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Volume 52, No. 24
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CHESTERLAND NEWS Wednesday, April 14, 2021
Your Community Newspaper Since 1967 West Geauga Softball Team Returns to the Diamond By Jason Baxter sports@geaugamapleleaf.com West Geauga head softball coach Bob Leppla, now in his sixth year at the helm, had compiled a 25-12 record in the two years leading up to the cancellation of the 2020 season. The 2019 season ended with a 4-0 loss to Cortland Lakeview, now a distant memory, it was part of the journey for the Wolverines in taking the program to the next level in the extremely competitive Division II Jefferson District. Though that momentum was slowed by the cancellation of last season, that has not stopped Coach Leppla and his program from building to be successful in 2021 and beyond. Leppla said that he expects his team’s strengths will be team unity, senior Leadership and athleticism. The Wolverines have six letterwinners returning from the 2019 season. The Wolverines will count on senior pitchers Kiera Williams (1-1, 3.28 ERA) and Joselyn Moores (0-1, 5.28 ERA). Williams will also play centerfield, in 2019, she had a .386 batting average with two home runs and 13 RBIs. First base/outfielder Lauren Kretschman (.262 Batting Average, 3 RBIs), while Mia Pizzuto will handle catching duties. Leppla said: “We are a very young team experience wise. As the season progresses we hope to compete at a varsity level and win some games.” “We have a good young nucleus with senior leadership, he added.” The Wolverines will count on a See Softball • Page 8
Motorbike Thieves Caught in Chester after High-Speed Chase By Ann Wishart ann@geaugamapleleaf.com An online ad to sell a motorbike in Newbury Township led to theft, shots fired, a high-speed chase and apprehension of three Cleveland teens in Chester Township early evening March 30. Geauga County Sheriff Scott Hildenbrand told the Geauga County Maple Leaf three Black teens responded to an advertisement Jefferson Jr. on Facebook Marketplace listing the sale of a blue Yamaha dirt bike. A Ravenna Road resident had placed the ad. The two juveniles and Frederick Damon Jefferson Jr., 18, of Linwood Avenue, showed up at the
karlovec media group PHOTO COURTESY OF MICHAEL PICHA
Chester Township police apprehended three Cleveland teens — 16, 17 and 18 years old — following a high-speed chase March 30. The men stole a Yamaha dirt bike a Newbury Township man had listed for sale on Facebook Marketplace. The adult male is being held at the county jail on a $50,000 cash or surety bond.
resident’s home shortly after 6 p.m. March 30 and told the homeowner they wanted to test drive his motorbike. One got on the Yamaha dirt bike, drove out the driveway and kept going, Hildenbrand said.
The other two jumped in their car and followed. The homeowner, who has a concealed carry license, pulled out his gun and shot once in the air and once at the vehicle, See Chase • Page 4
ATV Riders Charged for Criminal Trespass By Ann Wishart ann@geaugamapleleaf.com
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Larry Komidar, of Chester Township, clearly marked his property on Camelot Lane to keep ATV riders off. Last week police apprehended five young men and cited three for criminal trespass and criminal mischief.
Five young men caught riding their all-terrain vehicles on private property in Chester Township were apprehended March 27 and three of them face charges of criminal trespass and criminal mischief, said Chester Police Chief Mark Purchase. Rory Nolan, 20, of Mayfield Heights, Michael Harden, 20, of Highland Heights, and a 17-yearold male from Highland Heights were seen by Larry Komidar, who called the Chester Police Department to report the trespassers were driving recklessly on his property and on the strip of land under the Cleveland Electric Illuminating Company power lines behind his property.
It wasn’t the first time Komidar had seen the ATVs tear across his property, shoot across Camelot Lane and tear up the turf of his neighbor as they did high-speed donuts. There have been repeat performances for a year. “The one group keeps coming back again and again,” Komidar said in a phone interview last week. “They are definitely a nuisance and they damage property.” Komidar said last November it is not uncommon for ATV riders to mistakenly consider the land under the CEI high tension lines public property. When he flags them down and explains they are trespassing, most leave and do not return. However, when he repeatedly See Trespass • Page 6
Seeking
SALES REP
Karlovec Media Group is hiring account representatives to sell print and online advertising in and around Geauga County, specifically in the Chesterland and Kirtland areas. We are seeking self-motivated and aggressive salespeople who aren’t afraid of a challenge. Sales areas will include both print and online media. Candidates must be able to manage time wisely, meet deadlines and have reliable transportation. All of our staff must be willing to work in a team environment to help grow our newspapers. The ability to understand and live with a deadline-driven business is a must. The ideal candidate would have at least two years of sales experience. This is an independent contractor (1099) position.
Submit resumes to
editor@geaugamapleleaf.com
Maple Leaf
GEAUGA COUNTY
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