After a previous motion to approve transferring $1.33 million to the Geauga County Airport stalled out, Geauga County Commissioners voted 2-1 Feb. 4 to rescind that motion and renegotiate a new agreement.
Before casting his dissenting vote, Geauga County Commissioner Ralph Spidalieri expressed frustration about reneging their previous decision.
On Dec. 17, commissioners voted yes on a motion to approve the airport authority’s request for $1.33 million to construct a new T-hangar facility and upgrade existing facilities at the airport, Acting County Administrator Linda Burhenne said.
Tarkett Laying Off 92 Workers In Middlefield
By Ann WishArt Ann@kArlovecmediA com
Tarkett USA Inc. will be closing its Middlefield Village distribution center at 16077 Industrial Parkway, however, manufacturing will continue there, said President and CEO Winn Everhart in a statement.
The flooring and sports surfaces maker will be consolidating distribution operations in a new facility in Columbus, he said.
Ninety-two workers are expected to be laid off by the end of February, according to a Jan. 28 Crain’s Cleveland Business article, which added negotiations between management and the union were underway.
See Tarkett • Page 3
Grendell Picks Chris Hare To Fill Russell Trustee Seat
By emmA mAcniven mAcniven@kArlovecmediA.com
Geauga County Juvenile and Probate Court Judge Tim Grendell has spoken and Chris Hare was named the new Russell Township trustee Feb. 4.
“I am very appreciative of the chance to serve my neighbors in Russell this year on the board of trustees and to work with Mr. Mueller and Ms. Port, ” Hare said in a follow-up interview. “All I can ask for is everyone’s trust, prayers and input.”
See Trustee • Page 3
To Open in South Russell
By sherry GAvAnditti editor@kArlovecmediA.com
The vacated Panini’s at 540 East Washington Street in South Russell Village will soon be reincarnated as Tavern Six, a family-oriented restaurant offering a made-from-scratch menu, a rustic atmosphere and community involvement. Jim Tekavec, of 540 Property
Group LLC — part owner of the restaurant alongside Teanna and Dan Vitantonio and three others — requested to officially change the name of the restaurant to Tavern Six at the South Russell Village Planning Commission meeting Feb. 6. The commission unanimously approved it.
“We're looking forward to it. Tavern Six has an even better See Tavern Six • Page 5
oath of office Feb. 4 to Chris Hare after Judge Tim Grendell appointed him as the new Russell Township trustee.
are fiscal responsibility and community engagement,” Hare said. “This means spending time with our department heads to address staffing and operating needs within our current budget limits, while inviting as much taxpayer input should the issue of seeking levy funding be needed to fill identified gaps.”
Hare is a lifelong resident of Russell Township and has served on the township’s park board for three years.
He is currently an accountant for KeyBank and graduated from Kent State University in 2022 with a bachelor’s degree in business administration, according to his resume.
“He cares about the township and its residents. He came within a handful of votes of winning the job in his race against Matt Rambo,” Grendell said in a press release.
Tarkett
from page 1
“It was an extremely difficult decision that we did not make lightly,” Everhart said in his statement. “We are working with union officials to ensure that affected employees receive severance payments and benefits, and we are committed to supporting them
Tarkett will continue flooring manufacturing operations at the Middlefield and Solon plants and the facility on Chillicothe Road in
Middlefield Village Mayor Ben Garlich
Township Administrator Melissa Palmer said Hare cannot vote or sign checks until his paperwork is finalized and recommended he abstain from voting during the Feb. 7 trustees meeting as to not risk actions being nullified.
Port and Mueller had considered eight candidates for the role, including Bryan Kostura, Trent Meteer, Christopher Hare, Jonathan Stockdale, Jim Dickinson, Tom Warren, former Trustee Gary Gabram and Vice-Chairman of the Russell Township Board of Zoning Appeals Barry Rogers.
When asked if Hare would run in the November election to retain his seat, he said, “I am more focused first with producing results and accomplishing our immediate goals, which must be met today through year end, outside of elections.”
said in a phone interview last week he hopes Tarkett will use the Industrial Parkway warehouse space to increase the company’s manufacturing ability.
Everhart said two other third-party distribution centers in Aurora, Ill., and Murfreesboro, Tenn., will move to the Columbus distribution facility.
“By consolidating our distribution operations, we will become more efficient, enhance how we serve our customers and reduce our carbon footprint,” he said. “We remain dedicated to our presence in Ohio and will continue employing Ohioans at our North American headquarters in Solon and other manufacturing sites in Middlefield and Chagrin Falls.”
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: Feb. 13, 3 p.m., Family Services Planning Committee; Feb. 20, 9:30 a.m., Geauga County Commissioners. 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: Feb. 13, 7 p.m., Zoning Commission; Feb. 17, 7 p.m., Board of Trustees. All meetings are held at the Administration Building, 11010 Washington St., unless otherwise indicated.
Bainbridge Township: Feb. 20, 7 p.m., Board of Zoning Appeals. All meetings are held at Town Hall, 17826 Chillicothe Road, unless noted.
Burton Township: Feb. 17, 7 p.m., Board of Trustees. The meeting will be held at the Burton Township Administration building, 14821 Rapids Road.
Chardon City: Feb. 13, 6:30 p.m., City Council. All meetings are held at the Municipal Center, 111 Water St., unless otherwise noted. Chardon Township: Feb. 19, 7 p.m., Board of Trustees. All meetings are held at Township Hall, 9949 Mentor Road, unless otherwise noted.
Chester Township: Feb. 13, 8 a.m., Board of Trustees, special meeting; Feb. 19, 7 p.m., Zoning Commission; Feb. 20, 6:30 p.m., Board of Trustees. All meetings are held at Township Hall, 12701 Chillicothe Road, unless otherwise noted.
Claridon Township: Feb. 17, 6 p.m., Board of Trustees, at Claridon Administrative Building, 13932 Mayfield Road.
Hambden Township: Feb. 18, 6 p.m., Parks and Recreation Board. All meetings are held at the Town Hall, 13887 GAR Highway, unless
otherwise noted.
Huntsburg Township: Feb. 18, 7 p.m., Board of Trustees. All meetings are held at the Town Hall, 16534 Mayfield Road.
Middlefield Village: Feb. 13, 6 p.m. – Finance and Ordinance Committee, 7 p.m. – Village Council. All meetings are at the Municipal Center, 14860 N. State Ave.
Montville Township: Feb. 18, 7 p.m., Board of Trustees; Feb. 20, 7:30 p.m., Zoning Commission. All meetings are held at the Montville Community Center, 9755 Madison Road, unless noted.
Munson Township: Feb. 18, 6:30 p.m., Board of Trustees, special meeting with CHS Baseball and Softball. All meetings are held at Township Hall, 12210 Auburn Road, unless otherwise noted.
Newbury Township: Feb. 19, 7 p.m., Board of Trustees. All meetings are held at the Town Hall, 14899 Auburn Road, unless otherwise noted.
Parkman Township: Feb. 18, 7 p.m., Board of
Trustees. All meetings are held at the Community House, 16295 Main Market Road, unless otherwise noted.
Russell Township: Feb. 20, 7 p.m., Board of Trustees. All meetings are held at Town Hall, 14890 Chillicothe Road, unless otherwise noted.
South Russell Village: Feb. 18, 5:30 p.m., Architectural Board of Review; Feb. 19, 7 p.m., Board of Zoning Appeals. All meetings are held at the Village Hall, 5205 Chillicothe Road, unless otherwise noted.
Thompson Township: Feb. 19, 7 p.m., Board of Trustees, at the Geauga County Public Library – Thompson Branch.
Troy Township: Feb 18, 7 p.m., Board of Trustees. All meetings are held at Troy Community Center, 13950 Main Market Road, unless noted.
Chardon BOE: Feb. 18, 5:30 p.m., regular meeting. All meetings are held at Ira A. Canfield Building, 428 North St., Chardon, unless otherwise noted.
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Troy Firefighters Honored for Response to House Fire
ecution of the agreement for capital improvement funding,” Burhenne said.
As the board never got the agreement to the finish line and January is over, the board needs to decide what to do next, she said.
“As far as I could understand from what I read, what we got from (outside counsel), there doesn’t have to be an agreement,” Burhenne said, referring to the original agreement commissioners have with the airport authority which states, “the board of commissioners in its own discretion can give money to the airport.”
They do not need a formal agreement on how the money is used in order to approve the transfer, she explained.
Commissioner Carolyn Brakey, however, had reservations about approving that amount of money without a contract in place.
“Even if we legally can just hand this money over without a contract, I personally don’t think that’s a responsible decision to the taxpayers,” she said.
Commissioner Jim Dvorak said prior to last Tuesday’s meeting, he had received a phone call from a member of the airport authority board who had been willing to renegotiate the contract.
“So, did we not appropriate that money then, at the end of the year?” Commissioner Ralph Spidalieri asked. “Because my understanding was that we committed those dollars.”
The mechanism under which they would transfer the money was never finalized, Finance Director Adrian Gorton replied.
“What my understanding was is that we were working on what the stipulations were for the money to make sure that we just
emmA mAcniven cniven@kArlovecmediA com
Troy Township Fire Chief Jim Nix recognized Dylan Diemert and Sebastian Hornsby Feb. 4 for using “excellent firefighting skills” during a Garrettsville house fire Jan. 28.
“Upon our arrival, we encountered a single family ranch residence with heavy fire damage and heavy smoke shown,” Nix said, reading from a letter of commendation at the Troy Township Trustees meeting. “You, along with the rest of Troy Township’s fire department crew, quickly assessed scene size-up and safety while being assigned the task of making an interior fire attack. You, along with the rest of the crew, made two interior fire attacks, completed roof ventilation on a slippery metal roof while working off of a ladder with snow and ice conditions and helped complete overhaul operations.”
During both interior fire attacks, Nix said he witnessed “bravery and exceptional firefighter skills” from Diemert and Hornsby.
“Your actions of sounding the floor to ensure advancement further inside was safe, searching for occupants while advancing and your skills demonstrated on hose line tactics were of highest caliber,” Nix continued. “You demonstrated excellent communication skills in an environment with little to no visibility and smoke banked within two feet of the floor. All of these actions resulted in the extinguishment of the fire in a safe and pro-
at a responsible decision of basically making improvements to move our airport forward because I can tell you that airport supplements a lot more economic growth and development than people realize,” Spidalieri said.
fessional manner.”
On behalf of the Troy Township Fire Department and the citizens of the community, Nix commended both men for their actions that day.
“Your dedication to providing such excellent firefighting skills demonstrates your commitment to carrying on the Troy Township Fire Department's proud reputation of excellence and public service,” Nix said, comparing their work to long-time firefighters he’s previously worked with.
“It was a smooth operation, as fine as any I've seen even in my 20-plus years of fighting fires in Solon,” he said. “Their skills were of people that are career full-time firefighters I've worked with for decades in Solon.”
Nix also thanked the community’s support on a Facebook post Nix made detailing the fire and other fire departments involved, including Garrettsville, Farmington, Mantua and Windham.
“The outpouring of support from the community when I wrote that Facebook article blew me away,” Nix said. “You know, you always hear about the bad stuff, you don't always hear about the good. I think that needs to be recognized. And I was proud to share that out there and was so thrilled that everybody shared it, everybody was talking about it. That was just amazing to me.”
During the meeting, trustees also approved hiring Gavin Russell as a probationary firefighter.
playing Santa Claus, then we should have a contract in place that protects our taxpayers,” Brakey replied.
was going to be transferred over to the airport and that there was not a (repayment requirement),” he said. “It was going to be that they were going to be able to utilize that for that next hangar project.”
Speaking to Airport Manager Ric Blamer, who was in the audience, Spidalieri said he supported 100% the money being transferred to them and encouraged Blamer to speak to the airport’s legal counsel.
Brakey asked for the language of the original motion again, noting she thought the money was dependent on an agreement.
Burhenne read the motion once again, reiterating the “pending the execution of the agreement for capital improvement funding” phrase.
“I think what happened with that is that we had a situation where … the language was basically not accepted, possibly, by our prosecutor,” Spidalieri said, asking Burhenne for more information.
An agreement outlining what had previously been discussed in session had been presented to the prosecutor’s office, Burhenne said. When it came back, there had been numerous changes based upon an already existing loan commissioners have with the airport related to their first T-hangar project and other similar agreements.
“It all kind of came to a halt at that point,” Burhenne said, adding they then reached out to outside counsel for another opinion.
The county owns the airport property, which is why Dvorak wanted to have a contract in place, he said.
“When we were looking at these decisions last year, we weren’t just trying to play Santa Claus handing money out, we were looking
An investment there is an investment to the local business community and an investment to the airport's future, especially in making it self-sufficient, he said, calling it a small investment for a big goal.
“I know that there’s a lot of people that are very much dissatisfied, hurt and just feel that they were wronged, and I hope that the legal counsel on the airport side of things looks into this to see if there’s any action they can take against the commissioners to retain that money,” he said.
A reporter in the audience later asked him to clarify that statement.
“If (the airport wants) to litigate or take some kind of legal action against us to get what we agreed on in December — we weren’t mincing words,” Spidalieri said. “Our position was to give the airport the $1.3 million with no other strings attached — it was that simple — to improve our airport and the future of our airport.”
Dvorak said he’d like to take up the call he got that morning and renegotiate a contract combining the language from the prosecutor’s office and the airport.
Burhenne asked the board how they wanted to proceed.
Spidalieri said if outside counsel’s opinion suggested the money could have just been transferred without an official agreement on how it was spent, he would have supported that from the beginning.
“There was a lot of time and a lot of money that went into this,” Spidalieri said. “This wasn’t just something that we just balled up a figure of $1.3 million and threw it out there like Santa Claus. This was a lot of time and effort that went into this.”
“Commissioner Spidalieri, if we’re not
After the motion passed to rescind the Dec. 17 decision, commissioners agreed to continue talks with the airport as fast as possible.
“Clock is ticking,” Burhenne warned them.In a follow-up email Feb. 10, Blamer confirmed the airport was working with the commissioners to draft a new document for the projects “with some slightly different terms to satisfy the new makeup of the BOCC.”
“One of the projects (T-hangar) that this covers is partially funded by the (Federal Aviation Administration) through BIL (Bi-partisan Infrastructure Law) funds,” he said. “I am confident that we will be moving forward with the projects once everyone has had a chance to review the new agreement.”
Burhenne gave commissioners a summary of Dvorak’s discussion with the airport authority at the Feb. 11 commissioners meeting.
“It involves that the commissioners sign an agreement to build a T-hangar and puts the $1.33 million into the airport construction fund, which is controlled by the commissioners,” she said. “The commissioners manage the bid process … and the airport would select the contractor. The bills would come to our office to be paid and we would provide prevailing wage coordination until around the beginning of October when the (Federal Aviation Administration grant) money comes through, which is somewhere between $5600,000 by my understanding.”
At that point, the bills would be paid by the FAA money and the remaining money in the construction fund would be available to the airport authority for other projects, as needed.
The prosecutor’s office will need to approve the agreement, she said, adding she had a draft she could send as a starting point.
In a Jan. 21 ruling, the Eleventh District Court of Appeals partially overturned Geauga County Common Pleas Judge Carolyn Paschke’s previous ruling in the Kelly’s Working Well Farm v. Bainbridge Township case.
Over the past several years, owners Kelly Clark and William Roe — who purchased the farm, at 16519 South Franklin Street, in 2012 — have been involved in litigation with Bainbridge Township officials regarding several issues, including alleged zoning and fire code violations, as well as numerous safety hazards at the property.
