Officer lauded for helping link people, eateries

BOUQUETS >> To Lorain police Sgt. Jake Morris, who is the community liaison for the Lorain Police Department, for starting a Facebook group called Lorain Food Spots to help local restaurants during this novel coronavirus pandemic.

While the current stay at home order due to the coronavirus pandemic is in effect, some Lorain restaurants still are open for pick up and delivery.

Morris said, “It’s important for the public to know that these food options are still here and open in downtown Lorain.

“The idea is going to celebrate the businesses that do stuff to help the smaller businesses in the city. There are like 50 or so small businesses in the area that we are aiming to help by raising awareness.”

Broadway Mary’s restaurant, 939 Broadway, is open and serving meals.

Mary Fields, owner of Broadway Mary’s and Brew & Stew, at 603 Broadway, was in a unique situation because she was in soft opening mode when Gov. Mike DeWine’s order went into effect.

Fields said it’s great to see some of the employees from other businesses in the area, who are now nonessential, come by.

We applaud Morris for showing that he truly is a link between the city and the residents.

And we commend Fields for making the extra effort to supply meals for people.

BOUQUETS » To ThinkStretch, the Lorain-based company that is helping students stay sharp in reading, writing and ‘rithmetic while schools are closed due to the novel coronavirus pandemic.

ThinkStretch’s headquarters is inside the City Center, 300 Broadway, where a printing press and staff assemble learning kits for elementary students.

The company has printed off thousands of workbooks for grade school students and expects to ship more across the country in the coming days due to shutdowns for COVID-19.

ThinkStretch focuses on aids for parents and caregivers to help their students learn during summer breaks.

Bruce Henson, company president and chief executive officer of ThinkStretch, said, “It’s a terrible thing that’s going on right now, but we were well prepared for this. Indeed.

Henson previously focused on academic turnaround plans for low-performing schools, and Erik Thorson, chief academic officer and chief operating officer, has worked as a teacher, principal and school superintendent.

Youngsters still need to learn during this extended time away from the classroom.

We’re pleased ThinkStretch is helping students to continue learning at home.

BRICKBATS » To Paul W. Dempsey, the 32-year-old Elyria father facing felony charges after his child allegedly was exposed to a suspected drug abuse instrument and was hospitalized.

Dempsey was charged with endangering children, a thirddegree felony, two counts of possession of a controlled substance, a fifth-degree felony, drug abuse instruments, a second-degree misdemeanor, and drug paraphernalia, a fourthdegree misdemeanor.

Elyria police Sgt. Bill Lance said officers responded at 11:23 a.m. to an apartment building in the 1800 block of Middle Avenue for the child, who is younger than a year old, being unresponsive.

The child was taken to UH Elyria and then to Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital in Cleveland.

Lance said Dempsey, who was not at the scene when police arrived, was arrested at 7:53 p.m. in the 38000 block of Chestnut Ridge Road and admitted that the drug use equipment was in a spot where a child could get a hold of it.

Dempsey is innocent unless proven guilty.

Based on these serious allegations against Dempsey, he will have a lot of explaining to do.

BRICKBATS » To the 39-yearold Lorain man who was arrested in Avon on a theft allegation, and then was charged March 24 with violating Gov. Mike DeWine’s stay at home order.

This man likely was the first person in Lorain County charged with the violation.

Avon officers were called at 1:27 p.m. to Target, 35830 Detroit Road, for a man shoplifting.

The man grabbed items and tried to run away from the store, but was arrested by Avon police.

He was charged with violating the stay-at-home order which went into effect March 23.

The charge is a second-degree misdemeanor and a conviction is punishable by up to 90 days in jail.

He also was charged with theft, obstructing official business and drug paraphernalia.

This man created problems that could have been avoided by him staying home.