Medina: a look back at 2016
The Post’s annual Year in Review recaps the year’s top headlines
Fireworks, launched from the rear of the Medina County Courthouse Nov. 19, capped the second night of Candlelight Walk in Medina. Photo by KEVIN MCMANUS
Crews rip into the former Medina Theater and Masonic Temple Aug. 29 after Medina City Council voted earlier this summer to demolish the complex. Photo by KEVIN MCMANUS
Outgoing Medina Schools Superintendent Dave Knight (left) prepares to pass a baton to incoming Superintendent Aaron Sable, whose contract was approved by the school board May 16. Photo by KEVIN MCMANUS
Wish You Were Here bassist and frontman Eroc Sosinski (left) and guitarist and vocalist Jamie Combs play to a crowd of several hundred at the Rally In The Alley finale Sept. 4. Photo by KEVIN MCMANUS
Medina Post editor Kevin McManus (right) jumped in Chippewa Lake for the first time during the 2016 Polar Bear Plunge. Photo by ALLISON WOOD
Crowds waited through blizzard-like conditions to get a glimpse of this year’s flaming ice tower at the Medina Ice Festival. Photo by DAVID SICKELS
Real estate mogul turned politician and reality TV star Donald J. Trump (R), 70, was voted the 45th president-elect of The United States Nov. 8 over Democrat candidate former Secretary of State Hillary R. Clinton. Photo by TERRY BRLAS
Several dozen Medina community members kept vigil on Public Square the evening of June 13 to mourn the 49 people killed and 53 wounded at an Orlando, Fla. gay nightclub June 12. Photo by KEVIN MCMANUS
Construction crews at Memorial Pool took full advantage of favorable weather in the first week of November. The project is slated to be completed on time and within budget, officials said. Photo courtesy of CITY OF MEDINA
More than 400 students and 50 staff members lined up for this aerial shot Sept. 16 in front of the school, with each letter 25 feet tall. Photo courtesy of ABOVE ALL OHIO
Medina Township resident Walter Goldbach, 87, holds a lithograph of the Cleveland Indians’ Chief Wahoo logo he created in 1946 at the age of 17. Photo by KEVIN MCMANUS
Eric Warfel (right) was taken into custody after being convicted of several counts during a non-jury trial. Photo by ALLISON WOOD
Columbia Gas of Ohio contractors work to replace a service line on West Friendship Street the morning of March 29. Photo by KEVIN MCMANUS
A mere five days since the app was released, Pokémon Go kept players up and on the streets at all hours of the night hunting the fictional creatures on their phones. Photo by KEVIN MCMANUS
Then-presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump (blue tie) arrives to introduce his wife, Melania (white dress), as the headlining speaker during Day 1 of the Republican National Convention. Submitted photo
The city of Medina has condemned the Farmers Exchange on South Court Street after years of property maintenance issues, the city’s building official said. Photo by KEVIN MCMANUS
Local State Sen. Larry Obhof (second from right) was named President of the Senate Nov. 15. He is pictured with other Senate leadership. Submitted photo
James Tench is led out of the courtroom after receiving a death sentence for murdering his mother in 2013. Photo by ALLISON WOOD
Newly-elected Medina Township Fiscal Officer Angela Ventura (left) has been outspoken since the elimination of the position of former township Special Projects Coordinator Laurie Shoemaker (right). Photo by DAVID SICKELS
Longtime Cleveland meteorologist Dick Goddard, 85, of Medina Township, retired in November to focus on advocacy for companion animals. File photo
Pete Rademacher, 87, of the Medina area, looks at a poster for a charity boxing event he organized at Medina High School in 1975. Muhammad Ali, a friend of Rademacher’s, appeared at the event. Ali died this year. Photo by KEVIN MCMANUS
Moving Wall volunteer Bob Prevost, commander of the Brunswick American Legion Post, makes an etching of a name for Bob and Mary Lou Schwarz of Medina. Photo by ALLISON WOOD
Chris Sallee (left), of Medina, fell out of his gold Jeep after crashing into a mini ATV driven by Eric Miller, of Medina, during this year's Faceplant 500 charity derby at Reagan Park in August. Photo by ALLISON WOOD
Eric Trump (right), campaigning on behalf of his father Donald Trump, shook a few hands and posed for a few photos after a campaign event in Medina Oct. 18. Photo by ALLISON WOOD
A worker removes a beam from the old Medina County Fair Office building during demolition May 19, which is said will be used for another project. Photo by ALLISON WOOD
MEDINA – As we bid farewell to 2016 and ring in 2017, here are a few of the most newsworthy happenings that made headlines in The Medina Post over the past 12 months.
Note: bold dates represent the publication date a story ran in print rather than an event's actual occurrence.
Jan. 9 – Two Medina Township trustees voted during a Jan. 4 meeting to terminate Laurie Shoemaker, an administrative assistant who coordinated special events for the township. This controversial move led to more than 20 residents speaking out against the decision at a Jan. 14 meeting.
