BOIL ALERT LIFTED

Corey Timko, Lorain Utilities Director, lifted the citywide boil alert today apologizing to the citizens for any inconveniences the alert may have caused. So take the pots off the stove and back in the cupboards, the water is good to go.

AVON MAN ARRESTED FOR SEX CRIME

Avon Police have arrested a 47-year-old man for soliciting sex online from what he believed to be a 15-year-old female. The female was in fact an undercover Officer with the Avon Police Department. The investigation spanned nearly a month during which several conversations were made online. The investigation came to an end when the Police were able to identify the suspect through the online service that was used.

Police arrested Neil S. Rubin of Avon and he has been charged with Importuning (Felony 5) and Possession of Criminal Tools (Felony 5). Rubin posted a $5,000.00 bond and will appear in Avon Lake Court for arraignment on Tuesday, July 3rd.

This is Avon’s 1st online predator arrest and Officer Miller’s 23rd overall since he began the program in March of 2005.

AVON POLICE SEARCH FOR PREDATOR

Avon Police are looking for a man that reportedly approached two boys in a restroom at Veterans Memorial Park last week. Once approached the two boys did the right thing Police say by running away.

The suspect is believed to be approximately 6 feet tall, 200lbs with grayish hair (and balding) and the man was wearing wire rimmed glasses.

If you have any information contact the Avon Police Department at 440-934-1234.

LORAIN ISSUES CITY WIDE BOIL ALERT

BOIL ALERT

The City of Lorain has issued a 36 hour BOIL ALERT for the entire city. Due to a water main break in the area of W. 30th & Reid Ave, citizens are asked to boil their water for 3 minutes before using it. The break occurred around 4pm Thursday afternoon.

To see more photos: CLICK HERE

PRAYING FOR PEACE

Reverend Dr. Brad Donahue from the Lorain Christian Temple led the prayer service today in front of Granny D’s Pizza Shop. Rev. Donahue said that today’s service was important for people to come together in prayer in light of the recent violence in the community. “It’s time for the community to come together to seek God’s Grace, God’s Hope and God’s Peace. Let this be a comfort to those who have felt the touch of this violence, I’m here today because I am a Pastor and a member of the community.”

Rev. Donahue has been a Pastor in 3 different communities and believes that this is one of the best he has seen and believes that things can turn around. “I think what needs to turn it around is a change of the heart of the community believing that we can turn it around and that we do not have to live in a community that is rocked by violence. To often we say, It’s Just Lorain, and that is not a thing to say. The people deserve better."

Rev. Donahue does not believe those who say Lorain is a lost cause, that it is too far gone to turn things around. “There’s been an attitude that’s happened over the last 30 years or so where people say we have to accept what is and I don’t think we have to do that. We simply can bring about the changes that we want to happen but we’re going to have to be the people, and when I say we I mean the entire community, we’re going to have to be the ones to make that change.”

Iman Paul Hasan of the Interfaith Ministries said that it is time to be proactive and not reactive. “We need to go to areas where there’s potential for these young people, I mean there are areas of Lorain where things like this will continue to happen unless we become more proactive. We have to address the problems with these young people, there’s no jobs, and we need to give them some educational opportunities and to be proactive with them.”
Iman Hasan says the community needs to return to faith in the unseen. “We have to have a faith in the unseen and a belief in the unseen. Once you have faith in the unseen and a belief in the unseen then that checks your behavior.”

Iman Hasan said that he believes the most powerful leadership in the community is the religious leadership and the display of religious leaders coming together today, despite their different denominations and differences, sets an example for the community.

Four Pastors spoke at today’s service, each quoting parts of scripture. Here is part of what one of the Pastors said:

“Love one another warmly as Christian brothers, and be eager to show respect to one another.”


To see more photos: CLICK HERE

FLAMIN DRINKS AND FLIPPIN BOTTLES

When a TMC NEWS Gold Card Member is involved in a good cause, we like to let everyone know.

Tonight TGI Fridays at Midway Mall will be holding a fundraising event fro the American Cancer Society on behalf of Team “Kiss Cancer Goodbye”. Tonight, beginning at 8pm, the bartenders will be performing “Flaming Drinks and Flipping Bottles”. The specialized drinks will be auctioned off after the performances.

UPDATE:
The total funds raised from tonight’s “Flaming Drinks and Flipping Bottles” event were $800.00. Kiss Cancer Goodbye, the team that organized the event, raised an additional $54 by selling their bracelets, magnets and buttons in support of Cancer.

