Richfield police and the BCI are investigating the death of woman whose body was found inside a Harold Drive home Friday afternoon.

NewsChannel 5 reports police crews responded after the woman's boyfriend heard a gunshot and called 911.

No word on what happened, but the medical examiner's office says it's labeled as a death investigation at this point.

On the web: www.newsnet5.com

The arts community in Akron continues to grow -- and the Knight Arts Challenge is giving dozens of ideas a chance to create a lasting impression.

27 projects were named winners of the Knight Foundation challenge -- all sharing $1 million. Over 500 ideas were submitted into the challenge.

"Out of those, we got these 27 winners that we think, really, represent the true spirit of Akron, where it's going, ideas coming from unusual places and voices we don't hear from too often," said Arts Program Director Bahia Ramos.

Among the projects chosen this year: Turning a garage bay at the Akron Symphony into a stage for community jam sessions; helping Bhutanese women improve their traditional crafts; and creating a pop-up studio for glass making.

"The arts pieces are what allow people to identify with the neighborhood," said Kutuchief.

Click here to find the full list of winners.

Just under a dozen people are facing charges after the FBI and local law enforcement executed several search warrants in connection with a drug ring involving crystal meth in Massillon.

NewsChannel 5 reports Carlos Elias and his wife Lisa were arrested at a Lincoln Way NW home where five children were removed. The kids are now in the custody of a family member.

Authorities say Elias is the local distributor of the drugs -- importing about 2 to 5 pounds of crystal meth per month from California. The FBI says Elias purchases a pound of drugs for $2,400 and then sells it for $11,000 to $14,000. In total, 11 people will be charged. Other locations are being searched in Akron, Canton, Medina County, and Tuscarawas County.

On the web: www.newsnet5.com

Some were feeling the "Bern" -- and others were feeling the bipartisan love.

"We're out here, just spreading the love," said University of Akron student Dawson Mancabelli. "Trying to find some bi-partisanship between Bernie Sanders fans and Republicans who don't like Trump."

"Hug a Republican." A message from local Republicans to bring people together at the @BernieSanders rally in Akron. pic.twitter.com/0I1HhylyDj

— Amani Abraham (@AmaniAbraham) March 14, 2016

Mancabelli, dressed in khaki shorts and a blue blazer, managed to bring people together by simply carrying a sign that read "Hug a Republican" outside of the Bernie Sanders rally at the Akron Civic Theatre Monday afternoon.

Dawson said it's about respect and support -- no matter which side of the political line you're on.

"I don't know if our message is going change anybody's mind, but it's good to show common ground between people who disagree."

Hundreds of people lined up outside of the Akron Civic Theatre for a chance to catch Sanders in their hometown. Mitchell Smith of Doylestown is an undecided voter who was looking to secure 

his decision before Tuesday's primary.

Kelsey McArdle of Kent came out to learn more about the candidate."I'm probably going to vote for [Hilllary Clinton], but I'm going to give Bernie a chance here today."

"Going into this election a couple of months ago, initially I thought Clinton would be who I vote for, but I've kind of aligned myself more with Bernie and his thoughts and ideas with his campaign," said McCardle.

Jordan Davis, 17, has already made up his mind -- and is supporting Sanders for the Democatic presidential nomination.

"I think he has more enthusiasm than [Clinton] does," said Davis.

Davis is able to vote tomorrow thanks to a judge's ruling that says 17-year-olds who will turn 18 by the general election can vote in Ohio's primary.

It's not all about the presidential candidates in Tuesday's primary. Several local levies are on the ballot, including in Springfield where there's a 2 mill renewal and an increase of a 1 mill tax levy to help benefit the fire department.

"We're always struggling on how not to put a major burden on the tax payer, but also lessen our burden on how we deliver those services," said Springfield Fire Chief Victor Wincik.

Wincik says the additional money would help them purchase new equipment and upgrade the department's building.

Voters in Coventry Township are being asked to approve a levy that includes a 2-mill property tax increase. Township Trustee Ed Diebold says rising costs and lower amounts from the state have forced them to be very conservative spenders. But Diebold says there's not much more they can do.

"Sometimes there are shifts with only three firemen. We can't even run a second ambulance," said Diebold. "...we have one police car. One person. 24/7."

The money goes into the general fund, so it covers safety forces, roads, parks and administration.

A major construction project is planned in the Manchester school district but only if voters say YES to an 8.8-mill bond issue. Superintendent James Robinson says it's a 47-million dollar project that is needed because the buildings are more expensive to maintain than replace.

If approved, the bond issue would generate 30-million dollars and the state would kick in the difference.

Norton City Schools has an additional 2.9 mill operating levy and a 0.4 mill levy to provide additional school security on campus.

There's also a levy renewal of 2.3 mills and an increase of 0.6 mill in Hudson to support the city's public library and Historical Society.

