Lorain County’s shrinking middle class after plant closures
Shonda Smith’s Elyria career at Nyronge Corp. ended when 3M bought and closed the plant in 2017, forcing a pay drop from about $21 to $11 hourly. The Lorain County manufacturing downturn, once powered by steel mills and a strong union presence, left workers jobless, with fewer opportunities and waning wages. Dominic Cataldo recalls Lorain’s bygone industrial boom and the steady, union-backed jobs that supported generations of families, now fading along East 28th Street as mills idled.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Shonda Smith
Nyronge Corp
Elyria
Lowell Street
Lorain
International City
Europe
Puerto Rico
Mexico
United States
Republic Steel
U.S. Steel
East 28Th Street
Grupo Simec
U.S. Steel Corp
Republic
Dominic Cataldo
Italy
South Lorain
Cataldo
Elyria Police Chief suspended over delayed arrest review
Elyria Police Chief William Pelko was suspended without pay for two days for delaying review of officers actions during a 2023 arrest at Ra ul Ortiz home on Garvin Avenue. Three officers entered Ortiz home without a warrant, tasered him, and were later involved in a federal lawsuit. other suspensions followed for two officers and internal recommendations for Hersh and Mitchell.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Elyria
William “Bill” Pelko
Garvin Avenue
Raul Ortiz
Safety Service
Chris Pyanowksi
Pelko
Ortiz
Chronicle-Telegram
Pyanowski
EPD
Paige Mitchell
Colty Hersh
Mitchell
Hersh
Also Mentioned on This Page
North Ridgeville
Midview
Avon Lake
Elyria Catholic
Keystone
Brookside
Clearview
Firelands
Berea-Midpark
Columbia
Wellington Beebe
Ohio
Carissa Woytach
Chronicle Photos
Maxine Whitfield
Dominik Hitchens
Fulton Homes
the Chronicle-Telegram
Lorain County
United Steelworkers Local 1104
Brandy Holmes
Sweet Bee
Elyria Police
Debra Fusik