Geauga County Maple Leaf 3-20-2025

Leaf

Thursday, March 20, 2025

Vol. 31 No. 12 • Chardon, Ohio www.geaugamapleleaf.com

$1.25

Middlefield Village

New Medical Center Plans Announced

By aNN WiShart aNN@karlovEcmEdia com

Middlefield Village and University Hospitals are forging an agreement to create a medical center on Kinsman Road near its intersection with Gingerich Road.

Middlefield Village Council gave Mayor Ben Garlich the authority March 13 to sign a purchase agreement for the vacant BFG Supply Company distribution center on Kinsman Road with the intent of renovating it in partnership with UH.

“We’ve been trying to get a medical center in the village for five years. We think this building is a perfect fit for us,” Garlich said near the end of the meeting. “This is a great investment for the village and we will finally get the urgent care we need.”

Chardon Man Pleads Guilty To Child Porn

West G Board Rescinds Bond Issue from May Ballot

By Emma macNivEN macNivEN@karlovEcmEdia com

After community feedback, particularly from the senior population, West Geauga Schools Board of Education unanimously voted to remove a $128.2 million bond issue from the May 6 primary ballot during its March 10 meeting.

Treasurer Karen Pavlat said the 5.35-mill bond issue — which was slated to fund a new combined campus, auditorium and field house for school and community

use — would have cost homeowners $187 per year per $100,000 property valuation.

The district has spent $56,000 on design plans with GPD Group, an architecture and design planning

firm in Akron, Pavlat said.

Board President Christina Sherwood said it’s important the district considers the feelings of older adults in the community on fixed incomes who would be impacted the most.

“I really felt like this would be the right time in spite of everything and then I started listening to more and more people, and our seniors, in particular, are feeling a little bit squeezed — a lot a bit squeezed — and so that's a large

See Ballot • Page 5

Hundreds Flock to Observatory Park for Lunar Eclipse

About 250 people filtered into Observatory Park late March 13 and early March 14 to catch an immaculate view of a total lu nar eclipse, peaking around 2:30 a.m., with park telescopes and interpretation by Geauga Park District "Astro-Nat" Chris Mentrek. Those who missed it will have another chance to see one March 3, 2026, just missing the end due to its timing so near moonset.

pleaded guilty to two counts of ille gal use of a minor in nudity orient ed material in the Geauga County Court of Common Pleas March 11. with pandering sexually orient ed content involving a minor, a fourth-degree felony; three counts of illegal use of a minor in nudity oriented material, fifth-degree felo nies; and one count of possessing criminal tools, also a fifth-degree felony.

to the charges Dec. 11.

state agreed to dismiss the pander ing charge, one count of the illegal

Fire Destroys Nature’s Nook Salvage Store in Middlefield page 10 Commissioners Appoint New County Admin. page 4

Staff

Claypool Sherwood

SuBmittEd

TOP PHOTO CHRIS MENTREK BOTTOM PHOTO SONNY WILLIAMS

Center

meeting, Garlich said he signed the contract, which UH previously signed, to buy the facili ty pending a due diligence period of 130 days.

better safe than sorry,” Garlich said. “Lots of due diligence needs to be done to make it a reality. We are all conceptually on board and hope nothing we aren't currently unaware of prevents it becoming a reality.”

The 38,000-square-foot factory in Burton Township sits on more than 58 acres along the Cuyahoga River, according to the Geauga County Auditor’s Office website.

After the meeting, Garlich said the building is not turnkey and needs a lot of work.

The selling price is about $1.25 million and UH will only need about 12,000 square feet of floor space, he said.

Garlich is anticipating the village would be

SCREENSHOT

Middlefield Village is buying the BFG Supply Company warehouse on Kinsman Road in Burton Township and negotiating with University Hospitals to turn part of it into a medical center.

able to lease the rest of the building, he said.

“We are working with the Cardinal Schools, as well, to facilitate their ACE trades program,” he said, adding he has been meet-

ing with Superintendent Jack Cunningham for two years and with UH for four years to bring the project to this point.

The Amish are very excited about the project, as well, and recently agreed to partner with the village and UH to develop the facility, Garlich said.

Once UH and the village agree on a design for the medical center, the mayor said he believes there are Amish crews willing to take care of the build-out.

The village would buy the materials and UH would provide the equipment for the fa-

“It’s a major undertaking, but we are all committed to working together to make it a win,” Garlich said.

The property is owned by BF Acquisition LLC, which bought it for $1 million in 2000, according to the auditor’s website.

The factory was a warehouse and distribution center for Burton Flower and Garden, a branch of BFG Supply Company in Indianapolis, Garlich said.

Community Meetings

Listed are public meetings and executive sessions in the county for the coming week, unless otherwise noted. To have a public meeting included in this section, fax information to 440285-2015 or email editor@karlovecmedia.com no later than Monday noon. These meeting notices are NOT legal notices.

Geauga County: March 25, 9:30 a.m., Geauga County Commissioners; March 26, 9 a.m., Board of Revision, Auditor’s Appraisal Conference Room. All county meetings are held at the Geauga County Administrative Building, 12611 Ravenwood Drive (Ste. #), Claridon, unless otherwise noted. County commissioners meetings are held in Suite 350. Auburn Township: March 27, 7 p.m., Zoning Commission. All meetings are held at the Administration Building, 11010 Washington St., unless otherwise indicated.

Bainbridge Township: March 20, 7 p.m., Board of Zoning Appeals, at Centerville Mills Park Dining Hall, 8558 Crackel Road; March 24, 7 p.m., Board of Trustees, at Bainbridge Township Service Department, 17800 Haskins Road; March 25, 6 p.m., Zoning

Commission, at Centerville Mills Park Dining Hall, 8558 Crackel Road.

Chardon City: March 25, 6:30 p.m., Planning Commission. All meetings are held at the Municipal Center, 111 Water St., unless otherwise noted.

Chester Township: March 20, 6:30 p.m., Board of Trustees. All meetings are held at Township Hall, 12701 Chillicothe Road, unless otherwise noted.

Claridon Township: March 24, 7 p.m., Zoning Commission, at Claridon Administrative Building, 13932 Mayfield Road.

Montville Township: March 27, 7:30 p.m., Zoning Commission. All meetings are held at the Montville Community Center, 9755 Madison Road, unless noted.

Munson Township: March 25, 6:30 p.m., Board of Trustees. All meetings are held at Township Hall, 12210 Auburn Road, unless otherwise noted.

Newbury Township: March 26, 7 p.m., Zoning Commission. All meetings are held at the Town Hall, 14899 Auburn Road, unless otherwise noted.

Parkman Township: March 26, 7 p.m., Zoning

Commission. All meetings are held at the Community House, 16295 Main Market Road, unless otherwise noted.

Russell Township: March 20, 7 p.m., Board of Trustees; March 26, 6 p.m., Zoning Commission. All meetings are held at Town Hall, 14890 Chillicothe Road, unless otherwise noted.

South Russell Village: March 24, 6:30 p.m., Village Council, special meeting followed by regular meeting at 7 p.m. All meetings are held at the Village Hall, 5205 Chillicothe Road, unless otherwise noted.

Cardinal BOE: March 26, 6:30 p.m., meeting/ work session. All meetings held at BOE Office, 15982 E. High St., Middlefield, unless otherwise indicated.

Correction

Incorrect information appeared in a story in the March 13 Geauga County Maple Leaf titled, “Trustees Meet with BTE to Hear Proposal.” A previous Parkman Township Trustees board sold only a quarter-acre parcel to BTE Properties.

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Commissioners Appoint New County Admin.

Staff rEport

Three months after the Geauga County Commissioners voted 2-1 to oust former County Administrator Gerry Morgan, they voted unanimously March 18 to appoint Amy Bevan to the post.

“We as commissioners don’t always agree on everything, we’ve had some good-faith disagreement about the best path forward for Geauga County. But, on this decision, we are completely united,” Commissioner Carolyn Brakey said. “There is no debate.”

Bevan, upon being informed of her selection, expressed gratitude and enthusiasm for the future.

“I’m truly honored by the commissioners’ decision and grateful for the opportuni-

ty to serve as county administrator. I look forward to working under the guidance of the commissioners to serve the people of Geauga County,” she said in a March 18 press release.

She will officially take office April 14, Dvorak said at the meet ing.

Commissioners received 52 resumes for the position, with many strong candidates among them, Brakey said at the meeting, adding despite the competition, Bevan stood out as an exceptional candidate.

The search process has been lengthy and

involved multiple interviews, Commissioner Jim Dvorak said.

Bevan is a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and has over 25 years experience in administration, fiscal management and organizational development, commissioners said in the release.

Per her resume, Bevan is the lead innovation officer for a two-star general and has previously held a position as a director on a Marine Corps base in Hawaii. She has a bachelor’s degree in anthropology from The Ohio State University.

“I’m dedicated to supporting Geauga County’s veterans who have served our country and I’m proud to announce that Marine veteran Amy Bevan will take command in service to our county,” Commissioner Ralph

Spidalieri said in the release. “She’s a proven leader and I know she’ll set Geauga County on the right course as our next county administrator.”

Bevan is the kind of leader the county needs to reinforce a responsive and effective government in Geauga, Dvorak said in the release, noting her discipline, accountability and hard work.

“Geauga County taxpayers deserve a county administrator who is disciplined, fiscally responsible and focused on delivering real results,” Brakey added in the release. “Amy Bevan is that leader. I’m excited to partner with her and I believe her appointment will be a major inflection point for Geauga County.”

Burton Resident: Sewer Tap-in Fees ‘Kind of Crazy’

By aNN WiShart aNN@karlovEcmEdia com

Burton Village resident Pete Spanos got almost no response from the Burton Village Board of Public Affairs March 11, despite his strident outrage over the village’s $15,000 sewer tap-in fee.

It was his second impassioned speech in two days on the topic, the first being in front of the Burton Village Council on March 10.

Last Tuesday, he said he researched the 2022 cost of connecting to sewers in villages and cities across the state.

“Of 150 municipalities, it seems the village of Burton is the second highest in the state, which I think is kind of crazy,” Spanos

said, adding he believes $15,000 is punitive for other homeowners who might want to tap into the system.

“I understand you guys want to subsidize the cost of the wastewater treatment plant, but I’m thinking that’s just a little too much,” Spanos said.

If he ties into the sewage system, additional costs include digging up and replacing the sidewalk and part of the village road, he said.

The entire project would cost him about $62,000, he said.

“There is a manhole thing in the corner of my property. It seems like a nice place to connect, but maybe it’s not what the engineering folks want to do,” Spanos said.

When asked after the meeting why that

proposal had been discarded, village Engineer Chip Hess said it would not be sound engineering.

BVBPA member Nick Rundo asked why, if Spanos’ system is working, he wants to tap in.

“It’s 50 years old. Something’s going to fail,” Spanos replied, adding since his yard will be torn up to install a geothermal heating system and solar panels, the timing seemed right.

He also noted if his system does fail, he’d have no choice but to tap into the village sewer because new septic systems are not permitted.

“The village ordinance requires a tap in. We’re not allowed to put in another septic system. (I’d be) trapped into paying the tap-in fee,” Spano said. “It’s a trap and it's punitive against everyone who lives here. I imagine there’s a bunch of other people here who maybe cannot afford it. I think these fees ... impacts not just me, but it is a barrier to any further development in the village — and maybe that is the goal.”

Chuha from page 1

use of a minor and the possessing criminal tools charge, and will recommend a residential community control sanction, according to the agreement, filed in the court docket March 11.

Items listed in a specification to count five, possession of criminal tools, will also be willingly forfeited.

The state and defense do not currently have an agreement on a sentence, however, according to the document, the consecutive maximum penalty would be a 24-month prison term and a $5,000 fine.

Chuha will also be classified as a Tier I sex offender, requiring in-person registration with the sheriff for a period of 15 years and prohibition from living within 1,000 feet of a school or childcare facility.

Chuha’s current home on Goodrich Court violates the latter requirement, so, upon sentencing, he will no longer be allowed to reside there.

In the event Chuha is sentenced to prison, after being released, he will face five years of mandatory post-release control, according to the agreement.

In August of 2024, a search warrant was executed at Chuha’s home following a refer-

During his diatribe, Spanos said his wife, village Mayor Ruth Spanos, was positive about the village.

In a phone interview March 16, BVBPA Chairman Bill Pinkava said he is sympathetic to the problem village residents with septic systems are facing, particularly since the state requires all septic systems to be inspected.

If the system does not pass the inspection and repairs are not possible, tapping into the village sewers is necessary, unless the BPA grants a permit allowing a septic tank to be replaced in special situations, he said. He estimated it would cost Spanos about as much to put in a new septic system as to tap into the village sewage main.

Spanos’ property may have a challenging location if the septic system is in their backyard, Pinkava said.

That would place it downhill from the sewer main, which is on the other side of the road from the house, he said.

Geauga County Common Pleas Judge Carolyn Paschke.

ral from the Ohio Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force to Geauga County Prosecutor Jim Flaiz’s office about suspected accessing of child sexual abuse materials at a Chardon residence.

An indictment filed Nov. 19 lists video cameras, a computer tower, a hard drive and SD cards as property subject to criminal forfeiture.

Chuha is scheduled for sentencing in front of Geauga County Court of Common Pleas Judge Matt Rambo May 20.

Bevan

Sutter, Roman Clinch Health Board Seats

By alliSoN WilSoN WilSoN@karlovEcmEdia com

Faces old and new will appear on the Geauga County Board of Health at its next meeting, with the Health District Advisory Council appointing former member Lynn Roman to a two-year term and new member Christine Sutter to a five-year term March 12.

While HDAC’s screening committee recommended appointing Roman and Sutter, votes were also cast for candidates Matt Brakey and Rich Dietke, the only contenders with no experience in the medical field.

Prior to the vote, candidates were allowed six minutes to speak, after which the board could ask questions. Candidates were also interviewed the week before the meeting.

