Archive

Remembering those we’ve lost in Portage County

Doria Daniels has served on the Portage County Board of Elections since 2015, and Janet Esposito has served as Portage County Auditor since 1994. On Feb. 22, the two women met in one of their final official acts together as public servants.

They originally intended on funneling $1 million of the county’s ARPA funds to area nonprofit agencies, but are instead directing the entire amount (minus a consultant and accounting fee) to county food assistance programs.

Major companies are investing in central Portage County to launch new production and distribution sites, a giant warehouse is under construction in Shalersville and an international manufacturer picked Ravenna for its new corporate headquarters.

Remembering those we’ve lost in Portage County

The township accepted the proposed resolution for a public committee that is going to bring back the parade for Brimfest this year.

These true-life stories let us escape, alongside the protagonists, from what could be described as “hell on earth.” They are accounts of almost unbelievable horror, relating the worst of what human beings will do to each other. A friendly warning: These books will affect you.

The trustees accepted the resignation of Zoning Inspector Lou Mincek, who is retiring.The trustees will advertise the open position for two weeks in the Weekly Villager and the Record-Courier and interview candidates March 16. The trustees joked that this information will also appear in The Portager due to this documenter’s attendance at the meeting. Here it is.

The January minutes of the zoning commission were approved. There was a brief discussion of an abandoned cemetery originally belonging to the Mormons as they passed through the area. 

Jordan Michael reported four new permits: one residential, one industrial (existing) and two fence permits. The trustees voted to call a public hearing for proposed amendments to the zoning commision (Ords. 2022-011 and 2022-014) on Feb. 28.

Remembering those we’ve lost in Portage County

In her 2023 State of the City address, Aurora Mayor Ann Womer Benjamin said the city government is focused on preserving and enhancing historic buildings and improving public spaces, including a long-debated recreation center.

It’s not exactly the cover of Rolling Stone, but Kent’s Star of the West mill fire has reached a national audience.

Yes, 1979 was a long time ago. It was a long time ago even when The Smashing Pumpkins frontman Billy Corgan wistfully sang those lyrics on the alternative rock band’s “Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness” release in 1995 — and 1995 itself was a long time ago.

Residents weighed in against a yard parking ban that was proposed by council. Council passed the ordinance on second reading but said they wanted more opinions.

Best wishes are in order to Linda (Dreman) Dehaven who is retiring from her job as the custodian of Charlestown Town Hall.

Long, long ago, on a planet not so far away, people enjoyed their morning cup of joe while turning the pages of their daily newspaper. If that paper happened to be the Record Courier, you might have read my column, which appeared in the RC for more than 10 years.

Remembering those we’ve lost in Portage County

After a year of major infrastructure projects and a bicentennial celebration, Streetsboro will focus this year on building community, said Mayor Glenn Broska in his State of the City talk Feb. 15.

Over a dozen Portage County emergency workers responded to the Feb. 3 train derailment in East Palestine that sent toxic chemicals into the sky and soil.