Mark Adams, commissioner of Lorain County Public Health, told the commissioners during their meeting that the state’s plan to begin inspections of residential septic tank systems has been in the works for years.

The primary concern of not inspecting the septic tank systems can result in negative impacts on local watersheds with the addition of harmful bacteria and pollution, Adams said.

In fact, several counties adopted the new unfunded mandate in 2019 that was handed down by Ohio Department of Health in 2015, but Adams said he decided to hold off due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The county has drafted a map of the residences with septic tanks, he said.

A significant number of properties contain the tanks which haven’t been registered with the county, and subsequently, officials have no knowledge of the condition of the septic systems, which is the goal of the new program, Adams said.

The health department has been tasked with verifying each septic tank system in the county, whether it’s contacting the homeowner personally, or via telephone, he said.

“We have to do that,” he said as part of the new mandate.

Homeowners now are required to purchase permits for their septic tank systems, which has brought criticism from several residents.

A handful of residents spoke at the county commission meeting Jan. 16 regarding their opposition and concerns about the new program.

Lorain County Public Health has received about 2,600 voicemails since residents began receiving notice of the new fees.

A one-year fee costs the homeowner $40 and a three-year permit can be obtained for $120, due by April 30.

Adams maintains that the new mandate is not a plan to force people to replace their septic tank systems.

However, if a problem is discovered, it’s the homeowner’s responsibility to correct the problem, he said.

Those homeowners who have abandoned septic tank systems on their property are legally responsible to report them to the health department.

The health department’s goal is to have each system inspected and catalogued, Adams said.

Additionally, the health department will test waterways around the individual septic systems as part of another phase of the project, he said.

While financial assistance is available for those who qualify, the health department thus far only has $100,000 to work with, Adams said.

The health department estimates there are 20,000 home sewage treatment systems throughout the county.

The health board meets at 6 p.m., every second Wednesday of the month, at Lorain County Public Health, 9880 Murray Ridge Road in Elyria.

Lorain County Public Health also can be contacted via email at EH@loraincountyhealth.com or by phone at 440-322-6367.

Enter Grace Kingery from North Ridgeville, whose exceptional performance on both ends of the court game after game.

The question has to be asked. Could she contend for Ohio Ms. Basketball?

After the Ball State signee recorded a 27-point, five-block, three-steal and seven-rebound performance in a 52-49 win over Avon Lake, she averages 28.4 points per game, 11.5 rebounds, 1.9 steals and 2.4 blocks.

Avon Lake vs. North Ridgeville girls basketball: Rangers win completes season sweep

Time and time again, she has showcased her limitless seemingly limitless range. Combine that she stands at 6-foot-1 and has guard skills, she becomes a mismatch for nearly every opponent.

She has the third highest point per game average in Ohio, according to MaxPreps.

"I think regardless, if she is in (the Ohio Ms. Basketball conversation) there or not, we all know that she is one of the best players to ever come through this and in the state," North Ridgeville coach Amy Esser said. "She is going to have an amazing end of her (North Ridgeville) career and go to Ball State."

In the Rocky River Travel Basketball Girls Hoops Classic, Pirates coach Jamey Pfahl assigned 5-11 Mackenzie Russell on Kingery.

She was an All-Ohio midfielder on the soccer pitch. Russell transitions her length and athleticism to the basketball court. Despite that, Kingery scored 25 points in the first half, 32 total, for North Ridgeville to win, 44-39.

“What made (Kingery’s) performance so great was that I thought we were playing great defense. Mackenzie (Russell) was all over her, and she kept hitting shots and she was playing great,” Pfahl said after the game.

Avon Lake coach Paul Appel had to think outside the box to guard her, even with Shoregals defense stalwart Izzie Polinko guarding her. Yet, he still felt compelled to double-team Kingery.

“We never ran girls at people to double team and tonight we did that for the first time. … You also have to give a lot of credit to North Ridgeville,” Appel said. “I thought they shot really well. There are not a lot of girls you can double off of because they have a lot of capable players. It makes (playing defense) hard.”

Over 14 games played her highest scoring performance was 45 points against Elyria in an 80-51 win. Ten days later, she scored 38 in a 63-47 victory against Lakewood.

North Ridgeville girls basketball: Rangers prepare for Avon Lake with dominant win against Lakewood, Grace Kingery scores 38 points

Kingery showcased herself as more than just a scorer. Against Avon Lake, she recorded five blocks, three steals and seven rebounds. The latest performance put her average to 11.5 rebounds per game, 1.9 steals and 2.4 blocks.

