The 13^th Annual Firefighters’ Chili Challenge, sponsored by the City of Akron, will take place inside the Lock 3 dining area on Friday, January 18^th from 11AM until 1PM (or earlier, if the chili runs out)!

Each year, Akron firefighters issue the challenge to see who can create the best chili, served to Downtown employees and visitors. Some chili variations are traditional, while other teams set themselves apart with distinct flavors and ingredients. Tickets for six samples of chili and a beverage are $10. Individual chili samples are available for $1.50.  Beverages are also available for $2. All proceeds benefit Akron Children’s Hospital Burn Institute.

“I look forward to the Chili Challenge every year and tasting the newest flavor combinations and tried and true traditional recipes cooked up by our various competitors,” Mayor Horrigan said. “I encourage everyone to come to Lock 3, enjoy some delicious home-cooked food, and join in the friendly competition in support of Akron Children’s Hospital. May the best chili win!”

The 2019 competitors include the Akron Fire Department, The Akron Police Department, the City of Akron Human Resources Department, ARCADIS, Cleveland Clinic Akron General Hospital and the City of Akron Office of Integrated Development.  Teams will be competing for Judge’s Choice and People’s Choice, and the Joe Smith Spirit Award. The Joe Smith Spirit Award was created in honor of Detective Joe Smith, an active supporter and participant in previous chili challenges, who passed away in 2014.

Are you an obnoxious sports parent?

It's OK to admit it, all parents have been, perhaps a little overzealous when little Timmy's at the foul line or Suzie's up to bat...

But if you find yourself habitually taking out your frustrations on referees at high school sporting events, the OHSAA has a message for you: COOL IT!

A recent survey by the National Association of Sports Officials shows 75 percent of high school referees have been subject to abuse from parents, and that's resulting in less young people signing up for the job. As older referees retire it's causing a shortage.

So, the OHSAA, in a joint letter from Jerry Snodgrass, Executive Director of the OHSAA, and Karissa Neihoff, Executive Director of the National Federation of State High School Associations, the OHSAA addresses the drastic shortage of referees in the state. 

Read the full letter here. 

Akron Police homicide detectives are investigating a deadly shooting Tuesday night near the intersection of Clark and Black Streets.

The call came in around 8:30 p.m. Tuesday about a man shot. When officers and EMS arrived, they found the 37-year-old victim unresponsive with a gunshot wound to the thorax area.

He was transported to Akron City where he died shortly afterwords, around 10:20 p.m. No ID on the victim yet, but the Summit County Medical Examiner says once next-of-kin is notified they will be providing an update. 

(City of Akron)  On Monday, Mayor Horrigan has released the findings of the Community Needs Survey which collected community sentiment and preferences related to the Akron Recreation Bureau.  The survey was conducted between July 28 and September 19, 2018 and reached 1,500 households representing more than 3,100 people.  The survey will form the basis of strategic changes in the Recreation Bureau that will include an enhanced focus on aquatics, community events and effective communication. 

The survey is part of a comprehensive strategic planning process for the Recreation Bureau, announced by Mayor Horrigan during his 2018 State of the City address.  This is the first time the City of Akron has taken a comprehensive look at Recreation services since the 1969 report commissioned by then-Mayor John Ballard in response to civil unrest. 

“The 1969 report validated a universal truth, which remains true today: providing adequate public space and recreation is and will continue to be an essential service in the City of Akron,” Mayor Dan Horrigan said. “The results of this new community needs assessment revealed that our community centers and pools continue to be important drivers of connection, safety, and quality of life in our neighborhoods. We will be focusing our capital investments and programming on those services the community values most, including aquatics and community events.” 

A summary of the survey results is available here.  Key findings include:

• The more aware residents were of programming and services, the more likely they were to view the Akron Recreation Bureau as highly valuable. 
• The Bureau was generally perceived as affordable, fun, and safe. 
• Aquatics (pools and splash pads) are important neighborhood anchors.
• Different demographic groups and neighborhoods experience the Recreation Bureau differently.
• More effective communication – including increased use of social media – could improve the use of facilities and programs and increase satisfaction among users. 

“This assessment reveals that we are doing very well serving the residents who already utilize our centers and programs,” Recreation Bureau Manager Brittany Schmoekel said.  “Our goal is to use this data to reach a wider segment of the community and better communicate with our existing users about programs, events, and ways to engage with our centers.”

The Bureau will launch a rebranding campaign, including a new mission and vision statements, later this year.  New or improved programming and offerings will begin this year based on the community feedback related to each of the individual community centers.

“I thank Mayor Horrigan and the Recreation staff for reaching out to our residents to assess what they need and want from their City Recreation Bureau,” Council President Margo Sommerville added. “I am thrilled to see that we will be making investments in our pools, new splash pads, and more community events that will improve quality of life and foster community pride.  As the ward representative for Perkins pool, I look forward to working with the City administration to create something truly special for the neighborhood.” 