During her time at the podium, Roman rehashed her experience in the healthcare industry and explained her reason for running again.

She has a commitment to community service and her previous experience on the health board gives her the ability to jump back in without a learning curve, which is important for a two-year term, Roman said.

Roman also spoke in favor of the Lake-Geauga Cooperative Agreement, which

had a notably rough inception when the board approved it during the same meeting a majority of Geauga Public Health staff were terminated.

Roman’s first full-time job was as a public health educator. She also held positions at all three major hospital systems in Cleveland, where she gained management experience and was accountable for millions of dollars.

The health department needs to focus on public health initiatives and continue to provide vaccines and care to underserved and Amish populations, she said.

“I have a great deal of concern over the Kennedy administration and whether or not there will be public health in the future,” she added, referring to the appointment of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert Kennedy Jr.

The department needs to brace for changes to grants and funding under the new administration, she said.

The health department’s levy is also over 20 years old and the board needs to consider a new one, she added.

Sutter, a nurse manager and OBGYN, noted her background in women’s health, adding she oversees 45 staff members. She

also served on a number of committees to improve healthcare outcomes, and reviews policies, guidelines and deals with budgets.

Sutter said she is proactive in educating the public and talks with schools on a number of topics. A proponent of education, Sutter promotes new nurses coming in for internships and practicums, and said she wants to see higher enrollment at facilities like Lakeland Community College.

Sutter has also worked at an Amish birthing center, as well as the Amish vaccine clinic. In other healthcare outreach, she said she has assisted in the opening of an outpatient lactation clinic.

“I have a strong passion for improving community health and wellbeing,” she said.

“I would love to be part of the decision-making body that can positively impact health-

care policies and services for all individuals.”

Members of the public expressed a mix of reactions to the candidate lineup, with resident Mary Briggs noting her apprehension at Roman being on the board when the Lake-Geauga agreement was signed, and Brakey being the husband of a board member at the time.

Meanwhile, former Aquilla Village Council member Chris Alusheff said there would be multiple good choices and that it was nice as a member of the public to not have to lobby for a decision.

Roman secured her seat 13-5, while Sutter won 12-4 with one abstention from chair Jason Sutter, her husband.

Sutter expressed her excitement in a statement March 14.

“This is a fantastic opportunity to contribute to the health and well-being of our community, and I’m eager to collaborate with the team to address important health challenges,” she said. “I look forward to making a positive impact and working towards a healthier future for everyone.”

Roman declined further comment, saying she had been voted in and would therefore serve her community.

County Files Counterclaim in Juvenile Detention Lawsuit

By alliSoN WilSoN WilSoN@karlovEcmEdia com

Geauga County Commissioners responded to a Portage County lawsuit alleging breach of contract and unjust enrichment March 4, filing a counterclaim in the Portage County Court of Common Pleas seeking in excess of $25,000 for damages.

Portage officials’ original lawsuit, filed Jan. 22, targeted Geauga County Commissioners’ decision to pull out of a cost-sharing contract with the Portage-Geauga Juvenile Detention and Rehabilitation Center.

In it, officials contended Geauga County needed Portage County’s permission to with-

Ballot

from page 1

portion of our voting base,” Sherwood said. “To disregard what they have to say, whether it's a real (threat), or just a perceived threat to their finances, is still real to them and that's something that we need to consider.”

She said the community seems to generally agree new facilities are needed in the district, but are unsure about the timing.

“The one message that kept coming back was that we might not disagree that we need new buildings or a different plan for our kids, but it is probably not the right time, right now,” Sherwood said, adding the public has also expressed a lack of understanding regarding the bond issue.

“They didn't know that this plan was moving forward. It's important that moving forward — if we decide to not put it on the ballot in May — that we do a much better job posting and getting out into the public and making sure the public really understands what it is that we're asking for, why we're asking for that, how that's going to affect our kids (and) how that's going to affect you, as community members,” she said.

Holding off on the bond issue will also give the board time to consider other funding

draw, disputed Geauga County’s calculation of interest in the property and demanded payment of $292,650, as well as other related costs.

In the March 4 counterclaim, Geauga County Prosecutor Jim Flaiz denied the allegations and requested the court dismiss Portage’s complaint.

Portage County Commissioners’ claims lack standing, he said, referring to legal doctrines that state cases cannot be re-litigated after being decided in previous lawsuits and this case has passed its statute of limitation. Flaiz also said portage officials failed to exhaust other administrative remedies.

While Portage officials claim in their lawsuit Geauga officials did not have the right to with-

options from the state.

Board member Pam Claypool echoed Sherwood, saying parents were in favor, but older adults weren't.

“It's wonderful that the parents are, you know, for it. I would expect that, but we do have a lot of seniors. We have a lot of people and I think one of the speakers mentioned that they're very stressed,” she said, echoing Sherwood that their messaging needs to be better communicated in the future.

Sherwood recommended the community attend more board meetings to get accurate information.

In other business, Amy Davis, director of pupil personnel, proposed a new preschool at Westwood Elementary School.

“Transition to kindergarten would be much easier with the ability to interact with teachers and with families (in the same building),” Davis said.

The proposal states the preschool would house 32 students, five days a week.

“This also gives us the opportunity to intervene early, “she said. “We would have an opportunity to have half the class students with identified special needs and then also an opportunity for peer models to enroll, as well.”

Davis said she hopes to get the board's approval for the preschool in April.

draw from the agreement without their approval, Flaiz said in the counterclaim Geauga officials withdrew in accordance with Ohio Revised Code section 2152.41.

Geauga officials want to sell Portage officials their right, title and interest in the detention center land, buildings, furniture and equipment, he continued.

An agreement on the ownership interest of the facilities was established in 1998 to record both counties’ interests in the center should either decide to leave. While Portage’s lawsuit said Geauga’s position on the interest is inconsistent with the 1998 agreement, in a statement Jan. 28, Flaiz said Geauga would be seeking to enforce its terms.

Geauga officials have also requested the county’s proportionate share of excess cash carryover funds from 2021 and 2024, Flaiz said in the counterclaim.

“The 1998 agreement and the minutes, resolutions and applicable law of the joint board are binding contracts/obligations on (Portage) and require (Geauga) to receive compensation from (Portage) for its share of

the detention center facility and payment for excess cash carryovers to be distributed to (Geauga) for years … 2021 and 2024,” he said.

By failing to pay Geauga its ownership interest, Portage has breached their agreement, he said.

“As a result, (Geauga) has been damaged,” he said.

Furthermore, Portage has benefitted from Geauga’s monetary contributions during its time as a joint district, Flaiz argued, adding with Portage not paying Geauga its interest in the center and excess cash carryovers, they have unjustly retained that benefit following Geauga’s departure.

Geauga officials are requesting in excess of $25,000 for damages. They are requesting Portage pay them the proportionate interest of the fair market value of the detention center property without any setoffs — which Flaiz later said exceeds $1 million — as well as Portage’s payment of excess cash carryover for 2021 and 2024.

Portage commissioners and legal counsel did not respond to a request for comment prior to press deadline.

Roman Sutter

‘An Ongoing Constitutional Concern’

Governor’s Proposed Budget Puts Educational Funding Weight on Taxpayers

By alliSoN WilSoN WilSoN@karlovEcmEdia com

With school boards across Ohio concerned about a proposed state budget that would reduce public school funding, multiple architects of Ohio’s Fair School Funding Plan came together March 12 for a discussion on the topic

The ongoing situation traces back to the DeRolph Decisions, an Ohio Supreme Court case from the 1990s that declared Ohio’s school funding system at the time unconstitutional, former Ohio Rep. John Patterson explained during the talk, which was hosted by the League of Women Voters of Ohio.

Multiple funding formulas followed, culminating in the FSFP, which Ohio currently operates under. The plan addresses the question, “What does it cost to educate a student?” he said, something DeRolph hadn’t included.

Per DeRolph and under Ohio’s constitution, there is a shared responsibility between the state and local district to bear the cost of educating a student, Patterson said.

Districts with greater wealth contribute more, while the state contributes more for less wealthy districts.

Up until the FSFP’s introduction in 2021, there was not a funding formula that worked for the majority of districts in Ohio, Chardon Schools Superintendent Mike Hanlon said, adding under the current plan, there has been a $1.5 billion increase in state funding since fiscal year 2022.

The FSFP is currently in year four of a sixyear phase in, Shared Services Alliance Executive Director Ryan Pendleton explained.

Under House Bill 96, Gov. Mike Dewine’s proposed biennial budget, traditional school districts received a decrease in funding, while community and STEM schools saw an increase, as did joint vocational schools, he said.

“The matter of who pays for K-12 education in Ohio remains an ongoing constitutional concern,” Pendleton said.

During the DeRolph case, the state’s share of the base cost to educate a student was around 42%, he said, adding at the current moment, the state share is around 38%. Under the proposed budget, it would fall to 32%.

Per the governor’s budget, 80% of Ohio’s school districts get wealthier “on paper” in fiscal years 2026 and 2027, and over half see a decrease in state funding, Pendleton said.

The changes are not from any actual increase of wealth in the districts, he said.

“The state’s side of the components for the state and local share formula are updated, but the local side is not,” he said.

Public finance expert Howard Fleeter, who has been working on school funding in Ohio since 1990, said updating the base costs has only been a controversial item in recent years. Previously, it was understood the formula needs to be based on current data.

“I think a large part of that is the state not wanting to absorb the cost of continuing to keep that side of the formula updated,” he said.

The projected decrease in the state’s

Cardinal Schools District Asks Residents to Lobby for State Funding

By aNN WiShart aNN@karlovEcmEdia com

Cardinal Schools’ superintendent and treasurer sent out an SOS March 12 urging every member of “Team Cardinal” to lobby the State House against cutting school funding.

In the update about discussions on the state budget, which will be passed in one form or another in June, the letter recommends parents, teachers and anyone concerned about funding for public education send letters, emails or make phone calls to Columbus pleading the case for fair funding.

“Based on the governor’s budget, Cardinal Local Schools is projected to see another reduction of up to $274,738 in state foundation aid over the next two years, according to a recent analysis by the Ohio Education Policy Institute,” read the letter, signed by Superintendent Jack Cunningham and Treasurer Terry Armstrong.

It is one more crack in public education’s financial foundation, they said, pointing out Cardinal lost more than $13 million from the state’s phase-out of the tangible personal property taxes over the last decade, and the state provides only 24% of Cardinal’s revenue.

Local taxes account for 69% of the district’s budget, according to a pie chart in the letter.

Armstrong and Cunningham recommend calls, letters and emails should be personal and persuasive.

Sharing a personal story from a staff member, parent or resident explaining why the school is important is a good place to start, they said.

Requests in the second paragraph should be for the Ohio Legislature to prioritize public school funding, to keep the current funding guarantees in place, approve the final phase in the Fair School Funding Plan, update base cost inputs to fiscal year 2024 (currently it is based on costs from FY2022) and increase the current minimum state share.

Finally, the format suggests thanking the legislators for their support of Cardinal Schools.

Geauga County legislators' contact information was included in the letter, which can be found on Cardinal’s website, as well as a list of talking points residents may use in their conversations.

Contact information includes Rep. Sarah Fowler Miller, 77 South High Street 12th Floor, Columbus OH 43215, phone 614-4661405, email Rep99@ohiohouse.gov; and Sen. Sandra O’Brien, Senate Building 1 Capitol Square, First Floor 125, Columbus Ohio, 43215, phone 614-466-7182 and email obrien@ohiosenate.gov.

the burden on the state.

share of funding is a direct result of not updating all of the data, he emphasized.

“You’re keeping the pie the same size and redividing it in favor of the state share going down and the local share going up,” he said.

From FY 2025 to 2027, there is a projected decrease of $103.4 million for traditional districts, he said. Meanwhile, voucher schools would see an increase of $265.4 million.

Vouchers represent allocation of public funds from the state to pay for the costs of students at non-public schools in order to promote choice, with voucher amounts varying depending on a family’s income, Hanlon explained in a Feb. 24 email.

“There has been a massive change in vouchers over the last several years. The amount of funding has gone up dramatically, and just from the FY23-FY24 school year … funding for vouchers went from $610 million in FY23 to $962 million in FY24,” Fleeter said.

Eighty percent of the increase was from one voucher program having an income requirement removed, he said.

“We had a $350 million increase in just one year in payments to families who are already sending their kids to private schools,” Fleeter said.

Meanwhile, public schools will lose money under the proposed budget, he said.

A failure to maintain inputs puts the state back on a non-functional formula, Pendleton said.

To not update them puts a larger burden on taxpayers, while updating them is a form of tax relief, he said.

Legislators need to hear from community members, staff and parents about school funding, Hanlon said, adding this can be done through letters to legislators or through testimony at the state house.

The key message is that, in order to fulfil

See Funding • Page 7

Kenston Schools

Willingham: Public Schools Appear to be ‘Under Attack’

By Emma macNivEN macNivEN@karlovEcmEdia com

Gov. Mike DeWine introduced budget changes Feb. 3 that appear to benefit private schools, but harm public education, said Kenston Schools Superintendent Bruce Willingham March 10.

The proposed budget would cut $103 million from public schools over two years, according to the Statehouse News Bureau, which reported vouchers and charters would get about a half a billion dollars more in the budget.

funds away from public schools, according to Ed Choice, an education reform nonprofit.

The funding changes are ultimately helping the private schools, the superintendent said.

The House is currently reviewing the budget before it will move to the Senate for approval.

“It sure feels like public schools are under attack, right?” Willingham said during the Kenston Schools Board of Education meeting. “You know, we were the only education system that does not see an increase in the state and we're technically the only one that’s really provided for. Vouchers are increasing exponentially. It's a way to privatize education.”

