WHAT TO DO THIS WEEKEND?

SATURDAY

Main Street Amherst is proud to present its 5th annual Dancing on Main Street event. The festivities kick off at 3PM on August 2nd in historic downtown Amherst. Dancing on Main Street is a community music festival, which showcases top area bands and helps promote downtown Amherst's great taverns and diverse restaurants.

The event begins at 3 pm and the fun continues until midnight. Premier Toyota-Scion of Amherst has partnered with us again this year to help bring this FREE event to our downtown.

To see photos from last year’s “Dancing on Main Street” CLICK HERE
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Main Street Oberlin invites you to join them at the Family Fun Fair on Saturday from 10AM to 4PM.

The event features live music, good food, sidewalk sales and a sure hit – a dunking booth. Scheduled to be in the hot seat are: City Council President David Sonner, Eastwood School Principal Brian Carter and Councilman David Ashenhurst & Scott Broadwell. To see the scheduled times you can visit www.mainstreetoberlin.org. Peppy the Clown will also make an appearance at the event. As with most events there is also a car show scheduled. One other event that kind of sticks out – Paper Shredding will be held at the Oberlin Police Station.

For more information, visit http://www.mainstreetoberlin.org

SUNDAY

The Lorain Firefighters Local 267 invites ALL BIKERS to the 5th Annual Pat Caruso Memorial Poker Run on Sunday August 3rd.

Registration starts at 10AM at L.F.D. Station #7, 2111 W. Park Dr. in Lorain. Cost of run is $15 per bike or $25 with a rider. Price includes food, beverage, and live music by Renegade.

First bike out is at 11:00 and last bike in at Willow Creek Hall at 5:30. $150.00 goes to the best hand and $50 to the worst. There will be a 50/50 drawing and many door prizes raffled off – tickets for each will be 1 for $1 or 6 for $5. This years run is sponsored by Caruso's Cabinets, L.F.D. Local 267, Sprenger Retirement Centers, and Shagovac Heating and Cooling.

This year’s profits will be going to the Lorain County Chapter of the Rd Cross.

This ride was started in 2004 when Firefighter Pat Caruso was diagnosed with cancer. He passed away that summer and this is our way of keeping him alive in our thoughts and hearts.

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The MAD Factory invites you to join them at the Oberlin High School Auditorium as they present – “The Butler Did It, Singing!”

This is a delightful, audience pleasing, musical spoof based on Mr. Kelly's enormously popular hit The Butler Did It. Miss Maple, a flaky society dowager, invites a pack of zany detective writers to a spooky house on an isolated island and forces them to impersonate their fictional sleuths. For entertainment, she arranges some "classic" touches — a hairy face at the window, the threat of an escaped lunatic, no communications with the outside world. What she did not arrange was the body on the sitting room carpet! It's up to seedy Chandler Marlowe to solve the bizarre case and he makes a sidesplitting mess of it!

Shows run Friday & Saturday @ 8PM and Sunday @ 3PM.

Although admission is FREE, donations are gratefully accepted. Doors open 30 minutes before the show. For More information call The MAD Factory at 440-774-7062 or visit their website www.madfactory.org

FIRE GUTS GRAFTON HOME

Grafton Township – A fire that is believed to have started on a back porch of a Grafton Eastern Road home totally destroyed the home Wednesday afternoon.

Firefighters responded just before 2PM to the 35,000 block of Grafton Eastern Road for a report of a house fire. A column of smoke could be seen for miles away as Firefighters from Grafton Township, Eaton Township, Grafton Village and Columbia all descended on the home.

The house sits back off the road and was surrounded by pine trees that towered over the home. Downed power lines around the home were also on the minds of Firefighters as they fought the afternoon blaze as temperatures rose near the 90-degree mark.

There was nobody home at the time of the fire and no injuries have been reported.

The American Red Cross will be assisting the one resident of the home in finding a place to stay and providing him with other essentials.

The cause of the fire is currently under investigation by the Lorain County Fire Investigators.

To see more photos from the scene: CLICK HERE

Editors Note: While some believe that news photographers are nothing but ghouls with a camera bag – that was proved wrong today by Chronicle Telegram Chief Photographer Bruce Bishop. While taking pictures of the fire scene Bishop noticed the homeowner, an elderly woman who was having a problem making her way through the large front yard. Bishop lowered his camera and offered his arm to the woman and assisted her through the yard and guided her to Fire Officials. So if you see Bishop today make sure you give him a pat on the back – or at the very least extend condolences at the loss of Fazolli’s.

DRIVER CRASHES INTO THE WOODS

PHOTO GALLERY
South Amherst – A medical condition was the cause of a single car crash on Gifford Road in South Amherst Tuesday afternoon.

Trooper Christopher Aussie of the Ohio State Highway Patrol said that 82-year-old Elizabeth Hall was traveling northbound on Gifford when she apparently suffered a mild stroke. “While traveling on Gifford she began braking then accelerated before going off the left side of the road and burying her Chevy Pickup truck in the woods. She struck two big trees, then clipped medium size tree before striking another large tree and that is where the truck came to rest.”

Firefighters from South Amherst Fire Department responded and extricated Hall from the wooded area for Paramedics to treat here. Hall was transported to Amherst Hospital where she was later transferred to Community Health Partners in Lorain.

Trooper Aussie said after speaking with Doctors at Amherst and Community they confirm that Hall suffered a mild stroke just before the crash. “Because of that information and with speaking to family members and learning more of her medical history I was satisfied that the crash was out of her control so she will not be cited.”

