Lorain County Community Insider Weekly Newsletter

Hey everyone!

Welcome back to another edition of the Lorain County Community Insider! I hope you're having a great week and finding some time to enjoy everything summer has to offer here in Lorain County.

Whether you're checking out a local festival, catching a Crushers game, spending a day by Lake Erie, or just relaxing with family and friends, there's no shortage of things happening around town.

This week, we've rounded up the biggest local stories, upcoming events, sports, and your 10-day weather forecast so you can stay in the loop without having to search all over the internet.

Thanks for spending a few minutes with us—we're glad you're here. Let's dive in!

Joe

Elyria police say they've arrested 38-year-old Chad Smith following an investigation into threatening comments that were allegedly posted on social media earlier this month.

Detectives served a search warrant at his home, and Smith now faces charges including Making Terroristic Threats, Inducing Panic, and Aggravated Menacing. Police say the investigation is still ongoing.

The department also used the case to remind everyone that online threats are treated just as seriously as those made in person. Officials stressed that while people have the right to express opinions, comments that cross the line into credible threats can lead to criminal charges.

It's another reminder that what gets posted online can have real-world consequences.

There was an emotional moment in Lorain this week as Officer Brent Payne officially returned to duty, nearly a year after surviving the ambush that claimed the life of Officer Phillip Wagner.

Payne was one of three officers shot during the attack near River Bend Drive and the Colorado Avenue Industrial Park. While Payne and Officer Peter Gale recovered from their injuries, Officer Wagner made the ultimate sacrifice protecting the community.

His return marks an important milestone—not only for the department but for a community that has continued to rally around its officers over the past year.

The memory of Officer Wagner remains strong, and Payne's return serves as a powerful reminder of the resilience shown by Lorain's first responders.

Lorain County leaders are beginning to prepare for some difficult financial decisions after approving the county's preliminary 2027 tax budget. Current projections show a funding gap of roughly $17.5 million, meaning county officials will have to find ways to balance the budget before next year.

Commissioners say the tax budget is an early planning document, so no cuts have been finalized yet. Still, the projected shortfall highlights the financial challenges many local governments are facing as they work to maintain services while dealing with rising costs and uncertain revenues.

Budget discussions are expected to continue over the coming months.

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Road funding is becoming a hot topic in Avon Lake after City Council approved an ordinance that would reduce the city's resident income tax credit for people who work outside the city.

Officials say the move could generate millions of dollars each year for badly needed road repairs.

The decision comes just months after voters rejected a proposed income tax increase, and not everyone is happy with the new approach. Some residents argue the change goes against what voters already decided, while city leaders say deteriorating roads leave them with few options.

Council is also considering putting another tax proposal before voters this November, so this conversation is far from over.

A competency hearing is scheduled for July 30 in the case of a man accused of stabbing another person inside the Lorain Public Library in November 2024. The suspect has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity and has been found incompetent to stand trial during previous evaluations.

He remains hospitalized at a psychiatric facility while the court determines whether he is mentally fit to proceed.

The victim survived the attack after suffering a neck wound, thanks in part to the quick actions of a library security guard who restrained the suspect until officers arrived. That guard was later honored for helping prevent an even more serious tragedy.

This week's Hero of the Week recognition goes to Sarah Puskas, founder of Lorain with Littles, after the organization officially earned nonprofit status.

The group has become a valuable resource for local families by offering free and low-cost playgroups, educational activities, and community resources that help parents connect while giving children opportunities to learn and grow.

The recognition sparked an outpouring of appreciation from community members who praised Sarah's dedication and the positive impact Lorain with Littles has had on families across the area.

It's a great reminder that sometimes the biggest difference in a community comes from neighbors who simply want to help others feel welcome and supported.

Date: Tuesday, July 21, 2026 (continues daily through July 29)
Time: 10:00 AM
Location: Vermilion Arts Guild Gallery, 685 Main St., Vermilion
Details: Browse works from local and regional artists featuring Lake Erie-inspired paintings, photography, pottery, jewelry, and more. Admission is free and the exhibit remains open throughout the week. Black River Landing

🧘 Yoga on the River

Date: Tuesday, July 21, 2026
Time: 5:45 PM
Location: Lorain Harbor Boat Club, Lorain
Details: Beginner-friendly outdoor yoga overlooking the Black River. Bring a mat and enjoy an evening class suitable for all experience levels.

🍷 Skills Class at The Wine Room

Date: Tuesday, July 21, 2026
Time: 6:30 PM – 10:00 PM
Location: The Wine Room, Avon Lake
Details: An interactive evening featuring wine education, tasting techniques, and food pairings. Reservations are recommended.

🥋 Tai Chi in Oberlin

Date: Wednesday, July 22, 2026
Time: 10:00 AM
Location: Firelands Association for the Visual Arts, Oberlin
Details: Relaxing Tai Chi session designed to improve flexibility, balance, and mindfulness. Open to beginners and experienced participants alike.

🛍️ Victory Park Summer Market

Date: Saturday, July 25, 2026
Time: 10:00 AM
Location: Victory Park, Vermilion
Details: Weekly outdoor market featuring local farmers, food vendors, handmade crafts, baked goods, artists, and small businesses. Great place to shop local.

🎨 Splash on the Lake Art Show (Weekend Edition)

Date: Saturday & Sunday, July 25–26, 2026
Time: 10:00 AM
Location: Vermilion Arts Guild Gallery
Details: If you can't attend during the week, the art show continues throughout the weekend with dozens of local artists exhibiting their work.

🎬 Aut-O-Rama Twin Drive-In Double Feature

Date: Friday–Sunday, July 24–26, 2026
Time: Gates open before sunset
Location: Aut-O-Rama Twin Drive-In Theatre, North Ridgeville
Details: Family-friendly double features—including Toy Story 5 and Moana—continue throughout the weekend. A summertime tradition in Lorain county.

Weather forecast: Guaranteed to be 100% accurate at least 20% of the time—unless it changes. Expect sunny skies… or rain. But definitely weather. We guarantee some form of that. No refunds!

Note: While the provided forecast gives a general idea of expected weather conditions, it should be treated with caution due to potential inaccuracies in long-term predictions. Checking closer to the date will provide a more reliable forecast.

Q. What does a nosey pepper do?

A. It gets jalapeño business.

That's a wrap for this week's Lorain County Community Insider! Thanks for spending a little time with us and staying connected to what's happening around our community.

If you enjoyed this week's edition, be sure to share it with a friend or neighbor who likes keeping up with local news and events.

Have a fantastic week, stay safe, support a local business if you can, and we'll see you right back here next week with more stories from around Lorain County.

Take care!

Joe

Disclaimer!

Hey there, awesome readers! 🥳Just a quick heads-up: All the juicy tidbits, hilarious anecdotes, and breaking news you see here come straight from our fabulous fans (SIBAF) or are curated from other sources. Now, we’re not exactly detectives over here, so we don’t fact-check a thing! Consider all the info as satire, exaggerated, completely untrue, or just a good ol’ joke—until you do your own sleuthing. Got some mind-blowing news to share? Hit us up! We love you!!!

Thank you for reading this week's newsletter. Stay safe and have a wonderful week!

Lorain County Community Insider