SMUGGLING DRUGS INTO JAIL

GRAFTON - A Cleveland Heights woman was scheduled to appear in Elyria Municipal Court today on a felony charge after she was found attempting to convey marijuana into the Lorain Correctional Institution yesterday.

Troopers said Quaina Cole, 27, was charged with conveying drugs into a correctional facility, a third-degree felony.

Troopers and Department of Rehabilitation and Correction investigators developed information that Cole might attempt to deliver drugs into the Lorain Correctional Institution. She was observed passing the drugs to an inmate during her visit and was taken into custody. Troopers recovered six balloons containing three grams of marijuana.

Cole was incarcerated at the Lorain County Jail. If convicted, she could face up to five years in prison and a $10,000 fine.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol investigates criminal activity on state owned and leased property.

WINTER WEATHER ALERT

The National Weather Service in Cleveland has issued a WINTER STORM WARNING for Northern Ohio – Effective from Midnight tonight until 1 P.M. Friday afternoon.

The forecast calls for a Low mixture of snow, sleet and freezing rain across Northern Ohio tonight and Friday morning. The precipitation should start after midnight as mainly snow then changing to mostly freezing rain after sunrise. Precipitation will likely change to rain by late morning but then switching back to light snow by late afternoon.

A Snow accumulation of 2 to 4 inches is expected before the change over to sleet and freezing rain west of I-71 and near Lake Erie.


NOTE: A WINTER STORM WARNING IS ISSUED WHEN SEVERE WINTER WEATHER ISEXPECTED. HEAVY SNOW AND/OR ICE WILL CAUSE HAZARDOUS DRIVINGCONDITIONS. IF YOU WILL BE TRAVELING IN THE WARNING AREA YOUSHOULD CHOOSE AN ALTERNATE ROUTE IF POSSIBLE, OR YOU SHOULD USEEXTREME CAUTION IF TRAVEL IS UNAVOIDABLE.

GET THE SHOVELS BACK OUT

The National Weather Service has issued a WINTER STORM WATCH for North Central Ohio beginning late Thursday night through Friday evening.

Snow is expected to spread across Northern Ohio Thursday night ahead of an approaching low-pressure system. The low is expected to move across the state of Ohio on Friday.

A widespread snow accumulation of 4 to 8 inches is possible by Friday evening. The heaviest snow accumulation is expected to be across Northwest Ohio.

The precipitation type and snow accumulations will depend on the track of the low, which is in doubt at this time.

A Winter Storm Watch means that there is a potential for significant snow, sleet or ice accumulations that may impact travel.

STABBED OVER AN ARGUMENT

Fletcher J. Windham, victim

Lorain Police say that Tuesday night’s stabbing was a result of an argument between 22-year-old Rafael Feliciano and 24-year-old Fletcher Windham inside of Windham’s Seneca Ave. apartment.

Rafael Feliciano, assailant

Detective Sgt. Mark Carpentiere of the Lorain Police Department Detective Bureau said that this was not a random act; the two men knew each other. “Feliciano was visiting Windham at his apartment when they started arguing and that lead to the stabbing.”

Detective Carpentiere said that nobody else was injured during the fight.

Feliciano has been charged with Murder and is currently being held in the Lorain County Jail.

Note: The photo of Fletcher J. Windham was provided by the Lorain County Jail and was taken on January 2, 2008.

HOME DESTROYED BY FIRE

Sheffield Township – The fire that ripped through a McKinley Street home in Sheffield Township Tuesday afternoon took 27 Firefighters from 6 Departments 3 hours to knock down.

Chief Joseph Bandagski of the Sheffield Township Fire Department said that they received multiple calls from neighbors reporting the fire at 2:35 P.M. “The callers were saying that they saw black smoke billowing from the windows and heavy flames. We were also told initially that there might be a 17 year old still in the home. When we arrived our Firefighters approached the front door and entered the structure only about 5 feet for a search but because of the extent of the fire and smoke they were pulled out. The ceilings and the entire first floor itself were collapsing. We deemed right away that the structure was not safe at all for Firefighters to enter so we went on a defensive attack pretty quick.”

Chief Bandagski said that the family arrived within a couple minutes and advised them that nobody was inside the home; all family members were accounted for.

The home was fully involved when Firefighters arrived with smoke and flames rolling out of windows and doors. Sheffield Village and Elyria Township Fire Departments responded on the first call of the fire under an automatic mutual aid response. Lorain Fire Department was called to respond with their Mobile Air Supply Unit. This truck is equipped with a cascade system where they can refill Firefighters SCBA’s (Self Contained Breathing Apparatus) on scene and turn bottles around within minutes. Amherst and South Amherst Fire Departments responded with tankers to help feed water to Sheffield Township’s truck.

Chief Bandagski said that three adults who are now being taken care of by the American Red Cross had occupied the home. “The Red Cross was called in right away and they will work with the family and make sure that they are taken care of in way of housing, clothing and food – whatever they need, the Red Cross I’m sure will help them.”

The Chief said that with the magnitude of the fire they were dealing with today he was happy to report that there were no injuries to any of the 27 Firefighters that were on scene battling the blaze.

Lorain County Fire Investigators have been called in and have begun their investigation into the cause of the blaze but at this hour it still remains undetermined.

To see all photos from the scene: CLICK HERE

MAN STABBED AND KILLED IN LORAIN

DEVELOPING STORY
Lorain – Police barrier tape was once again rolled out as the Lorain Police Department Detective Bureau investigates a stabbing that occurred late Tuesday night on Lorain’s south side.

Lorain Police responded to the Seneca Apartments at 2833 Seneca Ave, just off of East 28th Street, Tuesday night just before 11:30 P.M. for a report of a person being stabbed. LifeCare Ambulance Paramedics also responded but the victim was pronounced dead at the scene.

The Police do have a suspect in custody at this time.

SHEFFIELD TOWNSHIP HOUSE FIRE

BREAKING NEWS

Sheffield Township – Firefighters from Sheffield Township, Sheffield Village, Elyria Township, Amherst, Lorain and South Amherst are all working at a house fire on McKinley Ave in Sheffield Township at this hour.

