Crestwood wrestling captures D-III sectional championship
The Crestwood Red Devils’ wrestling team reached the top of the mountain when they earned first place at the Rootstown sectional tournament by scoring 180.0 points, crowning four sectional champions, and advancing eight district qualifiers last Saturday at Rootstown High School. “It was nice,” said Coach Dave Wrobell. “We had a couple of up-and-down moments throughout the year, so we...
Doug Velasquez prepared to reignite Cardinal football
Doug Velasquez is no stranger to working with small-town high school football programs and is ready to once again work his magic, having been formally announced as Cardinal’s new head football coach on Feb. 15. “The football program has been struggling and I have a passion for rebuilding things and fixing some things that have been struggling and I have...
Garrettsville Knights of Columbus makes donation to Nelson Garrettsville Community Cupboard
The Garrettsville Knights of Columbus Council #11801 recently made a sizeable donation to the Nelson Garrettsville Community Cupboard, a local food pantry in Portage County, donating $500 plus 1,000 pounds of food. The donation was announced at the NGCC Board meeting on Feb. 17. “This is what the Knights are,” Grand Knight Greg Leopold told The Weekly Villager on Feb....
Shalersville Historical Society Meeting News
The Shalersville Historical Society's March meeting will be this coming Sunday, March 8 at 3 PM at our museum located at 9154 St Rt 44, Shalersville. Be sure to set your clocks ahead Saturday evening as Daylight Savings Time begins on March 8. We will be working on the details for our upcoming car show. Our meetings are free...
DISTRICT RUNNERS-UP: Rocket girls’ basketball ends district title reign in loss against Warriors
The third time was not the charm for the Streetsboro Rockets girls’ basketball team as their bid for a third consecutive Ohio High School Athletic Association district title fell short in a 50-40 loss against West Branch in the OHSAA Division IV Northeast 2 district championship last Saturday at Lordstown High School. “Both teams were really physical,” said Coach Carl...
We’re All Invited
Book Review At The YMCA 1st & 3rd Mondays Surviving Death “ A Journalist Investigates Evidence For An Afterlife” by Leslie Kean. Share a stimulating hour exchanging impressions & opinions at our book review & discussion, 10am, the 1st & 3rd Mondays each month. Presented by Dr J Patella: Garrettsville YMCA, 8233 Park Ave, (330)469-2044. NO book or fees required. Farmington Senior...
Newton Falls Treasure Hunt Launches March 3 with Over $28,000 Prize to Drive Tourism and Support Local Businesses
On Tuesday, March 3, 2026 at noon, the first official clue will be released in what has become the largest publicly organized treasure hunt in the region’s history. The Newton Falls Treasure Hunt currently features over $28,000 in cash, gold, silver coins, and jewelry, with additional sponsorships still being accepted until the treasure is found. One winner will claim the...
Badgers’ wrestling earns third place at sectional tournament
The Berkshire Badgers’ wrestling team defended their home mats in style, finishing in third place with a team score of 148.0 points, crowning one sectional champion, advancing seven district qualifiers along with two district alternates last Saturday at the Ohio High School Athletic Association Division III Berkshire sectional in Burton. “It was great,” said Coach Dave Malkus. “Matches here and...
Hiram Fire/EMS Services in State of Flux?
“We have a major disruption and as of March 1, at 11:59 PM we are required to suspend operations,” was the message of a release attributed to Hiram Mayor Anne Haynam and Village Council President Chris Szell. The message continues, “We’ve reached out to Garrettsville-Freedom-Nelson Fire District as well as Community EMS regarding mutual aid agreements during our transition....
Garfield G-Men boys’ basketball shows fortitude but fall to Southeast
A piece of the Mahoning Valley Athletic Conference Grey Tier title will go to Palymra Township this year after the Garfield G-Men boys’ basketball team was upended by league and Portage County rival Southeast 79-61, who earned a share of the league banner, in their regular season finale last Friday evening at the JAG Fieldhouse in Garrettsville. “I think we...
