With the arrival of 2026, local entities will be focusing on achieving goals that they established in previous years. Many of those plans have been revealed in a recent series of stories written by News-Herald reporters. In keeping with an annual tradition that generally spans from the middle of Dec ember through early January, The News-Herald asked leaders of local communities, school districts and public-service organizations to reflect on major achievements of 2025 and look ahead to key projects for 2026. The stories highlighted some interesting and significant initiatives that will be worked on or completed in the new year which just started. Perry Village An endeavor on Green Street will involve replacing a waterline, and paving and widening the roadway, The News-Herald’s Bill DeBus reported. These improvements will be bid out and constructed as one project, Village Engineer Robert Parker said. Construction could start as soon as March and be completed by mid-summer, he said. While this work is being bid as one project, costs of the initiative will be split between the Lake County Utilities Department and Perry Village. “The current engineer’s estimate for the project is $2.1 million,” Parker said. Funding will come from the Lake County Utilities Department, an Ohio Public Works Commission grant and loan, and village government money. Euclid The city is looking forward to the opening of its Recreation and Wellness building this year. Once the construction is over, Mayor Kirsten Holzheimer Gail said, the center will start to offer community programming for all ages, The News-Herald’s Frank Mecham reported. “This facility represents a major milestone for our community, serving as a hub for physical health and well-being,” Holzheimer Gail wrote. “More than just a gym, it will be a place where residents of all ages can come together to improve their health and connect with one another. “The center will feature a variety of programs designed to educate and uplift our community, fostering a sense of pride and unity,” Holzheimer Gail added. “Additionally, the facility will allow the Euclid Recreation Department to expand its offerings, particularly for children and teens. Research shows that participation in structured activities leads to better outcomes for young people, and we are excited to engage more of them in these beneficial programs. “This center is a testament to our commitment to building a stronger, safer, more vibrant Euclid. It will stand as a source of inspiration and pride for our city.” Mentor-on-the-Lake Overlook Beach Park will be drastically upgraded, Mayor David Eva said. A brand-new playground has been designed and will be installed, funded entirely through Ohio Office of Budget and Management grant money secured by state Rep. Daniel P. Troy, The News-Herald’s William Tilton reported. In addition, construction will begin on a $1.2 million revetment, protecting the shoreline and enhancing park safety. Painesville This year, the city will be working the Ohio Department of Transportation and Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency to make more than $5.57 million in roadway and stormwater improvements, The News-Herald’s Bryson Durst reported. City Manager Doug Lewis added that 2026 “will be one of our busiest years to date for resurfacing and reconstruction of roadways throughout the city.” Willoughby-Eastlake Schools In 2026, the district intends to further its outreach with the launch of a community-centered podcast, The News-Herald’s Marah Morrison reported. “This platform will serve as a digital stage for a variety of stakeholders, including students, staff, families and professionals from the education and business industries,” Superintendent Patrick Ward said. “By sharing these diverse perspectives, the district aims to highlight the growing synergy between our educational programming and the local workforce, illustrating how community partnerships are directly enhancing the student experience.” The district recognizes that a school district is only as strong as its relationship with the community it serves, Ward said. “By increasing our communication footprint and telling the authentic stories of our students and alumni, we’ve seen a tangible shift in how people connect with our mission,” he said. “Our upcoming podcast is the next step in that evolution, giving us a way to share the expertise of our staff and partners while ensuring our community has a front-row seat to the innovation happening in our schools.” These are just some of the significant 2026 projects that The News-Herald has mentioned in its series. We commend leaders of Lake County; local cities, townships and villages; school districts; and public-service agencies for the plans they’ve developed to carry out major endeavors in 2026. In addition, we look forward to keeping readers apprised on all of these projects throughout the year. ...read more read less