Local Man Shares UFO Experience
At the close of this year, even the most positive among us has had trouble dealing with 2020. With a global pandemic changing the way we live, political upheaval, racial divides, and an election fraught with venom and strife, even the threat of murder hornets don’t faze us after all that 2020 has dumped on our doorsteps. So learning...
Local Man Shares UFO Experience – Part II
You’ll recall from the first part of Joe’s story, which appeared in the December 25th issue, where he shared what he experienced one night on Shanks Downes Road on his way home from work. You’ll remember that Joe set the phone aside, and didn’t think about them again until he sat down to remove old contacts and download photos...
New Owner Revitalizing Windham Supermarket
Windham - It’s a new day at Windham’s grocery store. It’s got a new name, a new owner and a new future, but it’s here to stay for the sake of the community. So says Ali Salama, independent owner of Windham Supermarket at 9670 East Center Street. Salama is in the process of purchasing the former Windham Sparkle Market from...
Windham School Board News
Windham - The Windham Board of Education (BOE) met for their regularly scheduled meeting with two members in attendance and two via Zoom. One member was absent. BOE President Mandy Berardinelli called the meeting to order. In the president’s report, Berardinell reported that National Honor Society (NHS) Jr/Sr. high inductions are set for April 29th at 9 am. There will...
Windham Village Council News
Windham - The Windham Village Council met recently with all the members of council in attendance. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Scott Garrett. Council members are President Lawrence (Mac) Cunningham, Cheryl Belknap, Cindy Cale, Cheryl Taylor, Terrie Altiere and Sherri Pennington. The village administrator is Deborah Blewitt, zoning inspector Tom Brett and solicitor is Tom Reitz. The...
Dixie’s Diner is a Mainstay in Windham
Many say Dixie’s Diner is like going home after a long, extended absence. A family diner, owned by Ashley and John Eisenbarth is located in the old Sparkle Plaza. The day to day operations falls on Ashley’s shoulders, so she named the Diner after her Grandmother Dixie. Dixie is not only an important person in Ashley’s life, she is...
Brugmann Opens Auto Clinic in Windham
Windham - After four days of a soft opening, Keith Brugmann officially opened his auto repair shop in Windham, called Brugmanns Auto Clinic Inc. Brugmann is an experienced mechanic and had done all the mechanical for the Mantua- Shalersville Fire Department for the past 25 years. He also works for F&S in Mantua. He is excited about serving the...
Five-Year Forecast Gives Windham District a Picture of Their Future Solvency
Windham - Windham Board of Education’s (BOE) most recent meeting shed some light on the future with the five-year forecast presented to the board by treasurer, Samantha Pochedly. On paper, the five-year forecast looks bleak in the 3rd and 4th year, but Pochedly said there are some factors that are not added in and when they are, things will...
Windham Welcomes New Drive-Thru Beverage Store
Windham - After a short soft opening, the Windham Beverage Drive- Thru Store held their official Grand Opening this past Saturday. Owner Ron King, his son Phil King along with store manager Angela Murphy, store employees and local elected officials were in attendance at the ribbon cutting ceremony for the official opening of the store. A few years ago, Ron...
Ohio National Guard 1st Battalion 145th Armored Regiment is Being Deployed
This past Sunday, around 700 soldiers from the Ohio National Guard out of Stow had their Call to Duty Ceremony at the Canton Memorial Civic Center. The men and women of the 1st Battalion, 145th Armored Regiment answered the call to duty as they prepare to head to Kuwait later this year as a part of Operation Spartan Shield....
Windham Village Council News
Windham - Windham Village Council met for their regularly scheduled meeting on June 22, 2021 with all but one council member in attendance. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Scott Garrett. The fiscal officer, Cheree Taylor, reported that they had collected $221,648.77 in income taxes this year to date (05/31/21). There expenditures for the month of May were...
Crisis to Recovery Births Hope Village
Rootstown - Addiction has become rampant in our region and has kept our first responders busy saving lives. Addiction comes in many forms, it is not necessarily just the junkie or drunkard we see lying in the ditch or on a city street. It can be a person who is very high functioning, one who can keep a job...
Windham School Board News
Windham - Windham Board of Education (BOE) held their most recent meeting via Zoom due to the high COVID-19 numbers. They had all board members in attendance, along with the superintendent and the treasurer. A discussion was held on an Ohio house bill that looks good initially, but when delved into, it takes more money from already financially strapped...
Aireane Curtis Excited to Lead Windham Exempted Schools
Windham - Windham students will not only see a new face in the principal’s office, they will see a new one at the superintendent’s desk as well. The Windham Board of Education (BOE) hired Aireane Curtis to fill the superintendent position. Curtis began at the helm of the school on July 1, 2019 and was given a three-year and one-month...
Windham Residents File Referendum Over Ordinance Changes
Windham - Earlier this year, on March 24, 2020, Windham Village Council passed Ordinance O-2020-3, amending section 505.15. The ordinance prohibits farm animals, exotic animals, reptiles, or other pets, except dogs, cats, household birds, other creatures indigenous to the area or other creatures exhibited as part of a duly recognized circus show. No person shall keep or harbor within...
