UPCOMING EVENTS

MARCH 2nd – Kiss Cancer Goodbye and the American Legion Post 12 Baseball team present a PANCAKE BREAKFAST this Sunday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the American Legion Post 12 – Corner of Gulf Road & Ohio Street in Elyria. Tickets are $6.00 per person – $4.00 for ages 4-12. Proceeds to benefit the American Cancer Society and Post 12 Baseball.

MARCH 8th – Eaton Township Fire & Rescue Department presents the ALL YOU CAN EAT SPAGHETTI DINNER on Saturday March 8th from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Fire Station located on the corner of Route 82 & Route 83. Tickets are $6.00 per person – Children (and Jason) eat for free.

March 9th – The Sheffield Township Fire Department Blazettes will be hosting a PANCAKE BREAKFAST at their Fire Station #2 located at 5166 Clinton Ave in Lorain. Tickets are $4.00 for adults and $2.50 for children ages 6-12 with 5 and under grubbing for free. Fore more information call 440.233.5734.

The Balzettes will use the money to assist the 7 families that were burned out of their apartments on February 27th losing all of their belongings. Of the 7 families there are 10 adults, one being pregnant and 4 children.

Donations can also be made at the Buckeye Back located at 105 Sheffield Center, Lorain. All other donations can be made to Goodwill, Salvation Army, The American Red Cross or the Hospitality House.
MARCH 14th - Lorain Fraternal Order of Police Lodge Number 3 presents a FISH FRY on Friday March 14th from 4 to 8 p.m. (Dancing until Midnight) at Rosewood Place – 4493 Oberlin Ave in Lorain.
For a mere $15.00 per person you receive ½ lb. Lake Erie Perch, French Fries and Cole Slaw. D.J. and Dancing until midnight.

For ticket information contact: Ralph Gonzalez @ 440.204.2105 or Doug Smith @ 440.204.2100 X 873


If you are a Gold Card member and have a special event or fundraiser coming up and would like to see it on TMCNEWS.NET just email us the information at tmcnews1@aol.com - We’ll do our best to post it for you.

FIRE GUTS FOUR APARTMENTS

Sheffield Township – Firefighters from multiple departments battled an early morning blaze in bitterly cold weather and at times heavy snowfall.

Chief Joe Bandagski of the Sheffield Township Fire Department said they received calls of an apartment on fire around 1 a.m. on O’Neil Blvd. (The apartment complex sits behind the Apples grocery store on North Ridge Road in Sheffield Township.) “As we pulled up we had heavy fire shooting out of the second floor windows. It was reported that nobody was in the building but our guys went in and did a quick search confirming that the building was clear.”

As Firefighters entered the building Chief Bandagski said they encountered heavy fire conditions and the roof was collapsing. “Our guys got out of the building after the roof started coming down. We then went to a defensive attack and we called in mutual aid from surrounding departments.”

Elyria Township and Sheffield Village Fire Departments were dispatched immediately as part of their mutual aid agreement – whenever there is a report of a structure fire they are automatically toned out with Sheffield Township. In addition, Amherst, Carlisle and South Amherst sent equipment and manpower to assist at the fire scene.

While photographing the fire I remembered that I had just been to the same complex a month earlier for an apartment fire. In that fire a mother and her three children lost everything in the fire. Management of the property moved the mother and her children to a new apartment right after the January fire. Yes, you guessed it; she was moved to this apartment building. (To see that story: CLICK HERE)

The building is divided into two parts, a north and a south building. In each section there are two upstairs and two downstairs apartments. The fire started in the north building, upstairs front apartment. Patrice Hudson and her three children were moved into the north building upstairs back apartment. Hudson once again finds herself with no home and all of her belongings, including medications, lost to a fire.

Hudson said that the support she received after the January 21st fire was phenomenal. “My landlord was great and my friends here at the complex really helped me and my kids a lot after the last fire. That support was greatly appreciated and I don’t think they will ever know what it meant to me. Being back in the same situation is something I didn’t think would ever happen. I just don’t know what I am going to do. It’s like I have a curse following me or something.”

Hudson said she might relocate to Columbus where she has family.

The night was not short on heroes either. One of them was Juan Rosado who went door to door alerting people of the fire. Rosado, who only speaks Spanish, talked to us through our interpreter Ruth Pabon. Rosado said he was watching TV when he smelled smoke and felt the fire. He then began going door to door alerting people of the fire and telling them to get out. Rosado said although he saw the flames shooting out of the windows, the idea of not alerting neighbors was not even an option. He said he did it because it was the right thing to do. He quickly dismissed the title of hero saying, “Anybody would do it.”

Chief Bandagski said that the Red Cross was called in to assist the families who were displaced by the fire. They also provided much needed hot coffee to the frozen Firefighters.

Art Mead Sr., Disaster Chairman of the American Red Cross, said that every family affected by the blaze would be taken care of by the Red Cross. “There were 7 occupied apartments so that is 7 families that we will be working with. One of the families left before we arrived, we are being told that they are now staying with local family members.”

TMC NEWS was at the Red Cross building on West River Road as the van carrying the families arrived. As they entered the building they were greeted by Red Cross volunteers, signed in and were given food, drink and shelter from the cold. Once inside of the hall volunteers began speaking with each family individually to learn of their specific needs. Mead said that families will be provided motel rooms for a couple of days while they work with the property management to try and get them back into apartments. “Four of the eight apartments were totally destroyed. We will work with those families to make sure they get new beds, bedding and other items to help them get back on their feet and on with their lives.”

Mead has been helping people since 1965 and he said that Hudson’s situation of “being a repeat customer” is not unusual. “I had a family that over a period of 5 years had been the victim of four different disasters. In all four cases none of the disasters were their own fault. None occurred in their own apartment, they all started in an adjoining apartment, but their apartment was affected. I’ve run into the kids 5 or 6 years later and they still remembered my name.”

