Displaying items by tag: Akron

Metro RTA has announced some changes to the upcoming Fall schedule, including the removal of the stop at Summit Mall from the Route 1 bus schedule. Kris Lilgeblad, Planning and Development Director at Metro RTA, says the removal of the stop makes sense and has been in the works for a while. "It will speed up our service, make it more reliable, and it will be cheaper, in the long run, for everybody," Lileblad tells 1590 WAKR.

One addition Metro RTA is making is a new Downtown Shuttle that will run between the downtown transit center and the University of Akron campus through downtown Akron. The route was previously operated by the University, and Lilgeblad says with Metro in charge of the route, there will be more frequent stops, including every 10 minutes between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. beginning Sunday, August 21st. Lilgeblad contends this will be much more convenient for downtown workers and even University of Akron students.

You can see more of the changes to Metro routes at AkronMetro.org.  

If you're looking for a good place to get your grub on while mixing in a lot of family-friendly fun, look no further than Lock 3 for this weekend's 11th Annual National Hamburger Festival. 

The founder of the event, Drew Cerza, says in the 11th year of the festival, they're always looking for ways to keep it engaging and entertaining for burger revelers. In addition to the usual burger-eating contest, bobbing for burgers, and live music, this year's event will feature the Buckeye Brewfest. The new addition will showcase the best efforts of 10 Ohio-based breweries on Sunday, the last day of the event. 

During a media preview event on Tuesday at Canal Park, where Akron Mayor Dan Horrigan kicked off the event, saying the family-friendly event has become a staple in Akron and continues to draw people to the area after 11 years. 

The event kicks off this Saturday, August 13th, from noon until 11 p.m. and again on Sunday, August 14th, from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. 

See more on the festival, including a list of restaurants, vendors, events and acts, on the official National Hamburger Festival website. 

ODOT has released a statement Monday afternoon saying ramp work will begin Tuesday morning, and with it closures throughout the Central Interchange. 

Ramp construction had been delayed a week because the contractor tasked with doing so had not gotten the construction signs in place with time enough ahead of the scheduled construction. 

Despite the setback, Justin Chesnic with ODOT tells 1590 WAKR that the same contractor has completed the work needed on their end and they are ready to go. Below is the official release from ODOT: 

Monday, August 8, 2016

Interstate 76 in the City of Akron

(Tuesday, August 9 – until further notice)

The following lane restriction and ramp closures will occur by Tuesday morning, August 9, at 6 a.m.

• I-76 between Grant St. and Inman St. will be reduced to two lanes in each direction.
• The ramp from I-77 northbound to I-76 westbound will be CLOSED. The detour will be I-277 westbound to I-76/Kenmore Leg eastbound.
• The ramp from SR 8 southbound to I-77 northbound/I-76 westbound will be CLOSED. The detour will be I-77 southbound to I-277 westbound to I-76/Kenmore Leg eastbound.

(Wednesday, August 10 – until further notice)

Beginning Wednesday, morning, August 10, at 6 a.m.., the ramp from I-76 eastbound to I-77 southbound will be CLOSED through late November for bridge removal. The detour will be I-76/Kenmore Leg westbound to I-277 eastbound to I-77 southbound. This work is part of a $15.6 million project to remove three bridge on I-76/I-77 over Johnston St. The project also includes the relocation of Johnston St. between Spicer St. and Brown St. The entire project is scheduled to be completed by late July 2017.

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The Ohio Department of Transportation maintains the state's largest man-made asset--the transportation system. ODOT's mission is to provide the safe and easy movement of people and goods from place to place. As a $2.8 billion per year enterprise, ODOT invests the bulk of its resources in system preservation through maintenance, construction and snow and ice operations.

“The environmental review, consultation, and other actions required by applicable Federal environmental laws for this project are being, or have been, carried-out by ODOT pursuant to 23 U.S.C. 327 and a Memorandum of Understanding dated December 11, 2015, and executed by FHWA and ODOT.”

Follow our coverage of the story with the last update from WAKR.net. 

Willie S. Hicks, III has been sentenced to 18-years-to-life in prison after entering a guilty plea in the shooting death of Lentheric Caldwell back in January of 2016. 

The shooting happened at the Hi-De-Ho Lounge on Vernon Odom Boulevard in Akron. Witnesses say 44-year-old Hicks entered the bar, pulled out a gun, and then shot the 39-year-old Caldwell in the chest. Hicks fled the scene, but was caught up with by police shortly after.

Hicks entered a guilty plea to one count of murder and one firearm specific violation. In court, it is reported that Hicks took responsibility for the crime and apologized to Caldwell's family. He was sentenced by Summit County Common Pleas Court Judge Scot Stevenson to 15-years-to-life for the murder charge and an additional 3 years on the firearm violation.  

Heroin continues to dominate the topic of discussions in Akron after hundreds of overdoses were reported in the area over the past month.

In the past two years, Adam Hayes of Akron says he has lost over 30 friends to heroin. Hayes hopes to be part of the solution to the heroin epidemic and raise awareness in the community. That's why he's helping to organize an "Call to Action" event in downtown Akron Tuesday night.

"I got involved because of all the friends I have lost and also because want to do something positive and be a positive role model for my son and my daughter," said Hayes.