There’s No Place Like Home! Geauga & Portage SWCDs Offer Summer Educator Workshop
Attention Educators! Reward yourself with an enriching professional development experience on the shores of Lake Erie by attending the Advanced Wonders of Watersheds workshop. This comprehensive 3-day program offers valuable outdoor investigations, new resources, engaging activities, field explorations, optional graduate credit hours, and time to connect and rejuvenate! Join us Tuesday, June 23rd - Thursday, June 25th for learning...
Garfield G-Men wrestling earns third place at MVAC tournament
The Garfield G-Men may once again have been short-handed for the annual Mahoning Valley Athletic Conference wrestling tournament last Saturday at Western Reserve High School but still placed third as a team, crowning two champions and scoring 111.0 points. “With a smaller and leaner line-up, I think we fared fairly well,” said Coach Dan Andel. “We had two champions and...
Hiram women’s lacrosse enters revival season young but determined
For the first time since the 2020 spring season, the Hiram Terriers will field a women’s lacrosse team. The Terriers will begin their return with a large underclassmen group as they seek to lay the foundation of success for the next several years. “I think that the squad is excited, and my assistant coach and I are excited. It has...
David Michael Brode
David Michael Brode went to be with Jesus on February 13, 2026. He died peacefully in his sleep at his "happy place," at home in Venice, Florida. David was a committed follower of Jesus Christ and a member of Parkside Church. He was a graduate of Ravenna High School and then received his Bachelor's degree and Masters of Business...
Rockets’ wrestling takes second place at MAC tournament
Streetsboro Rockets’ wrestling Coach Mark Skonieczny said that he believes his squad’s time to win the Metro Athletic Conference tournament is coming sooner than later. Streetsboro inched closer to the top of the pack by netting second place with a team score of 170.0 points and crowning four champions last Saturday at Woodridge High School in Peninsula. “I had some...
JA Garfield Historical Society News
The February 16, 2026 meeting of the James A. Garfield Historical Society opened with an invitation from the Portage County Historical Society to an Open House on March 7 at the society’s center in Ravenna; This invitation is being extended to all historical societies in the county to encourage communication and co-operation among the groups. New board of trustees members...
Garrettsville-Hiram Rotary Report
The February 24, 2026 meeting of the Garrettsville-Hiram Rotary was the occasion of a most interesting and informative program presented by Olivia Pilon , Executive Director of the Portage County Land Bank. The purpose of the land bank is to facilitate the return of properties to productive use through conversion of vacant, blighted, abandoned, and tax-delinquent properties for community...
2026 Portage County Spelling Bee
Seventeen of Portage County's top spellers showcased their skills at the 2026 Portage County Spelling Bee, held on February 14 at James A. Garfield Middle School. These students earned their place in the county-wide competition after winning their schools' respective spelling bees. This year's field of spellers included: • Sebastian Harvey, Bio-Med Science Academy • Caleigh Fueger, Bio-Med Science Academy • Leah Finley,...
We’re All Invited
Book Review At The YMCA 1st & 3rd Mondays Surviving Death “ A Journalist Investigates Evidence For An Afterlife” by Leslie Kean. Share a stimulating hour exchanging impressions & opinions at our book review & discussion, 10am, the 1st & 3rd Mondays each month. Presented by Dr J Patella: Garrettsville YMCA, 8233 Park Ave, (330)469-2044. NO book or fees required. Farmington Senior...
Crestwood High School commemorates Fred F. Paulenich Learning Commons
Crestwood High School hosted a special commemorative ribbon-cutting ceremony to officially unveil the Fred F. Paulenich Learning Commons last Saturday afternoon in Mantua. Former colleagues and students of Crestwood senior English teacher Fred Paulenich gathered to celebrate and reflect on his legacy. “This is a tremendously significant day for us,” Fred Paulenich, Jr. told The Weekly villager. “Our father taught...
