Bath-Richfield Kiwanis News
The Richfield Brewery Memorial Walk and Wishing Well was completed in November and memorial bricks will be available to purchase after the brewery opens. December service projects include buying Christmas gifts for a needy family in the Adopt-A-Family program, delivering underwear and shampoo to the Hope and Healing Center, and the annual bell ringing and […]
Revere celebrates veterans with extensive program
by Laura Bednar Revere High School welcomed all veterans through its doors for breakfast, a singing performance by first-grade students and a presentation by former Air Force Col. James McClellan. Members of the high school student council served breakfast to veterans from all branches of the service. The vets were treated to a performance by […]
Long wait for Richfield Brewing Company is about to end
by Sheldon Ocker Four years is a long time to wait for a beer, even a craft beer. A man could die of thirst by then. Thankfully, Mike Lytz is a patient man and has access to fresh drinking water. It was in 2020 that Lytz and his late wife Margaret, who died in 2022, […]
Mayor’s Corner
The holidays are upon us. I wish everyone a very merry and happy holiday season. If you are traveling to another destination for the holidays, please drive safely and sanely. The new water tower will be operational at the beginning of March 2025. With it will come increased water pressure. If you are on the […]
Zoning approval sought for first multifamily development
by Sue Serdinak Nov. 6 village council meeting Richfield Village Council took the first step to allow the construction of multifamily homes in Richfield. They unanimously approved suspending readings and sending to the Village Planning and Zoning Commission a request to change the zoning on the former Constantine’s Garden Center property from commercial to multifamily. […]
Travel centers not invited to village
by Sue Serdinak Nov. 19 village council meeting The Richfield Village Planning and Zoning Commission voted unanimously to return to village council a recommendation to limit the number of travel centers and fueling stations in the village. Councilperson Sue Ann Philippbar, who is council’s representative to the commission, said the appointed body spent several hours […]
Township Corner
News The trustees and residents who live on Summit County roads were disappointed to learn this summer that the county was discontinuing its long-held practice of mowing the roadsides. I am pleased to report that the county will mow twice in the summer of 2025 and will have a transition plan after 2025. Thanks to […]
Trustees select Land Use Plan Committee
by Dan Holland Nov. 7 township trustees meeting Richfield Township trustees approved an 11-person Land Use Plan Committee as a first step toward initiating a study in 2025. “We plan to have an introductory meeting this year, but the majority of the work will be done between January and October 2025,” Trustee Chair Don Laubacher […]
Revere Superintendent’s Corner
Celebrating Fall Traditions While Revere is notably recognized for a tradition of excellence in academics, I’m excited to share some highlights and fall traditions that showcase our students’ talents, creativity, and school spirit. The season’s vibrant colors provide a perfect backdrop for the events that have become cherished traditions that bring our school community together. […]
Revere board discusses therapy dogs, background checks
by Sheldon Ocker Nov. 12 work session Another sign that Revere is no longer your grandfather’s school system: The Revere board of education is deliberating the efficacy of therapy dogs and background checks for school volunteers. Superintendent Dan White explained why the board needed to formulate a policy about therapy dogs, even though the district […]
Middle school girls’ character glows
by Sheldon Ocker November 19 board of education meeting Middle school Principal Bill Conley told the Revere board of education a story of kindness by his girls cross country team that was so touching he was almost brought to tears. The incident came to his attention in an email sent to middle school husband and […]
RJRD board questions need for MOU with Friends
by Sue Serdinak Oct. 28 RJRD board meeting The Richfield Joint Recreation District board is at a crossroads regarding its relationship with the Friends of Richfield Heritage Preserve. A memorandum of understanding between the district and the nonprofit was signed in 2017, two years after Richfield Village and Richfield Township taxpayers approved the purchase of […]
Board reviews past and plans for Richfield Heritage Preserve’s future
by Sue Serdinak Nov. 6 RJRD board meeting The Richfield Joint Recreation District board met to evaluate how the Richfield Heritage Preserve has evolved and how to plan for the future. Board Chairperson Anita Gantner said in the 10 years since the district was formed, the Lodge has succeeded as a wedding venue, the Amity […]
Letter to the Editor
The Richfield Historical Society would like to clear up a point for members of our community. There is a current contest going on until November 30 to name the “Upper” and “Lower” lakes at Richfield Heritage Preserve. The problem is that both lakes already have Historic names of great significance. The upper lake is called […]
Letter to the Editor
