DOG RESCUE FROM LEDGE OVER RIVER

TMC NEWS PHOTOS / BRIAN WOODS

Elyria – Somehow a dog got himself trapped on a ledge above the fast moving Black River early Tuesday evening. Our own Brian Woods was on scene as Elyria Firefighters responded and began the K9 rescue operation.

Neighbors say they do not know how the dog got down to the ledge but they were able to hear the dog barking for help. The dog was found sitting on a ledge below the East Bridge Street bridge on the northeast side.

Firefighters tied ropes to the front of their Chief’s SUV and rappelled down the hill. Once the Firefighter made it to the ledge he held out his hand to the trapped pooch – the dog checked him out by sniffing him and then laid down. The Firefighter tied a harness around the dog and then the two were hoisted up the hill. Once at the top of the hill the dog was escorted to the back seat of a Police car until the Dog Warden showed up and took custody of him.

Neighbors applauded as the dog was brought up the hill and said they were grateful the Firemen took the time to save the dog.

If anyone wants to adopt the dog they can contact the County Dog Warden’s Office at 440.326.5995.


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HAVE YOU SIGNED UP YET?

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2 ARMED ROBBERIES IN ELYRIA

Elyria – West River Florist and a Drive Thru Beverage store are the latest victims of armed robberies in Elyria.

Police responded to West River Florist at 8:06 a.m. Monday morning after receiving a call from an employee who stated the store had been robbed. The employee told Officers that the suspect entered the store at 7:55 a.m. with a handgun ordering the employee to turn over all the money.
The suspect is described as a dark skinned black male, 30 to 40 years old wearing a black shirt and a blue bandana over his face.

The suspect placed the money into a blue plastic grocery bag and then ordered the employee into a cooler. The suspect then demanded the employee empty their pockets into the bag as well. The suspect told the employee to stay in the cooler then fled the store. After about a minute the employee came out of the cooler, saw that the suspect had left then called the Police.

Police report the suspect made off with approximately $600.00 in cash from the store.

About an hour later Police responded to the 300 block of East Broad Street for another armed robbery where the suspect closely matched the description of the man in the flower shop robbery.

More details on the second robbery will be posted shortly.

Police ask that if anyone has information on either of the robberies to please call the Elyria Police Department at 440.323.3302.

HOUSE SET ON FIRE FOR 4th TIME

Story and Photos by BRIAN WOODS
Elyria – A house on West River Road South was set on fire for the 4th time Sunday night and even though this time flames were shooting out of the second floor windows – the structure still stands.

Firefighters were called back to 417 West River Road South after a neighbor who lives on Gateway Blvd. across the street spotted a small fire on the porch. When Firefighters first arrived they could not find a fire at first – then they spotted the small fire on the porch. As they approached the house they could see fire inside of the structure as well. Then within minutes fire was shooting out of second floor windows.

Neighbors said they saw a young boy, who they could not identify, running from the area as Firefighters were pulling up to the house.

Captain Bob Donofrio of the Elyria Fire Department said that the fire is currently under investigation to determine a cause. When asked if the fire was being listed as suspicious he only stated that the fire was under investigation by the Fire Prevention Bureau. Donofrio said that 8 Firefighters had to be called in off duty to assist.

Neighbors expressed their concerns about all of the arson fires in the neighborhood and their frustrations that nobody has been charged with any of the fires.



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SEVERE WEATHER ALERT

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN CLEVELAND HAS ISSUED A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR ERIE, HURON AND LORAIN COUNTIES. THE WARNING IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 5:15 P.M.

At 4:05 p.m. The National Weather Service Doppler Radar indicated a SEVERE THUNDERSTORM capable of producing quarter size hail and damaging winds in excess of 60 MPH. This storm was located 10 miles west of Milan and moving east at 40 MPH.

HOUSE EXPLOSION IN RIDGEVILLE

Story & Photos by BRIAN WOODS
North Ridgeville – Firefighters responded to 5955 Eastview in North Ridgeville around 10:30 p.m. Thursday night after receiving reports of a possible house explosion.

