This week, we're taking a look at what is possibly THE most significant Cybersecurity issue--ever--and what's being done about it, some cutting edge medical technology out of the University of Akron, what social media providers are doing to protect users from horrible, graphic videos, and new guidelines for using drones to fight crime.
Editor's note: A previous version omitted the names of Connie Pillich and Scott Schertzer.
Summit County Common Pleas Court has partnered with Greenleaf Family Center, to provides addiction and mental health assessments for low-risk criminal offenders, in an effort to steer them into intervention and recovery--instead of jail.
Judge Amy Corrigall Jones explains, ""If you address the underlying issues, albeit drugs and alcohol, mental illness, or intellectual disabilities; ultimately, you're going to reduce recidivism, poor decision making, and reduce crime. In the end, that will save our taxpayers money".
Medina County has agreed to issue construction permits for the NEXUS natural gas pipeline, in exchange for the pipeline company agreeing to put up $6.5 million dollars in bonds, that will cover the county for road and bridge repairs.
Medina Gazette reporting county officials say they'll only need to dip into that bond fund, if damage caused by heavy pipeline trucks and machinery isn't done within 48 hours of when they're first reported.
Construction on the pipeline, which will run from Ohio up to Canada, hasn't started in Medina County yet, though it has started on a compressor station in Guilford Township.
The Stow Fire Department says they still don't know what caused the Wendy's on Graham Road to burn to the ground last night.
Firefighters from Cuyahoga Falls, Hudson, and Monroe Falls helped battle the flames for eight hours last night, but were hampered by the cold weather and icy conditions.
No one was hurt, but the building was a total loss.
Ohio Secretary of State John Husted is in Washington today, where the US Supreme Court is hearing oral arguments on whether or not it was legal for his office to purge voter rolls of the names of people who hadn't voted in a few years, and who couldn't be found to confirm their home addresses.
Husted contends it was legal, opponents claim it was not. Now it's up to the Supreme Court to decide.
The city of Akron is keeping three community centers open later than usual through the holiday weekend, to help people who need somewhere warm to stay.
They are Mason Park, Patterson Park, and Summit Lake community centers--all staying open until 10 PM, because of the cold weather--even on New Year's Eve, and New Year's Day.
Also, Haven of Rest reminds anyone who is homeless, and needs a place to stay, that they're open 24/7, and available for shelter during cold weather. Haven of Rest is located at 175 East Market Street in Downtown Akron.
The Coventry Township woman who is alleged to have killed her husband, then to have lived in her home with pieces of his dismembered body in bags and boxes, for months---has been indicted on four felony charges.
49 year old Marcia Eubank of Linda Street, is charged with Aggravated murder, murder, tampering with evidence, and abuse of a corpse, in connection with the death of her husband, 54 year old Howard Eubank.
She'll be arraigned on the charges next Friday, January 5th, and is currently being held in the Summit County Jail.
Summit County is suing 11 drug manufacturers and 3 distributors for their part in creating the opiod epidemic that has killed over a thousand people in our area over the past 5 years. 21 other communities and government agencies have joined in the suit as well, including Akron, Barberton, Cuyahoga Falls, Norton, and Green.
Summit County Executive, Ilene Shapiro, says county will spend a quarter of a billion dollars on dealing with the issue over a ten years, and although they are asking for monetary compensation; it's about more than just that. "We want these practices to stop", she says.
The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children is asking the public's help to find missing 16-year-old Jordan Lindsey of Tallmadge.
She was last seen December 16th. Reports indicate she may be riding in a black, 2009 Hyundaie Sonata with Ohio plates DZV-2645 that has a Miami Dolphins plate cover.
Lindsey's 5 foot, 7, about 160 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes. She also wears glasses. Anyone with info is asked to call Tallmadge Police.