After voluntarily testing 78 various drinking fountains and faucets in the district earlier this month, it was learned that 10 samples had lead levels in excess of 15 ppb. Those results prompted the district to replace a number of faucets and fixtures and send home a letter with students on Wednesday, said Superintendent George Fisk.
Here were the results:
• Maplehurst Elementary had 10 tests, two of which were flagged for having results at 15 PPB or higher.
• League Elementary had eight tests, one of which was flagged.
• Main Street Intermediate had nine tests, five of which were flagged.
• Pleasant Elementary had 13 tests, one of which was flagged.
• Norwalk Middle School had seven tests, one of which was flagged.
• Norwalk High School had 31 tests, all of which were in the safe level.
A copy of a press release about this matter from Huron County Public Health is posted on this website.
Below is the letter, as well at question-and-answer sheet that accompanied it:
Dear Norwalk Families:
Throughout the 2015-2016 school year there were a number of national news reports concerning the quality of drinking water in schools. These stories indicated that aging school facilities across the country may contain drinking fountains and plumbing fixtures contributing to lead levels higher than the EPA action level of 15 parts per billion (ppb).
In an effort to maintain a safe environment for all of our children and staff, the Norwalk City School District completed a voluntary testing sample of district water fixtures on August 15th. On August 19th, the results of the testing showed that of the 78 drinking fountains and faucets sampled, 10 of the samples had lead levels in excess of the 15 ppb. In response to these results, all affected water fountain and faucets were immediately shutdown. As an added precaution, the district has also shutdown all similar water fixtures.
As of today, many of the identified drinking fountains and faucets have been replaced or will be replaced in the upcoming days. We will work extensively with the City of Norwalk and Huron County Public Health (HCPH) to ensure our students and staff have access to the safest water possible. We are providing safe sources of drinking water for student and staff in areas where drinking fountains have been shutdown. Students are also permitted to bring their own water bottles until further notice. Going forward we will be partnering with HCPH to retest the district’s water fixtures and fountains to ensure our water complies with EPA standards for lead levels. The Norwalk City School District will also now engage in voluntary yearly testing of our drinking water. We have included a FAQ with this letter to answer some of the questions you may have concerning lead contamination.
Please do not hesitate to contact me at 419-668-2779 to discuss any questions you may have. We are currently working with our partners to make local blood lead level testing available; dates and times are to be determined. Specific information about testing locations, dates, and times will be available to parents as soon as details are finalized. We will continue to keep you informed regarding this issue.
Sincerely,
George E. Fisk
Superintendent
Norwalk City School District
* * *
Norwalk City Schools – Lead in Drinking Water – August 24, 2016
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is lead?
a. Lead is a naturally occurring bluish-gray metal found in small amounts in the earth’s crust. Lead in soil and water usually occurs from natural sources in the ground, or when lead settles out of the air.
b. It is common for some plumbing systems to contain lead, which is colorless, tasteless, and unscented.
2. What are the health effects of lead?
a. Lead in drinking water is particularly concerning because even small amounts of lead can cause learning and behavior problems, anemia, and effects on growth and hearing.
b. Adults are less likely to be harmed by lead in water.
3. Why is there lead in school drinking water at Norwalk City Schools?
a. In the City of Norwalk, water is supplied by the Norwalk Municipal Water System and normally contains minimal amounts of lead before it reaches Norwalk schools and homes. In 2016, water in 30 private residences supplied by the Norwalk Municipal Water System were tested for lead in the drinking water. Results indicated that Norwalk City’s water is compliant with the Lead and Copper Rule.
b. However, some plumbing materials found in schools, such as pipes, fountains/fixtures, and solder have parts containing lead. In general, older parts contain more lead than newer parts. Lead is released into tap water from these materials through a process called leaching when water is in contact with these materials over time.
4. How much lead is in the drinking water at my child’s school?
a. Norwalk City Schools tested for lead in drinking water at Maplehurst Elementary, League Elementary, Main Street Intermediate, Pleasant Elementary, Norwalk Middle School, and Norwalk High School. A total of 78 water fountains and sinks were tested; the amount of lead in the water varied by school and location within each school.
b. 8% of samples taken returned samples positive for lead.
5. How were samples collected?
a. Samples were collected at schools by Pardee Environmental.
b. The number of samples taken exceeded the EPA’s recommendations.
c. These procedures recommended that first-draw samples be collected at a fixture such as a sink faucet or water fountain to assess lead levels in the water.
d. Drinking water was found to be in excess of Ohio EPA guidelines.
6. What does the government say about how much lead is acceptable in water?
a. The EPA has established guidelines for lead in school drinking water of 15 parts per billion (ppb).
b. The EPA recommends that when this level is exceeded, steps should be taken to limit exposure or reduce lead in school drinking water.
7. What is the Norwalk City School District doing about this issue?
a. Testing was performed on August 15, 2016 and results were received August 19, 2016.
b. Because several samples were taken from the same water line, the assumption at this time is that the lead issue is within the fixtures, for example, sinks and drinking fountains, NOT the plumbing system or pipes.
c. Norwalk City Schools shut down 100% of affected fixtures (i.e. water fountains, sinks) on August 19, 2016.
d. Replacement parts or fixtures for all affected fixtures were ordered on August 19th and were replaced immediately as they arrived.
e. When school started on August 22, water was provided to students in coolers from unaffected fixtures. Norwalk City School District also encourages parents with any concerns to supply their children with water bottles from home.
f. Fixtures similar in type to those affected by the issue will remain offline and will be replaced within two weeks.
g. Each source of water in the affected school buildings will be retested within two weeks.
h. Norwalk City School District is working in collaboration with Huron County Public Health, Fisher-Titus Medical Center, and the City of Norwalk to resolve the issue.
8. What can I do about this issue?
a. Blood testing is the most useful available measure for assessing lead exposure in children. Turn-around time for filter paper testing is approximately 7 days.
b. Children aged 6 and under, as well as pregnant or nursing women should be tested for blood lead levels, as they are the groups most sensitive to the health effects of lead. Older children may be tested if parents choose to do so.
c. Local testing will be provided by Huron County Public Health during the week of August 29; dates and times are TBD. Primary care physicians will also offer blood lead testing. Specific information about testing locations, dates, and times will be available to parents as soon as details are finalized.
9. Where can I go for more information?
a. The Norwalk City School District’s webpage at www.norwalktruckers.net will be updated with information about the situation as it further develops.
b. Huron County Public Health’s website at www.huroncohealth.com/lead contains information about the health effects of lead and recommendations for lead testing. If you have specific health-related questions, the health department can be reached at 419-668-1652.

Five of Norwalk's six schools fail lead-water tests


Norwalk City Schools is being proactive with the quality of drinking water in schools.
After voluntarily testing 78 various drinking fountains and faucets in the district


Trent, aka “Little Man”, and “Mighty Mouse”, was born on February 22, 2006 in Ashland to Stephen and DeeAnna (nee Oney) McManus. Trent was a very social, active boy, who loved sports. He was an all-star in baseball, and had begun football practices recently, where he wore #82 for the Wildcats. He cheered for The Ohio State Buckeyes and Cleveland Browns, enjoyed singing and dancing, and was active in 4-H where he had recently won a silver platter award for his fast break fruit pizza.
In addition to his parents, survivors include Trent’s brothers (and buddies), Jonathan and Blaine, sister, Mirette; grandparents, Jim (Juanita) Oney and John (Roberta) McManus; several aunts and uncles, numerous cousins and many, many friends and a community who will miss him dearly.
Trent was preceded in death by his grandmother Stephanie McManus and uncle Jamie Oney.
Visitation for Trent will be held on Thursday August 25th from 1-3 pm and 5-8 pm at the New London Alliance Church, 4625 Ohio State Route 162, New London, Ohio 44851 where funeral services will be held on Friday August 26th at 11 am with Pastor Doug Lang officiating. In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorial contributions be made in Trent’s memory to any Sutton Bank location through the “Trent McManus Benefit” account, or through a page setup on www.gofundme.com in his name. Online condolences may also be made at: www.eastmanfuneralhome.com


NEW LONDON — Trent James McManus enriched and brightened the lives of everyone around him with his warm smile and infectious fun loving nature. He will be remembered as a


The long awaited annual Milan Melon Festival is taking place this weekend, with the festivities beginning 8 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 3. This year’s festival has several new features to offer that the committee is excited about.
“We’ve done a lot of new things this year,” said festival committee secretary Nichole Harder. “There’s a lot of new entertainment; we’re really playing that up.
“The concerts we put a lot of research into. We really looked into who we were going to bring,” she added.
“They’re all new acts coming this year. There won’t be any repeats. We’ve got the SHAZZBOTS on Monday as our kid’s day family oriented band. I think the whole family will really like them. Then Saturday and Sunday (we have) some cover bands coming. Some of them do country, some do rock, some do oldies music. It’s a good variety.”
There are some classic features that keep people coming back every year.
“Of course the grand parade is a huge draw,” Harder said.
“And of course, people come from all over for our ice cream – it’s the watermelon sherbet and cantaloupe ice cream. This is the only time of the year you can get it. Toft’s only makes it for the Melon Festival. It’s sold through the athletic boosters’ tent. So the proceeds go to help them. Last year we kept full until an hour before the festival closed, then we completely sold out.”
The event offers something for the whole family, according to Harder, who said it’s not only a family event, but something of a community affair.
“To be honest, our history speaks mostly for itself, so there’s that but it’s also a great community event and the whole community benefits from it,” she said.
“It’s something all can enjoy. There really is something for everyone, form the fun run on Monday morning to all high school sports event where parents can donate money to see their kids do crazy things, and that money goes back into scholarships for the school’s seniors. So it’s a big benefit. And then there’s the rides and the ice cream.
“Everyone can enjoy it. It’s truly a whole community event.”
* * *
Here is this year’s Milan Melon Festival schedule:
SATURDAY, SEPT. 3
8 a.m. to noon - St. Anthony's Pancake Breakfast on Main St. Baby contest registration at info booth 8 to 10 a.m.
9 a.m. to 2 p.m. - Car Show Edison Elementary PTO at A-Field
10 a.m. - Festival opens!
Chalk Drawing Contest in front of The Invention: Ages 3-4, 5-6, 7-8 (winners announced at 10:55 a.m.)
11 a.m. - Beautiful Baby Contest (pre-registration required)
12:30 p.m. - Watermelon Carving Contest
1 p.m. - Big Wheel Race sign up at info booth by 12:45pm
2 p.m. - Watermelon explosion
4 p.m. - Adult Pizza Eating Contest sponsored by Jim’s Pizza Box sign up at info booth by 4:15pm
5 p.m. - Milan American Legion Post 527 Milan Melon Festival Queen Contest - Stage
7 p.m. - Edison Band Concert - Stage
9 p.m. - Mark Leach performs on stage till 10:30
11 p.m. - Festival closes until Sunday
SUNDAY, SEPT. 4
9:30 a.m. - Church Service Edison United Methodist
11 a.m. - Festival opens
Fireman's Chicken BBQ - Fire Station
Christian Cloger's - stage
2 p.m. - The Grand Parade - Milan Lions Club
4 p.m. - Parade winners announced on stage
5p.m. - Milk Shake Contest sponsored by Milan Drive Thru - stage
5:30 p.m. - Salty Caramels performs on stage till 7 p.m.
8:30 p.m. - Plaid Brix performs on stage till 10 p.m.
11 p.m. - Festival closes until Monday
MONDAY, SEPT. 5 – KIDS DAY
7:30 a.m. - Register at the A-Field for 5K and Fun Run Races (Proceeds benefit EHS Cross Country)
8 to 9:30 a.m. - Corn-hole Tournament Registration at A-Field. Tournament begins at 10 a.m.
8:30 a.m. - One mile Fun Run begins
9 a.m. - Milan Melon Festival 5k begins
10 a.m. - Festival opens
10 a.m. - Pedal Pull at main stage
10 a.m. - Corn-hole tournament begins
10 a.m. - Home Depot craft tent in front of info booth
Touch a Truck till noon
The Great Brad Magician
11 a.m. - Hula Hoop contest - small stage
Noon - Jungle Rob till 1 p.m.
Noon - Sport-A-Thon - stage
1 p.m. - Watermelon Bowling
2 p.m. - Kids Pizza Eating Contest
2:30 to 4 p.m. - SHAZZBOTS performs on stage
5:45 p.m. - Drawings - Kids Gift Card (Must have wristband on and be present to win.)
6 p.m. - Festival closes until 2017

