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Today is Feb. 12, 2021.
 

  • Another cold weekend is on the way. High of 32 today with lots of clouds. We'll get some snow showers tomorrow and a high of 29 before it drops down to "very cold" on Sunday.
     
  • Responding to the dropping mercury, the Warming Center in Ravenna will be opening again on Sunday until Friday. The shelter is also in need of volunteers. Call Anne Marie Noble at 330-990-4949 if you can help out next week.
     
  • Tons of stories in today's issue, from Streetsboro to Ravenna to Hiram. Thanks again for your support, which makes all this possible.

Ravenna

County commissioners hold the fate of the King Kennedy Center gym project in their hands



The gymnasium would provide much-needed social services to one of Portage County's poorest neighborhoods. Organizers have already secured $870,000 from the state and from the local mental health board toward its construction.

But a critical $127,000 piece of the million-dollar price tag is sitting with Portage County commissioners, who say King Kennedy Center leadership did not follow proper procedure when applying for the funding.

Michael Indriolo breaks down the issues and the stakes.

More from yesterday's county commission meeting:
 
  • Davey Tree is adding a new wing at its corporate headquarters in Kent. The expansion should bring 35 hires over the course of the next three years.
     
  • Chief Deputy Ralph Spidalieri of the Portage County Sheriff's Office was scheduled to appear at the meeting to explain the recent command staff raises and vehicle purchases but canceled due to a scheduling conflict. 
     
  • Michael Esposito, a representative of the law firm Clemans, Nelson & Associates, did appear to describe his qualifications to replace the current labor negotiator on behalf of the sheriff's office. Here's the backstory on that.

BLM

No justice, no haircut


Dennis J. Richey, pastor of Winfield Church of God in Christ, which is also in McElrath Park, issued a statement Wednesday saying he will not cut his hair "until police officers stop killing unarmed Black Men and Women."
 
  • An activist for over 40 years, the Ravenna pastor decided to publicly support the Black Lives Matter movement after the murder of George Floyd.

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Covid-19

A Covid-related syndrome is affecting kids in Summit County


Unfortunately viruses don't abide county lines. Portage County Medical Director Dr. Mark Arredondo said to look out for signs of Multi-System Inflammatory Syndrome in Children, a rare but serious complication of the virus. Possible signs include rash, difficulty breathing or chest pain and fever accompanied by neck pain.

"We're getting a number of cases in Summit County, our next-door neighbor," he said in a press briefing yesterday. "If you have children or [know] any children, it's important to be aware of those kinds of signs."

More updates: 
 
  • The health district was approved for the 1,300 doses required to vaccinate teachers and staff at the 11 Portage County school districts that signed up. If all goes according to plan, teachers and faculty should receive their first dose by the end of February.
     
  • The statewide curfew was lifted yesterday after a decrease in hospitalizations statewide.
     
  • The county will open up vaccinations to people 65 and older on the registration list this week. If you've been registered, hang tight. It's still first come, first served.
     
  • The latest numbers: The Ohio Department of Health reports 11 Covid deaths this year in Portage County and about 120 hospitalizations.

Hiram

A town near you is coming to a television near you


Netflix location scouts have their eye on Hiram for the setting of a college town, high-stakes thriller. (No, really.) 

Nothing is confirmed yet, but if Hiram is chosen, production would begin this summer, said Hiram Mayor Lou Bertrand at the Village Council meeting on Wednesday.

Wendy DiAlesandro covered the meeting, and they discussed other things, too, like a possible change to the speed limit on Garfield Road.
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Kent State

My sister, who makes historical clothing for fun, is thrilled about this museum exhibit


The Kent State University Museum is back open to the public. The school just announced a new exhibit featuring regional costume from around Eastern and Western Europe, including Transylvania. "The pieces are stunning, and I hope for the entire exhibition to be a visual feast," says the curator.

You have to buy tickets online in advance. Learn more about it.

More school news:
 
  • The College of Nursing received a grant for $35,000 to expand its end-of-life care program.
     
  • The women's basketball team lost to Bowling Green on Wednesday by one point. In overtime. With just two seconds on the clock. Count on Carl Schierhorn for the details.
     
  • The nonprofit LoveLight, Inc. is hoping to buy the former Kent State golf course clubhouse to create a childhood development and lifelong learning center. The organization recently announced a fundraising campaign to support the project.

Streetsboro

'They're not complaining, but they're struggling'


Streetsboro City Schools discussed reopening plans at yesterday's school board meeting. Based on feedback from parents, K-5 students will shift out of hybrid learning and into a four-day, in-class week beginning Feb. 22. Wednesdays will be teacher planning days.
 
  • Superintendent Mike Daulbaugh said the mix of hybrid and in-person learning has been tough on teachers. He hopes to take the transition slowly and possibly hire additional staff to help with the process.

News briefs

Do you have snow in your driveway? Lawn need mowed? Are you in Streetsboro?


The City of Streetsboro is offering a program for seniors and people with disabilities who need assistance with mowing or clearing snow and leaves. Read more about it and apply here.

This is a fantastic program. Go, Rockets.

More news:
 
  • NEOMED just finished a four-year certification program ensuring a comprehensive emotional health plan for the school's students. Read more about the "JED Campus" designation.
     
  • Girl Scouts of Northeast Ohio is presenting an online activity with Rapunzel on Feb. 20. The event is for girls from kindergarten to third grade who aren't yet in the scouts.
     
  • Ravenna is considering a proposed community reinvestment area, which would offer tax breaks to people or businesses improving their buildings. It's all still up in the air for now, Record-Courier reports. (Paywall.)
I think... that's everything. Did we miss anything? Send your news tips to editors@theportager.com. Then tell the freelance journalists you know to send their resumes.

Thanks for reading, and have a great weekend! See you all back here Monday.

Ben

330-249-1338
ben@theportager.com
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Publisher Ben Wolford and contributing editor Natalie Wolford write these emails. Reporters Roger Di Paolo, Michael Indriolo, Wendy DiAlesandro, Liv Sendelbach and Kayla McLeod are contributors. Roger Hoover is the creative director.

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