"What (Kingery) puts on the floor every day doesn't necessarily have to be points, even though most times we need that from her. It's whatever the team needs for us to win," Esser said. "That is all that kids care about. She could care less about records and awards. All she wants to do is win. You can see it in every aspect of her game."

With Kingery leading the charge, North Ridgeville (12-3, 6-1 in SWC) has a chance to win its first conference championship since 1995. However, it plans to take the season one game at a time.

"I take it one game at a time. I worry about the future when it comes, so I take it step-by-step," Kingery said.

The Rangers will travel to square off against Amherst (7-6, 4-4 in SWC) on Jan. 20. The Comets lost to Avon, 51-47, but played North Ridgeville tough, for the Rangers to scrape by with a 59-51 victory.

The Morning Journal coverage area has yet to produce a Ms. Basketball winner. Northeast Ohio has had 16 winners.

Canton McKinley's Kierstan Bell was the last winner from Northeast Ohio. She won the award three years in a row (2017-19).

In comparison to last year's Ms. Basketball winner, Dee Alexander (Cincinnati Purcell Marian), she averaged 26.2 points per game, 10.1 rebounds, 2.6 steals and 2.6 assists en route to a Division II state championship.

Alexander was a sophomore in the 2022-23 season. Among the seven finalists, four of them were underclassmen.

Other 2022-23 Ohio Ms. Basketball Finalists

Sinai Douglas, Toledo Start, 5-4, Jr.: 16.8 points per game, 6.3 rebounds, 5.3 assists, 5.3 steals.

Madison Greene, Pickerington Central, 5-7, Sr.: 15.2 points per game, 3 rebounds, 3 assists, 4 steals, Division I regional champion.

Saniyah Hall, Laurel, 6-0, Fr.: Amherst native, 20.8 points per game, 9.1 rebounds, 4.2 steals, 2.6 assists, 1.6 blocks.

Rylee Sagester, New Madison Tri-Village, 5-6, Sr.: 21.7 points per game, 4.2 assists, 2.4 steals, 41.9% 3-point shooter, Division IV state champion.

Corri Vermilya, Loudonville, 5-9, Jr.: 29.5 points per game, 12.7 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 6.5 steals.

Reagan Vinskovich, Belmont Union Local, 6-2, Sr.: 22 points per game, 12 rebounds, 3 assists, 2.5 assists.

The thought drives athletes of the past and present up a wall. It’s ingrained into psyche and also frowned upon by others. Losing simply doesn’t feel good.

What people tend to overlook is how losing doesn’t have to be all negative. The lessons learned from losing are often more numerous than what is gained from winning. Athletes learn to improve upon their deficiencies and are better off going forward.

Take Keystone defending Division III 157-pound state champion and two-time state qualifier Tristin Greene as an example.

Entering the 2022 Division II state wrestling tournament with a 46-3 record as a sophomore at 138 pounds, Greene scored a tech fall and a decision on his way to the championship semifinals the night of March 12. A win would put him in the title match.

When an exhausted Greene fell to Columbian’s Bret Minnick by decision, 7-2, he was visibly upset. While he’d win another match, he’d lose out on third place via a 3-1 decision. That left him even more frustrated coming off the mat during the third day’s morning session.

Once he got over those sophomore year shortcomings, all Greene has done is win and learn from those experiences. He became a Fargo National Champion in 16-Under Greco Roman that same summer before taking home the state crown last year, going 47-2.

On Jan. 13, Greene kept rolling and at Northwestern’s Husky Invitational, he reached a significant milestone – 150 career wins.

I spoke to @klsd_wrestling state champ Tristin Greene the other day. He just picked up his 150th win Jan. 13 at a tournament out in Northwestern. He's now at 153.

He needed 20 wins coming into the year to reach the marker. He knew it was coming for a while. @MJournalSports pic.twitter.com/yPlJeIG6iN

— Sean Fitzgerald (@fitzonsportsbsr) January 18, 2024

“I knew this was coming for a while now,” Greene said. “Last year, I ended the season with about 130 – maybe a little more – wins. But I knew it was coming, knew it was going to be any day now. It happened last weekend, and it was kind of cool.”

Following two conference quad dual wins Jan. 18, Greene sits at 155 career wins to 12 career losses. He has lost only four total OHSAA matches since his junior year began – two losses each in 2022 and 2023 at the Walsh Iron Man, considered to be one of – if not the – toughest tournaments in the nation.

While those losses have built Greene up, they don’t define him. The past is the past, and he’s looking forward to bigger and better things.

“I try not to look back on losses in a negative light,” he said. “Like I said before, I look at them for guidance and how to get better.”