Assistant Chief John Reese of the North Ridgeville Fire Department said that when Firefighters arrived they found the home fully involved along with a car and motorcycle in the driveway also on fire.

Neighbors said that they heard a loud boom followed by several pops that sounded like firecrackers.

Two people that were in the home at the time were able to escape without injury.

Reese said that the State Fire Marshall would be called in due to the explosion.

Mutual Aid was provided by Avon, Westlake and Olmsted Township Fire Departments.


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SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING

The National Weather Service in Cleveland has issued a SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING for Erie, Huron and Lorain Counties until 12:30 a.m.

National Weather Service Doppler Radar indicated a line of SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS capable of producing damaging winds in excess of 60MPH.

Locations impacted include: Vermilion, Milan, Lorain, Amherst, Norwalk, Willard, Wakeman, Elyria, Avon Lake, North Ridgeville and Grafton.

The NWS advises that this is a DANGEROUS STORM and residents in the area of the storm should “seek shelter inside now and stay away from windows.”

SEVERE WEATHER ALERT

UPDATE: THE SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING HAS BEEN EXTENDED UNTIL 3:45 P.M.

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN CLEVELAND HAS ISSUED A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR ERIE COUNTY IN NORTH CENTRAL OHIO, NORTHERN HURON COUNTY IN NORTH CENTRAL OHIO AND NORTHWESTERN LORAIN COUNTY IN NORTH CENTRAL OHIO UNTIL 3 P.M.

HAVE YOU SEEN THIS TRUCK?

Milan - The Milan Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol is seeking public assistance in locating a truck involved in a fatal crash that occurred on the Ohio Turnpike at milepost 124 on June 20, 2010 at 11:55 a.m.

The crash involved a westbound pickup truck pulling a trailer. The trailer lost a tire and the tire bounced over the median wall striking an eastbound vehicle. The driver of the eastbound vehicle received fatal injuries as a result of the impact with the tire.

These photos of the vehicle were taken as it left the Toll Booths at Exit 118 (US250 Norwalk/Sandusky).

Please contact the Milan Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol at (419) 499-4808 if you have information that will assist in the investigation of this crash.

COPS RUNNING FOR A CAUSE

North Ridgeville – Police Officers, Deputies, State Troopers and Police Cadets joined together early Monday morning for a run through Avon and North Ridgeville. The run wasn’t for mere exercise but to help raise money and awareness for the Special Olympics.

This is the fourth year this event has been held in Lorain County. Approximately $10,000.00 had been raised over the last three years. The money comes from the participants themselves, local merchants and businesses, and individuals throughout the communities. The proceeds benefit the Ohio Special Olympic state games, held in Columbus, Ohio.

Prior to the run, participants collect pledges and contributions and are often sponsored by service groups, schools and businesses that raise funds for the “Law Enforcement Torch Run”. North Ridgeville Police alone raised over $2,000.00 this year.

Sergeant Vince Abt of the North Ridgeville Police Department said that special this year was the addition of names of fallen Officers to the t-shirts. “It’s a new design this year and on the back they listed names of fallen Officers. We were first told that Officer Kerstetter’s name would not appear on the shirts until next year but we were pleasantly surprised to find out that they were able to get his name on the shirts in time for the run.” Abt said that runners also wore wristbands that said, “Heroes Live Forever” and “James Kerstetter 177.”

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2 ARMED ROBBERIES IN 2 HOURS

Elyria – Elyria Police were kept busy Sunday night responding to two armed robberies – one at 9:55 p.m. and the second just after midnight.

At 9:55 p.m. two men entered the Bookseller Book Store on South Abbe Road with handguns demanding their cash. One of the men took an employee to a back room and told her to open the safe. The employee advised that they had no safe. The other employee was then put in the back room and instructed by the suspects to stay there.

The two men left with the cash from the drawer, lottery and Western Union.

The suspects were described as 6’ medium build wearing black hoodies, bandanas over their faces and latex gloves.