Sheffield Township was dispatched to the fire around 2:30 p.m. this afternoon. When they arrived they found heavy smoke and flames coming from the house.

At first it was believed that a child was in the home but after a quick interior check of the home it was discovered that nobody was in the home at the time of the fire.

Check back later for full details and photos from the scene.

WEATHER ALERT

The National Weather Service in Cleveland has issued a HIGH WIND WARNING for North Central Ohio. The Warning remains in effect from 7 tonight through Wednesday afternoon.

Damaging winds in excess of 60 MPH are expected this evening through tonight as a strong cold front sweeps through the region. Sustained winds of 25 to 30 MPH can also be expected behind the front.

Additional damage is possible with expected Thunder Storms that will accompany the cold front.

Winds will taper off early Wednesday morning but gusts over 50 MPH are possible until daybreak Wednesday morning.

The National Weather Service issues a HIGH WIND WARNING when sustained winds of 40 MPH are expected for at least an hour, with gusts of 58 MPH or greater at any time. Damage to trees and property are expected along with the possibilities of power outages with winds of this magnitude. The National Weather Service warns that if you drive a high profile vehicle take extra caution until the winds subside.

NICE JOB LORAIN POLICE

A TMC NEWS commentary

Last Friday morning 47 year old Jose Gonzalez, while opening his grocery store for the day, was shot and killed by a man who entered his store with the intention to rob him.

The news of Gonzalez’s death sent shockwaves through the neighborhood and the community. Moments after the Police barrier tape came down friends began placing teddy bears, candles and other items in front of the store to honor their friend and to show support to the family.

The memorial continues to grow and a 5 p.m. vigil is scheduled for tonight at the Gonzalez Grocery store.

There is another segment of the community that has been hit hard by the tragic death of Gonzalez and that is the men and women of the Lorain Police Department. While speaking to Officers on Friday you could sense their pain and frustration of yet another model citizen cut down by a senseless crime.
Officers are not supposed to publicly show their pain or frustration though; they are expected to remain stoic and professional. The Officers in Lorain did just that as they worked around the clock hunting down Gonzalez’s killer.

On Saturday around 2 p.m. the Lorain Police Department received a tip on the whereabouts of the suspect. I happened to be in Lorain talking to neighbors at the grocery store on Saturday and listened to the Lorain Police as they were tracking their suspect. Officers and Detectives left no stone unturned and worked all of their sources and tips in an effort to locate the suspect. Working on little to no sleep Officers took the suspect into custody just 32 hours after Gonzalez was killed.

For the Detectives in the case they will continue to prepare the evidence for prosecution and work the numerous other cases that are pilled on their desks. For the Patrol Officers they are back on the street doing what they can to curtail the growing violence and crime in their city. They are not standing on the steps of city hall taking a bow or asking for a pat on the back, that is not what they do. All they ask for is respect. Something that has been in short supply for them lately.

It is easy to berate the Police in editorials or in anonymous posts on local websites, but I have not seen many people applaud what the Officers did last weekend. I believe that there is no occupation in the city of Lorain that is more stressful or physically demanding then that of a Police Officer. Day in and day out these Officers deal with the lowest of the low. They are yelled at, spit upon and assaulted while on duty, yet they show up to work everyday.

Now, before the haters of the Police start writing their anonymous comments to me about those Officers who have smeared the badge and ask why I am not mentioning them – I know full well that there are bad Officers in the world. There are bad apples in every department and in every family. I don’t feel a few bad Officers should tarnish an entire department. It shouldn’t tarnish the hard working professionals at the Lorain Police Department.

So I say congratulations to the Detectives and Officers of the Lorain Police Department for a job well done. Bringing the suspect in will bring some closure to the family. This will help them focus now on what is important, paying tribute to their father and husband and laying him to rest.

Keep up the good work and in the words of Sergeant Phil Esterhaus: “Hey, let's be careful out there.”

SHEFFIELD LAKE HOUSE FIRE

WOMAN ON OXYGEN SMOKING IS LIKELY CAUSE

Photo / Doug Nehrenz

Sheffield Lake – An elderly woman received severe burns to her feet and legs after a fire ripped through her Sheffield Lake Home Monday afternoon.

Virgil Rader said he was in his back yard when he saw smoke coming from his neighbor’s house, he alerted his wife and called 9-1-1. “By the time I got over to Betty’s house my wife and another neighbor was already there trying to get her out of the house. She was on her knees near the front door.”

Virgil’s wife, Barb, said as soon as she heard there might be a fire next door she ran out to help. “When I got outside I saw our neighbor Sue also running to Betty’s house so I went with her. We found her on her knees just inside of the house trying to crawl outside.”

Barb Rolston, the third neighbor assisting, said that once they got her out of the house she could see that her feet had been badly burned. “We started putting snow on her feet hoping that would help a little but it looked like she was so badly burned I’m not sure it made a difference.” Rolston said that once Virgil got to the house the three of them carried their neighbor to the Rader’s house and waited for the Firefighters.

With visible fire in the bedroom to the left, the living room to their right and thick black smoke rolling towards them from the ceiling, the neighbors said the thought of backing away never entered their minds. Barb Rader said that turning back was not an option. “Never thought about anything else, I mean that is your neighbor lying there, how could we not help.”

Chief Mike Conrad of the Sheffield Lake Fire Department said that the fact the neighbors where there to help the victim was very significant. “We are not sure just yet how much of the heat and flame were able to get to her in the front of the house, but had it been delayed another minute or two this could very well have been a fatality.”

Chief Conrad said they received the call at 2:08 p.m. of a house on fire at 662 Sunset Ave. “We arrived on scene at 2:12 p.m. and found smoke and flames showing at the front of the house. We had neighbors directing us to their house for a female that had been injured in the fire.”

