WHEN BUICKS COLLIDE

The sudden desire to check out a motorcycle that sitting on the side of the road with a for sale sign on it ended up in a head on crash.

Carlisle Township Firefighters and LifeCare Paramedics responded to East River just south of Fuller Road Sunday morning around 11 a.m. after the two cars collided. Carlisle Township Fire Department Lieutenant Randy Feakins said that the driver of a Buick Regal was traveling northbound on East River when he noticed two motorcycles sitting in a front yard, one of the bikes had a for sale sign on the windshield. “He saw that for sale sign and decided he wanted to check it out so he made a quick turn without paying attention to the oncoming traffic. Once he made the left turn into the driveway he struck a Buick Century that was traveling southbound.” The cars collided then slide into the front yard of 9912 East River Road, taking out mailboxes and newspaper boxes. (Chronicle Telegram Managing Editor Patti Ewald is a Gold Card member of TMC NEWS so I am sure she will make sure those CT boxes are replaced expeditiously.)

Lieutenant Feakins said that the driver of the Regal, although had injuries to his arm, refused any treatment at the scene. The passenger was treated at the scene and transported to Elyria Memorial Hospital. The driver of the Century was also treated and transported to EMH. Lieutenant Feakins said that none of the injuries were considered serious.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating the crash.

To see more photos: CLICK HERE

Editors note: TMC NEWS has posted several stories about Ohio’s Move Over & Slow Down Law. During this accident a number of cars went around traffic cones that were set out to re-direct traffic. The cars that went through the scene, that I witnessed, did not even slow down. A neighborhood kid saw what was happening and even commented “Don’t these people know what the cones mean?” He went out in the road and directed traffic away from the scene. Now I am one of the most impatient drivers on the road, but seriously people, turn around and pick another route. Stay clear of the Fire, EMS, Police Officers and Tow Truck Operators doing their job at these crash scenes.

SUNDAYS WITH JASON

“Peoples is peoples,” said a wise man. At first I had no idea what it meant or why he said it. This Italian-born resident of Manhattan, in his mid-fifties was trying to convey the message that “we are all the same”; a sweet message behind his garlicky breath. He runs a successful diner in Little Italy and is another example of the American Dream. American Dream, what’s that? Is it not the hope that we can take our differences in our cultures or ethnicities or religious beliefs and use them for our betterment? After all, aren’t our stories and our personalities that are the very fibers of what makes us special? A story: one of the most technically skilled American Chefs was put in a challenge with a young woman from Texas. After the competition was over and the Texan emerged the winner, the Chef was dying to know what he did wrong. The judges simply stated, “It was the passion and determination we found in her dish.” It didn’t matter how schooled he was, her desire to do what she loves became a tangible ingredient and the key to her victory. The idea that passion and drive can take you anywhere is not just the American dream; it’s the American way.

Nothing, NOTHING, makes anyone any better than anyone. Our education, job, income, race, gender; these things don’t define us as humans. After all, without them we are still living, breathing people with red blood coursing through blue veins. Our passions and our dreams, these things inspire us to do what we believe we are here to do. That is what separates us and what makes us different, in a good way.

It is incredibly sad when I read a story about a hate crime in my backyard. This is Lorain County, a multi-cultural, multi-race community. We range from the nations poorest people to multi-millionaires. Ohio has been a haven for minorities since the days of the Underground Railroad. Yet, I have been burdened to hear the news of 2 maliciously racist acts on 2 separate occasions. Now obviously we are living in an imperfect world, we cannot expect everyone to have the same ideals or standards and in all honesty, this world be a boring place if we all shared the same brain. But there is a difference between not loving someone the way God made them and hating someone for that very reason. These 2 stories remind me of how ignorant and uninspired some of our youth are. The age of technology keeps them bubbled up into their own little world without a prayer of being able to conduct themselves with dignity in any situation that makes them uncomfortable.

I don’t care who you are or what you believe, but in return I ask the same from you. You don’t have to like me or where I came from, but you do have to leave me alone. There is no room in this world for senseless, evil, racist malice. If you can’t get used to the fact that the skin tones of this world are not all shining of alabaster, then pick up your stakes and hike to Antarctica.

It will always be this way, but it doesn’t make it right. If Hitler had eradicated the world of Jews, would he have been satisfied? No, he probably would have started going through everyone else and picking out people by hair color, eye color, I.Q., social status, etc. Because evil is never without its lust for blood and destruction.

I pray the offenders here are brought to justice and that the victims would be strong and hopeful for better days. There are people in this community who care less about what you look like and more about who you desire to be.

“We will have to repent in this generation not merely for the vitriolic words and actions of the bad people,

but for the appalling silence of the good people.”
Martin Luther King Jr.

Here’s to change, and hastily!

Jason

CHECK YOUR MEAT

MASSIVE BEEF RECALL

The United States Department of Agriculture said that they are investigating 25 reported illnesses in 8 states; Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Maine, Indiana, Florida and Connecitcut.

Topps Meat Company expanded a recall of ground beef from 300,000 pounds to over 21 million pounds. This expansion makes this one of the largest meat recalls in United States history. Topps, through a press release said that the hamburger patties could contain E. coli 0157:H7; a bacterium that can cause severe diarrhea as well as other serious complications.

If you have frozen beef patties in your home here are some dates and words to look for on the packaging. Topps said that products being recalled have a “sell by date” or “best if used by date” between September 25, 2007, and September 25, 2008. You can also look for “Est. 9748” inside the USDA mark of inspection.