Mead said that if anyone would like to donate to the American Red Cross could do so by calling their office at 440.324.2929. “We would like people to make a donation to the Local Disaster Relief Fun, that is where we pull money from to assist families.”

There were no reported injuries at the scene.

To see more photos from the scene: CLICK HERE

LORAIN COUNTY SCHOOL CLOSINGS

Arts Academy
Clearview Local Schools
Columbia Local Schools
Elyria Catholic High
Elyria City Schools
Elyria Community School
Firelands Local Schools
First Baptist Christian-Elyria
Keystone Local Schools
Lake Ridge Academy
Lorain Acad of Arts & Sciences
Lorain City Schools
Lorain Community Middle School
Lorain Community School
Lorain County JVSD
Lorain Gifted Academy
Midview Local Schools
North Ridgeville City Schools
Oberlin City Schools
Open Door Christian-Elyria
Sheffield-Sheffield Lake City
St Anthony of Padua-Lorain

SHEFFIELD APARTMENT FIRE

BREAKING NEWS

Sheffield Township – An early morning fire in Sheffield Township has left 7 families out in the cold – literally.

Sheffield Township Firefighters were called to the apartment complex on O’Neil Blvd off Elyria Ave around 1 am Wednesday morning after receiving several calls of an apartment on fire. When Firefighters arrived on scene fire was shooting out the second floor windows.

No injuries have been reported and the American Red Cross is working with the families to get them temporary housing and other necessities.

Check back later today for full details and to see all the pictures from the scene.

WINTER STORM WARNING

The National Weather Service has upgraded the WINTER STORM WATCH to a WARNING this afternoon.

The WARNING is in effect from 4 AM Tuesday through 4 AM Wednesday morning. It appears temperatures during this event will remain cold enough for mostly snow. It is possible that some freezing rain could briefly mix with the snow late tonight or Tuesday morning.

Snow accumulations by daybreak will be an inch or less with an additional 4 to 6 inches of accumulation expected during the day Tuesday. Another 1 to 3 inches is possible Tuesday night.

Storm totals of 6 to 9 inches are possible over the area. Winds will begin to increase Tuesday afternoon and will cause blowing and drifting snow, especially Tuesday night.

DRIVER STILL IN COMA

PHOTO PAGE

Lorain – Police have released the name of the suspect in Sunday night’s car jacking as 33-year-old Michael Kocak.

Sergeant Mark Carpentiere of the Lorain Police Department said that at this point the identity of the passenger is still unknown but Detectives are working diligently on finding out who he is. Sergeant Carpentiere said that they are also investigating the story given to them by the victim to determine that his story is true. “We don’t want to say that we think he is lying, but we would like to get some additional evidence to back up his story.”

Lawrence Dozier was sitting in a driveway across the street at the time of the crash; Dozier said he has never seen anything like it in his life. “I didn’t see him at first, I heard him first. When I looked around I saw him going through the yards across the street and he was moving pretty fast, he wasn’t doing 35 or 40 I can tell you that, he was moving fast. Then it hit that tree and came to a dead stop, then like an acrobat it did this flip and ended up on that porch.”

Walter McGreevy said he heard what he thought was thunder outside so he went out onto his front porch to see what happened. “When I looked outside I could see that the tree in my front yard had been run over then I looked down through my neighbors yards I saw another tree down and that car lying on the porch.”

McGreevy said he saw the car jacking victim pull up to the scene and began yelling into the car that he wanted his money back, although at the time he didn’t know what the man was talking about. “He just kept yelling that he wanted his two hundred dollars and telling the Police that he wanted to press charges. The Police made him get back and they put him in a Police car while the Firemen worked on the car.”

Assistant Chief Gary Burls of the Lorain Fire Department said they received the call of a car crash and the need for extrication on Clifton. “When we arrived we discovered that there was one occupant who needed immediate removal. We stabilized the vehicle with some blocking and airbags, then because the position of the car and then the resting position that the occupant got in it was a little more challenging then just taking a door off. We had to disassemble the steering wheel and steering column before we could finally remove him so it took a little bit of time.”

Kocak was transported by LifeCare Ambulance Paramedics to Community Health Partners. He was then flown to MetroHealth Medical Center in Cleveland where he remains in a coma.

To see more photos from the scene: CLICK HERE

UPDATE: 6:00 PM
Police have identified the man who was killed in this crash as 51-year-old Lindsay Benner. Brenner was pronounced dead at the scene by Paramedics.

WINTER STORM WATCH

The National Weather Service in Cleveland has issued a WINTER STORM WATCH for Lorain County.

The WATCH is in effect from Tuesday morning through Tuesday evening.

Precipitation will move into the area overnight and is expected to bring a mix of freezing rain and snow. Precipitation is expected to change to all snow Tuesday and continue throughout Tuesday evening.

Little or no snow accumulation is expected overnight although 4 to 8 inches of snow is expected to fall from Tuesday through Tuesday evening. Winds will begin to increase Tuesday afternoon and cause blowing and drifting snow.

There is still uncertainty to the forecast since the track of the low-pressure system could change. A change in the track of the low would affect the amount of warm air that may occur at the surface and aloft as well as the precipitation amounts.

THE NEXT 24
Tonight: Periods of rain, snow, and freezing rain, becoming all snow after 11pm. Low around 32. South wind 7 to 9 mph becoming east. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

Tuesday: Periods of snow. High near 36. Northeast wind between 11 and 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of 4 to 8 inches possible.

Tuesday Night: Snow showers likely, mainly before midnight. Cloudy, with a low around 17. Blustery, with a north wind between 22 and 26 mph, with gusts as high as 37 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

LORAIN CARJACKING TURNS DEADLY

BREAKING NEWS

Lorain – A crash on Clifton Ave in Lorain late Sunday night has left one man dead and another in critical condition at MetroHealth Medical Center in Cleveland.

