Coaches don't usually like to look backward but in this case it serves Meyer's purposes.
Ohio State has 16 first-time starters, which makes the Buckeyes the least experienced FBS team in college football this season.
The hope is that exceptional recruiting the last few years will compensate for all the talent which walked out the door after last season, including nine underclassmen who left early to enter the NFL draft.
But recruiting isn't the only reason to think the Buckeyes can put themselves into the conversation about the College Football Playoff again, Meyer said. The recent past might provide a road map for this year's team.
"I see that potential. I think 2014 was the template that everybody wants," Meyer said, referring to OSU's national championship season two years ago.
"J.T. Barrett was buried in the depth chart, Darron Lee, Eli Apple, Zeke Elliott, Mike Thomas -- those guys were no-names, and they became very good throughout the course of 2014. And another guy, Cardale Jones, was buried in the depth chart."
All of those players except Barrett are in the NFL now. So are Vonn Bell, Taylor Decker, Braxton Miller, Jalin Marshall, Adolphus Washington, Joshua Perry, Nick Vannett, Tyis Powell and Joey Bosa, when he signs.
Whether their replacements live up to the four-star and five-star rankings the recruiting analysts gave them will determine if Ohio State is able to stay at the elite level it has been on with 50 wins in 54 games in Meyer's four seasons in Columbus.
The reasons to believe 2016 is similar to 2014 start with quarterback J.T. Barrett, who is 15-2 as a starter.
Barrett has the starting quarterback job to himself this year. He's healthy and is expecting to have another season like the one he had in 2014 when he was the best quarterback in the Big Ten before he suffered a broken leg in the Michigan game.
What he doesn't have is a lot of experience around him on offense.
He doesn't have Elliott, who had back-to-back seasons of 1,878 yards and 1,821 yards rushing, which could mean OSU will throw the ball more this season.
Noah Brown, expected to be the No. 1 receiver, has one career catch. And though center Pat Elflein and guard Billy Price are All-Big Ten caliber offensive linemen, the other three positions will belong to first-year starters -- Jamarco Jones, Isaiah Prince and probably freshman Michael Jordan.
Defensively, the line is the most experienced area, with one returning starter, Tyquan Lewis, and Sam Hubbard, who got close to starter's minutes last year, at the ends.
Linebacker Raekwon McMillan, almost certainly in his final season at OSU before heading to the NFL, and cornerback Gareon Conley are the other returning starters.
Players like Chris Worley and Dante Booker at linebacker, Malik Hooker and Damon Webb at safety and cornerbacks Marshon Lattimore, Denzel Ward and Damon Arnette will get their chances to play after mostly watching from the sideline so far in their careers.
Punter Cameron Johnston is one of the best in the country. Kicker Sean Nuernberger lost his job to a walk-on for much of last season before getting it back late in the season. He is 16 of 24 in his career but did not make a field goal longer than 38 yards last season.
"I just like coaching this team. They're hungry, they're very anxious to learn," Meyer said.
Beginning this Saturday against Bowling Green, Ohio State will learn if a group of mostly inexperienced players can live up to the always big expectations at OSU.
Reach Jim Naveau at 567-242-0414 or on Twitter at @Lima_Naveau.
___
(c)2016 The Lima News (Lima, Ohio)
Visit The Lima News (Lima, Ohio) at www.limaohio.com
Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.


COLUMBUS – When Urban Meyer looks into the future he sees the past.
Coaches don't usually like to look backward but in this case it serves Meyer's


Most of my first day I spent learning new systems, figuring out how to do layouts and going over the fall sports schedule. As I was writing all of the games in my planner, as the weeks rolled, my excitement grew.
Here are my Top 10 football games I am looking forward to seeing this fall:
Plymouth at Willard, Week 3
Now before you jump down my throat, this game is more of a personal preference than one that will jump out as a must-see. I am a 2008 Plymouth grad and my wife is a Willard alum from the same year. So there may be some household chores on the line.
It is a game that should have been played for years and years. Less than 20 miles apart, the two schools finally sparked a nice little rivalry that hopefully continues for many years.
Western Reserve at Edison, Week 3
Many early season questions will be answered for these two teams pending the outcome of this contest. Is Western a legit threat for a Firelands Conference crown? Can Edison reload after losing a stellar senior class last season? We will all find out soon enough.
St. Paul at Western Reserve, Week 4
Two traditional Firelands Conference powers meet up early in the season. This could be a major deciding factor in the league race unless Monroeville has anything to say about that. We will get to that later. But this contest promises to be a knockout, drag-out battle that will be very fun to see.
Norwalk vs Ontario, Week 5
Ontario coach Chris Hawkins makes his return to the Northern Ohio League and makes a trip back to Norwalk. The Truckers are anxious to put last season behind them and what better way than to face off with the Warriors one final time?
South Central at Plymouth, Week 5
This is just a good ol’ fashion rivalry I grew up in. I always enjoy watching the Big Red and Trojans do battle. With both teams sitting near the middle of the pack in the Firelands Conference and wanting to put a positive close on the first half of the season, I fully expect both squads to do anything and everything to win.
Monroeville vs South Central, Week 6
Both teams are coming off of an important Week 5 game, but Week 6 starts the second half of the season and that is when teams want to start playing their best football. It will be interesting to see who starts off the rest of the season with a win.
Norwalk at Willard, Week 9
If revenge is a dish best served cold, the Truckers are hoping to serve the Flashes a frozen defeat. Last seasons 21-20 shocker left a bad taste in the Truckers’ mouths. Does Willard have one more lightening bolt in its back pocket? Unfortunately, we will have to wait until Week 9 to find out. It will be the final game in NOL history.
New London vs Crestview, Week 9
The claws will be out between the Wildcats and Cougars in Week 9. As back-yard rivals square off, this contest could have playoff implications with some early wins. I expect these two teams to be very close in record heading into this contest. You will not want to miss it.
Western Reserve at Mapleton, Week 10
Another Firelands Conference showdown makes the list. These two teams are so similar, if it was played at a neutral site, you may not be able to tell them apart. It is always a fun time to watch the Roughriders and Mounties meet up during Rivalry Week. Will the Mounties saddle the Roughriders, or will Western buck Mapleton to end the season on the high note?
St. Paul at Monroeville, Week 10
As soon as I took this job I’ve had this game marked on my schedule. The classic Firelands Conference battle could have conference championship implications. Though, I keep hearing Monroeville is, “a year away.” Don’t sleep on the Eagles. But the Flyers are the top dog until someone can knock them off. This is going to be interesting.
jakefurr@norwalkreflector.com419-571-9333
Twitter: @JakeFurr11

Jake Furr | Top 10 football games to watch for


It is my first week on the job and I am already itching for some Friday night lights.
Most of my first day I spent learning new systems, figuring out how to do layouts and


When given to a person overdosing on opioids such as heroin, fentanyl, carfentanil, or a prescription opioid, naloxone can limit or stop the overdose by reversing the effects of the opioid on the brain.
In March, DeWine announced that he renewed an agreement with Amphastar Pharmaceuticals, Inc. to allow law enforcement, fire departments, emergency medical services, and others to receive a $6 rebate for each Amphastar naloxone syringe purchased until March 2017.
During the first year of the rebate agreement, 82 Ohio agencies were reimbursed a total of more than $209,000 to offset the cost of the life-saving drug.
"Heroin, fentanyl, and now carfentanil continue to take and risk the lives of many Ohioans every single day," DeWine said in his letter. "For those of you who are not yet carrying naloxone, I strongly encourage you to do so. Naloxone is another tool to help ensure the safety of your community members."
According to a report released yesterday by the Ohio Department of Health, drug overdose deaths in Ohio increased from 2,531 in 2014 to 3,050 in 2015, including 1,155 fentanyl-related drug overdose deaths.
Attorney General DeWine recently warned law enforcement about the risks faced by officers who field test potent opioids like fentanyl. Alerts sent out by the Attorney General's Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) in June and July warned that law enforcement should collect drug evidence with caution. Because drug absorption can occur through mucus membranes or broken skin, BCI recommended that any suspected heroin or fentanyl not be field tested as it could contain potent synthetic opioids such as carfentanil.
"These drugs are so dangerous to anyone who encounters them that we've recently increased safety precautions for BCI forensic scientists who test these drugs in our state crime labs, and we also have naloxone on hand in case the drugs are accidentally ingested," DeWine said.
For information on how to apply for the Amphastar rebates visit www.OhioAttorneyGeneral.gov/NaloxoneRebate.

Law enforcement officers reminded about Naloxone rebates


COLUMBUS — Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine recently sent a letter to members of law enforcement, reminding them that rebates are available for law enforcement agencies that carry


Jason Kipnis drove in a run with an opposite-field shift-beating double to the left-field corner to give the Indians a 1-0 lead in the third. The night went down hill from there for the Rangers. Cleveland added two more runs in the fourth as Mike Napoli and Carlos Santana started the inning with a single and double. Napoli scored on a groundout before Elvis Andrus threw out Santana trying to score on Brandon Guyer’s grounder to short. Abraham Almonte doubled to score Guyer to give the Indians a 3-0 lead.
Cleveland added three more in the sixth, one in the seventh and two more in the eighth to build a 9-1 lead. Perez left after 52/3 innings and dropped to 8-10 with the loss. Dario Alvarez replaced Perez in the sixth and allowed three runs on four hits in 11/3 innings of relief. Keone Kela replaced him in the eighth and allowed a run with a hit batter with the bases loaded. Another run scored on a wild pitch. Cleveland added three more runs on three hits and a walk in the ninth against Alex Claudio.
Adrian Beltre’s solo homer with one out in the sixth finally put the Rangers on the board against Indians’ right-hander Corey Kluber, who held Texas to five hits and two walks over six innings. The Rangers were outhit 17 to six.
Cleveland (73-54) holds a 4 1/2-game lead over Detroit (69-59) in the AL Central.
———
©2016 Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Visit the Fort Worth Star-Telegram at www.star-telegram.com
Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Kluber, Indians roll to 12-1 romp over Rangers


ARLINGTON, Texas — The Indians scored six runs on 10 hits against Rangers’ starter Martin Perez to even the four-game series with a 12-1 win Friday night at Globe Life


Both properties are offered for online auction now through Sept. 22 at www.gryphonusa.com. Bidders who prefer to bid live may do so on the final day of the offering by contacting the auctioneer.
The first property is a 3BR/2BA ranch style home on 8 acres at 6455 London Groveport Road in Grove City appraised at $300,000, with a minimum bid of $240,000.
The second is a 4BR/2BA Colonial at 6110 Holiday Lane, Dublin, appraised at $240,000 with a minimum bid of $159,850.
The foreclosure auction of real estate by private auctioneer is not new in Ohio. However the process has recently been streamlined under Ohio Sub HB 390 which passed in May and was signed by Gov. John Kasich in late June. Key modifications allow for selling online only as well as defining the role of Private Selling Officers who would be qualified to undertake the auctions across the state.
"This change is long overdue in Ohio. Privatizing foreclosure auctions will let the courts and creditors get properties sold more quickly and efficiently than simply running the auction through the local sheriff’s department benefiting both the consumer and the creditor," said Richard Kruse, president of Gryphon USA and a state qualified Private Selling Officer.
Individuals seeking information may visit www.GryphonUSA.com or call Richard Kruse at 614-885-0020 and rfk@gryphonusa.com.

