News

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18th, 2020

Both Erie and Huron Counties remained the same as last week in the latest state color-coded ratings for COVID-19 spread released Thursday. Erie County is at a Level 2 Orange, while Huron County is a Level 1 Yellow.

Lorain County was raised from a yellow to an orange.

Governor DeWine also announced yesterday that guidelines relating to Halloween celebrations will be issued today.

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Information has been released on the latest COVID-19 fatality in Huron County.

According to Norwalk Ohio News.com, the seventh Corona Virus death so far in the county was a man in his mid-70’s from the Bellevue area, who passed away on August 28th.

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Two people have been charged in connection with an alleged armed robbery in Sandusky.

According to the Sandusky Register, 25 year-old Zachary Gibson and a 17 year-old male, both of Sandusky, face aggravated robbery and kidnapping charges.

The alleged robbery took place Tuesday on Polk Street.

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A military veteran’s suicide awareness event takes place today in Norwalk.

Veterans and area residents are invited to stand silently for 20 to 30 minutes at a casket draped with an American flag.

It runs from 7:00 am to 7:30 pm at VFW Post 2743 on Milan Avenue.

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Good news for food banks and warehouses that have been helped in recent months by the Ohio National Guard…

The guard has announced, federal funding has been extended through December.

About 350 members of the Ohio National Guard have been assisting food banks this year, including Second Harvest in Lorain.

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Oberlin College has notified alumni, parents and friends of the college of a possible information breach involving a ransomware attack on a cyber-security company that works for the college.

The investigation is continuing, and college officials say, there is no evidence at this time, that any personal information was accessed.

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A dubious distinction for Cleveland…

According to census numbers for 2019…in other words, before the pandemic…Cleveland was the poorest large city in the nation.

Cincinnati was close behind…in the number-6 spot.

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The Erie Shores Walk to End Alzheimer’s in Sandusky is set for Saturday, but will look much different due to COVID-19.

Because of the pandemic, the Alzheimer’s Association is encouraging participants to walk as individuals or in small groups, in neighborhoods, trails and parks instead of assembling as a large crowd.

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From the National Weather Service…

Today

Mostly sunny and breezy, with a high near 62.

Tonight

Partly cloudy, with a low around 45.

Saturday

Mostly sunny, with a high near 61.

Sunday

Sunny, with a high near 65.

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18th, 2020

Lorain County was raised from a yellow to an orange.

Governor DeWine also announced yesterday that guidelines relating to Halloween celebrations will be issued today.

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Information has been released on the latest COVID-19 fatality in Huron County.

According to Norwalk Ohio News.com, the seventh Corona Virus death so far in the county was a man in his mid-70’s from the Bellevue area, who passed away on August 28th.

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Two people have been charged in connection with an alleged armed robbery in Sandusky.

According to the Sandusky Register, 25 year-old Zachary Gibson and a 17 year-old male, both of Sandusky, face aggravated robbery and kidnapping charges.

The alleged robbery took place Tuesday on Polk Street.

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A military veteran’s suicide awareness event takes place today in Norwalk.

Veterans and area residents are invited to stand silently for 20 to 30 minutes at a casket draped with an American flag.

It runs from 7:00 am to 7:30 pm at VFW Post 2743 on Milan Avenue.

————————————————————————–

Good news for food banks and warehouses that have been helped in recent months by the Ohio National Guard…

The guard has announced, federal funding has been extended through December.

About 350 members of the Ohio National Guard have been assisting food banks this year, including Second Harvest in Lorain.

————————————————————————–

Oberlin College has notified alumni, parents and friends of the college of a possible information breach involving a ransomware attack on a cyber-security company that works for the college.

The investigation is continuing, and college officials say, there is no evidence at this time, that any personal information was accessed.

————————————————————————–

A dubious distinction for Cleveland…

According to census numbers for 2019…in other words, before the pandemic…Cleveland was the poorest large city in the nation.

Cincinnati was close behind…in the number-6 spot.

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The Erie Shores Walk to End Alzheimer’s in Sandusky is set for Saturday, but will look much different due to COVID-19.

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From the National Weather Service…

Today

Mostly sunny and breezy, with a high near 62.

Tonight

Partly cloudy, with a low around 45.

Saturday

Mostly sunny, with a high near 61.

