Aurora / Ravenna / Shalersville
County roundup: Aurora lines up construction projects, plus news from Ravenna and Shalersville
- Roger Gordon
Aurora
Of the three bridges in Aurora that had structural issues, two have been replaced with new bridges during the last two years. The third, an 80-foot ravine bridge by the Paddock River Preserve that goes across the Chagrin River, was just approved to be built by Jagger Construction at a cost of $397,703.
Aurora is resuming its sidewalk repair program in which the city will partner with residents to repair the sidewalks in front of their properties.
“The city will pay half the cost, and we’ll also bid it so we’ll get a better price,” Mayor Ann Womer Benjamin said.
To apply, visit auroraoh.com.
Aurora City Council signed a road-paving contract with Perrin Asphalt for $1.37 million. The road paving should be completed by July 4.
The first phase of the building of Aurora’s hike-and-bike trail, which will be called the Aurora Trail, is well underway and should be completed in early summer. The 10-foot-wide paved path will be 2.8 miles in length running from State Route 82 in Aurora along the former railroad right-of-way to Chamberlain Road in Mantua Township. Said Womer Benjamin, “It’s really beautiful.”
City council entered into a contract with MKSK for $1.8 million for the design of phase one of Aurora Park and the design of the utilities at the park.
City council entered into a contract with Strand Associates, Inc. for $632,800 for improvements to the Market Place pump station.
“The pump station is actually in Bainbridge Township, but we provide sanitary services to that area,” Womer Benjamin said. “The contract also includes the design of a new pump station at our new park. The sanitary infrastructure that’s there can’t be used anymore.”
Decorative lights will soon be put up on South Chillicothe Road. Perram Electric will be installing them.
Gatta Holdings was recently granted an abatement of real property taxes because it is expanding. It is a 100%, 15-year abatement on the improvements that will be made.
Food Truck Wednesdays will begin June 11 and continue on the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month through August. There will be food trucks at Kiwanis-Moore Park from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Aurora’s Summer Concert Series will begin Thursday, June 12 and continue on the second and fourth Thursdays of the month through August. The concerts will begin at 6:30 p.m. at Veterans Memorial Park at 40 W. Garfield Rd.
There is a new fountain at Veterans Memorial Park that was donated by Diane Chapman.
“It’s lighted at night,” Womer Benjamin said. “It’s really beautiful.”
The splash pad will open Saturday, May 24. The hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
The Sunny Lake Boat House will open Saturday, May 24. The hours are noon to 8 p.m. weekdays and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. weekends.
There will be a Memorial Day ceremony at 10:15 a.m. Monday, May 26 at Veterans Memorial Park at 40 W. Garfield Rd. Then there will be a procession to Aurora Cemetery on state Route 43 next to the Aurora Police Department, where there will be a program starting at approximately 11 a.m.
City council signed a contract for fireworks on July 4 that cost $26,000.
Grand marshal nominations for Aurora’s Fourth of July Parade must be received by Saturday, May 31. The nomination form can be found at auroraoh.com.
Womer Benjamin appointed Aurora resident Rachel Reight to be an alternate member of the planning commission. This position was created by an amendment to the charter that was approved last November.
City council approved Womer Benjamin’s new executive assistant, Rachel Miller. Miller is an Aurora resident and currently works in Streetsboro.
Heinen’s Grocery Store recently had a ribbon cutting for its renovated store at 115 N. Chillicothe Rd.
Ravenna Township
The Ravenna Township Trustees authorized the Portage County Engineer to prepare bid books for the township’s chip-and-seal project for this year, which will focus on the McElrath development.
“We’ll probably open up the bids on June 10,” township Chair Vince Coia said. “We hope to have the project done by the end of the summer.”
The township trustees received the county engineer’s price of $2,487.67 for a new street light/pole at the intersection of Hayes Road and state Route 14.
“The reason there isn’t a street light there is because when ODOT redid Hayes where it comes out on state Route 14, they moved the road, so it’s no longer with the original street light. It’s farther down the road,” Coia said. “We’re pretty sure it’s going to be done, but we just have to go through the formalities.”
The Portage County Young Marines will put flags on veterans’ graves Thursday, May 22 at Grandview Cemetery.
In the wake of Doug Dillion retiring, Hunter Grimes was promoted from township road worker to the township’s assistant road supervisor.
City of Ravenna
A Community Resource Fair will be held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, May 31 at the Ravenna Elks #1076 at 776 N. Freedom St. Join in for free information and resources from local community partners for you and your family. Snacks and light refreshments will be provided. There will be giveaways, face painting and gift card raffles. Food trucks available will be Yum Village CLE, Dreamsicle Truck, Cousins Maine Lobster, D3k Dogs, RaKsBBQ and The Original Steaks and Hoagies.
