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Volume 53, No. 15
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CHESTERLAND NEWS Wednesday, December 8, 2021
Your Community Newspaper Since 1967 Chester Man Pleads Guilty in Coronavirus Relief Fraud Case
Staff Report
A Chester Township man has pleaded guilty in federal court to devising a scheme to fraudulently obtain Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) guaranteed by the U.S. Small Business Administration under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act, including approximately $60,000 in loans. Robert Bearden, 49, was indicted in July 2021 and charged with three counts of wire fraud and one count of theft of government funds, according to the indictment. He pleaded guilty to all four counts on Nov. 4. Judge Donald C. Nugent, of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, is scheduled to sentence Bearden on Feb. 24, 2022. According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Ohio, Bearden carried out the scheme in a number of ways, including submitting EIDL applications See Fraud • Page 10
SUBMITTED
Members of the West Geauga boys cross country, which qualified for the OHSAA State Meet for the first time in school history. “They are a true testament to what you can accomplish with hard work, dedication and self-determination,” said Head Coach John Boylan.
West Geauga Boys X-Country Makes History By Jason Baxter sports@geaugamapleleaf.com The West Geauga Boys Cross Country team made a successful run to the OHSAA State Cross Country Meet Nov. 6, making history as the first West Geauga cross country team to advance to the state meet in school history. The Wolverines narrowly missed the State Meet in 2020, finishing in seventh place as a team at the Boardman Regional
Meet. The team was 14 points out of qualification. “Since missing the State Meet last year by one place this team has had one goal — to qualify,” Head Coach John Boylan said. “I have always said the most important words in cross country are June, July and August. This team listened.” He added: “They worked hard, they trained hard, and they pushed each other. During the
season they continued to push and support each other. They ran as a team — they ran as a pack of wolverines.” The high school postseason is a long four-week push with deteriorating weather conditions. Peaking at the perfect time is crucial. The Wolverines, who won or finished as runner-up in all eight regular season meets kept up the success in the postseason. They See X-Country • Page 5
Happy Tails Cat Sanctuary Seeks Donations for Animal Surgery Staff Report Happy Tails Cat Sanctuary is reaching out to the community for donations to help with a surgery for one of its senior cats named Liam. The surgery will remove a small tumor from his neck to prevent serious future health issues and while under anesthesia, he will also undergo a dental procedure, said Happy Tails volunteer Doreen Lazarus. “He is expected to fully recover and then be available for adoption,” he said, adding his brother, Yossi, who looks similar, is already adoptable.
Happy Tails President Tom Vasko reported that for the second consecutive year, donations to the mostly cage-less, no-kill cat sanctuary have decreased due to the COVID-19 pandemic,
so financial contributions to help with Liam’s upcoming surgery, as well as with considerable ongoing expenses at the sanctuary, would be greatly appreciated. Tax-deductible donations can either be transmitted via PayPal at www.HappyTailsCatSanctuary.org or a check or money order can be mailed to: Happy Tails Cat Sanctuary, P.O. Box 581, Chesterland, OH 44026. For more information or questions, call or text Lazarus at 440-759-0076 or send an email to HappyTailsCatSanctuary@gmail.com.
karlovec media group Seeking
SALES REPS Karlovec Media Group is hiring account representatives to sell print and online advertising in and around Geauga County. We are seeking self-motivated and aggressive salespeople who aren’t afraid of a challenge. Karlovec Media Group publishes the Geauga County Maple Leaf, Chesterland News, Middlefield Post, Kirtland Chronicle and Geauga Now. Sales areas will include both print and online media. Candidates must be able to manage time wisely, meet deadlines and have reliable transportation. All of our staff must be willing to work in a team environment to help grow our newspapers. The ability to understand and live with a deadline-driven business is a must. The ideal candidate would have at least two years of sales experience. There is an established client list included. Submit resumes to
editor@geaugamapleleaf.com
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