Jan. 16 – Emily Young, 24, of Spencer, was gunned down in her car in Orrville by estranged LaReese KeShawn "Wally" Woods. With her were her 6-month-old twin daughters and a 17-year-old passenger. The shooter was sentenced in July to 23 years to life in prison on murder and other counts.
Jan. 16 – Authorities discovered an active methaphetamine lab at an Abbeyville Road apartment in Medina. Erica Grabowski and Jerry Canfield were arrested and a 2-year-old child was removed from the residence. Grabowski was sentenced to four years in prison in April and Canfield received seven years in prison in June.
Jan. 23 – Medina City Schools Superintendent Dave Knight announced his retirement effective June 30 at a Jan. 19 board meeting.
Jan. 23 – Becky Parkhurst was re-appointed to the Medina City School Board following confusion about whether she was supposed to run for re-election, as she was appointed to the board the summer before to fill a vacancy.
Feb. 6 – About 100 hearty souls – including Post Editor Kevin McManus – took a plunge into Chippewa Lake for charity at the annual Polar Bear Plunge.
Feb. 13 – The city reported the relatively mild winter saved the city more than $154,000 from reduced overtime costs for drivers, fuel and vehicle maintenance.
Feb. 13 – Dean Simms was arrested after he allegedly admitted to killing his brother and sister at their Babcock Road residence in Hinckley Township Feb. 5.
Feb. 20 – Crowds braved the chilly weather to see dozens of ice sculptures at the annual Ice Festival Feb. 12-15 on Medina's Public Square.
March 5 – Former Allstate Insurance agent Larry Gore pleaded guilty Feb. 29 for his role in robbing four area banks in Medina, Valley City and Columbia Station in Lorain County in 2014 and 2015. He received nine years in prison at an April sentencing hearing.
March 5 – Local school districts reacted to delayed district school report card results released by the state. Administrators complained a change in test vendors from the year before and discrepancies in how data was collected led to seemingly low scores.
March 12 – A 4-year-old girl was killed in a fire at the Hickory Hills Apartments in Brunswick March 7.
March 12 – Testimony began in the murder trial of James Tench, the Brunswick man accused of killing his mother in November 2013 and leaving her body in her vehicle in a nearby Brunswick industrial park. He was later sentenced to death by Common Pleas Judge Joyce Kimbler.
March 19 – Medina City Council reverses course and decides to renovate the existing Medina Municipal Courthouse instead of building a new one across the street on the former site of the Medina Masonic Temple.
March 19 – Post Editor Kevin McManus in his weekly column imagines what a Donald Trump presidency might look like, months before Trump won the Republican nomination and later the presidency.
March 19 – Allegations surface in Medina Township of an affair between Trustee Ken DeMichael and recently elected Fiscal Officer Angela Ventura. The issue came up during a trustees meeting where a resident said he received a letter in the mail. The letter originated from a Facebook post made the month before by Ventura's husband, a township police officer.
March 19 – In the primary election March 15, Bill Hutson narrowly defeated incumbent Tim Smith in the Republican race for county commissioner. More county Republican voters also chose Gov. John Kasich for president over eventual winner Donald Trump. In addition, Montville Township voters reject a new road levy for the third time. In other local election results,
March 26 – Luke Collins, 20, of Medina, died March 19 while kayaking in a lake a West Branch State Park in Portage County. He had reportedly tossed his life vest to his friend, whose kayak was taking on water.
April 2 – Residents and business complained to city officials as line replacements by Columbia Gas tore up sidewalks and front lawns on the city's west side.
April 2 – The Water Tower District, located in the area of West Friendship and North Elmwood streets, was named as Medina's newest historic neighborhood association and a sign was erected in the area. In May, another neighborhood, the East Liberty Street Historic Neighborhood, was also given a historical neighborhood designation by the city.
April 9 – Two Medina High School students were charged with felonies after allegedly throwing filled plastic bottles from a moving vehicle with three other students April 5 in Montville, Medina, Granger and Hinckley townships.
April 16 – Matt Wiederhold, executive director of Main Street Medina, announced he was stepping down after eight years running the community development nonprofit.
April 23 – Walter Goldbach, 87, of Montville Township, who created the original Cleveland Indians Chief Wahoo logo as a teenager in the 1940s, discusses the logo's history then and now in an interview. He said he was not a fan of the Chief's demotion on player uniforms.
May 7 – For the fifth time in The Post's 40-year history, the paper was awarded first place in the General Excellence category by the national Association of Free Community Newspapers at its national conference in San Diego.
May 7 – Former principals and students gathered at Medina's Heritage Elementary School to celebrate the building's 40th anniversary.
May 7 – Montville Township officials formally dedicated a new 18,000-square-foot service garage and $1 million safety services addition at a May 1 event.
