Kent City Council sustained the planning commission’s decision to reject developer Grey Fox Capital’s request to rezone two parcels of land on Franklin Avenue from Industrial to R-3 High Density Residential at the council committee meeting Sept. 3.
Sunbeau Valley Farm, long known as an event and equestrian venue, will soon have a new owner: the City of Ravenna.
Concerns that Southeast schools misspent almost $400,000 on high school roof repairs may be quieted after Brian Kinter, the district’s business manager, told The Portager the highest possible figure wasted was closer to 10% of that.
Dave and I have had a camper at a local campground for the past 21 years. Considering we’ve been hanging out in the woods with lots of nature all around us all that time, I’ve managed to survive with very few horror stories, even though I’m a natural born klutz. As a child, I tripped over every tree root and sidewalk crack I came in contact with. As I got older, I got more creative with my trips and falls and tragedies.
- Staff Report.
Remembering those we’ve lost in Portage County
- Roger Gordon.
The state Route 44 corridor project that would give a facelift to the area in Rootstown from Tallmadge Road to Dollar General continues to be looked into. Engineering firm OHM Advisors conducted a recent study on the topic; OHM will present its findings, including community-survey results, at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 22 at Rootstown Middle School at 4190 State Route 44.
- Staff Report.
Ohio House Reps. Steve Demetriou (R-Bainbridge Twp.) and Heidi Workman (R-Rootstown) recently voted with the Republican majority to override Gov. Mike DeWine’s veto of a property tax provision in the state budget.
- Sally Kelly.
Have you listened to the national news reports lately? One of the big concerns right now is the famine in the Gaza Strip — people starving to death.
- Staff Report.
Remembering those we’ve lost in Portage County
Ben Risney made his first chainsaw sculpture at 21, when he felled a tree in the family cow pasture and carved a bear head with the wood.
- Shirley Mars.
Brimfield is going through some changes and struggles of late and will hopefully emerge stronger and better. A controversial fiscal officer has been hired and must run for election in November to keep her spot, and the human resource/business manager position has been dissolved.
Thora Green presented an administrative report that included the Eagle Scout project at the township property that would include a sign and flag to be erected by the end of August.
Wisniewski offered a report on Maplewood. They are preparing to celebrate their 50th anniversary and are currently in the planning stages for this event.
In celebration of National Library Card Sign-Up Month and the 20th anniversary of Kent Free Library’s new building, the library is hosting its first ever library card design competition. The winning design will be featured on a limited-edition library card issued in 2026 and will win a $100 cash prize.
Have you noticed the displays of bulb packages in home stores and garden centers? We see Tulips, Daffodils, and more. Now is a perfect time to prepare your bed and plant those bulbs. It may be hard to imagine as we head deep into fall colors and harvests, but these bulbs will bring you joy when very little is growing. Here are some tips to get started:
- Staff Report.
Remembering those we’ve lost in Portage County
Three generations of the Campbell family competed at the Randolph Fair Sheep Shearing Contest this year.
- Kathy Baker.
I knew that 2025 was going to be a big year for me. It certainly started out that way. In March, I celebrated one of those significant “big number” birthdays, filled with gifts, congratulations and lovely surprises.
Model aircraft pilots are often history enthusiasts or engineers, said Corsair Model Aircraft Club President John Ashley.
- Tom Hardesty.
Laurene Jae Jackson has packed a lot into her 81 years on the planet.