Pair of foreclosure auctions to be conducted by private auctioneer


COLUMBUS — Gryphon Auction Group has been appointed as Special Master to complete the auction of two suburban single family homes in the greater Columbus area — one in


The topics vary widely, from two resolutions regarding the development of state bike routes, to a resolution related to the city’s 2017 sidewalk construction program.
Council will review resolutions for the designation of two bike routes which would travel through town, State Bike Route 30 and State Bike Route 65. According to the resolutions, the routes may change over time as new facilities are constructed to serve bicyclists.
The resolutions cite North America’s growing bicycle tourism industry, claiming that the bike routes would promote tourism in the Norwalk area.
Council will also discuss the tax reciprocity ordinance during the work session, as well as a sidewalk program.
According to Public Works Director Josh Snyder, this is an annual program.
“We have an inspector who has gone out and identified defective sections of sidewalk — cracked, broken, missing,” Snyder said.
The inspector identifies trip hazards or sidewalks in disrepair, and there are one of two ways the sidewalk is repaired. The person who owns the lot or land where the sidewalk is located receives a notice to either repair the sidewalk, or reimburse the city for repairs.
“We send a letter to each property owner in those areas where we have those defective walks,” Snyder explained. “They can do the work themselves, [or] have a contractor do it. If they don’t do anything, we will have the work done and send them an invoice at the end of the project. If they don’t do anything again, it rolls over into their taxes.”
Depending on the amount charged to the resident, they have a certain period of time to repay the city — between two to 10 years.
Council will also look at other resolutions affecting city infrastructure, including one to make improvements to Old State Road. It would authorize the mayor to apply for Ohio Public Works Commission funding up to $350,000, which would be used in a project to widen the road.
The city would be required to match $185,439 in funds to participate in the grant program.


Norwalk City Council will be reviewing three ordinances and four resolutions during its work session at 7:30 p.m. next Tuesday, Aug. 30 at the municipal court.
The topics


Use the hashtag #nrhss (Norwalk Reflector high school sports) to keep us updated with scores around the area.
To get the latest scores and updates, follow our sports editor, Jake Furr at @jakefurr11, sportswriter Logan Greszer at @logangreszler and staff writer Cary Ashby at @Cary_reporter.


The Norwalk Reflector sports department is asking for our readers to help us out and get involved on Twitter.
Use the hashtag #nrhss


We lost a co-worker, a friend, a part of the family.
Jeff Van Natta died Saturday after losing his battle with a number of health issues.
Van Natta came to us about 10 years ago as a part-time photographer. He would work all night at Walmart, then all day here taking pictures. I can’t tell you how many times I would look over at his desk and see him sleeping in his chair in front of his computer. He could never do enough.
Finally, he was able to retire from Walmart and devote all of his time to the Reflector. He never was a full-time employee, but he sure spent a lot of time here. If he wasn’t working or sleeping at his desk, he was eating there.
There were times when we had to send him home.
Van Natta and his wife, Amy, have three children. One son, Joseph, passed away a few years ago. He loved his family and worked extra hard to provide for them.
Jeff could never say no. I can’t tell you how many times he would shoot an event then make a picture or two for somebody. He’d make the prints and put them in frames. Sometimes, I am sure he lost money working at the Reflector. But he loved to shoot pictures and he loved to share them with others.
Jeff loved to talk. And he loved to work the crowd. I’d be sitting in the stands watching a game and keeping an eye on Jeff. We’d always tell him to take pictures of the crowd. He’s work his way down the stands shooting everybody and stopping to talk — right during the middle of the game. He’d talk to the players. He'd talk to the coaches. He’d talk to the referees. He’d talk to anybody who would listen.
The thing about Jeff is that everybody liked him, which is unusual in this business. If you do this long enough, you are sure to make enemies, but Jeff never did.
You couldn’t help but like him.
I got this email Monday morning and it just about says it all about Jeff Van Natta.
It is from our friend, Ruth Earl, of North Fairfield.
“I am saddened to read of Jeff Van Natta's passing,” she wrote. “You had mentioned a couple of times in the paper that he had medical issues but I kept hoping that they were only temporary and that he would return.
“Jeff was a class act, and one of the best staff members you have ever had. He was accurate, thorough and compassionate. I'm sure he was welcomed into Heaven with open arms. I will miss him. I did not know his wife, but please give her my sympathy.”
We will miss you Jeff. God bless.
Joe Centers is Reflector managing editor. He can be reached at jcenters@norwalkreflector.com.


It’s a sad day at the Norwalk Reflector.
We lost a co-worker, a friend, a part of the family.
Jeff Van Natta died


Mr. Bartlett, a Milan native, married the former Carol Neel of New London on July 16, 1966 at the Norwalk Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses. They had a reception at the New London Grange Hall.
They are the parents of Jeff and Cheyenne Bartlett of Elyria and Scott and Elaine Bartlett of Monroeville, and the grandparents of TJ Mann, Adam Bartlett, London Bartlett and Gavin Bartlett.
Mr. Bartlett retired from Sandusky International, where he worked as a master machinist for 34 years. Mrs. Bartlett is a homemaker.
They celebrated their 50th with a family dinner at Mon Ami in Catawba.
The couple met at an assembly of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Norwalk in 1964.
The secret of their long marriage? They have always worked together and applied Bible principles in their lives.
‘Because I picked the perfect wife the first time, that's why everything has been wonderful,’ Mr. Bartlett added.
They enjoy bicycling and walking together.
The couple said they have had many enjoyable experiences over the years. However, their family members bring them the most joy.

Bartletts celebrate 50th wedding anniversary


NORWALK — Larry and Carol Bartlett of Norwalk are celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary.
Mr. Bartlett, a Milan native, married the former Carol Neel of New


Then again, most don’t go from being triple option signal callers to suddenly being spread guys either.
Willard’s Ethan Daub was having a blast finally getting a chance to show off his arm on Friday while his team reaped the benefits. The 6-foot-5-inch senior threw for a career-best 309 yards on 20-of-30 passing and equaled his passing touchdowns from 2015, tossing four — two each to Josh Buerger and Nick Cofer — as the Crimson Flashes held off a late charge by Margaretta for a 31-24 win on opening night at the Duck Pond.
“I love throwing it. That was night getting to go there and whip the ball around,” said Daub, who added a 78-yard scoring run with his feet to ice the game. “It feels amazing to win. With the new offense and everything, it’s awesome. Everyone did their jobs tonight and everything worked out, even though we had a lot of guys get injured.”
Willard led 25-8 after a nice seven-play, 53-yard to open the second half culminated in an 18-yard strike from Daub to Cofer, who ran a curl route, then juked his defender at the 10:03 mark.
Logan Graffin, who’d run for 128 yards on 27 carries for the the Polar Bears, got his team back in the game with a 44-yard scamper down to the Flashes’ 4-yard line after Margaretta started near midfield. Two plays later, James Fisher’s 2-yard run was followed by Graffin’s two-point run to make it 25-16 with 5;07 remaining in the third.
As successful as Margaretta was at moving the ball at times, though, a lot of opportunities to get points were spoiled by six total turnovers. New quarterback Nick Leibacher completed 18 of his 32 pass attempts for 149 yards. However, he was picked off four times — twice by Willard’s Brevon Polachek.
“We shot ourselves in the foot and way too many missed assignments. We have no one to blame but ourselves,” Polar Bears coach Andy Zuk said. “You can’t come out and play like we did and expect to win a varsity football game.
“I was pleased with our kids, though, because I thought they battled,” he added. “I mean with all that adversity tonight, we lost by seven points. Tonight is what it is and we got to get better.”
A golden opportunity got away early in the fourth quarter. Noah Hilton returned a Willard punt 25 yards where he needed to make one last guy miss for a score. Instead, the Bears lined up at the Flashes’ 35 and Leibacher’s first down pass was intercepted by Dorian Holida.
Polachek’s second interception with 2:12 to go came in his own end zone after Margaretta got to the 15 in a long 13-play drive. Graffin’s 10-yard run on an option on fourth-and-5 proceeded the game-turning interception as Willard seized back the game’s momentum.
“At halftime my message was, ‘you guys won the first half, but they aren’t going to lay down, that’s a good program over there,’” new Willard coach Britton Devier said. “The fact that we battled … we had injuries, cramps, kids puking (both teams did) and we had to move kids all around, yet we kept fighting and got the win. As my mentor (Patrick Henry coach) Bill Inselmann always said, ‘1-0 and away we go.”
Next Up
Willard will stay on the road as it’ll visit defending Sandusky Bay Conference co-champion Edison Friday. For Margaretta, the home field will be in the rearview over the next three weeks as they’ll start a three-game road stretch Friday at Western Reserve — a team the Polar Bears beat in an overtime thriller at home, 36-28, in last year’s Week 2.

Daub directs big victory for Willard Flashes


CASTALIA — Quarterback aren’t suppose to equal their season totals from a year ago in one game.
Then again, most don’t go from being


This is just wrong to decide to raise taxes on a select group—and to raise the taxes by 50%--an increase that is unheard of at the city, state, or federal level!
Your explanation makes it sound like individuals who work out of town have some kind of special deal in taxes. That is so misleading—I pay most of city tax to the city I work in and don’t benefit from those city services. As the people who come to Norwalk to work, pay most of their city taxes to Norwalk and don’t benefit from those. Historically, that’s the way the reciprocal agreement works.
As you are creating a “tax and spend” reputation, do you really believe this is the way to attract businesses and people to live in Norwalk? Obviously you are spending more than you have coming in. Maybe you should look at the spending before you start taxing.
I have already spoken to individuals who said they will move out of the city because their taxes will increase two-fold with both adults work out of town. It’s actually more profitable for them to move than stay in Norwalk and pay this tax for the next 15-20 years.
Why not think out of the box, be creative and come up with a way of funding all your spending that is not on the backs of a select group of hard-working middle class families?
It’s obvious that this has been your plan from the beginning. I would guess that none of you (who are not affected by this increase) have no intention of changing your mind.
I hope voters remember this heartless and unfair decision next election.
Nancy Beckett
Norwalk


The Norwalk City Council, Mayor, Mr. Wendt and the Finance Director’s attempt to pass legislation increasing city taxes by 50% for citizens who work out of town but live in Norwalk,


The Norwalk Fire Department was called at 6:02 p.m. about a residence that was hit by lightning and was smoking. The caller reported the house was at the corner of Cline and League streets.
Firefighters didn’t see any smoke or anyone around at that location, but then traveled north on Cline Street and learned it was the house next to Cline Street Freewill Baptist Church.
“The church owns it. They had it set up for a rummage sale,” Lt. Curt Stang said.
The home at 7 Cline St. wasn’t occupied at the time of the lightning strike. Firefighters didn’t see any smoke, entered the residence using a key that a neighbor had and checked for damage.
While the house still had power, Stang said there were no electronic devices inside.
“None of the fuses had been blown. That was all we could find,” he added.
Firefighters found a couple who passed by on a motorcycle and took refuge from the storm in a car port behind the church.
“They just pulled into there to seek shelter from the rain,” Stang said. “They said that while sitting waiting for the rain to stop, they (saw) the lightning strike and a ball of fire at the corner of the house where the electric line came into the house.”
Firefighters determined the only damage was the telephone line was burned off the house and there were scorch marks on the soffit. No damage estimate was available Monday, but Stang said it was minor damage.


