Portage County obituaries for Jan. 14-15, 2026
- Staff Report. Remembering those we've lost in Portage County
Around Garrettsville: Curtains up Theatre will celebrate 20 years with 'Phantom of the Opera'
- Jackie Loreta-Rinearson. The Garrettsville Curtains up Theatre is preparing for its 20-year anniversary. In celebration of this great accomplishment, they are celebrating with “The Phantom of the Opera” (non-musical version).
Samantha Stephens leads Schneller with a focus on community, opportunity
- Wendy DiAlesandro. Samantha Stephens paused in the lobby of Schneller, a one-of-a-kind company on Powdermill Road in Kent.
Stow Street bridge replacement still years away
- Wendy DiAlesandro. Kent drivers, beware: those barrels lining the south side of the Stow Street bridge will likely remain in place for at least another year.
Around Windham: Congratulations and welcome to Mayor Terrie Altiere
- Nicole Sweet. Terrie Altiere was formally sworn in as mayor by village Solicitor Charles Gasior on Dec. 16. Mayor Altiere was appointed to fill the vacant mayoral seat and will serve in this capacity through Dec. 31, 2027.
Portage County obituaries for Jan. 12-13, 2026
- Staff Report. Remembering those we've lost in Portage County
End-of-year legislative updates: Votes on Venezuela military action, Epstein files and more
- Lauren Cohen. In December, U.S. Rep. Emilia Sykes voted yes and U.S. Rep. Dave Joyce (R-Bainbridge Township) voted no on two bills that regarded military actions involving Venezuela.
Documenters: Village of Sugar Bush Knolls Council meeting for Jan. 6, 2026
- Noell Wolfgram Evans. According to the banking statements shared, the village ended December with $173,273.10 in the bank and with $119,845.60 in investments with STAR Ohio.
County roundup: Mogadore seeks grants for sewer project, plus news from Atwater, Brimfield and Suffield
- Roger Gordon. Mogadore Village Council, partnering with Summit County and the City of Akron, passed legislation to authorize the village engineer to prepare and submit an application for grants from the Ohio Public Works Commission.
Portage County obituaries for Jan. 9-11, 2026
- Staff Report. Remembering those we've lost in Portage County
Streetsboro approves tax abatement as manufacturer expands amid tariff uncertainty
- Amanda Smith. The Trump administration’s tariff policy is designed to reduce chronic trade deficits by making imported goods and materials more expensive. Public policy organizations say it is still too early to tell whether the strategy is playing out as intended, but its effects are already being felt in Ohio.
Icy start to the school year in Kent
- Wendy DiAlesandro. Facebook's "You Know You're From Kent If/When" page lit up Jan. 5, when residents complained about the school district's response — or lack thereof — to the New Year's Eve snowstorm.
Rooted Ramblings: What is winter sowing?
- Master Gardener Volunteers. What is winter sowing, you ask? Winter sowing is the way many plants perpetuate themselves. They grow from seeds, make flowers, set new seeds, then, in the fall, disperse their new seeds by gravity, wind, water, birds, or small mammals to sprout again, somewhere, next spring.
Documenters: Kent City Council committee meeting for Jan. 7, 2026
- Margaret Lennox. Nick Cecil informed the council that there would be a cybersecurity meeting in order to go over updates made to comply with new Ohio law. Jones also went over an update to the civil service rules.
Portage County obituaries for Jan. 7-8, 2026
- Staff Report. Remembering those we've lost in Portage County
Kitchen Crew 4-H enjoys fine dining experience
- Margaret Lennox. On Nov. 28, a group of children placed their orders with a server at Kent State University Hotel’s Nineteen10 restaurant, chatting eagerly and looking over a kid-friendly etiquette guide provided to them.
Plans to clean up Hometown Bank's South End land are underway
- Wendy DiAlesandro. After Kent leaders in October decided not to rezone almost 12 acres near the center of the city, the proposed buyer backed out, but the land is still in play.
Senior Life: Bringing more awareness to fall prevention in 2026
- Sally Kelly. It is a new year, and for some of us (maybe for all of us) we have high hopes for a better life this year: Cheaper prices, fewer deaths for friends and family, and healthier, safer lives for ourselves.
Portage County obituaries for Jan. 5-6, 2026
- Staff Report. Remembering those we've lost in Portage County
Introducing our newest column: Shining a light on Portage County local food
- Simon Varner. I love the relationship between a locally owned restaurant and its town. The purpose they serve is deeper than just feeding their customers, but meeting them where they are, remembering their name, having the drink poured before they walk through the doors.