Greene has a pathway to take over the top spot on the Wildcats’ career wins leaderboard by the end of the year. William Spangler (173-23 record) and Brian Spangler (157-22) stand in Greene’s way – with the current senior having an outside shot at 175 career victories. What would Greene say to himself back two years ago after all he’s accomplished since then?

“Just keep working hard,” Greene answered.

“Push yourself, go with the best guys you can. Don’t think about trying to win state anymore – try thinking about winning nationals. Try to prepare yourself to beat the best guy in the nation instead of the best guy in the state because the best guy in the state will come naturally if you can beat the best guy in the nation. Always look for that next step.”

Greene has done exactly that. He keeps his focus on the moment and never looks too far ahead in a bracket trying to gameplan a path to the finals. That’s where many wrestlers will trip themselves up mentally by ignoring the opponent in front of them.

“That’s always been… kind of pushed in my skull,” Greene noted. “Just don’t look at the brackets too much, don’t really worry about who you’re going to face. Just wrestle your next match.”

Greene seeks out the best competition and continually works on addressing his flaws, many of which are hard to find nowadays.

“You can ask my coach (Chris Vondruska), I always ask for film,” he said. “I always look for what my guy does – I love planning against my guys.”

Greene cracked a smile, as a memory bubbled to the surface.

“Coach (Vondruska) once made a joke that if I could know what (my opponents) had for breakfast that day, I’d want to know.” The defending state champ chuckled before wrapping up his point.

“I’m just a very competitive person. I love to win. And if I can do almost anything to get a better chance at that, I would.”

During the Jan. 18 meeting, the board voted 9-2 against a motion that would have removed the 2006 John Green novel “Looking for Alaska” from the JVS ninth grade curriculum.

Diane Kerecz, the mother of a 14-year-old JVS student, brought up the issue to the board at a meeting last fall after her daughter notified her about sexual content in the book.

Kerecz attended the Jan. 18 board meeting and reiterated her issue with the book for the age group assigned to read it.

“I implore you, please do not give it to our 14-year-olds,” the mother said. “I never said to ban the book. I don’t believe it’s for 14-year-olds.

“If it’s essential to your curriculum, I implore you to give it to the older kids.”

Also in attendance at the meeting was Dick Polen, who echoed similar sentiments to Kerecz.

Polen said his main concern with the book is that he believes it does not provide value to students.

“What we are really asking for, is a better one,” he said. “This book, ‘Looking for Alaska,’ I don’t see the value in it.

“This is the United States of America, and we don’t ban books here; we’re just asking for something better.”

Polen said his stance against the book also is due to his family’s religious background.

“We want something with morals in it,” he said. “Something that doesn’t talk about God in a bad way.”

Lorain County JVS superintendent Glenn Faircloth responded to those concerns by affirming his belief in the school to handle difficult topics in literature in a productive way.

“One of our educational goals at Lorain County JVS is to foster and promote critical thinking,” Faircloth said. “Our students are thoughtful readers who have the intellectual capacity to explore difficult issues.

“Our English and language arts teachers are well trained to foster these conversations in the classroom.”

Faircloth also noted that parents have the right to speak up if they do not want their child to consume assigned material.

In such situations, a student may be assigned alternative material without penalty, he said.

Wellington board representative Ayers Ratliff supported the public’s concerns and made a motion to remove the book from the ninth grade curriculum.

The motion would have allowed the book to stay in the school’s library and be taught in other grades.

“There’s nothing in the book that the kids don’t know, I will say that,” Ratliff said. “The thing of it is, we learn to act different in different situations.

“A 14-year-old child that goes to church may do things a certain way. They go to school and things are done a certain way in the classroom. In the hallways or at lunchtime, I’m sure things aren’t the same.”

Ratliff said the material in “Looking for Alaska” is not appropriate for a classroom.

“When you take a book and break it down and start discussing it, then you’re talking about great literature,” he said. “That book is not great literature.”

Other board members spoke up against removing the book.

Oberlin City Schools board member Anne Schaum said many other topics taught in school could be considered sensitive and that is not practical to remove them from curriculums.

“We’re on a huge slippery slope,” Schaum said. “It’s not just going to be books. There could be an article.

“Back when I was in high school, we read ‘Macbeth.’ You’re talking about murder and that could be a sensitive topic to somebody. When you look at literature and art, and all kinds of topics, this is a tough thing.”

Avon Lake City School District board member Gail Soinski-Opaskar said encountering difficult topics in educational material can contribute to the strengthening of a student’s morality.

“I believe it is our job as educators to expose our children to many different issues that they will be exposed to in society and they need to be prepared to confront and understand their morality from their families,” Soinski-Opaskar said. “I believe children need to be strong in their belief system because they are going to encounter many of the issues that are in this book.