Hayes hopes the event will not only raises awareness, but also focus on the ways to create more space at treatment facilities and provide training on administering the drug naloxone save the lives of heroin overdose victims. Hayes was inspired by Billy Pfaff, of Massachusetts, who is the founder of the non-profit anti-heroin organization Heroin is Killing My Town.

Pfaff posted a video on Facebook stating that the city of Akron is the hardest hit area that he has come across and that he would travel to the Rubber City to raise awareness. The video has been shared more than 9,000 times and has more than 280,000 views.

Hayes said he contacted Pfaff to organize Tuesday night's event on South Main Street near Lock 3 at 7 p.m. The event will be followed by a candlelight vigil. 

ODOT posted on Twitter late Tuesday night that they're postponing their scheduled ramp closures throughout the Central Interchange in Akron. ODOT spokesman Brent Kovacs tells 1590 WAKR that the contractor did not get the detour signs up in time for the work, thus delaying the project that is scheduled to take about 3 months. 

Here is our previous story explaining what ramps will be closed when the project resumes. 

Local colleges are showcasing some of the manufacturing opportunities that have opened for the schools after receiving grant money from the state to help better train students for the workforce. Chancellor John Carey with the Ohio Department of Higher Education stopped by the University of Akron to hear directly from those who have benefited from the grant.

Chad Soukup, a junior at Kent State University, says he will be one of the first students at KSU to work with the schools 3D printer.

"It's one thing to get book knowledge, but then when you actually get the hands-on knowledge you get to see what it's really like," said Soukup. "So you get to see both sides of it."

The RAPIDS grant has helped colleges purchase equipment, like 3D printers, to help better train students for real world experience in manufacturing.

"It's something that was developed from the Governor talking to businesses, " said Carey. The businesses were saying that the students were not being trained on the right equipment."

Purchasing new equipment became a financial challenge for colleges. Instead of getting new equipment, universities would use the "leftover" or older equipment that was no longer being used by companies. But that proved to become a challenge because the students were not getting trained with up-to-date technology in the manufacturing field.

UA, KSU, Stark State College and other local universities have been able to use the money to further advance the education programs in its manufacturing departments.

Akron Police are asking the public's help in identifying a man who robbed a Dollar General employee while the employee was leaving to make a bank deposit. The store is located at 994 Brown St. in Akron. Police say the suspect is a white male, between 25 and 27 years old, with short, light-colored hair. See more in the surveillance video below, courtesy of Akron Police: 

A pair of shootings in Akron over the weekend left a 39-year-old man dead and a 19-year-old seriously injured.

Police say the two separate shootings happened on Saturday night around 11:30. A 39-year-old died after he was shot in the head while sitting inside a parked truck on Dover Avenue.

The victim has been identified as 39 year-old Otis Clay Jr. of Akron. An autopsy showed that the cause of his death was a gunshot wound to the head, a homicide.

No suspects in that case. Clay was a concessions employee at Canal Park for the Akron RubberDucks.

A 19 year-old was shot in the face inside a stolen car on McKinley Avenue. He's in critical condition.

A 15 year-old was charged with felonious assault - he and 18 year-old Ronald Henderson were both charged with receiving stolen property. Police say Henderson also removed a gun from the scene.

The orange barrels have been out this summer around Summit County, but your commute might get a little trickier on Tuesday morning with nearly several three-month long ramp closures around the Central Interchange in Akron.

The Ohio Department of Transportation is working on several bridge removal projects over Spicer and Johnston streets that require them to close the ramps from I-77 north to I-76 west, Rt. 8 south to I-76 west and I-76 east to I-77 south.

ODOT District 4 spokesman Justin Chesnic said there two major reasons for the bridge removals including the cost of maintenance and planning for future projects.

"Coming down the line we're going to have a pretty big project there at the Central Interchange where we're actually redoing some ramps, some bridges and certain things there," said Chesnic. "That's going to be around 2020. So in about 3-4 years down the line we're going to be doing that. It's much easier to work around pavement than it is bridges."

While the adjustemnt of teh new commute around the Central Interchange will take some days to get used to, Chesnic says they are prepared. Crews have spent time working to re-stripe the Kenmore Leg and surrounding areas to add an additional lane for drivers who will be moving around the closures.

"We've re-striped the Kenmore Leg to three lanes of traffic in each direction. A lot of those key access points at the northern end and the southern end of the Kenmore Leg have been restriped to two lanes. So, in essence, that should really help traffic flow through there a lot better."

The ramp closures are expected to last around three months (about 110 days). 

There are several other closures and lane restrictions that are expected to take place around Summit County this week. "Do The Detour"

ODOT has also updated their "Do The Detour" website to provide the best routes to get around the closures.

Akron Police are asking for help identifying a suspect who robbed the LoanMax at 1340 East Tallmadge Avenue just before 4 p.m. Wednesday. Below is a video of the incident with more details from Akron PD. WARNING: SOME GRAPHIC LANGUAGE: 

The Republican National Convention is over, but the impact Northeast Ohio has had on at least one out-of-state delegate is enough to make him want to move here.

"I love it," said Efraim Manglona Atalig, mayor of Rota in the Northern Mariana Islands. "I was thinking, like, I wish I could move here."

Atalig's explanation is quite simple.

"I felt welcome and the people are friendly."