At the crux of the case was whether the farm and its homeschool program, The Chagrin Valley Learning Collective, were considered agritourism and, therefore, protected by Ohio’s agritourism statute.
According to Ohio Revised Code Section 901.80, agritourism is defined as “an agriculturally related educational, entertainment, historical, cultural, or recreational activity, including you-pick operations or farm markets, conducted on a farm that allows or invites members of the general public to observe, participate in, or enjoy that activity.”
In August 2023, Paschke ruled in favor of the farm, deciding the farm programs constituted agritourism under Ohio law.
Bainbridge officials appealed the decision in the fall of 2023, contending the farm remained in violation of township zoning regulations.
Contrary to Paschke’s ruling, Eleventh District Court of Appeals Judge Mary Jane Trapp determined the CVLC did not constitute agritourism as its program had not been open to “members of the general public,” but instead restricted to a particular class of people.
Therefore, the farm would be prohibited from operating the collective on the
Tavern
Six from page 1
reputation,” said South Russell Village Mayor Bill Koons. “They're a class act and we're looking forward to them being a part of the village very much and they want to get involved in the community. They have just the kind of attitude that we would like to see in a restaurant in the village.”
The new business will mark a second location for the popular Tavern Six at 7592 Chardon Road in Kirtland, of which the Vitantonios are also part owners, in addition to Sage Karma Kitchen in Willoughby.
The couple had no reservations about opening another spot.
“It will be the third restaurant I’ve helped open,” Teanna said, adding she feels confident about the move.
The former Panini’s touted 15 years at the South Russell location, according to a “thank you” sign in front of the deserted building.
The average restaurant industry turnover rate was nearly 80 percent over the past 10 years, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Kirtland’s Tavern Six defied those statistics by remaining open for a decade, including through the COVID-19 pandemic.
Teanna attributes their success to finding a niche.
property, according to the ruling.
“The CVLC is not permitted to operate at the site, as it’s not permitted agritourism under the 2022 consent agreement,” said Geauga County Assistant Prosecutor Linda Applebaum, referring to a consent agreement the farm had with the township.
Providing some background, Applebaum explained the CVLC “is a self-directed school program operating at the site since 2022.”
“Prior to the CVLC’s formation, a predecessor school, the Chagrin Valley School, was operating at the site until a 2019 injunction was brought by the township,” she said. “This decision means that CVLC members, and children, in particular, are not at risk of injury (or worse) due to the fire hazards that currently exist in, on, or within the structures at the site.”
Bainbridge’s 2019 injunction case against defendants Clark, Rowe and the Chagrin Valley School was resolved with the consent agreement order, which only permits agri-
“We're family friendly and we are really and truly a restaurant that has a craft and a cocktail list, as well, but our main focus is fresh scratch-made ingredients,” she said, adding there’s something for everyone.
“Kids can come in and get mac and cheese and the parents can get a salmon entree or a steak or ribs, so we kind of cater to everyone, but I would say it's more of an American menu,” she said.
The new restaurant will incorporate Kirtland’s Tavern Six concept, including the décor and menu, but with some new twists.
“Everything is made in-house like dressings, sauces … and we're going to be doing a very similar menu to what we have in Kirtland, but obviously, we're going to put some flairs on it ... change it up a little bit, and just basically, put our flair on to the location,” Teanna said.
In addition, the new restaurant will incorporate Tavern Six’s flare for community support.
“We are very involved in the community and we definitely like to give back,” Teanna said. “I believe, really and truly, that's the reason we're so successful. We're giving gift cards and baskets and donations all the time.”
The new restaurant’s hours will be similar to the other two, closing by either 9 p.m. or 10 p.m. weekdays and 11 p.m. on weekends, Teanna said.
She expects Tavern Six’s grand opening
tourism activities and agriculture use on the property until, and if, all fire hazards are abated, Applebaum explained.
“With respect to agritourism activities, the agreement requires five-day notification to Bainbridge’s fire inspector of any activity, that structures must be locked and signs displayed, prohibiting entry during agritourism activities and that activities cannot be held within 10 feet of any of the structures,” Applebaum said. “Although (Paschke) determined that the defendants were in contempt for violating distance restrictions on the property with respect to the CVLC operations, the Eleventh District Court of Appeals reversed (her) decision that the CVLC is permitted agritourism at the site.”
As a result, Trapp’s ruling will require Paschke’s court to find Clark and Roe in contempt for operating the CVLC at the site and issue sanctions, Applebaum said.
Trapp’s ruling also instructed Paschke’s court to determine whether CVLC is in viola-
will happen in the next several weeks, after they hire more staff — for a total of 30 to 35 employees — and give the old Panini’s “a facelift.”
Shelly and Ken Kushner, patrons of Kirtland’s Tavern Six for over a year, sat at the bar on a chilly Saturday afternoon in early February. The restaurant was packed, with only the spillover room available for larger groups.
Bartenders and kitchen servers greeted patrons and knew many by name. The music was low, so people could have conversations without yelling, and several televisions featured various programming, from sports to news.
The Kushners were eager to share their excitement for the South Russell location, adding as grandparents, they are glad both Tavern Sixes are centrally located between their home and that of their grandkids.
tion of the township’s zoning regulations. Trapp also reinstated Bainbridge Board of Zoning Appeals and Board of Building Appeals’ decisions against the property owners under the consent agreement, Applebaum said.
Though Trapp overturned Paschke’s ruling on CVLC, Clark expressed appreciation for the clarity in a statement to the Maple Leaf.
“The court determined that while our summer camp program indeed constituted agritourism, and may continue unchanged, the (CVLC) was not ‘open to the public’ as required by the agritourism law, and thus not considered agritourism,” she said in her statement. “We are happy that to a large degree the original rulings of the judge were affirmed. We are also pleased to get additional clarity on the court’s interpretation of the agritourism law.”
Clark said while Bainbridge officials have attacked CVLC’s programming, emphasizing their primary concern was safety, Trapp found only one reason to reject the farm’s hosting of CVLC — the question of whether it was open to the public.
“We are confident that we can work with the judge and Bainbridge to allow the farm to offer year-round educational and recreational programming by hosting homeschool co-ops and other organizations for extended durations,” Clark said, adding she also is looking forward to finally resolving any remaining fire code citations.
“We hope that now the court will be able to turn its attention to this issue so that we may return to providing a variety of agricultural education and recreational opportunities to the public using our farm buildings,” she said.
Bainbridge officials declined to comment on the ruling at this time.
Paschke did not respond to a request for comment prior to press deadline.
Their favorite entrees include the tofu stir-fry for Shelly and the Buffalo mac and cheese for Ken.
The food “is always great,” Ken said, his wife chiming in, “We love coming here, the people are always so nice.”
Bainbridge Township
Kelly’s Working Well Farm in Bainbridge Township, owned by Kelly Clark and William Roe, has been involved in litigation with the township for the past several years regarding zoning violations and safety concerns.
Nash Road Damage Detours Township Plans
By Ann WishArt Ann@kArlovecmediA com
Planning summer maintenance for Parkman Township roads hit a detour last week when Jack Frost destroyed about 80 feet of Nash Road.
Parkman Township Trustee Lance Portman said at the Feb. 4 meeting serious repairs will need to be done for the chip-andseal surface and the expense may affect work on other roads this year.
Roads have been frozen solid for weeks — until the warmer temperatures caused surfaces to heave and break up, he said.
“Because of the thaw, we just recently lost 80 feet of Nash Road. It’s all mud and holes,” Portman said. “The frost we got this year has been horrible. I have paved (asphalt) roads that have heaved and the center line has split.”
Chip-and-seal is only 1.5 inches thick and it breaks up fairly easily, he said, adding Nash
is proof of that.
“We have to do some repairs up there,” he said.
The section of Nash that was torn asunder is near the intersection of Newcomb Road just south of Buster Miller’s Auction Hall, Portman said.
As liaison between the board and the road department, and in light of the unexpected deterioration, Portman said in 2024, they made plans for road repairs and maintenance in February.
“We have to regroup on what we have to do this year on the chip-and-seal projects,” he said, listing Patch, Swine Creek, Rutland and Payne roads as targets.
“They seem to be holding up okay. Nash is the only one that failed,” Portman said. “They don’t have as much traffic as Nash.”
Trustee Joyce Peters asked about upcoming costs.
“We need some figures on repairs and chip-and-seal,” she said.
Portman said circumstances may delay those.
“I don’t know what the rest of the winter is going to do,” he said.
Peters asked Portman to find out what repairs to Nash will cost, first.
“Then, we’ll see what else we have in the (road) fund to move forward,” she said.
In other business, assistant Zoning Inspector Mark Strumbly said he has issued violation letters to a property owner to remove the 4-foot-by-8-foot Trump sign in his front yard.
“The election is over. We know who won. As far as I’m concerned, it's nothing but advertising,” he said, adding he quoted the property owner a price for a permit for the sign.
“I’m sure he’s not going to go for that,” he said.
He also questioned the width of a road right-of-way, saying the only things allowed in
the right-of-way and election signs can be put up there 30 days before an election.
However, different roads have different right-of-way widths. A right-of-way is measured from the center of the road, which is marked by a monument box on an asphalt surface. Unimproved roads do not have monument boxes, Portman said, making an exact measurement uncertain.
“All road right-of-ways are different. Some are 40 feet wide, some are 60. Madison Road is 80,” he said.
Peters also said she came back from the Ohio Townships Association conference with a new understanding of how the trustee meetings should be run.
“It was mind-bending how much stuff we found out and how much stuff we have to change. We’re going to be doing a lot more resolutions,” she said, holding up a booklet explaining the requirements. “Who knows
Berkshire BOE Tables Decision on Levies, Transfer
By Ann WishArt Ann@kArlovecmediA com
More than 50 Berkshire Schools residents turned out Feb. 10 to protest a proposed tax increase at the school board meeting.
After more than 90 minutes of pleas from the audience, Berkshire Schools Board of Education members voted unanimously to table the issue until a special meeting at 6 p.m. Feb. 26.
Before that vote, many in the audience took the microphone particularly to object to one of four options the board is considering.
Because voters did not pass a 2.5-mill permanent improvement renewal levy in the last two elections, Berkshire’s five-year-forecast shows the district’s general fund in the red in years four and five, according to Treasurer Beth McCaffrey.
The prediction is causing the board to decide between asking the voters to pass a new 2.5-mill permanent improvement levy, a 4.9mill operating levy or transferring 2.5 mills from the district’s inside, unvoted millage to the general fund.
Another option, passing a 0.5% earned income tax, would generate most of the revenue needed to keep the district in the black and would cost a worker about $250 per year for every $50,000 earned, McCaffrey said.
At the Jan. 22 board meeting, Superintendent John Stoddard explained the effects of
a transfer from inside millage to the general fund.
If the board takes action to transfer funds from the general fund to the PI fund, the district’s inside millage would drop below its 20-mill floor and property taxes would auto matically increase to bring the general fund back up to the floor, he said.
Monday, speakers called that “taxation without representation” because residents wouldn’t be voting on the millage transfer increase.
“If you take that 2.5-mill inside millage, you’d better make it 10 because you will never pass a levy again,” said Jim Boyd, of Thompson Township. “It’s taxation without representation. You’d be cutting yourselves off at the knees.”
He said the board had not done enough community engagement when the renewal was on the ballot last year and people need to know why the board needs the money and how they plan to spend it.
John Bonner, of Burton Township, echoed Boyd about a lack of communication and said the levy failure should be a wake-up call.
“I would think you have a lack of support,” he said, recommending the board not vote immediately. “You … cannot do this tonight.”
He said he helped pass the bond issue to build the new school and there was a lot of face-to-face communication for that effort.
The board needs to communicate to resi
between the three options under consideration, he said, adding the Geauga County Auditor’s Office confirmed the figures.
According to the handout, a new 4.9-mill operating levy would add $171.50 per year per $100,000 of property valuation; a new 2.5-mill permanent improvement levy would add $87.50 per year per $100,000 property valuation.
A 2.5-mill transfer of inside millage from the general fund to the PI fund would add $76.16 per year per $100,000 property valuation.
current funding is at 2022 base costs,” the handout said. “They are shifting the burden back to the taxpayers. Contact your legislator.”
After more than an hour of public input, board member Linda Stone asked to delay a decision.
Board member Jodie Miller agreed she needed time to reflect on what residents had to say during the special meeting and thanked residents for their input.
“We heard so much tonight,” she said. “This is too big a decision to make this quickly.” Parkman Township
Spidalieri Questions ADP Funding Request
By Allison Wilson Wilson@kArlovecmediA com
Geauga County Commissioner Ralph Spidalieri turned an eye of scrutiny on the Automatic Data Processing board’s request for supplemental funding during commissioners’ Feb. 4 meeting.
ADP’s 2025 Funding Continuation Request Plan is asking for $730,000 in supplemental appropriations to cover three new staff positions and initiatives such as AI gun detection software, server and network infrastructure, cybersecurity upgrades, Windows 11 migration and other items.
“Without this funding, the county risks increased cybersecurity vulnerabilities, operational disruptions, and delays in critical IT service delivery,” according to the plan.
The appropriations would essentially give the information technology department back funding it previously reduced.
“At the end of last year and during the tax budget and everything, we made several reductions to departments for the 2025 budget, many of which we expected to be able to revisit after the beginning of the year, once we know how much money we have available to us for supplementals,” Geauga County Finance Director Adrian Gorton explained.
ADP made about $730,000 in budget adjustments, which included trimming the payroll approximately 3% and the removal of maintenance positions as determined by an attorney general opinion, Gorton said.
In a Feb. 10 follow-up email, Gorton noted there were almost $235,000 in salary requests, $80,000 in equipment requests and $416,000 in requests for the Computer Equipment Improvements fund.
Spidalieri asked Gorton during the meeting if ADP’s payroll had doubled or tripled in the past six years. Gorton said it had at least doubled.
“Whether or not the argument could be made we were underspending by that amount prior to that, I don’t know,” Gorton said. “But, it has gone up a lot over the last five, six years.”
He also noted there was an upward trend prior to ADP acquiring the county archives department.
The number of positions in the department also increased, Gorton said.
Commissioner Carolyn Brakey noted ADP has also expanded services.
Three Contend for 2 Health Board Seats
y Allison Wilson ilson@kArlovecmediA.com
Two seats are currently up for grabs on the Geauga County Board of Health, as the Health District Advisory Council plans to interview applicants March 5 and vote March 12.
The positions consist of a five-year term concluding in March 2030 and a two-year term concluding in March 2027. Both begin in March of 2025.
Letters of intent and resumes will still be accepted through Feb. 26.
As of press deadline, three applications have been submitted.
Matt Brakey
Matt, the husband of former board member and current Geauga County Commissioner Carolyn Brakey, is applying for the two-year term seat.
istrator in large health facilities and have been on the early edge of telehealth and medical technology,” she said in her application.
Roman holds both a master degree in health planning and administration from the University of Cincinnati and a bachelor’s degree in health education from The Ohio State University.
She currently works as an independent consultant in Cleveland, where she assists a chief executive officer in developing new strategies, updating bylaws and updating operational policies.
ADP board Chief Deputy Administrator Frank Antenucci said the department has not doubled in staff over the past five to six years.
“I believe we went from somewhere around 11 to 14 or so now, with a couple of open positions,” he said. “Honestly, in terms of working with outside communities, we have added a number of them, but more than that, it’s been the blowup of the cybersecurity infrastructure and the issues we’re dealing with.”
Antenucci used a ransomware attack in Wood County, which resulted in officials paying $1.5 million, as an example.
“We have made significant investment into the county security in terms of information technology,” he said. “We didn’t have a security department as of two years ago, now we have three people in there.”
