Ravenna Township
The Chinn Allotment sewer project is now in the stages in which there will be a pre-construction meeting Tuesday, Jan. 28. That meeting will involve all of the agencies involved in the project.
Also, the township is working with the Portage County Emergency Management Agency and the Portage County engineer to try to get some federal money for the Bramley trailer park that constantly floods.
Ravenna Township was awarded an NEC grant from NOPEC in the amount of $17,000; it’s NOPEC’s energized community grant that the organization awards every year. The grant is to be used for energy-saving projects.
Ravenna Township is working with Christine Freund Untrauer, who is making grave markers for veterans who do not have markers. Untrauer is working with Ray Taylor, the sexton at Grandview Memorial Cemetery, to help her find any veterans that are buried in the cemetery.
“The last I heard, they had found a couple,” township Chair Vince Coia said. “The township will make sure we have put the foundations in, so when Christine does acquire the markers it will be ready to go. We will not be charging her for the foundations.”
The Ravenna Elks Club at 776 N. Freedom St. will host a chili cook-off from 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 1, with the proceeds going to Intrauer’s organization to pay for the markers. The entrance fee is $10 for all-you-can-eat chili. Attendees will vote on the best chili, and rings will be awarded to the top three chili-makers.
A Taco Bell recently opened in front of Walmart on State Route 59.
City of Ravenna
The Ravenna Area Chamber of Commerce will host Ravenna on Display – Business Expo from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, March 1 at Ravenna High School at 6589 N. Chestnut St. Deadline for registration is Thursday, Feb. 20. The Chamber is offering sponsorship opportunities to help with the costs associated in presenting the show. For Chamber members, expo space is free. For more information, call the Chamber at 330-296-3886.
The Ravenna Area Chamber of Commerce will hold a meet & greet with the Chamber Board of Directors at 5 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 29 at the West Main St Winery, Brewery & Cider House at 234 W. Main St.
Aurora
The City of Aurora will spend $550,000 for the demolition of the former SeaWorld amusement park, $415,000 of which is from a grant. Another $3.8 million is being spent for initial design of utilities and phase one of the park as well as construction of utilities.
Aurora City Council recently passed an ordinance related to the city’s Joint Economic Development District (JEDD) agreement with Bainbridge. Pursuant to that agreement, tax revenue will be shared between Bainbridge and Aurora in various ways. The City of Aurora created three funds for the JEDD in its financial structure. The first is a main fund for the JEDD tax money that comes in and will be divided between the two communities.
Some of that money will go into a second fund – the Maintenance and Improvement fund – for the JEDD. The third fund is a utility fund for Aurora’s provision of utilities. It is to fund the city’s maintenance of its utilities for JEDD purposes.
The City of Aurora is seeking new radios for the police and fire departments. They need to be upgraded.
Mayor Ann Womer Benjamin’s administration is asking city council to approve the purchase of three snowplow packages for three eight-ton trucks the city purchased last year. The total cost is $404,457.
Womer Benjamin’s administration is asking city council to purchase a new 2024 model Ford Transit 350 for the Aurora Transportation Program.
The Aurora Trail, the new hike-and-bike trail, will break ground soon and should be ready by summer.
“We paid for most of it last year,” Womer Benjamin said, “but we have $775,000 in the budget for parking, a restroom, signage and fencing.”
The annual State of the City address will be held at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 26 at The Bertram Inn & Conference Center at 600 N. Aurora Rd. Lunch will be served, and Womer Benjamin and Aurora City School District Superintendent Mike Roberto will speak.
The Goddard School, a new private preschool, opened earlier this month. A ribbon cutting and open house with food and characters for the kids will take place at 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 8. The Goddard School is located at 70 N. Chillicothe Rd.
Aurora Night at the Races will be held Saturday, Feb. 8 at the Hawthorn of Aurora Clubhouse at 685 Walnut Ridge Trl. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., dinner will be served starting at 6 p.m., and the races will be from 7 to 10 p.m. Tickets are $40 and include food and soft drinks. A cash bar will be available. Race bets start at $2 cash. Sponsorships are available. There will also be raffles, a silent auction and plenty of opportunities to win prizes. To secure your table, call 330-562-3355.
The city is participating in an Ohio program for cities to be part of next year’s celebration of the United States’ 250th birthday.
Shalersville
Shalersville is making great progress with its construction projects in spite of the weather. The new gazebo was completed last week; a concrete floor is planned for the spring, and electricity will be added at a later date. Also, the electric has been run to the new digital sign that is in front of Town Hall and will soon be operational.
Jack Bias has been appointed as township chair and as the Portage County Health Board liaison, and he is also responsible for Shalersville Park. Frank Ruehr was appointed as vice chair, as an alternate Portage County Regional Planning liaison and as the Mantua/Shalersville Fire Board liaison, and he is responsible for the township’s road maintenance. Ronald Kotkowski was appointed to be a Portage County Regional Planning liaison and the Portage County Solid Waste liaison.
The Shalersville Township Trustees meet at 7 p.m. the first Tuesday of every month and at 5:30 p.m. the third Tuesday of each month.
Streetsboro
The following are some of the Streetsboro Chamber of Commerce’s accomplishments in 2024:
- Welcomed 32 new Chamber partners into its network
- Awarded more than $1,000 in scholarships to graduating seniors
- Partially funded a grant through the Streetsboro Educational Foundation
- Hosted 13 ribbon cuttings celebrating the success of local businesses
- Welcomed more than 175 visiting ball teams through the Chamber’s digital app, connecting them with local business discounts
- Presented the first-ever Over the Top Award to Dairy Queen for its exceptional commitment to the community
- Honored Cindy Toth as an NOACC Bright Star for her dedication as a board member
- Crowned Barrel Lodge as the winner of Streetsboro’s Best Sandwich contest
- Showcased its local businesses with reviews during Small Business Month
- Tracked the whimsical travels of gnomes during the Gnome for the Holidays campaign
- Celebrated a professional milestone with graduation from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Institute
