Displaying items by tag: Barberton

Babcock and Wilcox Enterprises announced on Monday that they will be moving their headquarters from Charlotte, North Carolina, to Akron, into the former Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company's East End Offices.

There's been no date set for the move, but the Akron Beacon Journal is reporting that it's expected to be finished no later than next summer. 

Employees were notified Monday, while the financial details of the move are expected to be released along with the public company filings. In addition to the move, hundreds of employees are relocating from the Barberton and Copley offices to Akron.

Mayor Bill Judge joined the Ray Horner Morning Show to talk about the impact the move will have on his city. 

UDPATE: Barberton Police have identified the woman whose body was found under a burning mattress Sunday evening just before 8:30 along South Van Buren Street, south of Eastern Road, which is actually about 20 feet from the Barberton city limit.

Barberton Fire was the first on the scene after the call of the mattress fire first came in.

On Monday after an autopsy, the Summit County Coroner's report indicates that 43-year-old Kerri N. Blondheim, whose most recent address was in Massillon, died from "homicidal violence." 

The State Fire Marshal's Office, along with Barberton Police detectives and the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation, are all investigating the case. 

Barberton Police and U.S. Marshals arrested an Akron man in connection to a weekend shooting in Barberton. 

According to reports, police were called to the area of Wooster Road and Sylverster Road in Barberton Saturday night around 9 p.m. for a shooting. Police say it was two groups of people that gathered because of an argument over a woman, whose former boyfriend and current boyfriend were both involved. 

During the altercation, someone opened fire, injuring three people; a 23-year-old man, a 48-year-old man, and a 28-year-old woman. All suffered non-life-threatening injuries. 

After some tips, the Barberton Police and U.S. Marshals arrested Quawlin Mabry, 18, of Akron, in connection to the shooting. 

Update: 12-22-17

The 14 year old Barberton girl who has been missing since December 4th, and has been on the run with her 33 year old convicted felon cousin, has been found.

US Marshals caught up with Analys Clay, and Louis Jakab, when they were spotted at a Cleveland area Denny's restaurant last night. They fled, but were caught after a chase during which Jakab crashed his car, and the couple then tried to escape on foot.

The girl, who is believed to be pregnant by her cousin, who was taken to the hospital as a precaution. But, US Marshal  Pete Elliot, says--she appears to be OK. Jakab, meanwhile, is in custody on previously filed charges, and faces more now.

Update: 12-19-17

US Marshals are still searching nationwide for 14 year old Analys Clay of Barberton, and her 33 year old convicted felon cousin, Louis Jakab. In addition, US Marshal Bill Boldin tells us, they now have a new description of the car they believe Jakob is driving.

While it was first reported as a 2017 Black Audi A-3, with stolen Ohio license plates, Boldin says that now they're looking for a midnight blue, but appears black in color, 2013 Audi A-7, license plate # HED-3844.

Boldin says they believe the Vehicle was stolen by Jakab, during a test-drive from a dealership in Brunswick.

Please see below for more information, and updates that show how this story has unfolded over the past two weeks:

Update: 12-18-17

Update:12:14-17

Akron police have issued an arrest warrant for the mother of the 14 year old Barberton girl who went missing last week, and is with her 33 year old cousin, who is a fugitive now being sought by Federal Marshals. 

Update: 12-11-17

US Marshall's are on the trail of a 33 year old wanted fugitive believed to be on the run with a 14 year old girl from Barberton, and they're offering a reward for information leading to his capture.

Louis Jakab is wanted on felony warrants in 8 different jurisdictions, including parole violation, robbery, fraud, passing bad checks, and receiving stolen property. He also has a past conviction for maslaughter.

Jakab is a white male standing approximately 6 feet 4 inches, weighing approximately 190 pounds, with a shaved head andblue eyes. Clay is a white female standing tall 5 feet 5 inches, weighing 125 pounds with red hair and blue eyes.