Witnesses say the Ford Focus was traveling southbound on Clifton Ave after crossing East 36th Street at a high rate of speed. The car went off the west side of the road and made its way through several yards before striking a tree, flipping over and landing on a front porch.

Assistant Chief Gary Burls of the Lorain Fire Department said that his Firefighters had to stabilize the vehicle and cut off the door and other parts of the car before extricating one of the occupants. The second occupant was pronounced dead at the scene.

LifeCare Paramedics transported the man to Community Health Partners where they were met by a team from Metro LifeFlight. The man was then flown to MetroHealth Medical Center.

This story began around 9:30 – 10:00 P.M. when a Grafton man, who did not want his name released, was fueling his pick up truck at the Speedway on Leavitt Road near Route 2. He said a white male approached him asking for a ride. He said that he was living in a motel across the street and that his car was broken and needed a ride to his girlfriends house on Leavitt Road near PC Campana. The Grafton man said he felt bad for the man so after first saying no he gave in and said he would take him down the road.

“Once we got close to PC Campana I asked him where the house was that we were going to and he said that plans have changed because they weren’t home. Then he said he had a couple other stops he wanted me to take him to, I said no that I couldn’t do that but then he pulled a knife and said that I should just do what he said.”

The victim said they drove to about 8 different locations throughout the city of Lorain. “In each stop just about the same thing happened. We would pull up and a young black male would walk to his side of the truck, they would shake hands then exchange something. Then we would be on our way to the next stop.”

The victim said that after more then an hour of driving around he had had enough and told the man, I can’t do this anymore, if you are going to stab me then stab me but I can’t keep doing this. It was then that the man told the victim to take him to one more location then he would let him go unharmed.

“So we get to the last location and as we pulled up there was a Ford Focus there waiting for us with an older black male sitting inside. As the guy was getting out of my truck I noticed that he was taking my wallet that was sitting in the center console. Now, I am just a simple man and I don’t have a lot of money so I did not want him leaving with my wallet and my money so I pulled on his jacket, that is when he turned and cut me.”

The suspect got into the focus with the victims money and fled. The victim fell in behind the Focus and followed them, all the while on the phone with the Lorain Police Department telling them what happened and where they were.

“At one point, I think near 28th I saw the Police pull up and I waived to them pointing out the Focus then they got in behind them. It was just another couple minutes before they crashed.”

The victim did not see the crash but arrived shortly after and saw the aftermath.

Check back later today for more details and to see all photos from the scene.

SUNDAYS WITH JASON

Be back on Sunday March 2nd

CAR SLAMS INTO ELYRIA BUILDING

Elyria – Elyria Police Officers took a teen driver into custody late Saturday night after he crashed a car into a building on Broad Street and Washington Ave.

The driver had just pulled out of the downtown McDonalds and was traveling east on Broad Street at a high rate of speed when he attempted to make a turn onto Washington Ave. The tire marks on the road show how the car slide across the intersection and up onto the sidewalk on the northeast corner of Broad and Washington. The car took down a light pole before crashing into the building.

Neither of the two occupants were injured in the crash and Officers took the driver into custody at the scene.

Before removing the car officials from the City of Elyria Building Department and Utilities had to secure the scene. The rear of the car rested on the base of the light pole with loose wires, city employees secured those wires and killed power to the area for extra precaution as Elyria Towing removed the car. City workers also removed the pieces of the light pole

The building that was struck houses the office space that the Barack Obama campaign has set up shop in this week. Let’s just hope Obama is not planning on visiting the office while he is in the area today.

To see more photos from the scene: CLICK HERE

A CHANCE TO DO SOME GOOD

I received an Email this morning from a long time TMC NEWS Gold Card member requesting help for a friend. The Gold Card member and his wife have been playing host for a woman who left her abusive husband and is trying to get on her feet to make it in this world on her own.

After spending a couple months with her friends she has secured an apartment where she hopes to make a home for herself and her two boys. She plans on moving into the new place on February 29th but is still in need of some necessities. This is where you people come in. I have said for years now that our readers are some of the best and most generous people in the world. When someone is in need, you are there ready to help.

So here is a short list of items needed. A set of bunk beds for the boys would be ideal, a bed for mom and a TV set. Our friends have already given her a couch, coffee table and dining room set. If you have anything else that you think might be of help to the mother and her two boys please let us know as well.

If you think you can help please contact me either through Email @ tmcnews1@aol.com or by phone 440.610.2352 and I will put you in touch with our friends to make all the necessary arrangements.

As we look over the past few months and we see how many domestic violence cases have turned deadly, many people have asked: “why didn’t the woman get away from him?” Well, here we have a case where the woman is doing just that. She wants to make a better, safer life for herself and for her two young sons. Let’s see if we can help her make that move just a little bit easier.

Now start looking around the house and see if you have something that can help.

FIRE RULED ACCIDENTAL IN NATURE

Elyria – The Elyria Bureau of Arson and Fire Prevention, with the assistance of investigators from the Ohio Fire Marshals Office have determined the origin of the fire that killed 69-year-old Carlton Glass was the kitchen area of the home.

Investigators ruled the fire as “accidental in nature” and said that the exact cause of the blaze remains undetermined.

The Lorain County Coroners Office has determined the cause of death was due to smoke inhalation.

TWO MEN STABBED IN BAR BRAWL

DEVELOPING STORY
Elyria – A bar room brawl Friday night in Elyria sent two men to the hospital with multiple stab wounds.

Elyria Police were called to the Back Street Bar on Sugar Lane off of East Broad Street around 11 P.M. Friday night after a large fight broke out. LifeCare Paramedics and Elyria Firefighters were right behind the Police because there were reports of multiple victims.