Sunday

Sunny, with a high near 65.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 17th, 2020

In local COVID-19 figures…

Erie County had 2 new deaths reported Wednesday for a total of 43.

Erie County also had 26 new reported cases Wednesday, while Huron County had 5 new cases.

The new state color-coded ratings for COVID-19 spread will be released later today, with Erie County right now a Level 2 Orange, and Huron County a Level 1 Yellow.

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A staff member at Norwalk’s Pleasant Elementary School has tested positive for COVID-19.

In a letter to parents, Superintendent George Fisk said the staff member as well as all staff and students impacted, have been contacted and told of their quarantine requirements.

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Huron County Public Health has announced a series of drive-thru flu shot clinics for next month.

There will be a total of 4 clinics, with the first one scheduled for New London’s First Baptist Church on Friday, October 9th.

Masks will be required.

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The president will make a campaign stop in northwest Ohio next week.

Donald Trump will hold a rally at the Toledo Express Airport on Monday.
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COVID 19 concerns prevented a group ceremony, but yesterday, Elyria Police Chief Duane Whitely recognized more than a dozen officers for courage and selflessness over the past year.

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An update on U.S. Census numbers for Erie County…

The county’s self-response rate is currently 66.5 percent, very close to matching its 2010 self-response rate of 66.7 percent.

September 30th marks the deadline to complete the Census.

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Before the month is out, 5 of Lorain County’s 8 Kiwanis Clubs will host membership meetings, either in person or online.

Total membership now stands at about 200.

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Today, the Community Foundation of Lorain County hopes that you “Connect to a Cause”.

The Community Foundation will host a 12 hour, virtual fundraiser to showcase more than 50 non-profits and organizations.

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The city of Norwalk has announced some fall dates.

Annual brush pickup will begin the week of October 19th.

Limited trash pickup starts the week of October 26th.

Trick-or-Treat is planned for Saturday, October 31st from 4 to 6 pm.

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Cleveland’s I-X Center is closing.

After 35 years of hosting events, the venue is shutting down permanently, citing effects from the Corona Virus pandemic.

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From the National Weather Service…

Today

A slight chance of showers this morning.

Mostly cloudy, with a high near 65.

Tonight

Partly cloudy, with a low around 53.

Friday

Sunny and breezy, with a high near 62.

Saturday

Sunny, with a high near 62.

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16th, 2020

If President Trump holds a political rally in Ohio, it’ll be exempt from COVID-19 restrictions.

The state mask mandate, social distancing and crowd size limits would not be enforced during a rally.

A press secretary for the Ohio Department of Health told the Sandusky

Register Tuesday that while the state is encouraging a limit of 10 people on mass gatherings, political rallies are exempt; as they are protected by the First Amendment.

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In area COVID-19 numbers…

Huron County had 3 new reported cases on Tuesday for a total of 512.

Erie County had 17 cases reported Tuesday to equal 876 cases.

Another resident of Lorain County has died of the Corona Virus…the second reported this week…and number 80 since mid-March.

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A military veteran’s suicide awareness event is planned for Friday in Norwalk.

Veterans and area residents are invited to stand silently for 20 to 30 minutes at a casket draped with an American flag.

The event will take place from 7:00 am to 7:30 pm at VFW Post 2743 on Milan Avenue.

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Groundbreaking ceremonies were held yesterday for a new Firelands High School…

Site work is underway, and construction will move full-speed ahead in the spring.

…construction made possible by voters who endorsed a bond issue 2 years ago…

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For those have not filled out their census yet in Sandusky, help is here.

The city of Sandusky, on Tuesday and Thursdays from 11 am to 4 pm, will have a Census worker in the City Hall lobby to help assist those with completing their census while they pay their water bills.

The deadline to complete the census is September 30^th.

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Another event cancellation due to COVID-19 restrictions…

The Perkins Township Motor Madness car show planned for later this month has been called off.

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As part of their campaign kickoff week, the Norwalk Area United Fund has restarted their “Dine-Out” fundraising events.

A portion of today’s sales from lunch and dinner at the Norwalk Eagles will go toward the United Fund’s 2021 Community Campaign to help with local programs.

The United Fund has set a goal of $390,000 for this year’s campaign.

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From the National Weather Service…

Today

Sunny, with a high near 76.

