At community dinners, Papa June’s BBQ offers free food to those in need
- Jala Forest.
Ravenna resident Forrest Calhoun — aka Papa June — has always had a passion for cooking and finds joy in watching others enjoy the meals he makes with care.
Meet the December Main Street Ravenna star of the month
- Submitted.
Our December MSR Youth Community Star of the Month Award goes to Skylar Livengood!
Portage County roundup: Freedom’s old schoolhouse renovated, plus news from Mantua, Hiram and Garrettsville
Freedom Township’s Hankee Road project involves repaving the road and replacing a deep culvert.
Portage County obituaries for Dec. 23-Jan. 1
- Staff Report.
Remembering those we’ve lost in Portage County
Here are the top 10 Portage County stories of 2022
- Ben Wolford.
There were so many big stories in Portage County in 2022. There have been fires and tragedies of all sorts. The kinds that can hit the soul of a community and bring people together. And lots of moving acts of solidarity and courageous leadership.
Documenters: Mantua Village Council meeting for Dec. 20, 2022
- Lee Lundblad.
The meeting was very well attended by the public, and several residents wanted time to address the council. Each was limited to five minutes, and each resident spoke about the same topic: the ongoing investigation of the relationship between Chief Urso and Patrol Officer Brothers.
Sheriff’s office deputies and jail personnel will soon have body cams
The Portage County Sheriff’s Office made good on a pledge to adopt body cams this summer, purchasing over 150 body and dashboard cameras with plans to deploy them in January.
Mantua police chief said council has not been transparent about allegations
In a letter to Mantua village leaders, Police Chief Joe Urso appeared to push back against an investigation initiated by council into allegations of conflicts of interest in the department.
Kent mill owner is working with an engineer to save the Water Street facade
The owners of the building have hired a historical structural engineer to work out what can be rebuilt and what needs to come down, even temporarily, the owner’s lawyer said.
Kent water rates will increase by 9% in 2023, then 3% annually
Kent City Council on Wednesday approved a 9% increase in water and sewer rates, effective the first billing cycle in 2023.
Portage County obituaries for Dec. 19-20
- Staff Report.
Remembering those we’ve lost in Portage County
Hardesty: A frozen moment with Dad, the night before Christmas
- Tom Hardesty.
I stood with my dad in the darkened backyard of our home in Mogadore, experiencing a Christmas Eve night like none before: The mercury had plunged to minus 14 degrees, and the several inches of snow that blanketed the yard had frozen to the point that we could actually walk on top of it, the snow crunching loudly with each step we took.
Kent seeks to raise water and sewer rates by 9% in January
Citing increasing costs, Kent City Council is expected to approve 9% rate hikes for both water and sewer, effective the first billing cycle in January 2023, at its Dec. 21 meeting.
Violent incident near Windham High School caused brief lockdown Dec. 16
Windham Junior High and High School were placed in a brief lockdown Dec. 16 after Windham police were alerted to a physical altercation in a home across the street.
Indoor farmers’ market moving to a more central location
Kent’s Haymaker Farmers’ Market is open year-round, but it will be moving to new quarters.
‘Sexual misconduct’ involved in Southeast employees’ removal
The former Southeast High School principal and an academic adviser are no longer employed by the district after a district investigation found evidence of alleged “sexual misconduct” that did not involve students.
Portage County obituaries for Dec. 19-20
- Staff Report.
Remembering those we’ve lost in Portage County
Kent carefully clears mill debris but finding the cause of the fire could take months
Demolition contractors are hard at work removing and transporting debris from the Dec. 2 Kent mill fire, starting on the west side of the structure and eventually moving to the east side, city officials say.
Southeast cites ‘professional misconduct’ in employee resignations
Southeast schools Superintendent Bob Dunn said “professional misconduct” is the reason for the sudden resignations of two district employees, but no students were involved and no further information has been released.
Aurora will auction 100 unused traffic lights as new signals come online
- Paige Fisher.
Aurora is ready to put 100 of its now-obsolete traffic lights up for auction as the city’s signalization improvement project nears completion.