The first four-man crew began to set up operations in front yard when there was an explosion inside of the house. “The explosion blew out windows in the front and back of the house and it was so powerful that it also blew the helmet off of the Lieutenant who was standing about 15 to 20 feet from the front of the house.”

Chief Conrad said that the victim, a 64 year old female, suffered 3rd degree burns to her lower legs and was transported by Avon Paramedics to Avon Emergency Care Center where they met Metro LifeFlight. The victim was subsequently flown to MetroHealth Medical Center in Cleveland where her condition is unknown at this time.

The victim told Firefighters that she is on home oxygen and was smoking at the time the fire broke out.

Sheffield Lake Fire Department received mutual aid from Avon, Sheffield Village and Avon Lake Fire Departments. No Firefighters were injured while fighting the blaze.


To see more photos from the scene: CLICK HERE

SUNDAYS WITH JASON

Hey there, this will be quick; after all I am on vacation.

I am here in Florida, and you are not. It is 75 and sunny, with the smell of the gulf wafting through the breeze. The only down side is seeing Ohio license plates that are attached to the bumpers of cars with senior citizens driving them. But I am pretending I cannot see them. Hope you are all doing well and that you have plenty of long underwear, as it was only 12 degrees when we boarded our flight.

So anyway, I wanted to send everyone a little postcard, and I did. This is me signing off, in my hammock, under a banana tree and with a smile on my sun kissed face.

Be safe, be smart and be sunny.

Jason

MEMORIAL TO "MR. G"

Lorain – A steady stream of cars and people flowed through the Lexington neighborhood where Jose Gonzalez was killed Friday morning. Friends and neighbors took a moment Saturday to pay respects to the man they lovingly referred to as, “Mr. G”.

Teddy Bears, Flowers, Candles, handmade cards, a Cross-and other items have been left on the sidewalk in front of the Gonzalez Grocery store on Lexington Ave. since the Police removed the barrier tape from around the store.

As people arrived at the store, some by car and others on foot, they would spend a quiet moment looking at the memorial then join others in reminiscing about their friend. One lady spoke about how Gonzalez resembled TV Game Show host Howie Mandel and how there was a poster of Mandel hanging in the store. Little stories like that would always be overshadowed by the stories of how Gonzalez was a good neighbor, always willing to help his customers, his friends.

Gonzalez was known for “letting people slide” if they were a couple dollars short or for running tabs for people in the neighborhood. Gonzalez would also keep a watchful eye on the neighborhood children as they would leave the store and walk home, making sure they were safe. Not surprising many small children were seen Saturday placing teddy bears and hand written notes at the memorial.

Pastor Frances Goodwin stopped with her husband and led an impromptu prayer with some of the people at the memorial. Pastor Goodwin said that now is the time for the neighborhood and the community to come together to honor their friend, to support the Gonzalez family and get their city back on track. “He was a man to be loved and a man of love that’s for sure. I want to encourage people to keep supporting the Gonzalez family and to keep them in their prayers.”

With the continuing violence in the city I asked Pastor Goodwin what she thought would help turn the city around. “Lots of prayer, lots of prayer and people coming together. Coming together and just keeping an eye on each other. We need to remember what happened here yesterday, we can never forget the loss that we have suffered. This should teach us that this type of crime can hit us anywhere and at any hour.”

Pastor Goodwin has known Gonzalez for over 20 years, even before he owned the grocery store. She wanted the public, who never had the chance to meet Mr. Gonzalez, to know that he was a very caring and loving man. “One of the most caring men I have ever met and also a very informative people too. When you went into his store he would have a story to tell you and he always had an encouraging word for everybody. I think that meant a lot to the children when they would go in there and hear him speak in a positive way and to be very encouraging to them, that is something that will be missed.”

Pastor Goodwin and many of the people who had stopped by will be back on Tuesday night for a vigil in honor of Mr. Gonzalez. The public is welcome to attend.

The vigil will be held in front of the store and will begin at 5 pm. Tuesday night.

To see more photos of the memorial: CLICK HERE

CAR SLAMS INTO POLE

Lorain – A single car crash Saturday afternoon in Lorain sent two people to Community Health Partners with non-life threatening injuries.

Witnesses who were working on East 21st Street near East Ave Saturday said that they watched as the car slide off the road, drove through the grass and slammed into the pole. The witnesses said that after the crash the driver got out of the car, at first they thought he was going to flee the scene but he went around to check on his female passenger. The two witnesses believe the car, which was traveling north on East Ave approaching W. 21st Street, was doing about 35 to 40 MPH and never seemed to slow down before hitting the pole.

LifeCare Ambulance Paramedics treated both the passenger and driver and transported them to Community Health Partners for evaluation.

To see more photos from the scene: CLICK HERE

SUSPECT IN CUSTODY

The Lorain Police Department has captured murder suspect Decio Rodrigues. Rodrigues was found on the eastside of Lorain Saturday night around 6:30. Lorain Police received tips Saturday afternoon around 2 PM and with the assistance of the Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force Lorain Police Officers hunted Rodrigues until he was in custody.

Rodrigues has been charged with Murder, more charges are expected to follow.

MURDER SUSPECT INFO RELEASED

Lorain Police have released the following information in the search for Decio R. Rodrigues, the man they believe walked into the Gonzalez Grocery store Friday morning robbing and killing the store owner, Jose Gonzalez.

The suspect is 24-year-old Decio R. Rodrigues. Rodrigues is 6’ tall and weighs 155lbs. Police believe Rodrigues has been staying in motels in the Elyria – Midway Mall area, but they believe he is attempting the leave the area.

If you have ANY information on the whereabouts of Decio R. Rodrigues you are asked to contact the Lorain Police Department at 204-2011 or dial 9-1-1 immediately.

WEEKEND WEATHER FORECAST

Tonight: A chance of light snow after 1am. Increasing clouds, with a low around 13. Southwest wind between 6 and 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. Total nighttime snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

Saturday: Snow likely. High near 30. South wind between 6 and 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.

