The Special Olympics—Lake County Ohio Dance Team (Deepwood Dancers) applied and were accepted to compete in a team dance performance representing the USA at the 2019 Special Olympics World Games, which were hosted in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates on March 14-21, 2019. While the Deepwood Dancers knew it was the largest humanitarian sports event in 2019, what they didn’t know was that at the conclusion of the World Games they would get to meet the Chairman of Special Olympics, Tim Shriver, and that a proclamation would be signed so that dance is now an official Special Olympics international sport. 

The Deepwood Dancers (listed below) are unique beyond their talents; individuals on the team have various developmental disabilities and their age span is 16—61. They embody diversity. 

• Camryn Byrne 
• Anthony (Tony) Cervella 
• Lani Engel 
• Kathy Habat 
• Kelleen (Kelly) Kinnaird 
• Sheryl Kintop 
• Charles (Charlie) Schulz, Jr. 
• Michael (Mike) Sukalac 

LCBDD/Deepwood Recreational Specialists Ellana Fishwick and Kara Shubert, along with dance team choreographers and Coach Tana Habat were in lock step with the Deepwood Dancers the entire time, making sure that they were ready to perform their best in the competitions.

Amongst the more than 7,500 athletes   representing 170 countries in 24 sports, the Deepwood Dancers had stellar performances and won the following medals:

•  Lani won a gold medal in the solo competition
• Charlie and Sheryl won a silver medal in the duo competition
• The Deepwood Dance team won a silver medal in the team competition

“The Deepwood Dancers were ecstatic about the opportunity to represent Lake County, Cleveland, Ohio, and the United States of America at the Special Olympics World Games,” said Tana Habat. “We expected excitement, but we saw so much more – friendship, courage and perseverance beyond our expectations.” 

The Deepwood dance team was formed in 2017 to help continue the movement to make dance an official Special Olympic competitive sport. They are a relatively new addition to the Lake County Special Olympics program and have been performing across Lake County the past two and a half years to help raise awareness for individuals with special needs. 

“We want to thank all who made donations and contributed time and energy to make this possible,” added Tana. “This was an amazing way to show support from our community and be part of the beginning of the movement to include dance in the array of Special Olympic talents.” 

A number of dedicated telecommunicators serve the citizens of Lake County on a daily basis by answering their telephone calls for police, fire and emergency medical services. Public Safety Telecommunicators are the single vital link and are the first responders for our police offices and firefighters by monitoring their activities, providing information and insuring their safety. A resolution was presented to Captain Mike Warner, Administrator Central Communications in the Lake County Sheriff's Office. Telecommunicators Week is April 14-20, 2019. To view the resolution please click here. 

PUBLIC NOTICE

The Lake County Board of Commissioners,  by resolution adopted April 4, 2019, has set the date and time for the viewing and the date, time, and place for a public hearing to consider the proposed vacation of a portion of Hubbard Road in Madison Township. The viewing will be held on Thursday, April 25, 2019 at 9:00 a.m., at the street location. The hearing will be held on Thursday, April 25, 2019 at 10:00 a.m. (prior to Commissioners’ meeting) in the Commissioners’ Chamber, 105 Main Street, 4th floor, Painesville, OH 44077.  You may also access this Public Notice via the Internet at https://www.lakecountyohio.gov/commissioners/LEGAL-NOTICES-TO-BIDDERS.

Any questions regarding the viewing or public hearing should be addressed to the Lake County Commissioners’ Clerk, Jennifer Bell, 105 Main Street, Fourth Floor, Painesville, OH 44077 or by telephone at (440) 350-2751.

BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, IN AND FOR LAKE COUNTY, OHIO.

Jerry C. Cirino, President

Ron Young, Vice President

John R. Hamercheck, Commissioner

Jennifer Bell, Clerk

Publish: News Herald:

      April 5, 2019

      April 12, 2019

      and posted on the Lake County website

Please click here to see the public notice.

Lake County Children Services Division responded to 2,365 calls regarding children and their families in 2019. Children Services worked with over 1,000 children  and provided a safe environment for more than 100 children who were unable to in their family home. A resolution was presented to Lori O'Brien, Children Services Administrator, and Matthew Battiato, Executive Director of the Lake County Job & Family Services Department. 

During the March 14, 2019 Commissioners Meeting, members of the Lake County Board of Developmental Disabilities were presented with a resolution recognizing March 2019 as Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month by the Lake County Board of Commissioners.

Please click here to see the resolution.

