Geauga County Maple Leaf 5-29-2025

Leaf

May 29, 2025

ANN WISHART/KMG Trustee Joyce Peters shares the history of the original Parkman School bell, which now hangs in the gazebo at the township park after its dedication Memorial Day.

Parkman Dedicates School Bell On Memorial Day

By aNN Wishart aNN@karlovEcmEdia

com

Memorial Day in Parkman Township was not only a day to remember and honor military members who died while serving their country, but also a day to share memories and a little history among residents, new and old.

Illustrating more than a century of that history was the dedication of a huge iron school bell mounted on the gazebo on the township square.

Many residents gathered to listen to Parkman Township Trustee Joyce Peters as she related the events leading up to the recovery of the bell, which summoned children to Parkman School from 1883 to 1952, when the building was demolished and the new school was built.

“At that time, Concezio ‘Connie’ Testa, who was the custodian of the Parkman School for many

See Bell • Page 3

‘Morale is Improving’

Troy

Fire

mma macNivEN

Chief Holds Open House to Help Bridge Gaps

ivEN@karlovEcmEdia com

Troy Township Fire Chief Jim Nix believes the department’s May 10 open house successfully strengthened the bond between residents and the people who pro tect them.

“I thought it was just a huge success, a great outpouring from the people and residents in Troy,” Nix said at the May 20 Troy Town ship Trustees meeting.

Twenty-two members of the fire department came and there was a good turn out from the com munity, he said.

“The morale is improving, it was wonderful,” he said.

Nix also wanted residents to get a behind-the-scenes glimpse of the department.

“(The goal) was to allow the residents and the businesses to come and meet their firefight-

where we work and see the equipment that we use to help them and service them and protect them,” he said in a May 21 interview.

During the open house, Nix used a fog machine and mannequin to illustrate the limited eye-

ing homes filled with smoke, even on bright, sunny days.

“That was an eye-awakening moment for a lot of them, to see the conditions of which sometimes

Troy • Page 3

In Chardon as in Flanders Fields

Community Meetings

Listed are public meetings and executive sessions in the county for the coming week, unless otherwise noted. To have a public meeting included in this section, fax information to 440285-2015 or email editor@karlovecmedia.com no later than Monday noon.

Geauga County: May 29, 9:30 a.m., Geauga County Commissioners; June 3, 8:15 a.m. – 2026 Tax Budget Hearing, 9 a.m. – Investment Advisory Committee, 9:30 a.m. –Geauga County Commissioners. All county meetings are held at the Geauga County Administrative Building, 12611 Ravenwood Drive (Ste. #), Claridon, unless otherwise noted. County commissioners meetings are held in Suite 350.

Auburn Township: June 2, 7 p.m., Board of Trustees. All meetings are held at the Administration Building, 11010 Washington St., unless otherwise indicated. Burton Township: June 2, 7 p.m., Board of Trustees. All meetings are held at the Burton Township Administration building,

Troy

from page 1

we are faced with,” the chief said.

Nix also wanted to use the open house as a way to bridge any gaps of trust between him/the department and the community.

“When I was sworn in, I heard a lot of concerns from the residents, rightfully so. With change comes uncertainty and nervousness and I think we put that to rest once and for all, and that was the goal,” he said. “This fire department is not about me or the members, it's about the community, it's about the residents and the businesses. They pay the taxes to have that service provided to them and we just want to make sure we can provide the best coverage that we can for them and the best service.”

In other fire department business, Trustee Donn Breckenridge swore in Jacoby Behm as a new firefighter during the May 20

Bell

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years, retained the bell for safekeeping,” Peters said. “When Connie retired, he took the bell home and maintained possession of the bell until his death in 2010.

“Mr. Testa’s family donated the bell to the Parkman Alumni Association and it was stored at the home of Bill Stanley until the spring of 2022, when the alumni donated it to the township.”

The gazebo replaced the original bandstand, built by Parkman residents in 1887, she said. The bandstand served as a gathering place for earlier generations. Its brass roof survived, relocated to Century Village Museum in Burton, Peters said.

Tim Yoder built the gazebo in 1997, topping it off with a weather vane of a baseball player, symbolizing the family nature of Parkman and residents’ love of baseball, she said, adding the weather vane will be put back up when work on the roof is finished this summer.

Last Monday, the center of attention was on the bell and the memories it stirred.

14821 Rapids Road.

Chardon Township: June 2, 7 p.m., Zoning Commission; June 4, 7 p.m., Board of Trustees. All meetings are held at Township Hall, 9949 Mentor Road, unless otherwise noted.

Chester Township: May 29, 6:30 p.m., Board of Trustees; June 4, 7 p.m., Zoning Commission. All meetings are held at Township Hall, 12701 Chillicothe Road, unless otherwise noted.

Claridon Township: June 2, 6 p.m., Board of Trustees, at Claridon Administrative Building, 13932 Mayfield Road.

Hambden Township: June 2, 6 p.m., Zoning Commission; June 4, 6:30 p.m., Board of Trustees. All meetings are held at the Town Hall, 13887 GAR Highway, unless otherwise noted.

Huntsburg Township: June 3, 7 p.m., Board of Trustees. All meetings are held at the Town Hall, 16534 Mayfield Road.

Montville Township: June 3, 7 p.m., Board of Trustees. All meetings are held at the Mont

Road, unless noted.

Newbury Township: June 4, 7 p.m., Board of Trustees. All meetings are held at the Town Hall, 14899 Auburn Road, unless otherwise noted.

Parkman Township: June 3, 7 p.m., Board of Trustees. All meetings are held at the Community House, 16295 Main Market Road, unless otherwise noted.

Russell Township: June 2, 7 p.m., Board of Zoning Appeals; June 5, 2 p.m., Board of Trustees. All meetings are held at Town Hall, 14890 Chillicothe Road, unless otherwise noted.

South Russell Village: June 3, 5:30 p.m., Architectural Board of Review. All meetings are held at the Village Hall, 5205 Chillicothe Road, unless otherwise noted.

Thompson Township: June 4, 7 p.m., Board of Trustees, at the Thompson Community Center at the Thompson Square.

Troy Township: June 3, 7 p.m., Board of Trustees. All meetings are held at Troy Community Cen

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“It has been placed in the center of this gazebo to honor our history and for everyone to enjoy,” Peters said, adding the Parkman Chamber of Commerce buried a time capsule beneath the bell, to be opened in 2047.

goal was to become a firefighter-EMT, Nix said.

Behm graduated from the fire academy

A sheet hanging just below the bell was swept off and the brass plaque was revealed with the words: “We hereby dedicate this bell to the settlers who built Parkman, the teachers who taught Parkman children and to those residents who honor Parkman’s history.”

The dedication of the Parkman School bell was the culmination of a long journey township officials took to preserve the township’s historical buildings, Peters said.

Part of the American Rescue Plan Act funds the township received went to upgrading the Parkman Community House so it is ADA compliant and is able to be rented for events, she said, adding the large pavilion at Overlook Park was renovated, a horse shelter

“(We are) getting more protection and less days that we'll have somebody that's not

Behm was hired as a firefighter II, which is the highest level of firefighter certification in Ohio, Nix said.

was erected and a new swing set put in place.

Other efforts to preserve Parkman’s history included a millstone and the 1899 date stone from the Cromwell building that stood at the corner of Main Market and Madison roads, Peters noted.

Both are located in Veteran’s Park across the street from the gazebo.

Leading up to the dedication, two deceased Parkman veterans, Richard Thorn and Joseph Wells, were honored before the parade from Overlook Cemetery rolled down the hill to the center of town. Burton area Scout Troop 197 carried the colors and members of the Cardinal Schools band played the National Anthem.

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ACLU Sues Geauga County Sheriff Over Withheld ICE Contract Records

By allisoN WilsoN WilsoN@karlovEcmEdia com

The American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio has filed a lawsuit against the Geauga County Sheriff’s Office for not releasing records related to its contractual relationship with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

The complaint, submitted to the Ohio Supreme Court May 20, stems from a public records request ACLU Ohio Chief Policy and Advocacy Officer Jocelyn Rosnick made March 12.

Rosnick, of Cuyahoga County, requested several documents, including contracts and memorandums between the GCSO and ICE.

While the sheriff’s office provided some

of the requested documents, it withheld the ICE-related records, citing federal privacy laws.

Specifically, the GCSO referenced the Federal Privacy Act, 5 U.S.C. § 552a and 8 CFR § 236.6, arguing that releasing the records would violate federal regulations.

However, the ACLU contends these laws apply to personal information about individuals — not contracts or administrative records.

Rosnick emphasized in the complaint she is not seeking information about ICE detainees, only documents outlining GCSO’s contractual relationship with ICE.

The Geauga County Safety Center houses ICE detainees, with Sheriff Scott Hildenbrand previously noting the federal agency pays $100 per detainee per day.

In its response, the GCSO also cited the Federal Records Act (44 U.S.C. § 3301(A)) and what appeared to be a misreference to 26 CFR § 1222.10(b)(4) — a regulation that does not exist. The ACLU believed the office intended to cite 36 CFR § 1222.10(b)(4), which relates to the definition of federal records.

Rosnick served an Ohio Revised Code Section 149 complaint on May 8 after receiving no further communication from the GCSO.

The ACLU argues that under Ohio law, public agencies are obligated to provide requested records unless a specific exemption applies — and no such exemption exists in this case.

The records requested are clearly subject to disclosure under Ohio’s public records law,

Board of Mental Health Allocates $5

By allisoN WilsoN WilsoN@karlovEcmEdia com

The Geauga County Board of Mental Health passed eleven resolutions May 21, totalling around $5 million, allocating funding to a variety of partners across the county.

“We did rewrite the entire request for proposal and established specifications that clearly outline what our expectations are for each program that we purchase by the board,” mental health board Executive Director Christine Lakomiak said, noting the board has been operating under those guidelines since July 2024.

Requests for proposals were published in February 2025, with proposals due March 28. Staff spent April and May vetting the programs, and Lakomiak met with a variety of agency directors to discuss recommendations, she said.

In the past two years, every program has been audited in a variety of ways, she added.

“The process is really challenging as we serve as a payer of last resort. We know that,” Lakomiak said. “It is up to us to ask agencies to find funding elsewhere at times.”

The board is also charged with ensuring the community has access to a full continuum of care, she added.

“We received a request totaling around $6.9 million and anticipate another $2 million in expenses for the (Transitional Living Center) expansion,” Lakomiak said, referencing an ongoing mental health board project.

The $6.9 million includes funding for inpatient hospitalization, crisis services, medication, residential treatment and financing pools such as the Family First Council, she said.

While the board anticipates receiving about $7.3 million through Ohio Local Outreach to Suicide Survivors, the organization has not announced their funding decisions, yet, Lakomiak said.

“When we go through all of these requests, the final recommendation will result in a potential deficit spending of about $360,000. That’s not including TLC renovations because that’s a one-time expense,” she said. “But, I also wanted to let you know that past trends show we don’t typically spend down everything. We usually have carryover.”

Last year, the board approved deficit spending of $250,000 and are on track to carry over allocations around that amount, she said.

Eleven resolutions were passed, with Lakomiak outlining anything that stood out to her on each one.

Funding for the Family First Council was reduced this year to $192,500, rather than their usual $275,000, she said, adding there have been fewer children leaving the county for treatment.

The board also recommended a slight increase to the HIV/AIDS prevention educa-

the complaint stated, adding the GCSO has a legal duty to provide them.

The complaint further claimed if the GCSO has the records, they are required under Ohio law to provide them, regardless of if ICE also has them.

Geauga County Prosecutor Jim Flaiz defended the sheriff’s position, saying the office was acting on guidance from ICE attorneys.

“The attorney for ICE is telling us that federal law prohibits the release of the records,” Flaiz said May 22. “The sheriff does not want to endanger the contractual relationship the sheriff’s office has with ICE. We look forward to a determination by the court regarding these issues.”

The Ohio Supreme Court will now decide whether GCSO must release the documents.

Million in Funds

“The process is really challenging as we serve as a payer of last resort. We know that. It is up to us to ask agencies to find funding elsewhere at times.”

– Christine Lakomiak

tion to high risk groups, approving a grant for Signature Health totalling $10,542.

The board chose not to fund a FamilyPride request, as it is supported by the State of Ohio Action for Resilience Network until September. After September, FP may reapply, Lakomiak said.

The other two FP initiatives, which did receive funding, focus on parenting, she said.

While the board approved $2,200 to the Lake-Geauga Recovery Centers for medication assisted treatment, Lakomiak said the board will request an additional $6,600 from the Geauga County Commissioners opiate settlement funds for the item.

Ravenwood Health received the most substantial funding allocation, totalling $3,196,450 spread across a multitude of items, such as counseling, crisis services and peer recovery support.

As this year has seen a decrease in mental health consultations and a decrease in substance use disorder counseling, the organization requested less funding in those

areas, Lakomiak said.

While Womensafe requested funds for mental health education outreach and mental health consultation, the board did not fund those areas last year. Lakomiak recommended not funding those two programs again and reallocating resources to better support the increase in counseling the organization has seen.

If the increase in counselling becomes a trend at Womensafe, the board should consider providing more counseling funds in future years, she added.

The board chose not to fund several other requests, Lakomiak said.

The Red Tulip Project put in an RFP as their typical funding through the State of Ohio Action for Resiliency Network was in an uncertain position.

The mental health board determined SOAR would likely provide RTP funding for another year, so between that and the county commissioners asking for recommendations for opiate fund uses, the board decided not to fund RTP as alternate sources of money are available, Lakomiak said.

The Educational Service Center of Northeast Ohio requested $40,000. While the board has decided to not purchase services from them at this time, they will be working with them on projects, she added.

