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,
It Takes a Village
Garrettsville - The James A. Garfield Local Schools, Nelson Garrettsville Community Cupboard, People Tree, SkyLane Bowling and Garrettsville United Methodist Church are working together to feed Garfield students during the state-mandated school closure. Full details have been announced through the Garfield Schools.
Here’s how to help right now:
Support our mission...
Garrettsville Village Council News
Garrettsville – Village officials present at the village council meeting on February 12th were Village Solicitor Michele Stuck, Mayor Rick Patrick, and Councilpersons Tom Hardesty, Chris Knop, Jeff Kaiser, Larry Beatty and Tom Collins. Councilperson John Chambers was absent from the meeting.
The minutes of the January meeting were reviewed,...
NGCC Food Pantry Celebrates a Season for Giving Thanks
Garrettsville - As we say good-bye to another year the Nelson Garrettsville Community Cupboard (NGCC) would like to take the opportunity to thank all of our volunteers and community partners for their support in 2019. Your financial gifts, food drives, campaigns and volunteering enables us to provide food to...
Garrettsville Village Council News
Garrettsville – Village officials present at the village council meeting on December 11th were Village Solicitor Michele Stuck, Fiscal Officer Deb (Glass) Wordell, Mayor Rick Patrick, and Councilpersons Tom Hardesty, John Chambers, Jeff Kaiser, Larry Beatty and Tom Collins. Councilperson Chris Knop was absent.
Minutes from the November 13 meeting...
Garrettsville Village Council News
Mayor Patrick recently took an opportunity to recognize Deb (Glass) Wordell, village fiscal officer and former council member, for her “outstanding service to the Village of Garrettsville, and the community as a whole.” Resolution 2019-25 recognizes her time on council (January 2016-June 2019), her service on the Streets, Parks and Sidewalks committee, implementation of the new village website, and spearheading the annual volunteer clean-up day in the village.
Lady G-Men Soccer Has Strong Chance at PTC Title
The Lady G-Men Soccer team heads to Hartville this Saturday to stake their claim on the PTC League title. The game kicks off at 11:00am at Lake Center Christian. If the ladies win or tie with the Tigers they will claim the league title—an achievement that hasn’t been accomplished...
Garfield High School Celebrates Homecoming
G-Men pride is in no short supply on the James A. Garfield campus. Garfield High School kicked off their homecoming celebration on Friday, October 4th with the first of five spirit days with “Meme Day” which had the students dressing as their favorite internet joke images. Spirit week concludes...
Garrettsville’s Officer Ahrens Receives Commendation at Council Meeting
Garrettsville – Village officials present at the village council meeting on August 12, were Village Solicitor Michele Stuck, Nancy Baldwin, Mayor Rick Patrick, and Councilpersons Tom Hardesty, John Chambers, Jeff Kaiser, Larry Beatty, Tom Collins and Chris Knop.
After the meeting was called to order at 2:11 PM, the minutes...
Garrettsville Village Council News
Garrettsville – Village officials present at the village council meeting on July 10, were Village Solicitor Michele Stuck, Nancy Baldwin, Mayor Rick Patrick, and Councilpersons Tom Hardesty, John Chambers, Jeff Kaiser, and Tom Collins. Councilman Chris Knop was absent from the meeting.
A public hearing was held to discuss Ordinance...
Garrettsville Area Chamber Awards Scholarships To J.A. Garfield Grads
Garrettsville - The Garrettsville Area Chamber of Commerce recently awarded three scholarships to graduating seniors from James A. Garfield High School. This year’s recipients were Andrew Pemberton, Kaitlyn Workman, and Travis Synnestvedt. Each has shown a strong commitment to community service, and exemplify the JAG Core Values of integrity,...
Garrettsville Village Council News
Garrettsville – Village officials present at the village council meeting on May 10, were Village Solicitor Michele Stuck, Nancy Baldwin, Mayor Rick Patrick, and Councilpersons Tom Hardesty, John Chambers, Chris Knop, Jeff Kaiser, and Tom Collins, and Deb (Glass) Wordell.
After approving the minutes of the previous meeting, the bills...
BPA Recognizes Over 95 Years Service in Water Department
Garrettsville - On Monday evening, the Garrettsville Board of Public Affairs recognized Jeff Sheehan (36 years), Jeff Turk (31 years) and Mike Veon (30 years) for their collective years of service. Dick Davis, Garrettsville’s first Wastewater Superintendent remarked that “they are all great guys, and there just aren’t enough...
Yo Quiero Taco-ville: Taco Bell sets its sights on Garrettsville
Garrettsville – Planning Commission members present at the May 2nd meeting were Jeff Sheehan, Councilman Chris Knop, Jerry Kehoe, Councilman Tom Hardesty, Mayor Rick Patrick, Village Solicitor Michele Stuck, and Zoning Inspector Jan Boehm.
After the meeting was called to order and the minutes of the last meeting were approved...
“Discover Garrettsville” For Your Chance To Win Big!
Garrettsville - Take a village located in the heart of the Western Reserve, add a group of motivated business owners, and you have the makings of an amazing promotional campaign designed to encourage and reward people who explore everything the Garrettsville Area has to offer.
Beginning May 1st and running...
