Home Care In Avon, OH

LORAIN COUNTY, Ohio (WOIO) — The owner of Landings Animal Hospital and a second person have been indicted on seven counts in what prosecutors describe as a prescription drug scheme that used a dead dog’s name to obtain narcotics.

According to a Lorain County grand jury indictments obtained by 19 News, Dr. Kris L. Taylor, 62, of Strongsville, and Camile Nieto, 29, of Avon are accused of taking part in scheme at Landings Animal Hospital to repeatedly write and fill prescriptions for the powerful painkiller Oxycodone and the anti?anxiety drug Alprazolam in the name of “Punkin,” a dog that was already dead.

According to the Landings Animal Hospital website, Kris Taylor is the owner and a veterinarian at the Avon Lake hospital on Avon Belden Road. It is unknown whether Nieto was also a staff member.

Investigators say the alleged conduct happened between August 10, 2024, and June 7, 2025. The indictments list more than 20 prescriptions for Oxycodone and Alprazolam allegedly written for Punkin and filled at pharmacies across Northeast Ohio, including locations in Avon and Avon Lake.

Taylor and Nieto are both charged with engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity (first-degree felony); deception to obtain a dangerous drug and possession of drugs involving Oxycodone (both second-degree felonies); illegal processing of drug documents tied to Oxycodone (fourth-degree felony); deception to obtain a dangerous drug and illegal processing of drug documents involving Alprazolam (both fifth-degree felonies); and possession of drugs involving Alprazolam (first-degree misdemeanor).

Court records show both made their initial appearance in Lorain County Common Pleas Court on Thursday and were handed $500,000 bonds. Nieto will be back in court on October 15th at 8:45 a.m. and Taylor on October 23rd at 8:30 a.m.

Thursday afternoon, Landings Animal Hospital told 19 News they are still open for business.

AVON, Ohio — As Avon attempts to accommodate rapid growth in the city, a longtime family farm market said construction season has been interfering with its business season.

A multi-year, $14 million project is targeting congestion along the booming commercial corridor near Center Road (SR 83) and Detroit Road (SR 254). The construction includes road widening, additional through and turn lanes and traffic signal upgrades.

Jay Pickering’s family established a farm along Detroit Road in the mid-1800s.

"My great-great-grandfather kept this chunk,” Pickering said, pointing out the 14-acre farm currently growing peppers, tomatoes and corn. “He had a lot of acreage here. It went way over almost to Chester Road and way out here.”

More than 175 years later, the farm is smaller in its current location but has grown into Pickering Hill Farms. The farm market and seasonal destination are open from May through Halloween.

"I’m fifth generation, and I’m fortunate my son is sixth generation,” said Pickering.

While generations of Pickerings have been rooted in the area, Avon has been growing around them.

"Everybody that grew up here knew it was going to happen at some point. Just [not] when was it going to happen,” Pickering said.

Commercial development has been booming near the SR 83 exit from I-90 in recent years. The city said it’s been working with ODOT for around seven years to address growing traffic in the area.

Pickering said he was made aware of the project when the city identified parts of his property that it would need to acquire through eminent domain. But he said it was not clear how much the construction would impact his business.

"I’m just so surprised that nobody came up and said, ‘Here’s what we’re doing. Anything we can do to help out?’ Not a thing,” he said.

He said orange barrels blocked the traffic lane nearest to the market’s entrance in early April. The family began tracking how many days the closure was in effect without visible work happening at the site.

"We were keeping a count. It was 89 days it was blocked before the first time that it would’ve made sense to block it,” he said.

The market began counting the days on a letter board below its business sign. Work recently started on the stretch of road, but the market continued its display. On Tuesday, the sign read, “Mayor Jensen, 103 days without construction.”

Pickering said that while his business entrance is open, the lane closure has been driving away customers.

"We were down by 1,000 customers in June,” he said. “It’s tough because we’re trying to justify being a full-time operation. We have employees, and my son and this is like a dead year.”