Tonight

Increasing clouds, with a low around 59.

Thursday

A slight chance of morning showers.

Partly sunny, with a high near 65.

Friday

Sunny, with a high near 63.

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 15th, 2020

Governor Mike DeWine has signed a Corona Virus-related bill into law.

House Bill 606 protects individuals, schools, health care providers, businesses and other entities from lawsuits related to the exposure, transmission or contraction of COVID-19, as long as there are no signs of reckless, intentional or willful misconduct.

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Sandusky Police Chief John Orzech has been recognized by State Attorney General Dave Yost.

During Yost’s annual Law Enforcement Conference on Monday, Orzech received the Distinguished Law Enforcement Service Award, for his work in building trust between the community and his department.

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Checking local COVID-19 numbers…

Erie County had 3 cases reported on Monday for a total of 859.

Huron County had 4 reported cases Monday to equal 509 total cases since the pandemic began.

For the first time in two weeks, a resident of Lorain County has died of the Corona Virus. The local death toll since March now stands at 79.

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A Norwalk woman was hospitalized after a one-vehicle accident Sunday night.

According to Norwalk Ohio News.com via the State Highway Patrol, 41 year-old Roberta Kennedy was driving too fast when her vehicle left the road and crashed into multiple trees.

The crash happened on Wells Road, east of Norwalk.

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The city of Avon Lake has a new Police Chief…

Lieutenant Vincent Molnar moves up to the top job after 25 years with the force.

He replaces Duane Strieter, who retired, then became Avon’s safety Director.

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There was a show of support last night for Clearview Schools Superintendent Jerome Davis…who used his back-to-school message to address racism and the pandemic…

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In the market for a large work vehicle?

The City of Norwalk may have what you’re looking for.

They’re auctioning off some no-longer-needed work equipment including a backhoe, bucket truck, crane tractor and other trucks.

The auction will take place September 26th on Franklin Street, behind the new fire station.

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A dog park is in the works in Vermilion.

According to the Sandusky Register, the tentative project would pay tribute to the late weatherman and animal activist, Dick Goddard.

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City officials in Elyria are trying to come up with a way, to maximize hours at the North Park Ice Rink this fall, while addressing COVID-19 health and safety protocols.

A full report in today’s Chronicle Telegram…

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From the National Weather Service…

Today

Sunny, with a high near 71.

Tonight

Mostly clear, with a low around 49.

Wednesday

Sunny, with a high near 78.

Thursday

Partly sunny, with a high near 66.

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 14th, 2020

More COVID-19 fatalities have been reported in Erie and Huron Counties.

Erie County had 2 more reported deaths on Friday, for a total of 41 fatalities.

Huron County had their 7th reported death on Friday.

We begin the week with 78 COVID-19 deaths in Lorain County. That number has held steady for the past 2 weeks.

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Power is back on for most Norwalk residents this morning after a large tree limb fell on some power lines Sunday afternoon.

According to Norwalk Ohio News.com, the downed power lines on Benedict Avenue, near Olive Street, resulted in the closure of the road.

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A local teen was reported missing over the weekend.

Perkins Township Police say Jazmyne Wadsworth was last seen working at Sports Force Parks in Sandusky and is believed to be in the Sandusky area.

She’s listed as a 5-4, 120 pound African-American; with black and partially-dyed red hair.

Her photo can be viewed on the Perkins Township Police’s Facebook page.

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The city of Norwalk has started a grant program for small businesses affected by the Corona Virus pandemic.

According to Norwalk Ohio News.com, $50,000 has been allotted for the program, with the city to award grants of $2,500 to $5,000.

The money comes from Norwalk’s part of the federal CARES Act.

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Bridge work, leading to a road closure in Erie County, starting today.

In Perkins Township…Columbus Avenue, underneath the Route 2 bridges will be shut down to traffic, through October 24th.

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Second Harvest Food Bank will be hosting a drive-thru food pantry later today in Huron.

It’s scheduled from 4:00 to 6:00 pm at Shawnee Elementary School.

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Today marks the start of campaign kickoff week for the Norwalk Area United Fund.

A goal of raising $390,000 has been set.

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The U-S Department of Housing and Urban Development is sending Community Development Block Grants to the cities of Elyria and Lorain.

