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West Main Street

Monday, December 10, 2012

Akron Man Crashes Into, Wipes Out 3 Utility Poles

Damage estimated at $100,000

An Akron man has been charged with drunken driving after crashing into three utility poles on West Main Street this weekend. Kent Police charged Daniel Vondrak, 22, with operating a vehicle while intoxicated, a first-degree misdemeanor, and failure to keep reasonable control of his vehicle, a minor misdemeanor, after an accident early Sunday. Vondrak was driving eastbound on S.R. 59 at a high rate of speed near Spaulding Boulevard when his Toyota Camry hit the curb and then struck a wooden utility pole, which was thrown 15 feet from the point of impact, according to Kent Police. Vondrak's Camry slammed into a traffic signal support pole before coming to rest on top of a car in the parking lot of Enterprise Rent-A-Car. Kent Police Lt. James…

In this Article:

Kent Police Department and Enterprise Rent-A-Car

Chris (Kit) Myers

5:59 pm on Tuesday, December 11, 2012

Demon Rum strikes again. We are too tolerant in this country.   more ›

Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Multiple Businesses on West Main Closing, Moving

Redevelopment opportunities on the horizon for vacant commercial spaces

Downtown Kent is booming, but just a few miles west of the city's central business district another commercial corridor isn't exactly thriving. Several businesses flanking Kent's auto dealers on West Main Street have closed, moved or announced a forthcoming closure in the past two years. Businesses that have closed or moved include: Main Street Tavern, which closed in the summer of 2011; TLC Liquor, which shut down this month; Firehouse Grille, one of several restaurants to open and close in the same location; and a branch of Huntington Bank that closed last year Add to that list Dalton's Furniture, which announced earlier this year the store is going out of business after its remaining stock is sold, and at least five businesses on West …

In this Article:

Back Taxes Likely Closed Main Street Tavern, TLC Wine & Liquor, Huntington Closing Branch on Kent Auto Mile, and 8 more ›

Ann Kardos

7:48 pm on Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Kent people need to start shopping in Portage County. I wish that all the retail was in Kent, but the big stores that keep people shopping regularly are in Streetsboro and Brimfield. Kent's tax structure has made it an unwelcome place for national retailers and restaurants. So, if people are determined to shop and dine at those places, then at least support your county instead of Summit. ...and …   more ›

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Klaben Gets Variance for old Huntington Bank Building

New, used car dealership to occupy former bank on West Main

Klaben Auto Stores received several variances from the Kent Board of Zoning Appeals Monday for signage related to its new, used car dealership at 1035 W. Main St. The board approved variances to allow one building and two free-standing signs, one of which will be closer to the road than allowed by city code. The signs are for a used car dealership Klaben is planning to open in the former Huntington Bank branch. The Kent Planning Commission approved the site plan for the new dealership in October 2012. Al Klaben, Jr., said they wanted the variance to put one of the free-standing signs closer to West Main Street because the former bank buildings sits further back from the road compared with Klaben's other buildings, one of which is directly …

In this Article:

Klaben Auto Stores and Klaben to Add Used Car Dealership on Main Street

Paul Sellman

9:14 pm on Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Actually, the Hunting Bank building was built to be a bank, Portage National Bank. The Klaben service building is the old Rutan building. (They were originally downtown on South Depeyster St (Filthy McNasty's). Klaben sale is in the old Lyman Chevrolet building.   more ›

Thursday, August 23, 2012

No Injuries in House Fire on West Main

Unofficial structural damage estimate at $20,000

A house fire on West Main Street was extinquished quickly by the Kent Fire Department Thursday night. Kent Fire Lt. Dave Moore said the department was called to 738 W. Main St. at 7:56 p.m. with reports that someone was possibly trapped in a second floor apartment. "There was heavy smoke and fire showing from the second floor in the kitchen area along the wall," Moore said. "We entered the apartment and found it empty." Moore said firefighters had the blaze extinguished within 15 to 20 minutes. "It was up in the wall, so that was a little tricky," he said. Moore said he estimated structural damage alone at $20,000 due to the ceiling and wall firefighters had to remove to reach the fire. Area fire departments from neighboring communities …

In this Article:

Kent Fire Station One

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Matt Fredmonsky

9:15 am on Friday, August 24, 2012

Thanks to Gary for that explanation. For those who don't know, Gary is a member of the Kent Fire Department. Keep up the good work.   more ›

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