Milan Melon Fest a community event 'everyone can enjoy'


MILAN — It’s time for cantaloupe ice cream, a beautiful baby contest, some watermelon explosions and the melon queen’s pageant.


He was born on June 12, 1952, in Lima to James and Bonnie (Hammond) Fairfax.
Visitation will be on Wednesday, August 24, from 12 to 3 p.m. at Harter and Schier Funeral Home. Following the visitation Delphos Veterans Council will conduct military rites at the Funeral Home. Burial will be at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to the family.
To leave condolences, visit www.harterandschier.com.


DELPHOS — Michael J. Fairfax, 64, of Delphos, formerly of Norwalk, died on Sunday at St. Rita’s Medical Center.
He was born on June


Like the adventures where I was in a long footrace or hiking up a mountain or bicycling all day long, there were times when I was breathless.
But in this particular adventure, it was not aerobic activity that caused me to gasp.
In Montana, it was Glacier National Park that stole my breath almost everywhere I turned.
It is more than 500 miles across Montana to get to the Rocky Mountains. And I was driving it. That’s an adventure in itself. Although, truth be told, it was not really that bad.
And it was definitely worth it to arrive in the city of Kalispell on the western slope of the Rockies. As a bonus, two hours after I got to Kalispell, I picked up Char at Glacier International Airport to share this marvelous mountain adventure with me.
I’ve been to the mountains many times. And I have seen some remarkable things there. But for sheer numbers of awesome sights, I am pretty sure Glacier National Park trumps them all.
The centerpiece of the park—and the thing that makes most of the park’s majesty accessible to every visitor—is the highway called Going To The Sun Road.
This is not just an access road to the park. Going To The Sun Road is an attraction in itself.
It winds for 32 breathtaking—there’s that word again—uphill miles to Logan Pass and the Continental Divide. Past reflecting lakes. Past crystal clear rushing streams. Past receding glaciers. Past countless waterfalls. Past hillsides covered in wildflowers. And past some of the sweetest mountain vistas this continent has to offer.
And then Going To The Sun Road goes downhill for 18 more spectacular miles. Fifty scenic miles in all. One hundred miles roundtrip.
We enjoyed every mile of it.
And we had a lot of fun every time we got out of the car, as well.
We hiked to the shores of two pristine lakes. And we posed for a photo next to another—the kind of mountain lake view you see on a calendar.
We stopped at many of the countless turnouts along the road. You might think you would get satiated with so many stunning mountain vistas, but it never happened for me.
Our longest hike was to a pair of waterfalls. We were tired when we arrived at the first one, St. Mary Falls. But, hey, we were there for adventure so we pushed on to even more spectacular Virginia Falls.
This was one of those hikes that seems like it is uphill both ways, so we were all in when we got back to the trailhead. But after a few miles of driving on Going To The Sun Road we got refreshed.
And the following day we took it easy, driving south from Kalispell through the glacier-formed Flathead Valley. Visible alongside the highway most of the way is Flathead Lake, the largest inland lake west of the Mississippi. Beautiful.
The big summertime fruit crop in that area is sweet cherries, available at lots of roadside stands, and we took advantage, buying a generously-filled two dollar bag. I’m not saying they were especially delicious, but the people ahead of us were buying 40 bags to take back to Texas — $80 worth of roadside cherries! So I guess I AM saying they were especially delicious.
In all, we loved Montana. And, as usual, I have tried to capture as much of it as I could on a short video for you (watch it above!).
If you have not been watching the videos, don’t wait much longer. This was Adventure #35—just 15 states to go!
Jim Busek is a free-lance writer who lives in Norwalk. He can be reached via e-mail at jimbusek@hotmail.com.

JIM BUSEK: Going to the sun and enjoying the view


My Adventure #35 was in Montana.
Like the adventures where I was in a long footrace or hiking up a mountain or bicycling all day long, there were times when I was


* * *
(Original post) U.S. 20 is closed to traffic just west on West Collins Road following a one-vehicle accident this morning.
The woman driving the car was taken to Fisher-Titus Medical Center with what were described as non life-threatening injuries.
Keep posted for further details.


(UPDATED at 9:43 a.m. Monday) U.S. 20, just east of Collins Road, is now open. The road was previously closed due to downed power lines.
* * *
(Original


Seth J. Apple, 27, Norton — Failure to comply with theorizer of a police officer, DUI and driving under suspension
Jeanna A. Arguelles, 36, Shelby — FRA
Cameron M. Bays, 29, 63rd St. — Inducing panic
Clark J. Best, 21, Slansville — Aggravated trespassing
Ashley N. Daugherty, 23, 5144 U.S. 250 N. — Driving under a DUI suspension
Christopher V. Ehlers, 30, Elyria — Probation violation
Mark D. Hall, 46, 614 Willow Court, Plymouth — DUI and endangering children
Vearl D. Mathna, 49, 5148 U.S. 250 — Domestic violence
Hope E. McVeigh, 34, 56 E. Main, Wakeman — Probation violation
Michael L. Osborne, 26, 407 Myrtle Ave., Willard — Theft
Angela M. Pope, 45, 136 E. Main St. — Disorderly conduct — intoxication
Gary L. Pratt, 47, 726 E. Main St. — Corruption of another with drugs and sexual battery
James E. Purcell, 53, Sandusky — Identity fraud
Danny D. Shirey, 28, 168 Walnut St., Plymouth — Possession of drug paraphernalia, possession go marijuana and possession of heroin
Shawn R. Slavik, 34, Lorain — Gross sexual imposition
* * *
Not pictured, because they already have been released from jail:
Jose L. Can Hernandez, 24, 323 Keefer St., Willard — DUI
Thomas L. Fields, 62, 208 Rae Court, Willard — Disorderly conduct
Shawn G. Willis, 30, 5824 Fox Glove Road, New London — DUI and possession of drug abuse instruments

New inmates at the Huron County Jail, Aug. 19 to 21, 2016


Here are pictures and information from the Huron County Jail regarding new inmates for Aug. 19 to 21, 2016:
Seth J. Apple, 27, Norton


Those are the words Norwalk council member Kelly Beck had to say regarding the proposed tax credit cut during council’s work session Tuesday night.
More than a few were present to comment on the proposed tax ordinance, which would slash income tax credit for anyone working outside of Norwalk by 50 percent.
According to Beck, the ordinance was “brought to (council) by the mayor.”
We did have the support of the finance committee, replied safety-service director Dan Wendt.
Regardless of who brought it to council, the proposed legislation received a backlash Tuesday evening as residents showed up at council to voice their concerns and complaints.
Many residents, it seemed, were more frustrated than anything. Why did the ordinance target out-of-town workers specifically, they questioned, and why did the city make them feel like they weren’t contributing their fair share?
“I would prefer to work in Norwalk,” said one city resident, Nikki Hotchkiss. “I do probably 98 percent of my shopping in Norwalk.”
Like many of the other people present at the meeting, Hotchkiss said she just wanted to know exactly what public services she was using but not paying for — referring back to the article penned by Norwalk officials regarding the tax credit.
Another Norwalk local, Maryellen Hamernik, called for council to bring the issue to a vote, a sentiment with which many of the citizens present seemed to agree.
“I think that choosing without a vote of the people is pretty unfair,” she said.
Hamernik also pointed out that the city’s income tax increases were originally voted on with the idea that the reciprocal tax would be in place. By not allowing the city to vote on this new cut, she said she felt council was using a loophole.
Others implored the city to investigate alternate solutions to their budgetary problems.
“I feel that this is a Band-Aid fix,” said Chris Jackson, a Norwalk resident who works in the city.
After nearly an hour’s worth of comments, council members and city officials responded.
“I think it’s really great that you guys came out here to speak your minds,” said council member Chris Castle. “I think you’re going to find there are several who share your sentiments.”
“I know that the crash will sway a lot of numbers,” added council member Samantha Wilhelm, speaking to the safety-service director and mayor. “I don’t want to look at skewed numbers.”
Council will officially vote on the ordinance at Tuesday’s meeting beginning at 7:30 p.m. in council chambers.

Norwalk council takes comments on tax credit


“It’s not our piece of legislation.”
Those are the words Norwalk council member Kelly Beck had to say regarding the proposed tax credit cut


Blake T. Ruff, 18, of 2100 Sleepy Hollow Road, Milan, was charged with failure to control, possession of alcohol under the age of 21, possession of marijuana and possession of marijuana paraphernalia.
Officers seized an “open bottle of Jack Daniel’s” and several cans of beer in a cooler which was in the truck, Norwalk Police Capt. Mike Conney said.
The accident happened at 8:05 p.m. Saturday at the intersection of Grove Avenue and East Main Street.
Ruff started to turn onto Grove when he apparently was going too fast, went off the left side and the red Ford F-250 truck went up the guy wire, Conney said.
“He said he was going a little bit too fast,” he added.
The police report doesn’t indicate how fast Ruff was going. Conney said based on the skid marks on the road, it appears the driver was going too fast to make the turn.
The speed limit on East Main Street in that area is 35 mph. It is is 25 mph on Grove Avenue.
“You sure shouldn’t take that turn at 35 or 25,” Conney said.
When the Norwalk Fire Department arrived at 8:11 p.m., the front of the truck was about seven feet off the ground while the rear bumper was resting on the ground. Firefighters said they used stabilizer jacks and cribbing to secure the vehicle before helping the two occupants out of the truck.
Conney said the passenger wasn’t charged. No injuries were reported.
Norb’s North Side Services towed the truck from the scene. The damage scale was unknown.