The delegates of the Northern Mariana Islands spent the week in the Akron-area. Atalig said he was able to explore the city and visit some of Northeast Ohio's most popular attractions, including the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

"It was awesome."

Atalig said that it was the friendly environment that surprised him and left him wanting more.

"The people, at least in the establishments that I visited, the cashiers and the waitresses, they're very very friendly, and that struck me."

The namesake of the University of Akron's Bliss Institute and past Republican National Conventions are getting some attention inside a new exhibit on display in downtown Akron.

Victor Fleischer, associate professor and head of the University of Akron Archival Services, said the exhibit will give visitors, (especially those here for the upcoming RNC), a look at the political legacy of University of Akron alumnus Ray C. Bliss.

"He was really known for reviving the Republican party after the failed Barry Goldwater campaign, helping (Richard) Nixon to be elected president in 1968 and helping to preserve the two-party system which is very important in American politics."

The exhibit will include historic photographs, documents, artifacts from UA's archival services, and period clothing from the Summit County Historical Society. It will also showcase memorabilia from past Republican National Conventions.

(Ray C. Bliss, photo courtesy of the University of Akron Archival Services)

The free exhibit titled "Mr. Chairman: Ray C. Bliss and the RNC" is currently on display inside the Ohio Building at 175 S. Main Street (King James Way). The exhibit will remain open through November 8th. It's located on the fourth floor of the Ohio Building during normal business hours from 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Akron police detectives are investigating three separate shootings that happened on Sunday.

The first shooting happened near the intersection of Grant Street and Cole Avenue. A 20-year-old man reported to police that he was shot in the shoulder and had his car stolen. The second shooting happened on Shoreline Drive where a 30 year-old man was shot in the right thigh. The third was reported on Cole Avenue where a bullet grazed the head of a 23-year-old man. All the victims were taken to a hospital with non life-threatening injuries.

Police say the shootings do not appear to be related

During a time when relationships between police and the communities they serve are tense, it is nice to see our local men and women in blue making efforts to connect with residents. 

Over the weekend, a video of two Akron Police Officers playing basketball with some kids in the area went viral. First posted by Smiggz McCormick on Facebook, the video has more than 110,000 plays and has been picked up by local and national media alike. 

WARNING: SOME GRAPHIC LANGUAGE

The Akron Zoo announced Wednesday that they will bring back their old holiday tradition of lights and displays throughout much of the holiday season.

The following is a press release from the Akron Zoo detailing the events:  

Akron Zoo brings back holiday lighting event

AKRON, Ohio - The Akron Zoo will once again be lighting up the zoo with holiday

lights and displays after a 16-year hiatus. Wild Lights, the zoo’s new fun-filled family

event, will take place November 25-27, December 2-4, 9-11, 16-18, 22-23 and 26-30,

2016. The event will run from 6-9 p.m.

Nearly the entire zoo will be decorated with a mix of lighted wildlife and

traditional holiday displays. The event will include a unique nightly light show focused on

animals near the zoo’s carousel, Santa Land, where people can visit with Santa and have

their pictures taken if they wish, a S’mores station, up-close animal encounters, dinner

at the zoo’s 4-star green certified restaurant and much more. Many of the zoo animals

will also be on exhibit.

“We are excited to bring this event back to our community and foster memorable

experiences for families, as well as educate and inspire people to take an active role in

conservation,” commented Doug Piekarz, president & CEO. “We are fulfilling the request

from our community to bring this event back, some of whom came as kids and now wish

to bring their kids to Wild Lights.”

The zoo had hosted Holidays Lights from 1987-2000 and decorated the zoo with

a half a million lights. Over 300,000 people visited the zoo for Holiday Lights during the

14 years the zoo held the event.

The zoo plans to have lights starting at its entrance and continuing throughout

the park, a traditional holiday theme in the historical portion of the zoo’s Mike & Mary

Stark Grizzly Ridge and a Candy Land theme in the zoo’s Frontier Town, which will

include an area where visitors can roast their own marshmallows for S’mores.

General (Non-member) admission for Wild Lights will be $15 for adults and $10

for children. Akron Zoo members will be $12 for adults and children are $9. Discounted

admission and early entrance at 5:00pm is available for those who purchase their tickets

in advance: Pre-sale general (non-member) admission will be $12 for adults and $9 for

children. Akron Zoo member advance purchased tickets will be $9 for adults and $8 for

children.

On the nights that the zoo is open for Wild Lights it will be closed during the day.

Our regular winter hours running from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. apply to all non-event

November and December days.

Akron Zoo - 2

The zoo is also offering companies the opportunity to host their holiday party

during Wild Lights. Companies can rent out the entire zoo on an evening when Wild

Lights is not open to the public, or people can choose to have a smaller party at the zoo

during the event. For more information about hosting a party at the zoo call 330-375-

2550 ext. 7251.

The Akron Zoo is open 361 days a year. Zoo hours are 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. and

admission is $12 for adults, $10 for senior citizens, $9 for children (ages 2-14). Children

under two are free and parking is $3. For more information visit www.akronzoo.org or

call (330) 375-2550.

Founded in 1953, the Akron Zoo is a non-profit, world-conservation zoo with

over 700 animals from around the world. Located just west of Downtown Akron, the zoo

strives to provide a dynamic, financially responsible, guest-centered animal experience

that is energized by innovation and fun. The Akron Zoo is accredited by the Association

of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). With its more than 200 accredited members, AZA is a

leader in global wildlife conservation and your link to helping animals in their native

habitats.

