The Amherst news-times. (Amherst, Ohio), 2001-04-11

              I Local girl instate 'Pen' test — Page 3 Take a chance, you might win — P
Amherst News-Time
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Wednesday. April 11, 2001
Amherst, Ohio
Until further notice, 25 is the limit
W-m.
If the speed limit is 25
mph, and you are traveling at
35 mph, would you get a
speeding ticket? And if you
did would it be legal?
Some city council representatives are still trying to figure that out.
Drivers traveling down
North Main and North Lake
streets may have noticed a
change in the speed limit a
few weeks ago; that's because
council decided to reduce the
limit from 35 to 25 mph. The
change occurred after several
residents voiced concerns over
an October car accident that
led to the death of a 10-year-
old boy last year. The child
was killed while riding his
bicycle by a driver who was
determined to had been
traveling at no more than 35
mph.
Council president John
Dietrich said another reason
council decided to lower the
limit is because of the current
25 mph posting along connecting Kolbe Road.
"Lowering speeds help in
all cases," safety/service director, Sherrill McLoda said.
"But we're waiting on a
study to be finished by the
(police department)."
According to McLoda, if
the study determines that the
area is considered a "three-
way" road, then a 25 mph
speed limit would be illegal
in that area.
In answering that question
Amherst police chief Lonnie
Dillion said a number of factors will be weighed, such as
determining whether or not
North Main and Lake streets
are considered residential or
through streets and estimating
traffic and foot volume.
However, McLoda quickly
pointed out that drivers traveling along North Main and
Lake streets should not take
the uncertainty lightly. She
said drivers in that area
traveling above the posted
speed limit can still be issued
a ticket
Dillion agreed. He said although officers have been instructed to give some leeway
to drivers in that area, they
will enforce the law if a motorist is traveling at excessive
speeds.
V
SPEED
LIMIT
Which is witch?
Out of protest for cement ducks, Chris Neihart at 492 Maple Av-    piete with bunny ears and a few decorated eggs flying from her
enue, has decided to keep his "splat witch" up all year and dress   broom,
her up for the holidays. Right now, she's ready for Easter, com-
I
. i
11
Miss OMo Stephanie Meisberger, talcs to Harris Elementary
School students during "Stop the Violence Week." This young
man got a lesson in courage when he was brought on stage for a
chance to dance with Meisberger.
Miss Ohio brings her message
of courage to local school kids
by YVONNE OAY
Newe-Ttmee reporter
Students at several Amhent
schools received a leaaoh kn
courage last week tram reigning Miss Ohio Stephanie
Meisberger.
Me.sbe.ge-r was invited by
members of the Parent
Teacher Organization lo be a
at Need Junior
.School at part of Slop the
Violence Week.
Teachers and faculty from
the participating schools wore
blue ribbons to show their
support.
This week ia all about
teaching students how to
and H__Ti» Beat-naury
up when they see
soosething they know ie
wrong, and to have the cour-
a__. to tell -mMa-kB "  .Hi-Mil.
Middle School principal. Ore*
Riflf said just before be in
troduced Meisberger to Harris
Elementary students last
Wednesday.
During Stop The Violence
Week, Ring said a character
trait is ccncenixated oa in
terms of school safety. He
hopes "courage" will help
empower students to take a
"(We hope students will    .
say). 'If I see danger at
school, 1'ta going to tell an
adult,'" he said.
Meisberger was greeted by
a gymnasium filled with smiling Daces as she took center
stage, telling children about
courage and how it played a
role in her own success.
"Courage is important Goals are important It's not
easy, but you need to have
courage lo achieve your goals.
And part of courage ia doing
what you know is right," the
22-year-old said.
MB-tbetger shared whh stu-
CONTINUED on peoje S
High school teen
caught stealing
scale, holding
stash of marijuana
by YVONNE GAY
News-Times reporter
A Marion L. Steele High School
student was arrested last month for
on-campus theft and possession of
marijuana.
According to police reports, the
theft was observed by a teacher
who noticed the student stealing an
electric weight gram scale on March
16. The school resource and DARE
officer, Les Carrender was notified
and an investigation was performed.
A body search resulted in tte discovery of marijuana and the student
was placed under arrest for drug
possession and theft.
The student was later released
into the custody of parents. The case
has been forwarded to the Juvenile
Court system.
"A very small amount (of marijuana) was found on the student,"
Carrender said. As for the electric
scale, "I don't know what state of
mind the student was in. Who
knows what that student might have
had plans for in the future."
According to Amherst police the
student has no prior offenses.
School principal, Fred Holland
said he could not comment on the
disciplinary action the school will
take towards the student
"Because the student ia a miner, 1
cannot comment on the disciplinary
action we will lake," Holland said.
"But I can say there are problems
with drugs on every campus, with us
CONTINUED on page 2
Hospitalized vets
aren't left behind
in his battle plan
by YVONNE GAY
News-Times reporter
Vietnam veteran Dale Smith can
still see the image of a little girl sobbing and holding on to her mother's
leg. Still recall the tears that clung
to the back of his throat ae he
handed the widow the folded flag.
Then there is the memory Smith
has as a VA. hoapital volunteer.
The simple act of opening a milk
carton was enough to make one veteran's eyes well up with appreciative tears.
"Something that small," Smith
said, looking towards the sky as if to
recall the encounter. "I could cry
myself. People just don't know how
a small act can make a difference in
someone's life."
But for the little boy who
dreamed of becoming a minister or
doctor, volunteerism wasn't always
high on the list
Smith, SO. served in the 101st
Airborne Infantry during the South
Vietnam war, and like many veterans had a difficult time when he returned stateside in 1971.
"In coming home, a good group
of (veterans) just wanted to fit back
into mainstream America. I just
wanted to be left alone." Smith said.
"When I was younger, I had a good
religious base. I lost that in
Vietnam."
Smith's rough peach included a
broken marriage, and yean of self
induced isolation. He said he
couldn't bear to be around people,
and avoided diem as much w possible. Until finally, one day he said h
was time to make a change in his
life.
"Anybody can sit in their grief
«d sorrow." Smith said. "V_-an-
teeriag didn't happen over
aight...When I came boas* I
thought, 'Whew do I go
msmW
Dale Smith
*
Today, Smith is a far cry from being idle. Some of the organirations
he stays active in include the Lorain
Veteran Council, the Lorain Memorial Association, tbe Disabled
American Veteran's Association,
the Veterans of Foreign Wan, and
AMVETS.
Smith, an advocate for hospitalized veterans, also regularly visits
veterans who an abut in,
heed, or in nursing homes. He
takes one 88-year-old i
side, ao the man can pay his i
10   tV^*1   CO-ODfatdttS*
Last year. Smith ps-li.lpess. ia
56 military funerals, meseniing a_e
next of kin the American flag. One
funeral still sticks out in his mind.
"There waa one funeral we had.
during a Hazard. You could haid-y
see, and we didn't have all of our
guys -here." Sena. aid. avoiding
an glen of the am as he stood ig
oa Nc_r__ Ridge Rood. "Bn i
" lbs
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