If the postseason is where things matter most, then Jackson boys tennis has plenty to hang their hat on.

Singles player Nate Gardner and the doubles team of Ben Nelson and Ben Shaheen both qualified on to the district meet following a strong showing at the sectional last week.

Jackson boys track and field needed their team to compete to its potential, and then receive a little help in order to take home a Federal League championship.

Both happened, as the Polar Bears racked up 132 points to win the Federal League championship meet, and then captured the conference title outright after both McKinley and GlenOak placed ahead of Boardman at the league meet. The Spartans, who had been undefeated in dual meets, could have earned a share of the title if they had finished second to host Jackson last Friday night.

What if? That’s the question Jackson baseball fans were asking after watching the Polar Bears drop a 5-3 District tournament game to Perry Tuesday afternoon at Thurman Munson Stadium.

The congregation of Crosspoint United Methodist Church (CUMC), 9687 Portage Street NW, Massillon, 44648, is planning a celebration of its recent chartering and the purchase of its first church building and is inviting the local community to join in. Some of the planned festivities for May 19 and May 20 include a performance by Mark Lee Townsend, Sunday worship, a cookout, and several children’s activities.

Lil Blosfield knew since childhood that she would become a mom to a daughter some day. What she didn’t expect is that her daughter would be so different from her. The Jackson Township mom writes about it in a recently published “Chicken Soup for the Soul” volume, “The Magic of Mothers & Daughters: 101 Inspirational and Entertaining Stories about That Special Bond.”

Jackson High School senior Cooper Merrill recently signed a letter of intent to play football at Hobart College.

Merrill was a team captain for the Polar Bears, a 1st Team All-Federal League selection, Repository All-County Team, Jim Johnson Sportsmanship Award and 1st-Team All In-Land District Team.

His stats for the season were: 60-of-108 (55 percent) passing for 821 yards, seven touchdowns and six interceptions. He rushed for 1383 yards on 237 carries (5.8 avg) and scored eight touchdowns. He also made four punts for 154 yards (38.5 avg).

Merrill is also a member of the boys lacrosse team, where he will be a four-year letter winner after this season.
His parents are  Dee and George Merrill.

Jackson's senior softball catcher Madi Jordan has finally found a home. After being born in Canada and living in Texas, Iowa, and Arkansas the hard-hitting Polar Bear backstop arrived in Stark County two years ago when her father was transferred to the Akron area by Goodyear. After visiting a few schools and talking to local coaches the Jordan family chose Jackson.

Baseball icon Yogi Berra, the master of the malaprop, once said, “It's getting late early.” For the Jackson boys lacrosse team, Berra's linguistic mash-up fits perfectly because in the blink of an eye, the end of the regular season has arrived and the tournament is near.

The Board of Education for Jackson Local Schools accepted the retirement of 11 employees and the resignations of seven others at the regular monthly meeting. Superintendent Christopher DiLoretto said that the district will be posting employment opportunities on their website www.jackson.stark.k12.oh.us to hire replacements for those leaving.

Days after a freak, short-lived thunderstorm pounded the Belden Village shopping area, county officials still are inspecting area storm sewers to see whether any clogs may have contributed to the flooding that stranded dozens of motorists.

The public is invited to the Massillon Public Library for a free showing of Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Tell-Tale Heart,” at 6 p.m. May 14 as part of The Big Read 2012

A sinkhole that developed in Jackson Township is likely to be repaired Monday. One lane of westbound traffic on Fulton Drive NW is temporarily closed.

The township’s trustees plan to rehire an employee who recently retired.

“There’s a reason everyone’s here. He brightened everyone’s day, no matter what kind of day he was having.”

Investigators in three states said the horror began in exactly the same way.
A woman, most times a single mother, would awake in her bedroom to find she was blinded by the glare of a flashlight. The man wore a ski mask. He covered her mouth tightly with a gloved hand.

“I'm just going to take a few things.  I won't hurt you,” the intruder said.  “Get up and come with me… ”

A Thackery Avenue woman told police on April 18 that a man was continually calling and texting her despite her telling him several times to stop. An officer spoke to the man by phone and advised him to stop contacting the woman or he would be charged with telecommunications harassment.

Jackson High School students and faculty Sunday celebrated the life of Alan McDorman the well-loved 41-year-old English teacher and coach who passed away unexpectedly Jan. 28 from complications following a brain aneurysm.

The idea of all-natural and gluten-free foods are a popular topic these days.

Feeding the family healthy foods is always a good decision, and local chef Jon Molnar is giving people the option to have pasta with a healthy sauce.