To see more photos from the scene: CLICK HERE

TRAINING DAY:

SCHOOL BUS EMERGENCIES

Pittsfield Township – Hundreds of people came together Tuesday morning at the Lorain County Joint Vocational School with one purpose in mind – “Prepare for School Bus Emergencies”

Paul Hasenmeier, a Firefighter and Paramedic with the Huron Fire Department, lead the team of Instructors today. Hasenmeier’s 300 students consisted of Firefighters, Police Officers, Paramedics, School Bus Drivers, Mechanics, School Administrators and Public Officials. “The attendance today was very impressive – we had 250 people pre-register and then another 50 people showed up this morning to sign up. That tells me how dedicated this community is to educating themselves on how to handle these types of emergencies. Hopefully they will never have to use the training they received to day, but if they do they will certainly be more prepared today then they were yesterday.”

The idea of bringing all the professions together was simple, in the case of a school bus emergency there will be a lot going on and the event will affect each professional. “If there were a school bus crash, almost immediately you will have parents arriving at the scene so you will need the school officials for that aspect along with the fact that one of their buses was involved in the crash. The Firefighters today received good extrication training – hands on training cutting a school bus apart, a lot of them have not had that training before today.”

Hasenmeier said that it was important for all the professionals to be together today to see how an emergency like this would unfold.

Hasenmeier said that lessons learned today will continue beyond today. “The school officials will get together and ask themselves do we need a school flag and someone on the scene that can waive parents and family members over to one location outside of the hot zone. The Firefighters will ask if they need additional equipment to put on their apparatus that can make their job quicker, easier and safer.”

John Schroth, Assistant Superintendent of the Oberlin School District, met back in January with several school officials and discussed organizing a joint effort training session for a school bus emergency – today’s class far exceeded their expectations. “All of our training in the past has been isolated, I don’t think any of them have worked with the safety forces in the past, so this was a great opportunity for everyone to come together and see what would happen at an incident like this.”

Schroth applauded the school bus drivers for showing up in such strong numbers to the training. “For them to attend on an off day like this shows how dedicated they are and I find it very impressive. They need to have in service hours, but there are far easier ways to get them and in much better conditions then being out under the hot sun like today, so they need to be commended for making this a priority.”

Chief Robert Walker of the Wellington Fire District echoed the appreciation of the people who attended the training session. “The attendance was probably what we anticipated because during the week it’s hard for the part time volunteers to get away because of their full time jobs and we’re in the neighborhood of 70 to 75 Firefighters and EMS participating here today. I know the school bus association is very pleased and as far as the Fire Chiefs from the County we’re extremely pleased that we had that many people available that took the time and got great training today.”

Chief Walker said that he had a sneak peek at Hasenmeier giving a speech at a Fire Chief’s convention last week. “With seeing him already I knew how well he can do as an instructor, he did a great job for the county. He showed then Stabilization, he showed them how to extricate from different areas of the buses because we don’t get to operate in school buses, which is a good thing, so they had great opportunities to see how wheel chair lifts operate manually and also electronically. How to open doors properly, how to open the roof and sides to access the students and the driver. The objectives were well covered here today.”

Chief Walker said that discussions have already begun for expanding today’s training. “The Chiefs and the County Chiefs what they try to do is to be very proactive in the training area. In the county we have increased our training our part time volunteers from Firefighter Volunteer up to Firefighter 1 & 2. The next thing is we start doing specialized training. This past winter we had a speaker come into Lorain County Community College and speak about fire ground safety and safety for the Firefighter and survival.”

Hasenmeier said he will be happy to return to Lorain County anytime they request additional training from him and his team. “One of my goals is to make Ohio the most prepared state for school bus crashes, and if we can do it on a county level – county by county – then we’ll do it 88 times. “


To see more photos from today’s training: CLICK HERE

CRASH ON QUARRY ROAD

INJURES TWO WOMEN ~ ONE PREGNANT

Penfield Township – Residents living near Route 303 & Quarry Road say that they hope the state will do something about the dangerous intersection. Residents were brought out of their homes late Sunday night after a two car crash ended up in one of their yards.

Trooper Lance Deshuk of the Ohio State Highway Patrol said that 24 year old Bobbie E. Simmons of Oberlin was traveling west on 303 when her Jeep was struck in the intersection by 38 year old Lisa Asbury of Cleveland. “Simmons crossed the intersection when Asbury failed to yield a stop sign and struck her passenger side pushing both vehicles off the road and into the yard at the northwest corner of the intersection.”

Firefighters from the Wellington Fire District and Paramedics from Central Lorain County treated both drivers at the scene. Chief Robert Walker said that both drivers were able to get out of their cars before Firefighters arrived.

Neighbors ran to the scene after hearing the crash assisted the victims until Firefighters and Paramedics arrived. “We were very concerned about the lady in the Jeep because she said that she is 32 weeks pregnant. She had gotten out of the Jeep on her own and walked back up to the road where she was sitting.”

Paramedics transported both victims Allen Medical Center in Oberlin where they met with two helicopters from Metro. One was flown to MetroHealth Medical Center while the other refused to fly so she was transported by Ambulance to Cleveland.

Trooper Deshuk said that Asbury will be charged with Fauilre to Yield a Stop Sign.

To see more photos from the scene: CLICK HERE

"I LOVE THAT PLANT"

PHOTO GALLERY
Elyria – Elyria Summer Theatre Association’s production of “Little Shop of Horrors” wrapped up their final performance Sunday afternoon at the Elyria High School Auditorium.

Francine Williams of Elyria brought her four Grandchildren to see the show and said they all loved it. “They have all been watching the video of Little Shop so this was great to bring them here to see the show live.” The four girls, ages 4, 6, 9 & 12, all loved the show but were split on their favorite parts. They all agreed that they enjoyed the plant but one liked the Dentist, another liked Audrey while the 3rd one, the 4 year old, said she was scared when the plant ate people.