Police seized beer and alcohol from the pickup truck that was driven up a guy wire in Norwalk.
Blake T. Ruff, 18, of 2100 Sleepy Hollow Road, Milan, was charged with


Former Greenwich resident David R. Moser, 37, had been serving a 33-month prison sentence for three counts of breaking and entering. When he was sentenced in August 2015, he received nearly four months of jail credit toward his term.
During Monday’s brief hearing, Huron County Common Pleas Judge Jim Conway said he was willing to entertain early release because Moser’s time in prison went smoothly and he owes $3,987 in restitution to the 12 victims.
“That’s an overriding factor here,” Conway added, referring to the restitution.
Huron County Prosecutor Daivia Kasper had no objection to Moser’s early release. However, she requested the defendant have no contact or association with the victims or be allowed on their properties. Conway made those conditions of Moser’s three years of probation, which also includes a 30-day jail sentence that his probation officer can impose at any time without a hearing.
“I’d like the opportunity to get out and start working and be productive,” Moser said.
He was on non-reporting probation in another court when he committed the crime spree, which lasted from Aug. 23, 2014 through about April 6, 2015. Huron County Sheriff’s Detective Sgt. Josh Querin handled the investigation. The Shelby Police Department and Richland County Sheriff’s Office assisted.
Deputies recovered more than $5,000 worth of stolen tools during the investigation. The tools included about 14 chainsaws, several grass trimmers, a leaf blower and grinder.
Since Jan. 1, 2015, the Greenwich Police Department received 15 to 16 reports of the theft of chainsaws, cordless power tools and copper pipes from garages and sheds.
“These were penny-ante crimes, as it were; there just were a lot of them,” Huron County Public Defender David Longo said in 2015.
Deputies identified the owners of some of the stolen items, which were returned to them. Maple City Saw & Mower assisted investigators by running serial numbers through a database to identify the victims.
Moser’s criminal record includes a five-year prison term for unlawful sexual conduct with a minor. He committed the sex crime 12 years ago.

Break-in defendant released early from prison


A man convicted of breaking into the outbuildings and pole barns of 12 Greenwich-area victims was released early from prison Monday.
Former


Arthur, a native of Bellevue, married Greenwich native former Pamela S. Miller on Aug. 20, 1966 at the Church of Christ in Greenwich. Rev. Ken. Williams officiated the ceremony.
They are the parents of Christopher (deceased); Roy (Anna) of Wauseon; Gloria (Norman) Johnson of Akron; and Walter L. Butch and Linda Norman of Monroeville. They have eight grandchildren. They celebrated with an open house at St. Alphonsus Hall with friend and family.
Arthur is retired from farming and being a machine repairman, while Pamela is a retired medical assistant.
They say in the past 50 years together their children and grandchildren have been their joy.

Normans celebrate 50th wedding anniversary


NORWALK — Arthur W. Norman Jr. and Pamela S. Norman, of Norwalk, are celebrating their 50th anniversary.
Arthur, a native of Bellevue, married


The top stories in the Norwalk Reflector-Herald on this date 82 years ago:
Death takes Mrs. Adams in 99th year
Mrs. S. Louise Adams, one of Norwalk’s best beloved citizens, passed away at 11:45 a.m. today at the home of her nieces, Mrs. James G. Gibbs and Mrs. Esther Powers, 108 W. Main St.
For the last five years, Mrs. Adams had been confined to her bed. Had she lived until Sept. 7, she would have been 99 years old.
A more extended notice of her life and the time of the funeral will be announced in tomorrow’s Reflector-Herald.
Names committees for city’s 125th birthday, ‘Main Street Museum’
Plans were set in motion today for the celebration of Norwalk’s 125th birthday when Frank S. Fisher, president of the Norwalk Businessman’s Ass’n, announced the various committees to make the arrangements for the event.
Before the outline of any of the special features of the program is undertaken, the date will first be set. “The Main Street Museum” will be the largest part of the celebration, but it is also anticipated that many other interesting and profitable features will be developed by the committees.
It is thought likely that the celebration will be earlier this year than it was in 1930 in order to obtain the benefit of the mild weather. Nevertheless, the time will be worked out so as to give the local stores an opportunity to display their latest fall merchandise along with the wealth of fascinating things from the olden days.
Breaks leg while getting out of plane
Most persons who ride in airplanes worry until the plane comes to a stop safely on the ground. But Mrs. Frank Smith of E. Elm Street has reasons to think differently. On Sunday she took a ride in a plane from a landing field west of the city.
The ship reached a high altitude and despite the wind, was sailed perfectly, and a perfect landing was made. But when Mrs. Smith was descending to the ground from the fuselage, she suffered a fall.
At the outset it was thought Mrs. Smith had sprained her ankle. But it developed later a bone had been broken.
Captain Evans to be buried in Woodlawn
Captain Benjamin Evans, 95, Civil War veteran, who died at 12:05 p.m. today at his home in Fremont, will be buried Thursday afternoon in Woodlawn Cemetery here.
Captain Evans was a member of the 55th Civil War Regiment, Norwalk’s own. Enlisting in 1863 in the 8th Ohio Volunteer infantry. Mr. Evans re-enlisted after 90 days of service in the 55th. He took part in the battles of Antietam, Missionary Ridge, Resca and many others. The decedent was with Sherman on the march to the sea.
Coming Monday, Aug. 29, 1932: Democratic old guard is victorious
— Compiled by Andy Prutsok


Aug. 27, 1934
The top stories in the Norwalk Reflector-Herald on this date 82 years


High: $158,000 - Kenneth M. and Susan A. Wilson to Michael W. Kluding, 8 Laurel Lane, Norwalk.
Low: $12,000 - Curtis D. and Geneva Barnett to Kekekist Ltd., 120 Spring St., Willard.
$12,000 - Curtis D. and Geneva Barnett to Kekekist Ltd., 315 Spring St., Willard.
The full weekly listing of real estate transactions can be read in Saturday’s Reflector.

High and low real estate transactions listed for Huron County


The following real estate transactions represent the highest and lowest amounts recorded in Huron County for the week ending Aug. 19:
High: $158,000 - Kenneth M. and Susan


He really did celebrate life. Troy you were loved and will be missed by all.
Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 26 at the Secor Funeral Home in Willard, where the funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday. Burial will follow at the Maple Grove Cemetery, New Haven.
Memorial contributions may be made to the family. Online condolences may be made to the family at secorfuneralhomes.com


Troy B. Predieri, 54, of Sebastian, Fla., died Sunday from a long battle with diabetes. He was born on Jan. 16, 1962 in Willard.
He really did celebrate life.


“There’s been a lot of research done on Android’s operating systems, so we wanted to take a closer look at Apple’s iOS,” said William Enck, an associate professor of computer science at North Carolina State University and co-author of a paper describing the work. “Our goal was to identify any potential problems before they became real-world problems.”
The researchers focused on the iOS’s “sandbox,” which serves as the interface between applications and the iOS. The iOS sandbox uses a set “profile” for every third-party app. This profile controls the information that the app has access to and governs which actions the app can execute.
To see whether the sandbox profile contained any vulnerabilities that could be exploited by third-party apps, the researchers first extracted the compiled binary code of the sandbox profile. They then decompiled the code, so that it could be read by humans. Next, they used the decompiled code to make a model of the profile, and ran series of automated tests in that model to identify potential vulnerabilities.
Ultimately, the researchers identified vulnerabilities that would allow them to launch different types of attacks via third-party apps. Those attacks include:
• Methods of bypassing the iOS’s privacy settings for contacts;
• Methods of learning a user’s location search history;
• Methods of inferring sensitive information (such as when photos were taken) by accessing metadata of system files;
• Methods of obtaining the user’s name and media library;
• Methods of consuming disk storage space that cannot be recovered by uninstalling the malicious app;
• Methods of preventing access to system resources, such as the address book; and
• Methods that allow apps to share information with each other without permission.
“We are already discussing these vulnerabilities with Apple,” Enck said. “They’re working on fixing the security flaws, and on policing any apps that might try to take advantage of them.”
The paper, “SandScout: Automatic Detection of Flaws in iOS Sandbox Profiles,” will be presented at the ACM Conference on Computer and Communications Security, which is being held Oct. 24 to 28 in Vienna, Austria. Lead author of the paper is Luke Deshotels, a Ph.D. student at NC State. The paper’s co-authors include Mihai Chiroiu and Răzvan Deaconescu of University Politehnica of Bucharest, and Lucas Davi and Ahmad-Reza Sadeghi of Technische Universität Darmstadt.
The research was done with support from the U.S. Army Research Office, under grant numbers W911NF-16-1-0299 and W011NF-14-1-0537; the National Science Foundation, under grant number CNS-1253345; the Seventh EU Framework Programme award number 609611; and the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft award number CRC1119.
* * *
Here is the study abstract:
“SandScout: Automatic Detection of Flaws in iOS Sandbox Profiles”
Authors: Luke Deshotels and William Enck, North Carolina State University; Mihai Chiroiu and Răzvan Deaconescu, University Politehnica of Bucharest; Lucas Davi and Ahmad-Reza Sadeghi, Technische Universität Darmstadt
Presented: Oct. 24-28, ACM Conference on Computer and Communications Security, Vienna Austria
Abstract: Recent literature on iOS security has focused on the malicious potential of third-party applications, demonstrating how developers can bypass application vetting and code-level protections. In addition to these protections, iOS uses a generic sandbox profile, called “container,” to confine malicious or exploited third-party applications. In this paper, we present the first systematic analysis of the iOS container sandbox profile. We propose the SandScout framework to extract, decompile, formally model, and analyze iOS sandbox profiles as logic-based programs. We use our Prolog-based queries to evaluate file-based security properties of the container sandbox profile for iOS 9.0.2 and discover seven classes of exploitable vulnerabilities. These attacks affect nonjailbroken devices running later versions of iOS. We are working with Apple to resolve these attacks, and we hope SandScout will play a significant role in the development of sandbox profiles for future versions of iOS.