Richfield Village Council adopted Ordinance 45-2022 on 12/14/2022 and established the first set of codified cemetery rules for the village as Chapter 945 of the codified ordinances. On 6/4/2024 Council passed Ordinance 37-2024 and adopted amendments to chapter 945. Both sets of rules covered what is and isn’t allowed on graves in the cemeteries, and […]
Nativity set stays in community
A well-known nativity scene that was displayed in front of Constantine’s Garden Center will stay in the Richfield community. John Constantine Jr. donated the life-size pieces to the Richfield United Church of Christ after the nursery closed its doors for good in October. John’s parents, John and Athena, purchased the set from Bronner’s Christmas Wonderland […]
Historical Society seeking ancestral information for 2026 national celebration
The Richfield Historical Society is already gearing up for the 250th anniversary (Semiquincentennial) of our nation in 2026. Plans are in the works for multiple events. At the Richfield Historical Museum volunteers will construct a Wall of Fame to record patriots of the Revolutionary War that are related to members of our community. If you […]
Rumpke can now recycle plastic clamshell containers
Richfield residents can add plastic clamshell containers to their recycling carts. Rumpke Waste and Recycling announced that they now have artificial intelligence and optic technology that removes clamshells at their recycling center in Columbus. The products that can be recycled include clear-plastic carryout containers, plastic fruit, lettuce and egg containers, and clear plastic deli tubs […]
New Ohio Turnpike toll system saves costs, but has caused confusion – Discarded gates remain alongside toll plaza
by Dan Holland Final implementation of the Ohio Turnpike’s new toll collection system, which initially began as a study in 2016, was implemented this spring. The upgrades can be seen at toll plazas all along the 241-mile-long roadway, including Toll Plaza 173 in Richfield, which connects motorists to both I-77 and Brecksville Road. According to […]
Cuyahoga Valley National Park looking at Towpath improvement and rail service expansion
by Dan Holland As Cuyahoga Valley National Park celebrates the 50th anniversary of becoming a unit of the National Park Service in December, officials are looking toward future improvements in the park, which stretches through the Cuyahoga River Valley for 25 miles between Cleveland and Akron. Several partner organizations that work in tandem with CVNP […]
The Grapevine
by Sue Serdinak Brigadier General David Berkland announced that Capt. Jack Smith recently became a member of the Thunderbolt Airmen of the 56th Fighter Wing at Luke Air Force Base in Arizona. During training, Smith is learning to fly the F-35 in dogfighting against aerial adversaries, how to deliver precision-guided bombs on ground targets, and […]
Revere Notes
Revere High senior Anya Makkar was recognized by the board of education for creating a plan designed to help staff and teachers assist students struggling with grief following a tragic occurrence in their lives. Revere High Principal Doug Faris explained that the genesis of Makkar’s actions was the loss of her father in October 2023. […]
Police Beat
At a rehab and nursing home on Brecksville Road, officers responded to a report of a violent resident. The man had pulled out his catheter and was destroying his room. Although a doctor okayed his hospitalization, it became apparent the man would not go willingly. In order to sedate him, an officer stood behind the […]
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 […]
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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 […]
John Constantine says goodbye to iconic garden store
by Sheldon Ocker With his sixth spinal surgery scheduled for December, maybe only a man who grows and nurtures flowering plants for a living would have a totally enthusiastic attitude about his life. So meet John Constantine. Just about everyone who lives in Richfield and Bath already has. “Everybody laughs at me because they see […]
Residents and neighbors welcomed new courts
by Sue Serdinak It was four years in the planning stage, but six pickleball courts were opened to the public on Oct. 9 with a well-attended ribbon cutting. Additionally, a ribbon-cutting ceremony for three new tennis courts was held on Oct. 17. Mayor Michael Wheeler said he hardly knew anything about pickleball in 2019, but […]
Holiday season opens with Tree Lighting on Nov. 29
“Come Home for the Holidays” and participate in Richfield’s Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony on Friday, Nov. 29. The festivities, sponsored by the Richfield Civic Organization, will begin on the southeast corner of Broadview and West Streetsboro roads at 6 p.m. Attendees will receive a miniature lantern to help illuminate the night for the singing of […]
Mayor’s Corner by Mayor Michael Wheeler
I hope everyone will have a very Happy Thanksgiving. If you are traveling for the holiday, please drive safely and sanely. Police Officer Morgan Miller resigned to spend more time with her family. We wish her well and thank her for her service. Dispatcher Kalli Spisak resigned to pursue a full-time career in law enforcement; […]
Council approves CJI Construction building
