OCTOBER IS FIRE SAFETY MONTH -Know the tips to keep you and your family safe

By GLORIA PLEVA KACIK Contributing Writer

October is National Fire Safety Month. North Royalton Fire Chief Bob Chegan notes that while overall prevention is important, arming yourself with smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and having an escape plan can save your life. Chegan advises residents to have a working smoke detector on every level of your home, outside of every sleeping area and one in every bedroom. Install carbon monoxide detectors near sleeping areas. Make sure that the detectors are operable and that the batteries are fresh.

The two kinds of smoke detector techno ....

SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT BOND ISSUE AND LEVY ON NOV 4 BALLOT

By GLORIA PLEVA KACIK Contributing Writer

North Royalton voters will have another opportunity to vote on an improvement issue for the North Royalton School District. The North Royalton Board of Education voted at their July Board meeting to place a 28-year, 1.66 mill bond issue, plus a continuing 1 mill permanent improvement levy on the November 4 ballot. This comes after voters rejected Bond Issues three times. The following, is what voters will see on the November 4 ballot - Issue #10:

"NORTH ROYALTON CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT Proposed Bond Issue and Tax Levy

Shall the No ....

Harvest Fest ushers in autumn and helps fund winter holiday

By JOE JASTRZEMSKI Contributing Writer

We may want to ignore it, but there are signs that autumn is just around the corner. The beautiful colors show that the season of fall is ready to explode. Orange pumpkins are starting to appear. The green leaves of summer are turning into browns, reds and yellows. Days are getting shorter. In North Royalton, there’s one other noticeable sign that autumn is near. It’s Harvest Fest Time.

Years ago when agriculture dominated the landscape of North Royalton, gatherings like this would take place at a farmer’s home where food would be serve ....

September is National Preparedness Month – Are you prepared?

Are you prepared for any potential emergency or disaster? If you answered yes, then you get a gold star in preparedness; if you answered no, let the North Royalton Community Emergency Response Team (NRCERT) help steer you in the right direction.

Sponsored by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), National Preparedness Month was created to educate people on the importance of being prepared for and to respond to all types of emergencies ranging from natural to man-made disasters. Every year FEMA picks a new theme to set the mood for the month’s campaign. For 2014 the theme ....

Mayor asks state officials to take action on deer problem

By GLORIA PLEVA KACIK Contributing Writer

Mayor Bob Stefanik hopes that leaders from other northeast Ohio communities will join him in sending a message down state. The message: the deer belong to you and the problems that the deer have created are your responsibility. The ever-increasing population of deer caused and ever increasing amount of damage to vegetation and increased motor vehicle collisions every year.

Discussion has taken place among the various community leaders at a recent Cuyahoga County Mayors and Manager Meeting, according to Stefanik. He has drafted a letter, wi ....

130th annual community festival ready to go

Whatcha doin’ this weekend? If you want to have some fun, come on down to the 130th annual North Royalton Community Festival August 22, 23 and 24, on the City Green at the corner of Ridge and Royalton Roads. Hours are 6 p.m. - midnight on Friday; noon-midnight on Saturday; and noon - 9 p.m. on Sunday. Continuous entertainment at the gazebo will offer enjoyment to young and old alike. On Friday at 6 p.m., newly crowned pageant winners will be introduced to the community.

Come see some very talented teen bands, such as Velocity Band, Paige Heiftke and Friends, followed by DJ Music. ....

Wrong Rumpke info leads to misprint

By GLORIA PLEVA KACIK Contributing Writer

Mayor Bob Stefanik’s office received a number of calls relating the recent story regarding recycling guidelines. The story came about when a resident called Rumpke Waste and Recycling to inquire about the items that could be recycled. Rumpke took over rubbish/recycling duties in the city. Rumpke told her that only plastic bottles and jugs could be recycled. She was upset to hear it, as she was an avid recycler and contacted the Recorder to see if it was true.

Rumpke officials did verify the information, but, according to Stefanik, the in ....

Pets make a big splash at annual Pet Carnival

Pets and their owners loved another fun day at the 9th annual North Royalton Pet Carnival on Sunday, August 3, at the City Green. The pet carnival that is growing bigger and bigger every year is sponsored by the North Royalton Animal Hospital and Paws at Play Resort and Daycare. It was a perfect sunny, warm afternoon to bring out the pets and enjoy visiting with other North Royalton residents, as well as many visitors from other communities.

Breeds of all varieties came to the party, some dressed up to match their proud owners. From the Great Danes to the tiny Chihuahuas, this was t ....

Blueberries: Not just for pancakes anymore

By GLORIA PLEVA KACIK Contributing Writer

Now is the time to pick and enjoy blueberries. Depending upon the variety, blueberries ripen from June through August. Whether you have blueberry bushes, go to a blueberry picking farm, or just pick up a pint or two at the grocery store, now is the time to take advantage of their abundance and fresh flavor. You may also want to freeze them for later in the fall or winter. Blueberries that have not been washed should stay fresh, if refrigerated and kept dry, up to two weeks. To freeze, place dry, unwashed blueberries in plastic bags or containers a ....

Beware of Distraction Burglaries

By GLORIA PLEVA KACIK Contributing Writer

Recently, North Royalton police responded to a Patricia Drive residence where there was a report of a distraction burglary. Cash and jewelry were stolen when two white males distracted the older couple. The man was escorted to the back yard under to guise of reviewing a “water problem.” Meanwhile, the woman was confronted by the other male, who entered through the front door. He told her that he needed to go into the bathroom in the back to turn on the water. He then proceeded to move into another area of the house, where the theft took place. ....