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Volume 55, No. 14
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CHESTERLAND NEWS Wednesday, November 22, 2023
Your Community Newspaper Since 1967
Obituaries pages 4-5
Classifieds start on page 7
Community Meetings SHERRY GAVANDITTI/KMG
A six-member panel gave a presentation on keeping children safe from child pornography, grooming, abduction and sextortion in Berkshire Schools’ auditorium Nov. 13. They were, from left, Scott Christopher, of the Geauga County Prosecutor’s Office Child Advocacy Center; Don Seamon, detective with the Geauga County Sheriff’s Office; Jennie Canganelli, a prevention specialist with ESC of Northeast Ohio; Holly Jacobson, prevention consultant with of Northeast Ohio; Tracy Jordan, victim advocate with the Geauga County Sheriff’s Office; and Karen Lackey, wellness coordinator with ESC of Northeast Ohio.
Think B4 You Send: Parents Warned, Educated Of Sexual Predators’ Tactics to Harm Children By Sherry Gavanditti editor@karlovecmedia.com
Dozens of parents wore concerned and mortified expressions while attending a panel educational discussion in Berkshire Schools’ auditorium Nov. 13. Hearing heart-wrenching, terrifying true stories about the extent to which sexual predators have gone
to find a child victim to taunt, hurt, kidnap or even murder, attendees learned that even their kid’s own peers could take advantage of one intimate post made in haste on social media or in texts that could be life-changing — or life-ending. “Young people don’t think it can happen to them,” said Holly Jacobson, prevention consultant for the Educational Service Center of
Northeast Ohio and one of six panel members at Monday’s event in Burton Township. But, predators have fine-tuned the art of pretending to be other people, peers or new friends, she warned those in the audience, adding parents have to be smarter by taking control of their children’s phones, social media and whereabouts.
Nearly 18,000 children were reported missing in Ohio each year for the past decade, according to the Ohio Attorney General’s Office. Monday’s presentation, titled, “Yeah, it happens here: Child pornography, grooming, abduction and sextortion,” provided proactive tips for parents to keep their children safe. See Safety • Page 6
Home Energy Assistance Available for Geaugans Submitted The Ohio Department of Development and Geauga County Job and Family Services remind Geauga County residents that assistance is available to help with their home energy bills. The Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) helps Ohioans at or below 175% of the federal poverty guidelines pay their heating bills. In addition to HEAP, Ohioans who are threatened with disconnec-
tion, have been disconnected from their utility service, transferring service, establishing new services, at or below 25% bulk fuel may be eligible for the HEAP Winter Crisis Program, which is available through March 31, 2024. Geauga residents may apply for the Winter Crisis Program (WCP) through Geauga County Job and Family Services by calling 440-2851299. Application for the WCP is by telephone interview only.
Ohioans can visit energyhelp. ohio.gov to apply for the HEAP program online, download a copy of the application or find contact information for a local Energy Assistance Provider. Individuals will need to have copies of the following documents to include with their application: • Most recent utility bills • A list of all household members, birthdates, and Social Security numbers
• Proof of income for the past 30 days for all household members • Proof of Citizenship or legal residency for all household members • Proof of disability, if applicable HEAP benefits are applied to an individual’s energy bill after Jan. 1. If you need immediate assistance with your energy bills, contact Geauga County Job and Family Services, 12611 Ravenwood Drive, Suite 150, Munson Township, atxs 440-285-9141.
Listed are upcoming public meetings and executive sessions for November and December. These meeting notices are NOT legal notices. Chester Township: Nov. 30, 6:30 p.m., Board of Trustees; Dec. 6, 7 p.m., Zoning Commission; Dec. 11, 7 p.m., Board of Zoning Appeals; Dec. 14, 6:30 p.m., Board of Trustees; Dec 20, 7 p.m., Zoning Commission; Dec. 28, 6:30 p.m., Board of Trustees. All meetings are held at the Township Hall, 12701 Chillicothe Road, unless otherwise noted. Russell Township: Dec. 4, 7 p.m., Board of Zoning Appeals; Dec. 7, 2 p.m., Board of Trustees; Dec. 21, 6 p.m., Board of Trustees; Dec. 27, 6 p.m., Zoning Commission. All meetings are held at Russell Town Hall, 14890 Chillicothe Road, unless otherwise noted. West Geauga BOE: Dec. 18, 7 p.m., regular meeting. All meetings are held at the BOE Community Room, 8615 Cedar Road, unless otherwise noted.
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