Marijuana revenue adds unexpected funds to three cities in county
- Wendy DiAlesandro. Three Portage County cities are seeing green, but it has nothing to do with the approach of St. Patrick’s Day.
Ravenna
Documenters: Ravenna Township Trustees meeting for Feb. 17, 2026
- Noell Wolfgram Evans. Coia shared an update on a $2 million neighborhood grant. The hope is that it will pay for about two-thirds of the hookups to the sewer lines in the allotted area. He also said he has been working on the township dinner, which will be held in August. Space has been reserved at the Elks and a caterer has been procured.
Ravenna works to better notify residents of boil, other alerts
- Jeremy Brown. Extremely cold weather and sustained sub-zero temperatures were the likely cause of a water main break on King Street in Ravenna on Feb. 4. A boil alert was issued and notification placards were delivered to homes in the affected area, but some residents said on social media that they didn’t get the alert in time.
Around Ravenna: Warm up with these community events coming up this month
- Angie Reedy. The 39th annual Celebration of Lights was held in December at the University Hospitals Portage Medical Center in Ravenna, hosted by the hospital’s Auxiliary. It was a successful evening and the committee wants to thank everyone who came, donated money or helped in any way for their participation, and especially Shorts-Spicer-Crislip Funeral Homes for its sponsorship.
County roundup: Streetsboro opens city hall, plus news from Aurora, Ravenna and Shalersville
- Roger Gordon. Ravenna City Council voted to extend its moratorium on storage facilities six months before it considers allowing any more to go in.
Ravenna looking to hire more firefighters, EMTs
- Adriana Gasiewski. Ravenna City Council is poised to add additional new firefighter/EMT positions, but how many remains up for debate. In draft legislation council considered last month, the number of new hires was not specified.
Ravenna looks for other ways to improve Emerald Lake Preservation
- Wendy DiAlesandro. Ravenna did not win a state grant to acquire what would be additional park property, but the city’s not giving up yet.
Documenters: Ravenna City Council meeting for Dec. 1, 2025
- Noell Wolfgram Evans. Calfee asked Smallfield for an update on the Flock system and if it has been “worth it.” Smallfield enthusiastically shared his positive opinion on the system and said that it has helped to solve about 100 crimes already.
County roundup: Aurora budget request rounds out to $50 million, plus news from Ravenna, Shalersville and Streetsboro
The Aurora Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Bureau Annual Holiday Luncheon celebrating the 2025 Person of the Year and Business of the Year will be at 11:30 a.m. Friday, Dec. 5 at the Bertram Inn & Conference Center at 600 N. Aurora Rd. These honors recognize the remarkable achievements and significant contributions made by local individuals and businesses.
Documenters: Ravenna Board of Education meeting for Nov. 24, 2025
Unanimous approval was also provided for entering into a service agreement with Southeast Local Schools for the services of an ELL tutor, the establishment of an Indoor Track and Field Club at the high school, and the purchase of a new van for the transportation of special education students.
Ravenna considering putting .25 percent income tax increase on the ballot next year
Ravenna City Council on Nov. 3 eyed a .25 percent income tax increase to fund the planning and construction of a new fire station, police station and city hall.
Free health fair in Ravenna on Nov. 5
Free snacks, blood pressure checks, flu shots and more will be available at a health fair set for 4-6 p.m. Nov. 5 at 575 Lake St., Ravenna.
County roundup: Aurora breaks ground on Geauga Lake park, plus news from Ravenna, Shalersville and Streetsboro
- Roger Gordon.
Aurora The groundbreaking ceremony for Aurora Park at Geauga Lake took place Oct. 23. The city purchased approximately 47 acres of lakefront property at the former SeaWorld site from Industrial Commercial Properties in 2024. “It was a great event,” Mayor Ann Womer Benjamin said of the event that drew 50 to 60 people. Because a section of the park spills over into Bainbridge Township, the Bainbridge Trustees had to approve Aurora’s preliminary design plan for the park, which they did. […]
New program aims to build community in Skeels, McElrath neighborhoods
When two visionaries meet, stand back. In this instance, the flying sparks gave life to Community Recess, a new recreational outlet for children and adults in Ravenna township’s Skeels and McElrath neighborhoods.
Around Ravenna: Soudils celebrate 50th anniversary, plus upcoming events
- Angie Reedy.
A 50th wedding anniversary party was held by Cliff and Denise Soudil on Oct. 4, 2025 – 50 years to the day of their wedding, Oct. 4, 1975.
Restoration of VANTAGE employment funding a relief for local nonprofits
The loss of a single employee can make a huge difference. So when a handful of federally subsidized employees returned to their workplaces Oct. 6, their bosses indulged in a collective sigh of relief.
County roundup: Aurora expands Geauga Lake property, plus news from Ravenna, Shalersville and Streetsboro
- Roger Gordon.
Aurora The City of Aurora purchased a bit more property to add to its park property at Geauga Lake. “Our new park that we’re building has a small residential street right along its border called Fairview Avenue,” Mayor Ann Womer Benjamin said. “We have, during the last year, purchased some property on Fairview, and council recently approved the city buying three vacant lots on Fairview. The lot with the house won’t close until next year.” This property will save the […]