The Singing Angels mark 60 years of making a difference
by Karen Nathan Make music. Make friends. Make a difference. That was the mission, plain and simple, when Bill Boehm founded The Singing Angels 60 years ago. A lifelong performer, Boehm returned home to Cleveland after World War II and became the stage director of Cleveland’s Musicarnival, a theater-in-the-round located on the Thistledown Racetrack property. […]
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Residents voice opinions on zoning changes for Concordia development
by Laura Bednar Aug. 13 city council meeting Preceding the Independence City Council meeting was a public hearing on a proposed zoning overlay district for property the city purchased from Concordia Lutheran Church, which would allow for smaller housing lot sizes than existing zoning permits. Economic Development Director Jessica Hyser said the plan is to […]
Zoning changes, land sale approved for Concordia property
by Laura Bednar Sept. 10 city council meeting With a 5-2 vote, Independence city council approved adding an overlay district to the city’s zoning code, applying that overlay to two land parcels the city purchased at Brecksville and Stone roads, and selling those parcels to Petros Homes to develop maintenance-free homes on site. The final […]
Board selects new CVCC representative
by Laura Bednar Aug. 26 special board of education meeting The Independence Board of Education chose a new appointee to represent the school district on the Cuyahoga Valley Career Center School Board, following the death of former rep Russell Fortlage. Board members unanimously approved Linda O’Neil for the position. She is a 37-year resident of […]
Teacher hired for expanding kindergarten classes
by Laura Bednar Sept. 3 special board of education meeting Independence Board of Education hired a long-term substitute, Joy Lewis, as a kindergarten teacher for the 2024-25 school year. At the board’s regular August meeting, Superintendent Kelli Cogan said each of the three kindergarten classes had 23 students, an increase from 21 at the beginning […]
Pooches end the summer with doggie paddle in community pool [photos]
Derek Malicki stands with his dog Rosie on the jungle gym inthe middle of the pool. Remi is nervous to test the water as his owner Jamie Carselthrows a tennis ball. A golden retriever enjoys splashing andrunning in the water. Murphy swims proudly with his ball. Jase doesn’t tire from fetching his toy. Photo (main/above): […]
Letter to the Editor
Advertiser offers residents a chance to refute his claims To the Editor: It’s come to my attention that my advertisement in the September Independence Today upset a few of our fellow citizens, some of whom suggested that my ad be censored. I take seriously the responsibility of publishing information about elections; I research carefully and […]
Letter to the Editor
Concordia resistance To the Editor: For months, I have witnessed the desperate pleas of residents who are begging Independence Mayor Greg Kurtz and council not to destroy our city. Over our strong opposition, plans are now in place to change our zoning laws so future houses can be built on much smaller lots. The new lots […]
The Peach Cobbler Factory opens in Rockside Corners
by Alfred Hood The Peach Cobbler Factory in Rockside Corners Shopping Center has only been open since May, but patrons are already flocking to the Independence location to sample its sweets. Owners Wendy Ladd and her husband Phil were inspired to open a Peach Cobbler location when a friend also bought into the franchise. Ladd […]
Indy Sewing Studio teaches stitching skills for all generations
by Charles Cassady Dana Rowan, founder of the Indy Sewing Studio, said her new business in Independence perseveres, in an art and industry that is literally hanging by a thread. “My family made a lot of garments,” the Indiana transplant said. “We sold our own clothes. People in the old days would do that. They […]
The Grapevine
by Laura Bednar Longtime member of the Independence Athletic Boosters, Ron Bernstein, transitioned out of his role as treasurer in June with the graduation of his youngest son, Nathan. He has been a board member for 15 years, serving in every role, including president. He was treasurer for the past nine years. Ron Bernstein. Photo […]
Independence Boys Soccer team seeks fresh start
by Chris Collins Last season was one of the Independence High School Boys Soccer team’s most successful. The senior-dominated Blue Devils posted a 13-7-1 record and won the Division III District Tournament before falling in the regional semi-final to fellow Chagrin Valley Conference member Beachwood. The district championship was the first in five years for […]
Police Beat
Information provided by the Independence Police Department July 28—Officers stopped a vehicle on I-77 N for expired tags and found a firearm, 29 individual clear bags of suspected marijuana and an open bottle of Hennessy liquor. The driver was charged with having weapons under disability. July 29—A female was issued a criminal summons for theft […]
Cuyahoga Valley Genealogical Society
The Cuyahoga Valley Genealogical Society will hold its monthly meeting on Monday, Oct. 7, at 7 p.m. Members and interested public are invited to attend at the Willow Room of the Independence Civic Center, 6363 Selig Blvd. This month’s presentation is “Route 66: A Serendipity Escapade Never to be Forgotten,” presented by Carol Schroeder. Schroeder […]
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Changes Coming to Freon and Air Conditioners
by Tom Olecki, Owner, Broadview Heating On the horizon again is a major change to the freon that affects new air conditioners and heat pumps for residential and commercial use. First, here is a little history of what has changed since 2010 regarding freon in air conditioners. Back in 2010, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) […]
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Can Poor Sleep Increase Your Risk of Alzheimer’s?
