Leaf Thursday, April 18, 2024 Vol. 30 No. 16 • Chardon, Ohio www.geaugamapleleaf.com $1.25
Deputy Accidently Shoots Woman While Saving Her from Dog Staff Report A Geauga County Sheriff's Office deputy accidentally injured a 58-year-old female from Aquilla Village after responding to a report of a dog attack April 11. Sheriff Scott Hildenbrand said April 15 the attack involved the resident’s Pitbull. “We got a 911 call and the caller couldn't speak, but we could hear her screaming and asking for help,” Hildenbrand said. “We sent a deputy over there and her dog was mauling her to the point where the bones were showing in her arm.” Hildenbrand said the deputy shot his firearm in an effort to stop the attack, but one of the rounds pierced through the dog and into the resident’s leg. See Shooting • Page 3
Cirino Charged with Sex Crimes While at West Geauga By Jamie Ward jamie@karlovecmedia.com
Former West Geauga football coach Lou Cirino has been charged with two felonies after being investigated for inappropriate relationships he had while employed at West Geauga High School, according to a Geauga County Grand Jury indictment. Cirino was arrested by Chester Township police and the Geauga County Sheriff’s Office April 12 and remained in jail until his first court appearance April 15 at Geauga County Common Pleas Court in front Judge Carolyn Paschke. Appearing via video, Cirino, 40, a 2002 West Geauga graduate whose address changed from Columbia Station to Warwick Lane in Chester, pleaded not guilty and posted his 10 percent of $10,000 cash or surety bond. The indictment states Cirino engaged in sexual conduct with
Gordon Safran Left His Legacy in Geauga County
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Lou Cirino at his first court appearance April 15 in Geauga County Common Pleas Court.
a student during his time as a West Geauga teacher and coach between 2009 and 2010, which is sexual battery. It also states Cirino had sexual contact with someone under 13 years old between 2004 and 2005, which is gross sexual imposition. The victim was the same in both charges, said Chester Township Police Chief Craig T. Young.
Hambden Fire Dept. Awarded Significant Grant
By Ann Wishart ann@karlovecmedia.com
By Rose Nemunaitis editor@karlovecmedia.com
More than 20 ago, Gordon Safran fulfilled his dream of building a bed and breakfast in Geauga County. The Red Maple Inn in Burton Village opened in 2000 and its 18 guest rooms, dining room and beautiful vistas delighted visitors for two decades. Safran left a legacy in Geauga County when he passed away March 25, including the DCC Clinic in Middlefield Township, which helps Amish families with genetic disorders. “He adored Geauga County,” said his daughter, Mindy Davidson, in a recent interview with the Geauga County Maple Leaf. Safran’s interests were many and wide-ranging, and included hopes of an afterlife, she said. “He joked if he came back, he wanted to be a basketball coach in Geauga County,” Davidson said.
With the help of U.S. Congressman Dave Joyce, Hambden Township Fire Department was recently able to secure a $6.75 million grant to build a new fire station. Joyce successfully fought for and delivered the congressionally directed spending grant as part of the 2024 U.S. Department of Agriculture appropriations bill. “We are very excited about this opportunity,” Hambden Fire Chief Scott Hildenbrand said. “This achievement has been made possible through the collective efforts of numerous individuals and organizations. This grant not only provides the financial resources necessary for the construction of the new fire station, but also underscores the importance of prioritizing public safety and emergency preparedness in our community. With the funding, we will
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Gordon and Evie Safran were Geauga County residents. Gordon, who passed away in March, built the Red Maple Inn in Burton.
Later in life, Safran and his wife, Evie, moved to Burton where Davidson and her family would visit, continuing a family tradition. “The (Great) Geauga County Fair was our favorite weekend of the year,” Davidson recalled. “We would go out there on weekends all the time.” See Safran • Page 4
“After an exhaustive investigation by our detective bureau, we were able to get here,” Young said. Cirino's lawyer, Joseph R. Klammer of Mentor, said in an email: “These allegations are from nearly 20 years ago. Imagine if you were left to defend allegations from decades ago. Fortunately he has the support of a big loving family — the entire family is prepared to defend the charges.” Both charges label Cirino “a sexually violent predator.” Both are third-degree felonies. “Chester Police did a great job,” Geauga County Prosecutor Jim Flaiz said. Strongsville Schools placed Cirino on administrative leave when the investigation began in December. Cirino has been a government teacher at Strongsville High School since 2017. After the Strongsville Schools Board of Education took heat from See Cirino • Page 4
Sports pages 13-15
New Leaf Program Throws in for $2.5 Million Federal Grant page 4
Newbury School Artifacts Find Home in Century Village page 8
Zoning Elimination Proposal Draws 150 to Meeting page 12
Obituaries pages 16-17
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Hambden Fire Chief Scott Hildenbrand and U.S. Congressman Dave Joyce work together to secure grant for fire station.
be able to create a facility that not only meets but exceeds industry standards, equipped with the latest technology and amenities to support our brave firefighters in their life-saving mission.” The grant, administered through the USDA, will cover nearSee Grant • Page 5
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