Emerald Necklace Garden Club
The Emerald Necklace Garden Club will discuss how to overwinter tropical plants at its next meeting on Thursday, Oct. 13. Pat Cotsman and Nathalie Petri, two local gardeners with proven expertise in saving tropical plants such as canna, elephant ears, caladiums and dahlias from year to year will share tips on how these favorites can […]
Sponsored
Tax credits for qualifying heating and air conditioning systems are again available
by Tom Olecki, Owner, Broadview Heating Though in no way am I an expert on federal taxes, I can report that as of Aug. 16, the federal government has re-instated tax credits available on Energy STAR-rated furnaces, air conditioners, heat pumps and hot water tanks. There is a lifetime limit of $500 for this credit, […]
Sponsored
The Case for an Investor’s Persistant, Rational Optimism
by Kevin Kroskey, CFP®, MBA I’ve been writing this article since January 2011. At that time, we were recovering from the financial crisis with perpetual alarms from pundits for a “double-dip recession,” concerns over growing U.S. deficits and homeowners feeling trapped under depressed housing prices that had yet to recover in earnest. Oh, we also […]
CVCC’s technician and machining programs ready to upskill and train
Staffing shortages and a demand for workers in the machining industry has restricted a company’s ability to upskill staff and accommodate training for multiple people at once. However, companies may opt to upskill a few employees at a time by outsourcing training to the Cuyahoga Valley Career Center. This format will not interfere with current […]
Correction
In the August article about the Revere Board of Education, the pay for substitute teachers was incorrect. The pay was increased from $90 per day to $134 per day at the June 28 meeting. In the August article about Revere teacher Robert Pierson winning the Summit Artspace Arts Alive Educator Award, his work history was […]
Akron Judge conducts wedding ceremony in RHP
Eight weddings were held at Richfield Heritage Preserve on Aug. 17, with Judge Nicole Walker officiating. The ceremonies were held near the Upper Lake, behind the Amity House. Akron Municipal Court offered to hold marriage ceremonies in seven different locations rather than in the city courthouse this summer. The only cost to the couple was […]
Revere still fighting shortage of bus drivers
by Sheldon Ocker Aug. 16 school board meeting Revere schools Treasurer Rick Berdine reminded the board of education that shortages of personnel is a pervasive problem for school districts around the country. Superintendent Michael Tefs reported that a scarcity of bus drivers remains an issue for Revere. “We continue to try and fill those positions,’’ […]
Tag day fundraiser a success
To the Editor: On behalf of the Revere Music Parents Association, we would like to say thank you to the community for their support of our recent Tag Day Fundraiser. Your generous donations ensure the success of the vocal and instrumental music programs at Revere High School. The proceeds from this fundraiser are used to […]
Grants keep Oviatt House restoration moving forward
by Sheldon Ocker How far can $50,000 go toward renovating a home? In the case of the Oviatt House, all the way back to the mid-19th century when Richfield was a prime stop on the Underground Railroad. Saving the Oviatt House has been the mission of Judy Bowman and many other Richfield residents, including her […]
Mayor’s Corner
Have a happy, safe and blessed Labor Day. If you are traveling, please drive defensively. Allowing a little more time to get home safely doesn’t hurt anyone. I want to thank all who helped make the Community Day weekend a big success. We saw more families at the parade, more attended the steak fry and […]
Pedestrian improvements coming; water line cost lowered
by Sue Serdinak Aug. 2 village council meeting Richfield Village Council adopted an ordinance to extend the sidewalk on the east side of Broadview Road from Emerald Parkway to the Giant Eagle store on the west side of the road. A crosswalk will be created at the crest of a hill on Broadview Road, near […]
Council meetings are available on Zoom
by Sue Serdinak Aug. 16 village council meeting Residents can now attend Richfield Village council meetings from the comfort of their homes or wherever they have an internet connection. After a delay of several months, the microphones and sound system in council chambers have been updated to allow meetings to be broadcast over Zoom. Zoom […]
New parks and recreation director looks forward to dual position
by Dan Holland For John Piepsny, who began a dual position on Aug. 8 serving both as Richfield Village Parks and Recreation Director and park director for Richfield Joint Recreation District, being a quick study and implementing new programs for both entities are first on his list of immediate goals. Piepsny brings more than 25 […]
Richfield Township Corner
by Janet Jankura It was wonderful to see the Richfield community coming together to participate in Community Day weekend activities. Many thanks to all the organizations and volunteers who made the events successful. Although costs are rising for goods and services, the township is in good fiscal shape. We are fortunate to receive the American […]
Trustees take step toward alleviating traffic congestion in JEDD
