Listen to our one-minute audio summary here.
SPORTS
Champion Rugby Teams Celebrated
Mayor Dennis Hanwell presented proclamations to both the Medina Middle School U14 girls rugby team and Medina High School varsity boys rugby team for their 2025 state championships during the June 23 council meeting.
The middle school girls team completed an undefeated season with 15 wins and zero losses, capturing the rookie rugby Ohio State championship on May 25 at Aerys Park in North Canton with a 38-26 victory over Hudson. This marks their third state title, adding to previous wins in 2022 and 2024.
The high school boys team achieved a 10-1 record and earned the Western Reserve West Conference championship before capturing the Rugby Ohio single school state championship on May 31 at Fortress Obetz Stadium, defeating Watkins Memorial 30-17. This represents their second state championship title, joining their previous win in 2022, and marks their fifth consecutive appearance in the state championship match.
FINANCE
Recreation Center Day Pass Rates Increase
Council approved increasing day pass rates at the Medina Community Recreation Center by $2 for individual passes and $1 for special circumstances passes, potentially generating an additional $100,000 in revenue annually.
The rate increase aligns Medina’s pricing with surrounding Northeast Ohio facilities. Day pass visitors in 2024 totaled approximately 42,700 entrances, with year-to-date 2025 already reaching 31,610 entrances, showing continued growth in usage.
Infrastructure Projects Approved
Council authorized several engineering design contracts, including $396,000 in grant funds from the Ohio Office of Budget and Management for a multi-purpose path through downtown, running along North and South Broadway Street from East Friendship to East Smith.
A second project received $530,000 from Ohio Public Works for East Smith Road reconstruction between South Jefferson and South Harmony.
GOVERNMENT
Environmental Cleanup Update
Economic Development Director Kimberly Marshall reported that three additional orphan tanks were discovered at the Yosenco site, with soil samples sent to labs last Friday. Contaminated soil visible through photo ionization detection was removed and replaced with clean fill dirt for public safety.
The city awaits lab results before submitting an application to the Bureau of Underground Storage Tank Regulations for a no further action letter, required before any development can proceed. Campbell Oil maintains monitoring wells at the site, and both cleanup efforts must receive no further action status.
Traffic Updates
City Engineer Patrick Patton announced East Reagan will be reduced to one lane traffic Monday, June 30, from 7 a.m. for approximately eight hours, with traffic maintained through flaggers and signage. West Smith railroad repair work was delayed but will be conducted after hours, with dates to be announced.
Emergency Services Activity
Life Support Team Director reported responding to 1,643 calls for the city through May, representing 111 more calls than the previous year. Total calls for all three entities reached 2,529, an increase of 199 from last year.
Service Director Nino Piccoli reported a water break Saturday evening on Route 18 east of Versan resulted in significant pavement damage, with cones diverting westbound traffic while contractors work to repair and resurface the area by Wednesday.
COMMUNITY EVENTS
Summer Activities Schedule
Mayor Hanwell announced upcoming events including farmers markets continuing through September, Medina Community Band concerts Fridays in July starting at 7 p.m., and the Medina County Board of Developmental Disabilities Ice Cream Social Thursday, June 26 from 6-8 p.m. on the public square.
Annual fireworks are scheduled for July 3 at dark in collaboration with Medina Township and Montville Township, with a rain date of July 6. Twin Sizzler races occur July 4 from 6 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., with Jazz and Opera Under the Stars July 5 from 7-9 p.m.
SPCA Funding Approved
Council approved a $12,000 annual contribution to the SPCA, an increase from last year’s $11,000. The organization handled 140 animal intakes, with 85% being cats and 83% strays, including six cats from city property.
Discover more from Northeast Ohio News
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
