Indy-based Greater Cleveland Chorus stays performance-ready
by Dan Holland For Deb Ferenc, president of the all-female Greater Cleveland Chorus based in Independence, the group’s practices, performances and competitions are about much more than just a love of barbershop-style a cappella music. “It’s not just singing; we educate,” said Ferenc, who has been with the organization for 30 years. “The leaders teach […]
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City holds dedication for cemetery columbarium walls
by Laura Bednar Independence dedicated three new columbarium walls at Maple Shade Cemetery in early August. Each granite wall has 48 niches on either side, for a total of 96, to store urns holding the cremated remains of the deceased. Each 12-by-12-inch niche can hold up to two urns and has a black granite door […]
Changes made in ordinance that assists with stormwater issues
by Laura Bednar Aug. 8 city council meeting Independence City Council changed the scope of an existing public-private partnership established in 2021 to assist residents with stormwater management, creek maintenance and sewer maintenance on their properties. The ordinance is intended to help residents pay for projects affecting their property or a neighboring property that are […]
Baseball field improvements to be complete this fall
by Laura Bednar Aug. 15 board of education meeting The Independence Local School District is in the midst of upgrading its baseball field to create a more professional athletic space. Assistant Superintendent Tom Dreiling said some improvements are complete and others are in progress, with the goal of finishing the venture this fall. Last year, […]
Independence finance director
Two candidates are vying for the full-time position of city finance director. Vern Blaze is running for re-election against Chris Zamborsky. The finance director serves a four-year term and will receive a yearly salary of $100,000. Following are questions posed to the candidates by Independence Today magazine. Their answers were limited to 225 words. Following […]
Independence board of education
Two seats are open on the Independence Board of Education with current board members Joanie Mencl and Andrea Marek seeking re-election against newcomers Anthony Avila, Katie Day Hill, Mathew Urie and Mike Zubic. All school board members serve four-year terms and are paid $125 per meeting with no meeting limit. Fringe benefits are not offered […]
Letter to the Editor
Developers in charge To the Editor: I’m the guy who fought the Twin Creeks development on Hillside Road for over five years. That’s the one that included five acres within the national park. I never expected to stop it but you don’t stop fighting things that are wrong just because you know you won’t win. […]
Police test blue light cameras for future crime prevention
by Mary Kay Quinn A video camera at Chestnut and Brecksville roads will be installed by August as part of a pilot project to test the advantages of the security measure. The “blue light” cameras and associated components were purchased for $6,000 from Paladin Protective Systems of Valley View. There is a blue light mounted […]
The Grapevine by Martin McConnell
by Martin McConnell An organization known as Brady’s K9 Fund will hold a fundraiser at Independence’s Topgolf, 5820 Rockside Woods Blvd. N., on Sept. 24, according to the Independence Police Department. The event will benefit both of the department’s K-9 units, Rambo and Argo. Brady’s K9 Fund recently donated bulletproof vests to Independence’s two furry […]
Dr. Carl Asseff: A life of service
by Dan Holland For longtime Independence resident Dr. Carl Asseff, it’s all about serving others whether it be locally, statewide, nationally or overseas in one of his many roles as an ophthalmologist, college instructor, military officer, councilman, consultant, director and myriad of other duties. Asseff, who previously operated Advanced Eye Care Centers of Cleveland in […]
School leaders present at national conference
Primary school leaders present at national conference A team from Independence Primary School presented at the National Association of Elementary School Principals’ annual conference on July 11 at National Harbor outside of Washington D.C. More than 1,600 educational leaders from all over the United States attended the NAESP’s Pre-K-8 Principals Conference, a national event that […]
Police Beat
Information provided by the Independence Police Department July 30—A female was arrested for prostitution and possessing criminal tools at a Jefferson Drive hotel. July 31—During a traffic stop on Quarry Lane, three people in the vehicle were found to have warrants. The driver and one passenger were cited for open container in the vehicle. Aug. […]
CVNP environmental education center spruces up growing grounds, cultivates plant-based curriculum and training
by Judy Stringer A gardening area at the Cuyahoga Valley Environmental Education Center is coming back to life thanks to a local couple’s $30,000 donation. Hudson residents Charlie and April Walton provided funds to rebuild CVEEC’s 40-year-old Learning Garden and Hoop House, which had fallen victim to COVID-19, according to January Miller, the center’s vice […]
Cuyahoga Valley National Park attracts millions
The National Park Service has reported that it estimates that 2.9 million people visited the Cuyahoga Valley National Park in 2022. Included in that report was an estimate that those visitors spent about $56 million in communities near the park. “The impact of tourism to national parks is undeniable: bringing jobs and revenue to communities […]
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by Dan A. Baron, Baron Law LLC Who will manage your finances and investments if you become sick or incapacitated? Who will pick what doctor to treat you or if a risky but potentially lifesaving procedure should be performed? Do you have someone to manage all of your assets in the event of incapacity? These […]
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Prepare for the Cold Now
by Tom Olecki, Owner, Broadview Heating Every year, we are faced with the inevitable task of preparing for the coming winter weather season. Cooler weather is showing its face and we have began calling on our heating systems to go back to work for us. The change of seasons requires us to prepare our heating […]
Residents enjoy parade, bike race and outdoor activities at Home Days
The Men of Independence barbershop quartet sang the StarSpangled Banner to kick off the Home Days parade. Photosby Kim Scott Sowinski. Children painted portions of a picture of city hall through ArtseeLive, a company that offers interactive art at large scale events. Gear Up Velo, a bicycle shop in Independence, held its inaugural“Criterium” bike race, […]
PEZamania convention draws a thousand guests, collectors from across the U.S.
