POST Wednesday, August 19, 2026 • Vol. 19 No. 6 • FREE
PreSort Std U.S. Postage PAID Middlefield, OH 44062 Permit No. 77
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Community News from Middlefield, Parkman, Huntsburg and Surrounding Areas
OR CURRENT RESIDENT
Middlef ield Geauga Sees Surge in Measles Immunizations Following Outbreak By Allison Wilson wilson@karlovecmedia.com Vaccination clinics for measles have seen a large turnout since an outbreak of the disease began in Geauga County, Health Commissioner Adam Litke reported Aug. 13. Geauga Public Health reported five confirmed measles cases in the county July 30 amid a larger statewide outbreak. As of Aug. 14, the Ohio Department of Health’s infec-
tious diseases map reported 16 cases in Geauga County. “The Amish specifically have been coming to a lot of those,” he said during a recent Geauga County Board of Health meeting, referring to recent vaccination clinics, including one at the Buster Miller Auction Barn and another at the health department. The clinics drew about 109 and 139 people, respectively. “They’re definitely coming out, they’re asking a lot of questions,” he said. “They’re just trying to pro-
tect their families and loved ones from measles.” University Hospitals has helped ensure adequate staffing for the clinics, Litke said, adding the county's contract with the Lake County General Health District will need to be adjusted because of the number of staff members pulled from there to assist in Geauga County. Requests for vaccines are coming in almost daily, he said, and the health department plans to hold additional clinics to meet the demand.
Board member Dan Green asked whether GPH had considered reaching out to local nursing programs for student volunteers to assist with the clinics. Litke said the current clinics are a response to the outbreak, but GPH has reached out to Kent State University about the possibility of assistance with future clinics. Litke also updated the board on GPH’s ongoing discussion about See Measles • Page 5
Middlefield Village
Commission Rejects Geauga Highway Requests By Ann Wishart ann@karlovecmedia.com Following a short but contentious hearing Aug. 11, the Middlefield Village Planning and Zoning Commission failed to act on two zoning applications submitted by Geauga Highway LLC, of Painesville and Auburn Township. The applications sought a lot-coverage variance allowing 77% coverage at 15651 West High Street, where village zoning permits 60%, as well as permission for more than 16,000 square feet of temporary outdoor storage space. The commission’s failure to approve the applications means a cease-and-desist order issued by Chardon Municipal Court in May remains in effect, prohibiting the company from using the 4.6-acre lot east of the Aldi grocery store for storage of vehicles and equipment. Zoning Inspector John Boksansky said the order remains in effect and Geauga Highway has not complied with it. Boksansky told the commission Aug. 11 that discussions with Geauga Highway representatives regarding the lease began in January. He issued an occupancy permit and zoning exemption in March, allowing Geauga Highway to operate on the site using the office building and the garage for vehicle maintenance.
ANN WISHART/KMG
Geauga Highway LLC equipment stored at the leased yard behind ACA Hardware on East High Street in Middlefield
The long, narrow lot is zoned for general commercial use, Boksansky said, adding that the village zoning code does not allow the requested lot coverage or storage space. Therefore, a conditional-use hearing was necessary. “In the middle of May, I saw an alternate use going on — the storage of vehicles and equipment related to his (paving) business,” the zoning inspector said, referring to John Bojec, owner of Geauga High-
way LLC. The company was ordered by the court not to expand to an additional use of the site, Boksansky said. On May 21, 2026, he sent a letter to Bojec offering him an opportunity to come before the commission and apply for conditional use of the premises, Boksansky said. “The expansion continued. When the cease order was not complied with, we filed a complaint in
court June 18 regarding Geauga Highway expanding into the site without a permit, variance or conditional use,” he said. Geauga Highway subsequently applied for a conditional use, lot-coverage variance and outdoor storage, leading to the Aug. 11 hearing, Boksansky said. Bojec was accompanied by his attorney, Tim McGarry of Highland Heights, who said he was speaking See Middlefield • Page 5
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