Independence Alumni Association recognizes ‘Educators of Excellence’
by Laura Bednar The Independence Alumni Association recognized industrial technology teacher Michael Foor and the late biology teacher William Taylor as “Educators of Excellence” during its annual awards ceremony in March. Foor has been with the Independence district since 1990 as the industrial arts teacher at the high school and middle school. He studied industrial […]
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Cuyahoga Valley Farmers Market opens May 4, kicks off seasonal events
by Judy Stringer and Laura Bednar The outdoor Cuyahoga Valley Farmers Market, formerly know as the Countryside Farmers Market, returns Saturday, May 4, from 9 a.m.- noon. The weekly market is held at Howe Meadow, 4040 Riverview Rd. in Peninsula. Maryann Lipaj, marketing coordinator for the market, said roughly 75 vendors have signed on to […]
Fourth-graders get free Western Reserve Historical Society access
Western Reserve Historical Society announced a new promotion for fourth- grade students in partnership with America 250-Ohio, the official state commission responsible for spearheading Ohio’s celebrations around America’s semiquincentennial in 2026. The 4th Grade History Pass is specifically designed for fourth-grade students across the state. Every fourth-grade student in Ohio will have the opportunity to […]
Residents enjoy return of Easter egg hunt at the Independence Fieldhouse
Cousins (l-r) Harper Stefanski, Madison Stefanski, and Vivie Stefanski meet the Easter Bunny. Sue and Drew Herrage (r) join the Macalonan family, which includes their grandchildren, at the egg hunt. Photos by Laura Bednar. Giavanna Dimora, Isabella Dimora, Alexandria Dimora and Nico Shurilla (r) open eggs in the hopes of finding a golden ticket, which […]
Eminent domain, tree trimming to advance Brecksville Road project
by Laura Bednar March 12 city council meeting As part of its plan to widen and modify Brecksville Road from Rockside Road north to Rockside Woods North Boulevard, Independence City Council, by a 4-3 vote, allowed the city to take residential and commercial right-of-way property through eminent domain. The legislation, which “declared an emergency,” states […]
Concordia development process moves forward
by Laura Bednar Independence City Council voted to award $15,000 each to two companies for due diligence work on the 18 acres adjacent to Concordia Lutheran Church on Brecksville Road, which the city purchased in 2022. “We put together some design standards for the infrastructure, looking at lot sizes and some criteria for the homes,” […]
District welcomes new treasurer, bids farewell to superintendent
by Laura Bednar March 19 board of education meeting The Independence Local Schools Board of Education hired Jennifer Knapp as treasurer, replacing Eric Koehler, who retires in July. “We are extremely fortunate that Mrs. Knapp was interested and she said ‘yes,’” said board President Tony Avila. Knapp was assistant treasurer at Nordonia Hills City Schools […]
The Grapevine
Joey Mousty, Independence High School Class of 2021, has been named to the president’s list at Cleveland State University, which is reserved for students who take more than the average semester course load and maintain an exceptional grade point average. Mallory MacRaild, Independence resident and sophomore at Hathaway Brown School, qualified for the State Diving […]
Educators engage in ‘Road to Readiness’ day
by Laura Bednar Independence Local Schools staff, faculty and administrators met with local business people to gain insight into a variety of industries and what employers look for when hiring. The daylong session in March was the second installation of the “Road to Readiness” program launched last year, wherein school leaders heard from Independence business […]
Eagle Scout enhances primary school greenspace
by Alfred Hood Eagle Scout Luke Botros successfully transformed the common area at Independence Primary School into a vibrant greenspace. The former IPS student collaborated with IPS Principal TJ Ebert and PTO President and board of education member Katie Hill to plan and execute the project. Said Ebert, “While we were brainstorming, we had an Eagle […]
Police Beat
Information provided by the Independence Police Department March 5—A vehicle leaving a hotel on Rockside Woods Boulevard North did not have headlights on and did not stop when police attempted to pull it over. The driver was issued a criminal summons for failure to comply. March 5—Police responded to an accident on I-480W, and dispatch […]
Cuyahoga Valley Genealogical Society
The Cuyahoga Valley Genealogical Society will hold its monthly meeting on Monday, May 6, at 7 p.m. Members and interested public are invited to attend in the Willow Room of the Independence Civic Center, 6363 Selig Blvd. in Independence. Eva Szabo will talk about the waves of Hungarian immigration, the resulting settlements in Cleveland and […]
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How Artificial Intelligence is Being Used in Law
by Dan A. Baron, Baron Law LLC When you have questions about artificial intelligence (AI), where better to start than by asking AI itself? So, I did just that and asked ChatGPT to tell me “how is AI being used in the legal field.” Within seconds, the leading artificial intelligence platform spits out a litany […]
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A New Air Conditioner Can Save You Money
by Tom Olecki, Owner, Broadview Heating If you are considering replacing your air conditioner this year, you might be surprised at the features new A/C systems can provide. A new air conditioning system will offer lower electricity bills compared to units built just 10 years ago. When comparing efficiency between systems, look for the manufacturer’s […]
Brothers in arms retire from police force
by Dan Holland For brothers Chuck and Randy Wilson, a tip to take a civil service test more than three decades ago led to lengthy careers with the Independence Police Department. Both retired in January: Chuck with 35 years of service, and Randy with 33. In 1988, Charles Wilson, who later became the chief of […]
