JUST A BIT OFF TARGET

Elyria – The details of a crash in the parking lot of the Target on West River Road Saturday evening are odd to say the least.

Witnesses say that an elderly man backed a car out of a handicapped parking spot – struck a parked car, then proceeded to drive forward again. When he pulled forward he drove up over a curb between signposts then struck cars parked in the next aisle.

The man’s wife told TMC NEWS shortly after the crash what had happened. According to her, their daughter drove them to Target and ran inside of the store really quick. While waiting for her to return the man decided to move the car. In the process he ended up causing a seven-car crash.

The wife, who is legally blind, said her husband is not supposed to be driving and feels terrible about what happened.

LifeCare Paramedics responded to the scene but the couple refused any treatment or transport.

All of the cars involved in the crash received minor to moderate damage and nobody was inside of the vehicles.

The Elyria Police Department is investigating the crash.

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Brian Woods contributed to this story

ATV CRASHES ON WHEELER ROAD

ONE ADULT & THREE KIDS ON BOARD

LaGrange Township – What was probably thought to be a good idea at the time turned out to be a very bad idea when one man loaded up three kids (ages 6 to 10) onto an ATV and went for a ride in the woods.

Chief James Rader of LaGrange Fire & Rescue said that a 45-year-old man was visiting his cousin on Wheeler Road Saturday afternoon when he decided to take an ATV out for a ride. “He told us that he had 3 children on the ATV with him, his son on the front and two nephew’s sitting on either side of him. He said that he was going about 20 MPH when he struck a tree causing the 4-wheeler to roll over”

The crash occurred so far back in the woods Firefighters had to load equipment onto 4-wheel drive trucks to get to the victims.

Chief Rader said that one of the boys had a bloody nose and all three had scratches and bruises – none had any serious injuries. “The parents checked the children and said they would take care of them – they might take them to the hospital later if they feel they need to go. But as of right now the only victim going to the hospital is the driver.”

Paramedics transported the man to LaGrange Community Park where a helicopter was waiting for them. The man was then flown to MetroHealth Medical Center with complaints of chest pains and a possible dislocated shoulder.

Rader said that none of the four on the ATV were wearing helmets – something he highly recommends for anyone riding an ATV.


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Editors Note: On behalf of everyone at TMC NEWS I would like to wish Chief James Rader a very Happy Birthday. Chief Rader was in the middle of his Birthday celebration when the call came in for the ATV crash.

WOMAN CRASHES TRUCK INTO POLE

KNOCKS OUT POWER IN RIDGEVILLE

North Ridgeville – A single vehicle crash late Friday night knocked out power to a large section of North Ridgeville for over an hour.

Witnesses say that a woman driving a pick up truck north on Root Road drove right across Center Ridge Road and cut through a utility pole. “She didn’t even brake – just went right through the intersection and hit the pole.”

Neighbors say they heard the crash and then their power flashed off and back on – the off again.

Paramedics from North Ridgeville Fire Department responded and treated the woman at the scene then transported her to a local hospital.

Witnesses who spoke with the woman said she was crying and told them that she had just broken up with her boyfriend.

Police stood by and diverted traffic due to low hanging wires across Center Ridge Road.


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“CodeRED” COMING TO AVON

The City of Avon has contracted with Emergency Communications Network, Inc., of Ormond Beach, Florida for its “CodeRED” high-speed telephone emergency notification services. The CodeRED system gives city officials the ability to deliver pre-recorded emergency telephone notification / information messages such as, boil – water notices, missing children, missing persons, evacuation notices, utility outages, fires, hostage situations, chemical spills, gas leaks or any other emergency incident where rapid notification is essential. This system is only offered to residents and businesses within the City of Avon free of charge.

Although most residences and businesses are automatically put in the system, the Avon Police Department urges all individuals and businesses to log onto the Avon Police Departments website, www.avonpd.com and follow the link to the “CodeRED Residential and Business Data Collection” page. To make sure your information is current and accurate we request that you complete the form. If you do not have internet access, please contact a friend or family member to help enter your contact information. If you have any questions you may call the Avon Police Department at (440) 934-1234.

Those who wish to not receive the CodeRED notifications must complete a Do Not Call Release Form. The form can be filled out at the police department at 36145 Detroit Road or printed from the link on the police department website and dropped off at the police department.

• Weather Warning Alerts from the National Weather Service are an additional feature available through the CodeRED system. Anyone wishing to receive weather alerts for Tornado, Flash Flood and Severe Thunderstorms MUST go to the Avon Police Department website and click on the CodeRED link to enter their information and request the Weather Warning Option. If you do not have internet access, please contact a friend or family member to help enter your contact information. If you have any questions you may call the Avon Police.

Those that are enrolled in the new system should receive two test calls on Friday June 5th, 2009. One call will be made around 1 pm and a second call will be made around 5 pm. If you should happen to receive the call and only heard part of it, you can call 1-866-419-5000 and you will be able to hear the message again.

The information in the database will only be used for emergency, weather and important notification purposes. Questions about the system should be directed to Lieutenant Larry Fischbach or Dispatcher Deni Stempowski at 440-934-1234.

AVON POLICE WEBSITE

STRONG WINDS CAUSE BIG DAMAGE

“You couldn’t even see out the window the rain was coming down so hard – it was like a white out with rain.” Jim Seman

TMC NEWS PHOTOS: BRIAN WOODS

Elyria – As strong winds and heavy rainfall blew through town Jim Seman was in his office at the Industrial Park off Lowell Street. “We saw the rain start and it was coming down pretty good but then all of a sudden it just turned really dark and ugly. You couldn’t even see out the window the rain was coming down so hard – it was like a white out with rain.”

