Summer Campers Unite!
Day camp registration opening soon for youth entering grades 3 through 10 Attention, young people craving outdoor adventure, or in dire need of some: Geauga Park District is gearing up to host our 13th annual week-long summer day camps, and we want YOU to explore with us! (Parents: don’t delay to get your young person signed up for outdoor fun...
Charlene Rohal named 2025 Ohio 4-H Hall of Fame Inductee
Charlene Rohal, a dedicated 4-H volunteer from Portage County, has achieved a milestone worthy of celebration. She was inducted into the prestigious Ohio 4-H Hall of Fame on March 8th at the Ohio 4-H Conference in Columbus. It is in recognition of her outstanding service, commitment, and impact on the 4-H community and youth over four decades. Celebrating her 40th...
Garrettsville Is Going Green On March 17
Garrettsville, Ohio, is gearing up for a vibrant St. Patrick’s Day celebration on Monday, March 17, 2025. The historic village invites residents and visitors alike to partake in a day filled with Irish-themed festivities, delectable cuisine, and family-friendly entertainment. The day’s celebrations commence bright and early at 7 a.m. when both Sean’s Pub and Slim-N-Jumbo’s will open their doors to...
Portage County Seniors of the Month Announced for February
The Portage County Senior Board has selected Joe D'Amico from Field Local Schools and Claire Dilner from Southeast Local Schools as the February Seniors of the Month. Each month, the board, comprised of representatives from 12 local schools, nominates outstanding seniors who exemplify leadership, dedication, and excellence. Joe D'Amico – Field Local Schools Described as generous, hardworking, and outgoing, Joe D'Amico...
GPA HOSTS WINTER TOURNAMENT
Garrettsville Pickleball Association held our Winter Blast Tournament on February 23rd for a fun filled day of competitive play. Our winners for the Advanced group were Matt Brungard & Marc Ferraby for 1st place, and Tim Smith & Dave Peters for 2nd place. The winners for the Intermediate group were Mark Gilghrist & Dan White for 1st place, and...
Longtime Portage County softball Coach Luke Darrah ready to resurrect Ravenna
For Luke Darrah, there were no plans for a sixth act as a high school softball coach after he retired as Kent Roosevelt’s softball coach last year. Darrah’s retirement only lasted briefly and will help turn around the Ravenna Ravens’ softball team, having been announced as their new head coach on Jan. 1. “I enjoy working with kids that want...
Portage County Spelling Bee Finalists Advance to Akron Regional Competition
Twelve of Portage County’s top young spellers showcased their skills at the Portage County Spelling Bee, held on February 22, 2025, at James A. Garfield Middle School. These students earned their place in the county-level competition after winning their respective district spelling bees. This year’s contestants included: • Rogan Lachowski – Bio-Med Science Academy • Logan Ritz – Bio-Med Science Academy • Benjamin...
Kiawanis Welcomes Guest Speaker
The Kiwanis Club of Newton Falls welcomed a new friend, Dave Troutman of Boardman, as a guest speaker. He told of his exciting adventures fishing in Guyana, South America. He also shared how his guides promoted eco-tourism and catch and release. His guide Nigel is from Apoteri Village. We were all wowed to see his thrilling picture with Nigel...
REGIONAL RUNNERS-UP: Streetsboro girls’ basketball falls to Laurel in regional final
Unfortunately for the Streetsboro Rockets girls’ basketball team, time really does move in a flat circle. Streetsboro was defeated by Laurel 62-47 in the Ohio High School Athletic Association Division IV regional championship last Saturday afternoon at Canton McKinley’s Canton Memorial Fieldhouse. “It was back-and-forth for most of the game. I feel like it was a battle until the fourth...
FREE Prom Dresses for Northeast Ohio Girls at Princess Night Project
Girls from high schools throughout Northeast Ohio are invited to choose the prom dress of their dreams FREE at Altrusa International of Akron’s 24th annual Princess Night Project presented in partnership with The University of Akron. Since 2001, local members of Altrusa International, a volunteer service organization, have helped make prom dreams come true for nearly 3000 girls by providing...
Aurora’s future is updated at State of the City Luncheon
As another new year is upon the City of Aurora, the City received an update on the status of the City Schools and the City plans. Outgoing Superintendent Mike Roberto and Mayor Ann Womer Benjamin addressed these matters at the annual State of the City luncheon last Wednesday afternoon at The Bertram Hotel Inn & Conference Center. For Roberto, it...
Garfield G-Men’s Camron Lewicki and Landon Andel qualify for state wrestling tournament
As young as the Garfield G-Men wrestling team is this season, they still were an experienced squad. That experience showed as the G-Men qualified two wrestlers to the Ohio High School Athletic Association Division III state tournament with sophomore 138-pound Landon Andel finishing as the runner-up and junior 113-pound Camron Lewicki capturing fourth place at the district tournament last...
D. Jeffrey “Jeff” Miller
Our hero, D. Jeffrey “Jeff” Miller, passed away peacefully at the age of 63 after his hard fought 8-year battle with brain cancer on February 26th, 2025, with his family lovingly by his side. Born on August 27, 1961, in Ravenna, Ohio; he was a lifelong resident of Windham, Ohio. He is survived by his loving wife Lisa (Crews) Miller,...
CCC Offers Active Schedule
While the Crestwood Community Center has been offering programs and activities since last summer, the organization is ready to add some spring to your step as the weather begins to warm up. The group meets every Wednesday at 4810 East High Street in Mantua Lodge at Buchert Park, unless otherwise noted. On Wednesday, March 12, they’ll have a SAIL (Stay...
