Community, school leaders ponder next steps after tax failures at the ballot
Disappointed by May’s primary election results, school and city officials across Portage County know they have work to do before November.
Wendy DiAlesandro
Brimfield has never paid Kent for its $44,000-a-year dispatch contract
How is it that the City of Kent has been providing free dispatching service for Brimfield Township fire and EMS for years?
Ravenna Parks and Rec plans Summer Celebration, concert and more
Sun Beau Valley Event Center (formerly Sunbeau Valley Farm) will be the site of two events this summer, both hosted by Ravenna’s Parks and Recreation Department.
Kent State cancels trial agreement with Flock Safety after pushback
Kent State University’s administration and police had intended to use license plate readers on campus, but reversed themselves after public outcry became apparent.
Extreme weather risks are growing in Northeast Ohio
If recent weather seems wonky, that’s because it is. That’s the word from Portage County Emergency Management Agency Director Ryan Shackelford, whose job it is to track potential disasters and help communities respond to them.
Kent asks voters for levy approval amid financial challenges
Kent City School District leaders hope voters will approve a 9.8-mill continuing levy in May. If approved, Issue 1 will generate $8,522,335 annually for the district’s general operating budget.
Ravenna passes data center moratorium, and it's not alone
Heading off a local landowner’s apparent desire to site a data center on his property, Ravenna City Council on April 20 unanimously authorized a one-year moratorium on such facilities.
Ravenna considers new form of government and other major changes
Ravenna city leaders are thinking about big changes, including adopting a city manager form of government, consolidating the city and township and creating a fire district.
Ravenna City Council rushes to block potential data center proposal
When the topic is data centers, Ravenna city officials seem split. Local administrators say a proposal to site a data center within city limits is no big deal, but City Council’s planning committee is racing to impose a one-year moratorium on such facilities.
Commissioners won’t automatically ban solar, wind farms
Instead of approving an outright ban of solar and wind farms in eight townships, Portage County’s Board of Commissioners have opted to consider them on a case-by-case basis.
Chinn Allotment sewer project kicks off, but residents still worry about costs
County officials were told last month Congressman Dave Joyce’s office had scored $2 million in U.S. EPA grant money to help property owners in Ravenna Township’s Chinn Allotment, but who will get how much remains a mystery.
Population changes mean Ravenna must redraw ward map
For the first time in more than 50 years, Ravenna’s ward and precinct boundaries are set be redrawn.
Residents say 'No' to commissioners' ban on large wind and solar
Don’t ban large solar and wind facilities in Portage County, said about a dozen speakers at a March 26 public hearing the county commissioners hosted at the Portage County Emergency Management Agency headquarters.
Woman arrested by deputies in March reportedly has been deported
A woman arrested by Portage County deputies March 10 following an all-night manhunt has been deported, according to a jail official in Mahoning County, where she was being held.
Election preview: A look at the races, issues on the ballot in May 2026
May primaries are just around the corner, and Portage County voters will see a number of familiar names in dozens of uncontested races, as well as a few contested ones. On the ballot are candidates for state representative of Ohio’s 72nd district, Portage County commissioner, Portage County Common Pleas Court judges and Portage County auditor.
Public hearing on wind, solar installations March 26 ahead of potential commissioners vote
The Portage County Commissioners will host a public hearing regarding certain wind and solar installations at 6:30 p.m. March 26 at the county Emergency Management Agency headquarters.
Person found dead in cell at Portage County jail two days after booking
The Portage County Sheriff’s Office announced March 16 that a person who had been incarcerated at the county jail had died the previous day.
Brimfield reduces pay for zoning board members
Brimfield Township trustees on March 2 reduced the stipend certain board members receive and reduced how often they get it.