Lorain County Community Insider Weekly Newsletter

Welcome to this week's edition of the Lorain County Community Insider! I hope you're enjoying everything summer has to offer here in our corner of Ohio.

Whether you've been catching a Crushers game, spending time at one of our beautiful Metro Parks, or just relaxing with family and friends, there's no shortage of great things happening around the county.

This week, we've rounded up the local stories that matter most, upcoming events you won't want to miss, a look at the weather for the days ahead, and plenty of community updates to help you stay in the loop.

Thanks for spending a few minutes with us each week—it means a lot to have you as part of our growing community.

Have a fantastic week, stay safe, and enjoy everything Lorain County has to offer!

Joe

Lorain County Metro Parks and Lorain County Public Health are teaming up to help keep visitors safe with new tick awareness stations popping up throughout the park system.

The stations remind hikers to check themselves, their kids, and even their pets for ticks before heading home. They also include QR codes linking to the county's tick tracker, where people can report ticks they find and help health officials monitor where they're showing up.

The effort comes as Lyme disease cases have climbed in recent years, with 19 confirmed cases in 2024 and 18 in 2025, compared to just one or fewer a few years earlier. Health officials say there's no need to panic, but they do want everyone to stay informed and take simple precautions.

Spending time outdoors is one of the best parts of summer in Lorain County—just remember to do a quick tick check when your adventure is over.

The Elyria Police Department is asking for the public's help identifying a man who fled from officers on a dirt bike Monday morning. Around 11:50 a.m. on July 6, the rider reportedly took off after police attempted to stop him near Middle Avenue and 13th Street.

Police describe the individual as a white male wearing khaki shorts, a white and gray shirt, white shoes, and a white helmet while riding a black dirt bike. If you recognize him or have any information that could help investigators, the Elyria Police Department encourages you to reach out.

Community tips often play a big role in helping officers solve cases like this.

The Lorain County Sheriff's Office kicked off the Independence Day holiday by arresting a 28-year-old man who was wanted in connection with a July 3 shooting outside the Marc's plaza in nearby Lakewood.

The arrest removes a wanted suspect from the streets and highlights the cooperation between law enforcement agencies across Northeast Ohio. Authorities haven't released many additional details yet, but the quick arrest helped bring the investigation one step closer to a resolution.

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Lace up your running shoes because the annual Kerstetter 5K Memorial Run & 1-Mile Walk returns on Saturday, July 11 in Elyria. The event honors the life and service of Sgt. James Kerstetter while bringing together families, friends, law enforcement officers, and community members for a meaningful morning of remembrance and support.

In addition to the race and walk, participating law enforcement agencies can join a special Formation Run. Whether you're running for a personal best, walking with family, or simply showing your support, it's a great opportunity to celebrate the lasting impact Sgt. Kerstetter had on the community.

Lorain County will not receive a new stream of federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Urban County funding after the proposal failed to gain enough local support.

The designation could have brought additional money for home repairs, neighborhood improvements, public services, and programs benefiting low-income residents.

While this funding opportunity won't move forward, county leaders say the needs haven't gone away. Affordable housing, senior services, and infrastructure improvements remain important priorities, and officials hope to continue looking for ways to support those areas through other funding opportunities.

Lakeview Park was filled with smiles, laughter, and plenty of bubbles during last week's Foam Party, organized by the Lorain Police Department.

Kids cooled off with foam, water activities, ice cream, freeze pops, and lots of opportunities to enjoy a beautiful summer day with family and friends.

The event was another great example of local organizations creating positive opportunities for families to connect with first responders outside of emergency situations.

Judging by the photos, it was a huge hit, and everyone involved deserves a big thank-you for making it such a fun community event.

⚾ Lake Erie Crushers vs. Sussex County Miners

Date: Wednesday, July 8
Time: 12:00 PM
Location: ForeFront Field, Avon
Details: Enjoy Frontier League professional baseball as the Crushers continue their home series against the Sussex County Miners. Great family entertainment with ballpark food, promotions, and affordable tickets.

🚶 Walkin' On Wednesday

Date: Wednesday, July 8
Time: 4:00 PM – 7:30 PM
Location: Downtown Amherst
Details: One of Amherst's favorite summer traditions featuring shopping specials, food vendors, entertainment, sidewalk activities, and opportunities to support local businesses.

🍹 Mix & Mingle – July

Date: Wednesday, July 8
Time: 6:00 PM
Location: Trent's Joint on the River, Lorain
Details: A casual evening of networking, conversation, and waterfront views. While geared toward professionals, everyone is welcome to enjoy the relaxed atmosphere.

🎻 Lorain County Metro Parks Summer Concert – OPUS 216

Date: Thursday, July 9
Time: 6:00 PM
Location: Miller Nature Preserve, Avon
Details: Enjoy a free outdoor performance by OPUS 216, an acclaimed string ensemble blending classical favorites with modern music. Bring a lawn chair or blanket. Food and beverages are available for purchase.

⚾ Lake Erie Crushers vs. Sussex County Miners

Date: Thursday, July 9
Time: 6:30 PM
Location: ForeFront Field, Avon
Details: Another opportunity to catch the Crushers at home during this midweek series. Expect family-friendly promotions and a lively summer baseball atmosphere.

☯️ Qi Gong / Tai Chi Practice

Date: Friday, July 10
Time: 10:15 AM
Location: Firelands Association for the Visual Arts (FAVA), Oberlin
Details: A donation-based class focusing on gentle movement, breathing techniques, relaxation, and wellness through traditional Qi Gong and Tai Chi exercises.

🎸 Rockin' on the River – Forever Seger

Date: Friday, July 10
Time: Gates typically open in the evening (concert starts after)
Location: Black River Landing, Lorain
Details: Northeast Ohio's premier outdoor concert series continues with Forever Seger, one of the nation's top tribute bands honoring Bob Seger. Opening act: The Michael Weber Show. Food vendors, beverages, and waterfront views make this one of Lorain's biggest summer attractions.

🎶 Lil Eddy and the Boilermakers

Date: Sunday, July 12
Time: 6:00 PM
Location: Vermilion River Reservation – Bacon Woods Amphitheater
Details: Free Metro Parks concert featuring Lil Eddy and the Boilermakers performing Mardi Gras, Motown, swing, blues, and New Orleans favorites. Bring a chair or blanket.

🎨 Splash on the Lake Art Show (Final Days)

Date: Monday, July 13 & Tuesday, July 14
Time: Gallery hours beginning at 10:00 AM
Location: Vermilion Arts Guild Gallery
Details: Experience this seasonal exhibition celebrating Lake Erie through local art.

🍻 Lorain County Chamber Summer Business After Hours

Date: Tuesday, July 14
Time: 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Location: Lorain Brewing Company, Lorain
Details: Monthly Chamber networking event bringing together local business owners, entrepreneurs, and community leaders in an informal setting.

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.

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Thanks for spending a little time with us and staying connected to everything happening around Lorain County. We hope you get a chance to enjoy one of this week's local events, support a small business, or simply get outside and make the most of these summer days.

We'll be back next week with more local news, events, weather, and community happenings. Until then, take care of yourselves, look out for your neighbors, and have a fantastic week!

See you 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