“End Game” Ushers in New Beginning for Cinema Owners
Garrettsville - April 26, 2019 was 31 years in the making. It was the first day the Garrettsville Cinema opened under the new co-ownership of Rodger Evans and Michele Blair. The movie theater at 8001 State Street in Garfield Plaza has been a community hotspot since it first opened in 1977. Evans first started working as a concessionaire and projectionist...
Hiram Township News
Hiram Twp. - In his Fire Report, Chief Bill Byers shared that the department has been awarded $2,500 from the Monsanto Farmers Grow. He noted that Groselle Farm designated the Hiram Firefighters Association as the recipient of the funds, which will be used to purchase handheld thermal imagers. “Locally there are many worthy groups for such an award as this,”...
Summer Reading Club at PCDL: Make Space for Reading This Summer!
There will be a “universe of stories” awaiting children, teens, and adults at Portage County District Library’s Summer Reading Club this summer, so be ready to “blast off” by registering kids early. Registration will begin the week of May 13 at most branch libraries, with most activities beginning the week of June 3 and running through July 19. With...
Water, Water Everywhere
Garrettsville - The Ancient Mariner was not in attendance but family, friends and village officials were, to recognize and honor three long-standing members of the Garrettsville Village Water Department for their years of excellent service. Board of Public Affairs chairperson Stephanie Byrne introduced Jeff Sheehan (36 yrs.), Jeff Turk (31 yrs.) and Mike Veon (30 yrs.) and spoke briefly...
WVFD to Place a 4-mil Renewal Levy on the November Ballot
Windham - The WVFD Joint Fire District meeting was called to order. They opened the meeting with a memorial prayer and a moment of silence to honor their comrade who died suddenly this past week. The district offered their prayers and support to the members of the fire department. The board then moved on to the business at hand. The...
Garrettsville Village Council News
Garrettsville – Village officials present at the village council meeting on May 10, were Village Solicitor Michele Stuck, Nancy Baldwin, Mayor Rick Patrick, and Councilpersons Tom Hardesty, John Chambers, Chris Knop, Jeff Kaiser, and Tom Collins, and Deb (Glass) Wordell. After approving the minutes of the previous meeting, the bills and financial reports were reviewed by council. Kaiser questioned a...
Avoiding Conformity leads Entrepreneur to her Dream Job: Moksha Yoga and Meditation brings Enlightenment to Ravenna
Ravenna - Have you ever tried blowing your nose with a hundred other people? Nope, would likely be your answer. But, if you are Lauren Hellekson, owner of Ravenna’s newest yoga studio, her answer would be yes! Because that is essentially what she did each morning in Rishikesh, India where she trained to become a licensed yoga instructor. Everyone...
Freedom Township Historical Society News & Notes
Freedom Twp. - Local history buffs won’t want to miss the May meeting of the Freedom Township Historical Society. Historian Judy Thornton will give an informative talk about the historic barns of Freedom Township at 7 pm May 14 at the Freedom Community Center, 8940 S.R. 700. There will be a photo slideshow with 108 pictures of township barns,...
JAG Elementary Sharpens the Saw
Garrettsville - On a recent afternoon, all 700+ students at JAG Elementary School took part in a multitude of afternoon activities aimed to sharpen the saw. Although it sounds like something done with power tools during shop class, the program has more to do with helping shape students into well-rounded individuals. “Successful leadership requires many traits, including respectful interaction, responsibility,...
News From Nelson Garrettsville Community Cupboard
Garrettsville - On April 1, 2019 the Nelson-Garrettsville Community Cupboard began serving clients at our new location in the Garrettsville YMCA building on Park Avenue. Our clients now make use of the handicap-accessible event entrance at the rear of the building, and register/wait in the convenient lobby. Community Partnerships Monthly expenses for rent, phone, and utilities have been greatly reduced through...
Mother-Daughter Duo Go Through Kent State Geauga Nursing Program Together
Geauga County - Ronda McCaskey and Caitlyn Horvath are best friends who went through the nursing program together and graduated one year apart with Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degrees from Kent State University’s Geauga Campus. Now they are both intensive care nurses. But they also happen to be mother and daughter. For mom Ronda, nursing was a life...
Crestwood Middle School Receives Security Vestibule
Mantua - At a recent School Board meeting, Superintendent Toth reported that the District received a grant for PAX training for teachers Pre-K through eighth grade. PAX is an evidence-based intervention used in the classroom with students to create an environment that is conducive to learning. It is is designed to reduce off-task behavior; increase attentiveness; decrease aggressive and...
What’s Trending: Parent Conference on Hot Topics
Join Portage County organizations for an informational workshop on all the “hot topics” for parents and guardians. Topics include Vaping, Suicide, Teen Dating/Violence, Anxiety, Trauma Informed Care, Positive Parenting Techniques, and Positive Presence on Social Media. The United Way of Portage County will be providing pizza and there will be a chance to win gift baskets donated by local...
BPA Recognizes Over 95 Years Service in Water Department
Garrettsville - On Monday evening, the Garrettsville Board of Public Affairs recognized Jeff Sheehan (36 years), Jeff Turk (31 years) and Mike Veon (30 years) for their collective years of service. Dick Davis, Garrettsville’s first Wastewater Superintendent remarked that “they are all great guys, and there just aren’t enough good things to say about them.”
Hiram Village Council News
Hiram - Prior to the beginning of this month’s meeting, Mayor Lou Bertrand asked Council to observe a moment of silence in memory of Sargent David Ovens, a retired Hiram Police Officer. He passed away on April 4th at the age of 70; a celebration of life service was held on April 11th. After much discussion at several previous meetings...