Akron Police were busy with 15 heroin overdose-related calls Tuesday. 

The first call came in around 1 p.m., and the calls continued throughout the evening Tuesday. Reports of heroin overdoses were coming from all over Akron, including one call about 4 overdoses in one apartment on Copley Road. The Summit County Coroner's Office reports that one 44-year-old man died from overdose symptoms; an autopsy is scheduled for Wednesday. 

Akron PD reports that there have been 55 heroin overdose deaths over the first 6 months of 2016. 

UPDATED Akron Fire is reporting one person dead after a house fire located at 1020 Victory St. Firefighters found the body of James Johnson, 69, who owned the house. His family told the Akron Beacon Journal he lived there for more than four decades, even purchasing nearby lots while neighbors abandoned their homes in the South Akron neighborhood. He turned those lots into a buffer zone of park-like settings.

A call notifying the Akron Fire Department of the fire came in at 4:06 a.m. The home was fully engulfed in flames by the time Akron firefighters arrived on the scene. Johnson was pronounced dead at about 5:15 a.m.  

Disaster relief efforts are still underway for those affected by West Virginia's flooding that left 23 people dead and damaged more than a thousand homes.

Here in Summit County, Heather Anderson is spending her Fourth of July weekend collecting donations in Lakemore. Anderson, who was born in West Virginia, says her grandparents had lost everything in floods in the 1950s.

"It just touched my heart, knowing that they were grateful for the help they had received when they lost everything," said Anderson. "I thought, if I could in some small way just give back to the state that had helped by grandparents when they had lost everything as well."

Anderson said many local residents share a connection with those in West Virginia. She said many came to the Rubber City when shops were rising several decades ago.

"We have a community here that is hurting because they see their family members hurting as well."

Donations will be accepted through Monday at the Lakemore United Methodist Church from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Items requested for donations include water, clothing and even pet care supplies.

"It's been very touching to see how many people truly want to help," said Anderson.

Click here for more information.

Teamsters from across the U.S. are pledging big bucks to an Akron-based nonprofit that is dedicated to awareness surrounding the heroin epidemic that is plaguing Northeast Ohio and the entire country. 

Travis Bornstein, along with two others, started the Breaking Barriers nonprofit after the overdose death of Bornstein's 24-year-old son Tyler in 2014. Bornstein, who is the head of the Teamsters Local 24 in Akron, spoke at a national Teamsters convention in Las Vegas on Wednesday. He spoke about his son and the growing heroin problem. After his speech, Bornstein says the donations began pouring in to the amount of $1.4 million. Going into the event, the fund at Breaking Barriers didn't exceed $10,000, the Akron Beacon Journal reports. 

In 2014, Bornstein's son Tyler's body was found in a vacant lot in Coventry Township, where he fatally overdosed on heroin. During his speech to the Teamsters, Bornstein said his goal is to build a treatment facility on that lot. 

Akron Fire will do away with the exam it once required for promotions throughout its departments and will lean on education, training, and seniority for advancement.

On Tuesday, Mayor Dan Horrigan, along with Deputy Mayor for Labor Relations Randy Briggs and Local 330 Lieutenant Russ Brode, announced the result of negotiations between the unions and the city; most of the recommended changes came from the Blue Ribbon Task Force, commissioned by the Mayor himself.

Ten years of legal battles over the now obsolete promotional tests have prevented the department from giving its city employees raises. The new education-based procedure provides a "roadmap for firefighters coming in now, to show how they can become officers in this department," says Deputy Mayor for Labor Relations Randy Briggs.

Mayor Dan Horrigan said, during the press conference outside Memorial Station 4 on E. Thornton St., "It's an historical day. I think we've reached an unprecidented partnership with our local unions." He went on to say of the new process, "The true focus is on talent development."

Along with Atlanta, Arlington, Virginia and Alexandria, Virginia, Akron is only the fourth city in the U.S. currently implementing this education and training-based promotion system. That makes them part of the "A-Team" as Deputy Mayor Briggs pointed out at the press conference outside Station 4 on E. Thornton St. downtown.

There's an official celebration for Akron's LeBron James set in his hometown.

It will be Thursday at Lock 3. Gates will open at 7 PM, and both admission and downtown parking will be free.

The event will feature LeBron, and his students from the Wheels for Education and iPromise Network programs.

(City of Akron, news release) The City of Akron in collaboration with the LeBron James Family Foundation will host a celebration for Akron's own, LeBron James on Thursday, June 23 at Lock 3. Gates open at 7 p.m.

LeBron and his students from the Wheels for Education and IPromise Network will be featured.

Additional details, including program line-up and street closures will be announced in a separate press release. Admission to the event, as well as parking downtown will be free.

Presenting sponsors currently include: Akron Children's Hospital, Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company and Summa Health; along with supporting sponsors; Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations, LLC, Cleveland Clinic Akron General, FirstMerit Bank, GOJO Industries, Huntington Bank and the University of Akron, and media sponsors Channel 3 News and Rubber City Radio Group.

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 looking for two suspects after they allegedly shot at a woman who was trying to drive around their illegally parked vehicle. 