by Dan A. Baron, Baron Law LLC As an elder law attorney, I often engage with families struggling with a loved one suffering from Alzheimer’s. This disease is the most common form of dementia and is one that is devastating to endure for family members. We care about our seniors, and aside from the legal […]
Annual Home Days features food, music, entertainment and sports
Residents took part in a variety of activities during Home Days weekend on Friday, Aug. 2, and Saturday, Aug. 3. After a rainy start on Friday, residents persevered to enjoy carnival rides, performances from live dance groups and musicians and a whole host of food truck options. On Saturday, a parade marched through Elmwood Park. […]
INDY Alive celebrates 25 years of supporting youth, community
by Laura Bednar The “25 & Alive” program and its youth participants have both made it through the turbulent times of childhood to reach the 25-year milestone. After a quarter century, the program has evolved into “INDY Alive,” broadening the focus from underage drinking and drug prevention to support for the community as a whole. […]
County Board of Elections launches election integrity voter education campaign
(Cleveland) – The Cuyahoga County Board of Elections has initiated an Election Integrity Series, a comprehensive nine-topic program designed to educate and engage the community on various aspects of the election process. This series aims to enhance transparency, build trust, and ensure a well-informed electorate by delving into the mechanisms that uphold the integrity of […]
City to split Fieldhouse lot maintenance with schools
by Laura Bednar July 9 city council meeting Independence will take responsibility for half of the Fieldhouse parking lot next to Independence High School. Economic Development Director Jessica Hyser said there was uncertainty about who owns the parking lot, the city or Independence Local Schools. Independence City Council voted to amend its shared use agreement […]
Interim superintendent gives updates on busing, district projects
by Laura Bednar July 31 board of education meeting Interim Superintendent Tom Dreiling gave an update on ongoing projects within the Independence school district and the status of busing. Two Independence residents have expressed interest in driving school bus routes in the afternoon. One person is taking classes to become a bus driver and the […]
City is host to global PEZamania conference
A commemorative PEZ dispenser wasmade in honor of the PEZamania PEZlympicGames, held July 17-20 at theHoliday Inn on Rockside Road. Photosby Charles Cassady. Tom Zellmer, of Oshkosh, Wisconsin, a26-year visitor to PEZamania, prideshimself on having extremely unusual andrare PEZ collectibles. Here he shows offa Camilla Elphick-designed PEZ-heeledwoman’s shoe from Europe (asking $420)and, in the background […]
Solar panels becoming popular option for energy savings
by Dan Holland The installation of solar panels on residential homes has become a popular option in recent years in Independence and nearby communities. Certain groups, such as the nonprofit solar advocacy group Solar United Neighbors, provide cooperative buying programs throughout Cuyahoga County. Independence residents David Sagerser and his wife, Christine Krol, went through SUN […]
Police Beat
Information provided by the Independence Police Department June 27—Police recovered a vehicle on I-77 that had been involved in a hit skip earlier this year. The vehicle was abandoned and was confirmed stolen through Willoughby. June 27—Six people were arrested for engaging in or soliciting of prostitution and possession of criminal tools at a Patriots […]
Cuyahoga Valley Genealogy Society
Cuyahoga Valley Genealogical Society will hold its monthly meeting on Monday, Sept. 9, at 7 p.m. Members and interested public are invited to attend at the Willow Room of the Independence Civic Center, 6363 Selig Blvd. in Independence. We’re starting our new season with a dive into the world of genetic genealogy, which has revolutionized […]
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What is a trust? Why do I need one?
by Dan A. Baron, Baron Law LLC If you are familiar with the basics of estate planning, then you have likely heard of a trust. The term “trust” itself can be fairly ambiguous and refer to a wide variety of estate-planning tools. What all trusts have in common is that they are used to provide […]
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The Weight of Air
by Tom Olecki, Owner, Broadview Heating Ever wonder why your basement is cooler than your main floor or why the second floor of your two story home is always warmer than your main floor? Even when your air conditioner is running properly, I’m sure you’ve noticed rooms get warmer the higher you go in your […]
Planning commission recommends zoning district for Concordia property
by Laura Bednar Aug. 6 planning commission meeting The Independence Planning Commission unanimously recommended that city council approve a zoning overlay district for the two parcels the city purchased from the Concordia Lutheran Church. The overlay district for the land at Stone and Brecksville roads will reduce the minimum lot sizes and property setbacks compared […]
Independence first-time host to Radio Field Day
by Charles Cassady A leading technology brand came to Independence in June. But it was not a giant corporate headquarters or digital hub. Rather, the Cuyahoga Amateur Radio Society, for the first time, utilized Elmwood Park for a 24-hour period as its base station for “Field Day” 2024. “It used to be in Seven Hills,” […]
Community gathers for Independence Day celebration [photos]
Family members (l-r) Kailee Schwender,Ellie Schwender, Quinn Schwenderand Rachael Mummert gatheron a blanket in Elmwood Park. The Reed family, (l-r) Paisely, Cee, Zariah and Breasia, was among the many community members present in Elmwood Park on July 3. The night ended with a colorful fireworksshow. Photos by Chloe Leng.