Wednesday, June 28, 2023 • Vol. 16 No. 3 • FREE
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Community News from Middlefield, Parkman, Huntsburg and Surrounding Areas
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Middlef ield Recent Cardinal Grad Dies in Accident Staff Report
Trent Mooney, a recent Cardinal High School graduate, died in an automobile accident at about 4:30 a.m. June 19 on state Route 57 in Lorain County. Mooney, who also played baseball and football for Cardinal, was on his way to work at a concrete plant when the accident occurred, Cardinal Schools Superintendent Jack Cunningham said during a phone interview June 20. He posted the following notice June 19 on the district’s Facebook page: “Today, we heard the extremely sad news that early this morning, Trent Mooney died in an automo-
Help Available For Water Bills The Ohio Department of Development and Geauga County Job and Family Services will help income-eligible Ohioans with water and wastewater assistance. The Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program provides eligible Ohio residents assistance paying water and wastewater bills that are threatened with disconnection or in a past-due status. Households may also receive assistance with a current bill. The program is available until Sept. 30, 2023. Geauga County residents should contact Geauga County JFS to apply for the program. A phone interview is required. Applicants will need to provide copies of the following along with completing the interview: • Copies of their most recent water/wastewater bills; • A list of all household members and proof of income for the last 30 days or 12 months for each member; and • Proof of United States citizenship or legal residency for all household members. For more information about the Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program contact Geauga County Job and Family Services at 440-285-9141. Additional information may also be obtained by visiting www. energyhelp.ohio.gov or by calling 800-282-0880.
BILL FUGATE/KMG
Trent Mooney during a varsity baseball game against Grand Valley.
bile accident. I know we are all saddened by his death and send our condolences to his family and friends.
“There will be grief counseling available for anybody who may wish to talk at the Cardinal High School tomorrow (June 20) from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Information about the funeral will be provided when it is available.” The Mooney family set up a gofundme account to help with funeral expenses. “Trent had a personality that could always light up the room, put a smile on everybody’s face and always willing to help others,” the family posted on the site. “Trent was the sweetest kid with the biggest heart.” The 14U Cardinal girls softball team also gave tribute to Mooney on June 19, according to a Cardinal Athletic Boosters Facebook post.
“The girls dedicated their game to Trent Mooney,” the post read. “Our community is one. United to help those in need. Rest easy, Trent.” A Vigil was held at 8:30 p.m. June 22 at the Cardinal High School Football Field in Mooney’s honor. Participants were invited to wear his favorite color, blue, and support his football number 50 and baseball number 11. Glow sticks and blue ribbon were provided and participants used phone flashlights for a moment of silence after dusk. “Trent, you will be truly missed,” Cardinal Huskies Football posted on Facebook. “Your charismatic smile will live on with us. Rest easy.”
Cardinal BOE Appoints Strever By Ann Wishart ann@karlovecmedia.com
When Keith Strever took his seat at the Cardinal Schools Board of Education June 14, he brought with him a background in business and support for the district’s push to educate the next Geauga County workforce. He also has the district’s improving financial position on his radar, he said in a phone interview June 19, adding he has been involved with the district in several ways. “I was on the policy committee in 2020, then I was asked to sit on the facilities committee,” he said. When board member Wendy Anderson announced she was stepping down May 24, Strever’s familiarity with the district led the other four board members to ask him to serve out her term. “They thought I could bring something to the table,” he said. Board President Linda Smallwood said in a phone interview the board felt the Parkman Township resident was very qualified for a number of reasons. “He is a calming influence and he’s well thought-out,” she said. “He has a lot of knowledge in building and maintenance.” Strever, who joined the U.S. Marine Corps after graduating from high school in North Caroli-
Veterans Appreciation Day
July 1, 6 p.m. Join for a show of appreciation for veterans at the Geauga County Fairgrounds in Burton. Sponsored by Atwood-Mauck American Legion Post 459, fireworks will go off at dusk.
Village of Middlefield
July 3 The Village of Middlefield is holding its Independence Day fireworks celebration at dusk at Yoder Brothers Sports Complex. Use the address 16060 Almeda, Middlefield for directions. Rain date is July 5.
SUBMITTED
Keith Strever, center, joined the Cardinal Schools Board of Education June 14. He and Carrie have six children, all Cardinal attendees or graduates, who watched him be sworn in. They are, from left: Blake, 15; graduate Austin, 19; Jaxon, 11; graduate Alaina, 20; Logan, 17; and Kannon, 13.
na, is the general supervisor for Platform Cement Inc. in Mentor, and Carrie Strever, his wife, owns Carries Trucking Co., which operates out of Middlefield and hauls a lot of dirt, sand and gravel locally, he said. The couple has six children, ages ranging from 11 to 20, and all attend or graduated from Cardinal Schools. It is one reason Strever became involved in the district, helping guide it through the pandemic in 2020 and recently offering his experience to the facilities committee regarding a variety of projects in the works. Smallwood said when Anderson let the board and administration know she was leaving for another opportunity, they decided not to advertise for the open seat. The board voted unanimously to
appoint Strever on June 14 and he was sworn in by Treasurer Seth Cales, who will be leaving July 7. Terry Armstrong will be taking Cales’ place. Strever said he plans to run for Anderson’s seat in November. Long-time board member Katie Thomas likely will not be running for re-election, but Barb Rayburn will have her name on the ballot, Smallwood said. The board has a number of issues that are being addressed, Strever said. One has to do with the district’s policies during the pandemic. “During COVID, we lost a lot of Amish enrollment. They’ve been building more schools,” he said. On the positive side, Strever See Strever • Page 5
NOTICE Due to the upcoming holiday, our press deadlines have been changed. Please note the following deadlines for any content you would like published. Chesterland News July 5th Edition DEADLINE JUNE 29th Geauga Maple Leaf July 6th Edition DEADLINE JUNE 30th
Kirtland Chronicle July 12th Edition* DEADLINE JULY 10th *The July Kirtland Chronicle will be delivered on July 12th instead of its orginal date of July 5th.
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