Independence of Portage County Opens New Facility
Ravenna - We all want to feel respected and valued for who we are as individuals and what we have to offer society. Those with intellectual disabilities are no exception and the new center built and opened on June 24th by the Independence of Portage County, Inc. is specially equipped to help its clients reach their full potential. “We are...
Hometown Church Explores Online Outreach and Rises to New Challenges
Ravenna - In every community across America there are small hometown churches representing a community of love and support for those in need of God’s word. You put on your Sunday best, shake the preacher’s hand, and take your seat at the pew to hear the morning message. Perhaps you go home and prepare a family dinner, as is...
Be A Sidewalk Chalk Artist!
Ravenna’s 4th Annual Chalk Fest will take place on Saturday, September 12th (Sept 13th rain date) from noon- 3pm. The sidewalks of downtown Ravenna will become a colorful canvas created by artists. Painters of ALL ages will be working to create their incredible works of art. Bring your family and friends to create art in the company of others while...
Sidewalk Chalkers Inspire Hope with Messages
Since March we have all struggled, and unfortunately, some have felt the effects of the pandemic more significantly than others. “We are All in this Together” is a phrase that resonates and is meant to encourage comradery. But this is a Catch-22, because how can we support one another if have to social distance for safety? Brandi Smallwood and...
Children’s Advantage Opens New Facility
Ravenna – Children’s Advantage formally opened their Family Center on 5968 New Milford Rd. Ravenna on August 7th.The Family Center cost around $600,000 to acquire and renovate and was paid for with help from a $367,000 grant from the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services and $125,000 from the Portage County Mental Health and Recovery Board. The...
Giving it Our All helps Ravenna Businesses “Rise Up!”
Ravenna - Ryann Kuchenbecker, Executive Director for the Ravenna Area Chamber of Commerce took it to heart when she got phone calls from distressed business owners during the pandemic shutdown. Their financial livelihoods were being traumatically impacted, which in turn was a great disruption of the economic development of Ravenna, where in just the last five years many new...
Public Comment Needed At July 23 Online Meeting For County Mitigation Plan Update
The Portage County Hazard Mitigation Plan is due for updating. The Hazard Mitigation Plan addresses threats from potential hazards and identifies possible strategies and projects to reduce the impacts, protect people and property and reduce or eliminate long-term risk.It is necessary to update the Plan every five years so that the county and participating communities remain eligible for pre-disaster...
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...
Ehresman Is Celebrating 102!!
Grace Shively Ehresman, now of Ravenna, is celebrating her 102nd Birthday! Grace was born on July 3, 1918 at home in Edinburg to Blanche and Orrie Shively. She had one sister, Ethel (Shively) Porter and one brother, Paul Shively. They moved to Windham on Rt. 303 when she was 3 years old. (The house they lived in is still...
Reed Memorial Library Reopens Building – Limited services available
Ravenna - On June 15th, Reed Memorial Library opened their building to patrons once again. This phase of the library’s restart gives access to the building for limited services and limited capacity, following the Governor’s Responsible Restart Ohio Guidelines and complying with public health recommendations. “We know people want to use their library,” explained Library Director, Brian Hare. “but...
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...
Contactless Pick Up at PCDL
Portage County District Library (PCDL) is happy to announce that we will be entering the second stage of our return-to-service plan. On Monday, June 1, patrons were able to schedule times to pick up their holds at all of our branches. Holds may be placed through our online catalog, or by calling any of the branch locations. If you don’t...
Islands of Flowers have Sprouted Around Town
Ravenna - Lilies and Pansy and Zinnias…Oh my! Or should I say Oh, May!? The month of May seems to be the season for Spring here in town as we see delightful colors adorning the sidewalks. But why have these small patches of earth recently become a feast for the eyes? It all started with a bet between two...
Rise Up Ravenna Raffle Tickets On Sale Now!
Ravenna - This is an initiative that I am extremely passionate about and determined to have come to fruition...during this pandemic we all have been effected greatly. I have received many calls from business owners in tears who have been panicked and distressed, because they didn’t know how they were going to make ends meet. Quite a few of these businesses...
2020 Winter Writing Festival Winners Announced!
Ravenna - “I’m not sure who is teaching those ninth graders, but whoever it is, does a good job. Reading these five pieces, I felt inspired!” wrote David Dix, high school judge of the 2nd Annual Winter Writing Festival Student Writing competition held this spring as part of the 2nd Annual Winter Writing Festival festivities in downtown Ravenna on...
United Way of Portage County Awards Grant to Offer Dinner for Front-Line Workers
Ravenna –United Way of Portage County (UWPC) continues to support the needs our community during this health emergency. UWPC and The NEW Center team up to provide dinner for front-line workers in Portage County. The NEW Center at NEOMED was awarded $840 to feed dinner to University Hospital staff in Ravenna, as well as Rootstown’s Fire Department and EMT,...
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...
9-Year Old Donates to United Way of Portage County COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund
Ravenna – Provision Honey, a charitable project led by 9-year old, Isaac Waldeck, made a $850 donation to the United Way of Portage County (UWPC) COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund. The donation was generated from the sales of the local, Midwest honey. Isaac launched Provision Honey this past Thanksgiving with the goal of raising money for charities targeted toward those...
County Officials Provide Covid-19 Update
Last Thursday, local media were invited to attend a conference call led by Portage County Commissioner Kathleen Clyde. The call included Portage County Health Commissioner Joseph Diorio and other County stakeholders and provided insight about the status of the County’s response to Covid-19. According to Diorio, County his staff has been working tirelessly during this global health crisis. He noted...
Adaptability Equals New Opportunities for Kneaded
Over Easter weekend one entrepreneur was thinking “outside the basket” on how to contribute positivity to the community while still selling her baked goods. Kimberly Nader was excited to host her pop-up shop in front of Immaculate Conception church this past Saturday on West Main street in Ravenna. So much so that she had been up since midnight designing...
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...
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 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...
Thankful For Your Help; Portage EMA Still Needs Your Extra Protective Wear Donations
Ravenna – Donations of masks, disinfectant and gowns are slowly coming into the Portage County Emergency Management Agency so the agency is urging businesses and the public to check office and home supplies and consider sharing to help local safety and healthcare workers during the COVID-19 response. EMA Director Ryan Shackelford announced to the Portage County task force collaborating in...
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...
Local Crafters Use Skills to Make Masks For Healthcare Workers
As hospitals and health care facilities across the country are running dangerously low on essential supplies, the CDC has declared that handmade masks are acceptable and can provide healthcare workers with an additional layer of protection. If you’ve got some time and some basic sewing skills, you can make reusable fabric masks to help protect local healthcare professionals using...
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...
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...
Big Brothers, Big Sisters Suspends Activities
Ravenna - Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Portage County will be suspending all face to face operations as of Monday, March 16 for the next 60 days. This will include all interviews, match meetings and activities. In addition, they are placing all matches on hiatus for the next 60 days. Matches will not be meeting in person but are encouraged...
