Community members gathered at Vino Type in Chester Township June 4 to welcome Angela North as the new executive director of National Alliance on Mental Illness Geauga County.
The event, hosted by the local chapter of NAMI, gave attendees a chance to meet North, learn about her vision for the organization and discuss the evolving conversation about mental health.
North, a licensed social worker with a master’s degree in public ad ministration, brings over a decade
Retirement Rolling Around for Baumgartner
Wishart karlovEcmEdia com
The wheels of Cardinal Schools’ buses have been going round and round for 25 years under the direction of Transportation Coordinator Diane Baumgart-
With a phone in one hand and her radio in the other, the lifelong Cardinal Huskie often keeps in touch with drivers of buses and vans all day, every day, ensuring students get to and from sports events, outings and numerous other locations, such as private schools, special needs student venues and the Auburn Career Center.
“I have 15 calendars to keep track of,” she said during an interview June 5.
See Baumgartner • Page 4
Geauga Lake Developer Threatens Lawsuit
Officials Set Town Hall Demolition Date
By Emma macNivEN macNivEN@karlovEcmEdia com
The VC Park at Geauga Lake developer is threatening to take legal action against Bainbridge Township Trustees after they repeatedly denied occupancy permits for the new apartment complex due to safety concerns.
Trustee Jeff Markley announced during the June 9 trustees meeting
Vision Development, the company building the apartments, recently sent a letter threatening a lawsuit against the township.
Vorys law firm, representing Columbus-based VD, sent the Geauga County Prosecutor’s Office a letter June 4 stating three reasons why they believe the township is working unlawfully.
Commission Denies GPH Budget, Auditor ‘Concerned’
By allisoN WilsoN WilsoN@karlovEcmEdia com
The Geauga County Budget Commission unanimously rejected Geauga Public Health’s 2026 budget June 2.
“The numbers on the certificate we have here are the same numbers that were presented during the April 21 official budget hearing,” said county Deputy Auditor Kristen Sinatra, referring to GPH’s
first budget hear ing, when the budget commis sion tabled the matter after crit icising high cash amounts in funds and expressing concern about how budget information is con veyed to the Health District Adviso ry Council.
Nothing has changed from what
the commission reviewed then, she said.
No representatives from GPH were present at the June meeting.
“The health department was unaware that it had been placed back on the agenda for the budget committee due to some miscommunications at GPH,” Geauga County Health Administrator Adam Litke said in a June 7 email. “Those issues have been addressed and we are now in communication with the auditor’s office in reference to our appearance at the next regularly scheduled meeting.”
Flaiz
Walder Hitchcock
North
Community Meetings
Geauga County: June 13, 10 a.m., CCC/EAPA Meeting, Geauga County; June 16, 1:30 p.m., Family First Council, County Office Building, First Floor; June 17, 9:30 a.m., Geauga County Commissioners; June 18, 6 p.m., Geauga County Board of Mental Health and Recovery Services, Board Meeting, 13244 Ravenna Road. All county meetings are held at the Geauga County Administrative Building, 12611 Ravenwood Drive (Ste. #), Claridon, unless otherwise noted. County commissioners meetings are held in Suite 350.
Auburn Township: June 12, 7 p.m., Zoning Commission; June 16, 7 p.m., Board of Trustees. All meetings are held at the Administration Building, 11010 Washington St., unless otherwise indicated.
Bainbridge Township: June 19, 7 p.m., Board of Zoning Appeals, at the Centerville Mills Park Dining Hall, 8558 Crackel Road.
Burton Township: June 16, 7 p.m., Board of Trustees. The meeting will be held at the Burton Township Administration building, 14821 Rapids Road.
Chardon City: June 12, 6:30 p.m., City Council. All meetings are held at the Municipal Center, 111 Water St., unless otherwise noted.
Chardon Township: June 16, 7 p.m., Zoning Commission; June 18, 7 p.m., Board of Trust-
Bainbridge
from page 1
“Aurora Apartments (VD) constructed the buildings pursuant to the building code and fire code, yet the county and township are improperly delaying occupancy,” the letter said. “The county is required to issue the certificates of occupancy under Ohio law and the township has no authority to interfere with this straightforward process. The county and township are exposing themselves to unnecessary liability for violation of the law.”
The letter went on to demand occupancy for nine buildings on the property.
“Aurora Apartments hereby demands that the county immediately execute certificates of occupancy for the nine completed (and approved) buildings within the development and the township cease and desist from its illegal interference with same,” it said.
While some apartments have been completed, construction is ongoing and Markley had previously expressed concerns about a lack of safety precautions, including fencing and signage, as building continues on the site.
As a result, trustees delayed allowing tenants to move onto the property until those concerns were addressed, despite Scott Morgan, director of construction for VD, requesting trustees’ approval for occupancy in three completed apartment and amenity buildings late last month.
“They want their occupancy permits regardless of whether it’s safe or not,” Markley said during Monday’s meeting.
While Morgan was set to appear before trustees Monday night to once again seek approval for occupancy, neither he nor anyone from VD were present.
Trustees previously set conditions for VD before approving occupancy, including providing fencing around construction areas, signage on the property and a designated road — none of which have been done, Markley said last month. Morgan said at that meeting VD would begin working on getting fencing around construction areas and are working on addressing signage.
When asked for further comment, Bain-
ees. All meetings are held at Township Hall, 9949 Mentor Road, unless otherwise noted.
Chester Township: June 12, 6:30 p.m., Board of Trustees; June 18, 7 p.m., Zoning Commission. All meetings are held at Township Hall, 12701 Chillicothe Road, unless otherwise noted.
Claridon Township: June 16, 6 p.m., Board of Trustees, at Claridon Administrative Building, 13932 Mayfield Road.
Hambden Township: June 17, 6 p.m., Parks and Recreation Board; June 18, 6:30 p.m., Board of Trustees. All meetings are held at the Town Hall, 13887 GAR Highway, unless otherwise noted.
Huntsburg Township: June 17, 7 p.m., Board of Trustees. All meetings are held at the Town Hall, 16534 Mayfield Road.
Middlefield Village: June 12, 5 p.m. – Economic Development Committee, 5:30 p.m. – Recreation Committee, 6 p.m. – Finance Committee, 7 p.m. – Village Council. All meetings are at the Municipal Center, 14860 N. State Ave.
Montville Township: June 17, 6 p.m., Board of Trustees, work session for discussion of an addition to the fire department. All meetings are held at the Montville Community Center, 9755 Madison Road, unless noted.
bridge Township Trustees issued the following statement.
“While the township cannot comment on the specifics of pending claims, it is fair to say that it does not agree with a significant number of the allegations in this letter and it will consider carefully its various legal options.”
VD did not return a request for further comment prior to press deadline.
In other business, Bainbridge Township Service Department announced a demolition date for the town hall has been set for June 16.
The renovation project — which would include demolition of the room cap and the basement — was fast-tracked in February, after Drew Thompson, of DS Architecture, told township officials the front room of the town hall was dangerous and should be closed immediately.
“We observed what appears to be a significant escalation in structural damage to the Bainbridge town hall gym. Based on our professional assessment, there is a substantial risk of catastrophic structural failure, posing a serious threat to the health, safety and welfare of all occupants,” Thompson said in a letter to officials. “Given these concerns, we strongly recommend that the entire town hall building and surrounding area be temporarily vacated as a precautionary measure.”
Trustees have been discussing the demolition and construction of the town hall since 2021, when Michael Bates first became a trustee, Bates said.
“The building is falling down,” he said in April. “I watched (Service Director Jim Stanek) move those walls (with his hands).”
In order to prepare for the demolition, the service department has been working on shifting things around at the town hall,
Munson Township: June 18, 6:30 p.m., Board of Zoning Appeals. All meetings are held at Township Hall, 12210 Auburn Road, unless otherwise noted.
Parkman Township: June 17, 7 p.m., Board of Trustees. All meetings are held at the Community House, 16295 Main Market Road, unless otherwise noted.
Russell Township: June 18, 7 p.m., Board of Trustees. All meetings are held at Town Hall, 14890 Chillicothe Road, unless otherwise noted.
South Russell Village: June 17, 5:30 p.m., Architectural Board of Review; June 18, 7 p.m., Board of Zoning Appeals. All meetings are held at the Village Hall, 5205 Chillicothe Road, unless otherwise noted.
Thompson Township: June 18, 7 p.m., Board of Trustees, at the Thompson Community Center at the Thompson Square.
Troy Township: June 12, 7 p.m., Zoning Commission; June 17, 7 p.m., Board of Trustees. All meetings are held at Troy Community Center, 13950 Main Market Road, unless noted.
Chardon BOE: June 16, 5:30 p.m., regular meeting. All meetings are held at Ira A. Canfield Building, 428 North St., Chardon, unless otherwise noted.
said Assistant Service Director Alex Hansel during Monday’s meeting.
The service department installed conduit for a new fire optic line between the Bainbridge Township Police Department and Fire Department, Hansel said.
“We are moving all of our communications to the police department, so all of our firewalls and data will run through there,” he added.
In addition, the service department removed furnace units from the basement, relocated the electrical panel, capped and removed plumbing from the basement and located and marked all underground utilities, he said.
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Jordak Auction Keeps Cardinal Fiscally Sound
By aNN Wishart aNN@karlovEcmEdia com
The gavel came down on the side of Cardinal Schools June 9.
The Cardinal Schools Board of Education wasted no time passing a resolution Monday to accept the bid by Ohman Family Living of $2.2 million for the Jordack Elementary School building and 5.5 acres in the center of Middlefield Village.
While the parcel was auctioned off by auctioneer Scott Mihalic in the school cafeteria June 7, he explained at the beginning of the auction he could not utter the word “sold” because the board of education needed to accept the bid in a meeting.
The revenue will keep Cardinal Schools a comfortable distance from the financial edge through 2029, according to figures presented in a letter to the board by Treasurer Terry Armstrong.
“What an amazing sale of the building/ property,” he wrote. “Based on school building sales data in Northeast Ohio, we definitely over-performed.”
Cardinal Superintendent Jack Cunningham said in a phone interview June 10 he was surprised and pleased with OFL’s bid, which
Baumgartner
from page 1
Baumgartner, 65, will retire Sept. 5, giving up scheduling the district’s 12 buses and nine vans to free up time to travel and keep in touch with close friends.
Sitting at her desk at Cardinal Junior Senior High School, Baumgartner admits she is attached to her radio, which was sitting on the table by the door.
“I’m still trying to figure out how to get out of here with one,” she joked.
She and her husband, Scott, plan to live in Middlefield Village, but do some traveling once the bus schedule settles down after the first few days of next school year.
The Job, the Challenges
When she joined Cardinal in 1983, Baumgartner worked as a substitute teacher
was higher than the other three bidders Saturday.
“Scott did a good job. It was a good decision by the board to hire him,” he said, explaining the money will go straight into the permanent improvement fund for the numerous renovation and update projects the board wants to carry out at the remaining school buildings.
“The sale allows us to do projects without using the general fund,” he said. “It makes us very solid. I’m pretty excited about the future. Cardinal forever!”
Armstrong’s letter to the board recommended the action it should take at the next meeting.
“First, we will want to have a resolution at the next meeting to rescind the recent transfers from the general fund to the capital improvement funds. This will enable us to move back to just under 40% carryover for (fiscal year) 25 and slightly over for FY26,” he wrote. “(That is) huge for our bond rating discussions, to say the least.”
By re-invigorating the general fund, the forecast for the next four years is more favorable than the figures Armstrong ran for the five-year forecast in May, he said, crediting Mihalic for his professionalism.
and filled in wherever she was needed.
Long-time friend and special education teacher Peggy Karg recalls Baumgartner’s willingness to pitch in when Karg had a very difficult class of students in 1997 and was dealing with family issues.
“Nobody wanted to sub for me. Diane was the only one who would sub for me,” Karg said. “She dropped everything, without thinking about it, when I needed her. ”
Baumgartner’s degree was in physical education, but Karg, who worked with her for about 33 years, said her friend never taught a PE class, although she did coach the girls volleyball team for 30 years.
Working her way up the ranks as a classified employee, Baumgartner said she learned the ropes and met many great people before taking the coordinator position in 2000 after serving as transportation secretary under Tom Moss.
“There were not as many guidelines then,” she said. “Everything’s more complicated, now.”
Timing is everything and is even more of an hourly puzzle due to the size of the district, Baumgartner said.
Cardinal Schools covers Middlefield Village and the eastern townships in Geauga County from Huntsburg to Parkman. Sometimes, Baumgartner said she is able to share services with transportation departments in Chardon and West Geauga school districts.
In addition, students with special needs up to age 22 are on different schedules and must be transported to different schools or facilities across the county, a legal responsibility of the district.
“That’s part of the challenge — the distances we have to travel,” she said, adding driver recruitment is a constant task.
“All the districts are short drivers,” Baumgartner said.
All in the Family
Baumgartner grew up with four younger brothers in a Cardinal family.
Her grandmother, Anne Polomsky, cooked and served lunches at schools in the district.
Mihalic attended the meeting to finalize paperwork.
Before the board voted, Joshua Wallace, of the OFL executive leadership team, ad dressed the school board, outlining some of the plans the organization has for the build ing
“We’ve had our eye on this building for mixed-use residential services,” he said, not ing OFL is building senior living units called The Cottages in the village. “We want to provide more housing for active aging adults over 55 and also provide some great services in the community.”
Seniors who visited The Cottages recent ly said they would like a community center, pickel ball courts, a salon/spa and some place to eat, Wallace said, adding those items would benefit OFL and invite more economic development in the village.
The external structure of the school will remain and more buildings may be added, he said.