Rachel Collins of Elyria said he enjoyed the entire cast. “What a terrific job in casting, they were all great. The set was professionally done and the musicians were outstanding. The only negative thing I would say is that Elyria did not show up to support and enjoy this production. I wish more people were here to see this and the fact that we in Elyria have a theatre group this great.”

The production was lead by Director Kim Mihalik, Music Director Michael Caraffi, Technical Direction by Tom Kelley and Joe Mahan. The show producer was Stephanie Christian and sound by Roland Massatti.

To learn more about the Elyria Summer Theatre Association you can visit their website @ http://elyriatheatre.googlepages.com/home

PHOTO GALLERY

LORAIN RELAY FOR LIFE

Lorain – Hundreds gathered in Lorain Saturday for their 3rd annual American Cancer Society “Relay for Life.”

What is Relay for Life? Wikipedia describes it as “a fundraising event of the American Cancer Society, and is now held in many other countries. It is an overnight event designed to spread awareness of cancer prevention, treatments and cures, celebrate survivorship and raise money for research to find more cures for cancer.” Relay for Life is the world's largest fundraising walk. In 2007, Relay for Life raised over $405 million.

This year’s event opened with speeches from Lorain Safety Service Director Robert Gilchrist and cancer survivors – then the traditional “Survivor’s Lap” was the official first lap.

This year Lorain put 14 teams on the site, with over 200 volunteers participating. Organizers were happy to announce that they had 170 cancer survivors in attendance this year.

Teams were kept busy throughout the day and night with games, activities (such as the dunking booth) and of course plenty of walking.

To see more photos from the event: CLICK HERE

CRASH ON ROUTE 113

South Amherst – A single vehicle crash late Friday night sent one man to an Akron Hospital by helicopter.

South Amherst Firefighters and Paramedics from Central Lorain County Ambulance District responded to Route 113 just east of Baumhart Road just after 2am after receiving reports of a truck striking a pole.

Trooper Lance Deshuk of the Ohio State Highway Patrol said that 28-year-old James C. Johnson of Sandusky was traveling westbound on Route 113 when he lost control and ran off the left side of the road. The truck traveled through a ditch before striking the utility pole, snapping it at the base.

When Firefighters first arrived on scene they found Johnson unresponsive. They had to use the JAWS to remove the driver side door to safely remove him. Johnson was removed from the truck and carried to the awaiting ambulance where Paramedics treated him until a flight crew from Toledo LifeFlight landed in a nearby driveway. Johnson was responsive and speaking to medical personnel before boarding the aircraft.

With Metro Emergency Room on diversion, Johnson was flown to Akron Hospital.

Troopers said that Johnson would be charged with Failure to Control. It is unknown at this time if drugs or alcohol played a role in the crash.

To see more photos from the scene: CLICK HERE

(Photo Gallery has been fixed)

YOU'RE INVITED!

Sheffield Township Fire Department Firefighters invite you to join them at the St. Lads Picnic Grounds for their semi-annual Steak Fry on Aug 2,2008.

The dinner bell rings at 5pm and coals will be extinguished at 8pm. A DJ will be on hand to provide music for dancing from 8pm to 11pm.

Dinner tickets are $18.00 – kids will receive a free hotdog with the purchase of an adult ticket. Tickets are limited.

Along with the dinner and dancing there will also be a 50/50 raffle, kids games and a scheduled appearance from Metro LifeFlight and University MedEvac.

Contact Steve or Diane Sanders at 440.277.7077 to purchase tickets or for more information.

OPERATION OPEN HEART

“It’s all about the kids!"

If you happened to see a line of Police cars going through your town this week and wondered why they were all loaded with kids, well its “Operation Open Heart” week again.

Ohio State Highway Patrol Trooper David Harper formed “Operation Open Heart” in 1962. Harper, being an orphan himself, wanted to show these children, who were placed in the court system, that Policemen were their friends, and not someone to fear. So with a few of his friends, Harper took about 15 kids on an all-day picnic.

As the years went by, there were more kids then adults. So, Harper began receiving support from the community. Now, almost 50 years later, the campout is a weeklong event with up to 40 kids. The kids have been treated to Air Plane rides, Boat rides, Putt-Putt, bowling and more. They are also treated to a fireworks show on the final night.

We caught up with the “Operation Open Heart” Motorcade on Wednesday afternoon as they were heading through Elyria. They had just finished a morning of Bowling in Sheffield Lake and were on their way to lunch at the AmVets on Middle Ave in Carlisle Township. Volunteers from the AmVets supplied, prepared and served a pasta dish and meatball subs along with sodas and chips. The highlight at the AmVets came after lunch with the water fights. Most of the children were armed with water balloons and water guns.

Then there was one particular “adult” who will remain nameless because I do not need anymore traffic tickets – who used a 5 gallon bucket to drench people. Fellow Officers and Campers got him back a short time later when they ambushed him with a small swimming pool filled with ice water that had been used to hold the pop cans. Brrrrrr!

The Water Fight King trophy however went to Lt. Randy Feakins of the Carlisle Township Fire Department. Feakins, while all the kids and Officers were gathered around a tank for a group picture fired a blast of water from Carlisle Engine 7 over the crowd making sure everyone got wet. (See photos 24 & 25 to watch the Magician running)

“It’s all about the kids!" Ohio State Highway Patrol Trooper AJ Torres said he has been involved in Operation Open Heart for the last 17 years because of the kids. “I just like kids and this is my way of giving back.” Like the other Officers everybody donates their time to this weeklong event, some even using their vacation time to participate. For Trooper Torres he has a personal reason as well. “My mother was a foster child and her and my father raised me to give back. I also have a lot of fun with the kids and the other Officer’s and volunteers who participate each year.”