A telephone line was burned off a Cline Street house when lightning hit it Saturday.
The Norwalk Fire Department was called at 6:02 p.m. about a residence that was hit by


She was born October 28, 1928 in Norwalk to the late Reed and Ottillia “Tillie” (Hay) Beck.
She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Terry and Beth Wilcox of Westlake; two grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, son, Jeff Wilcox; her former spouse, Harold Wilcox; and brother, Richard Beck.
Friends may call on Thursday, September 1, 2016 from 5:00 – 7:00 P.M. at the Evans Funeral Home, 314 E. Main Street, Norwalk. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Friday at 10:30 A.M. at St. Paul Catholic Church, 91 E. Main Street, Norwalk. Burial will follow at St. Paul Cemetery.
Condolences may be shared at norwalkfuneral.com.


WESTLAKE — Thelma Marie Wilcox, age 87, of Westlake, formerly Norwalk, passed away Monday evening, August 29, 2016 at Rae-Ann Suburban Skilled Nursing Center in Westlake,


“I love to cook. Oh yes,” Florez said through her son Omar Marrufo, who translated most of what she said for her. “I learned from my mother. I used one chair at the stove.
“She said she was 7 years old and she had to start cooking for her family; she was the oldest daughter,” Marrufo said while translating.
“She had to cook for eight kids. My grandfather was working ... so she cooked and took care of the kids. They had a very big pan she made things in, so that’s why she still has troubles making things (in smaller portions). She still makes so much food.
“My mother said taught me how to do things. A little bit of oil here,” Florez said.
“She said she learned the little tricks in the family,” Marrufo said. “And there was a lot of trial and error. She’d burn batches of tortillas or sometimes she’d forget the salt in the tortillas. She makes her food with love and affection and she just puts so much into it.”
Meals were large though in her family with eight children to feed.
“We had a big family,” Florez said. “We used three chickens (for one meal).”
“She had to make everything herself, so she had to go get the three chickens, defeather the chickens, clean out the insides, take off the feet. She had to do everything. But that’s why she’s the best cook of all of her sisters.”
It’s much easier for Florez to cook for her family now since they moved to Bellevue more than 20 years ago.
She said probably her favorite ingredient is garlic, but there are several that she relies heavily on.
“I use pepper, garlic, salt, onions, tomatoes,” she said.
The meal she makes most often uses a lot of those ingredients.
“She makes a dish similar to (chile verde) with beef, a red chili base, peppers and beans, but it’s all fresh. It’s good,” Marrufo said.
Florez said she couldn’t think of anything she made that came out tasting bad, but admitted she does have troubles with beef stew.
“She said if she had to pick (one dish as her worst) it would probably be beef stew,” Marrufo said. “It’s not that it came out tasting bad, but she hasn’t gotten it to where the vegetables don’t disintegrate. I think she just adds them a little too soon.”
The best dish Florez makes though is chicken mole, a traditional Mexican dish she cooks a little differently than most.
“Chicken mole she makes with a red chili sauce base, but she doesn’t put chocolate in it, which most families do. It’s too sweet that way,” Marrufo said. “And then we have it with mashed potatoes.”
* * *
Chili Verde
Ingredients:
1 1/2 pounds roast
1/4 onion, chopped
1/2 Cup water
2 cloves garlic
1 tomato, diced
1 jalepeño
Directions:
Cut meat into nice, little squares.
Put enough canola oil in a large pan to cover the bottom well. Throw meat and salt in pan.
Take the garlic cloves and make small cuts in them to help release the flavor. Do not completely slice. Add garlic, onions and pepper. Cover and allow to cook for 30 to 40 minutes. About half way through, or when the meat has soaked in most of the oil, add tomato and water before allowing to finish cooking.
Serve with rice, beans and tortillas.

Local woman cooks up authentic Mexican dishes


BELLEVUE — Norma Florez, originally of Mexico, and now of Bellevue, has cooked for a family for more than 30 years, starting when she was just 7 years old.


“They’re a lot more physical than us. They put it to us up front,” he said. “They had a different defensive front, but that’s no excuse.”
The Black River Pirates capped a 12-play, 72-yard drive — their first of the game — with a quarterback keeper. Mike Hazlett scored on a 3-yard run, his first of two rushing touchdowns.
Hazlett kept the passing to a minimum. He was 2-for-3 and one TD, a 51-yard pass to Zack Beard with 3:08 left in the half. With Brandon Wine successful point-after kick, Black River led 36-7 at halftime.
Black River depended on a punishing running attack, led by Jacob Campbell. He carried the ball 16 times for 151 yards and two TDs.
Cory Bartlolic, who also assisted with point-after kicking duties, ran seven times for 109 yards.
Western made it a one-score game with 11:03 in the second quarter. Senior Colton Puder grabbed a 62-yard pass from junior QB Matt Perkins.
Once Puder caught the ball, he ran untouched into the end zone. Stephen Hood’s PAT cut Black River’s lead to 14-7 with just 57 seconds off the second-quarter clock.
“Puder played hard. Matt threw a nice one in there,” Stoll said.
Puder caught three passes for 100 yards and the TD. On the ground, he rushed 10 times for 26 yards.
The rest of the game belonged to Black River. The Pirates scored 22 points in the second quarter to take a 36-7 lead into halftime.
Western had the last possession of the half. After a six-yard run, senior Josh Fries went down with three seconds on the clock and grabbed his knee. He was assisted to the bench and didn’t return to the game.
“We hope it’s OK. He's on crutches,” Stoll said. “He’s going to have to have it looked at.”
Fries led Western’s rushing attack with 32 yards on 10 carries. In the second half, the ‘Riders depended on Hood, who gained 27 yards on 10 rushes.
“We’ve got to run the ball better,” Stoll said.
Black River capped off its first possession of the third quarter with a six-play, 65-yard drive. Campbell took it in from the 1 for his second TD of the night. Wine’s PAT was good and the visitors were up 43-7 early in the period.
The Pirates scored their last TD with 8:05 left in the game with an 11-yard run by Justin Zacharyasz. The PAT was good, giving them a 50-7 win.
Western had a sustained drive to end the game that started at the 20-yard line, but it fell apart about 60 yards later with a 5-yard rushing loss as time expired.
Western (0-1) hosts Margaretta (0-1) Friday in another non-league game.
Follow Reflector staff writer Cary Ashby on Twitter at @Cary_reporter and on Facebook at "Cary Ashby — reporter & comic book blogger."

Western Reserve dominated by Pirates in opener


COLLINS — Western Reserve coach Mike Stoll made no excuses for his team’s 50-7 home opener loss Friday against Black River.


Kyle W. Weedman, 22, of 33 Bank St., Milan, was placed on three years of probation Monday. He has a 30-day discretionary jail sentence hanging over his head. His probation officer can impose part or all of the term at any time without a hearing.
Since Weedman was accepted into the intervention program, he won’t have a conviction imposed if there are no probation violations and he successfully completes a certified substance abuse treatment program.
Weedman is charged with possession of heroin in connection with an Oct. 30 incident. That was when the Norwalk Police Department responded to an overdose.
“Weedman was administered Narcan,” Huron County Prosecutor Daivia Kasper said.
Narcan neutralizes the effects of opiates in the body and can revive an OD victim.
“He had been sober for some time before the overdose. He has been in treatment since the day of the offense,” Kasper said.


A former Norwalk man who overdosed can avoid a conviction if he doesn’t violate his probation.
Kyle W. Weedman, 22, of 33 Bank St., Milan, was placed on three


Andrew T. Jordan, 23, of 412 W. Tiffin St., Willard, told his perspective on the June 29, 2015 assault at the request of Huron County Common Pleas Judge Jim Conway during Wednesday’s sentencing hearing. Jordan apparently refused to tell his side during his pre-sentence interview with a probation officer.
Conway ruled Jordan was the least culpable of his co-defendants, with Christopher S. Kessler being the primary offender. Also, the judge said since Jordan flagged down officers to assist the victim, it shows he had some form of remorse.
“I don’t think you would have undertaken it on your own,” added Conway, who was disturbed by the fact Jordan’s boss led the trio to track down the victim.
In early August, Kessler, 24, of Willard, was sentenced to two years in prison for attempted felonious assault and robbery. He was convicted of hitting the victim with a 2-by-4. Gregory S. Montgomery, 46, most recently of 2354 Peru Center Road, Willard, has pleaded guilty to attempted obstruction of justice and will be sentenced Sept. 22.
The trio was hanging metal at a job site. Jordan said his boss approached them and notified them a man owed him some money and if they wanted to be paid, they needed to find him.
The accomplices left the job site and drove around. Jordan said they saw the victim and chased him on foot.
“Mr. Jordan picked up the 2-by-4, but he didn’t hit him with it,” said Huron County Prosecutor Daivia Kasper, who recommended Jordan be sentenced to prison.
The 44-year-old Willard-area victim sustained a skull fracture from being kicked and hit. He first went to Mercy Health-Willard Hospital and later was transported to Mercy St. Vincent Medical Center in Toledo. Conway said the man has suffered “a loss of life skills that continue today.”
Defense attorney T. Douglas Clifford agreed with the judge that Jordan wasn’t the primary offender.
“He got caught up in other people’s activities,” said Clifford, who requested a jail sentence on the work-release program so Jordan can keep his full-time job.
In June, Jordan pleaded guilty to separate charges of aggravated assault and trafficking in marijuana. As part of a plea deal, prosecutors dismissed one count each of felonious assault, robbery and possession of criminal tools.
During the Dec. 5 drug incident, authorities found Jordan with a couple baggies containing more than 37 grams of marijuana that was prepared for sale, Kasper said.
“This was not a controlled purchase,” the prosecutor added.
Jordan has 60-day discretionary jail sentence hanging over his head. His probation officer can impose part or all of the time without a hearing. Jordan also must reimburse the state Highway Patrol $105 for lab testing.
In the assault case, the judge sentenced Jordan to 180 days in jail on the work-release program. If he violates his three years of probation, he faces 18 months in prison.

