A Thanksgiving to be Grateful For…Midnight Madness
Ravenna - If you went to sleep the night before Thanksgiving with dread over not getting to celebrate the holiday with family then you are not alone. I woke up with apprehension at the idea of even getting out of bed. But then my dog licked my face and I smelled coffee brewing. I remembered my husband, Aditya, had...
Mantua Celebrates Christmas in the Village
Mantua - This holiday season, shopping local is even more important, as area restaurants and businesses move forward amidst a pandemic. Local folks have appreciated the convenience of having access to small stores close to home during this strange year, appreciating that much of what they spend at local shops remains in the community. According to data gathered by...
Windham Council Meets Through Zoom
Windham - Windham Village Council voted at the recent meeting to continue to hold their meetings via Zoom until July 2021. Council has had some members with Covid-19 and village employees with it as well. The financial report was given. Taxes collected this year are $396,019.34, and expenditures for October were $207,449.35, leaving a balance of $1,857,662.04 as of...
NGCC is making a difference in our community
The number of families and individuals who live in hunger in the United States is on the rise and sadly Portage County is not exempt from this statistic. The Nelson Garrettsville Community Cupboard has been fortunate to have the support of our community which allows us to help our neighbors in need make ends meet. As the COVID-19 pandemic drags on...
Kent State Sanctions Solar – Solar Array to Supply 67% of Kent Geauga’s Energy Needs
Burton - Kent State University is going green! As part of this university-wide initiative, solar panels are being installed at the Geauga Campus in Burton. The ground-mounted solar photovoltaic panels will provide 322 kilowatts of clean solar energy every year (392,489-kilowatt hours), providing 67% of the campus’ energy use. Solar panel structure posts were set in early November and panels...
Garrettsville-Hiram Rotary Report
On the eve of snowfall, the Garrettsville-Hiram Rotary met a’la Zoom to discuss the following topics : The club is searching for Zoom speakers to enliven the meetings and, possibly, to embark upon an interview format, visiting local sponsors of the group’s activities and other local businesses and individuals. Video interviews would then be posted on the Rotary Facebook page...
Christmas Help For Geauga County Families
For over 45 years, Geauga County Job and Family Services has coordinated the Sponsor a Family Program. The program assists low income families with toys, food, and gifts for the holidays. Sponsor a Family is open to Geauga County families with minor children who are receiving assistance such as food stamps. To request an application, or for more information...
The Case For Community Is Now More Than Ever
In the coming weeks, many of you will receive a letter asking you to support your community foundation. To some, the claim that the foundation is representing the community might seem like a stretch. I could begin this letter by explaining that the Portage Foundation just awarded seven grants to the community totaling $21,442 and 60 scholarships to students...
Portage Senior Center Update
Due to increased COVID-19 numbers in the area, the Portage County Senior Center will temporarily “pause” most inside activities. They will remain open, however, with mandatory pre-screening health calls, in addition to symptom checks when entering. Please call 330-297-3456 for questions, concerns, or to confirm the current schedule. Please stay tuned to current state and local updates, and when...
‘Tis The Season to Give Back to Aging Adults in Portage County
Ravenna - At a time when it may be more important than ever, Home Instead’s® seasonal favorite Be A Santa to a Senior returns stronger than ever with new options for community participation. Program coordinators evaluated the important holiday program and made adjustments with the safety of donors, seniors and volunteers in mind. With seniors in Portage County more isolated...
You Can Help Spread Holiday Cheer
While 2020 has been a challenging year for all of us, the Christmas season can be especially difficult for children in foster care. That’s why Portage County Job & Family Services (PCJFS) is seeking your help in providing a memorable and magical Christmas for the 200 Portage County children currently living in foster care placements this season. Your gift...
Villager Emporium Teams Up With Garfield PTO For Kids Santa Shop
The annual Santa shop – it’s fun and festive and has delighted children for decades. It’s a chance for little ones to shop for gifts for their loved ones (and sometimes themselves). Sadly due to the corona virus the PTO is unable to host the traditional Santa shop at school this year. When the sad news spread of no Santa...
WVFD is the Recipient of Township’s Cares Act Money
Windham - Windham WVFD held their regularly scheduled meeting recently with half of the board attending physically and the other half attending via Zoom. The meeting was called to order and the board approved the minutes and expenditures, before moving on to the chief’s report. Chief Rich Gano reported that they had 559 calls year to date. (October 31, 2020)...
Garrettsville Council News
Garrettsville – Village officials present at the village council meeting on October 14th were Village Solicitor Michele Stuck, Mayor Rick Patrick, Assistant Fiscal Officer Deb Wordell, and Councilpersons Tom Hardesty, Chris Knop, Larry Beatty, John Chambers, and Tom Collins (via Zoom). Jeff Kaiser was unable to attend as he was traveling at the time. Due to COVID-19 social distancing...
Game Board is Inspiration for Shopping Local
Ravenna - Life is a game of chance. You shake the white die in your hand, kiss it for luck and give it a toss. You hear it clank against the board and peek open one eye in the hopes it is the number that you need. Sometimes you get money sometimes you lose money -- all in the...
Crestwood School Board News
Mantua - At the November Board meeting, District Treasurer Sarah Palm shared the District’s Five Year Forecast. In it, Palm noted that in Fiscal Year 2021, a revenue shortfall is expected. According to Palm, “This means that expenditures are expected to be greater than revenue by $374,231.” She also noted that based on current projections, by Fiscal Year 2025...
