Primary Election Day Extended
Portage County - According to the Portage County Board of Elections, the Primary Election, which was originally scheduled for March 17th, will be concluded on April 28, 2020. The March election day was blocked by the State in an attempt to restrict public gatherings and limit the spread of Covid-19. Since several localities had key initiatives on the ballot, the...
Creativity is a Saving Grace that leads to a Reimagined Life
Very rarely will you meet the kind of person that leaves you totally in awe of what they have accomplished, what they offer others and how they handle the massive lemons life throws their way. We all struggle with the challenges we get dealt. It takes grace, perseverance and courage to overcome and excel in a way that leads...
New Tattoo Parlor Brings Color and Economy to Ravenna
Ravenna - Veteran. Proud Patriot. Family man. Businessman. These are all the titles that newest Ravenna merchant, Clint Marsh, falls under. On Saturday, March 30th War Horse Ink had the ribbon cutting at its second location with about 40 citizens in attendance. Straight out of high school Marsh joined the army where he served his country for four years. He...
UPDATED: Megan Dye Was Located in Cincinnati on July 10
Update: Megan Dye was safely located by the US Marshal Service in Cincinnati. The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children and the Kent Police Department in Ohio are searching for this missing 17-year-old girl.Megan Dye vanished from Kent, Ohio on July 8, 2020. Megan was last seen in Tannery Park in Kent, and her belongings have been found there...
Tattoos to the Rescue: Bad Body Art Benefits Portage APL
Ravenna - Have you ever awed at Claude Monet’s Water Lilies? Or wondered at the emotional turmoil behind Pablo Picasso’s blue period paintings? Art is meant to invoke the human spirit. In the tattoo industry artists have the unique opportunity to connect one-on-one with their medium the human body. But sometimes mistakes happen, or work goes unfinished....
Manage Coronavirus-related Stress
During this time of uncertainty, many of us are experiencing high levels of stress & anxiety. Follow these tips to help you cope during this stressful time. Also know that mental health professionals are available to help. Avoid excessive exposure to media coverage of COVID-19. It is important to get good information to help you prepare and respond, but don’t overwhelm...
Portage Park District Permanently Conserves 89 Acres in Portage County
Ravenna– Portage Park District has conserved over 89 acres in Kent and Streetsboro, bringing the park district’s total conserved acreage to over 2,100. The newly conserved land consists of four unique properties adjacent to existing park properties and includes high quality wetlands, forests and open space. Creating larger tracts of contiguous natural areas provides increased quality of wildlife habitat...
Portage Park District COVID-19 Response
The Portage Park District is concerned about ensuring the health and safety of all our park patrons during this COVID-19 pandemic. Our parks and trails remain open and we encourage the public to enjoy the great outdoors to support physical and mental health while continuing to follow the guidance of our health experts to maintain social distancing. To discourage...
Ice Cream Parlor Sweetens up the Town
Ravenna - We all need a little sugary pick-me-up sometimes and having a sweet treat can be the bright spot in everyone’s day. Vance’s Carriage House Creamery, the new hand-dipped hard ice cream shop, has just the flavor you will need to bring a smile to your face. Happiness seems so tricky to come by and yet joy can easily...
Portage County Health District temporarily discontinues walk-in services
Ravenna - In an effort to follow Governor DeWine’s and the Ohio Department of Health’s Director Dr Acton’s recommendations to flatten the curve and lessen the spread of COVID-19, the Portage County Health District will be temporarily discontinuing walk-in services to the public. This will be effective Monday, March 23rd, until further notice. Necessary, in-person meetings will be provided by...
Magnolia Market Takes Root In Ravenna
Ravenna - If you have heard the buzz around town, there is a new event series in the making. Magnolia Market is a startup bi-weekly market that has a mission. The brain child of Pastor Norma from First United Methodist Church of Ravenna (FUMCR), and parishioners Kim Schwab and daughter Fallon Schwab-Davis, this looks to be a family fun-filled...
Mental Health & Drug Courts Receive Funding
The Portage County Specialized Dockets for mental health and substance use disorders each received a $30,000 grant from Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services through the Mental Health & Recovery Board of Portage County. Specialized dockets are particular sessions of court that offer a therapeutically oriented judicial approach to providing court supervision and appropriate treatment to individuals. Certified...
Popular Library Puzzle Exchange is Back
Ravenna - Reed Memorial Library has brought back its monthly Puzzle Exchange, modified to fit within current pandemic restrictions. “The monthly exchange is a longstanding library event and very popular with our community,” related Alison Shelley, Children’s’ Outreach Coordinator. “Everyone has really missed the puzzle exchange since COVID-19 hit. We’ve worked hard to bring this event back safely under...
For the Love of Lasagna and Goulash: Unique Couple Cooks Variety for the Palate to Satisfy Demand
Ravenna - It all started in Florida when Monika Mailach and Mike DelCiello were set up by a mutual acquaintance who thought they would make a great pair. Monika was born in Wiesbaden, Germany in the province of Hesse, so it goes without saying this lovely lady has German cooking in her blood. It comes as no surprise that...
Supporting each other in grief
Our community recently suffered a tragic loss of young life. The board extends sympathy to the families and friends of those involved in this incident. We also recognize that many other people in our community have experienced loss throughout the year and wish to offer support and comfort to all. It’s always hard for families to know how to talk...
Ravenna’s Loaves and Fishes
Ravenna - Ravenna is on the rise! This lovely town of roughly 12,000 is home to unique businesses, unique history and a caring community. The Loaves and Fishes outreach program is an example of the care that is evident in Ravenna. Loaves and Fishes is a program aimed at food-insecure people in the area, all are welcome to participate. This...
