BROWNS GET CLOWNEY TEAM EFFORT 3-time Pro Bowl DE signs one-year, $10M deal Historical Society, Lorain Schools with Cleveland SPORTS, C1 partner with PBS LOCAL, B1 THURSDAY, April 15, 2021 $1.25 LORAIN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS Hung, Moore vote to cut pay of VSC members Vote comes months after members get first raise in 8 years Voters could see crime lab, Dave O’Brien month. Commissioner Matt Lundy and that’s the way I see this today,” The Chronicle-Telegram voted against the measure. Lundy said. “This, to me, looks like Moore and Hung also voted to a political hit job. I mean let’s call it TB levies on ballot in Nov. A divided board of Lorain County “postpone indefinitely” a 3 percent what it is: A political hit job on our Dave O’Brien valuation of the potential levies. commissioners slashed the pay pay increase that would have then veterans.” The Chronicle-Telegram County Administrator Tom Wil- of Lorain County Veterans Service increased VSC members’ pay from VSC members “should be praised, liams said the county crime lab Commission members by one-third $800 to $824 per month. praised for the job they do but instead Lorain County voters are likely to — currently housed in the former Wednesday, five months after mem- Lundy voted “present” on that they are being punished simply for see levies on the ballot in November employee cafeteria in the basement bers received their first pay raise in motion. He told his fellow commis- doing their job,” Lundy said. “You’d for the benefit of the Lorain County of the County Administration Build- eight years. sioners Wednesday he was “very dis- have a tough time finding one Lorain Crime Lab and tuberculosis treat- ing on Middle Avenue in Elyria — is Commissioners David Moore and turbed” by their action to slash VSC County resident who would say that ment and prevention services. not certified, is underfunded and Michelle Hung voted to cut the com- members’ pay. it’s a good idea to punish someone County commissioners Wednesday supported by $400,000 out of the pensation for members of the VSC “When it comes to our veterans, the who fights for our veterans.” approved sending a request to Lorain county general fund this year. from $1,200 per month to $800 per focus should be respect, not revenge See CUT, A3 County Auditor Craig Snodgrass for See BALLOT, A3 CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC ‘911, what’s your emergency?’ 3 more deaths reported in Lorain County The Chronicle-Telegram Lorain County Public Health confirmed three addi- tional deaths as a result of COVID-19 in the last week, according to updated data on the agency’s website. The county health department has now confirmed 404 total deaths since the start of the pandemic. Of the three coronavirus patients reported Wednesday to have died from their infection, two were women and one was a man. All three were age 80 or older. New data on local COVID-19 fatalities is reported on Lorain County Public Health’s website Wednesday after- noons. Deaths reported in a particular week did not nec- essarily occur that week, but the state health department says fatal cases are all assigned to their correct date of death in the health reporting system. As of Wednesday, 18,917 Ohioans are reported to have died from the virus since the start of the pandemic. More than 7,100 of those patients who died resided in long- term care facilities, according to Ohio Department of KRISTIN BAUER / CHRONICLE Health data. Jordan Hoover, 911 emergency dispatcher, speaks about his role as a dispatcher working at the facility in Elyria on More cases of the virus were also reported Wednesday. Wednesday afternoon. Lorain County added 45 new confirmed cases and 26 new probable cases from Tuesday to Wednesday afternoons, according to data from the local and state health departments. A look inside Lorain County’s dispatch center The county is now up to 18,760 total confirmed cases and 5,053 total probable cases since the start of the pan- Jason Hawk disputes. Most incidents don’t turn phys- save someone’s life.” demic, with the Ohio Department of Health presuming The Chronicle-Telegram ical once he intervenes, but Hoover finds There are 27 dispatchers working under that about 22,461 of those cases are recovered. himself drawn into very personal argu- county 911 Director Harry Williamson’s Ohio as a whole is approaching 1.05 million total ELYRIA — A Rubik’s cube sits on Jordan ments. watch. That’s up from 17 when he took the Hoover’s desk. When he’s not saving lives, cumulative cases since the pandemic began, with nearly It’s his job to find out what’s going on, job Jan. 4, and four more are being hired. he toys with it, calming his nerves. 