Kent City Council swears in three members
- Margaret Lennox. Kent City Council officially swore in Council At-Large members Benjamin Tipton, Tracy Wallach and Sarah Elizabeth Wesley at its meeting on Dec. 17. Their terms will begin on Jan. 1, 2026.
County roundup: Rootstown event lights up the season
- Roger Gordon. Rootstown’s annual “Light It Up” event took place Dec. 6 adjacent to Town Hall and the First Congregational Church United Church of Christ right in the center of town.
Been There, Done That: Giving is the magic of the season
- Laura Nethken. Are you ready for Christmas? That's been the hot question this whole month. And my answer has been "yes." We had a few gifts yet to get but for the most part, we are ready. Santa has been very good to us this year.
Portage County obituaries for Dec. 19-21, 2025
- Staff Report. Remembering those we've lost in Portage County
Around Windham: Windham PD will bring back 'Warning for Christmas Morning'
- Nicole Sweet. From the Windham Police Department: Until Dec. 25, Windham PD officers will be providing individuals who are pulled over for minor traffic infractions a “Warning for Christmas Morning” voucher instead of a traffic citation.
Rooted Ramblings: O, Christmas Tree!
- Master Gardener Volunteers. Bringing home a fresh-cut Christmas tree is a cherished tradition for many people during the holiday season, with 25-30 million live trees sold in the U.S. every year according to the National Christmas Tree Association.
Baker: Christmas Kaleidoscope
- Kathy Baker. SHOPPING: What should we get for Uncle Impossible? Where can we find that widget Dad wants? We’re blowing the budget, Marion! But, John, it adds up; we have so many to buy for! Where did I hide Mildred’s gift?
Portage County obituaries for Dec. 17-18, 2025
- Staff Report. Remembering those we've lost in Portage County
Hiram takes control of Mantua’s police department, dispatch center
- Wendy DiAlesandro. Mantua Village Council on Dec. 16 unanimously approved a $170,000 contract handing Hiram Village control of its police department and dispatch center. Hiram’s village council has already authorized the contract.
One for the Books: Christmas stories for your Christmas holiday
- Mary Louise Ruehr. To get into the holiday spirit, I found a few stories set during the Christmas season.* Mostly, I was looking for heartwarming and cheerful, and mostly, I found it. Some of these are short and sweet, so I’ve included the number of pages in each.
Around Randolph: Wreaths Across America and carolers at the gazebo
- Sandy Engle. On Dec. 13, more than 40 students and many community members braved the frigid temperatures to honor the veterans buried in Hillside Cemetery. Students placed a wreath on the graves of each veteran.
Portage County obituaries for Dec. 15-16, 2025
- Staff Report. Remembering those we've lost in Portage County
Renovations complete on former grocery store in Kent’s South End
- Wendy DiAlesandro. A hundred year old building in Kent’s South End neighborhood is ready for new life, thanks to a rehabilitation effort by the Hometown Foundation.
Hike-and-bike trail connection faces opposition in Mantua
- Wendy DiAlesandro. Continued opposition to a hike-and-bike trail connection in Mantua Township may mean no connection at all. In short, residents and elected officials aren’t on board.
County roundup: Hiram offers police management to Mantua, plus Freedom, Garrettsville and Windham news
- Roger Gordon. Village council has authorized Mayor Anne Haynam to offer a management contract to the Village of Mantua that would allow the Hiram Police Department to manage the Mantua Village Police Department on a temporary basis.
Around Edinburg: Township says goodbye to Evelyn Shewell, Edinburg's oldest resident
- Cathy Klein. Many of you may have already heard, but we recently lost our oldest community member with the passing of Evelyn Shewell. Evelyn turned 100 years old this past August and was awarded with a proclamation from the Edinburg Ohio Historical Society.
Portage County obituaries for Dec. 12-14
- Staff Report. Remembering those we've lost in Portage County
Commissioners considering banning large wind and solar in county’s townships
- Wendy DiAlesandro. Portage County’s commissioners have the authority to designate all 18 townships off-limits to large wind and solar installations, but they’ve decided not to act alone.
Ravenna looks for other ways to improve Emerald Lake Preservation
- Wendy DiAlesandro. Ravenna did not win a state grant to acquire what would be additional park property, but the city’s not giving up yet.
Ohio Outdoors: Deck the halls with...
- Julie Watson. I bet you finished that line. During a Portage County winter, most of our trees and herbaceous plant life slumber until the arrival of spring.