Voters will likely continue to see whether candidates for council and mayor are Democrats or Republicans on their ballots following a decision from Kent City Council on July 9.
Local government
The Kent charter review commission has recommended that the city's mayoral and city council elections will no longer be partisan. At 7 p.m. July 9, Kent City Council will decide whether to put the change to voters in the November general election.
Kent city leaders may be leaning away from purchasing automated license plate readers, but leave city limits and you’re on camera.
As the federal government began mass deportations, Kent city council in April delayed purchasing 14 automated license plate readers.
A grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony took place on Saturday to celebrate Aurora’s new hike and bike path, Aurora Trail.
Acknowledging that his request is “last-resort” advocacy, Portage County District Library director Jonathan Harris has sent a plea and a promise directly to Governor Mike DeWine’s desk.
In the first six months of a new Portage County Jail transportation program, 173 people recently released from the jail have taken advantage of free rides to a PARTA hub, personally accompanied by a social worker offering help with employment and housing.
Gov. Mike DeWine is poised to sign a two-year budget bill into law, but if he does, Ohio’s schools, communities and law enforcement agencies may find themselves behind the financial eight ball.
U.S. Rep. Emilia Sykes (D-Akron) and U.S. Rep. Dave Joyce (R-Bainbridge Township) have taken opposite stances on the Republicans’ federal budget reconciliation bill — dubbed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
Atwater Fire Department Chief Jason Brock presented information on the increasing call volume the department is facing (there were 51 incidents in May). Data showed the need for the station to be staffed from 4 to 10 p.m. as this is the second-busiest call time after the 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. time slot.
Streetsboro City Council authorized participation in the Ohio Department of Transportation project scheduled for April 2026 that is going to be a complete rebuilding and resurfacing of the center of town.
Portage County property owners were gobsmacked last year when they received their new property valuations. Many wondered where the money will go, and some are even calling for the total elimination of property taxes.