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Ward 3 Councilman, Dan Langshaw, resigns after Council vote to bring charges

Ward 3 Councilman, Dan Langshaw, has resigned from the North Royalton City Council. On July 4, Langshaw posted his letter of resignation to North Royalton Mayor and Council President on social media. This comes after Council voted 6-0 to bring charges against him, after a recording of a questionable phone call to a city employee was released to the public regarding the recent jail closing issue. His resignation letter states that upon the June 30 special council meeting, “ the conduct of the President of Council denying the residents for or against me to even be heard, and none of you membe ....

Jul 9, 2020

Police body cams soon to be operational

The North Royalton Police Department will soon be fully functioning with the assistance of body cameras and dash cams. North Royalton Police Chief Ken Bilinovich said that the cams are expected to be up and running by the middle of July. Training for the new cameras began in early July, after the new standard operating procedures were completed by the Lieutenant in charge, according to Bilinovich. He said that the officers will have the cams turned on from roll call until the time they come back. “There will be no time when it will be shut off, except for certain situations, such as going i ....

Jul 7, 2020

Requests for assistance – and ways to find help – increase locally

It has been four months since the World Health Organization (WHO) declared COVID-19 a pandemic and in that time requests for local emergency food assistance continue to trend upwards. Terry Close, Mission and Ministry Coordinator at Royal Redeemer Lutheran Church, which houses the North Royalton Food Bank, said requests for help have jumped along with the number of people living together and cohabitating under one roof and asking for assistance. “It may be that adult children are moving back in with their parents or that two families are coming together to live in one household. We’re no ....

Jul 7, 2020

State legislation amendment helps School District’s bottom line

North Royalton School officials have just closed the books on the 2020 fiscal year financials. At the time of this writing, they expect that they will have ended on a positive note, partially as a result of an amendment to an Ohio bill that would reduce district funding. “Thanks to House Bill 164, the North Royalton Schools will see their reduction of funds decrease from $1.1 million to approximately $642,500,” confirmed North Royalton City Schools Superintendent Greg Gurka. The bill was introduced in the Ohio House of Representatives on March 25, 2019 and in the Ohio Senate on November 1 ....

Jul 7, 2020

Community Garden Experiences Growing Pains

The North Royalton Community Garden is not only growing like gang busters this year with the summer’s bounty of fresh vegetables, but also the garden, itself, is growing in size! The garden, since its inception has been very popular with residents, a waiting list is continually being maintained and updated. With that, there has been talk over the years about expanding the garden. Several years ago, there was a planned expansion, which was to take place with the assistance of an Eagle Scout project. Unfortunately, that did not take place. The garden committee continued to discuss various pot ....

Jul 7, 2020

Cemetery refurbishing continues

The facelift of the North Royalton Cemetery continues. North Royalton City Council adopted legislation at their June 16 meeting that approves a change order regarding the one of the cemetery projects that recently commenced. North Royalton’s main cemetery has been targeted for a sprucing up over the past few years by the City administration. The cemetery is located at 6170 Royalton Road, and is one of two cemeteries in North Royalton. The City started the process to refurbish the stone outbuilding, known as the receiving vault last year. The building once served to hold the deceased over th ....

Jul 7, 2020

Mayor reverses decision, jail now to remain open

On June 22, Mayor Larry Antoskiewicz released a statement stating that the North Royalton Jail will remain open, as an understanding was reached with the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) Lodge 15, Correction Officers. The agreement is pending an opportunity for the Corrections Officers to reduce expenses and increase revenue. “I am pleased for all parties that we are now able to work together with our corrections officers in a concerted effort to address the historical, annual deficits in the operation of our city jail, “ said Antoskiewicz. He had announced the jail closing on April 29. Th ....

Jun 23, 2020

School Board News

The North Royalton Board of Education held their regular monthly meeting on Monday, June 8. The meeting was held virtually. North Royalton School Superintendent, Greg Gurka noted that there were forty six participants in this Zoom Board meeting. He thought that they were in attendance to support those who were being honored that day. He said that there were a lot of people on the agenda being hired today and some that were retiring, making it a happy day and a bittersweet day. “We are honored and graced by the people we are saying goodbye to and I know the people we are saying hello to will ....

Jun 23, 2020

Playground and other recreation activities now open

Mayor Larry Antoskiewicz recently announced the reopening of the Memorial Park playground and pavilions. Other summertime sports are also now in play. Ohio Governor Mike DeWine allowed for the opening of the state’s playground on June 10, the North Royalton playground was open on June 13. “I wanted to make sure it was done safely,” said Mayor Larry Antoskiewicz. “ I know many residents have been eager to see the reopening of our Memorial Park playground and pavilions, and I am pleased to announce we are reopening those, as well as our outdoor restrooms, Saturday, June 13,” said An ....

Jun 23, 2020

School supply donation program back for second year, expects greater need

The “Supplying Success” school supply collection drive is back for its second summer and program creator Stacey Kelley is even more driven this season to help local children gain the materials they need for a successful academic year at the North Royalton City Schools. “With everything happening in our country and in our communities, I sit and think, ‘What more can I do? How many more people can I help?’ I think about that,” said Kelley, the mother of two middle-school aged children. She created the assistance program last summer after volunteering at the local food pantry housed ....

Jun 23, 2020