Category: News

Madi Baker of Carrollton closed out her junior fair career with a win in the won the coveted Super Showmanship contest at the 2024 Carroll County Fair. Baker won the dairy showman of showmen title and earned the right to compete against eight other showman of showmen Friday morning. Contestants instructed the other participants on how to show the species they represented and then served as judge for that species

By Carol McIntire Editor Three records were broken and one was literally smashed when the champion market goats were sold during the 2024 Carroll County Junior Fair Small Animal Sale.  New marks were etched in the record books for the grand and reserve champion goats and the reserve champion market goat, but the record for the champion goat carcass was smashed with the new mark certain to stand for years

By Carol McIntire Editor Tractor pulling is a sport that spans the ages and decades. Mark Cargill, 82, and Blake McIntire, 9, proved that to be true last week at the Friday deadweight tractor pull at the 2024 Carroll County Fair.  Cargill has been a regular puller on a John Deere tractor at the county pull for about 65 years. McIntire made his first trip to the sled Thursday on

One person is dead after a shooting July 15 in Carroll County that involved an FBI officer. The FBI office in Cleveland released the following statement July 16 regarding the shooting, which occurred at about 11:15 a.m. “The FBI is reviewing an agent-involved shooting which occurred July 15, 2024, at approximately 11:15 am in Carrollton, Ohio. One subject was wounded and transported to a local hospital for further treatment where they succumbed

Two days after fire destroyed a 40×100-feet barn used to store hay and straw, smoke continued to escape from bales of hay exposed when the structure collapsed. Augusta Volunteer Fire Department Chief Charles Wright said his department was toned June 12 at 8:50 p.m. for a fully involved structure fire at 1235 Brush Rd., Minerva. “When we arrived, we found the barn fully involved in flames and partially collapsed,” Wright

Officials for the local group known as Pullin for a Cause recently presented a check for $68,926.80 to Akron Children’s Hospital, representing proceeds from the 2024 tractor pull. Maryann Smith, who along with her husband, Bud, head up the annual event, was on hand for the presentation along with pull volunteers Jennifer Cramer and Greg Young. The check was presented to Taylor Cooper, special events coordinator for Akron Children’s Hospital,

By Carol McIntire Editor Thanks to a local historian, the 154-year history of Carrollton High School is, as they say, “in the books.” It’s literally “in the books” thanks to Ronald J. (Ron) Colaprete, who recently finished and published a 400-plus page book that chronicles the history of the school back to its opening date on Nov. 15, 1869. The former history teacher spent the last three years searching historical

An investigation will be conducted to determine the cause of the flash fire on an oil pad that sent two men to the hospital. Carroll County Emergency Management Agency (EMA) Director Tom Cottis said the flash fire occurred on an oil pad on Branch Rd. in Loudon Twp. just after 8 a.m. Wednesday morning. Cottis said a flash fire occurred from an underground overflow holding tank and the two men

By Carol McIntire Editor The return of fireworks to the Carroll County fairgrounds to celebrate July 4th was a huge success and plans are already in the works for next year. Members of the Fraternal Order of Eagles (FOE) Ladies Auxiliary #2185 said the event, held July 5, was such a success, they have a nice deposit for the 2025 event. “We took in $8,000 at the event, which is

By Carol McIntire Editor Encino Energy (EAP Ohio) is producing over half the oil in Ohio, according to first quarter 2024 figures released recently by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Oil and Gas. Oil production from Encino represented 51.3 percent of all Ohio Utica Shale oil production during the first period. The percentage translates into 3,708,011 barrels of oil in the first quarter.  According to Ray Walker,

Several Carroll, Columbiana and Harrison County projects received funding from House Bill 2, the state’s two-year construction budget for capital projects throughout the state.The Capital Budget will make historic invests in local community projects, according to Monidca Robb Bladel, who represents Carroll and Columbiana counties in the Ohio House, and Don Jones, who represents Harrison County.The bill will allocate more than $4.2 billion for projects, including $717 million in one-time