He would like to add one more person to that group, he said.
Spidalieri asked Antenucci about his feelings on potentially hiring an outside cybersecurity company that could be managed on a contract basis, rather than the county worrying about additional manpower and benefits.
“What we’ve learned from a number of counties here, especially in the last couple of months, whether it be Wood County or Harrison County or Pike County or Franklin County Court of Common Pleas, is that an in-house cybersecurity staff that can quickly respond to incidents, diffuse them and also monitor and manage the network seems to be the best practice for government when we have roughly $260 million that we’re protecting,” Antenucci replied.
Brakey asked Antenucci for a cost comparison between the two options.
Antenucci said he wasn’t sure, but an outside contractor’s goal would be to make money and ADP has used outside vendors for a few things with a variety of luck in terms of cybersecurity.
“Much (outside cybersecurity), and it’s not an issue, necessarily, but much of it comes from outside the United States,” he said. “And the time frame and the issues with that can make it very difficult.”
Spidalieri also questioned the cost of salaries to ADP.
ADP is requesting adding a cybersecurity specialist to focus on threat monitoring, incident response and security tool implementation; a business applications specialist
Spidalieri
“At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, as parents of preschool aged twins, my family was significantly and adversely impacted by restrictive and often irrational policies. As time progressed, these policies seemed to worsen rather than improve,” he said in his letter.
Matt cited Carolyn’s tenure on the board as showing him dedicated individuals can make a difference.
“Inspired by her impact, I am offering to fulfill her original commitment to Geauga County,” he said.
Matt said his business background in a highly-regulated industry and legal education would offer an underrepresented perspective and enable him to bring a balanced and pragmatic approach to the board’s decisions.
Per the resume submitted to HDAC, Matt graduated juris doctor cum laude from the Cleveland Marshall College of Law in 2014 and received a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science degree from Miami University in 2004.
Matt is the president of Brakey Energy, where he directs company operations, oversees all client services and negotiates client contracts for electric generation and natural gas.
Matt was also the former chair of the Ohio Energy Leadership Council and currently acts as secretary-treasurer.
He leads a teetotaler lifestyle, is a member of the Fellowship City Church and coaches basketball for the West Geauga Recreation Council.
Lynn Roman
A former member of the health board, Roman has also put in a bid for the two-year term seat.
“I have recently served on the GPH board and wish to continue my service. I believe my recent experience will allow me to be informed and generally up to speed on the current issues and business of the GPH board,” she said in her letter.
Roman also noted her history in healthcare, beginning her career as a public health educator.
“I have many years of being an admin-
Roman’s history in healthcare includes working as a senior director at Anthem from 2010-2017, where she led development work for their telehealth program, a four-month stint as a senior healthcare consultant for NBBJ Architects and a division administrator at the Cleveland Clinic, where she oversaw the day-to-day business operations of multiple divisions, according to her resume.
Roman also listed a number of non-career healthcare related positions she has experience in, including a health educator for Hough Norwood Family Health Centers, administrative director for emergency and anesthesiology departments at Metrohealth and a clinic manager at University Hospitals of Cleveland.
Roman serves as a guardian for Lutheran Metropolitan Ministry and previously did pro bono work aiding in the relocation of the Lake County YMCA.
Christine Sutter
A nurse manager and staff nurse at University Hospitals Geauga Medical Center, Sutter is the only applicant to aim for the five-year term seat.
“Over the years, I have developed a deep understanding of the challenges facing public health systems, as well as the innovative approaches needed to address issues such as public health concerns, health disparities, disease prevention, mental health and access to care,” she said in her letter. “My experience working as a leader in healthcare has provided me with valuable insights into the intersections of policy, healthcare delivery and community engagement.”
Sutter holds an associate’s degree in nursing from Lakeland Community College and both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in nursing from Kent State University. She assists in the daily operations of the mother/infant unit at UHGMC, as well as physically assesses newborns and educates families in their care, according to her application.
Sutter has also previously worked as a clinical instructor for KSU, LCC and Cleveland State University, where she educated students at UHGMC and MetroHealth Medical Center.
From 2008-2011, Sutter also worked as a staff nurse at the Middlefield Care Center, where she managed the care of laboring Amish women.
Sutter is a certified neonatal resuscitation program instructor and childbirth educator, and has also previously earned the Hero of the Month Award at UHGMC.
Crowd Views the Future at State of Geauga
By Ann WishArt Ann@kArlovecmediA com
A wide variety of speakers illustrated the State of Geauga County during the Geauga Growth Partnership’s annual county prog ress report Feb. 7.
All six gave insight into how their pas sions invigorate, educate, protect and sup port the community.
From draft horse rescue to red bricks, ca nine unit to clay and academics collaboration to mental health, each presenter exemplified the spirit that propels the county forward on many fronts.
Rookie Will Be There
Geauga County Sheriff’s Sgt. Jacob Smith and his K9, Rookie, drew much attention and some laughs from the crowd of more than 100 at the Kent State University – Geauga meeting room.
With the friendly, 4-year-old labrador re triever at his side, Smith told the gathering about their partnership and Rookie’s career as an explosives detective and tracker of criminals and lost children.
“Each shift has a dog assigned to it,” Smith said, adding law enforcement K9s are often trained to apprehend by grabbing a sus pect’s arm.
Rookie’s temperament took him in another direction — the Lake County Sheriff’s Office bomb squad, he said.
“If you have a bomb threat anywhere in Geauga County, Rookie will be there,” Smith said.
Once a week, the pair puts in four hours honing their skills in narcotics and explosives detection.
“The biggest thing about bomb detention is training. We put out any type of narcotics you can think of,” Smith said.
The dogs learn to alert correctly on people, vehicles and school lockers.
Visiting area schools with Rookie deters students from keeping drugs and paraphernalia in their lockers or book bags, Smith said.
“The dogs have to be very good at what they do,” he said, urging attendees to contact him about setting up fundraisers.
Just training a K9 costs about $20,000 — not to mention vet bills, he said.
“We do everything by donations. It helps us run this without taxpayer money,” Smith said. “Donations keep us going.”
Connecting the Old and the New
Geauga County Commissioner Jim Dvorak sat behind a small stack of red bricks before taking the microphone.
Leading up to his presentation about the Geauga County Courthouse expansion, Dvorak recalled his father, who introduced him to the world of bricklaying and stone masonry.
When he shifted from construction to politics, the commissioner said he “went from building buildings to building relationships.”
Dvorak traced the history of courthouses in Geauga County to the current building, erected in 1869 for $88,862, where the first trial was held in 1870.
“Our courthouse is an icon in Geauga County and in Ohio,” he said, explaining how the addition will blend in with the historic landmark and provide safe, efficient space for the pursuit of justice.
Schoolyard Studio Impacts Community
Det Chansamone, owner of School Yard Studios in Burton, said the business he set up in 2024 in the former Berkshire High School is poised to boost the local economy and provide skills training to area high school students.
“We are working on getting some education for the community so business leaders understand what we are doing,” he said.
A visual effects artist with years of experience in the Los Angeles movie industry, Chansamone has brought his knowledge to Geauga County.
He offered tours to those in the audience.
“We want to bring you in and get a chance to see a production. What you see on TV is not what you will see there,” he said, adding it can take an hour to set the stage for one minute of film.
Economically, as crews avail themselves of Schoolyard Studio facilities, they will spend money in the community at restaurants, stores and for housing and entertainment, to name a few, he said.
Chansamone said he wants to work with local educational institutions.
Opportunities to be involved in the film industry include a wide variety of skills that can be taught at the studio, he said.
“Students can watch multiple productions,” Chansamone said, adding he wants to have workshops for local groups and offer advice on how to get into show business.
Global Connections at Hershey Montessori
Adolescents from countries such as Germany, Mexico and Japan spend their formative years building relationships with local students at the Hershey Montessori School in Huntsburg Township.
“They bring this global connection, culture and diversity,” said Paula Leigh-Doyle, head of the farm school on 97 acres on state Route 528.
The children learn skills in an international context, she said.
“We integrate academics and intellectual development in real work,” Leigh-Doyle said, adding the program encourages emotional regulation and a moral connection to the community, where individualism is prized.
“There are no cookie-cutter children,” she said.
Problem-solving, skills and experience are all part of the farming program at the school, where students are urged to study and propose solutions on issues such as water use and origins in Geauga County, LeighDoyle said.
“They become very good time managers,” she said, noting students become independent and passionate learners who interact with the community.
“We want our adolescents to learn from you,” Leigh-Doyle said. “Real humans are real important to us.”
She invited the crowd to attend the school’s pancake breakfast, which students organize and serve, on Feb. 23.
John Murray Clubhouse
Ravenwood Health’s John Murray Clubhouse focuses on supporting and empowering individuals with mental illness to recover and enjoy the advantages the community has to offer.
Samantha Jackson, of Ravenwood Health human services, said the 320 clubhouse chapters in the U.S. aim to help people stay out of hospitals — a positive goal in any community.
“We’re working on mental health in a different way,” she said. “We respect anyone who struggles with mental illness.”
By joining a peer-led clubhouse group, learning how to handle finances and sharing what they are good at, members can reach the ultimate goal of getting back into the workforce, Jackson said.
Members improve their life skills by collaborating in the kitchen, grocery shopping and performing other daily chores, she said.
“We want them to feel included — to get out of the house and feel like other people like them,” Jackson said.
She also talked about the 9-8-8 suicide
Counselors pick up the phone in about five seconds and it is not just for individuals who are suicidal. Friends and family members of those with mental illness can call for advice or just to chat, Jackson said.
“Any time you dial 9-8-8, you get linked in with a trained individual who is just there to listen. About 90% of the calls are not suicide-related,” she said. “If you are in the county, you will get a local, hometown individual on the phone.”
If there is an emergency, Ravenwood has a mobile crisis response team and a crisis center, she added.
Back to the Earth
Two entrepreneurs are putting the good Earth to good use in Geauga County.
Alicia Matejka started a draft horse rescue on the 27-acre Morning Mercies Farm that blossomed into a therapeutic equine-assisted learning facility on Huntley Road in Huntsburg Township.
Artist and educator Abbie Blake recently opened a clay distribution operation on Ravenna Road in Munson Township, meeting local artists’ needs.
While rescuing and rehoming draft horses, Matejka said she came to understand the impact the gentle giants had on those who adopted them and subsequently expanded the farm’s purpose, as well as its population of four-footed residents. Early on, she knew she wanted to make full use of the property.
“I looked around and said, ‘Something needs to eat all this grass,’” Matejka recalled. It brought her around to a homesteading mentality and she acquired sheep, pigs and chickens — which provide meat and eggs — and Nubian goats for milk.
“We try to use everything,” she said, adding she has long-term goals that include retreats, glamping and the opportunity for visitors to enjoy a working weekend on a farm.
“There’s a lot of work to be done,” she said.
Meanwhile, Matejka is enriching the See Geauga • Page 9
Spidalieri
from page 7
supporting the transition to New World (Enterprise Resource Planning); and an audio-visual help desk technician to manage video conferencing, courtroom technology and public meeting support, according to its funding plan.
New positions plus additional promotions would add about $220,000 to ADP’s payroll, including salary and medicare, Gorton said.
“I think that that’s the biggest thing that you’re hearing throughout many of the different departments in the county is that the auditor and ADP, they have the highest level of employees over $100,000 (in salary), when you’re looking at it comparatively speaking with so many other departments and our elected divisions within our county,” Spidalieri said, asking where the ceiling is.
Antenucci later said he is the only ADP employee in the six-figure salary range.
That can be scrutinized when ADP submits their tax budget, Gorton added.
Spidalieri said he’d like to see a worksheet over the course of six months showing where each department was salary-wise, including a record of raises.
“What it’s doing is it’s definitely contaminating a lot of the other employees in this county that are trying to work every day and are not seeing some of those increases,” he said.
In a follow-up email from Antenucci to Gorton, he listed out ADP’s full-time staff in 2021 and 2025. There were 13 full-time em-
ployees in 2021 and one open position, and 16 in 2025 with three open positions.
When Gorton asked during the meeting if commissioners would be apprehensive about approving ADP’s supplemental request minus the maintenance position, Spidalieri reiterated the rate of ADP’s growth is concerning and he would like to get a better look at the whole picture.
Commissioners were previously led to believe putting money into technology would reduce costs, but costs have continuously increased, Spidalieri said.
“I would say yes,” Brakey said, referring to her vote. “I understand the budget’s going up, but technology is also getting more complicated and there are needs in the county now that didn’t exist five or six years ago just because of how technology has advanced.”
There have been reductions in the on-premises server environment, but increases in cybersecurity, Antenucci added.
Spidalieri questioned where the reductions in equipment were, noting ADP was requesting $400,000 for equipment.
“We have reduced the overall server footprint in Geauga County by about 30-40% in the last four years,” Antenucci replied, adding there are still a number of servers they have to support, some of which need to be upgraded, as well as network infrastructure.
That cannot be outsourced, he said.
Commissioners unanimously approved the supplemental request at the Feb. 11 meeting.
Geauga from
page 8
soil and practicing regenerative agriculture, using the animal byproducts — manure — to enrich the soil without chemicals.
Blake told the crowd she opened Big Creek Clay in May and wasn’t surprised to find the market for clay in Geauga County to be hot.
“We did a lot of surveys and had pre-orders before opening. There are many ceramic artists working in Geauga County, but there's nowhere to get clay in the area,” she
said. “It’s been going really well. Running one business allowed us to run another business.”
Besides selling clay to individual artists and to schools, Blake, who has a background in fine arts, opened the 2,400-square-foot space for local artists to teach classes, set up a retail gallery and sells plants, as well.
Big Creek Clay has been a financial success almost since opening, Blake said, adding she dreams of eventually developing the ultimate art space where trade skills such as woodworking can be taught.
“I’m really excited to be serving folks,” she said. “I’m excited to see how we can expand.”
Get Ready to Do-See-Do at Square Dance Club
By rose nemunAitis editor@kArlovecmediA com
While Punxsutawney Phil predicted another six weeks of winter, Hubs Square Dance Club hopes to put an early spring into people’s step with its weekly dance workshops.
“We love the way it gives us a way to be active throughout the winter months,” said Hubs member Lynn Fagerholm, of Auburn Township, regarding square dancing.
The club offers workshops for new dancers every Tuesday from 7-9 p.m. at Valley Presbyterian Church, 17560 Chillicothe Road, in Bainbridge Township.
“We are always encouraging people to join,” Fagerholm said. “The only requirements to dance are that you can hear the calls and can walk. That’s it. The caller will teach you each of the dance patterns and you don’t need to be a couple, many singles join the club.”
HSDC’s history dates back to around 1970, when a large group of Geauga County residents amicably split from the Broken Wheel Square Dance Club in Kirtland to form The Greasy Hubs. In 1987, they officially became Hubs.
Fagerholm grew up in Geauga County and has fond childhood memories of her mom taking her and her two older brothers to square dance lessons led by the Cloverleaf Squares, a 4-H square dance club, at the Auburn Township Town Hall.
About 9 years ago, as an empty nester, she rediscovered the square dance community and joined HSDC for weekly lessons.
“Then, one autumn evening as my husband, Mark, arrived home from work, I had
supper ready and invited him to put on com fortable shoes and be in the car at 6:45 for a ‘mystery trip,’” Fagerholm said. “We went to our first square dance lesson together. That evening opened the door to a community of active adults, new friends and a healthy way to have a lot of fun.”
Club President Stan Stewart and his wife, Laura, group treasurer, have been square dancing for 24 years together.
“Square dancing could be labeled as the perfect exercise because it engages the mind and body,” Stan said.
