In the halls of Nolley Elementary School, Stewart is greeted by every student he passes. Teachers are tolerant of students even stepping out of line to say hello. Stewart comes to the school every Tuesday and Thursday mornings to encourage reading.

Jim Tressel, nearly a year after resigning his job as head football coach at the Ohio State University and about a week away from officially beginning his new role at UA as the vice president of strategic engagement, appeared Tuesday as the keynote speaker at Manchester High School’s annual Varsity Academic Awards Banquet.

Things are looking up for the Manchester High School boys tennis program.

The Panthers they return five of their top seven players from last year's 7-9 team and will look to build on that experience and land on the positive side of the .500 mark this season.

Manchester Schools will provide full-day kindergarten after the board of education approved the changed at a special board meeting April 3.

The program was recommended by Director of Curriculum and Instruction Dr. James Robinson, Nolley Principal Christi Pappas and kindergarten teachers Traci Craig and Jennifer Lasalle.

Nick Crème, one of the best-kept – and longest-kept as well – secrets of the Manchester school system, was greeting a visitor at the front door of Nolley Elementary School recently.

As the longtime physical education teacher did so, he looked down to see a little boy, maybe 6 or 7 years old and only as tall as Crème’s mid-thigh, timidly and patiently staring up at him.

AKRON  The Akron Zoo will hold their annual Breakfast with the Bunny event on March 31, April 1 and April 7 from 9 - 11 a.m. The event includes breakfast, a visit from the Bunny and an outdoor egg hunt. Reservations are required and space is limited.

Nick Crème, one of the best-kept – and longest-kept as well – secrets of the Manchester school system, was greeting a visitor at the front door of Nolley Elementary School recently.

As the longtime physical education teacher did so, he looked down to see a little boy, maybe 6 or 7 years old and only as tall as Crème’s mid-thigh, timidly and patiently staring up at him.

The trio with strong Manchester High School football roots will be at the center of attention — literally and figuratively — at the annual Ohio North-South All-Star Classic on April 20 at Ohio Stadium in Columbus.

A benovelent account has been set up for Justin George Wigington at area First Merit banks.

Wigington, 19, was seriously injured March 15 in a car crash on Center Road in New Franklin.

New Franklin has a new finance director.

Council members voted 5-2 Wednesday to confirm the appointment of Susan M. Cooke; Judy Jones and Harry Gehm voted no.

The position pays $18,000 per year.

    A Walsh University alumnus has launched a think tank at the university to help cities adapt to this new economic world order:  The Intelligent Community Forum Institute for the Study of the Intelligent Community. Co-founded by Walsh 1978 graduate Louis Zacharilla, the ICF institute will use technology and a consortium of academics, politicians and businesses leaders to work on ways to keep local economies growing after large industries have left town.

    In practical terms, the job of the ICF Institute at Walsh will be to find the best ways teachers are educating students for the global economy and make those models available to teachers and universities, wherever the institutions are located.

Winning the Division II coach of the year award.

Yeah, it’s kind of a big deal.

To be selected among the hundreds of coaches in the state of Ohio is quite an honor, but don’t tell that to Tucker Pappas.

When asked what his initial reaction was to learning about the award, he said, “nothing really.” He didn’t learn about the honor until the afternoon after the announcement, when people called to congratulate him.

Manchester Schools need the community's help to develop plans to improve your schools. We hope that you will be able to attend this meeting at Manchester High School on Thursday, March 15 at 7 p.m. to discuss the district’s future plans and to gain your thoughts/opinions.

The Lady Panthers saw their tournament run come to an end Tuesday night, falling to the state's No. 3 ranked team Clyde 50-39 at the Ontario Div. II regional semifinals at Ontario High School before a near-capacity crowd.

Manchester saw its three-point (24-21) halftime lead erased as the Fliers outscored the red and black 15-7 in the pivotal third quarter.

The Panther girls had a slim 24-21 lead at the end of the first half, but could not hold on against the Clyde Fliers in the Div. II regional finals at Ontario High School Tuesday.

  Clyde came out to a big lead in the thrid quarter that lead to the 50-39 lead.

  It was the first loss for Manchester, named No. 1 ranking in the  Associated Press Division II state poll. Clyde, ranked No. 3. The Fliers will play the winner of Toledo Rogers and Lima Bath regional final at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Ontario.

It's election day in Summit and Stark County. Check the Summit County Board of Elections and  the Stark County Elections Board if you don't know your precinct.

Check The Suburbanite for a recap of local issues.

As Manchester coach Tucker Pappas glared at the scoreboard in disbelief with 5:36 showing in the third quarter he must have been wondering if he would ever be able to guide one of his teams out of the districts.

In the past three seasons the Lady Panthers have advanced to the district finals only to be denied that elusive trip to the regional. This time, they emerged victorious with a 56-52 triumph over Hoban.

Congratulations to Manchester on their win Saturday over Hoban in the Div. II  finals. The girls play again at 7 p.m. Tuesday in the regionals against Clyde High School, the Bucyrus District champs at Ontario High School. The Panthers are now 24-0. It was their first district title 11 years.

Tournament basketball is all about survival, and the Lady Panther cagers can attest to that as they staved off an upset-bid by Marlington, Wednesday night winning a 60-54 double-overtime thriller in girls Div. II district semifinal action at Lake High School.

A week after winning a sectional title, the Panther wrestlers had another a strong showing at the Garfield Heights Div. III district meet, placing eighth and advancing three individuals state meet.