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View the full March 2025 Richfield Times

Friends books available prior to annual book sale.

The Richfield Branch Library has added new shelves in the foyer for books collected by the Friends of Richfield Library and available for purchase. Choose from non-fiction, various fiction genres, CDs and DVDs and place an appropriate donation in the donation box.The Friends next regular book sale will be Friday, April 4, and Saturday, April […]

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Snow was celebrated at Snowbird Festival

The weather was perfect with plenty of snow for the annual Snowbird Festival, hosted by the Village of Richfield, Richfield Township and Richfield Joint Recreation District. Attendees enjoyed sledding and hiking in Richfield Heritage Preserve, a live animal presentation from the Akron Zoo and dogs from the Siberian Husky Club of Greater Cleveland. In addition they […]

Tennis Association sends check

The United State Tennis association recently viewed the tennis courts that the village installed last summer, and approved sending a $25,000 contribution. Accompanying the check, the association wrote, “The courts look great! … On behalf of the USTA and everyone in your community, thank you for your commitment to the great sport of tennis. Enjoy […]

Pre-Civil War house gets modern makeover

by Wendy Turrell The double-century home at 4749 W. Streetsboro Rd. has been sheltering Richfield families since 1815. Now, the new owner, Dan Chirayath, is giving it an extensive remodeling and reinvention for a 21st-Century family. Chirayath found the date that the house was built in an old county tax record, according to Richfield Historical […]

Mayor’s Corner

It is very unfortunate that a large number of trees and bushes are being cut down along I-77 and I-271. Neither I, nor my administration, had any warning that they were to be cut. ODOT is removing them to repair and replace their fencing that exists in the road right-of-way. My staff and I and […]

Public comments split on senior apartments

by Sue Serdinak Feb. 4 public hearing Petros Development Group has proposed purchasing the former Constantine Garden Center and building 44 apartments on the property and two adjoining parcels. The 8.1-acres is zoned C-1 commercial, which does not allow for apartments. Petros has requested the property be rezoned R-4, which allows for high-density apartments and […]

Village gets no help from state for highway problems

by Sue Serdinak Feb. 4 village council meeting Mayor Michael Wheeler reported that he asked state Rep. Bill Roemer to request state money to help pay overtime charges that Richfield Village safety forces accumulate because of accidents on I-77 and I-271 in Richfield. To date, the state has not responded. Police Chief Michael Swanson said […]

ODOT still says no to sound walls

by Sue Serdinak Feb. 18 village council meeting The Ohio Department of Transportation is repairing fences along interstate highways. According to Richfield Village Council President Ralph Waszak, ODOT installs fences to help keep animals off highways. With three interstate highways running through Richfield, residential areas are impacted by the noise of the vehicles. Richfield Village […]

Township Corner

The final phase to complete the paving of roads this summer in Glencairn Forest will include Braemer and Gullane drives, Aviemore Way, Heather Lane, and Stewart Court. In addition, Pulte Homes will restore construction-damaged Briarwood Road and West Whitethorn Circle, and we will fix the culverts and re-chip Farnham, Hecker, and Stubbins roads. We appreciate […]

Trustees to apply for stream restoration grant

by Dan Holland Feb. 6 township trustees meeting Richfield Township Trustees approved a resolution to apply for a $350,000 federal EPA grant for stream restoration of a pond located at Wheatley Road and Glencairn Forest Drive. “They [Glencairn HOA] want to return it to its original state, which is part of Furnace Run,” Trustee Chair […]

County explains tax bill increase

In a January press release, Summit County Fiscal Officer Kristen Scalise announced the first half of 2024 real estate tax bills were mailed to residents on Jan. 23. The closing date for payment is Feb. 28. Scalise advised that some residents may notice an increase in their property taxes due to several contributing factors. Here’s […]

Letters to the Editor; RJRD, Friends of Richfield Heritage Preserve, sidewalk costs, and more

To the Editor, Those women swooping in on the Village Council meetings with their complaints should be called Cranky Old People – the Next Generation. Fifty some years ago another group of C.O.P’s used the same complaints to defeat the Richfield Village/Richfield Township merger: “We will become a city,” and “We will have to install […]

RJRD board finally allows open dialogue with Friends

by Sue Serdinak Feb. 24 RJRD board meeting The board of the Richfield Joint Recreation District had business to do, but more than 100 people attending the meeting (with a police officer in the back of the room), came to hear about ongoing issues involving the board and the Friends of Richfield Heritage Preserve. A […]

