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Volume 55, No. 8
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CHESTERLAND NEWS Wednesday, August 30, 2023
Your Community Newspaper Since 1967
INSIDE
Obituaries
JOHN KARLOVEC/KMG
Hayyal Ighneim tells Fox 8 News he ran over his pet cat by accident and then ran it over twice more to end its suffering.
Animal Cruelty Case Bound Over to Grand Jury By John Karlovec john@karlovecmedia.com A Chester Township man accused of knowingly running over his cat will have his case bound over to a Geauga County grand jury. On Aug. 16, Chardon Municipal Court Judge Terri Stupica found there is probable cause to charge Hayyal Ighneim with UPDATE: A cruelty to a com- Geauga County panion animal, a grand jury has fifth-degree fel- handed up ony punishable a one-count with a maximum indictment sentence of 6-12 charging months in pris- Hayyal Ighneim on and a $2,500 with prohibifine. tions concernIghneim was ing companion present in court animals, a last Wednesday fifth-degree with his attor- felony. ney, Kenneth Myers, after electing to go forward with his preliminary hearing to determine if there was probable cause that a crime had been committed and that he committed it. Geauga County Prosecutor Jim Flaiz called Geauga County Sheriff’s Sgt. Jon Bilicic — the investigative officer — to the stand. Bilicic testified a sheriff’s deputy See Ighneim • Page 1
page 3 ANN WISHART/KMG
Moms and their toddlers had fun during the first Chester Township Unity Day celebration at West Geauga High School Aug. 27.
Chester Township Unity Day Draws Families from All Over By Ann Wishart ann@karlovecmedia.com The first Chester Township Unity Day brought out a steady stream of families from around Geauga County and lots of active youth to enjoy the summer weather Aug. 27. Children and adults alike explored fire trucks and ambulances from Chester and surrounding townships while Chester’s ladder truck proudly flew an American flag. Members of the West Geauga High School band played the National Anthem and a few other numbers designed to unify groups from Newbury Township, the Chester area and West Geauga Schools.
“We’re really trying to bring Newbury in,” said Kevin Rauscher, treasurer of the West Geauga Chamber of Commerce, referring to Newbury being included in the footprint of West Geauga Schools after the districts joined in 2020. The chamber, he said, is workign on outreach to businesses to the east. “We want to bring something to the community,” he said, listing some of the businesses in all three townships – Newbury, Chester and Russell – who sponsored Unity Day in the parking lot of West Geauga High School. Chester Police Chief Craig Young took the microphone to thank a variety of individuals who helped organize the event.
“Welcome to our first of, hopefully, many Chester Township Unity Days,” he said. “With the storms that tore through here on Thursday, it’s refreshing to have a beautiful, sunny day to celebrate the people of this great community.” Young also thanked West Geauga Schools Superintendent Richard Markwardt for collaborating on the location. “I can say without hesitation that the relationship between the West Geauga Schools, this community and our safety forces is unlike any I have seen anywhere. To have the leadership of a school district so committed to getting things accomplished when others just simSee Unity Day • Page 7
Budget Commission Recommends Reserve Funds for Township
By Brian Doering brian@karlovecmedia.com
The Geauga County Budget Commission expressed concern for Chester Township running hot on their budget during its hearing on Aug. 21. County Treasurer Christopher Hitchcock said the township’s general fund was in strong condition
but pointed out low police, road and bridge funds. “My concern is your estimated ending cash balance for 2024 is $323,000,” Hitchcock said, adding that the estimated cash balance for a road and bridge fund should be $500,000. “You are telling the taxpayers and the public you are only going to have $300,000. The same is true in the police fund.
Your actual expenditures are in the millions and you are telling the public and us that you are only going to have $140,000.” Hitchcock said to township trustee Craig Richter the township will have a difficult time getting voter support for the additional 1.5 mill police levy. “I realize that,” Richter said. See Unity Day • Page 5
Iacampo Charges Dropped; More Could Come page 6
Classifieds page 8
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