State candidates preview: League of Women Voters Voters' Guide May 2026 Primary Election
This voter’s guide is a joint venture of The Portager and the League of Women Voters of Kent and Northern Portage County.
Submitted
Issues preview: League of Women Voters Voters' Guide May 2026 Primary Election
This voter’s guide is a joint venture of The Portager and the League of Women Voters of Kent and Northern Portage County.
Local candidates preview: League of Women Voters Voters' Guide May 2026 Primary Election
This voter’s guide is a joint venture of The Portager and the League of Women Voters of Kent and Northern Portage County. The candidates portion is divided by political affiliation of the candidates.
AI Companions and Small-Town Life: Can Virtual Chatbots Help People Feel Less Alone?
Loneliness does not always announce itself. It can be quiet. It can look like a retired man eating dinner alone every night. A student at Kent State scrolling through contacts but not wanting to bother anyone. A young parent sitting in the driveway for a few extra minutes before going inside. A remote worker who realizes the only voice they heard all afternoon came from a podcast. In a small community, that kind of loneliness can feel especially strange. After all, small towns are supposed to be connected. People wave from cars. They recognize each other at the grocery store. They know whose kid plays baseball, whose roof was damaged in the storm, whose dog got loose last week. But being known is not always the same as feeling understood. That is where a new kind of technology has entered the conversation: AI companions. Not as a cure for loneliness. Not as a replacement for neighbors, friends, family or counselors. But as one more tool people are beginning to use when they need to talk, practice what to say, or simply feel less alone for a little while.
Best Cities to Live in Ohio in 2026
Ohio is a state that offers a perfect blend of urban amenities and natural beauty, making it a great place to call home.
Obituary: Debra-Lynn Hook (née Bledsoe)
Our mother—the joyful, loving, and passionate seeker, Debra-Lynn Hook (née Bledsoe)—passed away on October 5, 2025, surrounded by her children and close loved ones.
From Match to First Date: A Gentle Script for Meeting
That awkward gap between “We matched” and “We’re actually meeting in real life” is where a lot of connections die. People get busy, overthink, or just… fade.
Submitted: Backyard Maple Syrup Production Class coming to Ravenna
Although we typically think of winter as a hibernation period for agriculture, this is actually the perfect time to take part in the time-honored tradition of maple syrup production unique to the northeastern United States, including Ohio!
Easy Ways to Upgrade Your Everyday Life
Sometimes, you know exactly when it’s time for a big change in life. Other times, you know that what you need isn’t so much upheaval as enhancement. At the same time, when everything in your life seems perfectly fine if not all that exciting, it can be difficult to pinpoint where exactly to make the changes. The tips below will help you add that little extra to your life that makes all the difference.
Submitted: Awards announced for Portage County 4-H Life Skills projects
Portage County recently celebrated the achievements of its 4-H youth participants at the Portage County 4-H Life Skills Awards at the conclusion of judging for the Life Skills Projects in July. The awards recognize the exceptional dedication and hard work of the county’s 4-H members.
Notice to bidders: Village of Windham Water Meter Replacement Project
The project will provide the Village of Windham with a Fixed Network Advanced Metering
Rooted Ramblings: Spring, soil and seeds
Oh Spring. Trying our patience every day as we ride a roller coaster of temperatures. Not only that but we are up to our ankles in mud. Let’s talk about that mud or I mean soil. Did you know that your garden soil is a combination of dirt, organic material, water, and oxygen in air pockets? All of these components are necessary for your plants to grow and thrive. Currently in Portage County our soil is saturated with rain water, […]
Legal notice: Village of Windham Planning Commission will hold a Special Meeting on Tuesday, April 22, 2025
The Village of Windham Planning Commission will hold a Special Meeting on Tuesday, April 22, 2025, at 6:00 PM. The purpose of this meeting is to discuss the replat of two parcels located within the Village of Windham, specifically the combination of parcels for new residential construction on Maple Grove Road. The parcels to be combined are as follows: Lot 5, Parcel No. 41-057-10-00-047-000, and Lot 6, Parcel No. 41-057-10-00-048-0000. For any inquiries regarding this matter, please contact the Village […]
Submitted: Kent City Schools announces hall of fame inductees
Twelve new inductees to the Kent City Schools Hall of Fame will be honored at a dinner and ceremony on April 5, 2025 at the Kent State University Hotel and Conference Center.
Charlene Rohal named 2025 Ohio 4-H Hall of Fame Inductee
Charlene Rohal, a dedicated 4-H volunteer from Portage County, has achieved a milestone worthy of celebration. She was inducted into the prestigious Ohio 4-H Hall of Fame on March 8th at the Ohio 4-H Conference in Columbus. It is in recognition of her outstanding service, commitment, and impact on the 4-H community and youth over four decades.
Maplewood Career Center and The Renaissance Family Center collaborate to support the Windham community
Maplewood Career Center and The Renaissance Family Center have teamed up to make a meaningful impact on the Windham community. The Renaissance Center has always offered support to the citizens of Windham, but its reliance on donations resulted in a growing list of repairs.
Portage County Spelling Bee finalists advance to Akron regional competition
Twelve of Portage County’s top young spellers showcased their skills at the Portage County Spelling Bee, held on February 22, 2025, at James A. Garfield Middle School. These students earned their place in the county-level competition after winning their respective district spelling bees.
Hiram College James H. Barrow Biological Field Station announces March educational programming
The Hiram College James H. Barrow Biological Field Station is pleased to announce its schedule of programming and educational outreach events for the month of March.