Save A Lot Recognizes Hometown Hero
Recently, Garrettsville’s Save A Lot grocery store had the opportunity to celebrate Windham resident Tiffany Plaugher as a Hometown Hero. Plaugher was one of one of 16 winners who were selected in 2025, chosen from 319 nominations around the eastern United States. She was nominated by her colleagues at Katherine Thomas Elementary School in Windham, where she makes a...
Winchell Family Farm Celebrates 70 Years …and a guaranteed future through farmland preservation
PART I - The Disappearance of Local Family Farms Northern Portage County is considered a rural region, characterized by a patchwork of family farms that have remained rooted over several generations. But that’s how it appears to the casual observer. Many family farmers who remain are struggling to hold onto the land and lifestyle they once took for granted. Between 1950...
Berkshire girls’ basketball trounces Geneva, eyes the stretch run
Although winning the Chagrin Valley Conference Valley Division title outright is no longer in the cards for the Berkshire Badgers girls’ basketball team, finishing the season strong is still their biggest goal as they pulled away in the second half from CVC rival Geneva 48-29 last Saturday afternoon in Burton. “It was good to comeback, we knew that we needed...
Cardinal Board of Education approves staff use of firearms
The Cardinal School Board of Education approved a motion to allow certified staff to possess firearms on school property by a 4-1 vote at the most recent Board of Education meeting on Jan. 14. Board members were not available for comment, but Superintendent Jack Cunningham sent a district statement to The Weekly Villager. Cunningham acknowledged the significance of the Board...
20th Century Club News
Something was cooking at the January 22, 2026 meeting of the Twentieth Century Club of Garrettsville, held at the home of Mary Furillo, who had assistance from co-hostesses Jan Boehm and Carol Torda. Members responded to roll call with the name (s) of their favorite cookbook. The works presented were varied, to say the least. They included the standards,...
Hiram men’s volleyball enters season blending experience and youth
The Hiram Terriers men’s volleyball squad started their season 0-1, but Coach Kyle Martini is confident that Hiram’s best is still yet to come as the team enters a new chapter with a new coach at the helm. As The Villager previously reported, the Terriers (0-1, 0-0) will be on their third coach in three years but will have a...
Aaron Wayne Craver
Glendale Heights, Il Aaron Wayne Craver, age 22, of Glendale Heights, Illinois, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, January 17, as a result of injuries sustained in an accident. He was born on June 2, 2003, in Ravenna, Ohio, to Donald and Christie (White) Craver. Aaron was a lifelong resident of Garrettsville, Ohio, before relocating to Illinois following his graduation from Ohio...
Red Devil boys’ basketball come undone in fourth quarter in loss against Vikings
The Crestwood Red Devils boys’ basketball team had matched LaBrae point for point after three quarters but could not sustain their momentum in the fourth quarter and were outscored by 20 points to lose 82-60 against the Vikings last Saturday afternoon in Mantua. “The game last night against LaBrae was really a very good game,” said Coach Andrew Mertz. “It...
Garfield alum Vinny Sisson named to Hall of Fame for filmmaking achievements
Although he hailed from a small town, Garfield graduate Vinny Sisson always had big dreams and realized those dreams when he left for Los Angeles to pursue a career in filmmaking 18 years ago. The 2006 alum was inducted into the Garfield Hall of Fame on Jan. 20. “It is an honor,” Sisson told The Weekly Villager. “I was surprised...
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...
Garfield state champion thrower Edie Svonavec inducted in Hall of Fame
Garfield alum Edie Svonavec has never been one to brag about her multiple athletic accomplishments, such as being the first female state champion in school history. But her accomplishments still have been recognized by many, resulting in her being one of four new inductees into the Garfield Hall of Fame on Jan. 20. “It is an honor,” the 2015 Garfield...
Grant Applications for Youth Education Focused Programs serving Portage County are being accepted
United Way of Portage County is now accepting Youth Education Grant Applications, opening the door for local nonprofit organizations to secure funding for programs that support children and youth across Portage County. All 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations serving Portage County with a primary focus on Youth Education are eligible to apply. Applications must be submitted by February 13, 2026, and grants...
Crestwood wrestling posts 3-2 record at Twinsburg Duals, takes third place
According to Crestwood Red Devils’ wrestling Coach Dave Wrobel, competing at the Twinsburg Duals was a good measuring stick to where the team really stood, and the Red Devils went 3-2 to take third place last Friday at Twinsburg High School. “It was nice to come out ahead and go 3-2,” the 26-year coach said. “I think that we had...
Garfield G-Men boys’ basketball edges Leopards, ends losing streak
Over the course of the Garfield G-Men boys’ basketball team’s five-game losing streak, Coach Matt Hill said that the team had shown flashes but needed to put together a complete game. They finally did so when they triumphed 60-58 against Mahoning Valley Athletic Conference Grey Tier foe Liberty last Friday evening in Youngstown. “We needed a win any way we...
Garfield High School to honor 2025 Hall of Fame Inductees
The James A. Garfield High School Hall of Fame committee has announced its Hall of Fame induction class for 2025, recognizing four individuals for athletic achievement, coaching excellence, and post-graduate accomplishment. The 2025 induction class includes Edie Svonavec (Class of 2015), Vinny Sisson (Class of 2006), Aaron Gilbert, and Mike Moser. Edie Svonavec, a 2015 graduate, is being inducted in recognition...
