Leaf Thursday, July 3, 2025 Vol. 31 No. 27 • Chardon, Ohio www.geaugamapleleaf.com $1.25
INSIDE
Montville Looks to Add onto Fire Station By Kayleigh Scharf editor@karlovecmedia.com
Montville Township officials are currently in the planning stages of putting an addition on the township fire station to increase space for firefighters and efficiency of services for the community. On June 17, Montville Township Trustees held a work session with Jim Ptacek, of Lakewood-based Larsen Architects Inc., to discuss the designs for the addition to the station, at 9755 Madison Road. While officials do not know the total cost for the project, yet, they are currently working on getting an estimate, said Fiscal Officer Karen Hawkins in a follow-up call. See Montville • Page 4
Chardon Council Taps New City Manager Staff Report Chardon City Council officially appointed Ben Young, of North Canton, as its new city manager during a special meeting June 28. “I am very excited to serve the community of Chardon. It is a wonderful city from what I have seen, a great community and wonYoung derful services,” Young said via text July 1. “I hope to help the city continue to grow and improve for as long as I have the privilege of being manager.” The search for a manager to replace outgoing City Manager Randy See Manager • Page 4
ALLISON WILSON/KMG
Geauga County Prosecutor Jim Flaiz and Chardon Police Chief Scott Niehus deliver a statement regarding last Wednesday’s homicide to a gathered crowd of assorted news stations and newspapers.
Man Accused of Murdering Ex-Wife Held on $5M Bond By Allison Wilson wilson@karlovecmedia.com The 36-year-old Willowick man charged with murdering his exwife at her residence in Chardon June 25 is currently being held at the Geauga County Safety Center on a $5 million bond. Steven Kurzinger — facing an unclassified felony murder charge for the death of his former spouse, Alexandra Kurzinger — appeared virtually in front of Chardon Mu-
doorway of a nearby home, nicipal Court Judge Teraccording to the Geauga ri Stupica for his arraignment June 27. County Sheriff’s Office reSteven, who did not port. enter a plea Friday, is beThe caller said there ing accused of shooting was a gray or silver car in the driveway and that his ex-wife twice outside another man told her the an Irma Drive address Kurzinger woman was dead. in Chardon around 9:15 A “Be On The Lookout” was p.m. Wednesday. Shortly after hearing shots issued for the vehicle, Chardon fired, a neighbor called 911 and Police Chief Scott Niehus said in a reported looking out her window press release June 26. and seeing a woman lying in the See Murder • Page 3
New GPD Program All A-Flutter with Dragonflies By Rose Nemunaitis editor@karlovecmedia.com While the recent heat wave may have chased many people indoors with the air conditioning on, it was a welcome change for insects, particularly of the winged type. As part of Geauga Park District’s new “Kicking It in the Park” series, Naturalist Linda Gilbert took to Orchard Hills Park in Chester Township June 24 to showcase her favorite insects — dragonflies and damselflies. “The cold, rainy May this year was not to a dragonfly's liking,” Gilbert said. ”They like it warm and sunny.” Upon entering this northwestern park, former
home to Orchard Hills Golf Course, habitat restoration efforts abound with the rebirth of tall lush vibrant green forests, valuable wetland habitat and water — See Dragonflies • Page 5
Single Edition $1.25