Good morning, Kent.

As of 2 p.m. May 17, nearly 2,300 Portage County customers lost power during the storm, with about 900 in Brimfield and 400 in Rootstown.

FirstEnergy said crews will restore power by 3 p.m. May 19 (smaller outages remain in other areas) and warned people to stay away from downed lines (they are dangerous).

Ethelyn VonHelmers Fitzsimmons, a former Kent State secretary who worked under three presidents, celebrated her 110th birthday on May 17 in Mantua.

She has lived independently since 1955 and remains active—local historians and friends sent her birthday cards to mark the milestone.

Main Street Kent has set up the 'Kent DORA Path' for summer 2025 by designating 26 local bars, breweries and restaurants as stops where visitors 21 and older can get their passports stamped—15 stamps earn one raffle entry while a full passport earns three entries for a chance to win $500 and other prizes. A community party will be held on Sept. 21 at Dan Smith Community Park, and passports must be turned in by Sept. 5.

Ace Hardware will distribute one million free American flags in association with the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) on Saturday, May 24 between 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. at local stores while offering Memorial Day discounts on grills and tools through Monday, May 26 as customers are advised to arrive early due to limited supplies.

Overnight storms left more than 58,000 residents in Northeast Ohio without power this morning; the outage affected 37,354 customers in Summit County — including 14,506 in Akron —, 9,421 in Stark County, and 6,951 in Portage County.

FirstEnergy said no estimated time was given for restoring power — officials expect repairs may take longer in affected areas —.

AAA projects 45 million Americans will travel for Memorial Day weekend from May 22 to May 26—39.4 million by car—and Ohio road construction will likely slow traffic on major highways; drivers in Ohio should plan to leave in the morning to avoid heavy delays.

Matteo Mancuso Live Concert

7:30-11:30 p.m. — The Kent Stage — Ticket prices available — Experience the musical journey of a young guitar prodigy blending jazz and fusion.

Art & Wine Festival 2025

5-11 p.m. — Hometown Bank Plaza — Cost TBA — Experience a vibrant showcase of art, wine, and music from local creators.

Thai Yoga Massage + Reiki Workshop

6-7:30 p.m. — SHINE Ohio — Limited spots available — Experience deep relaxation and healing through Thai Yoga Massage and Reiki.

Outdoor Summer Art Camp for Kids

11 AM - 12 PM — Fred Fuller Pavilion — $40 — A creative summer experience for kids aged 6-13 featuring outdoor art activities.