May 14 – The Medina School Board chose Aaron Sable to lead the school district over two other internal candidates. He was the assistant superintendent at Copley-Fairlawn Schools.
May 14 – Mitchell Lambert, 44, of Medina, was charged May 8 after he allegedly displayed a firearm during an argument with a parent in a Medina High School parking lot. Lambert later pleaded guilty to misdemeanor counts and received probation and fines.
May 21 – The Post debuted its new digital app and e-edition for each of its nine editions.
May 21 – The Medina County Fair Board announced it would not have a big-name act at the 2016 fair in early August due to the board's inability to secure an act, with one reason being many potential artists were already performing in the area during the summer.
May 28 – Longtime Cleveland weatherman and Medina Township resident Dick Goddard, 85, announced his retirement after 55 years in the television business.
May 28 - The former Medina County Fair office is now history after a demolition crew started taking down the building May 19.
June 4 – A groundbreaking ceremony was held for the Gold Star Families Memorial at the York Township Park May 29. The monument honors family members of military members who died while serving. A dedication was held in November when the monument was completed.
June 11 – Eric Warfel, whose toddler daughter was found decomposing in his Medina apartment, was convicted June 8 of tampering with evidence, gross abuse of a corpse and child endangering after a trial in Medina County Common Pleas Court. He was sentenced in July to three years in prison.
June 11 – Boxing Olympic gold medalist and heavyweight champion Pete Radamacher, a Montville Township resident, was interviewed about his friendship with fellow boxer Muhammad Ali, who died June 3 at the age of 74.
June 18 – Several dozen residents held a vigil on Public Square in honor of the 49 people killed in an Orlando, Fla. gay nightclub.
June 25 – Buckeye Schools Superintendent Brian Williams announced he was leaving the district to take the assistant superintendent job at Copley-Fairlawn City Schools, a post recently vacated by Aaron Sable, the current superintedent of Medina City Schools.
July 2 – A traveling replica of the Vietnam Memorial Wall in Washington, D.C., was on display in front of Medina High School June 24-27 in honor of 50 years since the war’s beginning.
July 2 – Medina City Council in finance committee June 27 officially voted in the demolition of the former Masonic Temple and Medina Theater complex for a little over $374,000.
July 2 – A skills park was added to the mountain bike trails at Huffman Park, adding to the city’s already strong reputation in mountain biking culture.
July 9 – The Lafayette Township Fire Department launched a new program, Mobile Integrated Health Care, where firefighters visit patients with chronic conditions or those who have just left the hospital at their residences.
July 9 – The Buckeye Local School Board formally accepted the resignation of Superintendent Brian Williams June 29. Williams was hired by Buckeye in 2011 and left to take an assistant superintendent job in Copley-Fairlawn.
July 16 – Medina Police Department temporarily doubled its personnel in patrol vehicles following the deadly attack that killed five police officers and wounded seven others at a protest in Dallas, Texas. Chief Pat Berarducci reported to Medina City Council July 11 that patrol vehicles would have two officers per vehicle to ensure their safety while responding to calls out in the field.
July 16 – Pokémon Go – a free mobile app version of the Nintendo-owned franchise’s latest installment of the game based on a cartoon and card game – went live. The city of Medina’s Historic District, especially the square, became a hotbed for players seeking out the plethora of fictional creatures on their mobile devices.
July 23 – Area Republicans were involved in an array of activities when the four-day Republican National Convention came to Cleveland, including Lafayette Township Trustee Lynda Bowers, Brunswick Mayor Ron Falconi, state Sen. Larry Obhof, Medina Municipal Clerk of Courts Nancy Abbott and others.
July 23 – After years of debate, Medina City Council voted 5-2 July 19 to renovate and re-open the defunct outdoor pool at Memorial Park. The pool had been closed since 2012 and was an ongoing topic of discussion among legislators. Work began shortly after. It is expected to open in spring 2017.
July 23 – The Medina City Schools Board of Education voted unanimously to approve a vendor for student-athlete drug testing July 18. The random testing applies only to high school student athletes.
Aug. 6 – The Medina County Fair kicked off Aug. 1 with the demolition derby, the opening of a new 4-H milkshake booth and the crowning of Lydia Mainzer as fair queen.
Aug. 6 – The Medina Farmers Exchange – a century-old downtown landmark – was condemned by the city of Medina July 29, following years of property maintenance issues, according to the city. The site has been a topic of discussion among city officials for possible redevelopment.
Aug. 6 – Former president of the Medina Athletic Boosters Jim Clardy, a well-known community member and father of three, died in a motorcycle accident July 29. Clardy was 45.
Aug. 6 – Former Montville Township Police officer Carl Kannenberg was indicted in Cuyahoga County on six counts of rape, kidnapping and gross sexual imposition involving a 5-year-old girl.
Aug. 6 – Voters in Lafayette Township narrowly rejected a levy for a new fire station in the Aug. 2 election.