Richfield businesses help build community

by Noell Wolfgram Evans Davey Steps Up In 2017 Davey Resource Group, a subsidiary of Davey Tree Experts, opened a regional office on Wheatley Road in Richfield, in the Kinross Lakes business park. Specializing in vegetation and environmental management, the international company has supported community outreach since its founding in 1890. In 2024 alone, the Richfield […]

The Grapevine

Kim Paulett and her son both worked several years to reach the finish line of earning a degree they had long wanted. Paulett, had worked in the nursing home field, and wanted to be a nursing home administrator. During COVID she decided to go back to college. Armed with an associate degree in business from Akron […]

Local groups offer scholarships

Richfield Chamber of Commerce The Richfield Chamber of Commerce will offer two, $1,200 scholarships to graduating seniors living in the Revere school district who plan to continue their education at any college, trade school or technical school. Students can obtain an application at the Revere High guidance office or at richfieldchamber.com. The deadline to apply […]

PTAs recognize educators and volunteers

Revere Council of PTAs selected fourth-grade teacher Michelle George to receive its 2024-2025 Outstanding District Educator Award. Criteria for the award include making a positive impact on the lives of children, dedication to the mission of the PTA, and PTA involvement or support. Bath Elementary PTA submitted George’s name. Council chose Tricia Steiner as its […]

Chamber hears about Valor Acres

At a special banquet in January, Richfield Chamber of Commerce heard firsthand about the newest, large development in Brecksville, just about a mile from the Richfield border. Brecksville Mayor Daryl Kingston said the property that had formerly been a veterans hospital and clinic, is now being developed for multi-use, including a very large Sherwin Williams research […]

Richfield Civic Organization

The Richfield Civic Organization will hold its regular monthly meeting on Wednesday, March 5, 7-9 p.m., at Fellowship Hall. Topics will include finalizing plans for our April 26 Earth Day event, held in conjunction with the village’s tree giveaway, and our June 7 Community Garage Sale. For more information about our activities or our 2025 […]

Richfield Senior Center

Loneliness is a health threat for seniors. Social isolation is as bad for a person’s health as obesity and smoking cigarettes. Connecting with people and having a purpose helps eliminate feelings of isolation. Explore local activities such as those provided at the Richfield Senior Center. Join us for coffee and conversation any time, any day. […]

Bath Richfield Kiwanis

The Bath Richfield Kiwanis is planning for big events in 2025 including the Memorial weekend Pancake Breakfast and Plant Sale and Community Day on August 10. If you haven’t seen the Memorial Bricks project around the Wishing Well on the south side of Richfield Brewery, stop and take a look. For more information and to buy […]

Police Beat

Information provided by the Richfield Police Department, complied by Ken Miles On Roberts Drive, the act of a dog dropping a deuce in a neighbor’s yard was still causing a sh*tstorm two years later. At the time, an officer explained that doggie doo intervention was not within the purview of the Richfield Police. He suggested […]

Broadview Heights author features local parks as backdrop for novel

by Emily Canning-Dean Growing up in Akron, Broadview Heights resident Jonathan Walter has many memories of The Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail and Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Including these northeast Ohio gems in his newly released time travel suspense thriller, The Towpath, seemed like the perfect fit. “I have fond memories riding on the trail […]

Board hears presentation on school bus safety

by Sheldon Ocker Feb. 11 board of education work session Over the past 20 years or so, a multitude of random shootings has turned the nation’s school buildings into fortresses and teachers into trained crisis managers. But what about school buses? The relative vulnerability of the vehicles that transport students makes them an easy target […]

Superintendent’s Corner

As we move through the winter months, there is much to celebrate in our school district. Our students continue to achieve great things both in and out of the classroom, and I am proud to share some exciting updates with our community. At Bath Elementary School, students are making the most of the winter season […]

Disney World is in Revere’s future

by Sheldon Ocker Feb. 18 board of education meeting The Revere Board of Education approved a trip to Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida, for band and orchestra members who will march in a parade as well as tour the giant amusement park. Dates of the visit are Jan. 15-18, 2026, and the cost per […]

Student artwork wanted for park display

All students in grades K-8, from any school or home school, are invited to enter the third annual Richfield Heritage Preserve youth art contest. Artwork should represent a native plant, animal or natural landscape in Ohio. Any art medium including sculpture, photography, prints and digital art is eligible. Entries must be no smaller than 5-by-7 […]

PTAs recognize educators and volunteers

Richfield Elementary PTA hosts annual ‘Father Daughter Sweetheart Dance’ (PHOTOS)

