Townhall II Initiates Call For Sponsors for Spring Fundraising Event
Townhall II Integrated Health Network has initiated a call for sponsors for its upcoming fundraiser Midnight at the Masquerade: A Murder Mystery. The event is scheduled to take place at the Kent State University Hotel and Conference Center on Friday, March 13, 2026. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and the dinner begins at 6 p.m. The agency has served thousands...
Townhall II now provides Xylazine Test Strips in Harm Reduction Vending Machines
Townhall II Integrated Health Network wants the community to know it now operates free Harm Reduction Vending Machines at its offices in Kent, at 155 N. Water St, and now in Ravenna at 512 N. Chestnut St. Both machines are accessible to the public during regular business hours. The Mental Health & Recovery Board of Portage County provides funding to...
PORTAGE COUNTY AGENCIES JOIN FORCES TO PRESENT PORTAGE COUNTY CARES CHRISTMAS
Free Public Event to Assist Community Members on Friday, Dec. 19 With the holiday season upon us and Portage County under the grips of winter weather, four Portage County agencies are pooling their resources to assist community members who may be in need. The Portage County Sheriff's Office, Portage County Health District, Mental Health & Recovery Board of Portage County...
‘Fresh & Funky” at The Wild Goat
It’s a love story. No, wait -- it's a small business article. No, wait again -- it's a business rebranding. Okay, it’s all three. If you’ve never enjoyed a visit to the Wild Goats Cafe’ at 319 W. Main Street in Kent, the time has come! The Wild Goats story goes back a few years. Originally named Dancing Goats,...
Portage County Student Programs Welcomes New Members to 2025-26 Senior Board
The Portage County Senior Board is proud to announce the selection of twelve outstanding student leaders from across the county to serve as new members for the 2025-26 school year. These exemplary students have been chosen to represent their respective schools, and they take on the important role of selecting the Portage County Seniors of the Month throughout the...
Suicide Loss Day Event, Nov 22
The Suicide Prevention Coalition of Portage County is hosting the International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day event on Saturday, November 22 from 12-2pm at 5982 Rhodes Rd in Kent. International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day is an event in which survivors of suicide loss come together to find connection, understanding, and hope through their shared experience. Non-Loss Survivors are also...
TownHall II’s picnic highlighted with performance from Marc Lee Shannon
TownHall II’s Integrated Health Service’s third annual community picnic recognizing the non-profit organization and individuals’ efforts at recovery was celebrated with a performance from local musician Marc Lee Shannon last Thursday at Hometown Bank’s Plaza in downtown Kent. “Marc Lee Shannon is such an advocate for individuals in recovery. He has not just a very powerful story but the way...
Free workshop is turning business owners into fraud fighters
Hometown Bank is stepping up to protect local businesses from the growing threat of fraud with a free, hands-on community event: the 2025 Business Fraud Survival Camp, happening Wednesday, October 1, 2025, from 1:00 to 4:00 PM at the Kent State University Hotel & Conference Center. With fraud schemes costing Ohio businesses millions each year, Hometown Bank is offering this...
We’re All Invited
Book Review At The YMCA 1st & 3rd Mondays “THE HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE SOLUTION. A scientifically proven program for preventing strokes and heart disease” by Richard Morre, MD PhD. Share a stimulating hour exchanging impressions & opinions at our book review & discussion, 10am, the 1st & 3rd Mondays each month. Presented by Dr J Patella: Garrettsville YMCA, 8233 Park Ave,...
Rockets’ football soars past Rough Riders with potent rushing attack
The Battle of Diagonal Road is officially back on. The Streetsboro Rockets’ football team reignited the neighborhood rivalry against Portage County foe Kent Roosevelt with an offensive eruption, winning 42-7 last Friday evening at Roosevelt Stadium in Kent. “It is no secret that the strength of our team is on the offensive and defensive lines,” Coach Pete Thompson. “We have...
We’re All Invited
Book Review At The YMCA 1st & 3rd Mondays “THE HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE SOLUTION. A scientifically proven program for preventing strokes and heart disease” by Richard Morre, MD PhD. Share a stimulating hour exchanging impressions & opinions at our book review & discussion, 10am, the 1st & 3rd Mondays each month. Presented by Dr J Patella: Garrettsville YMCA, 8233 Park Ave,...
Patricia A. Yon
Patricia A. “Patty” Yon, 43, of Kent, passed away Tuesday July 29, 2025 at the UH Portage Medical Center in Ravenna, Ohio. She was born January 15, 1982 in Green County, PA to David M. and Betty J. (Bella) Yon. Patty has lived in Kent the past 18 years and was formerly from Garrettsville, where she was a graduate...
Local musician Marc Lee Shannon to be guest speaker at TownHall II Picnic
Longtime musician Marc Lee Shannon, former lead guitarist for Michael Stanley & The Resonators, will bring his mental health platform to the TownHall II Integrated Health Services’ community picnic as a guest speaker on Sep. 11 at the Hometown Bank Plaza in Downtown Kent. “Number one, it is always an honor to do this kind of thing,” Shannon told The...
TownHall II Integrated Health Services to display “Bipolar Butterfly” mural
The 90x30 foot wall adjacent to the TownHall II Integrated Health Services will soon have a new look. Greater Cleveland local artist Kimberly Henderson is giving the wall a makeover, displaying her popular “Bipolar Butterfly” art to convey the message of mental health advocacy. “There is going to be a butterfly here and it is interactive so you can stand...
State Officials Attend Mental Health Event
The Mental Health & Recovery Board of Portage County hosted a Mental Health Celebration on May 14th in honor of Mental Health Awareness Month in downtown Kent. State officials, local partners, and community members joined together to shine a light on mental health by raising awareness, breaking down stigma, and encouraging open conversations. RecoveryOhio Director Erin Reed represented Govenor DeWine’s...