To see more photos from the day: CLICK HERE – Don’t miss the water fight photos. See if you can figure out who had the 5 gallon bucket.

DON'T FORGET

The Elyria Summer Theatre Association’s production of “Little Shop of Horrors” is set to open Thursday evening at the Elyria High School Auditorium.

Performances: Thursday, Friday and Saturday @ 8:00PM. Sunday @ 2:00PM

Tickets available at the door – Open seating.

Special parking will be available on 5th Street off Middle Ave. Show Producers will have people outside assisting in directing guests. They also suggest that if you are planning on attending that you arrive early to get your parking spot and to purchase your tickets.

BUSTED BRINGING DRUGS INTO JAIL

Grafton – An Akron woman is scheduled to appear in Elyria Municipal Court tomorrow on a felony charge after she was found attempting to convey crack cocaine and marijuana into the Lorain Correctional Institution today.

Troopers said Statoya Jones, 22, was charged with conveying drugs into a correctional facility, a third-degree felony.

Troopers and Department of Rehabilitation and Correction investigators developed information that Jones might attempt to deliver drugs into the Lorain Correctional Institution. Once inside the facility, Jones was approached by investigators and subsequently turned over the drugs.

Jones 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.

WEATHER ALERT

The National Weather Service in Cleveland has issued a SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING for Lorain and Huron Counties. The warning will remain in effect until 5:15PM.

At 4:23PM, National Weather Service Doppler Radar continued to indicate a SEVERE THUNDERSTORM capable of producing nickel size hail, and damaging winds in excess of 60MPH.

This storm was located near Kipton, or about 14 miles southwest of Elyria, moving east at 24MPH.

REGISTRATION PROCEDURE CHANGES

OHIO BMV TO CHANGE VEHICLE REGISTRATION PROCEDURE: Move aims to increase security

COLUMBUS - Effective August 1, 2008, the Ohio Bureau of MotorVehicles (BMV) is implementing new measures to reduce the possibilityfor fraudulent motor vehicle registrations.

“We have a responsibility to ensure that documents issued by the OhioBureau of Motor Vehicles are of the highest standard and utmostreliability,” said Ohio Department of Public Safety Director HenryGuzmán. “This is an issue that impacts the safety and security of all Ohioans from a Homeland Security perspective to the safety of lawenforcement officers, the motoring public and even keeping fake IDs outof the hands of minors.”

Individuals acquiring a first-time vehicle registration or completing a renewal will be required to present the vehicle owner’s Ohio driver license or State of Ohio ID card. If one of these documents is not presented, the individual will be required to present two documents fromthe BMV Acceptable Documents list, which can be viewed online at http://www.bmv.ohio.gov/driver_license/aid.htm. One of the documents must prove the Ohio driver license number, State of Ohio ID card numberor Social Security number (SSN). If the vehicle owner does not have anOhio driver license or State of Ohio ID, a state-issued license or state-issued ID card from another state will be accepted along with one document from the BMV Acceptable Documents list.

A person authorized to register a vehicle on behalf of another is a“Person Granted Authority,” or PGA. To register a vehicle, the PGA will be required to present an Ohio driver license or State of OhioID card for themselves as well as provide the vehicle owner’s Ohio driver license number or State of Ohio ID card number on BMV Form 5736 (will be available online at http://bmv.ohio.gov/misc/bmv_forms.htm or at all Deputy Registrar locations). The BMV 5736 must be filled out completely and signed by the vehicle owner when a PGA is used toregister a vehicle. If the vehicle owner’s information that is provided on the form cannot be verified in the BMV computer system, copies of the vehicle owner’s documents proving the information willbe required. In all cases, the PGA must present documentation that proves their identification, copies will not be accepted. If either the PGA or vehicle owner does not have an Ohio driver license or State ofOhio ID card, documents issued in another state will be accepted along with one other document from the BMV Acceptable Documents list.

If the vehicle to be registered is to be used for hire or principally in connection with an established business, the BMV will obtain thevehicle owner’s federal tax identification number (TIN) in place ofthe driver license, state ID or Social Security number. Couriers for licensed motor vehicle dealerships registering a motor vehicle on behalfof the dealer must present their Ohio driver license or State of Ohio IDcard as well as provide the TIN for the business. If the courier doesnot have an Ohio driver license or State of Ohio ID card, documents issued in another state will be accepted along with one other documentfrom the BMV Acceptable Documents list or in accordance with federalrequirements.

In any of these situations, if acceptable documents cannot be provided,the BMV will deny the registration application. Detailed informationabout the vehicle registration process can be found online at :http://www.bmv.ohio.gov/vehicle_registration/vr_info.htm.

“We realize these changes will require some of our customers,including auto dealerships and attorneys, to provide additionaldocumentation when registering a vehicle, but we feel it will enhancethe security of the process and help protect our customers,” said OhioBMV Registrar Mike Rankin.

ANNOUNCEMENT

The Lorain Police Dept traffic Bureau announced today that they would be conducting Driver’s License Checkpoints in the city of Lorain on Wednesday, July 23rd 2008.

TEEN DRIVER ROLLS CAR ON BAIRD RD

SPEED WAS A FACTOR IN CRASH

Henrietta Township – A teen driver lost control of her car Monday evening on Baird Road, just south of Garfield, just before rolling it into a ditch.

Trooper Lance Deshuk of the Ohio State Highway Patrol said the teenager was northbound on Baird Rd when she lost control and went off the right side of the road. “When she came back on the road she over corrected and went into a ditch at which time her 2001 Mitsubishi Eclipse rolled over coming to rest in the field.”