Vouchers give parents the ability to use public funding for private schools, shifting

“The vast majority of students that are using vouchers in our district are not impoverished students by any stretch of the imagination, and that is something that you're seeing statewide. You're not seeing — the legislators will tell you, ‘Hey, we're doing this because this is helping some of our more impoverished families.’ Well, that's not the case,” Willingham said. “The case is the people that always went to private schools are still going to private schools. The kids that went to public schools are still going to public schools. Yet, the money and the increases are following the privates and the vouchers.”

In a follow-up interview, Willingham further explained the budgetary changes, which he said will cause the district to rely more heavily on bonds and levies.

“The big issue for us is we are already overly reliant upon local property taxes … yet here we are being forced to potentially go back to voters because of reductions in state funding,” he said. “It's frustrating for schools and the communities we serve.”

Willingham reiterated public schools are going to see a decrease in funding, while vouchers and charter schools will see an increase.

See Kenston • Page 7

Willingham

Auburn Career Center Superintendent to Retire

District Partners with ESC for Replacement Search

By alliSoN WilSoN WilSoN@karlovEcmEdia com

Brian Bontempo recently announced he would be stepping down from the helm of Auburn Career Center by the end of July.

During a special ACC board of education meeting Feb. 27, Bontempo — who had taken over for previous Superintendent Margaret Lynch in 2017 — announced his intention to retire.

“My experience as the superintendent of the Auburn Career Center has been a highlight in my career. I have worked with outstanding board members, amazing teachers and staff, and an administrative team that is thoughtful, smart and courageous,” Bontempo said in a public statement. “But most of all, my interactions with bright, young students have truly been the most rewarding.”

Bontempo’s retirement comes during a time of both expansion for ACC, as well as ongoing litigation between the board of education and teachers union over back pay, which has been in progress since 2011.

Kenston

from page 6

“Public schools are set to get roughly $16 billion, but that includes a cut from current spending, which adds up to $103 million over the two years of the budget,” he said, adding the state share base cost decreases for districts 87% in the first year and 83.1% in the second year.

Vouchers are set to get $2.4 billion, or a 16.5% increase and charter schools will get $2.7 billion, or an 11.7% increase (over two years), he added.

In other business last Monday, Kenston Middle School Principal Adam Fender and Kenston High School Principal Tom Gabram cited progress on the STOPit program.

Willingham announced at the Jan. 13 school board meeting the district would begin using the anonymous reporting system, which allows students and parents to report issues like suicidal tendencies, substance or alcohol abuse to school administration through text, photo, or video.

Fender said it’s giving students an opportunity to share things they wouldn't otherwise.

“It's easy and it's been effective for the most part because you can see even some of the re-

Funding

from page 6

the legislature’s constitutional obligations, the input components must be updated and the plan fully phased in, he said.

In a testimony before the House Education Committee Feb. 25, Hanlon acknowledged there is less state money available and stressed the need to work together to protect local communities. Without decisive action on the budget, there is the risk of undoing progress and widening educational inequities, he said.

Cardinal Schools in Middlefield are one example of said inequity.

Treasurer Terry Armstrong presented an

When asked if the ongoing case with the teachers union impacted his decision to retire, Bontempo sent a followup email noting the significant partnerships, investments and expansions propelling ACC forward, including a grant to renovate the school’s healthcare wing and the construction of a new public safety training facility.

“After years of significant accomplishments and planning for the future, the district is in a strong position and has a clear vision for the future, making it an ideal time for me to move on and for a new superintendent to step in,” he said. “It’s bittersweet, but I am confident that the foundation we have built will continue to drive success for students, businesses and the community.”

Board President Roger Miller thanked Bontempo for his leadership and dedication to the students and staff in a public statement, and wished him well for the future.

“We are grateful for Superintendent Bontempo’s dedication and vision, which have positioned Auburn as a leader in career technical education,” he said. “(Bontempo) sees

ports are there, there's small, minor things for us, but the student who's writing it, it's their work,” he said. “So, we're taking each one, one at a time, and working through it and meeting with the students, or whatever we need … They are not the end of the world things, but it's teaching them to say something.”

Similarly, Gabram said the program allows the district to keep track of any patterns among students, giving them a database for timelines for investigations.

“It's really a complete database. It's filing everything, so (it’s) very transparent for us to kind of see any of the history, any of the patterns that could be developing,” he said. “It's definitely a way to see that history as we move through the potential investigation that might happen.”

Willingham said he thinks students and parents will soon get comfortable with the program.

“I think as kids and parents get more used to using it and find out that it is anonymous, some of the follow up is happening, I think people are gonna definitely feel more comfortable and safer reporting,” he said.

Willingham also said the program has been loaded onto the school’s Chromebooks, as students don’t have access to their cellphones during the school day.

overview of the district’s funding, according to the FSFP, if it is not updated.

“Total state funding per student received by Cardinal Schools is only $3,828.37, compared to a state-wide average of the 20 most similar districts of $8,825.38,” he said.

At this point, it is projected the state share, which was 42.35% in 2024, will decrease to 38.41% this year and drop to 35% in 2026.

While the district has a high property valuation, that valuation does not increase the amount of local tax money coming in because the levies’ yields are fixed amounts, he explained.

Armstrong urged all residents to contact their state senator and representatives and ask them to update the plan.

the big picture regionally and brings people together to solve regional challenges. He is consistently looking for ways to improve the people or the situation, challenging everyone to be better. His commitment to excellence has left a lasting impact on our students, staff and community.”

The ACC board appointed the Educational Service Center of the Western Reserve to aid in their superintendent search March 4.

“This is a board process,” ESC Superintendent Jennifer Felker explained in a presentation at the meeting. “I wanna emphasize, we help facilitate that process, we do not make the choice of who your next leader will be.”

The ESC also protects the board, she said.

“Using a superintendent search process is essential, especially right now, to do due diligence to the community, to the staff, to the school districts,” she said, adding the process typically takes about six to eight weeks.

“We share all candidates that apply for the position to the board,” Felker said. “Our job is really to build consensus.”

ESC also helps to build transparency in

the board’s next steps and in recent searches, it has engaged the community for focus group input, she said.

The search process will focus on the key qualifications, professional experience and leadership qualities necessary, ACC said in a March 13 press release.

“It’s the board that develops this profile and with that in mind, what we have is a profile survey that … we’ll send out electronically to all the board members tomorrow so that you can start filling it out,” explained ESC Director of Superintendent Support Services Bob Scott.

Once they’ve received that information, they can put together a profile for the job that will be posted to online platforms, he said.

Applicants will likely have a vast range in terms of previous experience. ESC will sit down with the board to go over each one and filter down the general crowd to a group of possible candidates and again, to a group of serious candidates, from which they will decide who to interview, Scott said.

Boards will usually end up interviewing five to seven candidates, with two or three in a final interview, he said.

Mental Health Board Hosts

Suicide Awareness Training

Staff rEport

As part of an initiative to raise awareness and prioritize behavioral healthcare, the Geauga County Board of Mental Health and Recovery Services recently hosted community training on suicide prevention.

The training, titled, “Assessing and Managing Suicide Risk,” aimed to equip participants with the skills to recognize suicide risk, intervene in suicide-specific situations, support using human connection and compassion and learn local crisis intervention resources, mental health board Executive Director Christine Lakomiak said in a March 12 press release.

“We secured a grant from the Ohio Suicide Prevention Foundation, a key partner in our mission, to help cover some training materials,” she said. “Many community partners and family members came together to learn these crucial skills.”

Geauga County loses approximately one person a month to suicide, with men between 50-65 years old the highest-risk demographic, Lakomiak said in the release.

“Our county’s Suicide Prevention Coalition, a driving force in our community, has been highly active in educating and advocating for a future free from suicide,” she said, echoing the words of the coali-

tion’s mission statement.

A resource fair, “Live Well Festival –Fun & Resources for Better Living,” will be taking over the Claridon Woodlands Lodge June 4 for similar reasons, she added in the press release.

The event will feature a presentation on scams targeting seniors from the Geauga County Prosecutor’s Office, a Chardon Polka Band concert, free lunch and raffle prizes.

“Over 35 agencies will offer participants the tools and resources to stay active, embrace healthy connections, and navigate the challenges of downsizing and moving to a higher level of care,” she said. “Various vendors will engage participants with free chair massages, yoga and mindfulness activities, health screenings and legal resources.”

Help is available if you or someone you know is anxious, depressed, in a mental health crisis, has alcohol or drug concerns, or needs someone to talk to, she said.

The Suicide and Crisis Lifeline can be reached by calling or texting 988 and is free, confidential and available 24/7, as well as staffed by trained counselors.

The mental health board can also be reached by calling 440-285-2282 and can help navigate all available resources.

They are there to help, Lakomiak said.

UH Needs Front Desk and Gift Shop Volunteers

Interested in making a difference in people’s lives, making new friends or giving back to the community? University Hospitals Medical Centers at Lake West in Willoughby and TriPoint in Concord Township are seeking volunteers for the front desk, gift shop and other areas.

Volunteers must be 16 years old or older, have great customer service skills and some computer skills.

For more information, call TriPoint Medical Center at 440-354-1665 or Lake West Medical Center at 440-953-6049.

Women’s History Month Looks Back to Inspire Future

By roSE NEmuNaitiS Editor@karlovEcmEdia com

As the end of Women’s History Month approaches, renowned historian Bari Oyler Stith, of Huntsburg Township, reflected on the significant impact of women, not only on the development of Geauga County, but of the nation.

“As we look forward to the 250th birthday of the United States in 2026, we need to look back at the evolution of women’s roles, what we’ve accomplished and how to build on our successes,” said Stith, noting this year’s national theme, “Moving Forward Together! Women Educating & Inspiring Generations”

“Educating and inspiring people to explore history and use its lessons are exceptionally important to me, which is why I’ve spent my entire career as a public/applied historian and educator, putting our past to work on behalf of our future,” she said.

Stith has been the leader of the popular Leadership Geauga’s historic bus tours for both the Signature Adult and the Heritage/ Retirees programs for years.

Nearing retirement herself as the director of the historic preservation program at Ursuline College, Stith finds it beneficial to spend less time in a traditional classroom and more in the field at locations such as the South Newbury Union Chapel.

Stith was responsible for nominating the chapel for the National Register of Historic Places and obtaining an Ohio Historical Marker for its Centennial Oak, which is slated to be installed in 2026.

“At that site, you can easily imagine the

19th century suffragists attempting to vote in that unpretentious building, holding social reform conferences on the lawn under the trees and in 1919, marching down what is now (state) Route 44 to Centennial Oak in support of the 19th Amendment that extended the right to vote to women in 1920,” Stith said. “A peek into the chapel gives you a glimpse of what it must have been like to listen to Susan B. Anthony speak on that chapel stage in 1879.”

In addition, historians have been physically documenting the chapel for the Historic American Building Survey — documentation

that is essential prior to restoration projects on historic structures, she said.

“Projects such as these are inspiring to emerging preservationists, particularly when the projects are successful,” Stith said. “They provide essential real-life experience, as well as lines on their resumes as the students seek professional employment in the field.”

Preserving women’s history, however, can be a challenging endeavor, Stith said.

“It can still be very difficult to uncover women’s influence in our past,” she said. “Yet, women persevered and fought, both in their local communities and the nation. Thanks to the considerable efforts of our foremothers, women today have increased educational opportunities, access to more choices in career paths, a voice in government through our votes and elected positions, and more choices in the way we live our lives, as well as make contributions to our communities.

“There’s still more to understand and more work to do, but I hope that the work that has been done by my ‘Boomer Generation’ will help propel the next generations forward,” she added.

The Next Generation

Stith recalled one of her former students, Ally Nahra, capturing the director’s approach to teaching in a single sentence: “Our classrooms have no walls, but our projects do.”

Rather than confining students to a classroom, Stith’s students spend most of their time exploring the impact of historic sites and districts, adaptive reuse of historic structures and the way in which heritage enriches community culture both psychologically and economically, she said.

“Dr. Stith influenced my life as a former student of women's history through her passion for it and her ability to see that women's history is everywhere, despite our lack of representation,” Nahra said. “In a program focused on preserving the built environment, her efforts to take us to the places that preserved women's place in history, to understand how those places had been preserved, how those stories were told, etc., had a huge impact on me and what I have chosen to do with my career. Dr. Stith helped me realize

See Women • Page 9

Overhaul Coming to Centerville Mills Park

By Emma macNivEN macNivEN@karlovEcmEdia.com

Bainbridge Township officials are working to make Centerville Mills Park into a recreational center with walking trails and observation decks for the community.

The township received a $125,000 grant as a part of a House Bill 2 Capital Improvement Grant Community Parks, Recreation and Conservation Project with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.

Township officials have been looking for opportunities to change the recreational activities at the park after turning Lake Paternek and Smith Creek back into a natural stream, Assistant Service Director Alex Hansel said in a phone interview, adding that was a part of a $333,250 grant they received in 2020 from the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency to restore erosion in the walkway, which closed the walking path to the waterfall.

“Now that the lake’s gone, we're trying to find different ways to allow the community to enjoy that piece of property because it's a beautiful piece of property,” Hansel said. “So, the bridge is the first phase of an overall proj-

Women from page 8

how much there was out there. I just need to be creative, know where to look and then do my part in its preservation.”

Stith and her students find inspiration in the work preservation professionals are doing — often quietly, behind the scenes.

“In my teen years, I was inspired by the James A. Michener quote in his book, ‘Centennial’ — ‘During the few years allotted to each of us, we are the guardians of our earth, the custodians of our heritage and the caretakers of our future,’” Stith recited. “Then, in graduate school (American Studies at Case Western Reserve University), I discovered the study of women’s history and was inspired by 19th century suffragist Elizabeth Cady Stanton, who said, ‘I never forget that we are sowing winter wheat, which the coming spring will see sprout, and other hands than ours will reap and enjoy.’”

Those quotes have guided Stith’s career community involvement, she said.

“Now that I am a grandmother, I believe even more wholeheartedly in those sentiments as I strive to promote understanding of our past to make our community even better then it already is for the next generations,” she said, adding she believes all women’s en-

ect to put walking trails, observation decks, things of that nature throughout the Centerville Mills Park property.”

