In state COVID-19 numbers…

Ohio reported 98 deaths on Tuesday, the second highest reported in a 24-hour period since the pandemic began.

Total hospitalizations are also continuing to trend upwards, says Governor DeWine’s office, with 4,400+ patients currently hospitalized…and over 1,000 of those patients in intensive care units.

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Over 300 new cases of COVID-19 were reported in Lorain County on Tuesday, bringing the county total to 6475.

The death toll for the county stands at 89.

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News on a COVID-19 vaccine in Ohio…

Governor Mike DeWine said Tuesday that the state could see its first batches by December 15th.

The state’s distribution plan is expected to give high priority to first-responders, people considered high-risk and teachers and school staff members.

The state looks to provide the first vaccine batches to local health departments for initial distribution,

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In a letter released to residents Tuesday, Huron County Health Commissioner Tim Hollinger warns against the spread of COVID-19 this Thanksgiving, by asking the community to think twice about hosting large groups.

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Hollinger said that the safest Thanksgiving gatherings will include only people in your own immediate household and virtually meeting with others.

Hollinger also pointed out that over the last three weeks, the number of COVID-19 cases reported in Huron County has consistently doubled.

The Ohio High School Athletic Association, in conjunction with the Governor’s Office, is recommending that schools restrict attendance to only the parents of the participants, or eliminate all spectators, for their winter sports competitions through the rest of the year.

This comes after remarks from Governor DeWine regarding the spike in COVID-19 cases, during his news conference on Tuesday.

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The State Highway Patrol says they will be highly visible and cracking down on impaired drivers and those not wearing their seat belts, during the Thanksgiving weekend.

During last year’s Thanksgiving reporting period, November 27th through December 1st, there were 15 fatal crashes in which 18 people were killed.

Of those 18 killed, eight were not wearing available safety belts and seven of the crashes involved alcohol and/or drugs.

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In response to a rise in COVID-19 cases around the county, judges at the Lorain County Common Pleas Court have suspended all jury trials at the county’s Justice Center until at least January 4^th.

The court will still be open for civil and criminal matters while numerous video and remote services are being offered.

A full report is in today’s Chronicle-Telegram…

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Schools continue to switch to remote learning…

According to the Norwalk Reflector and Sandusky Register…

Those include Monroeville, Sandusky and Willard.

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Wrestling and basketball events have now been postponed for Lorain Schools, at least through December 11^th.

This, due to COVID-19 and several other postponements around the county.

A full report in today’s Chronicle-Telegram…

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Free, Thanksgiving Meals to-go will be passed out tomorrow at the Self Love Beauty Salon on East River Street in Elyria… starting at 3 PM.

Rahkeebia Cook and Ashten Howard, the business owners, want to help those in the community who have been affected by COVID-19 or just need a hot meal… more details in today’s Chronicle-Telegram.

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SPORTS

-Ohio State is 4^th in the first College Football Playoff rankings of the season released on Tuesday.

-Ohio State basketball tips off the season today, at home versus Illinois State, at 2:00 pm, live on 95.3 WLKR.

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From the National Weather Service…

Today

Rain.  High near 53.

 

Tonight

Showers and possibly a thunderstorm.

Low around 49.

 

Thursday – Thanksgiving Day

A slight chance of showers early.

Cloudy, with a high near 53.

 

Friday

Partly sunny, with a high near 51.

In statewide COVID-19 numbers…

Ohio reported nearly 12,000 new cases on Monday, but the state says that number includes 2 days of backlogged positive cases.

On Monday, the state saw its highest COVID-19 hospitalized patient count thus far during the pandemic, with over 3,800.

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Erie County saw an uptick in COVID-19 cases on Monday.

The Erie County Health Department reported 278 new cases, as well as 1 death.

The county’s death toll now stands at 68.

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The Norwalk City School District is closed today.

It’s due to a shortage of staff members caused by COVID-19.

Schools plan to reopen next Monday, following the Thanksgiving holiday weekend.

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According to the Chronicle Telegram, Elyria Schools Superintendent Ann Schloss will announce by Monday, whether winter sports will proceed or be placed on hold.

This past Friday, the Lorain County League was the first to announce, they were suspending play at least until December 7^th.

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Due to COVID-19 concerns, the village of Milan has closed its administration building to the public.

It will remain closed until further notice.

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Last weekend’s death of New London Police Chief Michael Marko is under investigation.

The Norwalk Reflector reports that the Huron County Sheriff’s Office is looking into his death as a suspected suicide.