A little north of the Industrial Park sits a small church – The Glorious Assembly Apostolic Church – that was caught in the middle of the storm that took many by surprise. A large portion of the roof was peeled off the church and blew north onto Seneca Ave.

Many homes and cars were damaged as the roof broke up and landed all over the neighborhood.

One Seneca Ave resident said that he watched the noon news weather forecast – “They said rain, but didn’t warn us about this. Nothing like this was in the forecast. It just blew through like hell and left us with this mess. We have wires down, parts of the Church roof all over the place and tress down. This is just a mess.”

Although most residents believe a small tornado swept through the neighborhood, authorities believe the damage was caused by straight line winds.

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Photos by: BRIAN WOODS

SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING

The National Weather Service in Cleveland has issued a SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING for NORTHEASTERN LORAIN COUNTY – the Warning will remain in effect until 4:15 p.m.

AT 312 PM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING DAMAGING WINDS IN EXCESS OF 60 MPH. THIS STORM WAS LOCATED 3 MILES NORTHWEST OF EATON ESTATES – OR 4 MILES SOUTHEAST OF ELYRIA...AND WAS MOVING NORTHEAST AT 25 MPH. PENNY SIZE HAIL CAN BE EXPECTED.

LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE: NORTH RIDGEVILLE, AVON LAKE, WESTLAKE, LAKEWOOD and CLEVELAND.

The National Weather Service indicates that this is a DANGEROUS STORM. They recommend that anyone in its path seek shelter inside and stay clear of windows.

SAFE ROBBERS ARRESTED IN LORAIN

Amherst – Police in Amherst have arrested two Lorain men in connection with a break in at the Cooper Foster Park Road Arby’s.

Police were called Friday morning after employees of the Arby’s Restaurant discovered that someone had broken in through their drive-thru window over night.

A safe, weighing in at 400 to 500 lbs, had been taken from the restaurant and the interior had been ransacked according to Police.

The detective bureau was contacted to process the scene and was able to “obtain certain pieces of evidence.” Detectives then went to the 1200 block of 8th St in Lorain to follow up on some possible leads. While there, a suspect vehicle was located in the street. The suspect vehicle had matching evidence that tied it to the scene of the break in.

Detectives observed the vehicle from a distance and waited for the assistance of the Lorain County Violent Fugitive Task Force. While waiting for additional assistance, two Hispanic males walked from a residence toward the vehicle. One male entered the driver’s seat and started the vehicle. The other was approaching the passenger door. Both males were apprehended without further incident at approximately 11:30 a.m. that same morning.
The two males arrested were 21 year old Jose Hernandez and 18 year old Jose Fernandez – both of Lorain.

During further inspection of the vehicle, Officers located the missing safe in the rear trunk area. The vehicle was a hatchback.

Police say that it does not appear the main part of the safe was entered, although another part of the safe with a smaller amount of money was entered.

Police are not able to disclose how much money was in the safe at the time, nor how much was obtained in the smaller portion of the safe that was breached by the suspects.

There were no injuries to any party during the arrest of the suspects.

Both men were charged with Grand Theft F-4 and Breaking and Entering F-4. Both were arraigned in Oberlin Municipal Court Tuesday May 26th 2009 and the preliminary hearing is set for this Friday. Bond was set at $7500.00

FATAL CRASH ON STATION ROAD

Call Time: 7:40 p.m. Saturday May 23, 2009
Columbia Station – Troopers from the Ohio State Highway Patrol are investigating a motorcycle crash that claimed the life of a Columbia Station man Saturday night.

Trooper JP Toth of the State Patrol said 43-year-old David A. Dorricott, of South Boone Road in Columbia Station, was riding his motorcycle north on South Station Road when he lost control of the bike. “The bike went off the left side of the road, went across a private driveway then struck a pole and then landed in the front yard.”

The crash site is north of Capel Road and just south of Route 82.

Toth said that it was too early to say if alcohol played a role in the crash. “Speed we can’t determine yet either, we could not find any evasive braking or anything like that – we have been unable to locate the speedometer or any of the devices on the dash of the vehicle, it’s so destroyed.”

Paramedics from Columbia Township Fire & Rescue treated Dorricott at the scene performing CPR and then transported him to Southwest General Hospital where Toth said he was pronounced dead at 8:41 p.m.

Neighbors say that the yard where the crash occurred has seen its share of crashes over the years – including fatal crashes. There are still ruts in the grass near where Dorricott entered the property Saturday from a crash just last week. Township officials say that plans are in place for construction to start next year that will straighten out that portion of South Station Road.

The motorcycle had 30 day tags – the tags are set to expire on June 16th.

Troopers continue to investigate the crash.


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WOMAN THROWS FLAG IN GARBAGE

“WHAT WERE THEY THINKING?”

It’s been awhile since we have gone to our “What Were They Thinking” file – but this story certainly belongs there.

While leaving Ely Square Friday afternoon after taking photos of Art Weber placing American Flags around the park I heard a call on the Police scanner of a girl breaking Flag sticks in Ely Square.

Police arrived and spoke with a female fitting the description given by witnesses – they also spoke with the witnesses. It turns out that the very young daughter of the woman broke a Flag stick – leaving the Flag lying on the ground.

