Stacy Turner
Celebrate the 4th in Hiram
Hiram - The Village of Hiram will once again be celebrating the 4th with a variety of family-friendly activities this year. “The festivities have been low key since the pandemic,” shared event volunteer Marilane Spencer. “We’re hoping to revive the 4th of July Spirit in the Village this year,”...
Garrettsville/Nelson Boy Scouts Observe Flag Day
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...
Crestwood Recognizes Retireesat May School Board Meeting
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 Library Offers Free Seeds
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...
Local Scouts Observe Memorial Day
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...
MSFD Rescues Kayakers on Cuyahoga River
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...
Soap Box Derby Hill Improved in Mantua
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...
Eagle Scout Kris Carson Gives Back to JAG Schools
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...
Robert Kroeger’s Works at Auction to Benefit Historical Societies
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...
Hiram Township News
At the last meeting, Road Supervisor Tom Matota was charged by trustees to investigate setting up a dedicated fire hydrant on township property that could be used to fill the Hiram Fire Department tanker. In addition, Matota will investigate the cost of tapping into the Village water line to...
ODNR Director Comes to Kent
Kent - The Edith Chase Symposium is an educational program to acquaint people who are not specialists, with issues of importance in the Earth Sciences and Water Sciences. Each year since its inception in 2014, a special event is held honor to shed light and share some aspect of...
Mantua Police Department Investigation Concludes
Mantua - The final report was generated by Dean DePietro, who served as outside counsel for the Village. DePietro noted that while Mantua Village handbook does not prohibit personal relationships among village employees, there are certain restrictions that apply. The policy notes that personal relationships between employees may present...
Local Cubs Become Scouts
Nelson Twp - Birds sang while the familiar scent of campfire wafted through the crisp spring air on a recent Saturday afternoon at Camp Chickagami in Geauga County. “Today we mark a great occasion,” announced Cubmaster Eric, “The graduation of Webelos Scouts Bentley and Colton from Pack 62.” Bentley...
Mantua to hold Soap Box Derby Event May 10th
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...
Hiram Village Considers Paid Parking
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...
Crestwood Schools Seeks Bus Drivers
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...
MSFD Renewal on May Ballot
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...
JAG Students Celebrate Earth Day with Tree Planting
Garrettsville - In honor of Earth Day, the James A. Garfield High School Environmental Club planted a tree behind the JAG Elementary School for the 2023 kindergarten class. Environmental Club founder Luke Finney helped organize the event. This junior helped found the club in March as a student-run club...
Hiram Village News
Hiram - Hiram Fire Department Assistant Chief Jason Groselle was pleased to share that Eric Mathews and Adam Wracher recently joined the Hiram Fire Department team. Both gentlemen were sworn in by Hiram Mayor Lou Bertrand prior to the regular village council meeting and welcomed by members of council.In...
Triple Trail Fest Coming Soon
Mantua - On Friday and Saturday, June 2nd and 3rd, folks from near and far will gather to explore and enjoy the three major trails that converge in Mantua: the Buckeye Trail, Headwaters Trail, and the Cuyahoga River Water Trail. As Mantua has been designated Ohio’s 10th Buckeye Trail...
Mantua Village Seeks OPWC Funding for Storm Sewer Replacement
Mantua - At the start of the March Mantua Village meeting at 6:30 pm, Mayor Clark and Council convened an executive session to discuss the ongoing Police Department investigation. Roughly 30 people were in attendance waiting in the gallery, including three publications, Chief Urso, Patrolman Brothers, and their legal...
Crestwood Schools Receive Security Grant
Mantua - At the last meeting, Superintendent Dr. David Toth congratulated Jeff Woolard and his team for facilitating a $157,000 grant from the Ohio Facilities Commission. The funds will be used for security cameras, door access and hold alarms. Other planned improvements include upgrades to the district’s communications devices,...
Hiram Village News
Hiram - At their last meeting, former Hiram Police Officer Devin Brown was in attendance to inquire about the date of his final payout from the village. Officer Brown was laid off by the village due to budget constraints. Fiscal Officer Susan Skrovan noted that the final payout would...
Hiram Township News
At the last meeting, Road Supervisor Tom Matota discussed work on the culvert at Hankee Road, west of State Route 700. According to the Ohio Department of Transportation, State Route 700 will be closed for 14 days between Pioneer Trail and Hankee Road while the project is completed. The...
Local Musician Joins “The Shootouts”
Garrettsville - Local musician Mark Butto started playing drums at the age of age 6, under the tutelage of his older brother, Nick. He was jamming with his older brother’s rock bands long before joining band class in fifth grade at JAG Elementary. “It’s never been my goal to...
Upcoming Events In Mantua
Mantua - Saturday, April 1st Crestwood High School is hosting breakfast and an egg hunt with the Easter Bunny. Breakfast and photos with the Easter Bunny take place from 9 – 10 am at Crestwood Intermediate School. Egg hunts will take place by age group, with children three and...
Mantua-Shalersville Fire Board News
Mantua - At their last meeting, Chief Matt Roosa informed the board that yard signs are now available for the 2.99 EMS replacement levy that will be on the May 2nd ballot. He noted that the levy was passed by voters four years ago and urged voters to support...
Rare Bird Spotted
Hiram - When Hiram Village resident David Factor happened to look out at his bird feeder around noon one recent Saturday morning, he noticed something unusual. But before he could grab his camera to document the sighting, a titmouse chased the rare find away. He waited, camera in hand,...
Mantua Village News
Mantua - At the last meeting, Mayor Clark shared that the applicant for the part-time administrative assistant position has picked up paperwork. According to Fiscal Clerk MaryAnn Fabian, the new administrative assistant may also be trained to help with payroll administration. It was noted that Council agreed to fill...
Hiram Township News
Hiram Twp. - At their February meeting, Hiram Fire Chief Bill Byers reported to Trustees that the new squad is working well. Byers noted that the old squad was purchased by University Hospitals. He asked Trustees to consider asking voters to approve a fire levy. He noted that monies...