Paramedics from Central Lorain County Ambulance treated the driver and transported her to Allen Medical Center in Oberlin. A helicopter was requested for the teen but was later canceled.

Deshuk said that the teen, who is from Wakeman, was not wearing her seatbelt at the time of the crash. He also said that speed was a factor in the crash.

The crash still remains under investigation.

To see more photos from the scene: CLICK HERE

PHOTO GALLERIES UP AND RUNNING

We are happy to announce that the photo hosting site that we use is back up and running at 100% tonight. Please accept our appreciation for your patience while this is the second time in a week that the site had maintenance issues.

Photo galleries from two stories were delayed in being posted because of the maintenance, the single car crash in Wellington late Saturday night and the crash on Route 113 in South Amherst that injured two teenagers. Both are now posted.

To see photos from the Whitehead Road crash: CLICK HERE

To see photos from the Route 113 crash: CLICK HERE

TWO TEENS INJURED IN CRASH

ONE FLOWN TO METRO

South Amherst – Residents living along Route 113 in South Amherst were ready for bed and relaxing when the quiet neighborhood was shaken by a terrible crashing sound.

Reno Donofrio said he was inside his home when he heard the crashing noise. “As soon as I heard it I knew it was going to be something pretty bad.” Another neighbor said he heard a “whoshing” sound go by his house, then moments later a crashing noise.

State Troopers said the 16-year-old driver of a Ford 500 was traveling westbound on Route 113 at a high rate of speed. The speed limit is 45MPH along 113 before you hit South Amherst, it then changes to 35 at the city limits near Anis Road.

Troopers say the young driver, whose name cannot be released because of his age, came around the curve near Anis Road and went left of center. When he tried to get back into his own lane he overcorrected and lost control of the car.

Yaw marks along the road indicated that the car was sliding, passenger side first, off the left side of the road – It then struck a utility pole, snapping it in half, then a tree. When the car struck the tree it rode up the tree approximately 10 feet before returning to the ground and coming to rest in the front yard of one of the oldest homes in South Amherst.

Here is where the story gets interesting.

As concerned neighbors rushed to the car to help the two teens they found them both outside of the car and bleeding. Donofrio said that one told him that he wasn’t actually inside of the car at the time of the crash. “He told me that he had been walking along the sidewalk when the car crashed and he was struck with some wood.” The teen even had a reason why his cell phone was inside of the wrecked car. “He said he threw his cell phone when the crash happened and it must have fallen into the car through the window.”

Another neighbor who rushed to help said that one of the teens he approached was actually urinating against a tree. “He asked me to call his brother and asked that I not call the Police, he got mad when I told him that I had already called 9-1-1.”

Donofrio said the one teen he was talking to even asked him to tell Police that he was his father, he told the youth that he was not going to do that.

South Amherst Firefighters and LifeCare Ambulance Paramedics treated both teens at the scene then transported both to Amherst Hospital. One of the teens was later flown to MetroHealth Medical Center in Cleveland.

The young man driving the car told witnesses that his Mom was going to be very mad at him.

Troopers say the driver will be charged with DUI & Failure to Control.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating the crash.


To see more photos from the scene: CLICK HERE

MAN EATING PLANT IN ELYRIA

SEEN EATING PEOPLE NEAR WEST & 6TH

The Elyria Summer Theatre Association was busy all day Sunday preparing for next weekend’s production of “Little Shop of Horrors” – The production is set to run: July 24, 25, 26 & 27 at the Elyria High School Auditorium.

I sat in on a portion of today’s technical run through and was surprised by what I saw. I had always thought that the ESTA productions were all performed by high school students. Disclaimer: I have nothing against high school productions at all. I have seen some great local high school productions and look forward to many more.

Once I heard the voices, I knew this was not a high school production.

The Elyria Summer Theatre Association held open auditions for Little Shop and has casted people from all over northeast Ohio. The cast is lead by Mark McCarthy and Susan DiDino playing Seymour and Audrey. Both actors have great voices and wonderful chemistry on stage. Tom Castro, a veteran actor, has been tapped to play flower shop owner Mr. Mushnik. You can tell right away that Castro is no stranger to the stage making every step and song look easy. The only challenge tonight for Castro was when he was eaten by the Audrey 2. Getting in through the mouth and out through the… well, you know, was not as easy as it looks. A couple run through's and he had it. Trust me when I say Castro will have you laughing.

Keith Faris takes on the role of the Dentist Orin Scrivello and knocks it out of the park. With his well trained voice and ability to ad lib Faris is sure to be a favorite of the audience next weekend. Faris brings a mix of Andrew Dice Clay and Ben Stillar to the role, very funny and great voice.

James Bauschatz is the actor you won't see but will certainly hear even if you are standing out on West Ave. Bauschatz plays the voice of the Audrey 2 (the plant). Why they put a mic on this guy is beyond me. He brings a jazzy tone to the Audrey 2 and will both scare you and keep you laughing throughout the production.

Little Shop of Horrors is a 1982 Off-Broadway musical black comedy by composer Alan Menken and writer Howard Ashman, about a nerdy florist shop worker who raises a plant that feeds on human blood. The musical was based on the low-budget 1960 black comedy The Little Shop of Horrors, directed by Roger Corman. The musical score, composed by Menken in the style of 1960's rock and roll, doo-wop and early Motown, included several show-stoppers including "Skid Row," "Somewhere That's Green," and "Suddenly Seymour," as well as the title song.

The Elyria Summer Theatre Association has a proud history with over 30 seasons of quality shows, some of them include; Hello, Dolly – Damn Yankees – The Sound of Music – Godspell – The Wizard of Oz – Fiddler on the Roof – Joseph & The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat & Bye Bye Birdie.