Now this is bad enough, but the child is very young so we can write that one off. However, what the Mother did after is what made us ask, “What Was SHE Thinking?”

The Mother picked up the American Flag that had been placed in the park to help celebrate Memorial Day and threw it in a trash can. Do you suppose this is what she believed what the right thing to do with the Flag? Was this the best example that a Mother can show her young daughter? Probably not.

Now, as the late Paul Harvey would say, here is The Rest of the Story.

Once the Police Officers sorted out all of the details they found the garbage can where the Flag had been tossed. As one Officer retrieved and folded the Flag, another contacted Art Weber to inform him what had happened.

Weber returned to the Park and Officers handed the Flag over to him saying that they felt the Flag should be properly disposed of or repaired if possible.

This reminded me of a story that TMC NEWS covered in December of 2006 where an alert Police Officer spotted an American Flag flying upside down at West Recreation Center. At that time we spoke with Darell Bishop, former Commander of the American Legion, Elyria Post 12, who said in that situation it sounded like a kid or kids playing around not knowing what it means when an American Flag is flown upside down. Bishop says that there are books for people to read explaining proper American Flag etiquette. If you are not a book person you can always visit www.usflag.org

Bishop wanted people to know that if anyone has a Flag that they need destroyed because of it being distressed or damaged, they can always bring it to the American Legion located at Gulf Road & Ohio Street. “We have a large mailbox painted red, white and blue, for people to drop their flags off in. Then usually once a year around Flag Day we will hold a dignified Flag Disposal Ceremony.”

CHEERS to the two Elyria Police Officers who took the extra time Friday to make sure that the American Flag that had been tossed in the trash was removed and taken care of in a dignified way.


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PLANTING FLAGS FOR 20 YEARS

“I do this for them, I do it for the Soldiers –
I do it for the Veterans,
because it’s the right thing to do.” Art Weber

Ever wonder who places all of the small American Flags around Ely Square for Memorial Day weekend? Well, we found Art Weber placing the Flags throughout the park today.

“I have been doing this since 1990, that’s at least as far back as I can remember – it might be longer but I remember the paper doing a story in 1990 about this,” said Weber. “Each year I will go through the Cemetery and pick up the Flags after Memorial Day and store them in my garage – each year new Flags are placed on the graves of Veterans. I save them until the following Memorial Day and place them through the park and whatever is left over we’ll pass them out to the kids during the parade.”

Weber said that he has also used the Flags to line streets in recent times when local fallen Soldiers were returned home. “I do this for them, I do it for the Soldiers – I do it for the Veterans, because it’s the right thing to do.”


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LET’S BE CAREFUL OUT THERE

Columbus – The Ohio State Highway Patrol is encouraging drivers to think twice before getting behind the wheel impaired this weekend in an effort to have a holiday weekend free of impaired-fatal crashes.

Memorial Day is traditionally a dangerous holiday period on Ohio roads, particularly for impaired driving crashes. Last Memorial Day holiday, five of the 11 people killed on Ohio roadways were involved in alcohol-related crashes.

“Each day, over two million miles are driven by impaired motorists and their poor choices severely threaten the well-being of every citizen in the state,” Colonel Richard H. Collins, superintendent of the Patrol, said. “Fatalities caused by impaired drivers are indeed a national tragedy - and that makes them a potential tragedy for each of us.”

Last year the Patrol made 25,520 OVI arrests including 652 during the Memorial Day holiday weekend.

The Patrol’s efforts are being conducted in conjunction with a national effort to reduce impaired driving incidents and crashes. Increased and specialized enforcement is made possible through federal overtime funding and works in conjunction with Operation C.A.R.E. (Combined Accident Reduction Effort).

Motorists should also be reminded that wearing a safety belt is the single most effective tool in reducing injuries and deaths in crashes caused by impaired drivers. This message is part of the national Click It or Ticket safety belt mobilization coordinated by the Department of Public Safety’s Ohio Traffic Safety Office.

Troopers encourage the public to continue using 1-877-7-PATROL to report dangerous drivers or stranded motorists, or 1-800-GRAB DUI to report impaired drivers.

CRASH SENDS BIKER TO METRO

DEVELOPING STORY
Call Time: 5:58 p.m. Wednesday May 20, 2009
Lorain – A motorcyclist has been flown to Cleveland tonight after being involved in a crash on Grove Ave in Lorain.

Eye Witnesses tell TMC NEWS that they watched as the motorcycle turned off of East 28th Street onto Grove Ave. They say a car traveling north on Grove attempted to make a turn into a gas station on the corner when the bike T-boned the passenger side of the woman’s car.

LifeCare Paramedics treated the man at the scene and then transported him to Community Health Partners Emergency Room. The man was reported to have serious head injuries.

LifeFlight flew the victim to MetroHealth Medical Center in Cleveland a short time after he was seen at Community.

More details as they become available.


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Photos by: BRIAN WOODS

AFTER FOUR DECADES IN OUR HOMES…

TED HENRY HANGS UP HIS PRESS PASS

Cleveland – After 45 years of delivering news to northeast Ohio – with 38 of those years spent at WEWS NewsChannel 5 – Ted Henry delivered his final piece of news copy during the 11 O’clock newscast Wednesday night.

