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Volume 11, No.8
Friday, March 6, 2026
Council Officially Taps New Police Chief
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CHRONICLE ONICLE ND KIR TLA
Coffee with Council Coffee with Council is Saturday, March 21 10-11 a.m., at Kirtland City Hall. For more information, contact Joe Smolic at 440-487-8984 or JSmolic@ kirtlandohio.com
CHRONICLE
Mayor Promotes Sergeant to ND Executive Officer A L T R KI By Cassandra Shofar
cassandra@karlovecmedia.com
ALAN KORNSPAN/KMG
Senior Lucas Renfro led the Hornets to a 19-3 regular season and had 19 points in a 62-54 victory over the Madison Blue Streaks Feb. 20.
Boys Basketball Advances to District Title
Kirtland City Council unanimously voted March 2 to hire Lt. Jamey Fisher to the position of police chief during its regular meeting. Following the vote, council member Matthew Schulz expressed appreciation for Fisher’s 27 years of service to the Kirtland Police Department. “Lt. Fisher, I just want to thank you for your many years of service as lieutenant,” Schulz said. “This will hopefully be the last time we address you that way. I do appreciSee Council • Page 8
SUBMITTED
Kirtland Mayor Kevin Potter swears in Jamey Fisher as police chief March 2 during Kirtland City Council’s regular meeting, as Fisher’s fiancée, Kristy Waller, holds the Bible.
By Alan Kornspan sports@karlovecmedia.com The Kirtland Hornets Boys Basketball Team has won their first two 2026 OHSAA playoff games and will play for the District Championship against the Oberlin Phoenix on March 7. The Hornets enter the OHSAA District Championship Game on a three game winning streak, having defeated the Madison Blue Streaks (62-54), the Bard Raptors (8155), and the St. Thomas Aquinas Knights (59-49). On Feb. 20, the Hornets hosted the Blue Streaks on senior night for their last regular season contest. On senior night, the Blue Streaks got out to a 16-9 lead after one quarter of play. However, in the second quarter, the Hornets outscored the Blue Devils 16-9 as the teams went into halftime tied at 25-25. The Hornets then outscored the Blue Streaks 18-13 after intermission to take a 42-38 lead into the final quarter. Led by seniors, Ben DiFranco and Lucas Renfro, who both had 6 points in the fourth quarter, the See Boys Basketball • Page 9
ALAN KORNSPAN/KMG
Senior Luke Valencic had two pins on senior night on Feb. 18. With a regular season record of 19-12, Valencic earned first team All-CVC Honors for the season.
Wrestlers Dominant in Senior Night Tri-Match Victory By Alan Kornspan sports@karlovecmedia.com The Kirtland Hornets Wrestling Team hosted the Cardinal Huskies and the John F. Kennedy Fighting Eagles for Senior Night on Feb. 18. In a dominant performance,
the Hornets went 10-1 on the night. In fact, they won eight matches by pins and the other two matches on technical falls. In particular, senior wrestlers Preston White and Luke Valencic had excellent matches and were both excited to wrestle on senior night. “Senior night, honestly, it
meant a lot to me,” White said. “It was my last time being able to wrestle on my home turf.” Added Valencic, “I was looking forward to wrestling here one last time before our season is over and I love seeing my mom and dad in the crowd, it was amazing.” See Wrestling• Page 5
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