Stacy Turner
Bibury & Company Opens in Mantua
Mantua - As the state loosens restrictions and businesses begin to open their doors, Bibury & Company, a new gift shop has joined the merchants in Mantua Village. Although Ann Ellis lives in Aurora, Mantua’s historic downtown drew her to the village. She noted that many towns try to...
Local Pastor Gifted With Parade
Mantua - Pastor Chad Delaney from the Mantua Center Christian Church last held services in person on March 7th. But his work leading the small Disciples of Christ community of believers has been busier than ever, even during while many have been sheltering in place at home. During this...
Crestwood School Board News
Mantua - At their last meeting, Crestwood Superintendent David Toth shared that at the start of that week, the district’s nutrition team had distributed 35,172 meals to local families. While the school year has progressed virtually, Toth noted that no new instruction will take place after May 22nd. He...
Mantua Village News
Mantua - At their last meeting, Village Council approved legislation authorizing an increase of $30 for sewer rates (Ordinance 2020-15) and an increase of $20 for water rates (Ordinance 2020-16). According to Mayor Linda Clark, the increases will generate roughly $192,000 per year, and will give the village a...
Hiram Village News
Hiram - In an effort to protect citizens and prevent the spread of Covid-19, the April 14th meeting of the Village of Hiram Council was conducted as a remote meeting. While designated Department heads were permitted in Council’s Chambers, Council members and citizens were invited to access the meeting...
Local Seamstress Uses Gift to Help Others
When Covid-19 became big news, local seamstress Debbie Chanson became aware that hospitals needed masks by a request made on Facebook. She reached out and was provided with a pattern and began making masks at no charge for EMS, Firefighters, Doctors, and Medical staff. Since that time, Debbie Chanson...
Crestwood To Honor Graduates at Midway Drive-In
Mantua - Recently Dave McMahon, Principal of Crestwood High School, shared details on the graduation plans for the class of 2020. He noted that based on guidelines released on April 29th by Governor DeWine and the Ohio Board of Health, schools are not permitted to conduct face-to-face graduations at...
County Officials Provide Covid-19 Update
Last Thursday, local media were invited to attend a conference call led by Portage County Commissioner Kathleen Clyde. The call included Portage County Health Commissioner Joseph Diorio and other County stakeholders and provided insight about the status of the County’s response to Covid-19.
According to Diorio, County his staff has...
Vacant Building Gets New Life in Mantua
Mantua - If you’ve been in the Village of Mantua recently, you’ve noticed that a variety of projects have been steadily progressing in spite of Covid-19. Those who were saddened at the closure of the Chase Bank branch last May will be pleased that the old space is being...
Local Families Support Area First Responders
Mike Zamecnik shared that he heard about a shortage of gloves in Portage County from the Ravenna Township Fire Chief and thought, “Let’s see if we can get some for our family.” He and his wife, June, have family members working at fire departments in Ravenna Township, Hiram, Mantua,...
Mantua Gains Green Space
Mantua - Several months ago, Mantua native Broc Benner was having a drink with a friend in Garrettsville, and the topic of conversation turned to the green space that Garrettsville had created in the heart of downtown, in the spot made vacant by the fire of 2014.
That conversation planted...
GlueTread Innovates In the Midst of Covid-19
While people shelter at home and many businesses have shifted their workforce to their homes, local business GlueTread is quietly and efficiently shipping orders across the country. “GlueTread is a family-owned business that was quite literally started in our garage,” local entrepreneur Dave Auble shared. He explained that he...
Covid-19 Relief Options for Small Businesses
Across the country, life has been disrupted by the coronavirus, as schools and those businesses deemed non-essential have been closed and countless individuals have been required to shelter in place. No matter who you are, you’ve no doubt felt the impact of Covid-19.
In addition to taking measures to safeguard...
Hiram’s CopperHawk Farm Delivers
Hiram - During this time of unprecedented uncertainty, many businesses have had to change the way they operate. Covid-19 has turned dining out into ordering in, and grocery stores are processing huge amounts or online orders for delivery or quick pick-up. But long before Covid-19 burst onto the scene,...
Primary Election Day Extended
Portage County - According to the Portage County Board of Elections, the Primary Election, which was originally scheduled for March 17th, will be concluded on April 28, 2020. The March election day was blocked by the State in an attempt to restrict public gatherings and limit the spread of...
