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North Royalton Senior Center can reopen September 21

The doors of the North Royalton Senior Center – a once thriving community of daily activity for older adults – have been locked since mid-March and the many tables and chairs that once welcomed those looking for companionship during the day now sit empty. But that will change September 21 when senior centers across the state are permitted to reopen per announcement by Ohio Governor Mike DeWine. The news brings an appreciative smile to Judy McLaughlin’s face. McLaughlin, who serves as director of the Office on Aging and Human Services, knows firsthand what the senior center means to loca ....

Sep 1, 2020

Following 2017 fire, Saint Matthew reconstruction is complete

It’s been nearly three years since a fire devastated Saint Matthew the Evangelist Antiochian Orthodox Church, but now members are finally back home and settled into their new church, which celebrated its first service early last month. The November 2017 blaze destroyed most of the church grounds, located at 10383 Albion Road, leaving Pastor Andrew Harmon and his congregants to hold services in temporary sites including Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Brooklyn, the Methodist Church on Ridge Road, and Christ the Savior Orthodox Church in North Royalton, which has since closed and joined Sain ....

Sep 1, 2020

Shred Day changed back to Sept. 12

The city of North Royalton recently announced that the next Shred Day has been changed from October 17 to September 12. The free event will take place from 9:00 a.m. until noon at Memorial Park, located at14600 State Road. The previous Shred Day, which took place on August 1, experienced some difficulties, keeping many residents waiting for long periods of time. “We understand the frustration,” said Mayor Larry Antoskiewicz. “We had over 400 cars, bringing a record total of 20,000 pounds of shred items, which quickly filled the trucks during the first half of the event.” He went on to ....

Sep 1, 2020

Voters will see Charter changes for the November ballot

North Royalton voters will decide come November 3 if they want to make amendments to the City’s Charter with four proposed charter amendments. The Charter Review Commission’s recommendations were approved in the form of ordinances at the July 7 City Council meeting. The following ordinances were unanimously adopted and will now be proposed amendments that will be placed on the November ballot (at the time of this writing, the issue numbers for the ballot have not been issued): Ordinance 20-91 would allow Council to meet remotely or suspend, or postpone meetings during declared emergencie ....

Sep 1, 2020

REAL ID requirements pushed to 2021

The enforcement deadline to require either a passport or the REAL ID driver’s license for identification for domestic flights or to enter a federal building have been changed from October 1, 2020 to October 1, 2021. “Due to circumstances resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic and the national emergency declaration, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), as directed by President Donald J. Trump, is extending the REAL ID enforcement deadline beyond the current October 1, 2020 deadline. I have determined that states require a twelve-month delay and that the new deadline for REAL ID enforce ....

Sep 1, 2020

Remote online learning for first nine weeks of school

With the ever-changing, day-by-day world of COVID-19, the plans for the upcoming school year have been in flux. The North Royalton School District administration has been trying to keep up with these changes, and have come up with the following plan. The district’s plan is now to start school on Tuesday, September 1, and will only offer remote online learning for the first nine weeks of the school year. On August 5, North Royalton City School Superintendent Greg Gurka wrote to parents, stating that “I want our families and community to know that I understand the anxiety, uneasiness and un ....

Aug 18, 2020

Ward 3 Council seat is once again vacant

North Royalton City Council is again looking for someone to fill the vacancy of the Ward 3 Council seat. This comes after the August 7th resignation of Jeff McCarthy, who replaced Dan Langshaw, who resigned July 4. McCarthy was approved by Council on August 1, but resigned after information regarding several misdemeanor offenses and other personal information was released through an anonymous email account. The owner of the email account would not come forward for comment. McCarthy has hired an attorney and is investigating the matter. In McCarthy’s letter of resignation, he stated that, ....

Aug 18, 2020

North Royalton City Schools announces free and reduced price meal policy

North Royalton City Schools has announced its 2020-21 program year policy for free and reduced price meals for students unable to pay the full price of meals or milk served under the National School Lunch and School Breakfast, After School Care Snack or Special Milk Programs. Each school office and the central office has a copy of the policy, which may be reviewed by any interested party. The Federal Income Eligibility Guidelines will be used to determine eligibility. Children from families whose annual income is at or below the federal guidelines are eligible for free and reduced-price meals ....

Aug 18, 2020

School Board News

The August meeting of the North Royalton Board of Education took place on Monday, August 10 at the North Royalton Performing Arts Center. School Superintendent Greg Gurka addressed the group regarding the recent update on athletics and extracurricular activities. About twenty people addressed the Board on COVID-19/school matters. (See Back to School article). The Board appointed Superintendent Gregory J. Gurka, or his designee, as the Board’s Hearing Officer for all suspension hearings and expulsions. The Board approved the transfer from account 200-975B High School Class of 2020 of $8,847 ....

Aug 18, 2020

Edgerton house fire may have started in attic

On August 4, a house fire on Edgerton Road was reported at about 4 a.m. According to Fire Chief Bob Chegan, “a little after 4 a.m. a passerby saw the fire and called the Fire Department. They then went to knock on the door and were able to get the residents and their pets out safely. The smoke alarms were going off when we got there.” Mutual aid was given by the Strongsville, Brunswick, Hinckley and Parma fire departments. Edgerton was closed between State Road and Waterbridge Drive as crews arrived on the scene. “The guys worked pretty hard on this one,” said Chegan. “When crews a ....

Aug 18, 2020