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Volume 56, No. 21
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CHESTERLAND NEWS Wednesday, March 12, 2025
Your Community Newspaper Since 1967
Attempted ATM Theft Leaves Suspects Empty-Handed Staff Report
ALLISON WILSON/KMG
Kathryn Burry reads a statement to the court expressing her regret.
Former PTO Treasurer Receives 90 Days in Jail
At 4 a.m. Feb. 25, three suspects attempted to break into the PNC ATM at 8099 Mayfield Road in Chester Township. “The individuals used a large backhoe in an attempt to access the contents of the ATM, causing extensive damage,” Chester Township Police Department said in a press release. Three people appear in the video surveillance, said Police Chief Craig Young, adding while they weren’t successful in stealing anything, they committed attempted theft and vandalism. “At this point, really, we are in See Theft • Page 3
Listed are public meetings and executive sessions for the rest of March, unless otherwise noted. These meeting notices are NOT legal notices. Chester Township: March 13, 8 a.m., Board of Trustees, special meeting for executive session for both compensation and discipline of public employee and discussion of 2025 permanent appropriations all departments; March 19, 7 p.m., Zoning Commission; March 20, 6:30 p.m., Board of Trustees. All meetings are held at the Township Hall, 12701 Chillicothe Road, unless otherwise noted.
CHESTER TOWNSHIP POLICE DEPARTMENT/FACEBOOK
At least three suspects were unsuccessful in their attempt to break into the PNC ATM at 8099 Mayfield Road in Chester Township.
By Allison Wilson wilson@karlovecmedia.com
Former Westwood Elementary School Parent-Teacher Organization Treasurer Kathryn Burry was sentenced to 90 days in the Geauga County Safety Center Feb. 28. Burry, who was charged with money laundering, a third-degree felony; grand theft, a fourth-degree felony; and telecommunications fraud, a third-degree felony, stole approximately $40,000 from the PTO during her time as treasurer. She pleaded guilty to grand theft Jan. 7, with Geauga County Common Pleas Court Judge Carolyn Paschke dismissing the money laundering and telecommunications fraud charges at her sentencing. Per a civil complaint filed by the Westwood PTO, PTO President Krista Kalina became aware of the alleged fraud in late June 2024 after learning the organization’s bank accounts were significantly lower than Burry had led the board to believe. Kalina said she had requested records from the bank that showed Burry had used PTO funds to pay various third parties and vendors, including herself and her consignment business, Hipsters. Burry agreed to pay $39,899 in restitution to the PTO, with the state agreeing to recommend residential See Burry • Page 3
Community Meetings
Russell Township: March 19, 4 p.m., Citizens’ Park District; March 20, 7 p.m., Board of Trustees; March 26, 7 p.m., Zoning Commission. All meetings are held at Russell Town Hall, 14890 Chillicothe Road, unless otherwise noted.
ALAN KORNSPAN/KMG
Zander Joltin, standing on the podium after finishing 6th, became one of only 20 West Geauga wrestlers in school history to place at the OHSAA State Wrestling Tournament March 9 at the Schottenstein Center.
Wolverines Make Podium at OHSAA State Wrestling Tournament By Alan Kornspan sports@karlovecmedia.com The West Geauga Wolverines wrestling team had a great 20242025 season under the leadership of West Geauga Head Coach Joe Joltin.
In fact, the Wolverines won a Chagrin Valley Conference title for the second year in a row as well as an Ohio High School Athletic Assocation sectional championship in which seven wrestlers won individual sectional titles. Then, in the OHSAA District
Championships on March 1, the Wolverines had three wrestlers — Zander Joltin, Brian Denamen and Caden Kaleal — qualify for the OHSAA State Wrestling Championships. The season concluded for See Wrestling • Page 5
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