Mihalic also auctioned off contents of the building and the former bus garage before and after the real estate auction, yielding about an additional $23,000, he said at the meeting.
Her father, Boots Wright, was a custodian at Huntsburg Elementary School and drove Cardinal vans, and her daughter, Heather Baumgartner, is a paraprofessional at Cardinal, she said.
Baumgartner’s mother, Mary Anne Wright, drove a school bus for 43 years — longer than she had planned.
“Her mother wanted to retire, but Diane talked her into staying,” recalled Sue Hickcox, who also grew up in Huntsburg Township and attended elementary school with Baumgartner.
She retired two years ago from her job in the middle school office.
“Diane has a great work ethic,” Hickcox said. “The drivers really appreciate that.”
Hickcox credited her friend with being a serious multi-tasker, which helps in keeping schedules straight and buses on time.
“Her job is 24/7 and nearly 365,” Hickcox said. “A lot of people have the perception working for a school is easy, but it only looks easy because of people like Diane.”
Friends and Neighbors
Sitting at a table in Baumgartner’s office, Tally Hostetler, 62, said she is also retiring this year. The Cardinal Elementary School attendance secretary lives a few doors down from Baumgartner and also graduated from Cardinal High School.
She recalled the fundraisers they worked together to support the Cardinal Athletic Booster Club.
“We sold our fried Swiss cheese-on-astick during (The Great Geauga County) Fair week,” she said. “We’ve been friends forever.”
The two are part of a large group, the members of which are more than co-workers. They join up for a day at a Guardians game or pitch in to assist with a school-related event, but they also help each other through tough times.
“When I suffered a major stroke in 2014, they all did everything for me,” Hostetler said. “I was laid up for a while. Diane hauled my butt to school and home when I came back (to work).”
“Diane’s been there for all of us, no mat-
ter what,” added Samone Lee, another of the group, many of whom have been members of the Local 616 Ohio Association of Public School Employees union.
Besides decades of working in the district, what ties the cadre together is the love they share for the hundreds of children they have seen swarming the halls of Cardinal Schools.
“Diane says, ‘They’re all our kids,’” Hostetler said.
Inevitable Changes
When the Cardinal Intermediate School was sold to become a child daycare facility, the bus garage behind it was part of the deal, Baumgartner said.
Cardinal continued to lease it for three years until a contract with Chardon Schools moved maintenance of the buses and vans out of the district.
“Chardon is very good to work with,” Baumgartner said, adding the mechanics — Jerry Jacobs, Roger Windsor and Tim Sperling — are no longer at Cardinal.
“The number of people here is dwindling,” she said.
A shrinking enrollment led the administration and Cardinal Schools Board of Education to consolidate elementary school students and staff into the middle school and the junior senior high school and put A.J. Jordak Elementary School for auction.
The live auction at Jordak, set for June 7, was one school event Baumgartner said she would not be attending.
“You hate to lose a building in a district. There’s a lot of history there,” she said. Her decision to take a well-earned retirement is bittersweet.
“It was very hard to put my (retirement) letter in,” she said, adding, after 42 years, it will be strange not to have to get up early every morning.
“It’s home. It’s been home for a long time,” she said. “The people I work with are a wonderful, good group. I’m going to miss it in two months when I can’t come back. But, I’m a people person. I’ve told them I’ll have to come up and pester them.”
tion June 9 about OFL’s plans for the former Jordak Elementary School.
Auburn Career Center Treasurer Resigns
staff rEport
Auburn Career Center Treasurer Sherry Williamson recently announced her decision to step down from the post, as the board of education officially accepted her resignation June 3.
“It has been an honor to serve the Auburn Career Center,” Williamson said in her letter. “I am proud of the work we have accomplished together and I am confident that the institution will continue to thrive and positively impact students.”
The change marks a phase of her semi-retirement, she added in an email June 5.
“I will be working part-time with Fairport
Exempted Village School District while also spending more time with my family and helping care for my grandchildren,” Williamson said. “I’m grateful for the opportunity to continue contributing in a meaningful way while embracing this new chapter in life.”
Williamson is not the only staff leaving this year, with Superintendent Brian Bontempo announcing his retirement in February.
“Sherry Williamson has done an outstanding job for Auburn. She will be missed,” Bontempo said in a June 9 email. “I wish her the very best.”
Williamson will make her departure when her contract expires July 31.
In other business, the board approved a memorandum of un derstanding with teacher’s union Career and Technical Association regarding the employment of year-long substitute teachers.
“If you remember back earlier in this year, we had quite the chal lenge with finding substitutes,” Bontempo said.
Williamson
The plan employs two full-time subs, he added.
“The goal on this is for it to be flat as far as expense goes, but you have consistency in the classroom,” he said.
While Bontempo noted the substitute pool is dwindling, he does not believe it will be a challenge finding substitutes for the
“We already have some folks that are available that we believe are going to be good substitutes. We just need them to apply to the
There is always a need in the building and the substitutes are likely to always be busy,
“We looked back this year and we were just over three subs a day,” he said.
Chardon Township Embarks on Historic Paving Project
staff rEport
Chardon Township residents can expect to see significant construction this summer as crews make their way through a lengthy list of road repairs.
Nine roads — Foxwood Drive, Cherry Hollow Drive, Hickory Hollow Drive, Oak Hollow Drive, Stratford Ridge Lane, Eden Park Drive, Clark Road, Hosford Road and Courtney Court — were included in a $57,000 crack seal proposal from GT Contracting, Road Su-
NAMI
from page 1 of experience in mental health advocacy with NAMI to the executive director role, she said during a recent interview.
Her journey with NAMI began in 2015, after which she served as the director of affiliates and programs at the state level with NAMI Ohio, North said, adding although she stepped away from that position due to personal conflict, she remained connected to the organization.
Through training previous NAMI Geauga members, North formed a connection to the area that left a lasting impression, she said.
“I just fell in love with the area,” North said. “I am my favorite version of myself in Geauga County.”
When colleagues and friends encouraged her to apply for the open executive director position, it felt like a natural decision, she said.
While she’s had a lot of professional training, North’s commitment to mental health stems from personal experience.
During high school, North and her classmates experienced multiple student suicides and tragic unexpected losses that affected them, she said.
“We were faced with a mental health crisis almost on a daily basis,” she said.
Coupled with her experience as a social worker, those years shaped North’s dedication to mental wellness and inspired her to help others find the support they need, she said.
When asked what a mentally healthy community looks like, North pointed to events like the June 4 gathering as a powerful example.
“A mentally healthy community begins with events like tonight,” she said. “When people show up and talk about mental health, that’s where healing begins.”
North believes open dialogue and collaboration are crucial in reducing stigma, a goal that remains central to NAMI’s mission both locally and beyond, she said.
“Stigma is still prevalent everywhere we go,” she said. “True mental wellness comes
perintendent Zack Sipan said.
The township had previously allocated $62,500 for the projects, he added.
These will be later-season projects, as many of the roads in question will require grinding before they are sealed, Sipan said.
“The whole Cherry Hollow development needs partial depth repair,” he added.
Trustees passed a motion for the crack sealing unanimously.
Bids have also opened on the core roads the township wants to repave this year, Trust-
through stigma reduction.”
The executive director has big plans to expand NAMI Geauga’s reach, especially among youth and schools. She believes in early intervention through compassionate, non-clinical approaches that build trust, she said.
“I would love to see us grow in our work with our youth,” North said. “We need to support our young people — period.”
She emphasized the importance of helping students understand that needing help or living with a mental illness is not a personal failure.
Susan Parker, vice president of the NAMI Geauga Board of Directors and a 20-year veteran in the mental health and behavioral health field, echoed that sentiment.
“If we can’t get in front of the kids, we can’t talk to them,” Parker said, highlighting the organization’s ongoing efforts to build meaningful partnerships with school leadership.
North also discussed the upcoming NAMI walk, scheduled for Sept. 20, as an example of how community involvement and mental health can intersect.
The event, organized in collaboration with NAMI Greater Cleveland, is a major fundraiser for the Geauga chapter. All funds raised locally stay in Geauga County, she said, adding sponsors and walking teams are still being sought.
“There is beauty in collaboration to get the word out,” she said. “It’s a fun event. You can get a little exercise and exercise is good for mental health!”
In addition to the walk, North highlighted a variety of programs offered by NAMI Geauga, including “Ending the Silence,” “NAMI on Campus,” “Peer-to-Peer” and “Connections.”
Unlike traditional medical models, NAMI’s peer-led approach focuses on community and lived experience, she said.
“It’s not just classes or programs — it’s a culture,” she said.
Parker added, “NAMI is another mom, another father, someone who has been through it and now wants to give back.”
Geauga County’s rural, tight-knit character can pose challenges when addressing
ee Michael Brown said.
The county’s project estimate was $1.52 million for asphalt resurfacing work encapsulating Hermitage, Griswold, Robinson and Pearl roads, Sipan said.
The Geauga County Engineer’s Office is currently evaluating bids, Brown said, adding work should commence in late July or early August.
Little Mountain Road is also currently undergoing work and looks good so far, Sipan said.
mental health openly.
North acknowledged this, but said she is committed to fostering honest dialogue.
“I refuse to shut up,” she said. “Historically, we’ve been taught to shy away from hard conversations. But we need to stop hushing ourselves.”
She believes persistent, candid discussions about mental health, suicide prevention and emotional wellbeing are key to dismantling stigma.
Parker added NAMI’s strength lies in its ability to break down the conventional, often clinical model of mental health care and instead build peer-led, compassionate support systems rooted in real-life experience.
The executive director position at NAMI Geauga has changed hands several times in recent years, but North believes her history with the organization and her passion for the work will help bring stability.
“Funding and money have played a role
“We’ll have five roads paved this year,” Brown said.
In the history of Chardon Township, there have never been five roads paved in any given year, Trustee Tim McKenna added.
McKenna also urged residents who may be anxious about when their road will be repaved to be patient.
“We’ve got five years to play with here,” he said. “This is what happens when you don’t have funding for 24 years and you have to play catch-up.”
in those transitions,” she said, explaining that many services offered by NAMI are not covered by traditional billing due to their non-clinical nature.
However, she believes her long-standing relationship with the NAMI community and her intentional choice to take on this role sets her apart.
“I’ve been with NAMI for 10 years,” she said. “I chose to be here. I want to stay.”
North also knows the emotional demands of the job and is intentional about maintaining her own mental wellness. She finds peace in music, reading, time with her dogs and getting outside, she said.
“Stress is real no matter what your job is or whether or not you have a diagnosis,” she added.
As she looks to the future, North’s message to Geauga County is clear: “I’m really happy to be here. It already feels like home.”
Collapsed Home Continues to Frustrate Residents, Officials
By Emma macNivEN macNivEN@karlovEcmEdia com
Around 15 residents from the Hemlock Hills neighborhood in Russell Township came to the trustees meeting June 5 to express their concerns about the collapsed home at 8460 Ridgewood Lane.
The home, owned by Victor Vilimas, according to the Geauga County Auditor’s Office, was left in the care of Paul Mileris, of Ohama, Neb., after Vilimas died in 2019.
Since then, the house has been in disrepair and collapsed earlier this year, trustees said.
Russell Township Fire Chief John Frazier said the property has been declared “insecure, unsafe and structurally defective,” according to the Ohio Revised Code.
Trustee Kristina Port said she has spoken to attorney Michael Drain, who is attempting to gain executorship of the property through the Geauga County Court of Common Pleas. Drain will know the status of his executorship at the end of the month, Port said, adding if he is made executor, trustees can proceed with the demolition process of the home.
“(We can’t do anything) until we have something from who's taking care of the estate and having the relatives on board and … our contact person established,” Port said.
The residence is a hazard, said Hemlock Hills Homeowner Association President Ben Kotowski.
“We're concerned about what the township has not done to take care of a problem
from the house said she has seen vagrants, feral cats, dead deer and large rats on the property.
“Can you make a motion right now saying, ‘We move to proceed with utmost speed, working with the (Americans with Disabilities Act officials) to rid the township of this nuisance?’ Something simple like that? And then you’ve got something to work from,” Russell resident Charlie Butters asked trustees.
Trustees decided it would be best to hold off on taking any action until they can write up a motion correctly.
Trustee Jim Mueller said he has been try-
asked.
Regardless of what trustees decide to do, there will still be a process to complete before the house can be demolished, including requesting the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency to do a hazmat investigation, which would be at the township's expense, Township Administrator Melissa Palmer said.
This could impact the trustees’ seats next election, Eric Gerard, former president of the Hemlock Hills Homeowners Association said.
“You're looking at what is probably the largest voting block in Russell Township, in
to get the board to do something, there's no intention by the board making any steps,” he continued. “You have no idea what to do, you have no documentation about what you need to do even move forward with this.”
Hare issued a followup statement June 9.
“At this time and before proceeding at taxpayer expense, I do not want to deter a family’s responsibility to their private property as they go through probate,” the statement said. “The board and I are obligated to follow the procedures and timeline established by the Ohio Revised Code. These are the factors deciding my next steps.”
Township Park, Library Elevator Selections for Grant Projects
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Community development block grant money will be spent on a new elevator for the Burton Public Library and walking trail at Chardon Township Park, as Geauga County Commissioners approved the fund allocation May 28.
A number of projects were submitted, said Geauga County Community and Economic Development Program Coordinator Elaine Malkamaki during the commissioners regular meeting.
These included purchase of a work truck for the Lake-Geauga Habitat for Humanity, a generator for a senior center for the Geauga County Department on Aging and parking lot expansion for the DDC Clinic in Middlefield.
