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It’s so thrilling to find an insect you’ve never seen before, or one you’ve always wanted to see up close. One sweep of the net can reveal amazing insects that are more often heard than seen. What will you find? Catch up with this season’s stunning Monarch butterflies and more...

The Portage County District Library will begin the Fall into Reading Challenge starting Monday, September 11. Participants can pre-register now at www.portagecountyoh.beanstack.com/reader365 or any PCDL branch location to track reading minutes, write book reviews and participate in fun activities to earn digital tickets and badges. Sign up now for a...

Thomas D. VanKirk, 74, of Middlefield, formerly of Garrettsville, passed away Wednesday, August 30, 2023. He was born June 27, 1949, in Ravenna, to the late Robert and Mary (Christian) VanKirk. He worked at Carlisle Rubber Company for 32 years, never missed a day of work. He enjoyed working on...

Brandon R. Bailey, 43, of Windham Twp., formerly of Garrettsville, passed away suddenly Saturday, August 26, 2023. He was born in Ravenna on March 5, 1980, to Kevin and Debra (Seibert) Bailey. He was a graduate of James A. Garfield High School. A country boy at heart, Brandon was a...

Geauga Park District’s Ranger Department is proud to offer a Hunter Education Course for young and beginning hunters two upcoming Saturdays 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Big Creek Park’s Donald W. Meyer Center. Registration for the course, on October 14 and 21, is required on the Ohio Division of...

The Ohio Poison Center has been responding to an increased number of serious toxic mushroom exposures across the state of Ohio, including Portage County. Many of the cases involve backyard foraging for mushrooms. Cases associated with liver injury have been tentatively identified as exposure to Amanita bisporigera, otherwise known...

Ronald J. Simsa, Sr., 84, of Hiram Twp., passed away Monday, August 21, 2023. He was born May 1, 1939, in Cleveland, to the late Frank and Mary (Senold) Simsa. He was a proud veteran of the U.S. Army. Ron retired after 45 years of service as an Engineer at...

Gary Steven Spencer, 78, of Ravenna, passed away Friday, August 18, 2023. He was born September 20, 1944, in Ravenna, to the late Parley and Esther (Dudash) Spencer. He was a proud graduate of Windham High School. Gary worked at Swagelok for many years before moving on and eventually retiring....

Preventative maintenance of your septic system not only extends the life of the system, but also protects your investment, our water resources, and public health.  Join the Geauga Soil and Water Conservation District and Geauga Public Health during national “SepticSmart” week for a free, in-person SepticSmart program on Tuesday,...

Rotary Club of Mantua announces their Third Annual Poker Paddle event for Saturday September 16. Kayakers and even canoers can participate by paddling from Camp Hi in Hiram to Buchert Park in Mantua Village, while along the way paddlers are collecting a five card poker hand. The three top...

Windham author George Belden has written his second book of tales of the greatest athletic teams and events in Windham High School history. The book is being published by Amazon, and will be available on the Amazon website September 1. The cost is $14.99. The Windham Bombers, Volume Two has...

On Sunday, September 3, 2023, runners will gather at The 201st Great Geauga County Fair to run in the 5th annual Great Geauga County Fair 4-H 5K and Fun Run. Running on a picturesque route through Ohio’s oldest continuous county fair, these runners will be helping support the yearly...

Streetsboro - The Streetsboro Quilt Guild is preparing for its annual judged quilt show.  It will be held at the Faith Baptist Church, 9890 Route 43 in Streetsboro, on Friday, Sept. 29th and Saturday, Sept. 30th. The public is invited to enter quilts, wearable quilted items or quilted art pieces...

United Way of Portage County is pleased to announce the appointment of seven new members to its Board of Directors. These new directors will provide strategic direction for continued growtharound United Way’s mission – to unite people and resources to improve the quality of life of families and individuals in Portage County. New board members are: George DeBord, Chief Financial Officer of the Mental Health & Recovery Board of Portage County Jeff Fowler, a community volunteer who has served on several Portage County boards, including University Hospitals Portage Foundation, Coleman Professional Services...

Kelliann S. Trudick, 57, of Garrettsville, passed away unexpectedly at her home on Saturday, August 12, 2023. She was born August 9, 1966, in Cleveland, to the late Anthony “Tony” Balski and Margaret “Peggy” (Ehrley) Rhodes. She was a woman of faith, who was lovingly known as the “Church Lady”...

Freedom Twp. - Freedom Township Historical Society is busy preparing for a September 12th program on Freedom’s 8 one-room school houses. We are searching for any pictures of the schools, students or teachers, the kid hack drivers or any other information you’d love to share with us. Nothing is...

Portage County 4-H Clothing Judging and 4-H Fashion Revue is held annually to choose those who go on to represent Portage County at the State 4-H Fashion Revue in Columbus, which takes place at the Ohio State Fair. Members are judged on construction, fit, fashion, design, grooming, posture and...

Jace A. McMillan, 64 of Kent, Ohio, passed away on July 18, 2023, at The Woodlands Health & Rehabilitation Center in Ravenna, Ohio, after a lifelong illness. Jace was born on August 2, 1958, in Ravenna, Ohio to Jack & Wanda (Bivens) McMillan. He is survived by siblings; Jama (Daniel)...