Light displays bring holiday dazzle to region
by Emily Canning-Dean Whether it is a quick jaunt to the county fairgrounds or a two-hour road trip to a popular tourist location, there are plenty of chances to take in all of the bright lights and cheer this holiday season. Thanks to the help of the Northeast Ohio Public Energy Council, the Cleveland Metroparks […]
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Tree lighting features Santa, train and snacks; historical society hosts Mrs. Claus event
by Kim Scott Sowinski If you are a fan of Hallmark movies, you may have felt you were in one as the city of Independence continued the tradition of the annual tree lighting on Dec. 7. The city began putting up over 200,000 lights after the summer Home Days to prepare for the holiday season. […]
Firefighter promoted to lieutenant
by Laura Bednar Dec. 10 city council meeting Independence firefighter Kyle Krysiak was promoted to lieutenant and sworn in by Mayor Greg Kurtz. He has been with the department for 15 years and is a lifelong resident of the city. His wife Andrea and daughter Emma were in attendance for the ceremony. Krysiak thanked his […]
City to spend $40,000 for Civic Center locker room updates
by Laura Bednar Nov. 12 city council meeting Independence City Council agreed to pay $40,125 to Sixmo Architecture to provide specifications, engineering plans and architectural drawings for the renovation of Civic Center locker rooms. Recreation Director Tom Walchanowicz said the locker rooms have not been updated since 1991, aside from shower improvements. Once the plan […]
Police department first in state to earn national traffic safety award
by Laura Bednar The Independence Police Department became the first in Ohio to earn the 2024 Destination Zero National Officer Safety and Wellness Award in the traffic safety category. The award is presented by the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund. The NLEOMF was created to honor the fallen, tell the story of American law […]
City completes phase II of cemetery expansion
by Laura Bednar The city’s second phase of improvements at Maple Shade Cemetery was completed in November. Engineer Don Ramm said Fabrizi Trucking & Paving performed the work, which included a four-acre expansion, new traditional grave plots, a new entrance, a concrete drive and landscaping. The project cost was $611,714. Ramm said the new layout […]
Property valuation increase could stave off deficit spending
by Laura Bednar Nov. 19 board of education meeting Independence schools Treasurer Jennifer Knapp presented the district’s five-year forecast to the board of education, which learned that expenditures are projected to outpace revenue, but a property tax increase may curb deficit spending for a couple of years. Revenue in 2025 is predicted to be $22.37 […]
Communication is key tool for fighting online dangers
by Dan Holland Representatives of the Ohio Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, working through the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Office, presented “Social Media and Tech Night” at Independence High School on Nov. 21. The program, which addresses social media challenges and helps to identify and prevent potential online predator situations, was presented to students in […]
Independence Girls Volleyball team makes a statement
by Noell Wolfgram Evans After a three-year absence, the Independence High School Varsity Girls Volleyball team returned to the state tournament this season. Unfortunately, they could not overcome a powerful Coldwater squad in the semi-final round and fell three sets to one to the eventual state champs. “Of course our ultimate goal would have been […]
Auditions announced for the 2025 season of Tetélestai
Cleveland Performing Arts Ministries announced audition dates for the upcoming season of its musical passion play, Tetélestai. Auditions will be held Jan 11-12 and Jan. 18-19 at Our Lady of Guadalupe, 9080 Shepard Rd., in Macedonia. CPAM is seeking actors/singers and tech crew for this musical presentation. A personal profile must be submitted to be scheduled […]
Police Beat
Nov. 8—Police were dispatched to a two-car accident on Rockside Road. A male driver involved was arrested for OVI after crashing into the back of the vehicle in front of him. He was coming from a company event at an entertainment complex on Rockside Woods Boulevard. Nov. 9—Officers were dispatched to a Quarry Lane hotel […]
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Five ways to incorporate Montessori in the home
By Remi Stefanski, South Suburban Montessori School Children’s House Guide The Montessori Approach can stretch farther than within the classroom. The benefits of the philosophy can be seen, not only in schools, but at home as well. If you are looking to incorporate the Montessori Approach into your home, here are 5 ways to integrate the approach […]
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Avoiding Emergencies
by Tom Olecki, Owner, Broadview Heating From the Experts Avoiding Emergencies At some point you will probably have to call a repair company because your furnace has stopped working. Inevitably, mechanical things will break down and quit working. Many times we are able to repair whatever broke with a new part and you are ready […]
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How to Avoid the Big Bad Wolf of Probate Court
by Dan A. Baron, Baron Law LLC Perhaps you’re tempted to skip this article thinking that probate court doesn’t affect you. But whether you have a comprehensive family trust or are just getting started with a basic estate plan, understanding and avoiding probate is paramount for each person considering the future of their loved ones. […]
Resident’s craftsmanship, community spirit shines through yard and beyond
by Laura Bednar No matter what time of year you drive down Valley Woods Drive, you won’t miss resident Robert Wright’s house. For almost a decade, Wright has set up a colorful yard display anchored by a large Styrofoam pumpkin, Easter Bunny, snowman, or whatever fits the season’s theme. His artistic talent and community spirit […]
