New arts group aims to support creativity near Hiram
- Wendy DiAlesandro. Art enthusiasts in northern Portage County finally have a space to call their own.
Portage Developmental Disabilities board planning three months of awareness
- Adriana Gasiewski. The Portage County Board of Developmental Disabilities will begin celebrating Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month with a lineup of events starting in February, including the return of Limitless Art.
Around Ravenna: Warm up with these community events coming up this month
- Angie Reedy. The 39th annual Celebration of Lights was held in December at the University Hospitals Portage Medical Center in Ravenna, hosted by the hospital’s Auxiliary. It was a successful evening and the committee wants to thank everyone who came, donated money or helped in any way for their participation, and especially Shorts-Spicer-Crislip Funeral Homes for its sponsorship.
Portage County obituaries for Feb. 2-3, 2026
- Staff Report. Remembering those we've lost in Portage County
Kent City Council appoints new Ward 2 council member
- Margaret Lennox. Eric Dreger is the newest member of Kent City Council. Dreger was selected by council to serve Kent’s Ward 2, which was left vacant when Jack Amrhein ran for — and was elected to serve as — mayor in November of 2025.
Around Brimfield: How to help your community, even when you're snowed in
- Shirley Mars. Ben Wolford’s thoughtful comments about “values that we should be able to agree on” reminded me of why I allowed him to talk me into reviving the Around Brimfield column a few years ago. Freedom, safety, respect, dignity, decency, diversity and seeing others as neighbors – I share those values and find comfort in knowing that most of The Portager readers share them as well. If we are to “hold the line” as Ben suggests, we cannot be complacent or naïve.
Documenters: Streetsboro City Council meeting for Jan. 26, 2026
- Noell Wolfgram Evans. Following the acceptance of the Jan. 12 meeting minutes, members of the public were invited to address the council. Ted Hurd spoke with great pride about the new City Hall, which he said “was always my dream to see.”
County roundup: Streetsboro opens city hall, plus news from Aurora, Ravenna and Shalersville
- Roger Gordon. Ravenna City Council voted to extend its moratorium on storage facilities six months before it considers allowing any more to go in.
Portage County obituaries for Jan. 30-Feb. 1, 2026
- Staff Report. Remembering those we've lost in Portage County
Ravenna looking to hire more firefighters, EMTs
- Adriana Gasiewski. Ravenna City Council is poised to add additional new firefighter/EMT positions, but how many remains up for debate. In draft legislation council considered last month, the number of new hires was not specified.
Around Charlestown: Dale Nething honored with Distinguished Service Award
- Ruth Ann Bartholomew. The Portage County Farm Bureau recently honored Dale Nething with its Distinguished Service Award. Dale and his son, Don, are co-owners of Maplecrest Farms on Knapp Road.
Portage County obituaries for Jan. 28-29, 2026
- Staff Report. Remembering those we've lost in Portage County
East Main Street project remains on track for 2028 completion
- Adriana Gasiewski. Construction crews continue to make progress on Kent’s East Main Street project, expanding sidewalks, completing underground work and creating a temporary roundabout, helping the project remain on track for its 2028 completion.
Been There, Done That: Commercials on the mind
- Laura Nethken. I try not to pay any attention to the commercials on TV. When they come on, that's my cue to leave my puzzle alone and go knock something off my to-do list. I say I "try" because lately a half-hearted attempt is all I've been able to accomplish. One, the volume alone makes it difficult to ignore them completely.
Around Suffield: Chili cook-off incoming to fight the chill
- Pauline Persons. Suffield has quite a few activities scheduled for February!
Portage County obituaries for Jan. 26-27, 2026
- Staff Report. Remembering those we've lost in Portage County
From the publisher: How I stay calm in the chaos
- Ben Wolford. We don’t cover news outside of Portage County. That’s a business decision as much as an ideological commitment to focusing on the local.
Varner: Maddalena’s in Kent offers authentic food, at-home feel
- Simon Varner. Do you remember going to grandma’s house for a family dinner? The way it smelled, the way the adults chatted while you and the other kids laughed in front of a TV playing colorful cartoons. Most importantly, do you remember the food? I remember, and Mandy Yannucci, co-owner of Maddalena’s in Kent, remembers, too.
County roundup: Rootstown prepares for America's 250th, plus news from Franklin and Paris
- Roger Gordon. The Rootstown Historical Society, in conjunction with Rootstown Township, is planning a festive celebration of the United States’ 250th birthday from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday, July 4 at Rootstown Park.
Mantua will temporarily oversee dispatch services for Hiram
- Wendy DiAlesandro. A month after Mantua signed an agreement handing control of its police department to Hiram, Hiram found itself in need of Mantua’s help.