Portage County is officially launching its emergency management app today -- set up to help residents prepare for and keep informed during emergencies.

"It's all about how we can reach everybody and get out there," said Ryan Shackelford, the director of the Portage County Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management Agency. "And be more visible as a department."

While there are similar apps across the country, Shackelford said it's the first app of its kind in Northeast Ohio

The app is connected to local law enforcement agencies in the area, and will feature weather-related emergency and crime-related information. 

The app is available on Android and Apple devices.

On the web: www.co.portage.oh.us

It's not easy for a business to simply pop-up on the streets of Akron, but that's exactly what one dry cleaning shop did with the help of Downtown Akron Partnership (DAP).

"A lot of people say that people don't wear suits and they don't get dressed up as much anymore, but there is one place they are getting dressed up and it's downtown Akron," said Blaise Meeker, co-owner of Pressed For Success.

DAP launched a program this year to help businesses fill empty storefronts in downtown Akron. That program helped Pressed for Success to open on South Main Street, accross from Lock 3. DAP is assisting the owners with a six-month lease of an empty storefront on Main Street.

"We're always looking for ways to activate downtown and bring more businesses into downtown, so we received a grant from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation to activate storefronts," said Kimberly Beckett with DAP. "So find ways to bring more retail business into downtown Akron."

Pressed for Success co-owners Blaise and Colin Meeker didn't hesitate to take advantage of the opportunity.

"We hope that they've given us a strong foundation to build off of and last for the next 20 years," said Colin Meeker, co-owner of Pressed for Success.

The store opens Monday, Nov. 2. The owners plan to open another pop-up store that will feature items from Akron-area artists and designers.

The man convicted in the fatal shooting of Akron police officer Justin Winebrenner was officially sentenced to life in prison without parole, plus an additional 65 years, Wednesday morning.

Judge Alison McCarty followed the jury's recommendation last week to sentence Kenan Ivery, 36, to life in prison over execution.

"You will never again walk among us as a free man," said McCarty.

Justin Winebrenner's father, Rob Winebrenner, was the first of many family members and friends to give a victim impact statement before Ivery's sentencing.

"Finally, I want you to know as a parent, I am content standing here as a proud father of a hero that is no longer with us, knowing the last good deed that Justin did as a police officer is getting you off the streets forever."

Ivery shot and killed Winebrenner during a fight at Papa Don's Pub last November and also wounded four others. Ivery claimed it was self-defense when he pulled the trigger. He walked back into the bar with a gun after he was asked to leave.

Previous Coverage:

UPDATE Jury Recommends Life In Prison Without Parole

Kenan Ivery's Mother Begs For Mercy In Court

UPDATE Kenan Ivery Found Guilty of Aggravated Murder

Ivery Claims Self-Defense In Murder Trial

AUDIO Chief Nice Remembers Fallen Officer

Police are looking into two separate shootings that happened in Akron Monday.

The first shooting was reported outside a house in the 1800 block of 2nd Street SW around 9:30 a.m. A 28-year-old told police he was involved in an altercation and was shot in the arm and leg. He was taken to Akron General Medical Center where his injuries do not appear to be life-threatening.

The suspect allegedly fled in light blue or gray Chrysler minivan. Only a vague description of the shooting suspect was released and no description was given for the person driving the getaway van.

The second shooting happened near a home in the 200 block of Grand Avenue. Three men asked of another trio of men walking past their house to walk across the street so their "dog would not attack them," according to police. That's when one man pulled out a gun and fired several shots. No one was hurt, but the bullets struck two homes. Only a vague description of the suspects were released.

A pair of Barberton residents were arrested after police and the SWAT team conducted a search warrant at a 17th Street home Thursday afternoon.

Police said they found several stolen items from businesses and residences inside the home in the 200 block of 17th Street around 5 p.m.

Travis J. Cunningham, 30, of 8th Street, was arrested on a warrant for breaking and entering. Kenneth L. Tippel II, 30, of 17th Street, was arrested during a traffic stop on a warrant for receiving stolen property.

Additional charges are pending the outcome of the investigation.

Donations at University of Akron have dropped more than 40 percent after the university announced a list of budget cuts this past summer.

University officials tell the Beacon Journal that's it's not a sign of unhappy donors, but a timing issue.

The amount of donations between July and August dropped to $1.85 million from $3.19 million last year.

Some donors tell the newspaper that they have decided to hold off on giving any gifts because they're not happy with the direction the university is headed.

On the web: www.ohio.com

HIgh School Football Scores - Friday, Oct. 23

Archbishop Hoban 49 - Chardon Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin 10

Buchtel 55 - North 8

Canton McKinley 28 - Green 27

Carrollton 27, Canton South 16

Copley 56 - Kent Roosevelt 35

Coventry 47 - Springfield 21

Ellet 26 - Firestone 7

Euclid 35 - Medina 27

Fairless 47 - CVCA 20

Field 35 - Cloverleaf 13

GlenOak 42 - North Canton Hoover 17

Highland 24 - Barberton 12

Hudson 30 - Wadsworth 6

Lake 14 - Canton Central Catholic 7

Manchester 28 - Tuslaw 20

Mentor 20 - Brunswick 10

Mogadore 55 - Waterloo 0

Nordonia 49 - Twinsburg 21

North Royalton 37 - Cuyahoga Falls 0

Perry 35 - Jackson 0

St. Vincent-St. Mary 56 - Massillon 31

Streetsboro 21 - Ravenna 9

Stow 37 - Brecksville 28

Tallmadge 34 - Revere 19

Woodridge 45 - Norton 7

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Saturday at 2 PM: East vs. Garfield at Buchtel