University Hospitals Geauga Medical Center requested $100,000, with plans to match the amount, but were not funded as conflicting schedules meant the board did not have enough information to make the decision, Lakomiak said.

Munson Township Board of Zoning Appeals

Officials Approve Area Variances for 5 Shipping Containers

By aNN Wishart aNN@karlovEcmEdia com

Munson Township Board of Zoning Appeals members voted to grant use variances for five shipping containers on three commercial properties after adding conditions to them during a three-hour marathon session May 21.

Bernard Vukovic, who owns Namco Machine and Gear Works USA LLC at 12200 Mayfield Road, said he keeps components for his business in the shipping container behind the main building on the property so they don’t rust.

“There’s no room in the existing building,” he said, adding Namco has grown rapidly and he has four employees from Munson Township working for him.

“I want to store those components rather than throw them around the property,” Vukovic said.

Two neighbors testified they don’t find his shipping container, which is behind his main building, to be detrimental to their businesses. In addition, they complimented Vukovic for keeping the property well maintained.

“Why did you bring in that hideous storage container rather than add on to the building?” asked board member Roger Simpson.

“Money,” Vukovic said, explaining it would cost substantially more to add on to his facility.

Zoning Inspector Jim Herringshaw said the storage container is hidden behind the building and he hadn’t seen it until he was

inspecting a neighboring site.

He recommended the application be ap proved providing Vukovic keeps the contain er behind a building where it won’t be seen from Mayfield Road.

The board unanimously voted for the vari ance with conditions.

Herringshaw also recommended the board approve the continued use of a ship ping container on property at 10779 Mayfield Road owned by John Wilson, with the con dition it remain behind a main or accessory building and not be visible from Mayfield Road.

The property is the home of Aqua Doc/ WR Real Estate and the shipping container there is also used for storage for the business and is not visible from Mayfield Road, Her ringshaw said.

“The only reason I saw it was my private road just happens to be right behind it,” he said, adding the container is invisible when the leaves are on the trees.

Wilson said Aqua Doc has been at 10779 Mayfield Road for 30 years and he rented the shipping container to keep tools and attach ments out of the weather.

“We have no room in our warehouses as we continue to grow,” he said.

The board approved a use variance with the same conditions for the three shipping containers behind an accessory building used by Cynthia Ahern at 9984 Mayfield Road.

Setting such a precedent is not uncom mon, said board Chairman Dennis Pilawa.

He noted in each case, the containers

West Geauga BOE Approves $16M for School Repairs

Officials Look at Joining Vouchers Hurt Ohio Org.

By Emma macNivEN macNivEN@karlovEcmEdia com

West Geauga Schools Board of Education approved more than $16 million in capital investments at its May 19 meeting — marking a major step forward in infrastructure upgrades across the district.

The board approved transferring $4.8 million from the general fund to a first capital projects fund for middle school renovations.

The plan includes a water treatment plan, roofing repairs, lighting, flooring, door replacements, facade replacements and univents.

“ You have a couple of bites at the apple before we make any final decisions,” Treasure Karen Pavlat said.

The board also approved a direct-wide capital plan in the amount of $11.5 million, which will be transferred from the general fund to a second capital projects fund.

These projects include district-wide maintenance work, such as new windows, a track at the high school, doors and floors.

The general fund transfers come on the heels of the board unanimously voting to remove a $128.2 million bond issue from the May 6 primary ballot in March, which was slated to fund a new combined campus, auditorium and field house for school and community use.

As a result, district officials had to pivot and take a different approach to address needed upgrades.

Last Monday, the board also approved a $114,205 quote from All Ways Construction, of Chardon, for new sidewalks at all

the schools in the district and a quote from Shiffler Equipment Sales, of Chardon, for $54,825.90 for a pre-kindergarten playground at Westwood Elementary School.

In other business, West Geauga Schools hired Director of Pupil Personnel Jennifer Norman last Monday.

Amy Davis, former director of pupil personnel, announced Norman would be taking her place.

“She brings a wealth of knowledge (to West Geauga Schools),” Davis said.

Norman has been a principal and an intervention specialist in local districts.

“Her commitment to students with special needs is exceptional, and we're very lucky to have her consider working here,” said Davis, who was appointed as assistant superintendent last month.

The board also discussed the possibility of joining the Vouchers Hurt Ohio Organization, which is a group of over 300 districts in Ohio suing the state over its EdChoice private school voucher program, claiming it is unconstitutional.

Vouchers give parents the ability to use public funding for private schools, according to EdChoice.

“The program has grown from $42 million in 2008 to up to $1 billion in the current two-year budget,” according to Vouchers Hurt Ohio.

“(Many) families in the past, paid tuition to private schools (and) now they're being reimbursed by the state,” Superintendent Rich Markwardt said.

Board members Pam Claypool and

Mary-Michelle Coleman Walsh said they want more time to look into the issue.

“I'm just going to do a little research,” Claypool said. “I'd like to see both sides (and) look at both arguments. I would like to hear from maybe one of our reps or something, too, as to if the vouchers went away, what does it mean? I mean, I know we say on paper that that means the money would come (back to public schools). I just don't know how the mechanics of that work. I'd like to learn more about that and find out what Columbus is thinking — if they are.”

Board member Kathy Leavenworth remained firm on the voucher program being

Newbury Senior Trash Pickup

Newbury Senior Trash Pickup is scheduled for June 9-11. To sign up, simply register and complete the trash pickup intake with the Geauga County Department on Aging by June 2 or earlier. To receive trash pickup assistance, one must be 60 years of age or older, live in Newbury and be registered with the department on aging for 2025.

The local road crew and department on aging staff cannot enter homes. All trash items must be placed outside the home. Do not leave items curbside. There is a limit of 10 items per household.

To register for pickup and for specific allowable community guidelines, call 440-279-2130.

a problem.

“There are more and more people who are paying for their students' education and have paid for it, but they're taking advantage of the vouchers and they don't necessarily need it,” Leavenworth said. “Whereas, the people who are in need … are not taking advantage or cannot take advantage because they can't afford (private schooling), even with the voucher.”

The board plans to discuss the lawsuit further at the June 23 meeting.

Chardon Bustling with New Business

State of City Highlights

Economic Projects, Police Training

By allisoN WilsoN WilsoN@karlovEcmEdia com

The Chardon Area Chamber of Commerce’s annual State of the City May 21 was bittersweet for City Manager Randy Sharpe as it marked his final one before he retires in September.

Anyone paying attention would know there are all sorts of things going on in town, Sharpe said, turning the floor over to various members of the city staff, who updated the gathered crowd on their department’s developments.

Meijer has purchased the property on the corner of Meadowlands Drive and Water Street, Community Development Administrator Steve Yaney said, adding the building will face Loreto Drive.

“Everybody refers to it as the road to nowhere. Now, it’s going to be the road to Meijer,” he said.

The Meijer development has spurred phone calls from other restaurants and retail companies interested in the properties around the supercenter, he added.

Good progress has also been made on the new Chipotle, which now stands where the Burger King used to, Yaney said, noting a Chipotle has been one of the top items people have wanted since he has been in his position.

“It’s gone from a big pile of dirt to a fully-enclosed building in about four to five days,” Yaney said, noting it should open in July.

An old house by Pizza Hut will also be refurbished into a crepe restaurant called Crepes in the Country, which will look like a European villa when completed, Yaney said.

The owners hope to start construction by the end of the year, he added.

While there is plenty of new construc-

will go into the old PopShelf location, Yaney said.

Chardon Police Chief Scott Niehus noted the police department has seen fewer incident reports than the year prior.

However, the decrease was not due to less crime, but because they were down two full-time officers for six months, he said.

Those two positions have now been filled by officers Jake Mullet and Ben Wilcox, he later added.

Chardon police also brought officer Nick Bruckman back into the fold last year, increasing the number of staff to 11 officers and two sergeants, Niehus said.

do their jobs.

Any time Chardon can get officers train ing, they try to make it happen, he said.

Officers were sent to a number of classes with two of them now ALICE (Alert, Lock down, Inform, Counter, Evacuate) certified, Niehus said, referring to active shooter train ing.

Six defensive tactics training sessions were also completed in conjunction with the Geauga County Sheriff’s Office, he said.

The department earned the AAA Plat inum Award for efforts in traffic safety in 2024, Niehus added.

7

Protect Geauga Parks Awards Scholarships to 3 Students

By charlottE JoNs Editor@karlovEcmEdia com

Protect Geauga Parks, a nonprofit conservation organization, recently awarded three high school seniors with scholarships, emphasizing its support and encouragement of future generations.

Sophia Stolarik, of Notre-Dame Cathedral Latin; Luke Schaedler, of Kenston Schools; and Meadow McDonald, of Chardon Schools, each received $1,000 scholarships during the eighth annual Bob McCullough Memorial Conservation Scholarship award ceremony May 15 at Bass Lake Preserve.

“We continue to be amazed at how good these kids are,” PGP member Dave Partington said during the ceremony. “If you look at the applications they sent in, the stuff they have done in high school is amazing. They are talented people who have worked really hard on what they are doing.”

Sophia, an honors student, has been an active participant in the Voices for Justice Club and the Conservation Club, which conducted a study of fossil fuel regulation, according to PGP.

She will be attending Lake Erie College

in the fall, Partington said in a followup interview.

Luke, who participated in the Leadership Geauga Institute, was also on the honor roll and involved in his district’s Environ program, PGP said.

Outside of the academic building, he worked as a camp counselor and volunteered for the Cleveland Food Bank. He plans to attend Kent State University, Partington added.

Meadow has participated in Envirothon, drumline and marching band, as well as the National Honor Society in her district, according to PGP.

She also worked on the Christmas Giving Tree program and attended Buckeye Girls State. She will be attending Westminster College, Partington said.

PGP began the scholarship program in 2017 in honor of the late Bob McCullough, a former Geauga Park District board member and high school biology teacher with a heavy influence across multiple generations of nature appreciation within Geauga County, according to the organization, adding these financial scholarships are funded through donations from program supporters.

Students considered for the program

must both live in or attend school within Geauga County and demonstrate a commitment to conservation, preservation and protection of natural resources, PGP said. When choosing recipients, PGP looks at

students’ diligence in their volunteering and community service, activism for conservation at a young age and their intentions to continue the work in the future, according to the organization.

Munson Township

BZA Grants Continuance over Property Line Dispute

By aNN Wishart aNN@karlovEcmEdia com

A lengthy and contentious hearing over a chunk of driveway led to a continuance during the Munson Township Board of Zoning Appeals three-hour meeting May 21.

Robert Brownlee, of Elk Run Drive, filed to keep an existing driveway turn-around zero feet from the property line. The township zoning resolution requires driveways to be a minimum of 15 feet from the property line.

It was the sixth of nine cases the BZA heard last Wednesday and the only continuance.

Brownlee shares a property line with Kurt Hoffmann, who attended the hearing carrying enlarged aerial photos from the Geauga County Auditor’s Office website showing the corner of Brownlee’s turn-around.

Hoffmann said he found the property line pin in the front yard, but there has been no survey and he believes, referring to the photo, that Brownlee’s turn-around encroaches on his property by several feet.

Although the pin at the back of the shared property line has been found, there is no direct line-of-sight from one pin to another because there are trees in the way, he said.

“We don’t know where the line is. We need a boundary survey,” Hoffmann said, adding if Brownlee’s appeal is approved, he wants proof of where the line is.

Brownlee said he had the turn-around, bordered with railroad ties, installed around 2008 and had it paved in 2011. His driveway is 150 feet long so visitors have a place to turn around rather than back down the long drive, he said.

“We have a lot of get-togethers and family. A lot of older people come. It’s a very convenient place for them to park,” Brownlee said. “In our cul-de-sac, nobody knows where the (property) lines are. Until we got a new neighbor, we never knew where the exact boundary line was.”

Removing the 325-square-foot turnaround would cost more than $2,000, Brownlee said.

Zoning Inspector Jim Herringshaw said the property lines shown on the county website can be uncertain by about five feet.

Hoffmann said Brownlee should pay for a survey to verify the property line. Board members said they were told by another applicant a survey could cost around $2,000.

“This is an offense on our property. It’s a potential hardship, encroaching on our property. It’s something we have to defend,”

Chardon from page 6

“This has been a real effort over a number of years,” he said. “I think we’ve participated in this program over the past six years and this is the first time we’ve made it to the platinum level.”

Chardon Fire Chief Justin Geiss began his update with a thank-you to the community for passing a 1.5-mill additional levy in 2024.

In 2025, the department is looking to add two full-time staff and a part-time overnight shift, he said, adding overall, the department is aiming to have three full-time

ANN WISHART/KMG

Kurt Hoffmann, of Elk Run Drive, tells the Munson Township Board of Zoning Appeals May 21 he will not negotiate with his neighbor, Robert Brownlee, over the encroachment of Brownlee’s driveway turn-around on Hoffmannn’s property.

Hoffmann said. “The next owners will have to deal with (it).”

He asked that if the board approved Brownlee’s appeal, to attach the condition that Brownlee be mandated to get a bound ary survey.

Board chairman Dennis Pilawa said one of the principals the board follows in all cases is making sure the adjoining property will not suffer a detriment as a result of a decision.

“I understand there is a legal wrong,” he said. “Essentially, this is a trespass on your property.”

He asked if Hoffmann had suffered a practical detriment from the encroachment of Brownlee’s driveway.

Hoffmann said all he has is the location survey, not a boundary survey because of the trees in the way.

Pilawa proposed the possibility of a continuance to allow time for a resolution between the parties.

“We (can) continue the hearing to give you folks time to work it out. If there is no imminent sale and nothing going on, maybe some discussion is worth it,” he said.

Brownlee said he’d talked to the zoning inspector about cutting the turn-around back to comply with the zoning resolution.

“We’d be losing something very important to us,” he said.

and three part-time workers per shift around the clock.

