Sutton and Renacci camps spar over anarchists

How contentious will the race get for Ohio's newly drawn 16th Congressional District?

The nastiness escalated last week when the National Republican Congressional Committee issued a press release criticizing Copley Township Rep. Betty Sutton, a Democrat, for being slow to denounce an anarchist plot to blow up a bridge over Cuyahoga Valley National Park.

Trustees hear resident complaints, discuss inflatables proposal

Numerous issues were discussed at the May 10 Medina Township Trustees meeting, including the inflatables proposal brought to the Zoning Commission and also heard grievances from residents about disruptive neighbors.

S. Medina Street warehouse destroyed in morning fire

MEDINA - Firefighters from several departments worked to extinguish a blaze at an old warehouse on S. State Street late Wednesday morning.

Debate continues on Community Improvement Corporation

MEDINA - For nearly an hour-and-a-half, officials and residents debated the merits of the city forming a Community Improvement Corporation.

Kitchen fire closes Dominic's/JoJo's Tuesday night

MEDINA - A popular downtown restaurant was damaged by a kitchen fire Tuesday evening.

The fire was reported shortly before 10 p.m. at Dominic's Italian Restaurant and JoJo's Sports Bar, which are operated together in a building on the corner of South Jefferson and East Washington streets. It started with a grease fire on the stove, according to Medina Fire Chief Bob Painter. Employees tried to extinguish it themselves. The fire suppression system also activated, although Painter said they were still looking into whether it was properly working.

Medina man pleads to child porn charges

A Medina man pleaded guilty to six counts of possessing pornographic videos of children May 10.

Aaron Schumacher, 25, was charged with second-degree felony counts of pandering sexually oriented material involving a minor, all second-degree felonies.

County proclaims May Older Americans Month

Medina County commissioners proclaimed May as Older Americans Month and May 15 Senior Day in Medina County. Commissioners also saluted the Office for Older Adults which provides services and activities to area residents 60 and older in an effort to help them maintain their health and independence.

May not so merry for teen accident victims

May is a big month for traffic deaths, especially among teens.

"We've only had one fatal crash in Medina County so far this year," said Brunswick Police Lt. Brian Ohlin. "We have to watch out in May, though, because we had four or five fatalities in that month last year."

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.

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.

Neighborhood watch

Montville Township

April 27 - Two boys reported a road rage incident that had occurred that afternoon starting when they left Blake Elementary School on Lexington Ridge Drive. While going through traffic, the boys saw an unknown male driver honking his horn at them. In response, one of the boys gave the driver the middle finger. The driver then followed them down the street until they made it home. At this point, the man reportedly approached one of the boys, ripped his sunglasses off his face and then yelled at both of them. Neither boy was injured.

Science classes Walk for Water around track

While the proceeds for the first-ever Walk for Water went to help local needy families, the walk around Medina High School's track May 4 was to demonstrate the distance some must walk to get water in other parts of the world.

Safety Town planned for Windfall School

By RITA JEAN WAGAR

Plans for the first-ever Safety Town at Windfall School, 4691 Windfall Road, are well underway. The program, which is being developed specifically for children with special needs from kindergarten age through third grade, will take place July 23 through 27 from 9:15 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. in the school gymnasium with some outdoor activities, weather permitting.

Grocery shopping with service

Grocery shopping at Hawkins Market was always a treat when I was a child.

My parents would let me ride on the bottom shelf of the shopping carts, which were of a style not found at other local grocery stores and had more than enough room for a 5-year-old. To top it off, kind Mr. Hawkins, who owned the store, could often be found working there. He would give out special treats to children, such as myself, which contributed to the excitement of shopping.

Traffic tie-ups, Route 3 development discussion items at Ward 4 meeting

Residents at the Ward 4 meeting May 7 heard from city council members and other city leaders and expressed concerns of their own, mostly about traffic issues and future development on state Route 3.

Villanova University

Alexandra Wasik, of Medina, was named to the dean's list at Villanova University for the fall 2011 semester. To qualify, one must be a matriculated full-time student and earn a semester grade point average of at least 3.5.

First-graders beautify Blake

On April 24, the first-graders at Blake Elementary helped with a school beautification project in the center courtyard of the school headed by Jan Sullivan, who is one of the first-grade teachers. Eight yards of mulch and five yards of topsoil were graciously donated by Smith Bros. of Medina.

Street Talk

See the sites during the Parade of Homes

Curiosity brought out the crowds to the annual Medina County Spring Scattered Site Parade of Homes this past weekend.

A total of 21 new models, built by 14 different builders, were opened to the public May 5. The tour will run through Sunday, May 20 from noon to 6 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays only and is closed during the weekdays.

Safety Town registration ongoing, but funding issues remain

As organizers of Medina Safety Town prepare for another year of teaching incoming kindergarten students the basics of fire, bike and bus safety among other things, they are spending much of their time looking to fill a funding gap.

Reader poll – vote here!

Henwood named county planning director

Robert Henwood has been selected to take over as director of the Medina County Planning Services Department.

He will replace interim director Susan Hirsch, who will return to her former position of associate planner when Henwood takes over as planning director May 29.

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.

Military flag returned to rightful owner

When Cindy Schleigh happened upon a military burial flag at the Medina Antique Mall, she felt a tug at her heartstrings.

"When I saw the flag in the store, I was heartbroken. I don't think others will truly understand unless they have served, as well. That flag represents a veteran's service, sacrifice and life," Schleigh, who served in the United States Air Force Security Police Force, said.

Residents ask for charter changes to appear in November

MEDINA - Three local residents have taken it upon themselves to see through two previously rejected amendments to the city charter.