The walking trail’s total project cost and the amount being sought via CDBG funding is $100,000, Malkamaki said, explaining the project will make the park more handicap friendly.
The library elevator is also an accessibility issue, she said.
“Their elevator needs modernization pretty bad,” she said. “All of their meeting rooms, all of their handicap-accessible bathrooms are on their second floor and I think that the elevator’s pretty unpredictable.”
The elevator’s total project cost is $223,677, with the library seeking $150,000 in CDBG funding with a $73,677 match, Malkamaki said.
Projects are scored based upon safety, health, welfare, feasibility, readiness to proceed, permitting and previous funding, Malkamaki said, noting if an organization just received CDBG funding last year, it will score lower in that area.
Both top projects serve the safety, health and welfare of Americans with Disabilities Act clients and both serve a larger population overall, she said.
The walking trail is a project that has been on the waitlist for a long time, said Chardon Township Trustee Tim McKenna.
“We have a pretty decent park up there by Auburn and Mentor roads. This’ll add another piece to the pie,” he said.
Burton Public Library Director Katie Ringenbach expressed relief at the elevator finally being updated.
“We have been fundraising for years and saving for years and it’s a moving target,” she said, adding the price increases every time they get close to hitting it.
‘We
Geauga County Commissioner Jim Dvorak noted he likes that the money is going to something that will be used 12 months out of the year.
The GCDOA and DDC clinic projects were voted to be the alternates, should the state not approve the elevator or walking trail.
All Should Work Together’
here and soft bill(ing),” he said.
Troy Township Trustee Donn Breckenridge introduced a mutual-aid agreement with Parkman Township during the June 3 Troy Township Trustees meeting.
The arrangement would ensure residents of both townships would not face ambulance or fire service charges when help crosses township lines.
Parkman Township Trustees signed an agreement in 2017 stating if Parkman Township Fire Department came to Troy, they wouldn’t charge their residents, he said.
“I think this is good for Parkman (and) I think this is good for Troy,” Breckendridge said. “I understand that we will probably go to Parkman more than they'll come here because we're staffed more, but I think in the long run, it'll even out eventually.”
The agreement is through ambulance billing service, Life Force Management, of Ravenna, he said.
“We're just doing each other a favor
While the agreement said Parkman residents would not be billed for EMS and fire-related services, visitors of the area would be billed.
“Not sure how that (agreement) ever got changed,” Troy Township Trustee Sharon Simms said.
Chairman Leonard Barcikoski told Fire Chief Jim Nix to reach out to other surrounding areas to make sure they are active in mutual-aid agreements.
“I have reached out to every chief for every township that touches Troy,” Nix said, adding he just had a meeting with Auburn Township, and Burton Village and Hiram are next.
Nix added he’s working on training the department to ask whether they are a resident or not of Troy Township, Parkman Township, etc.
“I think it's good for the community,” Breckenridge said. “We all should work together.”
Trustees unanimously voted in favor of the mutual-aid agreement.
Parkman Township
Troy FD Returns to Soft Billing ‘Immediately’
By aNN Wishart aNN@karlovEcmEdia com
Troy Township Trustee Donn Breckenridge attended the Parkman Township Trustees meeting June 3 to discuss his township’s past billing practices for EMS calls following a complaint from a Parkman resident.
“I found out Troy is not soft billing Parkman residents. Troy Township will start soft billing immediately,” he said.
TFD answers to the Troy trustees for their fiscal practices while Parkman Township Fire Department is a contracted service.
Troy and Parkman officials agreed to soft bill for transporting patients from either township in 2015 or 2017, Breckenridge said in a phone interview June 6.
“I don’t know what happened that some Parkman residents started being hard billed,” he said.
Parkman Township Trustee Joyce Peters said in a phone interview June 5 no one knows when the hard billing by Troy started.
Budget
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Geauga County Auditor Chuck Walder — who sits on the budget commission along with county Prosecutor Jim Flaiz and Treasurer Chris Hitchcock — said he has been unsuccessful in discussing ongoing problems with the budget and other accounting issues with GPH, despite having contacted Health Commissioner Ron Graham and a health board member.
“I have one of the highest degrees of concern I have ever had for a public entity with Geauga Public Health right now,” Walder said, adding until he can get an audience to remedy the issues, he cannot in good conscience approve the budget.
“There are too many risk factors for the general public and there’s too much money at risk that I don’t think are being given the proper attention by their board, or even by their health commissioner,” Walder said.
There is no sense of urgency, he added.
Hitchcock questioned if GPH is audited by the state.
They are audited, Walder confirmed.
“They’re audited independently through a series of compliance requirements for grants, which I’m involved with right now,” he said.
He does not believe it is going well, Walder said.
“If I had gotten the letter that they received last November from the compliance person in Columbus on a federal grant, I would probably not be sleeping since last November,” he said.
GPH has been working with both the state and county auditor’s office regarding the ongoing audit of a single grant, Litke said, adding the process has taken longer than expected, but they believe they are addressing the concerns raised by both parties.
The budget as it currently exists would have a hard time getting his support, Hitchcock said.
“They don’t have anybody here or online. Clearly, we don’t have their attention, yet,” he said.
Walder agreed, adding he does not know
She offered an explanation of soft billing.
“Soft billing is when you bill your residents for the cost of transport and accept as payment-in-full what comes from the insurance company. The balance is forgiven,” she said. “What the two townships agreed to in about 2017 was to charge each other’s residents as their own with soft billing.”
Under the soft billing agreement, the patient is not expected to pay, unlike hard billing, she said.
Parkman has continued soft billing for Troy residents since then, Peters said, adding she wants to get a copy of the original agreement and minutes from the meeting the agreement was made between both townships’ trustees and fire department officials.
“They were working to share (fire and EMS) services,” she said.
At the May 3 meeting, Breckenridge said the person who contacted him wanted to know if those individuals who paid the hard billing amounts could be compensated for over-paying.
“I have one of the highest degrees of concern I have ever had for a public entity with Geauga Public Health right now.”
– Chuck Walder
how to get the department’s attention and has sent two letters, as well as a “panic text” to a board member.
“The most important aspect is to not jeopardize the health of our county, while at the same time, we cannot allow any tax-supported entity to run without review,” Hitchcock said. “That’s what they are asking us to continue to do.”
There are a number of accounts with excessive balances and no activity, Walder said, adding that money should either be repurposed or returned to taxpayers.
“The budget commission has discussed and the board of health is reviewing its options to reduce rates in order to be good stewards of the residents’ tax dollars,” Litke said. “This process takes time because we do not want to lower rates now to have to raise them more significantly in the future. Further, this action requires board approval, which mandates three separate readings by the board of health.”
The board is also looking to create an internal fund to assist homeowners-in-need with the ongoing operation and maintenance program, he said, noting the process of reviewing the program’s compliance with state law is time consuming.
Fund 6042, population health, shows an estimated expense of $700 and an estimated ending cash balance of $135,000, Hitchcock said as an example of an excessive amount of cash in a fund, adding that would take 190 years to spend.
“That’s an abomination and I make a motion we not approve the 2026 budget for the Geauga County health district,” he said.
The motion passed unanimously.
“I don’t think we can go back,” he said.
Parkman Fire Chief Mike Komandt said he was not aware of the problem until he got a call from Breckenridge.
Bills that have already been paid probably cannot be refunded, but if there is an open account getting ready to be sent to a collection agency or in collections, it probably can be closed, Komandt said, adding the trustees need to approve that solution.
Peters asked why the cost for transportation varied from one case to another and Komandt said part of the bill reflects mileage from the person’s home to the emergency room, and the other part is determined by whatever measures the paramedics take on the way to the hospital.
“Whatever the insurance pays, we take,” he said, adding the resident of either township does not have co-pays to Parkman for transportation or treatment in the ambulance.
Peters recommended having a joint meeting in July with township and fire department
Hitchcock said he hopes Walder is only concerned about the process and not the actual safety of the money.
Walder replied he does not know where his concern should end.
People with experience far exceeding his own are asking questions he has never heard in his life, he added.
Twenty years ago, there was turmoil because GPH had no money. Now, they are in an exact inverse of that situation, Hitchcock said.
“They had resources coming out the wazoo and they don’t account for it anywhere close to appropriately,” he added.
County taxpayers are expecting the new arrangement with Lake County to be more efficient than before, Walder said.
“If this is an indication of the efficiency, then clearly that’s not happened,” he said. “That’s my concern. Are we getting our money’s worth?”
Not showing up to the hearing sends a huge message, Walder said.
Sarah McGlone, an observer with the Geauga County League of Women Voters, questioned what happens next.
officials on the process of soft billing.
Breckenridge, who was not a trustee when the original agreement was signed, said they might want to write something up that is more current.
“I’m sorry it happened. We’ll get something together. Thanks for bringing it to our attention,” he said.
In other business, Don Gatrell, president of the township zoning commission, said the commission is discussing enlarging the home occupation “allowable uses” definition.
“Massage therapy is the only medically-related use allowable,” he said.
The commission is considering adding regulated health practices as permitted home occupations, he said.
That would include chiropractic, dentistry and other health-related occupations regulated by the state that have licensing oversight, Gatrell said.
The change may be ready to be acted on by the end of the year, he said.
“You denied the health district’s budget. So I guess my question is, now what?” she asked. “Do they come back to you? What happens next? Because theoretically, they need a budget to operate in 2026.”
The budget commission cannot do GPH’s budget for them, Walder replied, calling the answer a “conundrum.”
Graham has been in contact with the auditor’s office and is working to resolve the issues raised, Litke said.
The GPH team has undergone a transformative process since 2023 and is learning from the hurdles they have encountered along the way, he added.
“We have not been perfect and we have a lot to learn, but with each obstacle we grow and get better at our jobs,” he said. “The health department is oftentimes an emergency response agency and provides help in instances of last resort. We help to protect against things like food borne illness, communicable disease and similar issues. This requires a healthy budgetary reserve and thoughtful prior planning. Sometimes, that takes time, but it is something that GPH must consider when it creates its budget.”
Jordak Auction Yields More than $2.2 Million
By aNN Wishart aNN@karlovEcmEdia com
Tension was palpable in the Cardinal A.J. Jordak Elementary School cafeteria June 7 as a crowd of nearly 100 waited for the start of the auction for the building and 5.5 acres.
Scott Mihalic, owner of Scott Mihalic Auctioneer of Chardon, took the micro phone shortly after 11 a.m.
After half an hour of spirited bidding, he declared the winning bid of $2.2 million for the school and the total acreage on Pierce Street in Middle field Village went to Anderson Ohman Sr. and Anderson Ohman Jr., of Ohman Family Living, which has headquarters in the village.
wood were all smiles.
“I’m very pleased with the $2.2 million,” she said. “We’ll put it in the permanent im provement fund.”
When asked about projects being planned for the district, Smallwood said the junior/ senior high school parking lot needs to be taken down to the base and entirely repaved. Mihalic said in a phone inter view June 9 there were 17 people registered to bid on the real estate.
The announcement was met with a round of applause, although Mihalic warned the crowd in advance he could not declare the parcel “sold” until the Cardinal Schools Board of Education accepted the bid at a special meeting June 9.
Regardless, after the auction, Anderson Jr. said he and his father were very excited to have won.
“Hopefully it all sticks,” he said. “We have deep roots in this town and have plans for beautification and the growth of Middlefield Village.”
As people milled around congratulating the Ohmans, Mihalic, school officials, board members and board President Linda Small-
By the time the bid hit $1.4 million, only four con tenders were waiving their numbers, he said.
“It’s hard to put a value on anything,” the longtime auctioneer said when asked if $2.2 million was a fair price for the 47,473-square-foot building with 28 classrooms. “Some people thought the bid should have been higher, some thought lower. An auction tells you the real value. I believe the school district adminis tration and the board of education were very happy with the price.”
Mihalic and his team sold more than 400 other lots during the early part of the auction that started at 9:05 a.m., including equipment and supplies from the garage on the property. Many Amish attended the event.
Happy bidders left with many items, including STOP signs, a $5 wheelbarrow and a well-used zero-turn lawn mower that sold for $1,800.
Tools, equipment and supplies inside the
school were sold after the real estate auction, and all was said and done by 1 p.m., Mihalic said.
Somewhat surprising was the winning bid of $500 for a planetarium model, he said, adding buyers were still collecting their items on Monday.
The auction for the school and property
was broken into three parts.
The first round of bidding started with just the school on about 2 acres and the top bid was $225,000. The 2.5 acre parcel to the east of the school brought a bid of $100,000.
The final, winning $2.2-million bid included the entire 5.5-acre parcel, which has not been divided, as well as the school.
ANN WISHART/KMG Auctioneer Scott Mihalic starts up the zero-turn mower at Cardinal Schools’ A.J. Jordak Elementary School auction June 7 in Middlefield Village while Brady Sorrel takes his turn at the microphone.
Russell Trustees Recognize Outgoing Road Supt.
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After servicing Russell Township’s roads for the past 27 years, Road Superintendent Gene Layne will soon be hanging up his hard hat.
“Gene Layne beautifully worked to continue to improve township roads during all the seasons, sacrificing sleep, winter vacations and many other comforts,” Trustee Jim Mueller said during the Russell Township Trustees June 5 meeting.
As of July 1, Layne will officially retire, trustees said.
They unanimously voted in early May to hire Giovanni Maltese to replace Layne beginning July 1.
“Layne has skillfully maintained civil interaction with the residents,” Mueller said. “That's very important when dialogues could have become confrontational and issues difficult to resolve.”
Mueller’s out-of-town friends say the township’s roads “just seem like they are better,” he added.
In other business, Police Chief Tom Swaidner gave details about the upcoming Citizens
Police Academy, which begins in August.
