Auroraadvocate.com - In The Region

Portage's jobless rate

goes up to 12 percent

The jobless rate for Portage County jumped to 12 percent in January from December's 10.7 percent, according to figures released March 10.

In January 2009, the county's rate was 9.6 percent. The data indicates 10,700 county residents were jobless out of a labor force of 89,500.

The state's rate of 10.8 percent was unchanged from December. Both the county and state rates were higher than the U.S. rate of 9.7 percent, which was down from 10 percent in December.

Ohio's nonfarm wage and salary employment dropped by 12,800 to 4,985,600 in January. Kent's rate was 8.2 percent, up from 7.2 percent in December.

Three of Portage's six abutting counties had higher rates than Portage. Trumbull was highest at 14.3 percent, followed by Mahoning at 13.7 and Stark at 13.5.

Portage gives figures

on H1N1 vaccinations

Portage County health departments partnered with several entities to provide nearly 20,000 H1N1 flu vaccinations in recent months.

Personnel conducted 74 school-based clinics. With parent permission, more than 11,000 children were vaccinated for free. Twenty-four daycare-based clinics took place, resulting in more than 1,200 vaccinations.

High-risk and open community clinics in November and December 2009 resulted in more than 6,000 vaccinations. At busy clinics, the departments maintained a rate of 100 people per 30 minutes.

Ninety-four EMTs were trained to help administer H1N1 vaccine in the county. Of that total, 75 percent assisted outside of their respective jurisdictions.

Portage history book

available from society

A new history book for Portage County is available from the Portage County Historical Society.

"Portage County, Ohio: The 20th Century" was edited by Christina McVay. Its chapters, each about 20 pages, focus on the county's 20 townships.

Some are written by a resident of a township and some are based on information gained through interviews and compiled from historical society files.

The chapters have different focuses. The Aurora chapter looks at the Geauga Lake community. Schools, businesses, farms and roads are featured in other chapters.

The book costs $40 and are available at the historical society at 6549 N. Chestnut St., Ravenna. It is open Thursdays and Sundays from 2 to 4 p.m. and the first Saturday of each month from 1 to 4 p.m.

175-year-old house in

Franklin Twp. is razed

The city of Akron razed a 175-year-old piece of Portage County history last week when crews demolished the Olin house in Franklin Township, which was on the National Register of Historic Places.

Arvin Olin built the house at Diagonal and Ravenna roads in 1835. He had settled in the township a year earlier.

Streetsboro resident Bob Gressard, a fourth-generation descendant of Olin, tried to work with the city of Akron to save the property. Akron acquired it in 1990. The house was not far from the Akron Water Treatment Plant at Lake Rockwell.

Collin Coy, superintendent for Akron's water supply, said no one could find the house affordable, "and so ultimately we had to take the building down."

"It had become a nuisance. It was being infested with many types of animals, and it was starting to crumble on its own."

MHRB offers help with

'10 U.S. Census forms

If you have trouble completing your Census form or need a form, you can stop at the Mental Health & Recovery Board of Portage County in downtown Kent for assistance from March 19 to April 19.

A Census representative will be at the MHRB on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. No appointments are necessary.

The board office at 155 E. Main St. in Kent has been designated as a QAC or Questionnaire Assistance Center and as a Be Counted site by the United States Census. The MRHB office is accessible to persons with disabilities.

To pick up forms, community members are welcome weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Leadership unit eyes

nominees for awards

Leadership Portage County is accepting nominations for its Burbick Leader of Distinction Awards.

Celebrating its 20th anniversary, LPC will acknowledge the longevity of the organization and highlight those that inspire others through their good works, leadership and willingness to help others reach their potential.

Five awards will be given: Business leader of distinction, education leader of distinction, health and human services leader of distinction, LPC alumni leader of distinction and LPC youth alumni leader of distinction.

LPC will recognize the individuals at the Burbick Leaders of Distinction awards luncheon April 14 at Maplewood Career Center in Ravenna.

Nominees must be Portage County residents or employed in Portage County. They do not have to be LPC alumni. March 24 is deadline for nominations.

Forms are available by calling 330-673-5724 or e-mailing LeaderPoCo@aol.com.

Ravenna is out of unit

The Ravenna Police De-partment is no longer participating in the Portage County Drug Task Force, because of what a city press release called "management considerations."

However, Mayor Joseph Bica said finances was not a factor in the decision.

The agencies that remain in the task force are Aurora, Kent, Streetsboro and Garrettsville police, Portage prosecutor's office and Portage Sheriff's Department.