Marko, who was chief for the New London PD for the past 10+ years, was put on administrative leave and was under investigation by the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation for a form of wrongdoing, prior to his death.

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The man who founded the Lorain County Bomb Squad 23 years ago has died.

Don Darmos was 83.

Don used his military background to identify suspicious packages, and to train others, to do the same.

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Firefighters in Lorain believe, children playing with a lighter, sparked Sunday night’s house fire on East 42^nd.

No one was hurt, but damage to the home is extensive.

The Red Cross is providing temporary housing, food and clothing for 2 adults and 4 children.

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Fire has damaged a home on Emerald Street in North Ridgeville.

No word yet, how the fire started…

No one was hurt, but a cat perished in the fire…

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Firefighters in Eaton Township are investigating what happened last night, outside a home at Avalon and Melody Lane.

One teenager was taken to the hospital with burns.

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Residents of Lorain have several more days to complete a survey for the city schools, to help decision-makers with the learning-process.

So far, about one-half of those who have responded want remote learning.

The other half prefers a hybrid model.

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Second Harvest Food Bank’s drive-thru food pantry makes a stop in Willard today.

It’ll be at Willard Parks and Rec from 4:00 to 6:00 pm.

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The city of Sandusky will hold its ‘State of the City’ address virtually this year.

It’s set for Wednesday, December 9th at 7:00 pm, and will be broadcasted on the city’s website and social media pages.

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SPORTS

The L.A. Rams beat Tampa Bay 27-24 last night in Monday Night Football.

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From the National Weather Service…

Today

A chance of showers in the afternoon.

Increasing clouds, with a high near 43.

 

Tonight

A slight chance of showers.

Mostly cloudy, with a low around 39.

 

Wednesday

Rain. High near 54.

 

Thursday – Thanksgiving Day

A slight chance of morning showers.

Cloudy, with a high near 53.

State COVID-19 cases continue to remain high.

The state reported over 8,100 cases on Sunday, which comes after a record-high 8,800-plus cases on Friday.

The actual numbers are most likely much higher though, as the state has said the totals are incomplete, with thousands of reports pending review.

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Huron County begins the week as a Level 2 Orange in the state’s color-coded ratings for COVID-19 spread.

But numbers are on the rise though….as Huron County Public Health on Friday reported that over the previous week, the county had seen an increase in 269 cases.

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We also begin the week with nearly 6-thousand COVID-19 cases in Lorain County since the pandemic began.

89 people have died.

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Corona Virus closures…

Due to COVID-19 concerns, Norwalk City Hall will remain closed until Monday, December 7th.

Also, because of a possible COVID-19 case, New London village offices are closing today until further notice.

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More and more school systems are returning to remote learning.

Today…it’s the Keystone School System.

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New London Police Chief Mike Marko has died.

He spent over 10 years with the New London PD and previously worked as police chief for Cleveland Heights.

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The company who’s proposing the Emerson Creek Wind Farm in Erie and Huron county is looking to build a solar farm in Erie County, north of Bellevue, in Groton Township.

According to the Sandusky Register, Apex Clean Energy has submitted an application to the state, who will approve or deny their request.

That would then be followed by public hearings.

If approved, the project would cost between $100 and $150 million, with hopes of being built and running by 2023.

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Second Harvest Food Bank is bringing its free, mobile food pantry to Willard tomorrow.

It will take place from 4:00 to 6:00 pm at Willard Parks and Recreation.

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New leadership is coming to the Lorain Metropolitan Housing Authority.

Judith Carlin will replace long-time Executive Director Homer Virden, who is retiring.

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VacationLand Federal Credit Union is sponsoring their 9th Annual Toy Drive, benefiting families in Erie and Huron Counties.

Monetary or new, unwrapped toys can be dropped off at any branch in Sandusky, Huron, Norwalk and Vermilion or the Sandusky House of Donuts by December 12th.

Donations can also be dropped off on Saturday, December 12th, at the wrap up event at the Sandusky Mall, from noon to 4:00 pm.

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SPORTS

The Cleveland Browns are now 7-and3.  They beat Philadelphia 22-17 on  Sunday.

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From the National Weather Service…

Today

A slight chance of showers this morning.

Mostly cloudy, with a high near 42.

 

Tonight

Mostly cloudy, with a low around 31.

 

Tuesday

Mostly cloudy, with a high near 42.

 

Wednesday

Showers. High near 54.