Independence Today

Fall Fest offers food, decor and spooky attractions in Elmwood Park

by Laura Bednar Community members found activities for all ages at the annual Independence Fall Fest on Sunday, Sept. 27, in Elmwood Park. Food options included a preorder clambake dinner with yams, corn on the cob, coleslaw and a roll, or treats from onsite food trucks. Tanner Lansky, from Independence, is ready to enjoy the […]

Achievements and milestones highlighted during State of the City address

by Dan Holland During a State of the City address delivered Oct. 2 by Mayor Greg Kurtz at the Independence Civic Center, a number of achievements reached during 2026 were highlighted, including infrastructure investments, economic development, finance and public safety. The Community Mosaic 2026, championed by the mayor's office, includes the integration of a myriad […]

Jazzercise instructor’s passion for people and exercise endures

by Charles Cassady There are certain words that are trademark names we take for granted. "Jazzercise," for example, is not a generic term for dance-like fitness routines, but a real corporation. Just ask local instructor Lois Powers, who teaches classes at the Independence Civic Center. "I've taught there for 46 years," Powers said. "And not […]

Government

Charter amendments, school levy on November ballot

by Laura Bednar Independence voters will see proposed charter amendments for the city and county […]

Achievements and milestones highlighted during State of the City address

by Dan Holland During a State of the City address delivered Oct. 2 by Mayor […]

Schools

Independence earns 4.5 stars on state report card

by Laura Bednar Independence Local Schools earned a 4.5-star rating on the state report card […]

Students explore careers through informational visits, hands-on experiences

by Laura Bednar Sept. 15 board of education meeting Since starting her job in January, […]

School spirit shines during Blue Devils’ Homecoming week

by Independence Local Schools School spirit filled the halls of Independence High School and Middle […]

Community

Kiwanis hosts successful fall barbecue

The Independence Kiwanis hosted its fall chicken barbecue on Sept. 13, serving 550 chicken dinners at the Kiwanis Pavilion in Elmwood Park. The sudden afternoon rainstorm did not dampen spirits while the community enjoyed barbecue, Key Club Bingo, a 50/50 raffle and lottery tree raffle. More than $5,000 was raised to go toward Independence High […]

Project Healing Waters helps local veterans through fly fishing

by Elie Aoun The return to civilian life can be difficult and isolating for many veterans. Since 2005, an organization called Project Healing Waters has helped them through the activity of fly fishing, creating an immersive and meditative program for them to heal and bond. According to PHW, with 183 local programs across 48 states, […]

Grapevine

by Laura Bednar Children's author Denise M. Rose, of Independence, is celebrating the release of her third book titled Grateful to Be Me. Rose published her first children's book, Laugh for Heaven's Sake, in 2020 in honor of her first grandchild, Grace. Her second book, Born to Be Strong, was written in 2023 in honor […]

Police Beat

Aug. 27 – On Granger Road, a vehicle with no visible license plate refused to stop when police attempted to pull it over. The driver gave chase, driving along Schaaf Road, until Old Brecksville Road and making a U-turn back down Schaaf. Brooklyn Heights police were able to spike the vehicle's tires and then joined […]

Owl ears: A guide to the Brecksville Reservation’s great horned owls

by Adriana Gasiewski Throughout the year in the Brecksville Reservation, and not just during the "owl-tumn," owls can be seen soaring above and into mosaic fields, large landscapes with diverse plants and the ecosystems inhabiting them. However, great horned owls, with their feather tufts standing tall on top of their heads, tend to stand out […]

Polish Genealogical Society of Greater Cleveland

The Polish Genealogical Society of Greater Cleveland will meet Nov. 3 at 7 p.m. at St. Mary's Polish National Catholic Church Hall, 5375 Broadview Rd. in Parma. The speaker will be Aleksandra Kacprzak, a genealogical researcher who owns the genealogical research company Genoroots. She also provides heir-tracing services for both lawyers and the courts. Kacprzak […]

Cuyahoga Valley Genealogical Society

The Cuyahoga Valley Genealogical Society will hold its monthly meeting on Nov. 2 at 7 p.m. in the Willow Room of the Independence Civic Center, 6363 Selig Blvd. Members and interested public are invited. The meeting's presentation will be "Cleveland's Ohio City Neighborhood," presented by Tom Kaschalk. He will bring Ohio City's history to life […]

Rumple Recycling do’s and don’ts

Recently, Rumpke has seen a noticeable increase in diapers at the Rumpke Recycling & Resource Center, resulting in substantial contamination and loss of items that are recyclable. As such, the company is reminding customers about what can and cannot be recycled. Recycling don'ts Anything not included in Rumpke's acceptable items list would be a recycling […]

Polish Genealogical Society of Greater Cleveland

The Polish Genealogical Society of Greater Cleveland will meet on Oct. 6 at 7 p.m. at St. Mary's Polish National Catholic Church Hall, 5375 Broadview Rd. in Parma. The speaker will be Glenn Sobola, president of the Slavic Village Historical Society. His presentation is titled "It Wasn't Always Slavic Village," which hints at the earliest […]

Cuyahoga Valley Genealogical Society

The Cuyahoga Valley Genealogical Society will hold its monthly meeting on Monday, Oct. 5, at 7 p.m. in the Willow Room of the Independence Civic Center, 6363 Selig Blvd. in Independence. Members and interested public are invited to attend. Sunny Morton will present "How Learning about the Past Can Change the Future." As we commemorate […]