Aurora
Mayor Ann Womer Benjamin’s administration is asking Aurora City Council to approve a moratorium on data centers for 12 months.
“We don’t believe that our zoning would permit data centers anyway, but we are consulting with the contractor we have reviewing our zoning code,” Womer Benjamin said. “That will give us time to review it and develop rules if we need to.”
The mayor’s administration is also asking for an extension on its moratorium on vape and e-cigarette shops and the like to Dec. 31.
The City of Aurora’s annual Fourth of July celebration will kick off with the Fun Run 1 Mile and 5K at Bicentennial Park/Aurora Memorial Library at 115 E. Pioneer Trl. The 1 Mile begins at 8 a.m., and the 5K starts at 8:30 a.m. Check-in and registration is at 7 a.m. Early packet pickup is from 4 to 6 p.m. Friday, July 3 at the Walker Building at 129 W. Pioneer Trl. For more information, click on this link: July 4th Fun Run 1 Mile & 5K.
The parade begins at 11 a.m. at South Chillicothe Road, turns onto West Pioneer Trail, and concludes at the corner of West Pioneer and Greenmen Way. Parade staging will be at 10 a.m. at Heinens/Barrington Plaza. West Garfield Road and South Aurora Road will both close at 10:50 a.m.
The grand marshal is Barb Kudley, who recently retired after more than four decades of service as a librarian with Aurora City Schools and is active in many community organizations. Awards will be presented at 12:30 p.m. at Kiwanis-Moore Park. To register for the parade, go to July 4th Parade Registration - 2026.
The festival will take place from noon to 3 p.m. at Kiwanis-Moore Park. Free activities include:
- Inflatables
- Face painting
- Character meet & greet
- Balloon twisting
- And more
A concert from 7 to 9 p.m. at Kiwanis-Moore Park will be followed by a fireworks show at approximately 9:45 p.m. that will bring the day’s festivities to an end. The fireworks are shot off behind the ball fields on West Pioneer Trail. Kiwanis-Moore Park is recommended for the best views. West Pioneer Trail from state Route 43 to Birchbark Trail will be closed at approximately 9:30 p.m. to clear traffic prior to the launch time of the fireworks. Also, the West Pioneer ball field parking lot and Aurora Cemetery (after 10 p.m.) will be closed for safety purposes. Time of the fireworks may vary slightly depending on safety and weather patterns. Severe weather date is Sunday, July 5. Follow the Parks & Recreation Facebook page for any updates.
As part of the City of Aurora’s “America 250: Party at the Park” event series, the city and the Aurora Chamber of Commerce are partnering to host the Business Birthday Tour. Inspired by the Chamber’s Drive-It-Yourself Tour, participants will receive a map of official tour stops and have from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 1 to visit participating locations and collect stamps. The map will also highlight the giveaway, special sale or activity offered at each stop. Participants who visit a designated number of locations will be eligible for a grand prize made up of items donated by participating businesses.
Here’s how businesses can be part of the tour:
- Register by July 1 at allaboutaurora.com
- Offer a giveaway, unique sale or activity during the event (plan for approximately 150 visitors)
- Decorate your business with birthday-themed or patriotic decorations
- Donate an item valued at $20 or more for the grand prize basket by July 24
Aurora’s annual National Night Out will take place from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 4 at Kiwanis-Moore Park. The police department will join with the City of Aurora’s governmental departments in providing dinner along with games for children. They also give kids an opportunity to look at trucks and equipment used by the city.
The Aurora Chamber of Commerce’s David M. Benjamin Memorial Golf Outing will be held from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 29 at Tanglewood Golf Club at 8745 Tanglewood Trl. in Chagrin Falls. The event includes 18 holes with cart; lunch, dinner and drinks; and contests, prizes and more. The fee is $175 per player. Register at allaboutaurora.com.
“Liberty & Libations,” part of the Aurora Chamber’s Summer After Hours Series, will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, June 25 at Salon Patrick Social at 501 N. Aurora Rd. Register at allaboutaurora.com.
The Keys to Aurora Dueling Piano Fundraiser will be held Friday, July 10. Two talented pianists will battle it out while the crowd requests songs and sings along! Cost is $35 per person.
