Streetsboro
The City of Streetsboro is upgrading its camera system on its traffic lights. When the original cameras were installed a few years ago, they were not as high quality as the ones that are currently being installed at every traffic light in the city.
“We had some issues with the old cameras transmitting images back to dispatch,” Mayor Glenn Broska said. “So we decided to upgrade the cameras and upgrade the ability for them to transmit pictures back to dispatch. We also added a recording ability to them that will keep the images that are captured on file for 14 days.”
The main purpose of the cameras is to keep an eye on the intersections should an accident or something of the like occur.
“It’s quite common when you have accidents at intersections that both people claim they had the green light,” Broska said. “We’re not going to be looking in people’s windows, we’re not going to be capturing red-light offenders, we’re not going to be looking for people who aren’t wearing their seatbelt or anything like that. I don’t believe in that. I believe that, if someone gets caught running a red light, it should be witnessed and seen by an officer. I’m against speed cameras, red-light cameras, and most of city council feels the same way. But if someone runs a red light and they’re involved in an accident, we’ll be able to see who actually had the green and who had the red.”
The new cameras could also benefit the city when it comes to crime.
“Say we have a robbery somewhere, and the people flee in a car,” the mayor said. “We’ll be able to look back at the video and possibly be able to determine the direction of travel for the fleeing felons. We’ll be able to provide a description of a car and quite possibly a license plate number. We’ll also be able to pan, tilt and zoom with the cameras, which will be up on the poles.”
The new cameras should be up and functioning within a month or so.
The State Route 43 road improvement project will get back into full swing Monday, March 24. The project is about 80% complete.
“They’re going to start with the installation of the sidewalks that will go from Market Square Drive to Frost Road,” Broska said. “Then they’ll topcoat the asphalt on the roads, completely restripe them and restore the peoples’ yards to their previous condition.”
The project is expected to be completed by late June.
The second annual Brew & BBQ Bash will take over Streetsboro City Park from noon to 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 16. The park is located at 8970 Kirby Ln. The event will feature local pitmasters competing in five different “Best of” categories to be named the 2025 Brew & BBQ Grand Champion along with local BBQ food trucks competing for the People’s Choice Award. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Special Olympics “Portage Grin and Bear It” organization and the Streetsboro Heritage Foundation. Also, many craft brewers from across Northeast Ohio will return from last year.
The 2024 winners included Brew & BBQ Grand Champion Sucka Bone BBQ of Ravenna; runner-up Jay Rhea BBQ of Aurora; People’s Choice BBQ truck winner Chasin’ Tailz BBQ of Ravenna; and runner-up Pink Piggy BBQ of Macedonia.
Headlining the Woodsy’s Music Stage at this year’s event will be Detroit’s own “The Hair Band Experience.” Celebrating the best days of Def Leppard, Bon Jovi, Poison and more with full costume changes, role changes and set enhancement, fans will have a true ’80s concert experience.
The event will also feature kids games, face painting, Pure Passions alpacas and The Foam Zone, plus many more attractions.
For vendor sponsorship inquiries and BBQ competition information, contact Mike Kuhstos at 330-221-6291 or [email protected].
It’s time for kids to clean out those toy boxes and closets for the first annual “Kids Only” indoor garage sale, which will take place from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, March 29 at the Streetsboro Community Center at 8970 Kirby Ln. Kids can display their handmade items for sale as well as get rid of those books, games, movies, sporting goods, clothes, toys or anything else that is kid-oriented.
Sellers ages 6-15 can sell treasures and make some spending money. From set-up to sale, children will gain experience merchandising, selling, making change and even learning how to negotiate a bargain. Parents should supervise and may assist but should limit their involvement in running the booth. Guests of all ages are welcome to browse and shop. The City of Streetsboro and Parks & Recreation are not responsible for the quality, condition or performance of the items sold.
The Weiner Guy food truck and C&J Best Bakes Dessert Truck & Coffee will also be on site, with members of Streetsboro Junior Baseball and Softball selling concessions as well.
Admission and parking for the event are free. Vendor tables are sold out.
The Streetsboro Area Chamber of Commerce will present the eighth annual R.A.T. Memorial Golf Outing on Friday, May 16 at Windmill Lakes Golf Club at 6544 state Route 14 in Ravenna. It is a 9 a.m. shotgun start. Fees are $130 for an individual golfer and $650 for a team of four golfers, both of which include breakfast, lunch and dinner. RAT Packs are available for $50. For more information, to be a sponsor or donate a prize, email [email protected].
A Fleetwood Mac cover band performed March 14 in the Streetsboro High School auditorium, which seats approximately 900 people, in an effort to bring in some extra money for the Streetsboro School District.