New Principal At Windham is Alum
Windham - This fall, when students return to school at Windham Exempted Junior/ Senior High School, there will be a new face behind the principal’s desk. The district welcomed Justin Christopher back to Windham. Christopher is a Windham alum and has taken over the principal’s position effective August 1, 2019. Christopher is not new to Windham; besides being a 1992...
Windham Township News
Windham Twp. - Windham Township Trustees met for their regularly-scheduled meeting with all trustees, fiscal officer, zoning inspector and a guest who was there to observe in attendance. The trustees approved the minutes, expenditures and bank reconciliation before recognizing any guests who would like to address the board. There were none. In roads, Brian Miller reported that they had been mowing...
Shannan Jursa State Farm Agency Honors First Responders
Windham - The WVFD was the most recent recipient of State Farm’s Protect the Protectors Program. The program donated 10 home monitoring kits to the department. The Protect the Protector Program was launched in December 2015 by State Farm and Canary Home Monitoring System. Their goal was to protect those who protect us. They want to recognize and acknowledge...
For The Love Of Horses
Windham Twp. - A trip down Bryant Road may have folks wondering about the horse farm that seemed to have cropped up overnight. To passers-by, it appears that someone likes horses, but its just a bit more than that. Mark and Racheal Maddox, along with their two children bought and began rehabbing the farm in 2016. It is now...
Providing Hope for Recovery in Windham
Windham - For years, Ted St. John had a dream. Some might say a lofty one, but nonetheless, a dream. He dreamed of seeing a residential recovery house for substance abuse in Portage County. His vision of a residential recovery house is well on the way to fruition. He’s recently established a nonprofit organization called Hope Town and through...
Windham Village Council News
Windham - The Windham Village Council met recently with all members of council in attendance. The meeting was called to order and the minutes from the previous meeting along with two special meetings were approved. In finance, Cheree Taylor reported the village collected income tax, year to date, $308,899.38. The expenditures for the month of July were $184,511.68, with no...
Grand Jury returns Indictments Against Amero
Windham - The entire community of Windham was disappointed that someone they entrusted their children to has allegedly betrayed them. On Monday, April 22, 2019, the Portage County Grand Jury indicted Superintendent Laura Amero on six charges involving students. Amero was charged with two counts of sexual battery, two counts of attempted sexual battery and two counts of intimidation...
PCDL on November 3 Ballot- Issue #31
Portage County District Library (PCDL) will be appearing on the November 3, 2020 ballot as Issue #31. The Library is asking for a 1-Mill, 10-year property tax levy to supplement its operating budget. At present, PCDL is one of the only systems in the area that relies solely on state funding. Because it does not currently receive any money...
Renaissance Family Center Celebrates 10 Years
Windham - A little over 10 years ago a church had a vision for the old East Elementary School in Windham, a vision that would take a lot of faith to see come to fruition. Almost from its inception, it was a miracle how it all started to come together. On January 1, 2018 the Renaissance Family Center (RFC)...
Fire Prevention Kits Delivered To Area Fire Departments
Shannan Jursa State Farm was selected to help the National Fire Prevention Association and State Farm by providing community toolkits to support two local fire departments with fire safety educational materials. This year’s theme is “Serve Up Fire Safety in the Kitchen.” We are pleased to provide grant funding to supply volunteer and paid fire fighters with public safety...
Windham Board of Education News
Windham - Windham Board of Education (BOE) met recently with all but one member in attendance. The school announced the students of the month and presented them their awards. They also awarded two students who demonstrated safety and positive behavior while riding the bus. They gave one award to a high school student and one for an elementary student....
Basketball Before Marty Hill
Windham - The history of the legendary Windham High School basketball program will be relived on Monday, November 15, as sports historian George Belden speaks to the Windham Historical Society, at a meeting co-sponsored by the Windham Bicentennial Committee. This talk is being presented to the public at Katherine Thomas Elementary School, 9032 Maple Grove Road in Windham, with...
The Old Church on Silica is Demolished
A piece of history in Windham Township was demolished earlier this month as the church known to locals as the Old Church on Silica, was demolished. The Old Church on Silica was rich in local history and was and icon in the community at one time, but in the last 10 or so years, the building had become an...
Windham School News June 2020
Windham - Windham Schools are moving forward with plans to open in the fall. Now, just because the district is being pro-active in getting the building ready for students, it remains to be seen if they are, indeed, returning to the classroom. Everything is in the hands of the governor and the health department. The district is moving toward making...
Program Pairs Local Youth with Local Businesses
Garrettsville - Ty’Shaun Caples and his sisters live with their grandmother in Windham. Two years ago, when his grandmother suffered a heart attack, then 16-year-old Ty’Shaun wanted to get a summer job to help support his family. At an event at Windham High School, where he was a student, he learned about a special job program offered through Portage...