Aug. 6 – New Medina City Schools Superintendent Aaron Sable chaired his first meeting Aug. 1. He replaced longtime Medina Schools administrator Dave Knight, who announced his retirement earlier in the year.
Aug. 13 – Buckeye Local Schools Board of Education awarded a three-year contract Aug. 9 to former Brunswick Schools administrator Kent Morgan as the district’s next superintendent.
Aug. 27 – The Medina International Festival, downtown’s largest one-day event, took over Public Square Aug. 20 with a variety of eclectic food and entertainment available.
Aug. 27 – The fourth annual Faceplant 500 saw dozens of grownups race (and crash) down the sledding hill at Reagan Park Aug. 20. The popular charity event continued to grow.
Sept. 3 – About a dozen residents with cameras in hand gathered in the parking lot outside Sully’s to watch the walls of the Medina Theater and Masonic Temple start to crumble Aug. 29. The local landmarks were demolished as part of future redevelopment plans by the city.
Sept. 10 – The Rally in the Alley downtown concert series, organized by Main Street Cafe, came to a close with Pink Floyd tribute band Wish You Were Here Sept. 4.
Sept. 10 – After more than 30 years serving area residents, Geyer/Hawkins Market on Lafayette Road announced it would be closing its doors for good that month.
Sept. 10 – Dozens of residents and local officials packed Public Square Aug. 31 for an educational event about the dangers of drug abuse, especially heroin and other opiates.
Sept. 24 – Principals, former staff members, students and parents of Sidney Fenn Elementary got the chance to to reminisce about old times at an open house celebrating the building’s 50th anniversary Sept. 16.
Sept. 24 – Montville Township Trustees and community members gathered Sept. 14 to dedicate the township’s newest park, Austin Badger Park.
Sept. 24 – New Buckeye Superintendent Kent Morgan chaired his first school board meeting Sept. 13.
Oct. 1 – Medina Mayor Dennis Hanwell called the city’s state “excellent,” highlighting accessible government officials and building partnerships wherever possible, during his annual State of the City Address Sept. 26.
Oct. 1 – Medina City Council enacted a six-month moratorium on medical marijuana cultivation, processing and sale within city limits in a 4-3 vote Sept. 26.
Oct. 1 – The Ninth District Court of Appeals ruled a 2014 lawsuit, filed by former Medina Schools Superintdent Randy Stepp, against the school board who fired him and invalidated his contract, was allowed to proceed, possibly to trial.
Oct. 8 – Medina School Board members agreed Oct. 3 to pursue naming rights agreements for district facilities as a way to raise extra revenue.
Oct. 15 – More than 30 beers from numerous breweries were available for sample at the annual Medina Beer Fest, sponsored by Main Street Medina, at Weymouth Country Club Oct. 8.
Oct. 15 – Medina City School launched its new app and website, which are part of the Blackboard online platform.
Oct. 22 – Eric Trump, one of the sons of president-elect Donald Trump, made a quick campaign stop on behalf of his father at the county’s GOP headquarters on North Court Street the afternoon of Oct. 18.
Nov. 9 – Real estate mogul turned politician and reality TV star Donald J. Trump (R), 70, was voted the 45th president-elect of The United States over Democrat candidate former Secretary of State Hillary R. Clinton.
Nov. 9 – Rob Portman (R) was re-elected to the U.S. Senate; Bob Gibbs (R) was re-elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in the 7th District; Jim Renacci (R) was re-elected to the U.S. House in the 16th District; Larry Obhof (R) was re-elected to the Ohio Senate in the 22nd District; Stephen Hambley (R) was elected to the Ohio House of Representatives in the 69th District; Darrell Kick (R) was elected to the Ohio House in the 70th District; William Hutson (R) was elected Medina County Commissioner; Patricia Geissman (R) was re-elected county commissioner; S. Forrest Thompson (R) was elected Medina County prosecutor; David Wadsworth (R) was re-elected Medina County clerk of courts; Tom Miller (R) was re-elected sheriff, running opposed; Colleen Swedyk (R) was elected county recorder; John Burke (R) was re-elected Medina County treasurer; Andrew Conrad (R) was elected county engineer, running unopposed; Lisa Deranek (R) was elected Medina County coroner; Christopher Collier was re-elected Medina County Court of Common Pleas judge; the Medina County Home renewal levy passed; Lodi’s current expenses renewal levy passed; Chatham’s cemetery renewal and increase levy passed; Guilford Township’s renewal fire levy passed; Lafaytte Township’s fire station bond issue passed; Harrisville-Lodi’s cemetery district additional levy passed.
Nov. 12 – Local veterans and community members gathered at Williams on the Lake Nov. 2 for a special luncheon and ceremony in honor of Veterans Day.
