Hope Town AI Announces Launch of One of Ohio’s First AI Academies in Portage County
Hope Town AI, in collaboration with AI Owl, proudly announces the official launch of one of Ohio’s first AI Academies — right here in Portage County. As part of this groundbreaking initiative, employers and decision-makers are invited to attend a free AI Readiness Summit, offering practical, workplace-ready AI training that is 100% reimbursable through Ohio’s TechCred program. This free summit...
Community Unites in Honor of Sergeant Conner Mills to Raise Awareness for Military Mental Health and Suicide Prevention
On Saturday, July 26, 2025, the community will gather at Five 4s Distillery in Newton Falls for a powerful and heart-driven event: The First Annual Active Military Suicide Awareness Benefit, honoring the life and legacy of Sergeant Conner Mills, a proud U.S. Marine who tragically died by suicide. This event is both a celebration of life and a rallying...
We’re All Invited
Book Review At The YMCA 1st & 3rd Mondays “THE HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE SOLUTION. A scientifically proven program for preventing strokes and heart disease” by Richard Morre, MD PhD. 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,...
Bigfoot is Coming to Geauga County…Or is he already here ???
By now we all know Geauga County is the 4th largest Amish population in the world, but did you know that Ohio is the 4th leading state in the nation for Bigfoot sightings? While these sightings have been on the increase, Bigfoot is certainly not new to Ohio. John’s Country Nursery in Middlefield will be hosting their 1st Annual...
Portage County Veterans Service Commission hosts grand opening for new site
The Portage County Veterans Service Commission discovered that they did not have to look far for a new building. The PCVSC held its official “grand opening” for its new location at 466 South Chestnut Street last Saturday in Ravenna. “We were upstairs in the Portage County Administrative Building, we were there for about 40 years,” PCVSC Officer/Director Sherwood “Woody” Truman...
2025 Back to School Clothing Voucher Program Announced
Portage County Job and Family Services is announcing the 2025 Back-to-School Clothing Voucher Program. This Prevention, Retention and Contingency service provides $150 vouchers per child to be used to purchase school clothing and shoes. Upon approval of application, the vouchers can be provided to eligible schoolaged children (Kindergarten-grade 12) who are in receipt of SNAP or TANF benefits. Applications will...
Matt Hill receives nod as new Garfield G-Men boys’ basketball coach
For Matt Hill, the son of former Windham boys’ basketball Coach Marty Hill, the winningest coach in Portage County history, basketball is not just a family tradition but almost a way of life. Hill will now have a chance to author his own coaching chapter after being hired as the Garfield G-Men boys’ basketball coach after being formally approved...
Crestwood’s Tom Henderson named OHSBCA Division IV-V Asst. Coach of the Year
Crestwood Red Devils girls’ assistant basketball Coach Tom Henderson has learned that no matter how hard he tries, he is always pulled back into coaching high school athletics. In his second time coming out of retirement, the longtime coach was named the Ohio High School Basketball Coaches Association Division IV-V Assistant Coach of the Year on March 28. “I was...
Windham rising seniors Matt Kolaczek & Ethan Thornton discuss Buckeye Boys State
Attending the American Legion Buckeye Boys State Program left an impact on Windham rising seniors Matt Kolaczek and Ethan Thornton. The Bombers’ duo acknowledged that participating in the mock government program in the week of June 8-June15 at Miami University in Oxford exceeded their expectations. “It was very memorable because I got to meet people who are probably going to...
Lawrence R. Sterpka, Jr.
Lawrence “Larry” R. Sterpka, Jr., 76, of Brimfield, OH, passed Sunday, June 15, 2025. He was born March 3, 1949, in Cleveland, OH, to the late Lawrence and Mary (nee Kralik) Sterpka, Sr. He was raised in Windham, OH, and was a proud graduate of Windham High School, where he met the love of his life, Betty Andrews. Larry served...
Windham grad Hankins eager to make his mark as new Athletic Director
Since returning to Windham in 2001, graduate Dougle Hankins has worn many hats while working in the school district as a teacher and a coach. He now wears a most important hat, having been hired as Windham’s newest athletic director. “I have had an interest in being the athletic director since I first started in 2001,” the Windham alum told...
Local Businesses & Youth Benefit from Free Program
Writer and orator Robert Ingersoll is credited with the phrase, “We rise by lifting others.” This sentiment seems to sum up a program championed through the Portage County Job and Family Services titled the Comprehensive Case Management Employment Program (CCMEP). CCMEP is a free program not only for applicants, but for the Portage County employers who participate in the program....
Garrettsville-Hiram Rotary Report
Braving the tropical heat, G-H Rotary met in the Renaissance Center in Windham to get a look at the recently donated benches…and all of the features available to the public. To wit: Its features as a hub of social services in the community–Salvation Army & Red Shield (food, clothing, misc.), the “mall walkers”--7 times around equals one mile, an event...
We’re All Invited
Book Review At The YMCA 1st & 3rd Mondays “THE HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE SOLUTION. A scientifically proven program for preventing strokes and heart disease” by Richard Morre, MD PhD. 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,...
Much Love Tattoo Shop Makes Mark in Garrettsville
Marshall Quinn, a 2009 JAG graduate and self-described nerdy art kid has made his way back home to Garrettsville. “I struggled to find my path after high school,” Quinn noted. He admits that he spent his youth wanting to get out of Garrettsville. “Tattoo art kind of fell in my lap.” His first step was when a cousin brought...