For The Love Of Horses
Windham Twp. - A trip down Bryant Road may have folks wondering about the horse farm that seemed to have cropped up overnight. To passers-by, it appears that someone likes horses, but its just a bit more than that. Mark and Racheal Maddox, along with their two children bought and began rehabbing the farm in 2016. It is now...
Ravenna Merchants Gather to Show Gratitude to Peers
Ravenna - Ravenna merchants turned out enmasse for the Raven Awards Dinner on Tuesday, April 30th to show support for progress in the community. The invocation to start the evening off was given by Bill Wisniewski, Director of Business Services for the school district, and it contained a message for the event that merchants are striving to achieve for their...
Yo Quiero Taco-ville: Taco Bell sets its sights on Garrettsville
Garrettsville – Planning Commission members present at the May 2nd meeting were Jeff Sheehan, Councilman Chris Knop, Jerry Kehoe, Councilman Tom Hardesty, Mayor Rick Patrick, Village Solicitor Michele Stuck, and Zoning Inspector Jan Boehm. After the meeting was called to order and the minutes of the last meeting were approved the floor was opened to Ryan Stroup and Mark Mox...
R44 Coffee Company Perks Up Mantua
Mantua - What this sleepy town really needs is a double shot of espresso. …And that’s exactly what it’s getting when Restoration 44 Coffee Company opens for business on May 6. R44 will provide a welcoming gathering place for old friends to meet over a fresh-brewed cup and a just-baked cinnamon roll. Professionals will have a sophisticated setting to conduct...
Grand Jury returns Indictments Against Amero
Windham - The entire community of Windham was disappointed that someone they entrusted their children to has allegedly betrayed them. On Monday, April 22, 2019, the Portage County Grand Jury indicted Superintendent Laura Amero on six charges involving students. Amero was charged with two counts of sexual battery, two counts of attempted sexual battery and two counts of intimidation...
Crestwood High School Student Council Arts and Crafts Show
Mantua - On May 4th, 2019, Crestwood High School is welcoming the community to join us in an Arts & Crafts Show from 9 AM until 2 PM. The entrance fee is $2 per person at the door, and will be hosted in the gym. Not only is this event open to the public to enjoy and purchase creative...
Nelson Twp Plans Weekend Cleanup
Nelson Township will be having the township clean-up on May 4 & 5. The hours of operation will be from 9 am - 4 pm both days or until the dumpsters are full. Location will be the Nelson Community House. There will be a limit of 10 clean car tires per household and unlimited amount of batteries and appliances. Semi-tires...
Community EMS District To Host Open House
The American College of Emergency Physicians has designated May 19 – May 25 as “National EMS Week”. In celebrating this, Community EMS District is hosting an open house on Saturday, May 11, 2019, starting at noon. Emergency vehicles and equipment will be on display. Participants can also learn about lifesaving skills, such as CPR, bleeding control and recognizing a stroke....
“Discover Garrettsville” For Your Chance To Win Big!
Garrettsville - Take a village located in the heart of the Western Reserve, add a group of motivated business owners, and you have the makings of an amazing promotional campaign designed to encourage and reward people who explore everything the Garrettsville Area has to offer. Beginning May 1st and running through August 31, you will have the opportunity to not...
DMRC Brings Color to Mantua
Mantua - Springtime has brought splashes of color to Mantua Village, and it’s got nothing to do with the season’s blooms or new leaves. The colorful addition is in the shape of vibrant yellow and blue sun sails that have been installed by the Downtown Mantua Revitalization Corporation (DMRC) to provide shade and visual interest in the heart of...
Operation Spruce up Garrettsville
Garrettsville - As we begin Spring and look forward to Summer we should all take a good look at our village and see what we can do to make our village inviting to everyone. On May 5th, starting at noon till 5:00pm Councilperson Deb Wordell has organized a clean up day in the village. The areas that will be...
Girls Who Code Explore Technology at JAG Elementary
Garrettsville - With the rise of technology, mobile devices, and online applications, it’s easy to believe estimates that by 2020, there will be 1.4 million jobs in computing. Unfortunately, it’s estimated that girls are on track to fill only 4% of those jobs. Today, fewer than 1 in 5 computer scientists are women, and that needs to change. That’s exactly...
WVFD News
Windham - Windham WVFD Fire District met for their regularly scheduled meeting with all members in attendance. The meeting was called to order by the chairman, Ron Kilgore. The board approved the minutes, bank reconciliation and expenditures, before moving on to the chief’s report. Chief Rich Gano reported that truck 2813 failed the pump test and needs a gasket. It...
Local Lore about ‘Creepy’ Karpis gets National Attention with Thompson’s New Book
Garrettsville - Over the 43-year tenure of social studies teacher Iva Walker, every student attending James A. Garfield Schools learned about the last great American train heist involving Alvin “Creepy” Karpis and his gang of Depression-era gangsters. It was all part of Ms. Walker’s desire to unveil local history and show how its effects ripple through to the present...
Newton Falls Schoolmates to Hold 100th Reunion
The Newton Falls Schoolmates and Friends will hold their 100th Annual Reunion? on Saturday, June 15, 2019 at Packard Music Hall, 1703 Mahoning Avenue NW, Warren, Ohio. The doors will open at ?11:00 am? for social time, with lunch being served at ?12:00 pm? followed by a program honoring the 50th anniversary of the Class of 1969. ...