Once Officers secured the scene Paramedics and Firefighters were able to tend to two male victims with multiple stab wounds. Both men were transported to Elyria Memorial Hospital. Metro LifeFlight flew into town with two helicopters for the injured men, one landing on the roof of the hospital and the other in the field of McKinley school next door.

Both victims were flown to MetroHealth Medical Center in Cleveland where their condition is unknown at this time.

The Elyria Police Department is investigating.

A SEARCH FOR A CAUSE

Elyria – Elyria Fire Investigators together with members of the State Fire Marshals Office spent the day at 363 17th Street trying to determine the cause of the blaze that claimed the life of Carlton Glass.

Assistant Chief Robert Dempsey of the Elyria Fire Department sat down with TMC NEWS just after getting returning from the scene Wednesday afternoon. Chief Dempsey said that although their focus is toward the back of the home, they have not yet determined the cause and it could be a couple more days before they do have one. Dempsey said that they have just finished gathering all of the evidence and information and now just have to digest it and try to figure it all out.

With the adverse weather conditions on the night of the fire, we wanted to know how much of a role it played, more specifically did the strong winds progress the fire. “When the first crews arrived they reported that the house was extremely, heavily involved in fire already. So once that happened and the windows blew out – the short answer is yes it did help fan the flames but the house was already fully involved so it’s kind of a moot point because the fire did not spread to the neighboring residence it was contained to that one structure. I’d say the biggest weather factor would have been the cold, the temperature was very difficult to work in last night.”

Chief Dempsey said Firefighters received creditable information that there was a person still inside the home so command sent a team in for a search. We asked what all is involved in such a high-risk operation. “First you make sure you have a water supply established. Once they are assured they have a continuous water supply to them it’s a matter of going into the structure fighting back the fire as much as you can and doing a search. That is exactly what happened, they fought the fire from a couple different angles to try and make some type of entryway into the structure. They found the victim in the front living room area of the structure and then got him outside. It flashed over right after they got him out.”

Chief Dempsey said that the search team that entered the home, although they had a hose and water supply, their intention was not to knock down the fire, rather create a path for the Firefighters to safely search for the victim. “You want to knock down as much fire as you can, but with the amount of fire they had when they first got there it was more a matter of protecting themselves. So the purpose of those attack lines was to facilitate a rescue. Initial reports were that the victim was in a back room, those reports turned out to not be accurate when in fact he was found in the front.”

As the search for a cause continues Dempsey said that part of the investigation technique is process of elimination. One of the first things he looks at is weather, such as lightening strikes. The next is utilities, such as electrical problems. Although Dempsey said he hopes to have answers soon, he said that it is entirely possible that this one could end up in the “undetermined” file.

SAFE SCHOOLS, A SHARED VISION:

WORKING TOGETHER KEEPING CHILDREN SAFE

Elyria – Over 100 people gathered at a conference Wednesday morning at the Spitzer Center in Elyria. Their goal: Making the schools in Lorain County safe.

In attendance were Officials representing Fire and Police Departments as well as schools and Health Departments from throughout Lorain County.

Today’s initiative is part of a program that started in 1999 by then Lorain County Prosecutor Greg White. Today, Lorain County Prosecutor Dennis Will said that his office is proud to continue the program and to work with many other agencies in making the area schools safer for students and staff. “What we are trying to accomplish is to update the school response plans, to make them aware of new and more inventive ways to develop their plans so that they stay active, that they remain realistic with what they are dealing with and that they learn from other people who have had types of incidents that we are trying to prevent here.”

Will said that with schools having so much on their plate, sometimes security issues get pushed to the back burner. “I think that the schools have so many things to deal with – with testing and meeting projective goals that they prioritize things and this isn’t the highest priority. It’s normal in any type of response plan or any type of planning that you have to continually update your training and that is why we are trying to do this on a yearly basis and to perform a reassessment of all the school facilities.”

Robert Watson left his nearly 60 degree weather in South Carolina to come to Lorain County, and our 15 degree weather, to participate in the seminar. Watson was just one of the speakers today discussing new ways emergency personnel can work together in cases of large scale incidents at schools. “Collaboration is critically important, getting some uniformity and consistency in the organization of the school plans. I know from experience that many school plans have a tendency, many times, to have their emergency procedure section mixed in with routine safety procedures, mixed in with curriculum and other information.”

Watson’s directive was to try and give an organizational pattern that would help to bring the emergency procedures to the forefront and to make the procedures user friendly. One of Watson’s main points was to implement a policy where you “say what you mean” when there is a problem in a school building. “A lot of schools when faced with a bomb threat would use the code “Mr. Blast” over the speaker system or they would have a code if there is an intruder in the building. This is just not effective because you have substitute teachers who may not know the code or regular teachers who may forget the codes. We strongly suggest that the best thing to do is just “say what you mean” when alerting the staff and students to something. The only code that I would say works is to announce “we are going to our extended evacuation area” and you would use that in a case of a bomb threat. Too many times now with everyone having a cell phone if the school announces bomb threats then you have kids calling their parents and their instinct is to run to the school and pick up their kids, which is not necessary in most cases. So if they use extended evacuation area, which is just a location further then the 200 to 300 yard evacuation area for say a fire, then everyone knows what to do but not necessarily what the threat is to the building. It could be that there is a gas leak or a partial collapse of the building or it could be a bomb threat. The main goal is not to necessarily tell the students what is specially wrong but to let them know that they have to leave the building and move to the extended evacuation area.”

Watson said that we have come a long way since the days of departments working independently, now he sees more collaboration and that he says goes a long way when you are handed a large scale incident. “There’s a lot more uniformity, standardization and consistency in the procedures and collaboration between the schools, businesses and emergency services. It is much better then it use to be.”

