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...
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...
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...
20th Century Club News
Nasreen Kitko was the presenter of the program on Comics and Super Heroes for the members of the Twentieth Century Club of Garrettsville on February 20, 2025 at the home of Mary Furillo, who was assisted by Maureen See and Shirley Danku. Roll call was responded to by naming one’s favorite comic or SuperHero. The “usual suspects” were named,...
Streetsboro wrestling earns fourth place at D-II sectional tournament
Streetsboro Rockets’ wrestling Coach Mark Skonieczny said he wanted to not just see his experienced wrestlers advance to the district tournament but also some underclassmen make the cut as well. The Rockets advanced a nice mix of upper and underclassmen by having six wrestlers advance along with two district alternates to take fourth place with a score of 156.0...
Red Devils’ wrestling finishes as runners-up at D-III sectional tournament
Youth may have defined the Crestwood Red Devils’ wrestling team all season, but they grew up in a big way at the Ohio High School Athletic Association Division III sectional tournament. The Red Devils crowned two champions and qualified 10 wrestlers to the district tournament to score 156.0 points last Saturday at Rootstown High School. “I was happy with the...
James H. Barrow Biological Field Station announces2025 summer camp options
The James H. Barrow Biological Field Station is excited to announce its summer 2025 Hiram College Summer Camps at the Field Station. With opportunities for students aged 2.5 – 15 with varying interests from hikes to geology and nature journaling — there is something for every child this summer at the Field Station! These hands-on camps provide an immersive...
JAG Historical Society News
At their first regular meeting of 2025—after January’s meeting was canceled due to cold weather—the James A. Garfield Historical Society addressed the election of officers and various housekeeping matters. The newly elected officers are President Debbie Smith, Vice President Kit Semplak, Secretary Tim Smith, and Treasurer Connie Knop, with board members Lynn Fry and Barb Hardesty. Discussions covered topics such...
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 or...
Local Educators Honored with Crash-a-Class Mini-Grants
Excitement filled the classrooms at Newton Falls Exempted Village Schools and James A Garfield Local Schools as two outstanding educators were surprised with the Crash-a-Class Mini-Grant, an initiative created by Shannan Jursa to recognize and support outstanding educators in our local classrooms. Each winning educator received a $1,000 grant to support innovative classroom projects, a surprise visit, and a...
Upcoming programs at the G’ville Branch
As we kick off a new gardening season, join Jill Halligan from the OSU Extension office at the Garrettsville Library on Monday, March 10 from 1:00 – 3:00 pm to learn more about building and sustaining a rain garden. Registration required. Limited to 30 participants. Register here: https://events.portagelibrary.org/event/12774541. This event is intended for adults. Allen and Sally Kelly, volunteers from...
Council Highlights: Swearing-In Ceremony, Shop with a Hero Fundraiser, and Rate Adjustments
At February’s Council meeting, Hiram Village Mayor Anne Haynam conducted a swearing-in ceremony for the Department’s two newest Firefighter/EMTs. That evening, Samantha Stone and Emmalisa Falkowski each took an oath of office. In similar news, Police Chief Brian Gregory noted that the 2025 Pancake Breakfast Fundraiser for the “Shop with a Hero” program will take place on Saturday, April 5th from...
Rocket girls’ basketball bests Field to defend district banner
For the second straight season, it was a clash of Metro Athletic Conference rivals who dueling for a district title. Once again, the Streetsboro Rockets girls’ basketball team prevailed, beating Portage County foe and MAC rival Field 60-48 in the Ohio High School Athletic Association Division IV Northeast 4 district championship last Saturday evening at Lordstown High School in...
This & That New and Used Goods store provides different twist
There are plenty of thrift stores and discount stores around Ravenna. But there has never been a store that offers both thrift and discount shopping until the This and That New and Used Goods store opened its doors on Jan. 31. “We have two aspects,” store owner Diana Wilson told The Weekly Villager. “We have the thrift store section-everyone enjoys...
Fulbright Scholars from Hiram College visit Newton Falls Kiwanis
Two Fulbright scholars from Hiram College visited and spoke with the Kiwanis Club of Newton Falls. They shared their teaching experiences as well as their travels in the United States, including Vanina’s visit to a rainy Times Square, NYC, for New Year’s Eve. Pictured, standing: Kiwanis Pres A. Zimmermann, secretary E. Yura, K. Warner, T. Houk, B. Wujcik, sponsor R. Dempsey,...