Anyone with information concerning any wanted fugitive can contact the Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force at 1-866-4WANTED (1-866-492-6833). You may also anonymously text in a tip by texting the keyword "WANTED" and your tipto TIP411 (847411), or you can send a web tip at the following webpage: http://www.usmarshals.gov/district/ohn/index.html.

See below for more detailed information.

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  US MARSHALS SEEKING ASSISTANCE IN LOCATING MISSING JUVENILE GIRL BELIEVED TO BE WITH WANTED FUGITIVE

Cleveland, Ohio –The Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force is offering a reward for information leading to the capture of fugitive Louis Jakab and the recovery of missing juvenile Annalys Clay.

Jakab, 33 is wanted by the United States Marshals Service on felony warrants in 8 different jurisdictions charging him with interference with custody, robbery, theft, fraud, passing bad checks, and receiving stolen property.
Jakab is also wanted for violating his parole, and he has a prior conviction for manslaughter.

Clay,14 is a reported missing juvenile from Barberton.
On Dec. 4, Helena Clay reported her daughter Annalys missing to the Akron Police Department and believes she is with Louis Jakab.

Helena Clay reported that her daughter is pregnant, and that Jakab, who is her cousin, is believed to be the father.

It is believed that Clay is currently with fleeing fugitive Jakab. They were last seen in a 2017 Black Audi A3, with Ohio license plate HED-3844. The plates had previously been reported as stolen in Cleveland.

Investigators believe that they are still together and have left the State of Ohio.

Jakab is a white male standing approximately 6 feet 4 inches, weighing approximately 190 pounds, with a shaved head andblue eyes. Clay is a white female standing tall 5 feet 5 inches, weighing 125 pounds with red hair and blue eyes.

Anyone with information concerning any wanted fugitive can contact the Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force at 1-866-4WANTED (1-866-492-6833). You may also anonymously text in a tip by texting the keyword "WANTED" and your tipto TIP411 (847411), or you can send a web tip at the following webpage: http://www.usmarshals.gov/district/ohn/index.html.

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According to reports, Annalys was driving with her mother on the highway Sunday, and the two were arguing. During the argument, Annalys reportedly exited the car and got into 33-year-old Louis Jakab's car. Jakab, 33, of North Royalton, was reportedly driving behind Annalys and her mother in a silver Cadillac STS with Ohio license plates HAA8369. 

Reports indicated Annalys was last seen in Barberton with Jakab. 

A warrant has been issued for Jakab on Interference with Custody charges. 

This is not an Amber Alert, but police again believe that Annalys is in danger. Anyone with information is asked to call Akron Police at 330-375-2490. 

The 911 call came in to Norton Police just about 7 p.m. Tuesday; reports of a man with a long rifle standing underneath a covered storage unit at the Barber Road Storage facility in Norton. 

There were no reports of "shots fired" at the time. 

Norton Police, Barberton Police, and the SWAT team comprised of officers from Norton, Barberton, and New Franklin Police departments, arrived within minutes. The suspect, 41-year-old David Michael Havrilek, was there with an assault-style rifle waiting for police and opened fire when they arrived. Police returned fire. The exchange lasted several minutes and Havrilek was injured in the shootout. Police then were able to take him into custody and then he was transported to Akron General Medical Center. 

There is no word yet on the charges Havrilek, an Akron resident, is facing, but he is no stranger to the law. He has a criminal history, including charges for felonious assault and domestic violence, among others. 

Norton Police Chief John D'alessandro said in a press conference following the incident that "the good guys" prevailed Tuesday night. It was Chief D'alessandro's ascertation that Havrilek was attempting to lure responding officers into a wooded area near the storage facility, but officers responded in accordance to their training and did not take the bait. 

Barberton High School and Middle School were placed on lockdown, while the Barberton Sports Complex and two area businesses were evacuated. The all-clear was given and the lockdowns lifter at about 8:37 p.m. 

While the situation was still "active," an Ohio Highway Patrol helicopter was deployed and officers used infrared to confirm that there was not a second suspect. There was no second suspect, just Havrilek. 

