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The Rural-Urban Record

“Your FREE Community Newspaper”

“Celebrating 66 Years of Community Service!”

www.rural-urbanrecord.com

Volume 68 No. 11 Columbia Station, Ohio December 5, 2022

McCormick MS Balloons Over Broadway

McCormick Middle School fourth-graders in Wel-
lington enjoyed a special project called “Balloons Over
Broadway,” a cross-curricular unit. This unit studied
the history of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade and
the balloons. Students designed their own balloons and
worked on a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering
and Math) challenge to design a structure to hold their
balloons up. On November 22, the class held a “parade”
in the first-floor science lab.
The goal of the STEM project was to build and de-
sign a balloon that would stand on its own, but would also
be visually appealing so that it could be in the Macy’s
Thanksgiving Day parade. The students had the choice
of using anything from the MakerSpace STEM cart at the
school... i,e, pipe cleaners, yarn, buttons, construction pa-
per, cups, sandbags for weight in the base of the balloon,
etc. A big part of the project was to make sure the balloon
was big enough to set on the stand.
The backdrop of the buildings were created in math
class, where students used their division skills to divide
the windows into equal rows for the city background for
the parade.
Police Academy Grad and his partner Sheriff’s Auxiliary Training Class

Sheriff Phil R. Stammitti is proud to announce the next
While on duty, Hector is a dual-purpose K-9, cross-trained training class for the Sheriff’s Auxiliary. The class is tenta-
in narcotics and apprehension. Hector can track footprints on tively scheduled to begin in January 2023. The Sheriff’s Aux-
the ground and sniff out suspects through personal items, like iliary was organized in 1957. Over the years, the Auxiliary
clothing. Beyond shifts patrolling in the North Ridgeville has proven to be a dedicated and efficient volunteer organi-
city limits, Lorig says Hector’s unique abilities put the pair zation.
on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and available to The Auxiliary is composed of volunteers whose objective
neighboring cities. is to augment the strength of the Sheriff’s Office and be a
“We can get called anywhere at any time,” Lorig says. supplement to regular staff of Deputies and Correction Of-
“There’s been plenty of times where I’ve been called to ficers.
Elyria, the airport, Avon, you name it.” The class is open to all persons who are 19 and older, have
Lorig, who grew up in Amherst, says he knew he wanted
to be a police officer from the time he was little. For some, a high school diploma, are citizens of the United States and
childhood career dreams fade over time, but not for him. are of impeccable character.
“As I grew older, the want to do that job continued on,” The Sheriff’s Auxiliary donates thousands of hours to the
Lorig says. “I set my life up to be a police officer; there was Sheriff’s Office and to the citizens of Lorain County. These
no other option for me.” hours are accumulated in three basic areas of duty.
Lorig earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminal Cruiser Duty: Those meeting requirements and training
Justice with a minor in Law Enforcement from Mercyhurst are permitted to ride with regular Deputies of the Sheriff’s
University in Pennsylvania. After moving back to Lorain Office. This assignment provides the capability of having two
County, Lorig was accepted into Lorain County Community person patrol cars in the county. Their responsibility is to aug-
College’s Police Academy and graduated in 2010. And while ment the Road Deputy in the performance of his/her duties.
every day since has brought new learning and new challeng- Jail Duty: To augment the Corrections Officer in the per-
Mitch Lorig alongside his K-9 partner Hector. es, looking back, he knows how well the academy trained formance of his/her duties in the Correction Facility. The du-
LCCC Police Academy graduate Mitch Lorig patrols him. ties and responsibilities of a person working in the Correction
North Ridgeville alongside his K-9 partner Hector. For Mitch “There are certain learning blocks of the academy’s in- facility are prescribed by law and are very demanding.
Lorig, the most rewarding part of being a police office is go- struction that give officers excellent baseline training for the Special Duty: To assist with traffic control and security at
ing home each night knowing he helped people. job,” Lorig says. “From motor vehicle laws, to assault issues, special functions, such as the Lorain County Fair and numer-
“That’s a big part of our job and I enjoy that,” Lorig, 34, to the firearms training; the knowledge I received helped me ous other events and festivals throughout the county.
says. “Going home every day knowing that I did something tremendously.” All applicants for the Sheriff’s Auxiliary will be required
for somebody to help them out, that’s where you get your Lorig says it has also helped to have the community’s to pass a background check and interview by Auxiliary Com-
most satisfaction as a police officer.” support throughout the years. mand Staff. Upon acceptance, the applicant will be required
And when the North Ridgeville police officer goes home “It’s a hard job – even harder than it used to be, but we’re to successfully complete the Auxiliary training Academy,
after a shift, he does not head there alone. Every evening lucky here in North Ridgeville,” Lorig says. “We get waves which consists of 110 hours of procedures, self defense,
Lorig brings home his partner and his best friend. In addition hello all the time, thank yous all the time. Having that com- search & seizure and Ohio Law.
to being a patrol officer, Lorig is the canine handler for Hec- munity support makes the job a lot easier.”
tor, a 7-year-old German Shepard. Within that supportive community, he says, LCCC is a Anyone interested in applying for the next class of the Lo-
“He’s a part of my family,” Lorig says. “He never leaves staple. While he and Hector are out on patrol, the college rain County Sheriff’s Auxiliary can obtain an application by
my side, unless there’s food being offered.” often comes up in conversation. “I feel like everybody has a writing, calling or stopping by at the Lorain County Sher-
connection to LCCC somehow, no matter how you slice it,” iff’s Office at 9896 Murray Ridge Rd., in Elyria, or from the
Lorig says. “It could be them, their mom, or their kids. But Sheriff’s website, www.loraincountysheriff.com. Application
I think most everybody in the county has had an affiliation deadline is December 31, 2022.
Countdown with LCCC somehow.”

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