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In The Region

Parties gain registered

voters; Democrats soar

Both the Democrat and Republican parties in Portage County grew as a result of the March 4 primaries.

The number of registered Democrats more than doubled from 16,113 to 35,163, according to numbers from the Portage County Board of Elections.

The Republican party grew from 8,889 to 11,197 registered voters after the board certified the results of the primary elections.

There are 101,026 registered voters in the county. Most of the increases in party registration came from undeclared voters jumping into the party pools.

"Almost all of our folks who changed parties went from Republican to Democrat," said Board Director Lois Enlow.

The exact numbers of who went where won't be known for a couple of weeks until election workers are finished posting records.

Area attorney is fined

over paperwork issue

Portage County attorney Edward Weber was one of several attorneys and judges in Ohio to pay a fine for violating continuing education requirements.

Weber paid a $60 fine for failing to file a continuing education report during the 2005-06 period.

"This is not a disciplinary action," said Dennis Whalen, a spokesman for the Ohio Supreme Court. "It's a smack on the knuckles."

He said it's more administrative in nature. The court sends out warnings and gives the attorneys a chance to pay the fine or explain why they shouldn't be fined.

Attorneys registered to practice law in Ohio must meet continuing education requirements and file a report. They also are required to reregister every two years.

Kent eyes state grant

for a whitewater park

Kent City Council voted March 26 to authorize city leaders to apply for a $1.5 million grant that could reimburse Kent for all costs associated with constructing a whitewater park along the Cuyahoga River.

Kent's parks and recreation department now will apply for a cooperative boating facility grant with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.

In 2007, the ODNR awarded $3.6 million for improving public boating access facilities across the state. The program receives about $7.2 million bi-annually for disbursement.

Kent City Manager Dave Ruller said the city has a few options, including dipping into its $11 million reserve fund to pay up front for the park.

"It would still be fiscally responsible to borrow from yourself and get paid back by the state," Ruller said. "It is often done that way with reimbursement grants."

Colorado-based Recreation Engineering and Planning, which is designing the project, recently submitted a conceptual design report.

Area residents sought

for 'Garrettsville Idol'

Contestants are being sought for the "Garrettsville Idol" competition, which boasts an adult grand prize of $1,000.

Open call auditions will be May 4, with the semifinals May 18 at the Garfield High School auditorium. The finals will be June 29 during the Garrettsville SummerFest.

Contestants must be prepared to sing without music. Accepted entries must be prepared to sing a complete son for the semifinals and finals.

Age categories are 8 to 12, 13 to 17 and 18 and older. Total prizes will amount to $1,500. For the official rules, visit www.garrettsvillesummerfest.com.

Swing dance planned

A swing dance featuring the music of Blues Deville will be April 4 at Bainbridge Town Hall. A dance lesson will be given from 8 to 9 p.m. and the dance is from 9 to 11:30.

Admission is $10 for adults and $8 for students. Participants should wear dance shoes. For details, visit www.clevelandswings.org/.

Drawing benefits man who suffered a stroke

Tickets are still left for Portage County residents to help Ravenna Township resident Dave Nethken with his medical bills.

In late June, Nethken suffered a brain aneurysm and had a stroke immediately after brain surgery. He spent a month in critical condition at Akron General Medical Center and a month at Edwin Shaw Rehab Center.

Following a two-month stay at Maplewood Care Centre in Streetsboro, he is continuing his recovery at home.

The winner of the benefit raffle will receive two 2006 Yamaha Kodiak 4x4 ATVs, along with a trailer, snowblade and helmets.

The drawing date will be announced after all 900 tickets are sold, but tentatively will be in late April at American Legion Post 331 in Ravenna.

Tickets are $25 each of five for $100. To buy one of more, call Laura Nethken at 330-297-0507 or Dan Mounts at 330-931-0103.

Bowling fundraiser set

The 10th annual Bowl Against Abuse is slated April 19 at Kent Lanes. It benefits the Children's Advocacy Center of Portage County.

Registration deadline for teams is April 16. Cost is $25 per person. Sponsors also are needed. For details, call 330-297-8838 or e-mail iwagener@rmh2.org.