UPDATE: US Marshals have arrested Jamar Franklin, the Fugitive of the Week from Akron who was wanted by APD, Copley Police, and more, on several charges, including causing multiple crashes while fleeing police.

On Wednesday, Franklin was arrested after barricading himself in the attic of a home on Grace Avenue.

He was taken to the Akron Police Department for booking.

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The Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force is looking for this week's Fugitive of the Week, 23-year-old Jamar Franklin, who is wanted by a number of local departments on a number of different charges, including Felonious Assault. On at least two different occasions, Franklin led Akron Police and Copley Police on high speed chases. 

See the full release from the Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force below: 

The Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force is offering a reward for information which would lead to the capture of fugitive Jamar Franklin. Franklin is wanted by multiple jurisdictions. Franklin is wanted by the Akron Police Department for Felonious Assault, the Summit County Sheriff’s for Weapons under Disability and CCW, and the Copley Police Department for Weapons Possession and Fleeing.

On December 30th, Franklin led officers from the Copley Police Department on a chase after responding to a dispatched call. During the pursuit, Franklin crashed his fleeing vehicle and then proceeded to flee on foot. A firearm was recovered from the scene. Franklin has also caused the Akron Police Department to pursue him several times as well over the past month leading to several crashed police cruisers.

Franklin, 23, is a black male, standing approximately 5 feet 10 inches and weighing 176 pounds. His last known address is near the 700 Block of Lucille Ave., Akron. He is also known to frequent the Kenmore neighborhood, near the 800 Block of Wilbeth Rd., Akron. Franklin is believed to be operating a stolen gray Ford Fusion with damage and an unknown Ohio license plate. Franklin should be considered armed and dangerous.

If you have any information in reference to Jamar Franklin, please contact the Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force at 1-866-4WANTED or Text keyword WANTED and tip to 847411 (tip411). Tipsters can remain anonymous and reward money is available.

Canton Police are looking for help finding missing 17-year-old Brooklyn Moody who they say isn't taking the medication that she needs. 

According to the report, Brooklyn ran away from her foster home on Halloween last year and hasn't been seen since. Police say, however, that she did contact her case worker back in December, only telling them that she was in Cleveland; not leaving any other specifics. 

Brooklyn has been diagnosed with depression and PTSD and takes medication that police say she doesn't have. 

She's listed at 5 feet, 4 inches tall, weighing about 150 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. 

Anyone with information is asked to call the Canton Police Department at 330-489-3144.

Akron Police are investigating yet another robbery that happened during a planned sale of a cellphone. 

The latest case was from Wednesday night around 8, when a 43-year-old man who drove to a public business along South Arlington Street to meet the seller of a cellphone he'd seen through an ad on Facebook. 

The victim met the seller inside, inspected the phone, and laid cash on the counter. That's when the suspect, identified as Dwayne A. Nixon, 18, of Triplett Boulevard in Akron, took off with both the phone and the cash. 

The victim immediately called police and officers, with the help of K9 officers, were able to track down Nixon and arrest him. He's been charged with two counts of theft and more, and booked into Summit County Jail. 

This is the ninth case in recent weeks of someone being robbed during a meeting that was arranged through social media, but Akron Police aren't saying whether Nixon was involved in any of the previous thefts. 

Akron Police, now, are offering tips to anyone who is looking to purchase a cellphone, or anything else, through social media: 

• Review the buyer or seller’s profile before agreeing to meet.

• Communicate with the buyer or seller through the social media site only.

• Choose carefully where you agree to meet.

• Select a location that is a public place, well lit, surveillance cameras, and a large amount of traffic.

• Never agree to meet at their residence and don’t invite people to your residence.

• If you agree to meet them at a public place, take a family member or friend. Never go alone.

Meijer has announced a major hiring wave across Northeast Ohio for three new supercenters opening in late Spring, including in Stow.

According to a press release (below), Meijer is hiring more than 900 employees for the Stow, Mentor, and Avon stores.

Full and part-time positions include team leaders, cashiers, cake decorators and more. You can apply online at jobs.meijer.com. 

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(MEIJER) – Meijer has begun hiring more than 900 employees for three northeast Ohio supercenters in Avon, Mentor and Stow. The family-operated retailer announced the first Greater Cleveland stores are expected to open in late spring, expanding its presence after more than 37 years in the Buckeye State.

“Foundations are set, floors are poured, and the walls are up at each of our new Northeast Ohio stores, so every day we’re a little bit closer to opening our first three locations in Greater Cleveland,” Regional Vice President Tom Wilson said. “The opportunity to begin hiring for hourly positions and put together customer-focused teams is the next step in bringing our new neighbors a one-stop shopping solution. We look forward to hiring local team members who can be our future store leaders as we continue to grow in Northeast Ohio.”

