The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Lake Metroparks extends closures
In an effort to stop the spread of COVID-19, Lake Metroparks has extended the closure of all playgrounds, facilities, offices and select park amenities through at least May 3.
Canine Meadow Dog Park has been added to the list of closed facilities as well.
“The safety of our visitors is our top priority,” said Paul Palagyi, Lake Metroparks executive director, in a news release. Closure was necessary because visitors must pass through multiple gates at one entrance.
Park trails throughout the system are open, and Palagyi encourages visitors to explore them. Dogs on leash are welcome on park trails.
Other closed facilities are:
Lake Metroparks Farmpark
Penitentiary Glen Nature Center (trails remain open)
Nature Play at Penitentiary Glen Reservation
Kevin P. Clinton Wildlife Center and Yard
Observation tower at Lake Erie Bluffs
Environmental Learning Center (trails remain open)
Lakefront Lodge Pine Ridge Country Club: golf course is closed; for clubhouse/banquet events contact Dino’s Catering at 440-943-1010 Erie Shores Golf Course Painesville Township Park Community Center Pine Lodge Ski Center Administrative, registration and volunteer offices
All scheduled programs, events and facility rentals are canceled through May 3. Campsites, cabins, and shelters will not be available for reservation/use until at least May 8 or as soon thereafter as possible.
State briefs
Authorities investigating deaths of 2 Ohio men in Arizona
Authorities are investigating the deaths of two Ohio men whose bodies were found on a remote road on the Navajo Nation in northeastern Arizona.
Apache County Sheriff’s officials said 39-year-old Matthew Reagan and 29-yearold Phillip Reagan were found fatally shot Saturday west of the Sawmill Express Store.
Navajo Nation Police called the county Sheriff’s office, who arrived as tribal police secured the scene.
It’s unclear if the men are related and their hometowns in Ohio weren’t immediately available Wednesday.
Sheriff’s investigators determined the two men were traveling in a SUV that was stuck in the mud half a mile away from where their bodies were found.
They say the men were traveling to the Canyon de Chelly National Monument in Chinle.
Bail raised for 3 women charged with rape involving children
WHEELERSBURG, OHIO » A judge has raised the bail for three women who face rape charges after several children were taken to an Ohio home where authorities said they were traded for sexual assault in return for drugs and money.
Magan Richmond, 32, of Portsmouth; Tasha Stringer, 37, of Wheelersburg, and Kathryn McMullen, 36, of South Webster, all made their initial court appearances Monday, when bail for each was raised from $100,000 to $500,000. The women appeared at the hearing through video conference, and it wasn’t clear Tuesday if any of the women have retained attorneys or entered pleas.
The Scioto County Sheriff’s office has said the children, who ranged in age from 3 to 13, were taken by adults to a house in the Wheelersburg area, where the assaults occurred.
Police: Kentucky teen’s remains found 10 years later in Ohio
COVINGTON, KY. » The remains of a Kentucky teenager who went missing almost 10 years ago have been found in Ohio, authorities said.
Paige Johnson was 17 years old when she was last seen at a party with friends on Sept. 23, 2010. A friend, Jacob Bumpass, dropped her off at an intersection and she was never heard from again. Kentucky’s Covington police said Johnson’s body was found Sunday near Williamsburg Township,about 30 miles east of where she was last seen, news outlets reported.
Park trails throughout the system are open, and Palagyi encourages visitors to explore them.