As a result of Secretary and State Directive 2020-03, issued on March 9, the Geauga County Board of Elections has moved the voting location for precincts Munson Township D and Munson Township F for the March 17 primary election to the Clubhouse at Fowlers Mill Golf Course, 13095 Rockhaven Road.

Voters in those precincts who were assigned to vote at Notre Dame Provincial Center will be able to vote at Fowlers Mill Clubhouse on March 17.

All voters, including those impacted by this location change, are encouraged to consider voting early by mail or in person at the Geauga County Board of Elections, located at 470 Center St., Bldg. 6-A, Chardon.

Chardon Schools has decided to postpone until further notice the high school’s scheduled Mamma Mia! rehearsals and shows.

The decision is in response to Gov. DeWine’s latest directive — along with OHSAA’s correspondence to schools — pertaining to mass indoor gatherings, a directive issued this week following the spread of COVID-19 into Northeast Ohio, CHS Principal Douglas Murray said.

School officials said the district continues to work closely with the Geauga County Health Department to receive the latest information and recommendations concerning COVID-19.

“We greatly value all of the hard work that our students and directors have put forth in this production, and want to ensure the health and wellness of our patrons, students and staff,” Murray said.

“Our district treasurer is currently working with the vendor on obtaining refunds for all purchased tickets, and we will provide an update on that process once those details are in place,” he added.

Murray emphasized the district has been engaged in ongoing monitoring and preparation regarding the COVID-19 Coronavirus.

“We are carefully monitoring cases in the state of Ohio. And we know the most important thing we can do is calmly plan and prepare for the possibility of a localized event,” he said. “Today, Chardon Schools administrative and health officials are meeting at the board office to articulate plans and procedures for the district pertaining to COVID-19. Further communication will follow from Dr. Hanlon to our community after this meeting.”

Symptoms of COVID-19 include fever, cough and shortness of breath, which may appear in as few as two days or as long as 14 days after exposure to the virus. Most at risk for severe COVID-19 complications are those with compromised immune systems, or heart or lung issues.

University Hospitals Geauga Medical Center physicians recommend a series of sensible precautions to avoid getting and spreading COVID-19:

• Stay home when you are sick.If you have a fever, stay home for at least 24 hours after your fever is gone without having used fever-reducing medicines.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick. If you are taking care of someone who is sick, try to stay three feet away – this is the distance virus-containing droplets can travel through a sneeze or cough.
• Wash your hands frequentlyand thoroughly with soap and water.
• Cover your coughs; sneeze into your elbow or a tissue and then throw the tissue away.
• Clean frequently touched surfacesand objects like door knobs with soap and water.

“We will take the guidance provided by the CDC and local health department, and will continue to update our staff, parents and community as this progresses. Your support is appreciated,” Murray said.

Jack Buckey, grandson of Ted and Connie Stone of Montville Township, graduated from Kent State University with a bachelor’s degree in technical and applied studies. He was also named to the dean’s list, all while working 40 hours a week and volunteering for the Montville Fire Department.

Preston Melkerson, of Russell Township, is an honor graduate of the U.S. Air Force. He is an airman first class stationed at Luke Air Force Base in Arizona and will be heading to Alaska for two weeks at the end of April.

Area students named to the dean’s list for the fall semester at Rochester Institute of Technology include:
Ana Blackburn, of Chardon, who is in the biomedical sciences program; Jacob Chesnes, of Chardon, who is in the mechanical engineering program; and Chloe Taddie, of Chardon, who is in the photographic and imaging arts program.

Skyler Rossbach, of Chester Township, was named to the dean’s list and awarded gold stars for the fall semester at The Citadel.

Sydney Gorski, of Chagrin Falls, has been named to the dean’s list for the fall semester at Bryant University.

Emily Naylor, of Russell Township; and Olivia Organiscak, of Chardon, were named to the dean’s list for the fall semester at the University of Findlay.

At Canisius College for the fall semester, local students named to the dean’s list include:Magdalen Canitia, of Chester Township, a junior majoring in economics major; and Allisa Romanini, of Chagrin Falls, a junior majoring in marketing.

At Youngstown State University, Alexandra Neal, of Chagrin Falls, was named to the president’s list for the fall semester. Luke Leonard, Nicholas Slezak and Angela Kotara, all of Chagrin Falls; Alexander Gigliotti and Anna Colwill, both of Chardon; and Adriana Naples and Tamara Mast, both of Middlefield, were named to the dean’s list.

Dean Nard, former resident of Chester Township, was named to the dean’s list for the fall semester at the University of Cincinnati.

Alexander Aleva, of Chagrin Falls, graduated in December with a bachelor of arts in economics from University of Kentucky College of Arts and Sciences.

Geauga County has been experiencing an increase in the needs of families and children in the past several years. This has caused the demand for certified foster and adoptive parents to increase as well. There are many families in crisis in the county’s neighborhoods that require the supportive services of Geauga County Job and Family Services.

Children need a nurturing family that can provide them with stability, love and guidance while their own family works on making positive changes, so they can be reunified.

Consider becoming a foster and/or adoptive family for those Geauga County children who need support. The agency will walk volunteers through the process of becoming certified, providing support along the way.

Geauga County Job and Family Services will be holding a public information meeting at 6 p.m. March 19 at Mayfield Church, 7747 Mayfield Road, Chester Township.

Call Amy Buresch at 440-285-1124 or email her at amy.buresch@jfs.ohio.gov to RSVP or to schedule a private information session.

After a bumpy start to their 2019-20 basketball season, coach Jeff Javorek and his team regrouped and worked harder to get to a point where they felt they should be. A late-season winning streak set them up for tournament action on a high level of play.

Then they felt confident after dispatching St. Martin dePorres and Edgewood. But in a district semifinal contest in Division II at Lakeside High School on March 4, they found out why the Lutheran East Falcons were the top seeded team in this district.

With a recent state tournament action in their resume, the Falcons are loaded. The Wolverines’ 72-37 loss ended an otherwise fine season for West Geauga’s gentlemen, who earned a 17-8 season record.

Midway through the first period, with Peyton Bissler hitting his first three shots, the Wolverines were down by only a point, 7-6. Showing unprecedented versatility and depth, though, it didn’t take long for the Falcons to use the strength of an 8-0 run to open a bigger lead that they gradually expanded throughout the game.

West Geauga has put the pedal to the medal all season with a swarming defense, precise offense focusing on Bissler and Josh Irwin, and opportune contributions from other players. The Wolverines were, indeed, a real team.

In this contest, they came up against a mirror image of themselves in some ways, but couldn’t match up the longer arms and quickness that the Falcons had on the floor at all times.

Six quick points to open the second quarter pushed the lead to 13, 22-9, and with shots not falling early for Irwin, who also was called for a trio of early fouls, the Falcons applied more pressure on Irwin and Bissler. Plus, other Wolverines had issues getting the ball to those mainstays, and Lutheran East tightened the pressure to open the third period.

That led to an 18-4 run to open the quarter, and the resulting running clock only ended the night more mercifully for the Wolverines.

“We felt we had an all-around good game plan tonight,” Javorek said. “They’re a great program, so we also knew we had to be making shots to stay with them. It didn’t happen, and in the second half I think we just ran out of gas from trying so hard. They had some success slowing Peyton and Josh down, and I would not be shocked for Lutheran East to be a state finalist. They are a special team.”

The final numbers are a good place to start to summarize the game’s outcome. With Irwin in the first period, then Bissler in the second, pushing themselves so hard for their team, shots weren’t falling as they usually do.

The Falcons anticipated passes to stop Wolverines rushes downcourt. In the end, West Geauga only hit on 15 of 50 shots, far under their normal production figures.