Known for pioneering the supercenter concept back in 1962, the family-operated company opened its first supercenter in the state of Ohio just outside of Columbus in 1981. The retailer was the first to provide a unique offering that featured fresh produce, meat and dairy as well as a wide selection of general merchandise and customer-focused services. The retailer currently employs about 10,000 team members at 39 supercenters throughout the state of Ohio and a distribution center in Tipp City.  

The full- and part-time positions available include team leaders, cashiers, cake decorators, customer service, receiving clerks and meat cutters. Ideal candidates will possess a desire to provide exceptional customer service and potentially advance their career within Meijer. The retailer offers a generous benefits package to eligible team members, including paid time off, weekly pay, flexible scheduling, paid parental leave, tuition reimbursement, and health coverage options. The starting hourly wage varies depending on experience level and specific skills.   

Potential candidates can begin the hiring process by applying online at https://jobs.meijer.com/.  Enter “Avon,” “Mentor,” or “Stow” in the location search field and click search. Hourly candidates can apply by clicking on the positions listed. Meijer leadership will screen applicants within the next few weeks and contact select candidates to schedule in-person interviews. 

The new supercenters in Avon, Mentor and Stow will feature fresh produce, meat and dairy delivered seven days a week, as well as apparel departments, pet supplies, toys, electronics, and a garden center. The Avon store will also feature a gas station, which will open approximately one month before the store.

In addition to traditional grocery and merchandise offerings, the stores will also have a pharmacy that features a free prescription program, as well as access to clinical services and immunizations designed to promote family health.

Meijer has a strong family and corporate tradition of caring, including significant support of hunger relief and good will initiatives in the communities it serves. For example, Meijer recently provided free horse-drawn carriage rides around Cleveland’s Public Square as part of the city’s downtown Winterfest, and made the holidays a bit brighter by providing hundreds of in-patient children at Cleveland Clinic Children’s and University Hospitals’ Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital.

The retailer gives more than 6 percent of its net profit to charitable organizations each year, and each of its stores supports a food bank through its food rescue program. Its signature hunger relief program, called Simply Give,has generated more than $43 million for its food pantry partners throughout the Midwest. 

About Meijer: Meijer is a Grand Rapids, Mich.-based retailer that operates more than 240 supercenters and grocery stores throughout Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky and Wisconsin. A privately-owned and family-operated company since 1934, Meijer pioneered the “one-stop shopping” concept and has evolved through the years to include expanded fresh produce and meat departments, as well as pharmacies, comprehensive apparel departments, pet departments, garden centers, toys and electronics. For additional information on Meijer, please visit www.meijer.com. Follow Meijer on Twitter @twitter.com/Meijer and @twitter.com/MeijerPR or become a fan at www.facebook.com/meijer.

Akron Police are warning residents to be cautious when buying or selling things online, as there's been a rash of robberies during recent meet-ups in the city.

Since December 30th, Akron Police says there have been eight robberies involving victims meeting someone they met through social media trying to buy or sell things like cellphones, tablets, or other electronics.

Detectives have narrowed down the recent thefts to a certain part of Akron around Donald, Virginia, Barbara, and Sylvan Avenues.

APD says internet buyers and sellers are welcome to plan meet-ups in front of the police station to make it safer for everyone.

See the full release from the Akron Police Department below: 

The Akron Police Department is investigating multiple thefts and robberies involving individuals using social media sites to buy and sell items in the Akron area.

Officers have taken eight police reports since December 30, 2018 involving the theft/robbery of individuals trying to sell cell phones or other electronics in the Hillwood Homes area of Akron. The streets mostly involved are: Donald Avenue, Virginia Avenue, Barbara Avenue, and Sylvan Avenue. The thefts and robberies appear to be committed by several people, possibly a group working together. The victims have reported they listed a cell phone or electronic device or want to buy a cell phone or electronic device on social media sites. The victims then agreed to meet the potential buyer/seller at a location of the suspect’s choice. When the victim arrives, they are met by the buyer/seller, who is on foot. The suspect asked to see the phone or electronic device or the cash. The suspect then grabs the phone or cash and runs away. During the most recent incident the suspect acted like he was reaching for a handgun; however, no gun was seen.

The suspects are black males in their late teens to early twenties.

The Summit County Sheriff's Office is investigating a home invasion and robbery at a Coventry Township home on Chenoweth Road last night.

According to the Sheriff's Office report, the suspect or suspects brok into the home at about 11:20 p.m. They took cash and several guns, including a 12-gauge shotgun, three rifles, and serveral other firearms. 

In addition to the robbery, the Sheriff's Office is reporting damage inside the home and damage to vehicles at the home. 

Anyone with info is asked to call the Sheriff's Office at 330-643-2131.