Kent City Council swears in three members
Kent City Council officially swore in Council At-Large members Benjamin Tipton, Tracy Wallach and Sarah Elizabeth Wesley at its meeting on Dec. 17. Their terms will begin on Jan. 1, 2026.
Margaret Lennox
Documenters: Kent City Council committee meeting for Dec. 3, 2025
Hall presented the 2026 operating budget, which was approved by the council. Kent is not in a deficit and has been able to put several million dollars into a rainy day fund for emergencies. The 2026 operating budget was approved by council.
Documenters: Kent City Council meeting for Nov. 19, 2025
After public comment concluded, Amrhein and council members honored Sue Nelson of Sue Nelson Designs for her contributions to Kent’s community. Nov. 19 was declared Sue Nelson Day to honor her retirement.
Kent City Council rejects video surveillance contract with Flock
Kent City Council voted against permitting the Kent Police Department to enter into a contract with Flock Safety at its regular committee meeting Nov. 5.
Millions on the line for Streetsboro schools if proposed levy does not pass
After a failed attempt earlier in the spring, the Streetsboro City Schools is aiming to pass a continuing operating levy for regular expenses during the Nov. 4 election.
Kent City Council appoints Jack Amrhein to finish late mayor’s term
President Pro Tem and Ward 2 council member Jack Amrhein was appointed as the mayor of Kent and president of City Council at the regular council meeting on Oct. 15. Amrhein will finish out the remainder of the late Mayor Jerry Fiala’s term.
Documenters: Streetsboro City Council meeting for Sept. 29, 2025
At the start of the meeting, Erick Ritz was sworn in as a member of Streetsboro’s police department, as well as three part-time firefighters, Patrick Bergen, Jacob Boon and Joshua Strunk. A resolution to recognize Eileen Fitzsimmons for her service to Streetsboro’s community and parks was passed.
Kent Mayor Jerry Fiala, 82, dies after three decades of service
Kent’s longtime mayor, Jerry Fiala, who had served for more than a decade since his election in 2009, died Sept. 30 at the age of 82.
Kent City Council rejects overlay possibilities on zoning bid
Kent City Council unanimously abandoned its previous motion to explore the possibility of an overlay district on two parcels of land on Franklin Avenue at its committee meeting on Oct. 1.
Kent DORA district expands to include three more businesses
Kent City Council voted to expand the Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area (DORA) district at the council committee meeting on Sep. 3 and officially approved the expansion at the regular council meeting on Sept. 17.
Cocoon Makers looking for new home
After more than 13 years as an organization, the Cocoon Makers are looking for a new home. The Cocoon Makers were started by two women, Linda Hall and Marilyn Pol, who had a shared concern for homeless members of their community. The group began making what it called cocoons, or quilted bedrolls for homeless individuals, but now makes a variety of projects for different organizations. Hall has since passed and Pol has retired from the group, but the Cocoon Makers […]
Kent City Council sustains planning commission decision on rezoning issue
Kent City Council sustained the planning commission’s decision to reject developer Grey Fox Capital’s request to rezone two parcels of land on Franklin Avenue from Industrial to R-3 High Density Residential at the council committee meeting Sept. 3.
Local club holds event for National Model Aviation Day
Model aircraft pilots are often history enthusiasts or engineers, said Corsair Model Aircraft Club President John Ashley.
Documenters: Kent City Council meeting for Aug. 20, 2025
Clapper made a motion to disband the Architectural Review Board (ARB), amended to have every mention of the ARB in their code removed. Seconded by Sidoti, who wants more discussion to clean up current design code. Shaffer Bish encourages they seek out public comment on this but agrees with overall sentiment. The motion passed.
Portage Foundation creates LGBTQ+ Fund after new law shuts down higher ed support
The Portage Foundation is offering financial resources to the county’s LGBT community through a fund created after a new law forced campuses to close centers devoted to scholarships and emergency assistance.