Township Board Reverses Course on Contested Property Case – VIDEO
The Vermilion Township Board of Zoning Appeals voted 4–1 to rescind a May 2025 certificate of compliance for the Cherry Road property owned by Robert and Jessica Dunn. The decision came after arguments from attorneys Dennis O’Toole and Charles Bennett, testimony from Erie County Engineer Matt Rogers about drainage concerns, Continue Reading
Vermilion Trustees Tackle Repairs, Cleanup, and Projects
The Vermilion Township Board of Trustees approved emergency fire department repairs, authorized a cemetery cleanup contract, and initiated two drainage infrastructure assessments during its regular business meeting on August 6, 2025. Trustees Kenn Baughman (Chair), Don Rowe Sr. (Vice Chair), and Kurt Johnson were present, along with Fiscal Officer Stephanie Continue Reading
Driver Cited After Crashing into Vermilion Township Fire Ambulance on U.S. Route 6
VERMILION TOWNSHIP — A driver was cited after striking a Vermilion Township Fire Department emergency vehicle late Tuesday night while crews were responding to a tree fire on U.S. Route 6. According to the Erie County Sheriff’s Office, the crash occurred around 11:03 p.m. on July 30 near the 11700 Continue Reading
Severe Storm Batters Vermilion Township: Roads Washed Out, Trees Downed
Storm knocks down trees, floods residences, and damages roads in multiple areas A fast-moving storm brought heavy rain and strong winds to Vermilion Township over the weekend, flooding roads, damaging property, and leaving tree debris across multiple neighborhoods. Township Trustee Ken Baughman confirmed the widespread nature of the damage and 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
Cherry Road Zoning Dispute Returns to BZA in Appeal
Tonight the Vermilion Township Board of Zoning Appeals met to consider an appeal filed by Assistant Erie County Prosecutor Charles Bennett. The appeal challenges a zoning compliance decision made by Township Zoning Inspector Joe Baxter concerning the property of Robert and Jessica Dunn on Cherry Road. The dispute originated from Continue Reading
Vermilion Township Trustees Tackle Critical Issues at June 4th Meeting
The Vermilion Township Board of Trustees held its regular business meeting on Wednesday, June 4, 2025, at 6:32 p.m., addressing a comprehensive agenda that included departmental reports, a key resolution, and public feedback. The meeting saw the participation of Chair Kenn Baughman, Vice Chair Don Rowe Sr., Trustee Kurt Johnson, Continue Reading
Daniel Hitlan, Formerly of Vermilion Township, Sentenced for $2M PPP Fraud
Daniel R. Hitlan, formerly of Vermilion Township and more recently of Huron, Ohio, has been sentenced to 27 months in federal prison for defrauding the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) out of more than $2.5 million during the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Continue Reading
Trustees Question Developers, Delay Fire Station Repairs
VERMILION TOWNSHIP — Vermilion Township Trustees Kenn Baughman, Don Rowe Sr., and Kurt Johnson met Wednesday, May 21 for a public hearing on the proposed Kneisel Planned Unit Development (PUD), followed by their second regular monthly business meeting. Township Administrator Joe Baxter, Fiscal Officer Stephanie Johnson, and Fire Chief Frank Continue Reading
Public Hearing Set for Kneisel PUD, Vineyard Estates Expansion
VERMILION TOWNSHIP — Township officials are signaling serious scrutiny ahead of a public hearing later this month that could shape the future of a proposed residential development known as the Kneisel Development PUD, which would expand the existing Vineyard Estates subdivision. At the May 7, 2025 meeting of the Vermilion Continue Reading