Topps recalled over 300,000 pounds of meat on Tuesday but expanded the recall today. Vice President of Operations Geoffrey Livermore said in the statement, “Because the health and safety of our consumers is our top priority, we are taking these expansive measures. Topps is continuing to work with the USDA, state departments of health, retailers and distributors to ensure the safety of our consumers. Additionally, we have augmented our internal quality control procedures with microbiologists and food safety experts. We sincerely regret any inconvenience and concerns this may cause our consumers.”

Topps set up a toll-free recall help line at (888) 734-0451.

HONORING A FRIEND

TMC NEWS: "In The Community"

When Elyria Native Sergeant Lane Tollett was killed in Iraq this last April, a group of his friends got together to figure out how they could honor their friend. Michael Hartman, a classmate of Sgt. Tollett’s at Elyria Catholic High School, graduating class of 1994, said that when he received the news he was in a state of disbelief. “We were all kind of blown away by it, but there was all this constructive energy through the group. We started to talk about what we could do… Maybe we were in a state of denial; maybe it was just our way of dealing with it. We focused our energy on the best way to remember Lane and how best to honor him.” The group quickly thought of football, a sport Lane played at EC, so they group paid a visit to Elyria Catholic High School President and Principal Andy Krakowiak. Krakowiak took the group on a tour of the school and field house. The group saw the scoreboard inside of the Coliseum that had been dedicated to Dave Cameron; this sparked something inside of Lane’s friends. “When I saw that new scoreboard and saw Davies name on it I remembered that he was a friend of my fathers who fought and was killed in Viet Nam. I remember one time when I was down in DC I watched as my father sketched Davies name off the Wall.”

The group decided that they wanted to do something like that so they set their sights on the scoreboard on the football field. With the support from the Tollett family the group of friends drafted a letter and started contacting friends and alumni for donations. Hartman also contacted a friend of his at the NFL in Manhattan and received a donation from them. Hartman attributes the high energy and the sense of community within the Elyria Catholic family that allowed their dream that began in April to become a success just 5 months later. Hartman also said that the experience also brought him closer to old friends that he had been losing contact with. “This has brought me a lot closer to people that I have lost contact with and I have reinforced bonds with friends. There’s also this sense of energy that has been build around it that is very positive and that has helped me in the way that I don’t have to sink into negative emotions and feel bad, I can feel good about something like this, I can feel good about remembering.”

Sgt. Tollett’s father said that the support that he and his family received was phenomenal and not unexpected. “These are great people who have done this and their plan to do something to honor my son was immediate. They told me right away that they wanted to dedicate a football scoreboard and I thought that was great because Lane was such a football nut.” Trying to hold his emotions in check Mr. Tollett said that he and his family couldn’t have gotten through this without the support of the friends and neighbors and is says the only word he can think of to describe them and what they have done is “Phenomenal”.

Elyria Catholic President and Principal Andy Krakowiak, fondly referred to as “Mr. K” by staff and students, said that he is proud of the EC community for what they have done for the Tollett family and what they continue to do. Mr. K said that this is one of those moments that he calls a “teachable moment”. “We teach kids all the time about commitment, we teach kids all the time about sacrifice and about dedication and about giving back. We teach the kids to give back to the things that are worthwhile to them and things that are important to them and that have shaped their lives. Obviously Lane is a graduate here and a former Panther and as a member of the United States Army he gave back in the deepest way he gave the supreme sacrifice, he gave up his life. So I thought that if there is anyway that we can be a part of that and to allow our kids to see something like this that is solid to them they see and they understand the true sense of sacrifice being that Lane was one of their own.” Mr. K also said that they teach five pillars at EC, "Excellence, Compassion, Faith, Tradition and Community and I believe in an event like this one tonight it embodies all five.”

The dedication ceremony began at halftime. Mr. K received special permission from the OHSAA and support from the Trinity High School Football team to extend the halftime by 7 minutes for the ceremony. Once the first half concluded the EC football players went to the north end of the field and took a knee below the goalpost. The VFW Post 1079 Commander John Victor led the family and friends out onto the grass below the scoreboard. Mr. K read a few words dedicating the scoreboard while Don Tollett thanked those responsible for making it all possible. Mr. K then read an excerpt from the movie “Saving Private Ryan”.

"I pray that our heavenly Father may assuage the anguish of your bereavement, and leave you only the cherished memory of the loved and lost, and the solemn pride that must be yours to have laid so costly a sacrifice upon the altar of freedom. Yours very sincerely and respectfully, Abraham Lincoln."

Closing the ceremony Mr. K invited everyone in the stands to rise and join in the singing of “God Bless America”. I spoke with a friend after the game about the ceremony; she lives on Hamilton Street, 6 blocks away. She said she heard the singing loud and clear.

To see more photos: CLICK HERE

To view the Tribute Video from Sgt. Tollett’s funeral: CLICK HERE

EHS FOOTBALL PLAYER BEATEN

Around the same hour last Friday night as the Avon Lake High School Junior found her car vandalized with human feces and racial slurs, an Elyria High School Senior was being beaten nearly unconscious.

The attack occurred while 17 year old Travis Noble was visiting his girlfriend’s house on Metcalf Drive (Metcalf runs between North Pasadena and Rosealee) Friday night after the Elyria High School Football game. Noble, a linebacker for the Pioneers, was upset after the Pioneers lost their game against Parma that night, 34-6.

While sitting in the front yard of the Metcalf Road home, someone rode by on a bicycle and yelled, “Hey, looks like we have a ***** in our neighborhood.” Hearing this, Noble ran from the yard and chased down the kids at which time an argument ensued. After words were exchanged Noble turned to walk away when he was struck from behind. The kids then began beating Noble, hitting him in the face and kicking him. The final blow was a kick to the head that about left Noble unconscious.