How safe is your iPhone? It might not be as secure as you think


An international team of computer science researchers has identified serious security vulnerabilities in the iOS – the operating system used in Apple’s iPhone and iPad


TAMPA, Fla. — The Browns traded linebacker Barkevious Mingo to the New England Patriots on Thursday afternoon in exchange for a fifth-round draft pick in 2017.
Mingo declined to comment on the move at the Browns' hotel on the eve of the team facing the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the third preseason game on Friday at Raymond James Stadium. He was preparing to leave Tampa and join the Patriots in North Carolina, where they'll play the Carolina Panthers in an exhibition game Friday night.
When Browns head of football operations Sashi Brown spoke about Mingo on Thursday morning, the executive essentially damned the player with faint praise by saying he tries really hard. The comment foreshadowed the Browns parting with Mingo, the sixth overall pick in the 2013 draft who seemed likely to be cut by the team next week.
The Browns moved Mingo, 25, from outside linebacker to inside linebacker this summer. It was as if the team's new coaches were desperately searching for a way to give him his best chance to earn a roster spot. But Mingo played in the fourth quarter in each of the first two preseason games, an indication the new regime wasn't impressed with him.
"(He's) working hard, and he's showing up on (special) teams. We'd like to see him show up more in the defense," Brown said. "Very positive attitude. Barkevious plays his tail off.
"If I could take his energy and effort and pour it into every player, we would have a great thing. He's a guy who sets a tone in terms of the effort he lays out there every day, and we appreciate that. Both the staff and Barkevious have to find a way to find some productivity for him."
Now the Patriots will be tasked with trying to maximize Mingo's abilities. He has been a colossal disappointment thus far, but Patriots coach Bill Belichick is known for developing players and getting the most out of them.
Mingo has played 46 games with 16 starts, compiling 99 tackles, an interception, 16 passes defensed and a fumble recovery. Former Browns CEO Joe Banner and ex-general manager Mike Lombardi drafted him an edge rusher out of Louisiana State University, but he has tallied just seven career sacks — five as a rookie in 2013, two in 2014 and none in 2015.
The Browns declined to exercise the fifth-year option on Mingo's rookie contract in May, another sign his days in Cleveland were numbered. They would have paid Mingo $11.925 million next season if they had picked up the option.
"It was their right (to decline the option)," Mingo said on Aug. 2. "But now it's my job to put it on the field and let them see that they should have done it."
Now Mingo will undoubtedly try to prove the Browns shouldn't have traded him.
The Browns, meanwhile, are happy to add to their stockpile of draft picks. To net a fifth-round pick for a player who likely would have been cut has the feeling of a coup. Unless, of course, he becomes a force for the Patriots. NFL Network reported the Detroit Lions were competing with the Patriots to trade for Mingo.
In next year's draft, the Browns also own the first-round pick of the Philadelphia Eagles, the second-round selection of the Tennessee Titans and the seventh-round choice of the Indianapolis Colts. They have the second-round pick of the Eagles in 2018.
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(c)2016 Akron Beacon Journal (Akron, Ohio)
Visit the Akron Beacon Journal (Akron, Ohio) at www.ohio.com
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Cleveland trades former sixth overall pick Mingo to New England


TAMPA, Fla. — The Browns traded linebacker Barkevious Mingo to the New England Patriots on Thursday afternoon in exchange for a fifth-round draft pick


With lightning in the distance and rain falling, the Flyers’ season-opener at Strobel Field at Cedar Point Stadium was put on hold until about 8:45 p.m. St. Paul didn't seem phased. They jumped out to an early 14-0 lead after the first quarter thanks to a 7-yard scamper by senior Colton Service and an 89-yard rumble from senior Derek Gross.
St. Paul didn't look back.
“It wasn't the best of situations with the hour and 45 minute delay,” Flyers coach John Livengood said. “It’s a hot, humid night with some unusual circumstances. I thought our kids handled it well. Hopefully we can look at the film and learn from the mistakes we made.”
St. Paul would add another score at the end of the first half on a 3-yard bull-dozing run by Service. The Flyers wouldn't reach pay dirt again until the fourth quarter on a 3-yard run by Gross and a 20-yard dash by junior Joey Catalano.
But as impressive as the Flyers offense was, the red zone defense was even better.
Play of the game: As the Panthers seemed destine to reach the end zone early in the second from the 3-yard line, juniors Thane Crabbs and Owen Moffit teamed up for a strip sack to keep the shut out alive. The Flyers would score 17 plays later to build a comfortable lead. Moffit later added another fumble recovery setting up another Flyer touchdown.
“We felt like we were starting to get things going offensively, but St. Mary’s put together a drive that could have cut it to one score and instead we were able to get a turnover. We put together a long drive and chewed up some time. Our ball control was good.”
Player of the game: Gross was a work-horse for the Flyers carrying the ball 23 times for 208 yards and a pair of touchdowns. But it was a play early in the fourth that cemented him as the player of the game. On a Panthers’ pass, Gross leaped high in the air for an interception. Eight plays later, he punched in his second score of the contest and essentially sealing the victory for St. Paul.
“He played really hard and played great on both sides of the football,” Livengood said. “There were a lot of positives out on the field tonight and a lot of guys contributing to that. He is a hard runner.”
It was that kind of red zone defense that allowed the Flyers to run away with the game late.
“We played great,” Livengood said. “We would bend a little bit and give up come big plays defensively, but when our guys needed to step up, they did.”
With nine weeks ahead, Livengood admits he is pleased with all of the new faces in the lineup and was impressed with the high level of play from his squad. Though, he said the film will tell the story of what the Flyers need to do in the coming weeks.
“We want to make our most improvement between Week 1 and Week 2,” Livengood said. “It is our first game experience. Scrimmages are scrimmages. When you go out there and play four quarters and don't have the coaches on the field, you want to make those jumps from Week 1 to Week 2 and clean up all of our mistakes.”
Service carried the football 12 times for 70 yards and two touchdowns while Noah Good added 10 carries for 42 yards.
St. Paul is back in action at 7 p.m. hosting Fremont St. Joseph next Saturday.
419-571-9333
Twitter: @JakeFurr11

Gross, Flyers cruise to season opening win


SANDUSKY – After waiting all summer long to get the season started, the St. Paul Flyers didn't mind waiting two more hours.
With lightning in the distance


Current owner Tom Jarrett met with the Huron County commissioners Tuesday to let them know his intent. He currently rents the space on East Main Street from the county.
Jarrett would be passing over the 11-year-old business to Mary Anne Claus, one of the renters who currently operates an antique store out of the space.
Klaus has been an antique dealer for 31 years, and is looking to make some minor improvements to the store.
Even if he sells the business, Jarrett still plans to stick around.
“My intentions are to stay in the mall if you approve Mary Anne,” Jarrett said during the commissioners’ meeting Tuesday. “I’ll be a renter instead of an owner.”
The commissioners were in favor of the plan — wanting to keep the mall as an anchor business for Main Street.
Jill Eversole Nolan, director of the Huron County Department of Job and Family Services, also reported during the meeting Tuesday.
“Things seem to be going well,” Nolan said Tuesday. “As long as the children are safe and not abused, we try not to take them away from families.”
She gave a few updates on the department, including the number of children assessed by Child Protective Services and the number placed in temporary and permanent custody through the foster care program.
According to Nolan’s report, 29 children are in foster care as of this month. A total of 17 are in temporary custody and 12 children have received permanent placements.
Children Services also responded to 360 calls during April, May and June. Of the child abuse calls, case workers investigated and completed, 61 percent were proven and 39 percent were unsubstantiated.
The commissioners also heard reports from several other people from the county, including Amy Hoffman and Jason Roblin. Roblin represented the Huron County Emergency Management Agency, which distributed 6,250 emergency preparedness flyers to students in the county.

Antique mall in process of changing owners


The Norwalk Antique Mall may be switching hands before the end of the year.
Current owner Tom Jarrett met with the Huron County commissioners Tuesday to let them know his


She was born November 18, 1946 in Toledo to the late Bertil Sr. and Evelyn (Beemer) Feldt. She enjoyed fishing, spoiling her granddaughters and the Pittsburgh Steelers.
She was preceded in death by her two brothers, Leonard R. and Bertil G., Jr.
She is survived by her daughter, Jennie (Eric) Hipp of Norwalk; granddaughters, Emily and Maggie Simon.
Per her wishes there will be no services. Memorial contributions may be made to Erie County Cancer Services or Huron County Humane Society.


TOLEDO — Annette T. “Crutch” Lineback, age 69, of Toledo, died peacefully Friday, August 19, 2016 at Ebeid Hospice Center.
She was born


Those programs are auto technology, collision repair technology, industrial diesel, power equipment mechanics, exercise science and sports medicine, health assistant, dental assisting, medical office, medical technologies, horticulture, food science, cosmetology, criminal justice, homeland security, culinary arts, hospitality services, early childhood education, teaching professions, ConNext, bridge, project search, graphic arts, media communications, performing arts academy, carpentry, home remodeling, masonry, college NOW-business administration, IT support, web page design and programing, college NOW-Engineering, engineering design technology, environmental services, industrial electricity technician, precision machining technologies and welding.
Students focus on academic classes for half of the school day and experience hands-on learning the other half of the day in their career tech labs. Senior students also have the opportunity to work in their career tech field through internships and early job placement. Students at Pioneer have the opportunity to earn industry credentials and certifications, as well as college credits in many of our career tech programs as well as College Credit Plus classes.
In addition to academics and career tech labs, Pioneer students participate in many student organizations including Business Professionals of America (BPA), DECA, Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) Future Educators Association (FEA), Future Farmers of America (FFA), Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA), SkillsUSA and Student Council. Many of these organizations offer students the opportunity to participate in local, state and national competitions which helps build leadership skills and reinforce program knowledge.
Pioneer serves 14 school districts: Crestline, Northmor, Lucas, Lexington, Ontario, Crestview, Bucyrus, Shelby, Galion, Buckeye Central, Colonel Crawford, Plymouth-Shiloh, Willard and Wynford as well as accepting open enrollment students and home-schooled students.


SHELBY — Pioneer Career and Technology Center is off to a great start this school year with more than 1,175 students enrolled in more than 35 career technical programs.


