Legislative update: Local reps take bipartisan action against data centers - Savana Capp. Steve Demetriou (R-Bainbridge Twp.) and Heidi Workman (R-Rootstown) introduced H.B. 710, legislation that addresses the public costs and community impacts associated with data center development in Ohio. As large-scale data centers continue to expand in the state, the legislation aims to protect taxpayers, ratepayers, farmland and local communities from expenses associated with economic development.
- Roger Gordon. The Village of Hiram’s Downtown Revitalization Spring Fest will be from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, April 26 on Hayden Street. Approximately 25 vendors, five of which are food trucks, will be selling a variety of goodies.
- Letter to the editor. We want to thank the Portage County Commissioners for their recent decision regarding the future of our community. By choosing to review renewable energy projects on a case-by-case basis rather than passing a blanket ban, the commissioners are standing up for local workers and the economic health of our community.
- Op-Ed Contributor. You probably missed it, with the war in Iran consuming most of the headlines. President Trump issued his 2027 budget — and, not surprisingly, he once again (as he did last year) zeroed-out programs that help low-income families offset energy costs, which have skyrocketed.
- Staff Report. Remembering those we've lost in Portage County
- Amanda Smith. Orange barrel season is coming to Portage and Summit counties. Officials say drivers should expect delays, shifting traffic patterns and stepped-up enforcement – and should put down the phone while driving on state highways.
- Submitted. This voter’s guide is a joint venture of The Portager and the League of Women Voters of Kent and Northern Portage County.
- Submitted. This voter’s guide is a joint venture of The Portager and the League of Women Voters of Kent and Northern Portage County. The candidates portion is divided by political affiliation of the candidates.
- Submitted. This voter’s guide is a joint venture of The Portager and the League of Women Voters of Kent and Northern Portage County.
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- Letter to the editor. Right now, Ohioans are facing a difficult political landscape where our civil rights are constantly under attack by our own state legislature. But we have a powerful tool to fight back and protect our communities: the citizen-led ballot initiative.
- Mary Louise Ruehr. With NASA’s Artemis moon project in the headlines, I thought it would be fun to look at a few imagined off-Earth futures. I wouldn’t claim to be a diehard fan of science fiction, but I do like a good story set on another planet or aboard a spaceship, such as Mary Doria Russell’s “The Sparrow” or Andy Weir’s “The Martian” and “Project Hail Mary.” Plenty of recent books fall into this category, but many are part of long-running series, and I didn’t want to jump into one already established. These novels are all firsts or standalones.
- Op-Ed Contributor. The following is a commentary on the dangers that plastics pose in our everyday life. It is being presented by The Kent Environmental Council in cooperation with The Portager, to help inform the community on current environmental topics.
- Staff Report. Remembering those we've lost in Portage County
- Shirley Mars. As of April 20, there will be a new chief in town! Captain Christopher Adkins will become Brimfield’s interim police chief, pending an employment agreement to offer him the full-time position.