With a more solid size edge as well, Lutheran East swarmed to the basket for offensive rebound after offensive rebound, getting 16 for the night and nine putbacks for scores.

Division I prospect Nehemiah Benson did most of the damage, but got plenty of help from Collin Albert, B. J. Busbee and Jalin Billingsley. Benson put home 20 points from all over the floor to go with 11 rebounds and a trio of assists. Albert scored 15, Busbee 12, and Billingsley added 11 to go with eight boards. Benson, Jalen Knott, Sirr Hughes and Albert all recorded three assists each, and four other Falcons had at least one helper.

Bissler capped a fine career for West Geauga with 18 points and five assists. Four of them came to Irwin, but the fifth came to Aidan Pitcock on a short jumper early in the third period that would prove to be the only other basket from a player in blue. Opportunities just were not there; East covered passing lanes like swarming bees on a bouquet of fresh roses in summer.

“I felt if we could keep them out of the paint most of the night, we had a chance to win,” Javorek said. “We did it well for a while, so I’m really happy with the effort we put out on the floor.

“It was an honor to have Peyton on our team for two years, too. He scored over 40 for us a couple times. Josh is our career scoring leader for good reason, and the other guys have stepped up a lot as well for us this season. They’ve got multiple guys who can shoot the 3-pointers and do damage in so many ways; they deserve that top seed in every way.”

The Wolverines righted their ship early and had a great season that gave everybody memories. They just ran into a buzzsaw this game that they couldn’t handle.

Every year, day in and day out, the district wrestling tournament at Garfield Heights High School is one of the toughest, if not the toughest, with qualifiers striving to reach the state tournament in Columbus.

It doesn’t matter which division it is. Many state champions reach the big stage.

This past weekend, it was the turn of the Div. III grapplers, and the trio of Geauga County schools involved gave a good accounting of themselves. Four of them guaranteed their trips to Ohio’s capital, and another took fifth place, just short unless a higher wrestler is unable to make the journey.

Berkshire’s Lucas Stoddard reached the final to qualify, finally losing the 182-pound title match to Ethan Ducca of St. John in Ashtabula.

Ducca cut his wrestling teeth in the program in Chardon, so ties there are strong for him.

Stoddard had a solid tournament, but Ducca stopped him in his tracks, taking a 7-0 lead and finishing Stoddard off in 3:08 for the title.

The other second place finisher from Geauga County was Cardinal’s Jerry Rose at 160. He moved through to the title match with wins until he dropped a 14-5 major decision in the title match.

One third place winner was James Klingman of Berkshire in the 106 pound class. His 37-8 regular season record put him up against some tough opposition. But he got an early point against Mason Amodio of Southeast in the third place match and made it hold up for his trip to the big city.

Newbury’s Mitch Sanders also took home a third place finish at 195. He’s one of the favorites in a class loaded with good wrestlers. Sanders dropped a disappointing 8-1 decision to Cameron Jordan of Waynedale to fall into the losers bracket.

He had reached that match with a pair of quick pins Friday night, but after dropping his match to Jordan, he zapped opponents by 6-1 and 7-1 scores, the latter against Grand Valley’s Mason Shreve, who Sanders has dealt with before in tough matches. Their last battle was for third place, so both will qualify for state this coming weekend in Columbus.

Coaches for all three local teams were not disappointed with what their grapplers got done.

“We really had a young team this season,” Cardinal coach Jeff Zeigler said. “I think it all went pretty well for us, though. We were 8-6 in duals and did well in tournaments, and I’m blessed to have all of them coming back next year.

“We had to forfeit three classes early in the season due to lack of bodies, and then another late in the year, but everybody really gave me their best efforts, so I’m happy. Jerry (Rose) has improved his strength a great deal, worked hard on technique, so having him back as a senior next year will be a big help.”

Berkshire’s Adam Lange was happy with his team’s showing as well. “We had nine kids qualify for this district, and we got two out to state, so I’m thrilled,” he said. “Just about every year there are surprises and upsets when some make it and some you expect to, don’t. That’s the nature of the sport.”

Beside Rose’s second place finish, Zeigler also had Austin Streve at 138 and Trevor Bacna at 145 in the district event. Both suffered double losses on Friday night and were done, but it’s no small task reaching that level.

Newbury coach Doug Ule is in one unenviable position, with his school district closuring at the end of the school year. Keeping young athletes focused on the task at hand comes with a price for all of them, and Joey Bond at 113, Thomas Bond at 138, and Mitch Sanders at 195 all gave a good showing.

Bond almost made it a guaranteed trip, but fell one match short before winning a pin in the fifth place matchup at 113.

“I really don’t have many strong feelings about how things turned out here,” said Thomas, who battled in the tough 138 pound class, during a lull in the action. “I like to wrestle, so I tried my best and just had a rough time on Friday.”

Joey was determined as he fought for that alternate spot, but when it was done, he got a chance to realize what it meant and smiled broadly.”Wow, this is really great to be part of,” he said. “I worked hard, got some great coaching from everybody, and the support was just a great way to finish up. I hope to reach state, but if I don’t , this season has still been a good one.”

Mitch Sanders worked very hard the last couple years to finish his high school career at this point, so words were hard to come by. “Thanks for the support should go to everybody who was part of Newbury wrestling,” he said. “I’ve worked hard to get better, and the work is paying off now.”

Stoddard, of Berkshire, also appreciated the hard work he and his teammates have put in to have so many qualify for district level competition. He had tough matches every time out.

“A key for me was having seen what my opponents had done in earlier matches they had,” he said. “It was great to see James Klingman do so well at 106, so I felt I had to keep pace with him.”

Not to mention that he is the son of John Stoddard, the Berkshire superintendent who has worked a bit in wrestling on the entertainment side of things as Stamp Lickage, and recently took care of business at the NWF show at Berkshire High School.

“He really doesn’t spend much time with us in the wrestling room because of all the work he is part of running the school system,” son said. “At the same time, he knows a lot about leverage and strength work that I can benefit from, and I try to use as much of it as I can when the time arises in matches.”

The other Berkshire grapplers who didn’t have quite the success as Klingman and Stoddard enjoyed were Justin Heiden at 113, Josh Tribuzzo at 120, Johnny Heiden at 126, Josh Brown at 138, J. J. Perrin at 170, and Ryan Ford in the monstrous 195 class.

So James Klingman, Lucas Stoddard, Jerry Rose and Mitch Sanders will lay it all on the mats from Columbus this weekend. Possibly Joey Bond might make it as well, and all will be ready.

Sanders and Bond in particularly face the task of living up to being the last Newbury wrestlers ever to reach this plateau.

“I’m just so proud of how hard these kids have worked for Doug,” said Marty Sanders, a longtime assistant for Doug Ule. “Some terrible things have happened that they have witnessed, that effect their futures, but they have stayed loyal to each other and to their families as well. They have so much to be proud of.

“This is bittersweet, for sure. At the same time, nobody can take any of these great memories from me or the kids. It’s their future, and they should be proud of being Newbury.”

These grapplers made it through this meat grinder. OSU will be tough, but doable.

2020 Geauga County State Qualifiers

Kenston – Nick Nastasi 145 pounds

Chardon – Jake Hamulak 113 pounds

Jaret Hall 285 pounds

Berkshire – James Klingman 106 pounds

Lucas Stoddard 182 pounds

Cardinal – Jerry Rose 160 pounds

Newbury- Mitch Sanders 195 pounds

DATE OF SALE: Thursday, March 19, 2020 — 10:00 A.M.