The drugmaker says it will make available in the next several weeks a generic EpiPen version that is identical to the branded option but will have a list price of $300 for a two-pack.
It will be available in both 0.15-milligram and 0.30-milligram strengths, like the current version on the market.
EpiPens are used in emergencies to treat severe allergies to insect bites and foods like nuts and eggs that can lead to anaphylactic shock. People usually keep a number of EpiPens handy at home, school or work. The syringes, prefilled with the hormone epinephrine, expire after a year.
Consumers and politicians have accused the company of price-gouging, since the list price for a pair of EpiPens has climbed repeatedly from around $94 in 2007, when Mylan acquired the product.
Mylan NV CEO Heather Bresch defended the price hikes last week, saying the company only received $274 of the total price for a twin-package while insurers, pharmacies and other parties divvy up the rest.
Last week, Mylan said it was expanding programs that help people pay for EpiPens. It doubled the limit for eligibility for its patient assistance program, so a family of four making up to $97,200 would pay nothing out of pocket. It also said it will offer $300 copay cards, up from the current $100 per-prescription savings.
A company representative said Monday that the $300 cards would be available only for the branded version, but patients could use its assistance program for both the branded and generic versions of the medicine.
Mylan's announcement Monday comes a few days after the compounding pharmacy Imprimis Pharmaceuticals said it might be able to sell a version of the allergy treatment in a few months and would likely charge around $100 for two injectors.
There is currently little competition for EpiPen, with the only rival product being Adrenaclick, which carries a list price of $461. But that could change.
At least two companies are trying to get U.S. approval to sell a rival brand or generic version of EpiPen. None is likely to hit the U.S. market until well into next year.
Numerous members of Congress and other politicians this week have called for congressional hearings on Mylan's pricing, an investigation by the Federal Trade Commission and action by the Food and Drug Administration to increase competition by speeding up approvals of any rival products.
Shares of Mylan jumped more than 2 percent, or $1.02, to $44.05 Monday, before markets opened.
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©2016 The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review (Greensburg, Pa.)
Visit The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review (Greensburg, Pa.) at www.triblive.com
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Mylan launching cheaper, generic version of EpiPen


Mylan will start selling a cheaper version of its EpiPen after absorbing waves of criticism over a list price for the emergency allergy treatment that has grown to $608 for a two-pack,


“We are extremely proud of our Fisher-Titus team for achieving this designation five years in a row,” said Lorna Strayer, Fisher-Titus president and CEO. “It takes commitment from our entire organization including physicians, employees and board of directors to accomplish this. We have an innovative and unique team that works together to be on the cutting edge of technology.”
The Fisher-Titus Information Services Department has achieved many milestones throughout the years as it progressed from a three-person data processing department in 1978 with a spotlight on supporting the financial aspects of the hospital to a 29-employee information services department today with a major focus in the clinical areas and patient care. With the support of the Fisher-Titus Information Services Department to help with integration 90 percent of active medical staff has some form of electronic medical record system in their office. In 2010, Fisher-Titus in partnership with Cerner Corporation became the nation’s first all-digital “smart” community hospital after implementing a fully integrated electronic health record system and interactive technology in patient rooms. In 2011, Fisher-Titus achieved Stage 6 (the second highest level achievable) on Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS) Analytics Electronic Medical Record (EMR) Adoption Model.
“Our focus at Fisher-Titus is the safety of our patients. Through the use of technology, we are able to have extra measures in place to enhance patient care and safety,” said John Britton, senior vice president of information services. “One way we have accomplished this is by automating electronic and paper-based processes across the patient’s continuum of care to create a comprehensive electronic patient health record. This produces a ‘single source of truth’ for each patient, where hospital caregivers can easily access the EHR, securely, in real time anywhere at any time promoting the utmost patient safety and the highest of clinical outcomes.”
Most recently, the St. John Sepsis Rescue Agent was implemented at Fisher-Titus. The St. John Sepsis Rescue Agent, introduced by the Cerner Corporation, is a complicated plug-in computer application based on an existing algorithm that uses the data in a patient’s Electronic Health Records (EHRs) — vitals, history, bed information, etc.— and alerts nursing staff of the possibility of sepsis in patients. This is key because when sepsis is detected and diagnosed early, it is highly treatable.
Fisher-Titus also continues to be ahead of the curve by integrating devices such as the iPhones into patient care. In addition, an interactive patient portal where patients can view their Fisher-Titus health records online was introduced to the community in August 2013.
According to results of the 18th Annual Health Care’s Most Wired survey, released by the American Hospital Association’s (AHA) Health Forum, technology is improving the efficiency of care delivery and creating a new dynamic in patient interactions, according.
According to the survey, Most Wired hospitals are using telehealth to fill gaps in care; provide services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week; and expand access to medical specialists. This year’s results show:
The top three telehealth services offered in hospitals are consultations and office visits, stroke care, and psychiatric examinations and psychotherapy.
Stroke care is the most rapid growth area for telehealth services up 38 percent from 2015, as evidence-based studies emphasize the time urgency of stroke care.
More than 25 percent of hospitals use internet-enabled monitoring devices for chronic disease management of congestive heart failure, diabetes and heart disease.
“In 2015, Fisher-Titus introduced telehealth in the emergency department setting to aid in the stroke process,” said Dr. Shankar Kurra, senior vice president of medical affairs at Fisher-Titus.
To enhance its highly skilled stroke care, Fisher-Titus Medical Center has joined The University of Toledo Stroke Network, a collaborative network of hospitals connected to a central hub hospital, The University of Toledo Medical Center (UTMC), which has expertise in all aspects of stroke management.
Using high-quality teleconferencing equipment, members of the UTMC Stroke Network team are able to work in tandem with emergency department physicians to perform a virtual examination on a stroke patient; view radiological studies; talk with family members and develop a treatment plan.
“We always want to provide our patients with the best available health care,” Kurra said.
“The best health care is collaborative — expert providers working together to achieve the best possible outcome for the patient. This network is designed to do just that: we can expand patient access to university-level care and research. And, when time is of the essence, our patients can be treated quickly if direct intervention is required without having to be transferred to a larger hospital.”
In redefining the way that they provide care in their communities, Most Wired hospitals are using technology to build patient engagement with the individual’s lifestyle in mind, which includes electronic access to their care team.
68 percent accept patient-generated data through the patient portal.
26 percent of Most Wired organizations offer E-visits through a mobile application.
61 percent use social media to provide support groups.
“Hospitals are breaking-out of their traditional four walls and providing care where and when patients need it,” said Rick Pollack, president and CEO of the AHA. “These most wired hospitals exemplify this transformation by harnessing technology, engaging patients and offering services remotely. And, removing policy and other barriers to telehealth will allow even faster adoption of these amazing technologies.”
Most Wired hospitals are utilizing population health management tools and partnering with other health care providers to share critical clinical information used in analyzing interventions aimed at key patient groups, such as those with diabetes. To get patients the right care, hospitals are using predictive modeling to eliminate preventable problems.
53 percent interface electronic health record data with population health tools.
62 percent stratify patients according to risk.
51 percent aggregate data from patient encounters to create a community health record.
The versatility of mobile technologies makes it possible for clinicians and care team members to have the right tools for sound clinical decision-making wherever they are: 81 percent of most wired hospitals use mobile applications to notify clinicians of sudden changes in patient conditions and correlated events such as falls or respiratory distress or failure.

Fisher-Titus named one of the most wired hospitals in nation


Fisher-Titus Medical Center in Norwalk has been recognized as one of the nation’s most wired hospitals, according to results of the 18th annual HealthCare’s Most Wired


