Leaf Thursday, March 28, 2024 Vol. 30 No. 13 • Chardon, Ohio www.geaugamapleleaf.com $1.25
Japanese Nurses Visit DDC Clinic By Ann Wishart ann@karlovecmedia.com Cohen’s syndrome drew some very different cultures together at the DDC Clinic Center for Special Needs Children in Middlefield last week. Eleven nurses from around Japan visited with the small staff at the clinic to learn how the center diagnoses and treats children and adults in the Amish community See Clinic • Page 4
Morrissette Pleads Guilty To Attempted Murder By Brian Doering brian@karlovecmedia.com Brandon Morrissette, 18, the West Geauga High School student who brought a gun to school last year with plans to kill several students, pleaded guilty to attempted murder and illegal possession of a weapon in a school zone March 21. Morrissette, of Lyndhurst, faces a maximum possible prison term of 16 and a half years for the attempted murder charge, a first-degree felony, and six to 12 months for committing the crime of possessing a firearm in a school safety zone, a fifth-degree felony,
said Geauga County Prosecutor Jim Flaiz. “We requested that he continue to be held without bond and the court did order that. He's going to remain at the Geauga County jail with no bond and then the court ordered a pre-sentence investigation,” Flaiz said. “Then, they're going to schedule a sentencing, but that has not been scheduled yet.” Morrissette was indicted May 2, 2023, by a Geauga County grand jury for bringing a 9mm handgun with three loaded magazines to West Geauga High School April 3, 2023. He was arrested that morn-
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ing after fellow student Casey Orloski, 17, discovered a bullet in the men’s bathroom. Morrissette Court records show when interviewed by Chester Township Police Chief Craig Young and Capt. Jeff Sherwood, Morrissette admitted he planned to open fire on students in the school library and that he chose the location because of the large number of students who would be there at that time. A 9mm Smith & Wesson handSee Morrissette • Page 3
By Rose Nemunaitis editor@karlovecmedia.com
Total Eclipse
See Eclipse • Page 6
APRIL 2024
Since 1992
Former West G Student Also Admits to Gun Charge
Skygazers Prepare for Celestial Show With Geauga County being in the path of totality for the upcoming historic solar eclipse, many event organizers are asking, “Where will you be on April 8?” All Geauga County school districts will be closed that Monday, while many people are taking vacation days to participate in eclipse watch parties or step outside to celebrate the natural phenomenon at home. “It’s a lifetime natural spectacle that’s coming right to Geauga County,” GPD Naturalist Chris Mentrek said. On average, Earth experiences a total solar eclipse every 18 months. The last total eclipse visible 2024 from Geauga County happened on June 16, 1806 — it will not experience another until Sept. 12, 2444. The phenomenon occurs when the moon passes between
INSIDE
Amish Youth Center Scores 2 Variances in Parkman page 5
Obituaries pages 16-17
Sheriff’s Sales & Legal Notices start on page 20
Classifieds page 23
“The most-exciting part of the eclipse will be when the moon totally blocks the sun — the moment of totality. In Geauga County, this will happen right around 3:14 p.m. This is the time when eclipse-viewers will want to take off their eclipse-viewing glasses and enjoy the view with their unaided eyes. It’s an amazing sight.” – Chris Mentrek
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