Home Care In Solon, OH

Nestlé says the layoffs are meant to 'continue to deliver quality products to consumers at competitive prices.'

SOLON, Ohio — The food and beverage giant Nestlé announced the layoffs of 216 employees from its Solon factory on Monday.

In a statement, Nestlé said the layoffs are meant to "continue to deliver quality products to consumers at competitive prices."

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Nestlé cited their commitment to Ohio despite Monday's layoffs in the release saying their new factory set to open in Williamsburg Township will open later this year, bringing 300 new jobs to the state.

3News reached out to the city of Solon for comment on today's layoff announcement. Director of Economic Development Angee Shaker said, "We're disappointed to receive this news. Nestle is like family to us, so this is sad news."

The number of affected employees comes in stark contrast to the number of anticipated layoffs in 2024 Nestlé announced in November of 2023. Nestlé had previously announced that 77 workers were expected to be laid off between December 31, 2023 and August 2, 2024.

A spokesperson for Nestle responded with the following statement:

"To best serve our consumers now and into the future, we are optimizing our manufacturing network and shifting some production from our Solon factory to other sites within our U.S. network.

"The Solon factory will continue to be an important part of our manufacturing network and will run lines dedicated to our growing Out-of-Home business. The business will actively review opportunities to add capacity to the factory in the future as the business environment evolves.

"We are committed to doing all we can to support our people during this change, such as developing comprehensive separation packages to ease employees’ career transitions and collaborating with state and local officials to provide additional resources and support. Impacted employees will also be able to apply for open roles at other Nestlé manufacturing facilities, including those in Ohio.

"Nestlé remains committed to Ohio with more 3,000 employees across 9 facilities including: Nestlé USA’s corporate campus and factory, a Nestle Professional factory, two Purina factories, a Nespresso boutique, a sales office, quality assurance lab and R&D center."

Nestle? is cutting 216 jobs at its Solon manufacturing facility, the company announced Monday.

The company issued a statement that said it is "optimizing our manufacturing network and shifting some production from our Solon factory to other sites within our U.S. network."

In a November 2023 notice of layoffs and closures filed with the Ohio Department of Jobs and Family Services, the company announce it would be laying off 77 employees from its Northeast Ohio headquarters in Solon.

A notice regarding the current layoff announcement was not available online Monday.

News5 Cleveland:Nestle? to lay off 77 Solon workers

Nestle? Prepared Foods is a subsidiary of Nestle? USA, which is owned by Nestle? S.A. of Vevey,Switzerland. It employs more than 3,000 employees in nine manufacturing plants and its Solon headquarters.

"The Solon factory will continue to be an important part of our manufacturing network and will run lines dedicated to our growing Out-of-Home business," the statement continued. "The business will actively review opportunities to add capacity to the factory in the future as the business environment evolves."

November plant closing:227 laid off as Nestle? shuts Freehold Township, N.J. coffee plant

Pet food factory opening in southern Ohio

Nestle? expects to bring 300 new jobs to the Cincinnati area this year.

"In 2020, Nestle? Purina PetCare announced a $550 million investment to build a new factory in Williamsburg Township to meet increasing demand for its high-quality, nutritious pet foods. Upon completion, anticipated to open late 2024, the facility will bring 300 new jobs to the state," the spokesperson added.

"We are committed to doing all we can to support our people during this change, such as developing comprehensive separation packages to ease employees' career transitions and collaborating with state and local officials to provide additional resources and support," the statement continued. "Impacted employees will also be able to apply for open roles at other Nestle? manufacturing facilities, including those in Ohio."

"Nestle? remains committed to Ohio with more 3,000 employees across 9 facilities including: Nestle? USA’s corporate campus and factory, a Nestle Professional factory, two Purina factories, a Nespresso boutique, a sales office, quality assurance lab and R&D center."

In 2015, the company opened a $50 million, 144,000-square-foot research and development center in Solon, augmenting its presence in the city. At the time, it employed 2,200 in the Cleveland area and 3,400 in Ohio.

The Solon headquarters had been the launching point for brands including Stouffer’s, Lean Cuisine, and Nestle? Toll House cookie doughs. Brands that had relocated to Solon include Hot Pockets and Lean Pockets, DiGiorno, California Pizza Kitchen, Tombstone and Jack’s pizza.

