Thoughts From The Editor

Roundup: Top 5 Stories of the Year

Here are our top five stories of the year (so far), based on what our readers have clicked on

1. Water Balloon Fight Soaks Whole Neighborhood When I got an email from a reader asking if I'd come out to a neighborhood-wide water balloon fight a few weeks ago, my initial reaction was "Oh heck yes!" And I'm glad I did. The water balloon fight in the Boroughs neighborhood of Uniontown now is in its 15th year and is as much fun as you'd imagine it to be. 2. Fire Rips Through Microtel Hotel on Sunset Strip Patch ad manager Brandon Tidd really showed what he was made of when he reported live from a fire at Microtel Inns and Suites May 25. Brandon sent me photos, videos and evacuee interviews from the scene as firefighters from around the county battled a blaze caused by a bed of mulch that caught fire. 3. Erick Howard Guilty on All …

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WATCH: Councilman Cerreta Has a Little Fun With Superintendent Gallina

Councilman-at-large Mark Cerreta made sure the send-off for Michael Gallina inside Council Chambers Monday night wasn't all sad. He had a little joke up his sleeve for the outgoing North Canton City Schools superintendent.

Tears definitely flowed as city officials and the Hoover High School Hi-Lo's bid farewell to outgoing North Canton School Superintendent Mike Gallina Monday night. But Councilman-at-large Mark Cerreta made sure to add some humor to the night. Family and friends gathered in North Canton City Council Chambers to send off Gallina, who's retiring and taking a position as director of outreach and organizational development at AultCare Health Network.

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Gallina Bids Farewell & Amphitheater Plans: Week in Review

Check out our five most popular stories of the week

1. Gallina tells schools 'goodbye' — With his final day as North Canton City Schools superintendent approaching, Mike Gallina expressed his appreciation this week for students, staff and parents. “I believe North Canton is a special place because there’s good spirit here. People work at things,” Gallina said. “So if I would share one thing with the people of North Canton, it would be to keep that spirit that makes this community so special.” See what else Gallina had to say in an interview with Local Editor Morgan Day. 2. Pick a sign, any sign — Councilman Mark Cerreta presented three entryway sign options for the city at this week's meeting. Choosing a sign is one of many parts of North Canton's Master Plan. We asked readers which sign …

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WATCH: New Superintendent Addresses School Board, Community

The North Canton City School District Board of Education announced Michael Hartenstein as the new superintendent at a board meeting Tuesday

The North Canton City Schools Board of Education unanimously approved Michael Hartenstein, assistant superintendent at Parma City School District, as North Canton's new superintendent Tuesday. Hartenstein replaces Michael Gallina, who announced in April that he would retire and accept a position as director of outreach and organizational development with AultCare Health Network. Gallina's last day is June 30. The School Board used the Stark County Educational Service Center to help choose the new superintendent from a pool of about 20 candidates. They had narrowed that pool to three last week. Board President Nancy Marion said Hartenstein, a resident of Berea, will bring new ideas to the district. "We were very impressed with him and the …

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LOOK: Résumés for North Canton Superintendent Finalists

The candidate pool has narrowed to three finalists. Take a look at their résumés to see qualifications and previous experience in the field of education.

Three candidates remain in the search to replace Michael Gallina, North Canton City Schools superintendent. Gallina will leave the field of education for a positon as director of outreach and organizational development with the AultCare Health Network. Gallina's last day with the district is June 30. Finalists for the position are Michael Hartenstein, chief operating officer at Parma City School District; Daryl Kubilus, Jr., superintendent of Cloverleaf Local School District in Lodi; and Geoffrey Palmer, superintendent of Hopewell-Loudon School District in Bascom. The Stark County Educational Service Center shared the finalists' resumes with us. Take a look at the candidates' qualifications and work experience and keep checking back with …

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School Board Narrows Superintendent Search to Three Candidates

The North Canton City Schools Board of Education is closing in on its search for replacement for Superintendent Michael Gallina. Board President Nancy Marion announced Tuesday night that the search is down to three candidates.

Three candidates remain in the search for the North Canton City School District's next superintendent. Finalists are Michael Hartenstein, chief operating officer at Parma City School District; Daryl Kubilus, Jr., superintendent of Cloverleaf Local School District in Lodi; and Geoffrey Palmer, superintendent of Hopewell-Loudon School District in Bascom. The Board is looking at the three as replacements for Michael Gallina, who will leave the field of education for a positon as director of outreach and organizational development with the AultCare Health Network. Gallina's last day with the district is June 30. The Board continues to conduct interviews and hopes to have a selection in the soon, according to a news release sent out Tuesday …

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