The incident happen Wednesday evening around 7:30, when police say the 48-year-old victim was driving down Frederick Boulevard.

NewsChannel 5 reports the suspect's vehicle, a red Dodge Charger, was illegally parked in the 1100 block of Frederick. As the victim attempted to circumvent the Charger, police say one or possibly both of the males inside the car fired opened fire. The woman, whose name has not been released, was hit in the left arm while her car was hit with several more bullets. She was transported to Akron General Medical Center where she was treated for non-life threatening injuries. 

Only a vague description of the suspects were released.

On the web: www.newsnet5.com

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

Akron Police are asking the public's help in identifying an indecent exposure suspect they say grabbed a woman after exposing himself to her. The incident happened back on June 3rd, at Allyn St. and Exchange St. around 5:45 a.m. The police report contends that the suspect exposed himself to the victim and the grabbed her shoulders as she tried to run away. 

The suspect is described as a black male, between 22 and 29-years-old, between 5'5" and 5'7", and 125 to 140 pounds. The video below was surveillance video from June 7th along E. Exchange St. 

Anyone with information on the suspect is asked to call the Akron Police Department. 

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.

There's a new logo and brand strategy at Summa Health System to go along with recent plans to spend about $350 million on local facilities.

Summa President and CEO Thomas Malone says they decided on a new image for the health system to coincide with their plans to "transform the way healthcare is delivered" in the community.

No name change, but Summa officials say they will begin a new advertising campaign next week and will introduce new signage over the next several months.

Previous Coverage:

AUDIO: Dr. Thomas Malone Announces Summa Health Investment

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(Summa Health Press Release) – Summa Health revealed its new brand strategy and logo today to employees throughout the health system.

"Much positive change is occurring at Summa Health as we continue to transform the way healthcare is delivered in our community. In recent months, we've seen our accountable care organization recognized as a national leader, our nursing staff again achieve Magnet status, and, most recently, the announcement of our $350 million facilities plan," said Thomas A. Malone, MD, president and CEO of Summa Health. "Through the new brand, we are sending a clear message to the community and to our own employees that something special and unique is happening at Summa."

Summa Health will not change its name, due to its strong connection with the community. However, the new brand strategy is designed to support its strategic direction, and the new Summa Health logo – the most visible representation of the brand – symbolizes that change.

The new logo is powerful and dynamic, representing the unique coordinated continuum of care provided by Summa Health at each stage of life. The elements of the logo move together to illustrate the organization's forward momentum amid the changing landscape of healthcare. The individual pieces and vibrant colors represent the diversity of our employees and the communities we serve.

"The brand is more than a logo; it is what our patients and the community experience when they interact with Summa Health and our 9,000 employees," said Dr. Malone. "Our new brand represents a promise that we are ready to partner with you on your journey toward better total health."

Rob Whitehouse, senior vice president of Marketing and Community Relations, said it has been 15 years since Summa Health updated its brand. Over the past year, Summa Health has conducted studies and focus groups to better understand how the health system is perceived in the community. Building on those strengths and aligning with Summa Health's population health strategy, leadership developed a new brand strategy and a logo.

"There were many iterations," said Whitehouse. "But in the end, we found something that resonated strongly with our internal and external focus groups. They saw it as reflective of who we are, yet still aspirational – a sign of where we want to go in serving this community."

The brand change will occur gradually, beginning with a new and distinctive advertising campaign next week and the changing of marketing materials and websites. Over several months, new signage will begin appearing at all Summa Health locations.

Akron police are looking for a 26-year-old Akron man who is accused of fatally shooting a dog late Sunday morning.

A 35-year-old man told police that he was walking the golden retriever mix in the 400 block of West Waterloo Road when a man standing in a driveway pulled out a handgun from his car and shot the dog in the chest.

Police say the suspect, later identified as Kenneth P. Walker, 26, of West Waterloo Road, jumped into his car and fled.

Police have signed a warrant for Walker for discharging a firearm, weapons under disability and cruelty to animals.

According to police, Walker should be considered armed and dangerous. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Akron Police Department at (330) 375-2490.

The first of four vintage baseball games took place Sunday on the grounds of Stan Hywet Hall.

At a glance it looks like your typical game; Nine players on each team, four bases and a bat and ball.

But looking a little closer you'll notice a few things missing.

"We're playing vintage baseball, 1860s rules, barehanded and a wooden bat," said Scott Hamblin, third baseman for the Akron Black Stockings.

It is early in the season, they are only five games into their 30 game schedule.

Playing by rules from the 1860s, Hamblin explains some of the differences from today's modern game.

"We play a bounce rule so a ball caught on one bounce is still an out of the striker or in modern terms the batter. Balls are determined fair or foul by wehre it hits the ground so it doesnt have to go past first or thrid base. The pitcher or the hurler in this game has to throw underhand."

The game was free to the public. Todd Suarez brought his seven-year-old son Sam with him, saying it was a great opportunity for his son to see some classic baseball.

"Our 7-year-old son plays baseball so I thought it would be something he would enjoy watching."

Sam is just starting out playing baseball with a team, he's the second baseman. When asked what his favorite part of the game was, Sam said he was a fan of the older rules.

"You can catch it when it bounces on the ground and you can also catch it in the air."

It is still early in the season, the Black Stockings are only five games into their 30 game schedule.