The first phase of the project involves putting in a bridge connecting Centerville Mills to Smith Creek. The bridge will be 120 feet long and 6-to-8-feet wide with supports at either end and in the middle, said administrative coordinator Christina Piotrowski at the Feb. 24 Bainbridge Township Trustees meeting.

Hansel announced at the March 10 trustees meeting he is working with ODNR to make the park into a state reserve, so eventually, people can visit the falls.

“There used to be a boardwalk that went all the way down steps. Those weren't maintained well and those were removed, gosh, almost maybe 10 years ago,” said Bainbridge Township Trustee Jeff Markley.

Hansel said ODNR would be in attendance for the April 14 meeting to answer questions.

The agreement has not yet been sent to the Geauga County Prosecutor’s Office, as “it needs some work,” added Service Director Jim Stanek.

Construction is expected to start in spring 2026, Hansel said March 18.

deavors, especially those that bring women together for a common cause, are important.

The historic movements Stith deems most crucial to women are access to education and the vote — both of which women fought for, and continue to fight for, individually and collectively.

“Historically in the U.S., women’s educational opportunities, as well as their civil rights were extremely limited and their contributions to our society and future often went unrecorded,” Stith said.

She believes the past defines people as individuals and communities, and how that is represented in the physical and cultural landscape of a community is important.

“If it’s removed from view, how will we remember it and the associated lessons,” Stith said. “After all, would Geauga County be so special without our agricultural heritage being so well represented by The Great Geauga County Fair and the Geauga County Maple Festival?

“As Marian Wright Edelman (former president of the Children’s Defense Fund) said, ‘You can’t be what you can’t see’ and I find that particularly appropriate to young females,” Stith added. “I would love to see all of us celebrate Women’s History and honor the women who inspire us all year long simply by passing along our own stories of challenge and achievement to the next generations.”

burg Road in Middlefield Township March 14. Three large roll-off containers are being filled with the remains of the block building.

Fire Destroys Nature’s Nook Salvage Store in Middlefield

By aNN WiShart aNN@karlovEcmEdia com

An accidental fire destroyed Nature’s Nook Salvage and Grocery store on Bundysburg Road in Middlefield Township March 14.

Middlefield Fire Lt. Ben Reed said a call came in at 2:22 p.m. about a lot of black smoke at 12960 Bundysburg.

The store, popular with local Amish families, was full of dried foods, paper products and lighter fluid, like most salvage stores, making the fire in the block building hard to fight, Reed said.

“It was kind of a nightmare,” he said, adding the rural location had no fire hydrants, so water had to be hauled in.

“We had to call in a bunch of fire departments,” Reed said.

The cloud of black smoke came from the Styrofoam in the freezers and refrigerators in

Abundant Life Ministry

Saturdays in March, 7 a.m. to noon

Enjoy all-you-can-eat buttermilk pancake breakfasts with real maple syrup at Abundant Life Ministry Center, 13724 Carlton St. in Burton. There will be three varieties of pancakes along with sausage for $10. Check out the book sale with elementary library books and desks.

American Legion Pancakes

Sundays, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

American Legion Post 459 is serving its annual all-you-can-eat pancake and sausage breakfasts every Sunday through April 6 at the post located at 14052 Goodwin St. in Burton.

Berkshire Athletic Boosters

Sundays in March, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Berkshire Athletic Boosters host all-youcan-eat pancake breakfasts in the Berkshire High School cafeteria, 14155 Claridon Troy Road in Burton.

Burton Fire Station

Sundays in March, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Burton Fire Station will serve all-you-caneat pancake and sausage breakfasts at the station located at 13828 Spring St. in Burton. call 440-834-4416 for information.

Chardon VFW Pancake Breakfasts

Sundays in March, 8 a.m. to noon

Chardon VFW Post 6519 is serving its an-

the back of the building, where it caught fire first, Reed said.

The fire started as a result of someone burning trash behind the building. The flames spread out of control before firefighters arrived, he said.

“There was a lot of bad smoke,” Reed said.

Two firefighters were treated on site for smoke inhalation, but no injuries occurred and it was 9 p.m. before the scene was cleared, he said.

“It was a total loss of the building. The fire was ruled accidental,” Reed said.

The 7.3-acre property is owned by Rodney Nagy. A house and outbuildings set in the woods some distance from the site.

Reed said one flare-up was extinguished around midnight and he checked on the scene every hour or so.

“The last thing we wanted was for it to catch fire again,” he said.

nual pancake breakfasts at the post located at 752 Water St. in Chardon. Breakfast features three flavors of pancakes, French toast, eggs made to order, home fries, sausage, bacon, ham and toast. Call 440-285-3699 for takeout orders.

Geauga Historical Society

Sundays in March, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The Geauga County Historical Society is hosting all-you-can-eat pancake breakfasts at the Century Village Museum, 14653 East Park St. in Burton.

For more information, call 440-834-1492.

Parkman Chamber Pancakes

March 23 and 30, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Parkman Chamber of Commerce hosts its annual pancake and sausage patties breakfasts at Parkman Community House, 16295 Main Market Road. Eat-in or drive-through options are available.

West Geauga Kiwanis

March 23, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Kiwanis Club of West Geauga is hosting its 72nd annual all-you-can-eat pancake, sausage and French toast breakfast in the cafeteria at West Geauga High School, 13401 Chillicothe Road, Chester Township.

Cost is $10 for adults and $6 for children 6-11. Children under 6 are free. All proceeds support the community.

For more information, call Les Scott at 440-221-0112 or visit wgkiwanis.org.

BVBPA Seeks Resolution on School Tap-in Fees

By aNN WiShart aNN@karlovEcmEdia com

It appears likely Burton Village will have to wait for its sewage tap-in fee revenue from Berkshire Schools — and no one knows how long that wait will be.

The Burton Village Board of Public Affairs asked legal counsel Todd Hicks March 11 when the school district would pay the balance of the $218,253 tap-in fee for the all-grade school that opened in Burton Township three years ago.

Hicks referred to the joint economic development agreement, created in 2021, primarily to ensure school employees continue to pay the 1% earned income tax they paid in the past while the school buildings were in the village.

The JEDD board is made up of representatives from the village, the township, the owners/operators of the school, workers in the district and a chairperson.

The agreement also includes water and sewer provisions, both of which are provided by the village to the school, the stadium and a recently-established building with eight classrooms for preschool and kindergarten students.

The district paid the village $100,000 of

the sewer tap-in fee when the school was finished. Under the JEDD, the remainder of the fee was to be determined after two years of usage, said Burton Village Engineer Chip Hess, adding the amount of water used in a day would determine the sewage fee.

“They originally established the tap-in fee based on the old high school, about 8,000 gallons per day,” Hess said, adding the new school used an average of 5,817 gallons per day the first year and 5,625 gallons per day the second year.

Last Monday, Hess said the balance owed, which could be paid in installments, is $118,253. However, under the JEDD agreement, the fee would not be due until property owned by Dan Demko on the west side of the village is sold, development begins and taxes are reassessed.

Demko planned to develop housing on the acreage, which was annexed into the village from Burton Township. Between various delays, the COVID-19 pandemic and an increase in construction costs, his plans fell through, so the property did not increase substantially in value.

“I don’t recall tying a tap-in fee to the Demko development,” said BVBPA member Nick Rundo.

Chardon City Manager Stepping Down

Staff rEport

Longtime Chardon City Manager Randy Sharpe recently announced he will be retiring in July.

During the Char don City Council meeting March 13, Sharpe read aloud a memo to council, re flecting upon his time in the position.

“Over the past al most 23 years, with 14 as city manager, we have worked together to bring about prosperity and positive chang es, and I am deeply proud of what we have ac complished as a community,” he said. “While my time in Chardon has been very rewarding, both personally and professionally, the time has come for me to move on to another chapter.”

Sharpe

and he will cherish the memories and friendships he made.

“It’s been an honor and privilege to serve alongside such dedicated leaders, top notch staff and community members,” he said. “My career in local government has shown me the value and purpose of municipal work, and I am proud of our city employees and the work they do to serve our community.”

Mayor Chris Grau said his only disagreement was Sharpe’s portrayal of his role as something small.

“You’ve had a bigger part in setting the stage than what you indicated,” he said. “You have done a sensational job for many years and it will be difficult to replace you.”

He will be respected and appreciated for many years, Grau told him.

Sharpe’s final day of employment will be July 11.

“Do you think I made it up?” Hicks asked, adding he attended a “contentious meeting” during the formation of the JEDD board in which “it became clear Demko and the school district formed an alliance.”

The meeting was held at the American Legion hall in the village because the council meeting room was not available at the time, he said.

“We believed Demko’s development would happen relatively quickly,” Hicks said.

In retrospect, a sunset clause in the agreement would have limited the time allowed for the tap-in fee balance to be paid, he told the board.

Meanwhile, the school is paying usage fees to the village for water and sewer, said BVBPA Chairman Bill Pinkava in a phone interview March 16.

Demko said in a phone interview he has not given up on developing the property on state Route 87, but is concerned about commodity prices in the near future.

“We’re sitting on our hands until we see some light at the end of the tunnel,” he said March 17.

“Because of the market uncertainty,

there’s not a lot of enthusiasm to move forward,” he said.

Demko said the real estate market and the economy are uncertain now, but he hopes to restart the project in April or May.

“We’ll get going late in the summer or early fall, assuming there’s more clarity in the market,” he said.

Sharpe said the foundation officials have laid would support Chardon’s bright future

Kenneth W. Lewis

Kenneth Lewis, 86, of Burton Township., passed away Feb. 24, 2025, at his home.

Born Aug. 14, 1938, in Cleveland, Ken lived in Burton for 56 years.

Ken was a proud Vietnam veteran, serv ing as sergeant in the U.S. Army 101st Airborne and Heavy Weapons Infantry Division from 1961 to 1964 (active duty) and reserves from 1964 to 1967. He earned his Sharpshooter and Expert Mortar and Rifle distinctions.

Ken worked for 48 years in the sheet met al trades for the Sheet Metal Local 33.

A real-life Daniel Boone, Ken loved to hunt, fish, trap, camp, hike, backpack and search for Chaga mushrooms and ginseng root. He lived a full and active life doing things his way (the right way) and on his terms, right up to the very end.

Obituaries

Myrna (Dorsey, dec.) Rowan.

Ken was a family man who would do anything for his kids, grandkids, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. He was always there to lend a helping hand to family and friends and would give you the shirt off his back.

Ken was a man of faith and was active with the New Mercies Church, in Burton, where he served as former president of the board.

He enjoyed taking long drives to Pennsylvania for hikes or to look at the leaves in the fall, metal detecting, gold panning and loved square dancing and clogging with his wife at fairs and festivals.

Ken was a blackbelt in karate, a longtime band member of the Geauga Highlanders Pipers and Drums and was an active member of the Gold Prospectors Association of America and the Newbury Legion Post 633.

Ken was the loving father of Kerrie (Tim) Krizner and Ken (Laura) Lewis; cherished grandfather of Shannon and Wyatt Lewis, and Zac Krizner; step-grandchildren, Audrey (Erik) Krotz and Daniel Klatik; siblings, Marla (James) Freda, Gayle Hayes and Bud (Hope) Lewis; brother-in-law, Mike (Sarah) Mahon; uncle to many nieces and nephews; cousin of many; and friend of many hiking buddies.

He is preceded in death by his beloved wife of 55 years, Peggie Lewis; and sister

Family will receive friends from 10-11:30 a.m. Saturday, March 22, 2025, at New Mercies Community Church, 12767 Butternut Road, Burton, with service immediately following. Pastor Roy Williams officiating. Luncheon to follow service at the church.

The best way to honor Ken is to please go outside and take a hike through nature or plant a tree in his name.

Donations in Ken’s memory may be made to Geauga Park District, 9160 Robinson Road, Chardon, OH 44024.

Arrangements are entrusted to McMahon-Coyne-Vitantonio Funeral Homes in Willoughby and Mentor. To leave condolences for the family or to order flowers, visit www. MCVfuneralhomes.com.

Robert E. Cseplo

With hearts full of love and memories, we celebrate the incredible life of Robert E. Cseplo, who was born on Sept. 29, 1946, and passed away on March 11, 2025.

He was a devoted father, grandfather, brother and friend who touched the lives of so many with his warmth, generosity and humor.

Bobby was the beloved father of Robert (Kathleen), Jeff Cseplo and Kimberly Martini (Craig); and the proud grandfather of Cody, Ryan Cseplo, and Hannah Foster (Trevor). He was also a cherished brother to David, Jane, Mary, Chris and Jeanne.

Bobby leaves behind a large, loving family who will forever carry his spirit in their hearts. He was preceded in death by his parents, Edward and Elizabeth (Betty); and brothers, Eddie and Thomas ”Tom.”

Born in Cleveland and raised in Burton, Bobby graduated from Burton High School, in 1964, where he was the MVP of his football team, playing offensive and defensive linemen alongside his brother, Tom, the quarterback.

Shortly after high school, Bobby married his high school sweetheart and homecoming queen, Darlene Erasmus, and began working in the family business in Burton alongside his siblings before starting his own successful business in the late 1970s — a legacy that continues to thrive today.

Bobby was a man who lived life to the fullest. From childhood mischief with his brothers and sisters to coaching and supporting his kids in all their activities, his presence was always felt. He had a deep love for horses, from training and playing the ponies to helping his daughter show them.

He never passed up a chance to travel, share a dad joke or partake in the famous Concord Crawl with his many dear friends.

He was a giver to his core, always willing to lend a hand (or the shirt off his back), and had unwavering optimism and unshakable tenacity. And, of course, he liked to remind everyone he was the boss; whether it was in the family business or just in life, Bobby’s confidence and humor always made it clear he was in charge of the fun, love and laughter.