Fairlawn-based Signet-Jewelers announced Tuesday that they will be expanding their Barberton fulfillment center. 

In a statement, the company said they'll add another 56,000 square feet to the facility, expanding it to 134,000 square feet. 

"This expansion is vitally important to Signet's continued success and enables us to configure an ideal space to best meet the needs of our business and our Team," said Bryan Morgan, Signet Jewelers' chief operations officer in the press release. "It is an initiative that will further cultivate the growth of Signet as a Company nationwide, as well as in the Barberton area and the entire Greater Akron community."

The Barberton facility will add about 18 new jobs. 

Signet has made headlines for the wrong reasons recently, amid allegations of rampant sexual harassment throughout the company on an executive level. Following the allegations, which came to light late last year, a lawsuit was filed on behalf of stockholders who claim they were mislead on the severity of the harassment claims and told that their stock would not be adversely affected. 

It was. 

In 2015 the company was trading as high as $140.00 a share. Recently, shares for Signet stock have been traded as low as $70, Crain's Akron. 

Dominion East Ohio customers in Barberton may be getting calls in the next few weeks from the company letting them know their gas may have to be turned off for a few hours, and inspections done of gas lines on their property.

That, because the company is starting a $1.84 mmillion dollar project, which will replace nearly 18 thousand feet of bare steel pipeline, with corrosion-resistant, plastic pipe. The project gets underway this week.

Read the press release from Dominion below:

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Dominion East Ohio is investing $1.84 million this summer in Barberton to replace 17,935 feet of bare steel pipeline -- with corrosion-resistant, medium-density plastic pipe. The work area includes East State and 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th streets, and Grace, Homewood, Grandview, Fairview, Taft, Wilson, Harding and Highland avenues. Construction is scheduled to begin March 13, with completion scheduled for July 1, weather permitting.

The pipelines slated for replacement were originally installed between 1926 and 1955. The project is part of Dominion East Ohio’s overall Pipeline Infrastructure Replacement program, launched in mid-2008. The $4 billion, 25-year project will involve the eventual replacement of more than 5,500 miles of the company’s 22,000-mile pipeline system.

During construction, the company or its contractors will need to turn off natural gas service to 308 customers for a short time, generally one to three hours, for replacing service lines. The service lines connect the Dominion main line to the customer’s home or business. As part of PIR, Dominion will assume responsibility for the service line, which formerly had been a customer responsibility.

The company will attempt to notify affected customers 24 to 48 hours prior to this to arrange access. The company may need to perform additional work at customers’ homes or businesses, at no charge, including:
· Inspecting and testing any interior service lines
· Verifying the reading on an inside meter
· Replacing the service line, which delivers natural gas from the main line to the gas meter
· Changing the gas meter

Dominion East Ohio personnel, or a qualified contractor working for Dominion East Ohio, will relight customer appliances once work is complete. If a problem is discovered with any of the house lines, which run from the gas meter to the natural gas appliances, it is the responsibility of the property owner to have the repairs made by a qualified plumber or contractor.

Once the work is complete, restoration will begin as soon as weather permits, including sidewalks, driveways and approaches. Typical yard restoration is limited to grading and seeding.

Dominion will post informational signs in the area where work is being performed. Further details will be available online at www.dom.com, keyword: Pipeline Replacement, and by calling Dominion, toll-free, at 1-800-362-7557, between 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Mondays through Fridays. Customer also may send questions by e-mail to Dominion’s Ohio Construction Support Department at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Dominion is one of the nation’s largest producers and transporters of energy, with a portfolio of approximately 26,400 megawatts of generation, 15,000 miles of natural gas transmission, gathering and storage pipeline, and 6,600 miles of electric transmission lines. Dominion operates one of the nation’s largest natural gas storage systems with 1 trillion cubic feet of storage capacity and serves more than 6 million utility and retail energy customers. For more information about Dominion, visit the company’s website at www.dom.com.