Council Approves Purchase of Street Sweeper
Garrettsville – Village officials present at the village council meeting on April 10, were Village Solicitor Michele Stuck, Nancy Baldwin, Mayor Rick Patrick, and Councilpersons Tom Hardesty, John Chambers, Chris Knop, Jeff Kaiser, and Tom Collins. Councilwoman Deb Wordell was absent from the meeting.
After approving the minutes of the...
Garrettsville Village Adjusts Village Employee Handbook
Garrettsville – Village officials present at the village council meeting on March 13, were Village Solicitor Michele Stuck, Nancy Baldwin, Mayor Rick Patrick; and council persons Tom Hardesty, John Chambers, Deb Wordell, Chris Knop, and Tom Collins. Councilman Jeff Kaiser was absent from the meeting.
After reviewing the minutes of...
Dancing with Ohio’s Stars
Garrettsville - Maria Wheeler and Alyenendrov Tsorokean, Ohio Star Ball winners in Cabaret, performed for the High School as part of stress-reduction event organized by the Student Council.
Students were treated to three dance performances, introducing them to styles ranging from cabaret to tango, and learned about the physical and...
Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day All Weekend Long In Garrettsville
Garrettsville – O’Henry, O’Malley, O’My! Grab your friends and neighbors, and follow the road to Garrettsville this weekend.
The
historic village of Garrettsville knows how to celebrate, and they are
starting the festivities at 3 pm on Saturday afternoon with
family-friendly fun including face painting at Villager Emporium,
balloon...
Garrettsville Village Council News
Village officials present at the village council meeting on November 14, were Village Solicitor Michele Stuck, Nancy Baldwin, Mayor Rick Patrick, and Council people Tom Hardesty; Jeff Kaiser; John Chambers; Chris Knop; and Tom Collins.
A public hearing was held for Ordinance 2018-36, an ordinance amending the zoning map of...
Garrettsville Council Considers Traffic-flow Changes
Garrettsville – Village officials present at the village council meeting on October 10th, were Village Solicitor Michele Stuck, Nancy Baldwin, Mayor Rick Patrick, and Council people Tom Hardesty; Jeff Kaiser; John Chambers; Chris Knop; and Tom Collins.
A public hearing was held prior to the regular meeting for the purpose...
Jennifer Deaton Sworn In as Garrettsville’s Newest Officer
Garrettsville – Village officials present at the September village council meeting, were Village Solicitor Michele Stuck, Nancy Baldwin, Mayor Rick Patrick, and Council people Tom Hardesty; Jeff Kaiser; John Chambers; Chris Knop; and Tom Collins. The meeting was called to order at 7:30pm by Mayor Rick Patrick.
The meeting opened...
Question & Answer: What has the James A. Garfield school district...
Garrettsville - One of the most common questions the G-Men Unite committee has received is, "What has the district done to reduce operating costs?" JAG Superintendent Ted Lysiak explains how the district has saved over six-million dollars over the last five years.
Nelson Township Trustee News
Nelson Twp. – Township officials present at the second Nelson Township trustee meeting of June were Fiscal Officer John David Finney; Trustees Kevin Cihan, Anne Mae VanDerHoeven, and Joe Leonard.
The meeting was called to order by Leonard at 7:00pm.
The trustees were presented with meeting minutes from the previous meeting...
Whan Sworn In as Sergeant at Garrettsville Council Meeting
Garrettsville – Village officials present at the July village council meeting, were Village Solicitor Michele Stuck, Nancy Baldwin, Mayor Rick Patrick, and Council people Tom Hardesty; Deb (Glass) Wordell; Jeff Kaiser; John Chambers; Chris Knop; and Tom Collins. The meeting was called to order at 7:30pm by Mayor Rick...
J.A. Garfield Seeking Levy In November
Garrettsville – Forced by cuts from the state, the James A. Garfield school district will be seeking a 1.5% Earned Income Tax levy this November.
Superintendent Ted Lysiak shared the district’s current financial situation with village council last week. The district’s current finances show a significant decline even with the...
Clerical Error Corrected at Nelson Trustee Meeting
Nelson Twp. – Township officials present at the second Nelson Township trustee meeting of June were Fiscal Officer John David Finney; Trustees Kevin Cihan, Anne Mae VanDerHoeven, and Joe Leonard. The meeting was called to order by Leonard at 7:00pm.
The trustees were presented with meeting minutes from the previous...
Whose [Property] Line Is It Anyway: Amish School Topic of Discussion...
Nelson Twp. – Township officials present at the second Nelson Township trustee meeting of the month were Fiscal Officer John David Finney; Trustees Kevin Cihan, Anne Mae VanDerHoeven, and Joe Leonard; and Zoning Inspector Jackie Kable.
After the meeting was called to order by Leonard, Finney informed the trustees that...
Garrettsville Council Approves Resource Officer for JAG Schools
Garrettsville – Village officials present at the March 14th village council meeting, were Village Solicitor Michele Stuck, Nancy Baldwin, Mayor Rick Patrick, and Council people Tom Hardesty; Deb (Glass) Wordell; Jeff Kaiser; John Chambers; Chris Knop; and Tom Collins. The meeting was called to order at 7:30pm by Mayor...
Two Travelers Tavern: Serving up Unique Flavor in Garrettsville
Garrettsville - When Zeppe’s closed its doors and pulled out of the community, it seemed to many that Garrettsville was doomed to have an empty building on Main Street indefinitely. Restaurateurs Sean and Sondra Varner saw something different; the opportunity to breathe new life into an older structure and...