988,000 presumed recovered. try to separate those involved, determine “It’s a very challenging profession,” said “I’m a fidgeter,” said the Lorain County But rising faster than new cases are new vaccinations whether there are weapons or children in Williamson. During National Public Safety 911 dispatcher of two years, leaning away against COVID-19. An online dashboard from the Ohio the home and get help there as fast as pos- Telecommunicators Week, observed each from his desk and spinning the colorful Department of Health showed Wednesday that just shy of April, his employees deserve all possible cube in his hands. “This helps me decom- sible. 36 percent of Ohioans — nearly 4.21 million people — had press.” Some days are slower, with broken toes praise for the high-pressure job they do. received at least one vaccine dose. With more than 78,000 calls to the coun- or people having trouble with oxygen Williamson walked the communications There have been 2.77 million people in the state who ty’s nerve center on Burns Road in the first tanks. Others are more harrowing, like center floor Wednesday, talking about how have received all recommended doses, which is equal to three months of the year, there hasn’t been when an overdose is called in and a victim calls are routed from more than 15 law 23.74 of the Ohio population. much time to relax. is unconscious, in danger of dying within enforcement agencies and 30 fire depart- Lorain County’s vaccination rates nearly mirror the Just a few minutes before stopping the next few minutes. ments in Lorain County. Sitting in front of state’s, with 36.92 percent of the population having to talk, Hoover had taken a call about a “If it’s someone that’s not breathing, an array of glowing screens, workers are received at least one dose and 23.88 percent having taken woman stuck on a roof in Kipton. that’s all I need to know,” Hoover said. assigned to watch over everything from all recommended doses as of Wednesday. The most common calls he handles — “I want to get the ambulance going. I’m traffic stops and warrant arrests to build- More than 2,500 additional people were reported to about 70 percent of the volume routed to going to get back on the line and give you ing fires and asthma attacks. be fully vaccinated in the past 24 hours alone in Lorain his phone, he estimated — are domestic further instructions on what we can do to See DISPATCH, A2 County on Wednesday, contributing to a total of 74,002 people who have now had all recommended doses. Windstream, city of Elyria partner to provide digital training Laina Yost On Wednesday, Windstream presented a $30,000 check to fund computer Whitfield said his time as a com- The Chronicle-Telegram puter instructor at Lorain County training classes and a hack-a-thon in 2021. Elyria Mayor Frank Whitfield Community College several years ago ELYRIA — In a push for greater access said this has been a goal of his administration since he took office, but when brought to his attention the real need to internet and digital devices, Kinetic by people in the community have. Windstream and Elyria have partnered the pandemic hit, the need for accessibility became even greater. He said older residents need to feel to provide training on digital skills. comfortable using technology, but “To me, internet is the new utility,” and other services went digital. tinue education around digital skills. On Wednesday, Windstream pre- younger people can also need train- Whitfield said. “... It’s a utility in life “It brought to everyone’s attention He said the pandemic brought to the sented a $30,000 check to fund com- ing on how to use technology in the now. It’s a right that’s needed not only the necessary need for broadband surface a problem people knew already puter training classes and a hack- workplace. in Elyria but throughout the country.” and our connection with people has existed. With everything pushing to dig- a-thon in 2021. Mayor Frank Whit- His goal is for every Elyria resident changed dramatically,” she said. ital, people without internet or digital To sign-up for the free computer field said this has been a goal of his to have the skills, a quality device and In fall 2020, the city partnered with devices can fall through the cracks. classes, call (440) 305-0455 or visit administration since he took office, high-speed internet. Goodwill Industries of Lorain County to Gonzalez said the pandemic has elyriacares.com. When calling, resi- but when the pandemic hit, the need The administration reached out to offer basic computer training and free forced digital literacy to become a dents should leave a voicemail with for accessibility became even greater.