The academy is a free community education program where the department will inform residents on topics related to law enforcement, such as use of force, patrol operations, crime scene investigation, first aid and CPR.
“It's again, trying to get our police officers in front of our residents so they can better understand what we do in law enforcement and better ways that we can serve them,” Swaidner said at the meeting.
The three requirements to join the academy include being a resident of Russell Township in good standing, being over 18 and having no criminal record or pending litigations.
The chief said he hopes the program will bolster relationships between the community and law enforcement.
The Russell Township Police Department is the second department in Geauga County to run a program of this nature, Swaidner said.
The program will run every Tuesday from 6:30-8:30 p.m. for eight weeks. Applications, which are due Aug. 10, can be picked up at the police station. Twelve applicants will be accepted to the program.
Courthouse Roof Requires Repair
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The entire roof of the Geauga County Court of Common Pleas may need to be replaced, Lee Hribar told Geauga County Commissioners June 3.
The discovery came about as a result of the ongoing courthouse expansion project, in which the existing courthouse is being tied to a larger extension. As part of the tie-in, approximately 20 feet of roof would have to be replaced, said Hribar, project architect for ThenDesign Architecture.
“When we first started the project, we knew we had to do some roofing work on the existing building to tie them together,” Hribar said. “Then, after we looked at that, the roofing company thought, ‘Well they could give us a price to do the rest of the roof since they’re already doing the first 20 feet.’”
Despite having the quote, no action was taken on it.
“Then, we opened up the wall on the north side where we’re tying the buildings together. We had to take the old cornice off … we’ve noticed the brick behind that is not mortared anymore, it’s just kind of loose and falling,” he said. “Gravity is pulling it. So now, when we talk about doing the roof, we think
it’d be best to investigate the cornice and the supportive structure below the roof before spending all that money on the roof.”
Investigation could be tricky as the cornice cannot be put back once it’s taken off, he noted, adding workers may be able to go above the ceiling and look at some spots without its removal.
“Once (the cornice) comes off, it probably would have to be replaced,” he said.
The roof will need to be done, it’s just a matter of the proper timing, he said.
“My thought is that we’d better take care of this now instead of 12 months or 18 months from now when it’s a bigger problem,” Commissioner Jim Dvorak said.
Commissioner Carolyn Brakey asked Hribar for his recommendation.
Hribar replied the roof should be treated as a separate project.
The previous bid to finish the full roof is also a year old, he noted.
“You wouldn’t have known anything was wrong until we opened it up,” he said.
Commissioners did not take any action on the matter.
“The pleasure of the board is just proceed and keep fine-tuning this to put a new roof on the existing courthouse,” Dvorak said.
Reflection Off County Building Melts Playground Fence
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Sunlight reflecting off the Geauga County office building has melted a playground fence behind the building, county Maintenance Department Project Manager Glenn Vernick said May 28.
“It’s a plastic that goes around the whole playground equipment. It’s melting,” Ver nick said to Geauga County Commissioners during their regular meeting. “What that’s coming from is the sun is shooting off the windows back down onto that fence.
This specific kind of damage is not cov ered under warranty, he said.
“We sent the fence back to the compa ny and everything,” he said, adding after research, the department has found fencing that should hold up to the heat.
The project cost is $12,600, he said.
According to the meeting agenda, the fence will be installed by Redcon LLC.
The situation is unusual, Vernick said, noting he had been told about a similar situation in Houston, Texas, “many years ago.”
Vernick did not know how much the original fencing cost off the top of his head.
The playground was donated, Geauga County Commissioner Jim Dvorak said.
SUBMITTED/GLENN VERNICK
A plastic fence around a playground behind the Geauga County office building is set to be replaced, as sunlight reflecting off the office’s windows melted and warped the fence.
“How is a fence melting in Ohio?” Geauga County Commissioner Carolyn Brakey questioned. “It’s like frying an ant.”
Oluic Announces 2026 Commissioner Campaign
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Steve Oluic, current chair of the Geauga County Board of Mental Health and Recovery Services, recently announced his bid for a commissioner seat next year.
Citing government infighting and squandering of resources as the main reasons for running for election, Oluic will challenge Geauga County Com missioner Jim Dvor ak for his seat in the Nov. 3, 2026, general election, according to a May 14 press re lease.
Prior to his ten ure on the mental health board, Oluic served five years as director of the Geauga County Department of Water Resources, the release said.
“His goal is to serve the citizens of Geauga County with effective and common-sense leadership and decision-making,” the release said. “He clearly understands servant leadership and is a compassionate conservative.”
While Oluic has resided in Geauga since 2010, he grew up on the near west side of Cleveland, and is an alumni of J. F. Rhodes Public High School and Case Western Reserve University, according to the release.
Oluic was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Army Corps of Engineers and entered active military service. He also obtained a Master of Science degree from the University of Cincinnati and a doctorate from Kent State University during that time, according to the release.
Oluic served for 27 years, retiring from the army in 2010 as a lieutenant colonel, according to the release. He currently serves at Chardon’s American Legion #167 and Veterans of Foreign Wars #6519, and he has been both an associate professor and dean at the U.S. Military Academy, West Point and Dean of Arts & Sciences at Lakeland Community College.
“(Oluic) has made the decision and is committed to running for commissioner based on his concern about the direction of county government and the challenges he witnessed as a county employee,” the release said. “The petty infighting between county offices, gratuitous vindictiveness of officials and squandering of financial resources on outside attorneys has led to low morale among employees and directors. (Oluic) stated that he would like to establish a climate in the county that is open, treats employees and residents with dignity and respect, and creates an atmosphere that breeds success, supports initiative, and creates optimism and enthusiasm.”
Personal and political relationships are affecting decisions and creating a dysfunctional county office, the release said.
“(Oluic) can no longer sit on the sidelines and watch this continue without trying to get involved to restore trust and integrity in the office and Geauga County,” it added.
Oluic intends to fund his campaign largely on his own, but has seen a large outpouring of support.
“He will serve Geauga’s residents with purpose, vision and determination,” the release said.
Oluic
4 Geauga Athletes Earn All-Ohio Honors at State Track
By alaN korNspaN sports@karlovEcmEdia com
To become one of the top track and field athletes in the state of Ohio certainly takes a high level of commitment and dedication to the process of improvement.
For Geauga County athletes from Cardinal, Chagrin Falls, Chardon, Kenston and West Geauga, this devotion culminated in competition in the OHSAA State Track and Field Tournament on June 6 and 7 at Jesse Owens Memorial Stadium at The Ohio State University.
Earning All-Ohio honors were Kara Deister (West Geauga), Tommy Mooney (Chagrin Falls), Max Soltis (Cardinal) and Natalie Zalud (Chagrin Falls).
Deister, a junior from West Geauga, competed in three events including the high jump, 100m hurdles and 300m hurdles.
In the high jump, Deister finished fourth (5 feet, 5 inches) to secure a spot on the podium. In addition, she finished 10th in the 300m hurdles (46.13) and 13th in the 100m hurdles (15.36).
Deister was happy to compete at the state level for a second consecutive year.
“It's really a great atmosphere (at the state tournament),” Deister said. “The stands are packed, parents are coming out. It's great having support from everyone.”
Leading up to the tournament, Deister's outdoor track season was complicated by injuries.
“It was hard to push through, but we got here,” she said. “Getting down here in three events is hard. You're splitting your time be-
tween high jump, hurdle technique, longer workouts.”
On making All-Ohio in the high jump, she added, “It felt good. I moved up a place since last year. I was proud of myself for that one.”
Also finishing on the podium was Max Soltis from Cardinal, who threw 157-10 in discus, good for seventh place.
Soltis said earning All-Ohio honors took a lot of hard work and commitment over the long term.
“It's been a long process for sure,” he said. “I've been putting my head down, get-
ting the work in all the time. This is the hardest I've ever worked in the off-season. Then it paid off pretty well, so that's pretty cool.”
Starting off in the first flight at the tournament, Soltis said he was able to get the distance needed to advance to the finals, where he was ultimately pleased with his throws.
“Didn't have the mark I quite wanted in the prelims, but it got me enough to (get to) finals,” he said. “Then I popped a halfway decent throw. I am pretty happy with it.”
The Chagrin Falls Tigers saw two athletes earn All-Ohio Honors.
Tom Mooney earned a spot on the podium in the 1600m as he ran a 4:13.01 mile, which was good for sixth place.
Advancing to the state tournament and making the podium was a great way for Mooney to end his high school track career.
“It was definitely a very special experience for me,” he said. “Being a senior, never being at this meet before, I was just really excited for the opportunity. I am grateful for all the work I put in this year, and it's finally seemed to pay off.”
Strategically, during the 1600m, Mooney said he knew it was going to be a very fast start, so he decided to stay back in the pack of runners early on — a tactic that worked great, as he completed the first half of the race in 2:07. He said at the point, he was feeling great.
During the last 800m, Mooney continued to feel energetic.
“I got through the 1200m at 3:12, and I'm like ;Oh my goodness, I'm with the top guys right now.' And I just felt so good, it was such an electric moment,” Mooney said. “It just all came together today. Words can't describe how happy I feel.”
Finishing on the podium for the Tigers was junior Natalie Zalud, who earned AllOhio honors with an eighth place finish in the
pole vault (11-0).
In doing so, Zalud continued an excellent junior season, as she had also earned AllOhio honors at the Indoor Track State Championship.
“It's so exciting to be here after not making it last year,” Zalud said of the outdoor championships. “It's just a great experience, and getting podium my first time being at (outdoor) states, it's just really fun.”
The key to having a successful performance and earning All-Ohio Honors at the state tournament for Zalud was to be confident.
See Track• Page 13
Track from page 12
“I just made sure to tell myself that I could do it,” she said.
Additionally, competing for the Tigers at the state tournament was Chagrin Falls' girls 4 x 200m relay team (Olivia Horvath, Lilly Stukus, Mackenzie Verderber and Molly Wheatley) and Gabby Byrne (3200m).
The Tigers girls 4 x 200m relay team finished 16th with a time of 9:54.92, and Gabby Byrne finished 10th in the 3200m with a time of 11:17.74.
Representing Geauga County in the Division I Track and Field State Tournament were Caleb Hewitt from Chardon and Brianna McIvor from Kenston.
To qualify for the state finals in the 100m, Hewitt broke the Chardon school record with a 10.6. He went on to finish 9th in the 100m (10.93) and 10th in the 200m (21.64) at the tournament.
McIvor also broke her school's record in order to qualify for the state finals in the 3200m, with a time of 10:54.27. At the tournament, she would finish 16th in the 3200m (11:22).
Grendell Elected President of Probate Judges Association
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Geauga County Probate Judge Timothy Grendell has been elected president of the Ohio Association of Probate Judges (OAPJ) for the 2025–2027 term.
Ohio Supreme Court Justice Patrick F. Fischer swore Grendell in during a recent ceremony.
Grendell is the first judge from Geauga County to serve as president of both the OAPJ and the Ohio Association of Juvenile
Court Judges. He previously served in several statewide and national judicial leadership roles.
“It is an honor to continue to serve Ohio probate judges on the Board of the Ohio Association of Probate Judges, whose mission is to provide continuing education and training for the judges, deputy clerks, court investigators and magistrates of Ohio’s 88 counties,” Grendell said. “ I appreciate and do not take lightly this important responsibility that my fellow probate judges have entrusted to me.”
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Chardon KidsFest, Flea Market
June 14, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The annual Chardon KidsFest is being held in conjunction with the Kids Flea Market on Chardon Square.
The flea market provides an opportunity for youth ages 15 and younger to sell toys, games and clothes. Booths must be attended by the child and an adult.
KidsFest features kid-friendly games and activities, including a dunk tank with Chardon Schools staff, a pizza eating contest, martial arts demonstrations and more.
For more information, visit online at chardonsquareassociation.org.
CV Herb Society Meets
June 20, 12:30 p.m.
The Chagrin Valley Herb Society will meet at the Bainbridge Library. Light refreshments will be followed by a business meeting and an optional visit to a member’s garden. For information or to attend as a guest, email chagrinvalleyherbsociety@gmail.com.
First Fly-In Of Summer
June 21, 7-11 a.m.
The Experimental Aircraft Association, Chapter 5 will host its first fly-in of summer at the Geauga County Airport, 15421 Old State Road in Middlefield. An all-you-caneat pancake breakfast will be served by donation of $10 for adults and $5 for kids ages 3-12. Proceeds benefit EAA, Chapter 5. Free Young Eagle airplane rides will be offered for youth ages 8-17 with parental permission.
For more information, call 440-6321884, 440-836-3225 or visit www.EAA5.org.
Geauga Pride
June 21, 2-6 p.m.
Geauga Pride returns to Chardon Square to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community’s resilience and unity. Hosted by Community Church of Chesterland, the festival will include entertainment, food and community engagement.
Attendees are invited to participate in a contest to design a new inclusion flag for the Community Church of Chesterland. All community members are encouraged to submit their ideas.
Visit geaugapride.com for information and to sign up to volunteer. Follow @geaugapride on social media for updates and announcements.
Chicken Paprikash Dinner
June 25, 3 p.m.
Newbury American Legion is hosting a chicken paprikash dinner at the post located at 11008 Kinsman Road. Call Ken Hunter ahead at 440-635-6536 for information and to reserve dinner. Takeout containers only; the public is welcome to dine in the pavilion.
Veterans Resource Fair
July 30, 3-6 p.m.
Geauga County Veteran Service Office is hosting a Veterans Resource Fair at Guidos Generations Event Center in Chester Township.
Learn about county, state and federal resources available for veterans and their families. Refreshments will be provided.