by Sue Serdinak Oct. 1 village council meeting The meeting opened with Mayor Michael Wheeler, Richfield Village Council members and Planning Director Brian Frantz going into executive session with Law Director Benjamin Chojnacki regarding economic development. Later in the meeting, council adopted a resolution to offer a $125,000 improvement grant to N and L Holdings […]
Grant Street reconstruction delayed to install thousands of dollars in pavers
by Sue Serdinak October 15 village council meeting The reconstruction of the east/west section of Grant Street in front of the new brewery was nearing completion about the same time as the business was planning to open. Permeable pavers were installed on about one-third of the street. Richfield Village Mayor Michael Wheeler said at the […]
Residents question impending road project
by Dan Holland Oct. 3 township trustees meeting A number of residents at the Richfield Township Trustees meeting raised questions regarding resurfacing and culvert work planned for Farnham and Stubbins roads and Hecker Drive. Township Administrator Mindy Lott noted at an Aug. 1 trustees’ meeting that the project, 90% of which would be paid for […]
Township Corner
After many years of dedicated service, our road foremen Jerry Schall has decided to retire. Don Rentz will move up to take over that position and we have hired Richfield resident David Chaney to work with Don starting Nov. 4. I, along with my fellow trustees, hired Jerry more than 20 years ago. Taking care […]
Revere Superintendent’s Corner
A celebration of Revere’s student learning The Ohio Department of Education and Workforce recently released annual report cards for all schools and districts in Ohio. An annual review of Revere Local’s report card provides an opportunity to reflect on our academic progress, celebrate our successes, and identify opportunities for growth. As we analyze these results, […]
Golf team benefits from coach’s generosity
by Sheldon Ocker Oct. 18 board of education work session For the fourth consecutive year, Revere High School boys golf coach Dave Archer donated his $5,135 pay back to the team he oversees. “He’s never taken a dime from us,” said Revere Treasurer Rick Berdine. Berdine revealed that a year ago, Archer spent the cash […]
Board alters controversial policy, still receives criticism
by Sheldon Ocker Oct. 15 board of education meeting Following six months of sustained criticism from parents and others in the community, the Revere Board of Education altered its policy that allows students to leave school to take religious instruction. Most impactful is the board’s decision to redefine ‘’core curriculum’’ classes, which usually refers to […]
Kirby’s Mill gets a new lake balcony
by Sue Serdinak The October Richfield Joint Recreation District board meeting was canceled because they lacked a quorum with several board members out of town. However, the Friends of RHP continued working on two large projects, having finished the work to restore Amity House and making it ready to rent. A balcony had been attached […]
Election opinion
To the Editor This letter is to clarify a few points in the ad, “Country Over Party.” Immigration “policy” has allowed millions of illegal aliens “… bringing with them deadly drugs like fentanyl, gang and cartel violence and egregious human suffering into our communities.” (Heritage Foundation, Oct 19, 2024). We give many of them free […]
Appreciates personal letters
To the Editor: As residents of Richfield for 19 years and proud parents of two, we would like to take this opportunity to write that we have never seen a politician do more to recognize the accomplishments of students than our state representative Bill Roemer. Our son and daughter have both received numerous notes from […]
Almost 3 million visit CVNP each year, as it celebrates a half century birthday
by Dan Holland According to National Park Service statistics, the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, was the twelfth most visited park in the United States in 2023, welcoming nearly 2.9 million visitors. Consisting of nearly 33,000 acres of reclaimed rural lands and former industrial sites along a 25-mile stretch of the Cuyahoga River Valley between Cleveland […]
Revere Schools Foundation has a mission of school safety and supporting youth leadership
by Dan Holland According to Jason DiLauro, the Revere Schools Foundation came about as a grassroots response by local parents in the wake of the tragic Sandy Hook Elementary School shootings that occurred in December 2012. “I walked into our elementary school building the next day, and there were people walking all around,” recalled DiLauro, […]
Revere Notes
Revere High School Principal Doug Faris presented three students for recognition by the board of education. Senior Jake Nations is the goalie on the boys’ soccer team, but Faris was equally impressed by his kindness. The principal read a letter from the mother of fourth-grader Alex Loescher, also a soccer goalkeeper, who happened to meet […]
Police Beat
A Ridgeview Road resident stated that two weeks earlier a wake of buzzards and the strong odor of decaying flesh led him to a deer carcass in a high state of putrefaction. Later, the smell intensified and he discovered a second deer carcass with a bullet hole in its side. He suspected poaching. The local […]