BARBERTON COMMUNITY FOUNDATION EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: Getting ready to get ready
This appeared in the Feb. 11 edition of The BGNN. Barberton Community Foundation Executive Director Josh Gordon Last month, I shared some background on the listening and research journey the Foundation has been on for the past 18-24 months. The journey I refer to includes the 100+ conversations with community members, and the various research…
Read MoreCity eyes newer building for new city hall
By BOB MOREHEAD BGNN senior staff writer BARBERTON The building secured and the engineering half done, Barberton is taking an abrupt turn in its bid for a new municipal office home. Instead of the 40-plus-year-old former FirstMerit building downtown, bought with $850,000 of federal COVID relief money, officials are eying the much newer Summit County…
Read MoreTimothy W. Zilman, 68
Timothy W. Zilman, 68, passed away unexpectedly on June 3, 2026 after a brief illness. Tim was born on November 7, 1957 the Walter and Helen Zilman (deceased). He graduated from Barberton High School in 1975. Tim loved music and playing piano. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother…
Read MoreWanda Marie Rogers, 70
Wanda Marie Rogers, 70,passed away Monday, June 1, 2026. Wanda was born Monday, March 5, 1956 to the late Truman and Dorothy (Hampe) Rogers and lived in the Barberton area most of her life. She was a faithful member of the South Barberton Ohio Jehovah’s Witnesses and she loved to collect postcards, old song books,…
Read MoreSvetlana “Lana” Baker, 57
Svetlana “Lana” Baker, age 57, passed away on January 28, 2026. She was born June 1, 1968 in Yugoslavia. Lana is survived by her mother, Vida Stanich; sisters, Tavita Talev and Donna Starcky; daughter, Kristina Jodon; son, Stephen Johnson; granddaughters, Layla, Hailey, and Hannah Jodon; and many friends and family members. A Celebration of Life…
Read MoreThelma Cooper, 96
Thelma Cooper, 96, went home to be with the Lord on Monday, May 18, 2026. She was born in Joker, West Virginia on April 30, 1930, to the late Theodore and Rutherford Buck and was the oldest of twelve children. She was a resident of Clinton for 63 years. Thelma retired from Wright Tool and…
Read MoreHistorical Anna Dean Farm walking tour returns
Photos by MAGIC CITY AERIALS The 30th Anna Dean Walking Tour is 2 p.m. Sunday, May 31 at the Piggery in Barberton. By CHRISTINA McCUNE BGNN managing editor BARBERTON Magic City history buffs and O.C. Barber fans – and architecture and barn enthusiasts in general – may want to break out their most comfortable walking…
Read MoreGrant to help give new life to downtown landmark
PHOTO PROVIDED A matching grant from the Barberton Community Foundation will support the redevelopment of the Tracy Building, also known as Alexander Commons, at 554-560 W Tuscarawas Ave. The long-term vision for the site includes 32 to 38 upper-floor apartments and renovated first-floor commercial space. BGNN staff report BARBERTON A matching grant from the Barberton…
Read MoreBarberton mayor recommends private company to contract with city building department
BGNN staff report BARBERTON City council is scheduled to vote Tuesday on whether the city should contract with Summit County to serve as a certified building commissioner for the city’s building department. Mayor William Judge said he believes it may be more advantageous for the city to contract with a private company instead. His concerns…
Read MoreJeffery Gordon, 80
Jeffery Gordon, age 80, passed away May 13, 2026. He was born on March 14, 1946 in Barberton, Ohio. He worked at Babcock & Wilcox for 35 years before retiring and then driving over the road for 20 years. Jeffery is preceded in death by his parents, Ora Ray and Evelyn Gordon; sisters, Gail Weigand…
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