Avon Lake, Ohio – On Monday, December 15, at approximately 10:30 p.m., the City of Avon Lake responded to a report of a strong gasoline odor in the vicinity of the Moore Road and Electric Boulevard intersection on the city’s west side.
City safety services personnel noticed gasoline odor emanating from the storm sewer. Avon Lake Fire Department conducted an investigation and confirmed the presence of a gasoline odor in the storm sewer system. Avon Lake Regional Water and City Public Works personnel also responded to the incident to assess potential contamination.
The city began mitigation of the site immediately and notified the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and State Fire Marshall of the incident. By early Tuesday morning, spill had been mitigated, the gasoline odor had dissipated, and the site no longer posed a threat to public safety.
“The City’s fire and police departments, and Avon Lake Regional Water were instrumental in mitigating this unfortunate incident,” Avon Lake Mayor Mark Spaetzel said in a press release. “I want to recognize their prompt response and mobilization. Without their timely action mitigation efforts would not have begun so quickly.”
Due to the distance from shore, the depth of the City’s water intakes, and the water treatment process itself, Avon Lake Regional Water advises the public there is no danger of contamination of the drinking water treated at the Avon Lake Water Filtration Plant.
By Tuesday afternoon the site was under EPA control. The source of the odor was traced to a leaking underground storage tank at the gas station located at the Moore Road and Electric Boulevard intersection. Representatives of the City and the EPA remained onsite to closely monitor clean-up efforts performed by a contractor hired by the owner of the gas station. The State Fire Marshal’s Bureau of Underground Storage Tank Remediation is investigating the cause of the leak.
AVON
Crushers coach: Lemieux joined the Crushers in 2023, and in 2024 he led the franchise to its first playoff appearance in five years with a 51-44 record and a top three pitching staff in tow. With the team looking for their first playoff win since 2013, the Crushers skipper urged Lake Erie to a remarkable 10-8 victory over the Gateway Grizzlies in the Wild Card Game to send his squad to the Divisional Round.
Lemieux’s second offseason saw the addition of many key pieces to a 2025 squad. The imports of Dylan Spain, Brandyn Sittinger, Davie Morgan, and Derek Vegas paired with the mid-season acquisitions of Dario Gomez and Kenen Irizarry were crucial to the team’s success. The offense of 2024 was patched up and made playable by Lemieux’s offseason efforts, and another top three pitching staff in the Frontier League powered the Crushers to a 52-41 record, the team’s most wins in a season since 2019.
Jared Lemieux became the first manager in Lake Erie Crushers history to make the playoffs in back-to-back seasons with a 103-86 record over the last two seasons.
Latta lauding: Congressman Bob Latta (OH-5) has announced his nominations of students from Ohio’s Fifth Congressional District for consideration to be accepted into the United States Air Force, Merchant Marine, Military, and Naval Academies in the Class of 2030.
The list includes several students from Avon and Avon Lake High Schools.
“I am proud to nominate 18 outstanding students from Ohio’s Fifth Congressional District to attend one of our U.S. Military Service Academies,” Congressman Latta said in a press announcement. “Each student brings unique talents and has already demonstrated remarkable readiness at this early stage in their careers. It is an honor to nominate them for consideration. I wish them the very best as they continue through the interview process, and I thank them for pursuing this path of service to our country.”
Here is the complete list of nominees from the Fifth District, which spans from Van Wert and Paulding counties to Lorain County in northeast Ohio.
U.S. Military Academy
- Trevor Grzelak, Avon, Avon High School
U.S. Air Force Academy
- Michele Smith, Avon, Avon High School
- Trevor Grzelak, Avon, Avon High School
- Aidan Stewart, Avon Lake, Avon Lake High School
AVON LAKE
House votes: Deck the House Voting Started last week in Avon Lake, where residents can vote for their favorite house displays. Votes can be cast here: https://forms.gle/h4hUnjYqp5DVd2Po6
Folks can also tour the homes and can choose your own route and explore the city at their own pace. Those interested can download turn-by-turn directions to guide you through some extra-festive neighborhoods and past Deck the House favorite winners. For directions, go to: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/53525326
The city also thanked its prize sponsors Peter & Co. Jewelers, Inc., Salad KraZe and Sweetbriar Golf.
NORTH RIDGEVILLE
Shaffer resignation: North Ridgeville Ward 2 Councilman Eric Shaffer submitted a letter of resignation for his Ward 2 seat, effective January 1, 2026.
According to the city charter Section 3.7, “Vacancies in Council shall be filled for the unexpired term by an appointment made by a majority vote of all remaining members of Council. Such appointment shall be made within thirty (30) days after the next regular meeting following receipt of official notification of such vacancy. If Council fails to fill the vacancy within said thirty (30) day period the Mayor shall make the appointment.”
The Ward 2 seat term ends on December 31, 2027. Interested parties, who must be a resident of Ward 2 in the City of North Ridgeville and a registered voter for at least one year prior to appointment, should send a cover letter and resume to the Clerk of Council’s Office via email at [email protected] by Friday, December 26, 2025. Council will then review the applicants and appoint a replacement per the prescribed Charter timeline.
Kiwanis volunteers: Members of the Kiwanis Club of North Ridgeville spent December 11, giving back in a hands-on way by volunteering with Toys for Tots in Elyria. Seven Kiwanis members assisted at the collection site, where they were assigned children by age and shopped for each child individually.
Through this effort, each child will receive a small, medium and large donated gift, along with a special stocking stuffer bag and a book. The experience ensured that donations were thoughtfully matched to each child and helped make the holiday season brighter for local families.
“This experience really makes you thankful for how generous people are,” club president Toni Krone said. “Seeing the volume of donated toys and knowing the care that goes into making sure each child receives something special is incredibly meaningful.”
The North Ridgeville Police Department also supported Toys for Tots this year by hosting a collection box, further strengthening the community’s efforts to support local children and families during the holiday season.
Anyone interested in learning more about the Kiwanis Club of North Ridgeville or becoming a member is encouraged to visit the website at https://k18026.site.kiwanis.org or contact Toni directly at [email protected].
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