Op-ed: Winter preparedness in Portage County
Now that we’ve dug out from the latest snowstorm that barreled through the county, long-range weather forecasts suggest temperatures may finally climb above freezing next week.
Op-Ed Contributor
Op-ed: Listen to our program about solving hunger in Portage County
Food is a basic human need. Yet here in Portage County, many neighbors still struggle to keep their pantries full. We’ve all seen the food drives and we’ve all read the statistics, but numbers alone can feel abstract. We wanted to meet the people doing the work— and understand what it actually takes to relieve hunger in our own backyard.
Op-ed: A shared journey of hope and renewal
September is National Recovery Month and a time to honor those in recovery from addiction and the skilled, compassionate professionals who support them in their journeys.
Rooted Ramblings: It’s spring bulb planting time!
Have you noticed the displays of bulb packages in home stores and garden centers? We see Tulips, Daffodils, and more. Now is a perfect time to prepare your bed and plant those bulbs. It may be hard to imagine as we head deep into fall colors and harvests, but these bulbs will bring you joy when very little is growing. Here are some tips to get started:
Portage County Treasurer: ‘Listen. Then lead.’
Governor Mike DeWine is taking a lot of heat right now from his fellow Republicans for doing something most of his party doesn’t seem to have the temerity to do. He listened.
Op-ed: Nicotine, rebellion and the fight to do better for the next generation
I smoked my first cigarette the summer before high school, rolled with American Spirit tobacco a friend had swiped. We sat under the sun, curious and rebellious, and I got a buzz that felt delightfully lightheaded and pleasant— almost invigorating. By fall, I was posted up on “the hill” behind the school parking lot with the rest of the misfits, lighting up before first bell and again at lunch. I wasn’t trying to fit in—I never did. I was loud, dramatic, and voted “most unique” more times than I can count. But like so many others, my first act of rebellion turned into a chemical leash I’ve been dragging around ever since.
Kent City Council: Shortsighted policies threaten Portage County way of life
Kent is a community on the rise, with a thriving R1 university, excellent K-12 schools, affordable housing, and a diverse citizenry. Yet, recent economic shifts are threatening our way of life.
Op-ed: Some lessons from my Polynesian family
By Rick Feinberg, professor emeritus of anthropology at Kent State University Few topics stir more controversy — either in our local neighborhoods or around the country — than the existence of human diversity and the question of how we should engage with people who are different from ourselves. My perspective on the issue is atypical, as I was vividly reminded last month, when I got to see my Polynesian family for the first time in a dozen years. My connection […]
Op-ed: Future patients deserve access to Medicaid
At the end of 2024, the state of Ohio proposed changes to Medicaid eligibility that would require people between the ages of 19 and 55 to prove they are employed in order to receive coverage.
Op-ed: We need property tax relief for Portage County seniors
It’s property tax season in Portage County. The first-half property tax deadline of Feb. 28 looms in less than a week, and our office is seeing a big uptick in residents showing up to pay their bills in-person. This is not unusual in and of itself.
Op-ed: Why doesn’t Aurora have a downtown?
Driving through the “center of town” have you ever taken the time to gaze upon Aurora’s “village green,” the grassy area in front of The Church in Aurora and town hall?
Op-ed: Council Member Chris Hook weighs in on marijuana conversation
I really appreciated the packed house at Wednesday’s Kent City Council meeting. Thanks to many many folks who came to speak in support of recreational weed in Kent. It was inspiring, especially to see many generations represented in the room. But I’d like to unpack the issue because, unfortunately, there was a lot of misinformation flying around that I feel needs addressed.
Op-ed: A painful accident with a dozen silver linings
After several chilly days, I thought I’d take advantage of some spring-like weather on the eve of our eagerly anticipated eclipse. My plan was to get in a 30-mile bike ride before setting up for an evening concert I’d helped organize. A few weeks ago, I bought a new pair of tires that promised high performance, combined with flat resistance. Everything seemed perfect.
Op-ed: The passing of a Polynesian chief is mourned in Kent
Pu Koroatu (aka Jacob Tearaamanu) led Anuta for about as long as Queen Elizabeth served as Great Britain’s monarch. No one in the past century has had a greater impact on the island’s social, religious, and political direction.
Opinion: You have the power to defeat the deception
Did you see CNN lightened the skin tone of the Memphis police officers who killed Tyre Nichols? Did you hear on the news earth is actually cooling, not heating up? Well you shouldn’t have because these headlines are fake.
Op-ed: By helping and sharing, Kent formed stronger connections through tragedy
Last Friday, I left the informal Kent Environmental Council breakfast at Little City Grill at about 9 a.m. and immediately noticed smoke. As I turned south on Mantua toward downtown Kent, I could see that the Williams Brothers Mill was on fire.
Opinion: I’ve lived a full and productive life, but I’m one of the lucky ones
When ever I’m invited to speak, whether at a special program, a class, or a church group, I’m
often asked to provide a short bio to include in advertisements, program notes, or for the MC
to use in their introduction. I hate writing my own bio. I’m always afraid that I’ll sound
conceited on one hand, or under qualified on the other. But today I’m going to take a risk and
tell you a bit about myself.
Op-ed: Casting a vote in Portage County must become easier, not harder
The following is the speech delivered by John Kennedy at the Jan. 6 vigil sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Kent, the Portage County NAACP and the Kent Interfaith Alliance for Racial Reconciliation and Justice.