One new COVID-19 death has been reported in Huron County, to bump the total to 38.  

82 new cases were also reported Thursday, according to Norwalk Ohio News.com.

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On Thursday, Governor Mike DeWine gave an update on the state’s COVID-19 vaccination plan.    

As Phase 1A winds down, DeWine announced those in Phase 1B will be able to receive vaccinations beginning on Tuesday, January 19th.

Those 80 years of age and older will be prioritized first in this next phase, roughly totaling 420,000 Ohioans.

Ohio is expected to receive 100,000 doses during the first week of distribution to Phase 1B.

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Three teen boys were criminally charged following a high-speed car chase in Sandusky on Wednesday. 

 

According to the Sandusky Register, the pursuit began on West Perkins Avenue in a reported stolen vehicle, which sped up to 70 miles-per-hour.

The chase ended when the boys reportedly pulled over on 48th Street, exited their vehicle and escaped on foot, before being found by police.

Police were unable to locate one of the car’s four occupants.

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A long-time musician and business-owner in downtown Lorain has died.

Joe Marotta was 91.

He owned and operated the Marotta Music Center on Broadway.

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Former Norwalk mayor Rob Duncan has a new job.  

Duncan has been named Lorain County’s Director of Community Development.

The former two-term Republican mayor served in office from 2011 to 2019, before losing to now mayor, Dave Light.

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Perkins Township Police, through social media, have put out a warning on a potential scam. 

 

It involves identity thieves and unemployment fraud during this COVID-19 pandemic.

Police say that scammers are using personal information to file false unemployment claims and then typically arrange for the benefits to be deposited into bank accounts they have control over.

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Demolition of a long-standing building in Lorain is underway.

Crews have begun knocking down the St. Joseph Community Center at 21^st and Broadway.

A company based in Massachusetts bought the property last year…they have not yet announced plans for the area…

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It has been called, ‘the largest ice festival in Northeast Ohio”.

This year…not so large.

Organizers of next month’s Medina Ice Festival are eliminating events that draw big crowds, including ice carving competitions.

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SPORTS

-In baseball news, Francisco Lindor is no longer a Cleveland Indian. Lindor and Carlos Carrasco were both traded to the New York Mets on Thursday.

-The Cleveland Cavaliers won last night in Memphis, 94-90.

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From the National Weather Service

Today

Cloudy, with a high near 33.

 

 Tonight

Mostly cloudy, with a low around 26.

 

 Saturday

Partly sunny, with a high near 36.

 

Sunday

Mostly sunny, with a high near 35.

Governor Mike DeWine issued a statement Wednesday amid the violent protests by President Trump supporters at the Capitol Building in Washington D.C.  

Dewine called it an embarrassment to the country…and that as a nation of laws, it’s unacceptable.

DeWine said that peaceful demonstrations are an exercise of First Amendment rights, but stopping the constitutional process by which we elect the president, is not.

Congress was holding a joint session Wednesday, where they were in the process of ratifying the Electoral College votes, resulting in a victory for Joe Biden.

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In local COVID-19 numbers…

For the second straight day, Huron County had 44 newly reported cases, on Wednesday.  The death toll stays at 37.

In Erie County, 200 new cases were reported Wednesday, with fatalities remaining at 115.

The COVID-19 death toll in Lorain County now stands at 168…up from 147 one week ago.  Lorain County Public Health reports; two of the victims were in their 40’s.

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A free pop-up COVID-19 testing event is planned today in Norwalk…

…Running from 1:00 to 5:45 pm at the Huron County Fairgrounds Expo Building.

No appointment is needed.

Masks are required.

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Another free, COVID-19 pop-up testing event is coming to Lorain County.

It’ll be held Saturday from 8am until noon, at the Lorain County Health and Dentistry “testing area” at 12^th and Broadway in Lorain.

About 500 people turned out for a similar event on January 3^rd.

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Huron County Public Health has released information on Corona Virus vaccines in the county.

Officials say the demand for the vaccine is currently greater than the available supply, with the Health Department being allocated roughly 100 COVID-19 vaccine doses per week.

