Aurora
The grand opening of Aurora Park will be on Sunday, Oct. 25, from 1 to 5 p.m. with a ribbon cutting at 1:30 p.m. There will be food trucks, entertainment and all kinds of kids activities. The master of ceremonies will be Tracy McCool of FOX-8.
“It will be a great event. It’s going to be a big deal,” Mayor Ann Womer Benjamin said. “The park is beautiful. It’s not quite finished, but it’s incredible.”
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The Aurora Chamber of Commerce will present Women of Wisdom on Wednesday, Oct. 21, at the Aurora Inn Hotel & Event Center. Join in for an inspiring night of real stories from real women: Daisy Alford-Smith, Erika Kukral, Julie Holmes and Elissa Katz. Light appetizers provided. Admission fee is $15. Registration is at 5:30 p.m. Stories begin at 6 p.m. For more information, visit allaboutaurora.com.
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The chamber’s next Lunch and Learn will be from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 22, at the Howard Hanna Community Room at 195 Barrington Town Square Dr. The topic will be “Generations in the Workplace” and will be presented by Ohio Auditor of State Keith Faber’s office. The presentation explores how generational diversity is reshaping the workplace and highlights strategies leaders can use to strengthen communication, boost retention and create inclusive cultures that are ready for the future of work.
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Aurora’s Trunk-or-Treat will be from 6 to 8 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 16, at The Goddard School of Aurora at 70 N. Chillicothe Rd.
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PromoPSG: Elevate Your Brand will offer an exclusive preview of 2027 promotional trends, branded experience and gifting ideas from 3 to 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 10, at Club Walden at 585 Country Club Lane. To RSVP and for inquiries, email contact@promopsg.com.
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With the approval of City Council, the city purchased two lots on Fairview Avenue, which will be used toward the Aurora Park project.
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City Council approved the city’s purchase of road salt up to $400,000 worth.
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The city has agreed to a five-year contract with Rumpke for trash and recycling. The current contract concludes at the end of the year.
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Council is considering an e-bike ordinance that is being worked on.
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The mayor’s administration is asking council for approval to purchase a liquor permit that would be used for Aurora Park and Geauga Lake.
“We don’t have enough permits in Aurora or they’re not available in Aurora, so we have to go outside the city and purchase one from someone who is willing to sell it,” Womer Benjamin said.
City of Ravenna
The Ravenna Area Chamber of Commerce’s third annual inclusive hiring event will be from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 15, at Reed Memorial Library at 167 E. Main St. Whether someone is entering the workforce for the first time, returning after a break, changing careers or facing challenges along the way, they are welcome to attend this free event. Invited are all job seekers, including individuals with disabilities, veterans, students and recent graduates, second-chance candidates and anyone ready to work. Onsite supports will be available to help people feel confident, prepared and ready to make strong connections with local employers who are hiring now. This is more than a job fair. It’s a chance to explore career options, get support and meet employers who value what people bring to the table.
Why attend?
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Connect with inclusive employers who are actively hiring
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Learn about job openings in a variety of fields and industries
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Explore opportunities for training, support and career advancement
Job seeker supports include:
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Resume review and editing
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Mock interviews to help candidates practice and build confidence
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Free professional headshots
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Resource tables to address common questions and barriers
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Transportation guidance to help ensure reliable access to work
A few spots are still available for employers. This is a chance to connect with motivated job seekers in a structured, supported environment. Interested companies get priority booth placement and direct access to candidates throughout the three-hour event.
For a free interview outfit, to become a sponsor or for more information, email Tiffanyj@portagedd.org.
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The chamber’s Midnight Madness & Ravenna Holiday Celebration will be from 5 to 10 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 27, downtown. Highlights include:
· Light Up Parade
· Santa & Mrs. Claus
· Merchants open late
· Tree lighting
· Sleigh-Hay ride
· Elf workshop
· Holiday vendors
· Holiday raffle
· And much, much more!
To become a vendor or sponsor and for more details, email ryann@ravennaareachamber.com.
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The Benjamin Tappan historical sign dedication will take place at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 17. The Portage County Historical Society is hosting the event to honor Ravenna’s true original founder, Benjamin Tappan, Jr., and celebrate its own 75th anniversary of preserving local history. This will officially dedicate a newly refurbished Ohio Historical Marker honoring Tappan, who originally settled in Ravenna Township in 1799. The historical society is located at 6549 N. Chestnut St. This event is free and open to the public.
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The Ravenna Halloween Walk will be from noon to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 31. Kids can go door-to-door to the downtown merchants for treats. The city’s Trick-or-Treat will take place later in the day from 3 to 6 p.m.
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The Monster Dash 5K & 1 Mile Hospital Fun Runs will be on Sunday, Oct. 18.
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City Council passed a resolution of support for the city becoming an American Association of Retired Persons age-friendly community.
“It’s a long-range commitment, but with people living longer, AARP is trying to make these peoples’ lives interesting for them,” Mayor Frank Seman said. “As a community, we want to be on the front lines with trying to make their lives meaningful.”
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The city purchased a Vermeer brush clipper for the Service Department in the amount of $81,220.
“The one that we have has done a good job, but it’s near the end of the line,” Seman said.
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The city of Ravenna is joining Ohio811, which, among other services, monitors the various contractors who place things like water lines, sewer lines and gas lines underground.
“They make sure we get notified so we can go out and mark where those underground lines are,” Seman said.
Streetsboro
The paving for Streetsboro’s roads, including ones run by Portage County and the state of Ohio, is nearing completion.
“The effect on traffic, which is my biggest concern, is going to be absolutely minimal from here going forward,” Mayor Glenn Broska said.
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Longtime Streetsboro resident Chrissy Motz was inducted into the Special Olympics Ohio Hall of Fame on Oct. 3. Motz’s enshrinement was to recognize her contributions to Special Olympics as an athlete and as a fundraiser for the organization.
“Chrissy has been one of the most prolific Special Olympics fundraisers in Northeast Ohio with the Polar Plunge,” Broska said. “She’s raised more than $80,000 through the years.”
Shalersville
The Shalersville Township Trustees passed a 25 mW threshold for differentiating between light and heavy industry; this was after zoning and the Portage County Regional Planning Commission recommended approval.
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The zoning inspector sent five zoning violations to the Portage County prosecutor’s office. The zoning inspector has received numerous complaints from residents in the Red Fox community.
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A culvert on Frost Road will be replaced sometime in October. Frost Road will be closed for four days, and detour signs will be posted.
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Trick-or-Treat in Shalersville will be from 2 to 4 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 25.
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Due to the election on Tuesday, Nov. 3, Shalersville’s first Town Hall meeting of the month will move to Wednesday, Nov. 4 at 7 p.m.