News roundup for April 29

Highland Middle stock market team first in state The 2021 Highland Middle School Stock Market Club saw great success in the statewide stock market game competition. This year, the group of students participating in the club spent most of the time learning remotely, from home, due to the pandemic, but that did not stop them from blazing a financial trail. Teams from around the state, including high school, middle school and elementary, took part in a two-month competition, from mid-February to early April, to see who could generate the strongest portfolio. Teams were given a fictional $100,000 and met virtually once a week to invest in the online simulated experience. Teams were given instruction on the basics of the market, how to invest and what to look for to make money in the short-term. The Highland team of Allison Gryskiewicz (seventh), Alyssa Meola (seventh), Calista Mills (eighth) and Vanessa Zufall (seventh), placed first in the state, ending their two-month investment with $111,500 in the bank. They now advance to the "Portfolio Challenge" today via Zoom, where they will compete against high school teams. Dollar General updates Rittman store to DG Market Dollar General recently remodeled and updated its store at 415 N. Main St., Rittman to its DG Market format. The new store format provides shoppers with an updated layout and new offerings including an expanded selection of fresh meats, fruits and vegetables, as well as the same categories and brands Dollar General customers are used to. "The new DG Market format aims to provide the Rittman community with an updated design and closer access to fresh foods and a convenient location to purchase the items they want and need at everyday low prices," Dan Nieser, Dollar General's senior vice president of real estate and store development, said in a statement. Buehler's raises $172K for hunger campaign Buehler's Fresh Foods has raised $172,488, which translates into 689,952 meals, during its Harvest for Hunger campaign for the Akron Canton Regional Foodbank. The entire Buehler's team worked together to make this campaign a success for the Foodbank and all who benefit from food insecurity programs. "Buehler's Fresh Foods is a one-of-a-kind partner in the regional fight against hunger. Their deep local roots and employee owners bring a sense of community and pride to their outstanding work and generous philanthropy" Dan Flowers, president and CEO of the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank, said in a statement. The Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank distributes food and other essential items through its network of more than 500 food pantries, hot meal sites, shelters, children and senior programs, and other hunger-relief programs in Carroll, Holmes, Medina, Portage, Stark, Summit, Tuscarawas and Wayne counties. Local police to conduct OVI patrol The State Highway Patrol's Medina Post, along with Medina Township and Montville Township police, will conduct an OVI Saturation Patrol from 8 p.m. Friday to 4 a.m. Saturday on state Route 18 and Interstate 71 in Medina and Montville townships. During these hours, the focus will be to remove impaired drivers from the roadways and enforce violations that cause traffic crashes. "Last year, one-third of the people killed in automobile accidents in Medina County involved an impaired driver," said Lt. Mark Neff, commander of the Medina Post. "We can't fight the battle against impaired driving on our own. We need everyone's commitment to make our roads safe." Area families benefit from Highland community service project Nearly 50 Highland High School football players teamed up to assist seven families in the Highland community April 24. The students broke off into small groups, accompanied by a parent, chaperone or coach, and went to work weeding, planting, mulching and/or preparing garden beds at each residential location. Some of the players even planted small trees, moved wood and appliances. Members of Highland's Volunteer Opportunities For Teens (VOFT) group also rolled up their sleeves to landscape and beautify the Sharon Township Heritage House. The community service project was the brainchild of VOFT adviser Tina McKeen and head football coach Mike Gibbons. McKeen contacted local township trustees to obtain a list of homeowners who could benefit from some much-needed help. They also reached out to the Highland Community Support Network for leads. The results were the seven families on April 24, and an additional six will receive a helping hand on May 1. Countywide survey explores local civic engagement issues A new nonpartisan group launched a survey for Medina County residents to explore how they view civic engagement and local politics. The survey, available at www.engagemedina.org, invites respondents to reflect on how they feel about their local community, the value of voting and the impact of local government on their day-to-day lives. "I grew up in Medina County and returned here as an adult, but I've struggled to find the right ways to engage on a local level in a way that feels meaningful," Reanna Karousis, a Medina Township resident and founding member of the group, said in a statement. "I know there are other people like me — specifically women — who want to find inroads to contributing to the public discourse, and we intend for this survey to help forge that path." Medina County Women for Citizen Engagement aims to help everyday people across all communities in the county understand, confidently interact with and meaningfully influence their local government. The group intends to publish the results publicly on its website later this summer. The anonymous survey takes about 10 minutes to complete. Participants can opt in to receive the results of the survey or get more information about the recently formed group. Four respondents will be randomly selected to win a $25 Visa gift card. — from staff reports