APPRAISAL       MINIMUM BID

Bainbridge Township

Case No. 19-F-000463 — PNC Mortgage, a Division of PNC Bank, National Association, etc. vs. Jess R. Gift, et al., 16535 Heatherwood Lane (1.50 acres). PPN: 02-410890. James L. Sassano, atty.

$500,000.00         $333,334.00

Middlefield Village

Case No. 18-F-000616 — The Huntington National Bank vs. Frank Coschignano, et al., 14900 Thompson Avenue (0.37 acres). PPN: 19-041800. Peter L. Mehler, atty.

$85,000.00          $56,667.00

Sheriff’s land sales are held at 10:00 A.M. on Thursday or date scheduled at the GEAUGA COUNTY COMMON PLEAS COURT HOUSE, 100 SHORT COURT STREET, CHARDON, OHIO, 1st floor lobby by the doors of the Court House.

1. Opening bids start at 2/3rds of the appraisal value. If the property remains unsold after the first sale with a minimum bid of 2/3rds of the appraised value, a second sale will go forward on the next scheduled date with no minimum bid and the property will be sold to the highest bidder.

However, the purchaser at the second sale is still subject to the costs, allowances, and real property taxes.

2. Deposit due at the time of bid, (if you do not have the down payment on your person at the time of the bid, property will be re- bid). Balance due 30 days after confirmation. NO PERSONAL CHECKS accepted by Sheriff’s Office. Deposit by CASH, BANK CHECK, or CERTIFIED CHECK at time of bid. Checks can be made payable to the Geauga County Sheriff or to yourself and endorsed over to the Sheriff if you are the successful bidder. A judgment creditor is not required to make a sales deposit.

3. Deeds are issued after the confirmation of sale, when the balance of the purchase price is received by the Sheriff’s Office.

4. You cannot view the inside of the properties for sale. They are owned by the defendants, and the Sheriff’s Office does not have access to these properties. You buy “AS IS”.

5. Information about the lot size, number of rooms, year built, etc. can be obtained from the Auditor’s Office for a small fee using the permanent parcel number.

6. Federal tax liens are filed in the Geauga County Recorder’s Office, Courthouse Annex, 231 Main St, City of Chardon 1st floor, and case files are located in the Clerk of Courts Office, 3rd floor Courthouse 100 Short Court, City of Chardon (www.co.geauga.oh.us click on Departments), and can be researched in the respective offices.

7. Legal descriptions for delinquent tax land can also be found in the Recorder’s Office.

8. Property taxes will be prorated by the Geauga County Treasurer’s Office and paid out of the proceeds of the sale. Tax amount will include arrearages and a prorated estimate to the second sale date.

9. Delinquent tax properties are NOT appraised. They are sold for DELINQUENT TAXES, COSTS, AND PENALTIES. The property is offered for sale two (2) times. If it is not sold on the first sale date, it will be offered again at a later date.

10. The purchaser is responsible for a $50.00 deed fee to be paid to the Sheriff.

ELECTION NOTICES

ISSUE # 2

NOTICE OF ELECTION

On Tax Levy in Excess of

the Ten Mill Limitation

Revised Code Sections

3501.11(G), 5705.19, 5705.25

Notice is hereby given that in pursuance of a Resolution of the PARKMAN TOWNSHIP, Ohio, passed on the October 15, 2019, there will be submitted to a vote of the people at the PRIMARY ELECTION to be held at the regular places of voting on Tuesday, the 17th day of March, 2020 the question of levying a tax, in excess of the ten mill limitation:

An additional tax for the benefit of Parkman Township for the purpose of providing and maintaining fire apparatus, mechanical resuscitators, underwater rescue and recovery equipment, or other fire equipment and appliances, buildings and sites therefor, or sources of water supply and materials therefor, for the establishment and maintenance of lines of fire-alarm communications, for the payment of firefighting companies or permanent, part-time, or volunteer firefighting, emergency medical service, administrative, or communications personnel to operate the same, including the payment of any employer contributions required for such personnel under section 145.48 or 742.34 of the revised code, for the purchase of ambulance equipment, for the provision of ambulance, paramedic, or other emergency medical services operated by a fire department or firefighting company, or for the payment of other related costs at a rate not exceeding 5 mills for each one dollar of valuation, which amounts to $0.50 for each one hundred dollars of valuation, for a continuing period of time, commencing in 2020, first due in calendar year 2021.

The polls for the election will be open 6:30 a.m. and remain open until 7:30 p.m. on Election Day.

BY ORDER OF THE

BOARD OF ELECTIONS,

OF GEAUGA COUNTY, OHIO.

Edward M. Ryder, Chair

Pete Zeigler, Director

Mar 5-12, 2020

ISSUE # 3

NOTICE OF ELECTION

On Tax Levy in Excess of

the Ten Mill Limitation

Revised Code Sections

3501.11(G), 5705.19, 5705.25

Notice is hereby given that in pursuance of a Resolution of the RUSSELL TOWNSHIP, Ohio, passed on the December 11, 2019, there will be submitted to a vote of the people at the PRIMARY ELECTION to be held at the regular places of voting on Tuesday, the 17th day of March, 2020 the question of levying a tax, in excess of the ten mill limitation:

An additional tax for the benefit of Russell Township Citizens Park District for the purpose of parks and recreational purposes at a rate not exceeding 1 mill for each one dollar of valuation, which amounts to $0.10 for each one hundred dollars of valuation, for 5 years, commencing in 2020, first due in calendar year 2021.

The polls for the election will be open 6:30 a.m. and remain open until 7:30 p.m. on Election Day.

BY ORDER OF THE

BOARD OF ELECTIONS,

OF GEAUGA COUNTY, OHIO.

Edward M. Ryder, Chair

Pete Zeigler, Director

Mar 5-12, 2020

ISSUE # 5

NOTICE OF ELECTION

On Tax Levy in Excess of

the Ten Mill Limitation

Revised Code Sections

3501.11(G), 5705.19, 5705.25

Notice is hereby given that in pursuance of a Resolution of the GEAUGA COUNTY, Ohio, passed on the December 3, 2019, there will be submitted to a vote of the people at the PRIMARY ELECTION to be held at the regular places of voting on Tuesday, the 17th day of March, 2020 the question of levying a tax, in excess of the ten mill limitation:

A renewal of a tax for the benefit of Geauga County for the purpose of providing the Geauga County Department of Job and Family Services with sufficient funds for providing preventative services to abused, neglected and abandoned children, for the care and placement of children in foster and adoptive homes and for any operating or capital improvement expenditure necessary for the support of children services and the care and placement of children at a rate not exceeding 0.5 mill for each one dollar of valuation, which amounts to $0.05 for each one hundred dollars of valuation, for 5 years, commencing in 2020, first due in calendar year 2021.

The polls for the election will be open 6:30 a.m. and remain open until 7:30 p.m. on Election Day.

BY ORDER OF THE

BOARD OF ELECTIONS,

OF GEAUGA COUNTY, OHIO.

Edward M. Ryder, Chair

Pete Zeigler, Director

Mar5-12, 2020

ISSUE # 6

NOTICE OF ELECTION

On Tax Levy in Excess of

the Ten Mill Limitation

Revised Code Sections

3501.11(G), 5705.19, 5705.25

Notice is hereby given that in pursuance of a Resolution of the GEAUGA COUNTY, Ohio, passed on the December 10, 2019, there will be submitted to a vote of the people at the PRIMARY ELECTION to be held at the regular places of voting on Tuesday, the 17th day of March, 2020 the question of levying a tax, in excess of the ten mill limitation:

A renewal of a tax for the benefit of Geauga County Department on Aging for the purpose of providing or maintaining senior citizens services or facilities at a rate not exceeding 1 mill for each one dollar of valuation, which amounts to $0.10 for each one hundred dollars of valuation, for 5 years, commencing in 2020, first due in calendar year 2021.

