Stacy Turner

Cincinnati-based painter Robert Kroeger has made several trips to Northern Portage County to document local agricultural buildings with oil paint. That’s because Kroeger is on a mission to create impasto oil paintings of historic barns before the structures succumb to time. In the course of his visits with barn...

It all began back in 1972, when there were a little over 400,000 women-owned businesses in the United States. It’s surprising that until 1988, women needed a male relative to co-sign if they wanted to apply for a business loan. That same year, the SBA’s Women’s Business Ownership Act was passed, providing financial assistance to organizations that assisted women-owned small businesses.  As a result, by 2019, women-owned businesses represented 42% of all U.S. businesses, generating an impressive $1.9 trillion worth of revenue in the US. And today, there are over 13 million women-owned businesses across the country. That trend continues on a local level.  In the Village of Mantua, just on the main drag alone, there are four women-owned businesses worth a visit.

Another Garrettsville institution, the Carlson family has owned Carlson Funeral Homes for 37 years. “Garrettsville has gotten bigger,” Dr. Mike Carlson noted, “but it has maintained the ‘small town’ atmosphere.” Dr. Mike noted that he and his three brothers purchased the business, which includes locations in Brunswick and Medina,...

Shortly before school a brand-new school year began, 55 new kindergarteners attended Safety Town at Crestwood Primary School. Safety Town organizer and Crestwood Primary School teacher Jolene Reese noted that the week was successful, giving 55 incoming kindergarteners the opportunity to learn how to be safe at school, home,...

“It was important to us that our employees would be taken care of,” Rich noted. He’s proud that 100% of his staff have remained with the Roy family at Sky Plaza IGA, including store manager Jeffrey Burns, who has been with the company over 50 years.

This weekend, the Potato Festival will continue its long history of bringing folks to the small community to celebrate the lowly spud. What has been known over the past 50-plus years as the Mantua Potato Festival first began as a Potato Show in 1938.

The Crestwood Varsity Cheer squad has been invited to perform at the Citrus Bowl in Orlando, Florida in January 2024. According to Jessica Irvine, Head Cheer Coach, the squad earned this honor in a Universal Cheerleaders Association (UCA) competition at Bowling Green State University during the summer. “Each day,...

Recently, James A. Garfield graduate Alex Cooper was recognized for completing his Eagle Scout project at Camp Chickagami in Parkman. Alex’s project was to modernize trail signage at the Hiram College James H. Barrow Field Station.  According to Alex, “The College was looking to replace older, outdated trail signage, and...

Nelson Twp - Scouting means a great deal to the Schaefer family. And not just because Kyle Schaefer recently earned the Eagle Scout designation, the highest accomplishment in scouting. By earning the Eagle Scout rank, Kyle joined his older brothers in earning this top honor, something that makes it...

Hiram - In a 2021 survey, 57 percent of U.S. participants interviewed indicated that the best thing about fishing was enjoying the sounds and smells of nature. In comparison, 54 percent of participants said that getting away from the usual demands of life was what they enjoyed most about...

Streetsboro - In November 2022, Tamia and Tim Woods of Streetsboro tragically lost their 17-year-old son James to suicide. Too late, they learned that their son was a victim of sextortion, an online crime that’s on the rise. The Department of Homeland Security Investigations noted receiving over 3,000 sextortion tips...

Mantua - The annual art festival and wine tasting returns to Mantua on Saturday, July 8th. At this year’s festival, organizers once again expect thousands of visitors to the sleepy village during the festival hours of 10 am to 6 pm. This summer street festival boasts over 80 artisans...

At a ceremony last Tuesday, Crestwood Local Schools held a ribbon-cutting ceremony, officially opening the district’s new Center for Academic Resources and Educational Supports. Dubbed Crestwood CARES, the space will serve as a hands-on learning space for Crestwood’s special education students.  According to Sherry Peters, Director of Pupil Services, the...

Nelson Twp - Flag Day commemorates the anniversary of the day the Continental Congress approved the design of a National flag (June 14, 1777). In honor of that special anniversary, the boys in Garrettsville Cub Scout Pack 4062 and Nelson Boy Scout Troop 4065 held a flag retirement ceremony...

At the May Board meeting, the following Crestwood staff members were recognized for their retirement by the district. They included Patricia Briggs, who served the district for 30 years, Doyle Hogue who served 7 years. Grover Vaught has been at Crestwood for 34 years, while David Wesley was an...

Windham - When she learned that the area she served in Windham was classified as a food desert, Portage County District Librarian Sarah McCoy wanted to do something to change that. Inspired by a program at the Kent Free Library, McCoy worked to implement a Seed Library at Portage...

Garrettsville - The Boy Scouts from Troop 4065 assisted VFW Post 2629 of Aurora in placing flags on the graves of veterans interned at Park Cemetery for Memorial Day. “We also planted flowers by headstones in preparation for Memorial Day observances in the Harrington Cemetery in Nelson,” shared veteran...

Mantua - At the last Fire Board meeting, Chief Matt Roosa noted that on Sunday May 7th, the MSFD team responded quickly, rescuing two stranded kayakers from the Cuyahoga River. The team was called out to the river after three kayakers capsized and were after trees across the river...

Mantua - This week in Mantua, another paving project is underway, removing the potholes and uneven surface left behind by winter’s freeze and thaw. And while area drivers and their vehicles will appreciate the smooth new surface on High Street in the Village, the project was completed with another...

Garrettsville - There’s a new open-air pavilion on the James A. Garfield school campus, thanks to the efforts of JAG senior Kris Carson. In looking for an Eagle Scout project, he wanted to give back to the school, “because it’s given so much to me,” he shared. Originally, he...

Although artist Robert Kroeger lives in Cincinnati, he’s no stranger to the Mantua area, as he’s made several trips here to document local structures in oil. The artist is on a mission to create impasto oil paintings of historic barns before the structures succumb to time. He also meets...

Mantua - Across the country, would-be racers of all ages work together to build gravity-powered and STEM-driven cars to compete in local Soap Box Derby races and rallies. “The Soap Box Derby is rooted in family and community,” shared Portage County Soap Box Derby organizer Dean Olsen. And on...

In an effort to raise revenue, the Village of Hiram is investigating the potential of enacting public parking fees on Village-owned streets. According to Council President Chris Szell, “Revenues aren’t keeping pace with expenditures.” At a public forum that was recently held, Szell noted, “Council is exploring ways to increase...

At a recent board meeting, Superintendent Dr. David Toth noted the district’s pressing need for bus drivers. Crestwood isn’t alone in this need, as schools across the state are in the same situation. Several factors contribute to this issue, according to WOSU public media. Bus drivers are required to...

At their last meeting, Fire Board members witnessed the swearing in of two new firefighters to the Mantua-Shalersville Fire Department. Kyle Dobies, a former Marine Captain, and Justin Croucher. Both gentlemen live in Bainbridge and have joined the MSFD on a part-time basis. In other news, the department is asking...