Avon Mayor Bryan Jensen said it was necessary to close the lane for the duration of construction as a safety measure.

"They want something that we can’t do,” Jensen said. “When it comes to safety, we can’t move those barrels; we can’t make it less safe for the people that are working there over the convenience of getting into their business.”

He explained similar lane closures have been in effect on all sides of the SR 83/SR 254, per safety protocols.

The mayor said when the project is complete by this fall, he expects it to benefit the entire area, including businesses like Pickering Hill Farms.

"They’re not going to be putting banners up for me next year when the roads open, but hopefully their business will thrive again and be back to where it was,” he said.

Pickering said the construction has been a significant setback for the small business, cutting into the small window they have to make a profit.

"It’s just very disappointing. We’re fortunate that we have a lot of customers that are used to coming, they come back over and over again. But it’s the new ones we’re missing. We want to grow every year,” he said.

The project is slated to wrap up in October, but Jensen said it’s currently ahead of schedule.

You can find more details about the construction and updates on the project by clicking HERE.

Catherine Ross is the Lorain County reporter at News 5 Cleveland. Follow her on X , on Facebook or email her at .

AVON LAKE, Ohio -- Three speakers used the public comment portion of the Oct. 19 Avon Lake Collective Committee meeting to press city officials on Issue 36, the proposed redevelopment of the former power plant site and the use of public financing.

Former Avon Lake Councilman Rob Shahmir called for an independent review of the project’s finances before residents vote on Issue 36.

He said the city should examine the assumptions behind the proposed redevelopment and any tax increment financing (TIF) arrangement.

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“I wanted to explain why I have continued to ask for a closer look at the economics of the power plant redevelopment,” Shahmir said.

Shahmir said City Council approved an interim development agreement in November 2024 under which the administration committed to support proposed zoning changes and a TIF ordinance.

He said the discussion should distinguish private property rights from a developer’s request for public financing.

“There is a difference between owning property and asking for public financing through a TIF,” Shahmir said.

“A TIF redirects future property tax revenue that would otherwise be available for public purposes.”

He said he prepared a preliminary economic sensitivity analysis in May using figures supplied by the developer and asked the city to commission an independent review.

“You take their assumptions, you do a best case, a base case -- what would be at the median -- and the worst case,” Shahmir said.

“That is a simple economic sensitivity.”

Shahmir said the city could draw on local expertise rather than necessarily hiring outside consultants.

He said such an analysis would provide clarity before officials make a long-term commitment involving a 30-year TIF.

“Without that economics, it doesn’t make sense to commit a city to something long term -- generations -- to include a 30-year TIF,” he said.

Gerald Phillips followed Shahmir and urged residents to vote “yes” on Issue 36, saying the measure would give voters a direct voice on financing and rezoning decisions tied to the former power plant property.

“It gives you the right to vote on two very important issues that will affect your future,” Phillips said.

Phillips criticized a potential 30-year, 100 percent TIF that he said could be worth $60 million.

He described tax increment financing as a mechanism that diverts taxes on increased property value to pay eligible development costs rather than distributing all of that revenue through the usual channels.

“The developer gets a corporate subsidy,” Phillips said.

Phillips also raised concerns about the density allowed under the Lakefront Mixed-Use Overlay District.

He said the zoning could permit up to 1,200 housing units and bring significantly more traffic to local roads while increasing demands on sewers and water systems.

“You, the taxpayer, are going to pay on those two decisions,” Phillips said. “Therefore, you should have a say, a voice and a right to vote.”

He disputed arguments that Issue 36 would simply redo the mixed-use overlay ordinance and said rezoning the specific property would be a separate step.

“It is not a do-over,” Phillips said.

Phillips compared the proposal with development-related TIFs in Avon and Westlake, saying those arrangements supported broader road and interchange improvements rather than a single project.

He also rejected predictions that the power plant property would remain vacant if voters approve Issue 36.