The polls for the election will be open 6:30 a.m. and remain open until 7:30 p.m. on Election Day.

BY ORDER OF THE

BOARD OF ELECTIONS,

OF GEAUGA COUNTY, OHIO.

Edward M. Ryder, Chair

Pete Zeigler, Director

Mar 5-12, 2020

LEGAL NOTICE

IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS

GEAUGA COUNTY, OHIO

20-F-000087 – CITIZENS BANK, N.A., ETC, Plaintiff vs. THE ESTATE OF MARIA HORVATH, ETC., et al., Defendants

To the Defendants the unknown spouse, creditors, executors, executrices, administrators, heirs at law, next of kin, devisees, legatees, and/ or assigns and their spouses, executors, executrices, administrators, heirs at law, next of kin, devisees, legatees and/or assigns of Erno Horvath and Maria Horvath, whose present location is unknown and cannot with reasonable diligence be ascertained:

Plaintiff has brought this action naming you as a defendant in the Geauga Common Pleas Court, 100 Short Court, Chardon, OH 44024 by filing its Complaint on the 28th day of January, 2020.

The object of the complaint is to foreclose the equity of redemption under a mortgage against the subject real estate located at 12905 Manchester Drive, Chesterland, Ohio 44026; PPN# 11-033400.

The relief demanded by Plaintiff is judgment against the subject real estate in the amount of $96,708.20 plus interest at the rate of 5.490% per annum from May 6, 2019 and at the rate of 4.740% (variable) per annum from December 10, 2019; costs, attorney fees and such other legal and equitable relief to which it may be entitled.

You are required to answer the Complaint within twenty-eight (28) days after the last publication of this notice setting forth whatever right, title or interest you have or may claim to have in the aforementioned premises or be forever barred from claiming or asserting same. The publication will be published once a week for six (6) consecutive weeks, with the last publication to be made on the twelfth day of March, 2020.

In case of your failure to answer or otherwise respond as permitted by the Ohio Rules of Civil Procedure within the time stated, judgment by default will be rendered against you for the relief demanded in the Complaint.

CITIZENS BANK, N.A., ETC.

By Johna M. Bella, Attorney for Plaintiff: Goranson, Parker & Bella Co., LPA, 405 Madison Avenue, Suite 2200, Toledo, Ohio 43604, Phone: (419) 244-9500, Fax: (419) 244-9510

Feb 6-13-20-27  Mar  5-12, 2020

Geauga County

Foreclosure Auction

Case# 18-F-000653. PennyMac Loan Services, LLC vs Robert McSween, et al. The description of the property to be sold is as follows:

Property Address: 113 Fairview Road, Chagrin Falls, Geauga, Ohio, 44022;

Legal Description: Full Legal Listed on Public Website; Parcel Number: 29-094500 and #29-094600

Bidding will be available only on www.Auction.com opening on 03/24/2020 at 10:00 A.M. for a minimum of 7 days.

Property may be sold on a provisional sale date should the third party purchaser fail to provide their deposit within the allotted time.

Provisional Sale date: 04/07/2020 at 10:00 AM. Sales subject to cancellation. The deposit required is $5000.00 to be paid by wire transfer within 2 hours of the sale ending. No cash is permitted.

Purchaser shall be responsible for those costs, allowances, and taxes that the proceeds of the sale are insufficient to cover.

To view all sale details and terms for this property visit www.Auction.com and enter the Search Code 18F000653 into the search bar.

Feb 27  Mar 5-12, 2020

LEGAL NOTICE

IN THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS

GEAUGA COUNTY, OHIO

19-F-001027 – Bayview Loan Servicing, LLC, Plaintiff vs. Oscar Wayne Smith aka Oscar W. Smith, et al., Defendants

Oscar Wayne Smith aka Oscar W. Smith and Jane Doe, name unknown, spouse of Oscar Wayne Smith aka Oscar W. Smith, whose last known address is 140 Goredon Drive Chardon, OH 44024, and The Unknown Heirs, Devisees, Legatees, Executors, Administrators, Spouses and Assigns and the Unknown Guardians of Minor and/or Incompetent Heirs of Oscar Wayne Smith aka Oscar W. Smith, all of whose residences are unknown and cannot by reasonable diligence be ascertained, will take notice that on the 30th day of December, 2019, Bayview Loan Servicing, LLC filed its Complaint in the Common Pleas, Geauga County, Ohio, located at 100 Short Court Street, Chardon, Ohio 44024 in Case No. 19-F-001027, on the docket of the Court, and the object and demand for relief of which pleading is to foreclose the lien of plaintiff’s mortgage recorded upon the following described real estate to wit:

Property Address: 140 Goredon Drive, Chardon, OH 44024

and being more particularly described in plaintiff’s mortgage recorded in Mortgage Book 1968, page 2759, of this County Recorder’s Office.

All of the above named defendants are required to answer within twenty-eight (28) days after last publication, which shall be published once a week for three consecutive weeks, or they might be denied a hearing in this case.

BAYVIEW LOAN SERVICING, LLC

By Brison D. Wammes (0098389), Richard Mark Rothfuss II (0087592), Carson A. Rothfuss (0088636), Ashley E. Rothfuss (0083605), Bethany L. Suttinger (0085068), Emily A. Hubbard (0096032), Trial Counsel, Lerner, Sampson & Rothfuss, Attorneys for Plaintiff, P.O. Box 5480, Cincinnati, Ohio 45201-5480. (513) 241-3100.

Feb 27  Mar 5-12, 2020

PUBLIC NOTICE

The following matters are the subject of this public notice by the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency. The complete public notice, including any additional instructions for submitting comments, requesting information, a public hearing, or filing an appeal may be obtained at: http://www.epa.ohio.gov/actions.aspx or Hearing Clerk, Ohio EPA, 50 W. Town St. P.O. Box 1049, Columbus, Ohio 43216. Ph: 614-644-3037 email: HClerk@epa.ohio.gov

Final Issuance of Permit to Install

BTS Retail LLC

Facility Description: Wastewater

ID #: 1334722

Date of Action: 03/02/2020

This final action not preceded by proposed action and is appealable to ERAC.

Project: Montville Dollar General

Project Location: GAR Highway (US-6), Montville, OH 44064, Montville

Final Issuance of Sewage Holding Tank Management Plan

University Hospitals Geauga Medical Center Holding Tank

13193 Ravenna Road, Chardon, OH 44024

Facility Description: Sewage Holding Tank

Receiving Water: Holding Tank

ID #: 3MH00167

Date of Action: 03/04/2020

This final action not preceded by proposed action and is appealable to ERAC.

Final issuance of sewage holding tank. To submit comments, respond within 30 days of the public notice date via email to: epa.dswcomments@epa.ohio.gov or via mail to: Ohio EPA-DSW, Attn: Permits Processing, PO Box 1049, Columbus, OH 43216-1049.

Final Issuance of Permit to Install

Geauga County Dept. of Water Resources*

Facility Description: Wastewater

ID #: 1307677

Date of Action: 03/04/2020

This final action not preceded by proposed action and is appealable to ERAC.

Project: Chardon Township, Berkshire Heights WWTP

Project Location: 11094 Thwing Road NW, Chardon

Final Issuance of Renewal of NPDES Permit

Chardon WWTP

111 Water St, Chardon, OH

Facility Description: Wastewater-Municipality

Receiving Water: Big Creek

ID #: 3PB00010*JD

Date of Action: 04/01/2020

This final action not preceded by proposed action and is appealable to ERAC.

