The News-Messenger from Fremont, Ohio • Page A2

RECORDS The News-Messenger, Fremont, Ohio, Wednesday, October 1 2008 Deaths Green Springs man years in prison after could face eight incident at Piasan's Michael W. Black weapon, tampering with evidence and illegal possession of a firearm on liquor permit premises charges. If convicted, Wise faces a maximum of eight years in prison and fines up to $20,000, court records show. The string of incidents occurred on July 28 when Wise allegedly stormed into Piasan's on West State Street to confront his wife with a semi-automatic stated he saw the man carry the gun into the bar. Officers later located Wise along Croghan Street but he denied his involvement in the shooting.

Police found several rounds of ammunition and the semi-automatic handgun. They also found an empty magazine and another semi-automatic handgun in a yard on Croghan Street, records show. News-Messenger reports FREMONT A Green Springs man pleaded not guilty in the Sandusky County Common Pleas Court at his recent arraignment. Rex Wise 23, now has a pretrial hearing set for Nov. 12 under Sandusky County Common Pleas Court Judge Roger Hafford.

According to court records, Wise faces carrying concealed Court Continued from A1 one comes to mow the lawn, but no one has put a "for sale" sign in the yard yet. This is a common occurrence in Sandusky County, and it has caused property values to drop, said Judge Roger Hafford of Sandusky County Common Pleas Court. Last year, 342 foreclosures were filed in Sandusky County, compared to 14 in 1993. That's why Sandusky County Common Pleas Court is starting a foreclosure mediation program, Hafford announced Tuesday. Mediation will bring homeowners whose houses are being foreclosed upon and their banks together to discuss refinancing the home and other options.

"The goal is to get them to stay in their homes," said Emily Samlow, the court's staff attorney. "If not, we want to get the homeowner the best deal we can." Here's how it works: Samlow, a certified mediator, will handle the foreclosure cases. Homeowners whose houses are being foreclosed upon must request mediation. They must agree to participate in a credit counseling session with the WSOS Community Action Commission and allow an appraiser to determine the current value of their home. Although they might have bought the house at $125,000, its current worth likely is much less because of the mortgage crisis, he said.

With the counseling and current house value, the homeowners know what they can do financially and should be better equipped to work out a feasible agreement with the bank, he said. Next, Hafford will order the bank that is foreclosing on the home to send a representative to the mediation. The representative and the homeowner should discuss the problem and work out a refinanced mortgage or another resolution to the case, such as the bank agreeing to let the homeowner rent the house for a certain period of time, he said. "The nice thing about mediation is we can work to transition them instead of just kicking them out after 30 days," Samlow said. Homeowners often have trouble negotiating with their lenders because they don't have access to the people who gun.

Wise created problems at the bar and he was escorted outside by his wife to talk. The woman said as they were walking toward Wise's car, he turned around with the gun in his hand and fired several shots over her head as she stood there. Wise then fled the scene, the report said. Several witnesses said they heard multiple shots and one Home sales down Sales of existing homes are at the lowest point in 1 0 years, largely due to tight mortgage credit. (Seasonally adjusted annual rate, in millions) Projected.

0 i i i i i i i i i i i '98 '00 '02 '04 '06 '08 Source: National Association of Realtors Janet Loehrke, Gannett News Service he said. Across the country, thieves have broken into foreclosed homes and stripped them for scrap metal, Samlow said. Plus, the bank loses money because it usually buys back the houses at sheriff's sales and then sells them at a loss, like 1269 E. Maple St. in York Township, Hafford said.

Grandview attorney Kevin Williams, whose law firm represents big banks, said mediation has been successful in cases where homeowners provide their financial information to the bank, so it can determine whether to refinance. Broker Jamie Heberling of Co-Op Realty in Fremont said she thinks the mediation program should help the local market rebound. "Not a lot is selling," she said. "Buyers are having a harder time getting qualified. The www.thenews-messenger.com Wednesday, October 1 2008 Vol.

