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PO Box 249
134 North Factory Street
Sugarcreek Ohio 44681
Phone: 330-852-4634
Fax: 330-852-4421

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Beacon Hill Community School gets boost from Lowe's

By Beverly Keller
Local Edition Editor

As a way to give back to the community, Lowe’s created a charitable and educational giving foundation. This year, a total of 585 schools and parent organizations across the country were awarded grants from the Lowe’s Charitable and Education Foundation - including 17 in Ohio.
Locally Beacon Hill Community School in Mt. Eaton was chosen to have their grant request fulfilled. “This grant is essential to the development of our Construction Trades program,” explained Brad Herman, head teacher at Beacon Hill. “We couldn’t be more pleased to know that we were chosen to have our grant approved this year. We have received $4,995 to construct what will become our workshop.”
“Through Lowe’s Toolbox for Education grant program, we are acknowledging parent-initiated efforts that enhance the learning environments of children in the communities we serve,” said Marshall Croom, chairman of Lowe’s Charitable and Educational Foundation.
“We will be working closely with the Lowe’s store in Wooster, in particular Steve Gill on this project,” Herman shared. “We are excited for our students to gain hands-on experience with the construction of the building.  Having the workshop for future students to enjoy will be a huge bonus.  We are exploring the idea of expanding our original plans with some of the funds from our benefit event earlier in the year.  Prior to beginning construction, Lowe's employees will work with our students on a variety of topics such as safety, proper tool selection, and building techniques. This project will provide a great opportunity to expand our educational programming. In fact, we have started planning for next year with hopes of increased student enrollment.”
Those interested in learning more about Beacon Hill are urged to call 330-359-5600.



By Beverly Keller
Local Edition Editor

Last week, Monroe Beachy appeared in the United States District Court’s Northeastern District of Ohio’s Eastern Division to answer to the charge of fraud. It is a charge that stems from Beachy’s operation of A &?M Investments in Sugarcreek until June 2010. 
Despite the counsel of his court-appointed attorney, J. Gerald Ingram, Beachy wished to proceed by entering a plea of no contest to the charge. However, Beachy declined to enter a plea to the charge at all. Therefore Judge Benita Y. Pearson entered a plea of not guilty on Beachy’s behalf. 
As a result, the case was filed and updated. The criminal trial is set to begin on Tuesday, January 3, 2012 at 9 a.m. in Courtroom 351 of the Federal Building - United States Courthouse located at 125 Market Street in Youngtown. Any plea negotiations must be done prior to that time and must be filed by December 15, 2011. A pretrial conference will be held on December 29 at noon in Courtroom 351.
After the court date was set, Beachy posted an unsecured bond of $50,000 and was released. It was noted that standard conditions of release apply and Beachy is not to possess a firearm or travel outside the Northern District of Ohio. He must also comply with supervision.?Beachy was also prohibited from contacting any persons who are or may be a victim or witness in the case.
Linda Barr has been assigned to represent the United States Attorney office in the case.
It should be noted that this criminal case involving mail fraud stems from Beachy’s involvement as the single proprietor of A &?M?Investments and has no bearing on Beachy’s current bankruptcy case in the Northern District Bankruptcy Court.
In that case, Anne Piero Silagy filed an update last week that included finding that more than 100 people who invested with Beachy incorrectly filled out paperwork concerning their claim on the estate. They mistakenly checked the box noting they had a secured claim in the business. However, no investor had a secured claim. Those involved were notified of their error via regular mail last week. The paperwork indicates that those claims will be reclassified as unsecured.
In an asset report related to the case, Silagy noted that two complaints for turnover were filed with the Amish Helping Fund for monies Beachy had on deposit with the group. The balance of the first account was $179,511.81. The balance of the second fund was $448,866.32.
All loan payments received to date from outstanding personal loans are also noted in the 22 page document. Also outlines are the proceeds of all investment funds, stocks, bonds and other assets that were liquidated by the trustee. The current value of the account is $16,483.785.57.
Costs to date were also included in the report. To date, $237,154.97 has been spent as related to the case ranging from the cost of the 341 Meeting of Creditors held at the Carlisle Inn last August to security needed for the meeting as well as the cost of gathering claims information and staying in touch with investors.
The sale of land owned by Beachy in Holmes County has been approved by the court. No date has been set as of press time.
tion Editor

Last week, Monroe Beachy appeared in the United States District Court’s Northeastern District of Ohio’s Eastern Division to answer to the charge of fraud. It is a charge that stems from Beachy’s operation of A &?M Investments in Sugarcreek until June 2010. 
Despite the counsel of his court-appointed attorney, J. Gerald Ingram, Beachy wished to proceed by entering a plea of no contest to the charge. However, Beachy declined to enter a plea to the charge at all. Therefore Judge Benita Y. Pearson entered a plea of not guilty on Beachy’s behalf. 
As a result, the case was filed and updated. The criminal trial is set to begin on Tuesday, January 3, 2012 at 9 a.m. in Courtroom 351 of the Federal Building - United States Courthouse located at 125 Market Street in Youngtown. Any plea negotiations must be done prior to that time and must be filed by December 15, 2011. A pretrial conference will be held on December 29 at noon in Courtroom 351.
After the court date was set, Beachy posted an unsecured bond of $50,000 and was released. It was noted that standard conditions of release apply and Beachy is not to possess a firearm or travel outside the Northern District of Ohio. He must also comply with supervision.?Beachy was also prohibited from contacting any persons who are or may be a victim or witness in the case.
Linda Barr has been assigned to represent the United States Attorney office in the case.
It should be noted that this criminal case involving mail fraud stems from Beachy’s involvement as the single proprietor of A &?M?Investments and has no bearing on Beachy’s current bankruptcy case in the Northern District Bankruptcy Court.
In that case, Anne Piero Silagy filed an update last week that included finding that more than 100 people who invested with Beachy incorrectly filled out paperwork concerning their claim on the estate. They mistakenly checked the box noting they had a secured claim in the business. However, no investor had a secured claim. Those involved were notified of their error via regular mail last week. The paperwork indicates that those claims will be reclassified as unsecured.
In an asset report related to the case, Silagy noted that two complaints for turnover were filed with the Amish Helping Fund for monies Beachy had on deposit with the group. The balance of the first account was $179,511.81. The balance of the second fund was $448,866.32.
All loan payments received to date from outstanding personal loans are also noted in the 22 page document. Also outlines are the proceeds of all investment funds, stocks, bonds and other assets that were liquidated by the trustee. The current value of the account is $16,483.785.57.
Costs to date were also included in the report. To date, $237,154.97 has been spent as related to the case ranging from the cost of the 341 Meeting of Creditors held at the Carlisle Inn last August to security needed for the meeting as well as the cost of gathering claims information and staying in touch with investors.
The sale of land owned by Beachy in Holmes County has been approved by the court. No date has been set as of press time.
By Beverly Keller
Local Edition Editor