Michael “Mike” B. Heyd
Michael “Mike” B. Heyd, 66, of Garrettsville, OH, passed away with his loving family by his side Thursday, February 27, 2025. He was born December 25, 1958, in Ravenna, OH, to Esler A. and Melva M. (nee Hinzman) Heyd. He was raised in Garrettsville, and was a proud graduate of James A. Garfield, belonging to the class of 1977. Mike...
Garrettsville-Hiram Rotary Report
Spring threatened to break out during the March 3, 2025 meeting of the Garrettsville-Hiram Rotary. In celebration, the following topics received consideration: • Very successful–if frozen–RoadApple Roubaix. Proceeds of the Rotary bike rinse will be going to the local Shop with a Hero program. Got good help from the InterAct kids, Good response from the bikers. Good community exposure all...
Terrier men’s volleyball posts 1-1 record in tri-match against Tomcats and Bulldogs
Despite being in a new conference this year, the Hiram Terriers men’s volleyball team announced its presence in the Presidents’ Athletic Conference by jumping to the top of the standings. Although the Terriers suffered their first conference loss when PAC foe Thiel College edged them 25-21, 28-30, 18-25, 18-25, they rebounded with a victory against Adrian College in a...
Streetsboro’s Cohen Klimak and Jarreau Walker net state wrestling berths
Last year, the Streetsboro Rockets’ wrestling team only advanced one wrestler to the Ohio High School Athletic Association Division II state tournament. The Rockets doubled their state qualifiers this year as sophomore 106-pounder Jarreau Walker captured a state bid by winning the district title and senior 165-pounder Cohen Klimak earned his third career state berth by placing third last...
Progam To Distribute Computers Announced
Portage County Job and Family Services is announcing the Renew Tech 2.0 Program. This program aims to reduce e-waste in the county office by offering equipment no longer being used by the agency to eligible Portage County residents. Beginning March 3, the Renew Tech 2.0 Program will accept applications to distribute office equipment including desktop computers, monitors, and speakers. The...
You’re Invited to Agape Christian Academy’s Open House on March 13
Agape Christian Academy is hosting an Open House on Thursday evening March 13 from 5:30pm to 7:30pm at both of its campuses. Parents and children are invited to attend and meet our teachers, see our classrooms and gain insight as you consider the many benefits of a Christian education for your children. Learn more about our small class sizes,...
We’re All Invited
Book Review At The YMCA 1st & 3rd Mondays LOVE 101 by author Peter McWilliams “To love oneself is the beginning of a life long romance.” 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...
James A Garfield Local Schools Earns Award
Excellence is not just a goal at James A. Garfield Local Schools—it’s a standard. That dedication to student growth and achievement has earned JAG the 2024 Momentum Award from the Ohio Department of Education & Workforce, an honor given to only seven of Ohio’s 615 school districts. That means less than 1% of districts in the entire state received...
Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!
A Ticket to Garfield’s ‘Mamma Mia!’ Garfield Musical Theatre will bring the beloved hit musical “Mamma Mia!” to the stage this spring, offering audiences a lively journey filled with ABBA’s iconic songs, vibrant dance numbers, and a heartwarming story. The performances are scheduled for March 27 and 28 at 7:00 p.m., with additional shows on March 29 at 2:00 p.m. and...
PCDL Little Seed Library Flourishes for 3rd Season
It’s been said that a garden is like a story, with each season adding a new chapter. Well, who better to guide gardeners of all abilities into a new chapter of gardening that our friends at the Portage County District Library? Just as in the previous two seasons, librarians Lisa at the Aurora branch, Megan at the Garrettsville branch, and...
Rising Costs Challenge Shepherd’s House
Shepherd’s House( has released updated statistics on the number of homeless individuals utilizing the shelter. As of February 20, 2025, 52 individuals, including 2 families (6 children) and 46 single adults, have sought refuge at the Shepherd’s House. (17 of those individuals are utilizing the warming center.) Since opening its doors in April of 2022, this is the...
Bombers’ basketball exits playoffs in opening-round loss against Blue Devils
The Ohio High School Athletic Association basketball playoffs are sometimes viewed by teams as a rebirth after the regular season. But the Windham Bombers boys’ basketball team could not shake off their four-game losing streak entering the postseason and were defeated by Berlin Center Western Reserve 65-44 in the OHSAA Division VII Northeast 1 sectional championship last Friday evening...
Field Station Programming this March
The Hiram College James H. Barrow Biological Field Station is pleased to announce its schedule of programming and educational outreach events for the month of March. These events are meant to engage the public in an understanding of the outdoors and environmental practices. All events are free and open to the public. Some events may require registration, please check...
Garfield G-Men wrestling qualifies five to the district meet at D-III sectional tournament
Although it was a small Garfield G-Men wrestling squad at the Ohio High School Athletic Association Division III sectional tournament last Saturday, the G-Men wrestlers who did compete made the most of their opportunities. Of its eight wrestlers, Garfield qualified five to the district tournament and had two become district alternates to take fifth place with a score of...
Hiram College to host 2025 Lecture in Religion: Embodied Sanctuary
Hiram College announces its 2025 Lectures in Religion Series, featuring C. Stonebraker-Martinez ‘10. The lecture will be held on March 6, 2025, at 5:30 p.m. at Koritansky Hall on Hiram College’s campus, with doors opening for a reception at 5 p.m. This year, Hiram is pleased to welcome C Stonebraker-Martinez ‘10, the co-director of InterReligious Task Force on Central America...
Children’s Advantage, Axess Family Services Merge
The boards of directors of Children’s Advantage (est. 1975) and Axess Family Services (est. 1941) are announcing a merger of the two behavioral health non-profit organizations, which have served Portage County residents for decades. Both organizations recognize the benefits of combining expertise and resources towards achieving a shared purpose. “Together we can evolve and strengthen our clinical practices, invest in...