At 12:10 a.m. Police were called to the East Broad Circle K for a reported robbery. The two clerks told Officers that they saw a man wearing a skier’s type mask walk past the window – then returned and entered the store. The man instructed the two women, “Bitches, keep your eyes on the floor and do not look up.”The clerks said the man then tapped something on the counter and said, “Don’t make me use this” – they assumed it was a handgun.

The suspect took cash and coins from the register before fleeing the store.

A review of the surveillance camera provided a description of the suspect – light skinned male, either Caucasian or Hispanic wearing a short sleeved black t-shirt, black knee length shorts, brown work boots (untied) and a dark colored baseball cap.

The amount of cash taken was not known.


Anyone with information on either robbery is asked to contact the Elyria Police Department at 323.3302.

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CRASH & GRAB TRUCK FOUND

Elyria – The truck used to crash into Stewart Appliances early Friday morning was found Friday evening parked in a driveway on Pasadena.

Police say that the homeowners returned home Friday evening after being away visiting family and found a strange pickup truck parked in their driveway in the 200 block of Pasadena. The truck, still with pieces of shattered glass on the back of the truck, had signs of being stolen. The driver’s side door lock had been punched out and the steering column was stripped.

Although plenty of shattered glass was found, the TV was not in the bed of the truck. Police had the truck towed to their Department for processing.

FATAL CRASH AT 254 & 57

Sheffield Township – One woman is dead after a two car collision at the intersection of Route 254 and Route 57 in Sheffield Township.

The crash occurred just after 7 p.m. Friday evening. Witnesses say that 82 year old Wilma Sebastian was a passenger in a silver minivan that was traveling east on 254 when crossing 57. A box truck, with the name Chagrin Valley Paving on the box and cab, driven by 51 year old Danny Morrison of Elyria, was traveling north on 57 when it struck the minivan in the intersection.

The driver of the minivan, 55 year old Gregory Hudnall of Elyria, refused any treatment at the scene. Another passenger in the van, 53 year old Adele Hudnall of Elyria, was treated at the scene and transported to the Hospital for minor injuries.

Morrison first refused treatment and transport but later was taken to the hospital for head injuries.

Troopers from the Ohio State Highway Patrol are investigating the crash to determine who was at fault.


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SEVERE WEATHER ALERT

The National Weather Service in Cleveland has issued a SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH for North Central Ohio. The WATCH is in effect until 1 a.m. Saturday morning.

CRASH & GRAB

TMC NEWS PHOTOS / BRIAN WOODS

Elyria – Stewart Appliances is minus one large screen TV today after someone crashed into the front of their building early Friday morning and walked off with a 50” TV.

Police were called to Stewarts on Cleveland Street at 4:32 a.m. after neighbors witnessed a man break into the store. Neighbors say a skinny black male was driving a silver and red pickup truck that had backed into the front of the store breaking large windows the suspect used for access into the store.

A surveillance camera inside of the store showed the suspect dressed in black clothing, ski mask and gloves. The suspect entered the store and in less than a minute is seen leaving the store with a 50” Panasonic C2 Series plasma TV valued at $999.95.

Officers were unable to locate the vehicle in the area.

Other smash and grab style burglaries occurred around the same hour that Police are also investigating. A front door at the Lake Ave Mr. Hero, a window at Krugman’s Garage on Lake, a window at Think Wireless on North Abbe and a window at Bailey’s bar on Furnace.


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FIRE AT AMHERST BRIDAL SHOP

TMC NEWS PHOTOS / BRIAN WOODS

Amherst – A fire that broke out in an Amherst Bridal Shop Wednesday evening damaged several wedding dresses.

Fire Officials said that the fire started around 6:30 p.m. Wednesday evening inside of Sharon’s Bridal on Park Ave. The fire was caused by a short in ceiling light fixture in one of the dressing rooms. The fire was able to climb a back wall up to the second floor before Firefighters were able to bring it under control.

Firefighters carefully removed wedding dresses and laid them out on a tarp that they had put down behind the building to protect the dresses.

The structure suffered fire, smoke and water damage.