Northeast Ohio prepares for total solar eclipse
by Dan Holland Residents of Northeast Ohio will be looking skyward on April 8, when a total solar eclipse passes over the area. Totality will begin at approximately 3:13 p.m. A number of municipalities, astronomy groups, school districts and other entities are planning ahead for the event, with a number of local school districts, including […]
Letter to the Editor
To the Editor: Stop the bulldozers I have to say … I’m not happy with how the character of our beloved Independence is changing. West of Brecksville Road, all of the backyards and woods of yesteryear have become a tightening weave of development after development. The forests have been cleared, streams channeled into concrete, rich earth stripped […]
INDYAlive! offers high school scholarships
Students who are residents of Independence, regardless of school attended, are eligible to earn a $500 scholarship from INDYAlive!, a nonprofit organization that provides resources to youth and parents to help them make smart choices. Any student who will complete the requirements for high school graduation by June 2024 and will attend a post-secondary or […]
New diving boards planned for summer; fireworks shows reduced
by Laura Bednar Feb. 13 city council meeting The Independence recreation department will purchase three new diving boards for the city’s outdoor pool in preparation for summer. The cost will be $17,292. Recreation Director Tom Walchanowicz said the original plan was to refurbish the existing boards, but one board dated from 1999 and another from […]
Planning commission approves training center, pavilion
by Laura Bednar The Independence Planning Commission approved the site plan for a 7,287-square-foot training center for disabled adults at 4849 Acorn Dr. Empowered Community Services offers services and transportation for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, according to its website. CEO Joe Kowalski said the non-medical building would be the 10th center in the […]
Angie’s Pizza reopens as Angie’s Tavern
by Cathi Conti Sinsabaugh A cherished 70-year-old establishment in Independence, Angie’s Pizza, at 6932 Hillside Rd., reopened on Feb. 12 under new management and a new name – Angie’s Tavern. The Konicki family started the Angie’s Pizza chain in 1953, and now new owners George and Pam Glus are continuing the tradition. “We’re having a […]
Cleveland Landmarks Press co-founder reflects on publishing journey
by Laura Bednar When Dan Cook’s lifelong friend Jim Toman said he wanted to leave a legacy, Cook drew from his publishing background to help him achieve his goal. Cook, a 50-year Independence resident, is the co-founder of Cleveland Landmarks Press, a publishing company that produces books about Cleveland’s landmarks and key events. It was […]
Independence High named to Advanced Placement School Honor Roll
College Board announced that Independence High School has been named to the Advanced Placement Program School Honor Roll, earning a bronze distinction. The AP School Honor Roll recognizes schools whose AP programs are delivering results for students while broadening access. Schools can earn this recognition annually based on criteria that reflect a commitment to increasing […]
Middle school launches career program with Cleveland Clinic
Independence Middle School kicked off a pilot program this January in partnership with the Cleveland Clinic and Cuyahoga Valley Career Center called “Cleveland Clinic Career Passport Program,” which aims to expand students’ career horizons in the medical field. Eighth-graders will gain exposure to various healthcare roles through a series of interactive sessions, activities and a […]
Police Beat
Information provided by the Independence Police Department Jan. 28—An intoxicated male was cited for disorderly conduct at a Jefferson Drive hotel. Jan. 30—A female was arrested for prostitution and possession of criminal tools at a Rockside Place hotel. Jan. 31—A male employee of a Rockside Place restaurant was arrested after stealing a fellow employee’s car […]
Cuyahoga Valley Genealogical Society
The Cuyahoga Valley Genealogical Society will hold its monthly meeting on Monday, April 1 at 7 p.m. Members and interested public are invited to attend in the Willow Room of the Independence Civic Center, 6363 Selig Blvd. in Independence. Tom Neel, retired library director of the Ohio Genealogical Society, will talk about the use of […]
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Is It Time to Replace Your Air Conditioner?
by Tom Olecki, Owner, Broadview Heating Nobody wants to replace their air conditioner. It’s not fun. You can’t show it off like a shiny new car and it won’t make you “feel good.” But there comes a time when replacement is a good idea. I like to be proactive when it comes to replacement. Why […]
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Five Reasons Why Having a Family Trust is Better Than a Simple Will
by Dan A. Baron, Baron Law LLC When planning for your loved ones, one common misunderstanding is thinking that you have to be ultra-wealthy to need or benefit from a trust. While a common misconception, a lack of knowledge in this area can be costly. Even if your estate is fairly small, you still want […]
District holds community focus group for superintendent search
Independence Local Schools has launched the search for its next superintendent, partnering with Finding Leaders through the Educational Service Center of Northeast Ohio to lead the process. On Wednesday, March 13 at 6:30 p.m., a community focus group discussion will be held in the Independence High School media center. This is a chance to share […]
Superintendent resigns after 12 years
by Laura Bednar Feb. 20 board of education meeting Independence Schools Superintendent Ben Hegedish announced his resignation, effective April 1. In an email to the community, Hegedish said, “I will be leaving education altogether to pursue a unique opportunity in a leadership role for an Akron-area business. As many of you know who have experiences […]
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