Officials mum on plans for Biden visit to Lorain

It's not clear what effect President Joe Biden's visit to Lorain today will have on local traffic patterns, road closures and travel in the area. Lorain Schools warned Wednesday that parents could expect busing delays in the afternoon, especially on the city's east side. "First Student will use all of their routine bus stops, however, please expect delays," CEO Jeff Graham wrote in a newsletter released Wednesday night. "As always, our focus will be on the safety of our children. Thank you for your patience." Local, state and federal officials were less than effusive about other plans. "Due to the need to maintain operational security, the U.S. Secret Service does not comment on the means, methods or resources used to conduct our protective operations," a Secret Service spokesperson told The Chronicle-Telegram on Wednesday. The Lorain County Sheriff's Office will be assisting with security during Biden's visit, but spokesman Capt. Richard Bosley referred all questions about what that will look like to the White House Press Office. A White House planning and logistics official told a reporter they couldn't comment. An Ohio Department of Transportation spokesperson said Wednesday the agency had not been made aware of the travel logistics for the president. "We have not been made aware of the intended route for the president so I cannot forewarn of any restrictions or delays, as we do not know which routes will be used," spokesperson Crystal Neelon told The Chronicle in an email. Neelon referred other questions to the State Highway Patrol. Spokesman Sgt. Ray Santiago referred all questions about traffic detours or delays to the Secret Service. "It's a security detail that we are assisting with so we cannot give any details about it," he said Wednesday. Police from communities surrounding Lorain have been asked to assist with traffic, Amherst Police Lt. Dan Makruski said, but details of where they would be posted were not available as of 5 p.m. Wednesday. Lorain police Chief James McCann also was asked Wednesday if he had any information he could share about Biden's visit. "No," he said. Wellington officials likewise declined to go into detail about preparations for former President Donald Trump's visit to the Lorain County Fairgrounds last June, citing security reasons. The Secret Service and the FAA have established a "no drone zone" flight restriction for Lorain tosday, announced in an email to the press on Wednesday. The restriction applies to all aircraft and pilots, including drone pilots. Further information for pilots can be found online at FAA.gov. Reporters Carissa Woytach and Jason Hawk contributed to this story. Contact Dave O'Brien at (440) 329-7129 or dobrien@chroniclet.com. Follow him on Twitter @daveobrienCT.