Repairs to communication system damaged by lightning continue

LEETONIA -- Village officials are hoping the adage that lightning doesn't strike twice in the same place is true.
Village Administrator Gary Phillips said damage is slowly being repaired from a May 10 lightning strike that knocked out most of the village's police and fire communications systems, including radios, telephones and computers.
New computers in the police and fire departments were installed this week. Some less critical services, such as voice mail on village office phones, have yet to be restored.
Phillips estimated damage at $20,000 to $30,000, most of which will be covered by insurance. The village has a $1,000 deductible.
Lighting apparently struck somewhere between the fire station and village hall during a thunderstorm about 8 a.m. that Saturday morning, Phillips said.
There was one phone line working on which the dispatchers could receive emergency fire and police calls. For two-way communication, police and firefighters used cellular phones.
It took about five hours for emergency communications to be restored. Village officials alerted residents of the problem through radio and cable television announcements.
"Everyone handled the situation very well, and firefighters were on standby," he said. "We were fortunate there were no major emergency calls during that time."