To know Bobby was to love him and to love him was a gift. His kindness, laughter and larger-than-life spirit will be profoundly missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made “In Memory of Robert E. Cseplo” to Hospice

of the Western Reserve by sending donations to 17876 St Clair Ave., Cleveland, OH 44110 (http://www.hospicewr.org); or the ALS Association of “Ohio” (http://als.org).

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date to honor Bobby in the way he would have wanted — with laughter, love and great stories. Arrangements entrusted to Burr Funeral Home, 116 South St., Chardon. Condolences online to www.burrservice.com

Ursula Vrankar

Ursula Vrankar (nee Schmidt), age 91, died March 6, 2025, surrounded by her children.

Beloved wife of 50 years of the late Ivan; loving mother of Brian Vrankar, Barbara (Marwan) Karim, Andrea Vrankar, Michele Vrankar and Thomas (Anna) Vrankar; devoted Omi of Ava, Evan, Grant, Peter, Andrew, Thomas, Matthew and Brian.

friends. No matter what the occasion, she was happiest being around her loved ones. Her enthusiasm was infectious. She was young at heart, always laughing and silly. If she had her choice, she would choose to sit at the “Kids table,” always “Everyone’s mom.” Bobbie touched countless lives. She was the best wife “Bobbie Jean,” mother “Mom,” grandmother “Busia Bobbie,” great-grandmother “GG,” and friend anyone could ask for.

Visitation for friends and family will be held from 5-8 p.m. on Monday, March 31, 2025, at Burr Funeral Home, 116 South St., Chardon.

The Memorial Mass will begin at 11 a.m. on April 1, 2025, at St. Noel Church, 35200 Chardon Road, Willoughby, with interment to follow at All Souls Cemetery in Chardon Township.

Interment at All Souls Cemetery, Chardon Township; services private.

Family suggests donations in Ursula’s memory to Kemper House Memory Care Fund, 407 Golf View Lane, Highland Heights, OH 44143; or to Hospice of the Western Reserve, 300 E. 185 St., Cleveland, OH 44119.

Arrangements entrusted to Burr Funeral Home, 116 South St., Chardon Ohio. Condolences online at www.burrservice.com.

Roberta Cole

Roberta "Bobbie" Cole, age 84, passed away on March 6, 2025, surrounded by the love of her family.

Born on Oct. 25, 1940, in Cleveland, Bobbie was a vibrant soul whose warmth and kindness touched everyone she encountered.

She leaves behind her devoted husband, Robert Cole, with whom she shared a true love story that spanned many years. Bobbie's legacy continues through her children, Vincent Mindzora, Daniel (Julie) Mindzora, Judy (William Zupancic) Mindzora, and Jill Pluth; her grandchildren, Daniel and Mia Mindzora, Shaun Price, Chelsey Chapman, Tori (Alexander) Barbian, Olivia and Brooklyn Zupancic, Angelina Pluth; and her great-grandchildren, Aubrielle, Trey, Ryan and Alexander Jr.

She was preceded in death by her unborn daughter and infant daughter Joyce.

Bobbie's love expanded beyond her immediate family to include her extended family of Debbie O'Toole, Robert Cole, Brian Cole, and their children and grandchildren.

Her career in cosmetology and childcare allowed her to spread her nurturing spirit and kindness to many. She was a huge animal lover with many pets over the years, including her beloved dog “Buddy Joe.” Some of her favorite pastimes were polka dancing and golf.

But above all, Bobbie cherished and lived for the quality time spent with her family and

Arrangements have been entrusted to Burr Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Chardon. Condolences and memories may be shared online at www.burrservice.com.

Jean McClurg Niehus

Jean McClurg Nie hus, 91, of Chardon passed away at home surrounded by family on March 12, 2025.

Born June 10, 1933, to Dale and Lena McClurg, Jean grew up in Middlefield. After graduating from Middlefield High School, Jean worked at Middlefield Bank before moving to Virginia Beach, where she owned a restaurant. She later studied at The Ohio State University before returning home to Middlefield, where she reconnected with and married William E. Niehus. Jean and Bill were married for nearly 50 years, residing in Chardon.

Jean was proud of her childhood spent as an organist at United Methodist Church in Middlefield, her connection to the community as the owner of Country Custard in Chardon, her quiet support of her husband in his various roles in the Chardon community, but most of all her dedicated role as mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.

Ms. Niehus is survived by sons, Scott (Michele) Niehus, of Chardon, and John (Shannon) Niehus, of Lordstown; and daughter, Melanie (Brad) Niehus, of Idaho.

She will be fondly remembered by her 10 grandchildren, Ashley (Matt) Mivsek, Brittany (Tyler) Butler, Hunter Niehus, Cameron (Anastasia) Niehus, Jake Niehus, Saoirse Niehus, Farishta Niehus, Amaya Niehus, Easton Thompson and Ellie Thompson; as well as her four great-grandchildren, Maeve and Millie Mivsek, Wyatt Butler and Penelope Niehus. Jean was preceded in death by her parents, Dale and Lena; brother, Ray McClurg; sisters, Fay Stuhldreher and May Sickling; husband, Bill; and her beloved Golden Retriever, Sonoma.

A private family graveside service will be held to honor her memory. In lieu of flowers, the family recommends donations to Tunnels to Towers or Hospice of the Western Reserve. Arrangements have been entrusted to Burr Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Chardon. Condolences and memories may be shared online at www.burrservice.com.

Obituaries

James Henry Sabel

James Henry Sa bel, a lifelong resi dent of the Chardon area, passed away on March 13, 2025, at the age of 85.

Born in Willough by, on Nov. 30, 1939, to Vincent D. and Davina C. (nee Santone) Sabel, he built a life centered around family, hard work and a love for the outdoors.

Claudia S. Rolf

Claudia S. Rolf, age 77, was an accomplished educator who cared deeply about the instruction of children.

Born the oldest of three siblings, she was not confident by nature. She worked her entire life to over come her own recalcitrance so she could impact young people in a positive way.

On Jan. 11, 1964, he married the love of his life, Patricia Ann Brunarski. Together, they built a beautiful life over 60 years of marriage, creating a loving home and raising their children with strong values and unwavering support.

He was a devoted husband, father and grandfather who cherished time with his family.

James worked for years as a service technician and retired from IBM.

He had a passion for flower gardening, particularly orchids, and enjoyed fishing and hunting. A dedicated parishioner at St. Mary Catholic Church, in Chardon, he lived a simple, fulfilling life.

He is survived by his wife, Patricia; children, Christopher A. (April) Sabel, of Chardon, and Monica A. (Alex) Prtenjak, of Ravenna; grandchildren, Sophia Sabel, Nicholas Sabel, David Soukenik and Andrew (Alaina) Soukenik; sister, Cheryl Cunningham, of Dunlap, Tenn.; and nephew, Lonnie Walker.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Private family services have been held.

Arrangements entrusted to Burr Funeral Home, 116 South St., Chardon. Condolences online at www.burrservice.com

Notices should be sent in writing to: Geauga County Maple Leaf, P.O. Box 1166, Chardon, OH, 44024-5166 or emailed to editor@karlovecmedia.com.

Claudia was an active participant in the church community at Pilgrim Christian Church, in Chardon, from the time she was a child. She was a steadfast Christian and found great comfort in both learning the Word and in its rituals. Claudia served in many roles for the PCC community during her life, including holding positions as Elder, Moderator and Youth Group Advisor.

Claudia was a member of the Girl Scouts as a child. She fondly recalled her time in the organization and considered it her first step toward becoming a leader of people.

Claudia went to Ohio Northern University, where she studied to become an educator. She loved to teach reading. After starting her career in Huntsburg Township, Claudia spent many years at Newbury Schools as a middle school and elementary teacher. Her favorite grade to teach was 6th grade because she loved the books she got to share with her classes.

After 20 years, Claudia went back to college to get her Master’s Degree in Education from John Carrol University. She became an administrator at Riverside Schools, where she eventually became principal of Leroy Elementary School.

At Leroy, Claudia cared deeply for her staff and the children they educated. She spent her free time working to create the sort of work environment she would have wanted as a teacher. She worked to empower the teaching staff at her school and encouraged creativity and joy. It was not unusual for her to spend part of her day in the classrooms observing or helping. She strongly felt that being a good

administrator required her to understand the work of her building’s teachers.

She considered herself an advocate for the front-line workers, including nurses, custodians, bus drivers and teachers. Claudia sought to promote an environment of cooperation, learning and excitement that would lead children to success. She cared for the Leroy community and wanted to give everything she had to that community’s children.

Claudia was a member of the Ohio Educators Association and was committed to supporting the union as a way to better the working conditions of regular people. She was a member of several professional organizations, including Phi Delta Kappa.

Claudia was a loving mother to Matt, her only child, and advocated for him on many occasions during his path through school. She was generous with her time to her child and engaged with him in long conversations about current events over dinner. She encouraged him to think about what was happening in the world and to consider solutions to the world’s problems.

Claudia was a devoted wife and partner to her husband, Bill. The two of them shared many adventures during their lifetime. They spent their retirement traveling and reveling in being grandparents.

Claudia sought to be a loving daughter and sister in her family and worked to build and maintain lasting relationships in her immediate family. Claudia was a devoted and loyal friend. She was often the understated glue that held together various social groups without attracting attention to herself. Clau-

dia had a strong sense of right and wrong and always considered the most ethical course of action in any situation.

Claudia loved biking, walking and exercise. She enjoyed all kinds of music, but especially folk music, rock music and pop-country music. Contrary to her son’s frequent assertions, she did not like Busta Rhymes.

Claudia was born on Dec. 27, 1947, in Solon, to Robert Gardner and Isabelle (nee Poznan), was a lifelong resident of Chardon and died at Judson Park, Cleveland, on March 13, 2025.

She was a teacher at Huntsburg and Newbury elementary schools, and an elementary school principal at Leroy Elementary.

She was a graduate of Chardon High School and a member of the Pilgrim Christian Church, where she served as moderator.

Claudia is survived by her son, Matthew Rolf (Alison), of Shaker Heights; brothers, Jeff Gardner (Carol) and Tim Gardner (Diane); granddaughters, Juliette and Aurelia Rolf; and a friend and partner to Alison and Matthew, Elizabeth Brake.

Claudia was preceded in death by her parents; and her dear husband, Bill. A Memorial Service will be held Saturday, March 22, 2025, at 11 a.m., at Pilgrim Christian Church, 202 South Hambden St., Chardon, with family greeting and reception to follow.

Arrangements are by Burr Funeral Home and Cremation Service, Chardon. Information and condolences online at www.burrservice. com

Hawks Make Run to Final Four

History Made, Confidence Developed

By alaN korNSpaN SportS@karlovEcmEdia com

How is confidence developed? Stanford psychology professor Albert Bandura suggested that confidence, or as he referred to it, self-efficacy, is most influenced by how we performed in similar past situations.

In modern popular culture we might refer to Bandura's theoretical view of self-efficacy as, “been there, done that.”

For the Hawken Hawks boys basketball team they will have every reason to be confident as they start the 2025-2026 season.

Under the leadership of first year Hawken Head Coach Anthony Burns, the Hawks made school history by being the first boys basketball team to play in the OHSAA Final Four.

Although the Hawks season came to an end in a 62-42 loss to the Glenville Tarblooders in the State Semifinal game on March 15 at the Canton Memorial Fieldhouse, history was made and confidence developed.

The last time the Hawks had won an OHSAA District Championship (Round of 32) and played in the Regional Finals (Elite Eight), they were led by future NFL standout receiver O.J. McDuffie and coached by Tom Bryan.

In fact, 37 years ago was an exciting time for Geauga County Basketball, particularly in Chesterland. Not only were the Hawks on an amazing run, the West Geauga Wolverines Boys Basketball team were state runners up.

For the Hawks, though, their quest to win the 1988 OHSAA Regional Title ended in a 69-55 loss to Triway.

This year, however, was a different story.

The 2025 Hawks made history, by winning the OHSAA Regional Title, 63-58 over Jonathan Adler and advancing to the OHSAA Final Four.

In the post-game press conference, after the Final Four contest against Glenville, Coach Burns highlighted the importance of the Hawks’ 2025 run.

“It's history,” Coach Burns said. “This is what it's about, leaving an impact. We're put on this earth to leave an impact, and I think we just did that.”

The Hawks only senior starter, Jacob Stovsky, also discussed the history that was made.

“Making history for the school, it's been different,” Stovsky said. “What they're going to do in the next couple years with Coach Burns is going to be amazing. It's just been great to be a part of it, and kind of start this thing going. It's been a great way to end my career.”

In addition to making history, Coach Burns emphasized the importance of the

confidence developed.

“Now we know what it takes, now we know what it feels like, and we bring four starters back,” said Coach Burns.

Thus, because of the success that the Hawks had this season they can be confident that they have the ability to succeed at a high level.

Another way that Bandura hypothesized that confidence can be developed is through observing others' success and modeling that behavior.

Coach Burns emphasized that the history that the 2025 Hawks team made will be very impactful since future varsity players were in attendance watching this historic run.

“This is very huge for our next guys up,” Coach Burns said. “They were able to see it. Some of our middle school guys were here and they were able to see it. So, yeah, this is a feeling that a lot of people haven't experienced. I know a lot of coaches who haven't got out of regionals. I know a lot of players who haven't played at this level. For us to get here and our guys to see it, I know they're eager and hungry to get where we were at and it's only going to make us better for next year.”

Confidence has been developed through what the current Hawks have experienced on this run and what the future Hawks witnessed.

The current Hawks were led offensively in their Final Four game against Glenville by Daron Hill (15 points), Ice Taylor (10), Greg Price (7), Charlie Mallett (4) and Stovsky (4).

With confidence developed, and four of five starters returning, look for the Hawks to soar in the 2025-2026 season.

ALAN KORNSPAN/KMG

Junior Greg Price scores two on a breakaway dunk against Glenville in the Div. VI OHSAA Final Four at the Canton Memorial Fieldhouse on March 15.