“Don’t believe the doomsday predictions,” Phillips said. “Don’t believe the dire results.”

William Zimmerman was the final public speaker. He urged the city to end its use of Flock license plate-reading cameras, citing a federal court ruling involving a warrantless search of a license plate database in Oklahoma.

“Get rid of the Flock,” Zimmerman said. “Don’t need it.”

Zimmerman said he had objected to the system from the beginning and argued that it violates Fourth Amendment protections.

He warned that continuing to use the technology could expose the city to litigation.

“You guys are just going to bring more lawsuits,” he said.

Zimmerman also urged residents to vote “yes” on Issue 36, saying the measure would give the public more influence over the former power plant site.

“This gives you the ability to have a better say,” Zimmerman said.

He said conversations he has had with families in the community show support for a public vote and frustration with city leaders.

“They all said that they were in favor of having a say,” Zimmerman said. “They don’t trust you.”

Zimmerman also criticized council’s handling of a separate ballot issue and the prospect of a special election.

He said information from the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections put the possible cost of a special election between $27,000 and $45,000.

AVON LAKE, Ohio -- City Council members defended their handling of proposed charter amendments at their Oct. 13 meeting, saying legal review and election deadlines shaped their decisions as the city continues to debate development policy and the use of tax increment financing (TIF).

Mayor Mark Spaetzel said the Ohio Supreme Court denied an Oct. 8 request seeking to force a proposed charter amendment onto the ballot.

The proposal would have changed the city law director from an appointed position to an elected one.

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Spaetzel said the ruling left intact council’s decision not to submit the measure to voters.

Councilman David Kos said council relied on outside legal advice after finding conflicting election dates on petition documents.

He said the documents appeared to seek elections in both 2024 and 2026 and that neither set, considered separately, appeared to contain enough signatures.

Council voted 7-0 not to forward that proposal, he said.

Kos also explained his vote against suspending council rules for another charter proposal that was delivered less than 48 hours before an election filing deadline.

He said the compressed schedule did not allow enough time for a legal review, particularly after questions arose over other proposed amendments.

“It wasn’t collusion. It wasn’t this grand plan,” Kos said.

He said council needed more time for its legal counsel to review the proposal and provide guidance.

Councilwoman Jennifer Fenderbosch said her reasoning was similar.

She said council had to assess not only whether a petition contained enough valid signatures, but also whether the proposed request was accurate and legally sound.

She said the city did not have enough time to obtain advice from outside counsel before the county’s ballot publication deadline.

Fenderbosch said the Lorain County Board of Elections identified a January special election date for this charter amendment and estimated that a single-item election could cost the city about $20,000 to $25,000.

The cost could be shared if other communities or measures were on the ballot, she said.

The debate also returned to Issue 36, a proposed charter amendment involving development decisions and tax increment financing.

Kos said neighboring Westlake and Avon have sent certain zoning questions to voters, but their city councils did not seek voter approval for TIF financing.

He said Avon Lake’s proposal would go further by requiring a public vote on the financing mechanism itself.

“I’m not asking for anyone to change their view on the amendment,” Kos said. “I’m asking that we debate it on accurate facts.”

Council President Geoffrey Smith warned that continued disruptions in council chambers could lead him to close a meeting and ask people to leave.

He called for “proper, polite and socially correct behavior” from those attending and speaking.

Council also approved updated committee assignments.

Smith named council members to standing committees covering buildings and utilities, the environment, economic development, finance, human resources, public safety and public service, along with an ad hoc committee focused on Walker Road Park.

In an economic development update, Fenderbosch said work at the former power plant site includes pursuing a state brownfield remediation grant, installing covers on one of the stacks and continuing talks with potential developers.

She said more than $60 million has been invested over roughly five years to acquire, demolish and remediate the property.

Councilwoman Katie Goodwin said a lakefront-planning work session brought together school and redevelopment representatives to discuss possible future uses for the site.

She emphasized that the ad hoc group is intended to gather ideas and public input rather than make final decisions.

