The highway patrol is investigating Friday’s crash that claimed the Coordinator of Career Services at BGSU-Firelands.

56-year-old John Clark of Huron was killed late Friday afternoon, in a head-on collision on U.S. Route 6 in Helena, in western Sandusky County. Clark’s wife Cynthia, and daughter Jennifer were taken to Fremont Memorial Hospital, for treatment of non-life threatening injuries. The other driver, Carla Dixon-Bowers of Lima died in the crash as well.

Huron County Deputies are looking for a drive involved in a hit-skip crash in New Haven Township.

It happened early Saturday afternoon on State Route 61, near Skinner Road.  Deputies said the driver of the blue Town and Country mini-van hit a bicyclist from behind, and then left the scene.  The bicyclist, Nelson Merino of Willard was taken by ambulance to Mercy Hospital.

An ATV crash in Sandusky County’s Green Creek Township sent two people to the hospital with serious injuries.

According to the Fremont Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol, Kristi Ely of Green Springs was injured last night when she lost control and flipped over in a field near County Road 177.  Ely and a passenger, seven-year-old Allison Gerhardstein of Bellevue were flown from the scene to St. Vincent Mercy Medical Center in Toledo.  Troopers said the two were not wearing helmets.

Two Monroeville-area residents have been charged with grand theft for allegedly stealing an ATV from Smiley Automotive in Norwalk.

Shane Danielson and Brett Smith were arrested Friday evening.  Both men were taken to jail.

A final pretrial hearing is scheduled for 1 this afternoon for the Willard teen charged with shooting his mother.

Barring a plea agreement, 17-year-old Michael Mason will stand trial next week in Huron County Common Pleas Court.  He’s facing a single count of attempted murder in connection with the May, 2012 shooting.

Not-so-good news, for thousands of Ohioans receiving unemployment compensation.

Due to automatic federal budget cuts, average weekly benefits are dropping by $50. The decrease took effect yesterday.

A Norwalk woman is in the Huron County Jail, after a domestic situation turned violent.

According to Norwalk Police, Katie Lou Brooks used a fork, to stab her boyfriend in the upper chest. It happened early yesterday morning, at a home on Spring Street. The victim was taken to Fisher-Titus Medical Center.

Among the items on tomorrow’s Norwalk City Council agenda: A new contract with firefighters.

The agreement between the city and the International Association of Firefighters Local 1199 will run through 2015. It calls for a two-percent raise this year, and no raises in 2014 or 2015.

A benefit is planned to help the families of Jon and Viola Francis, who drowned in Lake Erie.

The benefit will be held at 4pm, May 18^th at the Norwalk VFW. There’s an $8 cover charge, music, an auction, a raffle and more. The father and daughter from Crystal Rock drowned April 6th, while Kayaking near the Edison Bridge.

Tomorrow is Election Day.

The polls will be open between 6:30am and 7:30pm. Voter turnout is expected to be very light. We’ll have complete results from Huron and Erie counties during tomorrow night’s Indians-Oakland A’s game on 95.3, WLKR, and on K96.

A Huron school board member has filed suit against former superintendent Fred Fox.

Donna Green’s counterclaim seeks more than $25,000, for defamation. Fox’s attorney has filed suit against Green and fellow board members Scott Slocum and Tim Sowecke. He’s seeking reinstatement, back pay, legal fees and more.

The Bellevue Board of Education will meet in special session at 6 tonight, to seek bids for summer projects.

The meeting will be held at the Board office on North St.

Another blow, to Internet Sweepstakes Cafés.

The Ohio Senate will vote today to expand the moratorium on opening new Internet cafés. The House already has passed legislation limiting prize payouts to $10, effectively shutting down the businesses.

In related news, Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine filed suit against three Internet Sweepstakes Cafés that allegedly opened after the prior moratorium took effect last summer. DeWine said the internet cafés in Van Wert, Fulton and Mahoning counties did not register with the state.

Trial dates have been set for three men accused of running a meth lab in Norwalk.

James Arthur II of New Haven and Paul Prince of Mansfield are scheduled to stand trial May 23rd.  They’re each facing more than 20 years in prison.  Allen Mobberly of Norwalk will stand trial May 28th.  If convicted, he could be sent to prison for up to five years.  Arthur, Prince and Mobberly were arrested in late March after police found a meth lab inside a Bouscay Avenue apartment.

The season is over, for EHOVE Career Center’s robotics team.

