COVID-19 hospitalizations in Ohio continue to increase…according to state data.
Over 3,800 were reported Thursday, with over 900 patients in the ICU.
Those numbers are the highest patient counts Ohio has had during the pandemic, and more than double the hospitalizations recorded during previous peaks.
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The Ohio Department of Health released its new color-coded ratings for COVID-19 spread on Thursday.
Franklin County, containing Columbus, becomes the first county to reach Level 4 purple, Public Emergency status, meaning there’s severe exposure and spread.
Erie and Lorain counties remain at Level 3 Red status, while Huron County is at a Level 2 Orange.
Lorain County is close to becoming Purple, said Governor DeWine on Thursday.
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The village of Milan is closing their Administration Office today due to an employee testing positive for COVID-19.
The village says the office and police station will receive a professional cleaning.
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One dead, one critically injured in a two-vehicle crash last night on Route 101 in Seneca County.
James Kear of Clyde was 54.
The State Highway Patrol says Kear traveled left of center and struck a vehicle driven by 49 year-old Mark Myers of Huron, head-on.
Kear was killed; Myers was air-lifted to a Toledo hospital.
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Unemployment continues to be an issue across Ohio…
Last week, almost 25,000 people filed initial unemployment claims, bringing the statewide total since March to around 2 million
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Communities in Northwest Ohio are receiving nearly $7 million in funding from the Ohio EPA to improve wastewater and drinking water infrastructure and make other water quality improvements.
Among those receiving funds are the city of Huron ($942,000), Port Clinton ($160,000), Put-In-Bay ($23,000); and the Huron County Commissioners are set to receive $150,000.
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Oberlin residents can now look forward to improved bussing service starting in January due to a Paradox Prize grant…
This week, Oberlin City Council approved a contract with Lorain County Transit for the new year.
Bussing hours and travel area in the city will drastically increase, among other changes.
A full report in today’s Chronicle-Telegram.
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The city of Norwalk is looking to hire an assistant fire chief.
Details are available on the city’s website, www.norwalkoh.com.
The new assistant will join Fire Chief Ron Luttrell, who was hired in August.
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A new zoning code has been presented to the city of Lorain’s Building, Housing, and Planning Department.
It will redefine “blighted” areas in the city and will target federal funding in parts of central and South Lorain.
A public hearing will take place this Monday at 5:30 pm to discuss the code.
…A full report in today’s Chronicle Telegram.
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“The show must go on…” at least that’s the motto for the Lorain County Community College Civic Concert Band.
The band will be putting on small ensemble performances for free this Sunday at the college’s Hoke Theatre starting at 3 PM.
Crowd size will be limited in the theatre and masks will be required.
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SPORTS
Girls HS Hoops opening night tonight…on our sister-stations
92-9 WLKR Classic – Edison at Bellevue
95-3 WLKR – Ashland at Norwalk
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From the National Weather Service…
Today
Mostly sunny, with a high near 63.
Tonight
Mostly cloudy, with a low around 42.
Saturday
Cloudy, with a high near 47.