First Responders Share PSA
The Ohio Department of Public Safety, Division of EMS, in partnership with the Mentor Fire Department, has created “Be Part of the Solution”, a public service announcement (PSA) that the Division of EMS is providing as a resource for EMS systems to provide education and empowerment to their community...
Local Crafters Use Skills to Make Masks For Healthcare Workers
As hospitals and health care facilities across the country are running dangerously low on essential supplies, the CDC has declared that handmade masks are acceptable and can provide healthcare workers with an additional layer of protection. If you’ve got some time and some basic sewing skills, you can make...
Local Experts Share Their Gifts Online
As people are encouraged to stay home and schools and local business close their doors, many people are finding new, safer alternatives to continue doing what they love. For example, while local zoos and other family-friendly locations have closed their doors to in-person visits, experts have moved online to...
Pochedly Greenhouse Offers Online Orders
Mantua - In this time of uncertainty, families may struggle to find a sense of normalcy. Adjusting to sheltering at home, usual springtime activities like yard work and garden planning may help pass the time and remind us of our typical springtime activities. Some may begin thinking of planting...
Haylett’s Corner Store Expansion Planned
Mantua - In these uncertain times, good news is always welcome. And for those of you who frequent Haylett’s Corner store, you’ll be happy to know that the local business has plans to expand in the near future. The store is already offering grab and go items at Restoration...
Stalking Opponent Speaks at Local High School
Garrettsville - Last week, nationally recognized victim advocate Debbie Riddle spoke to juniors and seniors at James A. Garfield High School to shed light on the topic of stalking. According to Riddle, stalking is a pattern of behavior directed at a specific person that would cause a reasonable person...
Hiram Village News
Hiram - At the last meeting, Council heard from former Councilman Chris Cobb, a long-time member of the village’s July 4th committee. Cobb notified Council of the need for new volunteers to help ensure that the village’s annual festivities can once again take place. He noted that after many...
Crestwood School Board News
Mantua - At their last meeting, Crestwood High School Principal Dave McMahon reviewed the CHS course selection and block scheduling process. McMahon acknowledged that the process began last year in a staff meeting, when he posed several questions to CHS staff. He asked staff to consider who Crestwood is...
Mantua Shalersville Fire Dept News
Mantua - At their last Fire Board meeting, Chief Matt Roosa shared that Jeff Fall turned in his letter of resignation. The Chief noted that Fall had joined the Department in 1983 and expressed gratitude for Fall’s nearly 37 years of dedication to the Mantua-Shalersville Fire District.
In other news,...
Sunshine Fund Brings Light to Students at CMS
Mantua - “One day I walked outside and the sunset was awesome, so I grabbed the camera and took some photos,” shared CMS eighth-grader Ben Roegiers. The light that day inspired the 13-year-old Crestwood Middle School student with a newfound passion for landscape photography. Since that day six months...
Students Help Home Town Bid for Makeover
Mantua - If you’ve ever seen HGTV’s “Home Town” show, you know that it chronicles the work of Erin and Ben Napier as they revitalize historic properties in their hometown of Laurel, Mississippi. While the talented couple has been on air for four seasons, focused on renovating homes in...
Crestwood School Board News
Mantua - At the last meeting Crestwood School District Treasurer Sarah Palm reviewed district financial forecasts and reviewed potential levy options with board members. She noted the district’s current bond, permanent improvement and operating funds, which are funded through residents’ property tax assessments.
She noted that in 1976, Ohio legislature...
9-Year-Old Julian Zimmerman Joins Hiram College Terriers Roster
Hiram - Roughly 50 men and women, mostly student athletes and coaches at Hiram College, gathered last Saturday morning to welcome another, albeit considerably younger, athlete to their ranks. That’s when Julian Zimmerman of Twinsburg became an official Hiram College Terrier teammate during this special draft day ceremony hosted...
Mantua Township Trustee News
Mantua Twp. - At their last meeting, Matthew Benner was sworn in as trustee to fulfill the seat left vacant by the passing of long-time Trustee Victor Grimm. Mr. Benner is no stranger to public service, having served for 30 years as Fire Chief, a position he retired from...
Mantua Village News
Mantua - At the last meeting, Police Chief Joe Urso noted that the Ravenna Kennel Club made a generous donation of $2,500 to the Mantua Police Department’s K-9 Fund. Chief Urso expressed gratitude to Carol Scerba and to the Ravenna Kennel Club members for their assistance in helping keep...