Stan Hywet hosts a game one Sunday a month through August and will be the host for this year's Akron Cup when 8 teams will compete for the title.

More than a dozen police officers and their K-9 partners fought the rain and competed at Lock 3 on Saturday to determine top dog.

The teams competed in three events; agility, obedience and apprehensions.

Canton Police Officer David Samuels and his K-9 Bas won the speed challenge during the apprehension drill. The two have been partners for the last year and a half and Samuels says it is important to have a strong bond between the handler and the dog. 

"He's more like my son but my best friend as well," Samuels told WAKR. "He knows that when I ask him to do something I am not going to ask him to do something that will hurt him so that trust is there. I also have to have the trust in him that he will keep me safe."

The rain dampened the crowd for this year's competition, but it didn't stop Donna Laskey from coming out to watch.

"I don't want to miss it! We got our umbrellas and are going home to hot soup so we will be fine."

Officer Nate Ickes with the Tallmadge Police Department along with his dog Axel came out as the "Top Dog" in today's competition. Ickes says it all comes down to obedience.

"If you can get your dog to listen to you, you can get him to do anything."

It's not your ordinary location for a local cafe. A look through the window on the top floor of the Front Porch Cafe on Grant Street -- and you'll find it's surrounding neighbors: the county jail, a correctional facility, and a rehabilitation center.

But when you take a closer look. It's clear to see the cafe's mission is to welcome people of all backgrounds to share a meal, connect and transform a life.

At this cafe, it's more than just about good food.

"The Front Porch Cafe is South Akron's hub for community connections. We do recovery meetings here, reentry meetings, and we also run a full fledge community cafe," said South Street Ministries executive director Joe Tucker. "We wanted a place for neighbors and people from a variety of backgrounds to come together."

When South Street Ministries launched the Front Porch Cafe back in 2011, they had a vision of creating jobs and training the unemployed and ex-offenders in the Akron area. While it's still part of their mission, the focus has transitioned into offering a place to create connections within the community, with a helping hand extended.

In October, 500 people came together to have a meal at one table on Akron's Interbelt.

Now the man who led that effort, 500 Plates Organizer Hunter Franks - wants to recreate it but on a smaller scale with neighborhood tables.

"It is a way to continue to use food as a vehicle for cultural change on a smaller neighborhood scale as opposed to the large 500 person event we had."

Michael Mosley from West Akron says this will help spark conversation and change in the city.

"We don't need politicians to make something happen, you just have to get out here and use your own hands and feet."

Jim Ballard from Kenmore says this project will help get things done in the neighborhood.

"There will be a synergy of arts and culture and at the end of (Kenmore) Boulevard will be our table and there are a lot of people in Kenmore who wanted to come around a table to get things done and now they have that table."

500 Plates' project manager David Swirsky says the tables can serve as two roles.

"People will see a table and go up and use it."

The tables built by 500 Plates will start popping up around Akron next month, in time for summer events.

There will be one in downtown Akron next to Lock 4.

Akron City Council has voted to repeal the city's panhandling law after the American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio filed suit against the ordinance last week.

The city released a statement saying the ordinance was "no longer the preferred means of advancing the City's interests in promoting the public peace, safety, health and welfare" of citizens.

The ACLU said the panhandling laws "single out speech asking for help" and that previous court rulings have upheld that.

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(City of Akron - Press Release) – Akron City Council voted tonight to repeal Section 135.10 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Akron entitled "Unlawful panhandling and fraudulent solicitation."

Council convened a special meeting with the Law Department on April 18, 2016 regarding the existing ordinance and recent developments in constitutional law. The legislation to repeal Section 135.10 was submitted by the Law Department and offered by Mayor Horrigan and Council as a whole to address recent United States Supreme Court jurisprudence which differs from the case law existing at the time the ordinance was amended in 2006.

Upon careful consideration, City Council voted to repeal Section 135.10 in its entirety because, it was "no longer the preferred means of advancing the City's interests in promoting the public peace, safety, health and welfare" of its citizens.

Akron City Council President Marilyn Keith stated "Akron is a generous and caring community. City Council continues to be committed to addressing poverty and homelessness and finding the best solutions for those in need."

Any mayor who serves for 28 years is bound to have some stories to tell, and former Akron mayor Don Plusquellic is no exception.

Many of those stories, and some from his younger years, are featured in Steve Love's new book The Indomitable Don Plusquellic: How a Controversial Mayor Quarterbacked Akron's Comeback. 

It's a product of many hours of interviews with Plusquellic, those who worked with him, and those who covered him. The topics included in the book range from Plusquellic's time as a high school quarterback to his use of joint economic development districts (JEDDs) to his often rocky relationship with the media.

Love joined The Jasen Sokol Show to talk about the book:

As this year's soon-to-be college graduates prepare to enter the workforce, Akron may not be at the top of their list to start their career.

According to WalletHub Akron ranked as the 4th worst "big city" (147) in America to start a career.

While Akron ranked above average in cost of living, Joan Gonzalez from WalletHub says the Rust Belt hasn't recovered from the recession.

"The problem is this rust belt area has struggled the last few years and not all the way recovered yet."

WalletHub ranked the largest 150 cities in the U.S. in 17 metrics such as unemployment rate, housing affordability and annual job growth rate. In most of those rankings, Akron ranked near the bottom.