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A Sandusky man is looking at a possible 10 years behind bars, after pleading guilty child sex crime charges.  

According to the Sandusky Register, the charges against 32-year-old Shain Wadding involve two victims, dating back to as far as 2006.

He’ll be sentenced next month.

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Two men received minor injuries after a two-vehicle crash Tuesday near Norwalk. 

According to Norwalk Ohio News.com and authorities, 23-year-old Jeryn Grosswiler drove a pickup truck left of center and struck another truck, driven by 65-year-old Daniel Panek of North Olmstead.

Unsafe speed was a contributing factor in the crash on Ridge Road.

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Police in Avon Lake have taken to social media…reminding residents to lock their vehicles and keep valuables, out of sight.

The reminder comes after thieves stole 4 vehicles in one night from driveways on Belmont Drive and Rebecca Lane.

One was recovered in Euclid…another, on Cleveland’s east side.

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Former Lorain County Prosecutor Dennis Will, will begin a new chapter in his career one week from today.

Will has been hired by Lorain County Sheriff Phil Stammitti to serve as his Administrative/Personnel Officer.

Will served as Lorain County Prosecutor for 16 years, and prior to that, 25 years with the Elyria Police Department.

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The Avon Lake Public Library is celebrating 90 years of service this year.

Now through April, you’ll see historical displays inside the library.

And…until further notice…a host of new virtual programs…registration is now underway.

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SPORTS

The Cleveland Cavaliers dropped their second straight in Orlando last night…Final score: Orlando 105, Cleveland 94. The Cavs are back in action tonight, at Memphis, at 8:00 pm, on 95.3 WLKR.

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From the National Weather Service…

Today

Cloudy, with a high near 35.

 

Tonight

Cloudy, with a low around 28.

 

Friday

Cloudy, with a high near 34.

 

Saturday

Mostly sunny, with a high near 35.

The occupant of a house that caught fire in Norwalk Tuesday morning has been hospitalized in serious condition.

The Norwalk Reflector reports that the blaze took place at a home on North Prospect Street, with a man and his dog being rescued.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

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Good news involving a missing/runaway teen in Perkins Township…

Police say 14-year-old Lanee Breenan has been brought back home safe and sound.

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A plea of “no contest” to multiple charges…and no prison time…for a Sandusky man, in connection with a drowning death in 2019.

According to the Sandusky Register, 24-year-old Spencer Lippus was accused of being intoxicated while operating a boat in the Sandusky Bay near Lions Park, with his friend, 23-year-old Brandon Stegall, going into the water and drowning.

Lippus has been placed on a diversion program, where he must meet certain conditions in order to keep him from being found guilty.

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A North Ridgeville pastor and his wife have been charged with several counts of sexual battery…

This following a yearlong investigation from North Ridgeville Police into 46-year-old David Walker and his wife Anna Walker.

Both pled not guilty to the charges…

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In COVID-19 numbers…

Huron county saw 44 new cases reported on Tuesday, with the death toll holding steady at 37.

Lorain County is closing in on 13,000 coronavirus cases… Lorain County Health reported a total of over 12,900 cases on Tuesday’s report. The local death toll remains at 147.

Statewide, there were 7,580 newly reported cases on Tuesday, according to the Ohio Department of Health

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Governor Mike DeWine discussed nursing home vaccination numbers on Tuesday.

As of Sunday, approximately 61 percent of nursing homes in Ohio have been visited by a pharmacy vaccine provider.

Of those locations, only approximately 40 percent of staff members have chosen to receive the vaccination.

Of nursing home residents, approximately 75 to 80 percent of residents have decided to receive the vaccine.

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A group of firefighters in Vermilion have issued a vote of no confidence letter to all but 3 officers in the department…

Complaints of a hostile work environment and poor morale were noted, along with a lack of communication and improper training…

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The Lorain County Commissioners have made a number of staffing changes…

Among them, Tom Williams, who was Moore’s campaign manager this past election, as county administrator and former North Ridgeville HR director Jen Sinatra as the county’s HR director.