Upcoming Road Closures

The Ohio Department of Transportation is advising that the exit ramp in Richfield from I-77 N to Wheatley Road will be closed on March 3. The recommended detour is I-77 N to the Ohio Turnpike exit and then Brecksville Road south. Also, the entrance ramp from Wheatley Road to I-77 N will be closed. The […]

High school students invited to spring Envirothon

Envirothon, a competitive outdoor team event, offers a unique learning experience for high school students. The 2025 Area 2 Envirothon will be held on April 9, 2025, at the Cooke Family Wildlife Conservation Park, 4774 OH-13, in Shiloh. The event is designed to stimulate, reinforce and enhance interest in the environment and natural resources. A team […]

Christ the Redeemer to host new concert series

Christ the Redeemer Lutheran Church of Brecksville has announced the debut of Concerts@CRLC. The goal of the concert series stems from Martin Luther’s quote: “Next to the Word of God, music deserves the highest praise.” James C. Alfieri, director of music at CRLC, believes that Concerts@CRLC is a perfect way to complement the church’s music […]

Hip-hop dance team draws women from all parts of Northeast Ohio

by Emily Canning-Dean About a year ago, the adult hip-hop dance team led by Ryan Rosinski had roughly 40 participants, but as the group’s popularity grew, the number of dancers meeting in Hudson each week has doubled. “We accept anyone who is 18 or older,” said Rosinski, a professional dancer who has served as choreographer […]

Local author features towpath, national park as backdrop for novel

Public comments split on senior apartments

Large audience challenges RJRD board action

by Sue Serdinak by Sue Serdinak Jan. 27 RJRD meeting Richfield Village Council chambers was packed with people eager to voice their opinion about the December 2024 actions of the Richfield Joint Recreation District board, which refused to renew the memorandum of understanding with the Friends of Richfield Heritage Preserve. Board members voting at that […]

Officers will ride to recognize fallen officers – support is requested

Three members of the Richfield Police Department will ride their bikes for 300 miles this spring to raise awareness of police officers that were killed in the line of duty. Officers Mazen Awad, Joel Meister and Rudy Prhne will join more than 2,000 other law enforcement officers to ride bikes in the Police Unity Tour […]

Richfield safety forces under siege with a staggering number of highway accidents

by Sue Serdinak Richfield Police Chief Michael Swanson reported that in the 8 ½-month period, from March 25, 2024, when reconstruction on I-77 started, to Jan. 6, 2025, there were 195 crashes on the highway. Many accidents required transporting victims to a hospital by the Richfield Fire Department. Some involved extrication from vehicles. Occasionally, there […]

Property valuation formal complaint filing period open through March 31

Property owners wishing to challenge their property valuations for tax year 2024 may do so as of Jan. 1. The Cuyahoga County Board of Revision will accept formal complaints from Jan. 1 through March 31. All complaints must be filed with the Board of Revision by 11:59 p.m. or bear a United States postmark of […]

Mayor’s Corner

Hopefully, Punxsutawney Phil will not see his shadow on Feb. 2, so winter will end earlier and spring will begin soon. I wish everyone a Happy Valentine’s Day. The Village of Richfield snow crews are on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week. We respond to calls out at any time of the […]

Center of town parking and snowplowing explained

by Sue Serdinak Jan. 7 village council meeting With the Richfield Brewing Company open and filled to near capacity practically every night, the village has received complaints about the parking. Mayor Michael Wheeler said he has been watching the situation and on a recent busy night at the brewery, and with an event at Masonic […]

Meeting canceled

The January 21 Village council meeting was canceled due to the cold temperatures. No substitute date was scheduled as the Richfield Times goes to press.

Township Corner

I hope everyone had a Happy New Year. I am looking forward to 2025. The first order of business every year is to pass our organizational resolution. This covers duties for trustees and employees and sets pay rates and fees. As the trustee in charge of the road department, winter maintenance is a major concern […]

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Jan20

The Akron Zoo offers exhibit called “Celebrating Black History in Perkins Woods”

The Akron Zoo is offering a special exhibit called “Celebrating Black History in Perkins Woods” from Jan. 20-March 7 in the zoo’s Nature’s Theater. The exhibit will focus on three main topics: how Black residents in Akron expanded the John Brown Monument, fought a plan to move the zoo from Perkins Woods and operated a long-lived custard stand at the park’s edge. “Celebrating Black History” is open during zoo operating hours of 11 a.m.-4 p.m. daily and is included in general admission. For more information, visit akronzoo.org or call 330-375-2550.

11:00 am - 4:00pm

Jan31

Mar08