Mold Remediation in North Benton, OH

BENTON TOWNSHIP - A case pitting local property owners against a company that wants to put spent lime in the former Stoneco quarry is scheduled to go to bench trial in March but could be decided by summary judgment, the county's prosecutor said Tuesday.

Ottawa County Prosecutor James VanEerten said Benton Township filed a motion for summary judgment in Ottawa County Common Pleas Court against Rocky Ridge Development LLC and Stansley Industries.

If the case is not decided by summary judgment, a bench trial is scheduled to begin March 18.

VanEerten and Benton Township allege the companies' activity violated local zoning laws.

Rocky Ridge Development LLC bought the fractured limestone quarry in 2014, reviving the abandoned site as a new resting place for spent lime sludge from Toledo's Collins Park Water Treatment Plant.

MORE: Quarry neighbors irate about dumping, water quality

Benton Township opponents say Rocky Ridge Development LLC dumped spent lime sludge into excavated cells and covered it with dirt, not in compliance with the company's Ohio EPA Land Application Management Plan (LAMP) permit, which requires the lime sludge to be dry and mixed with 65 percent native soil to 35 percent dried sludge from the treatment plant.

There's been a halt in activity at the quarry since March 2017 after a court injunction issued by Ottawa County Common Pleas Judge Bruce Winters.

Rocky Ridge Development LLC representatives repeatedly insisted publicly that they were following the conditions of their Ohio EPA-issued LAMP permit and were safely disposing of the spent lime sludge from the Collins Park Water Treatment Plant.

The Ohio Sixth District Court of Appeals dismissed a motion by Rocky Ridge Development LLC in October 2017 to lift a temporary injunction halting operations at its Benton Township quarry.

Tuesday, VanEerten said there had been a little activity recently at the quarry site.

The prosecutor said Rocky Ridge Development filed a request to do some cleanup work at the Benton Township quarry site to prevent flooding from spreading to adjacent property owners' land.

"We did not oppose that," VanEerten said.

Brenda Weidner, a member of The Benton Township Quarry Dumping Opposition, said her group is in a holding pattern waiting on a ruling in the case.

She said the group is trying to maintain awareness with its billboard on Ohio 2 and through yard signs.

dacarson@gannett.com

419-334-1046

Twitter: @DanielCarson7

ALLIANCE − Hunters will hit the fields and forests for deer this week, as Ohio's gun hunting season begins.

The gun season starts Nov. 28 and ends Dec. 4, followed by a gun weekend Dec. 17-18.

According to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Wildlife, nearly 90,000 deer were harvested by gun hunters in 2021, and most kills were in gun week.

State wildlife officials expect similar numbers after this year's gun season, said Jamey Emmert, an ODNR Division of Wildlife communications specialist.

If you plan to hunt in the Alliance area, or a wee bit beyond, ODNR said the following places are spacious and most suitable for gun hunters:

• Berlin Lake Wildlife Area: This 8,518-acre area near North Benton includes nearly 5,000 acres for public hunting. It lies north and south of U.S. Route 224, less than seven miles north of Alliance.

• Brush Creek Wildlife: This 4,142-acre area near Salineville is in Jefferson County, near the Columbiana County border. It is 40 miles southeast of Alliance. "Well worth the drive," Emmert said.

• Highlandtown Wildlife Area: This 2,268-acre area near Highlandtown is 35 miles east of Alliance in Columbiana County, also near Salineville.

• Zepernick Wildlife Area: This 521-acre area is near New Alexander in Columbiana County. It is a 15-mile drive southeast from Alliance.

Emmert said the 93-acre Lake Park Wildlife Area near Alliance in Mahoning County is better suited for deer archery because its smaller, not for gun hunters.

Reach Benjamin Duer at 330-580-8567 or ben.duer@cantonrep.com. Follow on Twitter @bduerREP.

The Alliance Review

Thirteen students who make up the Top 10% of West Branch’s Class of 2022 were honored Wednesday at the 32nd annual West Branch High School Senior Academic Recognition Banquet.

The event, at Almost Home Event Center in Sebring, includes the students’ parents or guardians, plus teachers each student selected as “most significant” in their educational career.

Brian Coffee, principal of West Branch High School, and Penny DeShields, assistant principal, recognized the students. Senior Addyson Jones gave the invocation.