Elyria Police responded to the home just before midnight after receiving calls of a disturbance. When Officers arrived they found Noble slumped over in a chair and badly beaten. Noble was treated at Elyria Memorial Hospital where he had surgery for fractures of his jaw.

Elyria Police have arrested one man and have issued a warrant for another in connection with the assault on Noble. James Machovina was charged and arraigned for Felonious Assault. Machovina, who is 21 and lives on North Pasadena, plead not guilty and is free on $15 thousand dollar bond.

The second man, Ken Tackett II, turned himself into Police Thursday afternoon and was charged with Felonious Assault. It was Tackett who made the racial slur towards Noble and he is also the one who kicked him in the head.

A Conversation with Superintendent Scott

Avon Lake Schools Superintendent Bob Scott said today that he is very proud of the students who assisted in the investigation and have been rallying around the 16 year old victim. “We had over a hundred kids who got off buses that night and right away saw what happened to the car. They were outraged by what they saw. The search started right then and there basically.” Superintendent Scott said that the kids took a “this shouldn’t happen to anybody” attitude. “I heard one of the kid’s say that Justice needed to be done here and we need to make sure that it happens.”

Superintendent Scott said that because the vandals included the personal ethnic slurs that took the crime to another level. “There are 1200 kids in this school and of course over the years you have incidents where a car might get keyed or something. Perhaps a boyfriend / girlfriend dispute or some kind of friction out in the community, that happens when you have kids this age and we would have dealt with that accordingly. This takes it to a level that is so extreme, the racial slurs that were written takes this from a disciplinary type of issue to the level of basically expulsion, we can’t have you hear with the other kids.”

The process that the Superintendent is following goes like this. There was an initial hearing that basically removes the two young men from the school for a maximum of 10 days. The Superintendent has received a recommendation for expulsion of the two students from school Officials. A meeting has been arranged for Superintendent Scott to meet with the two young men next Wednesday. (The date had to be mutually agreed upon by the school and the families.) They are allowed to bring their parents and anyone else who they want to attend. Superintendent Scott will meet with each separately and hear what they have to say for themselves. Policy dictates that the Superintendent has 24 hours to deliberate before making his decision and notifying the families.

Superintendent Scott has been with Avon Lake for 3 years and in education for 27 years, he says that this is the worst he has seen in all his years in education. “I have seen things scrawled on walls, names scrawled on walls directed to an ethnic group but this is by far the worse I have seen.” Superintendent Scott said that although this is obviously a very difficult time for the victim the other students have really rallied around her and are supporting her. “She’s been very strong and she is back in school but its not easy everyday to go through especially now that the news agencies have picked it up, that truly is causing a great deal of stress for her and her family. The family feels that this is something that is private and that they should be able to deal with without the world watching.”

The Superintendent said that right now the schools first focus is helping the girl and her family. “We want to help them get through this the best way possible and we’ll struggle through the next couple of days with them so that we can move on with them. The other piece of it is the pride of the students but it’s also a good teaching opportunity for us. We work constantly on the issues of individuality and of being accepting of other people for what they are and this is an opportunity for us to step in again and work with the kids so that we can get better.”

HATE CRIME HITS AVON LAKE H.S.

Two Avon Lake High School students, one 17 and the other 15, have been removed from school facing expulsion and criminal prosecution after allegedly committing a hate crime against an Asian American student at the school.

The incident occurred last Friday night when the two students allegedly targeted a vehicle belonging to a Marching Band member, smearing it with urine and fecal matter. The car was parked on school grounds while the Junior Band member was performing at an away game. The student returned to find her car covered in human waste and a racially offensive term written on her car.

School Officials were able to identify the students quickly because of the overwhelming outrage by fellow students and their help in the investigation.

The Avon Lake Police Department is continuing to investigate this crime.

PIZZA SHOP ROBBED AT GUNPOINT

Two crimes in the city of Amherst have residents and business owners concerned.

On Wednesday, September 19, 2007, Amherst Police Officers were approached by an employee from Olde Towne Pizza who said two black males just robbed two of his employee's at gun point while at the rear of the business. The two unknown black male suspects then fled the area on foot.

The victims told Officers that they had just clocked out of work and were taking the garbage to the dumpster located behind the Pizza Shop and noticed two black males wearing black hooded sweatshirts with their hoods up and dark colored bandanas over their faces walk towards them from Lincoln St. According to the victims, one of the black males, described as 6'0 to 6'2 skinny build, late teens or early twenty's in age, displayed a black revolver handgun and pointed it at the victims ordering them to empty their pockets. The other male suspect, who victims stated was dressed similarly and was approximately 5'8 to 5'9 inches tall, stood in front of them also holding a revolver handgun in his hand, but did not point it at them. The victims told Officers that they complied with the orders and emptied all the items in their pocket. The males then fled the area on foot northbound. Police say that there were no shots fired and no other injuries reported.

Officers check the area for the suspects but were unable to locate them. Police say that additional information was obtained and this incident is being investigated by the Detective Bureau.

On Monday, September 24, 2007, around 10:30 p.m., Amherst Police Officers were dispatched to Milan Ave. in reference to a hit skip complaint in which the caller advised one of the males in the suspect vehicle fired a shot from the vehicle towards their direction.

Upon further investigation, Officers learned that four subjects, who were at a house on Milan Avenue across from City Hall sitting on the porch, witnessed a Honda Accord or Civic pull into a parking space of the old police station. Witnesses tell Police that the vehicle contained three males, two of the males were described as black wearing baggy clothes with a dark colored hooded sweatshirt, and a white male wearing a red and white jersey style shirt with blond hair.

