Leaf Thursday, September 26, 2024 Vol. 30 No. 39 • Chardon, Ohio www.geaugamapleleaf.com $1.25
Chardon Library Announces Future Site of New Branch By Amy Patterson amy@karlovecmedia.com The Geauga County Public Library has found a new site on Park Avenue for its Chardon branch and hopes to close on a purchase agreement for a portion of property owned by Bridle Downs, LLC by the end of October. Last year, GCPL announced it would no longer be feasible to have a branch on Chardon Square, as necessary upgrades would push the building past its property line into land owned by Chardon Schools. See Site• Page 5
Plank Road Tavern Fire Causes Significant Damage Staff Report Sixteen fire departments responded to a fire at the Plank Road Tavern in Montville Sept. 17 that caused significant damage. The call for the fire came in at 4:09 am., with Montville Township Fire Department arriving on scene at 4:18 a.m., Assistant Fire Chief Bryan Briskey said in a phone call Sept. 20. The fire caused state Route 6 to be temporarily closed, with the Ohio Department of Transportation being called in to help. Briskey confirmed it is still unknown if the building will be considered a total loss, or what the estimated damages are. “It’s still … under investigation with the Geauga County Fire Investigation Unit and the state fire marshal,” he said.
Sports pages 11-15
Senior Health Fair To Host 35 Vendors Oct. 7 SUBMITTED
The fire at the Plank Road Tavern in Montville Township Sept. 17 that caused significant damage to the building remains under investigation.
How Do You Like Them Pumpkins? Rose to Display Giants at Huntsburg Festival By Ann Wishart ann@karlovecmedia.com
Geauga County’s pumpkin king, Jerry Rose Jr., returned to his Huntsburg Township farm late Sept. 22 with the fruits of his labor in tow — a 1,201.5-pound pumpkin. The pumpkin earned third place at the Great Pumpkin Commonwealth Weigh-Off at Robert’s Family Farm near Gaston, Ky., over the weekend. His son, Jerry Rose III, of Huntsburg, brought home a fourth-
place ribbon for a 1,149-pound pumpkin that was also voted the prettiest pumpkin in the weigh-off patch, his dad said. “This was his first year growing by himself,” Rose said Sept. 23. The third-place pumpkin is his “smallest” giant pumpkin this growing season, he said. Rose’s pumpkins will be on display at the annual Huntsburg Pumpkin Festival Oct. 5 and 6. Admission is free for the event from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. both days.
A hearty pancake breakfast, served from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., will kick off both days’ festivities, which include a parade, car show, craft show and pumpkin run (four miles) or walk (one mile), according to the festival’s website. Breakfast will be held in the basement of the town hall at the intersection of state routes 322 and 528. All-you-can-eat buttermilk and pumpkin pancakes are served with sausage and the real maple syrup is made right in Huntsburg. Cost is $10 for adults, $5 for chil-
page 7
Obituaries pages 16-17
Sheriff’s Sales & Legal Notices start on page 20
Classifieds page 24
INSIDE dren ages 5-12 and children under 5 eat free with a purchasing adult. Breakfast is cash only. For more information, visit www. huntsburgpumpkinfestival.com.
West G Taps Benincasa as Next Superintendent Residents Question Process, Due Diligence By Allison Wilson wilson@karlovecmedia.com Despite audience concerns about process and fiduciary responsibility, West Geauga Schools Board of Education voted 4-1 Sept. 23 to hire Nancy Benincasa as successor to Superintendent Richard Markwardt.
In August, Markwardt announced his decision to retire at the end of his contract next summer. Benincasa, who currently serves as the district’s assistant superintendent, will be stepping into the role at the start of the 2025-2026 school year. West Geauga parent Steve Goden questioned the district’s
decision to fill the position not been the case with Dr. internally. Markwardt’s upcoming re“Having sat on numertirement at the conclusion ous corporate boards over of the school year.” the past 30 years, whenever Goden told the board if those organizations faced a search had been conductleadership changes, those ed, they should disclose boards always conducted Benincasa the facts surrounding it comprehensive searches and their reasoning. and selected the best candidate,” Board action without a thorGoden said. “My perception, which ough and comprehensive search may not be correct, is that that has See Benincasa • Page 4
Single Edition $1.25