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At its most basic level, mentoring helps because it guarantees a young person that there is someone who cares about them. (Mentoring.org) What a simple statement. And this basic level is where each one of our match relationships begins. Building a friendship. The volunteer showing that the youth can depend...

The Portage Park District is pleased to present the Wild Hikes Challenge, a program designed to encourage healthy recreation in our parks and trails while showcasing Portage County’s rich natural heritage that we are working to conserve. In 2021, we challenge you to complete either 30 hikes or 30...

Mantua  – Hattie Larlham employee Maggie Wooten has been selected as a recipient of the Earl and Mary Lohr Community Service Award presented by the Portage County Board of Developmental Disabilities. This award recognizes high-performing professionals and engaged citizens in the developmental disabilities services field. Award recipients have a known...

Kent – Thursday, December 17, 2020 – PARTA has been awarded a $40,000 grant to study needed improvements along State Route 59 in Franklin Township, between Horning Road and State Route 261, to benefit transit, pedestrian, and bicycle traffic.   The grant was unanimously approved by the Akron Metropolitan Area...

What a year 2020 has been. The needs in our community have never been greater and the generosity of our community rose to meet the challenge. Wednesday, Dec 9 saw a drive thru distribution of Christmas gifts, food, personal items and coats at the Faith Free Evangelical Church on...

Ravenna - If you love to write or think you might like to write, join us Saturdays in February for a virtual version of the “Winter Writing Festival’’! Due to the pandemic, Main Street Ravenna and Reed Memorial Library have had to make changes to this fun event for...

Great Gifts From Historical SocietyCall Today!The James A. Garfield Historical Society is still selling cemetery books for $5. each. We have four available. Park Cemetery, Drakesburg Cemetery, West Cemetery and the Baptist Cemetery. “Where’s my Milkman“ books, written by Scott Lawless, and “Garrettsville Strong” books, written by Pam Montgomery...

Start off the new year by making a sound investment for your future… plant a tree! There are countless ways trees positively affect us, our homes, and our communities. Whether replacing a tree lost to pest or storm damage or adding new species for beauty and diversity, the simple...

Ravenna - Those experiencing homelessness will have a place in our community to come in out of the cold this winter. The Haven of Portage County’s Warming Center, with the support of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church and Portage Community Chapel, will be serving those experiencing homelessness with dignity...

As of 12/03/2020, according to the Ohio Public Health Advisory System, Portage County is at Level 4 Status with HIGH Incidence for sustained activity related to the Indicators. Portage County has now triggered 6 out of the 7 key indicators: Indicator 1- New Cases per Capita (High Incidence 648/100k population)Indicator...

The number of families and individuals who live in hunger in the United States is on the rise and sadly Portage County is not exempt from this statistic. The Nelson Garrettsville Community Cupboard has been fortunate to have the support of our community which allows us to help our neighbors...

For over 45 years, Geauga County Job and Family Services has coordinated the Sponsor a Family Program. The program assists low income families with toys, food, and gifts for the holidays. Sponsor a Family is open to Geauga County families with minor children who are receiving assistance such as...

In the coming weeks, many of you will receive a letter asking you to support your community foundation. To some, the claim that the foundation is representing the community might seem like a stretch. I could begin this letter by explaining that the Portage Foundation just awarded seven grants...

Due to increased COVID-19 numbers in the area, the Portage County Senior Center will temporarily “pause” most inside activities. They will remain open, however, with mandatory pre-screening health calls, in addition to symptom checks when entering. Please call 330-297-3456 for questions, concerns, or to confirm the current schedule. Please...

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...

Portage County District Library (PCDL) will be returning to curbside pickup of library materials beginning Monday, November 30. This is due to the increasing spread of COVID-19 within Portage County and bordering counties. Patrons will be able to schedule times to pick up their holds at all of our...

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...

Christopher M. Kartley, 48, of Troy Twp, passed away peacefully Tuesday evening, October 27th 2020 at the David Simpson Hospice House in Cleveland. He was born in Claridon Twp on April 3rd, 1972 to Joseph Kartley and Linda (Rzeszotarski) Kennedy.  He loved being a farmer and helping out with the...

Middlefield - As temperatures cool many of us are preparing for another NE Ohio winter, and those preparations are even more important for our local beekeepers. On Saturday, Oct 24, beekeepers from Geauga, Trumbull and Ashtabula spent the day at John’s Country Nursery learning the importance of proper care...