Little Shop of Horrors Cast
Seymour Krelborn: Mark McCarthy
Audrey: Susan DiDino
Audrey II: James Bauschatz
Mr. Mushnik: Tom Castro
Orin Scrivello, DDS: Keith Faris
Crystal, Ronette, and Chiffon: Jen Ryan, Becky Riffle, Mary Prucha
Also featuring: Alex Craig, Sheila Andre de la Porte, and Christopher Holovacs

Showtimes:

July 24, 25, 26 – Curtain: 8:00 p.m.

July 27 Curtain: 2:00 p.m.

Elyria High School AuditoriumWest Avenue and 6th Street, near downtown Elyria
TICKETS ARE AVAILABLE AT THE DOOR - No reservations needed; open seating
Air-conditioned comfort!

(Parking is tricky with construction around the school. We recommend you arrive a little early to park and get your ticket.)

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To win free tickets to “Little Shop of Horrors” send and Email to tmcnews2@aol.com - We will draw two names on Wednesday and notify you by email. You will be able to chose any one of the 4 shows to use your free tickets.

MAN WRAPS CAR AROUND TREE

Penfield Township – What started as a domestic dispute ended with one man, Michael H. Mayne of Wellington, being cut out of a car on Whitehead Road.

Lieutenant Brian Slack of the Wellington Fire District said they received the call as a single car into a tree on Whitehead Road between Webster & Peck Wadsworth. “Apparently this all started at Pheasant Run in LaGrange where several witnesses watched as the man struck several cars in the parking lot then possibly a house close to this location.”

After leaving Pheasant Run a witness began following Mayne on his motorcycle. When Firefighters arrived on scene the biker was sitting in the roadway with his bike aimed at the car that Mayne wrapped around a tree after striking a utility pole near the roadway.

“He said that he watched the man go off the road and strike the tree, he kept telling me how messed up the guy was inside the car.” Slack, who was first on scene for Wellington, notified responding units that extrication would be needed due to the man being trapped inside of the car. “It was a pretty easy and quick extrication, we popped the drivers side door and rolled the dashboard back off of the driver then we were able to slide him out.”

Paramedics from South Lorain County Ambulance District treated Mayne on scene until the medical crew from Metro LifeFlight landed. Mayne was loaded onto the chopper a short time later and flown to MetroHealth Medical Center in Cleveland. Slack said the Mayne was suffering from a head injury and a possible right hip fracture.

The Lorain County Sheriff’s Department is investigating the incidents in Pheasant Run while the Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating the crash on Whitehead.

To see more photos from the scene: CLICK HERE

FIRE GUTS ELYRIA MOBILE HOME

Elyria – Neighbors at 405 Oberlin Road in Elyria say that they are surprised and happy that only one mobile home was lost in this afternoon’s fire. Virginia Sedlek said she was visiting family when they saw the flames shooting high in the air. “It was amazing how much fire was coming from their home and we thought for sure the fire was going to spread to the other homes but the firemen put it out real quick when they got here.”

Inside of trailer # 11 was Laurie Marciniak who was sleeping when the fire broke out. Marciniak’s SMOKE ALARM woke her up alerting her to the fire. An attempt by Marciniak to extinguish the blaze using two home fire extinguishers was unsuccessful.

A Lorain County Deputy Sheriff who happened to be in the area spotted the blaze and began alerting neighbors. One woman was refusing to leave her home until she found her cats. The Deputy along with Elyria Police Officers convinced her that it was for her own safety that she had to leave the home immediately. Sedlek and her family said they were happy the Officers were there to remove her from the home, “I didn’t see anyone else running over there to get her out of the trailer, if it weren’t for them who knows what would have happened to her. I love cats and all but I love my life more.”

Assistant Chief Ron Brlas of the Elyria Fire Department said that when their first Engine arrived on scene the home was fully involved. “The guys pulled an 1 ¾” attack line and made an exterior attack. By that time the second Engine came and did a reverse lay to the hydrant to pump water into the first Engine.”

Brlas said that it didn’t take that long to knock down the fire once they had the hydrant water – the fact that the trailer was so full of personal belongings that slowed the overhaul process down.

Art Mead Sr. of the American Red Cross said that at this point they are taking care of two families that total 10 people.

The Elyria Fire Department is investigating the cause of the blaze.

To see more photos from the scene: CLICK HERE

EARLY MORNING HOUSE FIRE

Amherst – Amherst Firefighters were called to the 200 block of North Main Street for a house fire around 8am Saturday morning. When Firefighters arrived they found heavy fire shooting from the south portion of the home.

Assistant Chief Jim Wilhelm of the Amherst Fire Department said the homeowner was awake and thought she smelled plastic burning. “She woke up, smelled plastic burning and for some reason took a shower. When she came back she saw the fire. She grabbed a sheet and wet it down and attempted to put the fire out, but by that time the fire had grown too much.”

The woman then got one of her sons to get the garden hose to try and extinguish the blaze. That didn’t work either.

Wilhelm said the Fire Department arrived just about that time and his fire Engine crew entered the home with an attack line and pushed the fire out. “They did a real nice job of getting that fire knocked down as quickly as they did and I think they did it with only about 50 gallons of water.”

The homeowner told Chief Wilhelm that she “thought” she was home along but wasn’t sure. Firefighters did a quick primary search of the home and turned up no other occupants.

Wilhelm said one Firefighter was suffering from heat exhaustion but was being given oxygen and doing well. The American Red Cross was on scene to assist the family.

To see more photos from the scene: CLICK HERE

ELYRIA MOBILE HOME FIRE

TEN PEOPLE LEFT HOMELESS

Elyria – An early afternoon fire in Elyria has left two families without a home and in the hands of the American Red Cross.