Last year was a record year for calls at 2,398, Geiss said, adding those include responses to neighboring Chardon Township and half of Claridon Township.

As of last Wednesday, the department was on track to receive around 2,500 calls this year, he said.

“We’re trying to anticipate the new influx of residents that are coming in, as well,” he said. “I think we estimated 500, roughly, (new) homes over the next four to five years.”

Increased housing does not necessarily mean increased funding to the department, he later added, noting the fire department is funded by levies.

Pilawa asked what Brownlee would be losing, since, if Hoffmann’s pictures are correct, Brownlee was never entitled to the corner.

He urged a continuance of 30 days to allow for more communication between the parties.

“I’m not sure I can communicate any further with Kurt,” Brownlee said.

Hoffmann was equally adamant.

“My terms are: get it officially surveyed and the driveway changed. No negotiations,” he said, adding a civil lawsuit might be another option.

Board member Danielle Pitcock intervened.

“It would be less expensive to have someone take a chunk off (the driveway),” she said, adding whether the size of the chunk was three feet or five feet, it isn’t large.

“If we make a decision today, nobody’s happy,” she said.

“When a levy is passed, that levy is passed a dollar amount based upon millage,” the fire chief said. “So, when 300 new homes come in, that just means that dollar

Board member Don Ondrejka asked Hoffmann if Brownlee cutting back his turnaround so it ends just at the property line would satisfy him?

“So he’s not removing the entire (turnaround) and he doesn’t have to spend $4,000,” Ondrejka said.

Herringshaw said he would need time to study the pins on both ends of the line before the next BZA meeting.

Hoffmann said he’d accept a signed contract with Brownlee that if Hoffmann’s property changes hands, Brownlee would pay for a survey and adjust the turn-around.

“We’re not trying to make enemies,” he said.

Herringshaw said that might be a condition of a variance.

Brownlee asked for the continuance to give him time to talk to an attorney and his son.

amount it was passed for that year just gets redistributed to those other homes.” What current homes are paying may actually go down a bit, he said.

Newbury Looks to Update Land Use Plan

Officials Considering Increasing Cybersecurity

By charlottE JoNs Editor@karlovEcmEdia com

Like other municipalities in the county in recent months, Newbury Township is due for a land use plan update, said Zoning Inspector Frank Kolk May 21.

The township’s plan hasn’t been revised in over a decade, Kolk said during the Newbury Township Trustees meeting, adding he hopes to coordinate a planning session soon and include Linda Crombie, director of the Geauga County Planning Commission, in discussions.

Kolk also touched on zoning fees and discussed potential adjustments for residential and nonresidential areas.

“We’re staying on top of things and being strategic with where money is put,” Kolk said, emphasizing the township’s zoning could use some updates for effectiveness.

Trustees agreed to discuss zoning changes, including fee adjustments, during an upcoming trustees meeting. They next meet June 4 and 18.

In other business, township officials discussed Memorial Day preparations, including the placement of American flags and a cookout for military veterans at the township’s Veterans Memorial Park May 26.

Road Superintendent Doug Zimperman also said plans for paving at the township cemetery are in progress, though rain weather delays have impacted other roadwork.

Fiscal Officer Lindsay Pollock said a comprehensive review of changes to the township’s budget would be held and voted on at the July 2 trustees meeting.

Pollock also discussed cybersecurity with trustees.

As the threat of cyberattacks continues to increase for local governments, many town-

ship officials are looking into ways they can better protect themselves.

In Geauga County, alone, there were breaches in Burton Township, Huntsburg Township and Troy Township in April 2025; Bainbridge Township had a breach in February 2025; Munson Township had a cyber attack in December 2024; and Thompson Township, in February 2024, according to a recent Geauga County Automatic Data Processing board security report.

As a result, some entities have decided to partner with ADP for IT services and more protection.

Pollock presented ADP as a potential IT provider for township services, such as web site development, data storage, cybersecuri ty and other digital infrastructure improve ments.

“I … have a call tomorrow with two or three other township fiscal (officers) who were around when their townships started using ADP,” Pollock said. “Obviously, be

cause it’s a county service, it should be a cost savings over using Newbury Technologies. Although Newbury Technologies has been fine … it seems they’re not the most efficient and they’re not always able to diagnose problems.”

Pollock said she hopes to have more information about ADP to present to trustees soon for further discussion.

“I think it is something to consider,” she said. “I think it’s pretty much anything A to Z for IT that they’ll do. To me personally, I would just feel more secure knowing the county is handling those things.”

Trustee Greg Tropf also announced the

Jordak Elementary Up for Auction June 7

By aNN Wishart

aNN@karlovEcmEdia com

Three generations of Middlefield residents may feel a nostalgic twinge when the A. J. Jordak Elementary School building is auctioned off June 7.

That would include Linda Smallwood, Cardinal Schools Board of Education president, who spent many of her early years at Jordak, she said in a text May 16.

“It contains a lot of childhood memories for me and also memories of my children's and grandchildren's elementary years,” Linda said. “My husband’s (Phillip Smallwood’s) class was the first kindergarten class to attend the new Jordak Elementary School in 1952.”

As with many area residents, her family’s history spans the growth of the district and a thriving enrollment as the Baby Boomer gen-

eration marched through their primary and secondary education.

“In 1961, (Phillip’s) class was the first freshman class to attend the new (Cardinal) High School,” Linda wrote, adding she went to first grade in the Cardinal Intermediate School in 1957.

Enrollment in kindergarten through grade eight shot up and the district had to add onto the 3,540-square-foot elementary school, she said.

Her sister, Helen, went to class in the Methodist Church because of overcrowding, Linda recalled.

A.J. Jordak was president of the school board when the addition of 6,186 square feet to the elementary school was completed, she added.

Again, in 1974, an addition of nearly 20,000 square feet was built to accommodate board of education offices and a cafeteria,

Linda said in a recent interview. “It really did grow,” she recalled.

Several years ago, a declining enrollment led the board to abandon and then sell the CIS building, which is now a preschool and daycare center.

Last year, the board decided to sell Jordak and moved all students to the high school on Thompson Avenue and to the renovated elementary school on Alameda Drive.

Linda said auctioneer Scott Mahalic, of Chardon, will hold one auction of items re maining in the school at 9:05 a.m. and will sell the building and 5 acres at 11:05 a.m. June 7.

Middlefield Village Planning Commission has pre-approved a lot split for the parcel, de pending on who buys the property, she said.

Several potential buyers toured the build ing May 18, Linda said.

Chardon Middle School Aims to Foster Kindness

By allisoN WilsoN WilsoN@karlovEcmEdia com

Kindness is thriving at Chardon Middle School, CMS Principal Craig Caroff told the Chardon Schools Board of Education during a showcase of the school May 19.

Caroff highlighted “sources of strength” and how integrating them into teaching at CMS has impacted students’ well being.

Caroff’s presentation featured a wheel broken into eight sections, each representing a source of strength, including physical health, mental health, family support, positive friends, mentors, healthy activities, generosity and spirituality.

“When we engage our students in our sources of strength lessons, we really ask them to pull from this wheel and what is their literal source of strength,” Caroff explained.

“It can be one thing, it can be many things. Everything on that wheel is talked about indepth from when they enter into CMS, but also as part of our leadership programming and opportunities for our sixth- and seventh-graders.”

Both students and staff explore strength, he said, noting he has the sources on a poster in his office as a conversation piece.

“It really helps them to build resilience because we all know that when times are tough, we have to pull from that source of

Grant-In-Aid Program Available

The Omega Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma, a society of women educators in Geauga County, is offering a grant-in-aid to a female student who is entering her junior or senior year of college and is majoring in education.

The applicant must be a graduate of a Geauga County high school. The deadline for completed applications is Aug. 8. Interested applicants should contact Mrs. Deborah Hofstetter, Grant-in-Aid Committee, Delta Kappa Gamma, P.O. Box 313, Chardon, OH 44024.

strength and pull from something that we be lieve in and we feel strongly about as people,” he said.

Grades six and seven have “sources of strength leaders,” who run their own cam paigns educating other students, Caroff said.

“We had kids getting up in front of their entire grade level, their entire student body and sharing with them about this wheel, about what sources mean to them,” Caroff said.

families on subjects like the impact of tech nology and how to connect with students apart from devices, Caroff said.

The sources of strength approach builds a culture of caring and connection in Chardon’s buildings and normalizes asking for help, he said.

Middle school can be a difficult time for students and this gives them a common foundation and language to build upon, he said.

CMS also recently did a book study of “The Anxious Generation,” by Jonathan Haidt, a book arguing childhood use of smartphones and social media has caused a rise in mental illness.

“Our counseling department had also heard of the book, a few teachers had heard of the book, and all of a sudden that morphed into, ‘Hey let’s do something with this, and let’s not just limit it to our staff, let’s engage

Something in a similar vein is CMS’s “let grow” challenge, which Caroff presented via a bingo board with a variety of activities written on it.

The challenge is ongoing and was introduced prior to spring break, he explained, adding it encourages students to fill their time without screens.

Activities on the board include baking a dessert, taking a full day away from screens and planning a family outing.

“(Young people) can do a lot more than we think they can do, and they can do it well,” Caroff said. “They can do it without our help, too. That was the main point in building that self confidence, building that self efficacy, advocating for themselves.”

Letters to the Editor

Democracy by Design

“What good is sitting alone in your room” worrying about the fate of our country? Not much . . . when you could be joining fun, civic-minded people at our Democracy by Design Art Sale Benefit, contributing to the cause of democracy!

Please after a busy day on June 14, join us, the League of Women Voters of Geauga (LWVG) from 4-8 p.m. at the Fairmont Center for the Arts. We would consider it a privilege to see you there.

LWVG has, for 75 years, locally assisted voters in making informed decisions and in exercising their right to vote. In a democracy, there may be no more important work. We want you! Come spend the evening with us. Visit lwvgeauga.org to get your tickets.

Judith Holder, Member LWV Geauga Outreach Committee

Rezoning Threatens

Burton’s Residential Character

I strongly oppose the proposed rezoning of East Walden LLC’s parcel in Burton Village at the corner of Colony Lane and Garden Street. The current zoning of that parcel is R-1, which is the most restrictive residential zoning category in Burton, requiring at least 2 acres, 150 feet of frontage and no more than one residential dwelling.

The property owner is requesting their R-1 parcel be rezoned to M-2, which is the least restrictive industrial zoning classification. This is an aggressive leap in zoning classification and would allow a mining operation or asphalt reprocessing plant on that land.

This makes no sense. It’s every homeowner’s nightmare to have this happen on their street. Burton Village Council should not put the interests of one business above the interests of many residents. The Planning Commission already voted unanimously against this proposed change.

I understand that businesses sometimes need to grow, but if expansion is what the applicant needs, there are better places to do that than in a densely residential neighborhood. Why try to jam a square peg into a round hole? The applicant’s existing M-2 parcel with frontage on N. Cheshire (and which backs onto the R-1 parcel and the Berkshire Apartments) already generates a lot of problematic noise, dust and light pollution. We don’t need more.

All of Colony Lane’s and Garden Street’s parcels are zoned R-1. When we purchased our house on Colony 10 years ago, we researched the zoning map and chose carefully. It was important to us to live on a quiet residential street with residential neighbors where our kids (and eventually grandkids, we hope!) can play safely. Many children live on our street or walk down it to get to school.

Colony Lane is built on a densely wooded steep slope with deep ditches, ravines and creeks on either side of the narrow roadbed. There are no sidewalks. It’s hard to pull out of our driveway even with the current traffic given how steep the slope is. This change would make it much more dangerous.

Burton is a lovely rural town defined by its warm residential community, leafy

streets and extraordinary history. Burton is the Maple Festival, Geauga County Fair, 4-H milkshakes, Century Village, J.C.’s for breakfast and Hill Hardware for everything else. It’s fireflies, sunsets, fishing for bass and watching the model airplanes over the Thomas’s fields. Let’s preserve Burton’s rural character—its rolling fields, farms, forests, rivers, creeks and lakes. 2024 Fair attendance (279,587!) topped 2023’s attendance by over 8,000. Everyone loves this place.

Let’s protect our quality of life here in Burton. We’ve worked hard to purchase and maintain our properties, and we have a right to defend our peaceful use of them.

Zoning exists to “promote the public health, safety, morals, comfort and general welfare of the Village and its residents,” according to our village ordinances. I urge Burton Village residents to join us in opposition to this proposal because even if this proposed zoning change doesn’t affect you personally, it might happen to you too someday, and we need to let our elected officials know that this is unacceptable.

Halley Moore Burton Village

Medicare Advantage Protects Ohio Seniors, Patients with Disabilities

Older adults and persons with disabilities enrich and make vital contributions to our communities, whether social, economic, spiritual, artistic or through countless other ways.

However, these valued community members also often face increased obstacles and live with greater, more complex needs, particularly regarding accessing the healthcare services and support they deserve.

I would love to see all lawmakers work together to increase access to high quality, affordable and comprehensive healthcare for seniors and those with disabilities. Supporting an adequately funded Medicare Advantage program would help.

More than 1.4 million seniors and Ohioans with disabilities are enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan. Nationally, the program connects more than 34 million Americans with the care, resources and services they need to live healthier, more active and more productive lives. That includes fitness, vision, dental and hearing benefits not covered by standard Medicare plans in addition to integrated prescription drug coverage, in- home care, meal delivery and community benefits that are especially helpful for seniors struggling with feelings of social isolation and loneliness.

Older adults are Ohio’s fastest-growing age demographic by far, with adults 60 years old and older making up over a quarter of the population. As this growth continues, we need policies and structures in place to ensure programs like Medicare Advantage can continue to meet the increased needs we will see in our communities.

Lawmakers need to rally together and help provide more stable, and appropriate funding for Medicare Advantage.