Nov. 19 – U.S. Marshals and Medina Police arrested two members of the MS-13 gang in the area of Medina Village Apartments Nov. 10, wanted in connection with a gruesome murder in Virginia. Kevin Cruz, 22, and Carlos Cisneros, 21, are believed to be members of the notorious MS-13 gang responsible for the shooting death of a man, who was then allegedly sliced up with a machete.
Nov. 26 – Following a successful re-election campaign, state Sen. Larry Obhof (R-Montville) was unanimously elected to serve as president of the Ohio Senate for the 132nd General Assembly Nov. 15.
Nov. 26 – The 32nd installment of Candlelight Walk, the city of Medina’s weekend-long holiday kickoff event, drew thousands downtown and included a lighting ceremony, parade and fireworks.
Dec. 10 – The Medina Post’s Eat, Drink, Shop Medina promotion drew more than 400 participants in its second year, where more than $9,000 in prizes donated by local businesses were given away to Post readers.
Dec. 10 – The Post Newspapers mourned the loss of Susan Griffiths, a talented graphic artist and customer service representative. She was 47.
Dec. 10 – Work began Dec. 5 on the multi-million-dollar project to widen lanes on U.S. Route 42 in the city of Medina (North Court Street) and in Medina Township (Pearl Road).
Dec. 10 – A Montville Township breeder of Persian cats, Trixxe McCowin, 42, charged with leaving kittens in a container in front of a Brunswick business last year was acquitted in a non-jury trial Dec. 1.
Dec. 17 – About 130 kids were accompanied by over 60 Medina-area police officers and 100 volunteers to buy presents for themselves and their families for the holidays during the annual Shop with a Cop program.
Dec. 17 – Medina Football Coach Dan Sutherland stepped down from his position after five seasons, the most recent being a dramatic playoff run after an 8-2 regular season and share of the conference championship.
Dec. 24 – Lafayette Trustee Bryon Macron was reported missing “under suspicious circumstances” the morning of Dec. 16, according to the Medina County Sheriff’s Office. Deputies responded to the Township Administration Building around 7:30 a.m. and found Macron’s office in “disarray.” His vehicle was located several hours later at a public parking lot on Beachside Boulevard in Gloria Glens.
Dec. 24 – Kiwanis President Barb Smith died in a car wreck in the Youngstown area Dec. 13. Smith, who was 61, was helping to organize First Night Medina, a new New Year’s Eve celebration in Public Square.
Note: bold dates represent the publication date a story ran in print rather than an event's actual occurrence.
Jan. 9 – Two Medina Township trustees voted during a Jan. 4 meeting to terminate Laurie Shoemaker, an administrative assistant who coordinated special events for the township. This controversial move led to more than 20 residents speaking out against the decision at a Jan. 14 meeting.
Jan. 16 – Emily Young, 24, of Spencer, was gunned down in her car in Orrville by estranged LaReese KeShawn "Wally" Woods. With her were her 6-month-old twin daughters and a 17-year-old passenger. The shooter was sentenced in July to 23 years to life in prison on murder and other counts.
Jan. 16 – Authorities discovered an active methaphetamine lab at an Abbeyville Road apartment in Medina. Erica Grabowski and Jerry Canfield were arrested and a 2-year-old child was removed from the residence. Grabowski was sentenced to four years in prison in April and Canfield received seven years in prison in June.
Jan. 23 – Medina City Schools Superintendent Dave Knight announced his retirement effective June 30 at a Jan. 19 board meeting.
Jan. 23 – Becky Parkhurst was re-appointed to the Medina City School Board following confusion about whether she was supposed to run for re-election, as she was appointed to the board the summer before to fill a vacancy.
Feb. 6 – About 100 hearty souls – including Post Editor Kevin McManus – took a plunge into Chippewa Lake for charity at the annual Polar Bear Plunge.
Feb. 13 – The city reported the relatively mild winter saved the city more than $154,000 from reduced overtime costs for drivers, fuel and vehicle maintenance.
Feb. 13 – Dean Simms was arrested after he allegedly admitted to killing his brother and sister at their Babcock Road residence in Hinckley Township Feb. 5.
Feb. 20 – Crowds braved the chilly weather to see dozens of ice sculptures at the annual Ice Festival Feb. 12-15 on Medina's Public Square.
March 5 – Former Allstate Insurance agent Larry Gore pleaded guilty Feb. 29 for his role in robbing four area banks in Medina, Valley City and Columbia Station in Lorain County in 2014 and 2015. He received nine years in prison at an April sentencing hearing.
March 5 – Local school districts reacted to delayed district school report card results released by the state. Administrators complained a change in test vendors from the year before and discrepancies in how data was collected led to seemingly low scores.
March 12 – A 4-year-old girl was killed in a fire at the Hickory Hills Apartments in Brunswick March 7.
March 12 – Testimony began in the murder trial of James Tench, the Brunswick man accused of killing his mother in November 2013 and leaving her body in her vehicle in a nearby Brunswick industrial park. He was later sentenced to death by Common Pleas Judge Joyce Kimbler.
