Crestwood softball demonstrates growth in victory against Valley Forge
The Crestwood Red Devils’ softball team’s goal of rolling into the Ohio High School Athletic Association Division IV postseason on an upward trajectory took a step in the direction when they defeated Valley Forge 12-1 last Saturday afternoon in Mantua. “We put up double-digit hits and double-digit runs,” said Coach Matt Helm. “We only had one error which was an...
Geauga SWCD News Release
Attention Educators! Reward yourself with an enriching professional development experience on the shores of Lake Erie by attending the Advanced Wonders of Watersheds workshop. This comprehensive 3-day program offers valuable outdoor investigations, new resources, engaging activities, field explorations, optional graduate credit hours, and time to connect and rejuvenate! Join us Tuesday, June 23rd - Thursday, June 25th for learning...
Newton Falls Treasure Hunt Meet N’ Greet Set to Bring Hundreds to Historic Downtown Newton Falls
Something unique is taking shape in Newton Falls, Ohio, as the growing excitement surrounding the nationally followed Newton Falls Treasure Hunt continues to spark tourism, community engagement, and small-town revitalization. On Saturday, May 16, from 10 AM to 6 PM, downtown Newton Falls will host the FREE Newton Falls Treasure Hunt Meet N’ Greet along West Broad Street, bringing together...
Windham Township Board of Trustees place moratorium on AI Data Centers
The Windham Township Board of Trustees fielded several questions about where things stood on the potential of Artificial Intelligence Data Centers being built in Portage County and the Board made their stance clear by placing a moratorium on them last Thursday evening at Windham Township Hall. “We have no language in zoning right now to prevent it,” Board of...
Badger boys’ volleyball conquered by Hilltoppers in regular season finale
The Berkshire Badgers boys’ volleyball team will end their regular season still searching for momentum after being swept by Geauga County and Northeast Ohio Boys Volleyball League rival Chardon 25-17, 25-18, and 25-23 last Thursday evening in Burton. “Of course, when you are in a competitive sport you want to come out on top,” said Coach Tim Percic. “While it...
G-H Rotary Report
Garrettsville-Hiram Rotary met on May 11, 2026 to deal with the following topics : * Presentation of scholarships–May 13, May 27 * StoryWalk Project supplies, donors, workers–scheduling for installation * Dates for distributions of the Lockbox Project @ fire departments May 16–Windham May 30–Garrettsville June 6–Hiram * Menu being finalized for the Centennial Celebration Dinner at The Mill * The national and district emphasis on 250 Acts...
Garden Club Holds Plant Sale & Visits Lantern Court in May
The Silver Creek Garden Club will hold its annual plant sale during the Village Yard Sale on Friday, May 15 & Saturday, May 16 from 9 am – 3:30 pm. The sale will be held at the home of Barbara & Jim Walker at 10749 Forest St. Whether you are an experienced gardener or new to gardening, this sale...
Garfield G-Men baseball dominant in victory against Golden Flashes
The Garfield G-Men enjoyed one of their best weeks in Mahoning Valley Athletic Conference Grey Tier play, beating league foe Champion, 6-1 last Friday in Warren. “It was great to see the guys playing baseball the right way. We were making diving plays,” said Coach Michael Paes. “These guys just played baseball and we did a couple of things where...
Frank Kovach
Frank Kovach, 90, of Hiram Twp., OH, went home to his Lord and Savior Friday, May 8, 2026. He was born February 10, 1936, in Middlefield, OH, to the late Frank and Julia (Sles) Kovach. He was raised on his family’s dairy farm in Middlefield on State Route 528, which was the first dairy farm in Geauga County that had...
Freedom Twp. Historical Society News
Freedom Township Historical Society is pleased to announce its first program for 2026 which is being sponsored by Freedom, Mantua, & Shalersville Historical Societies. Susan Cannavino of Presentations with Pizzazz will present a program about Jackie Kennedy Onassis. Please join us as we explore "The Life of Jackie Bouvier Kennedy Onassis". This presentation deals with each phase of Jackie's...
We’re All Invited
Sip N Shop Vendor Applications Being Accepted Call Today Sip n Shop on Main is taking applications for the event on July 25th from 2-7pm . Contact Jackie at rinearson05@frontier.com for an application 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...
New Fund To Support Community Projects
The Mantua-Shalersville Area Chamber of Commerce and the Portage Foundation are looking for volunteers. They need community help in setting up a new grant program to help support community projects within the Crestwood geographic area. According to Randy Ellis, President of the Mantua-Shalersville Chamber of Commerce, the proposed fund will serve as a hub for local charitable donations gathered...
Record Arsenal spins its doors open in Ravenna
The Ravenna Area Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to commemorate the grand opening of the vintage vinyl record store, Record Arsenal, last Friday afternoon at 133 East Main Street in Ravenna. “I am incredibly grateful for the Ravenna Area Chamber of Commerce,” owner Rod Flauhaus told The Weekly Villager. “They helped facilitate this and it is a lot...
62nd Mantua Ox Roast Fair Plans Well Underway
St. Joseph Church in Mantua is hitting the ground running with the Ox Roast Fair, which is being held on July 17th, 18th and 19th. The 2026 St. Joseph Church Ox Roast Fair, now in its 62nd year, promises to be more exciting than ever. The Main Raffle is offering some great prizes in 2026. Grand prize is a Falcon...
Annette Louise Wenger
Annette Louise Wenger, 90, of Garrettsville, OH, went home to her Lord and Savior Monday, April 27, 2026. She was born January 23, 1936, in Newton Falls, OH, to the late Charles and Mary (nee Burkhart) Wenger. Her family moved to Windham where she was raised and was proud to be Valedictorian of her class at Windham High School, graduating...