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TWO MEN ARRESTED AFTER SHOOTING

Elyria – Two Elyria men were arrested early Sunday morning after a shooting in Wilkes Villa.

Police say they received calls of shots fired and one man down in front of 169 Pratt Blvd. around 2:00 a.m. Sunday morning. When they arrived they found Reginald Brown lying on the ground with two gunshots – one to his hand and the other to his back.

Police said they asked Brown if he knew who shot him and he said, “Mikey”. Witnesses later identified “Mikey” as Jerome Michael Jackson.

Witnesses told Police that Jackson and Eric Boone had been driving a Champagne colored Cadillac earlier in the evening. Jackson had reportedly been driving through the Villa earlier in the evening and had shot approximately 7 or 8 rounds off before returning an hour later and shooting at subjects standing in front of 169 Pratt Blvd.

LifeCare Paramedics and Firefighters treated Brown at the scene then transported him to Elyria Memorial Hospital where he was flown a short time later for further treatment.

Police received a tip around 3 a.m. that the suspects in the Cadillac were at a home on 15th Street. Police quickly surrounded the area and found the suspects. Police took several men into custody, including Jackson and Boone.

Jackson was charged with Felonious Assault (F2), Improper Handling of a Firearm in a Vehicle (F4) and Having Weapons Under Disability (F3).

Boone was charged with Obstructing Official Business (F3).


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CALLING ALL COPS

On Monday, June 21st, area law enforcement Officers will participate in the “Law Enforcement Torch Run” for Special Olympics. Just some of the Departments scheduled to participate this year are Officers from North Ridgeville, Avon, Avon Lake and Troopers from the Ohio State Highway Patrol Post 47 – Organizers are still looking for more Departments and more Officers to participate.

The “Law Enforcement Torch Run” began in 1981 when Wichita, Kansas Police Chief Richard La Munyon saw a need to raise awareness and funds for Special Olympics. He conceived the idea of the Torch Run as a way to involve local law enforcement with the community and Special Olympics. After three successful runs in Kansas, La Munyon presented the idea to the International Association of Chiefs of Police. With the IACP’s endorsement, the idea was launched nationally and today involves law enforcement personnel in all 50 states and about 25 countries throughout the world. This movement has become the largest grass roots fundraising program to benefit Special Olympics in the world.

The Torch Run will begin Monday morning at 8:30 in Avon, travel to the North Ridgeville border on Mills Rd, then through North Ridgeville and end at the Elyria post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol.

This is the fourth year this event has been held in Lorain County. Approximately $10,000.00 had been raised over the last three years. The money comes from the participants themselves, local merchants and businesses, and individuals throughout the communities. The proceeds benefit the Ohio Special Olympic state games, held in Columbus, Ohio.

Prior to the run, participants collect pledges and contributions and are often sponsored by service groups, schools and businesses that raise funds for the “Law Enforcement Torch Run”.

If anyone who works in Law Enforcement, including Police Officers, Corrections Officers, Probation Officers, Prosecutors etc. – are interested in participating in this event please contact Sgt. Vince Abt at the North Ridgeville Police Department at 440.327.2191.


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MAN SHOT ON PRATT BLVD

DEVELOPING
Elyria – Elyria Police responded just before 2 a.m. Sunday morning to the 100 block of Pratt Blvd after receiving reports of a man being shot.

Police found a man lying in front of 169 Pratt bleeding from a gunshot wound. The victim was alert and speaking with Officers.

LifeCare Paramedics and Elyria Firefighters treated the victim on scene before he was transported to Elyria Memorial Hospital. The man was later flown to MetroHealth Medical Center in Cleveland for further treatment.

Check back later for a complete story & PHOTO GALLERY

MAN ARRESTED FOR DV AFTER CRASH

TMC NEWS PHOTOS / BRIAN WOODS

Elyria – An Elyria man was arrested on Domestic Violence charges after fleeing from Police and crashing his car on Eastern Heights Blvd. early Tuesday morning.