Tom Kelley, Director of Lorain County Emergency Management Agency and Homeland Security, said that the program is important because after time passes, some people forget the security plans. “It’s an out of site, out of mind type of situation. People tend to put it off because they have more pressing things to do and we certainly understand that, it happens in our office too. However, with the things that have been happening in the country today – what have we had, 5 school shootings this month already in the United States? Emergency planning, along with academics, should be equal.”

Kelley said that although many schools have let their emergency planning slip, some have kept up to date. “There have been a few school systems that have been right on the ball keeping updated on a regular basis. As a matter of fact one of them contacted our office and we have table top exercises planned for the near future.”

Assessing the schools
Kelley said a team of officials went out and assessed all of the schools in Lorain County in 1999. The assessment consisted of everything from looking over their emergency plans, interviewing teachers, students and parents. “We would literally feel circuit breaker panels to see if they were overloaded, touched panic bars, checked fire extinguishers – we checked everything to see if the school was safe, then we made our recommendations.” The school assessments will happen again later this year, however the checklist will have more of a focus on emergency planning. “This time we will focus on emergency plans, making sure that they are update – all of the contact names and numbers are current.”

Today’s event was a catalyst to bring agencies together and to shine a spotlight in the issues of emergency planning within schools. Prosecutor Will said that sometimes that is all that is needed to get the ball rolling. “I think if you give someone a forum to come to where they can get information and exchange information, they can learn and develop their techniques to move forward with their plan. I think that they will respond to that, clearly there is always a limited amount of time and limited number of people they can send but we try to bring in as many partners as possible and I think that is to our advantage here in Lorain County and I think that we are probably ahead of the curve here in Lorain County.”

This event was a collaborative effort of the following organizations: Lorain County Prosecutor’s Office, Lorain County Sheriff’s Office, Lorain County Chief’s Law Enforcement Officers Association, Lorain County General Health District, Ohio State Highway Patrol Elyria Post 47, Lorain County Office of Emergency Management & Homeland Security, United Way of Greater Lorain County, Alcohol and Drug Addiction Services Board of Lorain County, Catholic Charities Community Services Lorain County, Lorain County Mental Health Board, Lorain County Community College

To see more photos from the conference: CLICK HERE

NEIGHBORHOOD LOSES A FRIEND

Elyria – A house fire on Elyria’s south side has left one man dead and a neighborhood mourning the loss of a friend, 69-year-old Carlton Glass.

Assistant Chief Robert Dempsey of the Elyria Fire Department said they received the call at 8:49 P.M. of a house fire on 17th Street. “When the first crews arrived they found heavy fire in the house.” Chief Dempsey said that he and other Department Investigators would be meeting with Investigators from the State Fire Marshall’s Office early Wednesday morning to continue their investigation. “At this hour there are still small fires throughout the house and a lot of smoke, so we will begin at sunrise to try and determine what caused the fire.”

Glass was found by Firefighters inside the home already dead. Family and friends stood close by as Glass was brought out of the home and placed on a LifeCare cot, covered with a sheet and taken away. Glass’s wife returned home from work and collapsed in the middle of the road upon hearing of her husband’s death. Although Paramedics tended to her Glass was taken to Elyria Memorial by private vehicle.

Teddy bears and other items have already started to appear near the house along with a flower arrangement that was found on a front porch post.

Disaster Chairman of the American Red Cross Art Mead said that the Red Cross have been in contact with the family and are prepared to assist them in anyway they can. “The gentleman lived in the house with his wife and right now she is being comforted by a large number of family members and friends at the hospital. Family will take her in tonight and we will meet with them in the morning to see what we can do for her in way of temporary housing and clothing. Whatever they need we will do our best to help them through this tragic time.”


To see more photos from the scene: CLICK HERE

MOTHER OF 2 FIGHTS TO LIVE

Elyria – “Daddy shot mom, daddy shot mom.” Those are the words of one of James and Lynn Nolan’s daughters Tuesday afternoon after James fired multiple shots into her mother.

Elyria Police were notified at 3:30 Tuesday afternoon of a double shooting at 616 Cambridge Ave. Police, Elyria Firefighters and LifeCare Paramedics all responded to the home.

TMC NEWS was on scene as Police Officers arrived and approached the home, with guns drawn. Officers quickly spotted 48-year-old James Nolan lying on the driveway next to the home. One of Nolan’s two teenage daughters was standing near him. Officers entered the home and found 37 year old Lynn Nolan inside with multiple gunshot wounds to the upper portion of her body.

Paramedics and Firefighters were on scene within minutes of the call and immediately entered the home to render care to Nolan.

Neighbors gathered around the home to see what had happened. One neighbor said that although they had marital problems they were nice people. They were shocked to learn what had happened in the little house across the street, they were shocked that it had happened in their quiet neighborhood. As neighbors and friends tried to comfort the Nolan girls one kept saying, “Daddy shot mom, daddy shot mom.” The girls, along with another family member were whisked away in a police car and taken to the police station.

Family and neighbors watched as Paramedics and Firefighters brought Lynn Nolan out of the house on the cot with her covered with a large red colored wrap. LifeCare took Nolan to Elyria Memorial Hospital where a LifeFlight helicopter was waiting. Shortly after arriving she was flown to MetroHealth Medical Center in Cleveland.

Police say that Nolan had requested a ride from his daughters. When they arrived at the Cambridge Street home Nolan entered and began shooting his ex-wife. Nolan then walked out of the house through a side door by the driveway and shot himself once in the head. The girls, ages 15 & 17, went into the house and tried to help their mother until Police arrived.

Relatives are caring for the girls at this time.

The Elyria Police Department continues to investigate.