Final Issuance of Renewal of NPDES Permit

Newbury Industrial Park

12345 Kinsman Rd, Newbury, OH

Facility Description: Wastewater-Semi-Public

Receiving Water: UT to W. Branch Cuyahoga River via

ID #: 3PR00297*DD

Date of Action: 04/01/2020

This final action not preceded by proposed action and is appealable to ERAC.

Approved Permission for Open Burning OAC Chapter 3745-19

Geauga Park District

10610 Clay Street, Observatory Park, Montville, OH

Facility Description: Air

ID #: LK0572

Date of Action: 03/05/2020

This final action not preceded by proposed action and is appealable to ERAC.

Approved permission to open burn natural resource management generated on the premises in accordance with OAC 3745-19 and local guidelines.

Approved Permission for Open Burning OAC Chapter 3745-19

Geauga Park District

16780 Savage Road, Frohring Meadows Park, Bainbridge, OH

Facility Description: Air

ID #: LK0571

Date of Action: 03/05/2020

This final action not preceded by proposed action and is appealable to ERAC.

Approved permission to open burn natural resource management generated on the premises in accordance with OAC 3745-19 and local guidelines.

Approved Permission for Open Burning OAC Chapter 3745-19

Geauga Park District

15681 Old Rider Road, Burton Wetlands, Burton, OH

Facility Description: Air

ID #: LK0570

Date of Action: 03/05/2020

This final action not preceded by proposed action and is appealable to ERAC.

Approved permission to open burn natural resource management generated on the premises in accordance with OAC 3745-19 and local guidelines.

Approved Permission for Open Burning OAC Chapter 3745-19

Geauga Park District

11340 Caves Road, Orchard Hills Park, Chester, OH

Facility Description: Air

ID #: LK0569

Date of Action: 03/05/2020

This final action not preceded by proposed action and is appealable to ERAC.

Approved permission to open burn natural resource management generated on the premises in accordance with OAC 3745-19 and local guidelines.

Draft NPDES Permit Renewal – Subject to Revision

Wintergreen WWTP

10033 Hawthorne Drive, Chardon, OH

Facility Description: Wastewater-County

Receiving Water: Tributary to Big Creek

ID #: 3PG00055*FD

Date of Action: 03/12/2020

Mar 12, 2020

NOTICE

The annual financial report of the Geauga County Health District for 2019 has been completed. The report is available for inspection at the Geauga County Auditor’s Office at 215 Main Street, Chardon, Ohio 44024.

Mar 12, 2020

NOTICE

The annual financial report of the Geauga County Park District for 2019 has been completed. The report is available for inspection at the Geauga County Auditor’s Office at 215 Main Street, Chardon, Ohio 44024.

Mar 12, 2020

NOTICE

The annual financial report of the Geauga Trumbull Solid Waste District for 2019 has been completed. The report is available for inspection at the Geauga County Auditor’s Office at 215 Main Street, Chardon, Ohio 44024.

Mar 12, 2020

NOTICE

The annual financial report of the Family First Council for 2019 has been completed. The report is available for inspection at the Geauga County Auditor’s Office at 215 Main Street, Chardon, Ohio 44024.

Mar 12, 2020

LEGAL NOTICE

Geauga County Airport Authority

There will be a special meeting of the Geauga County Airport Authority on Monday March 23, 2020 at 6:00 P.M. The meeting will be held in the Airport Lounge at 15421 Old State Road, Hangar 3, Middlefield, Ohio.

Richard Blamer, Airport Manager

Mar 12, 2020

LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE OF INTENT TO SELL

UNNEEDED, OBSOLETE, OR

UNFIT TOWNSHIP PERSONAL

PROPERTY VIA INTERNET AUCTION

Russell Township

Board of Trustees

Resolution number 2020-08, adopted by the Russell Township Board of Trustees on March 4, 2020, authorizes the disposal of unneeded, obsolete, or unfit township property, including motor vehicles, road machinery, car parts, equipment, tools, and office equipment or supplies by Internet Auction in accordance with O.R.C. section 505.10.

Internet auctions will be conducted through www.govdeals.com with whom Russell Township has contracted.

All items will be offered for sale “as is, where is” with Russell Township making no warranty, guarantee, or representation of any kind expressed or implied, as to the condition of said items.

Items will be listed for a minimum of ten (10) days.

This notice is posted on the township website which can be found at http://russelltownship.us. This notice and a link to the GovDeals website can be found by clicking on the tab entitled GovDeals Auction on the township website OR by going to http://russelltownship.us/issues-topics/govdeals-auction.

RUSSELL TOWNSHIP

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Melissa Palmer, Assistant

Mar 12, 2020

PUBLIC NOTICE

AT&T Mobility Services, LLC (AT&T) proposes the modification of an existing AT&T facility installed atop an existing water tank at 14590 East Park Street in Burton, Geauga County, Ohio (Job #46916).

In accordance with the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 and the 2005 Nationwide Programmatic Agreement, AT&T is hereby notifying the public of the proposed undertaking and soliciting comments on Historic Properties which may be affected by the proposed undertaking. If you would like to provide specific information regarding potential effects that the proposed undertaking might have to properties that are listed on or eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places and located within 1/2 mile of the site, please submit the comments (with project number) to: RAMAKER, Contractor for AT&T, 855 Community Dr, Sauk City, WI 53583 or via e-mail to history@ramaker.com within 30 days of this notice.

Mar 12, 2020

BID NOTICES

LEGAL NOTICE

Thompson County

Notice is hereby given that sealed bids will be received by the Thompson Township Board of Trustees, c/o Cindy Lausin, Fiscal Officer, Thompson Township Road Garage, 6565 Madison Road, Thompson, Ohio, 44086 until 10:00 A.M. official local time on Friday, March 27, 2020 for the Asphalt Resurfacing of a portion of Dewey Road, TR 54, Section D. Bids received will be publicly opened and read aloud the same day at 10:05 A.M. The Engineer’s estimate for this project is $405,000.000.

Copies of the surveys, plans, profiles, cross sections and specifications are on file with the Board of Trustees and may be obtained digitally online at https://www.geaugacountyengineer.org/projects-bids/online-plans-and-specifications/ or a hardcopy is available at the Geauga County Engineer’s Office, 12665 Merritt Road, Chardon, Ohio 44024.

A copy of this legal notice is posted on the county’s internet site on the World Wide Web. Go to https://www.geaugacountyengineer.org/projects-bids/legal-notices/ and click on the project name to view this legal.

A bid guaranty in the amount of one hundred (100%) percent of the bid amount or a certified check, cashier’s check or letter of credit pursuant to Chapter 1305 of the Ohio Revised Code in the amount of ten (10%) percent of the total bid amount shall accompany each bid. The bid shall be let upon a unit price basis.

All contractors and subcontractors involved with the project will, to the extent practicable, use Ohio products, materials, services, and labor in the implementation of their project. Bidders must comply with the prevailing wage rates on Public Improvements as determined by the Ohio Department of Industrial Relations.

DOMESTIC STEEL USE REQUIREMENTS AS SPECIFIED IN SECTION 153.011 OF THE OHIO REVISED CODE APPLIES TO THIS PROJECT. COPIES OF SECTION 153.011 OF THE REVISED CODE CAN BE OBTAINED FROM ANY OF THE OFFICES OF THE OHIO DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES.

Bids may be held by the Thompson Township Board of Trustees for a period not to exceed sixty (60) days from the date of opening, for the purpose of reviewing the bids and investigating the qualifications of bidders, prior to awarding the contract.