Superintendent Micki Egli introduced guest speaker Carson Weingart, a 2010 graduate of West Branch High School.

Weingart led several student organizations, including serving as president of the Warrior Band, National Honor Society and Student Ruriteens, and was editor of the school newspaper. He and a friend also co-hosted the morning announcements. After his senior year, Weingart completed an ARCT Diploma in piano performance through the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto.

He graduated in 2015 from Ball State University with degrees in business administration and piano performance. After college, he was hired as the area manager of guest services at Cedar Point. He moved up through the ranks to become director of food and beverage operations at the park in March 2022. During his time with Cedar Point, he developed the Park Operations Internship Program, which has welcomed hundreds of students since 2016, many of whom have been promoted to full-time careers with the company.

Weingart and his wife, Nicole, live in Sandusky.

The 13 students were were honored were:

• ALYSSA L. BARNETT, daughter of Scott AND Andrea Barnett of Beloit. She plans to study Communication Sciences and Disorders at Bowling Green State University. Activities included Alliance Elks Teenager of the Month selection in January; president, National Honor Society, 2021-22; fall and winter homecoming court. Barnett’s honored educator was honors geometry and honors advanced math and trigonometry teacher Regina Solak.

• KAYLEE R. BURCAW, daughter of Mark and Nancy Burcaw of North Benton. She plans to study science and nursing at Kent State University. Activities included Village Varieties Community Service Award, children’s ministry leader at Connecting Point Chapel, varsity letter in track and field. Burcaw’s honored educator was her high school algebra II teacher, Shawn Alazaus.

• ASA DeSANZO, daughter of David and Shannon DeSanzo of Homeworth. She plans to study radiologic technology at Kent State University. Her activities include completing 27 credit hours as a full-time student at Kent State during her senior year, graduating summa cum laude, while working part time at MPI Labels in Alliance. DeDanzo’s honored educator was selected her third-grade teacher, Stacy McInturff.

• SYDNEY FETTERS, daughter of Randall and Kristin Fetters of Homeworth. She plans to study early childhood education at Malone University. Her activities included National Honor Society treasurer, tennis team captain, and Educators Rising president. Fetters’ honored educator was her high school marine science and honors/AP biology teacher, Kristen Tice.

• HAYDEN HAWK, son of Aaron and Danielle Hawk of Homeworth. He plans to study electrical engineering at University of Toledo. Activities included National Honor Society member, Habitat for Humanity volunteer, three-year high school basketball player. Hawk’s honored educator was his high school basketball coach, Michael Brown.

• ADDYSON JONES, daughter of Casey and Tracie Jones of Homeworth. She plans to study early childhood education at Lourdes University. Activities included Elks Teenager of the Month for October, EBC player of the year and second-team All-State and National Honor Society vice president. Jones’ honored educator was her third-grade teacher, Tina McMullen.

• MORGAN A. LOUDON, daughter of Scott and Melissa Loudon of Beloit. She plans to study biology at Ohio State University. Activities included Elks Teenager of the Month, softball team captain, and 2021-22 fall and winter homecoming court. Loudon’s honored educator was her high school statistics teacher, Matthew Roshak.

• GLORIANA R. MAENDEL, daughter of Matthew and Elizabeth Maendel of Alliance. She plans to study computer programming and missions. Her activities included Aultman Hospital ambassador of the year, Leo Club president and secretary, and Fine Arts Worship Band member. Maendel’s honored educator was her high school Spanish teacher, Erica Polinori.

• STEVEN MARRA, son of Justin and Stacy Marra of Salem. He plans to play football and study education at Ashland University. His activities included National Honor Society, Student Council vice president, and All State in football and wrestling. Marra’s honored educator was his high school counselor, Ken Harris.

• RACHEL McGONAGLE, daughter of Larry and Gerri McGonagle of Beloit. She plans to study political science/pre-law in Kent State University’s Honors College. Activities included West Branch High School Colorguard member, National Honor Society and varsity Academic Challenge member. McGonagle’s honored educator was her high school AP American government and geography and world issues teacher, Shane Blommel.