Assault accomplice avoids prison sentence


An assault accomplice said Wednesday soon after the victim fell to his knees, “it went downhill fast.”
Andrew T. Jordan, 23, of 412 W. Tiffin


Michael C. Williams, 35, most recently of 3995 Walnut Road, Willard, is charged with failure to comply with the order or signal of a police officer. The third-degree felony is in connection with a July 20 pursuit involving the Norwalk Police Department that ended with a crash in a corn field.
“The Norwalk police tried to pull over a vehicle that had an expired plate,” Huron County Prosecutor Daivia Kasper said earlier.
The chase started in the northern end of Norwalk. Kasper said the pursuit went through several business parking lots, causing many drivers to pull over so they could avoid collisions.
Williams drove on Norwood Avenue, which becomes Ridge Road outside of the city limits. Kasper said the defendant, who was wanted on undisclosed Florida warrants, crashed into a corn field south of Hasbrock Road.
His Huron County Common Pleas Court trial date is Oct. 25.
Nine other defendants also entered “not guilty” pleas to their respective charges.
• Brian S. Armstrong, 26, of 14 1/2 W. League St., goes to trial Nov. 5 on two counts of trafficking in oxycodone in connection with July 21 and 22 controlled drug buys. His bond is $5,000.
• Brian D. Cowley Jr., 27, of 56 Jefferson St., Lot 16, has a Nov. 17 trial date on trafficking in heroin in connection with a June 13 controlled drug buy. His bond is $5,000.
• Charles E. Dixon, 24, of 1920 Murray Road, New London, goes to trial Sept. 29 on burglary in connection with a June 21 incident. If he posts a $15,000 bond with a 10-percent provision, he is prohibited from being on the premises of the Scranton Road victim’s property.
• Thomas E. Grubbs, 31, of Coldwater, Mich., has a Sept. 29 trial date on trafficking in marijuana and possession of criminal tools, both in connection with a July 7 controlled drug buy. Grubbs told Judge Jim Conway he has pending charges in Michigan, but didn’t elaborate.
• Randy S. Hamilton, 48, of 5498 Griffin Road, New London, has an Oct. 27 trial date on intimidation of a witness in connection with an Oct. 5 incident. If he posts a $15,000 bond with a 10-percent provision, he is prohibited from having any association with the victim.
• Raphe G. Lawson, 32, of Amherst, goes to trial Nov. 17 on aggravated possession of methamphetamine in connection with a June 9 incident. As a condition of his $5,000 bond, he can’t have any association or communication with his co-defendant. Huron County Public Defender David Longo said Lawson had posted bail and issued a summons in this case, but on the day he was supposed to be in court, he was jailed on undisclosed charges in Cuyahoga County.
• Teresa L. Rogers, 52, of 7 Fruen St., has a Nov. 15 trial date on two counts of trafficking in alprazolam in connection with controlled drug buys on April 21 and June 30. She wore a striped jail uniform to Monday’s arraignment, meaning she tested positive for drugs when booked into the Huron County Jail. Defense attorney Reese Wineman said his client has an unspecified felony conviction from 2003, but has strong local ties. Rogers’ bond is $5,000 with a 10-percent provision.
• Sharnell Mary-Lynn Schmidt, 24, of Coldwater, Mich., goes to trial Sept. 27 on trafficking in marijuana in connection with a July 7 controlled drug buy. Her bond is $5,000.
• David M. Thomas, 24, of 60 S. Linwood Ave., has an Oct. 18 trial date on possession of buprenorphine in connection with a July 22 incident. Conway released him on a personal recognizance bond Monday. That means Thomas signed a court document in which he promised to appear for future hearings without paying any money.

Area residents plead innocent to felony charges


A driver accused of fleeing from police through Norwalk is prohibited from operating a vehicle if he posts a $50,000 bond.
Michael C. Williams, 35, most recently of 3995


Frederick L. Hartman, 75, of 762 Exchange Road, New London, is charged with felonious assault. If convicted of the second-degree felony, he faces two to eight years in prison.
About 1 a.m. Monday, the Huron County Sheriff’s Office received calls about a shooting on Hartman’s property.
“Two deputies responded initially and determined the victim had been wounded with a gunshot,” Sheriff Dane Howard said.
“He’s from Wayne County, Ohio,” he added about the 70-year-old Orrville man.
Firelands Ambulance Service responded and began treating the victim with a wound to his abdomen and side. Howard said the man declined to go to hospital, but said he wanted to see his personal doctor, who has determined a pellet remains in the victim’s body and hasn’t decided if it will be taken out.
“Detective Sgt. Josh Querin and Chief Deputy Ted Patrick arrived and during the investigation, they determined the victim was shot at some distance between the suspect and victim,” Howard said.
“He was quite a bit off the roadway. It does appear he was on Hartman’s property,” the sheriff added. “He (the victim) was on a neighbor’s property with permission to hunt raccoons.”
“He was hunting raccoons with some friends. He was searching for his dog at the time,” said Howard, who noted the victim and Hartman don’t know each other.
The sheriff said there’s no evidence Hartman was intoxicated, but he concealed the pump-action shotgun. Given the weapon, the victim’s injuries aren’t what would be expected, Howard said.
“The injuries were not life-threatening,” the sheriff added. “Chief Patrick found the shotgun in the woods not far from where the shooting occurred.
Howard stressed that if anyone has any trespassing complaints, they should call law enforcement officials so they can investigate and handle the situation.
“You can’t shoot someone just because they’re on your property,” he said.

Raccoon hunter, 70, shot while searching for dog


NEW LONDON — The Huron County Sheriff’s Office continues to investigate the shooting of a raccoon hunter early Monday outside of New London.
Frederick


But there’s still time for one more summer fling with your family and the Norwalk Reflector wants to help you make that possible.
The Reflector is giving away four tickets (valued at $220) to Cedar Point daily for five days. The first batch of tickets was awarded Wednesday to Sheila Santiago.
To enter the drawings, click on the ad on our home page about the contest. You will be asked to provide an email address. If it’s your first time registering at norwalkreflector.com, you will be redirected to our newsletter registration page, where you can sign up to receive Norwalk Reflector Daily Headlines or our new Week in Willard email newsletter.
Registration for the contest and the newsletters are completely free.
Each day’s winner will be notified by email and the winner’s name will appear in the following day’s Norwalk Reflector. Winners will need to use their tickets quickly because they expire on Sept. 5, 2016. Winners will need to pick up tickets at the Reflector office, 61 East Monroe Street, by 5 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 31. If you have questions about the giveaway, call the Reflector at 419-668-3771.

Win Cedar Point tickets for the entire family


School started in Norwalk this week, a sure sign that summer’s days are numbered.
But there’s still time for one more summer fling with your family and


Calling hours will take place from 10 a.m. to noon Friday at Harvest Baptist Temple, 1022 S. Main St., Clyde, where a funeral service will take place at noon. Burial will follow in Greenlawn Memory Gardens, Clyde.
McHargue, 20, of 144 Hickory St., Bellevue, was walking her bicycle south across U.S. 20 in a marked crosswalk near Orchard Street in Bellevue at 5:20 p.m. when she was hit by a westbound semi truck that failed to stop at the red light, said troopers with the Norwalk post of the state Highway Patrol.
McHargue, who was wearing a bicycle helmet, was taken to The Bellevue Hospital and then flown to Mercy St. Vincent Medical Center in Toledo, where she died early Friday morning.
The driver of the 2009 Peterbilt semi truck was Tema Samson, 48, of Columbus. Troopers said there is no indication of alcohol or drug involvement and weather did not play a factor.
McHargue was born Aug. 8, 1996 in Bellevue, the daughter of Douglas Berthold and Sue McHargue.
She was a student at the North Point Educational Service Center-Adams Building. According to her obituary, she loved riding her bicycle, reading, camping and video games. She adored animals, especially her cat “Felix” and her favorite animal was horses. Her engaging smile, and infectious laughter will be missed by many.
She is survived by her mother, Sue (Andrew J. Lukac III) McHargue; grandparents, Betty McHargue, Andrew and Patricia Lukac Jr., James Berthold; and sisters, Jacqualin and Jennifer Cooper, Shelby Berthold and Ashley Lukac.
Foos & Foos Funeral Service, Bellevue, is assisting the family with arrangements.

Funeral arrangements announced for woman who died after being hit by semi in Bellevue


BELLEVUE — Funeral arrangements have been announced for Brittany McHargue, the 20-year-old woman who suffered fatal injuries after being hit by a semi truck while trying


The seeds will be used to establish new plantings for the monarch butterfly throughout Ohio in the coming years.
“Common milkweed is essential to the survival of monarch butterflies in Ohio,” said Marci Lininger, Biologist with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. “Ohio is a priority area for monarchs. Fourth generation monarch butterflies hatch in Ohio in late summer, migrate north to Canada and then come back through Ohio once more in order to fly to Mexico for the winter. This same generation is also responsible for starting the life cycle all over again in the spring, laying the following year’s first generation of monarchs.”
“Most Ohio counties have a Milkweed Pod Collection Station, most of them being located at local Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) offices,” said Lori Stevenson, Ohio Private Lands State Coordinator with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
The local SWCD office is located at 8 Fair Road, Norwalk.
To collect the seed pods from the suggested milkweed plants, it is best to pick them when they are dry, gray, or brown in color. If the center seam pops with gentle pressure, they can be picked. It is best to collect pods and store them in paper bags or paper grocery sacks. Avoid using plastic bags because they attract moisture. Store pods in a cool, dry area until you can deliver to the closest Milkweed Pod Collection Station. Harvesting pods from milkweed plants does not have any effect on the population of milkweed in established areas.
When collecting milkweed pods wear appropriate clothing for the outdoors. It is recommended that you wear disposable gloves when picking and handling pods. Always ask permission when collecting pods on anyone’s property but your own.
“ODOT is one of the largest landholders in Ohio with more than 19,000 miles of right of way,” said ODOT Director Jerry Wray. “Planting milkweed and other native wildflowers on our roadsides benefit pollinators who in turn benefit agriculture. They also beautify our highways and reduce mowing costs – a double bonus for Ohio taxpayers.”
OPHI was formed in response to the 2014 petition to list the Monarch butterfly as federally endangered. Its partners include the Ohio agencies, universities, corporations, and non-profit organizations.
OPHI informs citizens, landowners, farmers, and government agencies of the importance of pollinators and the habitat they need to survive. Members of the initiative provide education, outreach, and technical assistance to all that have an interest in pollinators and protecting our food supply.
For more information or questions concerning pollinators, please contact OPHI at (614) 416-8993 or contact the local SWCD office at 419-668-4113.

