Good morning, Kent.

Local musician Marc Lee Shannon, former lead guitarist for Michael Stanley & The Resonators, will speak and perform with his new band at TownHall II Integrated Health Services’ community picnic at Hometown Bank Plaza on Sep.

11. He will share his mental health journey and help raise awareness in Kent.

Ohio's two-week sales tax holiday started on Aug 1 and will end at 11:59 p.m. on Aug 14—shoppers can buy qualifying items like clothing, electronics and home goods for tax-free savings if they cost $500 or less, with many online orders from major retailers included.

Retired Air Force Maj.

Gen. Ed Mechenbier, a Vietnam POW whose experience led him to serve others, inspired his daughter and Kent State Geauga/TAC faculty member Mahli Mechenbier to create a scholarship—designed to help veterans and active military students with educational costs this fall. He also leads a weekly support group at Marion Correctional Institution to aid incarcerated veterans in their transition to civilian life.

Portage County will resurface 3.2 miles of Hartville Road in Randolph as part of its road resurfacing program+the county awarded a $612,533 contract to Karvo Companies Inc. Work will begin early September+the project is expected to finish by mid October, and drivers should expect delays during paving.

Dozens of hopeful candidates filed petitions on Aug.6 with the Portage County Board of Elections for offices in villages, townships and boards of education, while candidates in Aurora have not yet filed due to a later deadline.

The board will certify the filings on Aug.18—additionally, several ballot issues including school levies, Kent charter amendments and various township tax measures are set to appear on the November ballot.

The University of Akron football team will travel to Nebraska on Sept.

6 for a $1.45 million payday as they prepare for the season while Kent State will play Texas Tech on Sept. 6, Florida State on Sept. 20, and Oklahoma on Oct. 4 to earn $4.2 million total (with individual fees of $1.5 million, $1.2 million, and $1.5 million). Both programs count on these nonconference games to boost athletic revenues ahead of play.

Estate Planning 101 Workshop

5:30-6:30 p.m. — PBS Western Reserve — Free entry — Learn essential steps for estate planning with expert guidance from attorney Dan Gibbons.

Home Heritage Summer Concert Series

7-9 p.m. — Hometown Bank Plaza — Free entry — Enjoy a lively performance by the Danjo Jazz Orchestra in downtown Kent.

Kent State Run

9 PM - 1 AM — Water Street Tavern — Registration fee applies — A scenic run through downtown Kent and campus culminating in a post-race celebration.