The Setlist / Events / Opinion
The Setlist: Portage County live music for July 15-21 - Mike D.
Following recent scares, Kent police and schools team up for safety
- Adriana Gasiewski. Following the recent May and April bomb and gun threats at Stanton Middle School and Longcoy Elementary, the district is extensively reviewing how these situations were handled. Leaders are updating safety plans during the summer and anticipate hosting more theoretical drills with faculty throughout the school year.
Around Garrettsville: Pride and Prejudice opens next month
- Jackie Loreta-Rinearson. "Pride and Prejudice," performed by Curtains up Theatre, runs Aug. 1, 2, 7 and 8. Thank you to the sponsors: Ryser Insurance, Middlefield Carter Lumber, Jeff Rinearson Health Insurance, and Sarchione Chevrolet.
Portage County obituaries for July 13-14 2026
- Staff Report. Remembering those we've lost in Portage County
New court date set for arraignment in case involving Hiram Council Member
- Wendy DiAlesandro. Facing first-degree misdemeanor assault charges stemming from an alleged mid-May incident involving two village firefighters, Hiram Council Member Chris Perme has a new court date.
County roundup: Portage County celebrates America 250, plus news from Edinburg, Paris and Rootstown
- Roger Gordon. The fifth annual Paris Township Car Show will take place from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, July 25, at the Shearer Community Center at 9355 Newton Falls Rd. The car show will benefit the Paris Township Fire Department. All makes, models and years are welcome.
Around Charlestown: Lots of fun in the sun planned in Charlestown this summer
- Ruth Ann Bartholomew. The 23rd Annual Charlestown Summer Festival and Cruise In is Saturday, Aug. 1, from 3-7 p.m. at the Charlestown Township Park.
Portage County obituaries for July 10-12 2026
- Staff Report. Remembering those we've lost in Portage County
Legislative update: Workman serving on bipartisan Joint Data Center Committee
- Savana Capp. A Portage County politician is helping shape the conversation around data centers at the state level.
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League of Women Voters event focuses on fight against data centers
- Wendy DiAlesandro. Data centers took center stage in Kent July 6 as Jessica Winchell, the moving force behind the now 2,600-member Portage Residents for Responsible Development, spoke at a Monday forum sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Kent.
Portage County obituaries for July 8-9, 2026
- Staff Report. Remembering those we've lost in Portage County
Curtains Up Theatre in Garrettsville is working to build its own theater
- Jeremy Brown. After nearly 20 years of using James A. Garfield High School’s facilities to stage performances, Garrettsville’s Curtains Up Theatre is in the early stages of purchasing a property at the corner of Windham Street and High Street on Buckeye Block in Garrettsville to build its own theater. The theater would be on the second floor of the building with space for retail on the first floor.
Op-ed: Data centers: The good, the bad and the truly ugly
- Op-Ed Contributor. “I cannot stress how frustrated people are with this topic,” Ohio Farm Bureau vice president Jack Irwin told Cleveland.com. Truer words on the topic of data centers have not been spoken and it has become the rare issue that seems to be uniting the left and the right.
Senior Life: Dealing with the heat and finding more discounts in the area
- Sally Kelly. July is here, and so is the heat. Do not forget to contact the Portage County Community Action Council to schedule an appointment to see if you qualify for the Home Energy Assistance Program. This program does not only provide assistance to help pay heating bills but also has money available for the cost of air conditioning.