Sandy McLeod Chardon

Viewpoint

Opposing Industrial Zoning Change That Threatens Village Way of Life

By scott & kathy o’BriEN BurtoN villagE

We are writing to voice our strong opposition to the proposed zoning change that would reclassify a parcel on Colony Lane from residential (R-1) to heavy industrial (M-2) use to accommodate Ronyak Paving. This zoning change would have serious and lasting consequences for our community.

Zoning regulations are designed to protect communities from exactly this kind of incompatible land use. Once the door is opened to industrial zoning on this lot, it becomes extremely difficult to close again— and we risk seeing it evolve into something as disruptive as an asphalt plant.

There are already serious concerns about the current asphalt grinding operations, including reports of asphalt dust settling on the nearby Burton school soccer fields. A simple online search will confirm how hazardous these materials can be. An asphalt plant would only multiply these risks—affecting air quality, noise levels, and the health of nearby residents.

While Ronyak Paving may claim they have no current plans to build an asphalt plant, approving this zoning change gives them (or future owners) the ability to do so at any time. That’s a risk this community should not take.

Additionally, turning a quiet, residential village street into a thoroughfare for heavy trucks—making multiple trips each day—would fundamentally disrupt the peaceful character of our neighborhood. The increase in traffic, noise, dust, air pollution and safety hazards would significant-

ly reduce the quality of life for residents who chose this area specifically for its calm, family-friendly environment.

What’s even more troubling is the direct impact this zoning change would have on our property values. For many of us, our homes are our single largest financial investment. Introducing industrial activity into a residential neighborhood would almost certainly cause a significant decline in property values. In effect, this amounts to a taking—devaluing our property without any form of compensation. It's fundamentally unfair to place that burden on residents just to benefit a single business, especially when there are suitable industrial zones elsewhere in Geauga County.

In fact, it's our understanding that the Ronyaks have already acquired a sizable property off Mayfield Road that is appropriately zoned for industrial use. If their operations have outgrown their current site in Burton Village, relocating to that industrial property would be a far more appropriate and responsible solution.

We built our home on this street because we wanted to live in Burton Village, on a quiet residential road. Had we known that Ronyak Paving would eventually try to change the zoning on this lot, and have a truck access drive directly onto Colony Lane, we never would have chosen to build here.

We urge our local officials to protect the integrity of our village and neighborhood by rejecting this zoning change. Our quiet streets, property values, safety, and quality of life depend on it.

‘First Family of Burton’ Painting Hung at Century Village

ANN WISHART/KMG

an oil painting by his grandfather, George Mealand. Hess donated the work to the Geauga County Historical Society and it hangs in The Old Brick building in Century Village Museum in Burton.

By aNN Wishart aNN@karlovEcmEdia com

One of five large paintings by George H. Mealand depicting the settling of Geauga County has found its way home to Century Village Museum in Burton Village.

Members and friends of the Geauga County Historical Society enthusiastically welcomed the “First Family of Burton” impressionist oil painting, now hanging over the mantle in The Old Brick building.

Burton resident Elmer Bollinger, 97, and Mealand’s grandson, George “Chip” Hess Jr., of Newbury Township, were particularly excited.

According to a variety of undated newspaper articles Hess provided, Mealand spent a couple of years researching the settling of the Western Reserve and chose the Thomas and Lydia Umberfield family as his subject. He painted their covered wagon pulled by two oxen through a forest on their way to a new home in what is now Burton Village.

In a scroll at the bottom of the painting, Mealand wrote, “First Family of Burton –Thomas and Lydia Umberfield with one son and four daughters and a colored servant arrived in Burton on June 21, 1798, after a journey of 616 miles from Connecticut.”

According to several accounts, Mealand was a prolific painter and carver, giving away much of his work.

In 1963, he loaned five paintings to the First National Bank of Burton on North Cheshire Street, Hess said.

They were displayed there under the appreciative eye of Bollinger, who was president of the bank for 22 years.

“George was very well known. We all enjoyed his pictures. They were never sold,”

Bollinger said last Friday during the short ceremony.

Bollinger was retired by the time Huntington Bank remodeled the building in the mid-1990s, he said.

They took out the old marble counters and renovated the bank, Bollinger noted.

“One day, I went in and asked, ‘Where are the paintings?’ No one knew,” he recalled.

Bollinger was able to locate four of the five paintings and returned them to Hess’s parents, George and Joan, Hess said in a previous interview.

He retains custody of one other of Mealand’s settler paintings, “Maple Sugaring.”

His son, George Hess III, has “Business Row,” a depiction of Chardon before the fire wiped downtown Chardon out, and his daughter, Katherine Hess, has one titled, “Chester Sawmill,” Hess said, adding he doesn’t know the whereabouts of other paintings by his grandfather.

Mealand was born May 25, 1900, in Massachusetts and came to Geauga County as a young man, according to the family history Hess provided.

Mealand secured a football scholarship to Johns Hopkins University and later transferred to Toledo University. For 25 years, he sold stocks, bonds and real estate until his retirement, during which he devoted himself to art and music, according to the family history.

He was fascinated by the settling of Geauga County and thoroughly researched the Umberhill family to create the painting.

As chronicled in an old diary of the Geauga County Historical Society, the (Umberhill) family settled in a log cabin in Burton.

Mealand died Oct. 18, 1982, and is buried in Munn Cemetery on Music Street in Newbury Township.

Russell Police Urge Drivers to Buckle Up Ahead of Summer

staff rEport

As summer approaches, the Russell Township Police Department is joining law enforcement nationwide to remind residents to buckle up this season with its annual “Click it or Ticket” campaign.

The campaign, sponsored by The U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, runs from May 12 to June 1 to promote seat-belt enforcement efforts.

“The 100 days between Memorial Day and Labor Day are known for a spike in traffic fatalities, especially for teen drivers,” the Ohio State Highway Patrol said in a release.

In 2024, 64% of people who died from car accidents in Ohio were not wearing seatbelts, according to the OSHP, which added Geauga County's seat belt compliance rate is 76.9%.

The most fatal routes in Geauga are U.S. Route 422, state Route 306 and state Route 44, OSHP said.

“Buckling up is the simplest thing a driver can do to limit injury or save a life during a crash,” Russell Township Police Lt. Scott Lillash said. “We see the results of not wearing a seat belt all the time. So often, it could have been prevented.”

Geauga County had 214 seat belt violations in 2024, according to the OSHP.

In Ohio, officers cannot pull drivers over if they or any passengers are not wearing a seatbelt. However, not wearing a seatbelt is considered a secondary offense, meaning drivers can be ticketed if they are pulled over for something else, like speeding, if the driv er or passengers aren’t wearing their seat belt, the patrol said.

“Seat belts save lives and everyone — front seat and back, child and adult — needs to remember to buckle up,” Lillash said. For more information about Ohio seat belt laws, visit nhtsa.gov/clickit.

In 2024, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine attempted to pass a stronger seatbelt law that would make not wearing a seatbelt a primary offense. However, the bill did not go through

Memorial Day in Parkman

Century Village Marks 40 Years of Civil War Encampment

By allisoN WilsoN WilsoN@karlovEcmEdia com

History became flesh at the Century Village Museum in Burton Village this weekend, as American Civil War reenactors took over the grounds for their 40th Civil War Encampment.

“This is our second-biggest event of the year, if not sometimes our biggest event of the year,” Geauga County Historical Society Manager of External Relations and Civil War reenactor Andrew Mizsak said May 23.

Hosting the event over Memorial Day weekend is purposeful, he said.

“It’s a way to get people out to learn about our nation’s history (and) also learn about the service and sacrifice of those who served in the civil war,” Mizsak said. “But, also, to get them into that mindset that there were 700,000 men and women who laid down their lives, over half of whom did it to preserve the union.”

Ohioans played a huge role in the war, with several presentations over the weekend focusing on Ohio generals, he added.

New this year was a civil war trivia game show and an increase in kids activities, Mizsak said.

“We want lifelong learners here. That starts with our little ones and our junior historians,” he said.

There were also three musical performances and two new exhibits, one displaying 160 images of former President Abraham Lincoln for the 160th anniversary of his assassination and one displaying former President James A. Garfield on postage stamps.

President Davis having a conversation about the war, a presentation on female spies and Garfield and his wife, Lucretia, presenting their civil war letters to each other, he said.

“This is a full, immersive experience for folks,” Mizsak said. “We hope folks come early and stay late.”

There were also battle reenactments 1:30 p.m. both days across the south of the village and into the orchard, as well as a civil war ball

1865,” Mizsak said.

As someone in the civil war community, Mizsak felt confident in saying this event was one of the reenactors’ favorites of the year.

“People look forward to coming out here to Century Village to participate in our event here,” he said. “People love the experience because it’s not just 45 minutes to an hour of battle. It’s everything. Our buildings are open, artisan craft folks are here, musicians.”

grounds at once, he said.

“What I was told when I got into the Civil War community is because the war is such a broad topic, find something you’re passionate about and read all you can about it, and then read some more,’” Mizsak said. “You’ll always glean some nugget about something.” Mizsak mentioned a baseball-enthusiast

See Civil War • Page 13

Civil War from page 12

friend who got into reenacting after hearing about soldiers playing a precursor to baseball, as well as his own father-in-law, a retired dentist, being interested in civil war medicine as examples.

“There’s something for everybody,” he said.

Jack Stillion, a 17-year-old reenactor from Marion, Ohio, recalled driving through Gettysburg on the anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg.

It was the experience that finally pushed him to become involved, he said.

“The public’s great and the kids. They really like to look into, ‘What’s this guy doing in this weird clothing from 160 years ago, why is he doing this,’” he said. “And the main thing, ‘oh, cool, look, a sword!’”

Despite the challenges of dressing in uniform and camping out, the experience is entirely worth it, he said.

“I love pretty much every second I’m in my uniform,” he said.

To reenactors, events like this are a family reunion, Mizsak said.

Kenneth and Julie Greene, “Pa and Ma”

from Burton, are both vendors and reenactors.

“We are a sutlery,” Kenneth said, explaining sutlers would follow troops and sell them supplies like meat, vegetables and equipment.

The couple, who run Greene Leather and Fur Sutlery, have been reenacting various eras since around 2003, he added.

The community is interconnected, the couple said, with Kenneth noting people will meet others from the same events all over the country.

“I’ve seen women with three-week-old babies nursing around the campfires, sharing recipes with other women,” Julie said.

The reenactors are living historians, she said, adding if you ask somebody on the campsite to explain some aspect of their setup, you risk being there for two hours.

“There’s a reason for reenacting. History, if you don’t remember it, you’re going to repeat it,” she said.

The event kicks off the summer series for Century Village, with the Junior Pioneer School, Pioneer School, Civics Education Camp, Dino Days, Antique Power Festival, Steampunk Festival and World War II reenactment, among others, stretching across the warmest months into September.

S P O R T S

Tigers’ Grit Owns Moment on Way to Regional

By alaN korNspaN sports@karlovEcmEdia com

As competition and pressure mounts during the OHSAA playoffs, the Chagrin Falls Tigers girls lacrosse team has been preparing to perform at their peak in May.

To achieve an optimal level of play, Tigers Head Coach KC White, one of the most successful girls lacrosse coaches in the state of Ohio and also a mental toughness coach, has been developing her team's grit throughout the year.

After an excellent regular season that saw Coach White’s team finish at 10-3, the Tigers have won their first two playoffs games by a combined score of 35-9.

Most recently, the Tigers defeated the Kenston Bombers, 17-5, in a playoff edition of the “Battle of 422” at Chagrin Falls High School on May 23.

Most impressive in the Tigers Regional Quarterfinal victory was their demonstration of dominance over their rival.

Indeed, the last time they played the Bombers, the Tigers overcame adversity to claim an overtime comeback victory on April 16.

After defeating the Bombers by only one in their first matchup, the Tigers outscored their opponent by 12 goals on May 23.

Clearly, in this rematch, the Tigers owned the moment from the start as they outscored the Bombers 10-3 in the first half.

After going up 4-2 in the first quarter, the Tigers outscored the Bombers 6-1 in the second quarter.

Leading the way for the Tigers in the sec-

ond quarter were seniors Brix Niethammer, who scored three goals, and Avery Kohanski and Emma Thatcher, who both also found the back of the net.

Continuing their dominance in the second half, the Tigers outscored the Bombers 7-1 to claim a 17-5 victory.

Afterwards, Coach White discussed the Tigers Regional Quarterfinal victory over the Bombers.

“Just so proud of how the team came together,” Coach White said. “It really was a full-team victory. So many different people scored on offense. Our defense just worked together as just one solid unit.

“It just shows how much growth we have had over the season.”

Coach White explained that the first contest against Kenston was important in

helping the Tigers develop their grit, mental toughness and team chemistry.

In that contest, Coach White said that the Tigers were down by two goals three times and were able to come back each time they faced a deficit.

“We just kept battling back and battling back to be able to win that game,” Coach White said. “When we watched that film, our conclusion was that if we work together, we can do anything. And we took that with us.”

After the overtime victory, Coach White said the Tigers continued to work very hard

to learn the important offensive and defensive systems necessary for success in the postseason.

Senior Brix Niethammer also mentioned how many improvements the Tigers had made since the last time they faced the Bombers.

“A month (ago), we were not at the spot that we are today,” Niethammer said. “We're just so happy that we're here and we're peaking at the right time.”

“We came here, we wanted to dominate, and that's what we did.”

For the game, the Tigers offense was led by Thatcher (5 goals), Avery Kohanski (4),

Tigers• Page 16

Badgers Boys Volleyball Completes Historic Season, OHSAA Regional Runners-Up

By alaN korNspaN sports@karlovEcmEdia com

The Berkshire Badgers boys volleyball team's historic playoff run came to an end May 24 in the OHSAA Elite Eight at Berkshire High School against the Nordonia Knights.