PCDL Returning to Curbside Pickup
Portage County District Library (PCDL) will be returning to curbside pickup of library materials beginning Monday, November 30. This is due to the increasing spread of COVID-19 within Portage County and bordering counties. Patrons will be able to schedule times to pick up their holds at all of our branches. Holds may be placed through our online catalog, or by...
Portage EMA Encourages Public To Review Draft County Hazard Mitigation Plan
Ravenna - The Portage County Hazard Mitigation Plan is currently being updated. It is necessary to update the plan every five years so that the county and participating communities remain eligible for pre-disaster and post-disaster mitigation grant programs.We are currently nearing the end of the plan update process and invite residents of Portage County to participate by reviewing and...
Can You Solve The Christmas Mystery In Garrettsville?
Higgeldy piggeldySanta on Christmas EveSleigh full of starlight,A-twinkle his eyes. Santa’s voice worships theGlittering quietude,Spreading good cheerAs he crosses the sky. Garrettsville - The Garfield PTO in partnership with the Garfield Middle School Beta Club have announced their first annual Holiday Hunt! Clues will be hidden within the uniquely painted window murals of local businesses; each mural will represent a classic...
Mantua Twp. Trustee News
Mantua Twp. - At their last meeting, the Trustees discussed how the Township could better utilize Coronavirus Aid Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act funding. In addition to N95 masks, gloves, touchless hand sanitizer and soap, Trustees discussed the purchase of a new message board, and equipment to facilitate online meetings. Trustee Matt Benner reported gathering estimates to update lighting...
Santa Making Adjustments In Schedule To Ensure Christmas Eve Travels
Garrettsville - The Garrettsville Area Chamber of Commerce was notified this week that Santa and many of his elves are on pre-Christmas travel restrictions through Christmas Eve, which means that he will not be making his annual appearance at the clock tower lighting. Upon hearing from Santa, the chamber board determined that we would do our part and follow...
Martial Arts Ohio Opens in Mantua
“We are so excited to open Martial Arts Ohio in Mantua,” shared owner Jack Edwards. Program Director Jessica Globokar added, “As one of six new businesses in Mantua in recent months, we’re so excited to be a part of revitalization in Mantua.” They’ve worked incredibly hard to revitalize their current space, working “from the ground up” creating a welcoming lobby...
Join us as we celebrate the opening of Trail Lake Park in Streetsboro!
Trail Lake Park, located at 605 Ravenna Road in Streetsboro, will officially open on Friday, November 6 at 9:30 a.m. Park staff and Foundation members will be on site for open house hours on Friday, Saturday and Sunday to share information on natural resources, history, amenities and more. The Park District acquired the property on the southern boundary of Herrick...
DMRC Auction Invites You to Experience Mantua
Mantua - Since 2007, the Downtown Mantua Revitalization Corporation (DMRC) has been helping to breathe new life into the historic Village. From small-scale projects like the addition of planter boxes and bike racks to providing matching funds in support of large-scale projects including the Mill Street extension of the Headwaters Trail, the south side sidewalk construction, and the downtown...
Middlefield Restaurant Round-Up
Middlefield - If you’re looking for a new, nearby place to get out and grab a meal, why not check out nearby Middlefield? You can fill up on great eats without filling up your gas tank. Who knows -- you might just find some new favorite places, too! (The establishments are listed in alphabetical order.) Big Bill’s Burgers 18895 North State...
Mental Health & Drug Courts Receive Funding
The Portage County Specialized Dockets for mental health and substance use disorders each received a $30,000 grant from Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services through the Mental Health & Recovery Board of Portage County. Specialized dockets are particular sessions of court that offer a therapeutically oriented judicial approach to providing court supervision and appropriate treatment to individuals. Certified...
Windham Village Council Approves Truck Purchase
Windham - The Windham Village Council met via Zoom for their regularly scheduled meeting on October 27, 2020 with all council members in attendance. Council approved the minutes from the September 22, 2020 regular meeting and three special meetings on 10.05/2020, 10/13/2020 and 10/15/2020. Council accepted and approved the fiscal report and bank reconciliation leaving a balance of $1,828,375.61 as of...
Local Beekeepers Gather to Prepare for Winter
Middlefield - As temperatures cool many of us are preparing for another NE Ohio winter, and those preparations are even more important for our local beekeepers. On Saturday, Oct 24, beekeepers from Geauga, Trumbull and Ashtabula spent the day at John’s Country Nursery learning the importance of proper care and maintenance of their hives from Garden Center Manager Christine...
Crestwood School Board News
Mantua - At the last Board meeting, Crestwood School District Treasurer Sarah Palm shared the latest Revenue and Expenditure comparisons with the Board. She noted that the latest Revenue Comparison shows that District revenues are generally aligned with what was presented in the May 5th Year Forecast. She shared that in Fiscal Year (FY) 2021, revenues are currently $20,141,208....
Garrettsville-Hiram Rotary Report
Short & Sweet and zooming along, the Garrettsville-Hiram Rotary club met online to contemplate some particulars about the upcoming RAFFLE on Friday, November 13, 2020. First of all, where to stage this fandango? Especially, where to have this, considering health and safety issues currently in force. A brand-new ticket drum will be used on this momentous occasion and there...