Gunfire Damages Vermilion Home; Police Ask for Tips
Vermilion police are investigating a shooting that damaged a home in the Brownhelm Station Road area early Wednesday morning, July 23, shortly before 4 a.m. The first reports of gunfire came in around 3:25 a.m. from multiple callers in the Indian Ridge Estates and Highbridge Road area. Officers searched the Continue Reading
Vermilion Fire Department: Weekly Incident Report, July 12–18
From the desk of Vermillion Fire Department Chief Bill Brown The Vermilion Fire Department responded to a variety of incidents between July 12 and July 18, ranging from traffic accidents to fire alarms and a submerged boat. Below is a summary of the department’s activity for the week: These responses Continue Reading
Jackson Street Assault Ends in Arrest and Hospital Visit
A neighborhood dispute on Jackson Street escalated into violence Tuesday night, leading to one man’s arrest and another’s hospitalization. Police were called to the area around 9:41 p.m. on July 22 after a 53-year-old Jackson Street resident reported being assaulted by his neighbor, Rickey L. Haynes, 67, who lives next Continue Reading
Golf Carts, Sewer Funds & Rezoning at Council Meeting
At the July 21 Vermilion City Council meeting, residents raised traffic safety concerns, Council approved major street projects, and a controversial rezoning proposal was officially withdrawn. Council President John Gabriel confirmed that the developer seeking to rezone Douglas Street for apartment construction has pulled their application. The plan, which included Continue Reading
Vermilion Police Blotter: July 14–20, 2025
The following incidents were reported to the Vermilion Police Department between July 14 and July 20, 2025, as provided by Chief Chris Hartung. This weekly blotter highlights a range of activity including fraud complaints, vandalism, and multiple arrests stemming from traffic stops and other incidents. July 14, 2025 July 15, Continue Reading
Confirmed Meth Discovery During May Arrest Leads to New Felony Charge
A Vermilion Township woman was arrested twice this year—first on bench warrants, then later on a felony drug charge—after jail staff discovered suspected methamphetamine during a routine search. On May 5, 2025, Kimberly Ann Phillips, 59, was arrested at her residence on Darrow Road by deputies from the Erie County Continue Reading
Elderly Woman Injured After Fall on Liberty Avenue
An elderly woman was injured this afternoon after tripping and falling in the middle of Liberty Avenue in front of The Vermilion Boat Club. The incident briefly blocked traffic in both directions as Vermilion police officers quickly arrived on scene. Officers acted swiftly to ensure the woman’s safety and redirect Continue Reading
Vermilion Board Advances $47M Bond, Hires VP
At its July 14 regular meeting, the Vermilion Local School District Board of Education voted to move forward with placing a $47 million bond issue on the November 4 ballot, approved a new high school assistant principal, and reviewed a range of personnel and financial items as the district prepares Continue Reading
AP Cut, New Principal Hired as VLSD Bond Vote Looms
The Vermilion Local School District Board of Education held two public meetings in June and early July to address major staffing changes, approve year-end financial actions, and formally place a $47 million bond issue on the November 2025 ballot. New High School Principal Hired At the June 9 regular meeting, Continue Reading
Council Debates Cannabis Zones and Ice Cream Trucks
At the July 14 Vermilion City Council Committee meetings, council members reviewed community safety issues, street repairs, potential zoning updates for recreational cannabis, and an amendment to the city’s food truck ordinance. Public Safety Takes Center Stage Police Chief Chris Hartung delivered an emotional report on the July 10 domestic Continue Reading