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,
Village Council Clarifies Minimum Dwelling Sizes
Garrettsville’s Village Council met in regular session on October 11, 2023. In attendance were Councilpersons Chris Knop, Tom Hardesty, John Chambers, Sheri Johnson, Richard Beatty, and Mark Brady, along with village officials Mayor Rick Patrick, solicitor Michele Stuck, and fiscal officer Donna Love.
The session commenced with a public hearing...
Pickleball Courts Set to Open in October; Elm Street Zoning Concerns...
Present at the September 13th meeting of Garrettsville’s Village Council were councilpersons Tom Hardesty, John Chambers, Sherri Johnson, Richard Beatty, and Mark Brady, accompanied by Village officials, Mayor Rick Patrick, Solicitor Michele Stuck, and Fiscal Officer Donna Love.
The initial order of business was the acceptance of the minutes from...
Garfield High School Announces 2023 Homecoming Court and Colorbearers
Garfield High School is excited to announce the 2023 Homecoming Court candidates. The nominees for Homecoming King are Aaron Rodhe, Landen Gedeon, Keegan Sell, Caleb Canan, and Deacon Sommer. The Queen nominees are Gabriel Groves, Leah Bailey, Zoey May, Sophia Butto, and Addisyn Miller. Junior Colorbearers for the Class...
Garrettsville Village Council Sets Trick-or-Treat Date, Discusses Training Reimbursement Policy
Garrettsville - The Garrettsville Village Council convened on the evening of August 9, 2023. Present at the meeting were Councilpersons Chris Knop, Tom Hardesty, John Chambers, Sheri Johnson, Richard Beatty, and Mark Brady, alongside Village Solicitor Michele Stuck, Fiscal Officer Donna Love, and Mayor Rick Patrick.
A public hearing was...
Garfield High School Football Prepares for Upcoming Season
Garrettsville - As summer transitions to fall, the excitement is palpable at Garfield High School as the football team readies itself for the upcoming season. In a recent episode of JAG Student Media’s podcast, Beyond The Bureau, hosts Aaron Rodhe (’24) and Preston Gedeon (’25) sat down with senior...
Garrettsville Village Council Discuss Speeding, Four-Wheelers, and More
Garrettsville, OH - The Garrettsville Village Council convened on July 12 for a regular meeting, presided over by Mayor Rick Patrick and attended by various village officials, including Councilpersons Chris Knop, Tom Hardesty, John Chambers, Sherri Johnson, Richard Beatty, Mark Brady, as well as Solicitor Michele Stuck and Fiscal...
Garrettsville Council Approves Updated Village Plan and Recognizes the Achievements of...
Garrettsville - The Garrettsville Village Council meeting convened on June 14th, 2023, at 7:00 pm for a productive session attended by council members, village officials, residents, and concerned individuals. Several important matters were discussed, including the adoption of the updated Village Plan, the recognition of notable achievements, and various...
Dad Deserves the Best: Father’s Day Gift Ideas That Will Impress
Many families have their own unique Father’s Day traditions, but it’s not uncommon for those rituals to cross familial lines. For example, gift-giving is one popular Father’s Day tradition many families share. With that in mind, anyone looking for the right gift for Dad this Father’s Day can consider...
Garrettsville Chamber Awards Two Scholarships to JAG Grads
Garrettsville - The annual Scholarship Breakfast was hosted by the Garrettsville Area Chamber of Commerce at the Charles C. Klamer Professional Development Center on the JAG Campus on Monday morning. The Chamber Board extended an invitation to Cameron Edwards and Kristopher Carson, the recipients of their scholarships, to partake...
Garfield School District Hosts “State of the Schools” Address
Garrettsville - JAG Schools held its annual “State of the Schools” event on April 24th, Superintendent Ted Lysiak provided updates on the district’s recent construction and renovations, as well as highlighted scholastic and extracurricular achievements. The event took place at Iva Walker Auditorium and was attended by members of...
