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Volume 56, No. 4
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CHESTERLAND NEWS Wednesday, July 17, 2024
Your Community Newspaper Since 1967
GPD Creates Cart Tours for Those with Limited Mobility
See Tours • Page 8
Single-Car Crash Kills Chester Township Man OSHP: Alcohol Appears to Be a Factor Staff Report A single vehicle crash around 9:45 p.m. July 11 on Sperry Road in Newbury Township killed a 35-year-old Chester Township man, according to the Chardon post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol. Kevin Toothman was driving See Crash • Page 5
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Classifieds page 12
By Rose Nemunaitis editor@karlovecmedia.com Geauga Park District recently increased access to select parks for individuals with limited mobility through its Accessible Nature Cart Tours. Toward the end of spring, GPD began offering a registration-only program for those with limited mobility that includes a one-hour golf cart tour — participants must be able to enter and exit the cart on their own — led by GPD Naturalist and Volunteer Coordinator Andy Avram. On July 6, Avram led two such tours at Veterans Legacy Woods in Newbury Township. “Geauga Park District's accessible nature cart tours are such a gift for members of our community
Town Crier
ROSE NEMUNAITIS/KMG
Andy Avram, Geauga Park District naturalist and volunteer coordinator, talks to tour-goers about the interesting natural details inside Veterans Legacy Woods in Newbury Township.
Court of Common Pleas Implements New Jury Management System Staff Report In an effort to improve the jury experience and reduce costs, the Geauga County Court of Common Pleas announced it is updating its jury management system in a press release July 2. The court is leveraging technology to streamline the process for citizens and court staff and replace its aging jury management system with a modernized one. The update will enhance the jury service experience for jurors while reducing costs and increasing efficiency within the court, the press release said. “Summons will be sent via postcard with an option to complete the jury questionnaire online or to request a printed version,”
the press release said. “The postcard will also include the potential juror’s term of service. Notices of excusal, disqualification, approval, etc. will be sent via email, text or mail, depending on the questionnaire submission method and response.” A new, convenient online portal and phone number for checking status and reporting times should eliminate time and postage costs incurred by potential jurors to return paper questionnaires, according to the court, which added this move will save tax dollars by reducing postage for summons. The upgrades include convenient text reminders for jurors/ potential jurors and improved efficiency within the court.
“(This) will reduce costs and allow staff to focus on serving clients, thereby enhancing the public’s overall experience with the court,” the press release said. “The court values the role jurors play and strives to make their service a pleasant experience. The court believes the new jury management system will further its goal to provide access to justice and will be extremely beneficial for the citizens of Geauga County.” Further announcements of technology initiatives the court is adopting to provide access to justice and better serve the public will be coming soon, the press release said. More information can be found at geaugacourts.org/jury-service.
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