The Thompson Township Board of Trustees reserves the right to reject any and all bids, to waive any informalities or irregularities in the bids received, and to accept any bid or bids which are deemed most favorable to the Board at the time and under conditions stipulated, all in accord with the applicable provisions of laws of the State of Ohio governing the conduct of the Thompson Township Board of Trustees.

BY THE ODER OF THE

THOMPSON TOWNSHIP

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Cindy Lausin, Fiscal Officer

Mar 12, 2020

LEGAL NOTICE

Newbury Township

Notice is hereby given that sealed bids will be received by the Newbury Township Board of Trustees, c/o Marcia Mansfield, Fiscal Officer, 14899 Auburn Road, P.O. Box 257, Newbury, Ohio 44065 until 11:30 A.M. official local time on March 27, 2020. Bids received will be publicly opened and read aloud at 11:35 A.M. the same day at the Newbury Town Hall for The Asphalt Resurfacing of Various Roads. The Engineer’s estimate for this project is $415,000.00.

Copies of the surveys, plans, profiles, cross sections and specifications are on file with the Board of Trustees and may be obtained digitally online at https://www.geaugacountyengineer.org/projects-bids/online-plans-and-specifications/ or a hardcopy is available at the Geauga County Engineer’s Office, 12665 Merritt Road, Chardon, OH 44024.

A copy of this legal notice is posted on the county’s internet site on the World Wide Web. Go to https://www.geaugacountyengineer.org/projects-bids/legal-notices/ and click on the project name to view this legal.

A bid guaranty in the amount of one hundred (100%) percent of the bid amount or a certified check, cashier’s check or letter of credit pursuant to Chapter 1305 of the Ohio Revised Code in the amount of ten (10%) percent of the total bid amount shall accompany each bid. The bid shall be let upon a unit price basis.

Bids may be held by the Newbury Township Board of Trustees for a period not to exceed sixty (60) days from the date of opening, for the purpose of reviewing the bids and investigating the qualifications of bidders, prior to awarding the contract.

The Newbury Township Board of Trustees reserves the right to reject any and all bids, to waive any informalities or irregularities in the bids received, and to accept any bid or bids which are deemed most favorable to the Board at the time and under conditions stipulated, all in accord with the applicable provisions of laws of the State of Ohio governing the conduct of the Newbury Township Board of Trustees.

BY THE ODER OF THE

NEWBURY TOWNSHIP

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Marcia Mansfield, Fiscal Officer

Mar 12, 2020

LEGAL NOTICE

Burton Township

Notice is hereby given that sealed bids will be received by the Burton Township Board of Trustees, c/o Shelley McDermott, Fiscal Officer, 14821 Rapids Road, P.O. Box 355, Burton, Ohio 44021 until 11:30 A.M. official local time on March 31, 2020 for The Asphalt Resurfacing of Various Roads in Burton Township. Bids received will be publicly opened and read aloud the same day at 2:10 P.M. The Engineer’s estimate for this project is $300,000.00.

Copies of the plans and/or specifications may be obtained digitally online at https://www.geaugacountyengineer.org/projects-bids/online-plans-and-specifications/ or a hardcopy is available at the Geauga County Engineer’s Office, 12665 Merritt Road, Chardon, OH 44024.

A copy of this legal notice is posted on the county’s internet site on the World Wide Web. Go to https://www.geaugacountyengineer.org/projects-bids/legal-notices/ and click on the project name to view this legal.

A bid guaranty in the amount of one hundred (100%) percent of the bid amount or a certified check, cashier’s check or letter of credit pursuant to Chapter 1305 of the Ohio Revised Code in the amount of ten (10%) percent of the total bid amount shall accompany each bid. The bid shall be let upon a unit price basis.

Bids may be held by the Burton Township Board of Trustees for a period not to exceed sixty (60) days from the date of opening, for the purpose of reviewing the bids and investigating the qualifications of bidders, prior to awarding the contract.

The Burton Township Board of Trustees reserves the right to reject any and all bids, to waive any informalities or irregularities in the bids received, and to accept any bid or bids which are deemed most favorable to the Board at the time and under conditions stipulated, all in accord with the applicable provisions of laws of the State of Ohio governing the conduct of the Burton Township Board of Trustees.

BY THE ODER OF THE

BURTON TOWNSHIP

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Shelley McDermott, Fiscal Officer

Mar 12, 2020

LEGAL NOTICE

Hambden Township

Notice is hereby given that sealed bids will be received by the Hambden Township Board of Trustees, c/o Linda Legg, Fiscal Officer, 13887 G.A.R. Hwy, Chardon, Ohio 44024 until 1:00 P.M. official local time on March 27, 2020. Bids received will be publicly opened and read aloud at 1:05 P.M. the same day at 13887 G.A.R. Hwy, Chardon, Ohio 44024 for The Asphalt Resurfacing of Various Roads in Hambden Township. The Engineer’s estimate for this project is $448,000.

Copies of the plans and/or specifications may be obtained digitally online at https://www.geaugacountyengineer.org/projects-bids/online-plans-and-specifications/ or a hardcopy is available at the Geauga County Engineer’s Office, 12665 Merritt Road, Chardon, OH 44024.

A copy of this legal notice is posted on the county’s internet site on the World Wide Web. Go to https://www.geaugacountyengineer.org/projects-bids/legal-notices/ and click on the project name to view this legal.

A bid guaranty in the amount of one hundred (100%) percent of the bid amount or a certified check, cashier’s check or letter of credit pursuant to Chapter 1305 of the Ohio Revised Code in the amount of ten (10%) percent of the total bid amount shall accompany each bid. The bid shall be let upon a unit price basis.

Bids may be held by the Hambden Township Board of Trustees for a period not to exceed sixty (60) days from the date of opening, for the purpose of reviewing the bids and investigating the qualifications of bidders, prior to awarding the contract.

The Hambden Township Board of Trustees reserves the right to reject any and all bids, to waive any informalities or irregularities in the bids received, and to accept any bid or bids which are deemed most favorable to the Board at the time and under conditions stipulated, all in accord with the applicable provisions of laws of the State of Ohio governing the conduct of the Hambden Township Board of Trustees.

BY THE ODER OF THE

HAMBDEN TOWNSHIP

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Linda Legg, Fiscal Officer

Mar 12, 2020

The following statement is attributable to Secretary of State Kathy Hobbs (AZ), Secretary of State Laurel Lee (FL), Elections Board Chairman Charles Scholz (IL) and Secretary of State Frank LaRose (OH): 

As each of our four states prepare for voters to head to the polls on a Tuesday, March 17, 2020, we are working closely with our state health officials to ensure that our poll workers and voters can be confident that voting is safe.

Unlike concerts, sporting events or other mass gatherings where large groups of people travel long distances to congregate in a confined space for an extended period of time, polling locations see people from a nearby community coming into and out of the building for a short duration.

Further, guidance from voting machine manufacturers on how best to sanitize machines, guidance from CDC on best practices for hand washing, and guidance from our respective state health officials is being provided to every polling location.

Americans have participated in elections during challenging times in the past, and based on the best information we have from public health officials, we are confident that voters in our states can safely and securely cast their ballots in this election, and that otherwise healthy poll workers can and should carry out their patriotic duties on Tuesday.

All of the Maple Leaf’s coverage of coronavirus is being provided for free to our readers. Please consider supporting local journalism by subscribing to the Maple Leaf at https://www.geaugamapleleaf.com/subscribe-renew/.

Geauga County leaders called an emergency meeting late Thursday afternoon to discuss planning and preparation to combat the Coronavirus pandemic.