A full list of changes can be seen in today’s Chronicle Telegram…

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The former Sears building by Midway Mall could be getting a new occupant…

Chris Salata, COO of Industrial Commercial Properties which currently owns the building, says they have received interest from a third-party logistics company with Elyria being the preferred location of that company…

A full report at chronicle t dot com…

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The Huron County Sheriff’s Office has handed out some awards…

‘Corrections Officer of the Year’ went to Donna Stoll, and Detective Sergeant Ted Evans received ‘Deputy of the Year’ honors for 2020.

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SPORTS

-Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski will miss Sunday’s playoff game at Pittsburgh after being one of multiple Browns players and staff to test positive for COVID-19 on Monday.

-The Cavs are in action tonight, at Orlando, at 7:00 pm, on 95.3 WLKR.

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From the National Weather Service…

Today

A slight chance of snow showers.

Cloudy, with a high near 36.

 

Tonight

Mostly cloudy, with a low around 30.

 

Thursday

Mostly cloudy, with a high near 34.

 

Friday

Mostly cloudy, with a high near 33.

Checking local COVID-19 numbers…

Erie County reported a total of 115 deaths, 8 more since last Wednesday.  The county also saw 215 new cases since last Wednesday.

In Huron County, 22 new cases were reported Monday, according to Norwalk Ohio News.com.  The death toll in Huron County remained at 37.

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An update on COVID-19 cases at Norwalk City Schools…

During the time frame between December 18th and January 4th, one staff member from each of the following schools tested positive…

…Pleasant Elementary, Main Street Intermediate School, Norwalk Middle/High School and Norwalk High School.

There were also positive tests from one student each at Norwalk High School and Norwalk Middle School.

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The Highway Patrol continues its investigation into a fatal crash in Carlisle Township that left an Olmsted Township resident, dead.

Jeffrey Fox was 29.

Troopers say, it appears Fox lost control of his van early Sunday on West Ridge Road and struck a tree.

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Perkins Township Police are asking for the public’s assistance in locating a missing/runaway teen girl.

14-year-old Lanee Breenan was last seen in the area of the Bogart Landing housing community in Perkins Township, and is believed to be in the Sandusky area.

Her photo and other information is available on the Perkins Township Police Department’s Facebook page.

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Two men with links to the Norwalk area are on the latest Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force’s Most Wanted list…

27-year-old James Bailey and 44-year-old Shawn Thomas are both wanted for involuntary manslaughter.

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The Ohio State Highway Patrol reports that 10 traffic deaths occurred on Ohio’s roadways during this past New Year’s 4-day reporting period.

This year’s period running from Thursday through Sunday…

That compares to four fatalities during the previous year’s two-day reporting period.

This year, two of the fatalities were the result of not wearing a safety belt when available, four were OVI-related and five were pedestrians.

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Norwalk authorities are investigating a fire that engulfed three vehicles on Sunday.

The Norwalk Reflector reports that the blaze took place on North Prospect Street.

The owners of the vehicles believe the fire was set intentionally.

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Lorain City Council has agreed to study the merits of placing traffic cameras in areas where it’s difficult for police to monitor.

A full report in today’s Chronicle Telegram…

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The Lorain County Commissioners have hired former commissioner Tom Williams to serve as county administrator.

Williams replaces Jim Cordes, who had served in that role for nearly 20 years.

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A traffic alert in Huron County for the next week…

State Route 99 is closed between Maple Ridge Road and Greenfield Township, at the Holiday Lakes bridge.

It’s expected to re-open next Monday the 11th.

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SPORTS

-The Cleveland Cavaliers lost on the road to Orlando last night, 103-83.

– In boys high school hoops last night…Willard beat Upper Sandusky 79-63.

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From the National Weather Service…

Today

A chance of light snow showers. Cloudy, with a high near 36.

 

Tonight

A slight chance of snow showers. Cloudy, with a low around 30.

 

Wednesday

Cloudy, with a high near 37.

 

Thursday

Mostly cloudy, with a high near 34.