🌱 How a Kent traffic stop led to prison time in Ravenna court

Coffee in hand, Ravenna? We've got the latest town updates for you. Keep reading to stay in the loop. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

• How a Kent traffic stop led to prison time in Ravenna court
• Meet the new Ravenna officer now patrolling West Branch State Park
• What led to a four-to-six-year drug sentence near Rootstown schools?

Also on today's calendar: Ravenna Thunderbirds - Night Fly and 5 more events.

Today's riddle: How do you measure a fish? 🤔 (Answer below!)

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Weather forecast:

• Wednesday: Times of clouds and sun, with a high of 71 and low of 43 degrees.
• Thursday: Partly sunny and warm, temps: high: 76, low: 56.
• Friday: A couple of afternoon showers, with a high of 76 and low of 58 degrees.

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📰 News we're reading

1. Stark man gets 3 years after cocaine was found in Kent traffic stop (record-courier.com) — A Portage County judge in Ravenna has sentenced a Stark County man to several years in prison after deputies found cocaine during a 2025 traffic stop in Kent. The case, handled in Portage County Common Pleas Court, involved a substantial amount of cocaine, firearms-related items, and a plea deal that reduced the original charges.
   

2. 9 officers take oath of office during commissioning ceremony at ODNR Headquarters (highlandcountypress.com) — One of Ohio’s newest Natural Resources Officers hails from Ravenna and will be serving at nearby West Branch State Park, adding a local face to state park law enforcement. The statewide class of nine officers just completed extensive training and will now protect visitors, support conservation, and assist in emergencies across Ohio’s parks and waterways.
   

3. Akron man get 4 to 6 years for drugs after Rootstown stop (record-courier.com) — A Portage County judge in Ravenna sentenced a 33-year-old Akron man to four to six years in prison after deputies found suspected ecstasy pills, meth, and a handgun during a 2025 traffic stop near NEOMED and Rootstown schools. The case, tied to prior felony records and drug trafficking, also resulted in fines and forfeiture of cash, while a co-defendant was sentenced earlier.
   

4. Portage County obituaries for April 17-19 2026 (theportager.com) — Several Portage County families are mourning loved ones with strong ties to Ravenna, including Ronald Smithberger, born in Ravenna, and Stanley “Bruce” Szabaga, who passed at the Lincoln House in town. The obituary roundup also remembers residents connected to nearby Rootstown, Garrettsville, Brunswick Hills, and Mantua.
   

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📸 Around Ravenna

Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Ravenna

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

Saturday April 25

• Community Baby Shower
  Reed Memorial Library, 167 E Main St, Ravenna
  11:00 am

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

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Other local events

Thursday April 23

• Storytime A Go Go
  Reed Memorial Library -
  10:30 am
• Red Cross Blood Drive
  Reed Memorial Library -
  11:00 am
• Knit, Crochet, & Needlecraft Group
  Reed Memorial Library - Haymaker Room
  6:30 pm

Friday April 24

• Planning for Senior Living
  Vista Veranda , 141 Chestnut Hill Dr. , Ravenna
  10:00 am

Saturday April 25

• Ravenna Thunderbirds - Night Fly
  Jetway Airport-61OH , 7648 Peck Rd , Ravenna
  8:00 pm

Monday April 27

• Babies and Books
  Reed Memorial Library - Children's Room
  10:30 am

Tuesday April 28

• Toddler Tuesday
  Reed Memorial Library - Children's Room
  10:00 am

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📣 Ravenna Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

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🗓 Events Nearby

Wednesday April 22

• Preschool Storytime
  Reed Memorial Library - Children's Room
  10:30 am
• Plant Bingo
  Reed Memorial Library - Jenkins Room
  6:00 pm
• A True Crime Book Club
  Reed Memorial Library - Tuesday Room
  6:00 pm

Thursday April 23

• Storytime A Go Go
  Reed Memorial Library -
  10:30 am

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

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Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• I am offering my services for on site car mechanic.
  Will change brake pads on most cars for $75 for the front or back... (Disc brakes only for this price). Change calipers, rotors, power steering pump,… (Nextdoor Outside of Ravenna)

• Tractor Supply posted a job opening for Team Member in Ravenna. Apply here.
• Vogelsang GmbH & Co. KG posted a job opening for Inside Parts Sales Manager in Ravenna. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Ravenna here.

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Ok Ravenna! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: By inches because they have no feet. (Thank you Gypsy S. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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We use a combination of real people and machines to tell you what’s happening around town. Learn more about Patch AM.

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