Officials asking Ohioans to help with pollinator program


With the drastic decline in the population of the monarch butterfly, the Ohio Pollinator Habitat Initiative (OPHI) is asking the public for their help in creating new habitats by collecting


New inmates at the Huron County Jail, Aug. 22, 2016
Here are pictures and information from the Huron County Jail regarding new inmates for Aug. 22, 2016:


Here are pictures and information from the Huron County Jail regarding new inmates for Aug. 22, 2016:
Brian S. Armstrong, 26, 14 1/2 W. League


New inmates at the Huron County Jail, Aug. 22, 2016


Smith, 23, of 4825 1/2 Ninevah Road, Greenwich, has a 60-day discretionary jail sentence hanging over his head during his three years of probation. He also must continue psychological counseling and continue taking his medication.
He also forfeited the AK-style rifle with a scope that was in the back seat of his truck during a March 1 traffic stop. Smith, who last year was diagnosed with “major depressive disorder,” was in Huron County Common Pleas Court for his sentencing hearing Wednesday for one count each of improper handling of a firearm in a motor vehicle and harassment by an inmate.
“I’d like to apologize for what I did that day. I’d like to apologize to the state Highway Patrol also,” Smith told Judge Jim Conway, adding he’s been “doing a lot better” since he had his medication changed.
Defense attorney Troy Wisehart said his client’s new meds have calmed him down and “he feels like his old self.” The attorney also said he wasn’t trying to minimize Smith’s actions toward authorities, but he believes Smith’s previous medication was a major factor in how he acted.
“He acted like a real jerk to the police,” Wisehart said. “I’m here to discuss the mitigating circumstances; he’s here to take responsibility.”
Just after 4:15 p.m. March 1, the patrol’s dispatch center in Mansfield received the report of a reckless driver. Troopers clocked the Chevrolet pickup truck going 75 mph in a 55 mph zone while northbound on Ohio 13 south of U.S. 224.
“Mr. Smith was driving under suspension,” said Huron County Prosecutor Daivia Kasper, who requested the defendant be sentenced to “a moderate amount of jail time.”
Lt. Douglas Hamman and Trooper Thomas Halko intercepted Smith as he came from Richland County. After he pulled over at the U.S. 224/Ohio 13 intersection, troopers requested the driver get out of the truck.
“He didn’t comply with the order to get out,” Hamman said shortly after the incident.
When Greenwich Police Officer Ken Lemmeyer arrived at the scene at the request of the patrol, he said he saw a trooper’s hat in the roadway and as he approached, the two troopers were struggling with Smith on the hood of a cruiser. Lemmeyer, in his report, said he “grabbed the suspect” and assisted Hamman with holding Smith while Halko searched him.
“He spit saliva and blood into the faces of the troopers,” said Hamman, who along with Halko, declined to be treated at the scene for minor cuts and abrasions.
Troopers said they found a rifle and some marijuana inside the truck. While Lemmeyer was standing outside the cruiser, he said Smith “was spitting inside the cruiser and then started kicking the window in an attempt to get out.”
North Central EMS arrived and poured water on Smith’s face, since he had been sprayed with Mace. Huron County Sheriff’s Sgt. Chuck Summers arrived. Police said when he walked back to his cruiser, Smith attempted to spit on him and Lemmeyer’s shirt and called one of the officers a vulgar name.
During Wednesday’s sentencing hearing, Conway asked Smith about a recent charge of resisting arrest. The defendant said a graduation party “ordeal” escalated when he and the group got him. The judge responded by saying it’s obvious he has a problem behaving when he drinks.

Attorney: Spitting, struggling driver was 'a real jerk' toward cops


A judge told defendant Devin Smith he hopes the 73 days he spent in jail “drives home” that he can’t be drinking and misbehaving.


Tony was born on July 7, 1942 in Washington, PA to the late Anthony J. and Rose Marie (Marcott) Vizyak.
Tony was co-owner of Great Lakes Tires of Sandusky for many years before retiring. He was a member of the Vacationland, Detroit and the Friends of the Corvair Association, where his cars won many awards, the Galion Mason Club and the Elks.
Tony is survived by his two nieces, Sherri (Kenneth) French of Mechanicsville, MD and Betty Jo (Ronald) Miller of LaPlata, MD; nephew, Jeremy Beradinelli of Marianna, PA; brother-in-law, George Overton of Pomfret, MD; special friends, Michael (Jill) Sitterly and Jerry (Alice) Crawford and several great-nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
In addition to his parents, Tony is preceded in death by his wife, Anita (Skender) Vizyak in 2015 and two sisters, Monalisa Vizyak and Alna Marie Overton.
A memorial service will be held in the funeral home on Wednesday, August 31 at 1:00 pm at Groff Funeral Homes and Crematory, 1607 E Perkins Ave, Sandusky with Deacon Jeff Claar of St. Mary's Catholic Church presiding.
In lieu of flowers, those wishing to contribute to Tony's memory may do so to the American Heart Association 1689 E. 115th St., Cleveland, OH 44106 or to the Covair Society of America (CORSA), P.O. Box 607, Lemont, IL 60439.


MONROEVILLE — Anthony S. Vizyak, 74, residing in Monroeville, passed away Sunday, August 28, 2016 at Unversity of Toledo Medical Center surrounded by his loved ones.


Sheriff Overmyer, 42, is accused of using money and tampering with records from his office’s Furtherance of Justice funds.
The indictments allege he deceived physicians and pharmacists to obtain prescription pain medication, and that he took medications from area prescription drug-disposal drop boxes.
The sheriff turned himself in to authorities after 10 p.m., said Dan Tierney, spokesman for Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine.
The charges were the culmination of a probe begun in September, 2015, by the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation, at the request of Thomas Stierwalt, Sandusky County prosecutor.
Overmyer is to be arraigned today before Visiting Judge Patricia Cosgrove, DeWine said in a release. Carol Hamilton O’Brien, the Delaware County prosecutor, has been serving as special prosecutor.
The charges include 12 counts of tampering with records, 12 counts of deception to obtain a dangerous drug, three counts of deception to obtain a dangerous drug, six counts of theft in office and five counts of theft, all felonies. He also was charged with five counts of misdemeanor filing false financial disclosure reports.
Despite the ongoing investigation, Sandusky County voters in March chose Sheriff Overmyer by 61 percent to 39 percent over Clyde Police Chief Bruce Gower in the Republican primary election.
The investigation by BCI was prompted in part by complaints from area police chiefs that the sheriff took possession of drugs that were surrendered to the police departments. Chief Gower is a member of that police chief group. Sheriff Overmyer responded then that the investigation was political in nature.
Before the primary, John Meyers, Sandusky County prosecutor from 1984 to 2000, released a report alleging the sheriff “has committed counts of theft” from the sheriff's Furtherance of Justice fund.
The fund is provided by state law, giving the sheriff an amount equal to half the sheriff's salary “for expenses that the sheriff incurs in the performance of the sheriff's official duties and in the furtherance of justice.”
Meyers’ report is based on public-records requests he made regarding fund usage between 2009 and 2014.
In his report, Meyers stated several expenditures from the funds were improper, including dues payments to several service clubs, overcharges for travel expenses, and drug buys that Mr. Meyers argued were “not used for a law-enforcement purpose.”
The kind of expenditures the sheriff made is not common practice, Meyers concluded.
A copy of the indictment is available on this website.
———
©2016 The Blade (Toledo, Ohio)
Visit The Blade (Toledo, Ohio) at www.toledoblade.com
Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Sheriff indicted by grand jury on 43 counts, including 38 felonies


FREMONT — Sandusky County Sheriff Kyle Overmyer was indicted Tuesday by a grand jury on 43 counts, including 38 felony counts that include theft and tampering with records charges.


New inmates at the Huron County Jail, Aug. 25, 2016
Here are pictures and information from the Huron County Jail regarding new inmates for Aug. 25, 2016:


Here are pictures and information from the Huron County Jail regarding new inmates for Aug. 25,


New inmates at the Huron County Jail, Aug. 25, 2016


Police and medics were called to the Dollar Tree at 3526 Harmont Ave. NE about 2:15 p.m. A store employee apparently had called police after noticing what appeared to be a man and woman unresponsive in a vehicle in the parking lot with a young child inside.
The father of the child tried to get away when police arrived while the woman was inside the vehicle unconscious, said Sgt. Eric Vanover. Medics used Narcan to revive the woman, who was taken to a local hospital for evaluation before she was released. Narcan (naloxone) is a medication that can reverse a heroin overdose.
The names of the 29-year-old man and the 28-year-old woman were not immediately available from police. Both were arrested and taken to the Stark County Jail.
The child was unharmed. Huron County Children Services, part of the Department of Job and Family Services, placed the child with a relative, Vanover said.
———
©2016 The Repository, Canton, Ohio
Visit The Repository, Canton, Ohio at www.cantonrep.com
Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Man and woman overdose in store parking lot with toddler in vehicle


CANTON — A man and woman from Willard face drug-related and child endangering charges after apparently overdosing on heroin Saturday in a store parking lot in Canton while their


When Puntel first moved onto his property, he had no issues with the poles in his yard.
That recently changed when Firelands Electric decided to install new, high-capacity lines and larger poles further back on his property — about two feet.
“They’re moving that back,” Puntel said. “They’re making that line bigger. That’s going to put (the poles) almost dead smack in a tree line that I have there, that’s been there for about the last hundred years.”
He’s concerned the company will destroy his trees to install the poles, which could also destroy the shade in his yard and expose his house to the sun.
To avoid high cooling bills and felled trees, Puntel wanted to see if the company would move the poles to his neighbor’s property, a bean field. When he inquired if this was possible, he was told no. The poles already run down his side of the street.
According to Puntel, however, it all has to do with connections.
“The door’s been slammed on me pretty much. Simply because, I feel, the person who owns the property, his brother is on the board of trustees for New London Township,” Puntel explained. “He doesn’t want the poles there, so brother makes sure it doesn’t happen.”
The field owner’s brother, Township Trustee Bob Harris, says that’s not quite the case.
“There are existing electric poles on his property,” Harris said about Puntel’s yard on Monday. “It’s not like they’re moving them from one side to the other.
“They’re just putting in bigger poles to carry the heavier line,” he said. “There’s no favoritism here.”
Harris also pointed out the four or five poles already installed on his brother’s land, which he said Firelands Electric will be moving as well.
“He’s got, I think there’s four or five poles, and they’ll be moving those back too,” Harris added.
Regardless, Puntel is still trying to preserve his trees.
He even visited Huron County Recorder’s office, requesting a search for easements on his property, which would give the electric company explicit permission to install the poles on his land.
He found nothing.
“She said that’s not a hundred percent,” Puntel said. “But she doesn’t see anything at all on my property. By chance, Firelands Electric showed up on my property yesterday, and they said they decided to follow the easement.”
With everything that has happened, he plans to call the court and file an injunction.
“More than likely they won’t allow me to do it because it is the electric company,” he said.
Firelands Electric general manager April Bordas said the company is actually using their right-of-way on the land to install the new poles.
A right-of-way is an easement or agreement which lets the company access land to clear any trees around the lines, maintain them or add new lines on a pre-determined section of land.
According to Bordas, the township typically marks where they want the electric lines to go and the company installs them.
“The township says, this is where we want you to build,” Bordas said. “They have 30-something feet. They mark from the center of the road. Then they mark where they want to put it from there.”