The County County District Library held its annual worm race championship this year titled “Big Wandering Worm Off!”  Andrew Sommer, 9, took the first-place spot out of the four finalists.  Sommer, who took the big prize was the youngest competitor in the finals joined by finalists Mason Wetherwax, 13; Victoria Ferren, 13; and Evan Sommer, 13. Each worm gave its best effort, but Sommer won out of approximately 56 racers

By Jacquie Humphrey  CCM Correspondent Conotton Valley Board of Education members unanimously agreed to place a 4-mill tax levy on the Nov. 5 general election ballot during a June 27 special meeting.  The board met in an early morning session to address the issue of placing an additional tax levy for the purpose of permanent improvements. All members were in attendance and voted in favor of the proposed 4-mill levy.

The Fraternal Order of Eagles (FOE) Ladies Auxiliary #2185i s hosting the return of the annual fireworks celebration to the Carroll County fairgrounds Friday, July 5.  Schedule of events Vendor setup begins at 2 p.m. Gates open at 4 p.m. for the vendor fair, which will be located under the grandstand and on the midway. Food trucks will be located on the midway. D.J. Tyree will spin the tunes from

By Carol McIntire Editor Jensen and Hudson Stull are gearing up for what they hope is the ride of their lives in a Soap Box Derby car next month. The brothers, the sons of Brian and Crissy (Guess) Stull of Tuscarawas County are both qualified and plan to compete in the 86th First Energy All American Soap Box Derby in Akron July 20. The race is held Saturday, culminating a

Sherrodsville Volunteer Fire Department was one of five departments which responded to a fire in the former Roswell School, which has been turned into a private residence.The departments were dispatched to the scene at by Tuscarawas County 911 at approximately 5:30 p.m. June 17 with Sherrodsville arriving first to the scene.According to Sherrodsville Fire Chief Buddy Miller, the blaze began on the stove in the kitchen and was mostly contained

Village of Minerva officials cut the ribbon and held an open house June 7 to mark the opening of its new Customer Service Station. The Customer Service Station is a project that came about after conversations between staff and members of village council. Oftentimes visitors to village hall had difficulty finding the right employee on the correct floor to get the information they needed.  There is now a centralized location

By Carol McIntire Editor Carrollton Exempted Village School District received a Healthy Meals Incentives Recognition Award for improving the nutritional quality of school meals. The recipients are headed to Las Vegas later this year to accept it.  Awarded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) in collaboration with Action for Healthy Kids (AFHK), Carrollton Schools received the “Innovation in Nutrition Education Award” for work in

A Minerva area man is dead following a standoff with law enforcement June 24 in Carroll County. Sheriff Calvin Graham said his officers were called to a home in the 9000 block of Metro St. for suicidal male with a gun pointed at this wife at 3:15 p.m. The woman was able to escape from the home. Shots were fired at deputies at 3:24 p.m. Deputies were able to take

Carroll County Sheriff officials are awaiting the arrival of BCI and the county coroner at the site of a shooting outside Minerva. Sheriff Calvin Graham said he could not release any details at this time. The Messenger will provide details as they become available.

By Carol McIntire Editor The park on the hill or “Hill Park” in Amsterdam received an official name during a June 1 ceremony.  The park was named Pepperling Park in honor of former Amsterdam Mayor Gary Pepperling, who was instrumental in the development of the park, located on the “hill” near the intersection of Liberty and Oler streets. “I’m really humbled by this,” Pepperling said after current Mayor Jim Phillips

By Carol McIntire Editor FFA Camp Muskingum officials celebrated a very “Iconic” spot at the Leeville Lake camp and an “Iconic” employee during a ribbon cutting ceremony for the Blue Gill Rock amphitheater June 4. The iconic camp spot – Blue Gill Rock – and the iconic employee – Gerry Marteney- both meet Webster’s definition of iconic: “very famous or popular.” Blue Gill Rock, has been a popular spot at

The Ohio Department of Transportation last week announced a major project affecting traffic on SR 39 east of Salineville. Work was scheduled to begin June 10 on SR 39 east of Salineville from State Route (SR) 164 to Clarks Mills Road/Steubenville Pike Rd. The closure is the first of three sections from Salineville to Highlandtown scheduled to be closed as part of the project. Each section will close for 60

