Home / Newsletters / Ohio / Portage County / September 11, 2025

🤝 Merger matters

Portage County • September 11, 2025

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Good morning, Portage County. The business landscape is shifting beneath our feet as Cleveland's Park Place Technologies merges with a Michigan company to create a global data center powerhouse. With 3,000 employees serving over 25,000 customers worldwide, this merger represents a significant economic win for Northeast Ohio, especially following the company's recent headquarters opening in Highland Heights. Meanwhile, a more troubling financial story has emerged from Brecksville, where a simple $61 check was fraudulently altered to $196 after being intercepted on its way to Missouri.

For generations of Northeast Ohioans who grew up with late-night laughs and campy skits, an era is coming to a close. The beloved Lil' John Rinaldi is hosting "The BIG Adios Muchachos Show" next weekend in Cuyahoga Falls, honoring his late partner "Big Chuck" Schodowski while celebrating decades of local television history. Though the 79-year-old TV personality insists he's not "disappearing into the sunset," his autobiography's Christmas release feels like the perfect bookend to a cherished Cleveland legacy.

🌤 Sky Skoop

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☕️ What's Brewing Locally

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🤝 Two tech giants join forces in major data center merger. Park Place Technologies from Cleveland is merging with a company from Grand Rapids, Michigan, creating a global powerhouse in data center services. The combined entity will employ over 3,000 people and serve more than 25,000 customers worldwide. Park Place Technologies has been one of Cleveland's fastest-growing companies, with the merger representing a significant expansion of its market presence. The announcement comes as the company recently opened its new global headquarters in Highland Heights.

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💵 Bank customer's $61 check fraudulently altered to $196. A Fairview Park resident reported the fraud at a Brecksville US Bank branch after discovering their check had been cashed for a higher amount in Missouri. The check, sent in late July, was intercepted and tampered with before being cashed. Police are investigating the incident but currently have no suspects. The case is part of a series of local crime reports published in the Sun Star Courier.

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📺 Cleveland's beloved Lil' John bids farewell to generations of fans. The 79-year-old TV personality is hosting "The BIG Adios Muchachos Show" on September 13-14 in Cuyahoga Falls, paying tribute to his late co-host "Big Chuck" Schodowski who died in January. The event will feature over 100 vendors, celebrity guests from Channel 8, panel discussions, and nostalgic celebrations of Northeast Ohio pop culture. While this marks the end of an era for the legendary WJW program that descended from "Shock Theater," Rinaldi promises he's not "disappearing into the sunset" and is finishing his autobiography for Christmas release.

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🏡 Real Estate Reveals

Real estate listing image Rural ranch city convenience nearby: This ranch home at $299,000 offers three bedrooms and over 1,400 sq. ft. on a sprawling 5-acre property in Aurora, combining rural tranquility with city conveniences while maintaining its original charm and character.
Real estate listing image Private Garden Oasis Awaits Homeowners: Listed at $475,000, this thoughtfully designed one-owner home sits on an acre with walk-in closets in every bedroom, a main-floor primary suite, and gardens featuring a koi pond and fruit trees.
Real estate listing image Country estate with modern updates: Priced at $215,000, this spacious country home sits on 2.5 private acres and features a vaulted living room, granite kitchen, and garages for four cars, plus a brand-new septic system and updated mechanicals.

🗓️ Happenings & Hoopla

💰 Sep. 11 - Avoid Retirement Planning Pitfalls: Secure your golden years at Reed Memorial Library! Teresa and Jeff from The Retirement Training Centers of America reveal common retirement planning pitfalls on September 11. Don't miss this eye-opening financial discussion in Ravenna.
🎸 Sep. 12 - Kent Rocks Music Festival: Get ready to rock out at the Kent Rocks Festival! Enjoy free live music at venues throughout Kent on September 12 at Dan Smith Community Park on E Erie St. Visit kentrocks.com for details.
🎸 Sep. 12 - Kent Rocks Festival: Strum into the weekend at Kent Guitar Fest on September 12! Main Street Kent comes alive with free performances from talented artists, thanks to Wayside Furniture and generous community sponsors.
🎸 Sep. 12 - Punching Oswald @ Kent Rocks: Catch local favorites Punching Oswald as they rock out at Dominick's for the annual Kent Rocks Festival! Join the musical fun on Friday, September 12 from 7-10pm at 147 Franklin Ave.
🎸 Sep. 12 - RJ Chandler Acoustic Set: Local favorite RJ Chandler brings his soulful acoustic sounds to The Kent Rocks Music Festival! Catch his debut performance at 101 Bottles of Beer on Willow Street, September 12 from 7-9pm.
🍷 Sep. 12 - Curtis Conser Live: Sip and sway with Curtis Conser at Cove W Winery on September 12! Enjoy live music in the charming setting of this Deerfield vineyard at 820 OH-14, perfect for a late-summer evening.
👮 Sep. 13 - Support The Blue Fundraiser: Rally behind our local officers at the 5th Annual Support the Blue Fundraiser! Enjoy food, raffles, and exciting K9 demonstrations at The Dusty Armadillo in Rootstown on September 13th, starting at noon.
🏇 Sep. 13 - Night at the Races: Place your bets at Immaculate Conception's Night at the Races Fundraiser! Grab early bird tickets for just $30 and enjoy a fun-filled evening on September 13th at the Parish Hall on W Spruce Ave.
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