"As far as economic mobility Akron ranked prettly low here and the unemployment rate is higher than that of most other cities than other U.S. cities at 7%, national average is about two points lower."

Most of the cities near the top of the rankings have a booming tech industry including neighboring rust belt city Pittsburgh (27).

"That's not just your basic web application developers  but introducing tech into healthcare and tech into other kinds of industries."

Cleveland didn't fare much better than Akron, coming in at number 138.

The Red Cross is helping an Akron family after a fire broke out in their Copley Road's house.

Akron Fire managed to containt the fire to the basement of the home and had the fire out in about 30 minutes time.

No one was injured in the fire but there are estimates of about $15,000 in damages to the house.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

Two adults and five children live at the house.

We could learn more next week about plans for Stark State College to establish a presence in Akron.

Stark State, along with leaders from Akron, Summit County and others, plan an announcement on Thursday morning in Akron.

A news release describes "Stark State College Akron" as "a new education and workforce training center" with few other details.

Akron Mayor Dan Horrigan and Summit County Executive Russ Pry will be there, along with Stark State president Dr. Para Jones.

Stark State recently received $6 million in state funding towards an Akron initiative.

Stark State already has a Summit County presence, with a branch in Barberton.

Police are investigating a double homicide after a mother and her son were found dead inside an Akron home late Sunday.

Officers said a 9-year-old called police to report that her mother and brother had been shot in the chest at their Hartford Avenue home. She told police her brother was dead and her mom was still alive.

Officers found the 48-year-old woman on the first floor near the staircase and the 28-year-old man was found in the upstairs bedroom. The woman was able to tell police that three men entered the house and fired multiple shots at her and her son.

The woman was taken to the hospital where she later died. The 9-year-old was not injured. The child has been placed with relatives.

No motive has been released. The victims' names are being withheld pending positive identifications and family notifications.

An argument between an Akron couple turned deadly early Sunday morning.

Akron police found an unconscious woman lying in the street after an apparent hit and run.

Police later determined her boyfriend, 41-year-old Jeffery White hit the victim with his car after an argument and drove away.

The 43-year-old victim later died from her injuries in the hospital. Authorities are withholding her name until the family is notified.

Police arrested White and he is charged with hit-skip, and is in Summit County Jail waiting arraignment. 

Akron celebrated its Irish heritage on the 100th anniversary of the Easter Rising in Ireland.

The Ancient Order of the Hibernians began Saturday night with a rebel gathering then a mass on Sunday followed by a reading of the 1916 proclamation.

On Easter Paul Callahan visited Dublin to celebrate the 100th anniversary. When he was picked to read the proclamation back home in Akron, he said he was honored.

"It was an amazing feeling."

Donald Haddox is a member of The Ancient Order of the Hibernians but  being Scots-Irish he came to better understand the Easter Rising with his wife who is 100 percent Irish.

"I didn't know that much about it, i knew what the uprising was but i never payed much attention."

President of the St. Brendan's chapter of The Ancient Order of the Hibernians in Akron Steve Schillinger said the Sunday mass focused on giving thanks for those who sacrificed themselves.

"Thanksgiving for what those men did 100 years ago today what they believed to be right and what father said in mass today 'to do what most human beings strive for is to be free and independent.'"

Schillinger added that the fight continues to this day as six counties in the northern part of Ireland are still under British rule.

Denny Parks, the president of the Mark Hefferman organization of the Ancient Order of the Hibernians in Akron says people need to take some time and remember those who fought for what Ireland has today.

"We remember our patriots, where we came from and sacrifices that created the country of Ireland today."

J.C. Sullivan with the State Board of the Ancient Order of the Hibernians says people around the world and of all backgrounds are celebrating the anniversary today.

"We weren't born in Ireland but Ireland was born in us and we are part of a national day where Hibernians and Irish all around the nation are doing what we did today."

 

Can't celebrate the Irish without bagpipes

A video posted by Cory York (@cory_york) on Apr 24, 2016 at 11:55am PDT

Saturday's the day you can get rid of all of your unused, unwanted and expired prescription medication -- safely. Drug Take Back Day is this weekend where a list of local agencies will be setting up collection sites across the area.

"They think they're doing a good thing," said Darryl Brake, executive director of Summit County Community Partnership. "They've got excess medicine, they're going to hold it in the medicine cabinet in case they need it later, but that's how it gets stolen and diverted out in the streets."

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) puts the event together to help prevent substance abuse and addiction .

"The foundation of prevention is reducing access and so the more we can promote those boxes - and a lot of them are getting a lot of use - the better off we're able to address prevention by getting those drugs off the streets," said Brake.

Akron Police Det. Pat Leonard said if you miss the event this Saturday, there are still drop boxes that are available 24/7 in several location throughout the county.

The event will be set up between 10a.m. and 2 p.m. on Saturday. The service is free and no questions will be asked.

You can find the nearest collection site on www.dea.gov.

A 6-year old Tallmadge boy was critically injured after crashing a bicycle into a car Monday night on the southeast end of Akron.

It happened at Lucy Street and Duane Avenue just before 8pm.

Akron police say the child is at fault but won't get a ticket. The driver of the car did get a citation, not for the crash, but for driving under suspension.

A police reconstruction team is investigating further due to the seriousness of the boy's injuries.

