MR. AND MISS BASKETBALL GOING UP Lorain’s Seth Wilson and Columbia’s Allyson Ross are Work progresses on new Lorain County’s top high school seniors SPORTS, C1 Firelands High School B1 THURSDAY, March 25, 2021 $1.25 CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC Bringing Lorain back on stage County reports 8 more deaths The Chronicle-Telegram Ohio Department of Health’s Eight new deaths as a result Bureau of Vital Statistics on a of COVID-19 were reported regular schedule. Wednesday by Lorain County New coronavirus case data, Public Health, bringing the however, continues to be total number of fatal virus updated regularly both on cases the agency has reported statewide and countywide lev- in the county to 382. els. Lorain County Public Health Lorain County Public Health PHOTO PROVIDED updates its count of confirmed reported 33 new confirmed The Rockin’ on the River stage at Black River Landing is shown from years past. Promoter Bob Earley COVID-19 deaths weekly on coronavirus cases from Tues- announced the summer 2021 lineup Wednesday. Wednesday afternoons. day to Wednesday. The Ohio In total, there have now been Department of Health reported After year’s painful delay, city poised for entertainment boom 18,382 Ohioans confirmed to 40 new probable cases in have lost their lives to COVID- Lorain County from Tuesday to Carossa Woytach owner or a server … a sound towards 2020 and then who 19, according to the Ohio Wednesday. The Chronicle-Telegram 2021 LINEUP guy or a sound company, or knew? So everything comes Department of Health. As of Wednesday, the state a band, food concessionary crashing down and then Statewide death data is not health department was report- LORAIN — As a weekly n Promoter Bob Earley … that haven’t lost every- we had hoped, because of always updated on a regular ing cumulative statewide totals concert series returns to announces the summer thing that they’ve worked the size of this site, that we schedule and can fluctuate of 853,398 confirmed cases and Lorain, the city looks toward 2021 lineup for Rockin’ for,” promoter Bob Earley could give people some- because other states do not 151,272 probable cases since an economic boom as warm on the River at Black said during a news confer- thing.” send data about Ohioans who the start of the pandemic. weather approaches. River Landing ence Wednesday afternoon Looking to paint circles died in their jurisdiction to the See DEATHS, A2 Rockin’ on the River will in Lorain, A2 announcing Rockin’ on the on the lawn to denote social return May 28 at Black River River’s return. distancing, the Port Author- Landing, after the corona- concert series, bringing But industry profession- ity was willing to do any- virus pandemic forced its increased foot traffic and als kept going, he said. So thing to keep Black River previous season to be first too, did the city. Landing open. But an exec- O’Neill facility revenue to a downtown on postponed, then canceled “We’re entering our fifth utive order from Gov. Mike the rise. outright. or sixth season of Rockin’ DeWine canceling outdoor Last year was supposed “This entertainment on the River,” said Tom entertainment and large to be the year that the new industry has been the hard- Brown, Lorain Port Author- gatherings ended those reopens doors Broadway Streetscape est hit of any — there’s not a ity executive director. “All of plans. melded with the annual waitress or a waiter or a bar our momentum was keyed See STAGE, A2 The Chronicle-Telegram skilled nursing facility has NORTH RIDGEVILLE — The experienced 109 resident cases O’Neill Healthcare North Rid- of COVID-19 since April 15, geville skilled nursing facility 2020, the most reported in has reopened to visitors who any Lorain County facility, but Commissioners spar over email wish to see their loved ones none from the most recent indoors. week of reporting. Dave O’Brien report that he was “still disturbed … that Wednesday. “I will defend my name and The facility announced in The facility states in its The Chronicle-Telegram you decided to slip a copy of an email my public service record. I would expect a news release that visitation news release that it has a rig- ELYRIA — A heated exchange Wednes- under my door last week to let me know you to do the same. If it happens again, as will be permitted between 9:30 orous testing schedule that day over a December email sent by Com- that you’re looking at my emails.” I said, I will speak up.” a.m. and 7 p.m. in either pri- helps control possible COVID- missioner Matt Lundy that questioned Hung said Lundy’s accusations of her Commissioners’ emails generally are vate rooms or common areas. 