For more information and to register, call 440-279-1860.
Ellen M. McNett
Ellen M. McNett (nee Leigh), died on April 11, 2025, at the age of 82 in Schenect ady, N.Y., where she had made her home for many decades.
Born on Nov. 26, 1942, in Chardon, Ohio, Ellen was the daughter of Vera and Thomas Leigh. She grew up in Newbury Township, Ohio, with her siblings, Edward, Mary Ann and Thomas, all of whom preceded her in death.
After graduating high school, Ellen joined the U.S. Navy, proudly serving as a maternity nurse in Queens, N.Y., before moving to up state New York, first to Albany and starting a family and then moving to Schenectady.
Ellen married her husband, Daniel E. Mc Nett, on July 17, 1965.
She earned her bachelor's degree in psy chology from Russell Sage College in 1974, having also attended Albany Junior College.
Ellen had a long and respected career with the U.S. Postal Service, where she served as a clerk and built lasting friendships with many coworkers. She was an active union member and played a key role in organizing the 100th Anniversary celebration of the Schenectady Post Office.
She is survived by her husband of nearly 60 years, Dan; her three children and their spouses: Jenny and Richard Hayes, Sara and Jason Bach, and Eli and Tiffanie McNett. Ellen was a devoted grandmother to Alison Hayes, Jackson and Cooper Bach, and Declan and Isla McNett, all of whom she cherished deeply.
Her interests include traveling anywhere, dinner parties with her friends, eating something delicious, and not working. For years, Ellen was an active volksmarcher as well as a longtime member of Schenectady-Nijkerk Council and traveled five times to Nijkerk, The Netherlands, gaining friends after every visit.
She was very good to her family and she really enjoyed spending time with her good friends.
She was an excellent cook.
Her sense of humor and zest for life will be dearly missed by all who knew her.
An interment burial service will be held on Saturday, June 21, 2025, at 11 a.m., at South Newbury Cemetery in Newbury Township.
Mary Lea Yokum
Mary Lea Yokum passed away on June 2, 2025. She was born Dec. 17, 1929, in Dry Fork, W. Va.
After graduating from high school, she attended nursing school in Baltimore, Md. She met the love of her life while he was in the hospital she was training in. She and Walter G. Yokum married on Feb. 13, 1949. They moved to Chardon in 1953.
Obituaries
She was the strong one ... the glue that kept our family together and happy. She was a selfless person, a hard worker and never
We were raised in Sunday School, church
Mary Lea was predeceased by her sisters, Naomi, Savannah and Vallie; brothers, Tom, Willis and Oliver; mother, Pearlie White; father, Wilbert; and her husband of 44 years, Walter G. Yokum, and her second husband,
She is survived by her sons, Walter M. Yokum (Willie), Michael A. Yokum (Beth); daughters, Brenda K. Myers (Mike) and Norma Jane Gregory; 11 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-
Visitation and funeral services were held June 9, 2025, at Burr Funeral Home, 116 South St., Chardon, with burial following at
Arrangements are entrusted to Burr Funeral Home and Cremation Service. Online condolences and memories may be shared at www.burrservice.com.
Anthony Joseph Montana
Anthony Joseph Montana, age 75, passed away on June 3, 2025, surrounded by his family, after a courageous year-long battle with cancer.
Mary Lea delivered The Cleveland Press for many years and worked full time at Geauga Hospital until retiring at the age of 75.
Their home was always the place to gather. She loved cooking and baking for everyone. Many, many picnics were held in their
Family Funeral Home, 15670 W. High St, Middlefield. Memorial Mass will be held on Saturday, June 28, 2025, at 11 a.m., at St. Lucy’s Catholic Church, 16280 E High St, Middlefield.
Memorial contributions in Tony’s honor may be made to a charity of your choosing. Memories and condolences can be shared with the family at www.slyffh.com.
Joyce Carolyn Krall
Joyce Carolyn Krall, age 85, of Newbury Township, passed away peacefully at her home on June 8, 2025.
Born on Sept. 25, 1939, in Atlantic City, N.J., Joyce lived a rich and vibrant life filled with love, laughter and unforgettable stories.
heart, her sense of adventure and her deep love for her family and friends. Though she is no longer with us, her spirit, laughter and the many lives she touched will remain forever in our hearts.
Jeannette Mitchell
Jeannette Mitchell, 94, of Chardon, passed away June 6, 2025, at Concord Ridge Health in Mentor.
She was born Jan. 19, 1931, in Cleve land, to the late John and Grace Gallagher.
Jeannette worked as a nursing assistant at Geauga Hospital for 25 years, mostly in pe diatrics. She also previously worked as a legal secretary, poll worker, was an elected village councilwoman for Aquilla Village, and worked at The Geauga County Fair with ticket sales.
Jeannette knew three different types of shorthand, memorized the Gettysburg Address, danced the Irish jig, and was often mistaken for Shirley Temple as a child.
Joyce’s life was shaped by extraordinary moments from the start. She was accepted to Georgetown University with a personal referral letter from none other than Eleanor Roosevelt, a testament to her intellect, character, and potential. She continued her studies at Kent State University, where she earned her nursing degree. As a Registered Nurse at Robinson Memorial Hospital in Ravenna, Joyce dedicated herself to caring for others with grace, strength and a warm heart.
Tony was born on December 13, 1949, to Joseph and Mary (nee Mandala) Montana and was raised in Cuyahoga Falls. He was pre ceded in death by his parents.
He is survived by his devoted better half, Janet Raber; his beloved daughters, Aimee (Joseph), Melissa (Guy) and Rose (Matthew); and Janet’s daughters, Laurie (David) and Jody (Michael), whom he loved as his own.
Tony was a proud and loving Papa to his grandchildren: A.J., Andrew, Guy, Celia, Alana, Olivia, Annalise and Ryan. He was also blessed with bonus grandchildren: Jennifer (Colin), Delaney, Will and Rosie, all of whom brought him great joy.
He was the cherished brother of Rosemarie (Gregory), Joseph (Helen), Maryann (Tino); and the adored uncle of his nieces Christina and Erica and their families.
A dedicated and hardworking man, Tony was the proud owner of Montana Produce and Fig Tree Bulk Foods in Middlefield. He poured himself into his work, striving to offer the best products with fairness, integrity and a deep sense of community. He always had a project underway with his dear friend, Dan Gingerich, a reflection of his tireless work ethic and commitment to those around him.
During his illness, Tony was lovingly cared for by Janet, whose strength and compassion were a great comfort.
The family also thanks Dr. William Ervine for his dedicated care over the years.
Tony will be remembered for his faith, generosity, determination and the love he shared with his family, friends and the community he served so faithfully.
Friends will be received Friday, June 27, 2025, from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m., at Sly
On July 14, 1978, Joyce married the love of her life, Charles Krall, at the Newbury Community Church. Their love was full of fun and spontaneity—Joyce had an adventurous spirit and a deep love of travel. She was known to hop in the car on a whim, whether it was a road trip to Kentucky for a steak dinner or a 50-mile drive in Florida just for a Dairy Queen treat. She found joy in the journey as much as the destination.
In her younger years, she even had the unique experience of babysitting the children of singer Pat Boone, just one of many colorful chapters in her story.
Joyce had a deep affection for animals; she enjoyed the simple pleasures of life—gardening, flowers in bloom especially tulips, a well-solved crossword puzzle and time spent with those she loved.
She is survived by her loving husband, Charles Krall of Newbury; sons Keith (Dawn) Seals, of Orwell, Kevin Seals, of Phoenix, Ariz., Kelly Seals, of Newbury, and Mark Carlson Krall, of Chardon; goddaughter, Marissa Clark; son-in-law, Michael Jacobson, of Orwell; 13 grandchildren and 31 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her son Kenneth Seals; and daughter, Katherine Jacobson, both of whom she held dearly in her heart.
Family and friends are invited to gather in remembrance of Joyce’s life on Thursday, June 12, 2025, with visitation from 2-5 p.m. at Burr Funeral Home, 116 South St., Chardon. A Time of Sharing will begin at 5 p.m., where stories and memories of Joyce’s wonderful life will be shared.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Burr Funeral Home and Cremation Service. Online condolences and tributes may be shared at www.burrservice.com.
Joyce will be remembered for her big
Jeannette enjoyed gardening, crocheting, cross-stitching, learning about the Civil War, Euclid Beach Park, walks with her dogs, current events, working with children in Sunday School, Junior Church, Daily Vacation Bible School, long “surprise “ day trips, feeding and watching birds, studying the Bible, was an avid reader, collecting all things with pigs, entering and winning ribbons at The Geauga County Fair, winning Best of Show for canning, loved Grace Church and, most of all, spending time with her beloved family.
Survivors include her daughter Jeannelle E. Mitchell; son, Douglas (Susan) Mitchell; grandchildren, Daniel (Hannah) Mitchell, Benjamin (Kathrine) Mitchell and Samuel Mitchell; great-grandchildren, Sol, Kyfer, Darrow, Grace and Anya; son-in-law, Ron Eging; niece, Cheryl (Alan) Ogilbee; good family friend, Kevin McNamara; and many other loving family members and friends.
Preceding Jeannette in death are her daughters, Jeannine Eging and infant baby girl Mitchell; grandson Joshua Mitchell; and siblings, Hildegarde Gallagher, Ruth Ann (John) Hess, Norwood (Eleanor) Gallagher, John (Leticia) Gallagher and Eugene (Kathy) Gallagher.
The family will receive friends from 10-1 a.m. on Thursday, June 12, 2025, at Grace Church of Mentor, 6883 Reynolds Road, Mentor. A funeral service to conclude the visitation will begin at 11 a.m., at the church. Burial to be held at 12:45 p.m., following the service, at Claridon Center Cemetery, 13932 Mayfield Road, Claridon Township (northeast corner of routes 322 and Claridon-Troy Road.) Please meet at the grave.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Jeannette’s honor to Grace Church of Mentor.
Arrangements entrusted to the Brunner Sanden Deitrick Funeral Home and Cremation Center, 8466 Mentor Ave., Mentor. Offer condolences at www.brunners.com
Notices should be emailed to editor@ karlovecmedia.com. The Maple Leaf charges a flat fee of $125 per obituary or death notice, including a photograph.
Viewpoint
Townships & Schools Can Thrive Without Property Taxes
By JohN marra timBErlakE (lakE couNty), ohio
As a mayor and a current member of multiple government boards, I’ve had a front-row seat to how local government is funded. I can say: Those claiming that eliminating property taxes will destroy Ohio’s schools and townships are confused.
Let’s start with the truth: Ohio’s property tax system is outdated and unnecessarily complex. Inside millage, outside millage, continuous levies, the 20-mill floor, overlapping levies—it’s a web of confusion for even the most informed taxpayer.
Even after paying off your mortgage, you’re still forced to pay the government to keep your home. That’s not ownership; it’s permanent rent. If you fall behind because of illness, fixed income or rising costs, the government can seize your property.
Yes, Services Must Be Funded, But There Are Better Ways
Property taxes fund schools, townships, libraries, a small portion of county services, etc. That funding is important. Eliminating property tax doesn’t eliminate the need for public services. It simply gives us the opportunity to fund them without threatening people’s homes.
And by ending property tax, we eliminate millions of dollars in overhead and bureaucracy: budget commissions, county auditors juggling levy calculations, recurring levy elections and real estate departments administering collections. That money can be saved or reallocated to services. How Do We Fund Services Without Property Tax?
This is a common and important question. Every community is different and every solution should reflect local needs. But here are two models that are simpler and far more equitable:
1. Local Income Tax (Voter Approved)
A small, flat local income tax—approved by voters—would allow everyone to contrib-
ute based on ability. Retirees on fixed incomes wouldn’t be penalized and renters, who use local services but currently pay no property tax, would now contribute their fair share.
2. Per-Person Service Fee
Determine the cost of core services and divide it equally among adult residents. Everyone pays the same for the same services—just like a utility bill. It’s transparent, fair and easy to administer.
Sales tax could also be considered, though it’s more regressive. The point is:
There are flexible, community-based alternatives that avoid the downsides of taxing people based on the paper value of their home.
It’s Time to Simplify, Streamline and Protect Homeowners
Ending property tax does not mean cutting services. It means rethinking how we fund them—so the system is more just, more efficient and doesn’t penalize homeownership.
It also means ending the cycle of repeated levies, confusing ballot language and a tax system that creates winners and losers based solely on ZIP code or assessed value.
By removing property tax:
No one loses their home because they couldn’t pay a tax bill.
Seniors on fixed incomes are protected.
Every adult contributes fairly.
Bureaucratic overhead is eliminated or reduced.
Local control is preserved, with communities choosing how to fund their needs. Take Action This Weekend
If you believe that there is a better way, join us. Stop by Parkside Park in Chesterland this Saturday, June 14, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., to sign the petition or request a petition packet to help gather signatures.
Let’s rethink how we pay for services— and return control, transparency and fairness to the people of Ohio.
Letters to the Editor
Parade Balloon
The President is parasitically attaching himself to the U.S. Army’s 250th anniversary parade to commemorate his 79th birthday.
This parade needs one “asset,” one “big, beautiful” helium-filled, parade balloon of the President held down by unbreakable cables, manned by Congressional supporters who are unlikely to let go. Better yet, tethered to several Abrams tanks to be prepared for unexpected political winds.
Afterwards, we may recall the 250 years of the US Army’s service to our nation.
Sheldon Firem Hambden Township
Ohio’s SAVE Act Threatens Your Vote
Senate Bill 153 (SB 153 “Ohio’s SAVE Act”) severely restricts our right to vote. Voting holds our government officials accountable for the laws they pass that affect our daily lives, which is why you should pay attention to SB 153, currently before the Ohio Senate General Government Committee.