The second installment of the Summer Concert Series, “Silver & Strings,” will be from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, June 15 at Reed Memorial Library’s outdoor pavilion. The library is located at 167 E. Main St. This free event is sponsored by the Friends of Reed Memorial Library.
The Ravenna Area Chamber of Commerce’s 2025 Honorary Way Recipient is Patti Hicks. A lifelong Ravenna resident, Hicks was a strong supporter of many organizations in Ravenna. Through the years, she supported and helped at the schools and the concession stands. She was the secretary of the Chamber and volunteered her time and energy for many years. She also was on the executive board of the Ravenna Rotary Club and was a trustee of the Ravenna Balloon A-Fair. She and her husband Duane volunteered at the Haven of Portage County. She also volunteered with The Center of Hope during its Christmas assistance day. Hicks will be honored at noon Saturday, July 26 on the corner of the courthouse lawn at 203 W. Main St.
The Ravenna Area Chamber of Commerce will honor the Raven Awards recipients from 2024 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 4 in the Ravenna High School auditorium at 6589 N. Chestnut St. The award winners are:
NEW BUSINESSES
The Boston Group
One Main Financial
First Choice Auctions
Moonflower Apothecary
Karbassi Orthodontics
Hometown Urgent Care
Ravenna Mini Mart
Ravenna Discount
Twisted Ape Design
Sandi’s Creative Corner
The Odd Collective
For the Birds and More
Ravenna Sip and Social
Phoenix Welding Solutions
YOI Hibachi
SJ Salon
Salon 114
NEW RENOVATIONS
Portage County Courthouse
UH Portage Medical Center
Domino’s Pizza
Chestnut Commerce-Solar Panels
Portage Dental
Maplewood Career Center
American Legion
Portage County Veterans
Reed Memorial Library
Chestnut Hills Park
NEW CONSTRUCTION
LG Chem America INC.
Bethel Baptist Church
Pocket Park Pavilion
Guido’s Catering and Pizza
HONORARY WAY RECIPIENT 2024
Julie Piccione Beach
RAVENNA HIGH SCHOOL SCHOLARSHIP 2025
To be announced
YOUNG ENTREPRENEUR AWARD
Dylan Nicolino
CITIZEN OF THE YEAR AWARD 2024
Cheryl Wood
VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR AWARD 2024
Colleen Brown
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Susie Kohl
The Ravenna Police Department will be purchasing two new cruisers at a cost of $45,654 apiece.
Ravenna City Council is considering purchasing a new fire engine for approximately $1.9 million.
City council is looking into what the state requirements are for the size of open burning and campfires.
The Ravenna Recreation Department will open its summer camp for children when school is out. For more information, call the recreation department at 330-296-2864.
The recreation department is working with the Community Action Council (CAC) as it has in past years. The CAC will provide the food for breakfast and lunch for children this summer at Ravenna City Park. For more information, contact Judy Watkins at the recreation department at 330-296-2864.
Shalersville
Shalersville’s annual Community Wide Garage Sale will start at 9 a.m. on both Friday, June 13 and Saturday, June 14. Registration is open. For $15, you’ll get your address and a short description listed on the map and a sign and balloon to help customers find your house. More details to follow. Start cleaning out those attics and garages!
Join Women in Bloom from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 31 at De Novo Wellness at 9222 State Route 44. The event will completely focus on women’s health. You will learn, talk, eat (lunch is provided), laugh and relax together.
De Novo Wellness will welcome three local experts from The Menopause Retreat to discuss women’s health in detail. These wonderful ladies are amazing and will help guests feel so comfortable and relaxed, it will be easy to open up and share thoughts, feelings and ask questions about women’s health within a supportive group.
Make it a day and check out all the fun local shops – many of which are owned or run by women! There is a lovely winery with outdoor space, an amazing coffee shop, a delightful bakery, vintage clothing, a quaint gift shop, a flower shop, restaurants, bulk foods and so much more!
To register, visit https://www.denovo-wellness.com/service-page/women-in-bloom-event?referral=service_list_widget. Sign up now and receive $30 off the ticket price! Enter the code WOMEN30 when checking out.
The Shalersville Historical Society’s One-Room Schoolhouse construction project is proceeding on schedule. The cupola was installed two weeks ago, and the painters will start this week. The project should be finished in time for the schoolhouse’s dedication at 1 p.m. Friday, June 13. An open house and pot-luck dinner are planned.
The building inspector issued two permits for the construction of two new houses, one on Peck Road and one on state Route 303.
The zoning board is making different requirements for the commercial and light-industry signage.
The township’s traditional Memorial Day Parade is planned to be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 24. The parade will start at Red Fox Development and conclude at Riverside Cemetery.
Andy Youngblood was appointed as the alternate on the board of zoning appeals.
Roger Gordon