Elyria Police Officers were called to 218 9th Street after receiving complaints of a woman screaming for help in a vehicle. As Officers were responding they were advised by Dispatchers that the vehicle was now traveling toward Middle Ave. Officers spotted the maroon SUV and attempted to stop the vehicle but the driver fled.

After a short chase, that included Jones attempting to strike a Police car head-on, the driver of the SUV, later identified as William Jones, 29 of Avon ran a stop light at 4th Street and East River Road. Jones went off the right side of the road and into yards on Eastern Heights Blvd – striking trees, street signs and garbage cans before rolling the SUV and coming to rest on its roof. Officers were able to assist Jones from the overturned vehicle and placed him under arrest.

Officers later learned from the female victim on 9th Street that she and the suspect had been at the Toy Box bar earlier in the evening celebrating the good grades of one of their children. After awhile they began to argue and fight. The victim said that Jones reached over and began punching her in the face telling her “Ill fuck you up”.

The victim then drove to a friend’s house on 9th Street in an attempt to go to a safe place. Once on 9th Street however the victim said that Jones continued to hit her and began choking her. The victim said that she was able to get out of the car and began running down the street yelling for help.

The victim said that Jones first drove away but accidentally drove away but came back around when Officers arrived.

Jones was charged with Domestic Violence (Previous Offences) (F3) and Failure to Comply (F4), OVI and Felonious Assault (on an Officer).


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ANOTHER GUN OFF THE STREETS

TMC NEWS PHOTOS / BRIAN WOODS

Elyria – (From our Better Late Than Never File) A tip to Police early Sunday morning (June 6th) about a man traveling with a handgun in the downtown Elyria area lead to a chase and the arrest of Edward L. Brown on multiple charges.

Officers from Elyria’s Neighborhood Impact Unit (NIU) attempted to stop the car that Brown was traveling in on West Ave near Broad Street at 12:44 a.m. Sunday morning. Brown began to slow down at first when the lights started flashing but then sped up and the chase was on.

The chase left the downtown area and went through several southwest neighborhoods before making their way to Westway Gardens off Infirmary Road. Brown crossed the railroad tracks on Infirmary then turned into the parking lot of the complex laundry mat. Brown then went off road going down through a ditch and through back yards with Officers following close behind.

Brown and his now battered car was only able to make it a couple blocks after going off road. Brown stopped in front of 1143 Melvyn Lane where his car struck a pickup truck that was parked in a driveway. Brown jumped from the car and tried to run but Officers were able to catch up to him on foot and take him to the ground. Once on the ground Brown continued to resist Officer’s attempts to arrest him. After a short struggle Officers were able to secure Brown and took him into custody.

Brown was charged with Transporting Firearms (F4), Failure to Comply / Flee (F4), Carry Concealed Weapon (F4), Resisting Arrest (M2) and Obstructing Official Business (M2).


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LETTER TO THE EDITOR

In the fire service, one of our guiding principles is to “risk a lot to save a lot, but risk little to save a little”. These decisions are made on a daily basis in our field to determine how best to utilize our resources at various different types of emergencies. Unfortunately, Mayor Anthony Krasienko does not seem to subscribe to a similar risk assessment model. After all, he has now laid off 7 fire fighters for budgetary reasons, but I am convinced that- to this day- he has absolutely no idea how much money is actually being saved as a result.

In November of 2009, this Mayor proposed a tax credit reduction ordinance that he repeatedly promised- both publicly and privately- was to be used for maintaining public safety staffing levels. On December 14, the Mayor, the Law Director, and the Auditor mutually agreed to move forward with a sensible, realistic plan to eliminate Lorain’s deficit by 2015. However, perhaps motivated by the prospect of bolstering their 2011 election resumes, the Mayor and City Council later inexplicably decided that they would eliminate the entire deficit in a single year.

The problem with this ambitious plan was that it required passing a budget in which the Mayor had drastically under-funded the fire department. While Krasienko maintained all along that the budget reflected 7 fire fighter layoffs, his numbers were based upon said layoffs occurring on January 1 and even then his calculations were seriously flawed. He failed to properly account for unemployment funding and he also didn’t take into account any payments for accumulated time. On April 26, at a finance and claims committee meeting, neither the Auditor nor the Mayor were able to offer any estimate regarding the amount that would be saved by laying off the remaining 4 of the 7 fire fighters. To this date, these figures have yet to be publicly shared.