Eric Marotta can be reached at [email protected].

SOLON, Ohio - Copley girls basketball coach Julie Solis had a plan on Wednesday night. And then she had to make a new one if her team was to remain unbeaten.

In the end, it worked out alright for the Indians in a 52-48 road win over Solon in a cross-conference battle between Suburban League foes.

Down one player due to illness from her already small rotation that normally features just seven players, Solis had to make some adjustments in the way her team would approach the game, including having to pick and choose the right times to turn up the pressure defensively.

"We had to make a decision on exactly when can we press," Solis said. "We just had to talk about those things and just make sure that personnel wise we had the right matchups due to the missing player."

One of those moments came at the end of the third quarter with Copley trailing 35-24.

After a pair of free throws by Audrey Parker, Copley put on the press and got a quick steal that led to a foul. Emily Kerekes split the free throws but Copley got the ball back and Evelyn McKnight scored.

On the ensuing inbounds pass, another steal led to a Parker bucket and the Indians found themselves down just four points after the third quarter.

"Those were key steals," Solis said. "We usually are a pressing team and we only had six (players) tonight that are usually up here playing with us so I didn't really want to press but I think at that moment we had to do it."

Copley, ranked No. 18 in the latest SBLive Ohio girls basketball Power 25, rode that momentum into the fourth quarter and finally took its first lead of the second half when senior Izzy Callaway nailed a 3-pointer as she was being fouled and her free throw made it 42-41 Copley with 3:37 left.

Callaway scored nine of her team-high 15 points in the fourth quarter.

"It was pretty big, I think I needed that," Callaway said. "I was in a little bit of a slump to start the game so it was helpful for sure."

Part of the reason Callaway struggled offensively at the start was because of the defense being played on her by someone familiar with her game - Solon guard Mackenzie Blackford, as the two were teammates in AAU.

"I think I was I was a little down because I was getting face guarded so that was definitely a challenge," Callaway said. "I had to just kind of work through that, talk to my coaches (and they) kept telling me be aggressive. (Mackenzie and I) played on the same AAU team, so we're good friends."

The two teams traded the lead over the next few possessions, but Copley ultimately outscored Solon 21-13 in the final quarter to overtake the Comets and win the game.

"I just think they just kept fighting," Solis said. "(It was important) to just fight back, and I think they never felt defeated, especially when we were down 11 because that hasn't happened to us yet this year. I was proud of their resiliency to come out in the fourth quarter."

The loss is the first of the season for Solon (7-1), ranked No. 8 in the SBLive Ohio Power 25. The Comets were led by guard Nia Booker with 20 points and Blackford with 19. The duo combined for 21 of Solon's 24 points in the first half.

With Callaway leading the charge offensively, Kami Ayoup scored 10 points, including a 3-pointer with 2:04 left when Solon had just retaken the lead. McKnight and Zoey Van Voorhis each had eight points for the Indians, with Van Voorhis scoring to give Copley the lead for good with 1:18 remaining.

Parker had six and Kerekes finished with five to round out Copley's scoring.

While Copley (7-0) was shorthanded on the night, the team rallied around one another, something the coach was not surprised about.

"They're a great bunch of kids," Solis said. "I love being around them, but I think they love each other. And they're really enjoying the time together."

SOLON, Ohio (WJW) – Unique, high-energy celebrations were held all across the world on Friday night for people with special needs and their loved ones.

The global event is known as “Night to Shine” and one of the local prom-themed celebrations was held at Church of the Resurrection in Solon.

“It’s good for the families to see their kids with a smile on their face, because they know the harsh reality of not every day is sunshine and rainbows or a special night,” said Kelly Harmody, a member of the parish council.

“Night to Shine,” which is sponsored by the Tim Tebow Foundation, is now held in more than 1,000 cities and 56 countries.

“We just want each and every individual who is here tonight to know that they are special, they are cherished and we celebrate them,” said Lisa Dobe, who served as emcee for a red-carpet introduction of each attendee.

By design, “Night to Shine” is held on the Friday before Valentine’s Day.

“Every human person is a beloved child of God and to share that love and to celebrate that love,” said Julie Tragon, who helped organize the event at the church.