Performing were Zac, of the Elyria TGI Fridays, new to the bar scene with a high drink auction of $35 for two long island iced teas. Karen from Brooklyn TGI Fridays, of 5 years also had a high drink auction of $35. Paul from Brooklyn sold a $60 Hollywood Nights. Joe of Westlake had a $50 Pina Coloda.

Katie, the bar manager of the Elyria TGI Fridays, outshined everyone when her Cosmo auctioned off for $120.

Organizers wanted to thank TGI Fridays Elyria for hosting the event and for everyone who participated in the auction. All proceeds will go to the American Cancer Society on behalf of Kiss Cancer Goodbye.

To learn more about Kiss Cancer Goodbye: CLICK HERE

LORAIN POLICE ARREST 3

Lorain Police announce that three suspects have been arrested in connection with the recent rash of violent crimes in their city, including the homicide of Dave Kowalczyk at Granny D’s Pizza Shop last Saturday night.

Arrested today were:
Neil J. Simpson 24 charged with aggravated robbery, felonious assault, weapons under disability
Scotty Parker 26, charged with aggravated robbery
Richar D. Perry 25, charged with aggravated robbery

Lorain Police say that through investigations of past crimes, they have come to the conclusion that the following are related.

June 10th - Don's Marathon Aggravated robbery of customer and employee

June 16th - Chapman’s Food Mart 2875 G Street, Lorain
Aggravated robbery where the security guard was handcuffed.

June 21st - Jack and Diane’s 5100 W Erie, Lorain aggravated robbery 3 guys go in and shoot employee in stomach.

June 23rd - Granny D's Pizza 854 E Erie, Lorain Fatal shooting of 43YO David A. Kowalczyk.

This announcement comes as The Downtown Ministries and other Clergy plan a special prayer service that will be held tomorrow. The service will be held on the sidewalk of Granny D’s Pizza Shop at noon. Organizers of the service say that the prayers will be for the Kowalczyk family and our community. They say all are welcome to attend.

LORAIN BABY'S DEATH RULED HOMICIDE

UPDATE - Noon Wednesday 6.27.07: Kevin Kimbrough was picked up this morning on his outstanding warrants in reference to his probation violations. He is in the custody of Lorain Police.
***
Lorain Police and LifeCare Paramedics were sent to an apartment in the 1200 block of W. 5th Street around 7:30 this morning for a baby not breathing. The baby, 8 month old Jayden Davidson, did not survive.

Lorain Police said during a press conference this afternoon that they are looking for the mother’s boyfriend, Kevin Kimbrough in connection with the infant’s death. Kimbrough was taking care of his girlfriend’s children while she was at work. Police say that Kimbrough told Investigators this morning that the baby was in a car seat and began throwing up and then stopped breathing. Paramedics were unsuccessful in reviving the infant. Kimbrough’s story seemed to fit with Police until Doctors at Community Health Partners and the Lorain County Coroner’s office ruled the death a homicide saying the child died of head and brain injuries. The infant’s 2 year old sibling was taken to Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital this morning with unknown injuries.

Police say that Kimbrough did not use his real name when talking to Investigators this morning because he has outstanding warrants for Parole violations. He also told the Police at the scene that he would meet them at the Emergency Room, he never showed up. Kimbrough’s last known address was Toledo Ave in Lorain and Police are asking for the public’s help in finding him. Kimbrough’s past is littered with criminal charges including, Domestic Violence, Aggravated Menacing, Resisting Arrest, DUI Receiving Stolen Property and various other traffic offences.

Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to call the Lorain Police Department at 440-204-2100.

REMEMBERING A FRIEND

Family, friends, neighbors and even some strangers showed up to Granny D’s Pizza Shop Monday night for a candlelight vigil honoring David Kowalczyk.

Flowers, candles and notes lined the building where Kowalczyk was murdered last Saturday night. Paul Dillon said he decided to go at the last minute. “People just want the family to know that we loved him and we support them”.

12 YEAR OLD ESCAPES BLAZE

BREAKING NEWSA house fire on West River Road South today could have had tragic results if not for a concerned citizen.

