Income tax increase on the ballot in Ravenna
Ravenna voters will decide in May whether to hike their income tax a quarter percent, from 2.5% to 2.75%.
Wendy DiAlesandro
Portage County corrections officer charged with sexual extortion
A Portage County corrections officer faces two felony charges of sexual extortion, but the sheriff’s office isn’t naming names.
Brimfield may have spent thousands in unnecessary property tax payments
Brimfield’s newest trustee has a sharp eye for dollar signs. During the township’s Feb. 2 trustee meeting, Kevin Scott mentioned that the township is needlessly paying tens of thousands of dollars in annual property taxes.
Village of Mantua, Crestwood Local Schools clash over school resource officer hire
The Village of Mantua has been saying for months that it has hired a full-time school resource officer for Crestwood Local Schools, but school officials aren’t on board.
Marijuana revenue adds unexpected funds to three cities in county
Three Portage County cities are seeing green, but it has nothing to do with the approach of St. Patrick’s Day.
County judge says commissioners aren’t giving the court enough space
Portage County Domestic Relations Court Judge Paula Giulitto on Feb. 17 filed a judgement entry against the county commissioners, alleging they have failed to provide the DR Court with sufficient space to do its job.
Crestwood schools stop livestreams in light of AI
Citing concerns about artificial intelligence, Crestwood’s Board of Education has pulled the plug on its livestreams.
Brimfield opened the year in the red, but 'financial hiccup' has a solution
Brimfield Township budget hit a new low this year, when Fiscal Officer Jasmine Golden noted in early January that the general fund was $53,020 in the hole and the fire department only had $50,000.
Portage County deputy convicted of felony after 2024 altercation
A Portage County Sheriff’s deputy pleaded guilty to a fourth-degree felony charge of attempted abduction related to an April 2024 altercation outside a Hinckley bar.
Villages dispute sheriff's comments on Hiram-Mantua police collaboration
The Portager reported on Jan. 26 that the Village of Hiram was paying Mantua police $100 a day to handle its police dispatch needs until a more permanent contract could be finalized with another provider.
Axess Family Services uses $5M award to make lasting local change
A year ago, Axess Family Services received an unexpected $5 million award from the Bezos Day 1 Families Fund, which is backed by multi-billionaire Jeff Bezos and his wife, Lauren Sanchez.
New arts group aims to support creativity near Hiram
Art enthusiasts in northern Portage County finally have a space to call their own.
Mantua will temporarily oversee dispatch services for Hiram
A month after Mantua signed an agreement handing control of its police department to Hiram, Hiram found itself in need of Mantua’s help.
Brimfield fire chief faced firing in 2025, but landed a raise instead
In May 2025, the Brimfield fire chief was on the verge of losing his job over complaints of shouting, threatening employees and dishonesty on the job. Instead of terminating him, township trustees in October suspended him for 10 days and offered him a three-year contract extension and a raise.
Samantha Stephens leads Schneller with a focus on community, opportunity
Samantha Stephens paused in the lobby of Schneller, a one-of-a-kind company on Powdermill Road in Kent.
Stow Street bridge replacement still years away
Kent drivers, beware: those barrels lining the south side of the Stow Street bridge will likely remain in place for at least another year.
Icy start to the school year in Kent
Facebook's "You Know You're From Kent If/When" page lit up Jan. 5, when residents complained about the school district's response — or lack thereof — to the New Year's Eve snowstorm.
Plans to clean up Hometown Bank's South End land are underway
After Kent leaders in October decided not to rezone almost 12 acres near the center of the city, the proposed buyer backed out, but the land is still in play.