“Let’s develop strong individuals in their morality.”

At 3:22 a.m., firefighters responded to the 300 block of Parmely Avenue, according to a news release from Elyria fire Chief Joseph Pronesti.

Upon arrival, firefighters confirmed that all occupants were safe, uninjured and had evacuated the single-family residence, the release stated.

Moderate fire conditions were found on the exterior southeast corner of the residence, according to the release.

The fire was quickly extinguished, and crews checked the interior and attic for extension and none was found, the release stated.

Pronesti requested the state Fire Marshal office to take charge of the investigation.

“Subsequent findings revealed that the cause of the fire was attributed to an occupant smoking inside the residence and discarding the cigarette outside a window,” the release stated.

Damages to the residence are estimated at $3,000, the release stated.

The Elyria Fire Department emphasizes the critical importance of fire safety, particularly regarding smoking materials, the release noted.

Smoking remains the leading cause of fire deaths, making it imperative to share vital prevention measures.

Whether an individual smokes or hosts guests who smoke, the Fire Department recommends smoking outdoors because furniture, bedding and papers inside the home can catch fire from burning cigarettes.

Also, keep a sturdy ashtray or bucket of sand available for smokers, according to the release.

“Smoke only when you are alert; if you take medicine or get sleepy, don’t smoke,” the release noted.

And, finally, never smoke near anyone who uses medical oxygen, the release stated.

If a fire starts, the oxygen will cause it to burn hotter and faster, according to the release.

“There is no safe way to smoke when oxygen is in use,” the release noted.

At 9:09 p.m., troopers from the Elyria Post responded to a one-vehicle fatal crash on Lake Road, also known as U.S. Route 6, near Vineyard Road, according to the release.

Blayney was operating a 2005 Mercedes-Benz E320 west on Route 6 and went off the right side of the road, striking two utility poles, the release said.

Blayney was not wearing a seat belt, according to the release.

A news release from the Avon Lake Police Department stated officials determined that excessive speed led to the crash.

Route 6 was closed for three hours while troopers investigated the crash, the release said.

The Highway Patrol was assisted on scene by the Avon Lake Police Department, Avon Lake Fire Department, Avon Lake EMS, L&M Towing and Ohio Edison.

The crash remains under investigation.

The church will be open at 4 p.m.. so members can begin the guild’s project of making quilts and pillowcases for the Snuggle of Hope program, according to a news release.

Members are encouraged to bring fabric, cutting supplies, and patterns that can be used to make these items for campers in the program. Also, a few people may want to bring sewing machines.

This project will continue in the March meeting.

The regular business meeting, complete with show and tell, will begin at 7 p.m.

For information on the quilt guild, contact Sandy Neiding at 440-967-4190.

Vilensky was selected following a nationwide search, led by the organization’s Board of Directors.

Most recently, he served as vice president of strategic market operations and category management for Medically Home, a growing start-up company offering high-acuity care at home across 18 states, according to the release.

Prior to that, Vilensky was president and CEO of the Montefiore Home.

As CEO for Montefiore, Vilensky had a key role in growing the organization and planning the merger, creating a partnership designed to grow and diversify the communities, the release said.

Earlier leadership experience includes guiding the Cleveland Clinic’s rehabilitation and post-acute care operations.

Vilensky said he looks forward to joining the Kendal community.

“I am honored to be chosen as the second CEO in Kendal at Oberlin’s long history,” he said in the release. “I am thrilled to join the great team, board and vibrant community at Kendal at Oberlin.

“The values of Kendal, particularly the sense of community, inclusiveness and service align perfectly with my experiences and passion for healthy and independent aging.”

The search for Kendal at Oberlin’s new chief executive officer began when long-time CEO Barbara Thomas announced her plans for retirement after 32 years of leading the organization.

A district qualifier in 2022 as a freshman, Rottari improved in his second high school season but narrowly missed on a return trip to the district round in 2023.

Earning 43-second pinfall victory against Berea-Midpark in a Jan. 18 dual match — which went in the Titans favor by a 60-21 final score — the junior was one of four Rangers winning in the five wrestled matches.

Rottari went out on the mat as the aggressor and came away with his 20th victory of the season to only six losses.

Got two videos from tonight's @NR_Wrestle and @BMHSTitanWR match. I'll post the second later/tomorrow.

Ian Rotarri (106) won his match by 0:43 fall. It's the junior's third season at 106 pounds. He's really made a big jump from when I saw him as a freshman. pic.twitter.com/75cBQgIkcJ

— Sean Fitzgerald (@fitzonsportsbsr) January 19, 2024

The weekend prior, Rottari trailed by as much as 10-0 in the second period of Eastlake North’s John Matteucci Memorial Classic against Western Reserve freshman Lucas Summerfield.

