Leaf Thursday, March 27, 2025 Vol. 31 No. 13 • Chardon, Ohio www.geaugamapleleaf.com $1.25
Painesville League of Women Voters Youth Dies Highlight Gov’t Transparency Resident Questions Airport’s Long-Term Plans In Newbury Crash
INSIDE APRIL 2025
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By Allison Wilson
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Staff Report Ben Grisard, 15, of Painesville, died in a one-vehicle crash early March 22 in Newbury Township, Ohio State Highway Patrol Sgt. Aaron Belcher said March 25. Burton Fire EMS was called to the scene on Burton Heights Boulevard just east of state Route 44 at about 1 a.m., where a black, 2005 Ford F250 had gone off the road and hit a ditch and a tree, he said. See Crash • Page 3
Kenston Teacher Accused of Saying Racial Slur
In honor of National Sunshine Week, the League of Women Voters of Geauga shed some rays on Geauga County Commissioners March 18 for their recent efforts to provide more accessibility and government transparency. “Sunshine week is really just a national program to encourage transparency in government and to make it more accessible to citizens and the community,” LWVG President Carol Benton said. Benton thanked commissioners for establishing a formal public comment policy for their meetings and livestreaming them. “We’ve gotten very good feedback,” she said. “One thing I’d point out, you’re getting over 150 views a week with the YouTube videos.” Commissioner Carolyn Brakey
Chardon BOE Exploring Master Plan Options ALLISON WILSON/KMG
Representatives from the League of Women Voters of Geauga thank commissioners for their recent efforts in government transparency. Pictured, from left, are LWVG Observer Corp member Gail Roussey, LWVG President Carol Benton, Commissioner Jim Dvorak and Commissioner Carolyn Brakey.
— who pushed for government transparency in her election campaign and spearheaded changes such as the public comment policy and video recordings — was happy
to hear the news. “We as commissioners have been trying to make more transparency efforts in hopes they’ve See Commissioners • Page 3
County Engineer Reflects on a Road Well Traveled page 6
Toddlers Tap Into Dolly Parton’s Passion page 8
Obituaries
Staff Report A Kenston Schools teacher was recently placed on administrative leave after reportedly using a racial slur in the classroom last month. The teacher — who Kenston Schools Superintendent Bruce Willingham later confirmed is John Sandy — allegedly lost his temper Feb. 5 and used profanity, Willingham said in a statement March 19. “(Sandy) has stated that the comments were not directed at any individual or group of students. However, the district firmly upholds that such language is unacceptable in any context,” Willingham said in the statement. WKYC spoke with students who were in the classroom at the time and reported Sandy said the racial slur in the context of telling students to stop saying it. “He should have not said it, he should've just like said he doesn't See Kenston • Page 3
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Sports pages 14-15
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Burton Public Library’s book club, considered the longest running book club in Geauga County, celebrates their 40th anniversary March 13.
For the Love of Literature
Burton Library Book Club Celebrates 40 Years By Rose Nemunaitis editor@karlovecmedia.com If Burton Public Library’s walls could talk, they might recall years of joyful chatter from literary lovers discussing the latest historical fiction novel, biography
or self-help books inside the building’s large community room. In celebration of its 40th anniversary March 13, the Burton Public Library’s book club celebrated with camaraderie, cake and — of course — lots of conversation. “My office is down the hall
from the meeting room where they meet and I hear their laughter from my office every time they get together,” Burton Public Library Director Katie Ringenbach said. Over the past 40 years, the group has read 389 books of various See Books • Page 4
Sheriff’s Sales & Legal Notices pages 17-18
Classifieds page 20 Single Edition $1.25