Square-dancing benefits include bone health (both strengthening and osteoporosis prevention); socialization, stress relief and increased feelings of confidence and accomplishment, according to the Mayo Clinic.
When it comes to the type of music HSDC uses, Stan said it depends on the group. New students often start off with music that has a heavy beat, so they can learn timing more easily.
As far as genres go, just about anything goes, he said.
“Our music engineers have done a wonderful job of converting music to the standard dance cycle we use,” Stan said.
Member Ken Campbell has been with the club for 20 years and plays all kinds of genres — pop, rock, easy listening, praise, gospel, Latin and even hip hop.
He includes songs by Neil Diamond, Lady Gaga, Bruno Mars, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Earth, Wind & Fire, ZZ Top, Kiss and Journey, just to name a few.
Campbell has square danced ever since he can remember.
“From the hay loft dances my father host-
ed for the neighborhood kids, to learning the high levels of dance, I have always enjoyed dancing and it has been a lifelong form of enjoyment for me,” he said. “I do it for the puzzle solving. I have to be clear on my instructions or I visualize something different than the dancers do.”
Campbell has called and danced across the country and Canada.
“The neat thing about square dancing is I can do it anywhere,” he said.
HSDC did a demonstration at Geauga Park District’s The West Woods in January and some of the attendees who came and danced for the first time are now taking lessons.
“Singles and kids can dance, as well,” Stewart said. “You do not need a partner. Kids can dance with their friends or even their parents, which is a nice family activity.”
Kay and Mark Eckman, of Chester Township, discovered the club at GPD’s event.
“It’s a delightful evening of getting out and dancing (exercise bonus) and socializing with nice people,” Kay said. “We are beginners, we had never danced before. We've attended three sessions. (It’s) not difficult, even if you have two left feet.”
Laura also enjoys making and selling square dance skirts.
She said the club tries to make every dance fun by doing themed decorations and offering a large variety of themed refreshments.
Campbell held a recent dance featuring all Broadway show tunes.
“We talk almost as much as we dance,”
Laura said. “We love it. It is the challenge of doing it right, the friendship, food and fun party atmosphere. If we make a mistake, it is okay, as well. We just keep dancing. Square dancing is family fun, as well. Bring your mom, sister or son. We make lifelong friends, some even from different countries.”
The Stewarts said square-dancing is popular all around the country and in other countries, as well.
“It is definitely not old-fashioned,” Stan said. “You can dance in any country and listen to the same calls in English. At the national conventions, we have people from Germany, England, Denmark, Finland, Japan, Australia and other countries.”
Fagerholm said she and her husband are looking forward to an upcoming Tennessee dance convention and square dance cruise to Norway organized by a caller from Europe. Other members joined a square dance tour of the United Kingdom in August, visiting and dancing through England, Ireland and Wales, according to HSDC, adding there are several clubs in the Greater Cleveland area to dance at and several events throughout the year, such as state, national and international conventions. You can book a cruise with a square dance theme. There are even camping square dance events, according to the club.
“In short, no matter what you like to do, there is likely a square dance event associated with it,” Stan said.
Jai and Sena Mayers, of Newbury Township, are enjoying being newer members of the dance group even more than they expected.
“Not only does it keep you moving, it keeps your brain engaged,” Jai said. “If you make a mistake — which even the more experienced people do frequently — you’ll hear, ‘It’s just a hobby,’ laugh, reset and continue.”
The first lesson with HSDC is free. Those interested can call Stan for information at 216-906-1236.
SUBMITTED
Bainbridge Township’s Hubs Square Dance Club members recently enjoy the mental and physical benefits of square dancing. Pictured, from left, are Mark Fagerholm, Sandra Wenneman, Mike Croson, Melissa Wenneman, Karen Vesely, Dennis Shutway, Donna Prochaska and Stan Stewart.
S P O R T S
Hewitt Steps Down as Chardon Football Coach
By JAmie WArd JAmie@kArlovecmediA com
Mitch Hewitt, who restored Chardon football to one of the best programs in Ohio during his 14 seasons, is stepping down as head football coach, he announced in a statement online.
“Chardon football is special not because
Badgers Take Last CVC Game Against Rival Cardinal
B sports
gan Friday night in Huskies Gymnasium that this contest would be the last as members of the Chagrin Valley Conference for next door neighbors Berkshire and Cardinal.
ern Athletic Conference next season.
matter the records, efforts never come into question.
brick upon a foundation that will stand for de cades to come.
“The amount of joy that Chardon football has brought me is indescribable. Everyone thinks a coach is the one giving, but the amount that I have received from Chardon football amounts to some of my life's fondest memories.”
Chardon had endured three straight losing seasons when Hewitt was hired in 2011, seasons unheard for a program who had won
but the Badgers used full-court pressure most of the night to thwart anything the Huskies tried as Berkshire claimed a 72-44
run that began with a pair of free throws by Michael Constantini.
the lane interrupted the Badgers' first quar
four early Huskies turnovers, each one lead ing to Berkshire baskets as they opened an 18-10 lead after one quarter of play.
straight shots to narrow the gap, including a pair of 3-pointers, as the Huskies showed they would not back down. teams.
A Program First: Bombers Win Baron Cup Title
By AlAn kornspAn sports@kArlovecmediA com
“Big time players make big time plays.” And so it was for Kenston Bombers Hockey in the Championship Game of the Baron Cup II Tournament against the Avon Lake Shoremen on Feb. 9.
In a game for the ages, senior Gavin Rowell brought his team back from an early 2-0 first period deficit.
In fact, Rowell answered the Shoremen's early lead with five goals of his own to lead the Bombers to a 5-3 victory and their first Baron Cup Title in school history.
“We had one goal all year, that was to get to this moment,” said Kenston Head Hockey Coach Tom Moores. “To have the start that we did, which we didn't exactly draw up, but to rebound like we did, it showed our character.
Hewitt
Mission Accomplished: Bombers Win WRC Title
“Going up there, playing them for the first time (this season), and knowing the championship was on the line, we were excited all day, we came to play,” said Cicek.
In defeating the Hilltoppers, the Bombers took a 23-21 halftime lead. The contest remained extremely close until the final buzzer.
Hewitt from page 11
a state title in 1994 and were runners up in 1998. After a 4-6 record his first year, his teams' only losing season, Hewitt-coached teams went on to go 126-36, winning state titles in 2020 and 2021.
To get the victory, and clinch the title, the Bombers made a strong run in the final minutes of the contest.
Chardon had 10 playoff appearances in the span.
Hewitt said his coaching style did not lend itself to longevity.
“One of my greatest strengths is my intensity and investment in things that make things go a certain way,” Hewitt said via cell phone just after the announcement. “I don’t really have an off-switch, and because of that sometimes there
Senior Mariela Macias emphasized that the Bombers played well together against the Hilltoppers and gave great effort on the defensive side of the court.
Added Coach Hinkle, “The girls just persevered, pushed through and did a great job in a tough environment. They wanted it. Give credit to our girls for doing everything they needed to get it done.”
Leading the Bombers offensively in the victory over the Hilltoppers was Cicek (12 points), Regan Trusley, (10), Aurora Young (8), Mariela Macias (7), Marissa Cerha (4), Emily Grubich (2), Trinity Osterman (2) and Kait Paystrup (1).
The Hilltoppers were led offensively by Cameron Gerlica and Cassidy Grau who both had 17 points as well as Lilli Dillworth (6 points), Rosemarie McDonald (2) and Abby Zeiger (2).
After winning the title on Feb. 3, the Bombers took on the Mayfield Wildcats two days later and then closed out the regular season with a rematch against the Hilltoppers on Feb. 8.
Traveling to Mayfield, midweek, the Bombers played well, but the Wildcats prevailed, 51-46.
Cicek continued her excellent play against the Wildcats as she had her top WRC performance of the season, dropping 21 points, including 13 fourth quarter points.
“I had three fouls halfway through the third, so the last four minutes, I rested up,” said Cicek. “My teammates cut down the lead a little bit, they kept it within range of us coming back.”
She continued: “So I knew when I came back on fresh legs. That I needed to hit all the shots, I needed to take it, and that is kind of just what I did. And they fell tonight. Unfortunately, it just wasn't enough to get us a win.”
The Hilltoppers defeated the Bombers, 60-35.
“It was a dogfight and it wasn’t easy, which we love, we love a good game,” said Cicek.
is fatigue. I’m not a 30-year coach.”
A 1999 Chardon graduate, Hewitt was a star on the 1998 football team that finished second in the state. He went on to play football at Bowling Green State, playing for one season under championship coach Urban Meyer.
Hewitt will remain a teacher at Chardon High School, he said. And will continue to help with the Chardon football program where he can. But being the CEO of “so many moving parts” took its toll.
“Coaching is in my DNA,” he said. “I love being around young people. And by not being the head guy, I can get back to coaching. I’m looking forward to coaching kids. Tomorrow I’m going to be in the weight room.”
After a 2014 loss to St. Vincent-St. Mary in the first round of the playoffs, Hewitt stayed back as his players and coaches went into the locker room. He was unsure if a public program like Chardon could overcome the private school factor.
But those fears were unfounded when Chardon beat St. Francis DeSales in the 2020 state title game in double overtime, despite losing at halftime.
Hewitt's postgame speeches could be as intense as the game, in Memorial Field's north endzone in front of the Hilltoppers marching band. Most of those speeches end-
Although the Hilltoppers got the victory, the Bombers celebrated their WRC title by cutting down the nets after the game.
ed with a lesson on what Hewitt thought it meant to stand for Chardon, and how players needed to act off the field.
“I am proud of our on-field success, but I am even more proud of the men who I see getting married, raising children, graduating from college, having successful careers,” Hewitt said.
Hewitt said he “zero idea” who the next Hilltoppers head football coach could be. He also said he was stepping away for another opportunity. Hewitt still has two sons in the Chardon football program who will play football in the seventh and fourth grades next school year.
Hewitt and his wife, Gail, live on Chardon Avenue with their four kids. The couple own the King Kone ice cream shop in Chardon. In his statement, he thanked his family: “She has been my therapist, biggest fan, harshest critic and my friend when it seemed extremely lonely.”
One of the many traditions of Chardon football, Hewitt said, was when your playing days were over you entered the “Hilltopper graveyard” as they called it.
Now that Hewitt is a member he has a request: “The only thing I ask is that the next time the graveyard all gets together, it better not be at my funeral. Forever grateful for my time on the hill!”
ALAN KORNSPAN/KMG
Kenston junior Morgan Cicek, center, scored 21 points against Mayfield. The Bombers won the WRC title this year for the first time since 2016.
West Geauga Names New Head Football Coach
stAff report
West Geauga announced that Rossi Santo will be the Wolverines' next head football coach.
“We could not be more excited to welcome Rossi to West Geauga,” Athletic Director Brandon Stewart said. “Throughout the hiring process, we met with several very talented coaches but Rossi stood out with his knowledge of the game, his passion to provide a positive experience for our student-athletes and the high character that he possesses as a father, teacher and coach.”
champion head coach Tiger LaVerde, the Hornets posted an 85-4 overall record with six appearances in the OHSAA State Championship game including three state titles.
Santo's resume lists the last five seasons as an assistant coach with Kirtland Hornets, one of the most successful football programs in Ohio.
Under the leadership of seven-time state
Hockey from page 11
“It was a very proud moment as a coach.”
Added senior Gavin Rowell, “We were putting pucks on net, we put them in deep, chasing after everything. The hustle was there, the grind was there, and we came out victorious.”
To get to the Baron Cup, the Bombers had an excellent regular season, winning the White North Division of the Greater Cleveland High School Hockey League (GCHSHL) for the second year in a row.
The Bombers then began Baron Cup play Feb. 6 when they took on the Kent Roosevelt Rough Riders.
Having lost to the Rough Riders 3-2 in the regular season, the Bombers got redemption with a 3-0 victory in Baron Cup competition.
After a scoreless first period against the Rough Riders, Rowell gave the Bombers a 1-0 lead with 7:12 left in the second period.
The Bombers then added two goals in the third period by Rowell and Reece Newpher to claim victory.
In the Feb. 7 semifinals, the Bombers defeated the Elyria Catholic Panthers, 6-1.
Leading the Bombers against the Panthers were Newpher (2 goals, 3 assists), Rowell (1 goal, 2 assists), Sid Richardson (1 goal, 1 assist), Luke Mack (1 goal), J. C. Pustai (1 goal), and Charlie McBride (1 assist).
In the Baron Cup II Championship Game, the Shoremen took a 1-0 lead just 36 seconds after face-off.
Badgers
from page 11
guard, Jake Patterson, for the game. Also top Berkshire senior Gavin Hipp is still not yet ready for full time duty due to an injury which has bothered him all season from football. Hipp has also dealt with illness.
The Huskies were also affected as Cardinal was without top players Landon Gallagher and Blake Strever.
That put depth decidedly in favor of the Badgers, and that's basically how the game played out.
Paced by a 15-point first half from sophomore Alex Bowman, the Badgers moved to a tenuous 37-23 lead at halftime.
The Huskies battled, but the third period
“First of all, Rossi is a great human being who cares about kids,” Coach LaVerde said. “Rossi loves the game of football, he is passionate about competition. He brings great energy and enthusiasm everyday. He treats kids well and they all love him. I am really excited for him, and I believe he will be very successful at West G.”
Prior to Kirtland, Santo worked alongside head coach Dave Bors for four seasons at Riverside High School.
During that time, Riverside appeared in the Regional Semi-Finals three times and won the Western Reserve Conference.
“Not only because of my relationship with Coach Santo, but also because of my first-
hand experience with the Wolverines Community, this is a fantastic hire,” Coach Bors said. “Coach Santo is more than ready to lead his own program. He is passionate and highly driven, and I know he will work tirelessly to ensure success both on and off the field as well as providing an overall great experience for the student-athletes."
High School Principal Ryan Patti also had high praise for the new football coach.
“We're thrilled to welcome Coach Santo to the West Geauga family,” he said. “His proven track record of success, combined with his background as an intervention specialist, aligns perfectly with our mission of developing well-rounded student-athletes.
Coach Santo's experience with successful programs like Kirtland and Riverside, along with his commitment to building positive relationships with students, makes him an excellent fit for leading our football program into the future.”
Then, just a little less than five minutes later, the Shoremen took a 2-0 lead.
The Bombers quickly overcame adversity as Rowell scored two goals in the remaining
saw seven turnovers for Cardinal (3-18) that led to a 19-8 third period difference that blew the game open.
Balance was huge for the Badgers (416), as well. Bowman hit for 23 points on the night, with nine of 12 shooting from the floor.
Cameron Beam was right there, too, with 15 points to go with 12 rebound and six assists as Berkshire made the Huskies pay for every turnover with good shooting.
Berkshire hit on 28 of 52 shots from the floor while also hitting all nine free throws they took. The Badgers had assists on 20 of those 28 buckets, with Luke Stute also dishing for six helpers, and the Huskies just could not keep up the pace.
They ended up turning the ball over 21 times overall, which Cardinal Coach Kyle Deck-
Santo was an All-Ohio standout defensive back and All-Ohio basketball player at Kirtland High School. He played defensive back, receiver and was a kick returner on the Div. V state runner-up team. He played collegiately for one-season at Edinboro University.
In 2022, Santo was selected as one of the coaches for the News Herald Senior Bowl.
“I am thankful for the opportunity at West G,” Santo said. “I am eager to get started with Wolverines football. I am excited to lead these student-athletes and build a positive culture within the program.”
Santo has spent the last 11 years as an Intervention Specialist with the Riverside School District. He and his wife Emily have two children and live in Mentor.
