Home Care In Olmsted Falls, OH

DAYTON, Ohio — Danielle Cameron scored a game-high 19 points and Jesse Simon was perfect behind the 3-point line as Olmsted Falls beat Rocky River Magnificat 62-38 in the OHSAA Division I girls’ basketball state semifinal at UD Arena on Friday.

The Bulldogs (25-3) prevailed in a battle between two Northeast Ohio programs that saw Cameron, who is committed to Youngstown State, also contribute eight rebounds, five assists and four steals.

“Coach says a lot, ‘Try not to fake hustle,’ so if you think you can get it, then you got to really hustle to get it,” Cameron said. “I think that's really important because then it leads to numbers on the other end. But overall, just playing hard and playing smart is our philosophy pretty much.”

There were four ties and three lead changes in the first half. Rocky River Magnificat (21-7) had a 19-17 lead with 5:34 left in the second quarter, but 10 points from Cameron in the remainder of the period helped the Bulldogs take a 32-24 halftime lead.

Olmsted Falls forced six turnovers and Rocky River Magnificat went without a field goal for the final 5:54 in the third quarter. The Bulldogs capitalized and flipped the scoreboard taking a lead as large as 23 points.

“We were just playing by our philosophies, just playing hard and letting the game come to us,” Cameron said. “Don't force when we're not open. Pass when we're not open. And I think that the whole team just did really well finding everyone when we were open and just taking open shots.”

Olmsted Falls played at a high level from behind the 3-point line. The Bulldogs went 10-of-19 from distance versus Rocky River Magnificat’s 1-for-11 posting.

The Bulldogs also forced 18 total turnovers.

“I think what makes our offense frustrating for opponents is it's hard to tell where the offense is going to come from sometimes,” Olmsted Falls head coach Jordan Eaton said. “Our girls do a great job of sharing the basketball and not really caring who gets the credit.”

Reese Roggenburk led the Blue Streaks with 10 points and 11 rebounds.

“We tried to have a great game plan,” Rocky River Magnificat head coach Danny Gallagher said. “When we went out on our run to start the second quarter, I thought we defended really well and did those little things. But when you have to do it every single possession like that, they put pressure on you every single possession, it's really hard to do.”

Olmsted Falls punched its ticket back to the state championship game for the second year in a row. It will play the winner of Springboro-Pickerington Central in the Division I final on Saturday at 8:30 p.m..

SANDUSKY, Ohio - Olmsted Falls used a big second half to defeat Fremont Ross 61-41 on Wednesday night in an OHSAA Division I regional semifinal at Sandusky High School.

Olmsted Falls turned it on in the second half, outscoring Ross 31-13 over the final two quarters to pull away for the win.

The run started after Ross scored early in the third quarter to cut the Olmsted Falls lead to 33-32. After that, Danielle Cameron hit back-to-back 3-pointers and the Bulldogs were off and running, finishing the quarter on a 16-5 run to take a 49-35 lead into the final quarter.

The Bulldogs then scored 10 of the first 12 points in the fourth quarter to ice the game and advance to the regional final.

The teams were evenly matched throughout the entire first half, with Olmsted Falls leading 20-18 after the first and 30-28 at the half. But the Bulldogs made an adjustment during halftime that led to the second half run.

"Don't let their best players have their best game," Olmsted Falls head coach Jordan Eaton said. "They're a good team. I don't want to just single out three players and say that's all they have. That's not the case. But they're when their best three get going, they win every time. So we had to stop those girls and we had to be a little bit more alert."

After giving up 26 points combined to Destiny Robinson, Carma Johnson and Lyndi Wolf in the first half, Olmsted Falls changed the defensive philosophy for the final 16 minutes.

"Typically we play a lot of help defense and we don't necessarily worry about our matchups," Eaton said. "But in this instance, we just had to make an adjustment. We had to guard their best players better and be more alert as to where they were."

The change worked, as the trio combined for just nine points in the second half.

Olmsted Falls was paced by Cameron, who knocked down six 3-pointers and led all scorers with 27 points. This comes after she hit six 3-pointers in both the state semifinals and state championship game a year ago. But Cameron scored in different ways as well, such as driving the lane, cutting the the basket without the ball and grabbing offensive rebounds.

"Making threes is is great because they're worth the most points but you can't just play her as a shooter," Eaton said. "If you do that, she finds ways to score. So I just think the fact that she's complete and she hates to lose really helps."

And when Cameron wasn't scoring, she was setting up her teammates on offense and playing aggressive defense on the other end. That's why Eaton pounds the table for his senior when it comes to awards at the end of the season.

"Everybody wants to see a kid score a million points, but how about you know, make your team great," Eaton said. "That's what Danielle does. She makes her team great. I've heard a lot of talk about why Danielle hasn't been considered for some of those things and everybody says this because she's on a better team. And I wonder why that's a penalty. She's on a better team because she makes her teammates better."