March 19 – Medina City Council reverses course and decides to renovate the existing Medina Municipal Courthouse instead of building a new one across the street on the former site of the Medina Masonic Temple.
March 19 – Post Editor Kevin McManus in his weekly column imagines what a Donald Trump presidency might look like, months before Trump won the Republican nomination and later the presidency.
March 19 – Allegations surface in Medina Township of an affair between Trustee Ken DeMichael and recently elected Fiscal Officer Angela Ventura. The issue came up during a trustees meeting where a resident said he received a letter in the mail. The letter originated from a Facebook post made the month before by Ventura's husband, a township police officer.
March 19 – In the primary election March 15, Bill Hutson narrowly defeated incumbent Tim Smith in the Republican race for county commissioner. More county Republican voters also chose Gov. John Kasich for president over eventual winner Donald Trump. In addition, Montville Township voters reject a new road levy for the third time. In other local election results,
March 26 – Luke Collins, 20, of Medina, died March 19 while kayaking in a lake a West Branch State Park in Portage County. He had reportedly tossed his life vest to his friend, whose kayak was taking on water.
April 2 – Residents and business complained to city officials as line replacements by Columbia Gas tore up sidewalks and front lawns on the city's west side.
April 2 – The Water Tower District, located in the area of West Friendship and North Elmwood streets, was named as Medina's newest historic neighborhood association and a sign was erected in the area. In May, another neighborhood, the East Liberty Street Historic Neighborhood, was also given a historical neighborhood designation by the city.
April 9 – Two Medina High School students were charged with felonies after allegedly throwing filled plastic bottles from a moving vehicle with three other students April 5 in Montville, Medina, Granger and Hinckley townships.
April 16 – Matt Wiederhold, executive director of Main Street Medina, announced he was stepping down after eight years running the community development nonprofit.
April 23 – Walter Goldbach, 87, of Montville Township, who created the original Cleveland Indians Chief Wahoo logo as a teenager in the 1940s, discusses the logo's history then and now in an interview. He said he was not a fan of the Chief's demotion on player uniforms.
May 7 – For the fifth time in The Post's 40-year history, the paper was awarded first place in the General Excellence category by the national Association of Free Community Newspapers at its national conference in San Diego.
May 7 – Former principals and students gathered at Medina's Heritage Elementary School to celebrate the building's 40th anniversary.
May 7 – Montville Township officials formally dedicated a new 18,000-square-foot service garage and $1 million safety services addition at a May 1 event.
May 14 – The Medina School Board chose Aaron Sable to lead the school district over two other internal candidates. He was the assistant superintendent at Copley-Fairlawn Schools.
May 14 – Mitchell Lambert, 44, of Medina, was charged May 8 after he allegedly displayed a firearm during an argument with a parent in a Medina High School parking lot. Lambert later pleaded guilty to misdemeanor counts and received probation and fines.
May 21 – The Post debuted its new digital app and e-edition for each of its nine editions.
May 21 – The Medina County Fair Board announced it would not have a big-name act at the 2016 fair in early August due to the board's inability to secure an act, with one reason being many potential artists were already performing in the area during the summer.
May 28 – Longtime Cleveland weatherman and Medina Township resident Dick Goddard, 85, announced his retirement after 55 years in the television business.
May 28 - The former Medina County Fair office is now history after a demolition crew started taking down the building May 19.
June 4 – A groundbreaking ceremony was held for the Gold Star Families Memorial at the York Township Park May 29. The monument honors family members of military members who died while serving. A dedication was held in November when the monument was completed.
June 11 – Eric Warfel, whose toddler daughter was found decomposing in his Medina apartment, was convicted June 8 of tampering with evidence, gross abuse of a corpse and child endangering after a trial in Medina County Common Pleas Court. He was sentenced in July to three years in prison.
June 11 – Boxing Olympic gold medalist and heavyweight champion Pete Radamacher, a Montville Township resident, was interviewed about his friendship with fellow boxer Muhammad Ali, who died June 3 at the age of 74.
June 18 – Several dozen residents held a vigil on Public Square in honor of the 49 people killed in an Orlando, Fla. gay nightclub.
June 25 – Buckeye Schools Superintendent Brian Williams announced he was leaving the district to take the assistant superintendent job at Copley-Fairlawn City Schools, a post recently vacated by Aaron Sable, the current superintedent of Medina City Schools.
July 2 – A traveling replica of the Vietnam Memorial Wall in Washington, D.C., was on display in front of Medina High School June 24-27 in honor of 50 years since the war’s beginning.
July 2 – Medina City Council in finance committee June 27 officially voted in the demolition of the former Masonic Temple and Medina Theater complex for a little over $374,000.
July 2 – A skills park was added to the mountain bike trails at Huffman Park, adding to the city’s already strong reputation in mountain biking culture.
