The Amherst news-times. (Amherst, Ohio), 2006-01-04

              wrestlers take the gold - paqe 6 amherst news-tim k r 1 $300 million quarry l f swindell publishes first 50 page 5 gouftty creates anger builds over alleged 'secret' tax district negotiations by jason hawk news-times reporter an eleventh-hour vote friday created a tax-sharing largest ever in ohio but also raised ire of local government officials to peak levels. "when they make big decisions on last day year and then leave, it's very difficult," said township trustee neil lynch, who complained that he at)d others weren't informed dec. 30 lorain county commissioners' santa gives village gift: increased water rates mary christmas, residents south amherst. under tree this was shiny new bill hike passed council 19, though mayor ronald schmitz says increase will go long way toward actually helping taxpayers. "i think people have been expecting this. everyone at public hearing came support it. were saying it overdue," told news-times. arc result switch from using village-run treatment plant rural system, said. cleaning its own until december year, when mountain environmental protection agency complaints about impurities bad books forced close. say like witch hunt. anything could find force us change did because easier monitor now," schmitz. haven't had rate since 1996, said, has keeping one back burner 2000. formula is applied february, average user see $8 billing move quarterly monthly periods. hold for four years, after which leaders rc-cvaluatc them, "it's so hard determine how much help all breaks, workers tackiu-d 21 breaks resulting u slew boil alerts. there 16 block surrounding north lake street alone, now hoping replace whole section pipes put during continued 10 "why give away farm?" asked lynch. "what are our thinking? if i'm upset, must be outraged." meeting aimed setting groundwork $1.25 billion cleveland quarries project. commissioners ted kato, dctty blair, lori kokoski established record-setting incremental financing (tif) business 2005. blair rush job, works 90 days, beating newer, harsher laws kicked jan. 1,2006. agreement follows thursday's purchase british investors trans european securities international, paid $15.25 900 acres former site american stone company route 113. commissioner's decision funds 100 percent infrastructure (roads, water, sewer) upgrades areas 900-acrc resort years. provides cash payments firclands school pago 3 artistic mock-ups show tho spanish-stylo hotels attractions, expected sometime next yoar. with groundbreaking ft .m;m clndi manning meets donor saved her life, dave shively o( grafton, tlmo yesterday morning. 'who my angel?' transfusion recipient gave chance life cindi manning, 411 magic number. number life. november, woman rushed emh regional medical center, bleeding skin danger brain hemorrhage. doctors discovered arrival, she zero count platelets tiny cells clot blood, normal platelet level between 150,000 400,000. diagnosed sudden onset immune system disorder called idiopathic thrombocytopenia purpura, causes person's antibodies hunt down destroy platelets. no known cause disease, easy bruising, red dots pctechiae form skin, nosebleeds, endured five days constant blood transfusions critical care replenish supply "all i watching those transfuse into body tiie angel cared enough total stranger save mj am being given opportunity express gratitude remarkable demonstration goodness," that's learned importance 411. times hero donated morning, met grafton resident lifeshare donation clinic bridge elyria. "david humble, we talked made clear didn't want do thanks. wanted congratulate her," relations director stardust fire kills two pets worst possible start trail family displaced sunday night christmas fire, claimed lives pets. minutes plug-, ging tree's lights, around 10:25 p.m., male living mobile home became aware something terribly wrong. "he heard crackling' sound, walked out breakfast niche saw fire. immediately started getting his house," assistant chief jim willhclm. man's 12-ycar-old son ran neighbor's 911. patrolmen kurt ochlstrom dcvin small arrive scene. "we knew wc here fast," ochlstrom, got able center sides okay." before firefighters respond, roughly three-minute window, strong wind spread flames, entire right-hand side doublcwide loss time engines approached. "it hot house smoke pressure blew windows out, reported, "once inside walls, might not extinguish without ripping walls apart." frantic female homeowner police dogs still burning home, oehlstrom door ait attempt provide exit, animals escape blaze likely succumbed death inhalation, offi- wagner: war iraq looks too old vietnam editor's note: final piece eight-week series recognizing veterans, wars fought, issues face, sitting dim table, don wagner reluctant talk changed "you thinking you're doing what supposed do. just staying alive," few seconds thought. 1966, 18-year-old, unruly looking "straighten myself out," military seemed best answer october 1967 cutting through jungles vietnam. dlood him man most awful ways. grew up real quick 'nam," now. stay alive, good did." years served as special weapons attache" marine corps, backing fighters rocket launchers flame throwers tried suppress victcong's adoption communism. firelands graduate dies jail less than 48 hours booked jail, 29-year-old richard william rollins ii took 1995 high team manager, awaiting trial following secret grand jury indictment, included counts gross sexual imposition incidents occurring elyria 2002. inmate facility 22. cell mate found hanging bed sheets ladder overturned nearby 10:15 a.m. saturday. nurses responded performed cpr, unsuccessfully. personnel lifecare ambulance resuscitate rollins, left note spoken anyone staff or prisoners taking according captain drozdowski sheriff's department. "there indication going happen," wasn't suicide watch. officers 7 2 wagnor