Portage County food pantries face shortages because of federal cuts
Portage County’s food pantries and programs are among the first local victims of federal funding cuts, and the state is poised to compound the blow.
Around Charlestown: Spring events and a visit from Japan
It’s Spring! That means that the Easter Bunny will be making his annual visit to Charlestown for the Easter Egg Hunt. The Bunny will arrive at the township park on Saturday, April 12 at 1 p.m. to kick off the hunt. There will be a photo opportunity with the Easter Bunny. If the weather is a problem the location will be moved to the fire station.
Rooted Ramblings: Welcome to our new gardening column by the Portage OSU Extension
- Beth Whipple.
The Ohio State University Extension Master Gardener Volunteer Program will be writing a bi-monthly column for the Portager entitled “Rooted Ramblings.” Look for our column every other Friday.
Portage County obituaries for April 2-3
- Staff Report.
Remembering those we’ve lost in Portage County
Documenters: Atwater trustees meeting for March 25, 2025
The fire department thanked the community for the growing support for overnight staffing, as well as thanked Dale Wiley for a giant TV, and Milt Green for setting up the UH helicopter landing zone that was needed after a bad accident in the township.
Kent kickboxer Sinisa Jovic is the 2025 U.S. kickboxing champion
- Jeremy Brown.
Kent local, Sinisa “The Sniper” Jovic, has participated in martial arts since he was 7 years old. He started out in karate, boxing and Sambo, a martial art with Soviet origins. Now, at 24, he’s become the 2025 U.S. national kickboxing champion, earning himself a spot on the World Association of Kickboxing Organizations (WAKO) USA National Team.
Ravenna man found guilty of $1 million tax fraud conspiracy
- Staff Report.
A Ravenna man has been convicted by a federal jury of orchestrating a financial conspiracy that defrauded the U.S. government of over $1 million in pandemic benefits.
Around Brimfield: A love story at Wild Goats
- Shirley Mars.
I was recently intrigued by an article about Rogers Secret Recipes (RSR), reasonably priced upscale prix fixe meals (full course meal for one price) being served from 3-9 p.m. on Wednesdays at Wild Goats Restaurant in Kent. Of course, we had to check it out!
Senior Life: How to get involved and start your volunteer journey this spring
- Sally Kelly.
It is spring, HOOray! It is now time we can begin to make some plans to get out of our homes and get involved in our communities, with our neighbors, and especially with fresh air.
Portage County obituaries for March 31-April 1
- Staff Report.
Remembering those we’ve lost in Portage County
County roundup: NOPEC grants available for Brimfield event, plus news from Atwater and Mogadore
The Northeast Ohio Public Energy Council’s (NOPEC) Community Event Sponsorship Program provides financial support to organizations within the Brimfield community.
Watson: Staying safe in unpredictable weather
- Julie Watson.
Portage County weather. Everyone jokes about it: Wait five minutes and the weather will change; you can experience all four seasons in the span of a few hours; Mother Nature can’t seem to make up her mind.
Portage County obituaries for March 28-30
- Staff Report.
Remembering those we’ve lost in Portage County
Latest depressant in recreational drug supply dangerous, but no sign of it in Portage County yet
Medetomidine, a central nervous system depressant that national experts have seen being used with fentanyl, has led to overdose outbreaks in major U.S. cities. Local law enforcement has not seen signs of it in Portage County just yet, but anticipate usage since the drug has reached the Cincinnati area. The Center for Forensic Science Research & Education released a public alert in May 2024 stating the use of medetomidine is rapidly increasing in use as an adulterant in the recreational […]
Op-ed: Some lessons from my Polynesian family
By Rick Feinberg, professor emeritus of anthropology at Kent State University Few topics stir more controversy — either in our local neighborhoods or around the country — than the existence of human diversity and the question of how we should engage with people who are different from ourselves. My perspective on the issue is atypical, as I was vividly reminded last month, when I got to see my Polynesian family for the first time in a dozen years. My connection […]
Portage County obituaries for March 26-27
- Staff Report.
Remembering those we’ve lost in Portage County
Portage County Domestic Violence Task Force aims to improve communication, resources
UH Portage Medical Center and the county prosecutor’s office have joined forces to launch the Portage County Domestic Violence Task Force, which held its inaugural meeting in January.
Been There, Done That: Adjustment period with a new used car
Dave and I are still getting used to our “new” car. We traded in our paid-off 2010 Ford Escape with 188,000 miles on it for a 2019 Jeep with 84,000 miles. A great deal, but it came with one big downfall – a payment book. I guess I had my head in the sand to think a 15-year-old vehicle with that many miles was going to be my forever car. The biggest adjustment has been the remote start. It’s awesome […]
Letter to the editor: Are you worried about the future of our climate?
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. As I watched Trump’s address to Congress several weeks ago, his often repeated “drill baby drill” took on a much more serious meaning. Since I have been an active supporter of transitioning to non-fossil fuels and encouraging Kent’s […]
Portage County obituaries for March 24-25
- Staff Report.
Remembering those we’ve lost in Portage County