Mantua Township
The Mantua Township trustees have a full schedule planned for 2024. Included are upgrading the community park and ballfields with the hopes of including a pavilion and bathroom facilities, completing the sewer and drinking water projects, and completing the renovations of the township service department. All projects are scheduled to be completed by the end of 2025.
The Mantua Township “Historic District Boundary Increase” has been approved and is now listed on the National Registry of Historic Places. See all the historic details posted on the township’s website at https://mantuatownshipohio.gov/documents-1.
Due to the confusion and lack of timely action by their state legislators, the Mantua Township trustees have decided and recently approved a one-year moratorium on all commercial cultivation, processing or retail sales of recreational cannabis within the political subdivision of Mantua Township. The trustees will revisit the cannabis moratorium language when more news comes its way from Columbus.
Mantua Township will increase all fees associated with West Lawn Cemetery this spring. Many highly desirable plots are available for individuals and families. You can visit this beautiful cemetery any time. If interested in additional information or pricing, call the cemetery sexton or a township trustee at 330-357-8013.
Los Venados Mexican Restaurant recently opened at 11697 Painesville Ravenna Rd.
Village of Mantua
Dr. David Toth, the Crestwood Schools superintendent, will host “Coffee with the Superintendent” on Tuesday, Jan. 23 at the Crestwood Central Offices at 10880 John Edward Dr. There will be two sessions – at 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.
“It’s an open, informal session in which people can talk to Dr. Toth about anything and share their concerns,” Mantua-Shalersville Area Chamber of Commerce President Randy Ellis said.
Donuts and coffee will be available. Dr. Toth does this a couple times a year. There will be another “Coffee with the Superintendent” in March.
The Crestwood High Drama Club will present “Winter One Acts” – several one-act plays from 2 to 6 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 20 and Sunday, Jan. 21 at the Crestwood 7-12 campus stage at 10919 Main St. The students organized, wrote and will direct these short plays. Concessions will be sold along with candy grams. A $5 donation is recommended.
Freedom
Freedom is working with State Representative Gail Pavliga on a few projects that the township would like submitted for the capital budget. One of those projects is completing the Freedom Historical Society building. The township is working to get funding so there can be historical farming equipment and a workshop there.
The historical society ADA parking spots and front steps project will start this month, weather permitting.
The Asbury Road culvert project is complete, and the road is open.
The township is working on a grant with Regional Planning to apply for the Ohio Recreational Trail Program for a walking path at the township park.
Village of Windham
The Village of Windham had its annual “Parade of Lights” on Dec. 10 in front of the Windham Community Center on East Center Street. Residents put holiday lights on their cars, the fire trucks arrived, and there were crafts for the kids along with hot dogs and hot chocolate. There was also a parade that went from the Dollar Store on North Main Street to the community center. After the parade, Santa Claus arrived.
“It was a success,” new Mayor Lawrence Cunningham said. “We had quite a few Windham residents there.”
Sheila Moore recently opened an ice cream store called Lemon Zest on East Center Street directly across from the community center. For now, it is a walk-up window, but by spring there will be much more, and the name of the restaurant will be Lemon Zest Café and Market.
Charles Gasior was accepted as the village’s new solicitor Dec. 19.
Village of Hiram
The Village of Hiram will present its annual State of the Village address at its next council meeting at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 9 at Town Hall. New Mayor Anne Haynam will speak, and those in attendance can give public comments. The meeting is open to the public.
“I think the State of the Village is important for Hiram residents,” Haynam said.
Hiram Township
Hiram Township is working with the Village of Hiram on possibly changing the fire/EMS contract it has with the village.
The township kept its same chair and trustees for 2024.
Garrettsville
Fitzgerald’s Handmade Limited has closed its brick-and-mortar doors at 8108 Main St. and will now work out of the owners’ home.