SB 153 puts up roadblocks that make it extremely difficult for citizens to prove their eligibility to vote and to register to vote. Most people won’t bother to jump through the hoops SB 153 requires, reducing our electorate.
One roadblock is requiring a voter to go to the Board of Elections (BOE) or Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) to register to vote in person. You will no longer be able to register to vote online. There will be no voter registration drives by civic groups.
SB 153 requires that Ohio compare information across databases. If there is a mismatch between your name on a driver’s license and your voter registration (for example, “Patricia” vs “Pat,”), you must vote provisionally. This means you must go to the Board of Elections within four days of the election you voted in to prove your identity with proper documentation. If you don’t, your vote doesn’t count. In November 2024,
Obituaries
High School and maintained an 80-plus-year friendship with Sandy Edwards, of Southern California, and Carol and Gene Smelik, of North Carolina; and her many dear cous-
Marcia was baptized on Jan. 9, 1950, as a Jehovah’s Witness and professed her faith to all she met, pointing out God’s promises in the Bible for the future.
She was formerly a homemaker, later a waitress and then a CNA for the last 35 years she worked in Florida. Marcia enjoyed the country, loved farming and animals, antiquing and gardening in her spare time.
Marcia will be buried in the Mumford Road Cemetery in Burton, Ohio. Florida services will be held both on Zoom and at the North St. Petersburg, Fla., Kingdom Hall, at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 14, 2025.
A private Ohio graveside service will be held on Monday, Aug. 25, 2025.
34,000 provisional ballots were thrown out. That’s a lot of votes.
If you fail to respond, within 14 days of a mailed notice from the state to confirm your registration, you may face prosecution. This is wrong.
Many citizens do not have the means to go in person or have the money needed to obtain the government documents necessary (like a birth certificate) to register to vote and to prove their identity. Consequently, they won’t register to vote or go to the BOE to cure a provisional vote.
With fewer voters, the more our state government can get away with passing laws that hurt us, like defunding public schools through vouchers. Clearly, this bill, with its burdensome procedures, is meant to prevent that accountability and suppress votes.
It is the state government’s job to make it easier for us to vote, not put up roadblocks. To oppose SB 153, contact State Senator Sandra O’Brien (614-466-7182, email: O'Brien@ ohiosenate.gov).
For HB 233, the similar bill in the Ohio House, contact State Rep. Sarah Fowler Arthur (614-466-1405; email: Rep99@ohiohouse.gov ).
Make your voice heard before it’s too late. It makes a difference.
Anne Houdek
Burton Township
Talk, They Listen
Please consider talking with your children this summer on vaping; there is certainly a lot of “positive” chatter on social media. Not only is it dangerous to vape flavored oils, nicotine and marijuana, you can now add nitrous oxide (laughing gas) to the list. Harmful metals, high nicotine and THC levels plus addiction worries raise concern for our youth. Children name parents’ disapproval as the number one reason for not using.
Talk, they listen.
Mary-Alice Bell Prevention Consultant
Geauga Public Library
Programs require registration unless otherwise noted. Include an email and phone number when registering for programs to receive updates about all programs. Visit www.geaugalibrary.net.
Women Airforce Service Pilots
June 12, 6:30-8 p.m. • Chardon Alexandra Lausin, collections manager at the International Women's Air & Space Museum, will discuss Nancy Love and Jacqueline Cochran, two women who paved the way for female representation in the U.S. Air Force.
NBA Mason Jar
June 12, 6:30-7:30 p.m. • Geauga West
Prepare for the NBA Finals and celebrate the 2024-25 season with a basketball-themed mason jar craft.
Sample the World
June 16, 2-3 p.m. • Bainbridge Kids in grades 1-3 will connect with art, culture, and languages from around the world.
Masks From Around the World
June 17, 10-11 a.m. • Middlefield
Connect with the Cleveland Museum of Art for a multi-sensory program, where patrons will learn about masks from around the world.
Library-Led Discussions
No registration is required.
• Thompson, June 17, 2-3 p.m., “The Girl Who Wrote in Silk” by Kelli Estes
• Bainbridge, June 17, 7-8 p.m., “The Unmaking of June Farrow” by Adrienne Young
• Chardon, June 18, 7-8 p.m., “Lady Tan’s Circle of Women” by Lisa See
• Virtual, June 26, 7-8 p.m., “Lady Tan’s Circle of Women” by Lisa See Horse Tales
June 18, 2-3:30 p.m. • Offsite Kids in grades K-3 will hone their reading skills in a fun, non-judgmental environment by reading to a horse at the Fieldstone Farm Therapeutic Riding Center, 16497 Snyder Road, Bainbridge Township.
Geauga County Sheriff’s Report
The following is a sampling of the calls handled by the Geauga County Sheriff’s Office May 30 to June 5, 2025.
ANIMAL PROBLEM
June 1
12:21 p.m., Highland View Drive, Munson. Cat in a tree. Been there for days. Caller called 911 to report this. Recently paved drive. Fire department could not take ladder truck to tree.
JUVENILE PROBLEM
May 30
3:20 a.m., Aquilla Road, Geauga Youth Center, Claridon. Juvenile is still being unruly with staff also now vandalizing the building and banging on doors. He is in the living/kitchen area on the first floor. Deputies had the juvenile clean up the sauce he smeared on the cameras. Juvenile advised he would calm down and stay in his room.
CITIZEN DISPUTE
May 31
6:25 p.m., Rock Creek Road, Rustin Pines, Thompson. Caller started up his car to
leave (it is loud) 1979 Sunbird, when the neighbor came out with a shot gun and pointed it directly in the caller’s face and said: “You think I am playing bitch.” This is the second time-has come out yelling at the caller. Caller is upset and wants deputies to respond. Caller is afraid for his life. Caller believes may be on drugs. Caller’s wife and kids are still at home. Went back into the house and was looking out the window when the caller left.
June 3
1:18 p.m., Munn Road, Auburn. They received a call regarding juveniles “wreaking havoc, doing donuts on bicycles in the parking lot and scaring people at the park.” Located two juveniles at the park. They advised they thought they were allowed to ride in the parking lot. No damage was located and their parents were advised.
LITTERING
June 2
9:14 a.m., Ravenna Road, Auburn. Someone keeps dumping garbage in front of his house. They own this vacant property
next to their residence. Deputy called away to a priority call. Spoke with caller and his wife. They advised people that drive by throw their trash out into their yard. I observed several 2-liter pop bottles and candy rappers. I explained there was not much we could do if we don't have a plate or observe the person doing. The advised they would put up a camera.
SICK/INJURED ANIMAL
June 4
10:26 a.m., Kinsman Road, Portlew Road, Newbury. Injured snapping turtle on north side of road. Complainant requesting deputy to dispatch it. He will be standing by in red dump truck. Complainant killed the turtle himself.
SUSPICIOUS
May 30
9:49 a.m., Main Market Road, Rapids Road, Troy. FLOCK hit Route 422 westbound black Mercedes. Entering Bainbridge. Passing under Haskins. Vehicle was stopped in regards to a possible stolen plate. Both the vehicle and driver checked OK. The plate was lost during a
Real Estate Transfers
Following is a list of real estate transfers for the week ending June 6, 2025, provided as a public service by the Geauga County Auditor’s Office. Transfers may involve the sale of land only.
AUBURN TOWNSHIP
Thomas and Leah Janoch, 17065 Curry Lane, to Sheri Lynn Gates and Paul Eugene Jacobsen, $380,000. (4.36 acres)
Thomas C. and Claudia R. Gruen (TOD), 132 Signal Hill, to Ellen T. Kuhnle (trustee), $410,000. (0.00 acres)
BAINBRIDGE TOWNSHIP
Richard D. and Eileen Sheptak, 8766 East Brook Circle, to David J. Cheung and Alexandra L. Mach, $247,000. (0.00 acres)
Jason F. and Heather Rawlings, 17355 Lookout Drive, to James Capron Althans (trustee), $1,305,000. (0.71 acres)
David D. and Penny A. Scocos, 8875 Birchbark Grove, to Michael Musarra and Alexandra A. Ehrnfelt, $600,000. (1.83 acres)
Norma M. Hess (TOD), 8883 E. Pilgrim Drive, to Craig and Bridget Lewis, $457,000. (1.25 acres)
Robert L. and Linda L. Vallee, 7595 Trails End, to Christopher Nick Julius and Thamie Hatzis, $925,000. (0.60 acres)
Ricardo Cassina and Analia Rosa Kalpo-
kas, 18539 Haskins Road, to Jacob and Rebecca Fischer, $652,000. (5.33 acres)
BURTON TOWNSHIP
Shawn M. and Michelle L. Price, 12560 Burton Heights Blvd., to Brandon Alexander Light, $280,000. (1.16 acres)
CHARDON CITY
NVR Inc., 321 Hidden Feather Drive, to Tyson and Krysten Merrell, $484,000. (0.19 acres)
FLG Chardon LLC, 202 High Fox Drive, to NVR Inc., $93,000. (0.27 acres)
Alyssa and Caleb Bosler, 206 Woodbridge Lane, to Natalie L. and Joshua A. Pipoly, $361,000. (0.28 acres)
CHARDON TOWNSHIP
Brianna R. Palko and Pablo Christian Thompson Ruiz, 10962 Olmar Drive, to Danette McGreever and William Roff Jr., $279,000. (1.00 acres)
Alex and Meghan Prats, 12175 S. Wintergreen Drive, to Nicolas and Noelle Bandy, $560,000. (1.13 acres)
Bonnie G. Schultz (TOD), 10410 Pinegate Drive, to Dana E. McKinney and James F. Seheult, $400,000. (3.74 acres)
Shirley K. Fisher (TOD), 11075 Auburn Road, to Olivia Taylor Luce and Jacob Hoefle, $342,000. (1.17 acres)
CHESTER TOWNSHIP
Twila M. Stuart, 7516 Mayfield Road, to Raymond J. and Lori Nicolli, $195,000. (1.20 acres)
Norman R. and Senga R. Minton, 8304 Cedar Road, to Sara Jean Woodie and Bryan Scott Sustin, $106,000. (1.30 acres)
Laura J. Steidel, 13051 Marilyn Road, to Bradley L. and Hannah R. Axten, $295,000. (1.00 acres)
test drive for a car dealership in Bedford whom which the driver worked for.
June 1
2:21 p.m., Station Road, Middlefield. Male answered uncles door and he is a “crack head.” There are people there and they handed a crack pipe to her elderly aunt. These people where moving a couch from upstairs, as they were moving it and drugs fell out of the couch. This house belongs to her uncle and aunt. Caller is afraid someone will get hurt by "these druggies" and she feels threatened because one of them said they would throw her down the stairs. Checked and his OK and denied anything about crack.
June 3
9:19 p.m., Sisson Road, Hambden. Caller could her someone yelling “Help, Help me.” She walked up there and couldn't find anything. Its coming from the game lands across. Last heard it about 10 mins ago. Caller is not sure if it was a person or an animals. She was able to record it. Noise sounded like an animal, no further noises heard.
Linda Ianiro Vetturini, 8118 Wilson Mills Road, to Evan Vetturini, $257,000. (1.53 acres)
CLARIDON TOWNSHIP
Faith Driven Women Businesses LLC, 202 Turner Drive, to Michael and Rosa Albino, $200,000. (0.20 acres)
HAMBDEN TOWNSHIP
James M. Dynkiewicz and Carleen A. O’Hara, 12840 Big Creek Ridge Drive, to Jon D. and Lisa M. Wentz (trustees), $685,000. (3.46 acres)
Michael A. and Sheryl A. Yeckley, 10998 Kile Road, to James Ours and Sarah Yeckley, $252,500. (5.00 acres)
HUNTSBURG TOWNSHIP
Septage Residual Recycling Inc., 12767 Madison Road, to JC Parnaby LLC, $24,000. (6.06 acres)
MIDDLEFIELD VILLAGE
Red Creek Development Corp., Madison Road, to Chem Tech Properties Ltd., $415,000. (6.00 acres)
Robert C. Johnson, 9968 Plank Road, to Thomas Romig, $150,000. (3.37 acres)
Patricia A. Langfellow (TOD), 10860 Clay St., to Tiffany Heckman, $25,000. (5.00 acres)
Joshua A. and Lauren Mullins, 16969 Gar Highway, to Nathan Edward and Laura Beth Myeroff, $630,000. (27.40 acres)
MUNSON TOWNSHIP
David W. Cooper Jr., 10805 Wilson Mills Road, to Timothy M. and Kathleen M. Gandee, $592,000. (3.61 acres)
Caryle A. Burwell, 11700 Gate Post Lane, to Derek Paul Brockway, $665,000. (5.07 acres)
NEWBURY TOWNSHIP
Gary K. and Lynda A. Heilman (trustees), 14104 Fairgate Blvd., to Stephanie and Andrew Lauf, $390,000. (1.90 acres)
PARKMAN TOWNSHIP
Simple Sale LLC, 17655 Bradford Road, to Keith L. and Carrie A. Strever, $338,000. (20.00 acres)
RUSSELL TOWNSHIP
Tyler York and Reese Lewis, 15883 Sylvan Road, to Thomas and Lindsey Nazelli, $570,000. (0.75 acres)
Ruth B. and Vincent Fiordalis II, 13540 Ledgebrook Lane, to Kurt Hanna, $725,000. (5.56 acres)
Raymond C. Hendricks, 14780 Sleepy Hollow Drive, to Alex J. Ervin, $471,000. (6.74 acres)
Jennifer Inkley Trepal (successor trustee), Fairmount Road, to Almost Virginia LLC, $1,150,000. (15.55 acres)
SOUTH RUSSELL VILLAGE
Thomas E. Long (trustee), 504 Washington St., to 504 E. Washington LLC, $626,000. (0.66 acres)
Brendan E. and Kayla M. Batchelor, 808 Bell Road, to Craig and Ann Blake, $285,000. (1.00 acres)
Legal Notices
Sheriff’s Sale of Real Estate General Code, Sec. 11661 Revised Code, Sec. 2329.26 Case No. 19-F-000667
The State of Ohio, County of Geauga, ss: DEUTSCHE BANK NATIONAL TRUST COMPANY, AS TRUSTEE, ON BEHALF OF THE HOLDERS THE WAMU MORTGAGE PASS-THROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES 2005-AR6, Plaintiff vs. BRENDA HENDERSON, AS HEIR TO THE ESTATE OF MARSHALL D. HENDERSON, ET AL., Defendants
In pursuance of an Alias Order of Sale in the above entitled action, I will offer for sale at public auction, at https://geauga.sheriffsaleauction.ohio.gov/, on Thursday, the 3rd day of July, 2025, at 10:00 o’clock A.M., and if the parcel does not receive a sufficient bid, it shall be offered for sale, without regard to the minimum bid requirement, at the same time of day and at the same place of the first sale, on Thursday, the 17th day of July, 2025 the following described real estate, situated in the County of Geauga and State of Ohio, and in the Township of Chester to wit: Situated in the Township of Chester, County of Geauga and State of Ohio: Being Part of Lot No. 5, Tract No. 3, within the said Township and described as follows: Beginning in the center line of Shady Lane at the Northwesterly corner of lands conveyed to John A. and Ellanor F. Mayer by deed recorded in Volume 255, Page 14, of Geauga County Records of Deeds; thence North 74° 30’ 00” East along the Northerly line of said Mayer lands and through an iron pipe 30.33 feet from said place of beginning a total distance of 615.56 feet to an iron pipe; thence North 03° 00’ 15” East 100.0 feet to and iron pipe; thence South 73° 34’ 20” West 672.78 feet to the center line of Shady Lane, and through an iron pipe 30.85 feet therefrom; thence South 23° 55’ 25” East along said road center line 156.0 feet to the place of beginning, containing 1.841 Acres, as surveyed in October, 1953, by T.R. Root, be the same more or less; but subject to all legal highways.
