Costs adding up around Mantua’s police chief firing
- The Village of Mantua’s Oct. 21-22 hearing that resulted in Council firing former Police Chief Joseph Urso carries a slew of financial consequences.
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Hiram takes control of Mantua’s police department, dispatch center
- Mantua Village Council on Dec. 16 unanimously approved a $170,000 contract handing Hiram Village control of its police department and dispatch center. Hiram’s village council has already authorized the contract.
Hike-and-bike trail connection faces opposition in Mantua
- Continued opposition to a hike-and-bike trail connection in Mantua Township may mean no connection at all. In short, residents and elected officials aren’t on board.
County roundup: Hiram offers police management to Mantua, plus Freedom, Garrettsville and Windham news
- Village council has authorized Mayor Anne Haynam to offer a management contract to the Village of Mantua that would allow the Hiram Police Department to manage the Mantua Village Police Department on a temporary basis.
Former council member’s petition calls for Mantua mayor resignation
-Wendy DiAlesandro
Nearly a month after removing former Mantua Police Chief Joe Urso from his post, village council on Nov. 18 received a petition calling for Mayor Tammy Meyer’s resignation.
Letter to the editor: Another rebuttal to letter on the firing of Mantua Police Chief
-Letter to the editor
Regarding the recent letter supporting the termination of former Mantua Police Chief Joe Urso, several of the stated claims are factually incorrect and contradicted by publicly available records, state administrative rules, and Mantua’s own documented history. For the sake of accuracy and community understanding, I want to clarify the record.
Letter to the editor: Rebuttal to letter on Mantua Police Chief Urso’s firing
-Letter to the editor
After reviewing a recent public statement, I believe it is necessary to correct several inaccuracies and clarify factual information.
County roundup: Fire takes Hiram assistant fire chief’s historic home, plus news from Garrettsville, Mantua and Windham
-Roger Gordon
House fires are always awful, but the timing couldn’t have been worse for the searing blaze Nov. 11 that burned Hiram Village Fire Department Assistant Chief Jason Groselle and his family’s historic home on Ryder Road to the ground. Fortunately, nobody was home when the fire happened.
Urso appeals firing in lawsuit against Mantua officials
-Wendy DiAlesandro
The recently fired chief of Mantua police, Joe Urso, has appealed his dismissal in Portage County Common Pleas Court, arguing that the village council hearing against him was unfair and that he was denied due process.
Half-day hearing leads to firing of Mantua Village Police Chief Joe Urso
-Wendy DiAlesandro
In a marathon 12-hour hearing that stretched from 6 p.m. Oct. 21 to just short of 6 a.m. Oct. 22, Mantua Village Council ousted Police Chief Joe Urso, citing a smorgasbord of charges.
Mantua approves outdoor drinking area in village downtown
-Wendy DiAlesandro
In addition to a long hearing that led to the firing of Police Chief Joe Urso, Mantua Village Council also approved Mantua’s first Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area in a meeting that began on Oct. 21.
Mantua Village Council fires police chief, agreeing with mayor’s allegations
-Wendy DiAlesandro
After an all-night hearing, Mantua Village Council voted in the early hours of Oct. 22 to oust Police Chief Joe Urso, who has headed the department since November 2017.
County roundup: Mantua to host public forum about DORA proposal, plus news from Freedom, Hiram, Mantua and Nelson
-Roger Gordon
The Mantua Village Council will hold an open meeting at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 21 and welcome your comments on the DORA proposal. The Mantua-Shalersville Area Chamber of Commerce has requested that the downtown area be designated as a “Designated Outdoor Recreational Area,” which would exempt that area from open-container laws.
County roundup: Main Street Mantua gets a face lift, plus news from Freedom, Garrettsville, Hiram, and Windham
-Roger Gordon
The Mantua-Shalersville Area Chamber of Commerce will host a ribbon-cutting celebration at 5 p.m. Friday, Sept. 26 for the completed Facade on Main Street in Mantua.
Documenters: Mantua Village Council meeting for Sept. 16, 2025
-Noell Wolfgram Evans
The first order of business of the council was to hear a report from Tia Rutledge from Portage County Water Resources. She provided an update on the current project in the village to replace the water mains.
County roundup: Garrettsville fundraiser supports family of Michael Schustrich
-Roger Gordon
The Scotch Doubles Benefit for Michael Schustrich will be at 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 6 at SkyLane Bowling at 8311 Windham St. Michael (Mikey) was tragically killed at work, leaving behind his wife and newborn son.
Documenters: Mantua Township Trustees meeting for Aug. 7, 2025
-Bethany Ulrick
The trustees altered their contract with Nelson Granite to purchase one columbarium for the cemetery instead of two. They expect the project to now cost around $20,000.
Mantua-based Hearts for Music helping connect people through song
-Audrey Trevarthan
In 2018, Kitrael Chin was contacted by a music group for those with special needs based in St. Petersburg, Russia. The group, named Sunny Notes, wanted Hearts for Music – the Mantua-based orchestra for people with special needs that Chin founded – to play for them, and vice versa. Chin liked the idea.