by Dan Holland Aug. 2 township trustees meeting Richfield Township trustees passed a resolution to institute a “no parking” zone on Columbia Road within the Joint Economic Development District. The legislation was introduced to relieve traffic congestion along the busy stretch of road north of Brecksville Road. “There were some options that were explored, and […]
Friends group asks to revisit donor plaque request
by Dan Holland July 25 Richfield Joint Recreation District board meeting Details concerning the placement and appearance of a donor recognition plaque to honor those who contributed to the restoration of Kirby Mill at Richfield Heritage Preserve was a main topic of discussion at the meeting held in Richfield Village Council Chambers. Board members Jeff […]
Revere Superintendent’s Corner
by Revere Superintendent Dr. Michael Tefs This school year the Revere Schools will deconstruct the literature and research on healthy school start times and medically appropriate student sleep schedules, while surveying students, employees, and families along the way. During its April 2022 meeting, the board of education heard from Revere alumnus and parent, Dr. Zach […]
Size of Revere kindergarten class watched closely
by Sheldon Ocker Aug. 9 school board work session As of the date of the Revere Board of Education work session, 196 students were registered for kindergarten classes, nine fewer than the previous school year. Superintendent Michael Tefs wants to maintain the district standard of no more than 22 students per kindergarten class. If the […]
“Old” Car Show supports NET Foundation
On July 30 the Meridian Sun Masonic Lodge put on a premier car show in conjunction with the Ohio Chapter of Healing NET Foundation, which promotes helping patients obtain information about neuroendocrine cancer. The proceeds of the event were split between the NET Foundation and the Masonic scholarship fund for Revere High School graduates. Making […]
Students will play interactive role in model outdoor community
by Wendy Turrell GAR Foundation recently awarded Richfield Elementary School a $10,000 grant to create a model of the Revere community on the school property. The interactive Community in Our Backyard would feature businesses and other unique features of the real-life Revere community. First-grade teacher Debbie Schwertner, along with a team of teachers, professionals and […]
Police Beat
Traveling south on I-77 near the turnpike, a motorcyclist eluded police by crossing the median and continuing south in the northbound lanes. The officer discontinued pursuit as several cars went into the median to avoid a collision and 911 calls flooded dispatch. The cyclist was next spotted on I-271 north using the Richfield exit. Heading […]
Revere soccer team loaded with experience, expectations
by Sheldon Ocker The Revere soccer team hasn’t forgotten a 1-0 loss to Bay Village in last year’s Division II Regional final, costing the Minutemen a chance to win a state championship. “We just didn’t get the ball to bounce our way, the way it ended,’’ said head coach Nick DePompei, as the Minutemen prepared […]
Richfield Senior Center
The Senior Center will be closed on Monday, Sept. 5, to celebrate Labor Day. Join us for an ice cream social on Saturday, Sept. 10, at 7 p.m. This event is free and open to everyone. Our band, The Country Frye Band, will provide entertainment. Monthly Monday movie day is back. Our first movie will […]
Friends ask for decorated tree sponsors
The Friends of Richfield Heritage Preserve are looking for individuals and businesses to sponsor blue spruce trees for its holiday Trails & Trivia self-guided hikes and Winter Wonders fundraising event. The decorated trees will be placed at the park’s trailheads and near the Lodge. Signs will be displayed near the trees, showing each tree’s sponsors. […]
Sponsored
SHOULD I GET REMARRIED?
Part I: Estate planning issues surrounding remarriage By Ann E. Salek, Attorney at Law, Critchfield, Critchfield & Johnston, Ltd. As people live longer, remarriage becomes more and more common. People may lose their spouse or divorce while still contemplating a long life ahead for themselves. Statistics show that the largest population of people getting remarried […]
Free weddings offered in Summit County’s newest Metro Park area
Summit County Probate Court and Summit Metro Parks are partnering to offer a free outdoor wedding ceremony and vow renewal for Summit County residents at the Valley View Area of Cascade Valley Metro Park, at 1212 Cuyahoga St. in Akron. The outdoor wedding event will be held on Friday, Sept. 23 at 11 a.m. Akron […]
Bus use requested
Richfield Police Chief Michael Swanson has requested that parents of students that attend Richfield Elementary School consider having their child ride the bus rather than driving them to and from school. Swanson said there were daily traffic jams on Revere and Everett roads last year, creating a dangerous situation. “The parking lot is not made […]
Vote underway for county soil and water conservation board
Individuals who own or occupy land within the Summit County Soil and Water Conservation District and are 18 years of age or older may vote to select members of its board of supervisors. The two supervisors will be elected to a three-year term commencing Jan. 1 and ending December 31, 2025. Nominees are Ana Burns, […]
Sponsored
Is it Time to Replace Your Hot Water Heater?
