Lorain County Community Insider Weekly Newsletter

Joe here, and welcome back to another edition of the Lorain County Community Insider!

Halloween is right around the corner, and there's plenty happening in our neck of the woods! 🎃

This week, we've got some important local news, a few community safety reminders, and some good old-fashioned hometown fun. Plus, we've rounded up upcoming events, local sports, and the latest weather forecast to help you plan your week.

So grab your coffee, get comfortable, and let's catch up on what's happening around Lorain County!

Joe

If you're planning home improvements, this story is an important reminder to do your homework before hiring a contractor.

The Ohio Attorney General's Office has filed lawsuits against two home improvement companies, including Journey Home Restoration LLC, a Lorain-based business accused of taking customers' money without completing promised work.

According to the lawsuit, nine consumers paid Journey Home Restoration and its owner, Jason Kaczur, a combined $140,000 for home improvement projects. Some customers allegedly never received the services they paid for or were denied refunds.

In one case, the company allegedly started a roofing project but abandoned it before finishing. Another complaint involved a leaking roof that the company reportedly refused to repair under its 10-year warranty.

The Better Business Bureau says Journey Home Restoration has an F rating and has failed to respond to complaints.

The Attorney General also filed a separate lawsuit against The Metal Roof Co. in Central Ohio, alleging defective work and more than $60,000 in reported consumer losses.

State officials are seeking to recover money for affected homeowners.

Think you might have been affected? Contact the Ohio Attorney General's Office at OhioProtects.org or call 1-800-282-0515.

And before hiring any contractor, check references, review complaints, verify local requirements, and never let someone pressure you into making a quick decision.

Talk about an unexpected way to start the morning!

A dump truck crashed into the Chili's Grill & Bar on Chester Road in Avon last Thursday, leaving the restaurant temporarily closed while crews assessed the damage.

Avon Police received a call about the crash around 9:50 a.m., when the restaurant was still closed.

Thankfully, no employees were injured, and the truck driver reportedly declined ambulance transportation.

The restaurant's general manager said Chili's would remain closed for the rest of the day while officials evaluated the building's structural stability.

As of the latest report, it wasn't clear whether the driver would face any charges or traffic citations.

There's no word yet on what caused the crash or how extensive the damage might be.

The good news is that nobody inside the restaurant was hurt. Hopefully, the damage can be repaired quickly and the restaurant can get back to serving customers.

The Lorain County Sheriff's Office has an important message for local teenagers and their parents: Stay off the abandoned Columbia Church of God property.

The former church, located at 11388 Root Road in Columbia Township, might look like an interesting place to explore, but authorities are reminding everyone that it's privately owned property.

The warning comes after two teenagers were recently arrested for breaking and entering at the location.

According to the Sheriff's Office, entering either the church building or the barn behind it without permission could result in criminal charges and arrest.

Beyond the legal consequences, abandoned buildings can also be dangerous, with potentially unstable structures, broken flooring, and other hidden hazards.

Deputies are encouraging parents to talk with their teenagers about the risks of exploring abandoned properties and the importance of respecting private property.

Bottom line: What might seem like harmless exploring could quickly turn into a serious situation.

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With election season here, you may notice some changes to where political signs are allowed around Lorain County.

The Lorain County Sheriff's Office and Lorain County Engineer's Office are working together to address political signs placed within public road rights-of-way.

Under Ohio law, signs generally aren't permitted in these areas along county roads, including campaign signs supporting political candidates or ballot issues.

The reason? Public safety.

Road rights-of-way need to remain clear to protect visibility for drivers, maintain safe intersections, and allow road crews to perform necessary maintenance.

While residents have the right to express their political opinions, officials are reminding everyone that public roadside property isn't necessarily an appropriate place for campaign signs.

It's a topic that can spark plenty of discussion during election season, especially when signs start popping up everywhere.

Here's hoping we can help get another furry friend back home!

The North Ridgeville Police Department is asking for the community's help identifying the family of a female dog recently found wandering near West Breezeway Drive.

Police are hoping someone recognizes her and can help reunite her with her owners.

If you live in the area, know someone who's missing a dog, or have seen a lost-pet post that might match, consider sharing the department's announcement.

Even a simple share can make a big difference when it comes to helping a lost pet find its way home.

Anyone with information should contact the North Ridgeville Police Department.

Let's help get this sweet girl back where she belongs! ❤️

Halloween fun is officially in full swing around Lorain County!

Families came out in big numbers for a recent Trunk or Treat celebration, enjoying an evening filled with creatively decorated vehicles, costumes, candy, and plenty of community spirit.

Local departments, agencies, elected officials, and volunteers joined forces to make the event special for kids and families.

Among those helping bring the festivities together were the City of Elyria, Elyria Police Department, and Elyria Fire Department.

Events like this are a great reminder of what makes our community special. It's not just about the candy (although we're sure the kids would disagree! 🍬). It's about neighbors coming together, local organizations giving back, and families making memories.

A big thank-you to everyone who decorated a vehicle, handed out treats, helped organize the event, or brought their little ghosts and goblins out for some Halloween fun.

Here's to more community celebrations as we head toward Halloween!

🎶 Halloween Sing-Along Music Bingo

🤝 Working Women Connection – Grafton Chapter Launch

🌳 Fall Foliage Hike

🏘️ Lorain Neighbor Night

🏈 Elyria vs. Avon – Freshman Football

🤼 Championship Wrestling at the Lorain Palace Theatre

🏈 Avon Eagles vs. Elyria Pioneers – Varsity Football

🏈 Lorain Titans Homecoming Football Game

🎃 Halloween Fair at Carlisle Visitor Center

🕵️ Masquerade Murder Mystery

🚗 Trunk or Treat at PHD Auto Group

🐈 Crazy Cat Crawl in Downtown Vermilion

🍪 Frankenstein, Mummies & Bats — Creative Cookies

🍂 Knocktober Fest

🏈 Oberlin College Football vs. Ohio Wesleyan

⚽ Oberlin College Women's Soccer vs. Denison

🏈 Elyria vs. Avon — Junior Varsity Football

🎺 75 Years of Latin Music

🎃 T3 Kids Halloween Party

☕ Coffee and Conversation

🏓 Beginner and Intermediate Pickleball Clinics

🎃 Super Thursday Halloween Party

🚗 Lorain High School Trunk or Treat

🍝 Lasagna Dinner Fundraiser for Pediatric Cancer

🍬 Tots Trick-or-Treat

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.

I'm so good at sleeping I can do it with my eyes closed!

Thanks for spending a little time with me catching up on what’s happening around Lorain County.

With Halloween just around the corner, I hope you get a chance to enjoy some fall fun, support a local business, and make a few good memories with family and friends. 🎃🍂

As always, take care of yourselves, look out for your neighbors, and keep spreading that hometown kindness!

Have a great week, and I’ll see you right back here next time!

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