News roundup for April 17, 2021

Medina families create care packages for local seniors For some time, the Sundermeier family has been delivering care packages to a relative who resides at the Samaritan Senior Care Center in Medina. "I have a great-uncle living in the facility. The residents there have not been allowed to have visitors for over a year, but they can receive packages that are dropped off on Mondays. We send him notes and packages to keep his spirits up," Sarah Sundermeier said. But the effort has grown to include delivery of care packages to all 30 residents at the facility with the help aof Medina families. "What began as an effort to remind the residents that our community has not forgotten about them was then coupled with volunteer hours for the Junior National Honor Society and now this (initiative) has blossomed into a neat outreach," Sundermeier said. Over the last couple of months, several students and families from Root Middle School, Waite Elementary, Blake Elementary School, Medina homeschool families and community members have contributed items to bring as smile to these isolated senior citizens through these weekly care packages. "We are grateful to be a part of the effort and thankful for the generous and compassionate hearts of Medina students and families," Sundermeier said. The group continues to accept donations. For more information, contact Sundermeier at sarahsundy@yahoo.com. Local Irish brigade awards charity donations The Medina County Ohio division of the Ancient Order of Hibernians — the Irish Brigade Division — has selected the recipients of its 2021 annual Beer Run charity event proceeds. Each of the following organizations will receive a $200 check from the Irish Brigade: Birthcare of Medina CountyFeeding Medina CountyRegina Health Center. The Ancient Order of Hibernians is America's oldest Irish Catholic fraternal organization founded May 1836. For more information regarding the Medina County Irish Brigade division of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, contact Tony Manley at tonym92979@sbcgloabl.net. Boy Scout camp experience open to community members The Boy Scouts of America, Great Trail Council invites young women in fourth to ninth grade to experience a day of outdoor adventures on May 8 at the Manatoc Scout Reservation, at 1075 Truxell Road, Peninsula. In February 2019, the Boy Scouts of America welcomed young women to join its Cub Scout (ages 5-10) and Scouts BSA (ages 11-17) program. As the National organization embarks on the second year of a fully inclusive program, the Great Trail Council, Boy Scouts of America aims to show girls from across the area that they can find a home in Scouting. Over the past two years, the Great Trail Council staff and volunteers have helped found over 20 Troops for girls throughout Mahoning, Medina, Wayne, Portage, Summit and Trumbull counties. To expand its reach, the Great Trail Council has organized its first female-focused event, known as "Her Next Adventure." For more information, contact Olivia Pilon at Olivia.Pilon@Scouting.org or register at https://scoutingevent.com/433-HerNextAdventure. Black River senior wins scholarship from Ohio's Electric Cooperatives Molly Cordonnier, of Sullivan Township, was awarded an honorable mention, $1,400 scholarship in Ohio's Electric Cooperatives' Children of Members Scholarship competition, held Tuesday. Cordonnier, the daughter of Marcus and Julie Cordonnier, was sponsored by Lorain-Medina Rural Electric Cooperative Inc. She is a senior at Black River High School. Twenty-four students representing 24 electric cooperatives in Ohio competed for $41,800 in scholarship awards. Sharon Ray testifies on Ohio agency IT reform State Rep. Sharon Ray, R-Wadsworth, testified Thursday on the first hearing for House Bill 230, which requires the Ohio Department of Administrative Services (DAS) to provide a plan to enhance its information and technology systems. Ray, a joint sponsor of the bill, addressed it in the House Technology and Innovation Committee. "This bill is a direct result of an issue experienced by one of my constituents," Ray said. "Brian Hilberg from Medina sent in an application for a liquor permit just before Thanksgiving. As the weeks went by and he had not received any communication, he began calling to follow up by phone and email — with no response. I received an email from a frustrated Brian on Jan. 31, and immediately followed up with an email to the Department of Commerce." Ray said she received an immediate yet "disappointing response" that the liquor permitting process is paper-based and the system is from 1997. Additionally, Ray added that the department was months behind on physical mail requests. Ray has also worked to address this issue by submitting a separate amendment to the state budget that will study Ohio's IT systems for each of the state's agencies. Local salon tops again Salon Rootz Inc., 3725 Medina Road, Medina, has been named to the Salon Today Top 200 for the 10th year in a row. The honor was achieved through an atypical, challenging year, owners Jennifer Tryon and Sheila Barco said. Tryon and Barco said all of its employees contributed to the placement. Tour and open house at Lodi Railroad Museum The Lodi Railroad Museum will welcome visitors from the self-guided Cabin Fever Reliever Tour from 1-4 p.m. April 23 and April 24 from and host an open house from 1-4 p.m. Sunday, April 25 at 204 Railroad St., Lodi. The museum has a large display of railroad memorabilia, the renovated 1946 W&LE caboose, and the Chippewa Lake Amusement Park Kiddie Train. Masks are required. For more information, call (330) 241-3486. In business news: • Wendy's, 993 N. Court St., is asking the Medina Board of Zoning Appeals for a variance to permit a 31.89-foot frontage lot instead of the minimum required 40 feet. The lot is owned by Huntington Bank. Wendy's has entered into an agreement to purchase the lot, which is needed for the restaurant's redevelopment plan. Wendy's was built in 1984 and is operated by Medina County Foods Inc., a Wendy's franchise entity. Wendy's wants to build a new building on the land, owned by Thomasarios & Pastis Trust. The variance shouldn't affect the bank, traffic flow or parking. It will basically convert existing green space to parking. • Chick-fil-A plans are still in the works on the lot that now houses the former Eat'n Park building, 1007 N. Court St, said city Development Director Jonathan Mendel. — from staff reports