Badger girls’ basketball relinquishes division lead in loss against Tigers
The race for the Chagrin Valley Conference Valley Division banner just got tighter as the Berkshire Badgers girls’ basketball team lost 37-32 against league rival Chagrin Falls last Friday night in Burton. “It was a missed opportunity,” noted Coach Dave Albert. “The first time we played them too, we had a missed opportunity. We had a lead late and on...
Florence Joanne Reid
Florence Joanne Reid, 89, of Twinsburg, OH, formerly of Nelson Twp., OH, went home to her Lord and Savior Saturday, January 10, 2026. She was born October 18, 1936, in Washingtonville, PA, to the late Warren and Mildred (nee Hotchkiss) Ashenfelder. She was raised in Northfield, Ohio. Florence met the love of her life, William Tyler Reid, Sr., at Northfield...
Windham football joins Northern 8 Conference
The Windham Bombers’ football team will look a little different over the next two years, as Windham has agreed to a two-year contract to have its football team compete in the Northern 8 Conference, an 8-on-8 football league spanning from Ohio to Pennsylvania. “Sometimes change is necessary, and we felt like the time was now and it is adapt and...
Bomber girls’ basketball undone by poor third quarter in loss against Mustangs
The Windham Bombers girls’ basketball team’s first half lead against Northeastern Athletic Conference foe Matthews evaporated in the second half as foul trouble and a bad third quarter sank them, leading to a 40-34 defeat in a crossover league duel last Thursday evening at Marty Hill Court. “We got a lot of quality shots and a lot of breakaway shots,...
Portage County Chapter of the Ohio Genealogical Society
The Portage County Chapter of the Ohio Genealogical Society will meet on Saturday, February 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 Barbara Petroski, who will present “Families Losing Their Farms During the Construction of the Ravenna Arsenal 1940”. Petroski will focus on the...
Garrettsville-Hiram Rotary Report
The January 12, 2026 meeting of the Garrettsville-Hiram Rotary took place at the Garrettsville Family YMCA as the opening of this year’s “Lunch and Learn” series and hosted about 22 people. Ted Lysiak (moderator), Pat Singlyn, Michelle Herron, Dee Synnestvedt, Kim Curry and Sue Elam served as the panel of information-givers concerning the local response to needs of children...
Berkshire wrestling nets fourth place at John Matteucci Tournament
The Berkshire Badgers’ wrestling team’s season of revitalization continued trending in the right direction when they finished in fourth place by scoring 160.0 points at the John Matteucci Memorial Tournament last Saturday at Eastlake North High School. “It was great for the kids,” said Coach Dave Malkus. “Getting those matches, even if it was not a victory, a couple of...
New Year Resolution: Plan to Plant Trees with Geauga SWCD’s Spring Tree Sale!
Start off the new year by making a sound investment for your future... plant a tree! There are countless ways trees positively affect us, our homes, and our communities. Whether replacing a tree lost to pest or storm damage or adding new species for beauty and diversity, the simple act of planting trees reduces stormwater runoff while improving water...
Portage Foundation Announces Second Community Speaker Series Event: “A Foundation for Smart Investing”
The Portage Foundation is pleased to announce the next installment of their Community Speaker Series with a program titled Rules of the Road for Smart Investing, designed specifically for adults who are seeking clear, practical guidance for managing their finances with confidence. Certified Financial Planner™ professional Laura Radcliff will share straightforward strategies to help participants reach their financial goals while...
Horseshoe Diner to host Murder Mystery Dinner on Valentine’s Day
In an ongoing effort to revitalize downtown Ravenna as an attractive destination, the Horseshoe Diner is partnering with the Ravenna Area Chamber of Commerce to hold a Murder Mystery Dinner in the first floor of the Buckeye Mall, which also houses the Horseshoe Diner, at 250 West Main Street on Feb. 14 at 6 p.m. “We are in this to...
Freedom Twp Historical Society concludes their Bicentennial year
Freedom Township Historical Society recently concluded their bicentennial year activities by placing Christmas wreaths on the graves of three American Revolutionary War soldiers who are buried at Drakesburg Cemetery on Nichols Rd. in Freedom Township. The wreaths were provided by the Old Northwest - Aaron Olmstead chaper of the Daughters of the American Revolution. In between snow events here,...
Matter of Balance Classes – 2 Classes Being Offered
Are you concerned about falling? Interested in improving balance, flexibility, and strength? Falls are preventable, and this class can make a difference! Set realistic goals for staying active, learn how to stay safe at home, complete exercises to increase strength and balance, and learn how to identify and control your fear of falling. This class is free for all...
Leave a Legacy! Preserving Geauga County Farmland for Generations to Come
The Clean Ohio Local Agricultural Easement Purchase Program (LAEPP) provides funding to assist landowners in preserving farmland. The program purchases agricultural easements from landowners who volunteer to keep their land in agricultural production in perpetuity. For the ninth year, the Geauga County Board of County Commissioners, with assistance from Geauga Soil and Water Conservation District, is a Certified Local...
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...
Garrettsville Area Chamber of Commerce Sets 2026 Community Event Schedule
The Garrettsville Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors met on Monday, January 12, to finalize the schedule of community events planned throughout 2026, highlighting another busy year of activities designed to bring residents, visitors, and local businesses together. Kicking off the year will be Garrettsville’s St. Patrick’s Day Celebration, a family-friendly event featuring fun activities for all ages, including ...
