Aurora / Ravenna / Shalersville / Streetsboro / Local government / Events
County roundup: Streetsboro opens city hall, plus news from Aurora, Ravenna and Shalersville
- Roger Gordon
City of Ravenna
Ravenna City Council voted to extend its moratorium on storage facilities six months before it considers allowing any more to go in.
“A study is being done to see how we’d allow more storage units to open,” Mayor Frank Seman said. “We’re limited with land. We don’t have a lot of it left for development. Storage units take up a lot of space, and usually there’s one person who owns them, so it does nothing to help the city in terms of finances. We need to save our land for more productive plans.”
City council passed legislation to sell a fire truck for $30,000 to the Village of Windham, which is in desperate need of an additional truck. The truck is one that Ravenna was going to dispose of and replace with a new one.
The city agreed to allow a second school resource officer to work within the Ravenna City Schools mainly for the high school and the middle schools but also for the grade schools. It is an agreement between the city and the school system. Each pays half.
“There was a need to have a second officer,” Seman said.
The City of Ravenna’s celebration of the 250th anniversary of the country is in the early planning stages, spearheaded by Clerk of Council Chelsea Gregor. A well-attended meeting was held Jan. 28 by the city and the merchants. A picnic celebration is tentatively planned from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, July 11 on Main Street by the courthouse. More information to come.
The Ravenna Area Chamber of Commerce’s Ravenna on Display Business Expo will be from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, March 21 at Ravenna High School at 6589 N. Chestnut St. Deadline for registration is March 16. To register or for sponsorship opportunities, contact the Chamber at 330-296-3886 or ryann@ravennaareachamber.com.
In honor of Heart Health Month, a multi-chamber Heart Health Breakfast will be held from 8 to 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 18 in the University Hospitals Portage Medical Center’s PMAB room 150 at 6847 N. Chestnut St. Connect with fellow professionals while learning valuable insights on maintaining heart health. Whether you’re looking to expand your network or prioritize your well-being, this event is the perfect opportunity to engage, learn and grow. Don’t miss this chance to nurture both your personal and professional heart! The presenter is Marc Streem, R.N. Participating chambers are Ravenna, Aurora, Kent, Streetsboro, Rootstown, Mantua and Shalersville. To RSVP, visit tinyurl.com/Feb18MultiChamber.
The Ravenna Chamber will host The Murder Mystery Co.’s “Death of a Gangster,” a 1920s-themed murder mystery dinner, from 6 to 9:30 p.m. on Valentine’s Day, Saturday, Feb. 14 at the Buckeye Hall’s Horseshoe Diner at 250 W. Main St. Step into the real-life game of Clue, where the crime unfolds around you, the characters are all in costume, and every guest is armed with a motive. This show promises an unforgettable evening of mystery, fun and community. Dinner will be provided and prepared by the Horseshoe Diner, with a cash bar available. Wear 1920s-themed attire – think flapper dresses and zoot suits! To purchase tickets and for sponsorship opportunities, call 330-296-3886 or email ryann@ravennaareachamber.com.
The Chamber’s Marlene Watt Poker Run/Walk will take place at 9 a.m. Saturday, March 14. This event, which will start and finish at the English Pub & Bistro at 320 E. Main St., Ste. 108, supports the Marlene Watt Scholarship that helps provide discounted parks & rec program fees for youth in the community. Best poker hand wins $500. Chances to win additional prizes include the shamrock scavenger hunt, solve the leprechaun’s riddle, a gift basket raffle and more! Registration fees are $40 for individuals or $35 per person for teams of five or more. Each registrant receives a swag Bag, T-shirt and race medal. Stick around afterward for food, drinks and music. To register or to become a sponsor, contact the Ravenna Parks and Recreation office at 330-296-2864.
The Chamber’s “First Friday Networking on the Go” will be from 8 to 9 a.m. Friday, March 6 at Great Lakes Honda at 43 Pruitt Blvd. Join nine local chambers along with business leaders and professionals. Participating chambers are Ravenna, Hudson, Kent, Fairlawn, Greater Akron, Stow-Munroe Falls, Tallmadge, Twinsburg and Streetsboro. Free to attend.
“Coffee Talk” with the Chamber is held from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. the second Wednesday of each month at the Horseshoe Diner at 250 W. Main St. The next two “Coffee Talks” are Feb. 11 and March 11. To register, email ryann@ravennaareachamber.com.
Ravenna Township
Developer Rakesh Patel proposed to the board of zoning appeals Jan. 14 that he would like to build a three-pump gas station/convenience store at the corner of state Route 59 and Wall Street in Ravenna. Years ago, the structure was a gas station. Most recently, it was an automotive repair facility. The BZA passed Patel’s request, but he must pass the conditions that the Ohio Department of Transportation may put on him for the project because state Route 59 is ODOT’s road.
“If ODOT OKs the project,” Ravenna Township Trustee Vince Coia said, “Mr. Patel will be able to get a permit from us as long as he meets the conditions the BZA set for him.”