ALAN KORNSPAN/KMG

The Hawken Hawks, led by first-year Head Coach Anthony Burns, center with clipboard, became the first team in school history to reach the OHSAA state Final Four.

Geauga Home & Garden Show Expands to 4 Buildings

SuBmittEd

The 18th annual Geauga Home and Garden Show is back, and it’s not just bigger — it’s massive.

The event will span four buildings across two locations — Heritage Marketplace, 15848 Nauvoo Road in Middlefield, and Fisher Flooring, 16286 Nauvoo Road, Middlefield — with more than 120 vendors offering everything for your home, garden and outdoor spaces.

Join March 28 from 9 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. and March 29 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. for this expanded celebration of Northeast Ohio’s finest craftsmanship and creativity. Attendees can explore four buildings filled with:

• Top-tier home improvement experts, landscapers and builders;

• Handmade goods by Amish Country artisans, from furniture to garden décor;

• Exclusive products and deals on tools, furnishings and outdoor essentials.

“This year’s expansion reflects how much this event has grown,” said show organizer Paul Wengerd. “Four buildings across two locations allow us to offer even more variety, more vendors and a truly unforgettable experience for everyone who attends.”

What’s

New This Year?

Whether you’re looking to renovate, decorate, or simply enjoy a day in Amish Country, you can expect to see more than 200 venders featuring everything from home improvement to handcrafted goods; a celebration of Amish

craftsmanship, including handmade furniture, garden accessories and unique décor; and exclusive giveaways, including a chance to win custom lawn furniture and a storage barn from Pine Craft Storage Barns or snag treasures through silent auctions and door prizes. Admission is $5 (children under 18 are free).

Discover Heritage Marketplace

When you’re not exploring the Home and Garden Show, take time to visit the charming shops and attractions at Heritage Marketplace, including:

• Country Arts and Jewelry: Southwest-inspired home décor, artwork and jewelry;

• Geauga Amish Library: A cultural gem with Amish history and artifacts;

• Yoder’s Bargains: Amazing deals on household items and salvaged goods;

• Byler’s Engine: Lawn and garden equipment with full repair services;

• Valley View: Quilting fabrics, books and supplies for DIY crafters;

• Heritage Trailers: High-quality trailers for every hauling need;

• Pine Craft Storage Barns: Custom storage solutions with on-site construction available.

“For nearly two decades, we’ve brought the community together to celebrate local talent and craftsmanship,” Wengerd added. “This year, the expanded space allows us to showcase even more of what makes northeast Ohio Amish Country so special.”

For event updates and more information, visit theheritagemarketplace.com or follow Heritage Marketplace on Facebook.

Chardon Brush, Spring Leaf Collection Programs Start in April

SuBmittEd

The City of Chardon Public Service Department is again conducting a residential curbside brush collection program in 2025.

Collections will be on the first Monday of each month or the Tuesday following a holiday from April thru October. The first brush pick-up will be on Monday, April 7.

Bulletin Board

For-profit and nonprofit organizations or groups will need to purchase a paid advertisement for an event anytime tickets are sold, a fee is charged or a freewill donation is taken. If an organization or group does not wish to buy an ad to promote their event and connect with our readers, Karlovec Media Group will print a simple liner-type ad identifying the event, date/time/place and a number to call for more information. Email submissions to: cbb@karlovecmedia.com

Talk to a Master Gardener

Thursdays, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Come to Burton Public Library for free gardening advice from Master Gardener Volunteers of Geauga every Thursday through April. Get answers to any gardening issue.

Storytelling Live

March 20, 6:30-8 p.m.

Chardon Toastmasters Club is hosting Storytelling Live at Beans Coffee Shop & Bistro in Chardon. Club members will share stories with improvisation, theatrics or embellishment. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. with free entertainment from 7-8 p.m. Sign up at Beans or call or text 440 228-8458 to register.

Indoor Flea Market

March 22, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Munson Township’s indoor flea market will be held at the Munson Town Hall and Fire Station Bay, 12210 Auburn Road. The $1 entrance fee for shoppers will go toward the Munson Township Scholarship Fund. Youth 12 and under are free. For more information, call 440-286-9255.

Burton Library Book Sale

March 23 and 30, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Stop by after one of the local pancake breakfasts to shop Burton Public Library’s book sale. Entrance to the book sale is at the back of the building located at 14588 W. Park St.

find the missing surname for that ancestor listed with just a first name Visit www.lcgsohio.org for more information and an invitation to the Zoom meeting by March 25.

Gardening 101

March 29, 10 a.m. to noon

Geauga County Master Gardener Volunteers’ free Gardening 101 series continues with “Seed Selection and Planting Plan” in the Patterson Center at the Geauga County Extension Office, 14269 Claridon-Troy Road, Burton. Master gardener MGV Kelly Morgan will cover the basics of selecting and starting seeds, what works best directly planted in the garden and when to start planting.

Registration is required; call 440-8344656. For more information, visit geauga. osu.edu.

GCRTA Luncheon

April 1, 11:15 a.m.

The Geauga County Retired Teachers Association will meet at St. Mary Banquet Center, 401 North St., in Chardon. Social time will be followed by the business meeting at 11:30 a.m. and a pasta and meatballs lunch at noon.

Michael Harkness, STRS board member, and Robin Rayfield, ORTA executive director, will present “The State of STRS.” For information and reservations, contact Judy Miller at 440-487-4324 no later than March 23.

Residents also should note the city will conduct a spring leaf collection program. Weather permitting, the collection will be on April 14. Since only one trip will be made throughout the community, leaves must be placed to the curb before that date to ensure collection. If there is no curb, leaves should be placed on the edge of the street and not in the ditch. Leaves should be free of twigs and other yard waste and not put in bags.

Questions about either of these programs should be directed to the City of Chardon Public Service Department at 440-286-2655.

Residents are reminded to comply with the guidelines when preparing their brush for pick-up. To have brush collected, it must be placed to the curb along city roadways according to the guidelines, but please no sooner than one week before collection and try and refrain from placing material in the ditch. Visit www.chardon.cc for more details.

Seniors

Matter of Balance Classes

Geauga Department on Aging and University Hospitals Geauga Medical Center are sponsoring Matter of Balance classes to Geauga seniors 60 and older interested in improving balance, flexibility and strength and learning how to identify and control their fear of falling.

Class will be held every Tuesday and Thursday, April 1-24, from 1:30-3:30 p.m. at the Bainbridge Senior Center, located in the Bainbridge Community United Church of Christ, 17751 Chillicothe Road.

To register, call Melissa Wheeler at 440279-2167. Class is free for all registered seniors.

Beer and Hymns

March 23, 3-5:30 p.m.

Celebration Lutheran Church, 10621 Auburn Road, Chardon, is hosting the Chardon Polka Band for Beer and Hymns to benefit SubZero Mission organization. Light refreshments will be provided. Attendees 21 and older may bring a beverage of their choice.

Monetary donations and/or donations of gloves, hats, coats, boots, sleeping bags and other warming items will be accepted.

For more information, call Paul Gochnour at 440-897-0121.

LCGS Meeting

March 27, 10 a.m.

The Lake County Genealogical Society (LCGS) will meet via Zoom. Following a brief business meeting, Kate Penney Howard will present " Filling in those Pesky Blanks: Solving Maternal Surname Mysteries with DNA." Learn how to use traditional genealogy and DNA clustering to

Remember to bring paper products or canned goods for the Geauga County Hunger Task Force. Consider bringing a retired teacher, school personnel or guest to the meeting.

LCRTA Lunch Meeting

April 8, 11 a.m.

The Lake County Retired Teachers Association will hold its general membership luncheon at Mama Roberto’s, 8658 Mentor Ave, Mentor.

Social time will be followed by the program at 11:30 a.m. and a buffet-style lunch.

LCRTA member Pat Claudio will present “A History of Handbells: For Whom the Bell Tolls.” The presentation will include a live performance and demonstrations by the Decibells Handbell Ensemble, trivia questions and prizes.

LCRTA will collect items for the Lake County Dog Shelter. Contact Karen Sawitke, 9399 Ridgeside Drive, Mentor, OH 44060 for reservations by March 28. For more information, visit lakecountyrta.weebly.com.

Students Support Shelter Animals

Students at Park Elementary recently participated in a special service project supporting the Geauga County Animal Warden, combining kindness with learning.

As part of the school’s One School, One Book program featuring “Fenway and Hattie,” a story about a dog's adventures in a new home and neighborhood.

Third-grade teacher Donna Picone prepared the dough and students eagerly rolled it out, cutting the treats into fun shapes before baking. In the kitchen, Mrs. Jaclyn Sanislo helped bake the treats, while Mrs. Seese assisted in transporting the trays from the auditorium to the kitchen.

The hands-on project not only reinforced themes from the book but also taught the importance of caring for animals in need.

Neighbors Needing Respite

Mrs. Aubrey Quinn's sixth-grade accelerated English language arts students at Chardon Middle School recently wrote encouraging postcards to individuals living with Alzheimer's in Sarasota, Fla., for the organization Neighbors Needing Respite.

Throughout the month of March, Neighbors Needing Respite celebrates "Armchair Travels," where participants will learn about and meet people from all over the world.

Mrs. Quinn's sister, Halle Ghose, who lives in Sarasota and volunteers with the organization, came up with the idea to connect its members with the students at CMS.

Members of the group will soon receive the students’ postcards, detailing their lives and interests and carrying well wishes.

SUBMITTED

West Geauga High School students and staff display the over 400 items collected for donation to Ronald McDonald House Charities.

Battle of 306

The Battle of 306 was an epic showdown between West Geauga High School and Kirtland High School – all for a good cause. The competition included a donation drive for the Ronald McDonald House Charities that collected over 400 items, spirit week activities and assemblies, a school-wide rock-paper-scissors contest and several class games.

While the week was filled with fun, the

highlight of the Battle of 306 was delivering the donations collected to the Ronald McDonald House.

Students and staff from both schools had an opportunity to learn more about the charity, tour the facility and see first-hand how their donation drive will make a difference in the lives of families. Thank you to the students, staff and community who helped to make the battle a success.

the sun with park naturalist Dottie Drockton.

Legal Notices

LEGAL NOTICE

The Geauga County Historical Society Notice is hereby given to general public that the Geauga County Historical Society, a nonprofit organization, pursuant to Section 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Code, and a registered nonprofit organization in the State of Ohio, located in Burton, Geauga County, Ohio, is in possession of items in the collections of the Century Village Museum that were not properly accessioned by, and donated to the Museum during a time period greater than seven (7) years from the date of this notice. These items are, henceforth, the property of the Geauga County Historical Society, and may be used for historical, cultural, or educational purposes. This notice is being issued under provisions of Section 3385.07 of the Ohio Revised Code - the presumption of gifts to a museum. Feb27 Mar6-13-20-27 Apr3, 2025

IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS GEAUGA COUNTY, OHIO Case No. 25-F-000088- The Huntington National Bank, Plaintiff vs. John Doe(s), Name(s) Unknown, the Unknown heirs, devisees, legatees, beneficiaries of Julius Pignatiello Jr. and their unknown spouses and creditors; and, the unknown spouse of Julius Pignatiello Jr., et al., Defendants. John Doe(s), Name(s) Unknown, the Unknown heirs, devisees, legatees, beneficiaries of Julius Pignatiello Jr. and their unknown spouses and creditors; and, the unknown spouse of Julius Pignatiello Jr., whose last known address is 11995 Fowlers Mill Road, Chardon, OH 44024, will take notice that on February 3, 2025, The Huntington National Bank filed its Complaint in the Geauga County Court of Common Pleas at 100 Short Court, Suite 300, Chardon, OH 44024, assigned Case No. 25-F-000088 and styled The Huntington National Bank vs. John Doe(s), Name(s) Unknown, the Unknown heirs, devisees, legatees, beneficiaries of Julius Pignatiello Jr. and their unknown spouses and creditors; and, the unknown spouse of Julius Pignatiello Jr., et al. The object of, and demand for relief in, the Complaint is to foreclose the lien of Plaintiff’s mortgage recorded upon the real estate described below and in which Plaintiff alleges that the foregoing defendant has or claims to have an interest: Parcel number(s): 21-129600 Property address: 11995 Fowlers Mill Road, Chardon, OH 44024

The defendant named above is required to answer the Complaint within twenty-eight (28) days after the last publication of this legal notice. This legal notice will be published once a week for three successive weeks.

By Ann Marie Johnson, attorney for plaintiff, MDK Legal, P. O. Box 165028, Columbus, OH 43216-5028; 614-220-5611; AMJohnson@mdklegal.com

Mar6-13-20, 2025

LEGAL NOTICE

IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS GEAUGA COUNTY, OHIO

Case No. 24-F-000699 - Christopher P. Hitchcock, Treasurer of Geauga County, Ohio, Plaintiff, vs. May F. Pressler, et al., Defendants

May F. Pressler, and the Unknown Spouse, if any, of May F. Pressler, whose last known address was 4650 Cove Circle, Apt. 611, Saint Petersburg, FL 33708, otherwise whose current address is unknown, and cannot, with reasonable diligence, be ascertained shall take notice; and, if deceased, their unknown heirs, devises, legatees, administrators, executors, and assigns will take notice that on the 18th day of October, 2024, the Treasurer Of Geauga County, filed a Complaint in the Court of Common Pleas, Geauga County, 100 Short Court Street, Chardon, Ohio 44024, entitled Christopher P. Hitchcock, Treasurer of Geauga County vs. May F. Pressler, et al., Case No: 24-F-000699, against the above-named parties, praying that the premises hereinafter described be sold for the collection of delinquent real estate taxes, owed and unpaid, is $229.23 together with accruing taxes, assessments, penalties, interest, and charges; as well as court costs. Said premises is described as permanent parcel number(s) 23-259300. A complete legal description of the parcel(s) can be obtained from the Geauga County Recorder’s Office. The volume and page number for the parcel(s) can be obtained from the Geauga County Auditor’s Office. The object of the action is to obtain from the Court a judgment foreclosing the tax liens against such real estate and ordering the sale of such real estate for the satisfaction of delinquent taxes.

