Volume 57, No. 22
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Chesterland CHESTERLAND News N EWS
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Wednesday, April 8, 2026
Your Community Newspaper Since 1967
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A building collapses during a tornado in Russell Township March 31.
NWS Confirms EF1 Tornado Touched Down in Geauga Staff Report The National Weather Service confirmed an EF1 tornado touched down in Geauga County during severe storms that swept across Northeast Ohio on March 31. The tornado touched down at 5:49 p.m. near Russell Township, continuing along Fairmount Road, and remained on the ground until 5:51 p.m., according to the weather service. It had estimated peak winds of 100 mph, a path length of
1.53 miles and a maximum width of about 120 yards. No injuries were reported. Earlier in the evening, the National Weather Service issued a tornado warning for parts of Geauga and Lake counties after radar indicated rotation near Chardon as a fast-moving storm pushed east through the area. An EF1 tornado on the Enhanced Fujita scale is classified as having wind speeds between 86 and 110 mph and can cause moderate dam-
age, including downed trees, roof damage and damage to outbuildings. The tornado was part of a line of strong storms that moved through the region the evening of March 31, prompting warnings and scattered damage reports across Northeast Ohio. The National Weather Service conducts storm surveys following severe weather events to determine whether tornadoes occurred and to assess their strength, track and impacts.
Survey Results Push to Preserve Rural Character, Fix Commercial Blight By Emma MacNiven macniven@karlovecmedia.com The Chester Township Land Use Plan Committee held a public forum March 31 at Mayfield Church to solicit additional feedback from residents on the future of the township.
The 13-member committee is composed entirely of Chester residents and does not include developers, committee member Greg Mersol said. Of the township’s roughly 10,000 residents, about 1,000 responded to a community survey conducted last winter, he added.
Committee member Tim Rosenbaum outlined key findings from the survey, emphasizing the community’s longstanding ties to the township. “This is a community with deep roots,” he said. “More than half of the respondents lived here over 20 years and nearly half are over the See Survey • Page 3
Expanded Courthouse To Open Doors April 7 page 4
Town Crier page 7
Obituaries page 10
Classifieds page 11
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