Two years ago, the city of Akron welcomed LeBron James back home. On Monday, the second homecoming came with a championship.
Hundreds of fans lined up along Crystal Lake Road near the home of the MVP -- and quickly surrounded his vehicle as the song "I'm Coming Home" blared through the speakers.
"That championship last night was for everyone here in Northeast Ohio," said LeBron as he briefly stepped outside to address the crowd.
It's been a long couple of days for the King -- so it was just a few words to express his emotions as he met with hundreds of fans chanting MVP.
"I'm so tired. I haven't slept at all. I'm going to take a long nap. But before that, I just always want you guys to remember that I'm just a kid from Akron, Ohio."
It was a message that left many of fans with goosebumps.
"It's very rare that you get someone from your hometown as exquisite as that," said Josh Dickey. "We get to be here and witness it first-hand, present day."
The memorable even left Josh and Erin Dickey considering naming their unborn child after the King.
"We'll have to make a game-time decision when the baby comes," said Erin.
"Just a kid from Akron."
LeBron James will always be "a kid from Akron," but those who share his hometown feel differently. He's the kid from Akron who led his basketball team to an NBA title -- ending Cleveland's 52-year sports drought.
Inside St. Vincent - St. Mary High School, hundreds of fans came out to watch LeBron and his teammates capture the NBA title inside the Lebron James Arena.
"I'm completely speechless. I love that he said he's bringing the trophy home," said Stacey Hentosz.
Emotions were high inside the same court where LeBron made headlines as a young superstar. One man fell to his knees to reveal an emotional celebration following the win and LeBron being named Most Valuable Player.
Willie McGee, SVSM athletic director and LeBron's former high school teammate, said it was only fitting to hold a watch party at LeBron's alma mater. McGee said LeBron has given back a lot to the community and it was the community's turn to offer support.
Akron police are investigating two separate "smash and grab" incidents that happened overnight.
The first incident was reported at a BP gas station in the 1600 block of Copley Road where a vehicle backed into the building's front doors. Several cartons of cigarettes were stolen from the store.
About an hour later, a similar incident happened at the Ohio and Cash Drive Thru in the 700 block of South Arlington Street. A vehicle was driven into the garage door.
The suspects got away with some cash and -- once again -- several cartons of cigarettes.
Some local communities have faced the issue of poor access to fresh and affordable food. It's a problem the Akron Public School District is well aware of, which is why they have created a summer event to educate families on how to purchase and cook a fresh meal.
"We know that our community has a need for increasing the access to quality, fresh fruits and vegetables at affordable costs," said Carla Sibley, director of community relations.
The two-event, "From Fast to Fresh" program will give families a chance to visit local farmers markets and learn how to prepare healthy meals on a budget.
"We have food deserts in our community and we also know that many of our families suffer from illnesses and health conditions that are often times related to what they eat."
Sibley calls the program a link between a healthy lifestyle and quality education.
The first event will take place on Thursday, June 16 at the Akron Summit County Public Library in Highland Square. Families will take a tour of the Countryside Farmer's Market and Mustard Seed Market & Cafe.
Guest will also tour the newly opened Hattie's Food Hub on Douglas Street in Akron on July 14.
More information can be found on the district's website at www.akronschools.com
A fatal crash left one person dead and three others injured in Coventry Township early Wednesday morning.
The Summit County Sheriff's Office reports an SUV went off the right side of the roadway and struck the Swartz Road bridge on I-77 northbound.
A 74-year-old Elyria man, a passenger in the vehicle was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver and two passengers were taken to Akron area hospitals by the Coventry Fire Department. Deputies said the driver and one passenger were listed in critical condition.
The third passenger was treated for non-life threatening injuries.
The crash is currently under investigation by the Summit County Sheriff's Crash Team.
Authorities say speed and alcohol do not appear to be factors in the crash at this point.
"Don't be alone."
That's the message from the LGBT Community Center of Greater Cleveland following Sunday's mass shooting in Orlando that left 49 victims dead. The center is opening its doors today for those looking for supportive and healing services.
"We just wanted to ensure that the community knew that they are not alone and they don't have to process or observe their feelings in a vacuum." said Maya Simek, director of programs.
Staff will be available for counseling and the center will be open through 8 p.m. on Monday for those seeking resources and a safe place to process the events.
"Being able to talk and process about what you're feeling when you're safety is, again, called into question, I think is important for people to know they have the ability to do so in a safe space."
For those who can't make it out to today's programs, Simek says the community center will help to direct them to local services and counselors.
The Community AIDS Network Akron Pride Initiative (CANAPI)is also offering help for those in need of support services. More information can be found on www.canapi.org.
Summit County Executive Russ Pry has been diagnosed with cancer following a routine colonoscopy.
A news release states that a CT scan "indicates the tumor has not spread beyond his colon and is not Stage 4."
Pry is scheduled for Laparoscopic surgery Tuesday, June 14. The recovery period is expected to last over the next six weeks and Pry is scheduled to return to work on Aug. 1.
"I would like to encourage those who are due for a colonoscopy to do it now, early detection is extremely important," Pry stated in a news release. "I am grateful for my doctors and for the exceptional medical care - we are lucky to have outstanding hospitals and medical professionals in our County."
Chief of Staff Jason Dodson will take over the day-to-day operations for the time being.
After recent reports of fake tickets popping up for the NBA Finals game, Ohio Attorney General Mike Dewine is warning fans to pay extra close attention.
Dewine said in most cases, people bought the tickets on Craigslist but didn't get anything in return. Some cases also included scammers who printed out counterfeit tickets.
The Attorney General's Office recomends fans to "be skeptical" when they come across an offer that appears to good to be true.
North Canton police say they arrested an armed man who was allegedly planning to kill people at a local bar Thursday night.
According to police, authorities were notified that a man had a weapon and planned to kill people at a bar while sitting in a vehicle in a Wilbur Drive NE parking lot around 11:25 p.m.
Officers say they found Michael P. Bianchi, 29, of Uniontown, with several loaded firearms and knives, wearing a bulletproof vest and black camouflage makeup on his face. He was taken into custody without incident and booked at the Stark County Jail.
Bianchi has been charged with carrying a concealed weapons and improperly handling a firearm in a motor vehicle.
It's not the first time Habitat for Humanity of Summit County has handed the keys to a new home to a family, but this one offers the organization a different perspective.
"This is our first refugee settlement family that was referred to us by the International Institute [of Akron] to apply for the program," said President and CEO Rochelle Sibbio.
Staff members, volunteers and sponsors filled the Hollibaugh Avenue home Thursday morning to join the dedication ceremony where Sibbio handed out the key to the new home to C Mawia, his wife, and three children. The family came to America from Burma (also known as Myanmar) in 2009.
"I left my home, but right now God give it to me, again," said Mawia. "A new house."
More than 100 volunteers contributed over 2,000 hours to build the home for the family of five.
"Them having a chance to bring their family members here to show them what they have done, the American Dream, they're now able to have a part of that.
Sibbio said the organization is currently working with five refugee families.
In Summit County, Habitat for Humanity has built 198 homes in its 30 year history.