Jessica Wolanin scored eight points for the Bulldogs, Maddie Cerovac and Emma Schaefer each had seven, Jesse Simon had six and Avery DeLisio and Emily Scina added three each.

Olmsted Falls hit 12 3-pointers in the game, led by Cameron with six, Wolanin with two and DeLisio, Simon, Schaefer and Scina with one each.

Ross was led by Robinson and Johnson with 12 points each. Wolf added 10 and Lanae' Tucker scored six.

The Bulldogs will face Massillon Jackson in the regional final on Saturday, March 9 at 1:00 pm.

The Halloween decorations created by Alan Perkins brought national attention to his home on River Road, including coverage from the 'TODAY' show.

OLMSTED FALLS, Ohio — The spooky skeleton-themed Halloween display that brought national attention to River Road in Olmsted Falls in recent years is “going dark” for the 2023 season.

That’s because the display’s creator -- Alan Perkins -- says the monstrous decorations are moving to a new location.

But where?

“90 percent of my things are actually going to Avon Lake,” Perkins tells 3News. “I am working with them to set up the giant skeleton and pumpkin at the library as well as setting up a scene for their haunted trail."

RELATED: Show us your Halloween decorations: How to submit your display for our 2023 guide

Here's a look at his display from Halloween 2022:

That event, which is known as the Boo By The Woods Festival, is celebrating its 10th year on Saturday, Oct. 7. Learn more about the event HERE.

“As much fun as decorating my home is, I like volunteering my time for city events when I can,” Perkins says.

So what will you find in his own yard now that the massive skeleton has been removed?

“I am going to make up a sign for my front yard that says error 404 display not found, come back next year,” Perkins says.

Take a look back at the display from 2021:

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OLMSTED FALLS, Ohio -- It was a dark and stormy night.

Well, how about a dark and drizzly evening, when Mike and Jackie Brzoska drove throughout Olmsted Falls and Olmsted Township to map out the competitors in the Olmsted Chamber of Commerce’s Fright Fight Halloween Decorating Competition.

They parked across from quite a spooky house filled with pirates, a witch flying over a bubbling cauldron and a giant skeleton crawling out of the ground.

“Oh, I love the witch,” Jackie said. “This is amazing.”

The Brzoskas discovered this annual event last year.

“I made it as a bucket list this year to see every competitor,” said Jackie, who takes photos at each stop. “We’re on our third. We’ll see all of them. We are really enjoying each of them.”

There are 27 competitors in the contest. They have graveyards, giant skeletons holding smaller ones in their hands, ghoulish werewolves, whimsical pumpkins, electrifying spiderwebs, skeletal horses and dinosaurs and, well, you name it.

All are welcome to view them and vote for your favorite. The voting runs through Oct. 29.

The Olmsted Chamber of Commerce’s website, olmstedchamber.org, has a live map with each address listed. It’s easy to check out each one. After viewing, return to the chamber’s website and vote for your favorite.

Here is a list of the frightening addresses: 6524 Fitch Road, 6726 Crestwood Lane, 26953 Tall Oaks Trails, 7200 Timber Lane, 26668 Cook Road, 7710 Columbia Road, 25327 Holton Road, 8760 Forest View Drive, 23216 West Road, 8810 Columbia Road, 8262 Bradfords Gate, 8374 Bradfords Gate, 26585 Kingswood Drive, 8815 Yellowstone Parkway, 9265 Lindbergh Boulevard, 9697 Grist Mill Run, 23285 Chandlers Lane, 24781 W. Northwood, 24850 Sprague Road, 9082 Shady Elm Lane, 9030 Shady Elm Lane, 9036 Shady Elm Lane, 27160 Lynde Drive, 9329 Patterson Lane, 9591 Beatrice Lane, 9574 Taberna Lane and 9642 Grand Oak Trail.

A special thanks to the chamber, which spearheads this event. Its sponsors include Southwest General Health Center; Awesome Paws Pet Salon; Falls PC Clinic; Margaret T. Karl, Attorney at Law; Nicole E. Brewer & Crew; and Quick Ship Delivery & Logistics.

Leaf raking: Every year, youth groups, with adult supervision, offer to clear community yards of leaves.

This year, Yard Charge is Nov. 11 in Olmsted Falls and Olmsted Township. Boy and Girl Scouts and our high school’s Key Club, Student Council and Builders Club will bring rakes and bags to clear yards of the fallen leaves.

Anyone wishing to have the youth come to your yard should contact Sandra Graham at 440-235-2588 or [email protected]. The sign-up deadline is Oct. 30.

Jenkins Center: Here are a few upcoming events that the Jenkins Place Senior Center is sponsoring.

• Enjoy the Halloween Monster Mash at noon Oct. 27 in the Chambers Room in Olmsted Falls City Hall. Dress in your favorite Halloween costume and get those feet moving to the sounds of Linda & Dale from Heart to Heart.

A special thank you to Riverview Pointe for the food and Spry Senior & Generations Senior Living, which are sponsoring the coffee and desserts.

