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When students at Leighton Elementary in Aurora returned from spring break this year, they were shocked to see a new addition to their school: A brand-new rock wall.

Karen Pope, director of personnel/chief of staff, explained to council that they’re seeking approval for a new, classified, full-time position of finance coordinator to replace the accounts payable and administrative assistant positions. This new position will ensure accuracy for Aurora’s finances. Motion was made, seconded and approved for the item to be forwarded to the regular council meeting.

Individuals with prior involvement in the justice system are invited to attend Portage County’s first-ever Reentry Resource Fair, set for noon to 4 p.m. Thursday, May 18 at the Ohio Means Jobs offices at 253 S. Chestnut St. in Ravenna.

As I read Wendy’s story, I began to think about how different things are since 1989, which really wasn’t all that long ago (I mean, we’re not talking centuries here), and if that means things are better now, or worse.

By now you know I’m a sucker for books about books, about bookstores, about libraries. Here are a few of the recent ones I enjoyed.

Remembering those we’ve lost in Portage County

Unlike most news organizations, our mission statement doesn’t explicitly mention reporting the news. Sure, journalism is what we do. But I see it as a means to an end.

Charlestown United Methodist Church invites you to a Sip and Paint at 6:30 p.m. Friday, May 19. Find your inner artist while enjoying snacks and mocktails. No prior art experience necessary! All supplies, snacks and mocktails are included for $20. Please register your name and phone number either by  text (330-281-3723) or email (ruthannbartholomew@yahoo.com) so we know to expect you. You may pay at the door. So grab a couple friends and join us for a fun evening.

Portage County Engineer Michael “Mickey” Marozzi is set to retire Friday, May 12 after serving in that position for over 34 years.

Remembering those we’ve lost in Portage County

Portage County’s Board of Commissioners learned in February that the federal government was cutting SNAP’s Emergency Allotment program at the end of the month. Appalled, they took matters into their own hands.

Kent City Council is set to jettison its contract with the county recycling center, citing the agency’s failure to submit a bid.

The Theodore Roosevelt High School Choir will finally host its alumni celebration after three years of postponement because of the pandemic at the 53rd annual POPs concert.

Aurora’s Master Plan is going to have its first reading at the May 8 city council meeting. This is the Master Plan revision that the Master Plan Review Commission looked at and created over the last year. Council will now consider the recommendations from the Master Plan Review Commission, which were also approved by the planning commission.

Remembering those we’ve lost in Portage County

So far, 2023 has been tough on music. Jeff Beck, Lisa Marie Presley, David Crosby and Harry Belafonte, among others, have died this year, all of them icons of the industry.
The latest to leave us was Gordon Lightfoot, the legendary Canadian singer-songwriter who gave us timeless pieces like “Sundown” and the haunting “If You Could Read My Mind.”

A local farmer’s plea to move 38 acres of Kent into Franklin Township may head to court after city council members unanimously denied the request.

Remembering those we’ve lost in Portage County

Fair warning to my readers … I am on a soapbox in today’s column. Over the last few months, I have helped organize two evenings devoted to women’s health and wellness at our church. As a mother of 10 children, I am keenly aware of the prevalence of EBS (Empty Bucket Syndrome) and the fact that many of us do not practice adequate self-care.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is expected to release new regulations for new and existing power plant carbon dioxide emissions, as the Clean Air Act was recently amended in the Inflation Reduction Act.