Round Two: 'I know, in my gut, it's time'
- Tom Hardesty. After 40 years in journalism, having my first article published when I was 17 years old and working as a professional journalist since age 18, it’s time to bring the train into the station.
Opinion
Around Windham: Spring fundraisers are kicking off and Bombers excell
- Nicole Sweet. Join Windham Village and Township for a joint community clean-up weekend from 8 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. Friday, April 24 and Saturday, April 25. Clear your clutter and put it in the dumpsters at the wastewater plant at 9958 E. Center St. (next to the American Legion).
Op-ed: Reed Memorial asks for "yes" to renew
- Op-Ed Contributor. The Reed Memorial Library Community Starts Here Political Action Committee is asking for a “YES” Vote on the May 5th, 2026, renewal ballot Issue 4 for Reed Memorial Library.
Letter to the editor: Streetsboro schools are asking too much
- Letter to the editor. Despite two consecutive rejections of property tax levies and recent home value reappraisals that have generated nearly $1 million from unvoted tax bill increases, the Streetsboro City School Board is again asking tax payers for to shoulder an even heavier tax burden.
Letter to the editor: An open letter to the county commissioners on renewable energy
- Letter to the editor. We want to thank the Portage County Commissioners for their recent decision regarding the future of our community. By choosing to review renewable energy projects on a case-by-case basis rather than passing a blanket ban, the commissioners are standing up for local workers and the economic health of our community.
Op-ed: A better reflection of who we are
- Op-Ed Contributor. You probably missed it, with the war in Iran consuming most of the headlines. President Trump issued his 2027 budget — and, not surprisingly, he once again (as he did last year) zeroed-out programs that help low-income families offset energy costs, which have skyrocketed.
Letter to the editor: Petition for equal rights amendments
- Letter to the editor. Right now, Ohioans are facing a difficult political landscape where our civil rights are constantly under attack by our own state legislature. But we have a powerful tool to fight back and protect our communities: the citizen-led ballot initiative.
One for the Books: Voyaging to new frontiers in space
- Mary Louise Ruehr. With NASA’s Artemis moon project in the headlines, I thought it would be fun to look at a few imagined off-Earth futures. I wouldn’t claim to be a diehard fan of science fiction, but I do like a good story set on another planet or aboard a spaceship, such as Mary Doria Russell’s “The Sparrow” or Andy Weir’s “The Martian” and “Project Hail Mary.” Plenty of recent books fall into this category, but many are part of long-running series, and I didn’t want to jump into one already established. These novels are all firsts or standalones.
Op-Ed: It’s time for a plastics revolution
- Op-Ed Contributor. The following is a commentary on the dangers that plastics pose in our everyday life. It is being presented by The Kent Environmental Council in cooperation with The Portager, to help inform the community on current environmental topics.
Around Brimfield: Brimfield welcomes new police chief and new Brimfield Plaza business
- Shirley Mars. As of April 20, there will be a new chief in town! Captain Christopher Adkins will become Brimfield’s interim police chief, pending an employment agreement to offer him the full-time position.
Around Ravenna: Spring Fling returns to Immaculate Conception Parish
- Angie Reedy. Immaculate Conception Parish is hosting Spring Fling Music Bingo from 6 to 10 p.m. Saturday, April 25 for all the southern Portage County parishes. The event will be held at the I-C Hall at 251 W. Spruce Ave. in Ravenna. Tickets are $25.
Rooted Ramblings: The Homegrown National Park
- Master Gardener Volunteers. Homegrown National Park Project: Join the movement, be part of the solution. Put your land on the map.
Senior Life: Say thanks or join your local volunteers during National Volunteer Month
- Sally Kelly. April is National Volunteer Month. This is a chance for us to take a look around and “give our thanks” to all of our neighbors who give of their time and energy to help improve the community in which we live. These are folks who work for free, who only get paid by the good “feelings” which come from helping someone else live a better life.
Rooted Ramblings: Starting over in your home gardens
- Master Gardener Volunteers. Our first backyard contained one Bradford Pear (later destroyed in a storm) and a topped white pine. Over 25 years we added trees, shrubs, perennials, a pergola, and two water features. Leaving the now shaded, full yard made my heart stop for a moment. After digging a few perennials to share at the PCMGV plant sale and telling the new owners to call with any questions, we moved on from our first home.
Letter to the editor: Ban on large wind or solar operations exacerbates electricity bill struggles
- Letter to the editor. The citizens of Portage County are struggling with their energy utility bills. This is a serious problem that needs to be addressed. Banning solar and wind farms is not the answer.
Letter to the editor: Data centers spark pollution concerns for local farmers
- Letter to the editor. I wish to express my deep concern regarding the increased possibility of building a “data center” on the Geiss development property (Turnpike Commerce Center). I verbally expressed my concern at a meeting last year and I now wish to express formally.
Op-ed: Herbicide Resistant Waterhemp found in Portage County
- Op-Ed Contributor. Back in the fall I was conducting my annual harvest survey in which I drive down as many backroads as possible throughout Portage County and scout soybean fields for current weed pressure before the beans are harvested.
Letter to the Portage County commissioners before renewable energy hearing
- Letter to the editor. Either we are going to ban commercial scale renewable projects in much of Portage County, or not. I would urge the county commissioners to take a more measured approach. Do not ban these projects out of hand, take the time and effort to investigate the possibilities and develop a plan.