by Tom Olecki, Owner, Broadview Heating Hot water heaters are appliances in our homes that we completely forget about – until they fail and it becomes an instant emergency. When is it going to go? During a holiday, a vacation or when out of town family or friends are about to arrive? Avoiding that emergency […]
Sponsored
Red Flags of Investment Fraud
by Kevin Kroskey, CFP®, MBA You have likely seen the local headlines. An apparent $50 million investment fraud is unwinding in Northeast Ohio with a former high school basketball coach and self-proclaimed single-family real estate expert being accused of bilking investors in a Ponzi scheme. You probably think, “This can’t happen to me.” The victims […]
Revere High School art teacher wins educator award
by Ivy Socha The Summit Artspace Arts Alive Educator Award highlights a teacher that shows a passion for their job as well as dedication to helping art students learn and succeed. The 2022 recipient of this award is Robert (Bob) Pierson, a visual arts teacher at Revere High School. Prior to obtaining his art education […]
The Big Idaho Potato Truck is coming to town
A truckload of Idaho potatoes is on its way to Richfield and the community is invited to come to Whitey’s Booze N’ Burgers on Brecksville Road on Sunday, Aug. 7, from 3-7 p.m. to be part of the fun. Whitey’s owner, John Bigadza, and his son Matt, have become vodka distillers and their main ingredient […]
Property values are impacted by neighborhoods’ property maintenance
by Dan Holland With summertime here and lawn maintenance season in full swing, residents may sometimes identify and report a home or business property not being kept up to code. These concerns are brought to the attention of Richfield officials who investigate the occurrences. According to Brian Frantz, planning and zoning director for Richfield Village, […]
Mayor’s Corner
I welcome John Piepsny as our new, shared park and recreation director. John comes to us with over 25 years of park and recreation experience. John will be an excellent addition to our outstanding staff. I have been asked several times about the installation of a chain link fence around a tree on Broadview Road […]
Cleveland water is on its way to the historic district
by Sue Serdinak June 29 village council meeting Alex Margevicius, commissioner of Cleveland Water, opened a presentation to Richfield Village Council about the public utility being delivered to Richfield Village. Margevicius said he and former village Mayor Ralph Waszak started talking about Cleveland providing water to Richfield over 25 years ago. At that time, a […]
Fire-medic promoted; fuel expenses likely to exceed budget
by Sue Serdinak June 25 village council meeting Before Cleveland Water gave a presentation on delivering water to the village, Richfield Mayor Michael Wheeler swore in fire medic Anthony Katzakis as a lieutenant in the Richfield Fire Department. Fire Chief George Seifert said Katzakis has been with the department since 2014 and has been instrumental […]
Safety forces have few back-up personnel
by Sue Serdinak July 19 village council reports Richfield Village Police Chief Michael Swanson reported that part-time officer Shane Williamson is leaving the department to take full–time employment, leaving the chief with only two part-time officers. This creates a scheduling problem and increased overtime hours for full-time officers. Swanson said 141 children participated in Safety […]
Township Corner
I hope everyone is enjoying this beautiful summer and staying healthy. News In the past few years, the township has spent roughly $2.2 million annually from its five main funds: general, road and bridge, garbage disposal, police, and fire. We began 2022 with a cash balance across all funds of just over $2 million. This […]
Trustees weigh trash hauling options
by Dan Holland June 29 virtual township trustees meeting Richfield Township trustees discussed waste hauling and recycling options. The township is currently in the second and final extension year of a five-year contract with Rumpke for waste hauling services in conjunction with Richfield Village, explained township administrator Mindy Lott. The contract with Rumpke – a […]
Board picks new fitness center for Revere athletes
by Sheldon Ocker July 12 board of education work session After an examination of the outside strength and conditioning program for Revere athletes, Superintendent Michael Tefs recommended that the board of education end the district’s relationship with Sculpt Fitness in Bath and sign a one-year contract with ACTIV Physical Therapy in Richfield. The board ratified […]
Solution for village tax refund issue
To the Editor, The village continues to pay out more tax refund money to other communities than they take in due to employees working from home instead of in an office in Richfield. Want to solve that problem? Trucking. Richfield is a prime place for trucking due to I-271, I-77 and the yurnpike. Not only […]
Lodge rentals increasing; smash and grab repeated
by Sue Serdinak June 27 Richfield Joint Recreation District board meeting With pandemic restrictions on meeting places decreasing, rentals of the Lodge in the Richfield Heritage Preserve are increasing, according to Shari Green, event coordinator. She and Richfield Joint Recreation District Chairperson Anita Gantner met with the manager of Happy Days Lodge in the Cuyahoga […]
Ukrainian orphans benefit from sales of Whitey’s Vodka
by Sheldon Ocker Jon Bigadza leads a visitor into his office at Whitey’s Booze N’ Burgers and switches on a video entitled “The Faces of Christ,’’ depicting neglected children in physical and mental distress. “I get about halfway through then I have to quit,’’ Bigadza said, warning the visitor of the extreme sadness that’s about […]
ODOT project aimed at stemming erosion of Furnace Run under Route 303
The scenic area of Route 303 that crosses over Furnace Run at the bottom of two hills has experienced severe erosion, according to the Ohio Department of Transportation. In 2020, ODOT repaired the roadway by stabilizing the embankment with rocks and modifying the drainage on the berm of the roadway. Next, it will work on […]
Police Beat
Richfield Police activated a Nixle Community Alert at 1:06 a.m. on July 4. Medina Sheriffs were northbound on I-271 in pursuit of a stolen vehicle with four occupants. After crossing the median and travelling north in the southbound lanes, a flat tire caused them to abandon the vehicle and flee into the woods near Whitethorn […]
Revere Superintendent’s Corner
by Revere Superintendent Dr. Michael Tefs This school year the Revere Schools will deconstruct the literature and research on healthy school start times and medically appropriate student sleep schedules, while surveying students, employees, and families along the way. During its April 2022 meeting, the board of education heard from Revere alumnus and parent, Dr. Zach […]