Officers, community celebrate National Police Week

Trying on tactical gear and getting behind the wheel of several SWAT vehicles were just two activities the community's youth were able to do last weekend as part of the annual National Police Week event, hosted by the Brunswick Division of Police.

Walk-a-Thon benefits educational programs

About 200 walkers, volunteers and sponsors gathered at Memorial Park in Wadsworth May 12 for The Wadsworth Salvation Army's annual Walk-the-Talk Walk-a-Thon, which benefits the organization's educational programs.

Belly dancers surprise shoppers

LODI - It was the height of the lunch hour. The food court was buzzing with activity. Suddenly the train pulled into the station and over 20 dancers wiggled their way among the dining tables and broke into belly dancing.

Adopt-a-thon draws 500

By RITA JEAN WAGAR

More than 500 people attended the 15th annual Medina County Pet Adopt-a-thon May 5 at the Medina National Guard Armory on West Lafayette Road, sponsored by Medina County Auditor Mike Kovack and his staff and the Medina County Animal Shelter. Additional helpers were students from Brunswick Middle School National Junior Honor Society and students from the animal care program at the Medina County Career Center. At least 75 pets found new homes, including dogs, cats, puppies and kittens.

Indians' mistakes costly in final

By TODD STUMPF

The Post sports editor

BARBERTON - For Rittman's baseball team to repeat its magical run to the edge of the 2011 state tournament, among the bigger concerns was finding a solid No. 2 starter behind Lance Horner. Senior Dylan Litman provided the Indians exactly that.

WHS Class of 2012 graduates

The final class to graduate from the existing Wadsworth High School has crossed the stage and accepted its diplomas.

The 2012 commencement ceremony, which was held Sunday, May 13 in the West Gym, recognized nearly 370 Wadsworth High School seniors. The graduates, many of whom completed their entire schooling in Wadsworth City Schools, will head out to colleges, universities, the armed forces and careers over the next few months; however, they will always have a home in Wadsworth.

Clevidence honored at council meeting

SEVILLE - Police Chief Donny Burson acknowledged the efforts of Gabe Clevidence for his work with a recent spaghetti dinner fundraiser that brought in $1,700 that will go toward the purchase of a four-wheel emergency vehicle to be used where an ambulance cannot reach, such as a farm field. Clevidence was presented with a certificate of appreciation. Approximately $4,000 more is needed and Clevidence and his dad, John, will be approaching larger businesses in the village and township for a contribution. The machine can also be used to patrol the walking trails in the village.

Firefighters' Association to restore fire truck

By RITA JEAN WAGAR

The first Sharon Township fire truck, a 1950 Chevrolet, which was purchased by trustees more than 60 years ago and sold after 36 years of service, was reacquired by the Sharon Township Firefighters' Association in June 2010. It will be restored to its original condition and will be used to carry fallen firefighters, emergency medical technicians, law enforcement officers and members of the military to their final resting place.

Expert predicts houses likely to replace farms in Medina County

Medina County is still growing and is likely to continue doing so according to Tom Bier, a senior fellow at the Maxine Goodman Levin College of Urban Affairs at Cleveland State University.

YMCA to host 'soft opening' for members by May 21

It's finally here. The day residents and city officials have sought after for decades. The day North Royalton finally has a recreational center to call its own.

Final shooting victim dies from injuries

Kayla Allen, the 10-year-old Chapman Elementary School fifth-grade student that was shot by her father at the Brooklyn Cracker Barrel restaurant, died from her injuries on May 15.

Scoarste blasts Bees into regional

Two big momentum swings and one huge swing of the bat. That's what it took to send Medina's softball team to the regional tournament for the first time in eight years.

Panthers come up short

Two Norton singles players and one doubles team came within one match of qualifying from the Orrville Division II Sectional at the College of Wooster.

AMMY car show to benefit Strongsville students

They are things of beauty, things of power and things to be admired. These things are classic vehicles. And these things will be on display in the Boston Commons lot at the corner of W. 130th St. and Hunt Road in Strongsville on Saturday, May 19 from noon until 4 p.m. This initial event is free and open to the public. The rain date for the event is Sunday, May 20.

A learning experience

MEDINA - Build it and they will learn.

That was the philosophy behind a recent collaboration between the city's parks department and the carpentry II class at the Medina County Career Center. The students built a new pavilion at Sam Masi Park on Gates Mills Boulevard in Medina.

Highland fifth-graders graduate from D.A.R.E.

By RITA JEAN WAGAR

It looked like Christmas in May as approximately 250 fifth-graders from Sharon, Granger, and Hinckley Elementary schools, all wearing green D.A.R.E. shirts, and the high school D.A.R.E. role models, wearing red shirts, filled the Highland Middle School gymnasium May 2 for the D.A.R.E. graduation ceremony. They had reason to celebrate after having successfully completed a 10-week core curriculum course in Drug Abuse Resistance Education. The seats in the bleachers were packed with onlookers.

Zook comes up short

Chippewa boys tennis player Neil Zook came within one win of qualifying May 10 from the Orrville Division II Sectional at the College of Wooster.

Langlois aces as Bees advance

Credit Medina softball coach Jess Toocheck for sticking to her guns. And for having the foresight to keep her biggest gun loaded and close by.

Grizzlies come up just short

At some point, Wadsworth's softball team's three-year, eight-game losing streak to Copley will come to an end. That it did not end Monday in the Barberton Division I District semifinals is no indictment of the current Grizzlies.

Colts' memorable year comes to end

All things considered, Cloverleaf's softball team would rather still be playing. That the Colts' season ended when it did, though, was still significant.

Additional cuts announced, students read winning essays

Before announcing more reductions, Buckeye Superintendent Brian Williams introduced four sixth-grade students who won an essay contest that concluded their participation in the school's D.A.R.E. program.

Above and beyond expectations

A solid wage on which you can live is an often-elusive goal in today's economy. With the Ohio minimum wage set at $7.70 per hour, and the federal at $7.25, an employer who sets their own starting wages at nearly double that is hard to find.

A growing business

We live in a world of pollutants, toxins and chemicals.

They can be found in our favorite foods and the air we breathe. Society is becoming more and more attuned to their potentially harmful effects, yet many people still do not think twice about treating their yards, flowers and gardens with pure chemicals year after year to achieve that nice green turf and beautiful bloom.

A learning experience

MEDINA - Build it and they will learn.

That was the philosophy behind a recent collaboration between the city's parks department and the carpentry II class at the Medina County Career Center. The students built a new pavilion at Sam Masi Park on Gates Mills Boulevard in Medina.

Walk-a-Thon raises over $11,000 for PTO

The second annual Granger Walk-A-Thon was held on May 4 to help raise funds for the PTO. The event was a fun and friendly competition where students asked for pledges from family and friends.