Lorain County Community Insider Weekly Newsletter

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

We've got a little bit of everything to catch up on this week. Some heartbreaking news from our community, a big decision for Elyria schools, and some exciting developments for local soccer fans. ⚽

Plus, we've rounded up upcoming events, things to do around town, and your 10-day weather forecast to help you plan ahead.

With Thanksgiving just around the corner, it's a good time to appreciate our neighbors, support our local businesses, and look out for one another. 🍂

So grab a cup of coffee, get comfortable, and let's see what's happening around Lorain County!

Joe

Heartbreaking news out of Avon, where three people lost their lives in a devastating wrong-way crash on Interstate 90.

According to investigators, a Tesla traveling in the wrong direction on westbound I-90 collided with two other vehicles, resulting in a crash that claimed three lives.

The victims have been identified as:

A 26-year-old man from Lorain who was driving a third vehicle was also injured and taken to the hospital. Thankfully, his injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol and Avon Police are continuing to investigate what caused the Tesla to travel in the wrong direction and the circumstances surrounding the collision.

This tragedy has touched several communities across Lorain County, with families and friends mourning the sudden loss of their loved ones.

Our hearts go out to everyone affected by this terrible accident. Please keep the victims' families and loved ones in your thoughts during this incredibly difficult time. ❤️

After two unsuccessful attempts last year, Elyria City Schools finally got some much-needed financial relief from voters.

Residents approved the district's operating levy in Tuesday's election, with 52.4% voting in favor and 47.6% voting against.

The final tally was 8,922 votes for the levy and 8,091 against, with all 32 precincts reporting.

The new levy is expected to generate approximately $11.6 million annually to support the district's day-to-day operations, including classroom instruction and student services.

For homeowners, the levy will cost about $26 per month for every $100,000 of property market value. The levy does not have an expiration date, and the first tax bills reflecting the increase are expected early next year.

The approval comes after a difficult year for Elyria schools.

Earlier this year, the district made approximately $9 million in budget cuts, eliminating 45 teaching positions and 12 administrative positions while reducing school transportation to the state-required minimum.

District officials had warned that those reductions alone wouldn't solve the district's long-term financial challenges.

While the new funding doesn't automatically reverse those cuts, it gives school leaders more breathing room as they work to stabilize the district's finances.

For Elyria families, students, and educators, this marks a major turning point after months of uncertainty.

There's a new development in the disturbing double-homicide case that has shaken the Oberlin community.

An attorney representing 31-year-old Daniel Jones, who is accused of killing his father and stepmother, has requested a court-ordered evaluation to determine whether he's mentally competent to stand trial.

Jones faces charges including murder, felonious assault, and tampering with evidence in connection with the shooting deaths of his father, Oberlin College professor Pipo Nguyen-Duy, and his stepmother, Tran Thi Phong.

His attorney, Jenifer Berki Merrill, filed the request after expressing concerns about his ability to understand the legal proceedings and meaningfully assist in his own defense.

Those concerns follow an unusual arraignment in which Jones reportedly refused to walk into the courtroom and had to be carried by bailiffs. During the hearing, he alternated between crying and smiling at cameras.

Legal experts say a competency evaluation examines whether a defendant understands the charges and court proceedings and can effectively work with an attorney.

It's important to note that competency to stand trial is separate from whether someone is guilty or innocent. A request for an evaluation does not establish that Jones is incompetent.

The judge will determine the next steps.

Jones remains accused of the crimes, and the case is continuing through the legal system.

Our thoughts remain with the victims' loved ones and the Oberlin community as this difficult case moves forward.

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Heads up, Lorain drivers! You might want to allow a little extra time for your commute over the next couple of weeks.

A portion of East 36th Street between Grove Avenue (State Route 57) and Clinton Avenue will have a lane closure beginning November 12 and continuing through November 25.

The closure will be in effect daily from 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM while Ohio Edison completes work involving the installation of a new utility pole.

The good news? The road won't be completely shut down.

Two-way traffic will remain open, with flaggers directing vehicles through the work zone.

However, drivers should expect occasional delays, especially during busier travel times.

If you regularly travel through this part of Lorain, consider leaving a few minutes early or using an alternate route.

