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Thursday, January 29, 2026 Vol. 32 No. 5 Chardon, Ohio $1.25
Spidalieri Booted Off, Haupt Added To NOACA Board By Allison Wilson wilson@karlovecmedia.com
Following weeks of heated discussion, the Geauga County Commissioners voted 2-1 on Jan. 22 to ratify changes to the Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency bylaws. Commissioners Jim Dvorak and Carolyn Brakey voted in favor of the changes and Commissioner Ralph Spidalieri voted against them. The bylaw changes will require board members and alternates to be elected officials or county employees with expertise in transportation, planning or other specialized fields. See NOACA • Page 6
Despite Ag Exemption Snags, New Amish Business Approved By Ann Wishart ann@karlovecmedia.com
When Marty Miller decided to build a butcher shop near his home on Madison Road in Parkman, he understood his property fell under an agricultural exemption. Broadly, an agricultural exemption is granted by the zoning inspector for structures used to house animals or equipment for farming, according to the Ohio Revised Code. While preparing for the project last fall, Miller and his partners sought a bank loan and received a square-footage permit for the building from then-Zoning Inspector John Spelich, Miller told Parkman See Business • Page 4
Supreme Court Rejects Grendell Appeal
Staff Report The Ohio Supreme Court has declined to reconsider its previous decision suspending Geauga County Juvenile and Probate Court Judge Tim Grendell from the practice of law for six months, according to a Jan. 20 case announcement. In November 2025, the court ordered Grendell suspended with-
out pay for 18 months, in support of Ohio House 12 months stayed, in reBill 624, sponsored by sponse to misconduct in a his wife, former state case in which he ordered Rep. Diane Grendell. The two juvenile boys be decourt dismissed both of tained after they refused those counts. to visit their father. Grendell asked the Grendell also initially court to reconsider its defaced judicial misconduct Grendell cision in December. His charges related to a dispute with attorney, Stephen Funk, argued the Geauga County Auditor’s Of- the decision to detain the boys fice and for providing testimony See Grendell • Page 3
Firefighters Put Out Multiple Blazes in an Hour By Ann Wishart ann@karlovecmedia.com
Fire departments across Geauga County and neighboring areas were stretched thin on the freezing evening of Jan. 20, responding to four fire-related incidents in just over an hour. Burton Fire Department responded to a two-alarm fire at 8:19 p.m. on Hotchkiss Road in Burton Township, Chief Brian Davidson said in a press release. “Units arrived on scene and reported a large, two-and-a-half story single family dwelling with a working fire, flames showing from the residence on the second floor and roof,” he said. “Interior attack crews were forced to exit the structure due to exploding firearm ammunition on the second floor.” The family and pets evacuated the home after smelling smoke and hearing crackling sounds in the walls, according to the Geauga County Sheriff’s Office report. No injuries were reported. About 10 fire departments from Geauga, Lake, Cuyahoga, Portage and Trumbull counties assisted in extinguishing the blaze and establishing a tanker shuttle for water supply in freezing temperatures, Davidson said. The fire was under control by See Fires • Page 5
INSIDE FEBRUARY 2026
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Auburn Faces Federal Lawsuit Over Development Denial page 7
Y.O.U.T.H. Program Gives Teens Keys to Safe Driving page 8
Heutmaker Talks Historic Win, Plans for Future Projects page 9
Obituaries page 8
Sports pages 12-13
Sheriff’s Sales & Legal Notices start on page 17
Classifieds page 19 Single Edition $1.25 BURTON FIRE PHOTO
Firefighters battle a fire that started on the second story of a home on Hotchkiss Road in Burton Township, one of four fire incidents reported to the Geauga County Sheriff’s Office dispatch center between 8:07 p.m. and 9:19 p.m. Jan. 20.