Two Ravenna Township homes are going to be torn down — one at 3145 Wolf Run Dr., and the other at 6817 Sumner St. Both are in terrible condition, especially the home on Wolf Run where a man was feeding cats and just walking away and leaving them.
“That house is in deplorable condition on the inside,” Coia said. “It’s just totally destroyed on the inside.”
The Wolf Run house will be demolished by the township, and the Sumner home will be destroyed by the Portage County Land Bank. The weather will determine exactly when these homes will be torn down.
The township will be receiving $1,500 from the Northeast Ohio Public Energy Council for the Energized Community Grant, which will be used for the township’s annual Halloween Trunk-or-Treat party at the township campus on South Spring Street.
Hank Gibson-Lampley has replaced Coia as the township’s chair following his stint as a trustee; he oversees the fire department. Coia is now a trustee and oversees the road department. Kristi Blazek-Hack has replaced Jim DiPaola as the new vice chair; she oversees the zoning department.
Streetsboro
At long last, after seven years in a temporary location on Frost Road, Streetsboro City Hall employees have begun working in the brand-new City Hall at its original location of 9184 State Route 43. Their first day at the new facility was Jan. 28.
“Other than a few minor glitches that are being addressed, things are going well,” Mayor Glenn Broska said. “The building is aesthetically pleasing. We finally completed building it, and now we’re occupying it.”
The City of Streetsboro is entering into new agreements with two companies – Safebuilt Ohio to be its chief building official and Sixmo Architecture to be its primary commercial plan reviewer. Safebuilt Ohio will cover primary and backup inspection services and will be the city’s backup for commercial. Sixmo Architecture will be the city’s backup chief building official.
The city received an $84,000 cannabis tax allocation, which will go into the general fund to be used when needed.
Buckeye Quality Meats, a standalone butcher shop at 9356 State Route 14, will have a ribbon cutting at 3 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 3 to celebrate its fifth anniversary. Giveaways will be included.
Aurora
The City of Aurora purchased the last stretch – approximately a half-mile long – of railroad right-of-way in collaboration with the City of Solon for $470,000. That money will be used for a hike-and-bike trail along with the rest of the right-of-way, over which Aurora has a recreational easement.
The City of Aurora extended its moratorium on vape shops and similar shops that sell CBD and cannabidiol oils to July 1.
Mayor Ann Womer Benjamin’s State of the City luncheon will take place at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 25 at Aurora Meadows at 50 Trails End. This event is sponsored by the Aurora Chamber of Commerce. Register by contacting the Chamber at 330-562-3355 or lisa@allaboutaurora.com.
Aurora City Council authorized the city’s payment of almost $750,000 to the State of Ohio for Aurora’s share of an Ohio Department of Transportation paving project this year. Paved will be part of state Route 306 and part of state Route 82.
Aurora Parks and Recreation and the city’s service department had several equipment purchases approved by city council, including a new senior bus, which is the bus used for senior program trips.
The City of Aurora entered into an agreement for the loan of the former Sea World clock to Aurora.
“We’ll be using the Sea World clock at our new park,” Womer Benjamin said.
Think you can build the best snowman in Aurora? Then enter the city’s Snowman Contest. Capture your best family-friendly snow creation. Winners will be announced by the end of March. Gift card prizes will be awarded to the top three finishers. Click on this link to submit your snowman photo: Snowman Contest. Submission deadline is Feb. 28. For questions, contact Aurora Parks & Recreation at 330-562-4333.
Aurora City Council approved the City of Aurora's issuing of bonds up to $20 million in value to help fund the city’s first phase of Aurora Park.
The City of Aurora extended a 100%, 15-year tax abatement to Lynk Packaging for its expansion.
A swearing-in ceremony took place Dec. 31 for the mayor and the new council members. It was presided over by Portage County Common Pleas Judge Becky Doherty.
Council Member Pete French recently stepped down and was replaced by Ralph Ware, who ran unopposed in the November election.
Womer Benjamin presented resolutions for appointments to city council’s various citizen committees, the terms of which typically expire at the end of the year.
Womer Benjamin reappointed all of her directors, which she had to do because it is a new term for her.
Shalersville
The Shalersville Township Trustees approved the 2026 Permanent Appropriations.
Board of trustees reorganization:
- Frank Ruehr, Jr., is the new chair
- Continues serving on the fire board
- Remains an alternate for Portage County Regional Planning
- Continues as trustee overseeing the garage
- Ronnie Kotkowski is the new vice chair
- Continues serving on the regional planning board
- Continues serving on the Portage County Solid Waste Board
- Jack Bias will remain on the Portage County Health Board
- Trustee oversight responsibilities include the school and Shalersville Park
Township trustees meetings will be held the same time as they were in 2025: 7 p.m. the first Tuesday of the month and 5:50 p.m. the third Tuesday of the month.
The following is a summary of permits issued in 2025:
- Nine new home permits
- 12 accessory buildings
- Six solar
- Seven fences
- Pool
- Home additions
- Demo permits
- Two commercial signs
- Cell towers
- Two commercial additions
Roger Gordon