A “Meet the Coach” night will be announced in the coming days to give our community, parents and student-athletes the opportunity to meet Coach Santo and his family.
found the back of the net.
Rowell added an additional goal in the second period and an insurance goal in the third as the Bombers went on to defeat the Shoreman, 5-3.
In addition to the Bombers, the Chagrin Falls Tigers also played in the Baron Cup Tournament.
The Tigers began Baron Cup play Feb. against the Canfield Cardinals.
The Cardinals took an early 1-0 lead just 1:26 after face-off. However, only 48 seconds later, Tigers freshman, Ace Rossi, scored his first of five goals.
Rossi scored again 53 seconds later to give the Tigers a 2-1 lead.
“The first goal, I was at the bottom of the redline,” said Rossi. “I saw an open slot between his (the goalies) pad and the post. I aimed for his back and it just went in. The second shot (goal), Anton (Flach) fed it to me at the top of the blueline. I saw the five hole open (open space between the goalies legs). I headed down the ice, and it went five hole.”
The Cardinals evened the contest at 2-2 with 9:01 left in the first period.
Junior Henry Cimperman then gave the Tigers a 3-2 lead with 4:02 to go in the first period.
After a scoreless second period, Rossi added three, third period goals as the Tigers advanced to the semifinals.
minutes of the first period to go into intermission tied 2-2.
The Bombers took a 3-2 lead with 10:27 left in the second period when Rowell again
erd had hope to avoid before the game started.
"We've had issues at times turning the ball over in games,” he said pregame.
“We just didn't take care of the ball well in the first half," he said afterward. "If we do that, we can play with anybody, but once we knew Landon Gallagher also would not play due to a knee injury, we didn't have the manpower to hang in there with them."
Berkshire coach Joe Montanaro agreed with the illness part of the equation for his team as well.
"It's been a tough year for both of our teams this year," he said. "Gavin can't go full speed yet, we also were without Jake Patterson tonight due to illness, and Cardinal has had the same issues too, so with hard practices for us, we have also played hard and are finally getting to be a little more healthy as
On Feb. in the semifinals, the Tigers lost to the Orange Lions, 3-1.
Rossi had the Tigers only goal against the Lions.
the season winds down. That should help us in tournament, I hope."
The Badgers haven't had their entire team together for two games in a row yet this season, but signs are improving.
Beside the efforts of Bowman and Beam, Billy Verbic tallied 11 points for Berkshire, and Stute stepped into the playmakers role and tallied 10 as well.
Zach Caldwell managed to get open enough for the Huskies to score 19 points on eight of 15 shooting. Cardinal will win many games shooting 44 percent from the floor, but the turnovers — which became more often in the second half, many of the unforced variety as they pushed a tad beyond their limits — kept them from coming back. Ciminello added 17 points, but nobody else had more than three.
Santo
ALAN KORNSPAN/KMG
Kenston’s Gavin Rowell scored five goals to lead the Bombers to their first Baron Cup title.
Donna Marie Adair
Donna Marie Adair, age 56, of Char don, passed away peacefully, surround ed by loved ones on Feb. 5, 2025, at Da vid Simpson Hospice House in Cleveland.
She was born on June 20, 1968, in Chardon, to James and Pal ma (nee Scicolone) Adair.
What would become Donna’s life work took root in her childhood through her years at St. Mary School in Chardon and in her Girl Scout troop, where she achieved its highest honor, the Gold Award. Donna developed an early awareness of the need for charity and justice in the world.
After graduating from Notre Dame Academy in 1986, Donna pursued her passion, studying international affairs and graduating from The George Washington University in Washington D.C. in 1990. Donna spent the next decade working various roles in international travel and development before settling into the role which would define her life’s passion, working at Catholic Relief Services (CRS). Donna would spend the next two and a half decades working for the international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community, helping to alleviate suffering and providing assistance to those in need across the globe.
Donna spent time living in the Baltimore/D.C area before moving back to Northeast Ohio, and eventually back to the place of her birth, Chardon, the town she was fiercely proud of.
In adulthood, Donna became a most trusted companion to her parents and the three found immense joy in each other’s company while enjoying dining and travel experiences together.
Outside Donna’s professional life, her greatest joy could be found in her connection with family. Oldest sister to seven siblings, Donna was a true shepherdess to her sister and six brothers. However, Donna’s greatest pride in life was her role as cherished aunt to two generations of nieces and nephews. One could not ask for a more doting aunt. No occasion, birthday, graduation, faith celebration, ever lacked a handwritten card from Aunt Donna.
Aside from a lifelong deep and personal faith, those who knew Donna well appreciated her love of anything purple, British royal news, hot gossip and her recent discovery of birdwatching from her home office.
Donna’s loving spirit is carried on by her parents, James and Palma Adair; her sister, Ann (Michael Zickert) Adair; brothers, James (Lisa) Adair, Thomas (Sarah) Adair, John (Trisha) Adair, Joseph (Rachel) Adair, Robert (Michelle) Adair, Timothy (Rita) Adair; along with her nieces and nephews, Andrew (Nicole) Chesler, Emilie (Gabi) Barth, Clare Chesler, Matthew Adair, Jack Adair, Isabella Adair, TJ Adair, Molly Adair, Audrey Adair, Giuliana Adair, Lawrence Adair, Thomas Adair, Libby Adair, Lucy Adair, Jimmy Adair, William Adair, Wyatt Adair, Bridget Adair and Benjamin Adair; and great-niece and great-nephews, Charlotte Barth, Theodore Barth and Owen Chesler.
Preceding her in peace were her grandparents, Frank and Ann Adair and Cy and Mary Scicolone.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. on Monday, Feb. 10, 2025, at The Church of St. Mary, 401 North St., Chardon, with burial to follow at All Souls Cemetery.
Obituaries
Visitation will be from 3-6 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 9, 2025, at the Potti & Marc F. Burr Funeral Homes, 126 South St., Chardon, and again from 9-10 a.m. at the church on Monday morning.
Donations suggested to Catholic Relief Services (https://support.crs.org).
Services entrusted to the Potti & Marc F. Burr Funeral Homes of Madison, Chardon, Painesville & Fairport Harbor. Obituary, online condolences and memorial gifts available at www.marcfburrfuneralhome.com.
Christina Livers
Christina “Chris” Livers (nee Kendzior) passed away peacefully on Jan. 31, 2025. She was 84 years old.
Chris loved her husband, daughter, family, friends, neighbors, township and country, and had a faith in God and in the journey she was on that was marked by fearlessness, positive thinking and compassion for others.
Chris is survived by her daughter, Maria Livers; her dear cousins and sisters- and brothers-in-law; nieces and nephews; Godsons; and many family members, friends and colleagues.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Joseph A. “Fred” Livers Jr.; father, Stanley “Tony” Kendzior; mother, Regina D. Ames (nee Skomski); stepfather, Francis “Frank” Ames; maternal grandparents, Joseph J. Skomski and Michalina “Helen” Laboy (nee Laboj) Skomski; paternal grandparents, Frank and Julie Tanesz Kendzior; cousin Carolyn Kott; dear friend Joe Tarasco; and family members and friends that she held close to her heart.
Chris, known as “Tina” to her immediate family, grew up in Hamtramck, the Polish neighborhood of Detroit, Mich. She was the only child of high school sweethearts, mother, Regina Skomski, and father, Stan Kendzior. Although her parents separated when she was a newborn, Chris ultimately had a close relationship with her dad that lasted until his death in 1970. She took every opportunity throughout her life to support and encourage others who had had a similar experience with divorce.
She was raised by her fiercely loyal, strong and fun mom, Regina, also known as “Rexie,” her grandma Helen, her great aunt Sophie and her aunts and uncles, for whom she was always grateful for sharing their homes and hearts, and for including her with her cousins on fun vacations and daytrips.
Chris’s mom instilled a love of music and singing, theater and movies, and they shared many good times seeing performances at the Fox Theater in Detroit.
Christina was a voracious reader and an excellent student, winning a scholarship to St. Mary’s Academy in Monroe, Mich., for high school. For four years, she lived on campus with her classmates who became some of her closest lifelong friends. She then attended Marygrove College in Detroit, graduating cum laude with a degree in journalism.
She and Fred (who was attending the University of Detroit) met during their college years on a blind date, and they recognized instantly that they would spend their
lives together. Chris was truly grateful to join Fred’s large family, being welcomed by his dad, Joseph A. “Joe” Livers Sr. and stepmother, Mildred G. Sutherland Livers, and gained a bunch of brothers and sisters, nieces and nephews, cousins and close Kentucky friends to share life with over the years.
Although Fred’s mother, Mary L. Geoghegan Livers, passed when he was young, Chris also loved and was honored to be part of the Geoghegan family.
Chris and Fred married in October of 1963 and ultimately moved to Roseville, Mich. During that time, Chris worked as a proofreader for a pharmaceutical company and Fred worked for LTV and Eaton Corporation while finishing his Master of Engineering degree — and Maria was born. They stayed in Roseville in the company of great friends and neighbors and were also part of the St. Athanasius Church family until 1970 when they moved to Russell Township for Fred’s work at Eaton’s Cleveland Research & Development division.
Once they were in Russell, Chris and Fred were happy to learn how fortunate they were in their Pekin Road neighborhood family. They also joined the community of St. Anselm Church, where they would be very involved throughout their lives: volunteering for festivals, Fred leading guitar masses and youth and adult choirs over the years, and Chris ushering as well as singing in the choir.
She and Fred also worked together on starting and running their businesses, L & N Olde Car Company and Newbury Sandblasting, which served the community for over 40 years, due to their commitment and the skills of their amazing partners and employees.
Chris and Fred hosted families from Vietnam after the fall of Saigon in 1975. Through a series of connections that began with the Pearl S. Buck Foundation, Chris was introduced to an organization helping to place families in the Northeast Ohio area. The Do and Nguyen families lived with the Livers family for a year and they have remained close ever since. She and Fred respected and honored their service to others locally, nationally and internationally, in government, medicine and human rights, among other contributions.
Her career as a freelance photographer and reporter for the Geauga Times Leader and Cleveland Press sparked Chris’s interest in politics. She got involved in local campaigns and elections, was a precinct committee person, worked at the treasurer’s office in Geauga County and with the Russell Township zoning board. Chris then became a trustee on the Board of Russell Township Trustees, eventually being elected to six terms, serving for 24 years in that office.
Having grown up in the city, Chris understood the importance of large lot zoning for preserving the “Russell way of life” and the critical need for good stewardship of water and land resources, as well as the benefits of excellent police, fire, zoning, road and administrative services. She worked for these throughout her tenure.
She understood that people do not always agree on every issue, but that respectfully working together for the good of the community, its residents and its resources should always be the ultimate goal, now and for the future. Chris enjoyed working with all her colleagues and fellow trustees, and was grateful for their time, care and efforts to serve Russell Township and Geauga County.
Chris was involved with many groups in Geauga, including being a member of the Rus-
sell Women’s Civic Club, the Russell Township Historical Society, the Geauga County Health Department, the Geauga Young of Hearts and Burton-Middlefield Rotary. In each, her comradery with like-minded individuals and love of “Service Above Self” was a driving force. She also maintained her and Fred’s relationship with “Little Brother” Brian after Fred passed, honoring their original Big Brothers, Big Sisters commitment for 50-plus years.
She, Fred and Maria participated in performances of Tetélestai, and Chris and Fred always loved hosting gatherings like their annual Apple Cider Squeeze and having neighbors and friends over, opening their home to many who called them “mom” and “dad.” Chris also loved organic gardening, learning new things, reading, especially biographies and historical fiction, and enjoyed traveling whenever possible.
Chris faced the end of her life in the same way she lived all of the years before: with faith, integrity, grace, determination, intuitive foresight and planning, fearlessness, a solution-oriented mindset and positive attitude. She and Maria have been gifted by the outpouring of prayers and support, in countless ways, from friends, neighbors, financial, legal and business advisors, medical experts, and family from the start of this journey. Thanks to all of you, including Tony and Paul, who have been a constant support and source of respect, respite, friendship, fun, food and kindness for Chris and Maria; and Mary Jo, whose sense of humor, skills, compassion and support as an aide and friend got Chris and Maria through these last months!
Chris and Maria are gratefully overwhelmed by the extraordinary care Chris received at MercyHealth St. Vincent and St. Charles Hospitals in Toledo, led by her neurosurgeon, Ratul Raychaudhuri, MD, and all involved in her journey at the Cleveland Clinic over these 7.5 years. Heartfelt thanks goes out to her primary care physician, Dr. Alla Kirsh, and Chris’s team at the Cleveland Clinic Brain Tumor & Neuro-Oncology Center, especially Glen Stevens, DO, PhD; Andrew Dhawan, MD, PhD; and Ms. Tiffany Sledge, RN, Care-Coordinator.
Gratitude also goes to Chris’s local dental and eye specialists who contributed extraordinarily to her quality of life. Thanks, also, to the staff and medical team at Aurora Manor for their kindness toward Chris and Maria in Chris’s very last days.
Chris will be honored with a wake on Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025, from 3-7 p.m., at Gattozzi & Son Funeral Home in Chesterland, and a Celebration of Life on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025, at 10 a.m., at St. Anselm Church, also in Chesterland.
Burial will follow at Riverview Cemetery in Russell Township.
Special thanks from the family goes to Gattozzi & Son, Mr. Jay Jones, St. Anselm Church, Fr. Christopher Cox and Fr. Tom Sweany. Please consider a donation in memory of Chris to: World Health Ambassador (www. whausa.org); Burton-Middlefield Rotary (www. maplesplashraffle.com); WomenSafe, Inc. (womansafe.org); or a charity close to your heart.
A livestream link will be provided for all who would like to watch the funeral remotely at www.stanselm.org. The full obituary and livestream link updates will be available on the Dignity Memorial and Gattozzi & Son’s websites.
Obituaries
Thomas C. Burke
Thomas C. Burke, a longtime resident of Chardon, passed away on Feb. 1, 2025, at the age of 82.
For 35 years, he owned and operat ed Plain Olde Hard ware, formerly Village Green True Value.
Though a man of few words, Thomas was known for his simplicity, integrity and ability to always be counted on.
Thomas was a dedicated member of the Rotary Club of Plain Township, embodying its service, fellowship and community leadership values.
A graduate of Chardon High School, Class of 1960, he cherished lifelong friendships with a close-knit group of classmates, meeting regularly.
Thomas completed his Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Accounting from Cleveland State University in August 1969.
He had a deep love for history, was an avid Cleveland sports fan and found great joy in attending performances by the Cleveland Orchestra at Blossom Music Center.
Thomas is survived by his daughters, Maureen (Thomas) Kreitzer, Shannon (Rick) Ogden, Jen (Andrew) Yuker; son, Chris (Susan) Judd; brother, Daniel Burke; sisters, Polly Ibold and Pam Vynalek; and seven beloved grandchildren.
His parents, Thomas and Mildred (nee Craney), preceded him in death.
Private family services were held.
In honor of Thomas's memory, his family asks that donations be made to a local charity of your choice or plant a tree in his name.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Burr Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Chardon. Condolences and memories may be shared online at www.burrservice.com.
Helen C. McAuley
Helen C. McAu ley (nee Mugridge), age 82, of Middle field, passed away Sunday, Feb. 9, 2025.
Beloved wife of Thomas for 59 years. Proud moth er of Thomas R. (Kristina Gedeon).
Sister of Edwin (Karen), Thomas (Pat), Meri (Tom) Shreve and Ruth.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Edwin and Helen Mugridge; and her brother, Don Mugridge.