Although none of the residents were injured all of their belongings and one mobile home is a complete loss.

Check back with TMCNEWS.NET later today for more details and photos from the scene.

MAN FLEES POLICE – CRASHES

Carlisle Township – A pursuit that began in North Ridgeville ended with the suspect crashing in a ditch in Carlisle Township.

The suspect was exiting Route 10 westbound at Grafton Road at the time – instead of turning right or left he crossed Grafton Road and went through a field of high shrubs before ending up in the ditch.

The man escaped without injury and was taken into custody at the scene.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating the crash.

To see more photos from the scene: CLICK HERE

MY FINGER IS STUCK

Elyria – With gas prices through the roof lately, this situation was going to happen sooner or later. Elyria Firefighters were called to the 100 block of Marseilles after a man got his finger stuck in a gas tank.

Neighbors said the man was siphoning gas from his sisters van when somehow he got his finger stuck in the hole. They tried for sometime to extricate the finger themselves before realizing they needed the Fire Department.

Firefighters cut portions of the van away in order to safely remove the finger from the hole.

LifeCare Paramedics stood by during the extrication but the man required no medical attention.

DOUBLE REAR-ENDER IN SHEFFIELD

KEEP YOUR EYES ON THE ROAD

Sheffield Township – Police and Firefighters are keeping busy these days with rear-enders around the county.

In Sheffield Township Thursday afternoon Firefighters were called to the intersection of North Ridge Road East & Liberty Ave (near the new Cathy’s Ice Cream) for a 3 car collision. Employees of the Ice Cream stand said they heard the crash, looked out the window and saw smoke coming from one of the vehicles. They said they quickly called 9-1-1 then ran to the cars to make sure everyone was ok.

Cars were stopped in traffic when a Ford Focus rammed into the rear of Dodge Neon pushing it into the rear of a 4 door Oldsmobile.

Shortly after the call was made to 9-1-1 about the crash – there was another rear-ender just two blocks west on North Ridge Road in front of St. Vincent Elementary involving two cars. There were no injuries reported at that crash.

Firefighters treated and transported 3 victims with non-serious injures from the first crash to area hospitals.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating both crashes.

To see more photos from the scene: CLICK HERE

Editors Note: Cathy’s Ice Cream stand turned into a triage area for the victims of the first crash. Firefighters examined the victims under the shade of the colorful umbrellas before transporting. The staff at Cathy’s also treated the Firefighters to ice cold water and ice tea and things were wrapping up. KUDOS to Cathy’s for that show of kindness.

HAVE YOU SEEN THE BANNER?

An Email was sent to us this morning from Gold Card member and Captain of Team “Kiss Cancer Goodbye” from Elyria’s Relay for Life, Abbe Chenoweth. She has asked if we would post an open letter from her in an attempt to locate a sponsor banner that was stolen from the Relay for Life event this past weekend. Please take a moment to read her letter, and then look in your friend’s basements and garages for the banner.

We are sad to report that early on Sunday Morning the Lake Erie Harley Davidson Banner was stolen from the fence at Relay.

We are reaching out to anyone in the community who might be able to help us retrieve the banner.

At this point, we don't care who had such poor judgment in taking away from such an event and taking away from such a generous sponsor, but we would simply like the banner returned. No questions asked.

Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of this banner may contact Suzi Piskur, Elyria's American Cancer Society Representative at 1-888-227-6446 Ext. 1212

If someone wishes to return the banner, they can do so at any time directly to Lake Erie Harley Davidson located at 38401 Chester Road, Avon, Ohio.

Relay is a team event....and with that said, I hope that the community can come together as a team to right such a wrong.

Sincerely,
Abigail Chenoweth

3 CAR REAR-ENDER ON 113

FIVE PEOPLE INURED

Elyria Township – A three-car collision on Route 113 near West Ridge Road Wednesday afternoon sent 5 people to area hospitals – all with non-serious injuries.

Witnesses say they saw the silver Malibu traveling eastbound on Rt. 113 heading for the intersection of West Ridge Road. They say the car was weaving all over the road just before slamming into the back of a PT Cruiser – pushing the Cruiser into a small SUV.

Lieutenant Brian Bell of the Elyria Township Fire Department said that they had a total of six people involved in the crash, only one refused treatment or transport. The driver of the Malibu initially refused treatment but after some discussion she was transported to the hospital for evaluation.

Sheffield Township Fire Department and LifeCare Ambulance provided assistance in transporting victims to local hospitals.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating the crash.

To see more photos from the scene: CLICK HERE

REMEMBER THE 90’S?

The National Weather Service is forecasting some HOT & HUMID weather for our area for the next couple of days. Expect to see the temps up in the 90’s through the rest of the week before dipping down into the 80’s this weekend.

I better get my car out to Vaughn’s Auto to get my air-conditioning fixed.

Wednesday - Mostly sunny. Highs in the lower 90s. Southwest winds 5 to 10 mph.
Wednesday Night - Mostly clear. Lows in the mid 60s. South winds 5 to 10 mph.

Thursday - Mostly sunny in the morning...then becoming partly cloudy. Hot with highs in the lower 90s. Southwest winds around 10 mph.
Thursday Night - Mostly clear. Lows in the mid 60s. Southwest winds 5 to 10 mph.

Friday - Mostly sunny in the morning...then becoming partly cloudy. Hot with highs in the lower 90s.
Friday Night - Partly cloudy. Lows in the upper 60s.

HONORING A HERO

AND HELPING HIS FAMILY

Friends and family of Officer Jason West invite you to join them on August 10th for a Poker Run.

The proceeds from the Jason D. West Poker Run will benefit the parents of Officer West who were left with expenses after his death.

