NORWALK The following people recently were convicted of drunken driving in Norwalk Municipal Court: Blaine L. Butler, 28, Sandusky. Violation date: March 2. Conviction date: May 1. Sentence: $600 fine, $65 costs, six-month license suspension and three days in jail; credited with $250 and three days in jail time upon completion of alcohol intervention program (AIP); on motion of the State of Ohio the charge was amended to a first offense DUI, a misdemeanor of the first degree.

As you read this I'll either be in the air or already have landed in Chicago. Nick White, recently named Interactive Media Editor of the Reflector, and I will be attending a two-day Inland Press Foundation seminar on "Making the 24-Hour Newsroom Work." Times have really changed the last decade. No longer can we get that hot news story and hold it until the next day's paper. By then it's too late. People want their news now. And they like to add their two cents.

Toast Willard Middle School Principal Dan Major, who is calling it a career after 14 years as principal and 35 years in education 34 in Willard. Those in the community have lauded Major for his willingness to go out of his way for his students and their parents. We applaud Major for the school's academic achievements and awards during his tenure and wish him well in retirement. Roast Franklin County Common Pleas Judge David E. Cain for ruling private clubs cannot allow smoking, despite language in the statewide ban that appeared to permit the exemption. Both the ban and the specific exemption (private clubs with no nonmembers present whose employees were all members) are good ideas.

We have seen the enemy, and they is us, my father likes to say. It's always true, of course, but sometimes it feels really true.

The Chamber was on the receiving end of some very special thank yous last week. Several of the classes from Pleasant Elementary wrote to express their appreciation for the work done by the Chamber to better the community. They think you're awesome, you're wonderful, and you're really great. I think you are, too! So much of what happens in our community is due to the vision of our members and your willingness to dedicate countless hours and numerous resources to make them reality.

WAKEMAN The Wakeman community Memorial Day celebration will take place at 7 a.m. May 28 at the corner of Abbott and River streets. Parade participants will include the Boy Scout 242 and Cub Packs 238 and 246 and Girl Scout and Brownie troops, as well as the Western Reserve High School Band.

A Norwalk man accused of stealing his parents' sports car is suspected of being intoxicated during a Lais Road crash early Monday morning. Matthew D. Fortner, 20, most recently of 28 Summit St., failed to negotiate a curve east of Whittlesey Avenue at 2:35 a.m. and went off the left side and hit a guard rail and tree before stopping in a ravine, state Trooper Phillip Clemons said in his report.

PLYMOUTH The Crawford County Sheriff's Office is investigating the theft of equipment valued at $3,600 from a Plymouth church. The suspects are further accused of committing about $1,500 worth of vandalism. Lacella Lillo, the treasurer of the Pentecostal Holiness House of Fellowship, suspects the incident happened between 1 p.m. May 10 and 3 p.m. May 11. The church is located at 7907 Ohio 103, beside the Celeryville Reservoir.

COLLINS The Western Reserve Board of Education approved a new contract with Ohio Association of Public School Employees (OAPSE) last week, calling for a 1.75 percent across the board increase, which amounts to a 25 cents an hour raise in the base pay. The 1.75 percent is in line with raises other employees received this year. The contract is retroactive to July 1, 2006 and runs for two years.