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 […]
Search Articles
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 […]
Sponsored
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 […]
Sponsored
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 […]
Annual St. Patrick’s Day party reaches 20-year milestone
by Laura Bednar What started as a vision in resident Jim Riley’s mind materialized into an Irish pub within his home that is not only host to a trove of memories, but also family and friends who attend his annual St. Patrick’s Day party. The party, which will celebrate its 20th year this March, came […]
Residents take to the ice during January cold burst (photos)
Hockey players flocked to the ice to play a pickup game after Elmwood Pond was declared safe for skating on Jan. 18. Shane Fitzgibbon (front in helmet), Case Malue (l), Teddy Malue and Hannah Fiztgibbon (r) practiced their hockey skills. Photos by Laura Bednar. Genna Gallucci and Kaden Schuette practicedskating along the edge of the […]
City sets new burial costs
by Laura Bednar Jan. 9 city council meeting With phase II of the Maple Shade Cemetery expansion substantially complete, Independence City Council approved increased prices for burials in the new portion of the cemetery, just south of the Cleveland Cavaliers practice facility driveway. The older portion of the cemetery has 25 burial sites left, according […]
School district earns five stars in all but two areas
by Laura Bednar The Independence Local School District received an overall four-star rating on the 2023 state report card. The Ohio Department of Education’s star-based system defines four stars as “exceeding state standards.” The state rates schools in five categories: performance on state tests; student progress; reducing learning gaps for student subgroups; measuring four- and […]
Monitoring is next step in Brandywine spill cleanup
by Judy Stringer Tinker’s Creek Watershed Partners will increase water quality monitoring along Brandywine Creek in response to the Jan. 27 tanker crash on state Route 8 in Macedonia that released diesel fuel into the nearby stream. “We already have citizen scientists that work with our watershed coordinator and visit a set of sites along […]
Free prom dresses for Northeast Ohio Girls at Princess Night Project
Girls from high schools throughout Northeast Ohio are invited to choose the prom dress of their dreams free at Altrusa International of Akron’s annual Princess Night Project. Since 2001, local members of Altrusa International, a volunteer service organization, have helped make prom dreams come true for more than 2,400 girls by providing them with a […]
Plan ahead to make your primary vote count
The March 19 Presidential Primary Election is a partisan primary election where voters must select one of three ballot types on their vote-by-mail applications, when voting early in-person or on election day at the polls. Voters must choose either an Issues Only, Republican or Democratic Ballot. A party ballot contains candidates from the Democratic or […]
Maple Shade Cemetery expansion includes 1,300 gravesites
by Lori Gray Maple Shade Cemetery, established in 1851 with nearly 4,000 gravesites, had fewer than 30 traditional cemetery plots remaining for purchase in 2023. With such limited space left, it was necessary for the city to develop long-term solutions to handle resident burials, according to City Planner Annie Lynch. The two-phase plan included a […]
County tax, liquor permit on March ballot
by Laura Bednar Cuyahoga County is proposing a tax renewal on the March 19 primary ballot for “supplementing general fund appropriations for health and human or social services,” according to ballot language. The 4.8-mill tax levy amounts to $131 for each $100,000 of the Cuyahoga County Fiscal Officer’s appraised value. It is estimated the levy […]
CVCC seeks award nominations
The Cuyahoga Valley Career Center is seeking candidates for its Distinguished Alumni Award for exemplary accomplishment in and contribution to industry, community and education. Candidates should have completed a one- or two-year CVCC high school program or an entire adult education workforce development program in 2014 or earlier. This award recognizes outstanding career achievements in […]
The Grapevine
It is with sadness that the Independence Police Department reported the passing of police K-9 Argo at the end of January. He was 10 years old and was partner to officer Bryan Vitron. Argo was trained to sniff out narcotics, track a fleeing suspect and employ crowd control tactics. Outside of police work, Argo could […]
Boys’ volleyball prepares for second season after Final Four appearance
After an incredible inaugural season and a Final Four appearance in the first Ohio High School Athletic Association boys’ volleyball tournament, the Independence High School Blue Devils return to the court this spring. Last year’s launch of the IHS boys’ volleyball program coincided with the OHSAA sanctioning volleyball as a sport. In late spring, the […]
Police Beat
nformation provided by the Independence Police Department Dec. 30—Police encountered a disabled vehicle on I-480E. During a probable cause search of the vehicle, officers found marijuana, firearms and $550 in cash. The driver and two passengers were cited for attempted drug trafficking and marijuana paraphernalia. Dec. 31—A vehicle struck the meridian on I-480E and was […]
Cuyahoga Valley Genealogy Society
The Cuyahoga Valley Genealogical Society will hold its monthly meeting on Monday, March 4, 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. This month’s speaker is from the LDS Family Research Center in Westlake. Learn about their in-house […]