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. ....

Residents will see no change with regional dispatch

By GLORIA PLEVA KACIK Contributing Writer

Strongsville Mayor Tom Perciak and North Royalton Mayor Bob Stefanik co-hosted a grand opening of the Southwest Emergency Dispatch Center (SWEDC) on Thursday, July 10. This was the next step in the joining of North Royalton’s dispatch with Strongsville’s dispatch center.

The new location of the joint dispatch is now Communication and Technology Building, 13213 Pearl Road, which was once the old Strongsville Public Library. The result of the new center has been ten years in the making, according to Strongsville Service Director, Charles ....

Part of Ridge Road bridge will close for turnpike repairs

By GLORIA PLEVA KACIK Contributing Writer

Motorists in the southern end of town will have some fancy navigating to do soon, when a portion of Ridge Road will be closed. The Ohio Turnpike will be doing some repairs to the deck of the bridge that goes over the turnpike at Ridge Road.

The city received word that the work will commence on the morning of Wednesday, July 16, according to North Royalton City Engineer, Mark Schmitzer. The turnpike officials expect the work to be finalized at the end of the day on Tuesday, August 19, he said. The work on the bridge deck will be done by con ....

Homemade Ice Cream and Other Frozen Treats

By GLORIA PLEVA KACIK Contributing Writer

I scream, you scream, we all scream for Ice Cream, or Gelato, Frozen Custard or Sherbet. Summer is prime time for all of it, but in July, we can observe National Ice Cream Month. President Ronald Reagan designated July as National Ice Cream Month and the third Sunday of the month as National Ice Cream Day. During July and August, the amount of ice cream eaten is at its pinnacle.

The following recipes offer a variety of flavors to try. After your ice cream is complete, you can eat it right away, or you may want to ripen it, which allows f ....

City to receive turnpike noise abatement funding

By GLORIA PLEVA KACIK Contributing Writer

Mayor Bob Stefanik was elated when he was recently informed by the Ohio Turnpike Commission that North Royalton will be receiving funding for noise abatement walls. “We have been working on this for over six years,” said Stefanik. He noted that many hours have been spent attending meetings, lobbying officials and applying for grants to help mitigate the problems that North Royalton has experienced. “The hard work has finally paid off,” he said. Earlier this month, they received word that three of the four projects that the city applied fo ....

Be safe and have a happy summer

By SHERI STAFFORD Contributing Writer

Summer has arrived! The grills are firing up, the pools are ready for swimming, the outdoors and backyards are bustling with activity, and the weather is warming up. Summer time escapades are here, and to ensure the fun activities continue, there are many safety tips to follow for a happy, safe and sound summer.

Summer is the perfect time to light up the grill and start barbecuing. Whether your grill is powered by propane, charcoal, or natural gas, following safety tips will help prevent accidents.

Keep the grill away from the house, p ....

Library to offer new streaming media service

By GLORIA PLEVA KACIK Contributing Writer

The Cuyahoga County Public Library System (CCPL) launched a new program on May 13, offering two new streaming media services. The program now adds the ability for patrons to stream movies and music on their computers, smart phones or tablets, through Hoopla Digital streaming music and OverDrive streaming video. These services are good on any device with a web-based browser with an internet connection. The new service enriches the current technological offerings of e-books and e-magazines, which are popular downloads. “This is the ultimate as far ....

City eyes installing fiber optic network

By GLORIA PLEVA KACIK Contributing Writer

City administrators are looking into the feasibility of connecting all the municipal buildings with a fiber optic network. Currently, many of the city’s buildings are linked only by internet connection. The installation linking all would not only make for a more cohesive, faster network citywide, but also cut down costs and bring the city into a higher level, technologically speaking. The idea was spurred on by the new City Hall project and would be made possible through the current fiber optic cabling that has been installed when the city’s 9 ....

Soldier thanks community for sending love from home

By SHERI STAFFORD Contributing Writer

This Monday, Memorial Day, we will honor United States Armed Forces fallen soldiers. These men and women made the ultimate sacrifice protecting our freedom. Many of us will attend a parade, picnic, and participate in other activities that are possible because throughout our nation’s history, brave men and women have fought for these privileges.

Every day, we have the opportunity to thank our current military members and veterans, and they are very grateful when we do. Community support from patriotic citizens can mean a lot to a service ma ....