After a few minutes, witnesses say that the driver began to back out of the parking space and struck the witness’s vehicle. After noticing his vehicle was struck, the witnesses began walking towards the suspect vehicle to make contact with the driver. It was at this point the driver of the Honda quickly exited the parking lot and traveled eastbound onto Milan Ave. at a high rate of speed. As the vehicle sped away witnesses yelled to the driver to stop. Then the black male driver of the suspect vehicle stopped just prior to the five point's intersection and then stuck his head and arm out of the window at which time all four subjects heard a gun shot. The driver then fled the area eastbound onto Cleveland Ave.

Officers searched the area for the vehicle but were unable to locate it. The vehicle was described as a silver or tan in color ‘95 to ‘96 year model Honda Accord or Civic.

There were no injuries reported at the time of the call. The Amherst Police Detective Bureau is following up on this incident.

If anyone has any information relating to either of these incidents please contact the Amherst Police Department. (440) 988 2625

WAREHOUSE FIRE IN LORAIN

Lorain Firefighters were busy Tuesday afternoon battling a blaze on 10th Street behind Dye’s Appliances, between Broadway and Reid Ave.

Nellie Boise said that workers installing a rubber roof ignited the blaze accidentally with a torch. “I was on my front porch and all I have really been able to see is a lot of smoke, from what I understand most of the fire is in the roof and some inside the walls.” Boise said that the building has been used in part to store antiques and valuable collectibles.

Firefighters were able to contain the fire to the second floor and roof area. Although the fire never made its way down to the main floor, there was extensive smoke and water damage.

Boise said that while fire trucks were arriving cars parked along 10th Street, where it is clearly marked no parking, obstructed one of the trucks. “The fire truck was backing in from the side street and it struck the front part of the car and dragged it a couple feet. I don’t understand why these cars are all parked here in the first place because there are no parking signs all up and down the street.”

To see more photos: CLICK HERE

WOMAN STRUCK BY CAR

FAMILIAR FACE THERE TO HELP

A woman crossing Middle Ave in Elyria this afternoon was struck by a car turning from Second Street onto Middle throwing her to the ground.

LifeCare Paramedics and Elyria firefighters responded to the scene and evaluated the injuries. The woman refused any treatment from the Medic or transport to the hospital.

Now you might be wondering why the story is on TMC NEWS seeing as how it was a non injury incident. Well, as I started shooting the scene I noticed someone who looked familiar. Right there in the left turn lane on Middle Ave, right where the woman fell was Elyria High School Senior Justin Willis. Willis saw the victim fall to the ground after being hit by the car. He jumped out of his car and gave aid to the woman until Paramedics arrived.

One week ago today Justin was outside of Elyria High School on the West Ave side when a girl, crossing the street, was struck by an SUV. Willis went to her aid as well, holding her head still until Paramedics arrived at that scene.

Willis said that today he was heading home after a session of weight lifting at the school when he was approaching the intersection of Middle and Second. “I didn’t see the actual hit but I saw her falling to the ground so I got out of my car and went over to her to make sure she was ok.” Willis has plans of being a Firefighter / Paramedic after graduating from high school. Appears he is beginning his training early.

TMC NEWS says KUDOS to Justin Willis for his wiliness to help, his knowledge of what to do at an emergency situation and the compassion to go out of his way to help others in his community. No doubt any Fire Department or EMS service will be better for having him as part of their team.

OFFICER STRUCK BY DRUNK DRIVER

While on Bike Patrol on Middle Ave Sunday afternoon two Elyria Police Officers had to take evasive actions when an intoxicated male, driving a dump truck, came up behind them driving recklessly.

Officers Constantino and Drake were on Middle Ave between 7th and 8th Street when Randall McDavid sped in behind them traveling northbound. The Officers split off to avoid being struck by the Ford Dump Truck that McDavid was driving. The driver’s side mirror and the dump lever of McDavid’s truck struck Officer Constantino, throwing him to the ground. McDavid ignored the Officers call to stop and continued driving north on Middle Ave. McDavid making his way up and down a couple side streets was eventually stopped by Sgt. Harry Adams in the 1800 block of Middle Ave.

During the stop Officers noticed McDavid had slurred speech and other indicators of an intoxicated driver. McDavid was given and failed a field sobriety test and was then taken into custody. He has been charged with Operating a Vehicle Intoxicated, Reckless Operation and Leaving the Scene.

Lieutenant Andy Eichenlaub said that Officer Constantino was not seriously injured during the incident, only complaining of a sore back.

McDavid was taken to Elyria Memorial Hospital for a blood test and was then booked in and released from the Elyria City Jail. McDavid faces more charges as the investigation continues. There was also a report that McDavid backed his dump truck into another car in the parking garage at Elyria Memorial shortly before he struck the Police Officer. McDavid was a patient in the Emergency Room before he walked out.

OBERLIN HAS GONE TO THE DOGS

TMC NEWS: “In The Community”

Well, just on Saturday actually when the 3rd annual Doggie Doo & Pooch Parade hit Tappan Square in downtown Oberlin.

The day was filled with fun, zany dog contests, demonstrations by dog professionals and vendors to educate dog owners about caring, feeding, grooming and dressing dogs. The event is hosted each year by the Oberlin Area Chamber of Commerce and was funded by the City of Oberlin Bed Tax funds and other generous sponsors. All proceeds benefit local area shelters and rescue groups.