Henry began his broadcasting career in 1964 at a radio station in his hometown of Canton. He then worked as a news reporter at WAKR-TV23 in Akron. In 1968, Henry traveled to Paraguay to work for the Peace Corps on community health, agriculture and education issues. When he returned to Ohio, he worked at WKBN-TV in Youngstown.

Henry joined the WEWS staff in 1972, working first as a news producer, then as weekend anchor. He was named weekday anchor of the 6 and 11 p.m. news in 1975 and has held that position ever since. Until Wednesday night, Henry co-anchored NewsChannel 5 at 6 and 11 p.m. with Danita Harris.

When Henry announced his retirement to his coworkers he said he was leaving with feelings of “satisfaction, fulfillment and with expectations for an enjoyable retirement of continued learning."

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

While we have seen stations and anchors over dramatize news stories for ratings – or pedal fear in order to get people to “stay tuned” – Henry never did that. He didn’t have to. We would “stay tuned” because we knew with him telling the story we would get the information we needed without the BS.

On Thanksgiving, 2006, Ted wrote a piece for a feature we ran on TMC NEWS entitled “What are you Thankful for?” I thought I would end this piece with the words he wrote.

“What are you Thankful for?” Ted Henry – November 23, 2006

Let’s begin with the air we breathe. It’s free, plentiful and absolutely essential. The smiles I see from those I encounter along the path, friends and strangers alike. They build me up. Carry me through the roughest moments. I haven’t met a person yet for whom there are no rough moments. These greetings help. Another’s smile and quick kind word can make the most difficult moment, smaller.

The metro area we live in. It’s tough and gritty. We’re accustomed to failure, lost jobs, lost games and lost moments of opportunity. Nonetheless we feel blessed. That’s because we are. People here know how to make something from almost nothing. And they don’t complain. We have a resourcefulness here that can help this region endure. That’s a lot to be thankful for.

And finally, I live among the nicest, smartest and most sincere people in the world. That’s not local boosterism, it’s just the way it is. Ask anyone who’s ever lived elsewhere. They’ll tell you how kind and considerate are the people who live here. Tough times may not lash out at every individual I know, but they do come to every family I know. And what I’ve noticed in my sixty plus years is how tightly people here pull together in times of need.

There’s a strength of personal character here, coupled with a genuine caring for one another that blankets this whole region that I feel grateful for. I’ve seen this region prosper during the most encouraging times, I see it now stand tall when challenge abounds, and I know I’ll see it again, relaxed and having some much deserved fun when opportunity returns, when those up and down the streets of our cities find all the work and challenge and good health they can handle.

For this and more, I am grateful.

WHAT’S ALL THE BUZZZZZZ ABOUT?

Elyria – When an Elyria couple decided to cut down an old oak tree in their Brandston Ave home – they were shocked at what they found hidden inside the hollow of the tree. Bees – Lots and lots of bees.

The homeowners did not want to harm the bees, so they called in Beekeeper Walter Jorgensen to safely remove the bee hives. Jorgensen said one hive was 5 to 8 feet long.

Jorgensen explained why it was so important to save the bees. “They pollinate for us – one third of everything we eat is dependent on the honey bee, directly dependent on the honey bee. If something would happen and all the honey bees – just honey bees – die all over the world at one time, life as we know it would cease in five years.”

While sawing into the tree bees began to swarm the area and as Photographer Craig Bevan discovered – these bees got some bite to them. “I was stung twice, once on the forehead and then again on the back of my neck. You really feel the sting but a lady put honey over the area the sting went away almost instantly.”

Jorgensen said that although some people just think about bees as stingers – he believes we can all live together in peace and harmony. “We can give the bees a safe environment to last from year to year which they cannot do in the wild.”

Bevan said even though he was injured while shooting this story he enjoyed being there. “It was a lot of fun and a learning experience. Plus, I never thought that one day I would be involved in a “sting” operation.”


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Photos: Craig Bevan

MAN STRUCK WHILE CROSSING STREET

Call Time: 1:52 p.m. Wednesday May 20, 2009

Elyria – An Elyria man was struck by a car on Broad Street today while crossing the street at a designated crosswalk.

An eye witness said the man was standing at the crosswalk in front of the downtown McDonalds when a car traveling east on Broad stopped and waived him across. As the man started crossing a woman pulled out of the McDonalds parking lot and pulled right into the path of the man – striking him.

The man collapsed on the pavement as bystanders rushed to his aid. The man attempted to stand up on his own but bystanders encouraged him to wait until medical help arrived.

Elyria Firefighters first assisted the man back to his feet and then Paramedics treated him and then transported him to Elyria Memorial Hospital to be evaluated.

Witnesses at the scene said that the crosswalk in front of McDonalds is a dangerous one because cars wanting to pull onto Broad going east usually find an opening and rush out without looking for pedestrians.

The Elyria Police Department is investigating the crash.


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“WHAT’S HOLDING YOU BACK?”

Columbus – Ohio is again participating in the national Click It or Ticket seat belt mobilization to remind Ohioans to buckle up – day and night. The Ohio Department of Public Safety’s (ODPS) Ohio Traffic Safety Office (OTSO) leads this campaign each year because buckling up saves lives.

“Consistent research from our national partners has shown that fewer people are buckling up at night, when the risk of a being in a fatal crash is greatest,” said ODPS Director Henry Guzmán. “That’s why we’re reminding everyone that wearing a seat belt is not just a safety recommendation, it’s the law.”

More than 900 law enforcement partners around the state, including the Ohio State Highway Patrol, will be aggressively enforcing the law during the mobilization, which runs May 18 through the 31st.

