A Standoff, A Murder Trial & A Parade: A Week In Review

1. After almost two weeks of jury selection, the jury in the Joseph Thomas murder trial began hearing evidence this week in Lake County Court of Common Pleas.

Thomas, 28, is accused of raping and murdering Annie McSween, who lived in Mentor.

During opening statements, prosecutors said that McSween's burnt pants, sweater, bra and purse were found in a barrel in Thomas' backyard.

Thomas has been indicted on charges of rape, tampering with evidence, aggravated robbery, kidnapping and aggravated murder.

His trial will continue Monday in Lake County Common Pleas Judge Richard Collins Jr.'s courtroom.

2. Our Pet Pause columnist Sandra Klepach highlighted eight brave dogs who were rescued from a puppy mill in Shelby, Ohio.

Now they're being fostered by your neighbors in and around Mentor.

You can read more about the dogs and their rescuers in her column.

3. The man who was arrested after a 4-hour standoff with Mentor Police Sunday night had a sizable arsenal of guns in his home, including a semiautomatic rifle and a 100-round drum magazine, Mentor Police Lt. Tom Powers said.

Ronald Ewanek, 54, of Mentor, faces charges of inducing panic, obstructing official business, unlawful possession of a dangerous ordnance, use of a weapon while intoxicated and discharging a firearm in the city.

After police searched Ewanek's house they found a Feg 7.62 assault rifle, Feg 9-millimeter handgun, Ruger .22 long rifle, Ruger Mini-14 semiautomatic rifle and Foremost 3-06 rifle, Powers said.

4. We are one step closer to having a Cleveland Clinic medical center in Mentor after Mentor City Council approved an amendment to a court order from January 2004 that allows the owners of the Newell Creek property to rezone 47 acres at the southeast corner of Norton Parkway and Center Street from a "lifestyle center" designation to a "medical campus."

Cleveland Clinic has demonstrated an interest in the property though they have not specified what they have in mind for it.

A "medical campus" zone can be used for diverse reasons, said Ron Traub, the city of Mentor's director of business and economic development.

It can include everything from physician's offices to a full medical center with a helicopter pad.

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