• TORI C. SHIELDS, daughter of Eric and Michelle Shields of Berlin Center. She plans to study biochemistry or biology. Activities included four-year letter winner in track, National Honor Society and maintaining a 3.9 GPA through high school. Shields’ honored educator was her fourth-grade teacher, Tonya Edie.

• JACEK STROTZ, son of Vince and Anita Strotz of Beloit. He plans to study computer science, mathematics, data science and Spanish at University of Mount Union. Activities included designing a computer program to assist Dr. Anne Triplett in donating custom hats to Alliance Domestic Shelter, was declared one of eight presidential scholars by University of Mount Union, and presented a computational solution to a math puzzle at Mount Union. Strotz’s honored educator was his eighth-grade language arts and social studies teacher, Penny DeShields.

• SAMANTHA M. TUBBS, daughter of Daniel and Susan Tubbs of Homeworth. She plans to study integrated mathematics at Kent State University. Activities included West Branch FFA president, Just Rite 4-H group vice president, and girls tennis team co-captain. Tubbs’ honored educator was her high school honors biology and chemistry teacher, Tara Robb.

NEWS

The Independent

It's good news for apple lovers and apple growers. This year's crop is expected to be bountiful.

Despite a rough start with an early frost, it's been an almost perfect growing season, Ohio Farm Bureau spokesman Ty Higgins said.

"All of the factors were ideal," he said. "There was a perfect amount of heat and adequate amounts of rain throughout the growing season."

The successful yield is setting up a picture-perfect season for apple picking across the area.

Many orchards are gearing up for the start of the season when guests are allowed to invade their fruit farms and pick their own apples.

Ohio apple picking increased in popularity last year

Last year, while many restrictions were put on everything from attendance at sporting events to festivals and concerts, Gov. Mike DeWine suggested Ohio families go apple picking.

That advice changed the lives of orchard owners. Russell Joudrey, who owns and operates Apple Hill Orchards in Mansfield and Fredericktown, said his farm and his counterparts saw a rush of people anxious to get out and have some family fun.

"It was overwhelming and it is expected we'll have a good year this year," he said.

Apple Hill Orchards is prepared for the onslaught of visitors.

The outdoor venues are ideal for social distancing, he said.

"Orchards are big and you can spread out. I don't want to say it is ideal but it beats sitting shoulder to shoulder at a football game," Joudrey said. "It fits the family bill and the safety bill."

'They are seeing the fruits of their labor, literally.'

At Kuner's Fruit Farm in Green, the apple season is just starting to pick up with early varieties of apples on their market shelves. The orchard's you-pick season is the last two weeks of September and the first week of October.

"We have a good crop, about 26 varieties that span the season," owner Rose Kuner said.

The early freeze caused some damage to early varieties, she said, but later varieties aren't showing the damage.

"It's just a skin thing," Kuner said. "They don't look as pretty, but they still taste good."

Higgins said when apples blossom, they are at their weakest point and an early frost can cause damage.

"We saw it last year, too," he said. "It's something that hampered apple growers and (some apples) will have a frost mark on them but by and large they came through it and had a heck of a growing season. They are seeing the fruits of their labor, literally."

'The moisture was just right' for Honeycrisp, Gala apples

Moreland Fruit Farm in Wooster opened its pick-your-own season early with its Honeycrisp crop. Apple lovers could snag their own Honeycrisps last weekend and this weekend. The remainder of the pick-your-own season begins Sept. 17 through October.

"We had a very good apple crop," Moreland owner Emanuel Miller said. "We just had real nice weather. The moisture was just right. We have about 12 different varieties from Honeycrisp to Portland to Gala."

Moreland has been around since 1920, but Miller and his wife, Barb, and their 14 children took over the farm four years ago. They expect to begin making their unpasteurized apple cider this week and will have the sweet nectar for sale in the market through the end of the year.

Local growers are excited for the season.

"People are excited to get and do things especially with the challenges of 2020 and early 2021," Higgins said. "They are excited about fall and everything that comes along with those activities on the farm."

Reach Amy at 330-775-1135 or amy.knapp@indeonline.com.

On Twitter: @aknappINDE

Northeast Ohio apple orchards

Here's a look at apple orchards located throughout Northeast Ohio:

Ashland County

Carroll County

Columbiana County

Mahoning County

Medina County

Portage County

Richland County

Stark County

Summit County

Tuscarawas County

Wayne County