Leaf Thursday, March 13, 2025 Vol. 31 No. 11 • Chardon, Ohio www.geaugamapleleaf.com $1.25
Sheriff Investigating Apparent Murder-Suicide In Auburn Staff Report The Geauga County Sheriff’s Office is currently investigating an apparent murder-suicide in Auburn Township involving a female and her 10-year-old child, officials said in a press release. At approximately 5:20 a.m. March 7, deputies responded to a residence in Auburn following a report of an attempted suicide, Sheriff Scott Hildenbrand said in the press release. “Upon arrival, deputies discovered a 52-year-old female and her See Murder-Suicide • Page 7
Amish Youth Center Gaining Traction By Ann Wishart ann@karlovecmedia.com
Plans for the Haven Amish Community Youth Center are ramping up to include a multi-purpose pond on the 26-acre wooded property off Tavern Road in Parkman Township. Fire Chief Mike Komandt contacted a civil engineer about putting a dry hydrant in the pond so the fire department can easily access water, Komandt told Parkman Township Trustees March 4. The pond also will serve as a retention basin when the property is developed and the Haven Board anticipates allowing participants to fish, as well, Komandt said, adding recreational activities won’t interfere with the facility’s main purpose. Including a pond with a dry hydrant means the Haven Board doesn’t have to build a 650-footlong driveway, he said.
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Commissioners Clash Over Airport Infrastructure
GEAUGA COUNTY AUDITOR’S WEBSITE
The proposed Haven Amish Community Youth Center on Tavern Road in Parkman Township will be located on a 26-acre wooded parcel, including a multi-purpose pond, a field house and ball diamonds.
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cikoski, of Chagrin Falls, to provide drawings of the project this month. The half-acre pond is planned See Center • Page 5
Local Filmmaker Puts Heart into Horror
NAMI Geauga’s K-9 Therapy Team Lends Caring Paw
Earned Income Tax Inches toward November Ballot
Township Zoning Inspector John Spelich said in a phone interview March 8 he has seen sketches of the proposed facility and he expects the architect, Dan Bar-
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1 Inch = 1,241.83 Fee
Geauga County GIS
Charles E. Walder, Geauga County Auditor
Andrew W. Haupt, P.E.,P.S., The Geauga County Engineer
Winter FreezeThaw Cycle Great for Maple Sugaring, Bad For Roads By Allison Wilson and Ann Wishart editor@karlovecmedia.com As flowers begin to bloom in Geauga County, so do the potholes. While the county continues to
thaw out of a more traditional winter — the city of Chardon saw 93.3 total inches of snow for 2024-2025 — it is also facing the toll the season has taken on its infrastructure. “I think we were 15 below (degrees Fahrenheit) in January, if I See Roads • Page 5
By Rose Nemunaitis editor@karlovecmedia.com Anyone who ever owned a dog would likely agree a tail wag in exchange for a simple hug or head scratch not only brings a smile, but also reduces stress and anxiety. Countless research has shown simply petting man’s best friend lowers the stress hormone cortisol. “Even short interactions provide enough pet exposure to reap some of these rewards,” according to Johns Hopkins Medicine. National Alliance on Mental Illness Geauga’s K-9 therapy team is always a tail wag away from serving community members who
need them most. These volunteer therapy dogs and their handlers recently went on a morning mission to Geauga County Job and Family Services in Chardon. “NAMI’s therapy dogs have been wonderful for our staff,” GCJFS Social Service Director Gina Schultz said. “Staff look forward to them being here and they definitely help improve mood, provide stress relief and reduce anxiety related to the numerous tasks they are responsible for.” NAMI Geauga is part
of the largest grassroots organization in the United States providing support, advocacy and education to those indirectly and See Dogs • Page 3
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This tax map was prepared by Geauga County GI Geauga County digital data is a representation of information for use within the Geographic Informat These and other digital data do not replace or mod defining land ownership or use. Geauga County a
Local Student Recognized for Outstanding Artistry page 13
Sports pages 18-19
Sheriff’s Sales & Legal Notices page 24
Classifieds page 27
ROSE NEMUNAITIS/KMG
Rhoda, left, a border collie, and Casey, a goldendoodle, are part of NAMI Geauga’s K-9 therapy program.
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