SAFETY FORCES HONORED DURING MEETING

During the August Trustees meeting safety forces were honored. We are pleased to honor them. 

Officer Cory Dorsey was officially promoted to a full-time officer. Dorsey has been a dedicated part-time officer since March 2023, selflessly working any shift needed and consistently, going above and beyond for the department. We are also excited to share that he will be taking on the important roll of school resource officer for Education Alterntives School.

Boy Scouts presented a bench to the community. They collected a huge amount of plasic grocery bags to receive the bench.

. In addition, we celebrated a special moment as K-9 Ryker, along with his handler Sgt. Cody Meade, was officially sworn in as a K-9 Officer. Chief Jack Simone administered the oath of office to both Officer Dorsey and K-9 Officer Ryker. Chief Simone also introduced the K-9 program committee, recognizing the members in attendance: Trustee Kellie Chapman, Captain Denise Moore, Sgt. Joe Gaffney, Christina Rohrer, Kelsey Keys, and Kate Thurston. Chief Simone is also a proud member of this committee.

Sgt. Joseph Gaffney took the opportunity to highlight the ongoing success of our Police Explorers program, a vital part of our community outreach and development efforts. We were honored to have Linda Lohr, who was instrumental in starting the program alongside Sgt. Gaffney, in attendance. Longtime supporters of our community policing and explorer’s programs, Kate Thurston and Kelsey Keys, were also recognized for their dedicated volunteer work. Officer Harold Britt has been a crucial part of the team, assisting with training and mentoring the explorers.

Our Police Explorers program has been a steppingstone for many young individuals pursuing careers in law enforcement. Notable alumni, who were in attendance at tonight’s meeting, include:

• Colin Hefner (2015 Springfield HS graduate): Began his policing career with Springfield Township and now serves at Tallmadge PD.

• Adrianna Vaughn (2016 Springfield HS graduate): Currently a supervisory dispatcher at Summit Emergency Communications Center.

• Jordan McClean (2016 Springfield HS graduate): Former officer at our department, now with Summa Police Dept.

• Francesca Teel (2017 Springfield HS graduate): Dispatcher at Summit Emergency Communications Center.

• Hunter Chapman (2018 Springfield HS graduate): Proudly serving as an officer with Springfield Township PD.

• Brooke Eitner (2018 Springfield HS graduate): Stark County Sheriff’s Corrections Officer.

• Katie Limric (2019 Springfield HS graduate): Dispatcher at South Summit Dispatch Center.

• Jared Lawrence (Springfield HS graduate): Currently serving as an officer with Springfield Township PD.

We also had the pleasure of introducing our current Police Explorers, who represent the future of law enforcement:

• Gabriel Prexta (Senior, Green HS)

• Cadence Rose (Senior, Green HS and PLCC)

• Veronika Oliver (Sophomore, Manchester HS)

• Natalie Adkins (Sophomore, Ohio Virtual Academy)

• Zeke Wilson (Sophomore, High Point Academy)

                          

Fire Fighter EMT Gregory Sowl was sworn in by Chief Brett Reinbolt.




These young individuals are gaining invaluable experience, riding along with our officers, observing real-time law enforcement, and even assisting with radio communications during non-emergency calls. We are confident they will continue the tradition of excellence set by those before them.

We were also delighted to have Boy Scout Troop 304/Pack 3304 in attendance, who generously donated a bench to the township. The troop recycled 1,000 pounds of plastic bags for the project—a remarkable achievement by the Scouts! Additionally, Fire Chief Brett Reinbolt swore in one of his employees to full-time status during the meeting.

Please join us in congratulating Officer Dorsey and K-9 Officer Ryker (handler Sgt. Cody Meade).

***Thank you to all of the Springfield Police Officers and employees who attended to support the officers as well.

For the Fire Department, Firefighter EMT Gregory Sowl was sworn in by Chief Brett Reinbolt.

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SPRINGFIELD CARES ANNUAL BACK TO SCHOOL BACKPACK GIVEAWAY 2024--SMILES BRIGHTENED THE ROOM

The students were excited as they anticipated receiving a new backpack and an assortment of school supplies to begin their new year. 

It was the morning thatSpringfield Cares organization held its annual backpack giveaway at Lakemore United Methodist Church. Volunteers were on hand to help out with giving out backpacks, passing out supplies and many other duties. 

The event was Saturday August 3 from 9 a.m. to noon.

The room at the church was sporting more than 500 backpacks and more than 400 students came though that morning to choose their favorite one.

Nancy Rodrigues, coordinator of the event, said that she will disperse the rest of the backpacks to the schools and the upcoming Safety Town event.

Those participating were GASP, Modern Movement Dance, Springfield Assembly of God with information ontheir upcoming events. 

It was a great day filled with smiles.

Those that donated or were volunterring were:

Nativity Church, Springfield Assembly Church, Springfield Baptist Church, T's and Things, Lakemore United Methodist Church, Elizabetn Pence, Mayor Richard Cole, Lakemore Council members, Village Administrator Tracy Sayers, and members of the community.