Mt. Pleasant VBSMt. Pleasant Methodist Church is hosting Scuba Vacation Bible School on June 3-7, 9-11:30 a.m. for ages 3 through 6th grade.To register, call the church at 330-627-2219. During VBS, children will explore God’s awesomeness and form a rock-solid faith. Sherrodsville Wesleyan Church (Updated Times)The Sherrodsville Wesleyan Church will be holding its Vacation Bible School from June 10-14, 9 a.m.-11:30 a.m. at the church for ages 3-19.The theme this

By Thomas Clapper CCM Reporter Carroll County Commissioners discussed the Annex Building at the May 30 meeting.  It has been determined that the Emergency Management Agency, including Director Tom Cottis and Deputy Director Dustin Lucas, will also move to the new building on Moody Avenue.  “Cottis and Lucas looked at spaces that will be occupied by the EMA,” said Commissioner Robert Wirkner. “They are still designing where they want to

By Thomas Clapper CCM Reporter For the five long-time friends and now new co-owners of The Great Trail Golf Course, preserving the legacy and building upon it is the top priority.  Husband and wife team Andy and Amanda Conrad, friend Steve Ogden and brothers Nathan and Nehemiah Shriver all have crossed paths at the Minerva golf club throughout the years, formerly owned by Steve and Cathy Fry for 27 years.

By Carol McIntire Editor Sean Smith shared words from his father’s “little black book” that drove home the cost of freedom during the May 27 Memorial Day observance at Westview Cemetery in Carrollton.  Smith, Carroll County probate and juvenile court judge, said he never had the honor of wearing the uniform of his country, but his dad, Seaman First Class, Robert C. H. “Bob” Smith, and the dads and moms

By Thomas Clapper CCM Reporter The Village of Malvern made three different stops to honor the fallen at the annual Memorial Day event featuring guest speaker United States Navy and Gulf War Era veteran Holly Lewis.  After a breakfast served by American Legion Post 375, the parade started at the Malvern Historical Society following a brief ceremony at the Veterans Wall. The parade marched to St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church

The driver of a semi-truck escaped injury when the truck rolled over last week in Brown Twp.Great Trail Fire District was dispatched to a semi vs trailer in the area of 1795 Lilly Rd., Minerva, May 28 at 3:18 p.m.Fire Chief Ralph Castellucci said, upon arrival, personnel found a semi tractor with a 6,000-gallon tanker had rolled over off the right side of the road. After learning the driver, Maurice

Fourth grade students at Carrollton Elementary were treated to a day outdoors with nature May 13. The Carroll Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD), along with its partners, hosted a field day at the school complex on Scio Rd. Stations were set up in the fields behind the school and students rotated from one station to the other where they learned a variety of things, all related to nature, natural

By Carol McIntire Editor Carrollton Schools Board of Education members were treated to a tour of the new elementary building during the May 14 meeting.  Brian Malinsky, project manager for the general contractor Greenspace Construction Services, opened a temporary door on the south side of the high school cafeteria and welcomed members into the cafeteria of the new elementary.  About 600 students in grades Pre-K through four will dine on tables

By Carol McIntire, Editor Sean Smith shared words from his father’s “little black book” that drove home the cost of freedom during the May 27 Memorial Day observance at Westview Cemetery in Carrollton. Smith, Carroll County probate and juvenile court judge, said he never had the honor of wearing the uniform of his country, but his dad, Seaman First Class Robert C.H. “Bob” Smith, and the dads and moms of

Most people think of the Algonquin Mill Festival as a once-a-year event.While the celebration is held annually on the second weekend of October at the Mill Complex in Petersburg, officials are offering residents a chance to enjoy mill products during the “off-season.”Officials are selling sauerkraut ($7 per quart), buckwheat flour (2-lb bag for $5) wholewheat flower ($4 per bag) and cornmeal ($3 per bag) on Thursdays from 9 a.m. to

