Native Plant Meadow at JAG Campus
Garrettsville - Approximately 40 million acres are planted as lawns across the United States, either in residential or commercial properties or golf courses. “That’s more land devoted to lawns than to irrigated crops like corn or wheat,” Lynn Vogel, Storm Water Educator at the Portage Soil and Water Conservation District, shared. In cities across the country, 30-60% of fresh water...
JAG Adds More Space to Learn & Grow
Garrettsville - While school has been out for the summer break, folks at James A. Garfield Schools have been getting the JAG campus ready for students. In addition to the usual cleaning, mopping, and sanitizing that take place before every school year begins, crews have been hard at work digging, cementing, and planting more trees. And as a result...
G-men University Hosts Back To School Bash
Garrettsville - On Sunday, August 22nd from 4 - 6 pm at the JAG Campus, families are invited to a fun night of carnival games, free food, and help to get ready for the coming school year. The first of what organizers hope will be an annual event will take place on the front lawn of the school. “This event...
Windham BOE Fills Vacancies Before School Starts
Windham - Windham Board of Education (BOE) met for their regularly scheduled meeting recently with one board member absent. The meeting was called to order and the Pledge of Allegiance recited before board president Mandy Berardinelli turned the floor over to guest John Harris of the Portage County District Library (PCDL). Harris was there to share about the library...
David Haney named 23rd President of Hiram College
Hiram - The Hiram College Board of Trustees has appointed David P. Haney, Ph.D., as the 23rd president of Hiram College, effectively immediately. Serving as the interim president since fall 2020, Dr. Haney is an accomplished higher education leader with expertise in strategic planning. Dean Scarborough, chair of the Hiram College Board of Trustees, said the decision was due in...
JAG Grad Attends West Point Academy
Garrettsville - “From an early age, we joked he’ll end up in the military because of how his mind works,” Mantua resident Jason Wysong noted. “We didn’t realize that would actually come to fruition,” his wife Carolyn added. They shared that that their son, Nolan, began considering attending a military service academy in eighth grade, and eventually selected West...
Crestwood School Board News
Mantua - At their last meeting, the school board recognized the 2021 retirees from the district. Among them, Sally Benner (28 years of service); Lorraine Calapa (21 years); – Cheryl Goggin (21 years); Carol Gries (31 years); Tommy Kessler (33 years); Laura Phelps (31 years); Mary Jo Stoneburg (28 years); and Celia Tench (20 years of service). In addition,...
Newton Falls Kiwanis Presents Books
Newton Falls - To promote reading, the Kiwanis Club of Newton Falls donated new books to all second graders this year since school closed early last year. Their teachers are Brenda Hibbard, Linda McIntosh, and Robyn Minkewicz. Kiwanis also presented books to each first grader to encourage summer reading. The teachers who handled the distribution are Lisa Gregory, Anne Mingus,...
Elisha Bly’s work showcased at the Baldwin Wallace University Ovation 2021 Day of Excellence
Berea - Elisha Bly of Garrettsville was among over 100 students whose exceptional academic work was showcased during the Baldwin Wallace University Ovation 2021 Day of Excellence. Bly, a graduate of James A. Garfield High School, presented a project titled “Environmental Effects of Redlining on Soil Quality in Cleveland, OH.” Each spring, the Day of Excellence recognizes student success in...
Hiram College earns Tree Campus Higher Education® Recognition by Arbor Day Foundation
The Arbor Day Foundation has honored Hiram College for its commitment to effective urban forest management with the Tree Campus Higher Education® recognition. The Tree Campus Higher Education program honors colleges and universities for effective campus forest management, as well as engaging staff and students in conservation goals. Hiram achieved the title by meeting Tree Campus Higher Education’s five standards,...
Beloved JAG Teacher and Coach John Bennett Retires
Garrettsville - John Bennett, long-time teacher and coach in the James A. Garfield School District, shared that he’s been an athlete since the age of five, when he began playing baseball on the team coached by his father. He honed his skills, and played all the way through high school. He continued his athletic career at Hiram College, where...
Crestwood School Board News
Mantua - As a result of the failure of Issue 6 this spring, the School Board discussed options and considerations for the district’s financial situation. Superintendent David Toth noted that the district has made cuts of over two million dollars over the last 5 years. In addition, the planned closure of the Crestwood Middle School stating next school year...
Hiram College Adds 11-Year to Basketball Roster
Hiram - Recently 11-year-old Haley Kimble celebrated a big win when she became the newest, youngest member signed to the Terriers Women’s Basketball team. According to Hayley’s mom Kelly Kimble of Thompson, Ohio, her daughter is a huge basketball fan. Several years ago, Hayley participated in a program through the Cleveland Clinic during which she met Darius Garland from...
In a challenging year, Newton Falls school leaders are helping students with ‘trauma-informed education;” lauded with award
Newton Falls - In a year where students, teachers, and staff were faced with unprecedented obstacles, Newton Falls is striving to rise above the struggles by increasing positivity among students - and prepare for more help for students this coming summer.Many schools throughout the nation realized the importance of ‘trauma-informed’ education - a type of education that includes training...
JAG Custodians Named “Villagers of The Year”
Congratulations to the James A Garfield Custodians who have been named “Villagers of the Year”! This amazing group didn’t just sit back and wait for things to fall into place, they set their minds to thinking outside of the box, adjusting and figuring out how to they could make a difference for others during the shut-downs and the unknown times...