Saturday Night: A chance of snow, mainly before 1am. Cloudy, with a low around 22. South wind around 6 mph becoming calm. Chance of precipitation is 30%. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

Sunday: Partly sunny, with a high near 32. West wind between 7 and 9 mph.

Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 22. West wind between 3 and 6 mph.

BELOVED STORE OWNER KILLED

NEIGHBORHOOD MOURNS THE LOSS

OF A FRIEND

A robbery gone bad in Lorain has left a grocery store own dead and a neighborhood in shock.

Lorain Police say that a man went into the Gonzalez Grocery store at 2522 Lexington Ave. Friday morning around 10 a.m. – robbed then shot and killed the storeowner, 47-year-old Jose Gonzalez. Police say the suspect is still at large and they are searching for him.

A garbage man working in the neighborhood saw the suspect flee the store carrying money. The witness worked with Police officials to create a composite drawing of the suspect.

Police say that Mr. Gonzalez was in the store alone at the time of the robbery.

Surveillance equipment has been recovered from the store and is being analyzed at this time. Police say the video was of poor quality so they are having experts examine it and try to enhance the pictures.

Police said that the Gonzalez Grocery store has been around for a long time and is located in a rough neighborhood. He said the store had been robbed a number of times over the years but nothing as serious as this. “We have had a string of robberies and burglaries throughout the city however we have some of those people in custody but we do not know if this is related to this one or not.”

Jackie Fears has lived in the neighborhood for years and said that the death of Mr. Gonzalez will hit everyone who knew him very hard. “He was just a great man. They were a great couple to everyone in the neighborhood, especially the kids. They would give the kids candy and I know there have been times that I would go in and not have enough money on me and Mr. Gonzalez would just say “It’s ok, you can pay me another time”. That is just the way he was, to everybody. A kind man and now he is gone, very senseless.”


To see all photos from the scene: CLICK HERE

HAVE YOU SEEN THIS MAN?

Police are asking for your help in finding the suspect in the shooting death of Jose Gonzalez.

Suspect description: White male, bald, 28 to 30 years old, 5’8”, thin build, wearing a dark vest type coat with no sleeves.

A reward of $2,500 is being offered for any information leading to the arrest of the suspect. Anyone with information is asked to call the Lorain Police Detective Bureau at (440) 204-2105.

TRAINING DAY IN WELLINGTON

Wellington – Bells rang out at the Wellington Fire District Wednesday night at 6:30 p.m. but the bells weren’t fire bells, they were school bells. The students weren’t kids, rather Firefighters and Paramedics.

Wellington Fire District conducted their monthly training session Wednesday night at their Kelly Street Station, and the topic was Mass Casualty Incidents (MCI). In addition to Wellington Fire personnel, members of the South Lorain County Ambulance District and the Rochester Fire Department participated.

The scene was a multi-vehicle crash located in Brighton Township with multiple victims. Crews were dispatched as if they would be to a true call. As rescuers arrived they were told to role-play their actions, treating the accident scene as real. As the fire and EMS crews arrived, they quickly determined the need for multiple resources from neighboring communities.

Creators of the drill laid out 11 victims for the Firefighters and Paramedics to triage, treat and transport. When a rescuer approached a victim they found a card attached to them with their symptoms and injuries.

During the session evaluators were strategically placed to evaluate certain performance standards, such as use of the Incident Command System, EMS Operations, triage, and most importantly, communications.

Sheffield Village Fire Chief Jeff Young, Columbia Township Fire Chief Ray Anthony, Litchfield Fire Chief Joyce Teodecki, Medical Director Kim Bowen, Med Flight Medic Bill Huffman, and Wellington Chief Bob Walker evaluated all aspects of the operation. Following the drill, a critique of the crew’s actions took place, directed by the evaluators.

Lieutenant Bill Brown of the Wellington Fire District said that in the end the drill was a success. “We were able to learn a lot from the drill. One of the problems we had was communications with the radios we had, but as far as patient care and scene command everything went well.”

ARMED ROBBERY IN AMHERST

Amherst – Amherst Police report that they responded to the Payless Shoe store at 933 Leavitt Road in their city around 4:20 p.m. Wednesday afternoon after they were notified that an armed robbery had just taken place.

The suspect entered the store wearing a dark hoodie and a greenish / brown coat. After a short conversation with the clerk the suspect pulled a ski mask over his face, produced a small handgun and demanded money. The man was able to obtain money from the store then fled running northbound and then believed to run east around the side of the building.

The suspect is described as a Hispanic male in his 20’s wearing a dark hoodie and a greenish / brown coat.

There were no customers in the store at the time of the robbery and no injuries were reported. The Amherst Police Department Detective Bureau is in the process of following up on any evidence that was obtained (which is not being released at this time) from this incident and the investigating will continue.

Amherst Police is asking that anyone with any information or who may have seen the suspect described above in the general vicinity at the time should call the Amherst Police Department Detective Bureau at 440-988-4422.

LORAIN FIREFIGHTERS HONORED

At a Lorain City Council meeting on January 22, 2008, Lorain City Council presented Captain Thomas Sultzer and Firefighter Steven Bajcer with resolutions recognizing and commending them for outstanding public service as a firefighters for the city of lorain.

Captain Sultzer and Firefighter Bajcer are commended for their quick action in performing a valiant rescue at a structure fire at 300 Washington Avenue on Monday, December 10, 2007. Upon arrival, they encountered a heavily involved first floor apartment fire and began search and rescue operations. They were alerted of a call for help coming from the stairway where both firefighters successfully located a trapped resident and were able to immediately remove the victim from the dangerous situation to safety. Through their quick actions and display of bravery in a hazardous environment, Captain Thomas Sulzter and Firefighter Steven Bajcer helped save the life of Lorain resident Alice Kishman.

Lorain City Council encourages all firefighters, family members,friends and citizens of Lorain to extend their thanks and appreciation to Captain Sultzer and Firefighter Bajcer for their dedication and commitment to ensuring the health, safety and welfare of our residents.

LORAIN POWER OUTAGE

HAPPENING NOW
Lorain – Power was knocked out on the west side of Lorain Wednesday night around 9:20 p.m. after a transformer blew up.

