City's Tree Program

Honors Keep Growing

I am proud to tell you that the City of Independence has been recognized by the Arbor Day Foundation as a Tree City USA for the 23rd consecutive year.

The City also won a Growth Award which recognizes participating Tree City USA communities that demonstrate higher levels of tree care and community engagement during the calendar year. Well done!

Credit Card Scammers Hit

Northeast Ohio Stores

Multiple ATMs and stores in Northeast Ohio, including Walmart, Marc’s, and Giant Eagle have been targeted by scammers.

An international crime ring has been identified as the group behind a brazen crime spree across Northeast Ohio and other parts of the state during the past year.

Thieves are using micro-sized skimmers to steal credit card and banking data from ATMs and retail point of sale devices. Thieves are targeting the magnetic strip on the back of the cards.

Agents investigating these crimes say paper thin recording devices are inserted into ATM card readers and then micro cameras are mounted to appear like part of the terminal, but they’re actually recording a person’s pin number as it’s entered.

Sophomores Participate

In Mock Interviews

L-R: City of Independence Finance Director Vern Blaze interviews Autumn Lasich.

L-R: Madelyn Mudra answers questions from Student Resource Officer Troy Keegan during her mock interview.

Civic leaders, school alumni, and business professionals from Independence and surrounding communities volunteered to interview Independence High School sophomores as part of the school’s mock interviews, coordinated by district Career Development Specialist, Amanda Jaronowski.

Mrs. Jaronowski helped students prepare a resume and career portfolio in preparation for the experience of interviewing with a professional. Students dressed the part and were asked questions that typically are asked in a formal interview setting.

Safe Kids Organization

Recognizes Officers

L-R: Officer Bryan Vitron and Det. Brian Shirk with their award certificates.

Independence Police Department Officer Bryan Vitron and Det. Brian Shirk received awards on March 5 during the Safe Kids Recognition Luncheon. Officer Vitron earned the Top Seatbelt Enforcement Award and Det. Shirk was honored with the Top Operating A Vehicle While Impaired (OVI) Award.



Safe Kids Worldwide is a nonprofit organization working to help families and communities keep kids safe from injuries.



Congratulations to both Officers whose proactive enforcement makes our community safer each day. Keep up the great work!

Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow:

Officer Shows Solidarity

L-R: School Resource Office Troy Keegan has his head shaved by Independence High School senior Cameryn Mazzola.

Independence Middle School Resource Officer Troy Keegan recently participated in a Leukemia and Lymphoma Society/Leukemia Foundation event at Independence High School.

During the assembly, Officer Keegan allowed his head to be shaved in a gesture of solidarity

for those fighting the disease.

Spring Severe Weather

Week Cause For Drill

A tornado is a narrow, violently rotating column of air that extends from a thunderstorm to the ground.

Ohio’s Spring Severe Weather Awareness Week is March 17-23. As part of this awareness week there will be a statewide tornado drill on Wednesday March 20 at 9:50 AM.

Our Emergency Warning System will be activated as part of this drill. As a reminder, the sirens are activated whenever a tornado warning is issued near our community, and are intended to notify those individuals that are outside to seek shelter inside.

Once inside you should turn on a television or radio to find out about current weather conditions.  

Keep Your Vehicles

Locked Overnight

Do not keep valuables in your vehicle or in plain sight.

The Police Department received a call this week from a Linden Lane resident stating that an unknown person was trying vehicle door handles in the area at about 3:45 AM. The person was unable to gain access because the vehicles were locked. Police do not have a description of the suspect(s).

So far no one has reported their vehicle being tampered with or had anything stolen from their vehicle in the City.

If you see someone suspicious, call the Police Department immediately at 216.524.1234. It is always better to call the Police than to wait. We will have increased patrols in the Linden Lane area.

Exercise Your Right

To Vote On March 19

Next week we usher in Spring on Election Day.

Election Day just so happens to be the first day of Spring! I'd like to remind everyone to vote next Tuesday, March 19 from 6:30 AM to 7:30 PM at the Civic Center. This is a Presidential Primary Election Day as well.