If you are a dog lover, and who isn’t, the committee is currently looking for “accountable volunteers” to work the 4th annual Doggie Doo in 2008. To contact the Oberlin Chamber of Commerce: CLICK HERE

To see more photos: CLICK HERE

"SUNDAYS WITH JASON"

Hello people. And hello Eaton Township, you’re at the end of my post. (I don’t know if you have electricity and running water out there.) This week was all about crashes, like last week was. I almost went out and stabbed someone, just for a change of scenery. But I refrained.

The Villanova stand-off was almost interesting but there was no need for heavy artillery (ho-hum). But I am a bit disheartened to hear about that area being such a slum anymore. 80 break-ins? I need to get to the bottom of that. It used to be a nice, safe area.

Also, this towing scam downtown Elyria is starting to come to light. Taking cash, no receipts, luring people out of their cars. It’s smart but, it’s wrong. If these guys are looking for work they should drive out to Eaton township. They’d be knee deep in wreckage. Next time I’m downtown (never) I’ll wrangle up a posse and rough ‘em up, old-school mobster style. You know, “We don’t want your kind ‘round here no more, boy.” That type of thing. But there may be a silver lining. Maybe they’re trying to save people from the Apple festival. In that case, you could tow me while I was in the car. That would be worth the 100 bucks.

I know TMC posted the “tasered boy” just for me. He got what he deserved. Don’t try to make this political, it was a Q&A. He never really asked anything he just blabbered and insulted and got himself electrified. HAHA! This is not the 70’s, people don’t jump up and down screaming as armed guards haul them to the paddy wagons. What a drama queen! I wish I could have been there. I would’ve thrown my shoe or something. You know, if you have a good opinion and want people to hear it, find another outlet. But this whole ordeal was totally started because this kid felt like seeing how far he could cram his agenda down someone’s throat before someone shut him up.

On a side note, a couple weeks ago I mentioned that Elyria might need some new students to take care of their new school. However, I don’t advocate the idea of running over it’s current students. So to the person driving the Mercury SUV, that’s not the kind of initiative I am looking for. I actually lived some of my child hood right there at 507 West Ave, directly across from the school, and though I am sure I was in the street a lot, I was never run over. But if I had been, at least it wouldn’t have been an SUV, maybe a Chevy Nova.

When I read the “The Dirty Part of the Job” story, I had a new found respect for firefighters. Some dumb lady calls the police to say she saw a 10 year old child jump into a storm sewer. It was probably an animal (or a child that only she could see) but either way, the Fire Dept had to go “dookie diving”. No child was found but, this is a true testament to a heart of servitude. Because had it been me in that muck, I would’ve hunted the lady down and cleaned my turd-laden boots with her face. Kudos to you guys.

My HIGHLIGHT OF THE LOWLIGHT: When I started reading all these stories about Eaton Township I realized; I don’t even know where or what this Eaton place is. But boy, are you on the map now! In just one week there has been a 5 bike crash, a single bike crash, a two car collision and a teen (who obviously doesn’t deserve a license) who managed to wreck into a truck, an SUV, a camper, a mailbox, almost 2 children and a partridge in a pear tree. Count it, that’s 12 vehicles! So, my question is; How many people will be at the Annual Chicken Bar-B-Q on October 7th ? Half the town has no vehicles left. I guess they’ll have to go back to riding their tractors like they do in Wellington. So, congratulations Eaton Township, you’ve made it! I’d appoint a Main Street director and a welcoming committee because you’re a destination now! Well, I still am not sure where exactly you are but, hey we all have to start somewhere.

So that’s it. I am really working here, but you gotta feed me a little more. Make life a bit more interesting. For example: The towing guy: someone should have shot at him or beat him with a tire iron. The sewer divers: maybe rabid raccoons or beavers ate the kid. Columbia Station house bonfire: I was really hoping that the guy would have accidentally burned down the whole town or a forest or something. Get what I mean?

Well, better luck next time. Christmas is 3 months away, smile.

Jason

BECAREFUL WHERE YOU PARK

Terry Thomas was just doing a favor for her son Friday when she drove him into downtown Elyria so he could pay a fine at the Elyria Muny Court. Driving around downtown with the festival underway they were unable to find any parking spaces. Thomas spotted a parking lot at the corner of East Ave and Broad Street that only had one vehicle parked and about 8 open spaces. Thomas pulled in, dropped her son off and waited in the car. Several minutes later there was a tap at her window, a young man asked if that was her son that she had dropped off, she said yes. The young man said he needed her for something. The young man also said that he wanted her to move her car into a spot closer to Broad Street. Thomas moved the car then started heading towards Muny Court. While walking to the court she saw her son walking towards her, he asked her what she was doing. Once she told him what happened in the parking lot he was sure someone was going to steal their car. When they got to the parking lot they found their car hooked to a Perkel’s Tow Truck.

The driver of the tow truck informed Thomas that she was parked in a private parking lot and that he had to tow it – that is unless she had $100.00 on her and then he would drop the car. Thomas did not have that much cash on her, the driver asked where her bank was and when Thomas said First Merit the driver said he would meet her down there and wait for her to get the cash.

While walking to First Merit Thomas phoned the Police feeling that this was a scam being perpetrated by the tow service. Police Officers met with Thomas and Perkel’s were able to convince the driver to drop the car and leave without being paid. Thomas said she was advised by the Police to file a complaint with the Elyria Safety Service’s Director.

Businesses in the area of the parking lot say that they watch this towing service hide behind Conrad’s and will snatch cars up then wait for people to return to make the $100.00. Sharon Shaffer from Sarah’s Sweets said that they hooked a customer’s car before and demanded $100.00 to drop the car. The customer only had $50.00 in cash on them so they took that. “The sign even says that the maximum tow fee is $90.00, so how are they getting away with charging people $100.00? Plus you can sit here and watch them collect the cash and put it in their pocket and never hand out receipts. They will even hook up a car and hide it over behind Conrad’s or the chocolate place so they can quickly come back and get more. Just another downside of doing business in downtown Elyria.”

