By KRISTEN NOWAK WINN
Accent Editor
In this year’s Christmas story contest, we gave readers the challenge of saving Christmas by somehow conserving energy at the North Pole. Entries piled in like presents under the tree, and the creative solutions stunned us.
Here are a few excerpts from some of our favorites:
“Mrs. Claus can unplug her mixer when [...]

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By MIKE MILLER
OSU Extension Medina County
A soybean plant introduction has been found to show resistance to soybean aphid in Ohio, paving the way to control this serious insect through new resistant cultivars.
The soybean PI, labeled PI 243540, contains a single dominant gene allowing the plant to resist soybean aphid feeding and aphid colonization. These [...]

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By SANDY BARNOSKY
The Pet Lady
The 11th annual Top Dog Contest resulted in hundreds of entries from fourth grade students in the county who proclaimed the merits of their dogs to be chosen as Top Dog. Their virtues included companionship and camaraderie, being a play pal and offering comfort and unconditional love.
The contest, designed by Medina [...]

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By BRIAN DULIK
Staff Writer
BEREA — Bruce Gradkowski, come on down. You might be the next contestant on the “Quarterback is Right.”
Gradkowski, who was out of the NFL until joining the Browns on Dec. 2, will start for the team Sunday in Pittsburgh if current signal caller Ken Dorsey is unable to play.
Dorsey suffered a mild [...]

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By SCOTT PETRAK
Staff Writer
BEREA — The Browns may be 4-11, but they haven’t given up the fight.
Defensive lineman Shaun Smith and quarterback Brady Quinn had a physical altercation last week that recently came to light, and coach Romeo Crennel said Monday he’ll plead his case to owner Randy Lerner in an attempt to keep his [...]

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By KIM VILLALVA
Winner in the 18 and older category
“Sir, as you know, we have always raced to keep up with what’s going on down there in the world. We have adopted our traditional ways of making toys to fit the needs of children below. Every time things speed up, we speed up. Every time [...]

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By MARISSA ALFANO
Winner in the 13-to 17-year-old category
Every Elf’s pointed ear and polar bear’s dutiful gaze instantly belonged to Tinsel. The honest attentiveness surprised him some, since only moments ago they had all been in chaos; but he didn’t let this thought divert him from the sharing of his monumental idea.
“We all are [...]

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By ALEX SHELDON
Winner in the 8-to 12-year-old category
“Um…Well I was thinking … um … we could recycle. Because it saves energy,” Tinsel said. “So maybe we could put a recycling bin in every office in your workshop,” Tinsel said with more confidence.
“Why, that is a great idea, Tinsel,” Santa said. “Everyone start recycling!” [...]

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By LISA HLAVINKA
Staff Writer
BRUNSWICK HILLS TWP. — Stephanie Kahl sat in her PT Cruiser Monday morning, surrounded by her two cats, her dog and Christmas presents, as she watched her Marks Road home burn.
Firefighters battled for nearly eight hours to put out the flames at 301 Marks Road. No one was injured in the fire, [...]

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By JOHN GLADDEN
Staff Columnist
Dear Editor:
I am 50 years old. I heard a radio talk show host say there is no true Christmas any more. He said society, Hollywood and the media have conspired to rob it of its real meaning. My husband says you can’t believe everything you read in the papers, but please tell [...]

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