Tom Colosimo came up with a wacky idea to try to bring more people into Newton Falls and help struggling local businesses: create a treasure hunt with real treasure.

Inspired by the legacy of Forrest Fenn and his nationwide treasure hunt — more on him in a minute — Colosimo hopes to give away $10,000 worth of gold, silver, jewelry and cash.

Whoever finds the treasure, keeps it.

“I thought I could do something on a smaller scale for Newton Falls to bring a ton of people here … so I was playing off (Fenn’s) idea of a treasure chest of a million dollars,” said Colosimo, 53, who owns Fieldview Acres Mercantile in the small Trumbull County city.

The Newton Falls Treasure Hunt is expected to kick off in March.

As of Feb. 4, Colosimo said he’s gathered $7,000 in gold, silver, jewelry and cash, with a goal of having $10,000 worth of treasure. He’s looking for sponsors to help.

The Sarchione Chevrolet dealership in Garrettsville donated a 2026 PCGS MS70 Gold Eagle – First Strike, valued at over $5,000. Hometown Hound in Newton Falls donated a $1,000 in rare silver coins. Colosimo said he donated more than $1,000 in silver coins and jewelry.

“Everybody seems excited,” Colosimo said. “I wish somebody else was doing it so I could do it.”

Who inspired the Newton Falls Treasure Hunt?

Colosimo drew inspiration from Fenn, a New Mexico art dealer who hid a chest full of gold, jewels and valuables worth an estimated $1 million to $2 million in 2010. After hiding the chest, Fenn leaked clues. But it took more than a decade for someone to find the treasure.

The search — which has since inspired other nationwide hunts — resulted in some people being injured and even dying.

Colosimo doesn’t want anyone hurt during this hunt, which also coincides with the America250 celebration.

“Less risky,” he said. “Everything is going to be out in the open and the public areas. No trespassing. No going into water, climbing stuff or anything like that.”

Just like Fenn, Colosimo plans to provide clues in riddles and poems. He hopes the treasure will be found before the Fourth of July, meaning people spend plenty of time in Newton Falls and visit the local businesses.

And what if someone stumbles across the treasure on the first day?

“There’s no way,” he said, adding that he doesn’t think searchers will be able to decipher the clues to pinpoint the location that quickly.

Treasure hunt’s goal is to promote Newton Falls

Colosimo is releasing details about the hunt on the Facebook page for Fieldview Acres Mercantile. He said he will notify people when the hunt is over.

As for the actual treasure, it won’t be hidden. Colosimo has decided to hide a key to safeguard someone taking the gold, silver, jewelry and cash without letting anyone know.

No one but Colosimo will know where the key is hidden.

“My wife won’t even know,” he said.

The person who finds the key — which hasn’t been hidden yet — will have to return it to Colosimo to collect.

The ultimate goal, he said, is to promote the town and provide a boost for small businesses that are struggling.

Newton Falls is a beautiful community, he said, with two waterfalls, and the downtown, covered bridge and U.S.O. building on the National Register of Historic Places.

“We have a lot to offer. But we just got to figure out a way to get people here,” he said. “And I’m hoping if this goes well, we can do this every year.”

Paul McEwuen, general manager at Sarchione in Garrettsville, which is nearby, said buzz about the treasure hunt is growing and the dealership is excited to participate, especially because Colosimo has tied it to the America250 celebration.

“We’re excited to help bring everyone to the community and show them what Garrettsville and Newton Falls are all about,” he said.

• Ohio will be represented by seven native-born athletes and 12 current or former Ohio State athletes at the 2026 Winter Olympics.
• Athletes from Ohio will compete in men’s and women’s hockey as well as freestyle skiing aerials.
• Four Ohioans will compete in the men’s, women’s, and mixed freestyle skiing aerials events.

The 2026 Winter Olympics have arrived in Milano Cortina already, and the first Ohioans and Ohio State athletes begin play Feb. 5 with women’s hockey group play.

While seven Ohio-born Olympians will compete in this year’s games, the Buckeyes are sending 12 current or former collegiate athletes to compete for multiple countries in women’s hockey.

Besides hockey, four Ohioans will compete in the freestyle skiing aerials events in the men’s, women’s and mixed disciplines.

Here’s your complete guide to Ohio’s Olympians, including viewing options and event dates and times for watching the athletes representing the Buckeye State:

What events feature Ohio State, Ohioan athletes in 2026 Winter Olympics?

Four events will feature Ohioans or Ohio State athletes at the upcoming games in Milano Cortina: men’s and women’s hockey, and men’s and women’s freestyle skiing.

Women’s hockey

Ohio will have a majority of its Olympic representation via Ohio State women’s hockey, including five current Buckeyes who will represent their countries at Milano Cortina. You can read more about these Buckeyes and their path to the Winter Games here.

Ohio State women’s hockey at the 2026 Winter Olympics

Current Ohio State players

• Joy Dunne, United States
• Sanni Vanhanen, Finland (2022 bronze medalist)
• Hilda Svensson, Sweden
• Jenna Raunio, Sweden
• Mira Jungaker, Sweden

Ohio State women’s hockey alumni

• Cayla Barnes, Seattle Torrent (PWHL), United States (Class of 2024, gold medalist in 2018, silver medalist in 2022)
• Hannah Bilka, United States (class of 2024)
• Jenn Gardiner, Canada (class of 2024)
• Sophie Jaques, Canada (class of 2024)
• Emma Maltais, Canada (class of 2023, gold medalist in 2022)
• Natalie Spooner, Canada (class of 2012, four-time Olympian, silver medalist in 2018, gold medalist in 2014, 2022)
• Andrea Braendli, Switzerland (class of 2022, three-time Olympian)

Rotunda Rumblings

Not vouching for that: A new Ohio House bill would withhold all state funding to local school districts suing over the state’s education funding formula, including the 100-plus districts suing the state over private school vouchers, Laura Hancock reports. Last year, the average amount of a school district’s funding that came from the state was 37%. The school districts mostly won their case against vouchers, but it’s now in a state appellate court.

Power check: A federal judge blocked the end of protections for Haitians, citing sharp concerns about how the government made its decision. While much of the attention focused on conditions in Haiti, the case may hinge on whether federal agencies must explain their actions. Anna Staver reports the outcome could shape how much power courts have to review major government decisions.

Harsh words: The judge’s decision Monday that blocked the Trump administration from ending protections for Haitians in the U.S. was a sharply worded departure from the long history federal judges have of using even tones to explain the opinions. Here’s some of her more pointed remarks.