I believe Mayor Krasienko owes it to the citizens of Lorain to provide them with an accurate account of exactly how much money is truly being saved this year from the 7 fire fighter layoffs. I am very confident that, if and when the true figures are revealed, the citizens will be outraged to learn how little the city is actually saving as the Mayor willingly places their lives and property at risk.

Jonathon K. George
President- IAFF Local 267
Lorain Fire Fighters

2 MEN INJURED AFTER CRASH

Carlisle Township – Two men were injured after a late night crash on Middle Ave early Wednesday morning. The crash occurred just feet away from where three people were killed one year ago and neighbors say the circumstances are eerily similar.

Trooper Dave Dylag of the Ohio State Highway Patrol said that Anthony Lee was driving a red Cobalt south on Middle Ave at a high rate of speed when he came to the railroad crossing. “The owner of the car said that a person named Filer asked to use his car so he gave him the keys. Filer then, without the owner’s knowledge, at some point gave the keys to Lee. As they crossed the tracks the car went air born and that is when the car came back on the road Lee lost control and they went off the left side of the road and into this yard.”

The car took out some small trees and then crashed into a garage before coming to rest on its top buried in the woods. Neighbors watched as three occupants exited the vehicle and fled the scene.

Carlisle Firefighters and LifeCare Paramedics searched the area but were unable to locate any victims. Trooper Dylag found the first victim just north of the tracks. A short time later neighbors on the north side of the tracks were seen assisting Lee walking on Middle towards the Patrol car. Both Lee and his passenger had head injuries from the crash. Witnesses said that the three ran into the woods in the area of the Elyria Airport just after the crash.

Police Officers and Firefighters began searching the woods after the two men said that there was a third person in the car. Even with a K9 assisting in the search no additional victims were found.

Dylag said that although the investigation is ongoing Lee will likely be charged with OVI and Reckless Operation. Additional charges are also possible according to Dylag.

Margaret Davis owns the property where the car crashed and said she is tired of nothing being done to stop the crashes. “We need to put a stop sign back in place, we don't need a crossing gate – we get one train a day and the speed of the train is 5 miles an hour. The crossing gate could be better used at another location. A stop sign would slow the traffic down. I went to the township with this request and they said it was not possible. I can't believe that it is impossible. The last person to ramp the tracks killed 3 people. Something needs to be done, next time it could be a child or an innocent person walking in the area that is killed.”


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BRAWL INSIDE CASCADE PARK

3 ARRESTED FOR FELONIOUS ASSAULT

Elyria – Three men were charged Sunday evening for Felonious Assault after fighting inside of Cascade Park in Elyria.

Police were called to Cascade Park at 7:34 p.m. Sunday night after receiving reports of 3 men with large sticks were beating a man near the playground area off Hillsdale. As Officers began arriving the victim had already gotten into a car and left the park. Officers stopped the car on Hillsdale at Furnace Street. While Officers were speaking with the victim the suspects were leaving the park in a maroon van also heading towards the Hillsdale exit.

Officers stopped the van on Hillsdale just behind the victim’s car. The driver of the van, Rachael Lockett of Cleveland, was removed from the van first. Officers then spotted 24 year old Michael Lyons of Cleveland sitting in the back seat of the van with a large portion of his ear torn off and highly intoxicated.

Another occupant was 25 year old William Marrero of Cleveland who was also intoxicated and bleeding from the head and had numerous scrapes on his arms.

A State Trooper arrived on scene and assisted in removing 27 year old Russell Lockett of Wellington from the van. Once all suspects were secured Officers began speaking with witnesses.

One witness, Nancy Lupert, advised Officers that she was parked near the playground area when the maroon van arrived in the park. Lupert said that the men all appeared to be very intoxicated and began walking around the playground area approaching couples and females using explicit language. Lupert advised that the men were saying such things as “I’m gonna fuck your pu**y” and “bitch I wanna fuck you”. Lupert advised that the men approached about 10 different women in the park.

