News roundup for July 15

County Forward Fund awards $17,000 in work scholarships to local graduates The County Forward Fund announced that it awarded $1,000 in scholarships to 17 recent graduates who are starting their careers immediately after high school. The nonprofit organization seeks to help local students explore career opportunities. The scholarships are funded by local organizations including the Ken Cleveland Foundation, the Medina Sunrise Rotary, the Westfield Foundation and others. The scholarship helps students pay for work-related expenses like tools, uniforms and equipment. The following graduates received work scholarships this year: Caison Conrad from Black River is working for AMP-Tech Welding. Jacob Noel from Cloverleaf is working for IBEW Local 38. Hayden Busch from Medina is working for Todd Mason Homes. Robert Rozich from the Medina County Career Center is working for PTTECH. Brandon Sams from Wadsworth is working for Chippewa Heating and Cooling. Monica Kellem from the Medina County Career Center is working for Vita Bella Salon and Spa. Mallory Jason from Cloverleaf is working for Ravago. Ian Mahoney from the Medina County Career Center is working for Twiisted Burgers and Sushi. Gabriel Sterzer from Black River is working for Schaeffler. Hunter Stallings from Cloverleaf is working for Kamm Star Contractors. Brendon Roberts from Wadsworth is working for Clampco Products. Kirk Piar from Highland is working for American Weldquip LLC. Charles Brower from the Medina County Career Center, is working for Brunswick Auto Mart. Jacob Fabian from Brunswick is working for Ohio CAT. Shaun Eklich from Brunswick is working for All Custom Construction. Mason Erne from Buckeye is working for Fazio Mechanical. Garrett Erne from Buckeye is working for Fazio Mechanical. To continue providing scholarships for next year's graduates, the County Forward Fund is seeking support from corporate donors. For more information, visit bit.ly/44JIp4d. Medina County to have an electric vehicle charging station off I-71 There will be an electric vehicle charging station at the Pilot Travel Center off Interstate 71's exit 204 at Avon Lake Road in Harrisville Township. It is one of the 27 future charging stations that will be installed along Ohio's interstates as part of the state's National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure program. There is $18 million in NEVI funding and nearly $6 million in funding from private entities to install and operate the new fast-charging stations. Just over $787,000 in NEVI funding was awarded for the Medina County charging station. Art in the Park The Medina County Art League will host "Art in the Park" on Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. This year, Deanna Clucas is the featured artist for the event. Her art will be inside a booth. She paints both realistically and abstractly. Her work ranges from colorful local landscapes, florals, still life, portraits, pets and home commissions. She won best in show at the Women's Art League of Akron show in 2021. The event is held every July in Medina Square. Artist's exhibits are arranged around the Uptown Park gazebo. Medina Creative Housing poker run and independence walk date change The Medina Creative Housing poker run and independence walk will take place on July 29 rather than today because of possible inclement weather. Road closures throughout the county State Route 94 south of Forest Drive in Granger Township will be closed on Monday for a culvert replacement. The detour for northbound motorists will be state Route 94 to state Route 18, west on state Route 18 to I-71, north on I-71 to I-271, north on I-271 to state Route 94 and reverse for southbound motorists. The estimated completion date is Friday. Friendsville Road and Garman Road in Westfield Township will be closed Monday through Friday for intersection reconstruction. Ledge Road in Hinckley Township will be closed from Monday through Friday for roadside maintenance between Kellogg Road and State Road. The work zone begins approximately 150 feet west of the entrance to Ledge Pool and Recreation Area and continues east approximately 1,200 feet. Access to Ledge Pool and Recreation Area will be from the west only. The road will be closed during daytime hours when crews are present. The intersection of state Route 18 and Medina Street in Medina will be closed on July 26 for railroad crossing repairs. It is estimated to reopen on July 31. — from staff reports