Aurora / Events / Local government / Ravenna / Shalersville / Streetsboro
County roundup: Ravenna revving up for Octane Nights, plus news from Aurora, Shalersville and Streetsboro
- Roger Gordon
City of Ravenna
An in-house committee within Ravenna City Council was formed to aggressively look into constructing a new building that would be shared by the Ravenna police and fire departments. The proposed site is the property owned by the city where Ravenna High School was located.
“We’re trying to decide on the funding – whether to use property tax or income tax,” Mayor Frank Seman said. “Quite honestly, I think a lot of the folks think that, with the property tax, they’re overwhelmed already. They did pass the school levy. That’s why we’ve held this up; we didn’t want to interfere with them. But now it’s time for us to prepare for the next hundred years.”
An ordinance was passed authorizing Seman to enter into an understanding with Family & Community Services, Inc., to conduct a foster grandparent program that would take place at Ravenna City Park at 165 Oakwood St., where a summer day camp is held through parks & recreation.
“These folks will come in and work with the kids on projects that are going on at the park,” Seman said. “We’ve done it in the past, and it’s worked out very well, so we’re pleased that this is coming to fruition.”
The 11th annual Octane Nights on Main Street Cruise-In Ravenna will be held from 3 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 6. Welcome are classic cars and trucks, modern muscle cars and semis (no trailers due to space restrictions). East Main Street will be closed for a half-mile from Freedom Street (state Route 88) to the GetGo on state Route 14. You may park on both sides of state Route 59 and every business parking lot up and down the road.
The car count has consistently been in the neighborhood of 5,000 over the past couple years, with approximately 18,000 spectators in attendance. At 7 p.m. will be “Rumble Ravenna” in which everyone will start their engines in honor of the late founder of Octane Nights, Gary Krause, who passed away in 2020. Bring the kids to watch Scott and his Ride4Life crew perform their motorcycle stunt shows throughout the evening. A disc jockey will provide entertainment.
In the past, this event has been voted Cruisin’ Times Magazine’s Best Downtown Event. Due to space restrictions, no more than 4,000 cars will be accommodated, so try to arrive early. VIP parking spaces will be sold and will guarantee you a parking space so you won’t have to worry about being turned away once parking is full.
This is a family-friendly event and will take place rain or shine. No tickets are required. Cars do not need to be preregistered unless you’re purchasing a VIP parking spot. No alcohol, golf carts, bicycles or animals will be permitted.
If you have a business and would like to learn about sponsorship opportunities, email tricia@mongoosems.com.
The Only in Ravenna Scavenger Hunt and Balloon A-Fair Food Truck Roundup will take place from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, July 19 downtown. There will be a scavenger hunt throughout the city, with first-, second- and third-place prizes being awarded. The event will also feature vendors and unique finds, food, and live music with DJKrooze. For more information on the scavenger hunt, sponsors, vendors and participants, contact Ryann Cline at 330-296-3886 or ryann@ravennaareachamber.com.
Ravenna Rocks, a free rock and roll concert, will take place from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 9 downtown. This is a family-friendly community event. On the docket will be headliners TRUSS, Michael Legan II, DJKrooze, Solo Sixstring and The Focus Group, plus opening acts. Also, The Voice of Ravenna finalists will perform. There will also be disc jockeys, food trucks, vendors, a cornhole tournament, a Jeep show and more.
The annual Ravenna Chamber Business Break Golf Outing will take place Friday, Aug. 22 at Windmill Lakes Golf Course at 6544 State Route 14. Early registration starts at 8:15 a.m. Tee time is at 9 a.m. Your business golf “break” includes:
*18 holes of golf and cart
*Hot lunch
*Beverages
*Steak dinner
*Swag Bag
*50/50 raffle
*Lots of prizes and contests
For more information, call 330-296-3886 or email ryann@ravennaareachamber.com.
Haasz Automall of Ravenna will hold an event from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, July 20 at 6104 State Route 14 for a day of horsepower, food and fun. All makes and models of cars, trucks and bikes are welcome. There will also be a 50/50 drawing, prizes, and a local food truck on site.
“Lunch & Learn: Networking that WORKS” will be from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, July 16 at Casona Guzman at 4914 S. Prospect St. The speaker will be American National’s Mark Cole. You must pre-register. To register, email ryann@ravennaareachamber.com or visit ravennaareachamber.com.
There will be a concert sponsored by Hometown Bank from 6 to 9:30 p.m. Thursday, July 24 on the Portage County Courthouse lawn. The courthouse is located at 203 W. Main St.
The Honorary Way Ceremony honoring Patti Hicks will take place at noon Saturday, July 26 on the Portage County Courthouse lawn.
