The Sip n Shop on Main is taking a few more artisans. We are happy to announce this year’s wineries: Laleure Vineyards, Feisty Broad, It’s your Winery, Salvage Winery, West Main Street Winery, and Winery at Versailles.
Don’t you love a book that has the power to pull you out of your seat and drop you in a whole other setting? These three novels do that! (And they’re really good!)
- Staff Report.
Remembering those we’ve lost in Portage County
An August 2023 traffic stop landed two Ravenna men in jail on felony drug charges. The charges were eventually dropped when the alleged cocaine in the car they had occupied turned out to be carpet cleaner, and the two men filed suit in federal court, claiming Portage County Sheriff Bruce D. Zuchowski and three deputies violated their civil rights.
- Cathy Klein.
Pirates Promise Community Night Fundraiser will be held on Thursday, April 24 at Southeast High School to raise funds for Phase II of the elementary school’s All-Inclusive Community Playground. Admission is $5 to watch Administration and Staff take on Adaptive Sports Ohio.
- Nicole Sweet.
April showers bring May flowers in Bomber Country. Unfortunately, thus far it has been a cold, rainy and snowy April. This old saying helps us remember: a period of discomfort or hardship can provide the basis for a period of happiness and joy. Looking forward to warmer days ahead. Spring is finally in the air and here are some exciting events and important information coming up in our little town:
- Staff Report.
Remembering those we’ve lost in Portage County
Jeff Wallis always wanted to work in law enforcement. He realized that goal long ago, even spending eight years as his hometown’s top cop.
Kent City Council on April 16 delayed the purchase of automated license plate readers, opting instead to reconsider the matter in October. The national and local political climate, as well as how the cameras would be used, were top of mind.
- Angie Reedy.
Remember, because of Easter week, Immaculate Conception will be holding its monthly spaghetti dinner from 4 to 7 p.m. April 24. The dinner will remain the same for eating in or taking out.
Who are Kent city police serving and protecting? I ask because they were present on Kent State campus on Monday, April 1 to protect Israeli occupation forces soldiers from… who, exactly? Unruly, violent, agitators? Well, no. In fact, they were apparently called by the Students Supporting Israel student group to protect their guests, three Israeli soldiers, from peaceable, anti-genocide, tuition-paying students who raised their voices in opposition to having soldiers of a military force wanted for war crimes on our campus.
Recent legislative developments in Ohio have introduced significant changes to the structure of our state’s public institutions, warranting careful consideration.
Public hearing began with residents addressing a zoning issue. The residents are landlords of a single-family home and wished to put up a fence, but the zoning permit was revoked because the property had an infraction for clutter.
A second member of the community questioned the board as to if the district has been asked, and has in turn made, any changes to its DEI policies based on recent actions by the Trump administration. Larkin said the Department of Education has asked schools to review a “list of materials.” Larkin stated that they “have no choice but to be compliant without jeopardizing millions in funding.”
- Staff Report.
Mary Ellen McDonald Mary Ellen McDonald, age 77 of Ravenna, passed away Sunday, April 13, 2025, at her home. Read more Donna M. McMann Donna M. McMann, 94, of Ravenna, passed away on Monday, April 14, 2025 at Vista Veranda. She was born in Kent, on August 2, 1930 to the late Cletus and Cecelia Weideman. Read more
The Portage County Sheriff’s Office last week issued a news release stating its officers would receive training by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE, to enforce immigration law.
- Sandy Engle.
Over 100 people attended “Spring into Health” at the Randolph Community Center. The keynote speaker, Klaas Martens, was the first farmer in his county to use glyphosate (Roundup). He was a successful conventional farmer for 20 years. One day while wearing protective garb and following precise herbicide instructions for 2-4-D, he became paralyzed within an hour. The entire summer, his right side was paralyzed.
- Staff Report.
Remembering those we’ve lost in Portage County
- Jeremy Brown.
Ravenna firefighter/paramedic Zach Thomas, 24, is now the first Ohioan to complete the rigorous, nearly week-long Indiana Smoke Divers advanced training course, a program only the toughest firefighters can achieve.
Paris’ annual community “Spring Clean Up” will be from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, May 10 at the Shearer Community Center at 9355 Newton Falls Rd. The drop-off event is open to township residents only, and proof of residence is required.