Grafton Village Fire Department, Ohio.

05/01/2026

Congratulations Melissa

04/28/2026

𝐋𝐞𝐭’𝐬 “𝐋𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐍𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓” 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐅𝐀𝐋𝐋𝐄𝐍 𝐅𝐈𝐑𝐄𝐅𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐒 ❤️

𝐋𝐞𝐭’𝐬 𝐣𝐨𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐅𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧 𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐟𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐅𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐀𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐥 𝟐𝟔 - 𝐌𝐚𝐲 𝟑 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐮𝐩 𝐫𝐞𝐝.

𝐋𝐞𝐭’𝐬 𝐡𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐫 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐚𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐀𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚’𝐬 𝐟𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐨𝐞𝐬.

❤️❤️

Via National Fallen Firefighters Foundation

04/13/2026

It is with deep sadness that Sheffield Township acknowledges the passing of the retired Fire Chief Joseph Bandagski.

Chief Bandagski dedicated many years of his life to serving our community with unwavering commitment, leadership, and courage.
His impact on the Sheffield Township Fire Department and the countless lives he touched will never be forgotten.

We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, and all who had the privilege of serving alongside him. His legacy of service and dedication will continue to inspire future generations.

Joseph Bandagski Jr began his eternal life with Jesus on Friday, April 10, 2026.

He was born May 4, 1960, to loving parents Joe and Lillian Bandagski, and joined their family, along with his three sisters, Sally, Bonnie, and Cindy.

He grew up in Sheffield Township and graduated from Clearview High School.

Joe married Lorri, his wife and love of his life, in 1980. They had four children who Joe adored: Faythe, Joey, Anthony, and Andrew. Joe loved his family big and unconditionally. Besides his children, he had seven grandchildren: Carson, Carter, Camdyn, Chayse, Kevin, Emily, and Dylan. They were the light of his life. His favorite sister, Cindy, was a source of support, comfort, and love. His many nieces and nephews made his life full and bright.

In 1981, Joe joined the Sheffield Township Fire Department and worked there until he retired as the fire chief in 2024. Joe loved the people of Sheffield Township and showed his love through his 43 years of service to his community. In 1985, Joe started working for Ridge Hill Memorial Park, where he worked until his passing.

Joe’s family would like to thank Ridge Hill Memorial Park for going above and beyond for Joe during his illness. It took so much stress off his family and supported them in ways that went above the employee/employer relationship. They have truly been a family to Joe’s family. They would also like to acknowledge the Sheffield Township Fire Department for their support throughout the years. And a big thank you to their church family at Bethel Chapel. Joe loved all of you and thought of everyone as his true family.

The family will receive friends on Friday, April 17, 2026, from 10:00 am until the time of funeral services at Noon at Bethel Chapel, 4065 Broadway, Lorain. Following the funeral services, the Sheffield Township Fire Department will lead the procession to Ridge Hill Memorial Park.

Memorial contributions can be made to Bethel Chapel, 4065 Broadway, Lorain, OH 44052.

04/09/2026

May his family, fire department, and friends derive comfort from their collective strength and find solace in the prospect of better days ahead, united in hope and mutual support.

Ohio’s Jamie Meklemburg served as the Fire Chief of Seven Hills for over six years. On April 5, 2026, Chief Meklemburg passed away after a battle with mental illness. He was widely respected and loved by both his community and the firefighters he worked alongside.

03/04/2026

Congratulations to Melissa.

03/03/2026

🔥🚫 OHIO BURN BAN REMINDER 🚫🔥

The State of Ohio’s seasonal burn ban is in effect March 1st through May 31st, from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM daily.

During these hours, the following are NOT permitted:
❌ No burning brush
❌ No burning leaves or yard waste
❌ No trash burning
❌ No open fires

These restrictions help prevent wildfires and protect our communities during the spring wildfire season.

For more information on Ohio’s Outdoor Fire Laws, please visit:
https://dam.assets.ohio.gov/image/upload/com.ohio.gov/documents/fire_ForestryLaws.pdf

Let’s work together to keep Ohio safe. 🔥🌲

02/17/2026

🔥 LaGrange Firefighter Association Raffle 🔥
🎟️ Prizes
🥇• $500 – LaGrange Friendship Gas Station
🥈• $250 – LaGrange Hardware
🥉• $125 – Romeo’s Pizza
📅 Drawing: Friday, March 6, 2026
💲 Tickets: $10 each

🎉 50/50 Raffle:
💲 Tickets: $1 each
Winner will be announced at the end of evening

🎫 Tickets for both raffles will be available at the LaGrange Lions Club Lent Fish Fry
📆 Feb 13, 20, 27 & March 6
⏰ 4:30–7:30 PM
📍 240 Glendale St LaGrange

Hornby Family Foundation
Lagrange Ohio Lions
LaGrange Township
Village of LaGrange

02/17/2026

Great work last night by crews from Eaton Twp, LaGrange and Grafton Village. Training on forcible entry, reduced space prop and wall breaching. Great teamwork and cooperation between agencies, thanks for attending.

02/12/2026

Two of our staff were at training last night with Lorain County Tech Rescue and Lorain County Haz-Mat.

02/04/2026

NEW SNOW EMERGENCY PROCESS – IMPORTANT UPDATE

The Lorain County Sheriff is updating how snow emergencies are declared to better reflect the size of our county and the reality that winter weather does not impact all areas the same. Snow emergencies will now be area-specific, not countywide. The traditional three snow emergency levels will be replaced with two clearly defined winter weather notifications: Snow Emergency Advisory and Travel Ban.

Moving forward, the Sheriff will no longer declare “Level” Snow Emergencies which affect the entire county as one. Instead, snow emergencies and roadway closures will be issued when conditions only affect certain locations with the collaboration of County Commissioners, Township Trustees, Mayors and Managers. During significant winter weather events, the Sheriff will activate a Virtual Emergency Operations Center (EOC) and coordinate directly with local leaders, road crews, law enforcement, and weather data.

If winter weather begins impacting a specific city, township, or area, the Sheriff will work directly with that area’s Mayor, Manager, or Trustee to assess conditions and determine appropriate action.

This approach ensures:
• Decisions are localized
• Road conditions are accurately assessed
• Public safety actions are timely and appropriate
• Residents receive clear, accurate guidance


Snow Emergency Advisory – What This Means

A Snow Emergency Advisory is issued when winter weather is beginning to significantly impact a specific area of Lorain County.

At this stage:
• Snow and road conditions are deteriorating
• Local leadership and the Sheriff are actively coordinating
• Residents should use caution, limit travel when possible, and monitor updates
• Emergency services and road crews are preparing for worsening conditions

This advisory serves as an early warning to help residents make safe decisions before conditions become dangerous.

⸻

Travel Ban – What This Means

A Travel Ban is issued when road conditions in a specific area have become dangerous or unsafe for travel.

At this stage:
• All roadways are closed to non-emergency personnel in specific areas or the county
• Travel is strongly discouraged and should only occur for true personal emergencies
• Individuals traveling during a Travel Ban may be subject to arrest
• The restriction remains in effect until conditions improve and it is lifted by the Sheriff

Travel Bans are used only when necessary to protect lives and allow emergency responders and road crews to operate safely.

01/29/2026