Gov. Mike DeWine announced a three-week spring break for Ohio K-12 schools beginning 3:30 p.m. Monday through at least April 3 as a precaution against the spread of the virus. The order applies to public, private and charter schools.

“We are announcing today that children in the state will have an extended spring break. The spring break will be the duration of three weeks and we will review it at the end of that,” DeWine said March 12.

The governor is encouraging daycare centers to remain open during the COVID-19 outbreak, but is asking parents to remove their children and find alternative care because children could be potential carriers of the COVID-19 virus.

This action for K-12 schools is in addition to suspension or cancelation of in-person classes announced earlier by colleges and universities.

The governor also issued a directive banning mass gatherings of 100 people or more. Mass gatherings are defined as any event or convening that brings together 100 or more persons in a single room or single space at the same time such as an auditorium, stadium, arena, large conference room, meeting hall, theater or any other confined indoor or outdoor space.

This would include parades, fairs and festivals.

Mass gatherings does not include normal operations of airports, bus and train stations, medical facilities, libraries, shopping malls and centers, or other spaces where 100 or more persons may be in transit.

It also does not include typical office environments, schools, restaurants, factories or retail/grocery stores where large numbers of people are present, but it is unusual for them to be within arm’s length of one another.

The order will take effect immediately and will remain until DeWine’s declared state of emergency has been rescinded or modified.

As of March 13, there are 13 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Ohio.

“Since that has been ordered, other departments have done some things. The board of DD (Developmental Disabilities) and parks have canceled all of their events, and the probate and juvenile court has issued a list of changes that they’re putting in place,” county Administrator Gerry Morgan said.

Morgan told the county commissioners he wanted to call an emergency meeting to discuss how officials wanted to treat county employees affected by the governor’s orders.

“Under normal circumstances with school closing for a holiday or teacher-in-service days, or snow days, we would require them to utilize their vacation time, but this being a mandate from the state for three weeks — a lot of our employees only get two weeks of vacation — how do we want to handle that?” Morgan asked. “Do we want to allow them to use sick time for that time or if we want to have — currently we do not have a personal day — or some other form of day off where they would get paid, kind of like a vacation day or sick day, but not put them in a detriment that they have to use vacation time or sick time because of the state order?”

Morgan added if the state were to order all government offices to shut down, the commissioners would need to decide how to provide residents with the essential services they would need.

Commissioner Tim Lennon asked what commissioners were allowed to do as far as compensating employees.

“If a parent has to be gone for weeks on end, we don’t want them to have to use up their vacation time or sick time, obviously,” he said. “I would guess there are probably lots of parents in this county that both work, so this is going to be an issue for us.”

Morgan suggested the commissioners could allow additional personal days to cover the 15 work days, but such a provision is not currently included in the county’s personnel policy.

He added the county also would need to enact some type of verification process to ensure an affected employee has children impacted by the governor’s order.

“This is just an unusual situation that we’ve never had to deal with before,” Commissioner Ralph Spidalieri said. “I feel we definitely need to take care of our employees in this situation.”

Geauga County Prosecutor Jim Flaiz explained any action would pertain only to those employees under the commissioners’ hiring authority. He added these are public employees, many of whom are needed to perform essential services.

“The reason government exists is because we perform services that private industry can’t or won’t,” he said, suggesting some type of application process might be appropriate whereby a supervisor would approve the paid time off benefit. “We are going to have to maintain minimal staffing in certain areas.”

Geauga Health District Director Thomas Quade said the county health district would be notified if anyone tests positive for COVID-19 or is a person under investigation and voluntarily quarantined.

County Maintenance Director Glen Vernick said his department has “stepped it up” in terms of cleaning public counters and doorknobs, handrails.

“They’re getting wiped down daily,” he said.

Quade explained the coronavirus is a “fairly fragile” virus. He said employees need to have access to wipes and hand-sanitizers. At counters, public pens should be wiped down regularly and employees should use their own pens.

“We have not lived long enough with this novel virus. It’s a virus that we’re familiar with — coronavirus has caused lots of things we’ve had — this is the first time this particular one has occupied human bodies,” Quade explained. “So, we don’t know what that epidemic curve is going to be; it means we don’t know how long it’s going to last.”

He added the government has been trying to slow it down so as to not overburden the healthcare system.

“But in slowing it down, it also stretches it out,” said Quade.

Depending on how long the crisis last, Vernick said the county has adequate supplies on hand.

“We have been trying for the last two to three days ordering and ordering,” he said. “When we can, we get it in. We’re trying to stock it up.”

Geauga County Sheriff Scott Hildenbrand explained dispatcher are trained to ask a series of questions for anyone calling 9-1-1 with symptoms of coronavirus so the information can be relayed to EMS crews.

He added rescue squads are only sending one person into a home, keep the driver separated in order to lessen any possible exposure.

“The danger for us and the EMS personnel is that if you get a bunch of people who are going to be quarantined, we’re going to run out of people to come out and help you,” Hildenbrand said.

Board of Elections Director Pete Zeigler said the March 17 primary election is still proceeding as planned. He added all residential senior centers are excluded as voting locations.

Zeigler did note the board of elections is being impacted with poll worker cancelations.

“Our poll worker population tends to be older than the general population and there is fear,” he said.

Department on Aging Executive Director Jessica Boalt said effective Monday, March 16, all senior centers in the county and adult daycare programs will be closed until further notice.

“We do understand that we do serve the vulnerable population in all capacities through our senior centers,” she said. “We do feel at this time it would be in the best interest of our clients as well as our staff to close our senior centers, as well as to close our face-to-face appointments with clients in our office and at-home visits at this time.”

Home-delivered meals will continue and the department’s call line, 440-279-2130, will remain open. If there is a shortage of volunteer drivers, staff would deliver meals.

All staff will report to work as scheduled, added Boalt, and they will be calling all seniors who participate programs performing welfare checks.

Quade explained if the state is closing the schools — children being a less vulnerable population — it makes sense to close the senior centers, thereby avoiding “high risks.”

“Those folks are dying at a rate that’s actually 10 times higher than the flu, and we know that they’re susceptible to the flu,” he said.

Added Quade, “We can either close something early, we can close something at the exact right time or we can close something after somebody gets sick and dies. Of those three, the only thing that’s acceptable is to close early, which is where we are.”

Spidalieri cautioned, however, the last thing anyone wants to do is instill panic, because that is when people start to make bad decisions.

“I know that we’re all trying to be proactive, but what we don’t want to have is panic,” he said.

For up-to-date information on the coronavirus, how you can prevent and prepare for COVID-19, please visit www.coronavirus.ohio.gov or call the Ohio Department of Health call center at 1-833-4-ASK-ODH.

All Karlovec Media Group newspaper offices including the Geauga County Maple Leaf and Chesterland News are closed to walk-in traffic beginning immediately out of an abundance of caution regarding the spread of the coronavirus.

Experts say it’s imperative to avoid a rapid spike of cases that could overwhelm the health care system by enacting extreme social distancing. We are taking precautionary measures to limit our exposure in the hopes of mitigating the spread of COVID-19.

If you need to reach customer service for any issue with your subscription, please call 440-285-2013 or email editor@geaugamapleleaf.com.

If you need to place a classified or display ad, please email ads@geaugamapleleaf.com or ads@chesterlandnews.com. You may also fax 440-729-8240 or call 440-729-7667.

All of the Maple Leaf’s coverage of coronavirus is being provided for free to our readers. Please consider supporting local journalism by subscribing to the Maple Leaf at https://www.geaugamapleleaf.com/subscribe-renew/.

Geauga Public Health announced the county’s first positive case of COVID-19 March 15 at 11:00 pm. GPH used the press release announcing the case to emphasize the importance of social distancing in protecting the community.