Using experience and skills built upon several more high-level matches, Rottari turned the tables and scored a pinfall with 25 seconds remaining in that second period to take the tournament title away from Summerfield.

“This year, I feel like I’m going out (on the mat) with a lot more confidence,” Rottari noted. “I know what my moves are going to be. I’ve been really honing in on that bar — I’m really getting that move down. I’m just going out there with a lot more confidence, a lot more energy.”

PHOTOS: North Ridgeville vs. Berea-Midpark wrestling, Jan. 18, 2024

Rottari managed to keep his composure in that title match, not initially realizing he’d beaten Summerfield.

“It was unbelievable!” Rottari exclaimed. “When I won, it didn’t sink in until a couple of seconds after.

“I kept my composure — I felt that he was going a little to high (with positioning). He was getting a little cocky, in a sense. So I took advantage — took my shot, hit my quarter, and it was there. It was a pin.”

“Ian’s had his ups and downs, but he’s seemed to develop a pretty good mindset right now. We’re watching him become more aggressive,” North Ridgeville coach Joel Melvin said, who was coaching the girls team last week and at another site but was following along.

“To see him down and come back to get the pin, that’s the grit that we need out of him,” Melvin continued. “We need him. He’s 106 pounds, he’s a junior and he should be able to be very successful. He’s got the skill set – Now it’s just a matter of digging down deep and just getting after it.”

With most wrestlers who start at 106 pounds typically being first or second-year high school wrestlers, Rottari’s third season at the lightest weight class isn’t typical. Compared to other high schoolers, he has an edge in the experience department as an elder statesman of sorts.

With each weight class there’s a different style to it, with the style of someone wrestling at 138 pounds vastly different from Rottari’s 106 class. He’s seen the moves in nearly 100 total high school matches and how to stay in the moment against kids who may have done a lot of work in youth, but not on the high school stage before.

Rottari’s made those mistakes the younger wrestlers have made and he knows from experience what to look for from his opponents.

“Back in those (first two) years, I’d always get hit with those bars and get snapped down,” he said. “Now I’m doing the moves on them. I can definitely recognize the patterns of my mistakes and put them onto the mat.”

Erin Fach, director of parks and recreation for the city of Avon Lake, has researched towns that hosted past eclipse events since he took the position 18 months ago.

Specifically, Fach cited Hopkinsville, Ky., as a major inspiration for the host of events this spring in Avon Lake.

“Hopkinsville, Ky., is a city of approximately the same size we are,” he said. “It’s one of the cities that we really researched.

“We went there in person and met a few of the folks down there that experienced it. We really did try to replicate some of the things they did, in regard to the way they utilized the parks (and) the way they set up their registrations.”

Fach explained that eclipses can be a truly deep experience for people standing in the line of totality.

In meeting with eclipse enthusiasts over the past 18 months, he said that something about the calm and quiet can create a “spiritual experience” for some people.

“I understand it’s a very spiritual experience,” he said. “Again, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience, so people really want to try to get to experience it.

“There are those who have chased them around the country.”

Fach said his workload obviously has been unusually high since he took the job in Avon Lake.

With the population set to triple in size, he said the city is doing everything it can to sufficiently prepare Avon Lake for its moment in the darkened sun.

“I’ve been with the city just over a year and a half, and it’s something that I stepped into and started researching right when I came on board,” Fach said. “It’s like hosting every special event that we might host throughout the year all at one time.”

The main event of the city’s eclipse jubilee will be the watch party at Avon Lake Memorial Stadium, 175 Avon Belden Road.

The stadium is located a stone’s throw away from the exact center line of the eclipse, which will past directly over Avon Lake City Hall.

“We’re hoping to get a really nice crowd there,” Fach said of the watch party.

The city will have food trucks, live music and a number of vendors at the stadium watch party to create a truly festival-esque atmosphere, he said.

NASA also is likely to send representatives to the city-wide celebration, Fach said.

“We have teamed up with NASA; we hope to have somebody here from NASA that day,” he said.

Fach welcomed the Lorain County community to celebrate with the city April 8.

The city will have nearly four minutes of total darkness, longer than nearly any other place in the United States, he said.

“We’re really trying to showcase Avon Lake,” Fach said. “You can’t get much closer to the center line of totality, so it really is totality’s best seat.”

Tickets for the city’s solar eclipse watch party are $15 each until mid-February.

The tickets are available at avonlakesolareclipse.com.