Mogadore
Mogadore Police Chief Todd Higgins announced the department’s annual awards March 15 at a village council meeting.
Officer Colin Whitmyer won the Meritorious Conduct Award, given to a member of the police department for outstanding accomplishment that contributes to a more efficient and effective department and for his efforts in consistently identifying and removing criminal elements off the streets of Mogadore. Whitmyer has the department’s highest number of felony arrests for the last couple years. Specifically, on Sept. 1, 2022, Whitmyer made a traffic stop and discovered a large bag of marijuana, drug paraphernalia and an AR-15 rifle.
Commendation Awards were given to Sergeant John Josef for 15 years of dedicated service to the department and to Officer Timothy Nidiffer for 10 years of dedicated service to the department. Nidiffer also won a Leadership Award in taser training. Also winning Leadership Awards were Officer Johnnie Slayton in firearms training and Officer Kevin Love in Stop Stick training.
Higgins also announced the police department’s Civilian Awards, given a few times per year to people who have cooperated or assisted the department in a significant way. Tam Taylor, the owner of Taylor Telecommunications Warehouse at 3470 Gilchrist Road, won a Civilian Award for his many years of dedicated support to the department.
“Mr. Taylor and his company through the years have donated numerous amounts of cameras and other technology materials to help our department,” Higgins said.
Civilian Awards were also given to O.H. Somers Elementary School Principal Sandra Isabella, Assistant to the Principal Sharon Fournier, teachers Leslie Smith and Christine Brinkley, and crossing guard Dan Lekic. Since the school is located right in the middle of a residential area, dropoffs in the morning and pickups in the afternoon can be hectic. Isabella, Fournier, Smith, Brinkley and Lekic were awarded because of their work with Higgins and Mogadore Schools Superintendent John Knapp on greeting cars as they arrive in the morning so children can get into school faster and safer, and for creating a plan in which the children are let out of school at staggered times.
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The Mogadore Historical Society will have another soup and sandwich fundraiser luncheon from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, April 12 at the Russell M. Pry Community Center at 3857 Mogadore Road. For $10 or less, you can have a great lunch. This will be the last luncheon until the fall.
Randolph
Randolph is looking to get one of its fire engines refurbished.
“It’s a 1997 fire truck that’s probably one of our best fire engines we’ve had in a long, long time,” township Trustee Nick Reynolds said. “We’re getting quotes to extend the life of that truck another 15-20 years instead of purchasing a new one.”
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The township is looking into the feasibility of building a restroom/pavilion with picnic tables at the old Waterloo Middle School playground on state Route 44.
“We’re applying for a grant of more than $100,000 from the Kubota Corporation,” Reynolds said. “It looks like what they’re looking for regarding projects, so our project looks like it will fit into that pretty well. We’re waiting to get the final plans back so we can get an estimated construction cost.”
The playground is all-inclusive as would be the restroom/pavilion.
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The township will host its 41st annual fire department Easter Egg Hunt rain or shine from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, April 2 at the Randolph Fire Department. There will also be fire truck rides, and popcorn and punch will be available. The event is for children up to 8 years old.
Brimfield
Brimfield is exploring the potential proposal of a new road garage and salt shed.
“Right now, we’re just in the architecture phase and getting an estimator to give us a ballpark figure of what it would cost to see if it’s something we could afford to do,” township Trustee Nic Coia said. “The road department has really outgrown the current road garage on Edson Road. They’re running out of space. The new garage would be bigger than the current one.”
The township acquired an additional piece of land next to the current garage, so the new garage would be right next to it.
“If we do build a new garage,” Coia said, “the parks and recreation department might use part of the current garage for something.”
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The township is still waiting on an update from the parks and recreation department related to a pavilion with picnic tables getting installed at the Town Center Fields.
“We have plans drawn up for it,” Coia said, “but now there’s a proposal to change the layout. We’re just having initial talks with the architect.”
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The Brimfield Historical Society will host an Easter Egg Hunt at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 1 at the Kelso House at 4158 State Route 43. The Easter Bunny will be there! The event is for children ages 12 and under.
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The township will hold an Ohio Baby Animals event from 10 to 11 a.m. Friday, April 7 at the Brimfield Community Center at 4538 Edson Road. It is an educational story and activity about baby animals in Ohio. There will also be some craft activities for children. Admission is free.
Suffield
Suffield is putting out bids for its chip and seal program for several roads, about five to six miles worth. The deadline for bid openings is Tuesday, April 25. To put in a bid, contact the road department at 330-628-4974.
Atwater
Atwater hired a contractor to take down 18 oak trees at the Atwater Township Cemetery.
“Some people were upset, but two of the trees had to be taken down anyway because they were dead, and another was not looking good,” township Chair John Kovacich said. “The cost of maintaining the trees and picking up the leaves and branches was just too much. Our road department is cleaning it up.”
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The township will host a community pancake breakfast from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, April 2 at Atwater Town Hall. Admission is free.
