Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024
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15 charged in fentanyl bust Owen MacMillan The Community Guide
The Department of Justice announced 15 arrests in an alleged drug trafficking network following an 18-month investigation by numerous agencies. The operation is accused of distributing counterfeit pills containing fentanyl in Lorain County and elsewhere in Northeast Ohio. Fourteen of the 15 charged are from Lorain County. Authorities also seized cash, three illegal firearms and thousands of fentanyl pills “made to look like legitimate pre-
scription medications.” “Given its extreme potency, fentanyl is extraordinarily dangerous — it has poisoned and killed over 3,500 Ohioans in 2023 alone,” U.S. Attorney Rebecca Lutzko said. Fentanyl is a synthetic opiate that is about 50 times more potent than heroin. According to the indictment, Ronald Whittaker, 31, of Cleveland and Tyvez McCullum, 30, of Elyria, were the leaders of the trafficking operation. “After receiving pill supplies from Whittaker, McCullum would redistribute the fentanyl pills to the others listed in
the indictment,” the release said. “Those individuals would, in turn, further distribute the fentanyl pills to their own networks throughout the Elyria and Lorain region.” The release said the 15 named defendants are suspected of distributing an estimated 4,406.25 grams of fentanyl in over 42,000 blue pills. “Illegal drugs are devastating lives and corrupting communities all across northern Ohio,” FBI Cleveland Special Agent in Charge Greg Nelsen said in a release. “This indictment underscores the commitment not only of the FBI, but our
multi-agency partners who work collaboratively to identify local drug traffickers and disrupt and dismantle their drug trafficking networks.” Some nine agencies participated including the FBI, DEA and Homeland Security. Investigations, Lorain County Sheriff’s Office Drug Task Force, U.S. Marshals Service, Ohio Adult Parole Authority and Lorain County Prosecutor’s Office participated. The Elyria Police Department is proud to have contributed to the collaborative efforts that led to this significant opera-
Charged Ronald Whittaker, 31, Cleveland Tyvez McCullum, 30, Elyria Ivan Barrios, 45, Lorain Tavon Martin, 28, Lorain Jaivon Wint, 27, Lorain Katlynn Caudill, 22, Lorain Nicholas Thomson, 47, Elyria Max Kennedy, 19, Wellington Jordan Johnson, 29, Elyria Angela Shuck, 35, Lorain Stacey Thomson, 48, Elyria Tyrone Phillips, 25, Elyria Joseph Kushner, 32, Berea Nicholas Burkholder, 29, Elyria Aubrey Brown, 29, Elyria
Car slams into house on Rt. 113 Just before dawn on Friday, a car traveling westbound on Route 113 in Amherst Township, crossed over the center line and went up a hill on the south side of the road, hitting a three-story farmhouse that was built in 1903 on the Baus Family’s soybean and wheat farm. The crash took down two of the home’s four pillars. The driver, who wasn’t injured, was charged with OVI. Story on Page A2.
BRUCE BISHOP / COMMUNITY GUIDE
SIGNS OF THE TIMES: NOTHING TO AGREE ON HERE
Avon man says racist signs allowed under free speech Carissa Woytach The Community Guide
AVON — An Avon business owner’s political signs have caused some controversy in the suburb. Frank Balunek’s front yard is filled with political signs, almost all against Democratic candidates and lawmakers. Those signs’ slogans include “Kalama planet of the apes,” “Commie Peloski,” “Sherrod Brown out of the closet!” “Impeach laughing hyena,” and “Impeach sleepy
Joe.” Others include two “white lives matter” signs, a “blue lives matter” sign, “Oprah planet of the apes,” “Hunter Biden crackhead” and “Michelle planet of the apes” signs. “I’ve got the right to put these up,” Balunek, 80, said Sunday. The signs are on his private property and visible from state Route 83. Balunek has lived on and operated Center Road Farm for nearly 60 years, he said, and has put out political campaign signs in
previous election cycles. He said Mayor Bryan Jensen called about complaints from neighbors about the signs, but Balunek was not fazed. “They can complain all they want,” Balunek said of neighbors. It was his freedom of speech to have the signs out, he said, and he and stood by the messaging — even when passers-by have “given him the finger” or “thrown rocks” at his property, he said. See FREE SPEECH, A2
Avon Lake HOA bans politics, ‘divisive issues’ Richard Perrins The Community Guide
AVON LAKE — A September change to a homeowners’ association rules regarding flags and signs residents can post has divided the community and proven costly for at least one resident. The association representing Belden Point in Avon Lake made the change Sept. 12 — banning the flying of any flags, signs or messaging for social causes and allowing only those
authorized under Ohio or federal law. Residents not in compliance with the policy will be fined $500, continuing monthly until the messaging is removed. That means flags, signs and other messaging supporting LGBTQ+ causes are not permitted, nor are those supporting autism awareness. The change was made after 15 complaints were made in the last few months about messaging being displayed. Details of
the messaging in question were not provided. The amendment, which the HOA’s board announced through written notification to residents, specifically prohibits signs and other messaging that relates to “politics,” “divisive issues or subject matter,” “issues on, or contemplated to be on, any voting ballot” and “issues subject to an election or vote.” The board said the intent of that section of the See HOA, A2
INSIDE THIS WEEK Amherst
Wellington
Oberlin
Man dies in house fire. A3
Runner breaks his coach’s record. A5
Stops added on Underground Railroad. A4
SPORTS A6 • CROSSWORD A7 • SUDOKU A7 • KID SCOOP A8