July 9 – The Lafayette Township Fire Department launched a new program, Mobile Integrated Health Care, where firefighters visit patients with chronic conditions or those who have just left the hospital at their residences.
July 9 – The Buckeye Local School Board formally accepted the resignation of Superintendent Brian Williams June 29. Williams was hired by Buckeye in 2011 and left to take an assistant superintendent job in Copley-Fairlawn.
July 16 – Medina Police Department temporarily doubled its personnel in patrol vehicles following the deadly attack that killed five police officers and wounded seven others at a protest in Dallas, Texas. Chief Pat Berarducci reported to Medina City Council July 11 that patrol vehicles would have two officers per vehicle to ensure their safety while responding to calls out in the field.
July 16 – Pokémon Go – a free mobile app version of the Nintendo-owned franchise’s latest installment of the game based on a cartoon and card game – went live. The city of Medina’s Historic District, especially the square, became a hotbed for players seeking out the plethora of fictional creatures on their mobile devices.
July 23 – Area Republicans were involved in an array of activities when the four-day Republican National Convention came to Cleveland, including Lafayette Township Trustee Lynda Bowers, Brunswick Mayor Ron Falconi, state Sen. Larry Obhof, Medina Municipal Clerk of Courts Nancy Abbott and others.
July 23 – After years of debate, Medina City Council voted 5-2 July 19 to renovate and re-open the defunct outdoor pool at Memorial Park. The pool had been closed since 2012 and was an ongoing topic of discussion among legislators. Work began shortly after. It is expected to open in spring 2017.
July 23 – The Medina City Schools Board of Education voted unanimously to approve a vendor for student-athlete drug testing July 18. The random testing applies only to high school student athletes.
Aug. 6 – The Medina County Fair kicked off Aug. 1 with the demolition derby, the opening of a new 4-H milkshake booth and the crowning of Lydia Mainzer as fair queen.
Aug. 6 – The Medina Farmers Exchange – a century-old downtown landmark – was condemned by the city of Medina July 29, following years of property maintenance issues, according to the city. The site has been a topic of discussion among city officials for possible redevelopment.
Aug. 6 – Former president of the Medina Athletic Boosters Jim Clardy, a well-known community member and father of three, died in a motorcycle accident July 29. Clardy was 45.
Aug. 6 – Former Montville Township Police officer Carl Kannenberg was indicted in Cuyahoga County on six counts of rape, kidnapping and gross sexual imposition involving a 5-year-old girl.
Aug. 6 – Voters in Lafayette Township narrowly rejected a levy for a new fire station in the Aug. 2 election.
Aug. 6 – New Medina City Schools Superintendent Aaron Sable chaired his first meeting Aug. 1. He replaced longtime Medina Schools administrator Dave Knight, who announced his retirement earlier in the year.
Aug. 13 – Buckeye Local Schools Board of Education awarded a three-year contract Aug. 9 to former Brunswick Schools administrator Kent Morgan as the district’s next superintendent.
Aug. 27 – The Medina International Festival, downtown’s largest one-day event, took over Public Square Aug. 20 with a variety of eclectic food and entertainment available.
Aug. 27 – The fourth annual Faceplant 500 saw dozens of grownups race (and crash) down the sledding hill at Reagan Park Aug. 20. The popular charity event continued to grow.
Sept. 3 – About a dozen residents with cameras in hand gathered in the parking lot outside Sully’s to watch the walls of the Medina Theater and Masonic Temple start to crumble Aug. 29. The local landmarks were demolished as part of future redevelopment plans by the city.
Sept. 10 – The Rally in the Alley downtown concert series, organized by Main Street Cafe, came to a close with Pink Floyd tribute band Wish You Were Here Sept. 4.
Sept. 10 – After more than 30 years serving area residents, Geyer/Hawkins Market on Lafayette Road announced it would be closing its doors for good that month.
Sept. 10 – Dozens of residents and local officials packed Public Square Aug. 31 for an educational event about the dangers of drug abuse, especially heroin and other opiates.
Sept. 24 – Principals, former staff members, students and parents of Sidney Fenn Elementary got the chance to to reminisce about old times at an open house celebrating the building’s 50th anniversary Sept. 16.
Sept. 24 – Montville Township Trustees and community members gathered Sept. 14 to dedicate the township’s newest park, Austin Badger Park.
Sept. 24 – New Buckeye Superintendent Kent Morgan chaired his first school board meeting Sept. 13.
Oct. 1 – Medina Mayor Dennis Hanwell called the city’s state “excellent,” highlighting accessible government officials and building partnerships wherever possible, during his annual State of the City Address Sept. 26.
Oct. 1 – Medina City Council enacted a six-month moratorium on medical marijuana cultivation, processing and sale within city limits in a 4-3 vote Sept. 26.