by Dan Holland “PEZ heads” from all over the world descended on the Holiday Inn Cleveland-S Independence on Rockside Road July 19-22 for PEZamania 2023, billed as the world’s largest and longest-running PEZ convention. More than 450 participants registered for the four-day event, which has been held at the same venue for the past 16 […]
Council renews Flock camera contract, school prevention specialist
by Laura Bednar July 11 city council meeting The Independence Police Department extended its contract with Flock Safety for automatic license plate reader cameras and software. The cameras are placed throughout the city to notify officers of stolen vehicles and individuals with warrants entering Independence. Police Chief Robert Butler said a five-year contract extension will […]
Prices set for cemetery columbarium spaces
by Laura Bednar July 25 city council workshop Maple Shade Cemetery this summer will see the addition of columbarium granite walls, each with 96 niches to store urns holding ashes of the deceased. Independence City Council approved the $600 per niche cost with a $300 fee for opening and closing the niche, which includes engraving. […]
Prolific Bees gymnastics coach receives hometown honors
by Martin McConnell Every great sports dynasty has to start somewhere and for Brecksville-Broadview Heights gymnastics, that “somewhere” is the tenure of Bees coach Joan Ganim, a 1965 graduate of Independence High School. The Independence Alumni Association honored Ganim with the Diploma of Distinction at a ceremony on June 12. Dale Veverka, Independence Alumni Association […]
Mormon Church project moves forward with conditions
by Laura Bednar Aug. 1 planning commission meeting The Independence Planning Commission approved the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints’ request for a lot consolidation and special use permit to construct a temple at 5997 Brecksville Rd., with the condition that church members work with the city about lighting issues. Residents at a July […]
National Park Service opens Boston Mill Visitor Center pedestrian bridge
This summer, Cuyahoga Valley National Park celebrated the opening of a brand new 200-foot bridge across the Cuyahoga River near the Boston Mill Visitor Center. Park visitors may now safely cross the river between the Towpath Trail and Boston Store and the visitor center. Since the bridge is for both pedestrians and bicycles in a typically congested area, […]
Two levies to be on November ballot
by Laura Bednar July 26 board of education special meeting The Independence Local Schools Board of Education sent two levies to the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections to be placed on the Nov. 7 ballot as separate issues. The first is the renewal of an 8.19-mill emergency operating levy that annually produces $4.25 million and […]
Boys volleyball team builds strong foundation after inaugural season
by Dan Holland For Independence High School boys’ varsity volleyball head coach Lexi Prokopius, taking her team to the state semifinals in its inaugural season exceeded her greatest expectations. “It was probably more memorable for me than my own playing days. Those boys will always have that memory, and I’ll have that memory as well,” […]
Cuyahoga Valley Genealogy Society
The Cuyahoga Valley Genealogical Society will hold its monthly meeting on Monday, Sept.11, at 7 p.m. Members and interested public are invited to attend at the Independence Civic Center, 6363 Selig Blvd., in the Willow Room. Gail Berzins will present, “You Have Done the Hard Work. … Sharing With Others and Preservation Copies.” Coffee and […]
Cleaners work behind the scenes to prepare buildings for school year
While students and families enjoyed their summer vacations, more than a dozen Independence Local Schools’ employees prepared Independence primary, middle and high school for the 2023-24 school year. Room by room, desk by desk, each building received a deep clean, and building grounds were maintained for curb appeal. “Our rock stars have put in a […]
The Grapevine
by Martin McConnell Condolences go out to the family of lifelong Independence resident and city historian Wes Gaab, who passed away on July 15 at the age of 99. Gaab was a 1942 graduate of Independence High School and a WWII Army veteran. He was drafted to the Army as an infantryman and was later […]
Police Beat
Information provided by the Independence Police Department June 24—A female was arrested for prostitution and possession of cocaine and heroin at a Quarry Lane hotel. June 24—A female was arrested for prostitution at a Rockside Place hotel. June 25—Officers responded to a Rockside Woods Boulevard entertainment complex for report of a fight between two females […]
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Settling the Estate of a Loved One
by Dan A. Baron, Baron Law LLC Losing a loved one is emotionally challenging and perhaps the most difficult moment in your life. Yet, while grieving there are many tasks that one responsible individual must complete in order to settle the estate. This article is geared toward the executor, the person who will be quarterbacking […]