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Chesterland CHESTERLAND News NEWS Wednesday, July 29, 2026
Your Community Newspaper Since 1967
Family Grieves Loss of Chester Father Killed in Put-in-Bay Staff Report The family of Robert Russell, the Chester Township father of four who was fatally shot July 23 in Put-in-Bay, continues to mourn his death in the days following what would have been his 40th birthday. Russell, 39, was vacationing with his wife, Lindsay, to celebrate his 40th birthday on July 24 when he was shot just after midnight at Mr. Ed's Bar & Grille, 272 Delaware Ave., according to Put-in-Bay police. He suffered multiple gunshot wounds and, despite life-saving measures, died from his injuries, police said in a press release. The shooting was a "senseless act of violence," Lindsay Russell wrote in a post on a GoFundMe page established to support the family. “I know I won't be able to say everything perfectly, and I don't think words could ever capture the depth
of this loss,” Lindsay wrote. “Rob was so much more than a husband and father. He was a constant presence, a source of strength, a comforting hand, a helping hand, a perseverer, a man of unwavering faith, and a father who intentionally led and loved his family and children toward Christ every single day. The void he leaves behind is immeasurable.” Police arrested the suspect, identified as 21-year-old Colton Smith, of Brownstown, Michigan, at approximately 3:40 a.m. July 23 and took him into custody at the Ottawa County Sheriff's Office. Ottawa County Prosecutor James VanEerten said Russell did not know Smith, according to FOX 8 News. Smith has been charged with murder, an unclassified felony, and is being held on a $1 million bond, according to court records. He is scheduled for a preliminary hearing at 1 p.m. July 31. See Russell • Page 2
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The Russell family, of Chester Township, continues to mourn the loss of Robert Russell, 39, after he was fatally shot July 23 in Put-in-Bay, a day before celebrating his 40th birthday.
West Geauga Schools
Anonymous $35K Gift Funds New Scoreboard By Emma MacNiven macniven@karlovecmedia.com
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The new scoreboard planned for West Geauga High School's stadium will retain the Wolverine mascot featured on the current scoreboard.
West Geauga Schools Board of Education approved a resolution July 20 to purchase a new scoreboard for West Geauga High School's stadium with the help of an anonymous $35,000 donation. “We had a few issues last year where only certain parts of (the scoreboard) would power on, or it would turn off during games and maybe not come on right away,” West Geauga Athletic Director Brandon Stewart said during the meeting. Stewart said the existing scoreboard and its controller date back to 2007 and do not work very well with all their mix-and-match parts. The anonymous donation will cover the cost of the new scoreboard, allowing the district to move forward with the project,
Stewart said. The new scoreboard will feature a design similar to what is currently being used, including the Wolverine mascot at the top, Stewart said, adding he also plans to move the scoreboard up higher, while the advertisement panels will be moved lower. Advertising contracts are managed through PowerAd, with revenue supporting scoreboards across campus, including those at the softball field and in the gym, Stewart said. The new scoreboard also will feature interchangeable “home” and “away” panels, allowing respective team names to be switched, depending on the game. “We can put the names of our opponents in there instead of it just saying ‘home’ and ‘guests,’” Stewart said. See Scoreboard • Page 2
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