Such action is brought against the real property only and no personal judgment shall be entered in it. However, if pursuant to the action, the property is sold for an amount that

is less than the amount of the delinquent taxes, assessments, charges, penalties and interest against it, the Court, in a separate order, may enter a deficiency judgment against the owner of record of a parcel for the amount of the difference; if that owner of record is a corporation, the Court may enter the deficiency judgment against the stockholder holding a majority of the corporation’s stock.

The above-named parties are required to answer on or before 28 days after the last date of publication. Such answer must be filed with the Clerk of Courts, and a copy must be served on the Prosecuting Attorney. By Kristen Rine, Assistant Prosecuting Attorney, Attorney for Plaintiff. Mar6-13-20, 2025

LEGAL NOTICE IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS GEAUGA COUNTY, OHIO

Case No. 25-F-000059 - Carrington Mortgage Services, LLC v. Roland Ayemoba, et al. Rubenora Ayemoba, whose last known address is 12894 Sperry Rd., Chesterland, OH 44026, will take notice that on January 20, 2025, a Complaint was filed in the matter of Carrington Mortgage Services, LLC v. Roland Ayemoba, et al., Case No. 25-F-000059, in the Court of Common Pleas of Geauga County, Ohio, 100 Short Ct. St., #300, Chardon, OH 44024, seeking foreclosure and alleging that the Defendant(s) Rubenora Ayemoba, have or may claim to have an interest in the real estate located at 12894 Sperry Rd., Chesterland, OH 44026 and known as Parcel Number 11128580. A complete legal description of the property may be obtained from the Geauga County Auditor’s Office, located at 231 Main St., Unit 1A, Chardon, OH 44024. You are required to answer the publication within 28 days after the last publication of this Notice, which will be published once per week for three consecutive weeks, and the last publication will be made on March 20, 2025. In the case of your failure to answer or respond as permitted by the Ohio Civil Rules within the time stated, a judgment by default will be rendered against you for the relief demanded in the Complaint.

CARRINGTON MORTGAGE SERVICES, LLC

By: F. Peter Costello, #0076112; Mark R. Lembright, #0041545; F. Peter Costello, #0073329; ALBERTELLI LAW PARTNERS OHIO, LLC, Attorneys for Plaintiff, 4807 Rockside Road, Ste. 200, Independence, OH 44131; (216) 588-1500; (216) 771-4334-fax; Ohcontact@alaw.net Mar6-13-20, 2025

LEGAL NOTICE

2024 FINANCIAL REPORT

RUSSELL TOWNSHIP PARK DISTRICT 1545

GEAUGA COUNTY, OHIO

The Annual Financial Report (AFR) for the Russell Township Park District 1545 for year ending 2024 has been completed. The report will be made available at the next meeting of the Park District on Monday May 12, 2025 at 7:00 pm at the Geauga West Public Library, 13455 Chillicothe Road, Chesterland, Ohio 44026.

Susan J. Skrovan-DeYoung, Fiscal Officer Mar20, 2025

LEGAL NOTICE

2024 FINANCIAL REPORT

CHARDON TOWNSHIP

GEAUGA COUNTY, OHIO

Notice is hereby given that the 2024 Annual Financial Report for Chardon Township is complete and available for inspection at the Chardon Township Town Hall, 9949 Mentor Road, Chardon, Ohio 44024. Please call 440286-3711 to schedule an appointment or request a copy.

Edward Slusarski, Fiscal Officer Mar20, 2025

LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

TO CONSIDER THE VACATION OF THE PUBLIC RIGHT OF WAY UPON SANDHILL TRAIL (TR-0753), IN MUNSON TOWNSHIP, GEAUGA COUNTY, OHIO

PURSUANT TO R.C. 5553.045

The Geauga County Board of Commissioners (“Board of Commissioners”) received a resolution (#2025-06) on March 3, 2025, filed by the Munson Township Board of Trustees requesting the vacation of the public right-of-way upon Sandhill Trail (TR-0753), in Munson Township, Ohio.

Notice is hereby given that the Board of Commissioners will hold a public hearing for the proposed vacation of the public right-of-way on Sandhill Trail (TR-0753), Munson Township, Geauga County, Ohio, the location of which public right-of-way is more particularly described as follows: Sandhill Trail - extends from Mayfield Road south along a non-existent and never-built culde-sac drafted upon one tract of land composed of a series of parcels, as follows: parcel numbers 21-176303; 21-176304; 21-176305; 21-176306; 21-176307; 21-176308; 21-176309; 21-176310; 21-176311; 21-176312; 21-176313; 21-176314; 21176315; 21-176316; 21-176317; 21-176318; and 21-176319 containing approximately 35 acres of land

The public hearing for the proposed vacation will be held on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, at 9:45 a.m. in the Commissioners’ Chambers at the Geauga County Office Building, 12611 Ravenwood Drive, Room B303, Chardon, OH 44024, at which time the Board will hear evidence, comments and questions from any interested persons concerning the proposed vacation of said public right-of-way.

BY ORDER OF THE GEAUGA COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

Christine Blair, Clerk Mar20-27, 2025

LEGAL NOTICE 2024 FINANCIAL REPORT PARKMAN TOWNSHIP GEAUGA COUNTY, OHIO

Notice is hereby given that the 2024 Annual Financial Report for Parkman Township is completed and available for public inspection at the Fiscal Office at 16295 Main Market Road. Please call (440) 548-2904 for an appointment.

Denise Villers, Fiscal Officer Mar20, 2025

IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS GEAUGA COUNTY, OHIO

Case No. 24-F-000797 - NEWREZ LLC D/B/A SHELLPOINT MORTGAGE SERVICING; Plaintiff, vs. UNKNOWN HEIRS, DEVISEES, LEGATEE, EXECUTORS, ADMINISTRATORS, SPOUSES AND ASSIGNS, AND THE UNKNOWN GUARDIANS OF MINOR AND OR INCOMPETENT HEIRS OF DIANE A. ROSS, DECEASED; Defendant(s).

The Court finds that the service of summons cannot be made other than by publication on Defendant(s): UNKNOWN HEIRS, DEVISEES, LEGATEE, EXECUTORS, ADMINISTRATORS, SPOUSES AND ASSIGNS, AND THE UNKNOWN GUARDIANS OF MINOR AND OR INCOMPETENT HEIRS OF DIANE A. ROSS, DECEASED, whose last known place of residence is: Address(s) Unknown

Each Defendant will take notice that on December 2, 2024, Plaintiff filed a Complaint for Foreclosure in the Geauga County Court of Common Pleas, 100 Short Court, Suite 300, Chardon, OH 44024, being 24-F-000797 alleging that there is due to Plaintiff the sum of $126,156.67 plus interest at 3.3750% per annum from June 1, 2024, plus late charges, pre-payment penalties, title charges, court costs and expenses as applicable to the terms of the Promissory Note secured by a mortgage on the real property, which has a street address of 14939 CAVES ROAD, NOVELTY, OH 44072 and being permanent parcel number 26-118090.

Plaintiff further alleged that by a reason of default in payment of said Promissory Note, the conditions of said Mortgage have been broken and the same has become absolute.

The Defendant(s) named above are required to answer and assert any interest in said property or be forever barred from asserting any interest therein, and to raise any defense to foreclosure of said mortgage, the marshalling of liens, the sale of said real property. Said Defendant(s) are required to file an Answer within twenty-eight days after last date of publication, which shall be published once a week for three (3) consecutive weeks, or they might be denied a hearing in this case.

By: Adrienne S. Foster (Bar No.: 0080011); Diaz Anselmo & Associates, P.A., Attorneys for Plaintiff, P.O. BOX 19519, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33318,; Telephone: (954) 564-0071; Facsimile: (954) 564-9252; Service E-mail: answersms@dallegal.com Mar20-27 Apr3, 2025

LEGAL NOTICE

The Asphalt Resurfacing of Section A of Tewksbury Lane, TR-0972 Claridon Township, Geauga County, Ohio Bids will be received by the Claridon Township Board of Trustees digitally via Bid Express® or

in a sealed envelope at the Geauga County Engineer’s Office, 12665 Merritt Road, Chardon, Ohio 44024 by 10:00 AM local time on April 4, 2025 and read publicly at 10:05 AM local time at the above address.

The bid shall be let upon a unit price basis. The estimated cost for this project is $200,000.00. Proposal, plans, and specifications may be obtained from the following website: https:// www.bidexpress.com/. Bidders and subcontractors can view and download information free of charge. All digital Bidders must register with Bid Express® (allow time for processing). Submission of a digital bid requires a fee paid directly to Bid Express®. This fee is charged on a per bid or monthly basis. Paper bid documents are also available free of charge at the Geauga County Engineer’s Office, 12665 Merritt Road, Chardon, Ohio 44024.

Pursuant to Ohio Revised Code Chapter 153, the bid must be accompanied by an original sealed document (uploaded for digital bids) in the form of a bond for the full amount of the bid (100%). Otherwise, each bid must be accompanied by a certified check, cashier’s check, or letter of credit in the amount of ten percent (10%) of the total bid amount pursuant to Ohio Revised Code Chapter 1305. All digital Bidders must submit original documents within three (3) business days of the bid opening.

Bids may be held by the Claridon Township Board of Trustees for a period not to exceed sixty (60) days from the date of opening, for the purpose of reviewing the bids and investigating the qualifications of Bidders, prior to awarding the contract. The Claridon Township Board of Trustees reserves the right to reject any and all bids, to waive any informalities or irregularities in the bids received, and to accept any bid or bids which are deemed most favorable to the Board at the time and under conditions stipulated, all in accord with the applicable provisions of laws of the State of Ohio governing the conduct of the Claridon Township Board of Trustees.

This legal notice is posted at the following website: https://www.geaugacountyengineer. org/projects-bids/legal-notices/. BY THE ORDER OF THE CLARIDON TOWNSHIP BOARD OF TRUSTEES Paula Hietanen, Fiscal Officer Mar20, 2025

LEGAL NOTICE

The Asphalt Resurfacing of Various Roads Burton Township, Geauga County, Ohio Bids will be received by the Burton Township Board of Trustees digitally via Bid Express® or in a sealed envelope at the Geauga County Engineer’s Office, 12665 Merritt Road, Chardon, Ohio 44024 by 10:00 AM local time on April 4, 2025 and read publicly at 10:10 AM local time at the above address.

The bid shall be let upon a unit price basis. The estimated cost for this project is $290,000.00. Proposal, plans, and specifications may be obtained from the following website: https:// www.bidexpress.com/. Bidders and subcontractors can view and download information free of charge. All digital Bidders must register with Bid Express® (allow time for processing). Submission of a digital bid requires a fee paid directly to Bid Express®. This fee is charged on a per bid or monthly basis. Paper bid documents are also available free of charge at the Geauga County Engineer’s Office, 12665 Merritt Road, Chardon, Ohio 44024. Pursuant to Ohio Revised Code Chapter 153, the bid must be accompanied by an original sealed document (uploaded for digital bids) in the form of a bond for the full amount of the bid (100%). Otherwise, each bid must be accompanied by a certified check, cashier’s check, or letter of credit in the amount of ten percent (10%) of the total bid amount pursuant to Ohio Revised Code Chapter 1305. All digital Bidders must submit original documents within three (3) business days of the bid opening.

Bids may be held by the Burton Township Board of Trustees for a period not to exceed sixty (60) days from the date of opening, for the purpose of reviewing the bids and investigating the qualifications of Bidders, prior to awarding the contract. The Burton Township Board of Trustees reserves the right to reject any and all bids, to waive any informalities or irregularities in the bids received, and to accept any bid or bids which are deemed most favorable to the Board at the time and under conditions stipulated, all in accord with the applicable provisions of laws of the State of Ohio governing the conduct of the Burton Township Board of Trustees. This legal notice is posted at the following website: https://www.geaugacountyengineer. org/projects-bids/legal-notices/.

BY THE ORDER OF

Katie O’Neil, Fiscal Officer Mar20, 2025

Legal Notices

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

Village of Burton

The Village of Burton Council will hold a Public Hearing at 7:00 PM on Monday, March 31, 2025 in Council Chambers on the second floor of the Burton Public Library located at 14588 West Park Street. Discussion will be held on a change of the Zoning District at 13595 West Center Street from M2 Industrial to B2 Highway Business.

The public is welcome to discuss any questions or concerns during the hearing. Information for the proposed changes is available for inspection at the Village Office located on the second floor of the Burton Public Library. Jennell Dahlhausen, Fiscal Officer Mar13-20, 2025

LEGAL NOTICE

The Reconstruction of Butternut Road (CH-0021), Including the Replacement of Structure #0021-00.320 and the Resurfacing of Sections A-C Geauga County, Ohio

Bids will be received by the Geauga County Board of Commissioners digitally via Bid Express® or in a sealed envelope at the Geauga County Engineer’s Office, 12665 Merritt Road, Chardon, Ohio 44024 by 10:00AM local time on April 4, 2025 and read publicly at 10:05 AM local time at the above address.

The bid shall be let upon a unit price basis. The estimated cost for this project is $1,900,00.00.

Proposal, plans, and specifications may be obtained from the following website: https:// www.bidexpress.com/. Bidders and subcontractors can view and download information free of charge. All digital Bidders must register with Bid Express® (allow time for processing). Submission of a digital bid requires a fee paid directly to Bid Express®. This fee is charged on a per bid or monthly basis. Paper bid documents are also available free of charge at the Geauga County Engineer’s Office, 12665 Merritt Road, Chardon, Ohio 44024.