The money is designed to help prevent evictions during the pandemic.

Lorain will receive about 300-thousand-dollars…

Elyria…about 250-thousand.

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Eric Wobser is staying put.

According to the Sandusky Register, Sandusky’s city manager has withdrawn his name from consideration for the city administrator job in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

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From the National Weather Service…

Today

Sunny, with a high near 69.

Tonight

Mostly clear, with a low around 46.

Tuesday

Sunny, with a high near 74.

Wednesday

Sunny, with a high near 79.

Thursday, April 7, 2016

It’s not a forecast that we like.

But the National Weather Service Office in Cleveland says we could get between 2 and 4 inches of snow tomorrow night.

A two-car crash in New London Township sent two people to two different hospitals.

It happened at 4:45 yesterday afternoon, at the intersection of State Route 162 and Butler Road. According to the Ohio State Highway Patrol’s Norwalk Post, 18-year-old Nicholas Herner of Huron failed to yield at a stop sign, and was hit on the driver’s side by 41-year-old Marandie Kruki of Wakeman.

Herner suffered incapacitating injuries, and was taken to Fisher-Titus Medical Center. Kruki suffered serious injuries as well, and was flown to Cleveland MetroHealth Medical Center. Their conditions are unknown. Yesterday’s crash remains under investigation.

A head-on crash in Sandusky County claimed a northwest Ohio man, and injured a Milan man.

As we first told you yesterday, the crash occurred just before 6:30am on U.S. Route 6 near Fremont. The highway patrol said 49-year-old Kenneth Saam of Bradner went left of center, and hit a pickup truck driven by 58-year-old Alexander Winkler Jr. of Milan. Saam, who wasn’t wearing a seat belt, was pronounced dead at the scene. Winkler was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment of minor injuries.

The Sandusky Mall is losing one of its anchor stores.

Longtime tenant Sears will close, mostly likely by late June. The decision will affect the department store itself and the Sears Auto Center. More than 40 people will be out of work. A liquidation sale will begin later this month.

Next Tuesday’s meeting of the Huron County Commissioners will be held at Norwalk High School…The commissioners will convene at 9am.

The Huron County Board of Elections will conduct a post-election audit of the March 15^th primary, starting at 8:30 this morning in the board office in Norwalk.

Two Republican state lawmakers will gather with area school officials, to announce new legislation to give school districts a second option in participating in the Ohio Schools Facilities Commission.

State Senator Randy Gardner and State Representative Steve Arndt will discuss the proposal at 11 this morning, at Port Clinton High School. A statement from Gardner’s office says the new program would allow districts which have not received state funds for school construction or renovations to qualify for technology infrastructure or security funding sooner than the current construction and renovation program would allow.

An armed standoff at a home in Port Clinton ended peacefully last night.

31-year-old Melissa Muirhead surrendered at approximately 8pm, after holding authorities at bay for seven hours. Officials said Muirhead is an Iraq veteran suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. She was taken to a VA hospital in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

It appears the city of Norwalk will not spray for mosquitoes this summer, because of the expense and a question of effectiveness.

Thursday, April 7, 2016

It’s not a forecast that we like.

But the National Weather Service Office in Cleveland says we could get between 2 and 4 inches of snow tomorrow night.

A two-car crash in New London Township sent two people to two different hospitals.

A head-on crash in Sandusky County claimed a northwest Ohio man, and injured a Milan man.

The Sandusky Mall is losing one of its anchor stores.

Next Tuesday’s meeting of the Huron County Commissioners will be held at Norwalk High School…The commissioners will convene at 9am.

The Huron County Board of Elections will conduct a post-election audit of the March 15^th primary, starting at 8:30 this morning in the board office in Norwalk.

An armed standoff at a home in Port Clinton ended peacefully last night.

It appears the city of Norwalk will not spray for mosquitoes this summer, because of the expense and a question of effectiveness.

Tuesday, April 5, 2016

They’ll try again today.

The Cleveland Indians and Boston Red Sox will open this season this afternoon, at 1:10. The game will air on 95.3 WLKR. Yesterday’s game was postponed shortly after 2:30. The club issued a statement, blaming a changed forecast and wind chills dropping into the teens.

A convicted child rapist from Sandusky will spend the rest of his life in prison.