Berkshire girls’ basketball fueled by strong first half, downs Pymatuning Valley
Although the Berkshire Badgers girls’ basketball team had not played in a competitive basketball game in two weeks, they rode a dominant first half to sink Pymatuning Valley 53-35 in the Ohio High School Athletic Association Division V Northeast 1 sectional championship last Saturday evening in Burton. “The girls came out strong,” noted Coach Dave Albert. “We were a little...
Take Control of Your Job Search at the Career Exploration Open House
Calling all students and job seekers! Whether you’re looking for a summer job, a new career, or a career change — take a break from your online search. Attend the Career Exploration Open House at Kent State University-Geauga Campus at 14111 Claridon Troy Road, March 3, 2026, 5-7 p.m. This open house will be a full house, thanks to the...
Cardinal softball turns to Kevin Johnson to take the helm
As the Cardinal Huskies’ softball team enters a pivotal season brimming with young talent and starting anew in the Northeastern Athletic Conference, they will do so with a new leader. Former Berkshire bowling and junior varsity softball Coach Kevin Johnson has been selected as the program’s newest softball coach after being formally approved by the Cardinal Board of Education...
Red Devil boys’ basketball sets tone, fends off Patriots for sixth straight victory
The Crestwood Red Devils boys’ basketball team appeared as if they were still finding their way on the basketball court at the beginning of the season but now look the part, having survived a furious rally from Cornerstone Christian Academy and beat the Patriots 46-44 for their sixth consecutive victory last Saturday evening in Mantua. “They have come a long...
Ravenna Balloon-A-Fair hosts Western Dance Party at VFW
As the 47th annual Ravenna Balloon-A-Fair Festival approaches in the early fall, the Ravenna community will once again have a chance to make a financial contribution toward the operating costs by attending a Western Dance Party sponsored by the Ravenna Balloon-A-Fair which will be hosted by the Ravenna Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1055 on Feb. 28 at Veterans...
7/17 Credit Union Announces Merger With Geauga Credit Union
Geauga Credit Union is expected to merge with 7 17 Credit Union in the spring of 2026 and has received regulatory approval from the Ohio Division of Financial Institutions. It’s the largest merger in the history of 7 17 as it absorbs $108 million in assets from Geauga. The merger marks a big leap towards our larger plan and...
Portage County Chapter of the Ohio Genealogical Society
The Portage County Chapter of the Ohio Genealogical Society will meet on Saturday, March 7, 2026, at the Portage County Historical Society, 6549 N. Chestnut St in Ravenna Ohio at 10:00 a.m. The guest speaker will be Mary Jamba, who will discuss the basics of DNA research in genealogy. Jamba has 26 years of genealogy research experience with a...
Garrettsville-Hiram Rotary Report
The February 16, 2026 meeting of the Garrettsville-Hiram Rotary was focussed on the Storybook Trail, to become part of the Tom Collins Memorial Trail in the South Street (Bill Phelps) Park, in conjunction with the Garrettsville branch of the Portage County District Library. This involved rejoicing at the acceptance of the project by village council, a proposal to order...
Garfield G-Men boys’ basketball secures victory against Windham
For the third straight year, the Garfield G-Men boys’ basketball team reigned supreme in their annual rivalry game against Windham, as the G-Men used a second half push to defeat their neighborhood foes 59-50 last Friday evening at Windham High School’s Marty Hill Court. “I think it was a fun game for both of us,” said Garfield Coach Matt Hill....
Garfield G-Men girls’ bowling defends MVAC Grey Tier championship, boys take fourth
The Garfield G-Men girls’ bowling team followed up on a dominant showing in the 2024-25 season with another perfect season in the Mahoning Valley Athletic Conference Grey Tier, once again winning the league title by knocking down 3371 pins last Saturday at the Skylane Bowling Alley in Garrettsville. “You always want to be on top,” said girls’ Coach Joe Brigham....