Officer West was shot and killed in the Line of Duty on Friday, May 25, 2007 while responding to a disturbance call. Officer West blocked a vehicle with his patrol car that was leaving the area. The driver of that auto exited his vehicle and shot Officer West twice in the leg and once in the face. Officer West was rushed to Huron Hospital where later that evening he succumbed to his wounds. Officer West is the first Police Officer killed in the line of duty in Cleveland Heights since 1948.

Officer West was laid to rest on May 31, 2007 in his hometown of Avon where hundreds of Police Officers from throughout the United States came to pay their respects.

To see photos from the funeral: CLICK HERE

The Poker Run will begin at Lake Erie Harley-Davidson, 38401 Chester Road, Avon, with the first bike out at 11am and ending at Mulligan’s Pub & Grille, 38244 Colorado Ave. (Route 611), Avon, with the last bike in at 4pm.

Pre-Sale tickets are available at Lake Erie Harley-Davidson and Mulligan’s Pub.

ONE CRASH LEADS TO ANOTHER

Lorain – A two-car crash in the intersection of Cooper Foster Park Road and Oberlin Ave began tying up traffic leading to a second crash just down the street.

Teresa Bowens of Lorain said she was sitting at a stop light on Oberlin Ave wanting to turn left onto Cooper Foster when she heard a truck come up along side of her. “I could hear his engine as he come up behind me, he was going so fast and then he went to make the turn onto Cooper Foster here but he couldn’t make the turn because of how fast he was going. He was just trying to make too sharp of a turn, there was no way he could do it. Not at that speed.”

Bowens said that the car that was struck was at the light wanting to make a left turn onto Oberlin Ave. LifeCare Paramedics treated and transported the driver of the car to Community Health Partners where she was later LifeFlighted to MetroHealth Medical Center in Cleveland with serious injuries. The driver of the truck refused treatment or transport. The Lorain Police Department is investigating this crash.

While traffic began backing up a rear-ender occurred a little west of the crash on Cooper Foster Park Road in Amherst. There were no injuries at that crash. The Amherst Police Department is investigating this crash.


To see more photos from the scene: CLICK HERE

“CANCER DOESN’T SLEEP…

…AND NEITHER DO WE”

Elyria – This piece is a little late and I ask all those involved in this year’s Relay for Life in Elyria to forgive me.

On Saturday morning Survivors of cancer, Care Givers to Cancer patients, people who are currently fighting cancer all came together along with their family and friends at the Elyria Catholic High School Football Stadium for Elyria’s Relay for Life.

What is Relay for Life? Wikipedia describes it as “a fundraising event of the American Cancer Society, and is now held in many other countries. It is an overnight event designed to spread awareness of cancer prevention, treatments and cures, celebrate survivorship and raise money for research to find more cures for cancer.” Relay for Life is the world's largest fundraising walk. In 2007, Relay for Life raised over $405 million.

During the opening ceremonies Mayor Bill Grace spoke about how cancer touched his life when his father was diagnosed and given only 5 years to live. “With the network of support from the Doctors, Nurses and Volunteers my father lived another 25 years and I know it was because of their dedication and love. Having my Father for those additional years meant so much to me and made me a better person. “

Mayor Grace applauded the Survivors in the audience and wished them well. “This event, this effort is very important to our community and to our nation. So I applaud all of your efforts and congratulations to the Survivors – I look forward to us all being here for years to come.”

Judge Mark Betleski spoke as a Cancer Survivor – Betleski was diagnosed with testicular cancer in June of 1990. On May 18th of this year Betleski celebrated his 17th year since his last chemotherapy.
Betleski shared with the audience things he learned during his battle with cancer:
“Cancer is a great way to lose weight. When I was diagnosed I weighed 260lbs. – when I received my first chemotherapy I weighed about 160lbs. As great as that was I don’t think we will see Valerie Bertinelli or Kirstie Alley going out and speaking on this great weight loss program known as cancer.”

“You should avoid x-ray technicians with cold hands.”

“I learned that bald may be beautiful, but not on me.”

“I also learned that you should take every day as a gift and treat it as special as you can.”

“I learned we are capable of achieving great things if we are put to the test. My wife and I celebrated our second wedding anniversary in the hospital – and that is not the place you want to be celebrating your wedding anniversary, although it was probably one of the last times I remembered my anniversary before it occurred.”

“What I also learned is that what you are doing here today, WILL save lives in the future. Because of fund provided by the American Cancer Society there are new discoveries in the fight against cancer everyday – all day. Here is one example, when I was first diagnosed my Doctor said that if I had been diagnosed with it just a couple years sooner I would not have survived – they did not have a treatment for that, for my form of cancer. So just in that span of a couple years I received a bill of life rather then a bill of death.”

Betleski finished his remarks and then invited all of the Survivors in the audience to join him in walking a lap dedicated to Survivors of cancer.

One of the last speakers was Mary Stammitti, wife of Lorain County Sheriff Phil Stammitti. In what was probably the most emotional and poignant speeches of the day, Mrs. Stammitti spoke about how cancer has touched her life and her families lives. She lost her first husband to cancer then her daughter. She talked about how her daughter had to tell her the terrible news over the phone while she was away at school. The audience was silent as she walked step by step through the process and how she sat with her daughter every day at the hospital during her final days.

There came a time where the decision had to be made to either have their daughter return home or to go to Hospice for her last days. “The best advice I ever received came from a Hospice Nurse when she said, Now is the time for you to just be a Mom. I will never forget that and will always be grateful to her.”

Stammitti and her husband then invited all of the Caregivers to join them in walking a lap around the track in celebration to all Caregivers.

To see more photos from the event: CLICK HERE