Area News

PHOTOS COURTESY OF CITY OF NORTON A rendering of Norton Veterans Memorial Park, featuring the zigzag reflection walkway, a saluting soldier silhouette, and a central hexagonal platform honoring all six branches of the U.S. military. The city will dedicate the site at 9 a.m. on Friday, July 4. Norton Historical Society plaque honoring the service…

PHOTOS BY EMILY CANNING-DEAN | BGNN Greg Pivens, a lifetime member of VFW Post 1066, serves as guest speaker for the May 26 ceremony at the Lake Anna Military Honor Wall. Visitors to Barberton’s annual Memorial Day service included members of the American Legion and VFW Post 1066, members of the Barberton High School band…

Photos by Bob Morehead/BGNN Barberton Superintendent Jason Ondrus and event director Tom Suppan present PPG plant manager Scott Reinhart a plaque celebrating the company’s quarter-century of support. The winners of the BMS fishing derby show off their trophies. By BOB MOREHEAD BGNN senior staff writer Some ideas stick and hang on like a fishhook. At…

Photos by Bob Morehead/BGNN Barberton Safety Director Jaime Iceman administers the oath to Fire Chief David Polacek. Deacon Robin Adair, Barberton Fire Department chaplain, blesses Chief David Polacek with holy water May 5. Joy Polacek pins the chief’s badge on her husband, David, after he is sworn in May 5 as Barberton’s fire chief. By…

PHOTO FROM BARBERTON PUBLIC LIBRARY Mayor Seney A. Decker (pictured at center) stands with members of the Barberton Police Department, most who were on duty at the Battle of Lake Anna. Also pictured from left (front row), are officers James Head, Henry Robinson, Byron Eubanks; detectives Jack Baylor and Art Casselberry; officers Charles Johnson and…

PHOTOS PROVIDED BGNN staff report Draga Kercheff was surprised with a polka party for her 99th birthday April 28. “She’s had an amazing time and still talking about how ‘everybody was dancing’,” said Paula Dumanski, Elara Caring volunteer coordinator. Walter and Jeanette Wolansky — the Polka Charmers — performed for her and a staff member…

Dayton’s Flower & Garden Center, 4474 Cleveland Massillon Road, Norton, is extending its spring hours. By CHRISTINA McCUNE | BGNN staff NORTON  It all began nearly 70 years ago with Christmas trees. Thousands of them. And then in the spring, customers knew to look for azaleas and rhododendrons. Del and Dorothy Dayton grew their business…

Pleasant Pointe Assisted Living residents Susan Sturgill, Dolores Engler, Margaret Nahacky, June Brindley, and Lucy Daffner celebrated milestone birthdays. The movie theme included a local car club bringing a 2000 Corvette and 1967 Country Sedan, a red carpet, popular tunes and candy from decades ago, and fun movie snacks like popcorn, nachos and snow cones.…

PHOTO BY BOB MOREHEAD | BGNN Local author Conrad Storad shows off his new book, “The Magical History Tour,” serving as curriculum for Barberton’s third-grade local history module. By BOB MOREHEAD BGNN senior staff writer BARBERTON  For decades, the Barberton City Schools have introduced their third-grade kids to the history of our city. The teachers…

Gary Harvey, Kim Diefendorff, Cliff Diefendorff, and son, Cliff Diefendorff are continuing the decades-old legacy of serving auto repair and maintenance needs at 3873 S Cleve-Mass Road, Norton. Call 330-825-0003. By CHRISTINA McCUNE BGNN managing editor NORTON  You can’t miss it. It’s the auto repair shop across the road from Norton High School. One could…