The Mavericks’ season ended last week, in the national quarterfinals in St. Louis. Each year, a new game is announced by FIRST Robotics organizers, and Student must plan, design, build and program a robot to play the game. This year, the game consisted of lifting Frisbees, and flinging them into goal, something that’s much harder than it sounds. This year’s EHOVE Mavericks team was made up primarily of students from the Career Center’s Engineering Tech and Industrial Tech programs.

A Mansfield man made no final statement before he was put to death for killing a six-month-old infant.

46-year-old Steven Smith died by lethal injection at 10:29 this morning at the Southern Ohio Correctional Facility in Lucasville.  He had been on death row since 1998.  A few family members and several members of the victim’s family witnessed the execution.  Smith was the 51st inmate put to death since Ohio resumed executions in 1999.

Election Day is just six days away.

The May 7^th ballot is light. It includes a handful of area school issues. In the Willard school district, there’s an additional five-year, 1.5 mill levy for permanent improvements. The issue before Edison school voters is a new five-year, 7.9 mill levy. Perkins school voters will decide on two levies. One is a new 10-year, 4.98 mill levy. The other is a five-year, two mill renewal for permanent improvements. There’s also a five-year, 1.8 mill permanent improvement renewal in the Monroeville school district.

If two Republican lawmakers get their way, Ohio will become the nation’s 25th ‘right-to-work’ state.

Representatives Ron Maag and Kristina Roegner are seeking support of two bills called ‘Workplace Freedom’ legislation.  The bills would ban public and private employers from forcing workers to join or pay dues to unions or other employee organizations.  Democrats say the proposal is too close to Senate Bill 5, which was overturned in 2011.

A two-vehicle crash has left a Monroeville man dead.

77-year-old George Latteman was killed early yesterday afternoon, at the intersection of State Routes 61 and 103 in New Haven Township. Latteman was a passenger in a pickup truck driven by Lee Myers, also of Monroeville. The pickup was hit by a van, driven by Christopher Sloan of Willard. According to the highway patrol, Sloan failed to yield at the Intersection, and hit Myers’ northbound truck. Sloan and Myers were wearing seat belts, and suffered minor injuries. Latteman was not wearing a seat belt. He was pronounced dead at the scene. No charges have filed, and the crash remains under investigation.

Zenobia Road, between State Route 60 and Zen Road in Clarksfield Township is closed for three weeks, for major bridge work.

Traffic is being detoured along Zen Road.

You might have noticed…Gas prices jumped yesterday.

At some stations around the area, self-serve regular went up by as much as 39 cents, to $3.79 a gallon.

Jury selection is scheduled to begin this morning, in the trial of a former Norwalk man accused of trying to solicit sex from two teenage girls.

Norvell McIntyre of Sandusky will be in Huron County Common Pleas Court.He’s charged with several felonies, in connection with the August, 2012 incident. The trial could take several days. Once it’s complete, McIntyre will face a second trial on different charges, stemming from an alleged sexual assault involving a 12-year-old girl.

Former Huron City Schools superintendent Fred Fox is fighting back.

He’s appealing his termination, and yesterday, his lawyer filed suit against the Huron Schools, and board members Donna Green, Scott Slocum and Tim Sowecke. The three voted to fire Fox earlier this month, amid allegations of personal and professional misconduct. The decision came, after a state Board of Education referee recommended Fox be re-instated with full back pay. Fox wants his record cleared, his job back, back pay with interest, legal fees and damages.

Election Day is one week from today.

Various issues are on the ballot, along with a Republican primary race for Norwalk Municipal Court judge.

Around Ohio…

A high school student from Cincinnati is in critical condition after a suicide attempt at school yesterday.  According to reports, the LaSalle High School student pulled out a gun and shot himself during class.  The boy was taken to a nearby hospital.

A doctor from Portsmouth will spend nearly 22 years in prison for running a ‘pill mill.’  Dr. Kevin Huff was sentenced yesterday.

A Mansfield man is scheduled to die by lethal injection tomorrow.  Steven Smith will be put to death for killing a six-month-old infant.  He’s been on death row since 1999.

A nice week is in store, weather-wise, with sunny skies, and 70′s expected tomorrow through Friday.

If you live close to Lake Erie, highs will be in the mid-to-upper 60′s.

A Huron County grand jury has charged three people accused of running a meth lab in Norwalk.

James Arthur of New Haven, and Paul Prince of Mansfield each face charges of manufacturing methamphetamines, possession of meth, and possession of criminal tools. Allen Mobberly of Norwalk is charged with endangering children, and permitting drug abuse. Mobberly’s young son was at the Bouscay Avenue apartment, when police found the meth lab late last month. A fourth person who was at the scene was indicted as well. Samantha Reed of Norwalk was arrested for selling heroin. Police said she admitted to using meth, and had sold heroin to a confidential informant late last year.

