Grow with your community

Garrettsville council talks trash, recycling and cleanup

- Wendy DiAlesandro.

Garrettsville Village Council scheduled a public hearing for 7 p.m. April 14 to address legislation aimed at residents who dump their items on the curb. “We’ve had a rash of people putting a lot of junk out on the curb,” Council President Tom Hardesty said. “Furniture, mattresses that kind of stuff. Right now we’re at a loss as to how we inflict compliance on this. We want to assess a fine right away. We’ll probably end up putting it on their taxes if they don’t comply.”

In 2–1 vote, commissioners fire county finance director

- Wendy DiAlesandro.

Finance Director Todd Bragg’s days at the Portage County Administrative Building are numbered as county commissioners placed him on administrative leave in a surprise finale of their March 11 meeting. Bragg has until Monday to submit his resignation or be fired. Commissioners Vicki Kline and Tony Badalamenti supported Bragg’s termination. Commission President Sabrina Christian-Bennett disagreed and distanced herself from their action. The decision came suddenly and took place in front of a nearly empty room. The commissioners went into executive […]

County leaders question parts of the sheriff’s spending plans

- Michael Indriolo.

Portage County officials have raised concerns about key parts of the sheriff’s sweeping budget reforms, which call for a spending increase of $2.9 million over three years to cover raises, new hires, facilities repairs and new equipment.

Meeting with county commissioners for the first time since taking office two months ago, Sheriff Bruce Zuchowski and Chief Deputy Ralph Spidalieri laid out a proposal to expand their fleet so that every deputy has a vehicle.

Vaccines come to Skeels community: ‘I want to make sure people of color get their shots’

- Michael Indriolo.

The health department partnered with the center to make the Covid-19 vaccine more accessible to the predominantly Black community the center serves The Portage County health department vaccinated about 42 people against Covid-19 at the Skeels-Mathews Community Center in Ravenna Township Tuesday, making the vaccine more accessible to the predominantly Black community in that area. “I want to make sure people of color get their shots,” said Frank Hairston of the Portage County NAACP. “I want to make sure people in […]

Sheriff’s office ‘wanted posters’ for traffic tickets raise ethical concerns over public shaming

- Michael Indriolo.

A screenshot of the Portage County Sheriff’s office’s Facebook post Sheriff’s office ‘wanted posters’ for traffic tickets raise ethical concerns over public shaming Facebook posts are meant to resolve outstanding warrants more quickly and without arrests, the department says Update Feb. 18, 2021: The sheriff’s office posted a statement on its Facebook page Thursday saying it would “continue to use our social media platform to assist us and keep residents informed.” The Portage County Sheriff’s Office on Tuesday posted personal details of […]

The Haven opens warming center as cold snap and blizzard sweep over Portage County

- Michael Indriolo.

Anne Marie Noble sits with Mark Minadeo at the Haven’s warming center in the Immaculate Conception Parish Hall on Wednesday. Minadeo, who currently does not have access to stable housing, said he’d be sleeping on the street if it weren’t for the warming center. Michael Indriolo/The Portager The Haven opens warming center as cold snap and blizzard sweep over Portage County The Haven of Portage County is providing shelter and meals to those experiencing homelessness during winter weather since last week Bracing […]

Commissioners signal support for King Kennedy Center gym despite tumultuous application process

- Michael Indriolo.

King Kennedy Center Director Myia Sanders said some residents of the McElrath neighborhood have been waiting their whole lives for the construction of a gym on the complex. Michael Indriolo/The Portager Commissioners signal support for King Kennedy Center gym despite tumultuous application process Although county commissioners suggested they would approve the project last year, they have not released funding because the application was not in line with a new approval process For nearly 50 years, community leaders in Ravenna’s McElrath Park […]

Sheriff Zuchowski seeks approval to hire a new labor negotiator

- Michael Indriolo.

The flag of Portage County outside the Kent Municipal Court on Jan. 28, 2021. Michael Indriolo/The Portager Sheriff Zuchowski seeks approval to hire a new labor negotiator Central Ohio law firm Clemans Nelson would replace the county attorney for sheriff’s office union negotiations Sheriff Bruce Zuchowski requested the county commissioners’ approval on Tuesday to hire a new labor negotiator for sheriff’s office negotiations who would replace the attorney the county currently uses for nearly all of its union negotiations. Zuchowski, […]

County commissioners move forward with Portage County airport takeover

- Michael Indriolo.

Nanway Boulevard, which leads to the Portage County Regional Airport, is full of potholes and just one of the many infrastructure improvements that will cost the airport millions. Michael Indriolo/The Portager County commissioners move forward with Portage County airport takeover The change of ownership will help resolve chronic financial problems, officials say The Portage County Board of Commissioners pressed forward with its plan to take over the county’s airport on Tuesday, rescuing the airport authority from the burden of overseeing tens […]

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