Benjamin Coll
Ben is the co-owner and editor of The Weekly Villager and actively guides the James A. Garfield Local School District's student media programs. He oversees GGtv broadcasting, the High School yearbook, and Podcasting initiatives, fostering student creativity for the JAG community. In Garrettsville, he serves as vice president of the Garrettsville Area Chamber, vice president of the Garrettsville Board of Public Affairs, and contributes as a board member for the Nelson Garrettsville Community cupboard,
Garrettsville council weighsdata center pause, approves budget measure
Present were council members Tom Hardesty, Frederic Ahrens, Sheri Johnson, John Brachna, Richard Beatty and Jeff Kaiser. Officials present were Mayor Rick Patrick, Fiscal...
Transforming Site of Historic Loss into New Community Gathering Place
Community leaders, residents, project partners and elected officials gathered June 18 to celebrate the opening of the Buckeye Block Amphitheater, marking the completion of...
Garrettsville Council approves water rate increase, DORA renewal
Garrettsville Village Council approved a water rate increase, renewed the village’s downtown Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area and advanced several infrastructure and planning measures during...
34th Annual ‘BANDS IN THE ROUND’
Some 134 student musicians from James A. Garfield Local Schools filled the JAG Fieldhouse on Sunday afternoon for the 34th annual District-Wide Spring Concert,...
Village council reviews water rate recommendation, allocates funds for roadwork at...
Garrettsville Village Council met April 8 at Village Hall to consider legislation involving water system improvements, water rate adjustments and other village business.
All council...
Garrettsville Village Council News
Garrettsville Village Council met Feb. 11 with Councilpersons Tom Hardesty, Frederic Ahrens, Sheri Johnson, John Brachna, Richard Beatty and Jeff Kaiser present. Also attending...
Garfield High School to honor 2025 Hall of Fame Inductees
The James A. Garfield High School Hall of Fame committee has announced its Hall of Fame induction class for 2025, recognizing four individuals for...
Portage County Junior High Tournament crowns champions at Garfield
Wrestlers from across Portage County competed Friday, Jan. 2, at the Portage County Junior High Wrestling Tournament, hosted by James A. Garfield High School,...
Garrettsville Council Honors Officers, Reviews Finances and Considers Chamber Upgrades
Garrettsville Village council recognized two police officers for exceptional acts of bravery and life-saving intervention, reviewed October financial reports, advanced two resolutions on first...
Who Killed Zeus? Garfield High Brings Myth and Mystery to the...
Garfield High School’s Drama Club is turning Olympus upside down this fall with “Pandemonium”, a sharp and witty modern-day murder mystery by JD Atkins....
Garrettsville Village Council News
Garrettsville Village Council met Oct. 8, approving a new social media policy for village offices, ratifying the county solid waste management plan, and discussing...
Garrettsville Village Council appoints new member, considers social media ordinance
Garrettsville Village Council met briefly Aug. 13, appointing a new member, reviewing finances, and approving a new policy regulating social media use by village...
Garrettsville Council News
Garrettsville Village Council met for its regular monthly session on Wednesday, July 9, immediately following a scheduled public hearing on the 2026 tax budget....
Garrettsville Council Approves Salary Increases, Lawn Limits and Sidewalk Repairs
Garrettsville Village Council on Wednesday approved a series of ordinances addressing zoning updates, employee benefits, pay raises for elected officials, and revised grass and...
Clouds Part For Sunset As Garfield Seniors Celebrate Graduation
Cloudy skies broke into a golden sunset Saturday evening as James A. Garfield High School’s Class of 2025 gathered beneath the lights of JAG...
Garfield Bands Annual District-Wide Concert
The James A. Garfield Band Department brought students, families, and the community together Sunday afternoon for the 33rd Annual District-Wide Spring Concert, Bands in...
Garrettsville Village Council News
The Village of Garrettsville Council met Wednesday, May 14 to address a range of legislation, personnel updates, and public concerns during its regularly scheduled...
Garfield Choir Delivers Evening of Harmonies
The James A. Garfield Music Department celebrated an evening of song and spirit with its 2025 Spring Concerts, held back-to-back on May 13 in...
“It’s the year 2025. Not 1825.” Council Reviews Feedback on Proposed...
The Village of Garrettsville Council met on April 9, 2025, at 7:00 p.m., with Mayor Rick Patrick presiding. Councilpersons Deb Wordell, Tom Hardesty, John...
Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!
A Ticket to Garfield’s ‘Mamma Mia!’
Garfield Musical Theatre will bring the beloved hit musical “Mamma Mia!” to the stage this spring, offering audiences a...
Council Discusses Utility Reimbursements, NOPEC Grants, and Village Concerns
The Garrettsville Village Council convened on Tuesday, February 12, for its second meeting of the year. Present at the meeting were Councilpersons Tom Hardesty,...
JAG Musical Theatre Hosts ‘Supermarket Sweep’ Fundraiser for Mamma Mia! and...
The James A. Garfield High School Musical Theatre department is preparing to bring the hit musical Mamma Mia! to the stage this spring, promising...
JAG Boys and Girls Teams Look to Finish Season Strong
As the 2025 bowling season progresses, both Garfield’s boys' and girls' teams have demonstrated hard work, skill, and camaraderie, with both squads facing their...
JAG Hall of Fame Inducts Five New Members
James A. Garfield High School honored five individuals during its annual Hall of Fame induction ceremony on Friday, Feb. 7, at the JAG Fieldhouse....
Garfield Choir Showcases Talent in Solo & Ensemble Concert Garrettsville
The James A. Garfield High School Concert Choir took center stage on January 28, 2025, for their Solo & Ensemble Concert at the Iva...
Be Part of the Journey: Help Fund The Obsidian Mirror
Local filmmaker and JAG High School alum Vinny Sisson has embarked on an ambitious project with The Obsidian Mirror, a supernatural thriller blending the...
Garrettsville village council reviews legislation and financial reports
The Garrettsville Village Council held its first meeting of the year Tuesday evening, focusing on organizational matters, financial updates, and legislative measures. Present were...
JAG music programs ring in the holiday season with concerts
The James A. Garfield music programs hosted two festive concerts in the Iva Walker Auditorium, celebrating the season with performances from student musicians spanning...
Village Council Discusses Employee Raises, Land Purchase, and Resident Feedback
The Garrettsville Village Council convened on Dec. 11, 2024, in the council chambers, with Mayor Rick Patrick calling the meeting to order at 7...
Food Pantry Serves Hundreds in 2024
The Nelson Garrettsville Community Cupboard, a 501(c)(3) organization serving residents within the James A. Garfield Local School District, provided critical food assistance to hundreds...
