News Briefs
Missing South Russell Man Found in Wooded Area
The body of a South Russell man missing since Dec. 30 was found Sunday morning.
South Russell Police Chief Michael Rizzo said the remains of 33-year-old Jason R. Kwaczek were discovered at 10:25 a.m. Jan. 22 in a wooded area between Manorbrook Drive and Bell Road, within the village.
A volunteer emergency response unit from the Ohio Search Dog Association found the body, Rizzo said.
Kwaczek was last seen around 10:30 a.m. Dec. 30, leaving his residence on Chillicothe Road.
Foul play is not suspected at this time, Rizzo said.
The Geauga County Coroner’s Office and South Russell Police Department are currently investigating the case.
Bainbridge Trustees to Meet on Geauga Lake Property
Bainbridge Township Trustees will hold a special meeting at 7 p.m. Feb. 1 to conduct a work session relative to the overall development of the Geauga Lake/Cedar Fair property.
The work session will be held at the Bainbridge Town Hall, 17826 Chillicothe Road.
Asst. Prosecutor Faces OVI Charges
Geauga County Assistant Prosecutor Mary Bridget “Bridey” Matheney is facing OVI charges following a November traffic stop in Bainbridge Township.
Police reported they saw Matheney’s SUV weaving in and out of traffic on state Route 306 just before midnight on Nov. 19.
Matheney was arrested after she failed a field sobriety test, which was administered after police say they smelled alcohol.
Matheney entered a not guilty plea to misdemeanor charges of DUI and driving in marked lanes in Chardon Municipal Court on Nov. 23, according to court records. She was released on a personal recognizance bond.
Retired Willoughby Municipal Court Judge Larry Allen was appointed to preside over the case.
A pretrial hearing date has not been scheduled.
“Misdemeanor cases are not handled by this office so we have no involvement in the pending case,” Geauga County Prosecutor Jim Flaiz told the Geauga County Maple Leaf. “I am aware of the allegations and the matter will be handled administratively once the case is concluded in municipal court.”
In 2012, Matheney temporarily was appointed to fill the Ohio House District 98 seat vacated by former Rep. Richard Hollington after he was elected mayor of Hunting Valley. She also ran unsuccessfully for county auditor in 2014 and common pleas court judge in 2016.