An attempt to reach the property owner was unsuccessful as he had already left for the day.

WOMAN PULLS INTO PATH OF TRUCK

BREAKING NEWS

An early morning crash in Columbia Station sent a mother and her baby to two different hospitals.

Lieutenant Glenn Peterson of the Ohio State Highway Patrol said that around 8 a.m. Friday morning a woman pulled out of her driveway on Root Road in Columbia Station into the path of a northbound truck. The collision carried the car approximately 100 + feet. The truck, from Timber Wolf Crane Services from Medina, went off the road and into a yard on the west side of Root Road taking out shrubs and tress before stopping next to a utility pole. The woman was trapped in the vehicle with her baby, fully restrained, in the back seat of the car.

Lieutenant Stacey Borling of Columbia Township Fire Department said that extrication took 20 to 25 minutes. “When we arrived we saw that she was trapped so we mutual aided with surrounding departments and launched LifeFlight right away. We received help extricating the victim from Eaton Township and Olmsted Falls Fire Departments.” Lt. Borling said that the baby was not trapped and was still fully restrained in the back seat.

Metro LifeFlight landed in a neighbors yard just to the west of the crash and flew the mother to MetroHealth Medical Center in Cleveland. Eaton Township Fire & Rescue transported the baby to Elyria Memorial Hospital.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating the crash.


To see more photos: CLICK HERE

UPDATE: The driver of the car in this crash has been identified as 17 year old Brittney Bibby of Root Road in Columbia Station. The baby is 4 month old Matthew. The baby has been released from Elyria Memorial while his mom remains in critical condition at MetroHealth Medical Center in Cleveland.

The driver of the truck is 42 year old Thomas Ludrosky. Ludrosky, visibly shaken at the scene did not want to speak to the media only saying that he did everything he could to stop but that he just couldn’t in time.

STANDOFF ON VILLANOVA

ENDS PEACEFULLY

At first we thought this story began this morning around 10 a.m. when people spotted a man swinging a tire iron at a parked car on North Abbe Road in Elyria. Jennifer Lawrence and other witnesses said that at first they thought that the car belonged to the man because he was doing it in front of people in broad daylight. “I didn’t know what he was doing, I heard the noises and then I saw him going from the trunk area of the car to the passenger side door striking the window with something.” Lawrence said that once the car alarm sounded the man tried to stop it by popping the hood but couldn’t; he then fled the area on foot.

Neighbors described the man to Police who quickly identified him as 23 year old Drew Mans of Villanova Circle, right around the corner. Police believed that a 9mm hand gun and ammunition were taken by Mans from the vehicle. Officers quickly surrounded the home at the corner of Antioch and Villanova Circle and made attempts to contact Mans by phone. While making these calls Mans called the Lorain County Sheriff’s Office and advised them that he was in fact at Elyria Memorial Hospital on the 5th Floor and was willing to turn himself in. The Sergeant at the scene on Villanova requested that other Officers be sent to EMH to look for Mans and that he and the other Officers on Villanova would hold the perimeter that they had set up just in case it was an attempt by Mans to get the Officers to leave. A search by Officers, Deputies and EMH Security found that Mans was not on EMH property.
Mans was spotted a short time later by one of the Officers stationed outside of the house. Contact was made with Mans by Officers at the scene who spoke to him until one of the Departments Negotiators arrived and took over.

Family members that arrived on scene spoke with the media explaining Mans medical condition. Mans sister, Temeka Guzman, said that her brother was born with frontal lobe damage and other problems. “Drew was born with frontal lobe damage, he has half a ear, he has a lot of nerve damage on the side of his face. With the frontal lobe damage that controls your thinking ability, you don’t rationalize the things you do, you kinda act on impulse. He had been a troubled child for many years but he is not violent, he has never hurt anybody. He has never hurt anything or anybody but himself.” Guzman said that although she had not had a chance to speak with her brother during the stand off she would tell him that she and her family love him and care about him.

Guzman said that Mans was being held in a lock down facility, Community Based Correctional Facility CBCF, on Murray Ridge Road next door to the Lorain County Sheriff’s Department. Last night there was a fire at the facility and during the commotion Mans was able to walk away and steal a car.

Neighbors in the area gathered around the corner to watch the action, many were part of a large block watch organization that they have formed. Block Watch Captain Debbie Neri said that within the last year there have been over 200 break-ins in their area. “These are break-ins during the night, during the daytime, afternoon, whenever. You come by here at night and look in our back yards, you will see all of the security lights lighting up our yards.” Neri said that the Block Watch was formed in their neighborhood because of all the crime that has been occurring. Neri said they felt it was time to “take the neighborhood back.” Counting from January 1 to the beginning of April Neri said she has a list of 80 break-ins and as she says, it just continues. “Our kids are not even coming home from school on any latch key type programs; we are keeping them at school until we can pick them up. It’s scary, enough is enough.”

Robbie Smith lives across the street from Mans and saw the Police when they first got there this morning. “I saw the Police when I was going over to school but then when I came back home now they have the roads blocked and all the media is here.” Smith said that although he personally has not been the victim of a break in or theft a friend of his visiting his house has. “I had a party a couple months ago and a friend of mine had his I Pod and money taken from his car parked in my driveway.”

