Child Taught to Steal, K9 Teased, Man Goes to Bail Friend is Arrested: Best of the Blotter

Here are some of the weirdest and most clicked-on police reports and incidents from departments across the region.

Here are this week's most bizarre and most talked about police reports. All information was provided by police reports from departments in Patch communities. Where arrests or charges are mentioned, it does not indicate a conviction. • WESTLAKE: Drunk Man Tries to Bail out Woman for Drunken Driving, Promptly Arrested A 34-year-old North Olmsted man could have used better judgment May 11 when he went to bail out a friend who had been arrested for operating under the influence earlier that morning. The man arrived at the police station just after 4 a.m. Westlake police found him to be under the influence and he was arrested for drunk driving as well. Police subsequently determined that he had been drinking with the woman before her arrest. He…

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'Westlake Welcome': Avon Hosting Public Memorial to Boston Tonight

Event at Avon Middle School will accept donations for victims of Boston Marathon bombings.

Caribou Lovers ‘Dislike,’ Air Grievances online

Facebook pages, including one "boycott" page pop up, while CEO explains closures.

While Caribou Coffee is planning to shutter some stores and reopen others as Peet’s Coffee & Tea, customers across the country are commiserating online about the loss of their Biscotti Mochas and Café Milan Lattes. Some were vocal about closings; others didn't want to see a changeover to Peet's. The company, in the meantime, is trying to minimalize customers' negativity. The store’s Facebook page began deleting comments but postings today remain, primarily sympathizing with those who are losing their jobs. One “friend,” Jim Skinner, took offense to an April 8 posting promoting the stores breakfast items. “Out of respect for the employees who are losing their jobs the least you could do is stop these posts,” Skinner wrote. “No one cares …

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Caribou Coffee Closing, Some Reopening as Peet's Coffee & Tea

All Ohio stores will close; some will reopen as Peet's Coffee & Tea

Rumors running rampant on the Internet are partially true: Caribou Coffee locations in Ohio will close.  Some locations, however, will reopen as Peet's Coffee & Tea locations, marking the company's entrance into the Ohio market. An employee at the Avon Caribou Coffee location said management learned on April 5 via a conference call that all Ohio locations will close down, although some will re-open as a Peet’s Coffee & Tea locations. A manager at the Westlake location said that the Detroit Road location will close on April 14 at noon. She would not give any additional information, including whether or not the store would be reopening. The Avon employee said the Westlake location would be closed permanently.    According to the Avon …

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Lori E. Switaj

1:59 pm on Tuesday, April 9, 2013

The Lakewood Caribou is scheduled to close and re-open as Peet's. The Westlake and Rocky River are scheduled, as of now, to permanently close.   more ›

Public Indecency, Police Dog Takes a Bite: Best of the Blotter

Here are some of the weirdest police reports and incidents from departments across the region.

Here are this week's most bizarre police calls, reports and charges. All information was provided by police reports from departments in Patch communities. Where arrests or charges are mentioned, it does not indicate a conviction. Third time's the charm It took three tries, but Mentor Police and K-9 Officer Titan found a fleeing fugitive on March 25. Officers first spotted Lawrence Seghetti II on Sunday evening while he was driving on Munson Road. When police signaled for Seghetti to stop, he parked his car and ran away, Mentor Police Lt. Tim Allen said. Officers chased him on foot to the Harbor Run complex. During the chase, an officer hurt his knee while trying to scale a fence. When they reached the complex, Titan was called to the area …

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Spring Break Events To Keep The Kids Busy all Week

There's a ton of events this upcoming week at the library for kids, adults and everyone inbetween. Some require reservations, so make like the bunny and hop on it!

Upcoming events at Westlake Porter Public Library. Movies @ Your Library—Head to the library on spring break for some cool movies. All ages welcome. In accordance with library policy children under age 9 must be with adult. Please register starting March 26. Movies go from 2-3:30 p.m. Scheduled films:  Tuesday, April 2 (7-8 p.m.) and Saturdays, April 13 and 27 (2:30-3:30 p.m.) Brick Builders Club – Love those LEGO bricks? Then bring your ideas and imagination to the club! All bricks provided. Ages 6-13. Registration begins one week before each session. Tuesday, April 2 (7:30-8:45 p.m.) FYI Opera—David Bamberger from the Cleveland Institute of Music Opera Theater and students will present a free opera program hosted by the Westlake …

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Liar, Liar, Groundhog on Fire: Sue Him or Stew Him?

The Groundhog has lied. What should his punishment be?

Liar, Liar, Groundhog on Fire. *Sigh* We posted that simple comment on the Westlake Patch and Avon Lake Facebook pages March 22 and it got more than 20 likes and a few comments including: “Phil is going to become groundhog stew!” and "Off with his head." Another commenter accurately stated that Phil was “Indicted by Butler County, Ohio” which is seeking the death penalty for the "unspecified felony." (Sidenote to PETA: All comments were made in good fun. There are no plans to initiate an ordinance to cull the groundhog. Alternate sidenote: Pennsylvania, beware of Ohio. We're watching you.) This was after Phil predicted on Feb. 2 that spring was imminent. The fact is, March is ending soon and while we got the lion, the lamb is still in …

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Lori E. Switaj

6:28 pm on Sunday, March 24, 2013

Fillet of Phil. I like it.   more ›

Resident's 'Pure Barre' Studio is a Westlake Near Miss, Opens in Avon

Lori Standen opens Pure Barre in Avon after Westlake plans delayed.

The city of Westlake missed out on having Cleveland's only west side location of Pure Barre after the owner, resident Lori Standen, found it quicker to open a location just west in Avon. Standen was hoping to open a Pure Barre location in The Promenade, but the location did not support a permitted use for what is considered a gym. Pure Barre locations generally hold classes up to 25 in size. "The owner came in for a sign," Westlake Planning Director Bob Parry said. "That's not a permitted use. The owner made an application to add the use to the shopping center." Westlake approved Standen's request at its March meeting, but by then it was too late. Standen opened the location on Detroit Road in Avon. Stark Enterprises, who handles leasing …

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From Minor to Severe: Behavior Issue Answers at Meet and Greet

West side parents invited to free March 21 Meet and Greet, founded by a Westlake resident.

Whether your child is dealing with minor issues, like homework, or more challenging issues, such as more severe behavioral issues, Connecting for Kids may be able to help—with a “one-stop shop” Meet and Greet for parents March 21 in Rocky River. Parents from all over the west side are invited to attend.   This is the second year for the event. More than 100 families attended the 2012 inaugural event. The more-than 60 vendors will address issues from homework tutors to very special needs. The non-profit Connecting For Kids was founded by Westlake resident Sarah Rintamaki in 2011. She started the group to help parents who are just like her.  Several years ago, her 2-year-old son had a speech delay. Overwhelmed with numerous doctor and …

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Funky Odor Dooms Suspected Chuck E. Cheese Weed Dealer: Best of the Blotter

Here are some of the weirdest police reports and incidents from departments across the region.

Here are this week's most bizarre police calls, reports and charges. All information was provided by police reports from departments in Patch communities. Where arrests or charges are mentioned, it does not indicate a conviction. Can't you smell that smell? On Feb. 16, a Fairlawn Chuck E. Cheese security guard pulled Lamar E. Hill outside of the children's arcade after detecting a strong marijuana odor emanating from his clothes. The security guard – who also works as a Summit County sheriff's deputy – found eight bags of marijuana in Hill's possession, along with $360 in cash. Hill, 25, of Akron, later admitted to stuffing a handful of the bags in the trash before exiting Chuck E. Cheese with security according to a Fairlawn police report…

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