Portage County obituaries for Oct. 8-9
- Staff Report.
Remembering those we’ve lost in Portage County
Historic Hiram farm to become community center
A historic Hiram farmstead is in the process of being revitalized to create a community-oriented volunteer education center. The center will feature instruction on eco-friendly living and will include hands-on programs on topics like growing heirloom apples, nut trees and other fruit crops, as well as making apple cider.
Around Randolph: Have your say in the future of the township
- Sandy Engle.
Staff members from Portage Soil and Water Conservation and Portage Parks have shared that it is important to monitor what is happening with zoning in your community because your input is important. In Randolph, there will be a public zoning meeting at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 9 at the Randolph Senior Center.
Senior Life: Scams, legal tips and more important info for seniors
- Sally Kelly.
A handful of seniors attended the Senior Forum on Sept. 11 at University Hospitals Portage Medical Center in Ravenna. This program was sponsored by Portage County Job and Family Services.
Portage County obituaries for Oct. 6-7
- Staff Report.
Remembering those we’ve lost in Portage County
New charity forms to support Aurora Food Pantry
- Lauren Cohen.
The Aurora VFW Post 2629 and the Knights of Columbus Council 14186 have been purchasing food for the Aurora Food Pantry for several years, donating over $36,000 of perishable food yearly as one of their community projects. But the need for assistance is growing.
County roundup: Aurora expands Geauga Lake property, plus news from Ravenna, Shalersville and Streetsboro
- Roger Gordon.
Aurora The City of Aurora purchased a bit more property to add to its park property at Geauga Lake. “Our new park that we’re building has a small residential street right along its border called Fairview Avenue,” Mayor Ann Womer Benjamin said. “We have, during the last year, purchased some property on Fairview, and council recently approved the city buying three vacant lots on Fairview. The lot with the house won’t close until next year.” This property will save the […]
Letter to the editor: My two cents on the Brimfield candidates forum
Editor’s note: The Portager publishes letters to the editor from the community. The opinions expressed are published not because they necessarily reflect those of the publication but because we feel they contribute meaningfully to the local discourse on matters of public interest. On Sept. 30 my wife and I attended the “Meet The Candidates” forum in Brimfield. I was impressed with a few of the candidates and not impressed with a few of the candidates. And one or two candidates […]
Portage County obituaries for Oct. 3-5
- Staff Report.
Remembering those we’ve lost in Portage County
Kent Mayor Jerry Fiala, 82, dies after three decades of service
Kent’s longtime mayor, Jerry Fiala, who had served for more than a decade since his election in 2009, died Sept. 30 at the age of 82.
Ravenna looking to make access to Emerald Lake Preservation easier
Ravenna city leaders are waiting to learn if the city will receive a state grant to acquire two parcels of land adjacent to Emerald Lake Preservation.
Kent City Council rejects overlay possibilities on zoning bid
Kent City Council unanimously abandoned its previous motion to explore the possibility of an overlay district on two parcels of land on Franklin Avenue at its committee meeting on Oct. 1.
Portage County obituaries for Oct. 1-2
- Staff Report.
Remembering those we’ve lost in Portage County
PUCO issues reconnect order so customers won’t lose gas, electric during winter
The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio on Sept.18 issued a Special Reconnect Order ensuring that people served by PUCO-regulated utilities won’t have their gas or electric service cut from Oct. 13, 2025, through April 15, 2026.
Dating is hard: A look at how Portage County determines building age
Earlier this summer, The Portager reported that Ravenna’s police/fire complex was built in 1901. That was news to Portage County Historical Society Vice President and Curator Kevin Gray, who lost no time setting the record straight on social media.
Around Ravenna: A Ravenna resident’s family journey through Germany
- Angie Reedy.
Planes, trains and automobiles were part of a three-week vacation. Jack Trauth of Ravenna flew to London to visit his daughter, Karrie, and her wife, Angela. He and Karrie flew to Switzerland to meet his son, Jim, his wife, Mariana, and grandson Evan. Adding to the excitement of the outing were travel by a dual-gauge railroad, a cog rail, a zip line, a funicular (a cable railroad, especially one on a mountainside, where ascending and descending cars are counterbalanced) and a vintage paddle wheel boat.
Baker: A lesson from The Velveteen Rabbit
- Kathy Baker.
Do you remember the classic book, “The Velveteen Rabbit,” by Margery Williams? It’s the delightful tale of a stuffed bunny that becomes real. If you can suspend the grownup, practical voice that says, “Yeah, right! As if a stuffed animal can become real” you might just learn something. Because all the best children’s stories offer meaningful messages for people of all ages.
Portage County obituaries for Sept. 29-30
- Staff Report.
Remembering those we’ve lost in Portage County
Around Brimfield: Getting ready for voting
- Shirley Mars.
Nov. 4, 2025, General Election Day, is about a month away. Studies have shown that healthy democracies, where people vote in higher numbers, lead to healthy communities because elected officials are accountable to voters. I consider voting a privilege and a responsibility. It is my “super-power”! The official general election ballot for Brimfield is not long, but the results of the election will affect every person who lives in Brimfield. The ballot consists of candidates running for:
County roundup: Rootstown road work still in progress, plus news from Paris
- Roger Gordon.
An update by OHM Advisors on the state Route 44 project was held Sept. 22 at Rootstown Middle School.