Deed Reference Number: dated December 18, 1996, filed December 23, 1996, as recorded as Official Records Volume 1085, Page 1047, Geauga County, Ohio records.
Said Premises Located at: 13389 SHADY LANE, CHESTER TOWNSHIP, OH.
Permanent Parcel Number: 11-291300
DEPOSIT: Pursuant to O.R.C. 2329.211, the required deposit for this offering shall be $10,000.00. Said deposit shall be paid by WIRE TRANSFER of ACH DEBIT TRANSFER with https://geauga.sheriffsaleauction. ohio.gov.
The purchaser shall be responsible for those costs, allowances, and taxes that the proceeds of the sale are insufficient to cover.
Said Premises appraised at ($300,000.00) and cannot be sold for less than two-thirds of that amount ($200,000.00). Please note: The appraisals are based on an exterior appraisal of property only, unless otherwise noted.
TERMS OF SALE: The FULL purchase price shall be paid to the Sheriff within thirty (30) days from the date of confirmation of sale, and on failure to do so, the purchaser may be held in contempt of court, the court may forfeit the sale and/or deposit, or the court may issue any other order it sees fit.
SCOTT A. HILDENBRAND, Sheriff Geauga County, Ohio Ann M. Johnson, attorney Jun5-12-19, 2025
Sheriff’s Sale of Real Estate General Code, Sec. 11661 Revised Code, Sec. 2329.26 Case No. 23-F-000071
The State of Ohio, County of Geauga, ss: THIRD FEDERAL SAVINGS & LOAN ASSOCIATION OF CLEVELAND, Plaintiff vs. STEPHEN A. PULLING, ET AL., Defendants In pursuance of an Order of Sale in the above entitled action, I will offer for sale at public auction, at https://geauga.sheriffsaleauction.ohio.gov/, on Thursday, the 3rd day of July, 2025, at 10:00 o’clock A.M., and if the parcel does not receive a sufficient bid, it shall be offered for sale, without regard to the minimum bid requirement, at the same time of day and at the same place of the first sale, on Thursday, the 17th day of July, 2025 the following described real estate, situated in the County of Geauga and State of Ohio, and in the Township of Chester to wit: Situated in the Township of Chester, County of Geauga and State of Ohio: And known as being Sublot No. 61 in the Chesterland Hills Subdivision (sic Subdivision) of part of
Original Chester Township Lots 20 and 30, Tract 3, as shown by the recorded plat in Volume 7 of Maps, Page 40 and 41 of Geauga (sic Geauga) County Records, and being 117 feet front measured on the center line of Mayfield Road (60 feet wide); 377.74 feet on the Westerly line and 375.99 feet on the Easterly line, (both said Westerly line and Easterly line being measured from the center of Mayfield Road); and 117.02 feet across the rear, as appears by said plat, be the same more of less, but subject to all legal highways.
Said Premises Located at: 9603 MAYFIELD ROAD, CHESTER TOWNSHIP, OH.
Permanent Parcel Number: 11-073800
DEPOSIT: Pursuant to O.R.C. 2329.211, the required deposit for this offering shall be $5,000.00. Said deposit shall be paid by WIRE TRANSFER of ACH DEBIT TRANSFER with https://geauga.sheriffsaleauction. ohio.gov.
The purchaser shall be responsible for those costs, allowances, and taxes that the proceeds of the sale are insufficient to cover.
Said Premises appraised at ($175,000.00) and cannot be sold for less than two-thirds of that amount ($116,667.00). Please note: The appraisals are based on an exterior appraisal of property only, unless otherwise noted.
TERMS OF SALE: The FULL purchase price shall be paid to the Sheriff within thirty (30) days from the date of confirmation of sale, and on failure to do so, the purchaser may be held in contempt of court, the court may forfeit the sale and/or deposit, or the court may issue any other order it sees fit.
SCOTT A. HILDENBRAND, Sheriff Geauga County, Ohio Megan J. Katz, attorney Jun5-12-19, 2025
Sheriff’s Sale of Real Estate General Code, Sec. 11661 Revised Code, Sec. 2329.26 Case No. 23-F-000631
The State of Ohio, County of Geauga, ss: CITIZENS BANK, N.A., FKA RBS CITIZENS BANK, N.A., FKA CITIZENS BANK, N.A. SBMT CHARTER ONE BANK, N.A. FKA CHARTER ONE BANK, F.S.B., SBMT CUYAHOGA SAVINGS ASSOCIATION, Plaintiff vs. RAYMOND J. ELIAS, AKA RAMON JAY ELIAS, JR., AKA RAMON J. ELIAS, AKA RAMON ELIAS, AKA R. JAY ELIAS, JR., ET AL., Defendants
In pursuance of an Alias Order of Sale in the above entitled action, I will offer for sale at public auction, at https://geauga.sheriffsaleauction.ohio.gov/, on Thursday, the 3rd day of July, 2025, at 10:00 o’clock A.M., and if the parcel does not receive a sufficient bid, it shall be offered for sale, without regard to the minimum bid requirement, at the same time of day and at the same place of the first sale, on Thursday, the 17th day of July, 2025 the following described real estate, situated in the County of Geauga and State of Ohio, and in the Township of Munson to wit: Parcel No. 1
Situated in the Township of Munson, County of Geauga,and State of Ohio, and known as being part of the Champion Tract of Tract No. 2 within the said Township and bound and described as follows:Beginning in the centerline of Sherman Road at the southeast corner of land conveyed to David P. Kick by deed recorded in Volume 335, Page 438 of Geauga County Records; Thence N. 08 deg. 10’ 20” East along the Easterly line of said land and through an iron pipe 30.00 feet from said place of beginning, a total distance of 375.00 feet to a point; Thence S. 83 deg. 30’ 00” East a distance of 175.00 feet to a point; Thence S. 06 deg. 10’ 20” West a distance of 375.00 feet to the centerline of Sherman Road; Thence N. 83 deg. 30’ 00” West along the centerline of Sherman Road to the place of beginning containing 1.506 acres, be the same more or less, but subject to all legal highways.
Parcel No. 2
Situated in the Township of Munson, County of Geauga,and State of Ohio, and known as being part of Champion Tract of Tract No. 2 within the said Township and is bounded and described as follows: Beginning in the centerline of Sherman Road at the southeast corner of land conveyed to David P. Kick by deed recorded in Volume 335, Page 438 of Geauga County Records; Thence N. 06 deg. 10’ 20” East along the easterly line of land and through an iron pipe 30.00 feet from said place of beginning a total distance of 375.00 feet to a point which is the principal point of beginning of the land intended to be conveyed; Thence continuing N. 06 deg. 10’ 20” East along the easterly line of land conveyed to David P. Kick 141.20 feet to an iron pipe; Thence S. 83 deg. 30’ 00”
East 421.90 feet to an iron pipe; Thence S. 06 deg. 10’ 20” West 516.55 feet to centerline of Sherman Road, and through an iron pipe 30.00 feet therefrom; Thence N. 83 deg. 22’ 20” West along said road centerline 153.00 feet to an iron pipe; Thence N. 83 deg. 30’ 00” West along said centerline 93.90 feet to a point; Thence N. 06 deg. 10’ 20” East a distance of 375.00 feet to a point; Thence N. 83 deg. 30’ 00” West a distance of 175.00 feet to the principal point of beginning containing 3.494 acres.
Prior Deed Reference: Book 1665, Page 1038, Instrument No. 200300670335
Said Premises Located at: 9860 SHERMAN ROAD, MUNSON TOWNSHIP, OH. INSIDE APPRAISAL COMPLETED
Permanent Parcel Number: 22-021800, 22-021850
DEPOSIT: Pursuant to O.R.C. 2329.211, the required deposit for this offering shall be $10,000.00. Said deposit shall be paid by WIRE TRANSFER of ACH DEBIT TRANSFER with https://geauga.sheriffsaleauction. ohio.gov.
The purchaser shall be responsible for those costs, allowances, and taxes that the proceeds of the sale are insufficient to cover.
Said Premises appraised at ($235,000.00) and cannot be sold for less than two-thirds of that amount ($156,667.00). Please note: The appraisals are based on an exterior appraisal of property only, unless otherwise noted.
TERMS OF SALE: The FULL purchase price shall be paid to the Sheriff within thirty (30) days from the date of confirmation of sale, and on failure to do so, the purchaser may be held in contempt of court, the court may forfeit the sale and/or deposit, or the court may issue any other order it sees fit.
SCOTT A. HILDENBRAND, Sheriff Geauga County, Ohio Johna M. Bella, attorney Jun5-12-19, 2025
Sheriff’s Sale of Real Estate General Code, Sec. 11661 Revised Code, Sec. 2329.26 Case No. 24-F-000386
The State of Ohio, County of Geauga, ss: U.S. BANK TRUST NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY AS OWNER TRUSTEE FOR RCF 2 ACQUISITION TRUST C/O U.S. BANK TRUST NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, Plaintiff vs. JAMES W. TITTERINGTON, ET AL., Defendants
In pursuance of an Order of Sale in the above entitled action, I will offer for sale at public auction, at https://geauga.sheriffsaleauction.ohio.gov/, on Thursday, the 3rd day of July, 2025, at 10:00 o’clock A.M., and if the parcel does not receive a sufficient bid, it shall be offered for sale, without regard to the minimum bid requirement, at the same time of day and at the same place of the first sale, on Thursday, the 17th day of July, 2025 the following described real estate, situated in the County of Geauga and State of Ohio, and in the Township of Hambden to wit:
Situated in the Township of Hambden, County of Geauga and State of Ohio: and known as being part of Lot No. 3, Bond Tract, within the said township, and described as follows: Beginning in the center line of G.A.R. Highway (S.R. 6) at the Northeasterly corner of land conveyed to Margaret A. Reminder, et al, by deed recorded in Volume 282, Page 368, Geauga County Records of Deeds; Thence South 04 deg. 12’ West along the Easterly line of said lands, through an iron pipe 30.00 feet from said place of beginning, a total distance of 420.00 feet; Thence South 86 deg. 37’ East 100.00 feet; Thence North 04 deg. 12’ East 420.00 to the center line of G.A.R. Highway and through an iron pipe 30.00 feet therefrom; Thence North 86 deg. 37’ West along said road center line 100.00 feet to the place of beginning, containing 0.96 acres of land, be the same more or less, but subject to all legal highways.
Said Premises Located at: 14895 G.A.R. HIGHWAY, HAMBDEN TOWNSHIP, OH.
Permanent Parcel Number: 15-070200
DEPOSIT: Pursuant to O.R.C. 2329.211, the required deposit for this offering shall be $5,000.00. Said deposit shall be paid by WIRE TRANSFER of ACH DEBIT TRANSFER with https://geauga.sheriffsaleauction. ohio.gov.
The purchaser shall be responsible for those costs, allowances, and taxes that the proceeds of the sale are insufficient to cover.
Said Premises appraised at ($130,000.00) and cannot be sold for less than two-thirds of that amount ($86,667.00). Please note: The appraisals are based on an exterior appraisal of property only, unless otherwise noted.
TERMS OF SALE: The FULL purchase price shall be paid to the Sheriff within thir-
ty (30) days from the date of confirmation of sale, and on failure to do so, the purchaser may be held in contempt of court, the court may forfeit the sale and/or deposit, or the court may issue any other order it sees fit.
