Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024
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Volume 10, Issue YY
Ford to build electric van here Dave O’Brien The Community Guide
Ford Motor Co. has announced plans to build a new all-electric commercial van at the Ford Ohio Assembly Plant in Lorain County starting in 2026. The multibillion-dollar “Big 3” carmaker is in the midst of a $1.5 billion expansion at the plant, located across portions of Sheffield, Avon Lake and Sheffield Lake.The first steel superstructure went up a year ago. Ford announced the expansion in 2022, and with it 1,800 new jobs at the plant. That was part of 6,200 total jobs promised in Ohio, Michigan and Missouri as part of a $3.7 billion expansion and the building of 2 million new electric vehicles built by 2026.
Ford said its commercial EV presence in the market is “strong,” led by its E-Transit electric van, and that more commercial customers are going with EVs. Sheffield Mayor Bob Markovich said that the van is a “second generation” electric van, and first generation production that started elsewhere is being moved to Sheffield for the second generation. He said Ford officials told hin that the Ohio Assembly Plant expansion is “priority one” and Ford wants “to get this moving along and get this done.” Most of the electric vans are likely to be fleet vehicles for companies such as UHaul, UPS and Amazon, Markovich said. Sheffield has benefited significantly from additional income taxes — 97 percent of
Ford officials he spoke with were “very excited as we are,” he said. “It was encouraging to hear that they’re committed to building that line there.” The fact that its an electric van “just confirms that the whole complex is going to be around for a very long time,” Spaetzel said. “You don’t spend $1.5 billion and bring in 1,800 jobs and not have it positively affect Avon Lake and the region. We’re excited to have them.” Ford also announced Wednesday that the battery cells for the van will be made in BlueOval City in Tennessee, then installed at the Ohio Assembly Plant. Those cells also will power a next-generation electric pickup truck to be assembled in Tennessee starting in 2027.
its revenue is from income tax, Markovich said — and that is expected to continue. There has been a “huge uptick” in income tax revenue from the ongoing construction, and more is expected once workers begin assembling the machinery and equipment needed to build the new vans. Markovich said Ford officials told him the first of the line could roll out of the facility between February and June 2026. With each of the 1,800 new jobs Ford has created, there’s an expectation that four others will be created to support them, Markovich said. Though the new construction and production isn’t in his city, Avon Lake Mayor Mark Spaetzel said anything that benefits the region also benefits Avon Lake.
Cops say Amherst driver killed in crash was fleeing Owen MacMillan The Community Guide
The Elyria Police Department confirmed on Friday that a driver involved in a fatal crash on Thursday was fleeing an attempted stop by Elyria police officers. Police said that Brandan Ryan, 40, of Amherst drove his gray Nissan Altima through a red light at the intersection of Griswold Road and state Route 57 “at a high rate of speed” and struck a blue Toyota Corolla that was turning east onto Griswold Road. The State Highway Patrol said that Ryan and the driver of the Corolla, Robert Vormelker, 48, of Lorain were in critical condition after the crash. The two passengers of the Altima, Tanner Smith, 36, of Cleveland and Meghan Incorvaia, 36, of Wakeman were killed. According to Elyria police, drugs were found in the Altima and Ryan, Smith and Incorvaia all had active felony warrants. Ryan has been charged with several felonies by Elyria police. On Friday, Elyria police Lt. Bill Lantz released the case report and dashboard
THOMAS FETCENKO / COMMUNITY GUIDE
Daisy Bockmore, 15, of Wellington and from the Brighton Buckeyes of Lorain County 4-H Club, kisses Tater before the start of the auction at the Lorain County Fair. Daisy’s steer won the Grand Champion Modern Beef title.
Jr. Fair auction has record sales BRUCE BISHOP / COMMUNITY GUIDE
State Highway Patrol investigators examine the car that reportedly caused a fatal crash Thursday on state Route 57. camera footage that detailed that an Elyria police cruiser had tried to initiate a traffic stop of Ryan’s Altima just before the crash. According to the report, Elyria police officers Chris Lewis and Chris Constantino observed what they suspected to be a drug sale taking place out of a 2015 Nissan.
The vehicle, later determined to be driven by Ryan, was parked in the driveway of a home on the 100 block of Erie Street that is “a known drug location.” After the alleged transaction occurred, officers said they observed the Altima drive down Erie Street with three occupants and turn onto Route 57 without stop-
ping at a stop sign. Lewis and Constantino followed with lights and sirens on Route 57. Rather than stopping, dashboard camera footage from the police cruiser shows that the Altima begins to speed and weave in and out of traffic and driving on both shoulders See CRASH, A2
put their money into future projects and college funds. Daisy Bockmore, of WELLINGTON — It Wellington, took home was a morning of records not only the title of Grand broken, future projects funded and hard work pay- Champion for her modern beef steer, but a new sales ing off at the Jr. Fair hog and beef auctions Saturday. record at $18 per pound for the 1,367-pound After a summer spent animal. in barns raising hogs The sale broke a record and steers ahead of the set in 2011. The previous weeklong Lorain County record was $10 per pound. Fair, 4-HersLORAIN saw the COUNTY price Bryner Landscapper pound rise for their INTERNATIONAL ing and the Wellington animals, some shattering OVERDOSE AWARENESS DAY Eagles split the more records set years prior. MEMORIAL EVENT than Many 4-Hers planned to partners for a vigil inSee Please join several community memory of the 118 lives lost AUCTION, A2to accidental overdose in Lorain County in 2023. Resource tables with info about Carissa Woytach The Community Guide
treatment, recovery support, Narcan kits and more will be available. Those in recovery and the families of those who have struggled with addiction will share their stories along with a program that revolves around reflection and insights for those who lost a family member or friend.
Memorial Friday for those who died of opioid overdose The Lorain County Opioid Action Team will hold a vigil in memory of the 118 lives lost to accidental overdoses in Lorain County in 2023 on Friday, International Overdose Awareness Day. The event will be held from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the
Spitzer Conference Center at Lorain County Community, 1005 Abbe Road, N., Elyria. Family and friends of those who have lost loved ones to overdose, those in recovery fromaddiction and anyone who wishes to make a difference in our community is encouraged to come together
and share an evening of spirited conversation and music. Advocate and speaker John Nimmo will provide a keynote address and lead audience participation in a Sound Bath meditation program. Lorain County residents who have overcome addiction and mental health challenges
will give a video presentation. The Mental Health Addiction and Recovery Services Board of Lorain County and over 20 behavioral health providers will host resource tables with information about treatment, recovery supportand Narcan kits. The event is free and open to the public.
AUGUST 30 31
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6:00pm-8:30pm
Advocate and speaker John Nimmo Inspirational music and words by Chrissy Strong and LUV (Matt Radel)
Sound Bath Meditation
FREE & OPEN TO THE PUBLIC SPITZER Family and friends are invited to bring CONFERENCE CENTER
WHERE
The Community Guide
a photo of their lost loved ones to put on the memorial table. LORAIN COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE 1005 ABBE RD N., ELYRIA, OH 44035
INSIDE THIS WEEK
LORAIN COUNTY OPIOID ACTION TEAM
Family and friends are welcome to bring a photograph of their loved one to include on the Memorial Table.
Wellington
Fair comes to a smashing end. A5
Amherst
Workshop Players ready holiday show. A3
QUESTIONS? Contact Jinx Mastney at jmastney@mharslc.org
Oberlin
#endoverdose
School starts amidst construction. A4
SPORTS A6 • CROSSWORD A7 • SUDOKU A7 • KID SCOOP A8