Today is April 14, 2021.
- Lovely weather yesterday. My dad even got the lawn mowed. For today, "times of clouds and sun," says the philosophical weather app. High of 65. The times of clouds will bring some rain in the evening, dropping the temperature into the 40s. It'll get up to around 46 tomorrow with some rain here and there.
- Community Action Council has a Home Relief Fund to assist qualified renters and homeowners with rent, mortgage and utilities payments. Learn more.
- Ramadan mubarak!
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Kent
A marijuana shop could be coming to West Main
A Northeast Ohio medical marijuana grower called Buckeye Relief is working through the state's red tape to open a shop in Kent.
Wendy DiAlesandro spoke with city officials and Kent residents, who voiced their support for the business.
- The dispensary will move into a vacant commercial building at the corner of West Main and North Francis streets.
- "It's a tremendous improvement to a building that's been an eyesore for probably 40, 50 years," Architectural Review Board member Howard Boyle said.
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Vaccine tips
Vaccine appointment tips from fellow Portagers
 On Monday I asked if anyone had advice on getting a vaccine appointment based on their own scheduling experience.
Here's what we've learned:
- First of all, I found success by logging on to the Walmart pharmacy website at around 12:20 a.m., a strategy one reader called "the midnight method."
- "The best way to make sure you get vaccinated in a timely fashion is to sign up to as many places as you can," Kent resident Brenda Thacker says. (Be sure to call to cancel any extra appointment reservations.)
- One reader recommends vaccinespotter.org. The tool sometimes shows which vaccine is available at each location. (And of course, check the health department's 'Get the Shot' page.)
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Local government
South county generosity
Randolph officials announced a $100,000 donation to the Mila's Hope and Rowyn's Dreams Playground project by Nick and Joe Smith of Suffield.
Also, the Randolph-Suffield-Atwater Food Shelf is moving down the road a bit. The new location will be just east of the St. Joseph Knights of Columbus Hall. Read more.
More from the county:
- Want to be a Randolph Zoning Commission member? The township is looking for a volunteer to join the Randolph Township Zoning Commission. Contact Zoning Inspector Tori Walker at 330-931-6161. The commission meets quarterly to review, write and revise township zoning regulations.
- Edinburg trustees are weighing options in light of the recycling price hikes.
- Nelson is planning a new storage garage for township vehicles. Read more here.
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Higher ed
Kent State is holding off on J&J
The university announced it will be postponing student vaccination clinics until further notice in response to the CDC's recommendation to pause administration of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
More university news:
- Hiram College was awarded $1 million of a Choose Ohio First grant to fund scholarships for students in STEMM.
- Kent State professor Joanne Caniglia received a grant from NASA's Glenn Research Center to create independent STEM activities for K-12 students.
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News briefs
Ravenna pastor's silent protest continues
Rev. Dennis Richey, Sr. released a statement and provided this photo in response to the killing of Daunte Wright by a Minnesota police officer on Sunday. The Ravenna pastor and civil rights activist has been growing out his hair in protest since November of last year.
"Unfortunately, I must continue to grow my hair in protest," he said in an email to The Portager on Monday. "Another Black man was killed by police yesterday in Minneapolis."
More news:
- FEMA will be assisting families with funeral costs for families of Covid-19 victims. Go here for more information or call 844-684-6333 to apply. Some people have commented that you may be on hold for a while, but the process is easy once you get through.
- Ravenna Kiwanis Club announced plans to raise $85,000 for an ADA-compliant playground at the Community Action Council youth center, reports the Record-Courier. (Paywall.)
- The county engineer's office announced parts of Diagonal Road in Shalersville and Mantua will be closed today, tomorrow and Monday for pipe replacement.
- United Way of Portage County launched a new "Get Connected" volunteer portal on their website. Check it out to get involved.
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Thanks for reading! See you back here Friday.
Ben
330-249-1338
ben@theportager.com
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