Darcelle Wordlow is a dedicated caregiver and says her friends Michael, Lawrence and William have been looking forward to “Night to Shine” from the moment she told them about it.

“It means a lot to us because we can get out of the house, participate and just have a good time, a good night out for the guys,” she said.

FOX 8 News anchor Gabe Spiegel and his son Eli enjoyed their first “Night to Shine” at the church in Solon.

For 19-year-old Eli, it was a chance to showcase his skills on the dance floor and to do his Elvis impersonation.

But more importantly, he was able to share the joy of a night on the town with his dad and other families that share a common experience.

“Tonight, they’re the rock star and that’s what it’s all about and we see them light up like a Christmas trees, and it makes us light up as well,” Gabe said.

Volunteers like West Geauga High School student Kat Bailey made sure that no honored guest was alone on their “Night to Shine.”

“I think everyone here should have someone that they can like have a buddy with and have fun night with,” she said.

The message beamed all over the world on Friday night was loud and clear, “you deserve all the best in life.”

Woodridge alum Hunter Niswander and his wife Corinne had the unexpected delivery a few weeks ago on 422 West.

SOLON, Ohio — In Hunter Niswander's career, kicking is standard procedure. He was a standout at Woodridge High School, Northwestern, the Dallas Cowboys and now the United States Football League (USFL). But in his personal world, this pro kicker just had the punt of his life.

"Things started to progress pretty quickly once we realized, you know, the baby is coming," Hunter said.

"I was like, 'Okay, it kind of hurts now, but I'm gonna breathe through it and when I get to hospital it's gonna be all better. And then it got worse very quick," Hunter's wife, Corinne, said.

The couple jumped in the car and onto 422 West, headed for Hillcrest Hospital to deliver their second daughter. Then only 10 minutes into their 20-minute commute, it was clear they wouldn't make it.

"(Corinne) told me, she's like, 'You need to pull over now,'" Hunter said. "So it was pull over to the median and then I basically jumped out, sprinted around into the car and got to her and opened up the door."

Hunter dialed 911.

Dispatcher: "911, what's the location of your emergency?"

Hunter: "We're on the side of the highway ... my wife is having a baby!"

The situation then grows intense as Corinne experiences more pain.

"Help me! Help me!" Corinne said on the 911 call.

But Hunter knows how to be a good teammate. He can be heard encouraging his wife.

"You're doing amazing. I love you," Hunter said. "Push, push, push!"

Their baby girl is born, but there's a problem. They're not sure if she is breathing.

Dispatcher: "Is baby breathing?"

Corinne: "I don't know. I don't think so."

Hunter: "Breathe, baby, breathe!"

"Honestly in my head I was like, 'Please God, please God. Please let her be okay," Corinne said. "When she came out, I mean she came out blue, like completely blue. And then we realized that the cord was around her neck twice. So I quickly unwrapped it and Hunter was frantically searching for, luckily, our toddlers beanies and blankets."

Then, a great sign: The baby starts crying, and first responders from the Solon Fire Department show up to help.

Dispatcher: "I'm going to let you go, OK?"

Hunter: "OK."

Dispatcher: "Congratulations."

"So she and the baby ended up getting taken by EMS and they were amazing. They did an amazing job," Hunter said.

Now, Hunter, an Akron native, is the father of two healthy girls. Corinne doesn't take for granted the journey they took to get here.

"It's a miracle, but it's also like this dichotomy of like, wow. It could have been bad, but thank you, thank you, Jesus, that's it's not," Corinne said.

Their baby news was shared on social media by Sports Illustrated.

Former Cowboys punter Hunter Niswander delivered his newborn daughter on the side of the highway https://t.co/4qfgryFtsl

— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) December 17, 2023

Hunter says everything happens for a reason.

"I think, in times of difficulty, or when you don't know what's gonna happen, I think for us it's leaning into our faith," he said.

He'll lean into his faith with his career, too. We asked him if he'd be rooting for the Browns Thursday night against the Jets.

"Yeah, of course. Yeah, of course. And also if the Browns wanted to bring me in, I mean, yeah. I'm 20 minutes away, so that'd be obviously ideal," Hunter said.

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