Pursuant to Ohio Revised Code Chapter 153,

the bid must be accompanied by an original sealed document (uploaded for digital bids) in the form of a bond for the full amount of the bid (100%). Otherwise, each bid must be accompanied by a certified check, cashier’s check, or letter of credit in the amount of ten percent (10%) of the total bid amount pursuant to Ohio Revised Code Chapter 1305. All digital Bidders must submit original documents within three (3) business days of the bid opening.

Bids may be held by the Geauga County Board of Commissioners for a period not to exceed sixty (60) days from the date of opening, for the purpose of reviewing the bids and investigating the qualifications of Bidders, prior to awarding the contract. The Geauga County Board of Commissioners reserves the right to reject any and all bids, to waive any informalities or irregularities in the bids received, and to accept any bid or bids which are deemed most favorable to the Board at the time and under conditions stipulated, all in accord with the applicable provisions of laws of the State of Ohio governing the conduct of the Geauga County Board of Commissioners.

This legal notice is posted at the following website: https://www.geaugacountyengineer. org/projects-bids/legal-notices/.

BY THE ORDER OF THE GEAUGA COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

Christine Blair, Clerk Mar20, 2025

LEGAL NOTICE

2024 FINANCIAL REPORT

HUNTSBURG TOWNSHIP

GEAUGA COUNTY, OHIO

Notice is hereby given that the 2024 Annual Financial Report for Huntsburg Township is complete and available for public inspection at the office of the Fiscal Officer, Huntsburg Township, 16534 Mayfield Road, Huntsburg, Ohio by appointment only. Please call 440636-5486 Ext 2 to schedule an appointment.

Michele A. Saunders, Fiscal Officer Mar20, 2025

Geauga Sheriff’s Report

The following is a sampling of the calls handled by the Geauga County Sheriff’s Office March 7 to March 13, 2025.

AGENCY ASSIST

March 8

10:31 p.m., Hidden Glen Trail, Chardon. Eastlake Police requesting officers to respond to this address. Lake County. Has fresh charges for breaking and entering at the captains stadium and possible theft. Suspect has been posting on social media about the breaking and entering. Spoke with mother and father of suspect, was taken to Eastlake Police Department. Juvenile in parents' custody.

CITIZEN ASSIST

March 7

5:17 p.m., Ravenna Road, Newbury. Caller is reporting a damaged flag on the ground. He would like an officer to retire the flag. Very large American flag.

CITIZEN DISPUTE

March 11

1:03 p.m., Kile Road, Montville. Caller put up privacy fence and neighbor is yelling at him and threatening him about it. He is now in the garage. Caller stated he was in his backyard working on is fence. The female neighbor came out and began yelling at the caller. The caller told the female neighbor to keep her animals off his property, or who knows what will happen to them. The neighbor’s husband arrived home and told the caller to come over to his property so he could kick his ass. The male neighbor said to come over so we can work this out. The neighbors are concerned that their animals could be in danger. Both the caller and the neighbors are asked to avoid one another.

EXPLOSIVES

March 9

2:40 p.m., Rock Creek Road, Thompson. Caller states someone is shooting or setting off explosives in the area and it is rattling the callers windows.

LITTERING

March 11

3 p.m., Snow Road, Newbury. Someone is throwing banana peels and oranges in the caller's drive. Caller is available for the next hour. Spoke caller about someone who drives by her house and throws banana peels into her drive. Caller said she will try and reposition her camera to see if she can pick up a vehicle or plate of who is doing it and then call if she can.

SUSPCIOUS

March 12

7 p.m., Chardon Windsor Road, Hambden. There is an old brown truck with a camper on the back trying to pry into a unit. Three white males, mid twenties. Caller is still walking back but will call with further info if he has any. Brothers were attempting to open their storage unit. Advised they had the key for the lock but a bike was wedged against the door preventing it from opening.

WEAPON OFFENSE

March 13

7:47 p.m., Auburn Road, Auburn. Caller was advised when he was in Auburn Marsh someone shot a gun and he was sprayed with BBs. He then said hold on I got this and hung up on dispatch. Called back and advised there was a misunderstanding. Everything is OK. Possibly a ricochet.

Real Estate Transfers

Following is a list of real estate transfers for the week ending March 14, 2025, provided as a public service by the Geauga County Auditor’s Office. Transfers may involve the sale of land only.

AUBURN TOWNSHIP

Rami Atia (trustee), 17805 Settlers Trail, to Christopher Roger Sargent, $455,000. (2.70 acres)

James J. and Theda J. Davis, 519 Spicebush Lane, to Darren and Brandy Dieleman, $702,000. (0.00 acres)

State of Ohio, Washington Street, to Auburn Corner Investments LLC, $1,400. (0.08 acres)

BAINBRIDGE TOWNSHIP

Frank G. Simcic, 18813 Chillicothe Road, to Weston Price Foltz, $280,000. (1.65 acres)

Stacy N. and Robin Ann Jones, 18767 Haskins Road, to William J., Kathleen M., and Kimberly Hegedus (trustees), $30,000. (1.53 acres)

Richard B. Mattis Jr., 17381 Old Tannery Trail, to Michael Adam and Catherine Schirm Zelenkofske, $750,000. (0.68 acres)

BURTON TOWNSHIP

Nathan David and Deanna Marie Tiber, Hale Road, to Jonathan David Tiber, $56,800. (5.21 acres)

BURTON VILLAGE

Janet Kapela (trustee), 14812 S. Cheshire St., to Daniel N. and Joy B. Yutzy, $290,000. (1.29 acres)

CHARDON CITY

NVR Inc., 151 High Fox Drive, to Ryan and Kayla Mason, $436,600. (0.17 acres)

CHARDON TOWNSHIP

Gerald A. and Donna J. Francis (TOD), 10375 Pinegate Drive, to Lindsay E. Kronk and Mathew A. Butler, $426,000. (2.90 acres)

CHESTER TOWNSHIP

Brian Teegan, 11479 Heath Road, to Richard A. Penicka and Taylor Veneri, $345,000. (3.18 acres)

Jessica L. Rosenbaum, 13015 Caves Road, to Joseph W. and Wendy L. Rosenbaum, $230,000. (1.00 acres)

Estate of Anthony Notarian, 8127 Cedar Road, to Liam and Jennifer Stack, $247,000. (1.84 acres)

CLARIDON TOWNSHIP

Helper Land Holdings LLC, Chardon Windsor Road, to Vincent M. and Katie Ann Cogan Scotese, $20,000. (0.64 acres)

Helper Land Holdings LLC, 14238 Chardon Windsor Road, to Sarah Wiseley Croley, $100,000. (5.01 acres)

Donald A. Lucas, 12141 Aquilla Road, to Sarah Meyers, $215,500. (1.29 acres)

HAMBDEN TOWNSHIP

Johnson Family Enterprises LLC, 9725 Old State Road, to Hambden Volunteer Fire Department, $123,800. (4.95 acres)

HUNTSBURG TOWNSHIP

Robert J. and Ruthie W. Byler, Clay Street, to Adam and Kathy Gingerich, $10,000. (0.80 acres)

Robert J. and Ruthie W. Byler, Clay Street, to Billy R. and Marcia M. Byler, $70,100. (8.76 acres)

Robert J. and Ruthie W. Byler, Clay Street,

to Alan L. and Barbara R. Byler, $52,200. (5.22 acres)

MIDDLEFIELD TOWNSHIP

Kinsman Road Ltd., Kinsman Road, to John J. M. and Marie A. Miller, $4,500. (0.28 acres)

John J. M. and Marie A. Miller, Kinsman Road, to Kinsman Road Ltd., $62,000. (4.13 acres)

Anna Martha Rothenbuhler (trustee), 14370 Old State Road, to Grunefield LLC, $460,000. (3.28 acres)

Deanna M. Ness, 16216 Kinsman Road, to Henry E. and Linda L. Kuhns, $120,000. (4.50 acres)

Allen W. and Ruth A. Byler, Nauvoo Road, to Marie Miller, $100,000. (10.00 acres)

MIDDLEFIELD VILLAGE

Barbara Mary King, 14875 Meadowlark Lane, to Judith Tommasone, $221,000. (0.00 acres)

Middlefield Parkway, 15256 Woodsong Drive, to NVR Inc., $66,600. (0.21 acres)

MUNSON TOWNSHIP

Chauncey E. and Shirley A. Chambers, 10001 Mayfield Road, to Petro and Roksolana Marynchak, $400,000. (2.68 acres)

NEWBURY TOWNSHIP

Roberta Ann, 14982 Munn Road, to Mark Adkins Sr., $161,200. (3.30 acres)

John S. Stanton, 15229 Munn Road, to Valdene Beckles, $237,000. (5.48 acres)

Raymond Fidel, Michael Fidel, Sandra Pilkington, and Mary Kay Godfrey, 11220 Kimmeridge Trail, to Cal and Carly Nageotte, $268,000. (0.75 acres)

PARKMAN TOWNSHIP

Dan E. and Martha B. Kuhns, and Edna Marie and Robert R. Byler Jr., Grove Road, to Edna Marie and Robert R. Byler Jr., $76,000. (46.15 acres)

RUSSELL TOWNSHIP

CFDP LLC, 15805 Hemlock Road, to Refined Neighborhood Home Rentals LLC, $520,000. (0.31 acres)

Richard Weinberg (trustee), 15526 Chillicothe Road, to Molly Patton Marsh, $104,000. (0.50 acres)

Makad 13508 LLC, 13508 Chillicothe Road, to Beyond the Lines LLC, $150,000. (2.31 acres)

SOUTH RUSSELL VILLAGE

Richard Jentsch and Liesl G. Baumgartner, 1108 Royal Oak Drive, to Luke B. and Victoria M. Chavez Kruse, $440,000. (0.98 acres)

THOMPSON TOWNSHIP

Carol Ann Schindel (trustee), 15286 Trask Road, to Michelle J. and Ralph S. McGrew III, $267,800. (6.39 acres)

Broken Yoke Ranch LLC, 6714 Madison Road, to Cindric Holdings LLC, $210,000. (0.52 acres)

Classifieds

AUTOS & PARTS

455 Olds Engine, complete. Very Good Condition. Stored over 30 years. $650/OBO. 440-313-5896.

FOR RENT

Remodeling: 5BR, 2BA. Includes laundry room, rec room or 6th BR, basement, garage. Large closets, 2 are walkin. No pets, No smoking. Huntsburg. 440-636-5747.

Auburn: 1BR apartment, includes laundry room and attached garage. No pets. $975/mo. Call 440-2210649.

FOR SALE

Family Burial Plot for sale. All Souls Cemetery. Serene location in prime section. Section 16. 216-440-8743. DEER HUNTERS: (40) Deer Hunter and (73) Bull Hunter Magazines. Vintage, Excellent Condition. Great reading and informational. Harvest that Big One!! Inquire. 440223-9471.

Ladder jacks $50. 12-foot expanding plank $100. Mantis Tiller $200. Hitch Carrier Tray $100. Hand-held electric leaf blower $50. 440-554-5731.

Items For Sale: Small upholstered chair, stoneware pottery, jugs, antique coffee mills, humidors, school desk. FREE crib mattress. 440-729-1082.

Scarves from Italy: $30/each. Embroidered Silk shawls: $10/each. Deruta pottery: from $50. Newer Grill: $400. 3-piece marble column from Italy: $250. Cash Only. Call 440-477-9085.

Lake View Cemetery, 4 burial plots total (2 double lots): Cemetery Price $10,100 per dbl. Asking $8,000 each dbl. 440-729-0070.

Antique Dining Room Set for sale: Lifetime furniture. Table with leaf, 6 chairs, buffet, sideboard, China cabinet. Good condition. Call/text 440-223-9023. New white triple track Storm Windows: perfect for home & porch enclosures (7) 30-1/4x59-1/4 $125 each. George 440-336-5044.

6ft Folding Security Gate: make offer. Ryobi 2300 Generator, new/in-box, $750. (2)Predator one man 4” augers, $200/each. Craftsman Bench Grinder, on pedestal, like new, $50. 440-272-5736.

Sofa: excellent condition,$200. (3) Ratchet Sets $20/ each. Toolbox w/assorted tools and wrenches $30. 440-313-1413.

Two burial plots at Western Reserve Memorial Gardens with full package: 2 vaults, 2 caskets, dual memorial headstone; $7,400. 440-476-0706.

GARAGE/ESTATE SALES

Thu 3/20 6p-8p. Fri 3/21 9a-4p. Sat 3/22 9a-4p. Antiques, collectables, furniture, paintings, housewares and tools. Some FREE items. 11430 Willow Hill, Chesterland.

HELP WANTED

Yard Worker wanted for Spring, Summer, Fall. Starting at $16/hr, cash daily, more with experience, driver’s license preferred. 440-338-3563. Russell address.

PETS & ANIMALS

Barn homes needed for a number of fixed & vaxxed semi-feral cats whose elderly caretaker was evicted. Help us help them. Rebecca 440-321-2485.

MISCELLANEOUS

FREE warning: teens can purchase pills via apps that may contain deadly fentanyl

REAL ESTATE

Homes & Land Wanted: any condition or situation! Fast, friendly, local. Serving Geauga and surrounding counties. Text or call Wayne at 330-269-9595.

SERVICES

Experienced Caregiver seeking part- time or full-time clients. 15+ year’s experience with references. 216409-6904.

Need help organizing or clearing your clutter? Organizer Sharon can help! Charging by the hour. Call/text 440668-8768.

Caregiver: will do in-home personal care, cleaning, light housework, laundry. Licensed with references. 440313-1804.

WANTED TO BUY

Buying all Stanley Bailey planes. Call Karl at 440-8123392.

4-wheelers, 3-wheelers, dirt bikes, mini-bikes, go-carts, golf carts, gators, farm tractors/equipment, trailers, riding mowers, snowplows. Paying cash. 440-413-3119. Also, scrap cleanup and removal. Old fishing tackle wanted: fishing lures (wood or plastic), mouse to bear traps, wooden duck decoys. Call Lee 440-313-8331.

Geauga County Maple Leaf