Local man fighting electric line installation, trying to preserve his trees


NEW LONDON TOWNSHIP— A dispute over the placement of electric poles has turned into something of a personal crusade for Huron County resident Scott Puntel.
When


Despite neither team reaching the end zone in the two-quarter scrimmage, it was a typical hard-hitting, intense battle Friday night at Whitney Field between St. Paul and Edison.
For both teams and coaches, it’s now time to set their sights on the regular-season openers. The Chargers travel to Firelands Friday night, while the Flyers play at Sandusky St. Mary’s.
Both teams had their opportunities, especially Edison, which was in the red zone twice but could not score.
“We learned tonight the physical intensity St. Paul tonight is something we want to emulate,” Edison coach Jim Hall said. “We were in the red zone twice and did not score. That is something we have to work on.”
This was Edison’t third scrimmage.
“I don’t think you are ever happy but bottom line is you are building for week one,” Hall said.
The Chargers are coming off their best season in school history, sharing the Sandusky Bay Conference title with Clyde while advancing to the state semifinals.
The 2015 team set the bar pretty high.
“We were picked to finish fourth in the league,” Hall pointed out. “We have to earn our way. Last year was last year. All the focus now is on Firelands. We have to get in the film room tomorrow (today) and put our game plan together.”
Charger quarterback Braden Ehrhardt had the biggest offensive play of the game with a 60-yard run, while Bryce Ostheimer ended the game with an interception.
Nick Lukasko ended the Chargers first threat with an interception in the end zone.
St. Paul coach John Livengood said his team has some work to do.
“I think we missed some opportunities tonight,” he said. “We moved the ball but could not finish drives. Defensively we gave up that one big play but came up big after that.
“I am most disappointed in the way our kids lost their heads. That does not happen here. Our expectations are higher.
“We are playing a little short-handed and went against a team that made the final four last year. I know they graduated a lot of kids but that is still a very good football team and a well-coached team.”
How about the preseason as a whole?
“A lot of good things and a lot of bad things we have to work on,” Livengood said. “This was a good learning experience for us.”

Final scrimmage a good learning experience for Chargers, Flyers


The scoreboard read 0-0 when it was over, but don’t let that fool you.
Despite neither team reaching the end zone in the two-quarter scrimmage, it was a typical


Testaview was born July 31, 1934 in Avery County, NC to the late Teddy and Rosa (Waycaster) Merideth.
She was an avid lover of her family, friends, flowers and taking pictures. One of her greatest joys was playing music and sharing with friends all over the world. She enjoyed writing poetry and songs. Her greatest love of all was her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Testaview spent most of her school years in North Carolina but graduated with the class of 1953 in Zanesville, Ohio. She married her husband, Leonard Payne, on April 15,1960. Most of her life was spent being a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend. People were loved by her "With A Love As Big As The Sky."
Survivors include her husband of 56 years, Leonard Payne, 3 children, Lanny (Nancy Klein) Payne of Collins, OH, Darrell (Tracy Artino) Payne of Berlin Heights, OH, Angela (David) Barnett of Berlin Heights, OH, nine grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister Wilda (Merideth) Smith of Norwalk, OH and a brother William Merideth of Zanesville, OH.
In addition to her parents she is also preceded in death by three infant grandchildren and many other loving family members.
Friends may call on Sunday from 2:00 to 5:00 pm at the Morman-Hinman-Tanner Funeral Home, 38 South Street, Berlin Heights. On Monday there will be visitation from 10:00 am until the time of services at 11:00 am at Trinity Temple, at the corner of Arlington Road and St. Rt. 113, Berlin Heights. Brenda Sue Payne will be officiating the services. Burial will follow at Riverside Cemetery in Berlin Heights.
Online condolences may be left at mormanfuneralhome.com
Memorial contributions may be made to Stein Hospice 1200 Sycamore Line, Sandusky, Ohio 44870 or Heartbeat of Sandusky, 3423 Columbus Ave., Sandusky, Ohio 44870.


BERLIN HEIGHTS — Testaview (Merideth) Payne, 82, of Berlin Heights was called to be with the Lord August 26, 2016 in the Stein Hospice Care Center.


Kristie L. Denney, 41, most recently of 520 Milan Ave., Lot 220, will be sentenced Oct. 5 in Huron County Pleas Court. Since she doesn’t have a prior felony conviction and isn’t on probation, she isn’t eligible for a prison sentence.
Denney pleaded guilty Monday to permitting drug abuse in exchange for prosecutors dismissing one count of possession of cocaine. Also, the state agreed not to pursue an indictment on trafficking in heroin in connection with a Nov. 4 controlled drug buy. That felony was filed in Norwalk Municipal Court.
About 4:15 a.m. April 10, 2015, Norwalk police detectives and eight members of the special response team entered a Marian Drive residence. Detectives capped off a three-month investigation and police seized 10 to 20 grams of suspected crack and powdered cocaine, 50 grams of uncut heroin and almost $900 in cash.
Denney was leasing the residence, Huron County Assistant Prosecutor Richard Woodruff said, and allowed Andrew F. Olaniyan to live there and possess and sell drugs from the home. The prosecutor said the drugs were discovered in Olaniyan’s bedroom.
Olaniyan, 42, is serving four years and 11 months in prison for separate counts of possession of heroin and trafficking in heroin. The possession incident happened April 10, 2015 and the controlled drug buy was May 20, 2015. Olaniyan had made bond in the previous case when police coordinated the heroin transaction.
Denney remains out on a personal recognizance bond. That means she signed a court document in which she promised to appear for future hearings without paying any money.

Norwalk woman guilty of permitting drug abuse


A Norwalk woman pleaded guilty Monday to leasing a home where a man sold and possessed drugs.
Kristie L. Denney, 41, most recently of 520 Milan Ave., Lot 220, will be


She was born Sept. 21, 1932 in Concho, W.Va., the daughter of Carl and Margaret (Small) Fridley.
She married Jesse Halsey on August 6, 1952 in Clifton Forge, Va.; he preceded her in death on Oct. 3, 2003.
She loved being a housewife, gardening and caring for her flower beds. She enjoyed and excelled at cooking and baking. She loved to shop and play bingo with her friends. She was a very giving person and would do anything she could for anybody and was loved by all who met her. Most of all she loved her family and spending time with her grandchildren, who will miss her dearly.
Rebecca is survived by her two daughters, Sharon (Mike) Carter of Norwalk, Kathy (Joe Heileman) Montgomery of Bellevue; Grandchildren: Kristina Carter, Dustin Carter, Brittany Carter, Bryant Halsey, Brandi Montgomery, and Ty Montgomery; great-grandchildren: Izaac Gibson, Kyla Smith, Sawyer Halsey Kaiden Brown, Jayden Brown, Braeden Brown; two sisters, Geraldine Booth of WV and Janice Anderson of Akron; and numerous nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents and husband, she is preceded in death by a son, Gerald Halsey; brother, William Fridley; and sister, Virginia Barker.
Friends will may call from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at Foos & Foos Funeral Service, 151 Yorkshire Place, Bellevue, where a funeral will be held on at 11 a.m. Thursday. Burial will follow in Riverside Cemetery, Monroeville.
Memorials can be made to the family.
Memories and condolences may be shared at www.foosfuneral.com.


BELLEVUE — Rebecca L. Halsey, 83, of Bellevue, died Saturday at Stein Hospice Care Center, Sandusky.
She was born Sept. 21, 1932 in Concho, W.


But I'm cutting myself some slack with this one. When you're writing about the Cleveland Browns, cursive seems fitting.
For Cleveland fans susceptible to PDSD — post-debacle stress disorder — it's important to manage expectations at this time of year. I don't make the rules of the sporting universe, but I've lived long enough to know Pollyanna is a Pittsburgh Steelers fan.
Followers of less fraught franchises can afford to eagerly handicap the season in hopes that this is their year. We denizens of Browns Nation — we're a good people, just very sad — must gird our minds and spirits with whatever will get us through it.
I shoot for stoic fatalism with a side of gallows humor. Success means not shouting at the television.
Sports Illustrated helpfully set the tone last week when its NFL preview issue — the one with the Steelers on the cover — landed in my mailbox. That venerable arbiter of football fortunes predicted a 1-15 season for Cleveland.
While I cling to fatalism, SI goes straight to nihilism. But then they're the experts.
It's worth noting that the magazine predicts the Pittsburgh faithful will also end the season as losers. In the Super Bowl.
But still I plopped down in front of the television on Friday night with the dog (he doesn't know any better) to watch the Browns play. Old habits.
It probably wasn't a good omen that the Bud Light I was sipping was adorned with a Steelers logo. The bartender who rang up the 12-pack warned me the cans were skunky.
In any event, the third of the four preseason games in the NFL is commonly referred to as a dress rehearsal, because teams use it for an extended test of the units expected to be on the field when the regular season starts. That was Friday night for Cleveland and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The Browns looked terrible for the most part and got blown out, so they're good to go. But at least their costumes were colorful.
That reality check notwithstanding, it's a little more challenging than usual these days to keep that Cleveland state of mind. This is the year of LeBron, after all, and baseball's Indians sit atop their division deep into August.
Normally that latter fact might feel like the setup for another big letdown to come. But LeBron James and the Cavaliers shattered Cleveland's title curse. Surely that changes things beyond basketball, right?
The aforementioned Sports Illustrated picked up on that theme in June when it bookended its piece on the Cavs' unlikely comeback triumph with a feature on the Indians' promising summer. It's oh-so-tempting to buy into the notion that the spell has been broken but good.
If you followed along during the Cavaliers' big moment, you know the power of a simple exhortation.
Believe.
That word was everywhere. Now the Browns have come along with a postscript.
Within Reason.
Even Sports Illustrated wrapped up its package on the Cavaliers' triumph and Indians' hopes with a check-in on the Browns. The headline might as well have been: Um, no.
But if you dare, Cleveland fans, let your imaginations run wild for a second. If a crowd numbering well into seven figures turned out for a party celebrating a basketball championship, just think what would happen if the Browns somehow restored their one-time glory.
I remember being in Cleveland in the late 1980s when Bernie Kosar and company had their team on the brink. The city was flat-out vibrating.
The spirit of that fan base is weary, but at heart Cleveland is a Browns town. If there were ever a football championship to celebrate there, people would have to park their cars in Ashtabula and walk in. If the Browns ever ...
Sorry. I'm back.
Truth is, I'm not really a believer in curses. There has been bad luck and bad timing, certainly, but the Browns' long-running futility results most of all from employing (and being owned by) too many people who were bad at their jobs.
That can change. Perhaps the new regime will be the one.
But for now, I'll leave you with a thought that will serve any self-respecting Browns fan well. Go Tribe.
———
©2016 the Erie Times-News (Erie, Pa.)
Visit the Erie Times-News (Erie, Pa.) at www.GoErie.com
Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.


