Fire investigators are still trying to determine the cause of an explosion that killed a family of four Monday night in Northfield.

The Summit County Sheriff's Office reports the bodies of two adults and two children were recovered by first responders when they arrived on scene to the home on Skyhaven Road around 9 p.m.

Fire Chief Frank Risko tells NewsChannel 5 that a mother, father and two girls, ages 8 and 12, died instantly inside the home. 

The cause of the fire is not known, but officials do not believe it was a gas explosion.

Additional counselors will be available today at the Nordonia School District.

The wind chill is pushing temperatures below zero in the Akron area -- prompting a local shelter to issue a "Code Zero" alert.

Haven of Rest has issued a "Code Zero" Alert to remind those in need that the shelter is open 24/7. The shelter will be open for guests looking for a place to get warm -- and for those interested in a meal or simply a hot cup of coffee.

Since the start of the New Year, Haven of Rest Ministries has noticed an increase in the amount of people seeking shelter -- and that number is expected to climb with temperatures in the teens and the wind chill forcing that number below zero.

Click here for more information.

Gas prices continue to fall as the new year moves forward. In the past week, gas prices have dropped more than a nickel in the past week in the Akron area, bringing the average price of a gallon of gas to $1.86, according to GasBuddy.com.

And it appears drivers will enjoy the benefits for months to come.

"By and large, at the end of the year, if you were to add up your receipts you'll find that you'll be spending about 10 to 12 cents less a gallon than you were last year." said Senior Petroleum analyst Patrick DeHaan.

DeHaan said prices in 2016 are expected to stay under $3 per gallon -- with the exception of areas in the West Coast. Even with possible refinery issues and the switch to "winter-blend," DeHaan doesn't expect the average price of gas to reach above $3.

After Macy's announced that it would be closing dozens of stores, including the one at Chapel Hill Mall, three more stores at the shopping mall are saying goodbye.

The Beacon Journal reports Old Navy, Express and Aeropostale will be closing its doors. A sign at the Old Navy store says it will close on Jan. 26. An employee told the newspaper that Express and Aeropostale will be closing, but did not say when.

Earlier this week, Macy's announces it will close 36 stores due to "cost-efficiency measures." Clearance sales at the stores that are scheduled to close will start on Monday, and last "eight to twelve weeks".

On the web: www.ohio.com

Previous Coverage: 

Macy's Closing At Chapel Hill Mall

An investigation is underway after human remains were discovered on a sidewalk in Akron. 

According to Akron police, officers responded to a call after someone reportedly found a human skull on the sidewalk in the 1300 block of Marcy Street shortly after 3 p.m. The remains were located and removed by the Summit County Medical Examiner's Office. 

A forensic anthropolgist is expected to process the crime scene Saturday during daylight hours. The scene will be secured by officers overnight.

Further details have not been released.

A 29-year-old woman was killed in an early morning crash in Lake Township.

Troopers with the Canton Post of the State Highway Patrol report that Sarah Ullom, 29, of North Canton, drove off the left side of Cleveland Avenue in Lake Township shortly before 2 a.m. The vehicle hit a wooden utility pole and then struck a parked car.

Ullom was taken from the scene by Greentown Fire to Mercy Medical Center where she later died of her injuries.

Troopers do not believe alcohol or drugs were a factor in the crash and said Ullom was wearing her seat belt.

Half a dozen residents at a local correctional facility was taken to the hospital after suspected drug overdoses late Tuesday night. Oriana House officials say two men at the Summit County Community Based Correctional Facility (CBCF) were treated and released, but four men are still being evaluated. Officials report the residents' symptoms indicate that the drug involved in the overdoses were linked to synthetic marijuana, also known as K2. But officials note that the chemical make-up of K2 constantly changes -- making it difficult to test.

Officials say as a result of the incidents, Oriana House staff members have "restricted the movement of all the clients at the Summit County CBCF, allowing residents to leave only for approved employment and medical appointments."

Full searches will be conducted in the facilities and
enhanced pat downs" are being implemented as well.

In a news release, Executive Vice President Bernie Rochford stated:

"We constantly monitor our clients and our facilities to take every effort to keep drugs out of our programs. But like many jails and prisons that have recently reported overdoses, Oriana House is a community based program and is not immune to drugs getting into our facilities."

Local authorities are investigating the incidents.

U.S. Marshals have named an Akron man in this month's "Dangerous Dozen" list of most wanted fugitives in the area.

The Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force is searching for Michael Ayers who is wanted for a Roslyn Avenue shooting in late September that left a 26-year-old man with serious injuries. The victim spent more than a month in a hospital.

Ayers is also wanted for parole violations stemming from an unrelated felonious assault conviction.

There's a new president of Akron City Council, but it's not a name many expected. Ward 8's Marilyn Keith was named council's new leader by a 7-6 vote.

"Sometime we have to do things that aren't always comfortable, so I realized that now is the time that I have to step up to the plate and do something that I hadn't intended to do," said Keith.

Council was divided between Bob Hoch and Linda Omobien for council president, but it was Keith who then stepped forward as a new candidate.

There have been past conflicts between council members and the administration. Keith says she'll make an effort to address issues immediately, but also notes that it doesn't mean that conflict disappears.

"I can't guarantee that it won't happen, but I can guarantee that I won't add to it, nor will I, in any way, support it."

Keith said healthy communication and working together are her top priorities as she moves into the new position.

There was a potential conflict that was brought up during the meeting. Keith's husband is council clerk Bob Keith. Council president supervises the clerk's position, which could become a problem, but a possible solution would be to hand over the responsibility to someone else.

Project Blue Light is moving closer to reaching its goal in Summit County to distribute 10,000 blue lights in honor of service members in the community.

Rob Winebrenner, the father of fallen Akron police officer Justin Winebrenner, launched the project in November.

"We have more people that want the bulbs, than we have bulbs," said Winebrenner.

More than 3,000 light bulbs have been handed out across Summit County since the launch of the project in November. Winebrenner said it's not hard to see the community's support.

"As you drive around Barberton, it's amazing. There's a lot of [blue lights] in the Akron area. I've shipped them off to Warren and other states."

Winebrenner doesn't have any plans to stop -- even after his goal is reached.

"It's been working out very well. Enough to keep it going and keep us ordering our next thousand."

A benefit will be held at the Funny Stop Comedy Club in Cuyahoga Falls Wednesday night. The proceeds will go to Project Blue Light.

Previous Coverage: 

Father Of Fallen Akron Cop Launches Blue Light Project