Hiram College Gelbke Fine Arts Center Hosts “Innovation, Design, Artistic Expression: An Exhibition Showcasing 25 Years of the Progressive Annual Report”
Starting on February 19, Hiram College’s Gelbke Fine Arts Center will display “Innovation, Design, Artistic Expression: An Exhibition Showcasing 25 Years of the Progressive Annual Report.” “Progressive’s offbeat annual reports all have a fine-arts edge that merges the talents of the designers, the text of the client and the artwork of some of the nation’s finest artists,” Marcia Pledger,...
Streetsboro wrestling takes third place at MAC tournament
Despite having a more complete team this season, the Streetsboro Rockets’ wrestling team’s depth in the upper weights remains one of its greatest Achilles’ heel. The Rockets crowned four champions to take third place at the Metro Athletic Conference tournament by scoring 131.5 points last Saturday at Woodridge High School in Peninsula. “My upper weights are some first-year wrestlers that...
Hiram College partners with Hiram Historical Society for James A. Garfield Flag Display and Lecture
Hiram College and the Hiram Historical Society are partnering to present a rare opportunity to view the historic U.S. flag made for James A. Garfield in 1880. This three-day public exhibition will take place in Hiram College’s Kennedy Center Ballroom, culminating with a special lecture by historian and biographer C.W. Goodyear on February 22 at noon. Event Dates: Thursday,...
Crestwood soccer Coach Eric Sway departs for Kenston
According to Eric Sway, although his time as the Crestwood soccer coach lasted only three seasons, he is confident that he is leaving the program in better shape than what it was when he started. The third-year Red Devil boys’ and second-year girls’ soccer coach’s next coaching opportunity will keep him on State Route 422, having been announced as...
Garfield G-Men girls’ bowling crowned MVAC champions, boys take fourth place
It truly was the perfect week for the Garfield G-Men girls’ bowling team. After snagging a team berth in the Ohio High School Athletic Association Division II district tournament and wrapping up a perfect conference record, the G-Men took first place at the Mahoning Valley Athletic Conference tournament by bowling a 3268 last Friday at the Skylane Bowling Alley...
Red Devil girls’ basketball surges past Wolverines to repeat as sectional champion
Losing on their home court is just not something the Crestwood Red Devils girls’ basketball team considers an option. The Red Devils opened up postseason play by triumphing 71-43 against Chagrin Valley Conference rival West Geauga in the Ohio High School Athletic Association Northeast 2 Division IV sectional championship last Saturday evening at Mantua. “I think for the girls it...
Crestwood Board Meeting Recap: Sports League Decision, Score Table Dedication, and ESC Proposal
At the beginning of the Crestwood School Board’s February meeting, Superintendent Aireane Curtis shared that the potential of Crestwood joining a potential new sports league is on hold for now. She noted that not enough schools committed to participate in a potential new league at this juncture. For now, Crestwood will remain in the Chagrin Valley Conference. She noted...
Council Discusses Utility Reimbursements, NOPEC Grants, and Village Concerns
The Garrettsville Village Council convened on Tuesday, February 12, for its second meeting of the year. Present at the meeting were Councilpersons Tom Hardesty, John Chambers, Sheri Johnson, Richard Beatty, and Jeff Kaiser; Mayor Rick Patrick; Solicitor William Mason; Fiscal Officer Donna Love; and Assistant Fiscal Officer Tara Beatty. Also in attendance were Police Chief Tim Christopher, Sergeants Keith...
JAG Musical Theatre Hosts ‘Supermarket Sweep’ Fundraiser for Mamma Mia! and NYC Choir Trip
The James A. Garfield High School Musical Theatre department is preparing to bring the hit musical Mamma Mia! to the stage this spring, promising audiences an energetic and fun-filled performance featuring ABBA’s greatest hits. Meanwhile, the JAG Choir is looking forward to an exciting trip to New York City in November 2025, where students will have the opportunity to...
Portage Foundation Hosts Inaugural Pickleball Tournament and Fundraiser on March 1st
The Portage Foundation is thrilled to announce its first-ever Pickleball Tournament and Fundraiser, taking place on March 1, 2025, at the Western Reserve Racquet and Fitness Club in Streetsboro. This exciting event promises friendly competition, community connection, and a shared commitment to supporting this local nonprofit organization. Pickleball enthusiasts, newcomers, and spectators alike are invited to join us for this...
Hometown Urgent Care holds “ribbon-cutting” ceremony
Before 2021, there were no Urgent Care & Occupational Health centers located in Portage County. Now there are two Urgent Care centers in the county and the Hometown Urgent Care Center officially hosted its “ribbon-cutting” ceremony last Thursday afternoon in Ravenna. “As far as Ravenna is concerned and the Chamber’s perspective, it is awesome,” Ravenna Area Chamber of Commerce Executive...
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 or...
