Shepherd’s House, which provides the county’s only warming center, is asking Kent city leaders to pay almost $10,000 more than expected for city residents who sought shelter there during the season’s coldest days and nights.
- Violet Puin.
Recently, the Board of Education allowed the Waterloo football team to place their equipment after practice in an unused visitors concession stand. The football coach began the meeting by expressing his gratitude, explaining how about two hours of labor previously went into putting all the equipment away in its previous spot.
- Staff Report.
Remembering those we’ve lost in Portage County
Federal cuts have hit the Portage County Combined General Health District (PCHD), affecting the department’s ability to monitor and respond to communicable disease outbreaks.
Kent City Council is poised to approve a three-year, $126,000 contract for 14 license plate readers to be placed downtown and at city limits.
Ohio’s libraries urgently need your help! Contact your state representative today and tell them not to cut library funding.
There’s no excuse when you have full control of every branch of state government, from the executive on down. I have publicly made the case that you could provide significant property tax relief to our seniors by amending the Homestead Exemption to increase eligibility and double the tax saving benefit, two modifications which would provide real, impactful relief to the folks that need it the most.
- Staff Report.
Remembering those we’ve lost in Portage County
The city of Kent and Kent State University are considering an already-drafted agreement to share funding for a new 100-foot ladder truck for the Kent Fire Department.
Kent’s annual $65,000 grant allocation to local social service agencies has remained static for years, but City Council members recently decided it’s time for a change.
After cuts in 2024, state funding for public libraries resembles the amount allotted 25 years ago, long before I was born in 2004. And a new budget draft proposed in the Ohio House results in a $100 million funding decrease over two years, compared to a proposal from Governor DeWine.
I am writing to express serious concern over Ohio Senate Bill 30, which proposes extending the legal working hours for 14- and 15-year-olds during the school year — from the current 7 p.m. cutoff to 9 p.m., with parental and school consent. While framed as a way to increase employment flexibility, this bill directly threatens student health and school attendance — two areas already in crisis.
- Julie Watson.
Save the Bees. I’m sure you’ve heard or seen such slogans increasingly over the past couple of decades. Of course, I’m all for saving any species, but some of the claims of activist groups on bee decline are a bit frightening. In trying to research the topic of bees and their necessity to humanity’s survival, I found varied and often contradictory reports. Sifting through the data, a few undeniable truths emerged.
As a proud graduate of Ravenna High School (RHS), a father to two RHS graduates — Khai and Angelique Brown — both of whom hold Master’s degrees, and as a local business man and property owner, I am writing to express my unwavering support for the Ravenna School level. RHS provided me with the essential tools to succeed, and I have seen firsthand how it equips today’s students with the skills they need to thrive in an ever-changing world.
- Staff Report.
Remembering those we’ve lost in Portage County
- Submitted.
The Village of Windham Planning Commission will hold a Special Meeting on Tuesday, April 22, 2025, at 6:00 PM. The purpose of this meeting is to discuss the replat of two parcels located within the Village of Windham, specifically the combination of parcels for new residential construction on Maple Grove Road. The parcels to be combined are as follows: Lot 5, Parcel No. 41-057-10-00-047-000, and Lot 6, Parcel No. 41-057-10-00-048-0000. For any inquiries regarding this matter, please contact the Village […]
More than 1,000 people rallied on the Portage County Courthouse lawn in downtown Ravenna and near the gazebo in downtown Kent as part of the “Hands Off!” national day of action around the country on Saturday.
Hiram Village Council passed legislation for the village administrator to build a structure to be able to sell water. Currently, the village does not sell water.
With the passing of Ohio’s controversial Senate Bill 1, President Donald Trump’s continued executive orders and the age-old partisan divide, Portage County politicians didn’t let up in the statehouse or on social media in March.
I just saw the powerful musical about the 9/11 attacks on the US from outside forces, “Come From Away.” It told the story about nearly 6,600 passengers on 38 flights that were suddenly grounded in Newfoundland for nearly a week when US airspace was closed. The “Newfies” welcomed, and generously cared for people from all over the world.