the ambulance.

LifeCare transported Beal to Elyria Memorial Hospital where Metro LifeFlight was waiting to take him to Cleveland Metro Health Medical Center. Beal suffered serious injuries to his leg and minor cuts and bruises across the rest of his body. Officer Willis had advised LifeCare early on that Beal had suffered a left femur deformity with loss of feeling in his lower leg.

To see more photos: CLICK HERE

UPDATE:

Some corrections and updates to this story.
Mr. Beal was walking along the wood line above Cascade Park heading to a friends house and due to the darkness he walked in an area that he shouldn’t have and fell 50 feet into the park. Beal says that he had an argument with a friend shortly before his walk through the woods and that is why he was on foot and in the woods.

Lastly Braden Fox has come forward t say that he is the one who discovered Beal lying near the Pink Floyd Rock. It is unclear why Fox was in the woods but he wanted TMC NEWS to know that it was him and not the park employee who found Beal.

EATON TOWNSHIP

FIRE & RESCUE

10th Annual Golf Tournament

4 Man Scramble – Saturday June 16th
Brentwood Golf Course, Rt. 57 – Grafton
8am Shotgun Start

Enjoy donuts and coffee in the morning, raffles, door prizes, refreshments,

steak dinner and much more.

Keep checking back for more details

CAR CROSSING LANES CAUSES CRASH

The driver of the small SUV sits and smokes a cigarette while crews clean up

A two car crash on North Abbe Road in Sheffield Village today sent two people to area hospitals.

Lydia Stone, a witness who works nearby, said she was about ready to cross the street when the crash occurred. “I was standing right here on the curb and was about ready to cross the road when I saw the man driving the smaller SUV come from the far lane and crossed over these two lanes trying to pull into Sears and that is when this bigger SUV hit him.” Stone said that she spoke with the driver later and he told her he thought he had clearance to cross over the lanes. “He said he had signaled to someone and they waived him over but this bigger SUV I guessed didn’t see that caused she hit him hard. The crash was loud and when the car flipped over I thought they were going to be hurt real bad.”

Sheffield Village received mutual aid from Avon Fire Department, assisting with patient care and transport.

To see more photos CLICK HERE

CHILD INJURED BY RIDING MOWER

An accident with a riding mower this afternoon injured a 5 year old boy in Avon Lake, sending him by helicopter to Cleveland Metro Health Medical Center.

Avon Lake Fire Department Paramedics responded to the Cottonwood Ct home around noon after receiving a call of a lawnmower striking a child. Paramedics quickly requested Metro Life Flight to respond to the area. Avon Lake Police and Fire set up a landing zone in the fire department parking lot. Paramedics treated the child at the scene then transported him to the awaiting chopper.

To see more photos: CLICK HERE

CASCADE STUDENTS CELEBRATE

Students from Casecade Elementary were celebrating at Cascade Park today after completing the state of Ohio Proficency test. Principal Aretha Dixon said that the students worked for months preparing for the state test. “They worked very hard preparing for the test and they all did very well, I am very proud of them.”

The students were treated to a picnic and games in the park. To see more photos: CLICK HERE

and the winner is...

The numbers are in and Elyria Mayor Bill Grace holds off Holly Brinda winning by 512 votes. Issue 7, the Elyria High School levy, won by over 2,000 votes. To view all results: CLICK HERE

CLEARVIEW EVACUATES TWICE

Clearview high school students were evacuated twice on Tuesday after the school received threats. Lorain County Sheriff’s Deputies and Firefighters from Sheffield Township Fire Department responded twice on Tuesday to investigate the threats. Students were moved to the school football stadium located behind the school while the building was checked.

PUTTING A HOLD ON "MAVRICK"

Unfortunately, the opening of Cedar Point’s 17th roller coaster, Maverick, will be delayed until early June to make modifications to a section of the coaster’s steel track.

Cedar Point Officials released a statement apologizing to their faithful guests; “We apologize for the inconvenience. We know many of you have been counting the days until you could ride Maverick. This decision was made in the interest of improving the guest experience on the ride and to eliminate excessive stress on the trains.”

The decision to delay the opening of Maverick was based on pre-opening tests and consultation with IntaRide, the manufacturer of the ride. IntaRide has already started designing replacement track. The new track sections will be delivered to Cedar Point and put in place as soon as possible.

At this point, Cedar Point cannot guarantee an opening date for Maverick, but they are hopeful the ride will open in early June.

SAYING GOODBYE

Hundreds of people showed up Saturday to say goodbye to fallen Elyria Soldier, Sergeant Lane Tollett. A service was held in the Coliseum at Elyria Catholic High School before the 2 mile long procession left for Brookdale cemetery. Along the route people were lined up with flags and signs Thanking Sgt. Tollett for his service and sacrifice.

To view photos from the funeral: CLICK HERE

FIRE AT NOISE NIGHT CLUB

DEVELOPING STORY

Lorain Fire Fighters responded early this morning to a fire at the Noise Night Club on W 21st Street & Leavitt Road. When Firefighters arrived they found heavy fire coming from the rear of the building. The structure and the fire was so large that Lorain requested help from Fire Departments countywide. Assisting Lorain this morning was Elyria, Avon, Carlisle Township, Camden Township, Carlisle Township, Eaton Township, Columbia Township, Elyria Township, Vermilion and Grafton. Most assistance was in the way of tanker trucks to assist with water supply.

No injuries have been reported and the fire was out around 7:30 this morning.

Check back for more details.

To see more photos: CLICK HERE

BACK HOME

The plane carrying the body of fallen Elyria Soldier, Sergeant Lane Tollett, landed tonight at the Lorain County Airport around 5:40pm. Sgt. Tollett was taken from the airport to Bauer Laubenthal Funeral Home on Chestnut Ridge Road in Elyria. The procession, consisting of about 40 vehicles, traveled a 7 mile route with many local Police, Fire and EMS vehicles lined up assisting in blocking roads and showing their respects.

Funeral services for Sgt. Tollett will be held at 11am Saturday at the Elyria Catholic High School Coliseum on Gulf Road. After the services the motorcade will travel to Brookdale Cemetery on Oberlin Road where Sgt. Tollett will be buried with full military honors. Visitation will be held at the Bauer Laubenthal Funeral Home on Chestnut Ridge Road from 2 – 8 today.

For those of you who want to line the funeral procession route to pay your respects to Sgt. Lane Tollett and his family, here is the route the motorcade will take from Elyria Catholic to Brookdale Cemetery.

Procession Route:
Poplar to Gulf Road
Gulf Road to East Bridge
East Bridge to Broad Street
Broad Street to Middle Ave

Middle Ave to Brookdale Cemetery

To see more photos: CLICK HERE