Kent City Council on April 16 delayed the purchase of automated license plate readers, opting instead to reconsider the matter in October. The national and local political climate, as well as how the cameras would be used, were top of mind.
Local government
Public hearing began with residents addressing a zoning issue. The residents are landlords of a single-family home and wished to put up a fence, but the zoning permit was revoked because the property had an infraction for clutter.
A second member of the community questioned the board as to if the district has been asked, and has in turn made, any changes to its DEI policies based on recent actions by the Trump administration. Larkin said the Department of Education has asked schools to review a “list of materials.” Larkin stated that they “have no choice but to be compliant without jeopardizing millions in funding.”
The Portage County Sheriff’s Office last week issued a news release stating its officers would receive training by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE, to enforce immigration law.
Shepherd's House, which provides the county’s only warming center, is asking Kent city leaders to pay almost $10,000 more than expected for city residents who sought shelter there during the season’s coldest days and nights.
Recently, the Board of Education allowed the Waterloo football team to place their equipment after practice in an unused visitors concession stand. The football coach began the meeting by expressing his gratitude, explaining how about two hours of labor previously went into putting all the equipment away in its previous spot.
Federal cuts have hit the Portage County Combined General Health District (PCHD), affecting the department’s ability to monitor and respond to communicable disease outbreaks.
Kent’s annual $65,000 grant allocation to local social service agencies has remained static for years, but City Council members recently decided it’s time for a change.
Hiram Village Council passed legislation for the village administrator to build a structure to be able to sell water. Currently, the village does not sell water.
With the passing of Ohio’s controversial Senate Bill 1, President Donald Trump’s continued executive orders and the age-old partisan divide, Portage County politicians didn’t let up in the statehouse or on social media in March.
Portage County’s food pantries and programs are among the first local victims of federal funding cuts, and the state is poised to compound the blow.
UH Portage Medical Center and the county prosecutor’s office have joined forces to launch the Portage County Domestic Violence Task Force, which held its inaugural meeting in January.