UPDATE 1:40 PM: ODOT tells WAKR.net that the planned closures and construction have been delayed until next weekend due to the weather.

Construction around I-76 East will impact the morning commute for Friday, April 22.

Bridge work will close down several ramps around the Central Interchange beginning at 6 a.m. Friday.

The ramp from I-77 North to I-76 East will be closed. Drivers can detour around from I-77 North to Grant Street to I-76 East.

The ramp from State Route 8 South to I-76 East will be closed. Drivers can detour from I-77 North to Grant Street to I-76 East.

The entrance and exit ramps from I-76 East to Arlington will be closed.

Lastly there will be lane restrictions on I-76 East between Grant Street and Fuller Street.

This is all part of a $8.6 million bridge repair project by the Ohio Department of Transportation between the Kenmore Leg and the Portage County line. The entire project is projected to be completed by late October.

Follow @AkronTXWX to stay updated on the latest construction and traffic news around Akron.

Hundreds of students, family, friends, and faculty came together at the University of Akron to honor one of their own -- the best way they know possible. 

Helping others in need.

It was a packed ballroom in the third floor of the student union for a charity event to package 40,000 meals for those in need in honor of Zak Husein who was killed during a robbery at his family's pizza shop last December.

"Today is not a day to weep, it's a day to celebrate Zak and his legacy," said UA President Scott Scarborough. "Today is Zak's triumph."

The volunteers gathered to package the meals through the Stop Hunger Now program after collecting more than $10,000 in donations.

"I've never seen so much energy, passion and support of one person in my life," said Shaun Starkey, assistant program manager for Stop Hunger Now. "People are shoulder to shoulder, united for the life of this one individual. It's pretty phenomenal."

Zak's brother, Ammar, was among those in attendance to honor His late brother's life and leave a lasting impact on the community and beyond.

"I can tell you Zak's characteristics, his mentality, his hospitality, his actions, they're not by accident," said Ammar.

Hundreds at @uakron to package 40,000 meals for those in need to honor UA student Zak Husein. pic.twitter.com/BH0gkVD9S0

— Amani Abraham (@AmaniAbraham) April 19, 2016

Akron City Councilman Jeff Fusco presented Ammar with a proclamation to honor Zak's life and legacy he left behind.

Previous Coverage: 

Charity Event To Honor Zak Husein

Police Still Searching For Husein's Killer

Zak Husein: A Life By Example

UPDATE VIDEO 21-Year-Old Shot, Killed In Akron

The Mustard Seed Market is trying to help revive the bee and butterfly population in northeast Ohio.

The market is celebrating its 35th anniversary and Earth Day by passing out more than 7000 milkweed plants.

Second generation owner Abraham Nabors told WAKR.net the decision to give away milkweed this year is because of an alarming drop in bee and butterfly populations.

"We love giving away tress for a lot of reasons but we also wanted to include milkweekd to support those pollinators."

Why the pollinators' population is dropping is complex, but Nabors suggests its due to a combination of issues including climate change and pesticide chemicals.

"Diminished quality of their food source is also an issue, and it has to do with both the pesticides we are spraying as well as the genetic modification crops "

While at Ohio University Nabors majored in plant biology and worked in a greenhouse where he helped pollinate plants by hand.

He says out of personal experience says we need bees and other pollinators to be the ones pollinating plants.

"Bees are a lot more efficient at it and it is an important part of our ecosystem. Specifically related to us; No pollination, no food."

Mustard Seed Market teamed up with J.M. Smuckers Co., United Natural Foods Foundation and Friends of Metro Parks to giveaway the thousands of milkweed plants.

Doug Powley helped pass out the plants outside the Mustard Seed Market in highland Square and he says these plants will help specifically bring back monarch butterflies.

"We are hoping to have enough milkweed planted around Highland Square and the Akron area so the monarch can come back year after year."

Powley also says to be sure to plant the milkweed in a nice sunny area and give it plenty of space to grow so it can come back every year.

Folks driving I-76 East this weekend will be seeing plenty of orange construction barrels. 

On Saturday until about 2 p.m. the left lane is closed between the Kenmore Leg and the Central Interchange for sewer repairs.

Also on Saturday there will be lane restrictions on I-77 between US 224 and I-76 while crews work on overhead lighting repairs.

Construction crews are also working on I-76 East between Grant Street and Fuller Street through 6 a.m. Monday morning.

Traffic will be down to one lane wile crews work on bridge repairs.

Lastly the Arlington Street entrance ramp to I-76 East is closed through 6 a.m. Monday morning.

The Ohio Department of Transportation has a full list of on going construction projects and detours around Summit County.

Stay updated on the latest in Akron traffic by following us on Twitter @AkronTXWX. 

A Tallmadge man is facing charges in a car crash that killed a 17-year-old Akron girl on Easter morning.

Police believe 63-year-old Charles Queer Jr. was driving drunk when he rear-ended Patricia Powell's car that was stopped on the shoulder at I-76 near the South Arlington Street exit in Akron.

Police said Powell was having car troubles and pulled over to the side of the road with her emergency flashers on. 

Authorities said Queer was intoxicated at the time of the crash, over two times the legal limit.

Queer has been charged with aggravated vehicular homicide, failure to control, OVI and OVI-BAC.

Previous Coverage:

Teen Girl Dies in Easter Morning Car Accident