Free Public Meeting On Food & Farm Policies
Have you noticed the price of eggs? Who hasn’t! How do government actions and tariffs impact the livelihoods of farmers in Northeast Ohio and beyond? And what does that mean for consumers, especially as far as food safety? The public is invited to hear presentations on the significant changes in food and farm policy, Thursday, May 22, 7 p.m.,...
May Is Mental Health Awareness Month
Mental health has a profound impact on us all. Approximately one in five Ohioans is affected by mental illness. That’s why the Mental Health & Recovery Board of Portage County is joining with the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services and RecoveryOhio throughout the month of May to champion mental health awareness throughout the community in observance...
SHINEFest 3.0: Transcend The Ordinary
Prepare to elevate your mind, body, and spirit at ShineFest 3.0, the premier wellness, spirituality, and professional growth event! Hosted by Shine Ohio, this transformative experience will take place on May 18, 2025, from 10 AM – 2 PM at Fred Fuller Park (Kent, Oh) and promises an unforgettable day of high-energy inspiration, connection, and celebration. This year’s theme, “Transcend...
Townhall II to Offer Free Narcan Training
Drop-in Training Available Every First Wednesday of the Month, 4 - 6 p.m. Townhall II Integrated Health Network will begin hosting monthly Narcan training on Wednesday, Feb. 5, 4-6 p.m. The training only takes about 15 minutes and is being offered at 155 N. Water Street in Kent on a drop-in basis. Interested parties should come into the lobby and...
Bras Across the Bridge: Celtic Club’s Ongoing Fight Against Cancer
The 15th Annual Celtic Club Fights Cancer event took place on the West Main Street bridge over the Cuyahoga River in downtown Kent on Oct. 18. The Club displayed bras to help raise cancer awareness. The display, which began as Bras Across the Crooked River in 2010 to promote breast cancer awareness, now promotes awareness of all cancers. Kent...
Santa comes to Kent this Saturday
Downtown Kent will shine bright on Saturday, Dec. 7, as the Festival of Lights returns to kick off the holiday season. Hosted by the Kent Area Chamber of Commerce, the annual event promises an evening of magic, community, and festive cheer. Running from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., the celebration will take place near the Main Street Bridge and the...
Shop Small, Gift Big at the Kent Flea Holiday Show
Holiday shoppers seeking unique and handcrafted gifts will find a treasure trove of options at the Kent Flea Holiday Show on Saturday, Dec. 14. Running from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., the event will feature over 60 vendors and food trucks, offering a festive shopping experience filled with one-of-a-kind items perfect for everyone on your list. The show will span...
Downtown Kent Cookie Walk
Tickets for the annual Cookie Walk in downtown Kent, Ohio, are now on sale, at 9 a.m. EST. Presented by the Hall-Green Agency and sponsored by Acorn Alley and College Town Kent, this festive event will take place on Saturday, Dec. 2, from noon to 4 p.m., with check-in from noon to 2 p.m. at The Kent Stage. Participants...
League of Women Voters of Kent host October 5 Face2Face Forum
Voters can talk in person with candidates at the 2024 General Election Voters & Candidate Face2Face forum organized by the League of Women Voters of Kent on Saturday, Oct. 5, 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. The forum will be held in Pierson Hall of Kent United Methodist Church, 1435 E. Main St., Kent. It is free and open to the...
Townhall II’s 2nd Annual Community Picnic Scheduled For Oct. 3
Free food, fun and haircuts being offered 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Townhall II Integrated Health Network will be hosting its 2nd annual community picnic on Thursday, Oct. 3, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The picnic will be held at the Hometown Bank Plaza in downtown Kent. If the weather does not cooperate, the event will take place in the...
Portage County Mental Health & Addiction Walk for Recovery
The Mental Health & Recovery Board of Portage County will be hosting the Portage County Mental Health & Addiction Walk for Recovery on Sunday, September 29. Participants will gather at the Kent Free Library at 1:30pm at the 2nd floor conference room. There will be information tables, interactive activities, refreshments, and prizes. The walk will begin at 2pm, traveling to...
Ravens football edged by Rough Riders in rivalry game
There may not be a more evenly matched rivalry in all of Portage County high school football than the one between the Ravenna Ravens and Kent Roosevelt. In a defensive dual, the Ravens blinked first and lost 14-7 last Friday night at Roosevelt Stadium in Kent. “The guys were hurt at the end because it is that rivalry and I...
USO Show with The Dave Banks Big Band
The Dave Banks Big Band will perform a USO-style variety show at the American Legion Post #496, located at 1945 Mogadore Road in Kent, on Friday, August 9, at 7 p.m. The event, which aims to honor veterans, will feature music spanning seven decades. Performers Shannon Eller, Stanley Davis, and Walt Sanders will deliver live tributes to Barbra Streisand,...
Townhall II offers free harm-reduction vending machine in Kent office lobby
Townhall II Integrated Health Network now offers free harm reduction supplies from a vending machine in its Kent office lobby, located at 155 N. Water St., in downtown Kent. Supplies featured include Naloxone (Narcan), Fentanyl test strips, Deterra drug deactivation and disposal kits, condoms, pregnancy tests, first aid kits and hygiene kits. The vending machine is funded by the Mental...
The Wiener Guy food truck becomes Portage County staple
In the summer of 2020, Ravenna resident Cory Rabatin only had a hot dog cart, two tables and a tent to promote his new food business, The Wiener Guy. Four years later, The Wiener Guy has become one of the most sought-after food trucks in Portage County. “I get told all of the time we make hot dogs fun. I...