This summer’s annual concerts are at 6:30 p.m. the second and fourth Thursdays of every month at Veterans Memorial Park.
This summer’s Food Truck Wednesdays are from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. the second and fourth Wednesdays of every month at Kiwanis-Moore Park.
The mayor’s administration is seeking to renew the city’s 0.9-mill road and bridge levy, which would go on the ballot in November. The ballot measure first has to be approved by city council.
Council authorized the purchase of a new drone for the police department at a cost of $20,730.
“The drone that we had was damaged, so we needed a new one,” Womer Benjamin said.
The mayor’s administration renewed its property, casualty, cyber and crime insurance – an annual policy – with Wichert Insurance Services.
Council authorized the fire department’s purchase of a water rescue boat for $55,131.
“We needed a new boat because we are taking on Geauga Lake along with Sunny Lake and other lakes that we already own,” Womer Benjamin said. “They wanted an upgraded boat.”
The mayor’s administration, with council’s approval, has extended the city’s contract with Ronyak Paving, which will pave Len Court and a portion of East Jackson Road at a cost of $118,920.
The mayor’s administration has asked council to approve its plan for a themed adventure play area at Aurora Park to be done by Kompan. Council is considering it.
The mayor’s administration has asked for approval to enter into a contract with Rent Fun, L.L.C., for a self-serve rental kiosk for kayaks and stand-up paddle boats for Aurora Park.
City of Ravenna
The Ravenna Area Chamber of Commerce’s “Only in Ravenna Scavenger Hunt” will take place from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, July 11. This is your chance to discover the incredible small businesses that make the community thrive. From unique boutiques and specialty shops to local eateries and hidden gems you’ve never noticed, downtown is packed with one-of-a-kind treasures waiting to be explored. Meet business owners, taste samples from restaurants, and discover handcrafted goods. There will be prizes for top finishers.
With the Community Picnic bringing additional activities and energy to downtown throughout the day, it’s the perfect opportunity to combine a day of celebration with a little hands-on discovery.
Here’s how the scavenger hunt works:
- Pick up your scavenger hunt card at the Chamber office at 135 E. Main St.
- Visit participating locations and solve the interactive clue at each stop
- Get your card stamped at each location
- Turn in your completed card by 4 p.m. to win prizes
Sponsorships are available. For questions, contact Ryann Cline at ryann@ravennaareachamber.com or at 330-296-3886.
Head to Sunbeau Farms later that evening for a live concert and fireworks display celebrating America’s 250th birthday.
The Ravenna Chamber of Commerce Annual Golf Outing will take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, Aug. 28 at Windmill Lakes Golf Course at 6544 State Route 14. The event includes:
- 18 holes of golf and cart
- Hot lunch
- Beverages
- Steak dinner
- Swag bag
- 50/50
- Lots of prizes and contests
Sponsorships are available. For questions, email ryann@ravennaareachamber.com or visit ravennaareachamber.com.
The Chamber’s Cash Raffle could bring you some serious cash. Twenty dollars could change your summer! This special raffle with a grand prize of $1,000 and a runner-up prize of $500 is limited to only 600 tickets. Tickets are going fast, so don’t wait! The drawing will be held at 5 p.m. July 11 on Facebook Live.
Ravenna Township
My Brother’s Keeper and Axess Family Services (AFS) have partnered with the Ravenna Township Trustees to launch the second year of the Book-A-Pizza Summer Reading Program, an initiative designed to help create a brighter future for all children throughout Portage County. The program encourages young readers to develop strong reading habits during the summer months while improving reading fluency and increasing library card ownership. As an added incentive, participants can earn rewards through sponsorships by AFS, Gionino’s Pizzeria and AMS Title Agency.
The Book-A-Pizza program will be offered this summer through several community locations, including Reed Memorial Library, the Community Action Council, Ravenna Parks and Recreation, the King Kennedy Community Center and the Skeels Community Center.
“By combining literacy, community involvement and positive incentives,” My Brother’s Keeper Program Manager Gene Brown said, “the program aims to keep students engaged in learning and help prevent summer learning loss while fostering a lifelong love of reading.”
For more information, contact Brown at 330-281-7694.