Whether you believe the ability to vote is a “right” or a “privilege,” I think we all share an important responsibility to be informed voters who recognize that the decisions we make at the polls directly affect our lives and the lives of others. 

I encourage you to get to the polls on March 19 and exercise your right to vote. Remember to bring your photo ID as well.

What You Should Know

About Solar Eclipse

The Cleveland area will be a prime viewing area for the total solar eclipse.

On April 8, 2024, people within a 124-mile wide stretch of Ohio will experience a total solar eclipse – where the moon appears to totally obscure the sun. For those not in the path of totality, a partial eclipse will be viewable. A total solar eclipse is a rare and unique event. Ohio's last visible total solar eclipse was in 1806!

Find out what you and your family needs to know about the total solar eclipse by clicking here or go to: ohio.org/home/eclipse/eclipse

Public Meeting Set For

Longano Drive Project

We held a similar meeting on November 6, 2023 to update residents on the Longano Drive Reconstruction Improvements Project.

A public meeting will be held on Tuesday, March 19 at 5:30 PM in Council Chambers to share information and answer questions about the Longano Drive Reconstruction Improvements Project.

A preconstruction meeting was held on March 6 to discuss project details. The City has contracted with Tri-Mor Corp. for this project

Middle School Students

Earn Leadership Accolades

L-R: Penny McGurr, Independence Middle School Principal Jamie Vanek, and Adriana Randjelovic.

Congratulations to Independence Middle School eighth-graders Penny McGurr and Adriana Randjelovic. Both students were recently recognized among Northeast Ohio’s top student leaders.

Penny and Adriana were celebrated at the seventh annual Breakfast of Champions hosted March 6 by the Ohio Middle Level Association (OMLA). About 40 students were joined by family, teachers and administrators to mark their exemplary character and academic achievements.

Many Bargains Await At

Community Garage Sale

Bargain hunters peruse items during last year's Semi-Annual Community Garage Sale.

If you're looking to unearth a treasure trove of bargains, then you won't want to miss the Semi-Annual Community Garage Sale tomorrow (March 16) from 9 AM to 2 PM at the Independence Fieldhouse.

The Parks and Recreation Department and the Kiwanis Club are sponsoring the event, with proceeds to benefit the Dorothy Ornas Scholarship Fund.

Coffee, doughnuts, and muffins will be on sale in the morning, and raffles will be held until Noon. Hop on over either before, during, or after Saturday's Bunny Trail event!

Upcoming City Council & Committee Meetings

March 21

Architectural Review Board, 3 PM

Board of Zoning Appeals, 5:30 PM

April 2

Planning Commission, 5:30 PM

April 4

Civil Service Commission, 9 AM

Architectural Review Board, 3 PM

April 9

City Council Caucus, 5 PM

Followed by City Council Meeting

April 18

Architectural Review Board, 3 PM

Board of Zoning Appeals, 5:30 PM

May 2

Architectural Review Board, 3 PM

May 7

Planning Commission, 5:30 PM

May 14

City Council Caucus, 5 PM

Followed by City Council Meeting

May 16

Architectural Review Board, 3 PM

Board of Zoning Appeals, 5:30 PM

Church Ushers To Hold

Regional Conference Here

The National United Church Ushers Association of America (NUCUSA) Inc., will host its 67th Central Region Conference March 21-23, 2024, at the Holiday Inn Cleveland South in Independence. 

NUCUSA is a non-profit organization that has more than 10,000 members in 29 states and the District of Columbia. The group's purpose is to promote a Silent Uniform System of Church Ushering while providing spiritual, moral, and social awareness.

NUCUSA also provides outside support beyond its membership through hands-on assistance to respective communities. The group helps those in need with special projects such as outreach, education, health, and training/development ministries. 

Check Out The

Weekly Finance Review

Read Finance Director Vern Blaze’s Financial Update for March 15 2024 by clicking here.

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Mayor's Weekly Update

If you know someone who would like to subscribe to Mayor Kurtz’s Weekly Updates, please ask them

to email their name to: cityhall@independenceohio.org.