News Briefs for February 4, 2010

Thursday, February 04, 2010

United Way offers new opportunity

In partnership with the governor's office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives and the Ohio Association of Second Harvest Food banks, United Way Services of Geauga County is offering a new service to residents of Geauga County.

The Ohio Benefit Bank provides an opportunity for low- to moderate-income families or individuals to meet one-on-one with a trained counselor who can check eligibility for public benefits. Benefits may include child care subsidies, home energy assistance, food stamps and public health insurance.

After utilizing this service, individuals will have a completed application to submit to Job and Family Services for final determination on eligibility.

Residents of Geauga County who would like to schedule an appointment with a benefit bank counselor should call (440) 285-2261, ext. 0. For more information on the Ohio Benefit Bank, visit www.obb.ohio.gov.

In collaboration with this initiative, tax counselors also have been trained and appointments for having your 2009 taxes done are available now by calling 2-1-1 or with a cell phone 1-888-386-3194. There is no need to wait for your W-2s to make your tax appointment.

Kenston theft trial set

A woman accused of stealing $134,000 from Kenston Local School District last year is scheduled to go to trial April 13 on charges of theft, theft in office and forgery.

A Geauga County grand jury indicted Geraldine Kanieski, of 11697 Stafford Road, Auburn Township, in December for allegedly taking money from the school district between January 2004 and June 2009 while serving as its assistant treasurer.

Kanieski, who is represented by Chardon attorney Edward Brice, is scheduled to be tried in Geauga County Common Pleas Judge David Fuhry's courtroom.

She remains free on personal recognizance.

A three-month forensic investigation by the Ohio State Auditor's Office and Bainbridge Township police revealed Kanieski made 86 different transfers of money from the school district into a bank account in her name, police said.

A school district treasurer's office employee for 27 years, police said Kanieski issued checks to vendors for fictitious services.

The scheme was not questioned because the fictitious bills were from vendors with which the school system regularly does business. Kanieski wrote checks for the same amount billed to her own bank account, according to Superintendent Robert Lee.

She had been writing checks from school district funds to her own account since January 2004 using a series of old checks, he said.

Space heater causes fire

An attempt to thaw frozen pipes forced a Claridon Township couple out into the cold Sunday as flames engulfed part of their home.

Assistant Chardon Fire Chief Tom Hummel said firefighters from Burton and Hambden, Munson, Concord and Kirtland fire departments responded to the fire at the home of Riffet and Irene Norman, 13622 Hall Road, at about 4 p.m.

"When the first unit arrived, they saw smoke and fire coming from back corner of the home, but the people had evacuated safely," he said. "Smoke was coming from under the eaves, also."

Hummel said improper use of a space heater that had been placed near a wall in a rear corner of the home to thaw frozen pipes caused the fire.

"It was purely accidental. It (heater) was misused. It had been improperly positioned in a way that caused the fire to start," the assistant chief said.

A passerby reported that a man was seen tying to extinguish the fire with a garden hose prior firefighters arriving on scene, but was unsuccessful, Hummel said.

"They then just stayed out of the building so they didn't get hurt," he added.

The fire was brought under control in about 40 minutes, although firefighters remained on the scene until about 6:30 p.m.

Initial damage was estimated at about $80,000, Hummel said.