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Aurora City Council on Oct. 28 approved a 12-year, 100% property tax abatement for Piping Rock Health Products LLC. Documents submitted to the city indicate that in 2026, the company plans to add 20 new jobs at its Aurora site, which already has 260 employees. The company maintains a packaging and warehouse facility at the property and plans to add on to one structure and build another.

Editor’s note: The Portager publishes letters to the editor from the community. The opinions expressed are published not because they necessarily reflect those of the publication but because we feel they contribute meaningfully to the local discourse on matters of public interest. Recently, a friend of mine was accosted at a non-partisan event by Heidi Workman. Candidate Workman got within a foot of my friend’s face and tried to provoke a shouting match, at the least. Luckily, my friend was […]

Remembering those we’ve lost in Portage County

On the morning of Oct. 22, Ravenna police fielded a call about a woman vandalizing scarecrows in the city’s new “pocket park” next to Guido’s restaurant.

Kent State University has a Senior Guest Program, which offers individuals over the age of 60 a free opportunity to audit their classes. You can attend for free, do not have to take exams, but can gain all the information from the class content. You will need to pay for your books and parking.

Dave and I finally paid off our mortgage after 28 years. Yay! And promptly went into debt with new windows, roof and siding. Yay? Yes, yay! We’re really planning for light bills of about half what we’re used to. Aesthetically, our house has much more curb appeal now. That’s been a long time coming.

Political polarization in the U.S. is nothing new. As far back as 1804, a long-simmering dispute between the two major parties — Democratic-Republicans and Federalists — led to an infamous duel. Former secretary of state Alexander Hamilton was shot to death by Vice President Aaron Burr.

Remembering those we’ve lost in Portage County

After becoming the new director of the Kent State University Museum July 1, Sarah Spinner Liska got to work — fashionably quickly. In the month of September alone, Spinner Liska and her “small but mighty team” ran seven programs. She held the first-ever director’s office hours, started on plans for facility updates to make the space more welcoming, met with faculty throughout various disciplines and supported the first entirely student-run fashion show at the museum, among other projects. The goal […]

The Ravenna Road bridge over the Norfolk Southern Railway is one step closer to being replaced as Portage County commissioners on Oct. 24 approved a construction agreement with the railway company.

Aurora City Council recently approved the city’s purchase of Geauga Lake and 48 acres adjacent to it. The property will be turned into a public park with water amenities, including swimming, boating and other recreational activities. It will be done in phases over time.

Have you ever asked yourself what you know for sure? I remember a magazine article years ago that posed that question. Occasionally, I revisit it. Odd as it may seem, my answers today are pretty much the same as they were decades ago. I’d like to believe this means I’m wiser as well as older, but I’m pretty sure it means I have to keep making mistakes that lead me back to what I most value.

Remembering those we’ve lost in Portage County

Democrat incumbent John Kennedy hopes to retain his seat as Portage County treasurer. He faces a challenge from Republican Joseph Bica. We spoke to both of them.

Republican incumbent Steven Demetriou and Democrat Mark Curtis are candidates for state representative, 35th House District, which covers Mantua Township and the cities of Aurora and Streetsboro.

Democrat Nathaniel Adams and Republican Heidi Workman will both appear on the November ballot as candidates for the 72nd House district, which covers all of Portage County but the cities of Aurora and Streetsboro and Mantua Township.

Republican incumbent Bruce D. Zuchowski hopes to retain his seat as Portage County sheriff. He is being challenged by Democrat Jon Barber.

I’ve been reading semi-biographies of real people. You could call them biographical fiction or novelized life stories.

I got an “annual report” mailing from the Portage County Sheriff today. It was beyond the pale for several reasons.

There is a land where nobody smiles. I’ve been there. My family fled from there.