Mantua will temporarily oversee dispatch services for Hiram
- Wendy DiAlesandro. A month after Mantua signed an agreement handing control of its police department to Hiram, Hiram found itself in need of Mantua’s help.
Local government
County roundup: Rootstown prepares for America's 250th, plus news from Franklin and Paris
- Roger Gordon. The Rootstown Historical Society, in conjunction with Rootstown Township, is planning a festive celebration of the United States’ 250th birthday from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday, July 4 at Rootstown Park.
Brimfield acquires rest of Lake Mildred from Tallmadge
- Adriana Gasiewski. Brimfield now owns the entirety of Lake Mildred in McGuire Park, after Tallmadge gifted the remaining portion of it to the township on Jan. 5.
County roundup: Windham holds off on housing question, plus Mantua and Garrettsville news
- Roger Gordon. The Windham Township Trustees held a special meeting recently regarding the amendment that the people brought about having a second dwelling on one parcel. The trustees voted to accept the zoning commission’s recommendation to deny that activity.
Brimfield fire chief faced firing in 2025, but landed a raise instead
- Wendy DiAlesandro. 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.
Around Windham: Congratulations and welcome to Mayor Terrie Altiere
- Nicole Sweet. Terrie Altiere was formally sworn in as mayor by village Solicitor Charles Gasior on Dec. 16. Mayor Altiere was appointed to fill the vacant mayoral seat and will serve in this capacity through Dec. 31, 2027.
End-of-year legislative updates: Votes on Venezuela military action, Epstein files and more
- Lauren Cohen. In December, U.S. Rep. Emilia Sykes voted yes and U.S. Rep. Dave Joyce (R-Bainbridge Township) voted no on two bills that regarded military actions involving Venezuela.
Documenters: Village of Sugar Bush Knolls Council meeting for Jan. 6, 2026
- Noell Wolfgram Evans. According to the banking statements shared, the village ended December with $173,273.10 in the bank and with $119,845.60 in investments with STAR Ohio.
County roundup: Mogadore seeks grants for sewer project, plus news from Atwater, Brimfield and Suffield
- Roger Gordon. Mogadore Village Council, partnering with Summit County and the City of Akron, passed legislation to authorize the village engineer to prepare and submit an application for grants from the Ohio Public Works Commission.
Documenters: Kent City Council committee meeting for Jan. 7, 2026
- Margaret Lennox. Nick Cecil informed the council that there would be a cybersecurity meeting in order to go over updates made to comply with new Ohio law. Jones also went over an update to the civil service rules.
Plans to clean up Hometown Bank's South End land are underway
- Wendy DiAlesandro. 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.
Costs adding up around Mantua’s police chief firing
- Wendy DiAlesandro. The Village of Mantua’s Oct. 21-22 hearing that resulted in Council firing former Police Chief Joseph Urso carries a slew of financial consequences.
Kent City Council swears in three members
- Margaret Lennox. 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.
Hiram takes control of Mantua’s police department, dispatch center
- Wendy DiAlesandro. Mantua Village Council on Dec. 16 unanimously approved a $170,000 contract handing Hiram Village control of its police department and dispatch center. Hiram’s village council has already authorized the contract.
Hike-and-bike trail connection faces opposition in Mantua
- Wendy DiAlesandro. Continued opposition to a hike-and-bike trail connection in Mantua Township may mean no connection at all. In short, residents and elected officials aren’t on board.
County roundup: Hiram offers police management to Mantua, plus Freedom, Garrettsville and Windham news
- Roger Gordon. Village council has authorized Mayor Anne Haynam to offer a management contract to the Village of Mantua that would allow the Hiram Police Department to manage the Mantua Village Police Department on a temporary basis.
Commissioners considering banning large wind and solar in county’s townships
- Wendy DiAlesandro. Portage County’s commissioners have the authority to designate all 18 townships off-limits to large wind and solar installations, but they’ve decided not to act alone.