TLC Health & Fitness Club Under New Management
“Exercise is primary prevention at its best,” notes Family Practitioner Dr. Jeffrey Ellerhorst. In his Garrettsville practice, it’s common for Ellerhorst to encourage his patients to exercise to avoid illnesses or to help exacerbate the effects of chronic conditions. Dr. Ellerhorst worked as a Physical Therapist for a decade before turning to Family Medicine, giving him firsthand knowledge of the...
Streetsboro wrestling captures Portage County Tournament title
The Streetsboro Rockets’ wrestling team announced themselves as the top team in Portage County in a big way, winning the Portage County Tournament by crowning five champions to score 227 points last Saturday at James A. Garfield High School. “We came in to win that tournament and wanted to make a statement winning that tournament that this team is extreme,”...
Red Devil boys’ basketball stumbles early, falls to Mayhem
The Crestwood Red Devils boys’ basketball team’s joy about capturing their first victory of the season was short-lived as 24 hours later, they were defeated by Fuchs Mizrachi 65-49 last Saturday evening in Beachwood. “It is a tough loss,” said Coach Andrew Mertz. “The game was extremely physical. Obviously, that is going to benefit Fuchs Mizrachi, they are senior-laden, and...
Mike Moser adds to Garfield coaching legacy by reaching 100+ victory milestone
Finding stability as a football coach is no easy task but that is something that Garfield G-Men football Coach Mike Moser has achieved, having completed his 26th year of coaching the football team. In addition to having carved out a permanent coaching role, Moser has created an already impressive legacy, bolstered by earning his 100th career coaching victory in...
Windham Township Board of Trustees make plans to purchase a columbarium for cemetery
At the first Windham Township Board of Trustees meeting of the New Year last Friday evening at the Windham Township Hall, the trustees covered a wide range of topics concerning the new fiscal year, including approving a motion to purchase a columbarium at the cemetery, a wall containing recessed compartments to hold ashes of the deceased. “Everybody is getting cremated...
Marvin Litz
Marvin Litz age 79 passed away Thursday January 1st, 2026 after a long illness. Born January, 22nd 1946 in Clearfield, PA to Rudolph and Norma Litz. Marvin lived the majority of his life as a resident of Mantua and Portage County, OH. Marvin was a devoted and loving husband of 56 years to Linda Jean Litz(Kessler). He served in the...
Colleen Ann Kyle
Colleen Ann Kyle, 91, of Newton Falls, OH, went home to her Lord and Savior Thursday, December 18, 2025. She was born September 22, 1934, in Kirtland Township, OH, to the late Ralph and Dorothy (nee Anderson) Grady. She was raised in both Ohio and Florida. Colleen worked at AAA Travel Agency for many years, which gave her the opportunity...
Harvey Louis Wensel
Harvey Louis Wensel, aged 84, of Durham, North Carolina passed away on December 28, 2025. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him – his family, his neighbors, his students, his friends, all the people who came in contact with him regularly. Harvey was born in Columbus, Ohio, on February 15, 1941. The son of Charles Lester Wensel...
Garrettsville-Hiram Rotary Report
The January 5, 2026 meeting of the Garrettsville-Hiram Rotary was all about going forward, first covering current projects–lockboxes, dictionary distribution. RYLA(Rotary Youth Leadership Awards), gathering in June for which the local group will serve as contributing host, maintenance/ improvement of the Tom Collins Walking Trail, pix & illustrations pertaining to the history of Rotary in Garrettsville-Hiram (and availability of...
Hiram Athletic Department holds fundraisers for Groselle Family
Hiram Village Fire Department Assistant Chief and volunteer assistant swimming and diving coach Jason Groselle and his wife, Brenda, are accustomed to being on the giving end of charitable efforts. In recent weeks, however, those roles were reversed as the Hiram Athletic Department organized fundraisers to support the Groselle family after they lost their home in a fire. “I think...
Townhall II now provides Xylazine Test Strips in Harm Reduction Vending Machines
Townhall II Integrated Health Network wants the community to know it now operates free Harm Reduction Vending Machines at its offices in Kent, at 155 N. Water St, and now in Ravenna at 512 N. Chestnut St. Both machines are accessible to the public during regular business hours. The Mental Health & Recovery Board of Portage County provides funding to...
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...
Council member Terrie Altiere appointed as Windham’s new Mayor
The Village of Windham now has a new mayor in place, as longtime council member Terrie Altiere was officially sworn in as Windham’s Mayor by Village Solicitor Charles Gacior at the last council meeting on Dec. 16. “I am going to try,” Mayor Altiere told The Weekly Villager on Jan 2. “I have been on the council for seven years...
Portage County Junior High Tournament crowns champions at Garfield
Wrestlers from across Portage County competed Friday, Jan. 2, at the Portage County Junior High Wrestling Tournament, hosted by James A. Garfield High School, with champions decided across multiple weight classes. Tournament champions were determined through title brackets, with second place awarded to the championship runner-up. Additional placement matches were used to determine third, fourth and fifth place finishers. At 245...
Crestwood grad Charlie Schweickert returns to boys’ basketball program in coaching role
2024 Crestwood graduate Charlie Schweickert has always believed he has the voice to become a play-by-play television sports announcer, but he is also now finding his voice as a basketball coach, returning to his alma matter to serve as the Red Devil boys’ varsity assistant and freshmen head coach. “I am so incredibly grateful,” Schweickert told The Villager last Friday....