Zupancic Drive Residents Seek Solution to Flooding Issue
Garrettsville – Village officials present at the April 12th council meeting were: Councilmembers Tom Hardesty, Chris Knop, Sheri Johnson, John Chambers, Rich Beatty, Mayor Rick Patrick, Village Solicitor Michele Stuck, and Assistant Fiscal Officer Deb Wordell. The meeting was called to order shortly after 7:00pm.
Minutes of the March 8th...
Garrettsville Council News
Garrettsville - Garrettsville officials present at the September village council meeting were: Councilpeople Chris Knop; Sheri Johnson; Tom Hardesty; Tara Beatty; John Chambers; and Mark Brady. Village Solicitor Michele Stuck and Assistant Fiscal Officer Deb Wordell were also in attendance.
Discussion was held regarding the tree removal program for the...
Garrettsville Village Council News
Garrettsville – At the June 8, 2022 council meeting, a public hearing was held for the purpose of obtaining public input on Ordinance 2022-19, which approves and adopts a permanent budget for the village of Garrettsville in 2023. Nobody present at the hearing had any comment, and the public...
Garrettsville Village Council News – A Nightmare on Maple Ave
Garrettsville – Village officials present at the village council meeting on July 21st were Village Solicitor Michele Stuck, Mayor Rick Patrick, Fiscal Officer Donna Love and Councilpersons Tom Hardesty, Chris Knop, Sheri Johnson, John Chambers, Jeff Kaiser and Tom Collins. In-person attendees present were representatives of Ohio Health Benefits:...
Garrettsville Cemetery Committee proposes columbarium for Park Cemetery
Garrettsville – Village officials present at the village council meeting on June 9th were Village Solicitor Michele Stuck, Mayor Rick Patrick, Assistant Fiscal Officer Deb Wordell and Councilpersons Tom Hardesty, Chris Knop, Sheri Johnson, John Chambers, Jeff Kaiser and Tom Collins. In-person attendees present were representatives of the Portage...
DORA Explored for Garrettsville’s Main Street, Enacted at Special Meeting
Garrettsville – Village officials present at the village council meeting on May 12th were Village Solicitor Michele Stuck, Mayor Rick Patrick, Assistant Fiscal Officer Deb Wordell and Councilpersons Tom Hardesty, Chris Knop, Sheri Johnson, John Chambers, Jeff Kaiser and Tom Collins. Due to COVID-19 social distancing requirements, the meeting...
DORA, Trees, and Parks Topics of Discussion at Garrettsville Council Meeting
Garrettsville – Village officials present at the village council meeting on March 10th were Village Solicitor Michele Stuck, Mayor Rick Patrick, Assistant Fiscal Officer Deb Wordell and Councilpersons Tom Hardesty, Chris Knop, Sheri Johnson, John Chambers, Jeff Kaiser and Tom Collins. Due to COVID-19 social distancing requirements, the meeting...
Electric Vehicles Gain Support in Garrettsville
Garrettsville – Village officials present at the village council meeting on March 10th were Village Solicitor Michele Stuck, Mayor Rick Patrick, Assistant Fiscal Officer Deb Wordell and Councilpersons Tom Hardesty, Chris Knop, Sheri Johnson, John Chambers, Jeff Kaiser and Tom Collins. Due to COVID-19 social distancing requirements, the meeting...
Garrettsville Village Council News
Garrettsville – Village officials present at the village council meeting on February 10th were Village Solicitor Michele Stuck, Mayor Rick Patrick, Assistant Fiscal Officer Deb Wordell and Councilpersons Tom Hardesty, Chris Knop, Larry Beatty, John Chambers, Jeff Kaiser and Tom Collins. Due to COVID-19 social distancing requirements, the meeting...
