­

Sprague Road fire takes pets, spares family

In the afternoon hours of Wednesday, May 13, the North Royalton Fire Department was dispatched to a home on the report of a fire. The call came in at 4:20 p.m. by a passer-by for a fire at a home at 3005 Sprague Road. There were two teenagers that were in the home at the time. They were frantically coming out of the house, at the time the call came in” according to North Royalton Fire Chief, Bob Chegan. “The origin of the fire was in the garage area. This was a fast moving fire. Once it ignited, it went really fast.” “That is one of the longest points of the city to get to,” said C ....

May 26, 2020

Summer vacation will be a little different this year

Now that Ohio leaders have green-lighted many of summer’s most cherished activities, Ohioans everywhere, especially parents of cooped-up children, can heave a collective sigh of relief - sort of. Though campgrounds, day camps, dance and exercise studios, sports leagues and public pools are open or will open in the coming days, just about everything families enjoy in the hot summer months will have new protocols and limitations. There’s no doubt that summer will look different this year, but that doesn’t mean kids can’t do what they do best - be kids. Here are some tips to keep in mind ....

May 26, 2020

Local churches welcome parishioners with new safety practices

It’s been nearly ten weeks since parishioners have stepped inside Saint Albert the Great Church, but that changed Monday with the reopening of in-person weekday Mass on May 25. Weekend, in-person worship services start this Saturday, May 30, with the celebration of Pentecost, according to guidelines released by the Catholic Diocese of Cleveland. Faith-goers can expect some changes as they return to their church buildings. “Reopening is actually more challenging than having the church closed,” said Saint Albert Pastor Edward Estok of new safety and sanitation practices. For starters, oc ....

May 26, 2020

Lions Clubs celebrate centennial with ‘Day of Service’ in response to COVID-19

Members of the Royalton Hills Lions and the North Royalton Lions celebrated the 100th anniversary of Ohio Lions Clubs with the thing they do best – provide service to others. Originally, the centennial celebration honoring 100 years since the formation of the first Lions Club in Ohio, was to be marked at the Lions Statewide Convention on May 17 in Columbus, but plans were canceled due to COVID-19. Staying true to their motto, “We Serve,” members of Lions Clubs throughout Ohio turned May 17 into a statewide day of service. Members performed service projects unique to their specific regio ....

May 26, 2020

A YEAR LIKE NO OTHER – Community Festival canceled due to COVID-19 health and safety concerns

The 136th Annual North Royalton Community Festival was scheduled to be held August 21, 22 and 23. Because of the continuing Covid-19 pandemic crisis, however, the decision has been made to cancel the event. This annual community celebration will be missed by the thousands who came to the City Green to enjoy the rides, entertainment, parade, and carnival food, but most of all the shared friendship. “This was a very difficult decision, knowing how profoundly the canceling of the festival impacts not only the City and Chamber of Commerce, but also the participating vendors, local businesses, ....

May 26, 2020

Local companies begin to reopen their doors and welcome your business

North Royalton is one of many Ohio cities and towns that are re-opening for business after closures that were due to COVID-19. Ohio Governor Mike DeWine has established guidelines for various openings as a part of the Responsible RestartOhio plan. North Royalton city officials have utilized DeWine’s guidelines as a basis for operation here. Many businesses started to open in mid-May, with guidelines supplied by the state. Restaurants and bars were re-opened on May 21, again, with guidelines. DeWine has established the following opening dates: Gyms and Fitness Centers - May 26 Child Care - ....

May 22, 2020

North Royalton Jail to close

After thirty years, the North Royalton Jail will be closing. Mayor Larry Antoskiewicz recently released a press release, saying that it will close within sixty days. The North Royalton Jail is part of the North Royalton Police Department, located at the corner of Bennett and Royalton Roads. North Royalton built the facility in the early 1990’s. Originally, the Police Department was housed at the old City Hall. The Jail houses up to 18 full-time male and female prisoners and serves about nineteen communities who do not have access to their own jail. According to Antoskiewicz, it employed se ....

May 12, 2020

Plastic bag ban deadline may be pushed forward

If you have gone shopping lately, you might have noticed that the plastic shopping bags are back. Although the deadline for retailers was July 1, 2020, some stores had already been shying away from the plastic. With the COVID-19 pandemic, some stores went back to supplying the plastic bags, as there were questions regarding the possibility of spreading the virus through the use of personal carrier bags. Some stores have adopted guidelines where customers may bring in reusable bags, but must bag their own groceries and take them. The counters are then sanitized after each of these customers re ....

May 12, 2020

Council makes budget adjustments due to Coronavirus

On May 5, the North Royalton City Council held a special Finance Committee meeting to discuss budget adjustments with Mayor Larry Antoskiewicz. These adjustments were necessary due to the financial impact from COVID-19. On the same day, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine announced changes to the state budget to the tune of over $750,000,000. “We have been working on this for a few weeks, trying to get figures and estimates,” said Antoskiewicz. He said he also has had discussions with local, state and federal representatives. They are telling us that we are going to get some money, but it would onl ....

May 12, 2020

North Royalton High School Senior’s song resonates with many

Covid-19 has robbed graduating seniors of many things, but it’s the sense of closure and the absence of a proper good-bye that hurts the most. Seniors didn’t know it at the time, but March 12 was the last day they would ever walk the hallways of North Royalton High School together, and akin to mourners at a funeral, seniors here and everywhere are grieving a sudden and heavy loss. North Royalton High School Senior Becca Pavelich channeled that loss into writing a beautiful ode dedicated to the Class of 2020. Aptly called, “More Time,” Pavelich performed her song and shared it on YouTu ....

May 12, 2020