Summer is here, Bomber Country! School is out and the weather is so much warmer; we welcome June with open arms. BBQs, bonfires and summer fun. Here are some exciting events and important information coming up in our little town:
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. HB 96 is a wolf in sheep’s clothing—disguised as tax relief, but hiding cost increases for families, seniors, and working Ohioans. While it promises simplicity and fairness, the truth is that many Ohioans will end up paying more—not […]
- Staff Report.
Remembering those we’ve lost in Portage County
- Staff Report.
Crowds lined the main streets of Kent and Ravenna on Saturday as part of the national “No Kings” protests against the Trump Administration, which gathered in more than 1,500 cities across the country.
- Roger Gordon.
Streetsboro City Council authorized participation in the Ohio Department of Transportation project scheduled for April 2026 that is going to be a complete rebuilding and resurfacing of the center of town.
After a career in manufacturing, not-so-retiree Gene Brown has found his purpose.
- Staff Report.
Remembering those we’ve lost in Portage County
A quiet Kent neighborhood was disrupted the night of May 28 when a SWAT team surrounded a home on Franklin Avenue, fired “numerous chemical munitions into the home” and arrested a man wanted on multiple warrants, police said. Kent police had attempted to arrest 30-year-old Jacob Scott Tharp at his home at 646 Franklin Ave. But the situation escalated into a standoff after officers reported hearing what sounded like a shotgun being racked inside the house, according to a police […]
- Angie Reedy.
The Portage County Historical Society will hold its annual Summer Open House from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, June 28. The Lowrie-Beatty Museum, Carter House, Strickland House, Log Cabin, Campbell Land Office, Ford Seed Store, Mahan Barn and Indian Village will all be open for tours. Visit the newly renovated Carter House and the new handicap-accessible entrance.
- Tom Hardesty.
July 1 will mark 20 years since the day my dad died. He was only 63 years old and looked great. I had just talked to him on the phone two days earlier, and he sounded great. That was a Wednesday afternoon. By about 7 o’clock Friday evening, he was gone, the victim of a heart attack while sitting on the couch in his living room. Toward the end of our Wednesday conversation, Dad was trying to think of something […]
- Staff Report.
Remembering those we’ve lost in Portage County
Portage County property owners were gobsmacked last year when they received their new property valuations. Many wondered where the money will go, and some are even calling for the total elimination of property taxes.
After 44 years as a full-time communications teacher at Streetsboro High School, and as the general manager of the school’s radio station, WSTB 88.9 FM, Bob Long is retiring from full-time teaching, and is passing on his position as the station’s general manager to former student Corey Teuton. He’ll move to part-time teaching next year for two years
- Julie Watson.
In last month’s column (April Showers bring Vernal Pools) I talked a lot about Ohio’s native amphibians (frogs, toads, and salamanders). This month I want to talk about Ohio’s native reptiles, more than half of which can be found in Portage County. Reptiles are cold-blooded (the scientific term is ectothermic), breathe air, and are covered with scales.
Main Street Kent’s annual Art and Wine Festival had downtown jumping all day long June 7 with its festive assortment of music, wineries, and food and craft vendors.
- Staff Report.
Remembering those we’ve lost in Portage County
The restoration of the slate roof at historic Riddle Block 1 at 215 S. Chestnut St. in Ravenna has finally been completed after a lengthy process that left workers battling harsh winter weather.
- Roger Gordon.
Deerfield is one of five Portage County townships that is looking to consolidate into one fire district. The other four townships are Edinburg, Paris, Palmyra and Charleston.
- Staff Report.
Remembering those we’ve lost in Portage County
An item on a recent Kent City Council agenda caught The Portager’s collective eye, so we decided to do some digging.