NORTH RIDGEVILLE, Ohio — Over the years, North Ridgeville has been ranked on a number of safest-city lists by a variety of organizations and websites. The latest Top 50 Safest Cities in the 2018 report published by The Home Security Advisor lists North Ridgeville as No. 3 in Ohio, with the lowest crime rate in cities with a population of over 20,000. Rocky River topped the list.
FBI Uniform Crime Report results from 2016 were used to calculate the ranking for Home Security Advisor. The data was weighted in order to accurately indicate the level of criminal activity. Researchers considered both “violent” (aggravated assault, murder, rape and robbery) and “property crimes” (burglary, arson, larceny-theft, motor vehicle theft). The figures were weighted to reflect the severity of the crime. Violent crimes were factored by .60 and property crimes by .40. The number was then divided by the population in the community and normalized to reflect weighted criminal offenses per 100,000 population.
According to the data in the report, North Ridgeville lists a population of 33,095. A total of 12 violent crimes were reported; 193 property crimes were reported.
“We are very proud that our city has once again been named as one of the safest Cities in Ohio, thanks to our outstanding police department and the vigilance of our residents,” Mayor David Gillock wrote in an email.
“This not only means a lot to our residents in terms of their safety, health and welfare, but also supports our property values and is one of the reasons we are also one of the fastest-growing communities in Ohio,” he wrote.
For the complete article, go to thehomesecurityadvisor.com/safest-cities-in-ohio/.
AVON
New gas station: The gas station in front of Walmart, 35901 Chester Road is now open.
Pool passes on sale: Here’s a great gift for those on your list who are nautical and nice: Buy or renew a pool pass in December and receive a $10 concession stand gift card (limit one $10 concession card per family.) Go to avonpool.com/2019-pool-passes-on-sale-now.
AP Honor Roll: The Avon Local Schools has earned back-to-back listings on the College Board’s Advanced Placement (AP) District Honor Roll. The district is one of 373 school districts in the U.S. and Canada being honored in the ninth annual listing.
To be included on the honor roll, Avon Local Schools had to increase the number of students participating in AP courses while also increasing or maintaining the percentage of students earning AP exam scores of 3 or higher since 2016. Reaching these goals shows that the district is successfully identifying motivated, academically prepared students who are ready for AP.
The district has been placed on the honor roll a total of four times. Currently, Avon High School offers 18 AP courses.
“We are proud of the diversity of courses we are offering our students,” said Kristina Buller, Avon High School principal. “Our teachers are dedicated to providing college-level offerings to our students. The courses are rigorous and rewarding. There is both a financial and intrinsic value to these courses, and the students see that when applying to colleges. I am proud of our staff and students.”
According to Buller, 360 students (grades 9-12) are enrolled in AP courses. There are approximately 1,400 students in the school.
Academic Challenge results: Congratulations to Avon Middle School’s 7/8 grade Academic Challenge team for a third-place finish last week in the Educational Service Center of Lorain County’s Middle School Academic Challenge event. Avon Lake’s 5/6 grade team placed second.
Art show: Perfect for those last-minute holiday shoppers, the Avon Winter Avant-Garde Art and Craft Show will take place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 22 at the Emerald Event Center, 33040 Just Imagine Drive.
The show will feature a variety of handmade arts and crafts, ranging from woodwork, handmade apparel, bath and body products and rustic home decor to intricate pieces of jewelry. Admission is $3; children younger than 12 will be admitted free.
Proceeds from the event will be donated to Smile for Sophie Forever, whose mission is to provide financial and emotional support to families burdened by pediatric brain tumors. For more information, go to avantgardeshows.com.
Life rally and march: The Father Ragan Knights of Columbus Council 3269 is offering a charter bus trip Jan. 17 to attend the Right to Life Rally and March Jan. 18 in Washington, D.C. The event includes a morning Mass at the Basilica of Immaculate Conception, followed by the rally at the National Mall and the march to the Supreme Court Building.
A chartered bus will leave at 8 p.m. Jan. 17 from the Ragan Hall parking, returning at approximately midnight on Jan. 19. Water and light refreshments will be provided on the bus.
Cost of the trip is $95 per adult, with discounted tickets available at $35 per student (high school or college). Reservations are required and a deposit is requested by Dec. 29, with the balance due Jan. 15.
For more information, call Greg at 440-865-5883, Jack at 440-522-8304 or Gerry at 440-477-5507.
Vaccine clinic: Lorain County Public Health is offering a vaccine clinic from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. and from 1 to 3 p.m. Dec. 19 at the Avon VFW, 36950 Detroit Road. For more information, go to LorainCountyHealth.com.
AVON LAKE
Perfect ACT: Congratulations to Avon Lake High School junior Irwin Deng for achieving a perfect score of 36 on the ACT.
In addition to his studies, Irwin is a member of the marching band (he plays the flute), tennis team, Math Club, Academic Challenge Team and Science Olympiad. His favorite subject is Advance Placement (AP) physics. His goal is to attend the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
This is the second time he has taken the test. He scored a 31 when he was in eighth grade.
Keep local programming: If you enjoy watching library programs, church services or keeping up-to-date with ALC-TV bulletin board posts, ALC-TV needs your help, as public, education and government channels may be removed by the FCC.
The commission wants to amend the Cable Television Consumer Protection and Competitions Act of 1992. Currently, the cable access fees charged to cable subscribers in Avon Lake go to the city and pay for Avon Lake Community TV. The new rule would allow the cable companies to keep charging fees to the subscribers while also charging the city in-kind fees for channels and/or fiber connections. If this happens, Avon Lake’s channels will be at risk.
Help the city by filing a letter to the FCC. To download the letter template and upload to the FCC, go to avonlake.org. If you have additional questions, email [email protected].
NORTH RIDGEVILLE
Coding Club: Explore computer programming and electronics during Coding Club from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Dec. 19 at the North Ridgeville Library. This event is for students in grades 3-6. Pre-registration is required. Call 440-327-8326.
Christmas tree: Visitors can enjoy the festive Christmas tree at the North Ridgeville Public Library, thanks to the work of Louise Jalowiec and Linda Davis, members of the Garden Club of North Ridgeville. The theme this year is “Let It Snow.”
Preschool registration: Typical Peer Preschool applications for the 2019-2020 academic school year are now online on the Early Childhood Learning Community homepage, nrcs.net/nrcs_earlychildhoodlearningcenter.aspx. A section titled “Preschool Registration Now Open” provides a link to the online application form. For more information, go to goo.gl/Jto8A8.
If you have news to share regarding an event, award or other interesting tidbit happening in Avon or Avon Lake, and North Ridgeville send me an email at [email protected]. The column’s online version is at Cleveland.com/Avon, which offers direct links for many of the news items listed.