In 2008, 414 of the people killed in crashes on Ohio’s roads were not were not wearing seat belts. A U.S. Department of Transportation study released last week estimates that 1,652 lives could be saved and 22,372 serious injuries avoided each year on America’s roadways if seat belt use rates rose to 90 percent in every state.

Ohio’s seat belt use rate is approximately 83 percent. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recently estimated that Ohio would save 57 lives, 1,386 serious injuries and $263 million in costs each year if the seat belt use rate went up by seven percentage points (to 90 percent).

Law enforcement and other safety partners will be holding awareness events and educational activities to stress the importance of seat belt use around the state during the mobilization. OTSO is generating high-visibility awareness by providing magnets with the Click It or Ticket message to be placed on vehicles, as well as supporting NHTSA’s national media with statewide placement of messages on television, radio and news paper ads. For more information on the Click It or Ticket mobilization and other programs run by the Ohio Traffic Safety Office, log onto http://ohiohighwaysafetyoffice.ohio.gov/.

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MAN PINNED UNDER VAN

TMC NEWS / BRIAN WOODS

Elyria – An Elyria man was helping his sister-in-law Monday morning by working on her minivan when the van fell on top of him – pinning his arm.

The man was working on the passenger side front wheel area when the jack slipped and the van fell – trapping the man’s arm between the jack & the van frame.

Elyria Firefighters responded to the 100 block of Marseilles just after 9 a.m. and worked for just under twenty minutes using tools to raise the van to safely extricate the man from under the van.

LifeCare Paramedics treated the man on scene and transported him to Elyria Memorial Hospital for further evaluation.


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Photos by: BRIAN WOODS

SEMI & MINIVAN COLLIDE ON 20

DEVELOPING STORY
Two people have been taken to Allen Community Hospital for injuries sustained in a collision within the last hour on Route 20.

The crash, which occurred on Route 20 just east of Route 58, involved a semi & a minivan. The two occupants of the van were treated by Central Lorain County Ambulance District Paramedics and transported to Allen. One witness said that both people were talking immediately after the crash – one, the passenger, was complaining of chest pains.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating the crash.


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MAN DRIVES OFF 57 INTO WOODS

TMC NEWS / BRIAN WOODS

Elyria – Turning attention away from the road in an attempt to reach for something in the car was the apparent cause of a single car crash on Route 57 Sunday afternoon that sent one man to Cleveland by helicopter.

Assistant Chief Ron Brlas of the Elyria Fire Department said that the driver, 37-year-old John Crouser of Elyria, was traveling northbound on 57 from Chestnut Ridge Road at the time of the crash. As he was making the first curve on 57 he reached for something inside of his car – lost control and went off the right side of the road. Crouser’s car went into the ditch and up into a wooded area.

Brlas said the area in the woods was tight to work in but they were able to extricate Crouser without having to use any special tools.

Firefighters carried Crouser from the woods to the ambulance where Paramedics treated him and then transported to Elyria Memorial Hospital. Crouser was later flown to MetroHealth Medical Center in Cleveland.

Brlas said although the injuries did not seem to be life threatening, they were significant enough for LifeFlight to be called.

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ASSAULT IN SHEFFIELD TOWNSHIP

Call Time: 3:07 a.m. Saturday May 16, 2009
Sheffield Township – An intoxicated man was arrested early Saturday morning on multiple charges stemming from an assault on East 48th Street in Sheffield Township.

Lorain County Sheriff Deputies responded to 224 E. 48th Street after a woman called saying that her boyfriend was breaking out windows in their home attempting to get inside.

When Deputies arrived the suspect, Joseph Hildreth and two others – Samden Hildreth and Christina King – had already fled the scene and were believed to be heading into Lorain.

The victim told Deputies that Hildreth had been calling her all night wanting to return home. Due to his intoxicated state the victim said no and told the suspect that he should go to his brothers and sleep it off. She said that Hildreth gets violent after he has been drinking.

When Hildreth arrived at the home he began breaking out windows after the victim would not allow him to enter the home. The victim told Police that when Hildreth got into the home he took the phone away from her (she had been on with 9-1-1) grabbed her, pushing her to the ground. The victim is 6 months pregnant. The victim’s Uncle came out and pushed Hildreth out of the home.

After the Uncle threatened the three with a baseball bat if they came back into the home they left. While leaving King was reported to have said they would be back and would cause physical harm by blowing them up while Hildreth’s brother claimed that they were going to get a gun and return.

Deputies found that glass was shattered out of a side window along with splintered wood from a broken doorframe. Several layers of glass were shattered out from a bedroom window. Blood was also observed on the window glass, and window ledge along with blood on the siding and then blood down the driveway away from the home.

A description of Hildreth’s car was given to Lorain Police after they were seen heading into Lorain from the victim’s home. Officers found the car along with the three suspects in the 2300 block of Apple Ave.

LifeCare Paramedics were called after Officers found Hildreth bleeding profusely from an injury to arm and hands.

A Sheriff’s Deputy attempted to interview Samden Hildreth and Christina King at the Apple Ave scene but both refused to say anything about the incident. Both were arrested and charged with Aggravated Menacing (M-1).

When Deputies attempted to speak to Hildreth in the Emergency Room at Community Health Partners he became verbally abusive and disruptive in the ER, claiming he did not want any treatment and was going to leave.