Francis Raymond Modliszewski
Francis Raymond Modliszewski passed from this life on the evening of April 17, 2026. He was born in Chewton, Pennsylvania, on January 28, 1940, to Pauline (nee Kolik) and Raymond Modliszewski. Frank graduated from Lincoln High School in Ellwood City, PA, in 1958. He served 6 years in the U.S. Army and Army Reserve, traveling to Germany as part...
Jim Wiedie returns to roots as new Hiram women’s basketball coach
After spending four years out of state coaching women’s college basketball, Jim Wiedie yearned for a homecoming and found his way back by becoming the new Hiram Terriers women’s basketball coach, being formally announced on April 3. “It has been something that I have been trying to make happen,” the first-year coach said. “Things didn’t fall into place, and I...
Crestwood baseball rallies but finishes short of Mentor
The Crestwood Red Devils baseball team’s offense was stifled for six innings against Mentor but finally mounted a rally in the seventh frame but lost 3-1 in a pitching duel last Saturday at Mentor High School. “I am proud of the guys that we had on the mound,” said Coach Chris Stanley. “We started a freshman, brought in a junior...
Celebrate Portage Nominations Open
Nominations are open for the Celebrate Portage County annual awards. The awards recognize any events, people, or projects that contributed to making Portage County a great place to live in during 2025. Winners and nominees are honored at the Celebrate Portage annual dinner. Deadline May 30th. Visit www.celebrateportage.org to nominate a person or organization. Email celebrateportage@gmail.com with any questions. Awards will be given...
Jennifer Fitzwater hosts speaking event at West Main Street Winery on May 11
Local residential cleaning business owner Jennifer Fitzwater has scheduled a series of speaking events across Portage County to discuss the benefits of environmental hygiene, beginning with an appearance at the West Main Street Winery at 234 W. Main Street in Ravenna on May 11 beginning at 6 p.m. “I am very excited,” Fitzwater told The Weekly Villager on May 1....
Monkey Business & More: Memories of the Nelson Ledges Amusement Park
If history with a beer sounds interesting, then join us at 6 p.m. Tuesday, May 19 at Garrett’s Mill & Brewing Co. in Garrettsville for the second of a series of free Tap Talks co-sponsored by James A. Garfield Historical Society and the Mill. Monkeys, a ferris wheel and an arcade—oh my! Ohio was home to dozens of small amusement...
G-H Rotary Report
The May 4, 2026 meeting of Garrettsville-Hiram Rotary boasted the presence of a visitor–Kim Ewell of Hiram--who offered some information on the new Downtown Hiram effort in that village. Additionally, scholarship entries from Windham were read and top essays were chosen. Financials were reviewed. There was a progress report on the Storybook Trail project at the park; display plaque...
The Fever Returns
Every year in a small village located in northern Portage County of Ohio a fever breaks out that sweeps through the village and affects the entire population of this small village. It usually happens just before Memorial Day weekend. This quiet village becomes a traffic jam for the locals trying to go about their normal weekend activities. Drivers stop...
Badgers’ softball erupts to take down Rockets, stumbles late against Tigers
The Berkshire Badgers’ softball team experienced a roller coaster of highs and lows, first beating Streetsboro 10-4 to extend their winning streak to eight games but then had their streak snapped when they lost 5-3 against Warren Howland in a doubleheader of five-inning games last Saturday at Rockets Stadium in Streetsboro. “They were really strong programs,” said Coach Joe Medlen....
We’re All Invited
Sip N Shop Vendor Applications Being Accepted Call Today Sip n Shop on Main is taking applications for the event on July 25th from 2-7pm . Contact Jackie at rinearson05@frontier.com for an application 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...
CCC Fills May with Fun
Every Wednesday, the Crestwood Community Center (CCC) is open at the Lodge at Buchert Park in Mantua with a full schedule of activities. On May 13th, the day begins with a SAIL (Stay Active and Independent for Life) fitness & balance class, followed by lunch at noon. This day’s lunch will be provided by Boulder Crossing of Streetsboro and will...
Shalersville Historical Society to host first annual Classic Car Show
The Shalersville Historical Society is joining in the annual mid-year festivities around Portage County by hosting its first annual Classic Car Show at 9154 State Route 44 in Mantua on May 30 beginning at 4 p.m. “This is a new idea we came up with,” SHS President/Shalersville Township Board of Trustees Vice Chairman Ron Kotkowski told The Weekly Villager on...
Hiram College renovates Price Gymnasium’s Hollinger Court
The Hiram Terriers’ indoor sports teams home court will look different in the 2026-2027 season, as the Athletic Department contracted Ohio Flooring to completely renovate the Price Gymnasium’s Hollinger Courts. “It is going to look a lot newer,” Athletic Director Scott Pohlman told The Weekly Villager on April 30. “I already love our gym and the architecture of it. That...
Messages of Hope Shared Across Portage County for Mental Health Month
In recognition of Mental Health Month, messages of hope and support are being distributed throughout Portage County. A total of 3,000 coffee sleeves and 4,000 coasters featuring information about the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline are being placed in local coffee shops, bars, and fraternal and veterans’ organizations, including American Legion, VFW, and Eagles clubs. This initiative is led by...
Best Pet Cremation To Close
After careful consideration over the past nine years and extensive discussions with family and friends, we have made the decision to permanently close Best Pet Cremation, effective April 30th, 2026. We are proud of the reputation we have built in both the funeral and pet cremation industries, which has exceeded our expectations. In 2025 alone, we averaged a combined 1.3...