The three men then approached a young couple as they were walking to their car that was parked near the maroon van. The men were making crude comments to the female and then her male friend, David Russo of Lorain, had exchanged words with the three men. It was at this time that witnesses told Police that the three men picked up branches and began beating Russo. Somehow Russo was able to fight back and get into his car to leave the park with his friends.

Russo told Police that as he and his two friends approached their car to leave the park the three suspects approached them and began making the crude comments to his female friend. The men then told Russo to “take the compliment or take an ass whippin.” Russo told the men that it was not a compliment and he was not taking an ass whippin. The three suspects then rushed Russo and took him to the ground. Russo was able to fight back and was then able to get to his car door. Inside was half a pool cue that he uses to prop open his hood. Russo was able to use the stick to fight back, striking the men. Russo was able to get back into his car and leave the park. Officers indicated that Russo had marks on his arms, body and knuckles.

During the stop two juvenile females approached Officers telling them that the men had approached them and were very aggressive towards them with sexual advances and crude comments.
Michael Lyons was treated on scene by LifeCare Paramedics then transported to Elyria Memorial Hospital for further treatment of his ear. After receiving treatment he was transported to the Lorain County Jail.

William Marrero and Russell Lockett were both arrested and charged with Felonious Assault (F-2).

Rachael Lockett was cited with a MM charge of Open Container and released at the scene. Lockett’s baby was also inside the van.


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FEMALE ASSAULTED OUTSIDE OF VICS

Elyria – A female leaving Uncle Vics Nightclub on Lake Ave in Elyria around 2:30 a.m. was struck in the head with a high heel shoe.

Police say that a large crowd was gathering outside of the club at closing time and while observing the crowd Officers witnessed a black female remove her high heel shoe and throw it into the crowd where it struck another woman. Several seconds later a fight involving several females broke out on the sidewalk in front of the club. Officers worked their way through the crowd and found females on the ground fighting. One of the females they pulled from the pile was identified as Patricia Roberts. Roberts was found with a cut to the left side of her head that was actively bleeding. Roberts told Officers that she was walking out of the bar when she was struck in the head with a high heel shoe.

Officers then spoke with Felicia Roberts, the victim’s daughter – she informed Officers that as her mother left the club a black female, who she identified as Morgan McCray, threw a shoe and struck her in the head. Roberts said that right after that several people just began fighting.

Officers could not locate McCray in the area but were able to pull up a photo of her on their computer. Witnesses made a positive identification that McCray was the female that threw the shoe.

Roberts was treated at the scene by LifeCare then taken to Elyria Memorial Hospital where she received 12 stitches to close her wound.

Police cited Cristal Weese for Disorderly Conduct (Fighting) (MM), after employees of Vics pointed her out as the instigator of the fight. Weese had a warrant for her arrest through the Cleveland Metro Parks but due to low manpower at the Metro Parks they would not pick her up.
Police arrested Brandon Gorham for Assault after he kicked Roberts in the head while she was on the ground. Gorham said that he kicked her because he was “protecting his girlfriend.”


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YET ANOTHER SUSPICIOUS FIRE

NEIGHBORS AROUND SCHOOL IN FEAR

Sheffield Township – Firefighters were called back to Vincent Elementary on North Ridge Road around 3am Sunday morning after a neighbor spotted a fire near the school.

Chief Joe Bandagski of the Sheffield Township Fire Department said that a small area of the mulch around the playground set was found on fire when they arrived on scene. Bandagski would not release many details about what they found at the scene but did say that they are treating it as a suspicious fire.

Concerned neighbors said that they are worried about what might be next the next target. “I think it’s interesting that the boy has been released and now another fire,” said a neighbor speaking on condition of anonymity due to fears – speaking of Ernest Phillips. Phillips was charged with the last arson fire that destroyed the playground set one week ago.

The fire remains under investigation.

