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West Side News & Notes



Turske selected as Norton  administrative officer

Phil Turske Photo courtesy of the City of Norton

NORTON — Minerva Village Administrator Philip Turske was recently selected as the new Norton administrative officer, replacing Robert Fowler, who is moving to become Mentor City Manager as of Dec. 9.
Turske will assume his new role in January at an annual salary of $90,000, according to city officials.
Norton Mayor Mike Zita said there were 10 applicants for the administrative officer position, seven of whom were interviewed. Turske was selected in part based upon his 10 years of experience in municipal management roles with increasing responsibility; extensive capital and planning experience; educational background; experience with union and non-union employees; grant writing and management skills; and managing over $500,000 in grant funds.
“We are excited to have Phil join our team and look forward with him helping to serve the residents of Norton,” said Zita.
According to his resume, Turske has worked in Minerva since 2019, overseeing a $9 million annual budget and securing $550,000 in grant funding and investing $900,000 in infrastructure projects since 2020.
Prior to serving in Minerva, Turske was a contract and grant administrator for Lorain, where he administered multiple grants funding over $500,000 worth of projects, according to his resume.
Turske earned a bachelor’s degree in political science and an associate degree in criminal justice in 2010 from Davis and Elkins College in Elkins, W. Va., where he graduated magna cum laude. In 2012, he earned a master’s degree in public policy, with specializations in economics and state and local policy, from Pepperdine University School of Public Policy in Malibu, Calif.
Turske said he is happy to be coming to Norton.
“I believe this is a great opportunity for myself and for Norton,” he said. “I feel as though I can bring a lot to the city and look forward to getting started.”

 

Christmas Box Angel ceremony planned

STOW — The Christmas Box Angel of Hope Children’s Memorial event will be held Dec. 11 at 5 p.m. at Silver Springs Cemetery, 5080 Stow Road, to honor the memories of beloved children.
The local candle lighting event is being held in conjunction with the Worldwide Candle Lighting that begin began in 1996 as a way to remember children who have passed. Candles are lit for one hour in all time zones, creating a 24-hour wave of light across the world. This event was created by the Compassionate Friends, a national organization that helps bereaved parents.
Candles will be provided at the Stow ceremony and attendees can bring flowers in memory of a child. Memorial bricks are also being sold through the end of the year.
For more information, visit www.christmasboxangelofhopestowohio.com, the Stow Christmas Box Angel of Hope Children’s Memorial Facebook page, or email stowangelofhope@aol.com.

 

Falls Police Department Toys for Tickets returns

CUYAHOGA FALLS —The Cuyahoga Falls Police Department’s Toys for Tickets program returns for its 13th year through Dec. 9.
This program allows motorists stopped for minor traffic offenses to trade a traffic warning for a toy waiver — a donation — to a local charity. The toy waiver encourages the driver to drop off a new, unwrapped toy at the Cuyahoga Falls Police Department, 2310 Second St., on or before Dec. 10.
“I am proud of the Cuyahoga Falls Police Department for their commitment to helping our youngest residents through this annual program,” said Cuyahoga Falls Mayor Don Walters. “Toys for Tickets is an opportunity to remind motorists to drive with added caution during the holiday season and benefit our local charities.”

 

2023 Dog licenses  now available

SUMMIT COUNTY —Summit County residents can now purchase 2023 dog licenses.
The cost for a single-year license is $18, a three-year license is $54 and a permanent license is $180. Licenses can be purchased online, by mail or in-person at one of 19 neighborhood locations, including local license bureaus, pet shops and hardware stores, according to county officials.
The Ohio Revised Code requires anyone who owns, keeps or harbors a dog more than three months old to purchase a county dog license. Kennel owners must also renew their licenses during the same time period, at a cost of $80 per license.
To purchase a dog license online, to find additional locations or to purchase a license, visit fiscaloffice.summitoh.net/index.php/dog-licensing or call 330-630-7226.
County officials note that if a lost dog is found and is wearing a license tag the owner’s information can be found on the Summit County website by searching “Missing Pet Network” and “Kristine’s Kanine Search.”

 

The Chapel offering cookbook of international recipes

AKRON — The Chapel in Akron has expanded its outreach ministry with the “Akron Internationals Student Cookbook,” a new 118-page spiral-bound book that features recipes and full-color photos submitted by international college students at The University of Akron who have attended Friday night dinners and English as a Second Language classes at the church.
Church officials stated a group of these students asked Stephen Morris, assistant college director, about how they could express their appreciation to their new American friends, and he suggested they share some of their family recipes. This project grew into a collection of traditional recipes from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Brazil, China, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Iran, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Libya, Nigeria, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Turkey and Vietnam.
“By offering recipes from their home countries, our international friends shared a window into the cultures and customs they brought with them to our city,” Morris said in the cookbook’s introduction. “It seemed only fitting then, that we compile their favorites into a cookbook so more people could enjoy these authentic dishes at home.”
Some of recipes include stories written by the students about why that particular dish is meaningful to them, and the cookbook also lists Akron-area ethnic grocery stores where readers can shop for unique ingredients.
The cookbook can be purchased at The Chapel, 135 Fir Hill, for a suggested donation of $10, which covers printing and publishing costs.
To learn more about Akron Internationals, English as a Second Language classes or Friday Night Dinners for Internationals hosted by the church, email Morris at Stephen.morris@thechapel.life.

 

New book for beginning anglers offers tips

CLEVELAND — The Fishing Foundation’s (TFF) new book, “Learn to Fish: A Step-by-Step Guide for Beginning Anglers,” by TFF co-founders Dennis Knowles and Gail Grizzell, is now available on Amazon.
This children’s fishing book has over 100 pages on fishing safety and equipment, information on preparing to go fishing, casting and how to land a fish and what to do after the catch.
TFF is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization based in Greater Cleveland.
For more information, visit www.thefishingfoundation.org.