The Fabulous Fifties Fling turns the magical number of 21 this year in Sugarcreek and those planning the event are working hard to button up the final details for a weekend that will transport visitors back in time - a time when doo-wop was king and pink poodle skirts were queen.
Sweat, tears, hard work and perseverance are words that one could associate with the folks from the Sugarcreek Business Association who plan the annual Fabulous Fifties Fling set to take over downtown Sugarcreek and the grounds behind the Sugarcreek Fire Station this Friday night and Saturday. They work tirelessly throughout the week leading up to and during the days of the event. They don�t stop until the job is done and happy visitors have departed. And they do it all for one reason - to show off the crown jewel that the Little Switzerland of Ohio is by giving travelers and locals an extra incentive to come out and enjoy themselves. Best of all, the prices are family-friendly as is the entertainment.
�We�ve got something for everyone,� said Dick Lahm who birthed the �crazy� idea more than 21 years ago after a dream that led to his wife telling him to go back to sleep. Instead, Lahm thought for a bit, and the next day went out to enlist the help of Jim Hostetler and Jim Harrison in what has become an event bigger than even Lahm could have dreamed up.
This weekend, June 10 and 11, the 50s in all their rock and roll and chrome glory will come back to life in Sugarcreek. It will be a time when rocking and rolling rides from yesterday line the streets, and tunes from days gone by fill the air while scents of onion rings, French fries and barbecued chicken bombard the senses and tempt the tastebuds. It is billed as the largest fifties festival in Ohio and has been listed for the past several years as one of the top ten events of its kind by Cruisin� Times Magazine as voted on by readers of the publication.
This year, Friday night is going to be rocking and rolling with the sounds of The Spikeman from 5 to 8 p.m. during the open class cruise-in. There will be �Celebrity Choice� awards in the open class show on Friday night. Awards will be special hand-crafted works by local scroll saw artist Dave Borter. A Cruisin� 5k Run/Walk is scheduled to be held as well.

See 50�S FLING ...page 7
Garaway Board 
ties up loose ends

By Beverly Keller
Local Edition Editor

A large number of personnel items were included in the agenda for members of the Garaway Board of Education Monday night. One retired, one resigned, many contracts were approved.
In its first order of business, the board recognized the work of Verna Fath. She retired after many years of service to the Garaway District. �The years went by so fast,� Fath said after being presented a plaque in honor of her service to the community. During her tenure at Garaway, Fath served as a bus driver for a total of 34 years. She also worked as a custodian for 25 years.
Before the school year ended, students Fath served at local elementary schools each made cards of thanks to show their appreciation. It was a gesture that truly touched Fath. �I will keep them forever,� she said. �And when they grow up, I�ll show them to them.�
In a separate matter, the board accepted the resignation of Sara Daley, a four through six science and language arts teacher at Miller Avenue Elementary effective at the conclusion of the current school year.
Instead of hiring a new teacher to take the spot, teaching positions were shuffled at Miller Avenue along with students. 

See SCHOOL BOARD ...page 7
Sugarcreek Police: When in doubt, call us

By Beverly Keller
Local Edition Editor

Sugarcreek is a small community. It means that thankfully most people know their neighbors. It also means that it is easy to spot something out of the ordinary.
For instance, if you see someone running in an alley at 5 a.m., and they aren’t in running clothes or someone you recognize as a runner, chances are something is going on. If you are taking your evening walk and notice something out of the ordinary - perhaps a chair that is overturned or a door that is hanging open - it should warrant a call to the Sugarcreek Police Department - as soon as possible - not hours later.
“We need to know when something is out of place or suspicious as soon as possible,” explained Sergeant Mark Nathan of the Sugarcreek Police Department. “Call us right away and don’t think that someone else has already given us a tip or might. If you see something that doesn’t feel right or look right, call us. We would rather go check something out and find it to be nothing than not get a call that needs our immediate attention.”
Nathan reminded residents that it is up to everyone to keep an eye on the community and to report anything suspicious. “We are here to keep the community as safe as possible, but we need everyone’s help to make that a reality,” he said.
He noted that unfortunately calls aren’t placed in a timely fashion to allow the department to stop a crime in progress. “If you hear a chair being overturned in the middle of the night, it may be a bad situation in progress,” Nathan explained. “We have the ability and are staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Call us first. We are here to serve and protect the community and take that job very seriously.”
For those who have general tips and wish to remain anonymous, there are Crime Tip boxes located at McDonald’s, Garaway High School and the Sugarcreek Public Library. The Sugarcreek Police Department can be reached by calling 330-852-2212.