• BalloFlex with Vicki is a fun, high-energy -- but low-impact -- chair workout program. It combines dance and stretching. Check it out at 11 a.m. Oct. 26.

• Journey through time as you learn about the spooky history of Olmsted Falls. “The Haunted Olmsted Falls, A Walk Through Time” is at 11:30 a.m. Oct. 31.

Kara Crissman and Lisa Tarcy will share information about some of the key spots throughout the town that have a haunted twist. The sisters created the Olmsted Falls Ghost Walk.

Be sure to call 440-427-2519 or email [email protected] to sign up for these activities. Some of the events have limited space. Reservations are required so all may enjoy the activities.

Warm welcome: A community welcome to Gary Velenosky, the township’s new administrator. He began the job this week.

There is a community meet-and-greet from 6:30 to 7 p.m. this Wednesday (Oct. 25) in the administrative building’s community room, 7900 Fitch Road.

Band fundraiser: Stop by Mooyah from noon to 8:30 p.m. Oct. 26 and enjoy a meal -- and help raise money for our Olmsted Falls High School marching band.

The eatery at 19137 Bagley Road offers burgers, fries, shakes and more. The eatery will donate a portion of the proceeds to the band to help offset its travel costs to Universal Studios in Orlando, Fla..

Take the family for a great meal and help the band head south at the same time.

Trick-of-treat: Olmsted Falls and Olmsted Township have their official community trick-or-treat hours from 6 to 8 p.m. Oct. 31 -- Halloween.

Be sure to drive carefully that night as kids are going house to house for some treats -- or tricks. All should walk and cross safely, too. Enjoy the fun!

Substitute jobs: The Olmsted Falls School District has openings for several substitute jobs.

Those interested in serving as a substitute teacher should apply online at renhillgroup.com. You do not need a degree. If you have questions, call 216-767-5608.

The district also needs substitute bus drivers, paraprofessionals and various other positions. Go to https://tinyurl.com/bu6se5k7. The positions offer flexible schedules and competitive pay, according to the school district.

Fastpitch clinic: The Alpha Dawg Softball Fastpitch Clinic is offering training for beginner and intermediate pitchers ages 8-14. Beginners will learn the six basic steps to pitching, while intermediate pitchers also will learn these techniques as well as various pitches.

There are four one-hour training sessions on Oct. 29 and Nov. 5, 12 and 19. You may choose either the 11:30 a.m. or 12:30 p.m. session. Registration ends Oct. 27 or until the sessions are filled.

Sessions are at the Olmsted Community Center Gym. For more details, go to https://tinyurl.com/ys2zzx6z.

Information, please: To include news, tidbits, honors or activities in Olmsted Falls and Olmsted Township, contact Joanne DuMound at [email protected]. She is also on Twitter, @JoanneDuMound. The column’s online version at cleveland.com/olmsted has direct links for many news items.

OLMSTED TOWNSHIP, Ohio -- Over the years, Olmsted Falls City School District Superintendent Jim Lloyd has been vocal about his displeasure with the reliance on standardized tests for the state’s accountability system.

That hasn’t changed with the recently released Ohio Department of Education’s school report card.

“My observation on the most recent report card is schools that have lots of resources and a high medium income of their residents score higher than those that don’t,” Lloyd said.

“It’s not even worth discussing results in my opinion, regardless if those results are good or bad.

“I’ve said this before: Kids spend 75,000 minutes a year in school, and we’re going to use a 70-minute sample size -- and aggregate all of that -- to report on the quality of a school in a school district. I think it’s unconscionable.”

Replacing a letter-grade system, this year’s Ohio Department of Education star-based rating system includes overall ratings -- 3 stars means a district meets state standards.

Deemed by Lloyd as “absolutely meaningless,” the superintendent said he glanced briefly at his district’s recent marks before moving on.

Olmsted Falls City Schools received 4.5 stars overall, as well as 4 stars in achievement, 3 stars in progress, 5 stars in gap closing, 5 stars in graduation and 4 stars in early literacy. Five stars is the highest rating.

For comparison, the district last year received 4 stars in achievement, 2 stars in progress, 5 stars in gap closing, 5 stars in graduation and 5 stars in early literacy.

“Quite honestly, I’m discouraged and disappointed in my colleagues who choose to give airtime to talking about how many stars they got,” he said.

“The minute that you boil down the quality that a district provides or a school provides to its community to some sort of like Lucky Charms rating system, you do a disservice to the taxpayers and to the effort the educators in the system provide.”

The superintendent stressed that accountability is important, with the district creating its own system to grade areas of strength and need.

“Regardless of the number of stars or symbols that the school district gets, homes in Olmsted Falls are hard to come by,” he said. “That demonstrates to me and others that this is a high-quality community people want to move into.

“Generally, they want to move into the community because of the quality of the school district. They do their research and look to see the quality that we provide to the kids and families within our community. That’s why they continue to move here. They always have and they always will.”