Deacon Bob Dybo of Nativity Church in Lorain said he was stopped at Leavitt Road and Meister Road around 9:20 when he saw the transformer blow up. “It was like a fireworks show right there in front of me.” Dybo said that the explosion shook his car.

Power was out for portions of the west side of Lorain, some have been restored but several traffic lights are still out. Power at Community Health Partners “flickered on and off” but returned almost immediately.

48 HOUR WEATHER

Updated: 6p.m.
Tonight: Snow showers likely, mainly after midnight. Low around 15. West wind between 6 and 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. Total nighttime snow accumulation of around an inch possible.

Thursday: Snow showers likely, mainly before 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 23. Northwest wind between 8 and 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.

Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 11. West wind between 6 and 11 mph.

Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 28. West wind between 7 and 14 mph.

Friday Night: A chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 18. South wind between 9 and 11 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

LEDGER FOUND DEAD IN APARTMENT

Heath Ledger, 2006 Academy Award nominee, was found dead in his apartment this afternoon.

The housekeeper found ledger dead at 3:35 p.m. in his SoHo apartment. Prescription pills were found near the body.

Police say that a masseuse arrived for an appointment at Ledger’s apartment and was let in by the housekeeper. After knocking on his bedroom door with no answer, the housekeeper and masseuse opened the door and found the actor unconscious. When they couldn’t wake him up they contacted 9-1-1.

Paramedics found him cardiac arrest when they arrived and attempted to revive him but were unsuccessful. Ledger was pronounced dead at the scene.

Ledger has a 2-year-old daughter with his former fiancée Michelle Williams. He appears in the upcoming Batman film, “The Dark Knight” as The Joker.

Heathcliff Andrew Ledger was born on April 4, 1979 in Perth, Australia.

POLICE: "SEMI SIMPLY TIPPED OVER"

Amherst – State Route 2 in Amherst was closed for about an hour today while Dunlap’s Towing worked to upright and tow a semi that slide off the roadway.

Amherst Police say that the truck driver was traveling eastbound on Route 2 approaching the Crosse Road Overpass and coming upon a traffic crash. The truck driver told Police that other traffic cut in front of him to avoid the same accident scene. The truck driver steered toward the median and came to rest after sliding just slightly off the roadway. Once the vehicle came to final rest, the vehicle simply tipped over into the median.

There were no injuries and only minor damage to the semi truck and trailer. Dunlap’s Towing removed the truck and trailer from the median and told Police that the load inside the trailer had shifted making it unsafe to drive. The truck and trailer was towed from the scene.

Amherst Police say that no citations have been issued at this time.

BUS REAR-ENDED IN ELYRIA

Elyria – A car rear-ended a First Student school bus in Elyria Tuesday afternoon – the good news is that no students were on board the bus at the time of the crash.

The crash occurred on Second Street between West River and Gateway just after noon. Even though there was heavy damage to the front of the car, LifeCare Paramedics and Elyria Firefighters were able to remove the driver of the car from her vehicle without using any extrication tools. The driver was then taken to Elyria Memorial for further evaluation.

The Elyria Police Department is investigating the crash.

To see more photos from the scene: CLICK HERE

Remember if you are driving and see an accident scene ahead, “SLOW DOWN AND MOVE OVER”. Allow Police, Fire, EMS and Tow Services to do their jobs without becoming a victim.

48 HOUR WEATHER

Tuesday: Periods of snow showers with a new snow accumulation of around an inch. High near 31. Breezy, with a southwest wind between 20 and 22 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.

Tuesday Night: Cloudy, with a low around 17. West wind between 13 and 17 mph.

Wednesday: A chance of snow showers. High near 23. West wind between 16 and 18 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Wednesday Night: Snow showers likely. Low around 13. West wind around 16 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Thursday: A chance of snow showers. High near 19. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Thursday Night: A chance of flurries after midnight. Low around 10.

HEAD ON CRASH IN LAGRANGE

LaGrange Township – An 83 year old woman remains in critical condition tonight after being involved in a head on crash on Route 303 in LaGrange Township.

Paramedic Brian Durante of LaGrange Fire & Rescue said that the 83-year-old woman was traveling westbound on 303 when a car heading eastbound swerved into her lane. “She received multiple fractures as a result of the crash. We treated her at the scene then transported her to our Community Park a couple blocks away where we met Metro LifeFlight.”

LifeFlight flew the woman to MetroHealth Medical Center in Cleveland and the victim from the second car was transported by Central Lorain County Ambulance District to Allen Medical Center in Oberlin.

To see more photos from the scene: CLICK HERE

SHEFFIELD APARTMENT FIRE

Sheffield Township – A family of four was forced out into the cold Monday afternoon after a fire broke out in their Sheffield Township apartment.

Chief Joseph Bandagski of the Sheffield Township Fire Department said that the blaze was brought under control in a short amount of time. “When we arrived we found the first floor pretty well involved, our guys were able to get that knocked down pretty fast however. The ground floor of the apartment is completely totaled and the upstairs portion of the home has received significant smoke damage.”

Chief Bandagski said that at the time the fire broke out a mother and her four children were at home, all escaped without injury. “They were able to get out of the apartment quickly and with no injuries. We have the Red Cross coming to assist them with getting a place to stay and clothing if needed.”

The two units surrounding the fire apartment suffered smoke damage but no fire damage.

Firefighters from Sheffield Village and Elyria Township assisted Sheffield Township in battling the blaze.

To see more photos from the scene: CLICK HERE

WIND CHILL ADVISORY EXTENDED

The National Weather Service in Cleveland has extended the WIND CHILL ADVISORY until 10 a.m. Monday morning.

Temperatures tonight will drop to zero to five above across much of northern Ohio. This combined with winds of 10 to 20 MPH will drop the wind chills to 10 to 15 below zero.