And as always, slow down and watch for workers when passing through construction zones.

A little patience will help keep everyone safe while the improvements are completed! 🚗

Exciting news for local soccer fans!

Lorain County Leviathan FC is launching a women's soccer team in 2027, creating new opportunities for talented female athletes to compete at a high level right here in our community.

The new program will focus on current and former college players, along with talented young women looking to continue developing their skills and pursuing competitive soccer.

The announcement follows a successful inaugural season for the men's Leviathan team in 2026.

The men's club finished with a 6-5-1 record and ranked among the top ten teams in league attendance, showing there's plenty of enthusiasm for soccer in Lorain County.

Team owner Andrew McDonnell, who also coaches the Lorain County Community College men's soccer program, says expanding into women's soccer is a natural next step.

The goal is to create a competitive environment where talented players can continue growing while building stronger connections with local fans and families.

And this isn't just about adding another team.

Club leaders hope to help establish Lorain County as a destination for women's soccer while giving the next generation of athletes something to look up to.

We'll be keeping an eye out for more details as the 2027 launch gets closer.

Go Leviathan! 🏆

Here's a chance for our Lorain County community to help reunite a furry friend with its family!

The Avon Police Department recently reported that a dog was found wandering along Detroit Road near Pickering Hill.

A Community Service Officer picked up the dog and brought it to safety.

Unfortunately, the pup wasn't wearing a collar or identification tags, making it difficult to determine who it belongs to.

Police are now hoping someone in the community recognizes the dog or knows where its family might be.

If you recognize this dog or have information about its owner, please contact the Avon Police Department.

Sharing the department's original post with friends, neighbors, and local pet groups could also help get the word out.

Let's hope this four-legged wanderer makes it back home soon! 🐾

🇺🇸 Annual Veterans Day Luncheon

🍂 Nature in November Hike

🤝 Main Street Lorain Mix & Mingle

🎤 Drinks with Frank & Dean

🥾 All Trails Hike

🐦 Coffee Walk: Morning Birding

🪨 Geology Rocks Bus Tour

❤️ Health Talk for Older Adults

🀄 Mahjong 101 + Open Play

🏘️ Elyria Neighbor Night

💼 The Mindset Shift: Unlocking the Invisible Tool for Business Growth

🎄 Sea Glass GrinchMas Tree Workshop

😂 Next Stop Comedy

🎅 Photos with Santa at Wilbur Cahoon House Museum

🎁 Holiday Craft Show at German's Villa

♻️ Avon Lake Recycle Day

🐾 Animal Tracks and Signs Hike

🎨 Community Day at the Allen Memorial Art Museum

📚 Avon Library's 125th Anniversary Open House

🏀 Oberlin College Women's Basketball vs. Kalamazoo College

🎸 The Phil Collins Experience

🎹 Oberlin Jazz Piano Recital

🎶 Greg Mendez — Live at The Cat

🛍️ Craft Show Fundraiser

🏈 History of the Cleveland Browns

🎭 The Roommate — Community Theater

📚 Friends of the Library Book Sale

🛡️ Free Scam Alert Workshop

📖 Lorain County Family Recipes — Local History Presentation

🍷 Friendsgiving in Wine Country

☕ Coffee and Conversation

🧵 Quilters Club

🧠 Trivia Night at Main Event

🎶 TIMARA Presents: Electrophonics II

🌽 New World Foods

🏘️ Lorain Neighbor Night

🧠 Trivia Night at The Slow Train Café

🦃 Thanksgiving Luncheon for Older Adults

🌍 International Education Week — World's Fair

🔭 Public Observing at the Observatory

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.

Some people pick their nose, but I was born with mine.

Thanks for spending a few minutes catching up on what's happening around Lorain County.

As the temperatures start dropping and Thanksgiving gets a little closer, it's a great time to slow down, appreciate the little things, and check in on the people around us. 🍂

And if you're out and about this weekend, consider stopping by a local shop, grabbing a bite at a neighborhood restaurant, or checking out one of the community events happening nearby.

Stay warm, stay safe, and keep looking out for one another. That's what makes Lorain County such a special place to call home!

See you next week!

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