Brought To You By Hiram College 
WEEK 9

126 people are being laid off at Babcock & Wilcox's Summit County operations, and the company says you can blame lower coal generation.

B&W spokesman Ryan Cornell tells WAKR.net that the company will reduce its workforce by 113 people in Barberton and 13 people in Copley.

The layoffs affect nearly 13 percent of the Summit County B&W workforce.

And those reductions locally are a large part of the over 200 people being laid off throughout B&W's operations.

Cornell says that B&W is in the "energy technology business", and says the coal generation market will continue to drop, and that drop is happening faster than expected.

After the layoffs, B&W will employ 737 people in Barberton, and 120 people in Copley.

The city of Barberton says the layoff news came as a surprise, and said there was no indication of workforce reduction when city officials talked with B&W as recently as last week.

Barberton mayor Bill Judge says his office will do whatever it can to help families impacted by a job loss.

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(Babcock & Wilcox, news release) Babcock & Wilcox Enterprises, Inc. (B&W) (NYSE:BW) today announced actions to proactively restructure its traditional power business in advance of a lower projection for U.S. coal generation and has updated guidance for 2016 to reflect:

* The net impact of the restructuring and decreased coal-related revenue in the second half of 2016.
* A charge to correct an engineering design error on a new build renewable energy plant in Europe. The resulting re-engineering, on-site rework and delivery delay will result in a $32 million pretax charge in the quarter and a full-year ($0.51) EPS impact.
* The shift of $38 million in 2016 expected revenue from a Canadian oil sands project that was delayed due to the impact of the Fort McMurray fires.

Revised earnings guidance for adjusted EPS is now $0.63 to $0.83, primarily due to the effects of the renewable energy project and the timing shift of the Canadian oil sands project. The restructuring savings largely offset the impact of expected lower coal-related revenue. Revenue guidance remains unchanged at $1.8 billion as the incremental revenue from the SPIG acquisition, which is anticipated to close early in Q3, is expected to approximately offset the other revenue impacts.

Traditional Power Business Restructuring

B&W is restructuring its traditional power business that serves coal-fired power generation to reduce overhead and improve efficiency in response to projections that coal utilization, particularly in the U.S., will decline faster than previously forecast. The new organizational structure includes a redesign of workflow for its North American-based coal power generation resources to provide an effective, flexible organization that can adapt to the changing market conditions.

As part of these changes, B&W will eliminate over 200 positions in North America immediately and undertake other cost-savings measures across the enterprise. The company also expects additional facility consolidations in the coming year.

Severance expenses and other costs over the next 12 months will be approximately $55 to $60 million, of which approximately $30 million are non-cash and include the write-down of B&W's one coal power plant and deferred tax assets related to the India manufacturing joint venture and various state net operating loss carryforwards. These savings are expected to allow the coal business to hold gross margins constant in the coming years despite the expected decline in volume.

B&W is consolidating aftermarket and global new build activities for coal-fired generation into one segment that will be led by Mark Low, Senior Vice President of the new Power segment. All renewable energy projects, including the B&W Vølund subsidiary, will be consolidated into another segment, led by Paul Scavuzzo, Senior Vice President of the new Renewable segment. This new structure will allow for a Power segment focus on efficiency and support for our traditional customer base while the Renewable segment focuses solely on renewable project execution and worldwide growth.

"We have reduced the size of our organization that supports the coal market by roughly 20% and restructured how we support this market," said E. James Ferland, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "These changes will allow us to continue to provide outstanding service to our customers and maintain solid profit margins in our power business despite an expected 15-20% reduction in U.S coal customers' demand for our parts and services by 2017 or 2018."

European Renewable Energy Project

During construction, B&W self-discovered a deficiency in the piping design of one of our renewable waste to energy projects. The correction requires engineering and then physical rework. B&W is working closely with our customer to minimize any delays and ensure the delivery of a high-quality facility that meets or exceeds all performance guarantees. "Our B&W Vølund subsidiary has completed 25 projects in the last ten years," said Ferland. "Of those projects, 23 out of 25 were profitable, and significant project improvements were achieved due to good execution. We believe this is an isolated issue and have performed reviews to ensure this piping design issue is not present in the other projects."