Ohman Family Living has big plans for Jordak Elementary Building
Since planting roots in Geauga County in 1965, Ohman Family Living has continued expanding. After purchasing the former Jordak Elementary Building for approximately $2.2 million, the family-owned retirement community village plans to transform the Building into a hybrid community rec center and residential independent living facility for the elderly. “It is exciting. It is full spectrum of services,” Anderson Ohman...
Justin Rahin embraces Ravenna roots as new boys’ basketball coach
The City of Ravenna has always been like a second home of sorts to Justin Rahim. Rahim will be joining the Portage County ranks of high school coaches, when he was announced as Ravenna’s new boys’ basketball coach on May 13. “It is not something I thought about. If you had told me I was going to be a coach...
Garrettsville Council Approves Salary Increases, Lawn Limits and Sidewalk Repairs
Garrettsville Village Council on Wednesday approved a series of ordinances addressing zoning updates, employee benefits, pay raises for elected officials, and revised grass and weed regulations. Several measures were declared emergencies to meet fiscal or seasonal deadlines. The meeting opened at 7 p.m. following a public hearing on Ordinance 2025-12. No public comments were offered. Mayor Rick Patrick presided. Council...
Hiram alum Russ Swartz wraps coaching career with second-best record in Portage County history
For Hiram College alum Russ Swartz, there is nothing that beats Portage County basketball. The longtime boys’ basketball coach is calling it a career, having announced his resignation as the Mogadore Wildcats boys’ basketball coach on May 28. “I don’t know if words can describe how fortunate I feel with having this opportunity over these 17 years,” Swartz told The...
Elite Pharmacy relocates to Memory Lane Complex
Elite Pharmacy is on the move—but not far. Just 2 minutes (with traffic) from its current location, the pharmacy will officially open its doors at 1 Memory Lane, Suite 500, on June 23. The new space is part of the healthcare and wellness complex that also houses TLC Health & Fitness Club and several medical providers. Though the pharmacy is relocating...
Audrey P. Cool Taylor
Audrey P. Cool Taylor passed away peacefully and quietly at her home on June 14, 2025. She was 92 years old. Audrey Cool was born on August 23,1932 in Diana, WV to Jesse B. Cool and Minnie A. Rebrook Cool who preceded her in death. She graduated from Burnsville High School in 1950. Audrey met her future husband, Dennis Taylor, in...
Cynthia “Cindy” H. Hoskins
Cindy passed away on June 7, 2025 at her home. Cindy was a very well know substitute teacher at Garfield, Crestwood, Windham, Ravenna and St. Joseph’s school in Mantua. She spent many years touching the so many students’ lives. She was stern but her love was unconditional. She was always eager to help grade papers and step in where ever...
Diana L. George
Diana L. George, 70, of Garrettsville, OH, passed away Friday, June 6, 2025. She was born June 18, 1954, in Petersburg, WV, to the late Edwin and Eileen Meloy. Diana worked as a trucker, alongside her loving husband, Paul, for many years until his health prevented them from driving any longer. She also worked at her Father’s insurance agency, Meloy...
Cardinal Board of Education auctions off Jordak Elementary building
After months of preparation, the Cardinal Board of Education finally auctioned off the Jordak Elementary Building on June 7 in Middlefield. The Board sold the building to Ohman Family Living for $2.2 million, a retirement community that spans four different locations across Geauga County. “We have a lot of staff members that went to that school, but we are always...
Frances Kay Ridenbaugh
Frances “Franki” or “Fran” Kay Ridenbaugh, 69, of Windham, OH, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, June 11, 2025. She was born March 15, 1956, in Ravenna, OH, to the late Harold and Virginia (nee Hatchett) Appleton. Her family moved to Windham, where she met Richard, who was her high school sweetheart and later became her husband. Their family grew to...
Rolan L. McCumbers
Rolan L. McCumbers, 84, of Garrettsville, passed away Monday, June 9, 2025. He was born February 6, 1941, in Shock, WV, to the late Russell and Nellie (nee Workman) McCumbers. He moved to Ohio as a boy and grew to enter the United States Army. Rolan went on to work multiple jobs at General Motors in Lordstown, OH, until retiring...
Jessica Marie Duvall
Jessica Marie Duvall (nee: Wojciak) was taken to be with her Lord on May 17th, 2025 in Tampa, Florida. She was born in Cleveland, Ohio on October 12th, 1981 to her mother Elizabeth Laning (nee: Wojciak). Jessica graduated from James A. Garfield School in Garrettsville, Ohio in 2000, where she had a passion for academics and was Valedictorian of...
Garrettsville-Hiram Rotary Report
The June 16, 2025 meeting of the Garrettsville-Hiram Rotary dried off long enough to deal with the following business. Visitor Ian Carmen told of his experience at the recent RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Awards)event held at Hiram College; definitely worthwhile. Local Rotary members got to participate in some of the activities. Possibility of website training as a group? Seeking some...
Crestwood grad Ethan Thompson to compete in SkillsUSA Championship
Just weeks after graduating from Crestwood High School and the Maplewood Career Center, Ethan Thompson has been busy. The Red Devils’ alumnus is preparing to compete in the SkillsUSA Championship, a premier showcase of the country’s most highly-skilled career and technical students, which takes place from June 23-June 27 at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta. “It feels amazing...
Portage County Historical Society Open House on June 28
The Portage County Historical Society will be holding their Annual Summer Open House from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, June 28. The Lowrie-Beatty Museum, Carter House, Strickland House, Log Cabin, Campbell Land Office, Ford Seed Store, Mahan Barn, and Indian Village will all be open for tours. Visit the newly renovated Carter House and the new handicapped entrance. The PCHS will...