Prolong exposure to the cold could cause Frostbite or Hypothermia. If you must be outdoors make sure that all exposed skin is covered. Also remember the suggestion Jason made today in “Sundays with Jason” – “Well, let’s all bundle up and check on someone “elderly” to make sure they are warm and cozy too.”

SUNDAYS WITH JASON

Oh the cold is only getting colder, and it sure is getting older! But me; I am counting down the minutes to Friday when I hop on a big winged bird and head down to Florida. Sorry folks, if I could take you all with me, I honestly would. (Not just because I would rather hang out with total strangers than see my grubby old step dad, well, maybe that’s one reason why.) Not to make fun of him but, you all know how the step-parent thing goes…. you can’t live with ‘em and you can’t stuff them in a sack. Enough said?

So I apologize for the last couple weeks, I feel like I was losing the battle to complacent, ill-motivated, useless words. (Like every Sunday, only worse) So, hopefully we can kick it up a notch today, what’d ya say?

There were some crashes this week, one of them deadly and fueled by the combination of high speed, alcohol and ego. The result was a couple injuries and a dead driver. Just another story of a 30-something driving in his fast car inebriated and totally irresponsible. But, you know what I am about to say, better him than me. At least he didn’t kill anyone but himself.

This week was bone chilling; I think the weather may have kept the fire gnomes underground because we had no plague of buildings burning to the ground this week. Yay for us.

But the all-powerful Mr. Smite, not to be out-did by Mr. Good Fortune, raised the bar on danger this week. Puzzled? Let me bring this new subject to light. The past months we’ve been dazed and confused by a surge of old people attempting vehicular homicides. These “old drivers” put their lives (and the lives of others) in danger, somewhat obliviously. Well, if that isn’t bad enough, not only do we have to watch the road for old drivers; now we have to watch the sky for “old flyers.” This week we have had 2 small aircrafts crash under the control of pilots over 6o. Don’t get me wrong; I am not trying to make light of a sad situation. But, I think some investigation is on order. I read that in order to keep your private pilot license current, the FAA requires that you complete a Biennial Flight Review with a flight instructor every two years. Every 2 years? If that is true, perhaps when you get to be over 60 it should be a little more frequent. These pilots may have been totally “competent” but that’s not my point. At least it was an even playing field before; I just had to watch the road. Now I am having a moon roof installed so I can watch for “falling, flying, fogies!” So, be afraid people, be very afraid; and HEADS UP!

Last week I did not touch on the subject of the Cage Fights, although it got plenty of attention and started the whole “new courthouse” drama. I personally love a good fight and especially when it is regulated and governed by a high set of standards. But, the people who really have a problem with it should consider their options. Would you rather have people let out their aggressions (or practice their hand to hand combat skills) in the mall, on your block, or in your face when you cut them off on the road? Or, would you rather they get their “rage on” in a cage?

I personally think that it is a great idea for these guys to have this sport for an outlet. Let’s all get this straight; they are not a bunch of bloodthirsty maniacs either. Hand to hand combat has been both a sport and an ancient art form as far back as 1022 BC. It’s not like people just recently started punching each other in the face and decided to make it into a public exhibition for the heck of it. This is an art. If you are a regular reader of TMC you are well aware of what “violent” fighting is; it’s the stories we read about where knives and guns are pulled on people. It’s the stories of lovers shooting lovers, and strangers stabbing strangers. Or even worse, the stabbing in Elyria this week, which was so ghetto of a fight that neither bozo wanted to tell their story. They were probably embarrassed that they couldn’t get in an argument without someone taking a shank in the chest. Now that is real violence.

Cage fighting is not violent, it may be graphic, but violence is done from a hateful heart; that is a heart these athletes just don’t possess. These guys are athletes and passionate about their sport; I am in awe of their perseverance, stamina, will and strength. Anyone can say something derogatory about a “fighter” until they meet one, (or need one when they get into a situation they are too weak to handle). Me personally, I always keep a “fighter” on my buddy list. To open my jar of pickles or help open my car door when it’s frozen shut. I may not be a big “sports buff,” but I’d rate this “grade A” entertainment!

Well, let’s all bundle up and check on someone “elderly” to make sure they are warm and cozy too. Remember that kerosene heaters only work when they have KEROSENE in them. Don’t forget to make sure the smoke from the fireplace is actually ESCAPING up the chimney. If you have to run your gas oven to heat up the house, just make sure the pilot light is on and that your head is not in the oven. Finally, a great way to stay warm in these cold months is to cuddle up with your lady, just make sure your wife doesn’t know about it. (Bah-dump-dump-ching) Thanks folks I’ll be here all week, you’ve been a great crowd. You in the first row, you’re quite a looker; you’ve got a great face for radio.

Okay, I’ve got to go. I’ll try to touch base with you all next week; If I am not to busy basking in the golden sun on the white sand beaches, or peeing on sting ray sores. (All of which are so fun) I’ll bring back seashells for all of you. Just send me $9.95.

Be safe, be smart and be silly.

Jason

FIREFIGHTERS BATTLE HOUSE FIRE

IN BELOW ZERO TEMPERATURES

LaGrange – With temperatures in the single digits and the wind chill below zero Firefighters from LaGrange Township and Wellington Fire District battled a house fire in Pheasant Run Saturday night.

Chief James Rader of LaGrange Township Fire & Rescue said that although the home was occupied at the time the fire broke out, nobody was injured. “I arrived first in my personal vehicle at which time I found heavy smoke coming from the roof and flames coming from a back bedroom of the house.” When other Firefighters arrived Chief Rader said that they made entry into the home to attack the fire. “The fire got into the attic, it’s a short attic with a lot of insulation so we had to tear ceilings down to get to the fire. We were able to stop it in the middle of the house and then we pushed it back to get it out.”

The entire home received heavy smoke damage and the back portion of the home received heavy fire damage.

When the fire broke out there were two adults and five children in the home, it was one of the kids who happened to be walking down a hallway and spotted the fire. “When he saw the fire he alerted everyone else in the home and they all immediately got out of the house and went to a neighbors to call 9-1-1. The family leaving the home immediately was absolutely the proper thing to do in this case.”

