News Briefs for August 19, 2010

Thursday, August 19, 2010

Smoke evacuates court, no one injured

The Geauga County Courthouse was evacuated last Tuesday morning when a third floor electrical box malfunction caused smoke inside the building.

Nobody was injured nor was any of the court's business affected, said Judge David L. Fuhry.

Fuhry, who keeps a bicycle in the court's basement, arrived at the courthouse through the backdoor first. "I thought I smelled something, like a burning odor."

He checked the basement and decided it was probably buckets of cleaning solution. "I didn't think anything of it," he said.

After returning from a two-mile run, the judge was surprised to see Chardon Fire Department on the scene when he returned.

Geauga County Sherriff's Deputy Roy Lindstrom unlocked the front doors at about 7:20 a.m., then noticed the elevator was not functioning. He called maintenance and then smelled smoke faintly.

Lindstrom moved to the second and third floors, and the smell was stronger as he climbed. The fourth floor was strongest, and the attic was a "smoke-filled haze."

Lindstrom called the fire department and the building was evacuated.

After Fuhry and Judge Forrest W. Burt convened to assess the situation, it was determined the court should reopen just before 9 a.m.

Fuhry said the court's staff followed protocol to the letter and the incident was just a "nuissance." He was pleased the court's computer lines were not affected because of the potential delay in data entry.

The elevator was operational again by Tuesday afternoon, but the air conditioning was only working on the court's first floor.

"We're really fortunate it was just some discomfort," he said.

O'Neill receives union endorsements

Democratic candidate Bill O'Neill has received the endorsement from the OAPSE/AFSCME Local 4, AFL-CIO and the American Federation of Teachers, AFL-CIO in his race against incumbent U.S. Congressman Steven LaTourette in the 14th Congressional District.

"I have always been a strong supporter of Ohio public schools," O'Neill said. "These endorsements show Ohio public schools are ready for new leadership in Northeast Ohio at the federal level."

Libertarian candidate John M. Jelenic, of Willoughby, also is in the 14th District congressional race.

Geauga townships receive grants

The Northeast Ohio Public Energy Council (NOPEC) has given energy conservation grants totaling $150,000 to communities in Geauga County.

Included in these awards is a $50,000 grant to Claridon Township, which will use the money to install solar panels in the township administration building. The township estimates the solar panels will reduce the township's electric consumption considerably.

Thompson Township was awarded $50,000 to replace the flat roof at the Thompson Township Volunteer Fire Department with an insulated gable roof. The roof replacement is expected to reduce heating costs.

Hambden Township received $50,000 to install insulation and energy-efficient lighting, as well as more efficient heating and air conditioning units in township facilities.

Geauga County Commissioner Bill Young, who also serves on NOPEC's board of directors, said NOPEC is committed to lowering energy costs.

"NOPEC has worked hard since it was formed 10 years ago to bring low cost energy to residents and businesses in Geauga County and throughout northeast Ohio," Young said. "These grants are long-term investments which, over the years to come, will reduce public expenses for energy."

The awards made to these Geauga County townships are part of nearly $16 million in Powering Our Community grants that NOPEC will be distributing to its 129 member communities in Geauga County and eight other northeast Ohio counties it serves. The grant money came from FirstEnergy Solutions as part of an agreement the utility struck with NOPEC earlier this year.

State rules Levert fire cause 'undetermined'

The Ohio Deparmtent of Commerce's Division of the State Fire Marshal ruled the cause of a Newbury Township fire that destroyed the home of late R&B singer Gerald Levert was undetermined, according to Shane Cartmill, the fire marshal's office public information officer.

Cartmill said in an Aug. 9 e-mail investigators conducted an on-scene investigation, collected fire debris and interviewed sources. However, they were unable to pinpoint the fire's cause. Consequently, the case "will no longer be actively investigated unless new information is brought to investigators or local law enforcement."

The April 18 fire completely destroyed Levert's 6,947-square-foot house, located at 15806 Arbor Trail. Nobody suffered injuries in the vacant home at the time of the fire, Cartmill said.

The six-bedroom, two-story home and its 8.93-acre property were appraised at $510,000, according to an April 8 sheriff's sale notice published in the Geauga County Maple Leaf. At the sheriff's sale, nobody made the minimum $340,000 bid on the 29-year-old property, which also includes a lake and a gazebo.

Levert, the son of O'Jays singer Eddie Levert, purchased the home in April 1994 for $325,000. Gerald Levert died in the house at age 40 on Nov. 10, 2006, according to the NewsNet5 Web site.

Car show to benefit "Shop With A Cop"

The Middlefield Police Department will hold its first annual Middlefield Car Show at the Middlefield Police and Fire Department Municipal Center, 14860 N. State St., from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 12.

There is a $10 registration fee from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. for the show, which benefits the department's annual "Shop With A Cop" program. Dash plaques will go to the first 100 cars in the show, which will also include a 50/50 raffle, food and drinks and door prizes. Roadhouse Music will provide entertainment. Awards will be for the "Best Classic", "Best Hot Rod" and "Best of Show" categories. For more information, contact Dennis at (440) 632-5553 or Carl at (440) 739-0448.

Middlefield bank declares dividend

Middlefield Banc Corp. announced Aug. 11 that the company's board of directors has declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.26 per common share payable on Sept. 15, 2010, to shareholders of record on Aug. 31, 2010.

This cash dividend represents an amount equal to that paid in the prior two quarters of 2010 as well as the amount paid during the third quarter of 2009.

"We are pleased to continue a pattern of positive earnings and to maintain a strong cash dividend," said Thomas G. Caldwell, president and CEO. "The confidence that our investors have placed in our stewardship is sincerely appreciated and we will continue our efforts to provide a proper return for that trust."