Bellevue/Shooting death

Police in Bellevue are investigating a shooting that left a man dead on Sunday.

According to the Sandusky Register, authorities couldn’t say yet whether the death was accidental, self-inflicted or homicide.

The incident reportedly took place on Fairfield Avenue.

Huron County/Accused rapist charged with public indecency

Accused serial rapist McClain Durst, of Sandusky, was served two warrants for public indecency on Friday.

According to authorities, Durst, while being held in the booking area of the Huron County Jail, allegedly exposed himself to two female inmates in separate incidents.

Durst is currently in jail awaiting trial on charges of rape, importuning and unlawful sexual conduct with a minor; along with having pending charges in Sandusky County.

He’s scheduled to appear today (Monday) in Norwalk Municipal Court.

Willard/“State of the City“ address

The 27^th annual Willard “State of the City” address was held last week.

City Manager Jim Ludban says Willard has made some headway when it comes to attacking the area’s drug epidemic…by creating spaces like the Doster Plaza, making improvements to the parks and by starting up “Family Movie Night”; where residents can have community events and places to feel safe and comfortable.

Ludban said he couldn’t be happier with where Willard is right now and the progress that the city’s making.

Perkins Twp/Hotel possibly to be shut down

“We’re not going to put up with it anymore…we’re gonna take every action we can to make sure this place either cleans up or shuts down.”

…Those strong words from Perkins Police Chief Robb Parthemore in the Sandusky Register in regards to the Howard Johnson motel on Milan Road.

Police say it’s become a hotbed for criminal activity, with authorities called to the motel 110 times in the last year…including earlier this month for an alleged incident where a woman, child and three dogs were found in a room covered in dog excrement.

Norwalk/Man arrested after being at jail to post bond for friend

A man who reportedly went to the Norwalk Police Department on Friday to post bond for a friend ended up in jail himself.

While there, 32-year-old Zachary Fox was informed there was a warrant out for his arrest.

He reportedly took off running and was located two blocks from the police department.

Fox’s warrant was through the Erie County Sheriff’s Office for felony possession of meth.

Sandusky/Smoking law

A final vote concerning a somewhat controversial law banning smoking in all Sandusky parks is likely to receive a stamp of approval tonight.

Earlier this month, Sandusky commissioners gave their endorsement by a 5-2 vote.

A second vote, which has been described as a formality for legal purposes, should take place at tonight’s commissioner’s meeting, 5:00 pm at City Hall.

The law would then go into effect on May 23^rd.

Erie-Huron County/Roadwork information

With spring comes construction…

Work on State Route 4 from U.S. 20 in Huron County to the Sandusky corporation limit will reduce traffic to one lane for at least the rest of this month.

A reminder in Erie County that State Route 113 from U.S. 250 to State Route 601 (Main Street) in Milan will be closed starting today for pavement repairs.  ODOT says that should be complete by May 23^rd.

Work also starts up again today in Sandusky on the Milan Road overpass and the Butler Street ramp.  The right northbound lane will be closed all week.  Barricades used for tourist season will also be set up on the bridge.

Norwalk/Tree City USA Recognition-Arbor Day Celebration

The City of Norwalk has made plans for Friday to celebrate Arbor Day and its 34th annual Tree City USA designation.

A tree will be planted at the Norwalk Reservoir’s south entrance at 4:00 pm; in honor of Michelle Sweet, for her several years of service on the Norwalk Tree Board.

NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE FORECAST

MONDAY, APRIL 23^RD, 2018

Today

Mostly sunny, with a high near 67.

Tonight

A chance of showers.  Cloudy, with a low around 46.

Tuesday

Showers likely.  Cloudy, with a high near 58.

Wednesday

A chance of showers in the morning.  Mostly cloudy, with a high near 53.

Milan/EHOVE student arrested

A 17-year-old male student at EHOVE Career Center in Milan was arrested Thursday after he allegedly threatened to kill another student.

The boy from Bellevue was charged with aggravated menacing.

Police say the boy allegedly walked into a classroom where he pointed at a classmate and made the threat.

Perkins Township/Perkins grad killed in car accident

A graduate of Perkins High School died in a car crash Tuesday on his way to work at Fostoria schools.

27-year-old Shawn Brennan was a passenger in a car that reportedly hit another vehicle head-on while driving on Ohio Route 199.

Brennan, a 2008 Perkins grad, was a student teacher from BGSU.

Collins-Wakeman/Western Reserve reaches agreement with North Point

The Western Reserve school board has approved a contract with North Point Alternative Learning Center in Sandusky.

The school says the agreement will give students with severe learning disabilities or mental and physical handicaps the best possible education and experience.

Erie County/Deputies reach contract agreement

Erie County sheriff’s deputies are getting a raise.

A new 3-year union agreement has been reached between them and Erie County administrators.

The contract, retroactive to this past January and running through 2020, will give deputies a 2-percent pay increase per year.

Perkins Township/Roundabout construction

Construction on the Bogart Road/Campbell Street roundabout in Perkins Township is set to begin in about a week.

Starting next Monday, April 30^th, work will begin on the first stage – on Campbell Street, south of Bogart.

Bogart Road is set to remain open throughout the majority of the project, which is scheduled to be finished by August 10^th.

Bellevue/”Bone Boys” restaurant closing

A locally-owned Bellevue restaurant has announced its’ closing.

The last day for Bone Boys Barbecue on West Main Street will be next Saturday, April 28^th.

On a Facebook post, owner Tom Schwan said they have “experienced some major hurts and life challenges in the last two years”, since the restaurant first opened.

The restaurant will still do catering.