Kent State University Geauga Memorializes Longtime Employee John Granny
Burton - Kent State University unexpectedly lost one of its most dedicated and longtime employees in July 2020. John Granny, director of Business Affairs for Kent State Geauga and the Twinsburg Academic Center, passed away suddenly after more than 30 years of service to the university. “John’s genuine smile and welcoming demeanor made him a beloved member of our campus...
The Portage County Literacy Coalition and Aspire Receives Grant from the Kent Rotary Foundation
The Portage County Literacy Coalition received a grant from the Kent Rotary Foundation for the Maplewood Career Center Aspire Program. The amount of the grant is $2,000 dollars. The grant from the Kent Rotary Foundation will be used for adult students in the Aspire Program to work towards their GED/HSE while working on a certification in the area of...
New Mural Unveiled at Crestwood Intermediate School
Mantua - A new mural has been added to the wall at Crestwood Intermediate School, that artist Amanda Wascovich describes as “modern, whimsical graffiti.” The word ‘believe’ is larger than life and filled with images depicting sports, hobbies, foods, pets -- all images inspired by CIS students. “The idea of a mural started when our principal, Mr. Griffis, talked to...
Windham School Board News
Windham - The Windham Board of Education (BOE) met for their regularly scheduled meeting with two members in attendance and two via Zoom. One member was absent. BOE President Mandy Berardinelli called the meeting to order. In the president’s report, Berardinell reported that National Honor Society (NHS) Jr/Sr. high inductions are set for April 29th at 9 am. There will...
Hiram College announces three new majors and enhanced online program
Hiram - Following an extensive review of academic programs, Hiram College is pleased to announce the addition of three new in-demand majors to join the list of existing degree programs available to students. Beginning in fall 2021, students enrolled on campus will have the opportunity to major in supply chain management, esports and gaming administration, and digital marketing. Supply...
Preston Superstore Donation Jumpstarts Kent State Geauga’s Renovation Fundraising Campaign
Burton - As Kent State Geauga embarks upon two facility improvements for the Geauga Campus in Burton, the leadership is pleased to announce an initial gift to the project from Preston Superstore and the Preston Family. The campus improvements will include constructing a new nursing lab and instructional space and a new student learning commons. Both of these projects...
NEOMED’s College of Medicine Students Celebrate Residency Matches
Rootstown – The spirit of the Northeast Ohio Medical University College of Medicine Match Day celebration was alive and well as fourth-year students reveled in the news of their residency matches. Per tradition, 138 NEOMED medicine students waited until noon on National Match Day, Friday, March 19, to learn their residency match. The email arriving precisely at noon from the...
Windham Schools News
Windham - Windham Board of Education (BOE) met in person recently with all but one member in attendance. After the usual Pledge of Allegiance and moment of silence, BOE President Mandy Berardinelli reported that track, baseball and softball practices have started. She also reported that the student run food pantry has a drive-thru food distribution on Tuesdays, and the students...
NEOMED and University Hospitals Forge Partnership to Increase Training of Medical Students : Aim to produce more future physicians from and for Ohio
Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED) and University Hospitals in Cleveland announced plans to have up to 24 third-year students from NEOMED’s College of Medicine perform their clinical rotations at University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center and several community medical centers, each year. The collaboration aligns with goals of both institutions to train more talented physicians to serve the health care needs...
Garrettsville Wrestling: 2 for 2 at State
This past weekend, two J.A. Garfield wrestlers travelled to Marion Harding High School to compete in the OHSAA Individual State Wrestling Championships and both left as All-Ohio wrestlers after a grueling two day tournament that pitted them against the best in the state at their respective weights. Hunter Andel, a sophomore, qualified at the 145 pound weight class. He won...
Windham School Board News
Windham - The Windham Board of Education (BOE) met recently with a quorum of members in attendance. The minutes and financial reports for the month of January were approved as presented. Superintendent Aireane Curtis reported that, Thursday would be the day the staff was scheduled for COVID vaccine if they wanted it. They also have the second dose scheduled for...
Windham Board of Education News
Windham - The Windham Board of Education (BOE) met with one board member physically attending and the rest through video. After reciting the Pledge of Allegiance, President Mandy Berardinelli reported that the giving tree gave out help for 60 families during the Christmas season. The student food pantry will continue to supply food to those students in need. They...
Crestwood School Board News
Mantua - At their last meeting, Superintendent David Toth publicly recognized Food Service Director Jennifer Bujak-Hirsch and her Nutrition Service team for helping to support Crestwood students and their families throughout the Covid-19 pandemic. Mr. Toth noted that the team served more than 300,000 meals to area families, both in school and via drive-through services from March through December...
Crestwood School Board News
Mantua - At their recent organizational meeting, the Crestwood School Board elected Karen Schulz to serve as Board President and Kristen Cavanaugh to serve as Vice President in 2021. They determined that the board would continue the pattern of meeting monthly at the Crestwood Primary School building at 7 pm. In their first regular meeting of 2021, which was held...
Crestwood Distributes Food and Holiday Cheer
Mantua - A week or so before the final meal distribution before the Christmas, Jennifer Bujak-Hirsch, Director of Nutrition Services at the Crestwood Local School District had an idea. The Crestwood Local School District has provided over 300,000 meals since the pandemic began in March. And while local families have appreciated receiving breakfasts and lunches, she thought, after a...