To see more photos from the scene: CLICK HERE

FATAL ELYRIA HOUSE FIRE

BREAKING NEWS

Elyria – Elyria Firefighters are battling a blaze on 17th Street between Middle Ave and West Ave. The fire has totally consumed the 2 story house and witnesses say the flames are shooting 30 to 40 feet in the air.

One person has died in the fire.

Check back later on TMC NEWS for full details and more photos from the scene

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MAN SHOOTS WIFE - THEN HIMSELF

BREAKING NEWS

Elyria – Elyria Police are sorting through the details right know after a man shot his wife in their home, and then turned the gun on himself in the driveway.

Elyria Police were called to the couple’s home at 616 Cambridge Ave Tuesday afternoon for a reported shooting. Police were told that the man had shot his wife inside the home, in front of the family, and then shot himself.

Police found the man lying on the driveway next to the side door of the home dead. The wife was inside in an upstairs bedroom still alive. LifeCare Paramedics and Elyria Firefighters treated the woman and transported her to Elyria Memorial Hospital where her condition is unknown at this time.

UPDATE: 4:45
Herb de la Porte, Vice President of LifeCare Ambulance, said that they received the call at 3:30 p.m. of a double shooting on Cambridge. De la Porte stated that they transported a female gunshot victim to Elyria Memorial Hospital in critical condition. The woman has been taken by LifeFlight to MetroHealth Medical Center in Cleveland.

UPDATE: 6:00 P.M.
Elyria Police say that 48-year-old James Nolan was the gunman in today’s Cambridge Ave shooting. Nolan shot his wife Lynn inside of the home before he shot and killed himself outside of the home.

According to court documents Lynn Nolan filed for Divorce and a Restraining Order on November 1st of 2007. James Nolan also filed for a Restraining Order against his wife. Both orders were granted on November 5, 2007.

Their divorce was granted just 13 days ago on February 6th.

Check back for updates as they become available.

CONGRATULATIONS

Congratulations to Pete “The Meat” from Avon for winning this Sunday’s Trivia contest.

The question: Last week TMC NEWS introduced you to Elyria Police Departments new K9, Fokey in our CONVERSATIONS section. In the piece we learned that Fokey has been trained to sniff out four different types of narcotics?

Pete correctly answered Cocaine, Meth, Herion and Marijuana. Pete can now claim his MASTER PIZZA CLASSIC by just calling Master Pizza and placing his order. With the weather turning cold on us again a nice hot pizza sounds pretty good.

Make sure you check back next Sunday as Jason returns with a new (full) "Sundays with Jason" and another Trivia question.

WHERE'S THE BEEF?

California – Here we go again, another beef recall. This one is not as serious as others in the past.

Ed Schafer, Secretary of Agriculture said that early last weekend the San Bernardino District Attorney filed felony animal cruelty charges against two employees who were terminated by Hallmark/Westland Meat Packing Company. “It is regrettable that these animals were mistreated and I am encouraged and supportive of these actions by the San Bernardino District Attorney in response to this mistreatment.”

The Department of Agriculture learned of the allegations regarding inhumane handling of non-ambulatory disabled cattle at Hallmark/Westland Meat Packing Company on January 30th, since then Schafer said that his Department has taken many aggressive steps.

“To date, Hallmark/Westland Meat Packing Company remains suspended by the Food Safety and Inspection Service and is not operating at this time. We continue to conduct a thorough investigation into whether any violations of food safety or additional humane handling regulations have occurred. On Feb. 8, our Office of the Inspector General took the lead on the investigation. At that time, USDA extended the administrative hold on Hallmark/Westland Meat Packing Company products for the National School Lunch Program, the Emergency Food Assistance Program and the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations while the investigation continues.”

The USDA announced additional actions as a result of the ongoing investigation at Hallmark/Westland Meat Packing Company. USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has evidence that Hallmark/Westland did not consistently contact the FSIS public health veterinarian in situations in which cattle became non-ambulatory after passing ante-mortem inspection, which is not compliant with FSIS regulations. Because the cattle did not receive complete and proper inspection FSIS has determined them to be unfit for human food and the company is conducting a recall.

Schafer said he remains confident in the safety of the food supply and says the USDA will continue to take appropriate action based on the finding of the investigation.

“I am dismayed at the in-humane handling of cattle that has resulted in the violation of food safety regulations at the Hallmark/Westland Meat Packing Company. It is extremely unlikely that these animals were at risk for BSE because of the multiple safeguards; however, this action is necessary because plant procedures violated USDA regulations. In addition, our Office of the Inspector General and the Food Safety and Inspection Service continue the investigation. We will respond immediately if further findings warrant.”

SUNDAYS WITH JASON

So if it matters to anyone; this week will be short and sweet. Well, maybe not sweet but short nonetheless.

So the chilled air is blowing and the smell of udder and teat salve is on the faces of the old babushka ladies; and I am quite tired of it. But as I predicted in the start of this year, the snow and ice was going to follow us far into March. Such is life.

Sad to see so many car crashes, but good that none have claimed any lives this week, and that is a good thing.

I wanted to put a big LOSER stamp on the fool that ran from the cops and fell into the river. If I had to pull some loser out of the river who was trying to “evade” the law, I would have fished him out, fitted him with cement boots, and thrown him back in. But that’s just me.

Okay, that’s really all. I am attending a wake and a funeral, as my favorite uncle has died, so excuse my absence. Actually that is not true, but that story is a lot better than the truth.

I will make up for it, I promise.

Be safe, be smart!

Jason


*TRIVIA TIME*
Last week TMC NEWS introduced you to Elyria Police Departments new K9, Fokey in our CONVERSATIONS section. In the piece we learned that Fokey has been trained to sniff out four different types of narcotics. Name the four different types of narcotics and WIN A FREE MASTER PIZZA CLASSIC.

