Displaying items by tag: Fairlawn

(University of Akron) - More than 100 local youth will team up with police officers representing The University of Akron, Akron City, Copley Township, Fairlawn, Bath Township, Summa Health and the Summit County Sheriff’s Department to enjoy ‘Christmas with a Cop’ this Saturday, Dec. 15, 2018.

Referred by local school districts, these youngsters will have the opportunity to enjoy a ride to Fairlawn in a cruiser, complete with lights and sirens, where they will enjoy a hearty breakfast before embarking on a $100 shopping spree at the Walmart in Fairlawn.

Officers have been raising money for the event since September by selling raffle tickets.

Officer Pamela Helmick, a 21-year veteran of The University of Akron Police Department, looks forward to the event each year. “Giving back to the community is important, and I am so happy that I get to be part of it,” she said. “It’s wonderful to spend time with the kids and see the excitement this event brings to them.”

While participants are encouraged to shop for gifts for themselves, many often prefer to purchase gifts for family members in need. “It is heartwarming to see how much they want to help their own family,” Helmick said. “We always have some extra gift cards on hand to make sure they can still buy something for themselves.”

A scary situation for an 18-year-old girl shopping for prom at Summit Mall on Monday.

The St. Vincent-St. Mary High School Senior says she was shopping when she was approached by a pair of men, one of whom asked her if she had a boyfriend and grabbed her hand to pull her closer to him. She says the man, who spoke with a thick accent according to the girl, asked to walk her to her car and then flashed her some cash, offering her money in exchange for a kiss.

Fairlawn Police investigated and no criminal charges were filed as the girl wasn't harmed. The two men were traced to a hair-product kiosk out of South Park Mall in Strongsville. 

After the incident, the girl posted about it on social media. The story went viral and other local girls say they've had similar experiences with the same men. 

A fire reported at a Copley Township hotel early this morning left one person dead and another injured.

Copley firefighters and police were called out to Hawthorn Suites on Montrose West Avenue where an active fire was found and extinguished.

One person died at the scene and another person was taken to Akron General Hospital with serious burns. The names of the victims are being withheld pending family notification.

Investigators are still trying to determine the cause of the blaze. Further details were not released.