In a 3-0 defeat, the Badgers gave great effort against a challenging opponent.

Afterwards, Berkshire Head Coach Tim Percic spoke about the great energy his players demonstrated.

“There were some amazing plays (by the Badgers), going all the way to the bleachers, all the way to the center line, digging the ball out of the weeds and putting them back into play,” Coach Percic said.

It was this effort, energy and intensity that the Badgers demonstrated against the Knights that led to an extremely successful season.

“Last year there was a lot of kinks and we had to work out a lot of wrinkles,” Coach Percic said. “It was awesome this year to see the guys just gel again and take it so much further than we ever imagined.

“Credit to our guys for putting in the work, (and) being resilient in tough games. They should be proud, 1,000 percent, of ev-

erything they've done.”

As the Badgers improved over the past two seasons, Coach Percic described main factors leading to success. One crucial element was the Badgers' ability to get better at defending and covering the floor.

“It's our ability to be aggressive on defense, to cover the floor, to not let the ball hit the floor,” Coach Percic said.

In improving court coverage, the Badgers demonstrated excellent teamwork.

“The players are greater than the sum of their parts, is the only way I can describe it,” he said.

Learning to be resilient was also influential for the 2025 Badgers. In gaining the grit to overcome adversity during tough situations, Coach Percic said the Badgers began to show their ability to get past “third set slumps.”

“(We began) to push through those points where we lagged a little,” Coach Percic said.

Along with improving their defensive coverage, working together as a team, and showing resilience, a main turning point this season was the Badgers' loss to the Villa Angela-St Joseph (VASJ) Vikings on April 22.

“I think that was the moment we stood at the crossroads,” Coach Percic said. “We were either going to go and be this team or fade

off into obscurity. And they rallied, and made it what it is.”

Coach Percic said that having team meetings and implementing new drills helped the team overcome the adversity they faced after losing to the Vikings.

During the April 22 match against the Vikings, Coach Percic also noticed his Badgers' offense needed to be more aggressive by taking swings at free balls, rather than just moving the ball to the center of the court.

The Badgers watched a particular play from the fourth set against the Vikings. In this play, there was a long volley which the Vikings won by taking an aggressive swing at the end on a free ball.

Said Coach Percic: “We went up in the conference room and watched that play in slow motion, charted where all the balls went and said, ‘What would have been different if we were the one's swinging?’”

This moment led to the Badgers strengthening their offensive attack throughout the remainder of the season.

After that 3-0 loss to the Vikings on April 22, the Badgers went 6-1 leading up to their Elite Eight matchup with the Knights.

As the Badgers made their playoff run, the things they improved throughout the season would be relied upon in their Sweet 16

Regional Semifinal matchup with the Vikings on May 20 at Berkshire High School.

In their rematch with the Vikings, Coach Percic emphasized that the Badgers' improvement in covering the floor made a big difference in their 3-0 victory. He expressed that the Badgers seemed to have an answer every time the Vikings sent the ball over the net.

Also, the aggressiveness on the offensive attack and the ability to move the ball past the Vikings blockers was important in the Badgers victory.

“That was our weakness in the prior matchup with VASJ: we couldn't get past their blocks,” Coach Percic said. “We were able to figure it out this time.”

Overall, Coach Percic succinctly summarized the season: “It was awesome. It was a storybook season.”

Lions Roar Early and Often

By rich kElly sports@karlovEcmEdia com

It took a while, but when the Conneaut Spartans and Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin Lions finally got to play their Northeast 1 Division I baseball game on May 24 it went about as could be expected, despite delays from soggy weather coming through.

Wednesday's game at NDCL was washed out, and it couldn't be played Friday either, but by Saturday, the artificial turf, partly cloudy with no-rain skies, and general huge advantage for the Lions in experience and skillsets finally came together as NDCL jumped hard in the bottom of the first inning en route to a total demolition of Conneaut by a score of 22-2.

The Spartans have lost every time they've

taken the field this season, and fell to 0-21. The biggest part reason: 13 freshmen on the varsity roster.

Conneaut Coach Bill Lipps knows what his team faces day in and day out, but games need to be played between the lines every day. NDCL Coach Marc Thibeault knew what his team faced, and they got together to address it before the game. Then they went out and, for the most part, executed well.

After Conneaut's top player, Thad Huya, whacked the first pitch of the game from Lion Aiden McCord — solidly but right at third baseman Jason Rook, who made the play for an out — eyes could have blinked a bit. The Spartans did not blast the ball much.

McCord hurled two perfect innings for the Lions, but by that time, the issue had been decided.

Keegan Ryans led off the first for NDCL (13-5) with a sharp single to left. The ball was misplayed for the first of eight Conneaut errors in the game, Frankie Clark wasted no time bringing Ryans home, Cian O'Boyle singled, Robby Nahra took a pitch for the team to load the bases, and Charlie Stefancin ripped a sharp bouncer toward second base. It was briefly bobbled, but the fielder recovered for the out and first, and it was 2-0.

Nick Dietrich reached on an error by the shortstop, Gavin Palchick ripped a liner to left for two more runs, Rook singled for another, and the third error of the frame plated the final for a 7-0 lead.

O'Boyle and Nahra singled leading off the second, with another in a group of seven stolen bases for the Lions in the first two innings leading to Nahra bringing O'Boyle home. An-

other error and four straight walks followed, capped by a sacrifice fly to left by Clark, five more runs came home, and it was time to put the flowers on the Spartan grave.

With six seniors in the starting lineup for the Lions, the first two Spartans in the top of the third took called third strikes from NDCL reliever Kai Culbertson, yet another senior for Coach Thibeault. Kyler Dean took a full count to the first baserunner for Conneaut, and Thad Huya sent a no-doubt shot between first and second base for the first Spartan hit. Then Anthony Rivera delivered their first run with a liner to right center.

NDCL made it a 14-1 game in the third with two more runs, plated by three more errors, and eight runs on six hits in the fourth to finish the onslaught.

Tickets Punched to Track and Field Regionals for Berkshire Girls, NDCL Boys

By camEroN palmEr sports@karlovEcmEdia.com

The Berkshire Badgers and Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin Lions are celebrating several OHSAA Division II regional qualifiers after the DII District meet May 24 at Cort land Lakeview High School .

First up, Berkshire saw two athletes punch their tickets in their respective field events.

Freshman Makenna Felker finished third in the girls’ 300-meter dash, posting a time of 49.17 to keep her season alive.

“It feels exciting to get out of districts as a freshman. It was a good goal,” Felker said fol lowing the 300-meter hurdles. “This shows a lot of commitment, and what I’m able to achieve.”

The regional meet will take Felker to Aus tintown-Fitch, one of the biggest meets of the year, where Division I and II will compete.

Teammate and fellow field event compet itor Samantha Snow also took third, in pole vault, with a personal-best mark of 8 feet 2 inches, behind two fellow Chagrin Valley Conference athletes in Madison Teppo of Conneaut (2nd) and Morgan Haywood of Edgewood (1st, who also set the meet record at 10-7).

“It feels great because this is my first year, and I’ve worked hard to get to this point,” Snow said. “I’ve seen a lot of growth, because at my first meet, I no-heighted, and I’ve done that a few times, and it made me mad because I knew I could do better. Today, I just proved that I can do it.”

Those trials and tribulations led to a breakthrough moment for the Berkshire sophomore.

“There are great competitors out here,” Snow said. “I was looking at the seedings, and I was tied for fourth with a four-way tie, and I was able to beat everyone. Having confidence in myself really helped.”

For Head Coach Bryan Wadsworth, it was a delight to see two of his younger competitors come through under the bright lights of the DII District meet.

“That was fantastic,” Coach Wadsworth said. “That district is tough to get out of, and

Lions from page 15

The Spartans never gave up, but they couldn't keep up. In the top of the fourth, they scored their second run by loading the bases with nobody out. The Lions' skills sets stopped them in their tracks as Brady Morri-

for them to step up and be able to do that today was great to see. Both of them work hard, and it was well deserved. (Samantha) told me during cross country that she wanted to pole vault this year, and she took it upon herself to work hard. She stayed after it and did some extra work in the winter, which paid off for her. It was awesome to see her PR.”

Coach Wadsworth also has the utmost confidence in both Snow and Felker to handle to pressure of regionals, and potentially find themselves in Columbus for the state championship meet.

“With both of them, I’m not worried about it being too big of a stage for them,” their coach said. “They are tough, hard-nosed competitors. We talk about staying within ourselves and doing the best that we can, and not worrying about what’s going on around us. I will not be surprised if they handle the pressure with greatness. They don’t get nervous, they’re both excited, and we’ll see what happens.”

NDCL's boys also shone towards the end

son sent a bouncer back to Culbertson, who fired home. Then catcher O'Boyle fired a bullet to first for a double play.

Colby Stiltner sent a single to left for a run, but that would be it for the day for Conneaut (0-21).

"We talked before the game about just not overlooking our opponent today," Coach Thibeault said. "In the regular season, you can

of the meet, qualifying in the final four events after a rocky start.

“There were some adversities with the injuries with two of our top runners out, and that affected all of our relays,” NDCL Head Coach Ralph White said. “Normally we’re pretty strong in the relays, but people like Casey (McInnerney) stepped up. Overall, our kids always compete hard. It was rough, but we finished strong. We qualified in our last four events.”

Having two top runners out opened the door for some new faces to compete, and with the pressure on, the Lions found the light at the end of the tunnel.

“Casey said, ‘Hey, I’ll go,’ and you saw that competitiveness when it came down to the final 100 meters (of the 4x400m), and he dug down deep to put us in the lead, and that was all we needed,” Coach White said. “I was very pleased with something like that, and we have tough kids. They compete very hard.”

The qualifiers in the final four events were

get away with letting down at times and coming back, but in the postseason, you let down and lose, you are done, and we approached things to not let that happen today. We need to be a team that looks at an opponent and takes advantage of each moment we can. We don't need to be a team ripping doubles and home runs all the time, and I was very glad to see us just putting the ball into play right

Tigers from page 14

Jenna Louden (3), Niethammer (3), Ella Catney (1) and Claire Hoelzel (1).

The Bombers goals were scored by Charlotte Cowan, Cora Dunnam, Ashlyn Hunter, Mariela Macias and Carmella Nilsson.

Next up for the Tigers are the Chardon Hilltoppers.

Just like in their first matchup with the Bombers, the Tigers also defeated the Hilltoppers by just one goal, 9-8, on April 10.

The Hilltoppers, in order to get to the Regional Semifinals, defeated the Orange Lions 17-8 on May 19 in the first round of the playoffs.

Peter Bates, taking fourth in the 800-meter run with a time of 2:00.11; and Owen Thomas, who willed his way into third in the 3200-meter run with a 9:46.35, keeping his season alive.

NDCL took home a district championship in the 4x400m relay with a mark of 3:29.06, and took third in the 4x800m relay thanks to a time of 8:29.17, ending a tough day on a high note.

McInnerney was an integral part of the strong finish, helping to continue a long line of successful Lions’ track programs.

“Continuing the legacy, especially for the 4x4 because that’s what we’re known for, is a lot of fun,” he said. “It’s a lot of fun to come here and have the opportunity to run.”

McInnerney, a sophomore at NDCL, praised a strong senior class that has helped him grow.

“They’ve gone through a lot more meets than I have, and they just give me a lot of confidence,” McInnerney said. “They always boost me up, and tell me I can do whatever I put my mind to. We’re putting our trust in God, having Him carry us to the ultimate goal of getting where we want to be. They’ve left a lot of impact on me.”

The Lions will still be without two of their top runners at regionals, but there is confidence in the guys who will have to once again fill those shoes with the hopes of making a run to states.

“I just told the guys (who had to fill in) they did a very nice job,” White said. “It built a lot of confidence for them, especially going into next year. They understand that with some of these seniors graduating, this is their opportunity. We always have a few people every year who step up. We have a lot of seniors, but I have a feeling we won’t miss a beat (next year).”

The NDCL boys and Berkshire girls qualifiers will begin regionals on May 29 and also compete May 31 to wrap up the regional round.

away in that first inning like we did. We took other things, too, like stealing the bases we could, and that double play really showed me the kids were still seeing our game plan."

It's not likely the Lions will face another team along the tournament trail as young and on its heels as the Spartans, so taking care of each fundamental they know well will key their postseason run.

Then, in the Regional Quarterfinals, the Hilltoppers defeated the Lake Blue Streaks, 9-8, to set up the OHSAA Sweet 16 Regional Semifinal rematch with the Tigers.

This will be the fourth straight year that the Tigers and Hilltoppers will meet in the Regional Semifinals of the OHSAA Playoffs.

In the 2022 Regional Semifinal, the Tigers defeated the Hilltoppers, 18-5.

The following year, in the 2023 Regional Semifinal, the Hilltoppers defeated the Tigers, 13-5.

A year later, in 2024, the Tigers defeated the Hilltoppers, 8-5.

The 2025 Regional Semifinal rematch between the Tigers and Hilltoppers is scheduled for 7 p.m. May 28 at Chagrin Falls High School.

Health & Wellness

Bloodmobile

American Red Cross urges individuals to give lifesaving blood or platelets now as seasonal travel ramps up. Donation appointments may be made by downloading the free Blood Donor app, visiting RedCrossBlood. org or calling 1-800-733-2767.

May 30, Lord of Life Church, 17989 Chillicothe Road, Bainbridge Township, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

June 1, St. Helen’s Church, 12060 Kinsman Road, Newbury Township, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

June 3, Chardon Library, 110 E. Park St., Chardon, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

June 4, Heritage Place Auction Barn, 15920 Nauvoo Road, Middlefield, 1-6 p.m.

June 5 and 15, Centerville Mills, 8558 Crackel Road, Bainbridge Township, 12-6 p.m.