An update, on a road closed by a sinkhole.

According to ODOT, U.S. Route 224, east of the Willard city limits is scheduled to re-open in early May.

Also from ODOT—State Route 303, near State Route 60 in Wakeman will close Wednesday, May 1^st, for drainage improvements. Work should take two weeks.

More road closures:  State Route 162, between Route 99 and the Seneca County line will close next Monday for the replacement of four culverts.  The project should be complete by May 31st.  Zenobia Road, between State Route 60 and Zen Road in Clarksfield Township is closed for three weeks for major bridge work.  Traffic will be detoured along Zen Road.

A crash at State Route 598 and Neal Zick Road in Willard sent three people to two hospitals.

Lucille Westmoreland of Greenwich was flown to Cleveland MetroHealth Medical, after the Friday morning crash. Her condition is unknown. A passenger, Carl Westmoreland, and the second driver, Darrin Bellamy of Shelby were taken to Mercy Willard Hospital. Both were treated and released. Huron County deputies said Lucille Westmoreland stopped, then pulled into the intersection, and was hit by Bellamy’s truck. She was charged with failure to yield.

Investigators in Richland County are looking into allegations that a Norwalk Police Officer assaulted his girlfriend there earlier this month.

Because no charges have been filed, the sergeant’s name hasn’t been released.  He remains on the job.  Reports indicate the victim suffered a black eye.  Because of the ongoing investigation, few other details have been released.

Perkins police continue to investigate last week’s break-in, at the Pie Factory.

According to reports, the burglar shattered the front door to the West Perkins Avenue business early Thursday morning, then stole cash from the register. Police are reviewing surveillance footage.

The eight-week long Strongsville teachers’ strike is over.

Both sides ratified a new contract this past weekend.

A Columbus man has been chosen, to lead the Ohio Republican Party.

Matt Borges was elected Friday. He’s replacing longtime GOP leader Bob Bennett.

A fall at Hocking Hills State Park has claimed a 19-year-old Columbus man.

Officials said the man was killed Saturday, after falling 60 feet from a cliff. On the same day, at the same park, a Chillicothe woman was seriously injured, when she slipped near a cliff, and fell 100 feet. She was taken to a Columbus hospital.

With prom season here, the Norwalk Police Department is dedicating extra patrols, to ensure students and others are safe.

Officers are working overtime hours, looking for drunk drivers, speeders and aggressive drivers. Grant money is covering the cost of overtime. Norwalk High School’s prom was held this past weekend. St. Paul’s prom is this weekend.

We’ll have a special presentation of high school baseball later today, on sister station Kool Gold 1510, WLKR.

The Norwalk Truckers will take on the Clyde Fliers at All-Pro Freight Stadium in Avon. You can hear all the action, starting at 4, on Kool Gold 1510 WLKR.

It’s been nearly three weeks since an area man and his daughter disappeared in the waters of Lake Erie.

Jonathan Francis, and 12-year-old Viola Francis went kayaking April 6^th, near Crystal Rock…Despite wide-ranging search efforts, they haven’t been seen since.

A rollover crash shut down the Edison Bridge for a short time yesterday.

According to the Highway Patrol Sandra Walsh of Castalia was injured when she lost control and hit the median wall.  Her car flipped over and then hit the opposite barrier.  Route 2 was closed for approximately 20 minutes to allow LifeFlight to land.  Walsh was taken to St. Vincent Mercy Medical Center.

To Oberlin, where four people were shot late last night.

All four were taken to local hospitals, for treatment of non-life threatening injuries. The shooting suspect is in custody.

A house fire in Sandusky has claimed two dogs.

The cause of yesterday’s blaze at the Central Avenue home is unknown. Early damages estimates have been placed at $30,000.

State Senator Gayle Manning is coming to New London.

She’ll hold open office hours, between 3:30 and 5 today, at the New London Public Library. No appointment is necessary. Manning represents the 13^th District, which includes Huron and Lorain counties.

The city of Norwalk will honor the Huron County Master Gardners later today, with a special tree planting, on this Arbor Day.

A dogwood tree will be planted at 4pm this afternoon, at Pohl Park on East Main Street.

The Norwalk Board of Education will meet in special session, at 7pm next Wednesday, in the board conference room at the Central Office.

The school board will discuss finances, and permanent improvement projects.

Overnight Amber Alerts are coming back.

Yesterday, officials said alerts about abducted children will be sent to enabled cell phones anytime, day or night.  Last month, a committee agreed to stop sending overnight Amber Alerts after people complained about being awakened.