Services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025, at St. Lucy’s Church, 16280 E High St., Middlefield.
Family will receive friends at Sly Family Funeral Home, 15670 W. High St., Middlefield, from 4-8 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 21, 2025.
Private burial will be held at later date in Middlefield Cemetery.
Memories and condolences can be shared with the family at www.slyffh.com.
Patricia Ann Delgado
Patricia Ann “Patsy” Delgado, age 84, passed away peacefully on Feb. 8, 2025, surrounded by the love of her family.
Born on March 30, 1940, in Cleveland, to Severyn and Josephine (nee Kuchnicki) Witkowski, she was the youngest of 11 children.
On Oct. 25, 1958, Patsy Witkowski married the love of her life, Francisco M. “Frank” Delgado, and together they built a family filled with love, laughter and cherished memories. They spent 43 wonderful years in Burton before moving to Naples, Fla., and later returning home to Chardon. Though her beloved husband passed away on April 23, 2018, his love remained a constant presence in her heart.
Patsy had a warm and gentle spirit, finding joy in life’s simple pleasures. She loved shopping, getting her hair and nails done, crafting, baking and curling up with a good movie with her beloved cat Lily.
She was an exceptional cook, effortlessly blending her Polish heritage and her husband’s Mexican traditions into meals that brought her family together around the table. She had a love for travel, but her greatest joy came from being with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. They were the heart of her world and she cherished every moment with them.
She is survived by her loving children, Frank (Kerrie) Delgado, of Naples, Fla., Tim Delgado, of Twinsburg, Yvonne (Greg) Thomas, of Munson Township, Lisa (Fritz) Meyer III, of Bainbridge Township, E-4P Laura Lucarelli, U.S. Army, of Newbury Township, and Vincente (Dana) Delgado, of Kirtland.
She was a devoted grandmother to Derek (Alyssa) Delgado, Erin Delgado, Kyle Delgado, MaKenna Delgado, E-6 U.S. Navy, Alec (Katie) Bost, E-5 U.S. Army, Jared Bost, Deanna (Cory) Krause, Tara (Brian) Long, Lea (Chad) Freiberg, Alisha (Michael) Tannous, Megan Klingensmith, Olivea Lucarelli, Abela Delgado and Milayna Delgado.
Her love continues through her great-grandchildren, Loui, Charlie, C.J., Aubree, Charley, Rylee, River, Ember, Roam, Leo and Faye. She is also survived by her brothers, Benjamin (Marsha) Witkowski and Donald (Mary) Witkowski; and her dear companion, Steve Remic.
A gathering to celebrate Patsy’s life will be held on Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025, from 4-7 p.m., at Burr Funeral Home, 116 South St., Chardon.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations in Patsy’s memory to Elara Caring Hospice at www.caringhospicefoundation.org; or the Geauga County Department on Aging, 12611 Ravenwood Drive, Suite 200, Chardon, OH 44024, for the Home-Delivered Meal Program.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Burr Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Chardon. Condolences and fond memories may be shared online at www.burrservice.com.
Patsy’s life was filled with love, kindness and a deep devotion to her family. Her warm heart, gentle laughter, and caring nature will be deeply missed, but the beautiful memories she created will live on in those who knew and loved her.
Ground Maintenance Contractor
Newbury Township seeks contractor to mow and perform ground maintenance for our four cemeteries and town hall. 1) South Newbury Cemetery is located on SR 44 just south of Music St on the west side of the road 2) Morton Cemetery is located on the north side of Bell Rd near 10608 Bell Rd 3) Munn Cemetery is located at 10189 Music St 4) Center Cemetery and the Newbury Town Hall are located at 14899 Auburn Road.
Interested parties can find an RFQ Form on the Newbury Township website: www.newburyohio.com or call the township office at 440-564-5997. All submissions must be received at the town hall (14899 Auburn Rd Newbury, OH 44065) or via email at admin@newburyohio.com no later than noon on Friday, March 7, 2025.
Newbury Township Trustees reserve the right to reject any and all quotes or any part of the quote.
Scholarships Available
Academic Awards Available
The Awards Committee for the First Congregational Church of Claridon announces the availability of awards for the 2024-25 academic year. The purpose of the award is to encourage people to further their education through a traditional college, trade school or the equivalent.
Graduating high school seniors, college students or high school graduates are encouraged to apply. Candidates should be prepared to write about church, school and community involvement.
Application forms are available through the guidance offices of Chardon, Berkshire, Cardinal and Agape schools or through Claridon Congregational Church.
Applications are due no later than March 30 via email at awards.ccc@gmail.com.
Farm Bureau Scholarships
Geauga County Farm Bureau is offering scholarship opportunities to students pursuing post-high school education. The number of acceptable qualifying applications determines the scholarship amount.
Applicants do not have to be enrolled in an agricultural field of study. The scoring system places a higher emphasis on applicants with agricultural involvement, as well as Farm Bureau involvement and membership history. Prior recipients may reapply.
The applicant must be either a current Geauga County Farm Bureau member or a family member whose parents/guardian is a current Geauga County Farm Bureau mem-
ber at the time of applying and at the time of scholarship payout.
Applicants must be a part-time or a fulltime enrollee of an accredited two or fouryear college, university or technical school. For first-year students, the applicant must prove enrollment or admission status.
Recipients of a scholarship or a representative must attend the Farm Bureau annual meeting held in September. If unable to attend, the county board/office must be notified at least 24 hours before. Failure to do so may result in forfeiture of the scholarship.
The fillable form is available online at www. geaugafb.org or by emailing geauga@ofbf.org. No handwritten forms will be accepted. Applications must be submitted by March 31.
For more information, contact the county Farm Bureau office at 440-426-2195.
PGP Offers Scholarships
Protect Geauga Parks is offering its eighth annual Bob McCullough Memorial Conservation Scholarships to assist Geauga County high school seniors who will be attending two or four-year colleges, as well as those interested in pursuing non-degree technical programs that focus on environmental sustainability.
Three scholarships of $1,000 each will be awarded. Applications are due by midnight March 16.
Visit ProtectGeaugaParks.us for application information and eligibility.
Questions? Send email to info.protectgeaugaparks@gmail.com.
Burton Public Library
Burton Library is located at 14588 W. Park St. No registration is required unless otherwise noted. For more information, call 440-834-4466 or visit burtonlibrary.org.
Valentine’s Day in Cleveland
Feb. 13, 6 p.m.
The program highlights love stories of Cleveland’s past while highlighting the history of St. Valentine’s Day. Explore how the holiday and its advertisements have changed over the years, especially in local press. Presented by the Western Reserve Historical Society, registration is required.
Movin’ and Grovin’
Fridays, 10 a.m.
Children ages 0 to 5 years old, plus siblings and caretakers, will read books and get their groove on with fun music.
Inside Circle
Feb. 17, 6-7 p.m.
Develop music skills with RockAbility members. The group will use music therapy techniques to develop rhythm and melody skills. Adults with developmental disabilities
and their caregivers are welcome. Bring an instrument or use one from the library. The program is in partnership with NPower Services.
Baby/Toddler Storytime
Tuesdays, 10 a.m.
Ages 0 to 3 years old, plus siblings and caretakers, will read books, sing songs and dance.
Godspeed John
Glenn!
Feb. 18, 2 p.m.
Join for a fun and fact-filled, in-depth review of one of the country’s greatest heroes and celebrate the 63rd anniversary of America’s first orbital space flight. Registration is required.
Watercolor Taster Sessions
Feb. 25, March 25 and April 29
Register for a fun and relaxing three-part watercolor voyage. Supplies will be provided.
Book Sale
March 2, 9, 16, 23 & 30, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
March 8, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Enter through the back of the building.
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
Chardon VFW Lasagna Dinner
Feb. 15, 5:30-6:30 p.m.
Chardon VFW Post 6519 will host a lasagna dinner and guest bartender night at the post located at 752 Water St. Call 440-285-3699 for reservations. All tips and proceeds from the event will be donated to the Geauga County Veterans Food Pantry.
Woodland Wednesdays
Feb. 20, 6-8 p.m.
Join Woodland Wednesdays on a Thursday for an annual update regarding Current Agricultural Use Value (CAUV) and Ohio Forestry Tax Law (OFTL) tax reduction programs at the Deerfield Town Hall.
The evening will also include updates on the timber market and conclude with a “Feeling Edgy?” presentation to guide managing how to manage the transition zones between crop fields and woodlands.
The program is free, but registration is required; visit geaugaswcd.com or call 330235-6815.
Geauga Beekeepers Meet
Feb. 20, 6:30 p.m.
Geauga County Beekeepers Association will meet at Munson Community Center, 12210 Auburn Road in Munson Township. Speaker Peggy DeSanto, from Bee the Change, LLC., will present "The Hive Hugger" and how she developed it utilizing space-age materials to keep bees warmer in winter.
Young of Heart
Feb. 21, 11:30 a.m.
Geauga Young of Heart will meet at St. Anselm Church in Chester Township. Bring a brown bag lunch. Snacks and bev-
erages are provided. Entertainment will be by Polka Jake from the Chardon Polka Band. Annual dues are payable now.
A trip has been planned to the Tulip Festival in Holland, Mich., on May 6-8. Call Kimber at 440-688-3293 or Kit at 216-5434442 for more information and to reserve a spot.
CV Herb Society Meets
Feb. 21, 12:30 p.m.
The Chagrin Valley Herb Society will meet at the Bainbridge Library. Light refreshments will be followed by a presentation about ferns from Auburn Pointe Greenhouse & Flowers.
To RSVP, email chagrinvalleyherbsociety@gmail.com. Learn more about the organization at chagrinvalleyherbsociety.org or on Facebook.
LCGS Meeting
Feb. 27, 10 a.m.
The Lake County Genealogical Society will meet via Zoom. Following a brief business meeting, Mary Jamba will present "Where are They? Strategies for Navigating Challenging Names in Databases." Visit www.lcgsohio.org for more information and an invitation to the Zoom meeting by Feb. 25.
Montville Chili Cook-Off
March 1, 5-7 p.m.
Montville Firefighters’ Association will host a chili cook-off at the Montville Community Center, 9755 Madison Road. To enter, leave a message at 440-968-3779 or email mrsb53@hotmail.com before Feb. 22.
Arts & Entertainment
Open Studios
Feb. 15, 3-5 p.m.
Fairmount Center for the Arts announces a new event series that encourages families to make art-filled memories together.
Held at its Russell Township and Chardon locations, Open Studios centers around a theme and will offer a variety of hands-on performing and visual arts activities for all ages. February’s theme is Valentine’s Day at Fairmount in Russell.
Advance reservations are recommended for the free series by calling 440-3383171 or visiting fairmountcenter.org.
Fairmount Speaker Series
Feb. 23, 3-4 p.m.
Fairmount Center for the Arts continues its Pull Back the Curtain speaker series with “Celebrating Fairmount’s Spanish Dancers” at the center located at 8400 Fairmount Road in Russell Township. Discover the beauty and majesty of Spanish dance with a special talk and performance led by Sandi Bohl, Spanish Dance Co. director. Light refreshments will be served. Advance reservations are recommended for the free lectures by calling 440-338-3171 or visiting fairmountcenter.org.
Legal Notices
NOTICE OF SALE UNDER JUDGMENT OF FORECLOSURE OF LIENS FOR DELINQUENT LAND TAX
Revised Code, Sec. 5721.191
Case No. 22-F-000137 CHRISTOPHER P. HITCHCOCK, TREASURER OF GEAUGA COUNTY, OHIO, Plaintiff vs. LESLIE A. SCHROEDER, ET AL., Defendants
Whereas, judgment has been rendered against certain parcels of real property for taxes, assessments, penalties, costs and charges as follows:
Address: known on the tax duplicate as 28006600 – 7685 CLARION DRIVE, RUSSELL TOWNSHIP, OH.; 28-006700 – VACANT LAND ON CLARION DRIVE, RUSSELL TOWNSHIP, OH
Description: “As Geauga County has adopted a permanent parcel number system, it has been determined that publication of the complete legal description is not necessary to provide reasonable notice of the foreclosure sale to potential bidders. The complete legal description can be located in the Court’s file located at the Geauga County Clerk of Court’s office, located on the 3rd floor of the Geauga County Courthouse, 100 Short Court, Chardon, Ohio 44024.”
Last known owner: LESLIE A. SCHROEDER, 7685 CLARION DRIVE, CHAGRIN FALLS, OH 44022.
MINIMUM BID: $51,307.45
Whereas, such judgment orders such real property to be sold by the undersigned to satisfy the total amount of said judgment; Now, therefore, public notice is hereby given that Scott A. Hildenbrand, Sheriff of Geauga County, Ohio, will sell such real property at public auction, for cash to the highest bidder of an amount sufficient to satisfy the judgment against each parcel at 10:00 o’clock A.M. at the door of the Court House in the City of Chardon, Ohio on THURSDAY, THE 27TH DAY OF FEBRUARY, 2025, at 10:00 o’clock A.M., and if any parcel does not receive a sufficient bid, it shall be offered for sale, under the same terms and conditions of the first sale and at the same time of day and at the same place, on THURSDAY, THE 13TH DAY OF MARCH, 2025 for an amount sufficient to satisfy the judgment against the parcel.
Public notice is hereby given that all such real property to be sold at public auction may be subject to a federal tax lien that may not be extinguished by the sale, and purchasers of any such real property are urged to search the Federal Tax Lien index that is kept by the County Recorder to determine if notice of a federal tax lien has been filed with respect to any such real property.
DEPOSIT: Pursuant to Geauga County Local Rule 13, the required deposit for this offering shall be $300 or 10% of bid, whichever is greater. Said deposit shall be CASH or CERTIFIED CHECK, payable to the Geauga County Sheriff.
TERMS OF SALE: Cash if Purchase Price is $300.00 or less. If more than $300.00 Purchase Price is to be paid in accordance with the Rule of Court of Common Pleas, Geauga County, Ohio, governing Sheriff’s Sales.
