🏥 New leadership blooms

Good morning, Portage County. Dr. Brian J. Harte is set to take the helm at Hillcrest and Mentor hospitals starting February 1, bringing a collaborative spirit to enhance care in Northeast Ohio. Meanwhile, the Portage County housing market is buzzing, with a standout $1.1 million home sale in Aurora leading the pack among 64 residential transactions last week. On a less cheerful note, a 75-year-old man from Pepper Pike found himself in hot water after making five false emergency calls during a snowstorm, complicating police response efforts—an unfortunate reminder of the importance of keeping cool when the weather gets wild.

🌤 Sky Skoop

Kent

35°

46°

79%

Streetsboro

35°

46°

79%

Aurora

36°

46°

75%

Ravenna

35°

46°

79%

Brimfield

35°

46°

79%

☕️ What's Brewing Locally

🏥 Cleveland Clinic gets a new leader for its hospitals. Dr. Brian J. Harte has been appointed as the president of Hillcrest and Mentor hospitals, with his tenure starting on February 1. In addition to his leadership at these facilities, he will also oversee the East Submarket of Cleveland Clinic’s Northeast Ohio Market. His role will involve collaborating closely with other leaders to enhance care and services in the area. With this strategic move, Cleveland Clinic aims to strengthen its commitment to healthcare excellence in Northeast Ohio.

🏡 Aurora Takes the Crown in Portage County Real Estate. This past week, real estate in Portage County was bustling, with a total of 64 residential sales recorded. Topping the charts was a stunning single-family home in Aurora that changed hands for a cool $1.1 million, boasting over 5,000 square feet of living space. Other notable sales included a charming condo at 655 Winslow Drive selling for $390,500 and a cozy single-family residence at 207 Harmon Road, which fetched $540,000. The average sale price for homes in the area was a respectable $274,873, showcasing a vibrant housing market ripe for buyers and sellers alike.

🚨 Pepper Pike man arrested after a flurry of false emergency calls. A 75-year-old resident made five bogus calls during a Dec. 11 snowstorm, reporting incidents like a burglary and a heart attack, leading to a warrant for his arrest. His antics hindered police response times, including delaying their arrival at a minor car accident. The following day, when he visited the police station to lodge a complaint, officers noted signs of impairment and he reportedly resisted arrest, tacking on additional charges. As winter weather continues, it's a reminder that keeping it light—and honest—during the storms is always the best policy.

Team	Opponent	Score
Roosevelt Rough Riders
	vs Tournament Opponent**	W 8-0
	vs Normandy	W 1-0
	@ Stow-Munroe Falls	W 5-1

🏀 Basketball Scoreboard (Boys)

Team	Opponent	Score
Crestwood Red Devils
	@ East Canton	W 37-28
	vs Berkshire	W 73-38
	vs Aurora	W 62-51
Field Falcons
	vs Springfield	W 71-34
	@ Coventry	L 64-44
Garfield G-Men
	@ Southeast	W 83-45
	@ Ravenna	W 52-36
Rootstown Rovers
	vs Waterloo	W 50-43
	vs Aquinas	L 61-44
Southeast Pirates
	vs Garfield	L 83-45
	@ Springfield**	W 66-47
Roosevelt Rough Riders
	vs Hudson	L 55-39
	vs Aurora	W 59-51
	vs Cuyahoga Heights	W 38-32
Windham Bombers
	@ Badger	W 66-55
	@ Chalker	W 69-31
Waterloo Vikings
	vs Western Reserve	L 34-19
	@ Rootstown	L 50-43

🏡 Real Estate Reveals

Cozy cape with inviting charm

This charming cape, listed at $154,500, features three cozy bedrooms and a delightful dining room perfect for family gatherings. It's an inviting space that balances comfort and style, ideal for your next chapter.

Ranch home with breathtaking views

A stunning new Ranch-style home near Wingfoot Estates is on the market for $709,000, offering a spacious 2700 sq ft layout designed for comfort and style. With soaring high ceilings, a modern open-concept kitchen with a butler's pantry, and an expansive covered back deck that overlooks breathtaking water views, this soon-to-be-built residence provides the perfect canvas for luxury living tailored just for you.

Beautiful brick home with potential

This beautifully constructed brick home, listed at $425,000, boasts a new roof and gutter system from July 2019, along with Andersen windows throughout. With an expanded basement featuring a fireplace, dual central air units, a new furnace, and convenient access from both the three-car garage and the front entrance, this property is a canvas for buyers ready to add their personal touch.

🙏 In Remembrance

Delia "Dee" Black

Delia O. "Dee" Black, 89, of Kent, Ohio, passed away on December 12, 2024, at Riverside Manor. Born on April 14, 1935, in Overton, TN, she was a long-time member of the Ravenna Assembly of God Church and worked as an inspector for Morris Controls. She is survived by her children, stepdaughters, 11 grandchildren, many great grandchildren, and a great great grandson. Delia was preceded in death by her parents and her husbands, John P. Johnson and A. James Black. Funeral services will be held on December 16, 2024, at the Ravenna Assembly of God, with burial at Grandview Memorial Park.