Local News

Ravenna mourns principal Sheila Heiman dies battling cancer By Colin McEwen Record-Courier staff writer The Ravenna School District lost one of its own this week. Just a few days after accepting the job as the head principal of Ravenna High School...  Read Story.

Historic Nelson home in ruins By Marci Piltz Record-Courier staff writer NELSON -- A July 17 fire destroyed not only one man's hard work but also part of township history dating back more than 200 years. The home, at 9265 S.R. 305, is believed to be the...  Read Story. (1 comment)

Elevator loss a blow to seniors Etna House occupants in Ravenna must wait 6 to 8 weeks for repair By Diane Smith Record-Courier staff writer Several Ravenna residents who already find it difficult to get around were upset to learn this week that they...  Read Story.

Iraq banned from Beijing Olympics By Brian Murphy Associated Press BAGHDAD -- Just two weeks before the start of the Olympics, Iraq was told Thursday it's not welcome in Beijing because of a political feud in Baghdad that angered the games' guardians and...  Read Story.

Reaction to flu outbreak tested Portage organizations participate in multi-county exercise By Mike Sever Record-Courier staff writer Remember, this is only an exercise. What if avian flu broke out in Asia and rapidly spread around the world? What if,...  Read Story.

Exhibits a big part of county fair Randolph gearing up for 150th By Mike Sever Record-Courier staff writer A big part of the fun at the Portage County-Randolph Fair is seeing the entries in the myriad of contests. The exhibits range from the best...  Read Story.

Suffield family looking for dog after fire By Deborah Guziak Record-Courier staff writer SUFFIELD -- Maggie is missing. The sheltie was pushed out of the house to safety Saturday by an owner because the house was on fire. She hasn't been seen since then. ...  Read Story.

Cancer center warns of cell phone risks Associated Press PITTSBURGH -- The head of a prominent cancer research institute issued an unprecedented warning to his faculty and staff Wednesday: Limit cell phone use because of the possible risk of cancer. The...  Read Story.

Obama speaks to adoring German crowd Associated Press BERLIN -- Cheered by an enormous international crowd, Democratic presidential contender Barack Obama on Thursday summoned Europeans and Americans together to "defeat terror and dry up the well of...  Read Story.

Senior water discount eyed Council to consider reduction issue at meeting Monday By Miles Jung-Kilbreath Record-Courier staff writer STREETSBORO -- Seniors maybe able to fill their pools for less if City Council approves a proposed 10 percent discount...  Read Story.

Foundation gives $5,800 in 8 grants Non-profit organizations in community to benefit The Portage Foundation recently awarded eight grants totaling $5,800 to non-profit community organizations in Portage County. According to Kevin T. Lewis, president...  Read Story.

Park district planning sand, gravel tour The Portage Park District has announced the next stop on the Heritage Tours will be a geology tour at Lafarge Sand & Gravel in Shalersville on Aug. 2. This bus tour of the sand and gravel site will inform...  Read Story.

Dolly cleanup begins Hurricane pounds through south Texas Associated Press HARLINGEN, Texas -- Residents across south Texas slogged through knee-deep muddy waters, tiptoed around downed power lines and dug through debris Thursday, but were thankful that...  Read Story.

Convicted child killer ruled competent for death hearing Associated Press BOISE, Idaho -- Convicted child-killer Joseph Edward Duncan III is mentally competent to face a death penalty hearing, a federal judge in Idaho ruled Thursday. Duncan faces the...  Read Story.

Life sentence for student torture Associated Press NEW YORK -- An ex-convict was sentenced to life in prison Thursday for the sadistic, 19-hour rape and torture of a Columbia University graduate student. Robert Williams was convicted last month in...  Read Story.

Ex-army chief gets life in 'dirty war' trial Associated Press BUENOS AIRES, Argentina -- A court sentenced one of Argentina's most feared former military leaders to life in prison on Thursday for the 1977 kidnapping, torture and killing of four...  Read Story.

ReStore enables Habitat dividend Area affiliate benefits from $14,000 check, the store's first since opening Profits from the Habitat ReStore has enabled the ReStore to present Habitat for Humanity of Portage County a dividend check amounting to...  Read Story.

Charity basketball game Saturday By Don Jovich Record-Courier staff writer A charity basketball game is planned between a competitive group of Ravenna city employees and some athletic members of the Record-Courier staff. On Saturday at 2 p.m., these...  Read Story.

Ruling: Plough comments 'insulting' Portage County judge's remarks prompt new drunken driving trial By Marci Piltz Record-Courier staff writer An Ohio appeals court recently issued a decision reversing in part the drunken driving conviction of a...  Read Story. (17 comments)

Teens in truck struck by train in Rootstown Police: Pair were trying to cross tracks while gate down By Marci Piltz Record-Courier staff writer ROOTSTOWN -- Two Portage County teenagers were injured early Wednesday morning when the pickup truck they...  Read Story. (3 comments)