Richfield police are offering a $500 reward for anyone with information on the person who damaged a Christmas tree in the village's town square.

Police Chief Keith Morgan posted photos of the damage on his Facebook page. Officials said the tree will not survive after the holidays.

The reward is being offered to anyone with information that would lead to the arrest and conviction of the person responsible.

The University of Akron is under the spotlight -- once again -- this time for an advertisement that appeared in Sunday's Akron Beacon Journal.

The full page ad was signed by business leaders, urging the community to "come together" and support the university.

The criticism comes after several noticed that the ad stated it is was paid for by "Friends of the University of Akron" for $5,000, but UA later clarified that is was paid for by the University of Akron Foundation. Some are questioning why that wasn't made clear in the ad.

UA offficials released the following statement Tuesday:

"The private, non-scholarship funds that were used for the ad are being donated to The University of Akron Foundation for this type of purpose by Richard W. Pogue, former chair of The University of Akron Board of Trustees, to help support efforts by the university and the community to – as the message in the ad stated – "Come together" and help position UA for "...greater success, growth and positive economic impact on our community." We wanted to check with Mr. Pogue before publicly identifying his contribution."

Of those business leaders who signed the ad, seven are part of a new nine -member advisory board including the presidents of FirstEnergy, Goodyear and FirstMerit.

On the web: www.ohio.com

An Akron man is facing a list of charges after police say he was driving drunk -- nearly four times the legal limit -- and crashed into a tree at Tallmadge Circle Wednesday morning. Tallmadge police said Andrew C. Craig, 26, of Akron, has been charged with aggravated vehicular assault and OVI. Both Craig and the passenger were ejected from the car and seriously injured.

Craig's initial BAC registered .302. Police said evidence at the scene and Craig's statement places him behind the wheel.

The Summit Metro Regional Crash Team is assisting with the investigation.

It's been nearly two weeks since the deadly plane crash into an Akron apartment building, but reality is just now setting in for some of the families affected by the damage left behind.

"When they went to walk into the building to try and get what they can, they're being hit by the image again of what happened," said Pam Williams, a disaster volunteer with the Red Cross.

Nearly a dozen families were affected by the plane crash after a four-unit apartment building was heavily damaged when a small plane crashed, killing all nine people on board. 

While some families lost everything they had, others were able to retrieve some of their belongings.

"So as they drive down the street, as they go back and get things out, it's all raw again," said Williams. "So they're starting to want to talk about that."

Williams said several families have already reached out for help. The Red Cross will continue to offer services for the families, including mental health services for those who are still working to cope with the image of the crash. 

Previous Coverage: 

Medical Examiner IDs All Akron Plane Crash Victims

NTSB: Engines Removed In Akron Plane Crash

Red Cross Assisting Families Affected By Plane Crash

UPDATE No Survivors In Akron Plane Crash

For every life that was lost to heroin in Stark County this year, a cross has been placed in front of the county's sheriff's department.

Stark County Sheriff's deputies are hoping the image raises awareness and encourages others to speak up after the number of deaths in the area has significantly increased.

"It's a community problem and we need to address it as a community," said Major C.J. Stantz with the Stark County Sheriff's Office.

So far this year, 34 people have died from a heroin overdose -- an increase from 23 deaths reported during the same period last year.

Officials have placed a message board outside the Stark County Sheriff's Office with an anonymous tip line to help prevent another fatal overdose from happening.

The ice skating rink at Lock 3 opens today (Friday) -- a week before the official grand opening of this year's winter lineup in Downtown Akron. 

New to the winter lineup this year is an indoor/outdoor skating rink, sponsored by the University of Akron, with a polymer surface for beginners 14 and under. 

That will open next Friday, November 27, along with many of the traditional events schedule, including the annual Holiday Tree Lighting Festival. 

Below is a list of events/activities scheduled this year, provided by Lock 3:

THE ICE RINK: The Lock 3 ice rink opens Friday, November 20, 2015 through Presidents Day, February 15, 2016. Admission to the ice rink is free to everyone. Skates can be rented for $3. Skate rental closes 1⁄2 hour before rink closes.

ZIPPY'S LITTLE ROO RINK: Presented by The University of Akron, Ohio's Polytechnic University. The 28' x 48' rink designed for beginner skaters, age 14 and under, is an all weather, indoor/outdoor synthetic skating surface and is one of our newest attractions to Lock 3! Zippy's Little Roo Rink will operate during the same hours as the Ice Rink.

AKRON CHILDREN'S MUSEUM POP-UP SITE: Explore the emerging Akron Children's Museum Pop-Up Site, presented by PNC at Lock 3 this winter! Families can explore, create, build, and move through our interactive exhibits designed to inspire the imagination. Admission is $3.Open Wednesday-Saturday 11 am – 7 pm and Sunday 11 am –5 pm. Check Akronkids.org for more information.

POLAR PUTT-PUTT: 9 holes of indoor putt-putt golf that winds through festive holiday decor. Fun for all ages. $3 for 9 holes.

THE HOLIDAY TREE LIGHTING FESTIVAL: On Friday November 27th at 7 p.m. the City of Akron and Downtown Akron Partnership will light up the night sky over Lock 3. The half hour program hosted by WONE's Jeff Kinzbach will feature North East Ohio native, The Voice's Jacob Rummel and end with the lighting of spectacular displays throughout Lock 3 & a must see pyrotechnics show. It is also tradition for guests to stay after the show and ice skate into the night.

THE WELCOME SANTA PARADE: Saturday November 28th at 11am. This annual family tradition features over 75 units including marching bands, floats, costumed characters, dance groups and area organizations. The parade will end with Santa coming to town! Santa will stop at the main stage for the end of the parade entertainment and then come to Lock 3 to meet everyone. All Lock 3 attractions will be open.