Garrettsville Council Applies for Diesel Grant
Garrettsville – Village officials present at the village council meeting on September 9th were Village Solicitor Michele Stuck, Mayor Rick Patrick, Assistant Fiscal Officer Deb Wordell, and Councilpersons Tom Hardesty, Chris Knop, Jeff Kaiser, Larry Beatty, John Chambers and Tom Collins. Due to COVID-19 social distancing requirements the meeting...
Garrettsville’s South Street Water Main Project Gains Momentum at Council Meeting
Garrettsville – Village officials present at the village council meeting on August 12th were Village Solicitor Michele Stuck, Mayor Rick Patrick, Assistant Fiscal Officer Deb Wordell, and Councilpersons Tom Hardesty, Chris Knop, Jeff Kaiser, Larry Beatty, John Chambers and Tom Collins. Due to COVID-19 social distancing requirements the meeting...
Garrettsville Village Council News
Garrettsville – Village officials present at the special village council meeting on June 22nd were Village Solicitor Michele Stuck, Mayor Rick Patrick, Fiscal Officer Deb Wordell, and Councilpersons Tom Hardesty, Chris Knop, Jeff Kaiser, Larry Beatty, John Chambers and Tom Collins. Due to COVID-19 social distancing requirements the meeting...
Garrettsville BPA Plans to Modernize Water Billing
Garrettsville - The Garrettsville Board of Public Affairs met Monday, June 8th to review, among other things, a proposed change to Water Department billing that would bring the billing for water usage into alignment with sewer billing. Currently a water customer looking at their bill in June will see...
Garrettsville Village Council News
Garrettsville – Village officials present at the village council meeting on June 10th were Village Solicitor Michele Stuck, Mayor Rick Patrick, Fiscal Officer Deb Wordell, and Councilpersons Tom Hardesty, Chris Knop, Jeff Kaiser, Larry Beatty, John Chambers and Tom Collins. Due to COVID-19 social distancing requirements, the meeting was...
WATCH: Garfield High School’s 2020 Virtual Commencement
Congratulations to the James A. Garfield High School Class of 2020!
Austin Evan ArmstrongMandolin Win Arnett £Austin Paul Babuka »Camron Ian Hobart BackEthan James BakerJoseph Ryan Ball *~Kaylie Elizabeth BatesAlyssa Rae BellHannah Elizabeth Bittence *§+Kannon Douglas BorrelliJesse Edward Bounds £Preston Allen Chase Brainard £Maya Nicole Brown ~Kage William Callahan ~Mason...
Garrettsville Delays Road Projects Out of Caution for Budget
Garrettsville – Village officials present at the village council meeting on May 13th were Village Solicitor Michele Stuck, Mayor Rick Patrick, Fiscal Officer Deb Wordell and Councilpersons Tom Hardesty, Chris Knop, Jeff Kaiser, Larry Beatty, Tom Collins and John Chambers. The meeting and public hearing were held via Zoom...
Garrettsville Village Goes Digital for April Council Meeting
Garrettsville – Village officials present at the village council meeting on April 8th were Village Solicitor Michele Stuck, Mayor Rick Patrick, Fiscal Officer Deb Wordell, and Councilpersons Tom Hardesty, Chris Knop, Jeff Kaiser, Larry Beatty, John Chambers and Tom Collins. Water Superintendent Jeff Sheehan and BPA member Stephanie Byrne...
Deadline Extended for Garrettsville Area Chamber Scholarships For Garfield HS Graduates
The Garrettsville Area Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce that it will be awarding two (2) $1,000 scholarships to college-bound graduates, and two (2) $500 scholarships to graduates pursuing further education at a trade/technical school.
The decision of the Chamber’s Scholarship Committee is final and will be based on...
Nelson Garrettsville Community Cupboard Expands Efforts in JAG District
Garrettsville – As an increasing number of area residents find themselves affected by the “Stay at Home” order in effect for Ohio, the Nelson Garrettsville Community Cupboard (NGCC) is seeing an increase in new clients seeking assistance due to food insecurity. In March the NGCC partnered with the James...