I've been halfheartedly trying to break myself of my long-standing habit of scribbling the first draft of columns in longhand.
But I'm cutting myself some slack


OAKLAND, Calif. — Kendall Graveman rode the wave of a five-run Oakland second inning Wednesday in pitching the A's to a 5-1 win over the Indians, giving the club a series win over the American League Central's first-place team.
The team's de facto ace with Rich Hill traded and Sonny Gray on the disabled list, Graveman (10-8) became the A's first pitcher this season to reach double figures in wins. Hill had nine before he was traded to the Dodgers.
Graveman stretched his streak of consecutive scoreless games to 16 innings before Roberto Perez homered off him two outs into the seventh inning. Graveman left the game shortly thereafter, but the Oakland bullpen locked down his third win of August and his eighth win in his last 10 decisions.
Almost all the damage off Graveman came with two outs. In addition to the Perez homer, seven of the eight men to reach base against the right-hander came with two outs. The lone exception was Lonnie Chisenhall, who singled to open the fourth inning but was quickly erased by a double play.
In throwing 102 pitches, Graveman mostly kept his pitches down at knee level or lower; 11 of the 20 outs he recorded came as the result of ground balls.
Khris Davis started the A's five-run second inning rally of Trevor Bauer with a triple off the right field out-of-town scoreboard and after a Yonder Alonso walk scored when Ryon Healy stretched his hitting streak to 11 games with an RBI single.
One out later, Max Muncy's singled made it 2-0 and a line drive caught in right field off the bat of rookie Chad Pinder went for a sacrifice fly and a 3-0 advantage.
Bauer was almost out of the inning there, but with two on and two out, Danny Valencia hit a pop fly near first base that first baseman Carlos Santana lost in the sun. The ball fell untouched for what was originally called a two-run single, and Graveman was set. However, the official scorer changed the call after the game to an error, taking the hit and both RBI away from Valencia.
———
(c)2016 The Oakland Tribune (Oakland, Calif.)
Visit The Oakland Tribune (Oakland, Calif.) at www.insidebayarea.com
Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

A's, Graveman too much for first-place Indians


OAKLAND, Calif. — Kendall Graveman rode the wave of a five-run Oakland second inning Wednesday in pitching the A's to a 5-1 win over the Indians,


AAU teammates and roommates during all their summer trips, Bazley and Ahrens hatched a plan. The members of the class of 2018 were both going to commit to the Buckeyes, but they wanted to make it unique. So after a Saturday morning stop at a local clothing store, Bazley and Ahrens called assistant coach Chris Jent and asked him to pull coach Thad Matta out of his office.
Then they snuck in and sat at his desk.
"We sat the hats we bought on the floor, grabbed a marker and acted like it was a microphone," Bazley told The Dispatch. "We said, 'After a long hard decision,' me and Justin, we looked at each other and said, 'We'd like to commit to the Ohio State University.'"
Matta's grin, Ahrens said, was priceless.
"That smile that he gets, it was amazing," he said. "You can just tell that he really does care about his recruits. He was just so happy, he couldn't put it into words."
247Sports rates the 6-foot-7, 185-pound Bazley a four-star prospect and the No.2 overall prospect from Ohio. The 6-5, 181-pound Ahrens is a three-star prospect and the No.4 prospect from Ohio. They join verbal commitment Dane Goodwin from Upper Arlington, who is ranked third in the state.
Bazley and Ahrens both said they felt the Ohio State coaching staff knew a dual commitment might be coming when the two arranged this visit. Ahrens was accompanied by his parents and Bazley by his mother and grandmother, and both had their AAU coach, Steve Wright, on hand as well.
"When I went to Ohio State (on a visit), that was it for me," Bazley said. "I flat-out loved it. The campus is like its own little city. For the academics and basketball, it doesn't get any better than that."
Both players had several offers from other schools, many from Ohio. The two often had discussed playing at the same school, giving brief thought to playing for Toledo when the Rockets offered both, and wasted little time taking advantage of this opportunity with the Buckeyes.
"This is for my future, the next four years of my life after high school, and it's really special," Ahrens said. "I'm just trying to embrace it all, and I'm really blessed to have this opportunity with Darius. We're going to take advantage of it."
ajardy@dispatch.com
@AdamJardy

Two recruits -- AAU teammates during the summer -- make Matta's day


COLUMBUS – Saturday unofficially was national signing day inside Thad Matta's office at Ohio State. Tuesday, the Buckeyes offered a scholarship to Versailles, Ohio, small


Brian D. Lewis, 19, of 5981 County Road 191, Bellevue, has a 60-day discretionary jail sentence hanging over his head during his three years of intensive probation. He was fined $500 during his sentencing hearing Thursday in Huron County Common Pleas Court.
The victim, Lewis’ grandfather, didn’t pursue any restitution. The Bellevue Police Department recovered the .357 Magnum handgun on the stove just inside the kitchen door where Lewis exited the home.
“The gun was recovered when police officers arrived,” Huron County Prosecutor Daivia Kasper said.
In late July, Lewis pleaded guilty to burglary in exchange for prosecutors dismissing one count of attempted theft of firearms.
About 12:45 p.m. Feb. 10, police received the report of a skinny male suspect kicking in the back door of a North Buckeye Street house. Lewis’ grandfather wasn’t home at the time.
“They caught him (Lewis) as he was walking out of the back door. He was walking toward them,” Detective Marc Linder told the Reflector soon after Lewis was arrested.
Police interviewed Lewis and his grandfather. Kasper has said Lewis admitted he unscrewed screws to the gun cabinet.
“The grandfather said he (Lewis) didn’t have permission to be at the house,” Kasper said in July. “He (Lewis) had ammo in his pocket when he was taken into custody.”
In reviewing Lewis’ criminal history, Kasper said he has a “substantial juvenile history — including a probation violation, “a number of misdemeanors” as an adult and “a substantial substance abuse problem.”
Lewis has completed an intensive, out-patient program. He is now employed and enrolled at a technical school. Kasper said she wants to see Lewis continue the progress he’s been making instead of interrupting that by sentencing him to a locked-down substance abuse treatment center.
“You’re doing good so far. Keep up the progress,” Conway told Lewis at the end of Thursday’s hearing.


The victim in a Bellevue burglary is most concerned about the rehabilitation of his grandson who has “a substantial substance abuse problem.


4 The number of touchdowns Willard quarterback Ethan Daub threw against Margaretta on Friday — equaling his season total from a year ago. He threw for 309 yards after completing 20 of 30 passes. He also added a 78-yard touchdown in Willard’s season-opening, 31-24 win over Margaretta.
1 The point scoring difference between Edison and Liberty Center at the Seneca East Invitational on Saturday. Edison claimed first place in the boys Orange Division during the Saturday morning race. Daniel Lambert ran a 17:22.21 while teammate Tyler Coon ran a 17:22.57 to finish in third and fourth place. The Chargers finished with 78 points to take the team title.
38 The number of assists St. Paul junior Rachel Bleile had in the Lady Flyers’ opener against South Central. They won with scores of 25-18, 25-19 and 25-17.
4-0 The record of the Lady Trucker tennis team, who is also 2-0 in the Northern Ohio League. Brook Fries won the second singles on Friday against Port Clinton in dominating fashion 6-1 and 6-0.
5 Aces from Plymouth’s Sarah Simmons in Saturday’s match versus Mansfield Christian. The Big Red started the season 3-0 after going 0-14 last season.
15th Overall finish for Norwalk sophomore Chris Mohr at the Seneca East Invitational. He crossed the finish line in 17:26.
4 Number of goals Edison’s Savanna Smith scored in a 5-5 tie with Rossford. Smith received assists from Jillian Danda, Sophie Clark and Shelby Pruitt. Coley Branum scored unassited with 11 minutes remaining to tie the match.
288 Total number of yards Plymouth’s Dylan Carroll and Seth Bailey combined for in the big Red’s 39-19 win over Buckeye Central in Week 1. Plymouth recorded 416 rushing yards on 53 carries. The duo also combined for five touchdowns.
208 Number of yards for St. Paul running back Derek Gross in the Flyers’ 34-0 win over Sandusky St. Mary’s on Saturday evening. He reached the end zone twice including an 89-yard score.
Readers: If you have an interesting number you would like us to know about from a high school event, send it to jakefurr@norwalkreflector.com or on Twitter to @JakeFurr11 or @logangreszler.


155 The number of minutes the Norwalk Truckers and St. Paul Flyers football games were delayed. The Truckers waited on the junior high games to wrap up


She was born January 23, 1927 in Greenwich, was raised by her foster parents, Frank and Girtie Liles. She was a 1945 graduate of Townsend High School, which had seven students that year. She worked over 19 years at Hamilton Beach Westinghouse. She enjoyed bingo, crocheting, sewing and crafts.
She is survived by her children, Dennis (Robyn) Brady of Norwalk, Rebecca (Allen) Swander of Green Springs, OH, Henry Keith (Fely) Oney of Albuquerque, NM, and Gerri (James) Dunfee of Sandusky; 11 grandchildren, Ryan Brady, Ashley Hillman, Heather Linder, Holly Brady Erika Slingwine, Shawn Swander, Patrick Swander, Angie Watts, Laura Kirchner, Austin Oney and Andrew Oney; and 17 great-grandchildren; several nieces, nephews and many other family members.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 43 years, Henry E. Oney on March 21, 2013; parents, Chester and Ethel Kramb; sons, John E. Brady, Thom Brady and Clyde Brady.
Friends may call on Wednesday, August 31, 2016 from 4:00 – 7:00 P.M. at the Evans Funeral Home, 314 E. Main Street, Norwalk. A Celebration of her Life will be held Thursday at 11:00 A.M. in the funeral home. Interment will follow at Milan Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be sent to Stein Hospice, 1200 Sycamore Line, Sandusky, OH 44870 or Norwalk Memorial Home’s activity fund, 272 Benedict Avenue, Norwalk, OH 44857.