A central Ohio school board member is suing fellow board members for violating public meeting laws.

Olentangy Board of Education member Adam White claims the four conducted a meeting by phone and e-mail.  White said the series of e-mails and calls constitutes a meeting, as defined by Ohio law.  The four board members said they did nothing wrong.

A bill in Columbus could mean the end of ‘red light’ cameras.

House Bill 69 is making its way through committee. If it eventually passes the House and Senate, it would ban traffic cameras from catching red light violators, or speeders. Supporters claim red-light cameras are used for safety. Opponents say the cameras are used only to raise revenue. Monroeville village officials are expected to decide next month, whether or not to install traffic cameras.

Also in Columbus: A bill that would ban Internet Sweepstakes Cafés around the state.

The measure is expected to make it through the Senate. There’s more than 800 Sweepstakes Cafés in Ohio.

Jury selection will begin next Tuesday, in the trial of a former Norwalk man facing several felony sex charges.

Norvell McIntyre is accused of soliciting two teenage girls for sex. The alleged incident occurred in August, in Norwalk. The girls declined, and were able to get away. The trial could take several days. Once it’s complete, Huron County Common Pleas Court Judge James Conway will schedule a second trial for McIntyre. In a separate incident, he’s accused of sexually assaulting a 12-year-old Norwalk girl. McIntyre is free on bond. He’s banned from having contact with anyone under 18.

Coming to Huron this summer:  The Jet Express.

In a partnership with the Lorain Port Authority, the Jet Express will make four trips from the Huron Boat Basin, to Cleveland.  Two of the trips are bound for the Horseshoe Casino and two others are bound for Cleveland Browns games.  For more information go to lorainportauthority.com.

A reminder…

The city of Norwalk’s annual Spring Brush Pickup beings Monday.

Over 550 students from 31 counties will converge in Columbus this weekend, to compete in the state competition for National History Day.

It’ll be held at the Ohio Union, on the campus of the Ohio State University. The state competition will decide which students advance to nationals in June, in Washington, D.C. This year’s project theme is ‘Turning Points in History: People, Ideas, Events.’ Students from Norwalk Catholic School, Margaretta Elementary and Sailorway Middle School in Vermilion are among those participating in the competition.

The figures are in from U.S. News and World Report.

They ranked at 21,000 high schools across the country.  Two Ohio schools made the nationwide Top 100.  Walnut Hills High School is ranked 95th and Wyoming High School is #98.  Both schools are in Cincinnati.

If you like model trains, you’ll want to head to the Erie County Fairgrounds this Sunday.

Between 10am and 4pm, the Firelands Society of Model Railroaders will host a model train show. The show will feature several large model train layouts, and vendors offering all track gages. Admission is $5 for adults and free for those under 18 or active duty military personnel.

A Bellevue resident has been ID’d, as the man hit by a train in Sandusky.

23-year-old DJ Whinnery was hit and killed Monday, on tracks near Venice Road and Tiffin Avenue. Whinnery was a 2008 graduate of Bellevue High School. He was a standout basketball player for the Redmen. Whinnery’s family told police has having ‘personal issues.’

Active duty military members who served during the Persian Gulf or Iraqi wars are running out of time to file for the Ohio Veteran Bonus.

If you served on active duty between August of 1990 and March of 1991, you are eligible for $100 per month for ‘In-Theater’ months, and $50 per month for service anywhere else. If you served on active duty during the Iraq War—between March of 2003 and December of 2011, you’re eligible for a bonus of up to $1500. To apply for the bonus, contact the Ohio Department of Veteran Services.

15 years to life, for a Sandusky man who killed his live-in girlfriend.

Theodis Keys was sentenced yesterday, immediately after pleading guilty to murder. Keys killed Lorie Miller last October. Police said she had been stabbed nearly three dozen times. Miller’s 13-year-old son discovered her body.

The Dayton-area man beaten with a tire iron has improved. 

Austin Thornton is now in serious condition at St. Vincent Mercy Medical Center.  He was in critical condition yesterday.  Thornton suffered serious head injuries during the early Monday morning attack at a home near Willard.  The alleged assailants, 19-year-old Tyler Smith and 19–year-old Connor Holbrook, both of Bellevue remain in the Huron County Jail.  Smith is charged with attempted murder, while Holbrook is charged with felonious assault.  Because of the ongoing investigation, Sheriff Dane Howard declined to comment on a possible motive for the attack.

A bill in Columbus could mean the end for so-called ‘red light’ cameras.