2019 Budget Hearings - 5th Floor Conference Room

Wednesday, January 30, 2019

2:30 pm                Adult Probation

3:30 pm                Veterans

Thursday, January 31, 2019

 1:30-3:30  pm     Utilities

Senior Services Levy and Laketran working to eliminate transportation barriers

Lake County, OH – The Lake County Board of Commissioners and Laketran, the regional public transportation authority, are partnering to improve transportation access for seniors to attend the plethora of activities offered at countywide Lake County senior centers. 

Effective January 2019, Laketran, with help from the Senior Services Levy, will be offering door-to-door, Dial-a-Ride transportation to and from any Lake County senior center free of charge for Lake County residents 60 years and older.  Free transportation will also extend to seniors traveling to and from volunteer activities with the Retired & Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP), after approval by RSVP.

“Removing transportation barriers for seniors is an important component in addressing social isolation by enabling individuals to more fully participate in an active community life,” said Alyea Barajas, Senior Services Coordinator for the Lake County Commissioners. “Lake County is fortunate to have many wonderful opportunities to be socially engaged at the local senior centers and with RSVP.  We are thankful for Laketran’s ability to help us offer this service to seniors in a manner that is convenient and easy to access.”

“Senior Centers are our third most population destination, after work and medical trips,” shared Laketran CEO Ben Capelle. “In the past we have operated programs with individual senior centers, but by consolidating the program at the county level, not only will it be managed more efficiently, but the partnership will guarantee all seniors in Lake County have the same access.”

As the aging population of Lake County continues to grow, the demand for Laketran’s Dial-a-Ride service continues to do the same.

Transit trips to area senior centers has increased 25 percent between 2015 and 2017.  Last year, Laketran provided over 15,000 Dial-a-Ride trips to area senior centers, plus an additional 2,000 trips to RSVP volunteers.

“Men tend to outlive their driving ability by about six years and women, by about 10 years. It is just the beginning of a span of 25-30 years where the baby boomer generation will demand more transportation services and partnerships like this are vital to the quality of life for seniors in Lake County,” explained Capelle.

Capelle also pointed out the new partnership simplifies the senior transportation program, which makes it easier for the user as well as to manage internally. 

“What’s best about this partnership is it’s easy for seniors to understand. Simply, if you’re over 60, Laketran can get you to any senior center in the county and it’s free,” explained Capelle.

To make a reservation for Laketran’s Dial-a-Ride service, call (440) 354-6100.

LAKE COUNTY, OHIO COMMISSIONERS HIRE NEW EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY DIRECTOR

Lake County will soon have a new Emergency Management Agency (EMA) Director following a Resolution passed by the Commissioners at their November 29th meeting. 

Joseph Busher Jr. will start work on December 10th and receive training from current EMA Director Larry Greene who is set to retire on January 18th of 2019. The overlap will ensure a seamless transition by allowing time for Busher to become familiar with his new job responsibilities.

“I believe this is a tremendous opportunity for me to continue my career in public safety. This position gives me the ability to work with all public safety and private agencies collaboratively to prepare, plan for and mitigate against natural or manmade disasters. If an emergency should occur, using the Lake County Emergency Operation Plan to provide for the safety, response, support and recovery of all the citizens and communities of Lake County. It is truly an honor to have been chosen for this position,” said Mr. Busher.

A resident of Concord Township, Busher has over 35 years in public service, 32 of which were spent with the Mentor Fire Department where he rose to the rank of Deputy Chief.

“First of all, I want to thank Larry Greene for his outstanding performance as our county’s EMA Director during most of my tenure as Commissioner. He’s leaving some big shoes to be filled, but the Busher family has a long history of public safety service in Lake County, and I am personally confident that Joe’s experience and stellar reputation of dedication to duty will ensure that Lake County’s citizens will continue to be well served and protected from unforeseen emergency situations”, Commissioner Daniel P. Troy stated.

 Greene, who has over 45 years in public safety, worked for the Lake County Sheriff’s Office before being hired as county EMA Director in October of 2003. He and his family live in Leroy Township.     

The EMA, among other responsibilities, coordinates disaster response and preparedness for Lake County.  The EMA Director maintains the Emergency Operations Center in readiness and coordinates county programs with other first responders both locally and regionally.

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During the October 25, 2018, Commissioners Meeting, the Board of Lake County Commissioners proclaimed November 2018 National Adoption Awareness Month in Lake County, Ohio. The Commissioners presented the Director of the Lake County Job & Family Services Matt Battiato and Probate Judge Mark Bartolotta with a resolution. The Commissioners urge the people of our community to help raise awareness about the children available for adoption, recognize the valuable service of adoptive families in our community, and to focus our attention on recruiting and licensing adoptive homes in order to give these children forever families.