ASHLAND COUNTY
State Route 89
SR 89, between US Route 42 and State Route 58, has intermittent lane restrictions for resurfacing. The project is expected to be complete in September 2016.
US Route 250
US 250, in the City of Ashland between Sugarbush Drive and County Road 1575, has all lanes open to traffic. Intermittent lane closures are possible next week as crews install pavement markings. Weather permitting, this project is expected to be complete in September 2016.
State Route 302/State Route 511
SR 302 at its overlap with SR 511, between Orange Township Roads 875 and 876, is closed for bridge construction. The detour route for westbound motorists on SR 302 is SR 302 to SR 511, south on SR 511 to US 250, west on US 250 to SR 302 and reverse for eastbound motorists. The detour route for northbound motorists on SR 511 is SR 511 to US 250, west on US 250 to SR 302, east on SR 302 to SR 511, and reverse for southbound motorists. The road is expected to reopen October 8, 2016.
CRAWFORD COUNTY
State Route 39
SR 39, from SR 598 to the Village of Tiro, will be reduced to one lane of traffic as part of a chip seal project. One lane of traffic will be maintained with flaggers. Weather permitting, the project is expected to be complete in October 2016
State Route 61 & 294
SR 61, from the Marion County line to the corporation limit of Galion, and SR 294, from the Wyandot County line to SR 98, is reduced to one lane of traffic for resurfacing. One lane of traffic will be maintained with flaggers. The project is expected to be complete in August 2016.
State Route 181 ***NEW***
SR 181, between Scott Street and East Bucyrus Street in the Village of Crestline, is closed for emergency railroad crossing repairs. The detour route for eastbound motorists is SR 181 to SR 61, south on SR 61 to SR 309, east on SR 309 to SR 181, and reverse for westbound motorists. The road is expected to reopen August 28, 2016.
State Route 294 ***NEW***
SR 294, just east of Monnett Road, will close Monday, August 29 for a culvert replacement. The detour route for eastbound motorists is SR 294 to SR 4, south on SR 4 to US 23, south on US 23 to SR 309, east on SR 309 to SR 98, northeast on SR 98 to SR 294, and reverse for westbound motorists. The road is expected to reopen September 28, 2016.
State Route 598
SR 598, from Old Lincoln Highway to SR 39, will be reduced to one lane of traffic as part of a chip seal project. One lane of traffic will be maintained with flaggers. Weather permitting, the project is expected to be complete in October 2016.
ERIE COUNTY
State Route 2
SR 2, at the SR 60 overpass, has all work requiring lane closures now complete. Finalization work is expected to be complete by September 2016.
State Route 2
SR 2, from Joppa Road to the Lorain County line, will be reduced to one lane of traffic as part of a microsurfacing project. One lane of traffic will be maintained in each direction. The project is expected to be complete in October 2016.
State Route 4 ***UPDATE***
SR 4, at its intersection with Strub Road, will have daily intermittent lane closures from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday - Friday next week for final pavement markings as part of the intersection improvement project. One lane of traffic will be maintained in each direction with flaggers. The project is expected to be complete in August 2016.
US Route 6
US Route 6, just west of Hahn Road (Hahn Rd will be closed to through traffic), is closed for a culvert replacement and construction of a retaining wall. The detour route for US Route 6 eastbound motorists is US 6 to SR 61, south on SR 61 to SR 2, east on SR 2 to SR 60, north on SR 60 to US 6, and reverse for westbound motorists. The local detour route for Hahn Road for westbound US 6 motorists is US 6 to Frailey Rd, south on Frailey Rd to Darrow Rd, west on Darrow Rd to SR 61, north on SR 61 to US 6, and reverse for eastbound US 6 motorists. The road is expected to reopen October 14, 2016.
State Route 113
SR 113, from Bellamy Rd to the Lorain County line, will be reduced to one lane of traffic as part of a resurfacing project. Structure work on the bridge over Old Woman Creek, which is located between Bellany Road and Andress Road, will have one lane of traffic maintained over the structure by a temporary traffic signal. The work is expected to be complete in September 2016.
US Route 250 ***UPDATE***
US 250 has nightly intermittent lane restrictions from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. as crews continue resurfacing from Target Drive to South Meijer Drive. Daytime work will continue from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. on traffic signals, sidewalks and driveways throughout the project corridor. The South Park Place entrance is open. Specific project work can be found online at transportation.ohio.gov/250. The project carries a completion date of September 2016.
HURON COUNTY
State Route 18
SR 18, at its bridge over US 20, has no lane restrictions. Work will resume on the project September 19. The project is expected to be complete in October 2016.
US Route 250
US 250, at its bridge over US 20, has no lane restrictions. Work will resume on the project September 19. The project is expected to be complete in October 2016.
State Route 61
SR 61, between Sand Rd. and Laylin Rd, is closed for a culvert replacement. The detour route for northbound motorists is SR 61 to US 250, east on US 250 to SR 113, east on SR 113 to SR 601, south on SR 601 to SR 61, and reverse for southbound motorists. The road is expected to reopen Friday, September 2, 2016.
State Route 162
SR 162, from the Village of Steuben to the Seneca County line, is reduced to one lane of traffic to complete pavement repairs and chip sealing. One lane of traffic will be maintained with flaggers. The project is expected to be complete in August 2016.
State Route 162
SR 162, from North Fairfield to US 250, will have intermittent lane closures as part of a smooth seal project. One lane of traffic will be maintained with flaggers. The project is expected to be complete in September 2016.
LORAIN COUNTY
Interstate 90
I-90, from SR 611 to the Cuyahoga County line will have no lane restrictions. I-90, from the Ohio Turnpike ramp to SR 611, will have no lane restrictions. Weather permitting, the project is expected to be complete in August 2016.
State Route 2
SR 2, between the Ohio Turnpike/Interstate 90 split and Middle Ridge Road, is reduced to narrowed lanes of traffic for a major bridge rehabilitation project in a contraflow traffic pattern. Motorists are encouraged to use extreme caution while navigating this work zone and watch for slower moving traffic as it merges in to an open lane. The project is expected to be complete in October 2016.
Township Road 39 (Oberlin Road)
TR 39 (Oberlin Rd), just north of Stang Rd, is closed for a bridge replacement. The detour route for northbound motorists is TR 39 (Oberlin Rd) to Stang Rd, east on Stang Rd to West Ridge Rd, north on West Ridge Rd to Middle Ridge Rd, west on Middle Ridge Rd to TR 39 (Oberlin Rd), and reverse for southbound motorists. The road is expected to reopen October 24, 2016.
State Route 57 ***UPDATE***
SR 57, on the I-90 eastbound and westbound ramps, will have daily intermittent lane closures 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, as crews complete concrete patching. Motorists are advised to watch for construction vehicles entering and exiting the roadway and stopped traffic on the ramps. Expect daily lane closures on Midway Blvd and Griswold Rd from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. as crews complete concrete work. Specific project work can be found online at transportation.ohio.gov/57. The project is expected to be complete in September 2016.
State Route 57 ***NEW***
SR 57, from 36th Street to 12th Street in the City of Lorain, will have daily lane closures starting Monday, August 29 as part of a resurfacing project. Traffic will be maintained with flaggers. All business access will be maintained. Weather permitting, the project is expected to be complete October 31, 2016.
State Route 58
SR 58, in the Village of Wellington, has intermittent lane restrictions as part of a signal improvement project. One lane of traffic will be maintained in each direction at all times. The project is expected to be complete in September 2016.
State Route 58 ***UPDATE***
SR 58, from Park Ave. to North Ridge Rd., will be reduced to one lane of traffic in each direction as part of a resurfacing project. One lane of traffic will be maintained with flaggers as needed. Work is expected to be complete by the end of August 2016.
State Route 82
SR 82, at its intersection with Boone Rd, will be reduced to one lane in each direction as part of an intersection improvement project. Boone Rd, both north and south of SR 82, is closed as turn lanes are being installed. The project is expected to be complete in October 2016
State Route 82 ***NEW***
SR 82, from Hawk Rd to the Cuyahoga County line, will be reduced to one lane of traffic as part of a preventative maintenance project. One lane of traffic will be maintained with flaggers. Work is expected to be complete in October 2016.
State Route 611 (Henderson Memorial Bridge)
SR 611, at the Henderson Memorial Bridge, is reduced to one 11 ft lane width of traffic in each direction for bridge repairs. Work will continue on the project through October 2016.
MEDINA COUNTY
Interstate 71 Southbound Exit Ramp/State Route 303
I-71 southbound exit ramp, at SR 303, and SR 303, just west of the I-71 Interchange, has lane restrictions as part of a ramp and road widening project. The slip ramp from I-71 to SR 303 westbound is closed; however, two 10 foot lanes of traffic will be maintained at the traffic signal while the slip ramp is closed. Two lanes of traffic will be maintained on SR 303 in each direction elsewhere along the project corridor. The project is expected to be complete September 2016.
Interstate 71 ***UPDATE***
I-71, from just south of the Wayne County line to just south of I-76, will have nightly lane closures starting Monday, August 29 as part of a preventive maintenance project. The project is expected to be complete in October 2016.
Interstate 71 ***NEW***
I-71, between I-76 and SR 18, will have nightly lane closures starting Monday, August 29 as part of a preventive maintenance project. The speed limit is restricted to 55 mph when workers/work zones are present. The project is expected to be complete in October 2016.
Interstate 76/State Route 94
I-76, at its interchange with SR 94, and SR 94 (High Street), in the City of Wadsworth, have intermittent single lane closures as part of the SR 94 corridor improvement project. I-76, at its interchange with SR 94, currently has the inside and outside shoulders closed. Off-peak hour lane closures are possible. SR 94 (High Street) is reduced to one lane of thru traffic in each direction with a center left turn lane to allow crews to complete the widening along the project corridor. Weather permitting, the access road, between Burger King and Applebee’s at the north end of the project, will reopen next week as well as four additional access roads throughout the corridor. Specific project work can be found online at transportation.ohio.gov/94. Work will continue on the project through October 2016. Motorists can expect delays and are encouraged to use an alternate route when possible.
US Route 42 (Pearl Road) ***UPDATE***
US 42 (Pearl Road), at its intersection with Fenn Road, has intermittent lane restrictions as crews complete striping and project finalization work. Work will continue on the project through October 2016. Motorists can expect delays and are encouraged to use an alternate route when possible.
State Route 18 ***NEW***
SR 18, from Boneta Road to just west of the Summit County line, will have nightly lane closures for pavement repairs as part of a microsurfacing project. One lane of traffic will be maintained in each direction with flaggers. The project is expected to be complete in October 2016.
State Route 162
SR 162, from US 42 to SR 94 (excluding SR 3 overlap) and from SR 94 to the Summit County line, has daily intermittent lane closures as part of a preventive maintenance project. One lane of traffic will be maintained with flaggers. The project is expected to be in October 2016.
US Route 224
US 224, from Lake Road east to I-76, will have intermittent lane closures as crews begin work on pavement repairs. The project is expected to be complete in October 2016.
US Route 224 Eastbound Ramp ***NEW***
The US 224 eastbound exit ramp to Interstate 71 will close Monday, August 29 for pavement repairs. Traffic using that exit ramp will need to continue east on US 224 to the next exit at SR 3, north on SR 3 to re-enter US 224 westbound, US 224 west to enter I-71 north or I-71 south. The road is expected to reopen September 2, 2016.
Zimmerman Road ***NEW***
Zimmerman Road, at its intersection with US 224, will close Monday, August 29 for culvert repairs. The detour route for southbound motorists is SR 301 to Crawford Road, west on Crawford Road to Zimmerman Road, and reverse for northbound motorists. The road is expected to reopen September 2, 2016.
RICHLAND COUNTY
State Route 13 ***UPDATE***
SR 13, from the Bellville bridge to Orchard Park, is reduced to one lane of traffic in each direction as part of a resurfacing project. The resurfacing will start at the bridge and continue north. One lane of traffic will be maintained in each direction with flaggers. SR 13, between Durbin Ave. and Ogle Street, is open. The project is expected to be complete in September 2016.
State Route 39/96
SR 39/SR 96 (W. Main St.) in the City of Shelby, between Sharon Street and Walnut Street, is closed for railroad crossing repairs. The detour route for eastbound SR 96 motorists is SR 96 to SR 39, west on SR 39 to SR 598, north on SR 598 to SR 98, north on SR 98 to SR 61, south on SR 61 to SR 39/SR96, and reverse for westbound motorists. The detour route for eastbound SR 39 motorists is SR 39 east to SR 598, north on SR 598 to SR 98, north on SR 98 to SR 61, south on SR 61 to SR 39/SR96, and reverse for westbound motorists. The road is expected to reopen August 26, 2016.
State Routes 39, 61 & 96
Within the City of Shelby, State Route 39, State Route 61 and State Route 96 may be reduced to one lane of traffic for project finalization work. One lane of two-way traffic will be maintained at all times with flaggers. Weather permitting, the work is expected to be complete in August 2016.
State Route 61
SR 61, in the Village of Plymouth, is reduced to one lane of traffic as part of a resurfacing project. One lane of traffic will be maintained with flaggers. All business access will be maintained. The project is expected to be complete in August 2016.
State Route 61
SR 61, from just west of London West Rd to east of Opdyke Rd, is reduced to one lane of traffic as part of a crack sealing project. One lane of traffic will be maintained with flaggers. The project is expected to be complete in October 2016.
State Routes 96 & 603
SR 96, from SR 13 to the Ashland County Line, and SR 603, from SR 96 to SR 61, will have intermittent daytime lane closures for a resurfacing project. Crews will continue pavement repairs along the southern half of SR 603. Traffic will be maintained with flaggers as needed. The project is expected to be complete October 31, 2016.
State Route 97 ***UPDATE***
SR 97, at its interchange with Interstate 71, has narrowed lanes of traffic for a minor widening project. During this phase of the project, two lanes of traffic will be maintained in each direction and restricted to 10 feet lane widths. Nightly lane closures are possible as crews install pipe crossings. One lane of traffic will be maintained with flaggers. Kocheiser Road, just west of SR 97, is now closed as part of a road widening project. The detour route for westbound motorists is Kocheiser Rd to SR 97, south on SR 97 to Alexander Rd, west on Alexander Rd to Kings Corners East Rd, west on Kings Corners East Rd to Mill Run Rd, north on Mill Run Rd to Kocheiser Rd, and reverse for eastbound motorists. The road is expected to reopen August 29, 2016. The project is expected to be complete in September 2016.
WAYNE COUNTY
State Route 21
SR 21, from the Stark County line to the Summit County line, will have intermittent lane closures as part of a spot pavement repair project. One lane of traffic will be maintained in each direction at all times. The project is expected to be complete in September 2016.
US Route 30
US 30, just east of Kidron Road, will have intermittent daytime lane closures reducing eastbound traffic to one lane as crews complete bridge repairs. Work is expected to be complete in September 2016.
State Route 302
SR 302, from the City of Wooster to the Ashland County line, will be reduced to one lane of traffic as part of a chip seal project. One lane of traffic will be maintained with flaggers. The project is expected to be complete in September 2016.
State Route 604
SR 604, 1/2 mile west of Camp Road, is closed for bridge repairs. The detour route for eastbound motorists is US 42 to SR 302, south on SR 302 to SR 301, north on SR 301 to SR 604, and reverse for westbound motorists. The road is expected to reopen September 27, 2016.