May Is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month
Ravenna – Portage County Safe Communities, a program of Portage County Health District, reminds all vehicle drivers and all motorcycle riders to “share the road.” Motorcycle crashes involving another motor vehicle continue accounting for nearly half of all motorcyclist fatalities in the United States. Motorcyclists are inherently at more risk than motor vehicles - lacking many of the same safety...
Equi-Steps Uses Horsemanship to Promote Life Skills
Ravenna - It’s a horse of course. Or is it a course with a horse? Every girl dreams of having her own pony to ride, to spend time with and share a friendship. Karen Downie, owner of Equi-Steps an equine assisted learning program, is the epitome of that wide-eyed little girl all grown up using her passion to help others...
Trick-or-Treat Drive-Thru is a Spook-tacular Success
Ravenna - Three little voices sweetly chirped Trick-or-Treat! from the back seat holding their Halloween bags out the car window, excitedly hoping for candy to add to their growing collection. Lily, 8, dressed as Rapunzel and Sophia, 6, a dancer sang Yay! and Thank you! in unison as their tiny sister Una, 2, Princess Poppy from Trolls, dropped a...
Portage County Chapter of the Ohio Genealogical Society To Meet
Ravenna - The Portage County Chapter of the Ohio Genealogical Society will meet Saturday, February 2, 2020 at the Portage County Historical Society at 10:00 a.m. The society is located at 6549 N. Chestnut St., Ravenna, Ohio. After a brief business meeting, the guest speaker, Sunny Morton will be presenting a program on “Finding the Truths in Old Family Stories”....
Copper Kettle Antiques Celebrates 25th Anniversary
Ravenna - Do you remember how old you were when you found your passion? That moment when you fell in love with whatever it was that just made your heart light up with joy. Nancy Shaffer, the owner of Copper Kettle Antiques and Collectibles, can pin-point childhood memories when she fell in love with antiques and the stories they...
Avoiding Conformity leads Entrepreneur to her Dream Job: Moksha Yoga and Meditation brings Enlightenment to Ravenna
Ravenna - Have you ever tried blowing your nose with a hundred other people? Nope, would likely be your answer. But, if you are Lauren Hellekson, owner of Ravenna’s newest yoga studio, her answer would be yes! Because that is essentially what she did each morning in Rishikesh, India where she trained to become a licensed yoga instructor. Everyone...
NOSH Around Ravenna
NOSH: a verb, meaning: to eat enthusiastically! Are you hungry yet? Spring is almost here and our restaurants need our support now more than ever. Main Street Ravenna is working to keep feet on the ground downtown with the “Nosh Around Ravenna” program. Presented by Portage Community Bank, Nosh Around Ravenna is a unique and fun way to visit participating...
Portage CIT Officers of 2020
The Mental Health & Recovery Board is proud to announce the 2020 Crisis Intervention Team Officers of the Year awarded by the Portage County Police Chief’s Association: Officer Josh Bartholomew, Streetsboro PD; Officer Matthew Butcher, Kent City PD; Officer Scott Krieger, Ravenna PD. The officers were recognized for practicing the communication and de-escalation techniques they learned during their CIT training...
Portage County Genealogical Society
Ravenna - The Portage County Chapter of the Ohio Genealogical Society will meet Saturday, March 24, 2019 at the Portage County Historical Society at 10:00 a.m. The society is located at 6549 N. Chestnut St., Ravenna, Ohio. Our guest speaker will be Thomas Neel. Mr. Neel is the Library Director of Ohio Genealogical Society. He is a lifelong resident of...
Ravenna High School Students Awarded Scholarships by Area Chamber of Commerce
Ravenna - On the evening of Wednesday, May 22, 2019 about 120 family members, teachers and friends gathered to see some of Ravenna’s brightest rising stars be awarded scholarships from many local area organizations. This included three awards given by the Ravenna Area Chamber of Commerce which was a surprise because they usually only give two; due to extra...
History is Made at Ravenna’s First Ever Fashion Tattoo Show
Ravenna - Why did the Flamingo cross the road? To show off her tattoos of course! That is exactly what Julie Semock, Master Piercer for War Horse Ink, did to display what she calls her “artwork collection” during Saturday’s Fashion Tattoo Show on N. Chestnut St in Ravenna. On her back on is a flamingo with ballet Pointe shoes...
Portage Cares 4 Seniors
All of us at Home Instead Senior Care and our Portage County Community care so deeply for our seniors that we want to provide information and contacts for seniors to stay in their homes and remain healthy. To the Home Instead Senior Care® network, enhancing the lives of aging adults and their families isn’t just about providing care services. If...
Akron Children’s Hospital Pediatrics to open in new Portage Health Center
Akron Children’s Hospital Pediatrics will move its recently combined Kent and Ravenna practices to the hospital’s new Portage Health Center June 2. The primary care office will be the first service to open in the new 29,500-square-foot health center, located at 2497 State Route 59 in Ravenna. The pediatrics practice will now be known as Akron Children’s Hospital Pediatrics, Portage. Additional...
‘Tis The Season to Give Back to Aging Adults in Portage County
Ravenna - At a time when it may be more important than ever, Home Instead’s® seasonal favorite Be A Santa to a Senior returns stronger than ever with new options for community participation. Program coordinators evaluated the important holiday program and made adjustments with the safety of donors, seniors and volunteers in mind. With seniors in Portage County more isolated...
