🌱 $1.5M Grant For Lorain Co. Fairgrounds + GoFundMe For AL Bus Driver

Hi there, Avon-Avon Lake! I'm Nicole Fallon-Peek, filling in for your usual curator Karena today. Now, let's get you up to speed on everything you need to know about what's going on in town.

First, today's weather:

Mostly sunny and comfortable. High: 83 Low: 66.

Here are the top three stories today in Avon-Avon Lake:

1. County commissioners have approved a $1.5 million grant to help fund an $8 million improvement project at the Lorain County Fairgrounds. The money would help pay for a 45,000-square-foot climate-controlled expo fair center to host events year-round, including markets and sporting events. The funds would also go toward a new Fair Beef Building, a covered outdoor arena, and improvements to parking. (Subscription: The Morning Journal)
2. An Avon Lakes Schools bus driver lost everything in the Aug. 13 fire at Smugglers Cove. Jane Mears, who has driven with the district for 21 years, has been "displaced with nothing but the clothes on her back, as her home, possession, and even her vehicle were all lost to the fire," according to her verified GoFundMe account organized by her daughter Rachel. As of the evening of Aug. 18, the community has raised over $8,500 of the $15,000 fundraising goal. Read our coverage of the Smugglers Cove fire here. (Subscription: The Morning Journal)
3. Turn back time with The Avon Lake Historical Society, which will be hosting An Evening at the Black Whale Inn this October. Guests are encouraged to dress in 1920's attire as they listen to the stories of speakeasies right here in Avon Lake. The event will be held on Sundays, Oct. 9, 16, 23, and 30 at John Christ Winery; tickets will be available for purchase soon. (Avon Lake Historical Society via Facebook)

Today in Avon-Avon Lake:

• Yoga In The Park At Veterans Memorial Park, Avon Lake (7:00 AM)
• Story Time In The Woods At Every Child's Playground (10:30 AM)
• Pete Lazard At Moosehead BBQ Avon (6:00 PM)
• Dave Hinrich LIVE at Beerhead Bar & Eatery (7:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Interested in conservation? Check out this Avon Lakes Matters podcast episode featuring Elaine George, President of the Avon-on-the-Lake Garden Club to learn more about the Club's Monarch Butterfly conservation. (City of Avon Lake, OH via Facebook)
• Want to support the Avon Lake High School Band as of the 2022-23 school year begins? You can become an AL Band Patron by using this form. (Avon Lake High School Band via Facebook)
• Calling all animal lovers: If you have room in your home for a four-legged family member, check out Vera, Vernon, Freddy, and these other adorable pets, now available to adopt from local shelters. (Avon-Avon Lake Patch)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured businesses:

• Absolute Dance Company —
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Events:

• Woodward Dream Show (August 19)
• Blonde Ambitions (August 19)
• Adoption 101: Where Do I Begin? (Virtual) (August 20)
• Saint Maron Annual Food Festival (August 20)
• Cleveland Water Lantern Festival (August 20)
• 42 South at Tony K's Bar & Grill! (August 20)
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You're all caught up for today! See you around.

— Nicole Fallon-Peek

About me: Nicole Fallon-Peek is a journalist and copywriter with a degree in Media, Culture and Communication from New York University. She has served as a freelance reporter, managing editor, copy editor, and editorial director for a variety of B2B news outlets. She currently co-owns and operates content creation agency Lightning Media Partners.