Population changes mean Ravenna must redraw ward map
- Wendy DiAlesandro. For the first time in more than 50 years, Ravenna’s ward and precinct boundaries are set be redrawn.
Local government
Around Edinburg: Edinburg United Church welcomes new pastor
- Cathy Klein. Edinburg United Church would like to welcome its new pastor, Danny DeMarco. He and his wife, Rene, will live in the parsonage as he begins this new chapter of ministry with the church.
County roundup: Streetsboro radio station hub for emergency alerts; Aurora, Ravenna and Shalersville news
- Roger Gordon. The Streetsboro City School District and the City of Streetsboro entered into a memorandum of understanding to be able to utilize WSTB 88.9 FM, Streetsboro High School’s radio station, as the city’s go-to emergency radio broadcasting center.
Election preview: A look at the races, issues on the ballot in May 2026
- Wendy DiAlesandro. 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
- Wendy DiAlesandro. 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.
County roundup: Shalersville to create veterans memorial, plus news from Edinburg and Rootstown
- Roger Gordon. The grant will support the creation of Veteran’s Point, featuring a U.S. flag installation, benches and landscaping enhancements.
Documenters: Field Board of Education meeting for March 9, 2026
- Noell Wolfgram Evans. “We’re in an interesting place in terms of enrollment,” Heflinger said. He said that the district doesn’t have room in Brimfield to grow, adding that “if kindergarten enrollment goes up, we will be scrambling.”
Brimfield reduces pay for zoning board members
- Wendy DiAlesandro. Brimfield Township trustees on March 2 reduced the stipend certain board members receive and reduced how often they get it.
County roundup: Garrettsville considers JEDD; Freedom, Hiram, Mantua, Nelson and Windham news
- Roger Gordon. Brad Ehrhart, president of the Portage Development Board, spoke recently to Garrettsville Village Council about the village’s interest in perhaps at some point becoming part of a Joint Economic Development District (JEDD) with other communities.
Legislative update: Income tax revisions, Roe v Wade and ICE activity
- Savana Capp. In the first two months of 2026, U.S. Rep. Emilia Sykes (D-Akron) has been active in speaking up for her constituents, as well as Americans nationally.
County roundup: Atwater requests solar and wind farm ban; Mogadore, Randolph and Suffield news
- Roger Gordon. The Portage County Board of Commissioners will hold a Special Public Meeting at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, March 26 concerning recent township board of trustees resolutions that request the board of commissioners prohibit economically significant wind farms, large wind farms and large solar farms within the townships.
Plans for Aurora Park at Geauga Lake main focus of this year’s state of the city address
- Wendy DiAlesandro. Aurora Park at Geauga Lake took center stage at Aurora’s 2026 State of the City event, held Feb. 25 at Aurora Meadows.
Aurora’s superintendent praises district successes while looking to the future
- Wendy DiAlesandro. In his first year as head of the Aurora City School District, Superintendent Paul Milcetich spoke about “The Green Standard,” the district’s commitment to ensuring that its youth thrive not only academically, but also athletically, artistically and socially, as leaders and as human beings.
Income tax increase on the ballot in Ravenna
- Wendy DiAlesandro. Ravenna voters will decide in May whether to hike their income tax a quarter percent, from 2.5% to 2.75%.
Portage County Recycling to open Reuse Center
- Adriana Gasiewski. Portage County Recycling anticipates opening a Reuse Center at its Center for Hard to Recycle Materials in April, with hopes of eliminating landfill waste and hazards.
Documenters: Rootstown Township Trustees meeting for Feb. 24, 2026
- Marissa Devantier. Palmer requested approval to transition two part-time firefighters to full-time status, effective April 1. While the fiscal officer noted that the midyear budget did not initially account for the additional salaries, approximately $500,000 in carryover funds made the hires feasible.
Portage County corrections officer charged with sexual extortion
- Wendy DiAlesandro. A Portage County corrections officer faces two felony charges of sexual extortion, but the sheriff’s office isn’t naming names.
Around Brimfield: Many ways to help feed your neighbors
- Shirley Mars. For over 45 years, the spirit of neighborliness has been alive and well in our community, as residents wholeheartedly lent support to the Brimfield Community Cupboard and created a legacy of caring for our own.