The artic blast that entered Lorain County Friday night had the temperature at 9 degrees and the wind blowing at 15 and gusting up to 24 MPH, the wind chill was at 7 below zero. The National Weather Service in Cleveland is forecasting that the wind chill could get to 20 below zero this weekend. Chief Rader said that 7 below was “cold enough” and that it was having some effects on the Firefighters. “Some of the guys SCBA’s (self contained breathing apparatus) were having trouble with the regulators freezing with the water getting on them. Their gloves are getting wet and freezing on them and of course we had to salt down areas around the trucks where the water was spilling to keep the area safe for the Firefighters walking through those areas.”

If you are looking for something good out of this story, other then the fact that nobody was injured – some Good Samaritans came to the Firefighters rescue in the cold. A man and his two sons who live one street over saw how hard the Firefighters were working and the fact that they were performing their duties in such frigid conditions – they got to work and made hot coffee. Between the three of them they shuttled cups of coffee to the chilled Firefighters. Not sure where they got all the cups, but a tip of the TMC NEWS hat to that family. Instead of staying in their warm home and watching through their windows they saw something that they could do to help, and they did it. KUDOS!

Wellington Fire District assisted in battling the blaze while Carlisle Township assisted by staffing LaGrange’s station.


To see more photos from the fire scene: CLICK HERE

GET THE MITTENS OUT

The National Weather Service in Cleveland is forecasting some FRIGID weather for us this weekend with Wind Chills flirting with 20 below zero.

Tonight: Mostly cloudy with a 40 percent chance of snow showers. Little or no snow accumulation expected. Low around 17. Southwest winds 10 to 20 mph.

Saturday: Partly sunny with a 50 percent chance of snow showers. High around 20 – West winds 15 to 20 mph with gusts up to 30 mph.

Saturday Night: Mostly cloudy with a 50 percent chance of snow showers. Much colder with lows around 2 above. West winds 15 to 20 mph. Wind chill values as low as 17 below.

Sunday: Mostly cloudy with a 50 percent chance of snow showers. High around 13 – West winds 15 to 20 mph with gusts up to 30 mph. Wind chill values as low as 18 below.

Sunday Night: Mostly cloudy. Low around 8 above. West winds 10 to 15 mph. Wind chill values as low as 6 below.

SEMI COLLISION ON THE TURNPIKE

Amherst – Amherst Firefighters responded to the Ohio Turnpike Friday morning after a semi rear-ended another semi.

Chief Wayne Northeim of the Amherst Fire Department said that the semis were both traveling eastbound on the Ohio Turnpike near the 142-mile marker when the front one started to slow down and pull over. “This gentleman in the front semi was pulling off to the side of the road, for a reason that I don’t know and the gentleman in the back apparently didn’t see him and just ran right into the back of him.”

Chief Northeim said that approximately 70 gallons of diesel fuel had spilled after the collision. “Our Firefighters worked closely with the Turnpike crews, who did an excellent job, to contain the spill. We used absorbent and brooms to contain it, the absorbent is first used to stop it and to contain it. That is our job, contain it and make this area as safe as possible. The Turnpike will have a clean up company come out to excavate the dirt that was contaminated by the diesel fuel and the water way where ever it got into there they will clean that up also.”

The Ohio State Highway Patrol said that the driver of the second semi received injuries in the crash and was transported from the scene by LifeCare Ambulance.

To see more photos from the scene: CLICK HERE


Remember if you are driving and see an accident scene ahead, “SLOW DOWN AND MOVE OVER”. Allow Police, Fire, EMS and Tow Services to do their jobs without becoming a victim.

48 HOUR WEATHER

Late Afternoon: Scattered rain and snow showers. High near 39. South wind around 14 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%. Little or no snow accumulation expected.

Tonight: Rain and snow showers likely before midnight, then a chance of snow showers. Low around 26. Breezy, with a southwest wind between 15 and 22 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.

Friday: Partly sunny, with a high near 30. West wind between 14 and 20 mph.

Friday Night: A chance of snow showers, mainly after midnight. Low around 21. Southwest wind between 10 and 13 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

PLANE CRASHES INTO LAKE ERIE

BREAKING NEWS

CLEVELAND – Rescue crews from Cleveland Fire, Cleveland EMS, The Coast Guard and Metro LifeFlight are all working at this hour in Cleveland searching for a downed plane.

The twin-engine Beachcraft Baron plane went into Lake Erie in the area of Burke Lakefront Airport around 7:30 p.m. – Burke Lakefront officials said the plane was banking to the north after take off and crashed almost immediately.

The National Weather Service has the Lake Erie temperature at 37 degrees.

Dive teams are being assembled now to assist in the rescue.

UPDATE:Thursday
Coast Guard spokesman William Mitchell says that rescuers were still treating the search as a “rescue mission” early Thursday morning even though it would be difficult for someone to survive in the water for so many hours with the threat of hypothermia.

The plane, that was headed to Niagara Fall, New York, sent a distress signal to the tower during take off just after 7 p.m. Wednesday night.

UPDATE: 3:00 p.m.
Coast Guard officials held a press conference at noon today releasing the pilot’s identity as 68 year old Tom Fijalkovich or Ravenna, Ohio. They also said that due to the amount of time that has past since the aircraft went into the Lake they are now in a recovery operation.

“Right now we have gone from a Search & Rescue operation to a Recovery. We’re supporting other agencies at this point to help find the aircraft and Mr. Fijalkovich. What we will do now is transition from Search & Rescue phase, which is Search & Rescue patterns, and all that entails to an agency assist. We will work with the FAA and Cleveland Fire to help find the fuselage and Mr. Fijalkovich.”

Officials said that they found a piece of equipment that is between 20 & 29 feet long down in the water but at this point they are still not sure what it is.

Khalid Bahhur, Burke Lakefront Airport Commissioner, described Fijalkovich as an experienced pilot. “He received his departure heading from the tower and banked normally but when he banked, kept banking and went right into the water”.