June 10, Bainbridge Library, 17222 Snyder Road, Bainbridge Township, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

June 13, Munson Town Hall, 12210 Auburn Road, Munson Township, 12-6 p.m.

June 18, Mayfield Church, 7747 Mayfield Road, Chester Township, 1-6 p.m.

June 19, Adam Hall, 11455 E. Washington St., Auburn Township, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

June 19, Middlefield Library, 16167 East High St., Middlefield, 12-6 p.m.

June 23, Geauga Library Administration, 12701 Ravenwood Drive, Chardon, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

NAMI Meet and Greet

June 4, 5-7 p.m.

Join the National Alliance on Mental Illness Geauga to meet and greet its new executive director, Angela North, at @ Vino Type, 8389 Mayfield Road, Chester Township. For questions, call Scott or Ashlee at 440-2866264.

Geauga Public Library

Programs require registration unless otherwise noted. Include an email and phone number when registering for programs to receive updates about all programs. Visit www.geaugalibrary.net.

Make a Colorful Monster

May 29, 11-11:45 a.m. • Middlefield

Kids ages 3-5 will connect with their favorite librarians in a special storytime as they read Mike Austin's “Monsters Love Colors” and make colorful monsters of their own using all types of colorful crafting materials.

Puzzle Exchange

May 30, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. • Bainbridge Exchange gently used puzzles (with no missing pieces) for new-to-you used puzzles. No registration is required.

Pass the Palette

June 3, 2-3 p.m. • Bainbridge

Youth in grades 3-5 will embark on an arts and crafts program with their friends as they pass the palette and each add something colorful and unique to a shared masterpiece.

Finding Ancestors on Fold3

June 3, 6:30-7:30 p.m. • Middlefield

Connect with the family and local history department to learn about the library’s premier Fold3 resource, including what records are available and how to narrow one’s search strategies to find what one needs.

Library Led Discussions

No registration is required.

• Geauga West, June 4, 7-8 p.m., “Black Cake” by Charmaine Wilkerson

• Bainbridge, June 9, 10-11 a.m. and 2-3 p.m., “Every Day is a Gift: A Memoir” by Tammy Duckworth

• Virtual, June 9, 6:30-7:30 p.m., “The

7½ Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle” by Stuart Turton

Summer Reading Kickoff

June 7, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. • Offsite

Celebrate the beginning of the 2025 Summer Reading program, “Color Our World,” at the Geauga County Fairgrounds with a Rascal-themed scavenger hunt, raffle prizes, crafts, fun outdoor games, balloon twisting, and more. Registration is not required.

Art Smarts

June 9, 2-3 p.m. • Bainbridge

Youth in grades K-5 will celebrate summer reading by coloring their world and learning about famous artists and their artwork at this system-wide program series. Learn all about Claude Monet while creating a Monet-styled masterpiece.

Insect

Extravaganza

June 10, 6-7 p.m. • Thompson

By land, sea, and air, insects are everywhere. Families will explore the world of insects and learn about their unusual body parts, life cycles and more.

Art in Northeast Ohio

June 10, 7-8 p.m. • Bainbridge

Learn about iconic art pieces found in Northeast Ohio, such as 100 Marilyn Monroes, a giant rubber stamp and a man on a tightrope and more.

Women Airforce Service Pilots

June 12, 6:30-8 p.m.• Chardon

Alexandra Lausin, collections manager of the International Women’s Air and Space Museum, will talk about Nancy Love and Jacqueline Cochran, two heroic women who paved the way for female representation in the U.S. Air Force.

Bulletin Board

For-profit and nonprofit organizations or groups will need to purchase a paid advertisement for an event anytime tickets are sold, a fee is charged or a freewill donation is taken. If an organization or group does not wish to buy an ad to promote their event and connect with our readers, Karlovec Media Group will print a simple liner-type ad identifying the event, date/time/place and a number to call for more information. Email submissions to: cbb@karlovecmedia.com

Dorothy's Porch Giveaway

May 29 and 30, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Dorothy’s Porch, a free community giveaway of clothing for the family, household items, bedding, toys, books and holiday decorations, will be held at Celebration Lutheran Church, 10621 Auburn Road in Chardon.

Food Pantry Open

May 30, 10 a.m. to noon

The food pantry at the Chester Christian Center church is open to anyone in the community in need of food. One does not need to be a member of the church to attend. The church is located at 11815 Chillicothe Road in Chester Township.

Chardon Flea Market

June 1, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Chardon Square Association presents the 34th annual Chardon Flea Market on Chardon Square. Held rain or shine, the market will feature over 80 vendors. For more information, visit chardonsquareassociation.org.

Live Well Festival

June 4, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The Geauga County Board of Mental Health and Recovery Services, in partnership with the Geauga County Suicide Prevention Coalition, is hosting Live Well Festival: Fun & Resources for Better Living at the Claridon Woodlands Lodge in Chardon.

Aimed at adults aged 50 and older and their caregivers, the event includes food and refreshments, activities and games, live music and entertainment, free raffle prizes and giveaways, free health screenings, plus health and wellness vendors.

Admission is free, and all are welcome. For more information, call 440-285-2282.

Trinkets & Treasurers Sale

June 5 and 6, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

June 7, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The Middlefield Historical Society (MHS) is having its inaugural Trinkets & Treasures Sale at the Century Inn Underloft, 14979 South State Ave. Saturday is half-off day.

MHS is looking for donations of small appliances, books, linens, jewelry, furniture, holiday décor, plants and more to be sold at the sale; no adult clothing, please. Donations will be accepted on May 30 from 9 a.m. to noon.

For more information or to arrange a donation pickup, call Barb at 440-503-6444.

Young of Heart

June 6, 11:30 a.m.

Geauga Young of Heart will meet at St. Anselm Church in Chester Township. Bring a brown bag lunch. Refreshments will be provided. Guest speaker Janet Weir Creighton will talk about the White House gardens.

A bus trip is planned to Playhouse Square on July 15 to see the Tony award-winning show, “Kimberly Akimbo.” Dinner before the show will be at BJ’s Steakhouse/Brewhouse.

A trip is also planned to the Sight & Sound Theater in Lancaster, Pa., to see “Noah” on Oct. 8-10. Also included are a tour of the Amish countryside, “Jacob’s Choice” movie, Miniature Horse Museum, Kitchen Kettle Village and more.

For information on both trips, call Kimber at 440-668-3293.

Large Item Trash Drop-Off Day

June 7, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Auburn Township residents may bring their items to the Adam Hall Community Center, 11455 Washington St. Proof of residency is required.

A nominal fee of $10 per car and $15 per truckload will be charged. The event is free for seniors.

Senior residents qualify for free large item pick-up service on June 5 and 6. Seniors must first preregister with the Geauga County Department on Aging by calling 440-279-2130.

For any questions, call the Auburn Administration Office at 440-543-7028 or visit www.auburntownship.com.

Community Fishing Derby

June 7, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Munson Township’s community Fishing Derby is open to all township residents. Join for a morning of fishing fun at the Scenic River Retreat, 10900 Mayfield Road. Bring a fishing pole – catch and release only. Bait will be provided. Door prizes awarded.

LCRTA Luncheon Meeting

June 10, 11 a.m.

The Lake County Retired Teachers Association will hold its general membership luncheon meeting at Mama Roberto’s, 8658 Mentor Ave., Mentor. Social time will be followed by the program at 11:30 a.m. and buffet lunch. Attendees will hear from the scholarship and grant recipients for the 2024-25 school year.

For reservations, contact Karen Sawitke, 9399 Ridgeside Drive, Mentor, OH 44060 by May 30. For more information, visit lakecountyrta.weebly.com

Richard Allen Kearns

Richard Allen Kearns, 81, of Newbury Township, passed away peacefully at home on May 17, 2025.

Born on June 28, 1943, in Cleveland, to Henry and Kathrynne (nee Sage) Kearns, Richard was raised in Warrensville Heights and made Newbury his home for the last 55 years.

He married the love of his life, Susan A. Matthews, on July 6, 1968, in Solon, and together they shared over four decades of love and memories before her passing on May 29, 2010.

Richard’s life was defined by his love for his family, community and his work. A skilled mechanic of commercial auto repair, he was known for his dedication and ability to fix almost anything.

But beyond his work, Richard was a passionate advocate for his community. He played an instrumental role in the creation of the Geauga Park District system and was a valued contributor to the startup of the Newbury Volunteer Fire Department.

Each spring, he could be found lending

Dally

a steady hand to help fill the hot air balloons for the Chagrin Falls “Blossom Time” festival—something he looked forward to every year. In his downtime he enjoyed watching NASCAR.

More than anything, Richard treasured his family. He is survived by his daughter, Tammy Kearns, of Newbury; his sisters, Kathrynne “Sue” Mulder, of Virginia, Carol Kearns, of Brunswick, Ohio, and Charlotte “Char” Kearns, of Hinckley, Ohio; along with numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and his beloved wife, Susan.

Richard’s legacy will live on through his daughter, his community and the many lives he touched with his kindness and generosity.

In honor of Richard’s love for nature and the simple joys that brought him peace, in lieu of flowers, the family suggests you “Feed the Birds.” He found great happiness in caring for the birds around his home, filling the feeders and maintaining the birdhouses that brought him so much joy.

A celebration of Richard’s life will be held at a later date. The family appreciates your thoughts and prayers during this time of remembrance.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Burr Funeral Home and Cremation Service. Online condolences and memories may be shared at www.burrservice.com.

Pet Memorials

Dallas “Dally” Meyer was adopted from the Ashtabula APL on Sept. 23, 2014, after his mother fell in love with his photo. He suffered from an unknown accident prior to him being found by the APL that led to him being unable to bend his front leg resulting in him walking with a slight limp. He had a big personality and his antics led to both laughter and exhaustion among his family.

Dally seemed to love humans more than dogs and would spend his time at the dog park with the humans sitting on the benches. He loved to cuddle and was well known for his signature “bunny pose.” He had a brief career as a Facebook influencer with his page Dallas the Golden Labsky.

He passed away surrounded by his entire family on May 17, 2025, after being diagnosed with terminal cancer. He was preceded in death by his dog brother, Neuman, and his cat sister, Lainie.

He is survived by Kevin, Nichole, Melana

and Lily Meyer as well as his dog companion and best friend Denver.

Dally was truly one of a kind and he will be missed beyond measure.

Alice Faye Baris

Alice Faye Baris, age 88, passed away peacefully on May 21, 2025, surrounded by family. She was born Aug. 7, 1936, in Camden, Tenn., to L.R. and Rebecca Lucille (nee Jordan) Burchum.

Alice Faye grew up in the small town of Huntingdon, Tenn She spent summers in Cleveland, working at a local dime store. She met and married her husband, Yasar Baris, an immigrant from Istanbul, Turkey. They put down roots in Cleveland and made it their lifelong home, eventually buying a home in Euclid and raising their four children there.

She was a strong believer in tradition and, even though she was away from her Tennessee family, she made it a point of creating holiday traditions for her primary family in Ohio. She loved to decorate her home for the holidays; especially Christmas and always created a warm and cozy environment.

Alice had many interests and talents. She went to night school and became a cosmetologist while working as a receptionist for a law firm in Cleveland. She had a small hair salon in her basement and did hair as a side job. She loved skincare and cosmetics and was a Mary Kay consultant. When she was a newlywed, she sold Avon products door to door.

She loved to read and loved flowers. Every spring, she planted her flower beds, which she was very proud of, and always had a garden of varying size.

She loved birds and was an avid “Birds and Blooms” reader. She also had a love of animals and had many pets during her life. One of her favorite pets was her last one, a little Yorkie named “Angel” whom she referred to as her “baby.”

Alice loved the Lord and found comfort in her church family. She really enjoyed her bible study group and formed strong friendships with the ladies in her group.

Alice was a selfless and generous person who lived for her family. Family meant everything to her; her greatest joy was being surrounded by her children and grandchildren. She loved family get-togethers and spontaneous visits from her children and grandchildren.

Alice was a soft-spoken, elegant woman with a heart of gold. Everyone who met her loved her. She had a softness about her and a way of making you feel special. She was a light-hearted, optimistic person with a contagious giggle. The simple things in life made her happy. She found beauty and joy in simple things like a sunny day, a blooming flower, the sound of thunder, or a tiny bird eating seeds. She truly wished the best for everyone she met.

Alice is survived by her beloved husband, Yasar Baris. She also leaves behind her children: Judith Medina and her husband, Danny Medina; Alice Sevim Coons and her husband, Brian Coons; Kenneth Baris; and Valerie Green and her husband, Thomas Green. She was a devoted grandmother to Cheri Medina; Amanda Coons Simeone and her husband, Austin Simeone, with their daughter, Alice’s great-granddaughter Adeline Marie Simeone; Samantha Coons Mullins and her husband, Chris Mullins; and grandsons Thomas Avery Green, Ryan Thomas Green and Nicholas Yasar Green.

Obituaries

Alice was also blessed with two great-grandsons, Michael Wallace and Charles Sanvido.

Visitation will be held at Burr Funeral Home, 116 South St., Chardon, on Friday, May 30, 2025, from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m., with the funeral service beginning at 2 p.m. Interment will immediately follow at Munn Cemetery in Newbury Township.

Arrangements are entrusted to Burr Funeral Home and Cremation Service. Online condolences and memories may be shared at www.burrservice.com.

Toby Walter Polk

Toby Walter Polk, age 55, passed away unexpectedly April 29, 2025.

He was born Dec. 15, 1969, in Dover, Ohio, and was the son to the late William (Bill) and Sandra (Sandy) Polk.

Toby graduated from Cardinal High School, in Middlefield, in 1988. He attended Eastern Kentucky University and, after col lege, moved to Florida. He eventually settled in Knoxville, Tenn., where he raised his family and called home.

