🏠 Veteran upgrade

Good morning, Portage County. After 40 years of serving veterans in cramped quarters, the Portage County Veterans Service Commission has finally found room to breathe. Their spacious new Ravenna location on South Chestnut Street offers something priceless for the 3,500 veterans they assist annually: privacy for sensitive conversations and full accessibility for those with mobility challenges. This thoughtfully renovated former Prosecutor's Office represents more than just a change of address—it's a commitment to honoring those who served.

Meanwhile, West Park Elementary prepares for its final chapter as the kindergarten-only school heads to auction on August 15, reflecting dramatic enrollment shifts over 15 years. For those seeking weekend adventures with a cryptozoological twist, John's Country Nursery's first "Gone Squatchin' Bigfoot Festival" arrives July 19—featuring experts, contests, and the rare opportunity to capture that elusive "UNBLURRY" Bigfoot photo in a state ranked fourth nationally for sightings.

🌤 Sky Skoop

Kent

64°

87°

Streetsboro

64°

87°

Aurora

65°

87°

Ravenna

64°

87°

Brimfield

64°

87°

☕️ What's Brewing Locally

🏫 Ravenna's West Park Elementary heads to auction block August 15. The kindergarten-only school, which closed at the end of this school year, will be sold at a public auction held at the district's Board of Education office. Interested buyers can arrange walk-throughs before bidding, and the district plans a public reception for former students to visit one last time. The closure comes amid a 40% enrollment decline over 15 years, with kindergarten numbers dropping from 295 to just 120 students. West Park becomes the fourth Ravenna school building closed since the early 2000s.

🦶 Ohio ranks fourth in the nation for Bigfoot sightings. John's Country Nursery in Middlefield is hosting its first "Gone Squatchin' Bigfoot Festival" on July 19, featuring experts like Mike Miller from the Ohio Night Stalkers research group. Miller, who has appeared on TV shows about Bigfoot, explains that Ohio's less dense forests might make the creature more visible than in heavily wooded regions of the Northwest. The family-friendly festival will include speakers, vendors, food, contests for the "Biggest Foot" and best Bigfoot call, plus opportunities to take "UNBLURRY" pictures with Bigfoot himself.

🎖️ Veterans in Portage County have a new space to call home. The Portage County Veterans Service Commission celebrated the grand opening of its spacious new location at 466 South Chestnut Street in Ravenna. After 40 years in cramped quarters in the County Administrative Building, the PCVSC moved to the former Prosecutor's Office to better serve the growing veteran population. The renovated facility, funded by county commissioners, offers complete privacy for sensitive discussions and is fully ADA-compliant with wheelchair accessibility. Serving approximately 3,500 of the county's 9,000 veterans, the commission provides critical services including temporary housing and transportation to medical appointments.

Hybrid home huge garage potential: Priced at $174,900, this hybrid home offers a charming, updated interior with a manufactured portion that could be removed for future expansion, plus a massive garage space that can house up to 6 cars.

Zero dollar foreclosure opportunity: This foreclosure property on Auction.com is listed for $0 and may sell below market value; save it now to get alerts about auction dates and changes for a property from the nation's largest online real estate auction marketplace.

Bank Taking Property Back: This foreclosure property, offered for $0 on Auction.com, the nation's largest online real estate auction marketplace, may sell below market value and buyers can receive alerts about auction dates and status changes.

🗓️ Happenings & Hoopla

🎩 Jul. 3 - Mr. Jeff Magic Show: Join the magical Mr. Jeff for an afternoon of wonder and entertainment at Portage County District Library in Garrettsville on July 3rd at 1:00 PM. Fun for the whole family!

🪕 Jul. 3 - The Travelin' McCourys: Grammy-winning bluegrass magic hits Nelson Ledges Quarry Park as The Travelin' McCourys bring their foot-stomping melodies to Garrettsville on July 3rd at 5:00 PM. Don't miss this summer evening of string-band brilliance!

🎆 Jul. 4 - Independence Day Fun Festival: Celebrate Independence Day with a bang at Kiwanis-Moore Park! Aurora's July 4th Festival offers carnival food, free entertainment, inflatables, balloon art, and glitter tattoos for the whole family to enjoy.

🎸 Jul. 5 - Back Alley Relics Live: Groove to the soulful sounds of Back Alley Relics at Kent's Heritage Festival! Catch their live performance at Dan Smith Community Park on July 5, from 2:30 to 4:30pm—bring your own seating for maximum comfort.

🦋 Jul. 5 - Butterfly Puddler Workshop: Craft butterfly puddlers and discover the magical world of butterflies at Dix Park on July 5! Join Wild Ones Greater Cleveland for this free, hands-on workshop in Ravenna.

🏛️ Jul. 5 - Kent Heritage Festival: Celebrate hometown pride at the Kent Heritage Festival on July 5! Main Street Kent comes alive with live music on two stages, children's activities, and more - a perfect summer community gathering.

🚗 Jul. 5 - Heritage Fest Car Show: Rev up your engines for Heritage Fest's Classic Car Show at Bent Tree Coffee Roasters on July 5! Show off your vintage wheels at this Klaben-sponsored event, but hurry—spaces are limited.

🎸 Jul. 5 - SOLO SIXSTRING Live Music: Groove to the soulful sounds of SOLO SIXSTRING at West Main St Winery this Friday! Enjoy powerful vocals and driving guitar as this talented acoustic entertainer fills the room with captivating covers on July 5.

🙏 In Remembrance

Shirley Pullar

Shirley Ann Pullar, wife of George for 58 years, mother of George Robert and Ronald Douglas, and grandmother of four, passed away leaving behind a sister Rosemary and many friends. She had a successful career in management and was a talented artist who received a scholarship to the New York School of Arts with a year in Paris. Shirley enjoyed crafting, singing (including performances for St. Jude's with Danny Thomas), and devoted herself primarily to her family. A Celebration of Life will be held on July 7, 2025, with the family suggesting donations to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in her memory.