SEVERE WEATHER ALERT

The National Weather Service in Cleveland has issued a SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH for Northern Ohio for this afternoon and evening. The main threat will be large hail and strong damaging winds.

A frontal boundary will wobble across Northern Ohio today. Afternoon heating combined with convergence along this boundary will initiate scattered thunderstorms by mid-afternoon.

Locally heavy rainfall will also be possible which may lead to ponding of water on area roadways.

There is also a slight risk of severe thunderstorms Saturday afternoon into the overnight hours. The main threat looks to be strong damaging winds but large hail is also possible.

PEOPLE EVACUATED ON HAWTHORNE

Elyria – Residents of 43 & 47 Hawthorne were evacuated from their apartments Tuesday afternoon after someone discovered an old gas well had sprung a leak.

Elyria Firefighters were called to the apartments after a maintenance man found the well. Firefighters measured the levels of gas escaping the well and found them to be in the “explosive” range so they quickly made the decision to evacuate the apartments. Although the buildings usually house about two-dozen people but only 8 were home at the time.

Residents have been complaining about getting sick due to strange odors over the years so the maintenance man using a jackhammer searching for the source. He found the well and immediately contacted the Fire Department.

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources were called to oversee the securing of the well for good.

The owner of the building agreed to find hotel rooms for the 7 families that were told that they have to move out until the problem is resolved.


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ARSON SUSPECT CHARGED

Sheffield Township – An 18 year old Sheffield Township man has been charged in connection with the latest arson fire that destroyed the Vincent Elementary School playground set. Deputies charged Ernest Phillips with Vandalism, Breaking & Entering and two counts of Arson.

Phillips called 9-1-1 to report the fire on his own cell phone. Officials say that when he was questioned the first time at the scene he seemed nervous and told them that at first he thought it was his garage before he looked over and saw the playground set on fire.

A couple hours after Firefighters had left the scene Phillips called back to 9-1-1 and said that he had set the first fire and had now set the school on fire.

When Deputies spoke with Phillips after the second call he claimed that he didn’t make the call and in fact had lost his cell phone. Deputies found the phone on the porch of Phillip’s home. Phillips was arrested at that time and his clothes, that Deputies said smelled of accelerant, were confiscated. Deputies arrested him and charged him with Obstructing, Inducing Panic, Tampering and Making False Alarms.

During interrogation at the Lorain County Sheriff’s Department on Monday, Phillips confessed to setting the fire.

Phillip’s mother stands behind her son, even with the confession, and says that her son is innocent.

Phillip’s has a history of setting fires as a juvenile.


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HEAD-ON CRASH ON BROADWAY

TWO CRITICAL – ONE MINOR

Sheffield Township – Two people are critical and one minor after a head on collision Tuesday morning on South Broadway near 44th Street in Sheffield Township.

Trooper Joran Cottom of the Ohio State Highway Patrol said that the driver of a white Chevy pickup truck was traveling southbound on Broadway, in the right lane just prior to the crash. “The driver stated that he swerved to miss hitting a person on a bicycle that was in the roadway. The driver went from the right lane to the left and then left of center at which time he struck the black Chrysler that was traveling in the northbound lane.”

The impact spun both vehicles and sent the black Pacifica into a yard and left the pickup truck facing north on Broadway. With heavy damage to the vehicles Firefighters had to use the Jaws of Life to extricate the victims.

Both drivers, each in critical condition, had to be taken to the football field at Clearview High School where they were met by two helicopters. Both were flown to MetroHealth Medical Center in Cleveland.

A passenger who received non-life threatening injuries was treated and transported by squad to Avon Emergency Care Center.

Trooper Cottom said that the crash is still under investigation.

Sheffield Township received mutual aid from Elyria Township and Lorain Fire Department.


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UPDATE:
The names of the victims have been released. The driver of the Chrysler Pacifica was Garfield Elementary School Teacher Naomi Pagan.

The driver of the white pickup truck was 47 year old Joe Poyna of Strongsville. Poyna’s passenger was 20 year old Matt Poyma also of Strongsville.