Overall Strategy

"B&W remains focused on executing our strategy," continued Ferland. "We are taking early action to ensure the coal-related business remains profitable in a challenging market while we grow our renewable energy business and diversify our portfolio through acquisition. We expect to close the SPIG acquisition early in the third quarter and continue to believe the revenue synergies for our combined businesses will provide significant upside. In addition, we plan to leverage our strong balance sheet and focus on diversification which we believe will provide increased value for our investors."

(City of Barberton, news release) Today, Babcock & Wilcox (B&W) announced a reduction in the workforce at their Barberton Location. Mayor Judge and his administration previously met with B&W's CEO and leadership team and more recently reached out to B&W just last week, yet there was no discussion related to workforce reduction. As with any workforce reduction, the impact to the local economy will be detrimental to the City budget and, most importantly, the employee and their household. As always, the City is dedicated in assisting local businesses in economic challenges. Mayor Judge's office is always open to any organization or individual seeking assistance or looking for an opportunity in our community. Mayor Judge stated, "I understand the difficulty created by any workforce reduction and my administration will reach out to B&W in order to offer assistance to affected employees. B&W continues to play an important role in our community and we look forward to continuing our relationship with them. Over the years, the City has faced similar challenges and I'm confident our continued efforts toward economic development will create positive impacts."

One person was arrested for OVI and just under a dozen others were arrested on other charges during Friday's sobriety checkpoints in Barberton.

The Summit County OVI Task Force reports one person was busted for OVI, but eight others were arrested for driving under suspension and another is facing a meth charge.

More than 400 vehicles passed through the checkpoints on 31st Street and Wooster Road.

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(Summit County OVI Task Force - News Release) On Friday May 20th 2016, the Summit County OVI Task Force conducted two sobriety checkpoints in the City of Barberton.

The first checkpoint was conducted at 98 31st Street:

262- Vehicles passed through the checkpoint in total

15- Vehicles were directed into the diversion area for further investigation or violations

01- Person was arrested for OVI

02- People were arrested for driving under suspension

02- Vehicles were impounded

The second checkpoint was conducted at 939 Wooster Road North:

149- Vehicles passed through the checkpoint in total

18- Vehicles were directed into the diversion area for further investigation or violations

06- People were arrested for driving under suspension

01- Person was arrested for misdemeanor possession of drugs

01- Person was arrested on a felony warrant

01- Person was arrested for felony possession of Methamphetamine

03- Vehicles were impounded

The BAC result for the sole individual who provided a breath sample was .096.

Barberton officials say it's OK to use the water again, after a boil alert lasting a day and a half has been lifted.

All water use for Barberton water customers can return to normal, according to an alert sent by the city Thursday afternoon.

The Barberton and Norton schools were closed all day Wednesday and Thursday while a water main break was repaired, and the system was being returned to normal operation.

(Previous coverage) A big water main break in Barberton since overnight into Wednesday morning is still causing some problems.

Barberton water customers are still on a boil alert, as the repair of the broken 24 inch water main from the city's water treatment plant continues.

Mayor Bill Judge says that even after the break is fixed, they'll have to test the system.

"Once you pressurize the system, the potential for other issues after a break of this magnitude could arise," Judge tells WAKR.net, "so we're taking as many precautions as possible to make sure that the residents and businesses are safe."

Not only is the boil alert likely to be in effect until sometime Thursday afternoon, the Barberton and Norton school districts will also be closed again today.

The cases involving the mother and grandmother who are accused of supplying a deadly dose of heroin to a teenager are heading to the grand jury on Tuesday, April 19.

Mother Heather Frye and grandmother Brenda Frye are being charged with involuntary manslaughter, among other charges for the death of 16-year-old Andrew Frye who died of an apparent overdose in a Green Hotel room last week.