Answer the question in the comments section. REMEMBER to leave your Email so we can contact you about how to get your FREE PIZZA. The Master Pizza Classic is an old style pizza. Prepared the way they use to be, long before the buy one get 10 for free. I usually get mine with Pepperoni, Mushroom and Sausage – very well done. But that’s just me.

GRAFTON VILLAGE HOUSE FIRE

Grafton Village – A late night fire in Grafton Village has kept Firefighters from 3 area departments busy Friday night.

Chief John Cutter of the Grafton Village Fire Department said that they received the call of a fire on the second floor of a home at 1041 Wellfleet Ave around 11:30 Friday night. “When we arrived on scene we found fire coming from a second floor window and we also learned that the only occupant in the house at the time of the fire had gotten out already.”

Firefighters were able to enter the home and bring the fire under control and knock it down in s short amount of time. Although there appeared to be heavy fire damage to an upstairs room Firefighters were successful in containing the blaze to the upstairs.

Chief Cutter said that the teenaged occupant was able to escape the fire uninjured. Even with the teen safely outside there was still the family dog somewhere in the home. Firefighters found the dog inside hiding underneath a bed and brought him out safe and sound. When asked if they knew the dog’s name one Firefighter replied, Lucky!

Grafton Village received mutual assistance from Eaton Township and Grafton Township Fire Departments. Grafton Village EMS EMT’s also stood by to provide medical coverage.

To see more photos from the scene: CLICK HERE

4 DAY WEEKEND FORECAST

The National Weather Service is calling for cold and freezing rain on this Presidents’ Day weekend.

Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 13. West wind around 5 mph becoming calm.

Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 29. Calm wind becoming south between 5 and 8 mph.

Saturday Night: A chance of rain or freezing rain after 2am. Increasing clouds, with a low around 26. Southeast wind between 6 and 13 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Sunday: Periods of rain showers. High near 48. Breezy, with a south wind between 17 and 21 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New precipitation amounts between three quarters and one inch possible.

Sunday Night: Periods of rain showers, mixing with snow after 1am. Low around 32. Breezy, with a south wind between 18 and 21 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.

Presidents' Day: Snow showers likely, mainly before 1pm. Cloudy, with a high near 33. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch possible.

COLLISION ON ROUTE 2 - ONE CRITICAL

TRAFFIC TIED UP FOR MILES

PHOTO PAGE

Elyria Township – A two-car crash on Route 2 in Elyria Township Thursday morning sent one man by helicopter to Metro in critical condition and had traffic backed up for miles.

Lieutenant Glenn Peterson of the Ohio State Highway Patrol said that the crash occurred after a 31 year old Lorain man crossed the median of Route 2. “The man was driving eastbound on Route 2 from Middle Ridge Road when he slide across the median and hit a westbound vehicle pretty much in a head on position.”

Lieutenant Peterson said that the “why did he cross the median” question is still unclear and under investigation. “Right now we do not know why he lost control and came across the median, there was a possibility that there was some ice on the roadway this morning.”

Lieutenant Mike Yarosh of the Elyria Township Fire Department said that when they arrived on scene they found the driver of the truck unconscious. “We immediately had LifeFlight dispatched to the scene for the driver once we found him unresponsive. We started to set up for extrication but because that would have caused a lengthy delay we were able to find a safe way to remove him through the passenger side of the truck. He was then taken to our ambulance where we treated him and worked to stabilize him for the LifeFlight crew.”

Lieutenant Yarosh said that the female victim from the second vehicle was treated and transported by a second crew from Elyria Township to a local hospital. “She was conscious and alert the entire time and was transported to Community Health Partners in Lorain, I am unsure of her status right now.”

While Firefighters were handling this crash they received a call of another crash on Route 2 about a mile east of their location. Sheffield Township Firefighters responded and handled that crash. Lieutenant Yarosh said that there ended up being no injuries at that crash. Traffic in the westbound lanes was backed up as far as Sheffield Village while rescuers were working. Shortly after LifeFlight lifted off for Cleveland one lane was reopened.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating the crash.

To see more photos from the crash 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.

CLEVELAND STREET PILE UP

SENDS SIX TO AREA HOSPITALS

PHOTO PAGE

Elyria – The crash that sent six people to area hospitals and left one truck lying on its side, appears to have been caused by a driver running a red light.

Lieutenant Kevin Szabo of the Elyria Fire Department said that when Firefighters arrived they saw the truck on its side and a heavily damaged Honda in the middle of the intersection. “We came from Station 4 on Abbe so we approached the scene from 57 southbound. I had a pretty good vantage point from where we parked on 57 at Cleveland Street to see the entire crash site. Right in front of us we found a heavily damaged Accord in the center of the intersection and a Silverado, that was still running, lying on its side in front of the Barber Shop.”

Lieutenant Szabo said that Firefighters had to start triaging victims while also stretching a hose line and taking care of the pick up truck – that for some reason was still running. “One of the problems we had was that the crash covered such a large area. We had to go car to car checking on victims and assessing their injuries while waiting for the ambulances to show up. Then because that truck was still running one of our guys took an ax and broke out the windshield so he could get inside and shut the ignition off.”

The crash, involving a total of six vehicles, occurred just before 6 P.M. Wednesday night in the intersection of Route 57 and Cleveland Street. One witness, Audrey Dotson of Elyria, said that she was four cars behind the crash on Cleveland Street when the crash occurred. “We were heading to our accountants office in North Ridgeville at the time and I didn’t actually see the truck roll over but I saw as the guys from inside started climbing out. It was weird because there were three of them, one right after another climbing out.” Dotson said that she saw people getting out of their cars to go help the victims, many getting on their cell phones to call for help while others tried to see if they could help the victims. “The girl that was in the car in the middle of the intersection got out of her car and was talking on her cell phone and I saw someone go over to her and you could tell that they were advising her to get back in her car to sit down and to stop moving around.”