William Worcester was driving by the home when he first saw smoke coming from the back of the house. When he looked closer he could see the flames. Worcester parked his truck and ran up to the house pounding on the windows and doors wanting to alert people in the house. “I looked through the side window and I could see a young boy inside the house trying to get out. I was yelling at him to go around to the front door but there was a bunch of clothes and junk blocking that doorway.” The young man began trying other escape routes but couldn’t find any, Worcester yelled at the child to go to the front door and start clearing a path. The young man did and cleared the doorway, Worcester was there to help him get out but the young man went back inside to get his dog. Worcester went in and helped retrieve the animal getting everyone out safely.

To see more photos: CLICK HERE

TWO TEENS FLOWN FROM CRASH

Two teenage girls were flown to Cleveland hospitals Monday afternoon after their car crashed on Route 2 near Middle Ridge Road.

An ambulance from Cleveland was doing a non-emergency transport along Route 2 when they happened onto the crash. The medic was able to render care to the girls until Elyria Township Fire & EMS arrived on scene. Before Elyria Township arrived the medic advised 9-1-1 that a helicopter would be needed on the scene so Elyria Township requested that University MedEvac be dispatched. After Medics from the Township assessed the two girls they deemed that both needed to be flown to Cleveland so Metro LifeFlight was also dispatched to the scene as MedEvac was unable to transport both victims.

Traffic was held in the eastbound lanes while both helicopters landed and picked up their patients. One girl was flown to Rainbow Babies and the other was flown to MetroHealth Medical Center.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating the crash.

To see more photos: CLICK HERE

HUNDREDS TURN OUT FOR "TOY RUN"

Hundreds of bikers turned out Sunday at the Elyria Harley Davidson shop on Cleveland Street for the 12th Annual Toy Run to Fairview General Hospital. Organizers last count was 527 motorcycles. Some riders say it is usually more but the Teddy Bear Run to the Cleveland Clinic was also today so they lost a lot of riders to that event. In previous years the two events were a week apart, something riders hope will happen again next year so they won’t have to choose between the two again.

To see more photos: CLICK HERE

A SHOCKED NEIGHBORHOOD MOURNS

Neighbors surrounding Granny D’s Pizza Shop woke up this morning to the tragic news that David Kowalczyk, was shot and killed late last night.

Lorain Police say that they received the shots fired call at 11:45pm Saturday night. Officer’s and LifeCare Ambulance Paramedics responded to Granny D’s at 854 East Erie Ave only to find that Kowalczyk had died. Police reports say that when Officers arrived the scene they surrounded the building and upon entry they discovered that a “crime of violence” had occurred. The building along with the immediate area was cordoned off and a search including a K-9 unit began for any possible suspects.

The Lorain Police Department Criminal Investigations Unit arrived on scene and took over the investigation. Lorain County Coroner Dr. Paul Matus said that Kowalczyk, 43 of Lorain, died from a gunshot wound. The death has been ruled a homicide and is under investigation.

One of the people stopping by the pizza shop just to be there said she is saddened by the news. Dawn Stevens grew up on Colorado Ave, right around the corner from the pizza shop. “I came down here last night and was with the family I guess just to see if there was anything that I could do. They were so nice to everyone in the area and they had great subs too. The man was very kind to me whenever I would go in and get my food.”

Flowers and notes have been placed on the door and doorstep, neighbors and friends just showing their support.

WELLINGTON HONORS THEIR HERO

What started out as a small bronze plaque grew into memorial site in a secluded and serene location.

Bud Mohrman was Alan “Buzz” Andersons employer at Tape Inc for 18 years, fellow diver and most of all, close friend. So when Buzz died last year while trying to save the lives of two kids that were stranded on top of a car in a flood on Pitts Road, Bud knew he had to do something to memorialize his friend. To continue reading: CLICK HERE

MARKING UP SIDEWALKS IN OBERLIN

Hundreds of artists, some Master Artists and some wanna be Master Artists, grabbed hands full of chalk Saturday and began marking up the sidewalks of Oberlin. Several local businesses and Main Street Oberlin sponsored the “Chalk Walk” event.

To see some of the sidewalk art: CLICK HERE

LORAIN PIZZA SHOP OWNER KILLED

BREAKING NEWS

DEVELOPING STORY

Lorain Police responded to Granny D’s Pizza Shop on East Erie Ave Saturday night shortly before midnight for a report of a shooting. When they arrived at the pizza shop they discovered the owner had been shot and killed.