ICAN! organization earns state award for extensive programming
by Charles Cassady Perhaps lost in the shuffle of awards handed out earlier this year was not an Oscar or a Golden Globe, but in a way it was a people’s choice. In February, the Independence ICAN! program earned first place in the “Adaptive Programming” category through the Ohio Parks and Recreation Association. “This was […]
Veteran ties discovered, servicemen and women honored at annual veteran’s program
by Dan Holland City officials, organizations and community members came together at Independence Civic Center on Nov. 1 to honor the city’s military veterans with a luncheon and special program. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Councilperson James Trakas, Major, Ohio Military Reserve, Retired, which was followed by the National Anthem played by the […]
Independence Local Schools on the hunt for more bus drivers
by Emily Canning-Dean A shortage of bus drivers is not a new problem in school districts throughout the region, but up until recently, Independence Local Schools had remained unaffected. “We were kind of smiling behind the scenes because we weren’t having those issues, but I think we knew it was eventually going to happen,” Assistant […]
Board discusses building projects; hears new teaching technique
by Laura Bednar Oct. 15 board of education meeting The Independence Local Schools Board of Education heard from Assistant Superintendent Tom Dreiling about two potential projects: a security vestibule at the primary school and windows for the wrestling room in the middle school. The security vestibule has been considered for several years, but the district […]
Millcraft goes beyond paper with vendors in various fields
by Laura Bednar Millcraft Paper Company gave the public an inside look at its facility on Rio Nero Drive this November, after moving into the new location earlier this spring. The building is one of 19 locations throughout the Midwest ranging as far west as Illinois and as far south as Tennessee. General manager for […]
Student choice drives curriculum
Submitted by Independence Local Schools Independence High School has taken a step towards personalizing education by adjusting its course selection process for the current academic year. In a departure from previous years, IHS opened its entire course catalog to students last spring, allowing them to request any class that piqued their interest. The only exceptions […]
Pastor supports, grows future church leaders
by Samantha Lumpkin Jordan Neimetz, worship and young adult pastor, recently won the Leader Development Award through the Ohio Ministry Network. He was nominated for this state level award because of his efforts in identifying, training, resourcing and equipping new leaders within Rockside Church in Independence. As a credentialed pastor through the Ohio Ministry Network, Neimetz and […]
Cuyahoga Valley Genealogical Society meeting
The Cuyahoga Valley Genealogical Society will hold its monthly meeting on Monday, Dec. 2, at 7 p.m. in the Willow Room of the Independence Civic Center, 6363 Selig Dr. Members and interested public are invited to attend. CVGS Vice President Jane Gramlich will present “Navigating Ancestry.com.” The most popular subscription genealogy database is a powerhouse […]
Police Beat
Oct. 4—Police made a traffic stop on Rockside Road for a car with excessively tinted windows. The driver had a suspended license and a firearm in the vehicle. Due to conflicting records on his criminal history, police seized the firearm. Oct. 7—A female was cited for disorderly conduct at a Quarry Lane hotel for refusing […]
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Watch Your Home While Away
by Tom Olecki, Owner, Broadview Heating Around this time of year some of us may be heading away to visit family and friends, travelling to a vacation destination or spending some time in a warmer climate to escape our frigid winter. These situations will leave our homes vulnerable should a no-heat situation occur while we […]
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Using the Holiday Season to Discuss a Difficult Topic
by Dan A. Baron, Baron Law LLC It’s unbelievable, but 2024 is almost over. As we approach the holidays, we unite with family, enjoy great food, and engage in many discussions. One often overlooked discussion is the importance of communicating your wishes regarding estate planning. It’s challenging, difficult, and maybe even unthinkable to imagine losing […]
Prepping ahead, delegating can take stress out of Thanksgiving
by Emily Canning-Dean When people think of Thanksgiving, they often picture Norman Rockwell’s famous image of all the happy, expectant faces gathered around the dining room table as the matriarch sets down a beautifully dressed turkey waiting to be carved. “I’m really not sure how many people even do that in this day and age,” […]
Portion of Sand Run Metro Park jogging trail closed for maintenance
A portion of the jogging trail at Sand Run Metro Park is closed to provide necessary repairs to a failing retaining wall. The trail is closed from Chestnut Drive (the entrance to Chestnut Lodge off Sand Run Parkway) to the Shadowfield area. Repairs are expected to be complete by May 2025 or sooner. During the […]
Students and community get hands-on learning experience at outdoor education center
by Dan Holland The Independence Outdoor Education Center & Land Lab, located behind the Independence Local Schools Administrative offices and adjacent to the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, welcomed visitors to its annual public open house on Oct. 6. Visitors explored the numerous hiking trails and ponds on the 50-acre wooded property, the site of a […]
Police Beat
Aug. 29—Police found a driver on Rockside Road was not the registered owner of the vehicle, but the owner was staying in a nearby hotel with an active warrant. Police found the vehicle owner, who was issued a criminal summons for drug abuse after illegal substances were found in his wallet. The driver had a […]