Aurora
The first phase of the Aurora Trail officially opened June 28 with a ribbon cutting.
“The trail is just exceptional,” Mayor Ann Womer Benjamin said. “We’re hoping to design phase two next year.”
The city’s road paving for the season has been completed.
Aurora’s “National Night Out and Truck and Tractor Night” will be at 5 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 5 at Kiwanis-Moore Park at 35 W. Pioneer Trl.
Said Womer Benjamin, “We’ve combined National Night Out, which is a police event nationwide, with our annual Truck and Tractor Night when we display all of the many interesting vehicles that the city uses that the kids can explore.”There will be free food, a disc jockey and all kinds of activities.
The Aurora Splash Pad was recognized by Northeast Ohio Parent magazine as the best splash pad in Northeast Ohio.
“A number of communities have splash pads,” Womer Benjamin said, “so that’s a big deal for us.”
Aurora City Council approved a contract with Cistone’s Excavating Services for a new water line on Chandler Lane and Chandler Drive in the Walden neighborhood. The cost will be $479,000.
Paul Tanski was the grand marshal for Aurora’s Fourth of July Parade. Tanski has been serving as a scoutmaster of Troop 269 and has been instrumental in fostering leadership and other skills among the local youth. He has been involved in scouting for 19 years.
A ribbon cutting was held July 10 at the new Salon Patrick on state Route 43. The salon and day spa relocated from a space it was leasing at Barrington Plaza. The new location is a free-standing building owned by Aurora resident Shannon London.
Streetsboro
Streetsboro’s Community Connections Showcase will take place from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Sept. 6 at the UH Streetsboro Medical Center at 9318 State Route 14. Indoor and outdoor booths are available. This is a high-visibility opportunity to:
*Promote your business or organization
*Engage directly with local families, professionals and decision-makers
*Be featured alongside other trusted community resources
Event attractions include:
*Community services
*Q&A with local candidates
*Local exhibitors
*Food trucks (until 3 p.m.)
*A petting zoo
*Touch-a-Truck
*Bike helmet giveaway
*Free health screenings
*Family fun
*Prizes
Admission is free. For more information and to register, contact the Streetsboro Area Chamber of Commerce at 330-626-4769.
The next “Brewing Success – Morning Meetup” will be from 8 to 9 a.m. Friday, July 25 at the Hampton Inn & Suites at 800 Mondial Pkwy. Help celebrate Christmas in July and the 25th anniversary of Wags for Wellness, a UH Portage Medical Center program that brings joy and comfort to patients with the help of adorable therapy dogs and their amazing volunteer handlers. You can help by bringing a monetary donation or donating a new no-sew blanket kit to help brighten a hospital patient’s holiday this year. Plus, Streetsboro Area Chamber of Commerce Board Member Cindy Toth will speak on “Aligning Your Brand with the Spirit of Giving Back.” Coffee and breakfast treats will be included. There is no admission fee. To register, contact the Chamber at 330-626-4769.
A ribbon cutting for Handy Rents will take place at 3:30 p.m. Thursday, July 17 at its location of 10050 Wellman Rd. Serving contractors and DIYers since 1963, Handy Rents offers equipment rentals from tools to heavy machinery.
Construction for a new Chick-fil-A on Shady Lake Drive will begin in September.
Shalersville
The Shalersville community is invited to attend Avit Flight Academy’s Grand Opening Celebration from 4 to 6 p.m. Wednesday, July 31 at the Portage County Regional Airport at 4039 Nanway Blvd. This is the award-winning flight school’s sixth Northeast Ohio location in more than eight years serving Northeast Ohio. Guests will have the opportunity to meet the team, tour aircraft and facilities, and learn more about flight training and careers in aviation. Whether you’re an aviation enthusiast, a future pilot or simply curious about what’s happening at your local airport, all are welcome. Avit offers comprehensive pilot training for those pursuing aviation as a personal passion or professional career. Learn more at www.flyavit.com.
The Shalersville Township Trustees opened bids for resurfacing Price Road. Four bids were received, ranging from $622,423.75 to $665,346.23. The bids were to go to the Portage County engineer, then to the county prosecutor’s office. Meanwhile, Beck Road will open in less than two weeks, as soon as some maintenance is completed on the drains. The catch basins need to be flushed.
The township trustees received quotes for concrete for the new pavilion and gazebo.
The zoning inspector stated that the township trustees had another new home permit, this time for a home on Diagonal Road.
The township trustees passed a resolution to pay off the Sanicky property loan and the International truck loan. These two loans total approximately $115,000.
Roger Gordon