Here is the ODOT District 3 construction report for the week of Aug. 29:
ASHLAND COUNTY
State Route


The lure of gambling, of course, is winning big. That’s the dream.
Most of us have pondered, “What would I do if I won the lottery?”
But those betting at the state’s four casinos, seven racinos at horse-race tracks, and the Ohio Lottery have lost $9.7 billion in the past four years, according to a Dispatch analysis. Including all major forms of legal gambling, nearly $62.9 billion was bet and $53.3 billion was won from 2012 to 2015.
Gamblers’ losses have a silver lining, however, because much of the money provides a financial boost to Ohio schools, cities and counties. The lottery sent more than $1 billion this year alone to public education.
Casino proceeds are taxed at a 33 percent rate, which produced $1 billion for four host cities, schools, and municipalities and counties statewide in four years. The city of Columbus alone receives more than $2.5 million quarterly from casino cash.
State Sen. Bill Seitz, a Cincinnati Republican, said he supported adding casinos and racinos to Ohio’s gambling portfolio in part because of the “outflow of money” to casinos in surrounding states, particularly Indiana.
“Call it a necessary evil,” Seitz said. “We recognize it’s got its downsides.”
Still, critics say the gambling surge in Ohio has put a strain on individuals, families and communities.
While the winning percentage at casinos is very high — up to 90 percent of the money bet on slots — losses add up when so much money exchanges hands.
In calendar year 2015 alone, $535 million was lost on slot machines and $273 million on table games at Ohio casinos.
Casino officials declined to comment for this story.
An updated study done for the Ohio Department of Mental Health & Addiction Services this year concluded that 4.7 percent of Ohio adults are at risk of becoming problem gamblers. That works out to more than 400,000 people. The percentage of people who become gambling addicts is far smaller, however, less than 1 percent.
“Gambling and good government don’t mix,” said Rob Walgate of the Ohio Business Roundtable, a public policy group that fought — and lost — expansion of gambling to the seven racinos.
Walgate said gambling creates two kinds of addicts. One kind is gamblers who “are losing money they can’t afford to lose.” The second kind is state officials who become addicted to the revenue produced by legalized gambling.
Tom Smith, director of public policy for the Ohio Council of Churches, compares gambling addiction to drug addiction.
“There are certain people who can keep it under control. They go out and buy a Powerball ticket and it doesn’t affect their family,” Smith said. “Then there are people who gamble on everything, buying 10 or 20 tickets at a time. Those are the people who can’t afford it.”
Seitz points out, “We do earmark a portion of the proceeds for those who have a problem with gambling.”
Ohio officials set aside 2 percent of the casino proceeds for a fund that totaled $21 million in the past few years. The money is used for treatment, training and public education.
The National Council on Problem Gambling describes “problem gambling” as “the urge to gamble, despite harmful negative consequences or a desire to stop.” It is estimated that about 2 million U.S. adults are “pathological gamblers,” with another 4 million to 6 million considered problem gamblers.
Bob Cabaniss, founder of Williamsville Wellness, an addiction-treatment center near Richmond, Virginia, said the lottery in particular is “a huge tax on the poor.”
Cabaniss said gambling addicts often can’t stop even if it means using credit cards, stealing or embezzling.
But Seitz said, “On a selfish note, for those of us that don’t gamble, we don’t pay a penny in tax.”
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©2016 The Columbus Dispatch (Columbus, Ohio)
Visit The Columbus Dispatch (Columbus, Ohio) at www.dispatch.com
Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Gamblers in Ohio have lost $9.7 billion over four years


People love to gamble in Ohio. From a $1 scratch-off lottery ticket to a $10,000 bet at a casino, we have it all.
The lure of gambling, of course, is winning big.


The bride’s sister, Kristin Englander, was her maid of honor. Bridesmaids were Janel L. Jubak, daughter of the bride; Natalie Shaffer, cousin of the groom; Leah Dowell, friend of the bride; and Tiffany Illuzzi, friend of the bride.
Oliver Gibson, served as his friend’s best man. Groomsmen were Chase Jubak, son of the bride, and friends of the groom Nate Valentine, Chris LaRue, and Dan Carpenter.
The bride is the daughter of Richard and Christina Cockrell, of Castalia. She is a graduate of Perkins High School and Terra Community College. She is a teacher with Norwalk Catholic Schools.
The groom is the son of the late Angel Shaffer-Zendejas. He is a graduate of Norwalk High School and is a warehouse manager with Sirna & Sons Produce.
Wedding guests braved the heat and enjoyed the outdoor reception that was also held at Sycamore Hills.
The bride and groom took an early honeymoon to Palm Springs, Calif., in early June. They are making their home in Norwalk.


NORWALK — Keri L. Jubak and Jason Zendejas exchanged wedding vows July 23 at Sycamore Hills Golf Course, where the couple met. Melinda Soisson-Calhoun officiated the ceremony which


In the first half, the South Central Trojans were able to keep up with the Seneca East Tigers and were only down a score at halftime.
But Seneca East found its groove and ran away with a 54-20 victory.
The Tigers got on the board first late in the first quarter as quarterback Bo Smith ran the ball in from six yards out. The point-after attempt was successful, giving Seneca East a 7-0 advantage.
On the ensuing kickoff, however, South Central’s Cristiano Murphy weaved in and out of traffic for a 99-yard return.
Josiah Wright’s boot tied the game at 7-7 with 5:47 remaining in the first quarter.
Just over a minute later, Tiger senior Andy Bowerman found a hole and rushed for a 40-yard TD and the Tigers were right back in the lead.
But once again, the South Central offense responded with another quick score — this time a 70-yard scamper up the middle by senior quarterback Aaron Lamoreaux. Wright added the point-after to tie it up at 14-14.
Neither team found pay dirt again until just 3:26 remained in the first half.
Smith tallied his second score of the game, giving the Tigers a 21-14 lead.
The Trojans had a chance to score before the break, but two straight dropped passes resulted in a turnover on downs inside the red zone.
Then the second half came and so did the Tigers’ rushing attack.
Seneca East opened the third period with its fourth rushing touchdown on the evening, giving it a 34-14 lead just 1:36 into the half.
Murphy returned the kickoff to the Tigers’ 43-yard line and the Trojans set up shop.
South Central chipped its way inside the Seneca East 10-yard line, and on third down with six yards to go, Aaron Lamoreaux found his younger brother Ben for touchdown. Wright’s PAT was blocked, making the score 34-20 with 7:01 showing.
From there it was all Seneca East, as the Tigers tallied three more scores before the final whistle.
“We came out and did well early,” South Central coach Wayne Hinkle said. “They had some injuries and changed what they were going to do. We scouted them and watched them. They threw the ball 75 percent of the time, but then lose their quarterback.”
Seneca East’s starting quarterback Brennan Martin was out due to a leg injury suffered in a car accident last week.
“They wore us down and beat on us,” Hinkle said of Seneca East’s rushing attack.
The Tiger finished with 468 yards on the ground, with just 24 yards through the air.
“We have some athletes, though. If we give these kids a chance to make big plays, they are going to make big plays. (Murphy) returned on kick for a touchdown and returned two others really well.”
“(Josh) Bonet is really good one, too. We do have kids that are playmakers. But we had too many drops tonight. We had chanced to keep drives alive, but we missed on those.”
The Trojans recorded 147 yards rushing and 68 passing.
Seneca East coach Ed Phillips gave all the credit to his offensive line.
“They just played lights-out football. We really just leaned on our offensive line the whole time.”
And it certainly showed, as the Tigers scored all eight touchdowns on the ground.
“If our offensive line could run a counter every play they would and they’re good at it. We had a lot of guys that touched the ball tonight. We like to get a lot of people involved and that’s what we did tonight.”
South Central will be on the road again next week as they travel to take on the Rittman Indians.
“Our kids will bounce back and they’ll play great next week,” Hinkle said.

Seneca East takes off in 2nd half, downs Trojans


ATTICA — It was a tale of two halves.
In the first half, the South Central Trojans were able to keep up with the Seneca East Tigers and were only down a score at


ACT will be sponsoring a mission trip Oct. 21 through 30 to Clendenin, W.Va. — a town which was devastated recently by a massive flood that hit parts of the state. During the trip, volunteers will help rebuild homes destroyed by the flood.
“There’s an opportunity for people to give back,” said David Wallace, city council member and executive director of ACT.
The floods hit Clendenin hard. They took the town in June, destroying the business district downtown, the post office, fire station and even taking out the high school.
A total of 24 people perished in the disaster and seven are still unaccounted for. Although the floods happened in June, the town still has a lot of repairs to do.
Fortunately, ACT intends to help. The organization has sponsored a number of these mission trips before, Wallace said, which usually cost hundreds of dollars per volunteer.
For this trip, they’re waiving the fee and allowing volunteers to go for free. Food, lodging and all tools and materials needed also will be provided on site.
Experience is not required. Men, women and youth groups are all invited to come on the trip, which will be about a 4 hour and 25 minute drive.
Volunteers are welcome to join the group for any of the days they are available during the weekend.
Any large groups planning to volunteer should contact Wallace so lodging arrangements may be made. His number is 419-706-8656.
An organizational meeting will be held for the trip at 7 p.m. Oct. 17 at the Chapel, 156 South Norwalk Road in Norwalk, room C-3.

