Badgers’ wrestling nets CVC Valley Division championship
The Berkshire Badgers’ wrestling team demonstrated not just the quality of talent but also depth at the Chagrin Valley Conference tournament last weekend at Hawken School in Chesterland, earning the CVC Valley Division title with a team score of 168.0 points, as two wrestlers won championships. “We are definitely very proud,” said Coach Dave Malkus. “There are obviously matches you...
Windham grad Bill Fugate finds rejuvenation from behind the camera
Windham graduate Bill Fugate acknowledged that he was a late bloomer when it came to photography, pursuing this venture late in life. The Garrettsville native may have started late but has enjoyed success from behind the camera becoming an award-winning freelance action photographer. “I really enjoy it,” the 1973 Windham graduate told The Weekly Villager on Jan. 29. “I still...
Jackie Lee Boergen
Jackie Lee Boergen, age 57, passed over to the Great Spirit on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, at 8:00 p.m. She deeply cherished her Native American/Cherokee roots and carried it with pride. Jackie was a creative soul; she loved all forms of art, but writing was her true passion. Jackie used pen and paper to express her inner worlds, and...
Matthew T. Penney
Matthew “Matt” T. Penney, 69, of Garrettsville, OH, went home to his Lord and Savior on Sunday, January 25, 2026, surrounded by his loving family. He was born November 2, 1956, in Cleveland, OH, to the late Robert and Nancy (nee Jaros) Penney. He was raised in Mantua, OH, where he was educated at St. Joseph’s Catholic School, and then...
Local Business Launches Community Treasure Hunt to Spotlight Newton Falls and Support Small Businesses Town-Wide
As small businesses across the country continue to face economic pressure and communities work to maintain vitality, Fieldview Acres Mercantile is taking a creative, community-wide approach to drawing attention back to the town as a whole. Fieldview Acres Mercantile, known locally as “The Merc,” has announced a long-term treasure hunt designed to encourage residents and visitors to explore Newton Falls,...
Berkshire boys’ basketball routs Rootstown, sweeps season series
The Berkshire Badgers boys’ basketball team has found themselves in plenty of high-pressure games this season but enjoyed a welcome change of pace as they defeated Chagrin Valley Conference Valley Division foe Rootstown 69-44 to sweep the season series last Friday evening in Burton. “I always talk about practice,” said Coach Joe Montanero. “You can tell that they practice hard....
A Creative Take on Birding
Geauga Park District Naturalist Trevor Wearstler invites you to experience art a little differently during his Bird ID Through Art program on Sunday, February 15. Registration is recommended (to receive updates and reminders) but not required to attend from 2 to 3 p.m. at The West Woods Nature Center, which is wheelchair and stroller accessible. We know bird identification can feel...
Historial Society Meeting Date Change
Shalersville Historical Society will hold its February meeting this coming Sunday, February 8 at 3 PM at our museum located at 9154 St Rt 44. near the center of Shalersville. Please note the CHANGE OF DAY and TIME. Our meetings are free and open to the public for anyone interested in Shalersville's history. This is a fantastic opportunity 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...
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...
