Bridge projects planned for summer construction in Portage County
With temperatures rising, Portage County residents may see an increase in yellow hard hats and road closures, as the county prepares for more construction.
Adriana Gasiewski
Fruity Films develops in Acorn Alley to capture life in Kent
Having undergone surgeries for carpal tunnel issues, Lauren Glass found it difficult to return to being a hairstylist. She decided instead to revisit her high school hobbies, including photography.
Kent Pride Fest creates emergency relief one dollar at a time
With the help of a Morgan Startup Grant, a grant the Burton D. Morgan Foundation donated to LaunchNET at Kent State University, owner of Sun in Leo Justine Gallo was able to open her upcycled clothing boutique in January 2023.
How Portage County organizations plan an eventful summer
Cochairs of the revived Captain Brady Day Annette McMullen and Charlie Hall grew up attending the community festival at Brady Lake. McMullen recalled how the event was less centered around Captain Samuel Brady but bringing the then-Brady Lake Village community together.
Kent schools continue to investigate two gun-related incidents, bomb threat
After the Kent City School District was informed that a student was suspected of having a gun and Longcoy Elementary School was placed under lockdown, the police are investigating the situation.
Longtime Suffield Elementary School principal prepares for retirement
When the Suffield Elementary School principal job opened up in 1999, Shawn Bookman was hesitant to apply. At that time, Bookman was a fifth grader teacher in the Springfield City School District with two young children.
Portage County Recycling to open Reuse Center
Portage County Recycling anticipates opening a Reuse Center at its Center for Hard to Recycle Materials in April, with hopes of eliminating landfill waste and hazards.
Downtown Kent to turn into student art gallery in March
While attending the 2025 Heritage Ohio Annual Conference, Lesley Sickle, marketing coordinator of Main Street Kent, learned how in Delaware, Ohio, they displayed students’ artwork at local businesses for an entire month and started thinking about how Kent could pull off something similar.
Judge Mark Fankhauser remembered for ‘service,’ ‘integrity,’ ‘enduring love’
After he unexpectedly died on Feb. 15, Mark Fankhauser, a longtime Portage County Municipal judge, is remembered for his ambition, passion and commitment, not only to his community but also to his family.
Portage Developmental Disabilities board planning three months of awareness
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.
Ravenna looking to hire more firefighters, EMTs
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.
East Main Street project remains on track for 2028 completion
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.
Brimfield acquires rest of Lake Mildred from Tallmadge
Brimfield now owns the entirety of Lake Mildred in McGuire Park, after Tallmadge gifted the remaining portion of it to the township on Jan. 5.