Leaf Thursday, April 3, 2025 Vol. 31 No. 14 • Chardon, Ohio www.geaugamapleleaf.com $1.25
Commissioners Put New Airport Proposal on Table By Allison Wilson SUBMITTED
This home, at 341 Washington Street in Chardon, will be the location of a new women’s shelter.
Donations Help Secure Women’s Shelter in Chardon By Allison Wilson wilson@karlovecmedia.com The public’s generosity has, once again, come to the rescue in Chardon, helping to bring to fruition a homeless shelter for women. Geauga Faith Rescue Mission — a faith-based, transitional housing program for homeless men and women — recently announced it has received more than $95,000 from various donors to purchase and renovate the property at 341 Washington Street for the shelter. A private foundation donated See Shelter • Page 3
wilson@karlovecmedia.com
Following months of stalling a vote to transfer $1.33 million to the Geauga County Airport for capital improvement projects, including a new T-hangar, Geauga
County Commissioners decided to propose a lesser amount during their April 1 meeting. In a split vote — with Commissioner Carolyn Brakey voting no — commissioners agreed to put together a resolution allocating $800,000 to the airport.
In December, they had voted in favor of a request from the airport authority for $1.33 million to construct a new hangar and upgrade existing facilities. The transfer of money was contingent upon an agreement for capital improvement See Airport• Page 7
Middlefield Village
Kurtz Discount Groceries to Take Over Former Save A Lot By Ann Wishart ann@karlovecmedia.com When a big-box store moves out, it leaves potential space for local merchants to grow. Such is the case with the Save A Lot store, now gone from Harrington Square in Middlefield Village. In its place, area shoppers will soon find Kurtz Discount Groceries, formerly known as Kurtz Salvage, which is relocating over the next few months from its former digs on dead end Shedd Road in Parkman Township. Business owner David Kurtz said in a phone interview March 27 he doesn’t have an exact open-
Ohman Family Living Trains 6 Cardinal Students page 4
County Approves Change Order for Courthouse page 6
Bainbridge Meijer Gets Final Stamp page 7 ANN WISHART/KMG
The former Save A Lot grocery store in Harrington Square in Middlefield Village will be the new home of Kurtz Discount Groceries this spring.
ing date, yet. At the time, he was hoping to get his equipment in within the week and to open this spring. “This is a big step for us. It’s
falling into place better than I thought,” said Kurtz, who has operated the salvage grocery store on his property for 17 years. See Kurtz • Page 4
City Officials: Chardon in Development Boom page 8
Sports pages 11-14
CEI May Consolidate, Abandon Local Yard By Ann Wishart ann@karlovecmedia.com
ANN WISHART/KMG
The Cleveland Electric Illuminating line shop behind the Subway fast food restaurant on West High Street in Middlefield Village may soon be available as the company looks to consolidate its repair crews to a facility in Concord Township.
The Illuminating Company is planning to shutter its line shop in the Village of Middlefield, a move that could diminish service levels for the community. “To ensure responsible resource management moving forward, the Illuminating Company is considering the consolidation of operations currently handled at the Middlefield line shop with at least one other nearby service center,” FirstEnergy spokesperson Hannah Catlett told the Geauga County Maple Leaf in a March 28 email. “Over
the past decade, FirstEnergy and The Illuminating Company have invested significant funds and resources to strengthen the electric grid in Middlefield. These improvements, including a new substation completed in 2012, have helped prevent or minimize the impact of power outages for hundreds of customers and businesses in the area, especially during severe weather.” “Employees currently reporting to that facility (on West High Street) would keep their jobs and report to nearby service centers,” she added. News of the shop’s potential See CEI • Page 5
Obituaries pages 14-15
Sheriff’s Sales & Legal Notices start on page 17
Classifieds page 20 Single Edition $1.25