SCOTT A. HILDENBRAND, Sheriff Geauga County, Ohio Kristen K. Rine, attorney Jan30Feb6-13, 2025
Sheriff’s Sale of Real Estate General Code, Sec. 11661 Revised Code, Sec. 2329.26 Case No. 22-F-000315
The State of Ohio, County of Geauga, ss: WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A., Plaintiff vs. ANTHONY CARTER, AKA ANTHONY M. CARTER, ET AL., Defendants
In pursuance of an Order of Sale in the above entitled action, I will offer for sale at public auction, at https://geauga.sheriffsaleauction.ohio.gov/, on Thursday, the 27th day of February, 2025, at 10:00 o’clock A.M., and if the parcel does not receive a sufficient bid, it shall be offered for sale, without regard to the minimum bid requirement, at the same time of day and at the same place of the first sale, on Thursday, the 13th day of March, 2025 the following described real estate, situated in the County of Geauga and State of Ohio, and in the Township of Montville to wit: Situated in the Township of Montville, County of Geauga and State of Ohio and known as being part of Original Lot No. 4, in Section No. 19, within said township and bounded and described as follows:
Beginning at a 1” iron pin in a monument box found at the centerline intersection of Hautala Road and Clay Street (60 feet wide); Thence N 00 deg. 39’ 34” W along the center-
line of said Clay Street a distance of 1324.63 feet to a 1” iron pin in a monument box found at an angle point therein; Thence N 00 deg. 45’ 00” W continuing along said centerline a distance of 1664.73 feet to a point, said point being a northwesterly corner of a parcel of land conveyed to D.W. Smith and M.B. Savage as recorded in Vol. 629, Pg. 524 of Geauga County Records and Deeds, said point also being the southwesterly corner of the parcel herein described and the principal place of beginning of this survey. Thence N 89 deg. 00’ 35” E along a northerly line of the said D.W. Smith and M.B. Savage parcel and passing through a 1/4” I.D. iron pipe found at 29.18 feet and also passing through a 5/8” (diameter) x 30” (long) iron pin with yellow plastic cap bearing “Kosie P.S. 8167” set at 30.00 feet a total distance of 425.00 feet to a 5/8” (diameter) x 30” (long) iron pin with yellow plastic cap bearing “Kosie P.S. 8167” set, said point being a southwesterly corner of a parcel of land conveyed to J. and J. Rabatin as recorded in Vol. 701, Pg. 735 of Geauga County Records and Deeds, said point also being the southeasterly corner of the parcel herein described. Thence N 00 deg. 45’ 00” W along a westerly line of said Rabatin’s land a distance of 200.00 feet to a 5/8” (diameter) x 30” (long) iron pin with yellow plastic cap bearing “Kosie P.S. 8167” set, said point being a southeasterly corner of a parcel of land conveyed to J.G. and M.J. Rabatin as recorded in Vol. 968, Pg. 680 of Geauga County Records and Deeds, said point also being the northeasterly corner of the parcel herein described. Thence S. 89 deg. 00’ 35”
W along a southerly line of said Rabatin’s land and passing through a 5/8” (diameter) x 30” (long) iron pin with yellow plastic cap bearing “Kosie P.S. 8167” set at 395.00 feet a total distance of 425.00 feet to a point on the centerline of the aforesaid Clay Street, said point also being the northwesterly corner of a parcel herein described. Thence 00 deg. 45’ 00” E along said centerline a frontage distance of 200.00 feet to the principal place of beginning on this survey and containing 1.9513 acres of land as surveyed by Delmar B. Kosie and Associates (Robert L. Kosie, Registered Professional Land Surveyor No. 8167). Bearing are to an assumed meridian and indicate angles only, date June 27, 2008, be the same more or less, but subject to all legal highways.
Said Premises Located at: 10525 CLAY STREET, MONTVILLE TOWNSHIP, OH.
Permanent Parcel Number: 20-050700
DEPOSIT: Pursuant to O.R.C. 2329.211, the required deposit for this offering shall be $10,000.00. Said deposit shall be paid by WIRE TRANSFER of ACH DEBIT TRANSFER with https://geauga.sheriffsaleauction. ohio.gov.
The purchaser shall be responsible for those costs, allowances, and taxes that the proceeds of the sale are insufficient to cover.
Said Premises appraised at ($315,000.00) and cannot be sold for less than two-thirds of that amount ($210,000.00). Please note: The appraisals are based on an exterior appraisal of property only, unless otherwise noted.
TERMS OF SALE: The FULL purchase price shall be paid to the Sheriff within thirty (30) days from the date of confirmation of sale, and on failure to do so, the purchaser may be held in contempt of court, the court may forfeit the sale and/or deposit, or the court may issue any other order it sees fit.
SCOTT A. HILDENBRAND, Sheriff Geauga County, Ohio
Tamara Gurchik, attorney Jan30Feb6-13, 2025
Sheriff’s Sale of Real Estate General Code, Sec. 11661 Revised Code, Sec. 2329.26 Case No. 23-F-000177
The State of Ohio, County of Geauga, ss: TOWD POINT MORTGAGE TRUST 2018-6, US BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS INDENTURE TRUSTEE, Plaintiff vs. GEORGE G. KOUSTIS, AKA GEORGE KOUSTIS, ET AL., Defendants
In pursuance of an Alias Order of Sale in the above entitled action, I will offer for sale at public auction, at https://geauga.sheriffsaleauction.ohio.gov/, on Thursday, the 27th day of February, 2025, at 10:00 o’clock A.M., and if the parcel does not receive a sufficient bid, it shall be offered for sale, without regard to the minimum bid requirement, at the same time of day and at the same place of the first sale, on Thursday, the 13th day of March, 2025 the following described real estate, situated in the County of Geauga and State of Ohio, and in the Township of Munson to wit:
A copy of the complete legal description can be found in the Geauga County Recorder’s Office, 231 Main Street, Suite 1-C, Char-
don, Ohio 44024. Said Premises Located at: 11379 WOODIEBROOK DRIVE, MUNSON TOWNSHIP, OH. Permanent Parcel Number: 21-176119
DEPOSIT: Pursuant to O.R.C. 2329.211, the required deposit for this offering shall be $10,000.00. Said deposit shall be paid by WIRE TRANSFER of ACH DEBIT TRANSFER with https://geauga.sheriffsaleauction. ohio.gov.
The purchaser shall be responsible for those costs, allowances, and taxes that the proceeds of the sale are insufficient to cover. Said Premises appraised at ($600,000.00) and cannot be sold for less than two-thirds of that amount ($400,000.00). Please note: The appraisals are based on an exterior appraisal of property only, unless otherwise noted.
TERMS OF SALE: The FULL purchase price shall be paid to the Sheriff within thirty (30) days from the date of confirmation of sale, and on failure to do so, the purchaser may be held in contempt of court, the court may forfeit the sale and/or deposit, or the court may issue any other order it sees fit.
SCOTT A. HILDENBRAND, Sheriff Geauga County, Ohio Robert R. Hoose, attorney Jan30Feb6-13, 2025
NOTICE OF SALE UNDER JUDGMENT OF FORECLOSURE OF LIENS FOR DELINQUENT LAND TAX Revised Code, Sec. 5721.191 Case No. 23-F-000635 CHRISTOPHER P. HITCHCOCK, TREASURER OF GEAUGA COUNTY, OHIO, Plaintiff vs. MARK SKALA, ET AL., Defendants
Whereas, judgment has been rendered against certain parcels of real property for taxes, assessments, penalties, costs and charges as follows:
Address: known on the tax duplicate as 26-174800 – 15320 CHILLICOTHE ROAD, RUSSELL TOWNSHIP, OH.; 26-174900 –15320 CHILLICOTHE ROAD, RUSSELL TOWNSHIP, OH
Description: “As Geauga County has adopted a permanent parcel number system, it has been determined that publication of the complete legal description is not necessary to provide reasonable notice of the foreclosure sale to potential bidders. The complete legal description can be located in the Court’s file located at the Geauga County Clerk of Court’s office, located on the 3rd floor of the Geauga County Courthouse, 100 Short Court, Chardon, Ohio 44024.”
Last known owner: MARK SKALA, 15320 CHILLICOTHE ROAD, NOVELTY, OH 44072. MINIMUM BID: $55,782.46
Whereas, such judgment orders such real property to be sold by the undersigned to satisfy the total amount of said judgment; Now, therefore, public notice is hereby given that Scott A. Hildenbrand, Sheriff of Geauga County, Ohio, will sell such real property at public auction, for cash to the highest bidder of an amount sufficient to satisfy the judgment against each parcel at 10:00 o’clock A.M. at the door of the Court House in the City of Chardon, Ohio on THURSDAY, THE 27TH DAY OF FEBRUARY, 2025, at 10:00 o’clock A.M., and if any parcel does not receive a sufficient bid, it shall be offered for sale, under the same terms and conditions of the first sale and at the same time of day and at the same place, on THURSDAY, THE 13TH DAY OF MARCH, 2025 for an amount sufficient to satisfy the judgment against the parcel.
Public notice is hereby given that all such real property to be sold at public auction may be subject to a federal tax lien that may not be extinguished by the sale, and purchasers of any such real property are urged to search the Federal Tax Lien index that is kept by the County Recorder to determine if notice of a federal tax lien has been filed with respect to any such real property.
DEPOSIT: Pursuant to Geauga County Local Rule 13, the required deposit for this offering shall be $300 or 10% of bid, whichever is greater. Said deposit shall be CASH or CERTIFIED CHECK, payable to the Geauga County Sheriff.
TERMS OF SALE: Cash if Purchase Price is $300.00 or less. If more than $300.00 Purchase Price is to be paid in accordance with the Rule of Court of Common Pleas, Geauga County, Ohio, governing Sheriff’s Sales. SCOTT A. HILDENBRAND, Sheriff Geauga County, Ohio Kristen K. Rine, attorney Jan30Feb6-13, 2025
NOTICE OF SALE UNDER JUDGMENT OF FORECLOSURE OF LIENS FOR DELINQUENT LAND TAX Revised Code, Sec. 5721.191 Case No. 24-F-000327
CHRISTOPHER P. HITCHCOCK, TREASURER OF GEAUGA COUNTY, OHIO, Plaintiff vs. KEVIN NEILL, ET AL., Defendants
Whereas, judgment has been rendered against certain parcels of real property for taxes, assessments, penalties, costs and charges as follows: Parcel No(s): 23-225000 - 0.80 acres. Address: known on the tax duplicate as 23225000 – 9843 PEKIN ROAD, NEWBURY TOWNSHIP, OH
Description: “As Geauga County has adopted a permanent parcel number system, it has been determined that publication of the complete legal description is not necessary to provide reasonable notice of the foreclosure sale to potential bidders. The complete legal description can be located in the Court’s file located at the Geauga County Clerk of Court’s office, located on the 3rd floor of the Geauga County Courthouse, 100 Short Court, Chardon, Ohio 44024.”
Last known owner: KEVIN NEILL, P.O. BOX 19, NOVELTY, OH 44072. MINIMUM BID: $16,928.39
Whereas, such judgment orders such real property to be sold by the undersigned to satisfy the total amount of said judgment; Now, therefore, public notice is hereby given that Scott A. Hildenbrand, Sheriff of Geauga County, Ohio, will sell such real property at public auction, for cash to the highest bidder of an amount sufficient to satisfy the judgment against each parcel at 10:00 o’clock A.M. at the door of the Court House in the City of Chardon, Ohio on THURSDAY, THE 27TH DAY OF FEBRUARY, 2025, at 10:00 o’clock A.M., and if any parcel does not receive a sufficient bid, it shall be offered for sale, under the same terms and conditions of the first sale and at the same time of day and at the same place, on THURSDAY, THE 13TH DAY OF MARCH, 2025 for an amount sufficient to satisfy the judgment against the parcel.
Public notice is hereby given that all such real property to be sold at public auction may be subject to a federal tax lien that may not be extinguished by the sale, and purchasers of any such real property are urged to search the Federal Tax Lien index that is kept by the County Recorder to determine if notice of a federal tax lien has been filed with respect to any such real property.
DEPOSIT: Pursuant to Geauga County Local Rule 13, the required deposit for this offering shall be $300 or 10% of bid, whichever is greater. Said deposit shall be CASH or CERTIFIED CHECK, payable to the Geauga County Sheriff.
TERMS OF SALE: Cash if Purchase Price is $300.00 or less. If more than $300.00 Purchase Price is to be paid in accordance with the Rule of Court of Common Pleas, Geauga County, Ohio, governing Sheriff’s Sales. SCOTT A. HILDENBRAND, Sheriff Geauga County, Ohio Kristen K. Rine, attorney Jan30Feb6-13, 2025
Sheriff’s Sale of Real Estate General Code, Sec. 11661 Revised Code, Sec. 2329.26 Case No. 24-F-000465
The State of Ohio, County of Geauga, ss: CARRINGTON MORTGAGE SERVICES, LLC, Plaintiff vs. POLLY J. COLE, ET AL., Defendants
In pursuance of an Order of Sale in the above entitled action, I will offer for sale at public auction, at https://geauga.sheriffsaleauction.ohio.gov/, on Thursday, the 27th day of February, 2025, at 10:00 o’clock A.M., and if the parcel does not receive a sufficient bid, it shall be offered for sale, without regard to the minimum bid requirement, at the same time of day and at the same place of the first sale, on Thursday, the 13th day of March, 2025 the following described real estate, situated in the County of Geauga and State of Ohio, and in the Township of Claridon to wit:
A copy of the complete legal description can be found in the Geauga County Recorder’s Office, 231 Main Street, Suite 1-C, Chardon, Ohio 44024. Said Premises Located at: 11836 AQUILLA ROAD, CLARIDON TOWNSHIP, OH.
Permanent Parcel Number: 13-015400
DEPOSIT: Pursuant to O.R.C. 2329.211, the required deposit for this offering shall be $5,000.00. Said deposit shall be paid by WIRE TRANSFER of ACH DEBIT TRANSFER with https://geauga.sheriffsaleauction. ohio.gov.
The purchaser shall be responsible for those costs, allowances, and taxes that the proceeds of the sale are insufficient to cover.
Said Premises appraised at ($150,000.00) and cannot be sold for less than two-thirds of that amount ($100,000.00). Please note: The appraisals are based on an exterior appraisal of property only, unless otherwise noted.
TERMS OF SALE: The FULL purchase price shall be paid to the Sheriff within thirty (30) days from the date of confirmation of sale, and on failure to do so, the purchaser may be held in contempt of court, the court may forfeit the sale and/or deposit, or the court may issue any other order it sees fit.
SCOTT A. HILDENBRAND, Sheriff Geauga County, Ohio
Robert R. Hoose, attorney Jan30Feb6-13, 2025
LEGAL NOTICE IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS GEAUGA COUNTY, OHIO
24-F-000803 – CARRINGTON MORTGAGE SERVICES LLC, Plaintiff v. UNKNOWN ADMINISTRATOR, EXECUTOR OR FIDUCIARY, UNKNOWN HEIRS, NEXT OF KIN, UNKNOWN SPOUSES, DEVISEES, LEGATEES, CREDITORS AND BENEFICIARIES OF THE ESTATE OF ROGER L. BURKE, et al., Defendants
To: Unknown Administrator, Executor or Fiduciary, Unknown Heirs, Next of Kin, Unknown Spouses, Devisees, Legatees, Creditors and Beneficiaries of the Estate of Roger L. Burke and Unknown Spouse of Roger L. Burke, if any, Name Unknown, you will take notice that on December 3, 2024, Plaintiff, filed a Complaint for foreclosure in the Geauga County Court of Common Pleas, 100 Short Court, Suite 300, Chardon, Ohio 44024, being Case No. 24-F-000803, alleging that there is due to the Plaintiff the sum of $254,282.40 as of November 30, 2024. In a reverse mortgage, all advances are added to the loan balance, per the terms of the Note. As such, the principal balance continues to grow due to monthly servicing fees, mortgage insurance premium, and other costs set forth under the terms of the Note and Mortgage. The Property address of 11897 Pekin Road, Newbury, OH 44065, being permanent parcel number Parcel Number: 23042630.
Plaintiff further alleges that by reason of a default of said Promissory Note, the conditions of said Mortgage have been broken and the same has become absolute.
Plaintiff prays that the Defendant named above be required to answer and assert any interest in said real property or be forever barred from asserting any interest therein, for foreclosure of said mortgage, marshalling of liens, and the sale of said real property, and that the proceeds of said sale be applied according to law.
Said Defendant is required to file an Answer on or before the twenty-eighth day following the last date of Publication.
CARRINGTON MORTGAGE SERVICES LLC
By Brian S. Jackson, 0068516; Patricia L. Johnson, 0076669; Crystal L. Saresky, 0091328; Brandon W. Ellis, 0099077; Austin R. Decker, 0100918; Robertson, Anschutz, Schneid, Crane & Partners, PLLC, Attorneys for Plaintiff, 2400 Chamber Center Dr., Suite 220, Ft. Mitchell, KY 41017, Telephone: 470-321-7112, Facsimile: 833310-1332, Email: kyohfil-ings@raslg.com. Jan16-23-30 Feb6-13-20, 2025
LEGAL NOTICE
IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS GEAUGA COUNTY, OHIO CASE NO.: 2024-M-000624 - ROBERT V. BUNDY, et al., Plaintiff, vs. DAVID OIL COMPANY, LLC.
