Rootstown  

The Rootstown Historical Society, in conjunction with Rootstown Township, is planning a festive celebration of the United States’ 250th birthday from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday, July 4 at Rootstown Park. Tentatively, the day will include:

• Opening ceremonies
• A parade organized by the Rootstown Lions Club (including judging)
• A flag-raising ceremony with an authentic 1776 flag
• Food vendors
• Old-fashioned games like a hula hoops contest and three-legged races
• Bounce houses for kids
• Rootstown resident Bob Hurd portraying Revolutionary War soldier Jeremiah Greenman and speaking about things of that period

Anyone who would like to march in the parade should contact Rootstown Historical Society President John Fassnacht at 330-325-7596 or rootstownhistoricalsociety@gmail.com.

More information to come. The public is invited to attend organizational meetings at 6 p.m. the first Tuesday of each month at the First Congregational Church United Church of Christ at 4022 State Route 44. The next meeting is Feb. 3.       

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The Rootstown Sports Boosters’ annual reverse raffle and dinner will take place from 6 to 10 p.m. Saturday, March 21 at the Immaculate Conception Parish Hall at 251 W. Spruce Ave. in Ravenna. Tickets are $70 per person and $140 per couple. There is a $2,000 grand prize.

Franklin

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:

• For State of Ohio-maintained roads (state Route 43, state Route 59 and state Route 261), contact the Ohio Department of Transportation District 4 at 330-786-3100.
• For Portage County-maintained roads (Brady Lake Road, Dawley Road, Diagonal Road, Ferguson Road, Lake Rockwell Road, Newcomer Road, Overlook Road, Ravenna Road, Redbrush Road and Summit Road), contact the Portage County Engineer’s Office at 330-296-6411. 

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Spring Cleanup 2026 will be from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, April 24 and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 25. The Franklin Township garage at 2331 Ravenna Rd. will serve as the drop-off zone for all your spring cleanup items.   

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Chipping starts the first week of April and continues in June, August and October. If there is a storm with high winds that bring down a lot of limbs, there will be chipping. Remember, this is for storm limbs and minor tree pruning.

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To enhance community safety, the township has installed new automated external defibrillators (AEDs), which are used if somebody has a heart attack, for emergency response where sporting events are held at both Brady Lake Park and Phillips Park.

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A new weather siren has been installed, and the township is currently working with the City of Kent on the alarm systems for the warning siren to ensure timely alerts during severe storms.

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Recent street improvements include the paving of Hudson Road, Lakeview Drive and Cox Avenue Extension as well as repairs and paving to a portion of Garfield Road.

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The Portage County engineer is currently working with the railroad in securing easements before work can start on the Ravenna Road bridge.

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No open burning is permitted between the hours of 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. during the months of April, May, October and November.    

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With the help of a grant, the pickleball courts at Phillips Park in Franklin have been paved and fenced. The final surface painting and nets will be completed in the spring.

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The Brady Lake community welcomes all Franklin Township residents to Captain Brady Day, an annual fun-filled tradition that will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, July 25. The event will feature a parade, kayak race, vendors, food trucks, games and music.

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Franklin Township participated in last year’s Kent Memorial Day parade and the Portage DD Touch-a-Truck event.

Paris

The Paris Township Trustees passed a resolution to purchase two new automated external defibrillators for the Shearer Community Center. The total cost will be $4,776.50 – $2,388.25 apiece.

“The current AEDs are at the end of their lives,” township Trustee Dave Kemble said.

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The trustees also passed a resolution to purchase new cot straps for the township’s ambulance at a cost of $464.