Family and friends began gathering across the street from the pizza shop crying and consoling each other as they watched the Police conduct their investigation. Police are not saying anything yet about the shooting but friends and neighbors are speaking out loudly. They say they are tired of the violence and they are sickened by the loss of such a kind man. Anna Rivera said as soon as she heard what happened she drove to the pizza shop. “I just couldn’t believe it, they are such good people and this is devastating. He was always so kind to everyone that went into the place and I just don’t know why someone had to go do something like this. I’m tired of all the God Damn killings, something has to stop this.”

The Lorain Police are still at the scene at this hour investigating; when details are made available we will bring them to you.

To see more photos from the scene: CLICK HERE

UPDATE: Sunday 2:00pm

TMC NEWS has learned that a suspect was taken into custody this morning in Elyria. The suspect and his vehicle were both returned to Lorain.

WOMAN'S BODY FOUND - EX IN CUSTODY

BREAKING NEWS

Stark County Sheriff’s Department announced just moments ago that the body of Jessie Davis was found at 3:30pm today. Bobby Cutts Jr. was arrested and charged with two counts of murder, one for the death of her unborn baby who was due to be born on July 3rd.

"At approximately 3:30pm today we recovered the body of who we believe to be Jessie Marie Davis of Summit County Ohio. Presently Deputies from the Stark County Sheriff’s Department, Agents from the FBI, Summit County Coroner’s office, the Metro Parks Police Service and the National Parks Service are on scene. We have placed Bobby Cutts under arrest and he is presently in the custody of the Stark County Sheriff’s Department. Bobby Cutts will appear in the Canton Municipal Court Monday morning June 25th, 2007 when he will officially be arraigned on two counts of murder which include the unborn child." Stark County Sheriff’s Department Chief Deputy Rick Perez

15 YEAR OLD DROWNS IN LORAIN

Lorain Police were called to Harmon Beach last night around 8pm for a child in the water, in trouble. Friends of 15-year-old Chris Pacheco said he was out in the water swimming when he got into trouble and began yelling for help, thrashing his arms and then he went under. The Lorain Police Department Dive Team was called in and they searched until midnight when the suspended the search until daybreak. Sgt. Dan Smith, the Commander of the Dive Team said the search resumed around 7:30am and the child was found 4 hours later about 50 yards off the break wall. The Lorain Police Dive Team was assisted by The Lorain Coast Guard and the Coast Guard from Canada.

Durling Middle School Principal Jerome Davis was called this morning and told that the child was one of his students. “When I got the call this morning I wanted to come right down to see if there was anything that I could do for his family.” Davis said that the Clearview School District is a very small district but a family oriented one and this is hitting them hard. “We’ll be there for the family, we all will.”

DONNA'S DRIVE IN?

A man drove his car up onto the sidewalk on Broad Street this afternoon striking a no parking sign then two cars. His car ended up in front of Donna’s Diner where new outside tables were placed only weeks ago. Owners of Hanini’s, located across from Donna’s said that the car came close to hitting the tables as well. “I don’t know if the man was sick or just confused when he took off up onto the sidewalk but he hit those cars and came real close to hitting the tables there by Donna’s place. I’m just glad nobody got hurt.”

There were no injuries and the Elyria Police Department is investigating the crash.

OVERFLOWING WITH LIME

Lorain Firefighters were called to the Lorain Utilities Department Thursday afternoon after a silo that was being filled with Lime overflowed. Firefighters, Coast Guard and members of the Lorain County Hazardous Materials Unit secured the scene to evaluate the situation. Officials cleaned up the spill simply by washing it away with water. Lorain Fire sent up their aerial truck and began washing the silo and adjacent buildings.

The Coast Guard closed off the opening for boats until the Fire Department deemed the area safe.

A COMMUNITY SAYS GOODBYE

Airman First Class Eric Barnes

1986 ~ 2007

To view photos from the funeral services of Airman 1st Class Eric Barnes: CLICK HERE

POLICE LOOKING FOR ARMED SUSPECT

The Lorain Police Department has issued a High Level Lisa Alert after a gunman held up a local food mart.

An unknown suspect entered the Chapman’s Food Mart at 2785 G St. with a silver / black semi auto pistol in his right hand. The suspect confronted an off duty security guard who was standing at the counter. The suspect removed the security guards firearm and later had a customer handcuff the guard as he was waiving both guns. The suspect then ordered other customers into the store at gunpoint and he later fled the area on foot.