NORWALK — Violet M. (Kramb) Oney, age 89, of Norwalk, formerly of Milan, passed away Monday, August 29, 2016 at Norwalk Memorial Home.
She was born


At the recommendation of the city council finance committee and administration, the committee-of-the-whole will consider legislation regarding a reduction of the income tax reciprocity credit to 50 percent.
“It is important to note that this is not a new tax,” council president Steve Euton said.
“The reciprocity credit allows residents who work outside of the city to forgo up to 100 percent of income taxes which support police and fire protection, safe roads, trash pickup, parks, and maintenance of public structures in Norwalk,” said Dan Wendt, safety-service director for the city.
“In addition, this ordinance neither affects those who live and work in Norwalk, nor does it impact residents who are retired,” Mayor Rob Duncan added.
The ordinance under consideration would reduce this credit from 100 percent to 50 percent.
“This would affect approximately 25 percent (2,000) of the tax accounts within the city,” said Diane Eschen, the city finance director.
“It is important to remember the income tax that is paid to the city where you work does not come back to the city where you live,” continued Eschen, noting that a resident working outside of Norwalk still pays taxes in the city where he or she works.
Without having to pay income tax to the city of Norwalk, residents who work outside of Norwalk are still able to benefit from public services which are paid for by those who do work in Norwalk.
According to Wendt, “The median household income in the city of Norwalk is $42,761.
“If council moves forward with the ordinance, a median household working outside of the city will end up paying $27 per month for their share of city services from Norwalk income taxes. Keep in mind that figure is based on gross income before considering deductions,” he said.
Based on estimates using numbers from 2014 tax returns, a reduction in the reciprocity credit would raise $275,000 for the general fund and an additional $70,000 for the sanitation and general capital improvements funds.
To put this issue into perspective, it is important to consider the history of how we got here. In 1969, Norwalk’s city council passed a 0.5-percent income tax by ordinance with a reciprocity clause.
By 1987, council had raised the income tax to 1 percent and it was not until 1992 that voters considered the latest 0.5-percent increase. During this period, there were more manufacturing jobs in the area.
Also, the tax structure at the state level was much more generous to local governments.
Eschen said in recent years the city’s general fund has lost more than $1 million in annual revenue between cuts made by the state of Ohio to local government funds ($440,000), the loss of estate tax revenue ($225,000), and the elimination of the personal property tax ($100,000). This problem was worsened by historically low interest earnings and tax receipts, which decreased by $475,000.
Duncan said when reciprocity was put in place by council, the state of Ohio’s tax structure allowed local governments to more easily provide residents with emergency services, good streets, parks and trash collection. Because of the city’s healthy operating position at that time, council decided to suspend the income tax for residents employed outside of Norwalk.
“During that time, the decision was fair and an honest break for hardworking citizens. Today we are not living in the same world. We lost jobs to the outsourcing, we have cut our full-time city workforce from 139 to 124 and we are doing what we can to provide high-quality public services while struggling to make ends meet. It is a difficult decision; however, it is an important one for the administrative sustainability of the city,” the mayor said.
Council will be considering an ordinance about tax reciprocity at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 30 and Sept. 9 in the Norwalk municipal courtroom.

Norwalk officials respond to citizens' comments on proposed tax ordinance


EDITOR’S NOTE: This article was submitted to the Reflector by Norwalk Safety-Service Director Dan Wendt.
At the recommendation of the city


He couldn’t buy beers such as Dogfish Head 120 Minute IPA or 3 Floyds Dark Lord here because they exceeded Ohio’s 12 percent limit.
But all that changes Wednesday, when a new state law that scraps Ohio’s cap goes into effect, meaning not only will some of those high-alcohol beers be available at retailers throughout the Buckeye State but Ohio breweries can make and sell them as well.
“I think it’s great,” Martin, 51, of North Canton said as he sipped a Vlad the Impaler imperial stout this week at Royal Docks Brewing Co. in Jackson Township. “It’s time for a change.”
Craft beer drinkers, retailers and breweries had been lobbying for years against the state limit, arguing that it put Ohio at a competitive disadvantage to surrounding states with no limit and stifled creativity.
The last time the limit was raised, it went from 6 percent to 12 percent in 2002.
With the craft beer industry booming — the Ohio Division of Liquor Control has issued more than 180 brewing permits — state legislators agreed earlier this year that the cap no longer makes sense, especially with no limit imposed on wine or liquor.
The Scottish brewery BrewDog’s decision to invest $32 million in building its U.S. headquarters and brewery in the Columbus suburb of Canal Winchester didn’t hurt, either. BrewDog is known for producing several higher alcohol beers.
“I don’t think it’s just good for our business. It’s good for beer,” BrewDog co-founder James Watt said about the change in the law.
State visit
State Senate President Keith Faber, R-Celina, who was instrumental in pushing the bill through the legislature visited Hoppin’ Frog Brewery in Akron on Friday.
He presented the gavel used in the process and an official certificate to owner and brewer Fred Karm, who had been a big advocate for changing the law.
“I just didn’t see any reason to keep the limitation,” Faber said. “We don’t have similar limitations on wine or on spirits. I’m a free market person and to me this is a free market issue. We need to make sure that our guys can be competitive.”
Hoppin’ Frog, which has been rated as one of the best breweries in the world by RateBeer.com, focuses on higher alcohol beers with bold flavors.
“This is groundbreaking,” Karm said. “In the over 22 years that I’ve been brewing, we can now go the extra mile and spread our wings.”
Hoppin’ Frog will release the 13.8 percent T.O.R.I.S. the Tyrant, a triple oatmeal Russian imperial stout, in bottles and on draft Wednesday.
He said he’s looking forward to designing even more higher alcohol brews.
“Our goal is to always have one but I’d like to have more than one,” Karm said.
Thirsty Dog, Willoughby, Actual, Jackie O’s, Listermann and Zaftig are among the other Ohio breweries working on high-alcohol beers. (See sidebar for more details.)
Upcoming beers
Craft beer drinkers, however, shouldn’t expect a flood of them.
For some breweries, they don’t fit their mission.
They are difficult, time-consuming and costly to produce — some of the reasons that there aren’t a ton of them on the market now.
They also are a niche product and expensive for consumers. The cost is one of the reasons that there weren’t major concerns about a potential problem with underage drinking.
The latest batch of Samuel Adams Utopias, released last year, was 28 percent alcohol by volume (ABV) and cost $199 a bottle.
Meanwhile, Dogfish Head 120 Minute, sold in a 12-ounce bottle and with an ABV that ranges from 15 percent to 20 percent, is expected to sell for $10 to $15. The Milton, Delaware-based Dogfish Head Craft Brewed Ales already has announced that 120 Minute will be available in Ohio next week.
In many cases, these higher alcohol beers were designed to be sipped and shared, as opposed to be guzzled by one individual.
Brewers and other experts expect there to be a flurry of interest in high-alcohol beers as the law changes, with people wanting to try something that has been illegal here for years.
“Brewing beer has become more of an art form over the past eight or so years since this craft boom has taken off and this truly lets brewers be creative,” said Jon Albrecht, the beer buyer for Acme Fresh Market groceries.
Some craft beer drinkers equate price and ABV, meaning they may shy away from a lower alcohol beer because they don’t feel they are getting their moneys worth, said Dave Sutula, the brewmaster at Royal Docks.
“You can’t quantify flavor,” he said.
That’s one of the reasons he thinks people will want to try the higher alcohol beers.
His brewery jumped the state law early, with its 13.1 percent Vlad the Impaler now available on draft. The beer — just like higher alcohol beer served now at most bars and restaurants — is sold in a smaller glass, a 10-ounce snifter, for $7.50.
Mainstream?
John Lane, one of the owners of the Winking Lizard Tavern chain and Lizardville Whiskey & Beer Stores, isn’t convinced that high-alcohol beers will be a big hit.
He believes it will be popular only among beer geeks.
“I don’t see the mainstream jumping onto it,” Lane said.
His Lizardville stores will stock 120 Minute.
Craft beer drinker and homebrewer Mike Yingling, 44, of Northfield is in favor of the limit being scrapped, but questions how often he will seek out a high-alcohol beer, knowing that he’s more concerned about hangovers as he gets older.
“And I want to be able to have more than just one beer,” he said.
He and others also wonder whether there will be a glut of poorly made high-alcohol beers on the market as Ohio breweries race to put one out.
“I’m real worried about it,” said Brad Clark, brewer at Jackie O’s Brewery in Athens. “There are just a small handful of people who will be able to pull it off. We may just have a sea of high-alcohol garbage.”
———
©2016 the Akron Beacon Journal (Akron, Ohio)
Visit the Akron Beacon Journal (Akron, Ohio) at www.ohio.com
Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

High-alcohol beer moves into Ohio next week


For years, craft beer fan Eddie Martin found himself driving out of Ohio to find rare, high-alcohol brews that were banned in the state.
He couldn’t buy beers


Pennie M. Myers
FREMONT — Pennie M. Myers, 55, of Fremont and formerly of Norwalk, died Wednesday at Toledo Hospital.


FREMONT — Pennie M. Myers, 55, of Fremont and formerly of Norwalk, died Wednesday at Toledo Hospital.
Funeral arrangements will be announced by Walker Funeral


Providing unlicensed security is typically a misdemeanor offense, but he was charged with a felony because of repeated violations.
Franklin L. Harris, 46, of Toledo, pleaded no contest and was found guilty of one count of engaging in the security business without a license, a 5th-degree felony punishable by up to a year in prison. Mr. Harris is scheduled for sentencing on Oct. 11, 2016 at 1:30 p.m. in Lucas County Common Pleas Court.
Harris continued working without a license as an armed security guard, despite two prior misdemeanor convictions in 14 months for working unlicensed. The Ohio Department of Public Safety (ODPS) also issued a cease-and-desist order. Harris had been working during two fatal shootings, fights and other disturbances at Toledo bars.
“Unlicensed security guards are a serious threat to public safety, especially when they are carrying firearms,” said Geoff Dutton, Executive Director of ODPS’ Private Investigator Security Guard Services. “They haven’t undergone a criminal background check. They don’t have insurance. They haven’t completed required training. Businesses and organizations should always verify their security guard provider is licensed”
In investigating Harris, PISGS partnered with the Toledo Police Department and the Ohio Investigative Unit.
Unlicensed security guards enable other illegal activity, as well, including after-hours clubs that illegally sell alcohol and drugs. ODPS, which licenses and regulates security guards, first investigated Harris in 2014 after receiving complaints about him working at bars where there had been fatal shootings. He declined opportunities to apply for a license. Meanwhile, Harris continued to work at other bars and after-hours clubs targeted by police for illegal activity and for being neighborhood nuisances.
On March 18, 2015, Harris pleaded guilty to attempting to engage in security guard services. On Feb. 11, 2016, after continuing to work without a license, he pleaded guilty to providing security services without a license. ODPS issued a cease-and-desist order on April 21, 2016. Still, Harris continued to work and was charged May 18, 2016, with the two charges elevated to felonies. One of the felonies was dismissed yesterday and he pleaded no contest to the other one
Businesses and organizations that contract with security guards can verify online that they are properly licensed: https://ext.dps.state.oh.us/PISGS/Pages/Public/providersearch.aspx
Anyone who sees a security guard can text the guard’s location to 614-705-2TIP (-2847) and PISGS will verify the guard’s credentials.

Man found guilty of working unlicensed as armed security guard


COLUMBUS — An Ohio man was found guilty Thursday of a felony charge of working unlicensed as an armed security guard at local bars and after-hours clubs.