At the time of his passing, he was employed as a senior account manager in the financial services industry.

Toby’s legacy will live on in the lives of his family and friends.

He is survived by his loving wife of 24 years, Rebecca Cowan Polk, of Knoxville; daughter, Audrey Polk (Esayas Mehretab), of Richmond, Va., and son and “wingman,” Cameron Polk, of Knoxville. He leaves behind a brother, Tim Polk (Gio), of Santa Rosa, Calif.; sister, Tracy Maxfield (Tim), of Athens, Texas; and stepmother, Nancy Polk, of Painesville.

He is also survived by his mother-in-law, Billie Rhea Phillips, and father-n-law, Stephen Phillips, both of Knoxville; and brother-in-law, Jay Cowan (Jena), of Philadelphia, Pa. And, last but not least, his beloved dog, Midnight.

Toby was cherished by numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and a nephew. When his nieces started having children of their own, he wanted to be called “Uncle Toby the Great.”

Toby had a personality bigger than life. Once you got past his gruff exterior, you’d find he had a heart bigger than most. He was the king of insults, one-liners and could remember a joke like no other. He didn’t do “warm and fuzzy;” instead, he was the most loyal, devoted and honest person you would ever find. If you were in his circle, you were in for life.

A celebration of Toby’s life will be held on Saturday, May 31, 2025, from 2-4 p.m., at 205 Bridgewater Road, Knoxville, Tenn. All who knew and loved Toby are welcome to join the family in honoring his memory and sharing stories. He will be forever missed, leaving a void that can never be filled.

In lieu of flowers, those wishing to honor his memory may do so by donating to the ALS Association, a cause close to his heart.

Joanne F. Perkovich

Joanne F. Perkov ich, always known for her loving nature and generous spirit, passed away on May 16, 2025, in Chardon, at the age of 82.

She was born on Aug. 6, 1942, in Utica, N.Y., to the late Walter and Margaret Enczur, and she carried the warmth of her family’s love throughout her life.

Joanne’s remarkable journey began in the heart of Utica, where she attended Utica Free Academy High School. Her passion for knowl edge and community service was evident early on and would become a guiding force in her life.

As a longtime resident of Mentor, Joanne’s love for children, books and learning led her to a fulfilling career as a librarian with Mentor Schools, a role she cherished and in which she touched the lives of countless students and educators.

Her commitment to service extended beyond her professional life as she devoted many years to volunteering at TriPoint Medical Center. Joanne’s kindness and willingness to help others made a lasting impact on those she met, reinforcing her reputation as a truly friendly and giving soul.

Family was the cornerstone of Joanne’s life, as she built a loving home with her husband, John, and their children, John Perkovich (Linda), Julianne (Don) Smrdel and Jim Perkovich. She was a caring sister to Richard (Pauline) Enczur and the late Walter Enczur. Her role as a grandmother to Vince (Halle), Allana, Jay and James was one of her greatest joys. She cherished every moment spent with them, especially baking, an activity that filled the home with the sweetest of memories.

Joanne’s zest for life was not confined to the ordinary; she was a longstanding member of the Euclid Campers Club, enjoying good food and friendship with her fellow campers. She was also a strong advocate for pet adoption, as there was always a dog at her side. Her enthusiasm for photography and genealogy has left behind a treasure trove of memories which her family now holds dear.

Those who knew Joanne will remember her not only for her friendly demeanor and generous heart but also for her unwavering love of others. Her legacy lives on through her family, the many students she inspired, and the countless lives she touched through her volunteer work. Joanne’s memory will be cherished and celebrated by all who had the pleasure of knowing her.

As we mourn the loss of Joanne Perkovich, we take solace in knowing that her warmth and kindness will continue to guide us. She will be deeply missed.

Please join us in celebrating her life Thursday evening May 22, 2025, from 4-7 p.m., at Burr Funeral Home, 116 South St., Chardon. The burial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, May 23, 2025, at All Souls Cemetery, 10366 Chardon Road, Chardon Township.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to the Lake County Humane Society; Alzheimer’s Association; and Hospice of the Western Reserve.

Arrangements are entrusted to Burr Funeral Home and Cremation Service. Online condolences and memories may be shared at www.burrservice.com.

Wilma W. Buechele

Wilma W. Buechele (nee Jent), of Newbury Township, passed away peacefully on May 6, 2025, at the age of 86.

Wilma was born in Cleveland to parents William and Florence (nee Mahnke) Jent. She grew up in Westlake, attending Westlake High School, where she made dear life-long friends.

Wilma was married in 1962 to Charles Buechele and eventually moved to Newbury, where she was enthusiastically involved with her children’s activities at Newbury Schools, including music boosters, marching band, volleyball and softball. She was “Chief in Charge” of the family security alarm business, managing the company until her retirement.

Wilma was a lifelong Cleveland Indians fan, taking the bus to games as a child with her sister, Marilyn, and she had hoped for another World Series title in her lifetime. She followed the players each season, listening to the games on the radio when not available on television.

She enjoyed quilting and sewing, having crafted several cherished quilts for her children. She spent much of her free time outdoors gardening and she enjoyed live music and theater.

Wilma leaves behind her three children, Charles Jr., Lisa Scoville (Ken) and Alice (Mireno); and two grandchildren, Greg Scoville and Megan Scoville. She will also be missed by her sister, Marilyn Demaline, as well as her sister-in-law, Connie Buechele, and many treasured friends, cousins, nieces and nephews.

Wilma was preceded in death by her parents; and her beloved husband of 59 years, Charles. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in memory of Wilma to a charity of the donor’s choice.

Family will receive friends to pay tribute to and celebrate the life of Wilma at The DeJohn Funeral Home & Celebrations Center of Chesterland, 12811 Chillicothe Road, just south of Mayfield Road, on Friday, May 23, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 12 noon.

Burial immediately following at Munn Cemetery. Online obituary, guestbook, and order flowers at www.DeJohnCares.com.

Legal Notices are also posted to www.geaugamapleleaf.com and www publicnoticesohio.com

Legal Notices Geauga Sheriff’s Report

LEGAL NOTICE

Sale of Real Estate GEAUGA COUNTY

Foreclosure Auction

Case# 24-F-000544 - The Bank of New York Mellon FKA The Bank of New York, as Trustee for the certificateholders of the CWABS, Inc., Asset-Backed Certificates, Series 2007-1 vs David Onderdonk, et al.

The description of the property to be sold is as follows:

Property Address: 11545 COUNTY LINE RD, CHESTERLAND, GEAUGA, OH, 44026;

Legal Description: Full Legal Listed on Public Website; Parcel Number: 11-073920

Bidding will be available only on www.Auction.com opening on June 10, 2025, at 10:00 AM for a minimum of 7 days.

Property may be sold on a provisional sale date should the third-party purchaser fail to provide their deposit within the allotted time. Provisional Sale date: June 24, 2025 at 10:00 AM. Sales subject to cancellation. The deposit required is $10,000 to be paid by wire transfer within 2 hours of the sale ending. No cash is permitted.

Purchaser shall be responsible for those costs, allowances, and taxes that the proceeds of the sale are insufficient to cover.

To view all sale details and terms for this property visit www.Auction.com and enter the Search Code 24F000544 into the search bar.

May15-22-29, 2025

LEGAL NOTICE

Sale of Real Estate GEAUGA COUNTY

Foreclosure Auction

Case# 22-F-000231 - THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON FKA THE BANK OF NEW YORK,AS TRUSTEE FOR THE CERTIFICATEHOLDERS OF CWALT, INC., ALTERNATIVE LOAN TRUST 2005-52CB, MORTGAGE PASS-THROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2005-52CB vs KERRI WEAVER, et al.

The description of the property to be sold is as follows:

Property Address: 16015 OLD STATE ROAD, MIDDLEFIELD, GEAUGA, OH, 44062;

Legal Description: Full Legal Listed on Public Website; Parcel Number: 18-090907

Bidding will be available only on www.Auction.com opening on June 24, 2025, at 10:00 AM for a minimum of 7 days.

Property may be sold on a provisional sale date should the third-party purchaser fail to provide their deposit within the allotted time. Provisional Sale date: July 8, 2025 at 10:00 AM. Sales subject to cancellation. The deposit required is $10,000 to be paid by wire transfer within 2 hours of the sale ending. No cash is permitted.

Purchaser shall be responsible for those costs, allowances, and taxes that the proceeds of the sale are insufficient to cover.

To view all sale details and terms for this property visit www.Auction.com and enter the Search Code 22F000231 into the search bar. May29 Jun5-12, 2025

LEGAL

NOTICE

SALE OF REAL ESTATE

In the State of Ohio, County of Geauga, Case No. 23-F-000187 - CrossCountry Mortgage LLC (Plaintiff) vs. Stephanie L. Foucher, et al, (Defendants)

In pursuance of an Order of Sale directed to me in the above entitled action, I will offer for sale at public online auction the following described real estate:

Property Address: 12963 Lynn Road, Chesterland, Ohio 44026

Legal Description: A full legal description of the property may be obtained at www.buddy-

bartonauctions.com.

Parcel Number: 11-161100

Said Premises Appraised: $325,000.00

Minimum Bid: $216,666.67

Location of Sale: Online Bidding at www.buddybartonauctions.com

Bidding Open Date: June 18, 2025 at 9:00 AM

Bidding Closes Date: June 25, 2025 at 2:00 PM

2nd Provisional Open Date: July 2, 2025 at 9:00 AM

2nd Provisional Close Date: July 9, 2025 at 2:00 PM

Terms of Sale: A deposit in the amount of $10,000 is due by wire transfer within 48 hours upon conclusion of the auction. Funding must take place within 30 days of confirmation of sale. A 5% Buyer’s Premium shall apply. The auction is subject to postponement and cancellation. Purchaser shall be responsible for those costs, allowances, and taxes that the proceeds of the sale are insufficient. Ross Barton III, Private Selling Officer, info@buddybartonauctions.com, 330-4641375

May22-29 Jun5, 2025

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

City of Chardon

Notice is hereby given that Chardon City Council received an application to create a Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area (DORA) in the City of Chardon. The DORA Application is on file in the Clerk of Council’s Office, and is available for inspection during regular business hours of 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Chardon City Council will hold a public hearing regarding the application and will consider an ordinance to create a DORA on July 10, 2025 at 6:20 p.m. at Council Chambers in City Hall, 111 Water Street, Chardon, Ohio. All interested persons are urged to attend.

AMY DAY, CLERK OF COUNCIL

May22-29, 2025

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

Village of Burton

The Village of Burton Mayor and Council will hold a public hearing on Monday, June 9, 2025 at 7:00 PM on the second floor of the Burton Public Library located at 14588 West Park Street. Discussion will be held on the Fiscal Year 2026 Tax Budget. The public is invited to review the budget and submit comments or questions during the hearing. Copies of the Tax Budget are available for public review at the Village Office. Jennell Dahlhausen, Fiscal Officer May22-29, 2025

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

Russell Township

Notice is hereby given that the Russell Township Board of Zoning Appeals will have one Public Hearing on applications of appeal for two variances to the Russell Township Zoning Resolution on Monday, June 2, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. at the Russell Townhall, 14890 Chillicothe Road.

Variance Application #568, submitted by applicant Annemarie and David Newhouse, owner of property at 9550 Music Street, parcel number 26-010600. The Applicant is seeking a variance to place a therapy swim spa east of their property and need a ten ft. yard setback variance.

Variance Application #569, submitted by applicant Dennis J. Shelby & Saralee Bajaksouzian for property at 8119 Fairmount Road, parcel number 26-067300. The Applicant is seeking to construct a new home on the property and live in their current home until the Occupancy Permit is issued, then demolish the old home. No side or rear setback variances are required. The Board of Zoning Appeals welcomes factbased testimony to assist in making an informed decision.