170- No. 101 The News-Messenger, A Gannett Satellite Information Network news- paper, is published daily except Sun- 1J00 St Fremont' 43420. Second class postage is paid at Fremont, OH 43420. Postmaster: Send address changes to The News-Messenger, Box 1230, Fremont, OH 43420. offices Fremont (41 9) 332-551 1 All other areas (800)766-6397 RL Cindy George Bealer cmgeorgefremontgannetLcom Publisher 41 9) 01 2 Jill Nevels-Haun jhaungannett.com Executive 9) 334-1040 Bill Anliker banlikergannett.com Advertising Dir.

334-1018 Didi Chamberlain dchamberfremontgannett.com Human Resources (41 9) 334-1063 ADVERTISING Business hours: Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. To place a classified ad 8 a.m.- 5:30 p.m. call (419) 334- 1 1 00, or (800) 766-6397. ABOUT OBITUARIES Obituaries, which generally are sent in by funeral homes, are paid advertisements and should be directed to our Onsite Service Representatives, who also can provide assistance and information weekdays.

Short death notices are free. E-mail obituaries and photos to The deadline for us to receive notices is 4 p.m. Sunday through Friday; late notices will be delayed one publication date. Information: (41 9) 332-551 1 fax: (419)332-9750. Mary Jane Bowman Feb.

6, 1 91 8 Sept. 30, 2008 Mary Jane Bowman, 90, of Oak Harbor Rd, Fremont died Tuesday, September 30, 2008 at Bethesda Care Center. She was born February 6, 1918 in Rose Hill, VA to Cale and Mollie (Hounden- BOWMAN shell) Long. Mary Jane married Charles Henry Bowman, Sr. on January 25, 1940 in Clyde, OH and he preceded her in death on April 16, 1972.

She was a Homemak-er. Mary Jane is survived by her children, Charles Henry (Susan) Bowman, Kenneth Leroy (Marilyn) Bowman, Christine SueTusing, all of Fremont; ten grandchildren; thirteen great grandchildren; thirteen great-great grandchildren and one great-great-great grandchild. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Charles Henry Bowman, son, Ralph Long; four sisters and one brother. Visitation is private. Graveside Service: Thursday, October 2, 2008, 1:30 pm at Butternut Ridge Cemetery in Adams Twp, Green Springs, OH with Celebrant Maureen Pump officiating.

Memorials: Bethesda Care Center, 600 N. Brush St, Fremont, OH 43420 Online Condolence: www. wo rly rvath Richard Wilson July 28, 1923 Sept. 28, 2008 Richard Wilson, age 85, of Ocala, FL, passed away on Sunday, September 28, 2008. He was born in Frederick-town, OH, on July 28, 1923, and was preceded in death by his parents, Caryl Alice Wilson, son, Earl Wilson, and sister, Patricia Hall.

Mr. Hall was retired after 27 years as a manager for Travelodge and La Quinta Inn Suites and he also worked for Publix. Survivors include his wife, Doris Ann Wilson; daughters son-in-law, Pam Wilson of Oregon, Debra Bruce Rogers of Powder Springs, GA, and Ellen Woodruff of Kennesaw, GA; brother sister-in-law, William Rosemary Wilson of Heath, OH; four grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. A graveside service Thursday, October 2, 2008, at in Peaceful Meadows Memorial Cemetery, with Reverend Wayne Rogers officiating. Visitation: Clark Funeral home on Thursday from until Clark Funeral Home in Hiram, GA, is in charge of arrangements.

Online condolences: Judith A. Gittinger Died Sept. 29, 2008 Judith A. Gittinger, 67, Castalia, died Monday evening, September 29, 2008, in Stein Hospice Care Center, Sandusky. Arrangements are pending with Toft Funeral Home Crematory, 2001 bus Sandusky.