REINDEER RUN: Enjoy 150 feet of downhill fun on our all-season polymer coated slide designed for children 14 and under. Adults may accompany children on the slide. Only sleds provided by Lock 3 may be used and are rented for $3 for 30 minutes. The number of sleds available each half-hour will be limited to ensure maximum fun. Purchase wristband and time slot at Skate Rental Desk.

BREAKFAST WITH SANTA: Enjoy Breakfast with Santa on December 12, 13, 19 and 20 from 9:30-11am. Breakfast is $10 and includes pancakes with lots of yummy toppings, sausage, hot chocolate and orange juice. A ticket to ride the Magical Train, access to the Akron Children's Museum Pop-Up location, and your choice of a skate rental, Reindeer Run wristband, or a game of polar putt-putt. Bring your camera for plenty of photos with Santa! Reservations recommended by calling Lock 3 at 330-375-2877.

COUNTOWN TO FIRST NIGHT: A celebration in diversity and the largest community visual arts display in Northeast Ohio is Lock 3's "Countdown to First Night," featuring 40, hand-painted banners from schools, churches, community centers, ethnic organizations and civic groups - each one illustrating an expression of the winter holiday season. Lock 3 unveils a new banner on the State Street Parking Deck façade each evening, between Nov. 27 and First Night.

THE MAGICAL TRAIN: Enjoy a drive through Lock 3 on this trackless train that holds both adults and children. Fare is $3 for adults and children.

THE VINTAGE ONEIL'S WINDOW DISPLAYS: The famous classic department store animated window displays that Akronites remember from the 1960's through the 1980's will be displayed in the windows of the O'neil's and Polsky buildings on Main St. Displays include The 3 Little Pigs, The Wizard of Oz, 3 Men in a Tub, Alice In Wonderland, The Cabbage Patch Kids, Raggedy Ann and more.

CRAFT IN SANTA'S WORKSHOP: December 3, 10, 17 from 5:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. in Santa's Workshop (located inside Polar Putt Putt). Children 3-12 years old. FREE. Looking for a fun evening out with the kiddies? Join Santa and his helpers making crafts inside Santa's workshop! Lots of fun craft projects to choose from. You make it and then take it home with you! Enjoy photo opportunities with Santa and complimentary cookies and punch. Lots of holiday fun!

CRAFTY MART PRESENTS COTTAGE MART: For the first time, Crafty Mart is hosting a holiday pop-up market with a curated collection of our area's finest artists and makers in the outdoor wooden cottages. Enjoy ice skating, the new Children's Museum space, have a cup of hot chocolate, and stroll through the outdoor marketplace. Do your holiday gift shopping for locally-made items by small business makers for one weekend only. Saturday December 5th 11 a.m.-7 p.m. and Sunday, December 6th 11 a.m.-5 p.m.

AKRON2AKRON HOLIDAY WALKING TOUR: Join us for the Akron2Akron Downtown Christmas History Walking Tour and After Party on Saturday December 12th. The Walking Tour starts at 4pm and is free to the public and is led by Joanna Wilson the author of The Story of Archie the Talking Snowman and Akron's History of Christmas Attractions.

FIRST LOCK 3 JINGLE BELL BASH: To benefit Ronald McDonald House of Akron. December 12th at 6pm inside Lock 3. Admission is $10 and each party goer will receive 2 tickets to a raffle, one drink ticket, and food. There will be coffee, hot chocolate, Thirsty Dog's Christmas Ale, soda, holiday cookies and hor d'oeuvres available. Guests will also have free access to ice skate and play putt putt golf during the event.

SPECIAL EVENTS: Need something to make your winter weekends a little warmer? Stay tuned to the website for more events and activities throughout January and February.

FOOD AND BEVERAGE: The concession stand at Lock 3 offers chili, soups and other hot items to warm skating and sledding enthusiasts. Akron's own Thirsty Dog brews are offered, including Lock 3 Lager. Coca Cola soft drinks and hot chocolate are also available.

Akron police say they have made an arrest in connection with the shooting death of an Akron man over the weekend.

On early Sunday morning, Jaleel Jovon Woods, 19, of Endicott Drive was found with a gunshot wound to the head near Cordova and Courtland avenues.

Detectives arrested Jovonte A. Veal, 21, of Copley Road and charged him with murder. He was taken into custody Wednesday night and booked into the Summit County Jail.

The University of Akron has released its list of capital improvement projects on campus. University officials are asking the state for more than $32 million dollars over the next two years and an additional $60 million to help pay for projects from 2018 to 2022.

One of their main priorities is to keep all the lights on, according to UA Vice President of Finance and Chief Financial Officer Nathan Mortimer.

"Our number one priority is our infrastructure on our electric. We've got a single loop infrastructure right now and we're trying to go into a double loop, which means if something happens, we've got backup. Right now if it goes out, we're going to lose power for about a million square feet of our campus and that wouldn't be good for us."

Among the projects: building renovations, roof replacements, building demolitions, and repairs to sidewalks, fire alarms and elevators.

Click here to view the entire list of projects.

Akron police are investigating the second homicide in as many days reported at an adult club in Akron overnight.

The Summit County Medical Examiner's Officer reports a 32-year-old man was found shot following an altercations inside the Adult Entertainment Club on East Archwood Avenue shortly after midnight.

Further details and the victim's identity have not been released.

On early Sunday morning, a 19-year-old man was found with a gunshot wound to the head on Cordova Avenue. Authorities haven't released a possible motive or suspect in the shooting.