Akron Public School officials are hoping to attract more teachers to the district during a statewide education job fair this weekend. The Ohio 8 Coalition Job Fair in Columbus will conduct on-site interviews for those interested in teaching in a number of Ohio school districts, including Akron and Canton.

APS Recruitment Coordinator Teresa Kossuth says they're in need of educators who can teach english as a second language -- especially in North Hill where many refugees have settled.

"Because our diverse population of students is growing, we have the need for teachers who have an endorsement to teach english as a second language," said Kossuth.

Kossuth said one of their main priorities is to find passionate teachers.

"While some of the challenges may be greater in teaching in an urban district, the rewards tremendously outweigh that."

The job fair will be held at the Embassy Suites North in Columbus on Saturday, March 12 at 9 a.m.

Click here for more information.

Local foodbanks are preparing to kick-off another Harvest for Hunger campaign -- already in its 25th year.

Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank President and CEO Dan Flowers introduced the foodbank's 2020 plan that is aimed at providing access to food for everyone struggling with hunger in the region by 2025.

"I think that we should be able to have enough food to completely fill the hunger gap by 2025 if the community will rally around this new plan to meet that goal." said Flowers.

Flowers hopes the foodbank will break last year's record during the Harvest for Hunger campaign.

"Last year we distributed a record of 27.9 million pounds of food, " said Flowers. "That's well over 20 million meals that we help throughout the region."

Harvest for Hunger is the Foodbank’s largest fundraising initiative and is a collaborative effort of four Ohio food banks serving 21 counties in Northeast Ohio including: the Greater Cleveland Food Bank, Second Harvest Food Bank of Mahoning Valley and the Second Harvest Food Bank of North Central Ohio.

All of the proceeds collected from the Harvest for Hunger campaign will go directly toward feeding those in need around the area.

The local 2016 Harvest for Hunger goal is set at an ambitious $1,200,000 and 100,000 pounds of food.

According to the foodbank, the two major components of the Harvest for Hunger campaign are food & funds drives and Check Out Hunger. 1. Food & funds drives: Nearly 300 businesses, schools, community organizations and families are holding food & funds drives throughout the months of March and April. To register a food & funds drive, simply download a coordinator kit from the Foodbank’s website, akroncantonfoodbank.org/hfh.2. Check Out Hunger: Local retailers including Buehler’s Fresh Foods, Dave’s Supermarkets, Fishers Foods, Giant Eagle, Ace Hardware and Heinen’s Fine Foods participate in Check Out Hunger, which allows shoppers to scan coupons and make donations of $1, $5 or $10 at the checkout register

Click here for more information. 

A Cleveland man was sentenced to just under five years in prison for threatening to blow up Stow-Munroe Falls High School and threatening to kill his ex-girlfriend.

Spirlin Edwards, 27, was found guilty of inducing panic, telecommunications harassment and aggravated menacing.

Prosecutors say Edwards became violent with his ex-girlfriend in January 2015, shoving her to the ground and slashing four of her car's tires at her work, and threatening to kill her and her family via text message.

Police say they traced a bomb threat made to Stow-Munroe Falls High School last May to his mother's home, where Edwards lived.

Edwards was sentenced to four years and 11 months in prison.

A 34-year-old Akron woman was sentenced to life in prison for killing the father of her five children. Tiffany Powell will be eligible for parole after serving 32 and a half years.

Prosecutors say Powell showed no remorse and refused to take responsibility in the murder. Powell and her boyfriend, Paul Reed, were found guilty of luring 69-year-old James Harris to Powell's home, where Reed attacked Harris and killed him by slamming his head to the ground 15 times.

Powell was also sentenced to 30 months in prison for obstructing justice and ordered the sentences be served consecutively.

Reed is currently serving a life sentence.

The late Brenda Weems may be known to some as LeBron James' godmother -- but to her family and friends she was a caring woman who left behind a legacy that continues to touch the lives of those in the Akron community. 

On Tuesday afternoon, she was also the reason so many came together to dedicate a new dialysis unit on White Pond Drive in her name. Weems was a longtime dialysis nurse with Fresenuis Medical Care. In April of 2006, Weems passed away at the age of 45 after her battle with cancer.

"To see that impact that she had on all of the people she came across, it's just unbelievable," said Weems' son Brandon. "It's a very emotional day."

Brandon was just one of dozens of family members who came out to the dedication ceremony to honor his mother's legacy. While some recognize Brenda Weems as LeBron's godmother, the ceremony helped to shine a light on Weems' unconditional love for taking care of the community. Weems was a registered nurse for over 20 years.

"It's just the whole city of Akron," said Brandon. "Everywhere you go, if they know you're a Weems they immediately go to Brenda. She was just so big in the community. Her names rings everywhere."

Fresenius regional vice-president Jamie Stanos said you didn't have to look far to understand why Weems was adored by so many.

"She was the gold standard by which everybody measured themselves as a nurse and a technician," said Stanos.