Garfield, Crestwood and Ravenna set to new Portage County-based league
Less than a year after the official disbandment of the Portage Trail Conference (2024-2025 school year), a new conference is on the rise with an official announcement on Jan. 16 that the local Portage County schools are reuniting to form the eight-team Portage County league and will begin in the 2027-28 school year. The new league will consist of seven...
Red Devil girls’ basketball holds off Wolverines, snap eight-game losing streak
The Crestwood Red Devil girls’ basketball team celebrated senior night the right way, surviving a third-quarter comeback from Chagrin Valley Conference foe West Geauga to win 48-45, snapping an eight-game losing streak last Saturday afternoon in Mantua. “It was good,” said Coach T.J. Henderson. “With some of the inexperience we have at certain positions with certain players, those are good...
Townhall II Initiates Call For Sponsors for Spring Fundraising Event
Townhall II Integrated Health Network has initiated a call for sponsors for its upcoming fundraiser Midnight at the Masquerade: A Murder Mystery. The event is scheduled to take place at the Kent State University Hotel and Conference Center on Friday, March 13, 2026. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and the dinner begins at 6 p.m. The agency has served thousands...
Joseph L. Kaster
Joseph "Joe" L. Kaster, age 80, of Girard, Ohio, passed away on January 17, 2026, after a courageous battle with Parkinson’s disease. Joe was born on April 12, 1945, in Warren, Ohio, to Joseph and Pearl Kaster. He was a graduate of Maplewood High School and later attended a technical college, where he completed his education becoming a skilled blast...
Get On The List!
Want to be the first in line for new books in your favorite genre or by your favorite author? Sign up for ON THE LIST, Portage County District Library's automatic holds service, and we’ll place you on hold for the newest adult books in your favorite genre(s). As soon as a new book is ordered, we’ll place your hold,...
Garrettsville-Hiram Rotary Report
Seeking a venue for the group’s centennial celebration took up most of the discussion at the January 19, 2026 meeting of the Garrettsville-Hiram Rotary. Size of the guest list, level of formality and availability of parking were among the prime considerations for decisions, complicated by the date–Thursday,June 11, 2026–a prime time for weddings and graduations, taking up availability of...
City of Ravenna to host America’s 250th Community Picnic
The City of Ravenna will celebrate the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States of America by hosting a community picnic through the support of America 250 Ohio, an organization that recognizes a multi-year commemoration of the State of Ohio’s impact on the nation’s story, on July 11 in downtown Ravenna. “One of their ways to engage the...
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...
Area Schools Announce Formation of a New Athletic Conference
Communities across Portage County and the surrounding area are proud to announce the formation of a new athletic league. Beginning with the fall 2027 athletic season, the conference will bring together eight schools with deep-rooted traditions, strong community pride, and a shared commitment to student-athlete success. The new conference will include the following member schools: James A. Garfield, Southeast, Mogadore,...
Garrettsville Library Closed Temporary for Renovations
The Garrettsville Library is closed for renovations through Saturday, January 24th,” Annie Zwisler, PCDL Public Relations and Development Manager shared recently. “We’re working to create a more accessible and welcoming space,” she explained. According to PCDL Library Director Jonathan Harris, the last upgrade at the branch took place in the 1990s, so a refresh will be welcome change. “The renovations...
20th Century Club News
Stepping off boldly into their one hundred and twenty-fifth year, the Twentieth Century Club of Garrettsville met at the home of Iva Walker, assisted by Kathy Watson, on January 8, 2026 to launch their adventure with a program focussing on “how it used to be”. Leah Schultz presented the program on “the Old Timers” after having done research into past...
Think Spring! Order now for Geauga SWCD’s Spring Fish Sale
Though it's snow time, the Geauga Soil and Water Conservation District’s annual Spring Fish Sale will be here in no time! We are currently taking orders for fingerling-size largemouth bass, channel catfish, bluegill/sunfish mix, minnows, redear “shellcracker” sunfish, perch, and white amurs. Pond safety kits and Farm Pond Management Books are also available. To place an order, please visit our...
Mantua Shalersville Chamber to Host First Annual Awards Dinner
The Mantua-Shalersville Area Chamber of Commerce is excited to host their first annual Awards Banquet where we will recognize significant contributors who make our community a great place to live, work and play. We invite everyone to join us for dinner and a celebration on Saturday, January 24th at 6:00 PM at the Corners Catering and Event Center at...
Beat exercise boredom
Exercise is essential for good health. But it can be challenging to find the motivation to get moving. It is easy to cite a lack of time for a failure to exercise, but boredom also might be to blame. Harvard Health says any activity can become tedious psychologically, even if a person knows it will benefit them physically. Boredom may...
Garfield G-Men girls basketball guts out gritty win against Huskies
The Garfield G-Men girls’ basketball team continue to show the grit and resiliency which has eluded them for the last several years. The G-Men stormed back in the fourth period to defeat Cardinal 38-35 last Saturday afternoon at the JAG Fieldhouse. “This is a big game for several of our players and coaches,” said Garfield Coach Aaron Gilbert. “Last year,...