Geauga County Health Commissioner Tom Quade said Monday because of the nature of personal travel and the likelihood of working, shopping and socializing outside of our own local areas, information regarding the specific location of the person who has tested positive has “limited value to the public at large” relative to medical privacy concerns.

“I hope it is enough for folks to realize we have evidence of active COVID-19 in the county,” Quade said.

Earlier Sunday, Gov. Mike DeWine announced an Ohio Department of Health order closing all restaurants and bars across the state to in-house patrons, effective that night. Restaurants with take-out and delivery options will still be able to operate those services, DeWine’s order said, even as their dining rooms are temporarily closed.

DeWine also ordered all K-12 schools in the state shuttered until April 3 at the earliest, and banned mass gatherings of 100 or more people.

Quade spoke in support of these measures.

“These strategies will save lives,” Quade said. “How many lives will be saved will depend on the degree to which all Ohioans adhere not only to these orders, but also the degree to which they are able to generalize the strategies voluntarily to other settings.”

While DeWine has not called for the cancelation of religious services, Quade said the principles of social distancing apply as much in worship settings as they do anywhere else.

Quade asked all residents to adhere to DeWine’s ordered closures, and to expand upon them where possible.

He added, GPH hand-delivered a letter to all Geauga Amish schools March 13, the day after the DeWine ordered schools closed. He added GPH is meeting with the Amish school board March 16.

“I am confident that they will see the importance of keeping everyone safe by participating in the social distancing GPH also outlined three assumptions the public can make regarding the virus,” Quade said.

He said the number of confirmed reported cases of COVID-19 continues to rise sharply in Ohio, leading to three assumptions the public can make regarding the virus.

“First, models suggest there are more people in Geauga County who are already infected and contagious, but who are experiencing such mild symptoms that they have not sought medical care and have not been tested,” GPH said.

Second, the number of confirmed cases will increase moving forward.

We are on the front end of this public health threat, GPH said, and should expect our routines to change significantly in the months to come.

Third, because there is no COVID-19 vaccine, GPH said the only effective public health strategies to combat the spread of the illness depend on everyone changing their normal behaviors such as practicing social distancing.

Social distancing, GPH added, is most effective when used pre-emptively, before you begin to show symptoms.

Quade acknowledged the challenges and sacrifices a “new normal” — one of closed schools and empty restaurants — will entail, but reminded the public we are all working together to save lives.

All of the Maple Leaf’s coverage of coronavirus is being provided for free to our readers. Please consider supporting local journalism by subscribing to the Maple Leaf at https://www.geaugamapleleaf.com/subscribe-renew/.

Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose issued the following press release recommending suspension of in-person voting on March 17 and moving the primary election to June 2:

“Thanks to the leadership of Governor Mike DeWine and Dr. Amy Acton of the Ohio Department of Health (ODH), Ohio has led the nation in responding to the coronavirus crisis. Following their lead, Secretary LaRose has utilized their expert counsel and advice to execute every available option at his disposal to run a safe, secure, fair and healthy primary election. The county boards of elections and thousands of patriotic poll workers have worked tirelessly to prepare for election day and should be commended for their incredible dedication to civic duty.

“Keeping Ohioans safe and voting accessible. Through March 15, guidance from the ODH indicated it would be safe to vote on election day. However, new information has led ODH to recommend Ohioans who are 65 and older to self-quarantine in their homes, making it challenging for these individuals to vote on March 17. In response, we expect a lawsuit that postpones the March 17 election and shifts it to a new day. Because the authority to shift election day does not reside with the Ohio Secretary of State, this change must be enacted by either a legal order or an act of the state legislature.

“If ordered by the court, Secretary LaRose is prepared to implement an alternative to the March 17 election. The first presidential nominating convention is the Democratic National Convention beginning July 13. It’s essential to have enough time for Ohio to hold an election, certify the results, and allocate our delegates prior to that convention. If a judge were to order the primary election should not be held on March 17, Secretary LaRose is prepared to recommend moving election day to June 2. More details will be forthcoming.

“All votes already submitted will count. It’s important that voters who have already submitted their vote by mail or in-person know that their vote will be counted.

“OUTCOME: These are certainly unprecedented times, and Secretary LaRose has implemented the guidance of the Ohio Department of Health every step of the way. As this situation has evolved, we are once again following expert consultation in order to keep Ohioans safe. If ordered, by moving Ohio’s election day we can ensure Ohio voters have every opportunity to have their voice heard and stay healthy in the process.”

The 2020 Geauga County Maple Festival, held April 23-26, has been canceled due to the circumstances involving the COVID-19 epidemic in Ohio, according to the festival’s board.

“The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is now urging a nationwide halt to gatherings of more than 50 people for the next eight weeks, citing the risk of the coronavirus,” according to a news release.

The festival, which draws about 40,000 visitors each year, will not go on for the first time since 1946, when sap production was not high enough, according to Louise Jackson, a Chardon historian with the Geauga County Historical Society.

The festival also did not go on from 1943 to 1945 due to WWII, Jackson said.

“As members and volunteers in our community, it disheartens us that we are not able to provide joy in this uncertain time,” the release stated. “Our maple syrup producers have worked very hard this season. We will continue with maple syrup judging.”

A group of maple syrup producers are working on selling the top winning syrup at an online auction, she added.

The festival will plans to continue in its 91st year in 2021.

“It was not an easy decision given our long history and love for our community,” said Annie Royle, the festival’s president. “We deeply appreciate our vendors, volunteers, and community and wish everyone to stay in good health.”

The Maple Festival still plans to hold a golf outing in July. Search for them on Facebook for more information.

“We can’t wait to celebrate the 2021 festival with you next year!” Royle said.

Middlefield Village Mayor Ben Garlich, unable to legally require any village residents returning from foreign countries to be tested for the Coronavirus, urged individuals who may have been exposed to get tested and self-quarantine until cleared.

He spoke to village council March 12, saying all but one person working in the village offices will be working from home until further notice.

“I know three people who are out of the country. This is a transient community,” Garlich said at the end of the meeting.

The mayor questioned paramedic Paula Shenal, operations manager for Community Care Ambulance that serves the village.

As of last Thursday night, she said Cuyahoga County, which had at least three cases of COVID 19 confirmed at the time, had not set up any restrictions that she knew of.

University Hospitals Geauga Medical Center can test for the virus, she said, and the Cleveland Clinic can get testing results in a matter of hours.

Although Shenal said Geauga County doesn’t require emergency medical service workers to be tested, they are often screened before they can enter a facility, and access to facilities has been limited to one or two doors. All nursing homes require screenings.

Village solicitor Tom Lee said any individuals returning from the nations on President Donald Trump’s list must be screened upon return and self-quarantine. U.S. citizens are permitted to return, he said, but municipalities’ actions are limited.

“Middlefield Village doesn’t have the power to require self-quarantine,” Lee said, adding a community has to be put under martial law, as happened in New Rochelle, N.Y., for that.

However, if a person suspects he or she has been exposed, or has symptoms of COVID-19 and doesn’t self-quarantine, then infects others, he or she could be open to civil liability, he said.

“These are not punitive measures,” Lee said. “People need to do this to help each other. Washing your hands is not just to protect yourself, but anyone you come in contact with.”

People can have the disease and, if they don’t have symptoms yet, they could pass it on, he added.

“You can’t take it seriously enough,” Garlich said, adding the disease spreads very fast. “It’s like compound interest.”

Council discussed various methods of alerting residents about the dangers, possibly including a robo-call, and providing assistance to individuals who are self-quarantining.