The suspect is described as a black or Hispanic male in his 20’s wearing a blue ski mask, white ball cap, gray hooded sweatshirt and kaki shorts. The suspect also has a large tattoo on his left calf.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Lorain Police Department at 440-204-2100.

SEMI CRASHES IN GRAFTON TOWNSHIP

A semi that crashed and rolled over in Grafton Township Tuesday afternoon closed down a portion of Route 303 for hours.

Grafton Township Fire Chief Bob Richards said they received a call of lines down and a truck that had rolled over on route 303 near Cowley Road. “When we arrived we found the truck in the ditch and some wires down. The driver received some cuts and scrapes but seems to be fine.” The driver was transported to an area hospital by Grafton Township Fire Department.

Chief Richards said that the driver took the undercarriage of the truck off during the crash, rupturing the 150 gallon fuel tank spilling an undetermined amount fuel into the drainage ditch. A zone trailor for the Lorain County Hazmat Unit was sent to the scene along with Lorain County Emergency Management Director Tom Kelly to determine the best way to clean up the area. The threat of impending thunderstorms also concerned officials at the scene not knowing where the fuel would wash to.

The Ohio Sate Highway Patrol is investigating the crash.

To see more photos: CLICK HERE

WHAT WERE THEY THINKING?

Even though this soft drink doesn’t actually have any cucumber in it, it has been artificially flavored to resemble “the refreshing taste of a fresh cucumber” said Aya Takemoto, spokeswoman of Japan’s Pepsi distributor, Suntory Ltd.

The soft drink, which hit stores here on Tuesday, doesn't actually have any cucumber in it - but has been artificially flavored to resemble "the refreshing taste of a fresh cucumber," said Aya Takemoto, spokeswoman of Japan's Pepsi distributor, Suntory Ltd. "We wanted a flavor that makes people think of keeping cool in the summer heat," Takemoto said. "We thought the cucumber was just perfect." The mint-colored soda is on sale just for the summer and only in Japan, Takemoto said. She said initial sales were brisk, and Suntory aims to sell 200,000 cases over the next three months.

So the question is, if Pepsi Ice Cumcumber comes to the United States, will you be trying it or will you be asking, What were they thinking?

OH HENRY

This week Ted Henry is celebrating his 35th anniversary with NewsChannel 5. TMC NEWS would like to congratulate him on such an exceptional career. Henry, who was hired by WEWS in 1972 as a behind the scenes producer, began his “on air” time in the late 70’s as a weekend weatherman. Henry would later admit that he, not knowing anything about forecasting, simply made up the forecast every day.

Ted Henry has been a part of news ever since I can remember and when the big local stories hit, he has been the one to turn to. While watching Ted Henry over the years people have come to know him and rely on him for honest, fair and in depth coverage on the stories that matter to them the most. During the last 35 years we have seen news anchors come and go, not only at NewsChannel 5 but all the Cleveland stations. Ted Henry has been one that has always been there. He is a true Cleveland Icon.

Congratulations Mr. Henry on a phenomenal career!

RESCUERS GET OUT, JUST IN TIME

When Elyria Firefighters and LifeCare Paramedics responded to a call of a car on the tracks this morning they weren’t aware of what they were in for.

Elyria Fire Department Captain Donofrio said that when Firefighters arrived on scene they first checked with the Elyria Police Officers to see if the railroad had been contacted. “The Officers said that they had and we had our dispatch contact them again to make sure that the railroads were contacted again to shut the tracks down because we had a car on the second set of tracks and our dispatcher had indicated that he had done that. In the process of placing the victims in C-Collars, while still in the vehicle so we didn’t cause any further injury, a train was spotted coming around the corner. We quickly got the victims out, literally just seconds before the train struck the vehicle.”

Capt. Donofrio tells us that a Firefighter was actually inside the car when the train was spotted bearing down on them. “We had a Firefighter physically inside the car holding C-Spine when the call went out that a train was coming and we gotta move.”

In his 17 years Capt. Donofrio said that although he has been to many crashes involving trains he has never witnessed anything like this before. “Everybody was scrambling to get the victims to safety and we were probably only 10 to 15 feet away from the car at the point of impact. That is how close it was. It’s not the way you want to start a shift but in this business you have to be ready for anything.”

TRAIN COLLIDES WITH CAR

A car that had been reported as driving erratically on Cleveland Street went off the road on East Bridge Street near the Lorain County Blood Bank this morning around 9am. The car came to rest on a set of railroad tracks behind the Blood Bank with the driver slumped over the wheel.

