City and Chamber of Commerce plan big birthdays this year

North Royalton proudly proclaimed its centennial in 1918. That year the “Great War” in Europe would come to an end. The United States did its part to help the Allies, Britain and France, fight the war to end all war. North Royalton, along with the rest of the nation, celebrated the Armistice of November 11. North Royalton welcomed home thirty-six of thirty-nine men, husbands, fathers, sons, and brothers, who answered the call of duty to their country. In victory the city mourned the loss of three that could not return to the arms of a loving family and a grateful nation. During that centen ....

Finding peace behind the glass – St. Albert the Great Nativity

The air is bitter cold and biting, but the scene inside is warm and serene. I stand in front of the Saint Albert the Great Nativity perched brightly along Wallings Road and grow transfixed by the majesty in front of me. Mary, the mother of Jesus, kneels with her hands crossed softly against her heart and takes in her infant son, just minutes old, or so I imagine. Joseph, the earthly father of Jesus, stoops lovingly by the manger with a look of adoration and amazement on his painted face. Lifelike sheep sit near and wispy straw lines the wooden floorboards. A peaceful angel looks on from the c ....

Senior Citizen development proposed

A new Senior Citizen Development has been proposed that will be located on the edge of North Royalton, on Sprague Road, just west of State Road. The development, however, cannot move forward until two parcels are rezoned. Mayor Bob Stefanik introduced legislation at the December 5 City Council meeting that would allow for this rezoning to be placed on the May ballot. In order for that to happen, the measure must first be reviewed and approved by the city’s Planning Commission. If the legislation passes that hurdle, it must then be approved by City Council. At that point, the measure would b ....

Rep Tom Patton cancels run for US Congress, will run for Ohio House in 7th District

On November 14, Republican State Representative Tom Patton announced his withdrawal from the race for Congress and will run, instead, for the Ohio House of Representatives. Patton had announced that he would be running for the 16th District Congressional seat last July, intending to succeed U.S. Representative Jim Renacci, who is running for Ohio governor. “Although I am no longer running to ‘drain the swamp’, I still feel called to serve our community and I look forward to continuing to work for the citizens of the 7th District in 2018 and beyond,” said Patton. “A recent and ongoi ....

Community invited for school facility meeting update

With the new year will come the unveiling of the progress of the North Royalton School District’s facility project. The community is invited to attend the meeting, hosted by the District, on Wednesday, January 3, at 7 p.m. The meeting will be held in the North Royalton High School Performing Arts Center. Childcare will be provided by the North Royalton High School Key Club. The $88.9 million facility project plan includes the building of a new elementary school that will serve as the replacement of Albion, Royal View and Valley Vista Elementary Schools. Also included in the plan is the demo ....

Historic property is home to 70 years’ worth of Christmas traditions

When Gary Puntel celebrated his first North Royalton Christmas, the former City Hall site was a schoolhouse and young people spent their weekends at the local bowling alley and roller-skating rink. North Royalton was very much a farming town and Gary’s new residence on Royalton Road contained acres of rolling, pastoral countryside, complete with a large pond for swimming, a billowing Willow tree for climbing, and plenty of space for farm animal grazing. It was 1947 and Gary Puntel was just five years old. His parents Fiore, an Italian immigrant, and Hilda, had just moved with their children ....

Rolling bins credited for curbside recycling increase

  City officials are happy that their goal to increase the participation in recycling among the residents is being attained.  “We were confident there would be a significant increase in recycling, similar to what many local communities experienced when we rolled out the 64-gallon cans,” said Mayor Bob Stefanik. Stefanik said that after meeting with members of the Cuyahoga County Solid Waste District, the data they shared indicated that once a city offers automated recycling, the amount recycling had gone up from 20-60%.  He noted that the increase in recycling would bring the ....

Sewer rate study prompts some changes

The City of North Royalton commissioned the firm of with Raftelis Financial Consultants, Incorporated to formulate the 2017 rate study analysis earlier this year.  The study has concluded and Council has already legislated some changes.  Some residents will see a cut in their sewer charges, but most will probably see increases, if proposed legislation is adopted. City Council unanimously adopted an ordinance that authorizes the City of Cleveland, Division of Water to reduce the sewer charge for all users that are connected to the North Royalton Consolidated Sanitary Sewer District, but do ....

NR elementary students Skype with award-winning author

After reading the book, Poppy by Avi, students at Royal View, Albion, and Valley Vista Elementary Schools had the opportunity to engage in a Skype session with the author himself. Avi is an award-winning author who has written more than 75 books, many aimed at young adults. His accomplishments include the Newbery Award and the Boston Globe-Horn Book Award.

Due to a generous grant from the North Royalton Educational Foundation, a Skype session between Avi and the ....

A record crowd attends Christmas Parade and Lighting of the Green

North Royalton Mayor Bob Stefanik said it best.  “I think this is the biggest crowd we’ve ever had for the lighting ceremony.  Everybody looks like they’re having a great time.  It’s a festive time of year.  This is really a family event.” Mother Nature had a lot to do with the large crowd.  Sunday, November 26, was a bright sunny day although a bit cool.  The temperature didn’t matter, though.  North Royalton families bundled up and came to the City Green to see Santa Claus arrive on the back of a North Royalton fire truck.  In addition, families saw Mayor Stefanik and ....