Mission trip aims to help West Virginia flood victims


The faith-based non-profit, Answering the Call Together, is giving everyone a chance to help those in need.
ACT will be sponsoring a mission trip Oct. 21 through 30 to


The musician, who weighed only 112 pounds when he died April 21, had so much of the drug in his system, autopsy results later showed, that it would have killed anyone, regardless of size, the source said.
Prince did not have a prescription for fentanyl, a synthetic opioid that has been described as 100 times more powerful than morphine, the source said.
Despite the finding, investigators still aren’t certain how Prince ingested the fentanyl. They are leaning toward the theory that he took the pills not knowing they contained the drug.
An autopsy report released in June by the Midwest Medical Examiner’s Office said Prince died from an accidental, self-administered overdose of fentanyl. But it did not indicate how he obtained the painkiller, nor did it list any other cause of death or “significant condition.”
Illicit fentanyl has traditionally been mixed with or sold as heroin. But the Drug Enforcement Administration said drug traffickers have since expanded the illicit fentanyl market by producing counterfeit pills that contain the opioid.
And while the 2006 raid of a Mexican drug lab halted an earlier surge in fentanyl-linked overdose deaths, authorities say China-sourced fentanyl and precursor chemicals are now being sold to criminals running clandestine pill-press operations across North America.
A recent flood of “wholesale amounts” of counterfeit pills that contain fentanyl prompted the DEA last month to issue a report warning of a rise in “overdoses, deaths and opiate-dependent individuals.” The DEA said it tested eight times as much fentanyl last year as it did during the 2006 crisis.
“This is becoming a trend,” according to the DEA’s report, “not a series of isolated incidents.”
Prince was found dead in an elevator at his Paisley Park compound in Chanhassen the morning of April 21, a day before he was to meet with a California doctor who specializes in opioid addiction. Two members of his inner circle found his body about 9:40 a.m.
A responding paramedic said Prince appeared to have been dead for at least six hours before his body was found.
Sources with knowledge of the investigation have said that autopsy results also revealed the presence of lidocaine, alprazolam and Percocet.
Prince died less than a week after an opioid overdose forced his private plane to make an emergency landing in Moline, Ill. He recovered after two shots of naloxone, an overdose antidote increasingly being used and often referred to by its brand name Narcan, a source said.
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Staff writer Dan Browning contributed to this report.
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©2016 Star Tribune (Minneapolis)
Visit the Star Tribune (Minneapolis) at www.startribune.com
Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Mislabeled fentanyl pills found at Prince’s home, source says


MINNEAPOLIS — Pills marked as hydrocodone that were seized from Paisley Park after Prince’s overdose death actually contained fentanyl, the powerful opioid that killed


This year, many can keep an eye on a crowded race for the American League Cy Young Award as well.
As many as a dozen pitchers now have at least a reasonable case to be named the AL’s best pitcher, creating one of the deepest fields and biggest headaches for those voting for the award in recent memory. Nearly every team has a pitcher in the conversation. This week one of the dozen could rise to the top of the list and by the end of the season not be in the top 10.
And, thanks to his recent surge, Indians ace Corey Kluber finds himself right in the middle of it as he guns for his second Cy Young Award in three seasons.
After his strong start Friday night against the Texas Rangers, Kluber is 6-0 with a 1.75 ERA in his last nine starts, which somewhat resembles the run he went on to end his 2014 Cy Young season. Overall, he’s 14-8 with a 3.07 ERA, 3.11 FIP, 9.12 K/9 rate and 4.5 WAR.
Friday’s 12-1 victory evened Cleveland’s four-game series with Texas at one game apiece. But then the Indians lost 7-0 on Saturday and 2-1 on Sunday. The Indians (73-56) hold a 4.5-game lead over second-place Detroit (69-61) in the AL Central.
On Monday, Cleveland opens a 10-game home stand with the first of three games against Minnesota (49-81) — the last-place team in the AL Central.
In his quest for his second Cy Young award, Kluber has company, and plenty of it.
There’s Kansas City’s Danny Duffy, who was moved to the rotation in May and has been lights out ever since, leading the league in ERA (2.66) and leading the Cy Young contenders with a 9.54 K/9 rate.
Staying in the division, the Chicago White Sox have two contenders: Chris Sale and Jose Quintana. Sale (15-7, 3.14 ERA, 9.07 K/9, 4.4 WAR) has numbers similar to Kluber’s. Quintana owns a 2.84 ERA but has to hope voters overlook a 10-9 record.
In Detroit, Justin Verlander has found his old form with a 14-7 record, 3.33 ERA, 9.4 K/9 and 4.0 WAR. It won’t actually happen this way, but it’s also not impossible, with only a month left, that the top 5 in the Cy Young voting will all come from Central Division teams.
Then there’s Toronto’s Aaron Sanchez with a 12-2 record, 2.99 ERA and 3.33 FIP. His teammate, J.A. Happ, is 17-4 with a 3.19 ERA and 8.05 K/9.
New York’s Masahiro Tanaka has led the Yankees in a frustrating season to an 11-4 record, 3.11 ERA and 4.4 WAR. Boston’s Rick Porcello has enjoyed a resurgence and owns the best record of the contenders at 17-3 to go with a 3.23 ERA. The higher-paid of the Red Sox starters, David Price, could still make a case with a strong September, as he has a 3.45 FIP and 3.7 WAR.
The West has but one contender, Texas’ Cole Hamels, who dominated the Indians on Thursday and is 14-4 with a 2.67 ERA, 8.91 K/9 and 3.86 FIP. The Indians and Rangers have been tightly bunched all season, with both teams looking to earn the AL’s best record. Then, Jonathan Lucroy’s “Veto Heard ‘Round Cleveland” further added to the story. Now, Kluber and Hamels could lead the charge as the season winds down.
And this year a reliever has caused a stir and driven a conversation as to whether a closer can win the Cy Young. That would be Baltimore’s Zach Britton, who has 38 saves, a 0.69 ERA, 10.56 K/9 and 1.98 FIP.
Right now, Kluber might have the strongest case, though it’s razor thin at best. His 4.5 WAR and 3.11 FIP both lead the league, and he’s fifth in both ERA and K/9. He’s also led the Indians staff while Danny Salazar missed time with elbow inflammation and Josh Tomlin struggled in August.
It’s also all come after Kluber had a rocky start to the 2016 season, when he allowed 13 earned runs in his first three starts and began the year 0-3. Since that time, he’s been arguably the most consistent pitcher in the AL.
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen him not focused,” Indians manager Terry Francona said last weekend. “You work, you work, you work, and when he gets on a roll, I think he’s able to maintain it so well just because his work ethic and routines are so good that once he gets to that, and you have to fight to get there sometimes, but then he stays there.”
This Cy Young race involves some of baseball’s biggest names among starting pitchers in Kluber, Sale, Verlander, Hamels. It also has some deserving, undervalued names and quality stories, like Quintana, Duffy, Porcello, Sanchez and Happ. They’re all intertwined into what should end up as a close, tightly contested race, with each start weighing heavily on a season-long body of work. It’s likely that every night or close to it, someone will be rising or falling in the rankings.
In the end, the toughest part might be the voting.
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©2016 Akron Beacon Journal (Akron, Ohio)
Visit the Akron Beacon Journal (Akron, Ohio) at www.ohio.com
Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Corey Kluber in middle of crowded AL Cy Young race


As September draws near and the divisional and wild-card races heat up, scoreboard watching becomes a secondary pastime of many baseball fans.
This year, many can keep an


“When I retired, I enjoyed hiking,” said Lyons, the current Monroeville police chief who retired from the Sandusky force as the assistant chief in 2007.
“I envisioned doing the Appalachian Trail as a bucket list,” he added.
While that massive hike is still on his bucket list, Lyons recently climbed two Colorado mountains. He attempted one and was pushed back due to the weather and physical ailments he faced. Then, less than two days later, the Monroeville police chief successfully climbed another peak.
“It was an experience of a lifetime,” Lyons said.
Lyons worked for the Sandusky Police Department for 27 years. During his time there, in 1983, he was a power-lifting champion during the Ohio Police & Fire Games.
“I was pretty good in sports in high school,” said Lyons, who was a baseball pitcher and played on the defensive and offensive lines.
“In my sophomore year I pitched a no-hitter,” he recalled about the game in which he struck out 21 batters following an initial error by the second baseman.
“I was excited because it was in front of a Cleveland Indians scout. He was scouting for my catcher,” Lyons added with a chuckle.
Soon in his police-related desk work, Lyons found himself overweight. He said he knew he had to something about it if he wanted to remain in law enforcement and respond to any emergencies in the field.
“The wake-up call was my blood pressure,” Lyons said.
A subsequent exercise regime resulted in a 45-pound weight loss. But in 2012, a health episode gave him another jolt of reality.
“The end result was me needing a heart catheterization and a stint put in,” Lyons said.
Once he was medically cleared, he did more cardio work. Lyons, 64, worked with Anytime Fitness trainer Levi Goedel, who is from Fort Collins, Colo., to get into the best shape possible for his age and so he could handle himself as a police officer.
Lyons mentioned to Goedel his interest in hiking Colorado’s highest peaks through the 14ers. According to the 14ers website, the mission is “to provide free access to peak information, photos, climbing routes and an active forum, all in an open environment that's easy to use.”
“He said it will be really, really physically demanding,” Lyons said, because he would be breathing half the amount of air as usual in Colorado.
To prepare, Lyons did even more cardio work and training, with his trainer giving him demanding exercises that combined body control and weightlifting.
“I never worked so hard in my life,” Lyons said. “Levi did a great job of pushing me without hurting me.”
By June, Goedel felt Lyons was ready. On July 30, Lyons headed to Colorado and then attempted to climb Mt. Elbert, with an elevation of 14,443 feet.
Lyons said he realized he wasn’t feeling 100 percent when he was about 30 minutes from the trailhead. He had to take 15 steps and then rest since he was having a headache and was sick to his stomach.
At about 13,800 feet, a storm front came in. Lyons said his hiking group was out in the open with lightning in the forecast.
“We just got to the tree line as the storm hit. It was a severe storm,” added Lyons, who was dehydrated and thought he might lose a toenail.
“It was physically grueling, My feet were bleeding,” he said.
The next day, Lyons spent the day relaxing, stretching and generally “replenishing my body.”
Then at 4 a.m. Aug. 2 — the day he was to fly back to Ohio, he took on Mt. Bierstadt, which has an elevation of 14,060 feet. Lyons hiked on his own, but was with other hikers.
“I was keeping up with them,” said Lyons, who felt winded, but unlike before, was controlling his heart rate. “The adrenaline was going, but I took my time.”
It took him about 3 1/2 hours to reach the summit of Mt. Bierstadt.
“It was one of the best feelings I ever had,” Lyons said. “(It was) worth every labored breath.”
The trip down the mountain took until about 12:30 p.m., leaving him plenty of time to catch his flight.
“I may do it again. I’d like to try Mt. Elbert again,” said Lyons, who lost 10 pounds from his two treks and enjoyed every mental and physical challenge he faced.
“I think that’s why I’m doing what I’m doing at age 64. I enjoy those challenges,” he said.

Mountain hike 'was experience of a lifetime'


MONROEVILLE — Once Gary Lyons retired from the Sandusky Police Department, he gained a passion for hiking.
“When I retired, I enjoyed hiking,