The Ravenna Township Fire Department will have a swearing-in and promotion celebration at 6:30 p.m. Friday, June 26 at the fire department at 6115 Spring St. Keith Gemberling will be promoted from lieutenant to captain, while Jimmy Crevar will be promoted from firefighter/EMT to lieutenant. Jess Hays, Tristan Ohler, John Stanley and Alex Varner will be promoted to the rank of firefighter now that they have completed their training.
Streetsboro
Streetsboro City Council has amended its ordinances relating to itinerant sales and soliciting at homes and apartments within the city limits. A Do Not Contact Registry will be created at the police department for those city residents who do not want to be bothered by salespeople.
“When a peddler comes in to get their permit, it’s going to give them that list of names of people who don’t want to be solicited,” Mayor Glenn Broska said. “It’s a resident prohibition by notice. It will be the complete name and address.”
The ordinance reads: “No solicitor shall call upon, knock at the door or ring the bell of any resident’s house or apartment or other dwelling in the city which is on the Do Not Contact Registry.”
Those salespeople who violate any provision of this chapter will be guilty of a misdemeanor of the fourth degree on the first offense and a misdemeanor of the second degree for any subsequent offense.
Also, whoever files or causes to be filed any permit application containing false information or fraudulent misstatements will be punished for falsification.
“We needed to amend this,” Broska said. “We get a lot of people who don’t want these people coming to their door.”
Excluded from the amended ordinance is youth fundraising undertaken by a person age 18 or under, such as any student K-12 or school-related activity, and youth organizations such as athletic clubs and Boy/Girl Scout troops.
Information on how to get on the Do Not Contact Registry is to come.
The City of Streetsboro received, with the help of state Rep. Steve Demetriou, a $100,000 Capital Grant to assist with the building of a playground that will be next to the Splash Pad downtown. The project will get underway soon and should be completed before the end of summer.
Simply Amazing Family Environment (S.A.F.E.) will hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony Thursday, July 16 at its new location at 9150 Market Square Dr., Ste. 201. S.A.F.E. provides mental health services for children, teens and adults.
S.A.F.E. will also host an open house from noon to 2 p.m. Saturday, July 25. Residents are invited to stop by to meet the therapists, tour the office, ask questions, enjoy food trucks, enter raffles, enjoy giveaways and learn more about the services available.
Slim Chickens at 9545 State Route 14 has closed its doors for good.
“When Raising Cane’s, another chicken restaurant, moved in across the street (9550 State Route 14), it kind of put the nail in the coffin,” Broska said.
Shalersville
Shalersville Township is creating a Citizens Advisory Committee to gather information, evaluate impacts and provide recommendations regarding the proposed data center in the industrial park. The township trustees’ June 16 meeting at Town Hall regarding this topic drew an extraordinary turnout. It was attended by representatives from Geis Companies and Bitdeer Technologies Group, state Rep. Heidi Workman, the Portage County Commissioners, Channel 5 News and multiple newspaper reporters, representatives from several labor unions, and residents from Shalersville and surrounding communities. Because attendance exceeded the safe allowable capacity, many people had to stand outside the building. The question-and-answer period extended past 9 p.m. The residents who were present expressed strong opposition to the proposed data center.
The Mantua-Shalersville Fire Department will hold an open house from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, June 27 at the fire station to celebrate the department’s 125th anniversary. The station is located at 10303 State Route 44 just south of Mantua Village. There will be normal open house activities, but the star of the show will be an operating 1887 Amoskeag 700 GPM steam pumper, operated by longtime Western Reserve Fire Buffs Association member Ted Elder. The community is invited to join in and help celebrate this milestone event.
The township trustees accepted three bids for the 2026 road maintenance plan. Bids were received to single chip-and-seal Babcock Road, Gray Road and Work Road. The winning bid was awarded to Geauga Highway, at $92,299.50. The bid package will now be forwarded to the Portage County Engineer and subsequently to the Portage County Prosecutor for review and approval. Shalersville will also partner with Freedom Township to share the cost of a double chip-and-seal project for Wygle Road.
The trustees passed a resolution to accept the Northeast Ohio Public Energy Council Energized Community Grant.