51-year-old Michael Walls was sentenced yesterday to eight life sentences. He has no chance at parole. Walls stood trial last month in Erie County Common Pleas Court, and was found guilty on more than 20 counts of rape. Officials said Walls raped a girl multiple times a week from the time she was 3 or 4, into her teens. During yesterday’s hearing, Walls said he was innocent, and said he plans to appeal his conviction and sentence.

Norwalk police are still looking for a man who swiped more than $1,200 worth of beer and liquor from Gardner’s SuperValue.

It happened at 4pm last Tuesday. According to Captain Mike Conney, the man loaded up his cart twice, and left the store undetected both times.

He made off in a gray newer-model Toyota Camry. The man is described as heavy-set, bald and 40 to 45. Pictures of the man have been posted on the Norwalk Police Department’s Facebook page. Anyone with information should contact the Norwalk Police Department.

Ground will be broken this Friday, for the Cedar Point Sports Center at the former Griffing- Sandusky Airport site on Cleveland Road.

Officials said phase one of the youth sports facility will include nine multipurpose synthetic turf fields, four NCAA regulation baseball fields, a championship baseball and softball stadium, eight NCAA regulation lacrosse fields, sports-specific training areas and an ADA-accessible community use field. A groundbreaking ceremony will be held at 2 Friday afternoon. Phase one is expected to be complete by this fall, with spring and summer of 2017 serving as the inaugural season for Sports Force Parks at Cedar Point Sports Center.

Former Ohio State University marching band director Jonathon Waters will again lead a college band.

He’s been hired as an assistant professor of music, and director of bands at Heidelberg University in Tiffin. Waters was dismissed by Ohio State in the summer of 2014, after an investigation revealed the OSU band contained a ‘sexualized culture.’

Monday, April 4, 2016

It’ll be a cold, blustery day for Cleveland Indians baseball.

The season opener against the Boston Red Sox is scheduled to begin at 4:10 this afternoon. The forecast for Cleveland calls for rain and snow showers to move out by game time, but windy conditions will continue, with temperatures falling to about 33. We’ll broadcast live from Progressive Field, starting at 1 this afternoon. You’ll hear comments from Cleveland Indians players and front office personnel, and we’ll get you ready for today’s game. Then we’ll join the Indians Radio Network for Indians Warm-Up at 3:37, leading up to today’s scheduled 4:10 start time on 95.3 WLKR.

Two Norwalk High School students are facing charges, for allegedly selling marijuana at school last month.

The girls, ages 16 and 17 are charged with marijuana trafficking. They’ll answer to the charges in Huron County Juvenile Court.

A Huron County grand jury has charged two local men, in connection with different sex crimes.

19-year-old Nathanial ‘JR’ Parsons of New London is charged with two counts of unlawful sexual conduct with a minor. The charges stem from two alleged incidents with a now 15-year-old girl. One occurred last fall, the other in February.

Also charged by the grand jury: 62-year-old Thomas J. McDaniel of Willard. He’s facing a single count of sexual battery, for the alleged sexual assault of a 16-year-old girl in late February.

Governor John Kasich is in New York today.

On the schedule: campaign stops at Hofstra University and Huntington.

An elected official in Sandusky says he has doubts about the future of Ohio Bike Week, which typically runs between late May and early June.

Dennis Murray Jr. serves as a city commissioner and ex-officio mayor. According to the Sandusky Register, Murray said one of the chief complaints about Ohio Bike Week is excessive noise caused by hundreds of motorcycles. The city of Sandusky recently signed a five-year contract extension with Ohio Bike Week, through 2021. In the story, Murray said the city would honor the contract, but may not renew it unless changes are made.

More news from Sandusky…

It appears a city commissioner is going to jail, for not paying child support.

Court paperwork shows Greg Lockhart must report to the Erie County Jail by April 15^th, to begin serving a 30-day sentence. His attorney appealed the sentence to the Ohio Supreme Court, but the motion was denied. Lockhart won a four-year term last fall. Despite the pending jail term, it appears Lockhart’s spot on the commission is safe.

A decision won’t be made tomorrow night, but Norwalk City Council will hear the first reading of legislation allowing golf carts on city streets.

As we told you last week, members of city council will debate the pros and cons. The measure could be approved as is, modified or voted down.