Hildreth continued to refuse to discuss the incident and was then told that he would be charged with Domestic Violence. Hildreth stated that he was not under arrest because no one had a warrant and that he was leaving the ER. The Deputy and Hospital Police had to secure him in restraints due to the fact that he was intoxicated and bleeding.

Deputies returned to the Emergency Room a couple hours later after Hildreth had been properly treated and was taken into custody.

Hildreth was charged with Domestic Violence (F-5), Resisting Arrest (M-2), Underage Consumption (M-1), Disrupting Public Service (F-4), Disorderly Conduct Intox (MM) and Disorderly Conduct Persisting (M-4).

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COUNTY BUILDING FIRE UPDATE

Elyria – The fire that struck the Lorain County Administration building Saturday night caused enough much smoke damage that only the lower level, first and second floors will be open Monday morning.

“After a thorough assessment showed that the clean up will continue into Monday, requiring the closure of the third, fourth and fifth floors so the restoration process can be completed safely without endangering the public and county employees,” said Tom Kelley, Lorain County Emergency Management & Homeland Security Director. “They are progressing well with the first floor and second floor clean up where the fire started but the work will require working into at least Monday.”

More updates will be posted as they become available.

MAN CRITICAL AFTER CRASH

EJECTED AFTER STRIKING POLE

Henrietta Township – A single vehicle crash on Baumhart Road in Henrietta Township late Saturday night had one man flying to Cleveland in critical condition.

Sergeant Midkiff of the Ohio State Highway Patrol said that 49-year-old David Dominico was traveling south on Baumhart when he lost control of his truck. “He went off the right side of the road – road the ditch for awhile and then struck a telephone pole snapping it in half and then he was ejected from the truck.”

Neighbors hearing the crash and the exploding transformer came running to the street to see what had happened. Two of the people were off duty paramedics from a neighboring community. They tended to the victim and told Sgt. Midkiff that Metro LifeFlight would be needed due to the injuries the victim had sustained.

LifeCare Paramedics and a Supervisor from Central Lorain County Ambulance District treated Dominico – who witnesses say was bleeding profusely.

Metro LifeFlight landed and the scene and took over care – flying Dominico to MetroHealth Medical Center in Cleveland.

Sgt. Midkiff said that Dominico was alert enough at the scene to have made a cell phone call to his parents informing them of the crash. “I asked him where he was heading and he said home, which is about a ½ mile south of the crash scene, but when I asked where he was coming from he did not respond.”

Sgt. Midkiff said that he believes alcohol was a factor in the crash and that Dominico would likely be charged with OVI and Failure to Control.

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FIRE HITS COUNTY BUILDING

DAMAGE ESITMATED IN EXCESS OF 100K

Elyria – It was a normal night for George Keressi, of Elyria, as he rode his bicycle down Middle Ave Saturday night – until he started smelling smoke. Keressi said as he crossed the alley on Middle Ave near the Lorain County Administration Building the smell was stronger. “I actually passed the alley but then I heard an explosion – at first I thought maybe it might have been a car crash. It was like a muffled explosion, then I heard glass breaking so I did a U-Turn on the sidewalk and went down the alley to see what had happened.”

Keressi said he saw a garbage can on fire and immediately called 9-1-1. “At first it was just the garbage can and part of the park bench on fire, but then once the glass broke out the curtains started to catch fire too. It was a scary thing seeing something like this – but I have to tell you, these guys (Firemen) did a great job in getting here so quick and putting it out as quick as they did.”

Assistant Chief Robert Dempsey of the Elyria Fire Department said they received the call at 10:30 p.m. through 9-1-1 of a fire outside of the building. Dempsey said that once the windows broke the fire extended into the Law Library hitting books and shelves along with the curtains. The first Engine on scene was able to extinguish the blaze within minutes according to Dempsey. Additional crews worked to check the interior for extension and to ventilate the building as it was filled with smoke.

Lorain County Commissioner Ted Kalo was notified by phone and responded to the building to inspect the damage. “It appears that the fire started in the garbage can and then spread to one of our recycled benches – then because of the intense heat from the burning plastic it busted out the windows of our Law Library. There is extensive smoke damage in the building but it appears that most of the law books were saved, just very wet.”

Kalo said that several county personnel were on hand to help with going through the building to open windows in an effort to get the smoke out as quickly as possible. “We have our maintenance crews coming in and they will get the windows boarded up to secure the building and to begin cleaning up the mess – we will have the building open for business Monday morning.”

Although the fire is being listed as “suspicious in nature” by authorities, Kalo said that it could have just been a careless mistake by someone. “This is one of those things where we may just never know what really happened. It could have been someone who just flicked a cigarette into the can or was sitting on the bench and dropped a match innocently – or it could have been someone who set it on purpose. We will probably never know.”

The Lorain County Sheriff’s Department and the Elyria Fire Prevention Bureau will conduct and investigation into the cause of the blaze. Chief Dempsey estimated the damage to be somewhere between 100 to 150 thousand dollars.

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HONORING THE FALLEN OFFICERS

Police Officers from Northeast Ohio and beyond gathered today in downtown Cleveland to pay tribute to Peace Officers who have been killed in the line of duty.

A parade of Peace Officers strewn through the streets of Cleveland Friday morning – ending at the Greater Cleveland Peace Officers Memorial.

Dedicated on May 14, 1993, The Greater Cleveland Peace Officers Memorial is located at the corner of West 3rd St. and Lakeside Ave in downtown Cleveland in the historic Huntington Park.