Lieutenant Andy Eichenlaub said that Mans barricaded himself in the house alone and claimed to have had a gun. Lt. Eichenlaub said that the Negotiator spent several hours on the phone with Mans in an attempt to have him walk out and give himself up. “Our Officer is trained in Crisis Intervention and Hostage Negotiation and decelerated the crisis in the subjects mind, advised him that the best thing for him to do would be to seek the medical attention that he needed. Over the couple of hours that they spoke she convinced him of that and he came out to seek that help.”

TO SEE ALL PHOTOS: CLICK HERE

NEITHER WIND NOR RAIN NOR SNOW…

Columbia Township Fire Department responded to Route 252, just south of Snell Road, in Columbia Station Wednesday afternoon after 9-1-1 received a call of a Postal truck in a ditch. 9-1-1 advised Firefighters that the truck was tipping over with a female still inside. Bystanders stopped to assist her by keeping the truck from tipping and eventually up righting the vehicle.

Shortly after all 4 wheels were safely back on the ground, the postal worker resumed her route.

GET YOUR CALENDERS OUT

TMC NEWS: "In The Community"

With Eaton Township Fire Department being in the news so much this week with the motorcycle crashes and the Eaton Estates crash, I felt that this would be a good time to pimp their Annual Chicken Bar-B-Q.

The fun begins at 11:30 a.m. and runs till 4:00 p.m. on Sunday October 7th. Eaton Township Fire Department is located at the intersection of Route 82 & Route 83. Dinners are ONLY $8.00 for adults and $4.00 for children under 12 years old. To clarify, this is for children 12 and under, not for those who act like they are 12 or younger.

Firefighters will be collecting Non-Perishable foods starting a week before the Bar-B-Q; anyone donating food will receive a door prize ticket.

There is also a rumor floating around that a Dunking Booth is being constructed special for our own Jason from “Sundays with Jason”. Now who would want to dunk him?

For a good time and to show your support to the fine professionals at the Eaton Township Fire Department; plan to attend this event on October 7th.

CHESTNUT RIDGE CRASH

This may sound familiar but Eaton Township Fire Department responded Tuesday afternoon for a two-car crash at Chestnut Ridge and Route 57.

Officials at Eaton Township Fire said that a car turning onto Route 57 south from Chestnut Ridge crashed into another car on 57. Officials say that two people had to be transported to Elyria Memorial for the (minor) injuries they received in the crash.

LifeCare Ambulance Paramedics responded to assist Eaton Township and transported one of the victims to EMH.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating the crash.

To see more photos: CLICK HERE

COLLEGE STUDENT TASERED

A public appearance by Senator John Kerry Monday at the University of Florida turned into pandemonium when a 21 year old Journalism student, known for posting practical jokes online, was arrested and tasered by campus Police for resisting arrest.

The problem began when the Andrew Meyer went over his allotted time at the microphone asking questions of the Senator. He had asked Kerry about impeaching President Bush, why he didn't challenge the 2004 election results and whether he and Bush were members of the secret society Skull and Bones at Yale University.

In a news release, University Police said that they were summoned by the forum’s sponsor to escort Meyer from the building. Police added that Meyer had been tasered because he resisted arrest while Officers tried to handcuff him.

Meyer was arrested on charges of resisting an officer and disturbing the peace, according to Alachua County jail records, but the State Attorney's Office had yet to make the formal charging decision. Police recommended charges of resisting arrest with violence, a felony, and disturbing the peace and interfering with school administrative functions, a misdemeanor.

Videos of the incident have been posted on YouTube and have been viewed over 500,000 times already in just one day. Using the new Comment Policy; feel free to post your thoughts on this story.

TMC NEWS: COMMENT POLICY

First I would like to thank all of the TMC NEWS Gold Card members for their votes and suggestions. I have to say I was pleasantly surprised by the number of replies from the email that went out last week. I received some amazing emails from you; not only voting but also some very well thought out ideas on how to deal with the comment section. Your ideas, votes and kind words were all greatly appreciated.

TMC NEWS COMMENT POLICY

TMC NEWS believes in freedom of speech and encourages all of our readers to speak out on stories you read here on our site. Unfortunately some people have abused that right and in most of those cases hidden behind fake names or just leaving comments under anonymous. Therefore, effective immediately: the editors of TMCNEWS.NET will moderate ALL comments. Slanderous, comments will not make it through. Anonymous comments stand a pretty good chance of not making it through either, so keep that in mind when you are writing your remarks.

I hope you all continue to participate in discussions here on TMC NEWS. Many of you have posted some pretty informative comments, some pretty funny ones and there have also been the moving comments from family members who have tragically lost loved ones. Those are the comments that we are looking forward to reading. Those of you who use the comment section to leave hateful, slanderous remarks are not welcome on TMC NEWS.

THE DIRTY PART OF THE JOB

If you were traveling along Route 57 between Gulf and Abbe Monday afternoon you might have been wondering what all the fuss was about with all the Emergency vehicles.A woman driving along Route 57 believed that she saw a young child (about 10 years old) jump into the storm sewer along the north side of the road.

Elyria Police responded to the scene first and yelled down to the child. Police then called for the Fire Department to send someone down to check on the child.

Elyria Fire Department Lt. Norris said they dropped a 25 foot ladder into the hole, tied off a Firefighter and sent him down. The Firefighter searched through the muck in the sewer running under Route 57 leading north to the turnpike and south to the St. Jude’s area but found nothing.

PEDESTRIAN STRUCK BY CAR AT EHS

A car struck a Female trying to cross the street on West Ave by Elyria High School Monday afternoon.