Oct. 1 – The Ninth District Court of Appeals ruled a 2014 lawsuit, filed by former Medina Schools Superintdent Randy Stepp, against the school board who fired him and invalidated his contract, was allowed to proceed, possibly to trial.
Oct. 8 – Medina School Board members agreed Oct. 3 to pursue naming rights agreements for district facilities as a way to raise extra revenue.
Oct. 15 – More than 30 beers from numerous breweries were available for sample at the annual Medina Beer Fest, sponsored by Main Street Medina, at Weymouth Country Club Oct. 8.
Oct. 15 – Medina City School launched its new app and website, which are part of the Blackboard online platform.
Oct. 22 – Eric Trump, one of the sons of president-elect Donald Trump, made a quick campaign stop on behalf of his father at the county’s GOP headquarters on North Court Street the afternoon of Oct. 18.
Nov. 9 – Real estate mogul turned politician and reality TV star Donald J. Trump (R), 70, was voted the 45th president-elect of The United States over Democrat candidate former Secretary of State Hillary R. Clinton.
Nov. 9 – Rob Portman (R) was re-elected to the U.S. Senate; Bob Gibbs (R) was re-elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in the 7th District; Jim Renacci (R) was re-elected to the U.S. House in the 16th District; Larry Obhof (R) was re-elected to the Ohio Senate in the 22nd District; Stephen Hambley (R) was elected to the Ohio House of Representatives in the 69th District; Darrell Kick (R) was elected to the Ohio House in the 70th District; William Hutson (R) was elected Medina County Commissioner; Patricia Geissman (R) was re-elected county commissioner; S. Forrest Thompson (R) was elected Medina County prosecutor; David Wadsworth (R) was re-elected Medina County clerk of courts; Tom Miller (R) was re-elected sheriff, running opposed; Colleen Swedyk (R) was elected county recorder; John Burke (R) was re-elected Medina County treasurer; Andrew Conrad (R) was elected county engineer, running unopposed; Lisa Deranek (R) was elected Medina County coroner; Christopher Collier was re-elected Medina County Court of Common Pleas judge; the Medina County Home renewal levy passed; Lodi’s current expenses renewal levy passed; Chatham’s cemetery renewal and increase levy passed; Guilford Township’s renewal fire levy passed; Lafaytte Township’s fire station bond issue passed; Harrisville-Lodi’s cemetery district additional levy passed.
Nov. 12 – Local veterans and community members gathered at Williams on the Lake Nov. 2 for a special luncheon and ceremony in honor of Veterans Day.
Nov. 19 – U.S. Marshals and Medina Police arrested two members of the MS-13 gang in the area of Medina Village Apartments Nov. 10, wanted in connection with a gruesome murder in Virginia. Kevin Cruz, 22, and Carlos Cisneros, 21, are believed to be members of the notorious MS-13 gang responsible for the shooting death of a man, who was then allegedly sliced up with a machete.
Nov. 26 – Following a successful re-election campaign, state Sen. Larry Obhof (R-Montville) was unanimously elected to serve as president of the Ohio Senate for the 132nd General Assembly Nov. 15.
Nov. 26 – The 32nd installment of Candlelight Walk, the city of Medina’s weekend-long holiday kickoff event, drew thousands downtown and included a lighting ceremony, parade and fireworks.
Dec. 10 – The Medina Post’s Eat, Drink, Shop Medina promotion drew more than 400 participants in its second year, where more than $9,000 in prizes donated by local businesses were given away to Post readers.
Dec. 10 – The Post Newspapers mourned the loss of Susan Griffiths, a talented graphic artist and customer service representative. She was 47.
Dec. 10 – Work began Dec. 5 on the multi-million-dollar project to widen lanes on U.S. Route 42 in the city of Medina (North Court Street) and in Medina Township (Pearl Road).
Dec. 10 – A Montville Township breeder of Persian cats, Trixxe McCowin, 42, charged with leaving kittens in a container in front of a Brunswick business last year was acquitted in a non-jury trial Dec. 1.
Dec. 17 – About 130 kids were accompanied by over 60 Medina-area police officers and 100 volunteers to buy presents for themselves and their families for the holidays during the annual Shop with a Cop program.
Dec. 17 – Medina Football Coach Dan Sutherland stepped down from his position after five seasons, the most recent being a dramatic playoff run after an 8-2 regular season and share of the conference championship.
Dec. 24 – Lafayette Trustee Bryon Macron was reported missing “under suspicious circumstances” the morning of Dec. 16, according to the Medina County Sheriff’s Office. Deputies responded to the Township Administration Building around 7:30 a.m. and found Macron’s office in “disarray.” His vehicle was located several hours later at a public parking lot on Beachside Boulevard in Gloria Glens.
Dec. 24 – Kiwanis President Barb Smith died in a car wreck in the Youngstown area Dec. 13. Smith, who was 61, was helping to organize First Night Medina, a new New Year’s Eve celebration in Public Square.