19 transmissions, and a high then Commissioner-elect Michelle “obsession” over his emails “has reached public records. Their email system is paid The expansion came in the percentage of staff and resi- Hung’s willingness to put on a face the point of being disturbing.” for with taxpayer dollars and they con- wake of new state and federal dents chose to be vaccinated. mask has caused a continuing public rift Lundy has been gaveled into silence by duct public business. guidance on long-term care Additional vaccine clinics are between the two officials. Hung or not allowed to respond to alle- In a copy of the email in question that facility visitation policy. planned at multiple O’Neill Lundy said Hung was playing “mis- gations in past meetings, and that hap- was provided to the Chronicle-Telegram “With the difficulties we’ve Healthcare locations in the guided” politics. Hung said Lundy’s com- pened again late in Wednesday’s meeting. that both Hung and Lundy quoted from all experienced this past year, upcoming months, when sup- ments Wednesday — and those the week During his report time at Wednesday’s in interviews with the Chronicle-Tele- having family and friends back plies are available. before that referenced Hung pushing a meeting, he said he expects to be able to gram, the thread starts with a message in the buildings will uplift both Group activities and paper copy of Lundy’s Dec. 1 email under respond when his name is mentioned or that Theresa Upton, clerk for the board of residents and staff,” said Jason group dining for residents his office door — were “disturbing” or to his reputation is questioned. commissioners, wrote to Lundy on Nov. Jacobs, director of ancillary also resumed in February, the point of “obsession.” “The free verbal punches are over,” 30, 2020: services. which Jacobs said has greatly Lundy told Hung during his weekly Lundy told his fellow commissioners See EMAIL, A3 State data shows that O’Neill improved their mood and Healthcare North Ridgeville’s mental health. N. Ridgeville Corn Festival still unsure of 2021 plans August, but safety is the most tial guidelines from the Ohio Duck Tape fest important factor as it consid- Department of Health. waiting till 2022 ers whether to do so. That is just one of the spe- “A lot of it is going to depend cific questions the committee Dylan Reynolds on what happens with the is hoping for clarification on. The Chronicle-Telegram coronavirus in the state of “Right now there are too Ohio,” Butkowski said. NORTH RIDGEVILLE — “Things are looking better, many unanswered questions,” One local festival is waiting they are looking more posi- he said. for additional guidance before tive, but we just have to wait “We have more questions making a decision about its and see what happens.” than answers.” summer plans, while another Festivalgoers typically walk The Corn Festival was can- has announced that it will skip elbow to elbow while browsing celed last year due to the pan- 2021 and be back in 2022. the concession stands along demic, but organizers held North Ridgeville Corn Festi- Bainbridge Road, so Butkow- socially distanced Fenik’s val President John Butkowski ski said he needs to know Sweet Corn giveaways in July said Wednesday there is no whether concessionaires will question that the committee be required to be spaced out and August as a consolation. CHRONICLE FILE wants to hold a festival this farther apart under poten- See FESTIVAL, A2 The North Ridgeville Corn Festival is shown on Aug. 9, 2019. High of 70. Low of 49. ACCENT .........B3-4 BUSINESS ..........A3 COMICS ......... D2-3 OBITUARIES .......B2 WARM, Forecast on A6 INDEX ADVICE ...............B4 CLASSIFIEDS .....C6 CROSSWORD ....D2 OPINION ......... A4-5 RAIN WWW.CHRONICLET.COM cyan A1 magenta A1 yellow A1 black A1 A2 Thursday, March 25, 2021 FROM PAGE ONE The Chronicle-Telegram Legislature For those about to rock: overrides Series returns to Lorain John Benson end is going to be incredible,” in the entertainment indus- dance at Black River Landing The Chronicle-Telegram Earley said. “We’re doing Zoso, try,” Earley said. “We went in 2021 is expected to start at DeWine veto LORAIN — For those about Ultimate Led Zeppelin Experi- from 18 big shows to abso- a reduced capacity. ence with Janis Joplin Tribute lutely zero. It was rough.” Farnoush Amiri us to reassert ourselves as a to rock at the 2021 Rockin’ on “No matter how we do the Ball & Chain on July 2. Then While he always knew peo- and Andrew Welsh-Huggins separate and co-equal branch the River concert series, owner event this year, we’ll abide all AP / Report for America of government here in the state Bob Earley salutes you. on July 3, we’ll have the Classic ple appreciated the Rockin’ on of the COVID protocols,” Ear- of Ohio,” McColley said.