“This was the first concert, and they’re hoping to host more. It’s to utilize the auditorium to a beneficial point for the schools,” Broska said. “I think this was more or less an experiment to see how well it would go, and I believe it went really well. I believe they were pleased with the turnout.”
A brand-new Winking Lizard with an outdoor patio will soon be under construction on state Route 43 near Liberty Corners.
“They bought an old church, and they’re taking over that site. They’re going to use part of the church as a party area,” Broska said. “They’re going to tear some of the church down but will leave a portion of it up.”
The project will start within the next three months and should be completed six to eight months after that.
The Mothership, Streetsboro’s first cannabis dispensary, had its “soft opening” March 14. The new business, located on State Route 14, sells prescription and over-the-counter marijuana.
“Considering that the city in the last election overwhelmingly approved the legalization of marijuana, I haven’t heard anything negative yet,” Broska said.
A second cannabis dispensary, also on State Route 14, will open in the next week.
University Hospitals Portage Medical Center will provide free screenings for blood pressure management from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, March 26 at the UH Streetsboro Health Center at 9318 state Route 14.
Ravenna Township
Ravenna Township recently applied for federal funding for a CPF (community project funding) that would come from the federal government. If the township is awarded the funds, they will be used for the residents in the Chinn Development for the sewer project.
Township trustees recently signed a TIF (tax increment financing) agreement for the Forest Ridge Home Development. It is the first TIF ever in the township. The TIF helps collection of tax dollars that can be used to go toward development of infrastructure.
The township is looking for a full-time road worker who has a CDL license. To apply, visit indeed.com or drop off your resume at the township office, located at 6115 S. Spring St., during normal business hours.
The annual Ravenna Township Spring Cleanup will be from 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, April 26 in the parking lot of the township office at 6115 S. Spring St. There will be multiple dumpsters on site. This is for township residents only. Items that will not be accepted are hazardous chemicals, paints, batteries, yard waste, metal items more than four feet in length, car parts and railroad ties. Refrigerators and freezers will be accepted, but the doors must be removed. Up to eight car or truck tires per resident will be accepted, with a fee of 50 cents per tire. Proper identification must be presented before residents can participate. The township recommends residents enter off Short Street and exit onto Spring Street for easier traffic flow. For more information, call 330-296-9616.
City of Ravenna
The Ravenna Area Chamber of Commerce will present the Portage County Volunteer Recruitment Fair from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, April 10 at Reed Memorial Library at 167 E. Main St. Attendees will be able to explore volunteer opportunities and connect with local organizations. To register, email [email protected].
The Chamber of Commerce will present a Workforce Development Workshop from 7:30 to 11 a.m. Tuesday, March 25 at the Kent State University Hotel and Conference Center at 215 Depeyster St. Through the Portage Development Board and a few of Portage County’s workforce development business leaders, attendees will learn about different workforce development topics through facilitated panels regarding social media and recruitment, child and adult care, and immigration. The cost is $35. To register, visit pdbworkforcedevelopment.eventbrite.com.
The Chamber will present the annual Raven Awards ceremony from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 4 at Ravenna High School at 6589 N. Chestnut St. The ceremony will recognize award recipients from 2024. Sponsorships are available. For more information, call 330-296-3886, email [email protected] or visit ravennaareachamber.com.
The Chamber will hold “717” Connections AfterHours from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 9 at the 717 Credit Union at 271 S. Chestnut St. Refreshments and drinks will be provided. To RSVP, call 330-372-8333 or email [email protected]. To register, email [email protected].
University Hospitals Portage Medical Center will host a Yoga for Everyone class from 11:30 a.m. to noon Tuesday, March 25 in the Mangin Fitness Room. The medical center is located at 6847 N. Chestnut St. Pre-registration is required. Call 330-297-2576 to register.
The White House Tavern will host its ribbon cutting and grand opening at 3 p.m. Thursday, March 27 at 161 Chestnut St.
Aurora
Aurora City Council approved the purchase of two new police cars and the upfitting of those cars with equipment. The cost for the police cars is approximately $85,000, and the upfitting cost is $25,000.
City council approved the purchase and installation of a salt dome to replace one of the two at the service department. The cost is $85,000.
Council approved the purchase of a new brush truck for $240,900.
There are a number of pending easements from property owners on South Chillicothe Road because decorative lighting will be installed soon on the sidewalks there.
The first Shred Day of the year will be from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, April 12 at the Aurora Service Department at 158 W. Pioneer Trl. This is for Aurora residents only. Residents are limited to six boxes per household.
The annual spring Eggstravaganza will be from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, April 5 in Aurora High School’s gymnasium at 109 W. Pioneer Trl. There will be all kinds of activities for kids, including an Easter egg hunt.
