Staff Reporter

Freedom Township - At the December 30, 2010 Trustee Meeting, the following matters were discussed and handled: Zoning Inspector Derthick recapped zoning activity for the year. He will respond to a resident’s request regarding how complaints are handled. Mr. VanSteenberg reported three replacement springs at a cost of $525 were purchased...

The Garrettsville Library will host an invitation-only “Superhero” party on Saturday, January 29 from 1:00 pm until 2:00 pm. Held in honor of the many dynamic superhero characters featured in popular series such as KAPOW!, the party is for boys in grades K-3. The party will include crafts, snacks,...

Garrettsville -  Michael Oddo, a comedian/hypnotist, will perform on Saturday, January 22nd.  He will do two family-friendly shows- one at 3:30 pm and the other at 7:30 pm in the James A. Garfield High School auditorium.  Each show will last from 60-75 min.  Tickets are $8 per person, per...

Did you just get engaged over the holidays? Have you been engaged for what seems like forever and haven’t tied the knot yet? Waiting to get married until you can “afford” it? Why not consider getting married or renewing your vows during Garrettsville Summerfest 2011! This years Vegas-style theme ~...

Burton-Berkshire High School is proud to announce their Junior and Senior Students of the Month for December.  Congratulations go out to Nathan Dornback, Patience Elliott, Lisa Gregory, Melissa Koziol, James Rohaley and Spencer Wilson.  Great job and keep up the good work! The Berkshire After Prom Committee is holding a...

Windham - It was just last week when Windham was hit with another blow to the local economy when the owner of T & J’s Restaurant announced the closing of its doors because of the sluggish economy. However, just across the parking lot from T& J’s Restaurant there is...

Newton Falls - Residents of the 44444 will have an opportunity to visit the polls once again in the second special election since the regular voting season concluded in November. Last Friday afternoon, the council members met during a special meeting at the community center to designate a date for...

Spay & Neuter Program 2011 Geauga Humane Society’s Fix It in the Farmland low cost spay and neuter clinics will be held once or twice a month in 2011 for low income and Amish residents of Geauga County. The cost is $10 per animal. For more information and find out...

Garrettsville - The Village Piecemakers, a Garrettsville area quilt guild raffled a beautiful king size quilt over the Christmas season. The winning ticket was drawn by Iva Walker as the quilt was displayed and tickets were sold in her home during the 2010 Christmas Walk. The winner of...

Garrettsville - Excitement filled the air.  Tension mounted as the contestants moved into position for the competition.  The crowd was hushed....  No, wait...this was the annual James A Garfield Middle School Spelling Bee...this crowd is never hushed...quiet, maybe...attentive, perhaps...but hushed?   In your dreams, Principal Tom Sullivan, organizer...

Garrettsville - ‘Good things come to those who wait.’ So the saying goes. But for those waiting for the Windham Street (State Route 82) Bridge to open for traffic, patience is a virtue that will have to be exercised for at least four more months. Initially, ODOT (Ohio Department of...

Dream Discussion A dream discussion group is now forming and will meet once a month in Hiram. This is a free group. For more information call (330) 569-3376. Spay & Neuter Program 2011 Geauga Humane Society’s Fix It in the Farmland low cost spay and neuter clinics will be held once or...

2011... wow – I can’t believe it! Where did 2010 go? Oh well... now that 2011 is here, it is time for me to get started on all of my exciting plans for this year and not dwell on last year. I know that 2011 is going to fly...

Was that it?  The Spring Thaw...New Year’s Day was the whole thing?  When the subject comes up for the rest of the season we get to say, “ Been there. Done that.”  Doesn’t seem right somehow.  We ought to get a chance to get out and wash cars or...

Windham - The Village of Windham’s search for a police chief came to an end last week with council approving the hiring of Gene H. Fixler to serve as the Chief of Police for the village.  Mayor Rob Donham II issued the oath of office to the chief in...

Windham - The New Year was barely a day old when long-time patrons gathered at T& J’s restaurant in Windham to say good bye and enjoy one last breakfast at the local eatery. Patrons stated that losing a morning place to gather, eat breakfast and catch up on local...

Hiram - The old-time string band The Dust Busters will play a free concert in Frohring Recital Hall, Hiram College on Wednesday, Jan. 19 at 7:30 p.m.   The group includes Walker Shepherd (banjo, guitar, bantar, fiddle), Craig Judelman (fiddle, pump organ) and Eli Smith (guitar, banjo, manjo, bantar,...

Newton Falls - The first council meeting of 2011 ushered in the new year by bringing some old business from 2010 with it, literally. The December 20, 2010 meeting had been adjourned by a 3-2 vote in the middle of closing public comments because of the majority of council’s...

Windham - The Windham Historical Society begins its new year on Monday, January 17, at 7 p.m. in the Brick Chapel on North Main Street in Windham. The Brick Chapel opens at 6:30 to all interested visitors for a meet and greet. The Society has increased its membership tremendously in...

Mantua - Rick Frato is committed to helping his neighbors retire with dignity. With the opening of his new financial services firm on Main Street, he is in the perfect position to fulfill that hometown commitment. The Edward Jones financial advisor invites the public to join him at a grand...

Garrettsville - On Tuesday, December 28, 2010, amid  Portage County political figures, law officers, friends and family, Tommie Jo Marsilio was sworn into office as Portage County Commissioner. The ceremony took place in the Iva L. Walker Auditorium, a fitting location for this James A Garfield alum  who credits...

Windham -  All little girls have a dream of being Cinderella even if it is only for a moment. Danielle Hickman has had two opportunities to have Cinderella experiences in her life. The first one was last fall when she was crowned homecoming queen at Windham High School. The...

Garrettsville - Jacksons’ Snow Palace was the site of the annual Rotary Christmas Party and White Elephant Gift Exchange on December 20, having been re-scheduled from the previous Monday because of the Arctic conditions existing throughout the area.  Luckily, no actual pachyderms were in attendance because the venue was...

Garrettsville - We received many requests.  Some wishes were large and some were small.  We had a wish all picked out.  Then we received a letter from Portage County Children Services’ Director, Penny Ray.  Penny nominated Samantha Mitchell.  Samantha is a mother of an infant son.   She lives...

A Special Election will be held on Tuesday, February 8, 2011. Those residents of Geauga County residing in the Cardinal Local School District who would like to vote an absentee ballot should make arrangements now. In order to request an absentee ballot for the Election, registered voters must fill out an...

Highlights of the December 16, 2010 Trustee Meeting: The Zoning Inspector is still having computer problems. Trustees gave permission to get information on a new computer. Mr. VanSteenberg reported the fuel tank on the ’95 Kodiak truck had a hole in it. Trustees agreed to authorize repair for a cost not...

Because of voter support in November, the Geauga County Public Library system will reinstate opening at 9:00 a.m. six days a week at Bainbridge,   Chardon, Geauga West, and Middlefield libraries beginning January 3. Sunday hours remain 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Story-time classes continue, and additional programs for school-age...

Mantua - A simple “Thank You” does not seem to be adequate to express our appreciation for all the help we received during the holiday season. Because of the wonderful support 4 C’s received from the community we were able to serve many people this holiday season. We supplied...

Newton Falls - Visitors to the local history room at the Newton Falls Public Library last Wednesday found they had a new path to take to get to their destination: a brightly colored, candy-laden trail guarded by characters both sugary sweet and grimly gooey. A Candyland board game, life-sized for...