Aurora / Events / Local government / Ravenna / Shalersville
County roundup: Aurora makes ready for its fall festival, plus news from Ravenna and Shalersville
- Roger Gordon
Aurora
The Aurora Fall Festival will be from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 4.
The Fall Festival is a beloved annual tradition presented in partnership with the City of Aurora and the Aurora Chamber of Commerce. This free, family-friendly event features hayrides, a petting zoo, inflatables, balloon art, face painting, food trucks and more.
Booth-space fees are $250 for Chamber members, $345 for non-Chamber members and $150 for nonprofits. Included are an eight-foot table, a table covering and a chair. If you are a local crafter looking to sell your products, you can be part of Artisan Alley for $75 (you must supply your own table and chairs).
To register and for more information, call 330-562-3355 or visit allaboutaurora.com.
The Aurora Chamber of Commerce’s Trunk or Treat will be from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25 at Trelleborg at 285 Lena Dr. in the industrial park. All industrial park businesses are welcome to join in the fun. Decorate a car or truck and pass out treats to local kids! To register and for more information, contact Lisa at 330-562-3355 or lisa@allaboutaurora.com.
The Aurora Inn’s 56 Tavern will host an Oktoberfest celebration Saturday, Sept. 13. The inn is located at 30 Shawnee Trl. In addition to food and beer, there will be live music. Doors open at 5 p.m., and music starts at 6 p.m. Tickets cost $10 at the door (kids 12 and under free).
The Friends of Aurora Memorial Library September Book Sale will be from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, Sept. 19 and Saturday, Sept. 20 on the library’s lower level at 115 E. Pioneer Trl. Cash or check only. All senior citizens get one free book. For more information, call 330-562-6502 or visit facebook.com/friendsauroramemoriallibrary.
Visit the Rotary Club of Aurora at The Church in Aurora at 7:30 a.m. the first and third Wednesdays of the month for breakfast, and at noon the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month for lunch. For more information, visit aurorarotaryclub.org or call Gail McCullough at 330-717-7205.
Aurora’s annual 9/11 Memorial Ceremony will be held at 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 11 at Sunny Lake Park’s Memorial Tree Garden.
“It’s to remember those who lost their lives on Sept. 11, 2001, and also to honor first responders,” Mayor Ann Womer Benjamin said.
Veterans will also conduct a flag-retirement ceremony.
Rotek, a steel company located at 1400 S. Chillicothe Rd., is investing approximately $10 million in an expansion that will bring about 60 additional people to its staff.
Said Womer Benjamin, “We’re asking city council to support an income-tax rebate from the city for the increase in the Rotek workforce.”
Aurora’s second Shred Day of the year will be from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Oct. 25 at the Aurora Service Department at 158 W. Pioneer Trl. This is for Aurora residents only. Residents are limited to six large boxes. You don’t have to get out of your car.
Aurora’s annual classic car show will be from 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 14 at Sunny Lake Park. Prizes will be awarded. There will be food trucks and a disc jockey.
The Splash Pad and the Sunny Lake Park boathouse will close for the season Sept. 14.
The City of Aurora is requesting a contract with Platform Cement for earthwork services at Aurora Park, which is being developed. The cost would be $727,220.
The City of Aurora has a contract with CoreWorth for the design and construction of a restroom that is being installed at Paddock River Preserve. The cost is $255,937.
The City of Aurora has requested an Ohio Department of Natural Resources grant in the amount of $25,480 to build a kayak launch at Sunny Lake Park.
The City of Aurora has an agreement for the purchase of bulk road salt from ClearLane for the coming year. The cost is not to exceed $400,000.
As they have done for the last decade or so, city staff will man the concession stand at the Sept. 19 Aurora High School home football game against Revere.
City of Ravenna
The Ravenna Chamber of Commerce’s Second Annual Inclusive Hiring Event will be from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 25 at Reed Memorial Library at 167 E. Main St. Welcome are all job seekers, including those who may face barriers to employment – such as individuals with disabilities, veterans, new graduates and second-chance candidates. On-site supports are provided to help job seekers.
There is no cost to attend, and lunch is provided for all registered participants. Table and chairs are provided. Preference given to Ravenna Chamber members. To register and for more information, email tiffanyj@portagedd.org.
The Monster Dash 5K and Kids Fun Run presented by the FUN Committee will be Saturday, Oct. 18 at the UH Portage Medical Center at 6847 N. Chestnut St. Fifty percent of the proceeds will support Ravenna Raven Packs.
Several roads throughout the city are being paved. This is expected to be completed by October.
The new water tower adjacent to LG Chem is still under construction and is expected to be completed by Thanksgiving.
Ravenna Township
The City of Ravenna purchased Sunbeau Valley Farm in Ravenna Township. The 43-acre property, which housed quality jumping horses for many years as well as hosted the Ravenna Balloon A-Fair, will be converted to a park.
The Ravenna Township Board of Trustees accepted the Portage County Solid Waste Update Plan.
“Every five years or so, they update their plan, and then they ask for townships and villages that are participating to look it over and approve it,” township Chair Vince Coia said. “There’s nothing in it about any rate hikes or anything like that.”
To view the plan, visit portagerecycles.com.
The chip-and-seal project for the McElrath neighborhood is near completion.
The flagpole in front of Ravenna Township Hall was inspected for the first time since it was reconditioned and reconstructed.
Said Coia, “We’ll be getting a report on it shortly.”
The American Red Cross will have a blood drive from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, Sept. 12 in the Township Hall meeting room at 6145 S. Spring St.
The replacement of the mausoleum roof at Grandview Cemetery is nearing completion.
The road dedication in honor of Beatrice Mitchell, who passed away in January, was held Aug. 30. A section of Richardson Street is now named Beatrice Mitchell Boulevard.
Shalersville
Viega hosted its open house and ribbon cutting Sept. 4. The new 244,000-square-foot building has 60 employees and two production lines. There are plans to add a second shift soon.
“This first-rate facility is truly world class,” township Chair Jack Bias said.
State Representative Heidi Workman was at a recent Shalersville Township Trustees meeting and discussed property tax reform and exploring alternative funding strategies for schools. Concerns were raised about the potential impact on township and school funding if the proposed ballot initiative to eliminate property taxes is approved.
Karvo Companies continues the paving work on Price Road, adding three inches of base material in several problem areas.
“It’s progressing nicely,” township Chair Jack Bias said.
Greg Devos was named Shalersville’s new board of zoning appeals chair. Andy Youngblood will serve as co-chair.
A soup dinner will be held at Town Hall at 5:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 19. Local artist Bob Kroger will be speaking.
A pot-luck dinner honoring Bob Corbett will be held at 1 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 28 at Town Hall. All are welcome to celebrate Corbett’s contributions to the community.
Roger Gordon