n AUG. 1 - - This was the last season for Erieview Park in Geneva-on-the-Lake, which started in 1945 with two children's rides and expanded over the years to 18 children and adult rides. By closing the amusement park, owner Donald Woodward, can open the property to other types of attractions.

n AUG. 2 - - Murder charges have been dismissed by Ashtabula County Prosecutor Thomas Sartini against an 18-year-old Geneva man, Adam Petro. Petro was accused of killing his infant nephew Andre Smith Jr., on May 31, 2004.

n AUG. 3 - - The body of 46-year-old Anthony A. Mauro, of Fowler Township, Trumbull County, was recovered in Lake Erie near Lake and Harmon roads in North Kingsville. Mauro and his girlfriend had walked out into the lake on the evening of Aug. 2, when he apparently slipped on a seaweed covered rock and drowned.

n AUG. 4 - - Family cooperation was the name of the game for participants in the Conneaut Chamber of Commerce Sand Sculpture Contest at Conneaut Township Park. The event was the first of many during the two weeks of special activities tied to the Chamber's Conneaut Appreciation Days.

n AUG. 5 - - Ashtabula County played host to the Ohio Senior Olympics 5K and 10K cycling time trials held on Windsor Road. Fifty-seven seniors from all over the state participated in the event in an effort to qualify for the National Senior Games: The Senior Olympics next year in Louisville, Ky.

n AUG. 6 - - Rome Township was the setting for it's bicentennial celebration. As the American flag made it's way up the flagpole, the bell at the Historic Presbyterian Church, built in 1836, rang 200 times in honor of the township's celebration.

n AUG. 7 - - Soldiers from all over Ohio took time out of their lives to help area residents with a free medical screening at the Ashtabula County Joint Vocational School in Jefferson. More than 300 people were provided a variety of medical services, including free sports physicals, blood work, pap smears and a variety of other screenings.

n AUG. 8 - - After serving the Village of Jefferson for about 17 years as mayor and council member, Mayor Larry Bragga announced he was resigning. Bragga wants to spend more time with his family, especially in Tennessee where his son is the head baseball coach at Tennessee Tech University.

n AUG. 9 - - The City of Ashtabula has begun attacking housing blight within it's borders by condemning about 32 homes. If a house has a number of exterior code violations, it could receive a red sign stating the city has condemned the structure and it is unfit for human habitation and ordered to be vacated.

n AUG. 10 - - The 160th Ashtabula County Fair was having a good week as fairgoers attended the fairgrounds in Jefferson.

n AUG. 11 - - It could be a matter of days or weeks before Plastech in Andover closes it's doors, but there may be hope for the company's future. Representatives from Plastech's headquarters in Dearborn, Mich., met with representatives of Growth Partnership for Ashtabula County, as well as, state officials to discuss future plans for the facilities.

n AUG. 12 - - More than 70 slices of pepperoni pizza were eaten during the annual Pizza Eating Contest at the Ashtabula County Fair. With pizza sauce smeared on cheeks and noses, participants in the contest had to be the fastest contestant to eat a slice of pizza without using their hands.

n AUG. 13 - - Fairgoers flocked to the Ashtabula County Fair to see country music singer Billy Currington. The country music sensation performed to a sold out crowd. Fan waited in line for most of the day in the hopes of getting a seat close to the state.

n AUG. 14 - - The final day of the 2006 edition of the Ashtabula County Fair went up in a cloud of dust as local competitors strained their tractors to the max. The event was the tractor pull that drew many competitors and spectators.

n AUG. 15 - - Enough quality land may exist in a spot near Conneaut's Interstate 90 interchange to support a proposed development, City of Conneaut Council learned at it's regular meeting. A consultant originally hired by the city to evaluate wetlands at the East Conneaut Industrial Park last week turned his attention to property in the area of Route 7, I-90 and Underridge Road.