Update: 7:30 p.m.
United States Coast Guard officials have confirmed that they located Fijalkovich’s plane about 30 feet under water. They have not confirmed if Fijalkovich’s body is inside or not.

The next step in the operation is to have a salvage crew raise the wreckage before the artic air moves into the area this Friday.

Update: 10 p.m.
The United States Coast Guard announced during a press briefing that the body of Tom Fijalkovich was found inside the plane as divers made their way through a door around 4 this afternoon. The divers were unable to recover body at that time.

The recovery and salvage operation is now involving the company the pilot worked for and another local company. They have not yet said when that recovery will begin.

NOTICE TO READERS

Towards the end of 2007 TMC NEWS asked many of our Gold Card members what we could do to improve our site for the readers. Many of them suggested that we should list obituaries from the Lorain County area. Believing that this would be a good idea we researched the best way to present it in the most dignified way.

TMC NEWS has sent letters to every Funeral Home Director throughout Lorain County requesting Obituary Notices be sent to us. As we receive them they will be posted immediately and as written in our Obituary section. You can find the link to the Obituaries on the right side of our page under links.

Also new on TMCNEWS.NET is “conversations”. In this section we will be able to bring you in depth interviews and profiles on people from our area. You can check out our first interview on Bob Vandemark by clicking on the “conversations” link on the right side of the page.

We are always working to improve TMCNEWS.NET for you and welcome any suggestions.

“He stabbed me, he stabbed me”

“He stabbed me, he stabbed me, don’t let me die.” Those are the words Elyria Police Officers heard when they arrived on scene at 1107 East Ave Tuesday night.

Officers found Natelle Sims on the front porch of 1107 East Ave with blood covering his shirt and Johnny Jackson III holding his hand over the wound to keep pressure. Officers asked Sims “who did this” but Sims would not say who stabbed him.

Markell Devon Fenderson was uncooperative with Officers; he would not stop yelling at Natelle and was being held back by people who were also at the residence.

Everyone at the residence first told police that the stabbing did not take place in the home and that they did not know who did it. Later one of the witnesses spoke to an Officer outside telling him that Fenderson stabbed Sims and that she was scared to tell initially because she is afraid of what Fenderson might do to her. Police arrested Fenderson and charged him with Felonious Assault. Fenderson was booked into the Elyria City Jail.

Police collected clothing and the knife used in the stabbing from the scene as evidence.

Sims was transported to Elyria Memorial Hospital from the scene then flown to MetroHealth Medical Center in Cleveland. He has since been released and is at home where he is refusing to comment on the incident.

TRAIN FIRE IN GRAFTON

Grafton Village – A fire on a locomotive had Firefighters in Grafton busy Tuesday afternoon. The fire broke out on a train locomotive at the Town & Country on Mechanic Street. At first the call went out as a car on fire, shortly after it was upgraded to a locomotive under a canopy on fire.

Firefighters from Grafton Village, Grafton Township and Eaton Township worked to extinguish the fire. Eaton Township Engine 191 towed the train out from under the canopy. Vaughn’s Towing might want to keep an eye on Eaton Township to make sure they don’t start towing cars too.

No injuries were reported and the Grafton Village Fire Department is investigating the fire.

17 YEAR OLD STABBED IN ELYRIA

Elyria Police are investigating the stabbing of a 17-year-old male on Elyria’s south side Tuesday night.

Lieutenant Bill Gall of the Elyria Fire Department said that when Firefighters arrived on scene they found the young man lying on the floor with stab wounds to his upper torso. “He had about 3 stab wounds, the main one was about 2 inches below the clavicle, but not sure how deep that wound was. He was bleeding quite a bit so we immediately applied pressure to slow that down before the medics arrived.”

Lieutenant Gall said that the young man was alert the entire time and was able to tell authorities what happened. “He said that he was walking along East Ave and went up a side street when several individuals approached him and stabbed him. He said that he then walked to the nearest house and asked them to call for help.”

LifeCare Paramedics along with a Firefighter transported the victim to Elyria Memorial Hospital where he was later flown to MetroHealth Medical Center in Cleveland.

Lieutenant Gall said that another thing the young man kept saying to them was; “don’t let me die”.

The Elyria Police have a suspect in custody and the investigation continues.

CRASH ON A SNOW COVERED 83

Eaton Township Firefighters responded to Route 83 just north of West Capel Road Tuesday afternoon for a two-car crash.

Ohio State Patrol said that the driver of the Chevy Tahoe was traveling southbound on Route 83 when she lost control and went off the left side of the road. When she got back on the road she was struck on the passenger side by a Ford Explorer that was also traveling southbound on 83.

Eaton Township Firefighters received assistance from Grafton Township Firefighters in treating and transporting three victims from the crash. None of the injuries appeared to be life threatening according to authorities on scene.

You will notice the driver of the Tahoe sitting in the back seat of the patrol car holding her small dog. For the record, the dog was uninjured and a family member arrived on scene to take charge of the dog before she was transported to the hospital.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating the crash.

To see more photos from the scene: CLICK HERE

Remember if you are driving and see an accident scene ahead, “SLOW DOWN AND MOVE OVER”. Allow Police, Fire, EMS and Tow Services to do their jobs without becoming a victim.

WEATHER ADVISORY

The National Weather Service in Cleveland has issued a SNOW ADVISORY for Lorain County; the advisory will remain in effect until 4 p.m. today.

Periods of moderate to occasionally heavy snow will continue from Lorain to Cleveland through mid-afternoon. Total snow accumulations of 3 to 5 inches will be possible by the time the snow tapers off this afternoon.

We are also being advised of some artic air heading our way this week. Artic Air will spread over the area by Friday night. Temperatures will drop into single digits for much of the time during the weekend and wind chill readings are expected to drop to 10 to 15 degrees BELOW ZERO, making extended periods of being outdoors dangerous.

Gusty winds and snow showers this weekend will lead to some blowing and drifting snow creating hazardous travel.

Let’s all be careful out there!