Once the site of Fort Huntington, built to defend the city during the War of 1812, it is only fitting that it now serves to honor both those who continue to protect, and those who have died protecting our lives and property.

Constructed of black polished granite the structure comprises almost 1,000 square feet of space. The structure consists of a curved wall that slopes gently from two feet high upward to six feet semi-surrounding three granite tablets. The Memorial wall bears the inscription; “The Greater Cleveland Peace Officers Memorial”

The three tablets inside the curved wall measure seven feet wide, twelve feet high and two feet thick. Each bears the name, law enforcement agency, and date of death of each of the 174 area peace officers who have died in the line of duty.

Sadly one of them has space remaining for those officers who have yet to pay the supreme sacrifice in the never-ending war on crime.


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Photos by: BRIAN WOODS

LOOK BOTH WAYS BEFORE CROSSING

Call Time: 1:03 PM Friday May 15, 2009
Elyria – A driver not paying attention was the cause of a crash on Cleveland Street near Save A Lot Friday afternoon.

Cynthia Reed-McKenna was traveling west on Cleveland Street heading for Walgreens when she witnessed the crash. “I saw the guy driving the motorcycle coming down Cleveland Street from East Bridge and then this lady pulled out from the side street there right in front of him. I think he tried to lay the bike down when he saw her cause he hit the ground then slide into her car.”

Reed-McKenna said that traffic came to a stand still once the man hit the ground. “People were all running to him to make sure he was ok and just trying to help before the ambulance got here. He was able to talk and everything right away so that was a good sign.”

Firefighters and Paramedics treated the man on the scene then he was transported to Elyria Memorial Hospital for evaluation of back pains along with some road rash.


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REMEMBER: CHECK YOUR BLIND SPOT

Call Time: 11:32 AM Friday May 15, 2009
Lorain – A driver who did not check his blind spot while changing lanes was the cause of a crash in Lorain Friday afternoon.

Sheffield Township Firefighters treated and transported a man who had been riding his Harley Davidson motorcycle west on Cooper Foster Park Road when a man pulled into his lane causing him to crash. Police say that the driver of the 4 door Blazer was traveling in the westbound straight lane when he made a move to get into the left turning lane. The driver said he did not see the motorcycle as he was making the move.

Witnesses say that as the motorcyclist crashed and slide about 50 feet before coming to rest in the middle of the road. The bike slide another 20 feet before coming to rest in the eastbound curb lane.

Firefighters transported the victim to Community Health Partners Emergency Room for evaluation of head and back pains.

Police say that the driver of the Blazer would be charged with failure to change lanes with caution.


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THIS WEEKEND

Click Image to Enlarge

WIN LONE TREE GIFT CARDS

This weekend the Wellington Fire District is holding their second KIDS CAR SEAT SAFETY CHECK at their Kelly Street Station.

Be one of the first three to Name TWO Co-Sponsors of the event and win a Lone Tree gift card. Email answers to tmcnews1@aol.com - put CAR SEAT SAFETY in the subject line.

We have our three winners! If you did not win this time check back Monday for another chance to win.

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*Click image to enlarge

EMS OPEN HOUSE

South Lorain County Ambulance District is celebrating EMS Week with an Open House on Sunday, May 17th from 12:00 to 4:00 at the ambulance station located at 179 E. Herrick Ave, Wellington.

Please come tour our ambulance station, have your blood pressure checked, and observe our demonstrations.

You can also speak with Metro LifeFlight staff members, donate blood with Life Share, enter our raffles and enjoy refreshments!!!

DRIVING WHILE DISTRACTED

South Amherst – We have all heard the stories of people texting, applying make up, talking on a cell, drinking and other things while driving – Any one of those distractions alone is considered very dangerous but on Monday a South Amherst man decided to combine two of them while driving.

The man was driving into the Amherst Mobile Home Park Monday afternoon while, as he said – “messin with my radio and my cell phone” at the same time.

The man then plowed into a utility pole in the park breaking it at the bottom and pulling wires down.

LifeCare Paramedics treated the man on scene but he refused transport to the hospital.

Lorain County Sheriff’s Deputies are investigating the crash – no citation was issued at the scene but charges are likely.

MOTORCYCLIST STRUCK ON SECOND

Elyria – A man riding his motorcycle through downtown Elyria Monday afternoon was struck by a car, that witnesses say was pulling out of a parking space.

Lunette Szymczyk, of Lorain, was going around in circles through downtown looking for a parking space to pick up by the courthouse before the crash occurred. “I ended up on Second Street stopped at the light on Middle Ave when I saw the man on the motorcycle make a right turn onto Second from Court Street. When he got into his lane on Second Street the man driving the blue car started to pull out of his parking space and just hit him.”

Szymczyk, along with others went to the motorcyclist to see if he was ok. “The man that was driving the car I think was the first one checking on the guy and then we all came over just to make sure he was ok and to see if there was anything that we could do.”

Police and Paramedics arrived a short time later Szymczyk said. “I don’t think he was hurt that bad, he was telling us that he was ok but did say that his back was hurting a little.”

Paramedics transported the man to Elyria Memorial Hospital with minor injuries for further evaluation.

Police continued to investigate the crash.


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SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL BUSINESSES

North Ridgeville – As part of our effort to spotlight locally owned, independent businesses throughout Lorain County – we take you today into the walls of Al & Don’s Lone Tree Tavern on Lorain Road in North Ridgeville.