House Bill 69 is making its way through committee.  If it makes it through, and passes the House and Senate, it would ban traffic cameras from catching red light violators or speeders.  Supporters claim red-light cameras are used for safety.  Opponents say the cameras are used only to raise revenue.  Monroeville village officials are expected to decide next month whether or not to install traffic cameras.

Huron County continues to rank high, in terms of unemployment.

According to new figures from the state, the county’s March jobless rate was 12.1 percent—fourth highest in Ohio. Only Pike, Morgan and Meigs counties in southeast Ohio ranked higher.

A financial advisor from Vermilion is facing federal charges, for allegedly bilking dozens of clients.

Richard Zakarian has been charged with wire, mail and tax fraud. The U.S. Attorney’s Office said Zakarian lured investors with promises of guaranteed returns, before making personal use of their money, or investing in high-risk ventures. The alleged fraud occurred over a 10-year period.

Ohio State University students graduating this May can now get up to 14 tickets, for commencement.

That’s ten more than usual. President Barack Obama will be the keynote speaker at the May 5^th ceremony.

If you’d like to safely dispose of unused or expired prescription drugs, here’s your chance.

The Norwalk Police Department will participate in the National Take Back Initiative, this Saturday. Between 10am and 2pm, you can take unwanted prescription pills to the police department. A blue container will be in the lobby. There’s no officer involvement. Labels should be removed, and medication should be in a clear plastic bag. No liquids, or needles.

They’re back together…

Former head Coach Mike Brown has agreed to a five-year, $20 million deal to re-join the Cleveland Cavaliers.  It’s Brown’s second stint with the Cavs.  He was let go after the 2010 season.  A press conference has been scheduled for 2:30 this afternoon to re-introduce Brown.

Coming up this afternoon:

Cleveland Indians baseball.  The Tribe and White Sox will close out their series in Chicago.  Indians Warm Up begins at 1:37, with game time scheduled for 2:10.  You can hear it on 95.3, WLKR.  Rain washed out last night’s game.

Two 19-year-old Bellevue men are in the Huron County Jail, charged in connection with a crowbar attack that sent a Dayton-area man to the hospital, with severe head injuries.

Austin Thornton (also 19) is in critical condition at St. Vincent Mercy Medical Center in Toledo. One of the alleged assailants, Tyler Smith, is charged with attempted murder, and tampering with evidence. The other, Connor Holbrook is charged with complicity and tampering. According to reports, the assault occurred early yesterday morning, at a home on Route 99 near Willard. Huron County deputies are still investigating.

Sandusky police are looking for clues, into yesterday’s accident that left one man dead.

The victim was hit and killed by a train near Venice Road and Tiffin Avenue. He had no ID on him. He did have several tattoos. Investigators believe he was in his late teens or early 20’s.

Pat Catan’s is offering a $1,000 reward, to anyone who provides information leading to the arrest of Sunday’s armed robbery suspect.

The man showed a gun to an assistant manager, then casually walked out with an undisclosed amount of cash. Anyone with information on Sunday’s robbery should contact Perkins police.

Bond is set at $50,000 for the Willard man accused of stealing a jar full of cash from a weekend charity benefit.

So far, Jeremy Cooper is charged with robbery.  He’s expected to face more charges for hitting two people with his car while fleeing the Fitchville River Road scene.  They suffered serious, but non-life threatening injuries.  Deputies are considering charging a second suspect.

Huron County continues to rank high in terms of unemployment.

According to new figures from the state, the county’s March jobless rate was 12.1 percent—fourth highest in Ohio.  Only Pike, Morgan and Meigs counties in southeast Ohio ranked higher.

Monroeville Village council may decide next month whether or not to set up traffic cameras in the village.

If council gives the ‘green light’ to so-called ‘red light’ cameras, they’ll likely be installed at the intersection of U.S. Route 20 and State Route 547, and 20 and State Route 99.

From the Huron County Highway Department…

Greenwich Angling Road, between Townline 12 and Boughtenville Road in Greenwich Township will be closed through Friday, for a culvert replacement project. Traffic will be detoured along Old State and Edwards roads. Also, Baseline Road, between New State and Barnes roads in Ripley Township is closed for four days, for complete culvert replacement.

40 years after filming an episode there, some of the kids from the Brady Bunch are returning to Kings Island.

Barry Williams, Christopher Knight, and Susan Olsen—AKA Greg, Peter and Cindy will entertain guests on May 19^th. The Brady kids were at the Mason, Ohio amusement park in 1973, while ‘dad’ Mike Brady presented architectural plans for a new addition to the park.

Good news, about Ohio’s housing market.

It was up 12 percent in March, while the average sales price increased by nearly six percent.