Bonnie Guyer, Secretary May22-29, 2025

RESOLUTION OF THE GEAUGA PUBLIC HEALTH BOARD OF HEALTH

ESTABLISHING CERTAIN FEES

WHEREAS, the Ohio Revised Code, Section 3709.09, permits the Board of Health to establish by a system of fees to pay the cost of any service provided by the Board of Health for which no fee is prescribed by law; and Ohio Administrative Code 3701-29-05 allows a fee for registration; and WHEREAS, it has been determined by the Board of Health through a program cost analysis that the fees for certain services are generating sufficient revenues to pay the cost of providing those services; and WHEREAS, the Board of Geauga Public Health

is determined to provide quality Public Health services to Geauga County residents in a cost effective manner.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED That, for the purpose of preserving and promoting the Public Health and Welfare, the foregoing regulations are hereby amended/enacted as follows:

1. Proposed Operation and Maintenance Compliance Inspection Fee: $300.00

1st reading March 26, 2025, 2nd reading April 16, 2025, and 3rd and Final Reading May 28, 2025. Published May 29, 2025, and June 5, 2025, and become effective June 9, 2025. May29 Jun5, 2025

LEGAL NOTICE

RUSSELL TOWNSHIP TAX BUDGET HEARING

Notice is hereby given that a public hearing will be held on the budget prepared by the Russell Township Board of Trustees for the next succeeding year ending December 31, 2026. The hearing will be held on June 18, 2025, at 7:05 p.m. at the Russell Town Hall, 14890 Chillicothe Rd., Novelty, Ohio 44072. Two copies of the proposed budget are available for public inspection in the office of the Fiscal Officer of Russell Township at 8501 Kinsman Road from 8:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. during normal workdays. The proposed 2026 budget may also be viewed on the Russell Township website at www.RussellTownship.us under Departments/ Administration/Fiscal Office Information. BY ORDER OF THE RUSSELL TOWNSHIP BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Karen F. Walder, Fiscal Officer May29, 2025

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING APPEAL FOR VARIANCE TO PARKMAN TOWNSHIP ZONING RESOLUTION

Notice is hereby given that the Parkman Township Board of Zoning Appeals will conduct a public hearing on an appeal for a Use Variance to the Parkman Township Zoning Resolution on Tuesday the 10th day of June 2025, at 7:00 o’clock p.m. at the Parkman Township Community House located 16295 Main Market Road, Parkman, Ohio. This application submitted by, Freeman Miller, appellant, 17116 Bundysburg Road, Parkman Township, is requesting a Variance from the Parkman Township Zoning Resolution for property located at 17116 Bundysburg Road, Parkman Township, Ohio which shall be in accordance with all of the applicable regulations for the District and the following regulations: ARTICLE 1V Section 403.1 (C) and (D) Warehouse: Jan Helt, Secretary May29, 2025

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

Troy Township

Notice is hereby given that the Troy Township Board of Zoning Appeals will conduct a public hearing on an application for an appeal for a variance to the Troy Township Zoning Resolution on the 16th day of June, 2025 at 7:00 o’clock p.m. at the Troy Community Center, 13950 Main Market Road, Burton, OH 44021. Applications #ZP25-13 and ZP25-14, submitted by Nathaniel V. Hershberger, requests that he be granted relief regarding area zoning certificates for lot frontage in the R-5 District. These applications for the appeal pertain to Article IV, Section 402.11(A) which states “The minimum lot frontage and width shall be 350 feet”. They wish to split the lot, sell one lot, and build a single-family dwelling on the other lot for a variance of 40 feet on the first lot and 290 feet on the second lot. Nathaniel V. Hershberger has filed an application for area zoning certificates and wants them to be granted for the property located at 18805 Mumford Road in Troy Township. PPN # 32-064400. Lisa Murphy, Secretary May29, 2025

NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING TROY TOWNSHIP ZONING COMMISSION

Notice is hereby given that the Troy Township Zoning Commission Board regular meeting in June is rescheduled to the 12th day of June, 2025 at 7:00 p.m. at the Troy Community Center, 13950 Main Market Road. Lisa Murphy, Secretary May29, 2025

The following is a sampling of the calls handled by the Geauga County Sheriff’s Office May 16 to May 22, 2025.

ANIMAL PROBLEM

May 18

11:51 a.m., Chardon Windsor Road, J&R Storage, Hambden. There is a subject here storing cats in F31. He said he would come get them but hasn't and it is smelling up the place. Caller doesn't have the name of the renter since he is not at his computer. He will have it ready when the deputy gets there. Needs advice whether or not to get the Humane Society involved. Initial report taken. Humane Officer took animals live and deceased. They will be handling charges.

May 20

10:12 a.m., Cutts Road, Hambden. Coyote in her yard. She is trying to shoot it in her backyard. She now has the dog and is going back in the house. Spoke to homeowner about a coyote in her yard that got into a fight with her dog. Coyote was gone prior to my arrival. Advice given to homeowner.

CITIZEN DISPUTE

May 16

1:14 p.m., Clay Street, Thompson. Ongoing issue with the neighbor. Spoke with Deputy Primer earlier today regarding ongoing intimidation circumstances, he was standing out in the yard video taping up and then standing out in the road waving his hands at us. He usually only does these things when my wife is involved. Our attorney has already sent him a letter for him to stop. He tries to tailgate her when she drives up the roadway. Caller's wife is afraid of him. Caller is doing their best at not having any type of communications with him so that nothing else happens. Requesting that this just be documented as Lieutenant is not available right now.

May 21

12:56 p.m., Claridon Troy Road, Burton. Caller is having her property surveyed today and the caller is concerned that the neighbor will give them problems while the surveyor is there. Requesting a phone call for advice. New property stakes were placed by the property line. Spoke with the neighbor who agreed with the property line. The neighbor's rail road ties were on callers land. Neighbor said she will move the railroad ties onto her own property. Asked caller not to move the railroad ties.

MEDICAL

May 19

11:25 a.m., Rock Creek Road, Thompson. There is a man lying in the yard by the ditch. Caller didn't stop to check on him. Looks like he is wearing a hoodie and lying on his side. Wearing dark pants and a blue hoodie. Thompson Fire advised the male was okay as deputy was arriving on scene. The male was reading a book / sleeping by the ditch. Nothing suspicious found.

FOR RENT

Auburn: 1BR apartment, includes laundry room and attached garage. No pets. No smoking. $950/mo. Call 440-221-0649.

Remodeling: 5BR, 2BA. Includes laundry room, rec room or 6th BR, basement, garage. Large closets, 2 are walk-in. No pets, No smoking. Huntsburg. 440-6365747.

COMMERCIAL RENTALS

New Medical Office Space Sublet: 1,570 sq. ft. Route 306 at 422. Call 440-666-4716.

FOR SALE

Family Burial Plot for sale. All Souls Cemetery. Serene location in prime section. Section 16. 216-440-8743.

New white triple track Storm Windows: perfect for home & porch enclosures (7) 30-1/4x59-1/4 $95 each. George 440-336-5044.

Craftsman upper-lower tool box with 1,000+ pieces, metric or standard; 1/4”, 3/8”, 1/2” wrenches/sockets. $600 firm. 440-431-6944.

Engine Hoist: 2 ton. w/8-ton long ram cylinder. $250. 440-487-2955.

Shed: 10x16, Insulated, Electric with solar power unit that runs laptop, cell, printer, mini fridge. Updated inverter, 2 additional windows with 3/4 wall, storage shelves and magnetic screen door. $6,000. 440-4175599.

Bodyman Retired! All Tools for sale. Too much to list. Call 216-469-9296.

Lake View Cemetery, 4 burial plots total (2 double lots): Cemetery Price $10,100 per dbl. Asking $8,000 each dbl. 440-729-0070.

Antique Curio Cabinet: glass sides, glass door, mirror back, 8 adjustable shelves, 85” tall, 22” wide, 17” deep, Excellent Condition, very unique; $480. 440554-5731.

Pampered Chef Multi Cooker: brand new, never used. Retails $229, will sell for $150. 440-632-0518.

Two burial plots at Western Reserve Memorial Gardens with full package: 2 vaults, 2 caskets, dual memorial headstone; $7,400. 440-476-0706.

DEER HUNTERS: (40) Deer Hunter and (73) Bow Hunter Magazines. Vintage, Excellent Condition. Great reading and informational. Harvest that Big One!! Inquire. 440223-9471.

GARAGE/ESTATE SALES

May 30-31, 9a-4p. 18071 Tilden Rd, Hiram/Troy Twp, close to Rts 700 and 422. Multi Family, tons of items. STREET SALE: WOODHILL DRIVE, CHARDON (Thompson) 44024. SW of Rte 166 and 86 intersection. Something for everyone! Antiques, tools, bikes, art, frames, books, cooking equipment, kids’ stuff and much more! THURSDAY, FRIDAY, SATURDAY, JUNE 5, 6, 7. From 9am to 5pm.

May 29-30-31, 10a-5p, Cash Only. 12192 Shiloh Dr, Chesterland. Various collectibles, housewares, kitchen, office supplies, some furniture and crocs.

UNIQUE GARAGE SALES: Weekly April - Oct, 4 buildings, Thursday thru Saturday, 9am-5pm. $1 most items. 9098 Old State Rd, (Rt 608, Chardon). Something for everyone!

Th 6/5-Sun 6/8, 9a-5p, 12089 Parker Dr, Chesterland. Multi-family & New QVC items, too many to list! Gaming systems, collectibles, much much more. New clothes, sizes small-5x. Shoes, size 9-12. Something for everyone!! Rain or Shine. No Early Birds.

HELP WANTED

Yard Worker wanted for Spring, Summer, Fall. Starting at $16/hr, cash daily, more with experience, driver’s license preferred. 440-338-3563. Russell address.

Classifieds

Fieldstone Farm Therapeutic Riding Center is hiring a full-time Facility & Farm Manager responsible for maintenance of farm property, equipment, grounds and office areas. Must be able to plow, haul a trailer, be skilled at basic carpentry, plumbing and electrical and have superior organizational skills. A background check and clean driving record is required. Email resume to Lmapes@fieldstonefarm.org.

PETS & ANIMALS

Nigerian Dwarf Nanny Goats: 1-year old. Buy 1, Get 1 free. $500/OBO. Call or text 440-881-6332.

Pet Care: in my home setting, Middlefield. 440-6362421.

White Leghorn X Welsummer Rooster Chicks. 1 wk old $3.50 ea. and $0.75 per week after for month olds. Windsor, OH. Ian 440-387-9857.

Yearling Alpine Billy Goat for sale. Call for info 440-8553125

Reggie, 8yr white-with-black cat needs an indoor home. Neutered. Super friendly, talkative, good with other cats. Rebecca 440-321-2485.

MISCELLANEOUS

FREE fact: The CDC reports that over 80,000 Americans overdosed in 2024!!! Terrible! In 2023 over 114,000 Americans overdosed! So preventable. So sad.

REAL ESTATE

Local Investor will pay fair cash price for homes or land in any condition. Fast closing. Call or text 440-3460161 today.

Homes & Land Wanted: any condition or situation! Fast, friendly, local. Serving Geauga and surrounding counties. Text or call Wayne at 330-269-9595.

SERVICES

Albert’s Complete Tree Service: 45+yrs experience! Competent in all aspects of Arboriculture, Forestry and Land Clearing. Also, Firewood, Excavation and Sewer Work. Free Estimates. 440-687-5404.

Experienced Landscape Company looking for lawns for the 2025 season. Service Contract includes: cut, trim and blow. Call/text 440-883-9124 for estimate. Tall Oaks Landscaping LLC.

Certified in-home caregiver: will do personal care, light housework, cleaning and laundry. Days and nights available, with reference. 440-313-1804.

Team R Painting: We are here to meet all your interior and exterior painting needs! Give Jaden a call at 330531-3870 for your free quote today!

WANTED TO BUY

Old fishing tackle wanted: fishing lures (wood or plastic), mouse to bear traps, wooden duck decoys. Call Lee 440-313-8331.

Buying all Stanley Bailey planes. Call Karl at 440-8123392.

4-wheelers, 3-wheelers, dirt bikes, mini-bikes, go-carts, golf carts, gators, farm tractors/equipment, trailers, riding mowers, snowplows. Paying cash. 440-413-3119. Also, scrap cleanup and removal.

Following is a list of real estate transfers for the period May 19-22, 2025, provided as a public service by the Geauga County Auditor’s Office. Transfers may involve the sale of land only.

AUBURN TOWNSHIP

Cory A. Jackson, 17091 Wing Road, to Adam Aaron and Alyssa Joy Alft, $450,000. (5.00 acres)

Roger G. and Judy S. White, 18715 Mount Pleasant Drive, to Zachary Bayer, $215,000. (0.36 acres)

Susan H. and Charles A. Waldorff Jr., 582 Mock Orange Circle, to Timothy Brennan, $430,000 (0.00 acres)

BAINBRIDGE TOWNSHIP

RMHA Ltd., 16750 Knolls Way, to Michael J. and Jodie M. Agan, $840,600. (0.00 acres)

Real Estate Transfers

Canyon Lakes Colony Co., Crescent Ridge, to Harold V. and Teresa P. Jones, $290,000. (1.68 acres)

Henry Tyler and Gene I. Brandenburg, 18781 Chillicothe Road, to Alexandra Wainwright and Eliott Bryant, $425,000. (1.50 acres)

BURTON TOWNSHIP

James D. and Jennifer L. Burkholder, 13554 Hale Road, to Thomas J. and Amanda E. Kennedy, $480,000. (10.17 acres)

Alexander Ciarlillo and McKaila Boarman, 15701 Claridon Troy Road, to Ralph Bongivonni and Stacey Reynolds, $406,000. (7.91 acres)

CHARDON CITY

Lake Geauga Habitat for Humanity Inc.,

465 N. Hambden St., to Laurie C. Evans, $400,000. (0.28 acres)

FLG Chardon LLC, 190 Emerald Drive, to NVR Inc., $90,000. (0.26 acres)

FLG Chardon LLC, 241 Emerald Drive, to NVR Inc., $90,000. (0.17 acres)

CHARDON TOWNSHIP

Raymond C. Gotliebowski, 10075 Thwing Road, to Adam Williams and Cody Dinardo, $290,000 (8.87 acres)

CHESTER TOWNSHIP

Armand R. and Maria J. DiNardo (trustees), 8761 Mayfield Road, to REO Investments LLC, $313,500. (0.00 acres)

MIDDLEFIELD VILLAGE

Linda S. Ferry, 14857 Thompson Ave., to

Eric Miller (TOD), $106,000. (0.59 acres)

Middlefield Parkway, 15260 Woodsong Drive, to NVR Inc., $66,600. (0.21 acres)

MONTVILLE TOWNSHIP

Darryl J. Arp, 8545 Dewey Road, to Matthew Edward Light, $5,000. (1.50 acres)

MUNSON TOWNSHIP

Jeffrey A. and Kathleen M. Barrow, 10495 Mulberry Road, to Tyler A. and Caylee R. Lucas, $429,900. (4.59 acres)

PARKMAN TOWNSHIP

David A. and Ruth A. Hostetler, Madison Road, to John Mark and Ellen D. Troyer, $6,000. (0.86 acres)

Phillip W. Gingerich, 16776 Main Market Road, to Matthew J. and Stephanie L. Milat, $220,000. (1.41 acres)

SOUTH RUSSELL VILLAGE

Ryan J. and Katherine S. Hanson, 1135 Royal Oak Drive, to Blake A. Eagle, $700,000. (0.75 acres)

TROY TOWNSHIP

Byron W. Childs (trustee), 18266 Claridon Troy Road, to Alexis Dejesus, $305,000. (0.50 acres)