Ravenna Township
A meeting was held April 30 in the Ravenna High School auditorium regarding the upcoming building of a sewer system in the Chinn Allotment. A representative from Portage County Water Resources explained to the Chinn Allotment residents how the project is going to unfold and the associated costs with it, much of which will come from the residents’ pockets.
“Needless to say,” township Vice Chair Vince Coia said, “there are quite a few Chinn Allotment residents who aren’t happy about the cost of the project.”
The project is scheduled to be put out to bid shortly. The scheduled start of the project is January 2025, and it is set to be finished two years from then.
A sewer system will be built for six homes on Bryn Mawr Street in the Foxwood Estates whose septic tanks are not running properly. The sewer line will be tied into the Ravenna Waste Water Treatment Plant. A grant will pay for the project, which will be done by Z-Tech Builders and Excavators.
The road department has started going around the township and chipping limbs and branches. Residents should put their limbs and branches by the curb. The road department will do this every other week through October. For more information, go to ravennatownship.com.
The township trustees approved allocating funds for the sexton at Grandview Cemetery to purchase six marble benches for $4,200, which will be placed near the columbarium so people can sit down when they go and visit their loved ones. Portage Marble will do the job.
A recent refurbishing at Ravenna Township Park has been completed. Concrete was poured for new sidewalks after the old sidewalks were torn out, two diseased trees were removed and other trees were trimmed.
City of Ravenna
A 225th birthday celebration for the City of Ravenna will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 8 on the courthouse lawn. There will be food trucks and musical entertainment. Three-hundred hot dogs will be donated by Giant Eagle that will be given away. City council members will be available to speak with the public. There will be several speakers, including Mayor Frank Seman’s proclamation.
A multi-chamber Business After Hours “Under the Pavilion” event will take place from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Thursday, June 20 at University Hospitals Portage Medical Center at 6847 N. Chestnut St. Enjoy appetizers created by UH Nutrition Services and a glass of wine while networking with fellow chamber members. Participating chambers are Ravenna, Aurora, Kent and Streetsboro. To register, click here.
The Ravenna Recreation Department’s annual summer camp will start when school lets out. The camp will be held weekdays at Ravenna City Park on Oakwood Street. The camp will feature activities (including educational) and field trips. Free meals will be provided by the Community Action Council. For more information or to sign your children up for the summer camp, call Judy Watkins at 330-296-2864.
The annual Art on Main Street event will begin at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 8 and feature artists selling their artwork. There will also be a wine tasting.
Aurora
Aurora’s annual Memorial Day ceremony will be Monday, May 27. To start things off, there will be a wreath laying at 10:15 a.m. at Veterans Memorial Park, located at 40 W. Garfield Rd. There will be a procession from there to Aurora Cemetery, where there will be another program at approximately 11 a.m. The cemetery is located on South Aurora Road.
Aurora City Council approved four more home purchases under the city’s FEMA grant in the Geauga Lake area. Now there have been a total of seven home purchases approved.
Atlas Cinemas held its ribbon cutting April 10, and the theater opened the next day. The new cinema is located at 140 Barrington Town Square Dr.
Aurora’s road paving program for 2024 has begun. Several of the roads are getting ready to be paved. Perrin Asphalt & Concrete will do the paving.
City council passed legislation approving contracts for various summer programs such as drivers training and other education classes.
An Aurora community map is in the making. Only a limited number of advertising spaces will be sold. Pricing ranges from $250 to $425. To reserve a space, email [email protected].
Explore the rich tapestry of Aurora’s past on an Aurora Historical Society home tour Saturday, July 13. See where streets whisper tales of pioneering settlers, offering a glimpse into the vibrant history that shaped the community. Wander through historical homes as knowledgeable guides regale you with captivating anecdotes, transporting you back in time to uncover the secrets and stories woven into the fabric of this charming town. Presale tickets cost $25. To register, go to allaboutaurora.com.
The Friends of Aurora Memorial Library will have a book sale from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, May 24 and Saturday, May 25 in the lower-level gallery of the library, located at 115 E. Pioneer Trl. An educator appreciation discount will save teachers, newly graduated teachers and homeschoolers 10% on their purchases. Cash or checks only will be accepted. For more information, call 330-562-6502.
The 2024 Aurora Night at the Races will be Saturday, Aug. 3 at the Hawthorn of Aurora Clubhouse at 685 Walnut Ridge Trl. Dinner will be served starting at 6 p.m., and there will be a cash bar. The races will be from 7 to 10 p.m. The cost is $40 per person, and race bets are at $2 cash. Sponsorships are available. All proceeds will benefit the Aurora Chamber of Commerce Foundation, which provides scholarships to Aurora residents graduating from high school. To register, go to allaboutaurora.com.
The Aurora Historical Society will present “Aurora Memories” at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, May 16 in the Aurora Memorial Library gallery. Topics will be “Young Female Attorney vs the Good Old Boys” by Carole Jo Moroney, “Unexpected Change to a Dream Vacation” by Evan Webster, and “Lessons Learned Teaching in Aurora” by John Kudley. There will be hors d’oeuvres, wine and cheese. The event is sponsored by Anna Maria of Aurora.
Shalersville
At a recent trustees meeting, several Shalersville residents expressed their concern about the plan to extend the Portage County Airport runway. Shalersville Trustees Vice Chair Frank Ruehr explained that at the present time there is not any funding available for runway expansion, and Zoning Inspector Greg Benner added that there is very little the township can do to prevent any expansions.
Also at the recent meeting, trustees Chair Ron Kotkowski talked about a bill that is in committee to remove township zoning. This bill is based on a paper written by the Building Industry Association of Central Ohio. It is intended to allow developers to build more homes.
The zoning board presented four amendments for consideration for updating the zoning resolution. These amendments deal with dog kennels, marijuana retail dispensaries and high-volume dog breeders.
The traditional Shalersville Memorial Day Parade will begin at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 25. It will start on Mary Ellen Road in the Red Fox Development and proceed to Riverside Cemetery.
Two weekends ago Shalersville rented and filled 15 dumpsters, allowing residents to rid themselves of unwanted trash.
Shalersville will soon have another location to purchase produce. The Dollar General at 9046 State Route 44 is planning to sell fruits and vegetables in the coming months.
This month’s Mantua-Shalersville Area Chamber of Commerce meeting will be Thursday, May 16 at Shalersville Town Hall at 9090 State Route 44. Networking will take place from 5 to 5:30 p.m., which is when the meeting will start. The topic will be “State of the Union.”
Representatives from Shalersville, the Village of Mantua and Mantua Township will give an update on what is happening in those communities. The public is invited.
Streetsboro
Construction has begun on the splash pad downtown, construction is continuing on the oval project – the centerpiece of the whole project downtown — and things are moving forward on the City Hall refurbishing project.
Said Mayor Glenn Broska: “We’re almost ready to present to city council a Gross Maximum Price — an agreed-upon price between the builder and the city of what the builder will construct the new City Hall for — and to secure the bonding for the project.”
Construction will begin soon on a Texas Roadhouse, a Chick-fil-A and an Aldi on State Route 14 across from Home Depot. The proposed grand opening date for all three businesses is sometime in February 2025.
