New Mural Adds Hope in Mantua
Mantua - Holly Michelson saw the work that Broc Benner was doing to transform what some referred to as “the hole” in the heart of Mantua. As he shared his vision of transforming the spot into a green space to connect community in the village, Michelson commented that the red brick wall that bordered the space would be an...
Immense Knowledge Leads To Appearance On Jeopardy
Joanna Pratt a fun-loving and spirited local woman recently got to appear on the game show Jeopardy. Her episode airs Wednesday, June 10th at 7:30pm on channel 19 WOIO. “I joke that I have an immense wealth of useless knowledge,” she said with a full-hearted laugh. “I just felt the best place to showcase that would be on Jeopardy!...
Let’s bring $25k to your neighborhood – Neighborhood Assist is back!
Shannan Jursa, Agent for State Farm is happy to announce that State Farm Neighborhood Assist® is back for its ninth year in 2020. As in the past, the top 40 causes with the most votes will each receive a $25,000 grant from State Farm. As a company, we continue the effort to inspire and empower people to get involved in...
Preventing Teen Drug Use Risk Factors & Why Teens Use
When someone realizes that their child has a problem with alcohol or drugs, they often start by asking the question – How did we get here? Sometimes there is a quick answer…sometimes it feels nearly impossible to answer. The tricky part is, often times, alcohol and drug use is only recognized or addressed when it’s already a problem. This...
Hiram Village News
Hiram - At the last village council meeting which was held virtually, Ed Frato-Sweeney, Director of Residential & Citizenship Education at Hiram College, shared that the college would be open for the Fall 2020 semester, providing single rooms for all residential students at no additional charge. In his Police Report, Chief Brian Gregory shared that the department applied for several...
Ohio Turnpike announces 3rd annual W82TXT Teen Video Contest
The Ohio Turnpike today announced a fun and important contest for high schoolers to encourage distracted drivers to kick their dangerous habit. Students entering grades 9-12 and graduating seniors can encourage their peers to drive safely and win some great prizes by participating in the 3rd annual “W82TXT” Teen Video Contest. By producing and submitting a video, high schoolers can have...
Akron Children’s Hospital Pediatrics to open in new Portage Health Center
Akron Children’s Hospital Pediatrics will move its recently combined Kent and Ravenna practices to the hospital’s new Portage Health Center June 2. The primary care office will be the first service to open in the new 29,500-square-foot health center, located at 2497 State Route 59 in Ravenna. The pediatrics practice will now be known as Akron Children’s Hospital Pediatrics, Portage. Additional...
Garrettsville-Hiram Rotary Report
Garrettsville-Hiram Rotary met--at long last--on June 1, 2020 at Cal’s II, Sky Plaza, Garrettsville in a meeting in (socially distanced) person and on-line with Zoom, including assistant district governor Karen Bordanaro in some of the discussion. Tech connections and difficulties were part of the ambience. The district officials urge continuing to comply with state guidelines; the upcoming international convocation...
Garrettsville Summerfest Cancels 2020 Festival, Regroups for 2021
On behalf of the Summerfest committee and with deep sadness we have decided to cancel this year’s festival. There were many factors in our decision. One of the main ones is the safety of our festival goers and community. Another factor was the lack of funds due to the inability to fundraise. Summerfest has established itself as one of the...
Contactless Pick Up at PCDL
Portage County District Library (PCDL) is happy to announce that we will be entering the second stage of our return-to-service plan. On Monday, June 1, patrons were able to schedule times to pick up their holds at all of our branches. Holds may be placed through our online catalog, or by calling any of the branch locations. If you don’t...
Crestwood School Board News
Mantua - As this unusual school year draws to a close, Crestwood Schools commemorated their graduates in an unusual manner. Driving by Crestwood High School, you’ll notice school buses parked in the front parking lot. From ground level, you may not notice, but seen from above, thanks to aerial photographer John Rayle, the buses are arranged to display 2020...
Islands of Flowers have Sprouted Around Town
Ravenna - Lilies and Pansy and Zinnias…Oh my! Or should I say Oh, May!? The month of May seems to be the season for Spring here in town as we see delightful colors adorning the sidewalks. But why have these small patches of earth recently become a feast for the eyes? It all started with a bet between two...
WATCH: Garfield High School’s 2020 Virtual Commencement
Congratulations to the James A. Garfield High School Class of 2020! Austin Evan ArmstrongMandolin Win Arnett £Austin Paul Babuka »Camron Ian Hobart BackEthan James BakerJoseph Ryan Ball *~Kaylie Elizabeth BatesAlyssa Rae BellHannah Elizabeth Bittence *§+Kannon Douglas BorrelliJesse Edward Bounds £Preston Allen Chase Brainard £Maya Nicole Brown ~Kage William Callahan ~Mason Michael Cebulla *§+Hannah Frances Chartier *~Madison Ann ClarkLucas Xavier ClemensTalon...
Cleveland Foundation Grant Ensures Promising Future for Rising Scholars
Silver spoon or plastic fork? Every child is born with certain economic advantages and disadvantages that shape their futures. The fledgling Rising Scholars program was initiated last year to level the playing field for at-risk Geauga County students who face uncertain outcomes after high school graduation. Thanks to a $14,079 grant from the Lake-Geauga Fund of the Cleveland Foundation, this...