SCOTT A. HILDENBRAND, Sheriff Geauga County, Ohio Carrie Davis, attorney Jun5-12-19, 2025
LEGAL NOTICE
TAX BUDGET HEARING
Russell Township
Notice is hereby given that a public hearing on the budget prepared by the Russell Township Board of Trustees for the next succeeding year ending December 31, 2026, has been rescheduled. The hearing will be held on July 1, 2025, at 2:35 p.m. at the Russell Town Hall, 14890 Chillicothe Rd., Novelty, Ohio 44072. Two copies of the proposed budget are available for public inspection in the office of the Fiscal Officer of Russell Township at 8501 Kinsman Road from 8:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. during normal workdays. The proposed 2026 budget may also be viewed on the Russell Township website at www.RussellTownship.us under Departments/ Administration/Fiscal Office Information. BY ORDER OF THE RUSSELL TOWNSHIP BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Karen F. Walder, Fiscal Officer Jun12-19, 2025
LEGAL NOTICE
TAX BUDGET HEARING
Newbury Township
Two copies of the proposed 2026 Tax Budget for Newbury Township, Geauga County, Ohio will be on file and available for inspection on or after June 12, 2025, at the Newbury Town Hall, 14899 Auburn Road, Newbury, Ohio. These copies will be available from 9:00 am –3:00 pm Monday through Thursday and 9:00 am – 12:00 pm Friday during normal work days. Please call ahead or schedule an appointment before coming in. You may contact the Town Hall Administrative Office at 440-5645997. A Public Hearing on this Tax Budget will be held at the Newbury Town Hall, 14899 Auburn Road, Newbury Township at 7:00 p.m. on July 2, 2025.
Lindsay M. Pollock, Fiscal Officer Jun12-19, 2025
NOTICE OF PUBLIC AUCTION
Chagrin Valley Mini Storage
Public online auction to take place on www. bid13.com to satisfy a lien from Chagrin Valley Mini Storage. The unit is located at 10056 Kinsman Rd., Novelty, OH 44072. The auction will end on June 27, 2025 to the highest bidder. Chagrin Valley Mini Storage reserves the right to remove any unit prior to the end of the sale. Name and last known address below: Michael Rimini, PO Box 525, Novelty, OH 44072 / 10x20 / 78 / tools
All buyers must register through www.bid13. com to participate in the live online auction and follow the terms of the website. All sales require a $100.00 deposit until emptied. Terms for payment are cash only. Any questions can be sent to greg@chagrinvalleyministorage.com Jun5-12, 2025
LEGAL NOTICE IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS GEAUGA COUNTY, OHIO
Case No. 25-F-000154 - Christopher P. Hitchcock, Treasurer of Geauga County, Ohio, Plaintiff, vs. Bonnie L. Dixon, et al., Defendants
Bonnie L. Dixon, Unknown Heirs, Spouse, if any, of Bonnie L. Dixon, Charlene H. Hutcher, Unknown Heirs, Spouse, if any, of Charlene H. Hutcher, and Unknown Heirs, Spouse, if any, of Lois L. Peine, whose last known address was 13017 Taylor Wells Road, Chardon, OH 44024, address is unknown, and cannot, with reasonable diligence, be ascertained shall take notice; and, if deceased, their unknown heirs, devises, legatees, administrators, executors, and assigns will take notice that on the 7th day March 2025, the Treasurer of Geauga County, filed a Complaint in the Court of Common Pleas, Geauga County, 100 Short Court Street, Chardon, Ohio 44024, entitled Christopher P. Hitchcock, Treasurer of Geauga County vs. Bonnie L. Dixon, et al., Case No. 25-F-000154, against the above-named parties, praying that the premises hereinafter described be sold for the collection of delinquent real estate taxes, owed and unpaid, is $10,633.81 together with accruing taxes, assessments, penalties, interest, and charges; as well as court costs. Said premises is described as permanent parcel number(s) 12-054400. A complete legal de-
scription of the parcel(s) can be obtained from the Geauga County Recorder’s Office. The volume and page number for the parcel(s) can be obtained from the Geauga County Auditor’s Office.
The object of the action is to obtain from the Court a judgment foreclosing the tax liens against such real estate and ordering the sale of such real estate for the satisfaction of delinquent taxes. Such action is brought against the real property only and no personal judgment shall be entered in it. However, if pursuant to the action, the property is sold for an amount that is less than the amount of the delinquent taxes, assessments, charges, penalties and interest against it, the Court, in a separate order, may enter a deficiency judgment against the owner of record of a parcel for the amount of the difference; if that owner of record is a corporation, the Court may enter the deficiency judgment against the stockholder holding a majority of the corporation’s stock.
The above-named parties are required to answer on or before 28 days after the last date of publication. Such answer must be filed with the Clerk of Courts, and a copy must be served on the Prosecuting Attorney.
By Kristen Rine,
Assistant Prosecuting Attorney, Attorney for Plaintiff. Jun5-12-19, 2025
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
City of Chardon
The City of Chardon Planning Commission will hold a Public Hearing to consider the applications described below on Tuesday, June 24, 2025 at 6:30 PM. in Council Chambers at the Municipal Center, 111 Water St., Chardon OH 44024. The meeting is subject to adjournment or recess to a later date without another Notice of Public Hearing. Arrangements can be made to review the plans upon request via email at syaney@chardon.cc or by calling 440286-2654.
PC Case #25-115: Applicant – Anne Dunning on behalf of the owner is requesting a use variance as follows: 1) Use Variance to Section 1139.03 to allow an automobile sales business in the “C-3” Traditional Commercial District at the former Cooke’s Gas Station property.
The property is located on the north side of Water Street on the northwest corner of the intersection of Water Street and Washington Street. The address of the property is 400 Water Street, Chardon, OH 44024, with Parcel ID# 10-034800. The property is owned by 408 Water Street Company. Steven M. Yaney Community Development Administrator Jun12, 2025
LEGAL NOTICE
Bids will be received by Geauga Transit for the following good(s) and/or service(s) until the respective deadline as shown: Project: ITB # GT10- REPLACEMENT and/ or RESURFACING of ASPHALT at GEAUGA TRANSIT ADMINISTRATIVE and MAINTENANCE FACILITY
Bids Due: July 11, 2025 at 2:00p.m.
Copies of the procurement documents can be downloaded from the web: https://laketran. com/about-laketran/doing-business-with-laketran/. Questions must be addressed to Renée Ramsey at rramsey@laketran.com.
All proposals must be received on time and be in full compliance with the instructions contained in the ITB. Geauga Transit reserves the right to reject any and all quotes and to waive any irregularities or informalities in the bidding and to award to the offeror whose proposal best meets the needs of Geauga Transit. Jun12-19, 2025
LEGAL NOTICE
TAX BUDGET HEARING
Hambden Township
The Hambden Township Board of Trustees will hold a Public Hearing on the proposed 2026 Tax Budget on July 2, 2025 at 6:15 p.m. at the Hambden Town Hall located at 13887 GAR Highway, Chardon, OH 44024.
A copy of the proposed Tax Budget is on file with the Fiscal Officer. Please call the Town Hall at 440-286-4364 x2 to arrange to view the proposed budget.
BY ORDER OF THE HAMBDEN TOWNSHIP BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Michael J. Romans, Fiscal Officer Jun12, 2025
Classifieds
AUTOS & PARTS
BUYING CARS: $Cash$ Paid for cars, trucks, classic cars, tractors, garden tractors, construction equipment running or not, scrap, cleanups. 440-465-8795.
For Sale: ‘75 Corvette, has brake issues. Text 440-2140116.
FOR RENT
Auburn: 1BR apartment, includes laundry room and attached garage. No pets. No smoking. $950/mo. Call 440-221-0649.
Remodeling: 5BR, 2BA. Includes laundry room, rec room or 6th BR, basement, garage. Large closets, 2 are walk-in. No pets, No smoking. Huntsburg. 440-6365747.
Two burial plots at Western Reserve Memorial Gardens with full package: 2 vaults, 2 caskets, dual memorial headstone; $7,400. 440-476-0706.
A lifetime of Cake Supplies for sale. Also, 30 yrs Photography Supplies and backgrounds. Serious buyers only. 330-984-9403, leave message if no answer.
Pampered Chef Multi Cooker: brand new, never used. Retails $229, will sell for $150. 440-632-0518. Family Burial Plot for sale. All Souls Cemetery. Serene location in prime section. Section 16. 216-440-8743. Lake View Cemetery, 4 burial plots total (2 double lots): Cemetery Price $10,100 per dbl. Asking $8,000 each dbl. 440-729-0070.
Wood and Weekend Woodworker Magazines; $0.50 cents/each. Hardcover Woodworker Projects and Backyard Builders Books; $3-$5/each. Stones, all sizes; make offer. Wooden pallets, Free. 440-548-2657.
Speakers: Two Infinity 10” woofer 4-ohm 200 watts speakers. Yamaha 200 watt receiver w/remote. $200 for all. 400-431-6944.
Engine Hoist: 2 ton. w/8-ton long ram cylinder. $250. 440-487-2955.
Classifieds
DEER HUNTERS: (40) Deer Hunter and (73) Bow Hunter Magazines. Vintage, Excellent Condition. Great reading and informational. Harvest that Big One!! Inquire. 440223-9471.
Dept 56 North Pole Village, Special Editions, Dickens Village. If interested, call 440-313-8564, leave message if no answer.
New white triple track Storm Windows: perfect for home & porch enclosures (7) 30-1/4x59-1/4 $95 each. George 440-336-5044.
GARAGE/ESTATE SALES
June 19-21, 9a-5p, Mulberry Road between Sherwood Trail and County Line. Rescheduled Neighborhood Sale: Vintage, Antiques, Household Items and Much More!
June 19-21, 9a-3p, 7816 Fairmount Rd, Novelty. Huge Multi-Family Garage Sale: Priced to sell! Vintage toys, furniture, households, fishing and camping gear, and much more.
June 19, 12p-5p; Jun 20-21, 9a-5p, 9483 Mulberry Rd, Chesterland. Pony Harness and cart. Cub Cadet mower. Furniture, tools, households, saddle. Vintage, Antiques, Collectibles.
June 26-28, 9a-5p, 7695 Apple Blossom Ln, Chesterland. Multi-family sale: Women’s shoes size 9, like new. Women, girls’ clothing, household, misc furniture, western saddle, ping pong table, toys, games, hitch mounted ski rack, vintage.
June 19-20 9a-4p; June 21 9a-2p, 11205 Sutton Place, Munson. 3-Family Garage Sale: furniture, clothes, households, 30-ft motor home, many misc items! Estate/Yard Sale: Jun 21-22, 12p-4p, 14620 Russell Ln, Russell, 44072. Large variety of items available, come and see!
UNIQUE GARAGE SALES: Weekly April - Oct, 4 buildings, Thursday thru Saturday, 9am-5pm. $1 most items. 9098 Old State Rd, (Rt 608, Chardon). Something for everyone! June 19-21, 9a-6p, 11800 Clark Rd, Chardon, off Ravenna Rd. Multi Family, lots of TOOLS, toys, housewares, clothes, bikes, electronics.
June 13-14, 10a-3p, 9600 Fairmount Rd, Russell. 70yrs collecting furniture, oil lamps, pottery, copper kettles, and many misc items from three households. Cash Only.
June 26-28, 9a-4p, 10855 Chardon Rd, west of Chardon. Multi-Family Sale at Wilders Mobile Home Park. Don’t miss it!
HELP WANTED
Help Wanted: Brush Hogging, small pasture. Chardon area. 440-286-3840.
PETS & ANIMALS
2 Nigerian Dwarf Nanny Goats: Dehorned, very cute, friendly, 1 yr old, $250 each /OBO. Call or text 440881-6332.
Pet Care: in my home setting, Middlefield. 440-6362421.
Tux & Bea: bonded pair of 9-yo Tuxedo cats, need indoor home. Tux is a lap cat. Bea is more shy. Both fixed. Rebecca 440-321-2485.
MISCELLANEOUS
Newbury Township 2025 High School Graduates: Newbury Cares, Inc. is offering a $1,000 scholarship. Pick up an application at Newbury Town Hall before June 20th.
FREE fact; Marijuana is not “harmless”! 95 per cent of drug addicts started with marijuana! Warn others —especially young men.
REAL ESTATE
Mobile Home For Sale! You move it off our Marblehead Ohio property. 1980 Holly Park 14 x 70. New kitchen, hardwood floor and carpet, new ac/furnace in 2020. 330-307-4130.
Local Investor will pay fair cash price for homes or land in any condition. Fast closing. Call or text 440-3460161 today.
Homes & Land Wanted: any condition or situation! Fast, friendly, local. Serving Geauga and surrounding counties. Text or call Wayne at 330-269-9595.
SERVICES
Will do child care, birth or infant to 4yrs old. 440-3131804.
Albert’s Complete Tree Service: 45+yrs experience! Competent in all aspects of Arboriculture, Forestry and Land Clearing. Also, Firewood, Excavation and Sewer Work. Free Estimates. 440-687-5404.
Team R Painting: We are here to meet all your interior and exterior painting needs! Give Jaden a call at 330531-3870 for your free quote today!
PASTURE RAISED BROILER CHICKENS: Available July 23. Order now: 3.25 pound whole bird. Rome, Oh 44085. Call/text Ian 440-387-9857.
WANTED TO BUY
Wanted to Buy: Smaller size manure spreader. 440829-1856.
Old fishing tackle wanted: fishing lures (wood or plastic), mouse to bear traps, wooden duck decoys. Call Lee 440-313-8331.