According to witnesses here is how the crash occurred.
A Honda Accord was traveling south on Route 57 approaching Cleveland Street. A Silverado and a Grand Prix were traveling, side-by-side, and eastbound on Cleveland Street approaching Route 57. As the Silverado and Grand Prix entered the intersection, with a green traffic light, the Honda Accord ran her red traffic light and struck the Silverado causing it to tip over. While tipping over dry wall materials, equipment and the hard shell bed cover were thrown from the truck bed onto the front of the Grand Prix.

The driver of the Grand Prix then took evasive action through the intersection and with limited to no visibility turned south into the northbound lanes of 57 striking two cars that were stopped at the light in the turning lane to go west onto Cleveland Street. The Grand Prix came to rest on 57 facing south. There was one other car involved only by having some of the dry wall materials from the truck land on their car causing slight damage.

Lieutenant Szabo said that two of the passengers from the Silverado were taken to the hospital with neck and back pains, the driver refused treatment or transport. The 17 year old driver of the Honda Accord was transported, with no visible injures, only because she is under age and is not legally allowed to sign off at the scene. The 50 year old driver of the Grand Prix also had no visible injuries but was very shaken up and decided to go to the hospital to be checked out. Both drivers of the two cars that were struck in the turning lanes on 57 went to the hospital, one complaining of back pains and the other just wanting to be evaluated.

Central Lorain County Ambulance District Paramedics provided mutual aid assistance and transported two victims to Allen Medical Center. LifeCare Paramedics transported two to Elyria Memorial and two to Avon Emergency Care Center.

The Elyria Police Department is investigating the crash.


To see more photos from the crash 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.

SIX CAR PILE UP IN ELYRIA

Elyria – Elyria Police are working at this hour to piece together a six vehicle crash that occurred in the intersection of Cleveland Street and Route 57 Wednesday afternoon.

The crash left a pick up truck on its side and the other cars scattered across the intersection. Elyria Firefighters and LifeCare Paramedics treated a total of 7 victims, but only 6 were actually transported to local hospitals. Central Lorain County Ambulance Paramedics provided mutual aid assistance and transported 2 to Allen Medical Center while LifeCare Ambulance transported 2 to Elyria Memorial and 2 to Avon Emergency Care Center.

Check back later for more on this story and to see photos from the scene.

WATER FLOWS THROUGH CLUBHOUSE

Elyria – As if Spring Valley Country Club didn’t have enough problems already, here comes the water.

Elyria Firefighters responded to the Country Club on Gulf Road Wednesday afternoon after an automatic fire alarm sounded. Chief Ron Brlas of the Elyria Fire Department said that the alarm was triggered by a sprinkler head that busted in the 2nd floor men’s locker room. “As soon as that sprinkler is activated we are notified through the alarm company. When we arrived we were able to gain entry to the building and found the broken sprinkler head on the second floor.”

Chief Brlas said that the City Utilities Department arrived on scene and quickly turned off the water to the facility, but not before the 2nd floor was flooded with 2 to 3 inches of water.

A man who identified himself as a Board Member arrived and said; when it rains it pours.

WEATHER UPDATE

The next 36
Wednesday: A chance of flurries before 1pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 26. Northwest wind around 13 mph.

Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 17. West wind between 7 and 9 mph.

Thursday: Partly sunny, with a high near 34. Southwest wind between 8 and 15 mph.

Thursday Night: A chance of snow after 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 28. Southwest wind between 13 and 16 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

MAN ENDS UP IN THE BLACK RIVER

AFTER RUNNING FROM DEPUTIES

PHOTO PAGE

Elyria – An alert Lorain County Deputy Sheriff spotted a reported stolen car early this morning in Elyria. When the Deputy attempted to make a traffic stop the driver took off. Following a brief pursuit the car pulled over on Water Street and the driver fled the vehicle with Deputies in toe.

The driver, 33-year-old Melvin J. Blue, ran down to the riverbank and tried to cross the river but ended up falling through the ice. Blue, while waist high in freezing water, made the decision to turn around and return to the bank where Deputies were waiting for him.

Assistant Chief Ron Brlas of the Elyria Fire Department said that they received simultaneous calls from the Elyria Police Department and the Lorain County Sheriff’s Department requesting help getting the man up from the riverbank. “The problem was that the cliff was so steep that the Deputies were unable to get the man back up to the road. Plus the time he spent in the river, although not a long period of time, hypothermia was setting in so he wouldn’t have been much help climbing.”

Chief Brlas said that the crew from Rescue 31 down to access the man’s injuries while the other Firefighters worked to set up a rope system to send a basket down to retrieve the victim.

Once the rope system was in place the basket was sent down and the Firefighters with the victim secured him inside of it then signaled to start pulling him up. A line of Firefighters tended to the rope line and together followed the signals of Chief Brlas who stood at the top of the cliff observing the rescue.

When Blue made it back to the top he was met with a slew of Deputies and LifeCare Ambulance Paramedics. Blue was transported to Elyria Memorial Hospital to be treated for possible hypothermia.

When asked if the rescue was hampered at all by the cold weather and falling snow Chief Brlas said no. “We didn’t really have to do anything differently then we normally would in nice weather. You do run into problems with the rope because it becomes frozen and it becomes harder to maneuver and of course you have to be extra careful with slip injuries of people slipping back down them embankment themselves.” Chief Brlas said that when it was all done no Deputies, Elyria Police Officers or any Firefighters were injured.

Captain Richard Resendez of the Lorain County Sheriff’s Department said that the car Blue was in had been reported stolen out of Lorain. Blue he said has been charged with Receiving Stolen Property, Resisting Arrest and Failure to Comply. Blue is currently being held in the Lorain County Jail.



TO SEE ALL PHOTOS FROM THE SCENE: CLICK HERE