Bibury & Company Opens in Mantua
Mantua - As the state loosens restrictions and businesses begin to open their doors, Bibury & Company, a new gift shop has joined the merchants in Mantua Village. Although Ann Ellis lives in Aurora, Mantua’s historic downtown drew her to the village. She noted that many towns try to recreate the historic look that has been preserved in the...
Windham Board of Education News
Windham - They did it! They graduated without the usual “Pomp and Circumstance”, the class of 2020 are now graduates of Windham High School. Windham High School seniors had a chance to experience graduation in a different way. Instead of the usual band, lots of family members and friends offering congratulatory hugs and hand-shakes, it was a quiet, intimate...
United Way Supports Windham Exempted Village Schools Food Pantry
Windham - Windham Exempted Village Schools received a $1,000 grant from United Way of Portage County (UWPC) to help with funding for the food pantry at the Junior-Senior High School that is provided for students and their families. There are multiple staff members and volunteers to help arrange pick-up and delivery for items. The families receive balanced meals, as...
Rise Up Ravenna Raffle Tickets On Sale Now!
Ravenna - This is an initiative that I am extremely passionate about and determined to have come to fruition...during this pandemic we all have been effected greatly. I have received many calls from business owners in tears who have been panicked and distressed, because they didn’t know how they were going to make ends meet. Quite a few of these businesses...
A Day To Remember
A Memorial Day unlike any in living memory. No parade, no marching band, no families waving from street corners and driveways and front porches, no speeches at the Veterans’ Memorial on Maple Ave. No listening crowds, no walkers to Park Cemetery, no trumpets echoing “Taps” from hidden locations. The unofficial opening event of the Summer revealed a world, a...
Local Pastor Gifted With Parade
Mantua - Pastor Chad Delaney from the Mantua Center Christian Church last held services in person on March 7th. But his work leading the small Disciples of Christ community of believers has been busier than ever, even during while many have been sheltering in place at home. During this trying time, Delaney has learned to work through pastoral care...
2020 Winter Writing Festival Winners Announced!
Ravenna - “I’m not sure who is teaching those ninth graders, but whoever it is, does a good job. Reading these five pieces, I felt inspired!” wrote David Dix, high school judge of the 2nd Annual Winter Writing Festival Student Writing competition held this spring as part of the 2nd Annual Winter Writing Festival festivities in downtown Ravenna on...
Crestwood School Board News
Mantua - At their last meeting, Crestwood Superintendent David Toth shared that at the start of that week, the district’s nutrition team had distributed 35,172 meals to local families. While the school year has progressed virtually, Toth noted that no new instruction will take place after May 22nd. He shared that each school will determine the review and practice...
Mantua Native To Compete On Season 2 of “The Titan Games”
NBC’s hit athletic competition series The Titan Games returns for its second season on Monday, May 25 with a two-hour episode at 8/7c. This season, the competition breaks down into three regional brackets: West, Central and East. Mantua, Ohio native, Andrew Hanus, will be competing for the East Region for his chance to compete on Mount Olympus in order to...
Garrettsville-Hiram Rotary Report
The Rotary Club of Garrettsville-Hiram met in the cloud on May 13, 2020 to discuss, among other things, returning to meeting Mondays at noon in Cal’s II, Sky Plaza, Garrettsville. Final word will be out ASAP, to coincide with general opening of restaurants. In other business : The co-operation with Toastmasters for instruction in public speaking for students is still...
Trail Lake Park Development
There’s a lot of excitement about the future Trail Lake Park on Ravenna Road! The Park District acquired the property on the southern boundary of Herrick Fen State Nature Preserve in Streetsboro thanks to two Clean Ohio Conservation Fund grants and a Land and Water Conservation Fund grant, matched by in-kind contributions from the previous landowners. The park property...
Garrettsville Farmers’ Market Launches Produce Perks Nutrition Incentive Program
Fresh, healthy produce is now more affordable in Garrettsville for people shopping with SNAP (formerly known as Food Stamps). Garrettsville Farmers’ Market is excited to announce the launch of the Produce Perks program, which provides a dollar-for-dollar match to SNAP customers to spend on fruits and vegetables. The program helps our community members using federal benefits stretch their grocery...
Freedom Township Announces Spring Clean Up Days
Freedom Township has announced the spring clean-up days for township residents will be held as follows: Thursday, June 11 • Noon to 6:00 p.m. Friday, June 12 • Noon to 8:00 p.m. Saturday, June 13 • 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The drop off location will be the Township Garage on State Route 700 Proof of residency required NO TIRES will be accepted. NO Paint,...
Fire District Approves Chassis Swap on Ambulance
Windham - Windham Volunteer Fire District (WVFD) held a long discussion on what to do with ambulance 2812 at their most recent meeting. This ambulance has been a “problem child” since day one. The ambulance starts but doesn’t restart immediately if it’s turned off. After having it looked at, it was determined that the problem would be labor intensive...
Say What?!? Garrettsville Used to Hold Record for Largest Red Oak
Garrettsville - Most people who have grown up in the Garrettsville area know that the Lifesaver was invented here. We were known for producing the most maple syrup in the world and the great train robbery of 1935, but few people are aware that Garrettsville had the largest Red Oak tree in the World. Yes, the world! The tree was...
