- Tom Hardesty. After a sharp decline in traffic fatalities in 2024, Portage County experienced a grim 2025 on its roadways: 17 fatal crashes resulting in 18 total deaths. And it was the usual culprits of impaired and distracted driving that claimed most of the lives.
- Letter to the editor. Thank you to The Portager (and Kent State Today) for the sad news of Jerry Lewis’s passing. Many in the Kent community knew Jerry as a colleague as well as for his tireless work documenting and preserving a record of the shooting by members of the Ohio National Guard on May 4th, 1970. I also knew him as a friend.
- Nicole Sweet. The Village of Windham is looking for vendors for the farmers' market at the Windham Community Building, from 5 to 7 p.m. every third Thursday, February through April. Local food and craft vendors wanted. Call 330-646-9361 for more information.
- Staff Report. Remembering those we've lost in Portage County
- Wendy DiAlesandro. Brimfield Township budget hit a new low this year, when Fiscal Officer Jasmine Golden noted in early January that the general fund was $53,020 in the hole and the fire department only had $50,000.
- Jeremy Brown. Extremely cold weather and sustained sub-zero temperatures were the likely cause of a water main break on King Street in Ravenna on Feb. 4. A boil alert was issued and notification placards were delivered to homes in the affected area, but some residents said on social media that they didn’t get the alert in time.
- Roger Gordon. As part of a Village of Hiram Downtown Revitalization project, Hiram College students are leading a poster contest within the Crestwood and Garfield school districts.
- Cathy Klein. Music Boosters for Southeast Pirates will be holding a Night at the Races fundraiser at 6 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 28, to be held at the Immaculate Conception Parish at 409 W. Main St., Ravenna.
- Staff Report. Remembering those we've lost in Portage County
- Wendy DiAlesandro. A Portage County Sheriff’s deputy pleaded guilty to a fourth-degree felony charge of attempted abduction related to an April 2024 altercation outside a Hinckley bar.
- Amanda Smith. Community donations helped food pantries in Summit and Portage counties meet rising demand last year, even as government funding declined and a temporary SNAP disruption sent more families seeking help for the first time.
- Savana Capp. The Portage Park District has two main goals: conserve the rich natural history of Portage County and provide opportunities for it to be appreciated and enjoyed.
- Staff Report. Remembering those we've lost in Portage County
- Jeremy Brown. After more than four decades in business, Franklin Square Deli has changed ownership for the first time. The new owner of the downtown Kent-based restaurant known for its sandwiches, soups and gyros will keep the restaurant's popular menu items, but plans to make slight changes to the decor.
- Julie Watson. Since February is the month when we celebrate Groundhog Day, I thought I’d write my column about squirrels. Now, I know what you’re thinking: Is she off her nut?
- Jackie Loreta-Rinearson. The Sip n Shop on Main Street committee is busy preparing for this year’s event, which is set for July 25. The event runs from 2 to 7 p.m.
- Staff Report. Remembering those we've lost in Portage County
- Wendy DiAlesandro. The Portager reported on Jan. 26 that the Village of Hiram was paying Mantua police $100 a day to handle its police dispatch needs until a more permanent contract could be finalized with another provider.
- Roger Gordon. Join the Suffield League for a night of laughter with its annual “Laugh at the Lake” at 6 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 28 at St. Nicholas Banquet Hall at 755 S. Cleveland Ave.
- Sally Kelly. When is it time to give up living at home alone? A national organization suggests that you look at yourself (or a friend or family member) in terms of these four things which are happening or changing in your life.