Feb. 22, 1966 Sept. 29, 2008 Michael Wayne "Spud" Black, 42, went home to be with the Lord on Monday, September 29, 2008. He was born on February 22, 1966 in Bellevue the son of Larry "Blackie" and Peggy (Warwick) Black. He was currently employed by JarrettTree Service, Bellevue.

In addition to his parents he is survived by his life long partner, Heidi Anne Black of Bellevue; a son, Cory Michael Black of Bellevue; 4 daughters, Ashlee Mclaughlin of Salem, OH, Marisa Ann Black, Haley Renae Frank, and Savannah Carolyn Miller, all of Bellevue. Two brothers, Tim Black and Fred (Tammy) Black, both of Bellevue. A sister, Michelle (Larry Scott) Hicks, of Bellevue; maternal grandmother, Lucretia Hensley of Sneedville, TN; and numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins. He is preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Fred and Bivie Black, maternal grandparents, Edgar and Ruby Warwick, maternal grandfather, William Paul Hensley and uncles, Billy Ray Black, Billy Joe Warwick and her cousin Angela Warwick. Visitation: Friday, October 3, 2008 from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m.

in Foos and Foos Funeral Service, 151 Yorkshire Place, Bellevue where a funeral service will be held on Saturday at 10 a.m. Burial will follow in Greenlawn Memory Gardens, Clyde. Memorials: Made be made to his children through the funeral home. Online condolences: Can be made at: www.foosfuner-al.com. Jeffrey Adams July 7, 1956 Sept.

27, 2008 Jeffrey Adams, age 52 of Woodville, OH passed away on Saturday September 27 2008, at Hospice of Northwest Ohio, Perrysburg, OH. Graveside services will be private. The arrangements are being handled by the Marsh Funeral Home, Luckey, OH. Memorials: Victory Center, 5532 W. Central Ave, Suite Toledo, OH 43615.

Online condolences: www.marshfuneralhomes.c om. OBITUARIES ON THE NET To read obituaries online, visit www.thenews-messenger.com Voting Continued from A1 about running out of ballots for voters to use. "We have plenty. We'll keep a check on them," she said. Employees can order more from the printer, or print a "ballot on demand" if they need to do so.

Friar also said the challenge to the law which allows registration and voting on the same day will not be a problem. "All absentee ballots are put into an envelope," she said. They are neither cast nor counted until Election Day. If they are challenged, "you could find the ballots and have a hearing and so forth," she said. "It's built into the system." All absentee voters are sent a non-forwardable "acknowledgment card," she said.

"If it's sent back, then we have to investigate that, so this is a way we're going to find any fraudulent voters," she said. "We can simply find the ballot and reject it. The board would make the decision on that. They make the final decision." Extra staff members have been working at the board for a while, she said, to send out 60-day election notices and perform other duties. "We've had several things going on at one time," Friar said.

E-mail Catharine Hadley at chadleygannett.com. Foreclosures increase The number of properties with at least one foreclosure filing increased 27 percent in August from the same month a year ago. Properties in foreclosure: (August figures) 239,851 303,879 113,300 75,597 2005 2006 Source: Realty!" rac 2007 2008 Janet Loehrke, Gannett News Service make decisions, Hafford said. Most foreclosures in Sandusky County come from large, national banks instead of the local ones, he said. "(Bank) attorneys don't have the ability to make deals," Hafford said.

"They just push the paper and take their instructions from somebody in New York City or Phoenix. Mediation will force the banks to come to court with someone who can make decisions. Foreclosures have been a problem throughout Ohio, which has the seventh highest number in the country, according to RealtyTrac Inc. of California. Nationally, more than 300,000 properties were in some stage of foreclosure in August, a 27-percent increase from the same month last year.

Locally, foreclosures usually are the result of predatory lending, divorces, people losing their jobs and people becoming sick and no longer being able to work, said Hope Kingsboro, WSOS Housing Services coordinator. "The bad loans are about 20 percent of what we see," she said. "We have found, as an agency, that the lenders are starting to work with people because this is such a big issue." The Ohio Supreme Court has recommended Ohio counties implement a mediation program. Sandusky County used the court's model to create its program, Samlow said. She and Hafford hope mediation will educate homeowners on their rights and what kind of help is available to them.

