Welcome to new member of Riverside family

BOUQUETS>> To Riverside High School for welcoming Atlas to its Painesville Township campus.

Atlas, a certified therapy dog, has already had a positive impact on many.

Intervention Specialist Jody Calhoun decided to have Atlas trained to help students with school anxiety; however, she said he has far exceeded her expectations.

In addition to increasing self-esteem and decreasing school fear, Atlas helps build friendship, reduce attendance issues and improve attention, she said.

“I’ve been amazed at how well the students interact with him and how well he interacts with them,” she said. “The climate is definitely different with kids seeing him in the hallways. With everything going on today with school shootings and bullying, we want Riverside to be a wonderful place to come to and want kids to enjoy being here.

“So if a 55-pound-dog can bring a little joy to our school, we will take all the help we can get.”

Atlas is also used with students who have emotionally disturbed behaviors, in occupational therapy and as a reward system, she said.

Atlas has been certified to work specifically in a high school environment. In order to work at Riverside, he completed behavioral and health testing requirements.

He has passed several required training courses and is currently certified by Therapy Dogs International.

Atlas has received an overwhelming amount of support from administration, staff and parents, Calhoun said.

We applaud Calhoun and the staff at Riverside for exploring all ways to helps students — and staff — be successful.

And welcome to Lake County, Atlas.

BOUQUETS»

To Painesville police officer Ryan Cueni, Mentor Detective Steven Ondercin and Mentor Patrolman Jason Myers, who were recognized for heroic efforts by the Lake County Chiefs of Police Association on Sept. 5.

Cueni was nominated for the award following a domestic incident where he faced a male holding a female at knife point.

According to the nomination submitted by Painesville Police Chief Dan Waterman, Cueni engaged the suspect verbally before placing himself at risk by crawling over an overturned dresser. He got children in the room to get behind him and lock themselves in the closet.

An officer used a stun gun on the suspect while Cueni and another office provided what was described as lethal cover. The woman was freed relatively unharmed and the suspect was arrested.

Cueni is being awarded the Medal of Honor for his bravery without regard for his own safety in facing an armed suspect.

Ondercin and Myers received the Life Saving Award.

Those officers were nominated for the award following an incident in which Myers was dispatched to assist the fire department with a 2-yearold found in a pool.

Mentor Police Chief Kevin Knight noted in the nomination Ondercin was in the area on another investigation when he responded to the call. Both officers arrived at the residence and found the boy unresponsive. A neighbor had started CPR.

Myers took over CPR. Ondercin worked with Myers, checking the child’s breathing and pulse. The officers continued CPR until the fire department arrived and took over.

The boy was transported to Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital, where he made a full recovery.

“The alert and prompt action by Ptl. Myers and Det. Ondercin in assessing the boy’s condition, administering CPR, clearing his airway and monitoring his pulse were essential in saving the boy’s life,” according to Knight.

Thanks to these officers — and all who are working to keep us safe.

BRICKBATS»

To the nine people indicted in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio for their roles in a conspiracy to launder more than $2 million in drug profits stemming from the shipment of about one ton of marijuana from California to warehouses in Northeast Ohio.

Indicted are Aaron L. Eisenberg, 39, of California and formerly of Lake County; Jack Morgan, 53, of California; Jacob Lesiak, 40, of Chardon; Margaret Garcia, 40, of Chardon; Gary Baldwin, 43, of Huntsburg; Trevor Marlyne, 32, of Cleveland Heights; Robert Ross, 47, of Florida; Brian Teachout, 38, of Mentor; and Richard Warren, 43, of Willoughby.

All nine are charged with engaging in a money laundering conspiracy, while Eisenberg, Morgan, Lesiak, Garcia, Baldwin, Warren and Teachout are charged with possession with intent to distribute marijuana.

Those indicted will have their day in court. When will people learn? Dealing in drugs just doesn’t pay.