There is such a thing as a free lunch

BOUQUETs >> To Scott Rush, owner of SaladKraZe, 690 Avon Belden Road in Avon Lake, for offering free carryout lunches to hospital workers March 25.

Rush wanted to serve up salads, sandwiches and a side of thank-you to local hospital staff working and watching the spread of the novel coronavirus.

The restaurant already has a number of customers among health care professionals, including nurses and doctors.

Rush said, “I want to give back to them for what they’re doing for us, too, not just me, but for everybody.”

The free lunches for hospital workers is a one-time offer.

SaladKraZe, which will observe its 10th anniversary in May, offers a local, fast and healthy alternative to traditional fast food.

Ohio’s ban on eat-in dining has forced many restaurants to alter their business plans, and others are hurting financially.

Rush said, “It’s hurt everyone, not just myself.”

We applaud Rush for helping those health care workers who are helping others.

BOUQUETS » To the Community Foundation of Lorain County for providing $250,000 to Second Harvest Food Bank of North Central Ohio for its food pantries in response to the novel coronavirus pandemic.

Community Foundation officials said Second Harvest is preparing to address the substantially increased food supply need that will continue through the weeks and, likely, months ahead.

This need is driven by many factors, including school closures, job disruptions, lack of paid sick leave and COVID-19’s disproportionate impact on seniors, school-age children and families.

Julie Chase-Morefield, president and CEO of Second Harvest Food Bank of North Central Ohio, said, “Second Harvest’s mission is to grow hope by creating pathways to nutritious food, and we have never been more committed. The rallying of support and generosity from the Community Foundation of Lorain County, volunteers, schools and all of our program partners is ensuring our community will have a steady food supply.”

Cynthia H. Andrews, president and CEO of Community Foundation of Lorain County, said, “During this challenging time, we lift our nonprofit partners. We acknowledge the people and organizations working on the front lines of the outbreak.”

This is another fine example of how this community is coming together to help people in need.

We commend them.

BRICKBATS » To Manual Lewis, the 23-year-old Elyria man who is in trouble for allegedly leading police on a chase in a stolen vehicle March 17.

Now, Lewis is facing a slew of charges including aggravated vehicular assault, resisting arrest and failure to comply, both third-degree felonies, and receiving stolen property, a fourth-degree felony.

Lewis also was charged with resisting arrest and operating a vehicle intoxicated, a first-degree misdemeanor, not having a valid license, reckless operation, failure to control and one-way traffic, all minor misdemeanors.

Lewis is in the Lorain County Jail on a $75,000 bond.

All of the charges stem from the same case.

Lewis is innocent unless proven guilty, but even he has to admit he has gotten himself in a mess.

BRICKBATS » To the man who robbed Dollar General, 2600 Colorado Ave. in Lorain, and the attempted to rob another store that was thwarted by a quick reacting employee.

Police said the man who stood 6 feet tall, with a medium build, in his 40s to 50s wearing dark clothing, a black hoodie, winter cap and a white health mask approached the employee working the counter, asked for menthols and told the woman he just shot a girl and was not afraid to shoot her.

The woman told police the man softly told her he had a gun and that she needed to open the register.

She said she needed to get something from the office, and that is when she and anther employee locked themselves in the office and called 911.

Through a video, officers noticed the man, with what looked like a pistol in his pocket, go behind the counter and take about 12 packs of cigarettes before fleeing the store.

A short time later, a man with the same description tried to rob Rite Nau Beverage, at 2331 Colorado Ave.

The man entered and asked to exchange a pack of cigarettes.

An employee said the man told him he had just shot his wife, needed to get out of town and to give him all the money. The employee complied. While the man was distracted by another employee, the worker grabbed the money and a pistol from under the counter.

The employee who chased after the man fired a shot in the air, but lost him.

This man is dangerous and needs to be apprehended.