Ohio community marks its tornado response

WOOSTER, Ohio (AP) — Two people who saw firsthand the destruction from a northeast Ohio tornado in September have helped light their community’s Christmas tree.

The honors in Wooster (WU’-stur) went Sunday night to Claudia Grimes, whose florist business was destroyed, and director Steve Slack with the Ohio State University agricultural research center.

Grimes tells media outlets that community support helped reduce her sense of loss. Slack says the tree-lighting made him feel like the center’s recovery is on track.

The tornado Sept. 16 destroyed center greenhouses and other buildings, trees and landscaping. Nearly 100 homes in the Wooster area were damaged.