Goodwin also discussed a resolution for Avon Lake to join Power a Clean Future Ohio.

She said language committing the city to a specific greenhouse gas-reduction goal was removed because the Environmental Affairs Board has not yet selected a project.

The program would give the city access to technical assistance.

Councilman Matthew Reynolds said the Human Resources Committee would meet Oct. 19.

He also reported that the October Planning Commission meeting was canceled because there were no agenda items. He said the commission’s next meeting is scheduled for Nov. 3.

Spaetzel also announced that fall leaf pickup was tentatively scheduled to begin Oct. 26.

He congratulated Bob Haas on his appointment to represent Ward 1 and offered condolences following the death of Ed Moran, a former Service Department employee who had worked for the city for 42 years.

AVON LAKE — The Ohio Supreme Court has rejected two election-related challenges involving Avon Lake ballot proposals, dismissing one case as moot and ruling in another that City Council acted within its authority when it declined to place a proposed elected law director amendment before voters.

A court order dated Oct. 4 order denied a request to give Avon Lake voters a direct vote on a proposed amendment relating to changes in income taxes. The justices also denied as moot motions seeking permission to have a cash deposit used to secure court costs returned.

The case, Avon Lake Committee for the Citizens and Electors Right to Vote on City Income-Tax Increases v. Rosmarin, arose from a citizen-led charter-amendment campaign associated with Avon Lake attorney and resident Gerald Phillips.

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Phillips helped write the proposal and collect signatures after city officials moved to reduce the income-tax credit available to residents who pay municipal income tax elsewhere. Supporters argued that voters should approve any change that effectively raises what residents owe Avon Lake.

The Supreme Court had ordered the parties on Sept. 30 to explain why the dispute should not be dismissed as moot. Four days later, a six-justice majority concluded that no live controversy remained for the court to resolve.

Chief Justice Sharon Kennedy and Justices Patrick Fischer, R. Patrick DeWine, Joseph Deters, Daniel Hawkins and Megan Shanahan concurred in the dismissal. Justice Jennifer Brunner concurred in part and dissented in part. She would have approved the cash deposit and awarded the Phillips led political action committee court costs under an Ohio law stating that a taxpayer is entitled to costs when the allegations are legally sufficient.

Because the court dismissed the case as moot, its order does not decide whether city officials handled the proposed charter amendment correctly or whether the proposal should have advanced. It also does not establish a broader rule governing future Avon Lake tax measures or citizen petitions.

The City of Avon Lake has spent more than $130,000 taxpayer dollars over the past few years defending themselves against the multiple lawsuits filed by Phillips and his political action committee Ohio Citizens for Honesty, Integrity and Openness in Government Ltd.

In the law director case, the court denied a writ sought by the Phillips PAC. The proposed charter amendment would have changed the law director from an appointed position to an elected office.

The court said council did not abuse its discretion or clearly disregard the law because petition parts submitted in 2024 and 2026 listed different election dates, effectively asking the city to place the same proposal before voters two years apart. The court denied the writ and a request for attorney fees.

Council Member Jennifer Fenderbosch welcomed the decision, saying, “We just got another winning ruling today from the Supreme Court — they upheld council’s decision to throw out the petitions for elected law director.”

Fenderbosch said Phillips and the political action committee have repeatedly challenged city decisions in court. Asked why the litigation has continued, she said, “I have no idea,” and added that the group believes it is protecting residents by looking for corruption. She disputed that assertion and said the city has been forced to devote money and staff time to responding.

A separate Supreme Court action naming members of the Lorain County Board of Elections seeks to force the Avon Lake income-tax-related proposal onto the ballot. The court docket shows that matter remained pending, with the respondents ordered to file an answer.

The decisions leave the proposed income-tax and elected law director amendments off the ballot at issue in the cases. The dismissal of the first income-tax case as moot did not resolve the underlying legal claims, while the law director ruling addressed the conflicting election dates on the petition forms.