Lone Tree has been serving fine foods & spirits on Lorain Road, just south of the Ohio Turnpike, for more than a year. With their separate dining room, full bar and outside patio area – including two heated gazebos, this location is right for any occasion. If you are looking for a nice steak dinner, a drink at the bar or a comfortable place to relax with friends – Lone Tree has what you are looking for.

A group of TMC NEWS Gold Card Members, along with one of our two Platinum Card Members, checked out Lone Tree a week ago for lunch. One of our Gold Card Members is currently on the Atkins Diet and enjoyed his cheeseburger (minus the bun) and salad. Another had the Delmonico steak – he said he was pleasantly surprised about how well it was cooked and how juicy it was – “no A-1 sauce needed for this steak” he said. Another enjoyed a turkey wrap with a side curly fries. I had the bar-b-q chicken breast dinner with a side of mashed potatoes and peas. The generous portion of chicken provided by Lone Tree I left with a doggie bag and had enough for dinner at work later that night.

With the large portions you receive at Lone Tree, none of us had room for desert.

I would recommend the chicken for sure – but next time I will be going for that Delmonico steak.

One other thing that a couple of us find very important when ordering a hot dish – the food arrives HOT. In this case they all did – always a nice touch. Thanks to the Kitchen.

With summer upon us the patio is sure to be a huge hit for people who want to just sit back, relax and enjoy dinner, drinks and the company of friends. You can also call ahead if you have a special party and reserve one of the two gazebos.

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The owners of Lone Tree have given TMC NEWS Gift Cards to give away to our readers – Over the next two weeks we will have contests to give the cards away.

TRIVIA QUESTION: In the movie “Caddyshack” – what was the name of Judge Smails’ (Ted Knight) putter?

The correct answer: “Billy Baroo” If you did not receive an Email requesting your mailing address then you did not win. But don’t fear – Thursday you will have another chance at winning.

The first THREE correct answers will win a Lone Tree gift card. Email your answers to tmcnews1@aol.com - put the word LONE TREE in the subject line.


Al & Don’s Lone Tree Tavern
33009 Lorain Road
North Ridgeville
440.309.4978

OPEN:
Weekdays – 10 AM
Saturday & Sunday – 10 AM

(Disclaimer: Lone Tree did not pick up the tab for the table – the complimentary critique was not bought. Nor is Lone Tree paying for any advertising on TMC NEWS.)

COLLISION ON E 28th IN LORAIN

Lorain – An early morning two-car crash in Lorain Sunday sent three people to the hospital.

Miguel Fernandez said that he was traveling west on 28th Street when he saw the crash. “The car was east on 28th and had the green light at Pearl – as soon as they were coming through the intersection this white truck just comes out of nowhere and slams into them.”

The driver of the white Ford Escape was southbound on Pearl coming out from the area of the Steel Mill at the time of the crash.

Fernandez said that at the point of impact the sound was like an explosion. “When they crash it was like BOOM! Just a big old bang and then pieces of the car were just flying – both car like went up into the air and then when they came down the white truck got turned to where it is now. But the debris was just flying everywhere and then like two seconds later the cops were all over this.”

LifeCare Paramedics treated three people at the scene, two from the Fifth Avenue and the driver of the Escape. All three were transported to Community Health Partners Emergency Room.

Police say that the driver of the Ford Escape will be charged with Failure to Yield at this time and that additional charges are likely.

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FIRE HITS DAY CARE CENTER

Amherst – Smoke alarms sounding alerted authorities of a fire in the Country Day Care Center in Amherst last Friday night.

Police were first to arrive and initially they were not able to spot any fire or smoke, but then within minutes the fire showed itself through windows in the lower section on the northwest corner of the building.

When Firefighters arrived they were directed to the back of the building where they made entry to battle the blaze.

Assistant Chief Jim Wilhelm of the Amherst Fire Department said that although the fire was knocked down fairly quickly thick black smoke filled the building.

Property owners advised Wilhelm that there was one animal still inside of the building – a guinea pig.

Firefighters were able to locate the guinea pig and get him outside of the building and turned him over to Wilhelm. The animal had taken in a lot of smoke and was not moving and barely breathing.

Wilhelm said one of his Firefighters then used an “Oxygen Recovery Mask” on the guinea pig. “The masks were donated to our Department last year and although it is meant for dogs and cats it is coming in very handy tonight getting air into the guinea pig.”

Firefighters said that before the guinea pig left the property to go to an all night Vet Emergency Room he was breathing on his own and had a good heart rate.

Wilhelm said that the property owner was able to review security tapes and discovered that the fire started along a west wall where an air purifier was plugged in. “We had already looked at that area as being where the origin of the fire and we believed that it was electrical – having the video evidence is just what we need to pretty much close this case.”

To read more about the “Oxygen Recovery Mask – Pet Kit” – CLICK HERE


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GIRL STRUCK WHILE CROSSING 57

Elyria – A female was struck by a car Friday night while trying to cross Route 57 at Furnace Street.

Neighbors said that although they did not see the incident they heard the collision and ran to the scene to see what happened.

Paramedics from LifeCare Ambulance and Elyria Firefighters treated the girl on the scene then transported her to Elyria Memorial Hospital where a helicopter from Metro was waiting. She was later flown to MetroHealth Medical Center in Cleveland.

Police closed down a portion of Route 57 while Officers investigated the scene.

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