To: David Oil Company, LLC., whose last known address is 7001 Center Street, Mentor, OH 44060, otherwide whose address is unknown. You will take notice that on September 27, 2024, Plaintiffs filed a Complaint against you in the Geauga County Court of Common Pleas, 100 Short Court Street, Suite 300, Chardon, Ohio 44024, being Case No. 2024-M-000624. The Plaintiffs are a seeking a declaratory judgment, which would declare them to be the lawful owners of personal property located on their
real property, which is a vacant piece of land located in the Township of Auburn, County of Geauga, and State of Ohio. The parcel is identified by permanent parcel number 01-105710. The personal property in question is an oil and gas well known as the Bundy Well along with the various equipment located above and below Plaintiffs’ ground.
Plaintiffs alleges that you have abandoned the aforementioned personal property and have waived all right, title and interest to the Well and the equipment that was installed below and above ground for its operation and consented by your conduct to Plaintiffs ownership of the Well and the equipment that remains on Plaintiffs’ property.
Plaintiffs pray that the Defendant named above be required to answer and assert any interest in said personal property or be forever barred from asserting any interest therein, and that Plaintiffs be declared the rightful owner of all personal property still remaining on its realty, including but not limited to the Oil and Gas Well.
Said Defendant is required to file an Answer 28 days following the last scheduled publication date.
By Cory C. Funk, Esq., Attorney for Plaintiffs, c/o Lemire & Associates LLC., 531 E. Beech St., Jefferson, Ohio 44047. (440) 5769177.
Jan16-23-30 Feb6-13-20, 2025
LEGAL NOTICE IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS GEAUGA COUNTY, OHIO
CASE NO.: 2024-M-000581 - MICHAEL GATTO, et al., Plaintiff, vs. DAVID OIL COMPANY, LLC.
To: David Oil Company, LLC., whose last known address is 7001 Center Street, Mentor, OH 44060, otherwide whose address is unknown. You will take notice that on September 10, 2024, Plaintiffs filed a Complaint against you in the Geauga County Court of Common Pleas, 100 Short Court Street, Suite 300, Chardon, Ohio 44024, being Case No. 2024-M-000581. The Plaintiffs are a seeking a declaratory judgment, which would declare them to be the lawful owners of personal property located on their real property, which is commonly known as 9525 Mayfield Road located in the Township of Chester, County of Geauga, and State of Ohio. The parcel is identified by permanent parcel number 11097300. The personal property in question is an oil and gas well known as the Gatto Well along with the various equipment located above and below Plaintiffs’ ground.
Plaintiffs alleges that you have abandoned the aforementioned personal property and have waived all right, title and interest to the Well and the equipment that was installed below and above ground for its operation and consented by your conduct to Plaintiffs ownership of the Well and the equipment that remains on Plaintiffs’ property.
Plaintiffs pray that the Defendant named above be required to answer and assert any interest in said personal property or be forever barred from asserting any interest therein, and that Plaintiffs be declared the rightful owner of all personal property still remaining on its realty, including but not limited to the Oil and Gas Well.
Said Defendant is required to file an Answer 28 days following the last scheduled publication date.
By Cory C. Funk, Esq., Attorney for Plaintiffs, c/o Lemire & Associates LLC., 531 E. Beech St., Jefferson, Ohio 44047. (440) 5769177. Jan16-23-30 Feb6-13-20, 2025
LEGAL NOTICE IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS GEAUGA COUNTY, OHIO
24-F-000765 – Rocket Mortgage, LLC f/k/a Quicken Loans, LLC, Plaintiff vs. Melissa Sharpe, et al., Defendants
The Unknown Heirs at Law or Under the Will, if any, of Lillie Manuel-Walker aka Lillie S. Manuel-Walker, Deceased, whose last place of residence/business is unknown whose present place of residence/business is unknown will take notice that on November 18, 2024, Rocket Mortgage, LLC f/k/a Quicken Loans, LLC
filed its Complaint in Case No. 24-F-000765 in the Court of Common Pleas Geauga County, located at 100 Short Court Street Suite #300, Chardon, Ohio 44024, Ohio alleging that the Defendant(s) The Unknown Heirs at Law or Under the Will, if any, of Lillie Manuel-Walker aka Lillie S. Manuel-Walker, Deceased, have or claim to have an interest in the real estate described below: Permanent Parcel Number: 02-383200, 02383400, 02-383300, 02-383100; Property Address: 16700 Kent Street, Chagrin Falls, OH 44023. The legal description may be obtained from the Geauga County Auditor at 231 Main Street, Suite 1-A, Chardon, Ohio 44024, 440279-1600.
The Petitioner further alleges that by reason of default of the Defendant(s) in the payment of a promissory note, according to its tenor, the conditions of a concurrent mortgage deed given to secure the payment of said note and conveying the premises described, have been broken, and the same has become absolute. The Petitioner prays that the Defendant(s) named above be required to answer and set up their interest in said real estate or be forever barred from asserting the same, for foreclosure of said mortgage, the marshalling of any liens, and the sale of said real estate, and the proceeds of said sale applied to the payment of Petitioner’s Claim in the proper order of its priority, and for such other and further relief as is just and equitable.
THE DEFENDANT(S) NAMED ABOVE ARE REQUIRED TO ANSWER ON OR BEFORE THE 13th DAY OF MARCH, 2025.
BY: REIMER LAW CO. Donald Brett Bryson, Attorney at Law, Attorney for Plaintiff-Petitioner, P.O. Box 39696, Solon, Ohio 44139. (440) 600-5500. Jan30 Feb6-13, 2025
LEGAL NOTICE
2024 FINANCIAL REPORT
THOMPSON TOWNSHIP GEAUGA COUNTY, OHIO
Notice is hereby given that the 2024 Annual Financial Report for Thompson Township is complete and available for viewing. Please call 440-298-9813 for arrangements to view. Cindy Lausin, Fiscal Officer Feb13, 2025
NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING ANNUAL TAX BUDGET HEARINGS GEAUGA COUNTY BUDGET COMMISSION
The Geauga County Budget Commission will hold a special meeting for the 2025-2026 School Districts Tax Budget Hearings as well as any regular business beginning Wednesday, February 19, and Thursday, February 20, 2025 in the Auditor’s Appraisal Conference room, 231 Main St., Chardon, OH 44024. The following districts will present their budgets:
Wednesday, February 19, 2025 9:00 am Kenston LSD Cardinal LSD Chardon LSD
Thursday, February 20, 2025 9:00 am Berkshire LSD West Geauga LSD
Charles E. Walder, Auditor Secretary/Budget Commission Feb13, 2025
LEGAL NOTICE 2024 FINANCIAL REPORT NEWBURY TOWNSHIP GEAUGA COUNTY, OHIO
Notice is hereby given that the 2024 Annual Financial Report for Newbury Township is completed and available for public inspection at the Newbury Township Townhall located at 14899 Auburn Road, Newbury, Ohio 44065. Please call 440-564-5997 to request a copy of the report. Copies will also be available at the Trustee Meeting on February 19, 2025 at 7:00 p.m.
Lindsay Pollock, Fiscal Officer Feb13, 2025
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
MOTION PROPOSING TO AMEND THE CLARIDON TOWNSHIP
ZONING RESOLUTION
O.R.C. SECTION 519.12(D)
Notice is hereby given that the Claridon Township Zoning Commission will conduct a public hearing on a motion which is an amendment, identified as number Z2025-1, to the Claridon Township Zoning Resolution at the Claridon Administration Building at 7:00 pm on February 24, 2025.
The motion proposing to amend the zoning resolution will be available for examination at the Claridon Township Town Hall from 8:00 am to 12:00 pm, Monday and Wednesday through February 24, 2025.
After the conclusion of the public hearing, the matter will be submitted to the board of township trustees for its action.
Chris Alusheff, Secretary Feb13, 2025
CHARDON TOWSHIP CRUSHED LIMESTONE BID
Sealed bids will be received by the Board of Chardon Township Trustees at the regular township meeting on March 19, 2025, at the Chardon Township Town Hall, 9949 Mentor Road, Chardon, OH 44024 until 7:00 PM at which time the bids will be opened and read aloud.
Bids shall be submitted on blank forms provided for the purpose by calling 440.285.9002
Bids shall be accompanied by a bid bond, certified check, or cashier’s check in the amount of One Hundred Dollars ($100), guaranteeing that a contract will be entered into if accepted. The envelope shall be clearly marked “CRUSHED LIMESTONE BID” and mailed to Edward Slusarski, Fiscal Officer, 9949 Mentor Road, Chardon OH 44024.
The Board of Chardon Township Trustees reserves the right to accept or reject all bids or any part thereof or waive any informalities.
CHARDON TOWNSHIP
BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Edward Slusarski, Fiscal Officer Feb13, 2025
LEGAL NOTICE 2024 FINANCIAL REPORT THOMPSON TOWNSHIP PARK DISTRICT
GEAUGA COUNTY, OHIO
Notice is hereby given that the 2024 Annual Financial Report for Thompson Township Park District is complete and available for viewing. Please call 440-417-4463 for arrangements to view.
Cindy Lausin, Clerk Feb13, 2025
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING City of Chardon
The City of Chardon Planning Commission will hold a Public Hearing to consider the applications described below on Tuesday, February 25, 2025, at 6:30 PM. in Council Chambers at the Municipal Center, 111 Water St, Chardon OH 44024. The meeting is subject to adjournment or recess to a later date without another Notice of Public Hearing.
PC Case #25-022: Applicant – Kevin Chuha is requesting a variance from the City of Chardon Codified Ordinances Schedule 1133.11 which allows detached accessory structures in the rear yard. The applicant is requesting a variance to allow the construction of a 28’ x 32’ detached garage in a front side yard along Randall Court to the rear of the house to replace a former garage structure on the property. The property is located on the east side of South Street on the southeast corner of the intersection of South Street and Randall Court. The address of the property is 125 South Street, Chardon, OH 44024, with Parcel ID# 10-017150. The property is owned by Kevin & Beverly Chuha. All interested persons are urged to attend.
Steven M. Yaney Community Development Administrator Feb13, 2025
Geauga County Sheriff’s Blotter
The following is a sampling of the calls handled by the Geauga County Sheriff’s Office Jan. 24 to Jan. 30, 2025.
ASSAULT
Feb. 1
10 a.m., Munson Township, Alpine Valley, Munson. 8-year-old male was hit in the face last night with a snowball that was thrown from a ski lift and today his face is swollen and bruised. See report.
SUSPICIOUS
Feb. 5
Car driving on the bike path, heading eastbound on the path from Old State Road. Appeared to be a sedan of some type. Last seen about 100 feet from the road.
THREATENING
Jan. 31
12:56 p.m., Ravenna Road, Auburn. Caller needs to make a report for threatening. One on the contractors she hired said: "You better be afraid of who I am, I know where you live.”
Complainant had already made a report with Solon Police. but wished to have it on file with our agency. Complainant wished to have an extra patrol near her house.
Feb. 2
3:52 p.m., Cutty Sark Drive and Stukey Lane, Chardon. Amazon driver is stuck he's trying to get out and the homeowner is threatening to get a gun. The Amazon driver is trying to use a rope around a tree to get out. The neighbor went back into her house. The neighbor yelled to get
the F off her property and she would go get her gun if they didn't get the rope off the tree and something will happen. The caller said the Amazon driver was stuck and they tied a rope to the neighbor's tree to get him out. The homeowner came out and some words were exchanged between the two. The homeowner mentioned she would go in her home and get a gun. Caller wanted it documented that this occurred. The homeowner admitted she stated she would get a gun. The homeowner was spoken to about it could be mistaken.
Feb. 5
12:01 p.m., Munn Road, Auburn. Came to work this morning and passed a car at Munn and Stafford, Red Dodge Ram male driver pulled a gun on him. Caller now wants to make a report, advised he has it on camera. He told me the vehicle pulled to the side of the road at Stafford Road and turn his hazards on. Told me the he beed his horn twice and went around the vehicle and pulled into his work parking lot. And the vehicle paralled him as he drove through the parking lot. He advised the driver was yelling out the window but he could not hear what he was saying. Told me when he passed the vehicle he the male pointed a gun out the window. He advised it was not pointed at him. I viewed the video and found the vehicle is a maroon Ram 1500 4-door with a white stripe on the bed near the cab. Told me that the vehicle drives southbound on Munn Road. I told him that we would try and locate the vehicle.
VEHICLE FIRE
Feb. 6
10:01 a.m., Rock Creek and Bascom Road. Report of a vehicle on fire on Rock Creek Roadd. The operator of the vehicle reported he was going up the hill pulling a trailer and heard a pop in the engine compartment. He and the occupants smelled something burning and exited the vehicle before it caught fire. Hambden Fire responded and
put the fire out. The fire was not due to a crash so no report was needed. The trailer was pulled off the roadway. Owner advised he was going to call AAA. Deputy advised they could not wait that long due to the hazardous conditions it would create. Interstate Towing was contacted at the owner's request. ODOT was already on scene to assist in salting the roadway. Documentation only. Deputy cleared without incident.
Real Estate Transfers
Following is a list of real estate transfers for Feb. 3-5, 2025, provided as a public service by the Geauga County Auditor’s Office.
AUBURN TOWNSHIP
Matthew J. and Jane A. Vratarich, 108 Renaissance Court, to Kevin Michael Lovell and Diane Marie Roth, $430,000. (0.00 acres)
BAINBRIDGE TOWNSHIP
Scott R. Maddern, 17129 Woodmere Drive, to Bryan A. Hurley, $495,000. (0.34 acres)
CHARDON CITY
Thistlecreek Development LLC, Windflower Drive, to Thistle Creek Homeowners Inc., $15,900. (6.55 acres)
David A. Carter, 308 Irma Drive, to Jamie L. Petti, $225,000. (0.27 acres)
FLG Chardon LLC, 121 High Fox Drive, to NVR Inc., $90,000. (0.22 acres)
NVR Inc., 311 Hidden Feather Drive, to Melanie Anne and Daniel Van Vechten
Shawber, $595,200. (0.22 acres)
CHESTER TOWNSHIP
AC&J Properties LLC, 12568 Ward Drive, to Mary Ellen Struze, $242,500. (0.48 acres)
MIDDLEFIELD TOWNSHIP
Marvin F. and Wilma E. Miller, 17661 Peters Road, to Aaron D. and Susan A. Miller, $270,000. (5.51 acres)
Marcia J. and William W. Byler Jr., 16340 Nauvoo Road, to Michael A. Byler and Noah Ray and Ann Marie Miller, $333,500. (22.93 acres)
MUNSON TOWNSHIP
Colleen Fimiani, Basswood Road, to Kurt C. and Laurie L. Kiss, $62,500. (0.75 acres)
RUSSELL TOWNSHIP
Blue Moon Stables LLC, 8782 Kinsman Road, to Red Raider Stables LLC, $805,000. (22.18 acres)
AUTOS & PARTS
1971 Honda Passport Motorcycle, for sale: Excellent shape! Runs good. No title. 1,600 mi. Best Offer buys it. 440-904-0408.
(4) 195/60 R15 Sumitomo snow tires, $200/OBO, like new. 440-431-6944.
FOR RENT
Auburn: 1BR apartment, includes laundry room and attached garage. No pets. $975/mo. Call 440-2210649.
Middlefield Township Apartment: 3BR, 2BA, 2 stories, large private deck. $1,250 monthly plus utilities and deposit. NO PETS. 440-665-2345.