Many homeowners move out as soon as they receive a foreclosure notice when they could stay and try to work something out with the bank, Hafford said. But leaving often makes the problem worse because it opens the home up for damage, he said. In the winter, pipes freeze and break, causing water damage to the home and ultimately dropping its value even more, Street in Clyde, reported vandalism to his vehicle. Fremont police CHARGED Steven Alafita, 29, Bellevue, disorderly conduct, Tuesday. Laurie Cunningham, 43, Fremont, theft, Monday.

VANDALISM At 2:01 p.m. Monday, a man in the 900 block of Rawson Avenue, reported someone damaged his truck while it was parked in his driveway. The windshield was broken and a large dent was put into the passenger side. FRAUD At 2:54 p.m. Monday, a woman in the 500 block of South Pennsylvania Avenue, reported a possible scam after she received a letter and check allegedly from Publishers Clearing House.

Services Include: guidelines are stricter, which is understandable." Most sellers owe more money than their house is worth, she said. And foreclosures are partly to blame. Foreclosed homes can bring down the selling price of other homes in the same neighborhood, Sandusky County Auditor Bill Farrell said. With so many homes on the market, the low demand drives prices down, he said. "If they're similar homes, and if I can buy one for $20,000 less than the other, you're going to have to lower your price," he said.

"Or it's going to be sitting on the market a lot longer." Despite the country's dismal financial situation, people are still buying homes, said Realtor Tony Taylor of Executive Turn-Key Inc. in Fremont and Cindy Gabel, broker and owner of Gabel and Associates Realty in Fremont. "For people that are looking, it's made the market more healthy, and there are more options," Taylor said. "I have been getting busier, personally." Sales have slowed, they said. Homes that once sold in 90 to 120 days are now on the market for eight or nine months, he said.

"Things are still moving," Gabel said. "It might take a little longer." Gannett News Service contributed to this story. CIRCULATION Customer Service 424-021 7 For home delivery problems or missed copies, call during business hours: Monday-Friday ..8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday 7 am to 1 1 a.m.

ATIer nours' ma" aI- NMCircfremont.gannett.com NEWS yu nave a news l'P Pnoto idea, Questions or request for a correc- tion, call Local Desk Editor, Cindy Jacoby' (41 9) 334-1 070- Sports saxgBKaM (41 9) 332. 8721 m) Q42 or (41 g) Q43 For obituary information, call Kathy smith, (419) 334-1031 or Sandy Fox, (41 9) 334-1 032. 'Births, weddings, engagements, anniversary information, call Kathy Smith, (419) 334-1031 SUBSCRIPTION RATES EZ Pay (no bills) Carrier $10.87 per month Motor Route $1 1 .96 per month Weekly Carrier $2.50 per week Motor Route $2.75 per week Mail $151 .75 in Sandusky and adjacent counties; $159. 15 elsewhere in Ohio, $1 69. 1 5 outside Ohio.

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Pets-Supplies FREE KITTENS, SHORT Haired, Littered Trained Wormed. Call 419-332-2257 For Your Information Brand new classified ads appearing for the first time today! Sandusky County sheriff INJURY At 1 1:57 p.m. Monday, in the 1300 block of Hydraulic Street in Ballville Township, a 2-year-old had fallen and hit her head. She was taken to Memorial Hospital. BURGLARY At 4:1 2 p.m.

Monday, a man in the 3300 block of Sandusky County Road 62 in Woodville, someone returned home and found his house was entered. No other details were available. At 1 2:40 p.m. Monday, a woman in the 1500 block of Sandusky County Road 128 in Sandusky Township, reported an unknown man entered her residence through a side entrance and her dog chased the man out. VANDALISM At 9:43 p.m.

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