Elyria Firefighters and LifeCare Paramedics were checking the people inside the car when they noticed a train come around the corner from the west. Elyria Police Officers on scene were instructing their dispatch to contact the railroad to stop the train and shut down the rails. The train continued toward the car while Firefighters and Medics scrambled to get the two people out of the car and placed in a safe area. The train was unable to stop in time and collided with the passenger side front of the Park Ave.

“This vehicle drove up the hillside here along side of the Blood Bank and hit some obstructions along side of the tracks and catapulted up onto the rails. Officers responded and the driver was slumped in the front seat at the time. The driver and his wife were pulled quickly and carefully from the wreckage. The call went into Conrail to stop the trains but they could not stop them in time. I will be examining the driver and have more details later today.” Lorain County Coroner Paul Matus

The woman in the car was flown from EMH to Metro Health Medical Center in Cleveland.

To see more photos: CLICK HERE

UPDATE

The names of the victims have been released by officials. The driver of the vehicle was 81 year old Theodore Ramsey with his wife Emma Ramsey. Officials believe Theodore suffered a medical condition that morning and was driving to the hospital when they went off the road. A surviellence camera positioned across the street shows the Ramsey’s car taking a sharp left off of East Bridge, driving over the curb next to the Blood Bank and up the hillside.

NEIGHBORS SHOWING THEIR SUPPORT

The neighborhood surrounding the home of Airman 1st Class Eric Barnes is lined with hundreds of American Flags, placed by friends and neighbors in a show of respect and support to the Airman’s family.

Airman Barnes was returned to Lorain County this morning and his plane was met by an Honor Guard detail from Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. The Wright-Patterson AFB Honor Guard serves all of Ohio, Kentucky, and certain areas of Indiana, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and the lower peninsula of Michigan.

Visiting hours will be held for the public at Lorain Admiral King High School on Ashland Ave. in Lorain on Tuesday from 1 to 7pm. Barnes is a 2004 alumni from Admiral King where he participated in basketball, marching band and bowling.

Funeral services will be held at Lorain Admiral King on Wednesday at 10am.

MOORE HOUSE TOURS

The Lorain Black River Historical Society held an open house today in celebration of being named the 2007 Spotlight Business by the Lorain International Festival. The Moore House Museum was open to the public for free today from noon to 6pm.

Who needs a Tour Bus when you have a Tour Trolley? Along with the free tours of the Museum Trolley Tours of the historic Charleston District were given from noon to 5pm. Organizers said that all seats were full in all of the 30 minute tours.

The Black River Historical Society is an all-volunteer organization that was formed in 1981 to preserve the history of the City of Lorain. The Society collects artifacts on the history of Lorain, has numerous paper files on events and people in Lorain and has a collection of over 13,000 historical photographs, many of which are located in the Archival Photos section of their website. This volume of information provides many opportunities for research on industry, business, and the genealogy of people who have lived in Lorain.

Moore House Museum hours of operation are: Monday – Friday 10 – 4:30 and Sundays 1 to 4:30. For more information you can visit their website: CLICK HERE

To see more photos: CLICK HERE

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ELYRIA TEEN KILLED IN CRASH

The Ohio State Highway Patrol says that Jake P. Nolan, 18 of Elyria, was the driver of the Ford F-150 that crashed into the woods on Gore Orphanage Road late last night.

In a media release the State Patrol says that Nolan was southbound on Gore Orphanage when he “failed to negotiate a curve” around 12:30am. The truck then struck a guard rail and a tree before coming to rest deep in the woods. Nolan was not wearing a safety belt and was ejected from the truck. Nolan was pronounced dead at the scene.

Drug and alcohol use is unknown at this time. The State Patrol said the crash remains under investigation.

During a conversation with TMC NEWS late last night at the scene, Lt. Peterson from the State Patrol said that counting this crash the number of fatal crashes for Lorain County this year is 10, there were 27 total in 2006. “This is actually our 4th fatal crash up here in Vermilion, Henrietta Township so we are going to start a Problem Behavior Identification Zone; we’re going to start working a little more diligently in this northern corner.” Last year the State Patrol did the same program in the southern portion of the county after there were 14 fatal crashes in that area. To this point there has only been one fatal cash in the southern townships this year and that was involving the farm tractor.