A fire of an undetermined origin destroyed a mobile home on a basement in Orange Township Sunday morning, May 19.  According to Carrollton Village Fire Department Chief Shane Thomas, the department was toned for a structure fire at the home of Riley and Karen Snair in the 7000 block of Autumn Rd. at 8:45 a.m. Thomas said the department was out of the Carrollton station within five minutes of being

By Carol McIntireEditorA tornado that lasted just under a minute destroyed boats and boat docks at Leesville Lake May 17.Carroll County Emergency Management Agency (EMA) Director Tom Cottis said the tornado began developing at 1:33.55 p.m. and lifted and dissipated less than a minute later.“Security camera footage from South Fork Marina shows the tornado beginning to develop over Leesville Lake in Orange Twp. south of South Fork Marina,” Cottis told

By Thomas Clapper CCM Reporter Malvern Village Council discussed purchasing an emergency siren at its May 6 meeting.  Village Administrator Derik Kaltenbaugh said he spoke to commissioners regarding emergency sirens and Commissioner Chris Modranski said the cost is between $20,000-$22,000.  “We know the commissioners are working on a grant but this could take a year, but I don’t think we should wait that long,” said Kaltenbaugh.  “I agree, I think

Carrollton Village firefighters responded to a fire May 11 that heavily damaged a cottage home near Leesville Lake.  According to Carrollton Fire Department Captain Chris Brooks, the department was toned just after 12 p.m. for a structure fire at 2011 Capper Dr. in an allotment near Leesville Lake. Brooks said upon arrival, they found the upstairs on fire.  “No one was living in the home and they were fixing it

By Thomas Clapper CCM Reporter Minerva Chamber of Commerce held its annual dinner and Community Salute Awards on May 8 at the Minerva Community Building featuring special guest speaker Ohio Department of Development Director Lydia Mihalik. Following the dinner catered by Kishman’s IGA, Minerva Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Denise Freeland introduced Mihalik.  The Ohio Department of Development is a state agency committed to empowering communities to succeed by investing

CCM Staff Report Two Carroll County residents were life flighted to an Akron hospital within hours of each other May 8 and 9 as a result of traffic accidents. Sergeant Bill Bower of the New Philadelphia Post of the State Highway Patrol said both accidents remain under investigation.  The first accident occurred at 5:28 p.m. May 8 on SR 43 (Steubenville Rd.) south of Carrollton near the intersection of SR

The State Route 151 bridge in Bowerston is officially open after being closed since May 2023. The closure was due to replacing a bridge between State Route 212 and Main Street. All restrictions and barricades have been removed, and the bridge is officially open to traffic.

The 2024 Homestead Rendezvous will be held May 18 from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. on the Bergholz Firehall Township grounds at 724 Monroe St. in Bergholz.The Homestead Rendezvous brings together small farmers, homesteaders, agricultural businesses and agencies and the public to promote small farming in our region.Small farmers and homesteaders will have the opportunity to network, talk with businesses and agencies serving the ag community and, best of all,

Two resurfacing projects, a bridge replacement and a school sidewalk in Carroll County are included in the Ohio Department of Transportation’s (ODOT) 2024 construction program.The agency recently announced plans to invest $2.8 billion in 950 road and bridge improvement projects across the state. Thirty-nine projects are classified “mayor projects” with a value above $10 million.“Investing in efficient infrastructure is an investment in quality of life,” said Governor Mike DeWine. “Once

By Carol McIntire Editor When you talk agriculture to 22-year-old Carroll County resident Shelby Rhodes, her eyes light up and she immediately joins the conversation.  That desire to promote Carroll County ag and learn about the industry made her an ideal candidate to attend the American Farm Bureau Young Farmers and Ranchers Conference, held March 8-11 in Omaha, NE. Rhodes applied for a scholarship to attend the event through Farm

A 50-year jubilee of the ordination to the priesthood of Fr. Victor P. Cinson is planned May 19. Cinson is the pastor of St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Malvern and St. Gabriel Catholic Church in Minerva. The open house celebration will be held May 19 from 1–4 p.m. in Good Shepherd Hall, 125 S. Carrollton Street, Malvern.  The Catholic Women’s Clubs of St. Francis Xavier and St. Gabriel parishes