Elyria High School student Justin Willis said that the female, who he believes is also a student at EHS, was crossing from the parking lot heading to the high school. “The traffic here on West Ave was stopped (southbound) to let cars out of the parking lot. The girl cut between the first and second car so the driver of the red SUV didn’t see that she was crossing and then she hit her.” Willis said the SUV wasn’t traveling very fast at all and struck the female on her right side sending her to the ground. Willis, who has plans of being a Firefighter/Paramedic in the future, knew from his health classes to keep the victim stable until help arrived. “I went over to her and knelt down behind her head to hold her head still to prevent any further injuries. It wasn’t long then before the Paramedics and Firefighters arrived.”

LifeCare Paramedics and Elyria Firefighters treated the victim at the scene then transported her to Elyria Memorial Hospital.

The Elyria Police Department is investigating the crash.

To see more photos: CLICK HERE

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JUICE IN THE BOX

O.J. Simpson is wishing tonight that the slogan “What Happens in Vegas, Stays in Vegas” applied to him. Simpson was arrested Sunday on felony charges related to an armed robbery of memorabilia at the Palace Station Hotel in Las Vegas.

During a press conference Sunday Clark County District Attorney David Roger said that Simpson will be charged with two counts of robbery with a deadly weapon, conspiracy to commit burglary, two counts of assault with a deadly weapon, burglary with a deadly weapon and coercion. Roger said that Simpson could face 3 to 35 years on the robbery with a deadly weapon charge alone.

Officials say that Simpson played a “substantial” role in the crime. Simpson was arrested at the Palms Hotel on Sunday without incident and is currently in the Clark County Detention Center.

Simpson allegedly went to the Palace Station Hotel last Thursday with several “associates” to retrieve stolen memorabilia from people who were attempting to sell the items. Simpson has been saying that he set up a “sting operation” with his associates because since his acquittal on the murder charges the Police are not very receptive to his calls for help.

One of the items that Simpson was trying to retrieve was the suit he wore in 1995 when the verdict was read on live TV with the world watching.

“WE DODGED A BULLET”

A teenager driving at a high rate of speed in Eaton Estates early Sunday evening crashed his car into three parked vehicles after taking out a mail box, in what could have been a far worse crash say neighbors.

“We dodged a bullet here tonight” said one neighbor explaining about how all the kids were outside playing in the yards and riding bikes in the street. Nancy Vettel Lives next door to where the crash occurred, she said she was inside the house but could hear him coming. “I was inside doing dishes and I heard him coming, tires squealing and engine real load, I looked out my window and I saw him go past my mail box and into my neighbors driveway smashing into their truck.” Vettel then quickly called 9-1-1 to report the crash. While on the phone she watched as a passenger from the back seat climbed out of the car and ran home a couple blocks away. He later returned saying that he went home to call 9-1-1. The female passenger got out on her own but just sat on the lawn near the car.

Ashley Krantz, 13, and her friend 11 year old Shelby Newton were walking along National Drive to the park when they saw the car rounding the corner. “We saw the car come flying around the corner and all I said was “wow”. Then I saw him go off the road and hit the mail box and then he came back up on the road towards us.” It was then that Ashley grabbed her friend and pulled her out of the way of the car and threw her into the yard. Both girls said it was a very frightening experience and that they were still shaking from what happened.

Trooper Christopher Ausse of The Ohio State Highway Patrol said that excessive speed and failure to control contributed to the crash. “The driver first went off the road striking a mail box then he got back up onto the roadway drove down a little further where he struck a truck sitting in a driveway.” Trooper Ausse said that the truck that was hit slide backwards into a camper then sideways into a SUV making this a four-vehicle crash.

The investigation continues but Trooper Ausse said that the driver will be charged with at least Failure to Control and Speeding.

To see more photos: CLICK HERE

ANOTHER BIKE CRASH IN EATON

Eaton Township Fire Department responded to Route 10 this afternoon for another motorcycle crash.

Trooper Christopher Ausse of the Ohio State Highway Patrol said that the biker was riding up the ramp from Route 57 entering Route 10 Westbound when he lost control of his bike. “He went off the ramp, through the grass area and spilled it here on Route 10.” Trooper Ausse said the biker would be charged with Failure to Control and Driving Under the Influence.

Eaton Fire Chief Phil Slack said that the biker received serious injuries to his right ankle and lower leg area but nothing else of any significance. The biker was transported to Elyria Memorial Hospital by Eaton EMS.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating this afternoon’s crash.

To see more photos: CLICK HERE

CARLISLE COMMUNITY DAYS

TMC NEWS: “In The Community”

Residents of Carlisle Township gathered today at the Township Fire Department for “Community Days”. The annual event hosted a car show, Metro LifeFlight, Balloon Sculptures, Cow Pie Bingo (you don’t want to know), food and much more.

To see more photos: CLICK HERE

WHERE IS THAT SMOKE COMING FROM

While Vaughn’s Towing was loading up the motorcycles in Eaton Township 9-1-1 was toning out Columbia Township Firefighters after receiving calls of heavy black smoke being seen in the area of Route 82 & Station Road.

Firefighters from Columbia Station responded and discovered the source of the smoke coming from behind a house on Station Road just south of Rt. 82.

Columbia Station Fire Department Chief Ray Anthony said that a 40 or 50-year-old house on this property was torn down recently and the debris was stacked up in the back yard. The property owner started to burn a small part of the debris but that fire quickly grew as radiant heat spread across the rest of the area. Chief Anthony said that he contacted the EPA and explained the situation to them and decided to allow the property owner to let the fire burn out. “The property owner and another guy will stay with the fire until it burns out. They have equipment back there to control it but if it gets out of hand they will give us a call and we will come back. Right now everything is ok though.”