They appeared via video arraignment at a Barberton Municipal Court hearing on Wednesday.

Heather's sister Misty Frye told WAKR.net that it's all been a mistake.

"I don't think anything was intentionally done, we all know somebody is going to serve time out of this."

Like her mother and sister, Misty Frye also struggles with drug addiction but now says she is two years sober but it is hard to get clean without the right tools.

"If you dont have the tools you dont know no other way of life," Misty said. "I finally got those tool and I think they both need some rehab and need to sit down for a little bit."

In a related case, Judge David Fish reduced the bond of family friend Jessica Irons from $100,000 to $30,000 and ordered her to check into rehab.

Irons is being charged with drug possesion and tampering with evidence.

The accident involving an SUV and a train in Barberton left one person dead this morning.

The Summit County Medical Examiner's Office reports the driver of the SUV drove around other vehicles and the lowered railroad crossing gate on West Waterloo Road near Wooster Road.

The SUV was then struck by the oncoming train.

The driver was pronounced dead at the scene.

He's identified by Barberton Police and the Medical Examiner's Office as 51 year-old Anthony Nichols of Canton.

Police say the SUV he drove was behind two other cars at the crossing with the gate down, when he drove around those cars - trying to cross the tracks with the gate down.

Barberton police tell WAKR.net that West Waterloo Road opened again after being closed in the morning.

Rob Winebrenner, father of slain Akron police officer Justin Winebrenner, said he has forgiven the man who took his son away from him.

"I said I can forgive him so I can move on. I wish it didn't happen that night. I wish he would gone home and stayed home, but what happened happened; I can't change that."

Family and friends of Justin Winebrenner paid tribute to the man they all knew on the eve of the 1-year anniversary of his death at Barberton High School on Sunday.

Rob Winebrenner said on a day they will release balloons into the air in his son's honor would not be a sad day, but a day to reflect on the amount of good Justin did for a number of people.

"Inside, yes, we're sad. We are mad, but I think on the outside it's more of remembering him and moving on and looking forward and seeing the things he did left behind in peoples minds."

Kenan Ivery killed Justin Winebrenner on November 16th 2015 at Papa Don's Pub, after they got into an argument that led to Ivery being kicked out of the bar.

Ivery was sentenced to life without parole for the murder of Winebrenner.

Joel Green, a childhood friend of Justin's, said he will always remember his smile and will always remember him as a caring person. Green said he knows Winebrenner was there with them Sunday.

"We know he is looking down today," Green said. "We couldn't have more beautiful weather today and I think if Justin was standing here today, he would smile."

Ohio Representative Greta Johnson was in attendance and played a big part in naming a portion of the highway along US Route 224 after Winebrenner. Johnson said Winebrenner died helping others.

"Justin was a helper and he died doing what helpers do."

She said riding on the highway named after Justin gives her a daily reminder of the man he was and what it means to be a helper as an elected official.

"I carry him with me and all helpers in the job that I do. His highway sign welcomes me home from every trip everyday to Columbus."

Scott Snyder, founder of the non-profit organization Hero's Rock, presented Justin Winebrenner's daughter Charlee the "CrimeDawg" Rocker that is a replica of the car Winebrener drove as an Akron police officer.

"We created the crime dog for Charlee [Justin Winebrenner's daughter] to reflect Justin's service to his community and who he was."

Snyder and his wife Trish founded Hero's Rock after they learned about a soldier being killed in Afghanistan, a week after learning he was going to be a father.

From pulling a person from a burning car to buying a four-wheeler for a young boy who had his stolen, Snyder said Justin gave his life for others.

"A policeman's motto is to protect and serve. Justin lived by these words on and off the job."

Over 50-100 balloons were let off into the air and many people clapped in celebration, before heading to Green Diamond Grille to watch the Cleveland Browns take on the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Rob Winebrenner said it is a great show of support to see how many people came out to honor his son. He told the crowd before leaving it's because of them he is able to go on.

"Its because of you, each of you. I am able to stand tall."

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.