🔄 Former politician finds new path beyond government service. James Hardy, once Akron's deputy mayor and briefly a city councilman, reflects on his journey from aspiring baseball player to government official to community servant. After 20 years in politics, Hardy believes American public discourse has devolved into "a reality TV show" filled with "violence, bigotry and self-interest." He now sees rebuilding trust in institutions and each other as crucial work that happens outside government, through parenting, volunteering on the Beacon Journal Editorial Board, and potentially future ministry. Hardy remains hopeful seeing "thousands of neighbors and friends rolling up their sleeves" to heal community divides.
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🍣 Japanese eatery Maki House expands to Cuyahoga Falls. The restaurant is opening its second Northeast Ohio location at Portage Crossing shopping center, with special discounts beginning August 18. Owner Jason Sun, who has over 20 years of restaurant experience, offers affordable Japanese cuisine including ramen, sushi bowls, and boba tea drinks—with everything priced under $16. Customers can enjoy 20% off orders during the grand opening period through August 31. The restaurant will operate seven days a week, with slightly different hours on weekends.
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📮 Ohio city battles ZIP code chaos costing it $614,000 annually. The city of Green has spent decades fighting to get its own ZIP code, as its addresses are currently split between four neighboring towns' postal codes. This confusion leads to lost tax revenue, delayed emergency responses, and business complications like franchise rejections. After years of unsuccessful requests to the Postal Service, Green officials have turned to Congress, supporting bipartisan legislation that would assign them a unique ZIP code. The Postal Service opposes the change, claiming it would "significantly degrade mail service" and increase operational costs.
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Woodsy corner retreat awaits: Priced at $345,000, this well-built corner unit home on Pickle Road offers a peaceful wooded setting, featuring a spacious kitchen, vaulted great room, owner's suite, and a fully finished walk-out lower level.
Affordable three-bedroom modern updates: This $90,000 home features a modern kitchen with wood slab countertop, updated bathroom, fresh paint, new carpet, and luxury vinyl flooring, plus three bedrooms upstairs and a dry basement with laundry hookups.
Upscale renovated condo impresses: This $225,000 second-floor condo in Tuscan Ridge wows with open concept living, cathedral ceilings, remodeled kitchen with stainless appliances, and luxury vinyl flooring throughout, all updated within the past four years.