Peterson said that in all 4 fatal crashes in the northern area involved “aggressive driving”. “In other words there was excessive speed involved, alcohol involved and these are the kinds of things that if we’re up here and we can maybe stop them through educational things, engineering things. It’s like this crash, is there anything we can do to make this a safer curve, maybe bring the county garage out and look at their signs to see if there is anything they can do with that.”

Stop signs or not Lt. Peterson said it always comes back to the driver. “It always comes down to the driver, driving within reasonable means that he can always stop whatever the situation might be.”

To see more photos: CLICK HERE

GORE ORPHANAGE ROAD CRASH

A man driving south on Gore Orphanage early this morning went off the road just south of Becker in New Russia Township. The truck struck a guard rail and went air born into the woods. Neighbors heard the noise and notified the Ohio State Highway Patrol. Troopers responded and found the truck buried deep in the woods. When Paramedics from Central Lorain County Ambulance District arrived they found the driver of the vehicle dead.

Ohio Highway Patrol is investigating the crash and expect to have a press release ready later today, please check back for full details and more photos from the scene.

SHUPP SHOPPE BROKEN INTO - AGAIN

For the second time in a week, the Shupp Shoppe Barber Shop has been broken into. Richard D. Shupp, who owns the shop, said that last week the thieves got away with his cash register, cash and other miscellaneous items. This week the take was a little more costly with not only candy, chips and some memorabilia being taken but this time they got away with clippers and other tools of the trade. Shupp said that both times the intruders entered his shop by kicking in the back door.

The Shupp Shoppe has been on Lake Ave for the last 8 years and in the current location for the last 3 years. Shupp may best be known for a number of bars that he owned in years past and for his stunt work as the driver of the car that runs into a house in “Graduation Day”.

Michael Johnston lives in the neighborhood and said it is a shame that someone would do this to Shupp. “He’s been such a good neighbor, to the kids and just to everyone. Kids will run in there and grab some candy or get a bottle of water from Shupp and he always tells them to stay out of trouble and looks out for them. Just a great neighbor to have and I think it is very sad that someone would do this.”

Shupp said this last break in garnered the thieves mostly candy and chips. “I would have been happy to give them something if they wanted, all they have to do is ask. In the 8 years or so I have been in the neighborhood I have never said no to anybody when asked a favor.” When asked if the recent break ins will change the way he does business or treats his neighbors Shupp replied, “Hell no, this neighborhood has treated me well all these years, I will continue to be a good neighbor to them as well.”

If anyone has any information on the break ins, please call the Elyria Police Department at 440-323-3302.

HARRISON ST RESCUE

Elyria Firefighters responded to the 100 block of Harrison Street this morning after a 31-year-old man fell off a cliff.

Elyria Fire Department Assistant Chief Ron Brlas said when they arrived on scene they sent one Firefighter down the hill to assess the victims injuries. “When the first Firefighter went down we wanted to find out what his injuries were and also to find out what would be the best way to bring him back up the hill. The rescuer discovered him with his lower torso in water lying face down; his head was not in the water. The victim told the rescuer that he believed that he had broken his hip. The rescuer with him had accessed the rest of his injuries then called for a backboard and a stokes basket to be sent down."

Firefighters at the top of the hill began setting up a rope system that would pull the victim to the top of the hill after the rescuers had packaged him up. Once the victim was pulled to the top Paramedics from LifeCare Ambulance took over care and transported the man to Elyria Memorial Hospital. The victim was then flown to Metro Health Medical Center in Cleveland.

Chief Brlas said that the man had been walking in the area around 4:30am with two other friends who witnessed him fall off the cliff and they called for help. The mother of the victim said that she believed he had just lost his footing causing the fall.

To see more photos: Click here

WHAT WERE THEY THINKING?

The Aldi’s store near Value City has a new blacktop parking area that is well marked as well as a new front section added on to making more room for grocery products for folks to buy that are on a tight budget, like most senior citizens and folks on disability.

So what were they thinking when they put all the Handicap parking spaces on the south side of the building and not next to building, but away from the building on a steep incline, steep enough that if the shopping cart is not held with one hand it will roll down toward the building.

Now it seems to me if one is a senior or has a handicap of sorts it would be a pain in the rear area (if you know what I mean) to load ones car because it takes two hands for one who isn’t handicapped to load their car of bought goods.

Gee wonder if there is a market on shopping carts with brakes…..?

Ken Behner
Elyria, Ohio

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