Join nine local chambers of commerce for “First Friday Networking on the Go” from 8 to 9 a.m. Friday, March 6 at Great Lakes Honda at 43 Pruitt Blvd. in Akron. Join other business leaders and professionals and make great connections. Chambers from Portage County participating are Kent, Ravenna and Streetsboro.     

Aurora

Aurora City Council had resolutions of appreciation for firefighter/paramedics Michael Upholz and Michael Gelardi. They recently saved the life of a woman who was in the passenger seat of a car that had just arrived at the Hillcrest Hospital emergency room parking lot. Upholz and Gelardi were there, having just transported somebody to the ER.

“The firefighter/paramedics were about to leave when this woman who drove up was hysterical and had a woman who needed to be saved in the car. The person was not breathing,” Mayor Ann Womer Benjamin said. “They jumped on it immediately. The person was not breathing, and they took measures that saved her life.”

Upholz and Gelardi were also recognized by the hospital.

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The 22nd annual “A Taste of the Western Reserve” will take place from 4 to 7 p.m. Sunday, April 26 at Aurora Meadows at 50 Trails End. This year’s “A Taste of the Western Reserve” promises to be one of the best ever. Join the Rotary Club of Aurora as it brings you this highly anticipated event, which includes:

• Sample menu item
• Vote for your favorite area restaurants
• Bid on auction items
• 50/50 raffle
• Wine pull
• Entertainment by local youth musician

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit aurorarotaryclub.org.

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Sip, Savor, & Support, the Aurora Schools Foundation’s annual fundraising event, will be at 6 p.m. Saturday, March 14 at Club Walden at 585 Country Club Ln. There will be an Aruba trip raffle and an online silent auction. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit auroraschoolsfoundation.org.

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Aurora’s annual spring Eggstravaganza will be at 9 a.m. Saturday, March 28 in the Aurora High School gymnasium at 109 W. Pioneer Trl. This event is for kids 12 and under. To register, visit the Aurora Parks and Recreation Department.  

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Beginning March 8 in the community garden, plots that haven’t been renewed will be made available to all gardeners interested in having a plot. For questions, call the Aurora Parks and Recreation Department at 330-562-4333.

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The City of Aurora extended its electric aggregation program for another 12 months.

“It’s at a higher rate, but we had no choice,” Womer Benjamin said.

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Aurora City Council recently:

• Approved its contract with Infinity Construction, which will be doing Phase 1A at Aurora Park.
• Approved the city’s proposal for July 4 fireworks.
• Authorized the city’s purchase of two police vehicles and fitting them with equipment.
• Approved a tax abatement of 75% over 15 years for Tulum Mexican Restaurant, which is under construction at a $2 million cost.
• Approved the city’s contract with Northeast Ohio Trenching, which is installing a new main at the intersection of state Route 82 and state Route 43 and then south on state Route 43.

City of Ravenna

The Ravenna Area Chamber of Commerce’s Ravenna on Display Business Expo will be from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, March 21 at Ravenna High School at 6589 N. Chestnut St. Meet local business owners face to face. Discover services you may not even realize are right in Ravenna. Whether you’re looking for a new restaurant to try, a trusted home-service provider, healthcare options, a specialty store or ways to get involved in the community, you’ll find it all under one roof. Enjoy raffles and giveaways, participate in the community scavenger hunt and support the local economy. Sponsorship opportunities are available to help with the costs associated in presenting the show. This event is free and open to the public. Deadline for registration is March 16.

To register or to be a sponsor, contact the Chamber at 330-296-3886 or ryann@ravennaareachamber.com.

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A Memorandum of Understanding was created between the City of Ravenna and the City of Kent that says, in case of an emergency such as a drought, Ravenna can draw on Kent’s water supply and vice versa.

“This is a safety feature for both entities,” Ravenna Mayor Frank Seman said.

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A fuel purchase agreement between the City of Ravenna, the Ravenna City School District and the Portage Park District has been finalized.

“We have the fuel, and the schools and park district use it, and accordingly, they pay for it,” Seman said. “It’s a cooperation to make things easy.”

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Ravenna City Council approved the city’s annual paving program for 2026, which is estimated by the engineer’s office to cost more than $1 million, including sidewalks.

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A transition fair for graduating students with disabilities will be held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, March 7 at Reed Memorial Library at 167 E. Main St. This event connects students with disabilities and their families to community agencies, service providers and employers to help plan for life after high school. For more information, contact Laura at lauraf@portagedd.org, Matthew at matthew.mino@hattielarlham.org or Jennie at jennifer.smith@fieldlocalschools.org.

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“Coffee Talk with the Ravenna Area Chamber of Commerce” is from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. the second Wednesday of every month at the Horseshoe Diner at 250 W. Main St. The next “Coffee Talk” will be March 11. To register, contact the Chamber at ryann@ravennaareachamber.com.

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The Chamber’s Marlene Watt Poker Run/Walk will be at 9 a.m. Monday, March 16. Join this fun, family-friendly event supporting the Marlene Watt Scholarship. The scholarship helps provide discounted Parks & Rec program fees for youth in the community. Best poker hand wins $500 (pick up a card at each of the five stops). Chances to win additional prizes: Shamrock Scavenger Hunt, Solve the Leprechaun’s Riddle, gift basket raffles and more! Registration fees: single, $40 each; teams of 5+, $35 each (each registrant receives a swag bag, T-shirt and race medal).

The event will start and finish at the English Pub & Bistro at 320 E. Main St., Ste. 108. To register, for sponsorship opportunities and for more information, contact the parks & recreation office at 330-296-2864.

Streetsboro

The Portage Foundation canceled its pickleball tournament fundraiser originally scheduled for 5 p.m. Saturday, March 7. Find more ways to help at portagefoundation.org/pickleball.