Norwalk/”Drive 4 UR School” fundraiser today at Norwalk Catholic

Don Tester-Ford-Lincoln has joined forces with Norwalk Catholic Schools for a “Drive 4 UR School” fundraising event today.

From 7:00 am to 5:00 pm, participants can test-drive a new vehicle in the parking lot next to St. Paul Catholic Church; and in turn receive a free gift.

Proceeds will benefit education and activities at Norwalk Catholic.

Erie County/Earth Day Extravaganza

Osborn MetroPark in Huron is hosting their annual “Earth Day Extravaganza” on Sunday.

The event featuring archery, rain-barrel creating, food trucks and much more runs from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm.

Oak Harbor/High School on 2-hour delay

Due to a water issue, Oak Harbor High School will begin on a 2-hour delay this morning.

The rest of the school district will go on as scheduled.

School officials say that although water service has been restored and tested to be safe; according to the state they must receive an “all-clear” from the Village of Oak Harbor, which they expect at 9:00 am.

Willard/Bomb threat at school

A 14-year-old Willard City Schools student has been arrested after being linked to a bomb threat on Tuesday.

Police say they received a report that a bomb would be detonated in the school, which was written on a bathroom wall there.

Nothing was found following a search of the school.

Port Clinton/Man pleads not guilty to multiple counts of rape

A Port Clinton man accused of 50 counts of rape has pled not guilty to all charges.

57-year-old Richard Rose-Junior allegedly sexually assaulted a very young girl multiple times from 2000 to 2005 while living in Danbury Township.

Rose has a jury trial set for late June, where if found guilty, could face life in prison.

Norwalk/Drug trafficking arrest

A man from Norwalk could face prison time in connection with multiple felony drug charges.

22-year-old Shane Fick the-second pled guilty Tuesday to third and second-degree trafficking in drugs.

He’ll be sentenced in May.

Vermilion/Bank robbery suspect arrested

A 65-year-old man has been arrested for allegedly trying to rob a bank in Vermilion on Monday.

Police report that Michael Barrett of Vermilion walked into the Huntington Bank on Liberty Avenue, while hiding his hand in his pocket, and allegedly demanded an employee give him “all the money in the vault”.

No money was taken and no weapons were found on Barrett after authorities located him a short time later.

Sandusky/Man arrested for federal tax fraud

A Sandusky man faces federal tax fraud charges.

33-year-old Brian Peacock, along with three others, allegedly operated a tax preparation office out of the Cleveland-area, where they filed hundreds of tax returns with false information and statuses intended to give their clients a larger refund.

The IRS says Peacock acquired more than $90,000 in refunds for his clients from false tax returns, costing the federal government over $30,000.

Norwalk/Weather forces postponement of races at Summit

The recent rough weather has caused Summit Motorsports Park in Norwalk to cancel their first two events of the 2018 season.

Those races were set for April 28^th, 29^th and May 2^nd.

Drag-strip officials say that undesirable conditions have delayed the progress of a $1.6 million reconstruction project, which includes new asphalt on the staging lanes.

NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE FORECAST

THURSDAY, APRIL 19^TH, 2018

Today

Light snow showers likely, possibly mixing with rain.

Partly cloudy with a high near 43.

Tonight

Mostly clear, with a low around 31.

Friday

Sunny, with a high near 49.

Saturday

Mostly sunny, with a high near 51.

National News/Tax deadline extended by a day

You now have an extra day to complete your taxes.

During yesterday’s scheduled deadline, a computer glitch on the IRS website yesterday left the site unable to process payments.

Tax returns can now be submitted today without penalty.

Sandusky/YMCA to close soon

The Sandusky Area YMCA will likely be closing soon.

Board members announced yesterday that the facility on West Perkins Avenue will shut down for good by May 14^th.

Reasons for the closing include over $100,000 per year in deficits, a decline in memberships and aging facilities which first opened in 1971.

YMCA officials hope to redevelop the “Y” through the upcoming construction of an $18 million building on the land that houses Sports Force Parks on U.S 6; which will likely hold a large pool and fitness center; with hopes to be open by late 2019.

Put-in-Bay/Mayor in trouble

Put-in-Bay mayor Bernard “Mac” McCann has been charged with disorderly conduct while intoxicated.

Police say, on Friday, they found McCann apparently unconscious on his stomach on the ground next to a golf cart.

McCann has a court date set for next Wednesday in Ottawa County.

Erie County/State Route 113 closure

State Route 113, from US 250 to State Route 601 (Main St.), in Milan, will be closed starting this Monday for pavement repairs and resurfacing.

The road is expected to be reopened by May 23^rd.

New London/Levy going on November ballot

The New London School Board has approved the placement of a 2.9 mill, five-year permanent improvement levy on the November ballot.

If passed, the levy would bring in $339,000 a year; with money going towards replacement busses, roof repairs, security upgrades and other enhancements.

Sandusky/Mall likely losing Elder-Beerman

It looks like the Sandusky Mall will be losing another store.

Reports are out that all Elder-Beerman locations will be closing in around three months.

Over the last few years, the mall has lost Macy’s, Sears, Ruby Tuesday and Charming Charlie.

Norwalk/Baseball fundraiser this weekend

The Norwalk High School baseball team is hosting a fundraising tripleheader of games on Saturday.

Starting at 10:00 am, the games also featuring Mansfield Madison and Clear Fork, will help raise money for the Huron County honor bus, which sends local veterans to visit war memorials in Washington D.C.

NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE FORECAST

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 18^TH, 2018

Today

Mostly sunny early, then becoming cloudy during the afternoon with a chance of rain.

High near 45.

Tonight

Rain changing to rain and light snow overnight. Low around 35.

Thursday

Rain and light snow showers.  Breezy.  High near 44.

Friday

Sunny, with a high near 47.