Leaf Thursday, January 16, 2025 Vol. 31 No. 3 • Chardon, Ohio www.geaugamapleleaf.com $1.25
Don’t Be Fooled
Attorney General’s Office Gives Tips to Avoid Scams By Allison Wilson wilson@karlovecmedia.com Anyone can be the target of a scam and the best way to protect yourself is to recognize the signs, according to the Ohio Attorney General’s Office. Danielle Murphy, consumer educator for OAG’s Consumer Protection Section, led a virtual lecture through the Geauga County Public Library Jan. 9 on scams that commonly target senior citizens. “A lot of times, we talk to an older group of 55 years and older. Seniors represent about 15% of the population, but, unfortunately, attract more than 30% of the reported fraud,” Murphy said. Murphy touched on some common red flags that should cause a person to slow down and consider the interaction. Someone requesting a wire transfer, a prepaid money card, a gift card, cryptocurrency, or asking you to go to a bitcoin machine or to switch to a peer-to-peer payment network like Cashapp are all questionable. “Right now, what we currently see is the number one form of payment that they seem to like are gift cards,” she said, adding people should also be aware of scammers phishing. See Scams • Page 4
Live from Geauga County:
Staff Report Geauga County Commissioner Carolyn Brakey hit the ground running Jan. 7, fulfilling a campaign promise to increase transparency by livestreaming meetings. Following an executive session and public comment segment at the end of last week’s meeting, Brakey made a motion to livestream their meetings on YouTube starting with the Jan. 14 meeting.
Commissioners had three options for streaming — YouTube (with the assistance of the Automatic Data Processing board), Microsoft Teams or using a system in the county offices.
“Of course, that’s a longer-term solution, we don’t currently have in-house resources regarding the operation of that system,” Brakey said, calling the YouTube and See County • Page 5
Giant Snow Turtle Spotted at West Woods
Berkshire Makerspace Students Display Talents, Creations page 7
Kenston Implements AI Gun Detection Program page 8
Burry Pleads Guilty to Grand Theft page 10 ROSE NEMUNAITIS/KMG
Snow accumulation brought a turtle-iffic opportunity to Geauga Park District’s The West Woods at 9465 Kinsman Road (state Route 87) in Russell Township. Come meet and greet this one-of-a-kind reptile created by GPD’s talented naturalists using pinecones and milkweed seed pods to create detail on the turtle’s shell, sticks for claws, and various local tree nuts for eyes and nostrils. Considering the long range AccuWeather forecast, this cool wildlife sculpture should be able to stick around for a while. Follow the entrance to Turkey Ridge Shelter.
Defense, Prosecution Remain in Discussions
During a scheduled pretrial hearing Jan. 10 for Kenneth Chuha, it was determined his case was not yet ready for trial, as counsel for the defense and prosecution are
pages 12-13
Commissioners to Stream Meetings
Chuha Attorney to File Motion to Suppress Evidence By Allison Wilson wilson@karlovecmedia.com
Sports
continuing talks. Defense attorney Steven Bradley is also planning to file a motion to suppress evidence, according to records in the Geauga County Court of Common Pleas. Chuha, 69, of Chardon, is facing charges of pandering sexually ori-
ented material involving a minor, a fourth-degree felony, three charges of illegal use of a minor in nudity oriented material, a fifth-degree felony, and possessing criminal tools, also a fifth-degree felony. Pandering involves receiving, purchasing or possessing material showing a minor participating or
engaging in sexual activity, masturbation or bestiality. Illegal use involves possessing materials or performance of a nude minor. Chuha pleaded not guilty to the charges during his arraignment Dec. 11 in front of Geauga County Common Pleas Judge Carolyn Paschke. See Chuha • Page 3
Obituaries page 14
Sheriff’s Sales & Legal Notices pages 18-19
Classifieds page 19 Single Edition $1.25