Paris
A “Meet the Candidates Day” will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 22 at the Shearer Community Center at 9355 Newton Falls Rd. The candidates present will be:
- Jenny Adams, candidate for Portage County Commissioner
- Jeff Clapper, candidate for Ohio House District 72
- Mike Roberto, candidate for Ohio Senate District 27
Organized by Paris resident Charles Garrett, the event will include personal introductions, a community discussion and an open Q&A session. Hamburgers, hot dogs and refreshments will be available. Bring a dish to share if you like.
The Paris Township Trustees approved a $4,500 contract with Bickel’s Tree Service to remove fallen trees on McClain Road due to recent storms.
Per a request by the Portage County Prosecutor, the township trustees passed a resolution for the purpose of setting regular and special meetings.
“They said we needed to put that in place even though we do a good job of informing people when our meetings are,” township co-chair Dave Kemble said. “This is a resolution saying that we do that.”
The regular trustees meetings are at 6 p.m. on the first and third Thursdays of every month at the Shearer Community Center at 9355 Newton Falls Rd.
The fifth annual Paris Township Fire Department Car Show on July 25 was a rousing success. Little John from the big Chuck and Little John Show was the special guest. Seventy vehicles were judged. Trophies were awarded to the winners. The car show raised $784 for the fire department.
Franklin
Franklin proudly participated again in this year’s City of Kent Memorial Day parade and the Portage Board of Developmental Disabilities Touch-a-Truck event, continuing to celebrate the township’s community spirit and connection with its neighbors.
The Portage County Center for Hard to Recycle Materials (CHaRM) is now open. CHaRM facilities provide outlets for materials that cannot go in curbside trash or recycling carts. Some of the acceptable items include appliances, scrap tires, cooking oil, plastic bags, electronics, paper shredding, automotive liquids, batteries and scrap metal. Portage County Recycling is located at 3588 Mogadore Road in Kent. Its phone number is 330-678-8808. Office hours: Monday-Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Recycling Drop-offs are open 24/7. CHaRM facility hours: Monday and Thursday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. (first Monday of each month 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. excluding federal holidays). Household hazardous waste: First Monday from 2 to 5 p.m. (excluding federal holidays). Prices (cash or check): TVs & CRT monitors $20, printers $10, tires $0.50 and farm tires $1 depending on size.
In its commitment to enhance community safety in the township, Franklin has recently added cameras to all three township parks for the safety of its residents and to help protect recent improvements made to the parks. The township trustees are applying for a Natureworks grant for a total rehab of the boardwalk at Chase Park.
The pickleball courts are open for use. Franklin Township qualified for the grant that made this new recreational amenity possible for township residents.
The new weather siren is installed and working.
Roadway improvement plans for 2026 include Westview, Woodway, Basswood and Thorndale.
Ravenna Road bridge: The Portage County Engineer has given the township trustees a schedule of 2026 and 2027 estimate for completion. Construction cost: $2,666,665.
Judson Road bridge is open. The deck and the outdated channel cross-bracing were replaced with new structural supports.
Franklin Township maintains the majority of roadways within the boundaries of the township. However, both Portage County and the state of Ohio are responsible for some of the roads within the township. If you have questions or concerns about these roadways, contact the appropriate agency. State of Ohio Maintained Roads – Contact ODOT District 4 at 330-786-3100:
- State Route 43
- State Route 59
- State Route 261
Portage County Maintained Roads – Contact the Portage County Engineer’s office at 330-296-6411:
- Brady Lake Road
- Dawley Road
- Diagonal Road
- Ferguson Road
- Lake Rockwell Road
- Newcomer Road
- Overlook Road
- Ravenna Road
- Redbrush Road
- Summit Road
The Franklin cleanup crew has worked tirelessly unloading vehicles and trailers while efficiently filling four large dumpsters to the brim. This year marked the township’s fourth annual spring cleanup. Thanks to the positive response, the cleanup will return next spring.
The final wood chipping of the year will be the first week of October. If there is a storm with high winds that bring down many limbs, there will be chipping. Remember, this is for storm limbs and minor tree pruning.
Residents who are unsure if they need a zoning permit, a full list of fees can be found at franklintownshipohio.org.
The Franklin Township Trustees welcome residents to attend trustees meetings at 7 p.m. on the second and fourth Tuesdays of every month.
Rootstown
The Rootstown Endzone Club will host a community football and cheerleading kickoff to the football season with a picnic from noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 15 in the community park’s pavilions. Part of the festivities will be an Ed Ward benefit to help the former youth football coach who was injured and his family. Lunch (hot dogs) will be provided by the Endzone Club and there will be raffles and prizes. Donate to the picnic or raffle by calling “Pork Chop” at 330-221-4293.
The four pickleball courts and a full-size basketball court at Rootstown Community Park are near completion. The asphalt has been poured and the poles for the pickleball courts installed.
Next will be the fencing and painting the surfaces of the courts. The courts should be completed by early September. The township’s Joint Economic Development Districts funds will help pay for the project.
Edinburg
The Edinburg Township Trustees passed a resolution to purchase a used, but much newer, ambulance from a township in California. The new ambulance, which has much lower mileage than the current one, should be ready to roll by early September. The current ambulance will likely be auctioned off.
Kids were able to enjoy a bicycle obstacle course on July 26 at Edinburg Township Park. Helmets and other safety accessories were given to the youngsters. There was a really good turnout, and organizers would like to make this an annual event.