n AUG. 16 - - Ashtabula County schools see improved scores in state report card report. Though schools aren't in session yet for the school year, state reports card ratings were issued for the 2005-2006 school year and showed all the districts in the county improved on their annual state rating.

n AUG. 17 - - The City of Ashtabula is looking to place an income tax increase on the ballot in the fall. The increase would raise about $666,000 for the city. The tax now is 1.8 percent and would raise to 2 percent.

n AUG. 18 - - Kent State University-Ashtabula was in the money after the Ashtabula Foundation donated $750,000 to the university's proposed health and science building. The donation was one of the largest single donations in the foundation's history.

n AUG. 19 - - Prisoners may have to smile for the camera as Ashtabula looks at video arraignment. The city and Ashtabula Municipal Court are exploring the possibility of such a system that would allow the judge and prisoner to communicate via television without being in the same room.

n AUG. 20 - - The new Lakeside High School in the Ashtabula Are City School District was formally dedicated in a ribbon cutting ceremony. More than 1,000 people attended the event held at the new school on Sanborn Road. Guest included state officials, local officials and former board members.

n AUG. 21 - - Geneva resident Douglas Covert was the lucky winner of the 2006 Lake County YMCA Dream House. Covert's key turned the lock and opened the door to the fully-furnished $450,000 home in Perry Township.

n AUG. 22 - - The next superintendent for the Ashtabula Area City School District should be not only super, but also not from the area. That was the general consensus from the 27 people who attended a public session held at Lakeside High School, to discuss what they want in the next superintendent.

n AUG. 23 - - Flashing police lights illuminated a 10-block area of Ashtabula, as police searched for a suspect who left a man seriously wounded on West 37th Street following a shooting. The shooting occurred around 12:45 a.m. on West 37th Street, several blocks from West Avenue.

n AUG. 24 - - A former North Kingsville family is hoping a panel of ex-neighbors will keep them from paying more municipal income tax on money Chris Horwood earned as a private contractor in Iraq. Horwood, now living in Conneaut, will appeal a tax bill received from the village seeking an extra $800 in municipal income taxes on money Horwood earned while working a year in Iraq.

n AUG. 25 - - A 35-year-old Saybrook Township man was arrested for his involvement in the robbery of a Saybrook Township spa Aug. 18, and the alleged rape of a spa employee.

n AUG. 26 - - James R. Grant, 35, of Woodman Avenue appeared in Ashtabula Municipal Court on charges of rape and aggravated burglary, both first-degree felonies and kidnapping, a second-degree felony. Bond was set at $75,000 cash. The charges stem from robbery of a Saybrook Township spa.

n AUG. 27 - - The former headquarters of Conneaut's school district remains public property after an auction failed to generate any bids. School officials were not discouraged, saying there is interest in the building at 263 Liberty St., and were optimistic it would sell once listed with a private real estate firm.

n AUG. 28 - - A family birthday party that sprouted wings more than a century ago continues to thrill area residents in Pierpont Township. The event gives residents the opportunity to have fun and stay in touch with friends and relatives at the community's annual pioneer picnic. The picnic first began in 1890 becoming a community tradition.

n AUG. 29 - - You had to see it to believe it. Hickory Optical, 2049 W. Prospect Road, got an unwanted new entrance when a pickup truck driven by Lester Jones, Jr., 64, of Odgen Avenue, Ashtabula drove into the side of the building leaving a huge hole. Jones, who was traveling eastbound on Route 20 lost control of his truck.

n AUG. 30 - - Ashtabula Township residents look for pollution solution and raw sewage was the topic of discussion at public meeting held at township hall that included township and county officials. The solution to pollution is dilution and the solution to residents' drainage woes may be a simple case of cooperation.

n AUG. 31 - - Opening day goes well for area schools, especially the new Lakeside High School in Saybrook Township. It was a great start to the school year as the doors opened to another school year.

Star Beacon Print Edition: 12/22/2006

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