West Side News & Notes
Police investigating drive-by
shooting in West Akron
WEST AKRON — Akron police are investigating the fatal shooting of 22-year-old Jarriel Hitchcock, who was gunned down as he drove his blue Chevy Cavalier along Bellevue Avenue at 4 p.m. June 18.
According to Akron Police Capt.
Daniel Zampelli, witnesses said a dark-colored SUV drove
alongside Hitchcock, traveling in the opposite lane
on the two-lane residential street. As Hitchcock looked
out his window, a passenger in the back seat of the
SUV shot the victim in the head, causing the Chevy
to swerve, strike the passenger side of the SUV and
flip over. The SUV then sped away.
Emergency medical personnel worked
to free Hitchcock, who was trapped inside the vehicle.
He was extricated from the wreckage and transported
to Akron General Medical Center, where he was pronounced
dead. The motive for the shooting was unknown.
Police are looking for a dark
blue or black SUV, which would be damaged on its passenger
side and have light blue paint anywhere from the back
to the front of the vehicle. Anyone with information
about the suspects, vehicle or the incident is asked
to call detectives at (330) 375-2490.
— By Maggie DeMellier
Man indicted for wife’s
murder
DOWNTOWN AKRON — Adam Smith,
25, of Hemlock Hills Drive in Merriman Valley, was indicted
June 20 for the murder of his wife of seven months,
Nicole Pantaleano, 24, according to Summit County Prosecutor
Sherri Bevan Walsh.
Smith was indicted on two counts
of murder (a special felony), one count of tampering
with evidence (third-degree felony) and one count of
domestic violence (first-degree misdemeanor).
According to the prosecutor’s
office, Smith called 9-1-1 June 7 at 3:30 a.m. to report
that his wife was dead. He told police he went out for
doughnuts and left the door unlocked so as not to wake
his wife. He returned 20 minutes later and found her
dead, with multiple stab wounds.
Smith is scheduled for arraignment
before Magistrate John Shoemaker June 28 at 8 a.m. and
could face life in prison.
— Staff
report
City prepares route
for Bikeathon
AKRON — The city of Akron
has announced closings of streets to make way for the
LeBron James King for Kids Bikeathon June 24.
The event, featuring a number
of NBA stars as well as dozens of corporate teams and
hundreds of cyclists from around Ohio, will start at
11 a.m. in front of Canal Park stadium downtown.
On June 23, South Main Street
in front of Canal Park will be closed at 5 p.m. for
the construction of the starting line and will remain
closed through the Bikeathon.
On June 24, access in and out
of downtown will be maintained on Market and Exchange/Cedar
streets, but drivers might find traffic slowed or detoured
in some areas. The Akron Innerbelt (Route 59) between
Interstate 77/76 and Howard Street will be shut down
eastbound (going into downtown
Akron) from approximately 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Other traffic changes include:
• South Main Street will
be closed between Cedar and Mill streets from 6 a.m.
to 2 p.m.
• Eastbound traffic on Mill
Street will be detoured from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Through traffic will be
maintained at all times on Broadway and High Street,
although some lanes will be closed.
• Through traffic on West
Market Street will be maintained at all times, although
only one lane will be open westbound.
• Southbound lanes on Rhodes
Avenue between West Market Street and Copley Road will
be closed to traffic from approximately 11 a.m. to 1
p.m. Northbound traffic will be maintained on Rhodes
Avenue.
• Through traffic will be
maintained northbound on Edgewood Avenue, but southbound
lanes will be closed from approximately 11 a.m. to 1
p.m.
• Vernon Odom Boulevard
will be closed between Raymond and Locust streets from
approximately 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Westbound traffic will
have access to state Route 59 westbound.
The Bikeathon will be preceded
by a special Children’s Bike Ride at 9:30 a.m.
for 300 youngsters selected for their demonstration
of character.
There is a $25 registration fee
to participate in the Bikeathon. Children ages 12-14
can participate if accompanied by an adult (21 and older).
All riders must wear a helmet
and are encouraged to raise at least $100 in pledges.
Individuals and teams can participate, and James will
present awards to those who raise the most money.
Registration information is available
at FirstMerit bank branches, the city’s recreation
centers, Akron Area YMCA branches and the Akron Urban
League.
Riders also can register online
at www.lebronfounda tion.org.
— By Stephanie Kist
This falcon enjoyed breakfast
and a nap on a top-floor window ledge of the CitiCenter
building in downtown Akron. Deputy Fire Chief Rob Ross
captured the photo.
Photo courtesy of city
of Akron
Falcon visits window ledge
for breakfast, nap
DOWNTOWN AKRON — Akron
Deputy Fire Chief Rob Ross had an up-close experience
with a falcon on the morning of June 19.
The bird landed on a window ledge
of the Akron Fire Department’s administrative
offices on the top floor of the CitiCenter in downtown
Akron.
Ross said he captured photos
on a Konica Minolta digital camera while the falcon
breakfasted on a pigeon carcass.
Ross said the falcon seemed to
follow his movements, so he surmises it could see in
through the window, and it wasn’t fazed at all
by his presence.
He added he was concerned when
it appeared the falcon was getting sleepy and laid down
on the ledge, wondering if it might even have been poisoned.
“But it just took a 10-minute
or so nap, got back up and had more to eat,” he
said. “A few minutes later it flew off.”
According to city Communications
Director Mark Williamson, families of falcons have lived
downtown for many years and are monitored by the Ohio
Department of Wildlife.
—
By Stephanie Kist
Towpath Trail section
closed for up to 20 days
CVNP — A section of the
Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail in Cuyahoga Valley
National Park (CVNP) will be closed on weekdays from
7 a.m. to 6 p.m. for up to 20 days beginning today,
June 22, through July 20.
The section will be open July
4 for the holiday.
The Towpath Trail will be closed
south of Boston Store Trailhead beneath the Interstate
271 bridge due to the Ohio Department of Transportation’s
bridge project.
— By Stephanie Kist
Mosquito fogging
begins in Akron
AKRON — Weekly mosquito
fogging conducted by the Akron Health Department and
targeting traditional mosquito problem areas began June
18 and will run on a regular weekly schedule.
On Mondays, the Copley Road and
West Akron area bounded on the north by West Market
Street, on the east by Main Street, on the south by
Wooster Avenue and West Exchange Street and on the west
at the city limits will be fogged.
Northwest Akron and Merriman
Valley will be fogged on Tuesdays in the area bounded
on the north and west by the city limits, on the east
by the Little Cuyahoga River/Ascot Parkway and on the
south by West Market Street.
Spot fogging in response to calls
from Akron residents also will be available throughout
the summer and early fall, with the fogging season ending
Oct. 14.
Scheduled mosquito fogging will
begin at dusk and conclude at sunrise. Fogging cannot
take place if the temperature is below 50 degrees, if
the wind is stronger than 10 mph, or during periods
of rain or heavy fog.
The Akron Health Department’s
integrated comprehensive
mosquito control program focuses on destruction of mosquito
larvae before they can fly and bite, and on public education.
Akron residents can participate
in mosquito control by eliminating mosquito breeding
areas on their property. Any container that can hold
water for a period of several days is a potential breeding
ground for mosquitoes and should be checked and drained.
Ornamental ponds and swimming
pools should be properly maintained, gutters cleaned
at least twice a year, wading pools and wheelbarrows
turned over, water changed in birdbaths weekly and ditches
filled in with dirt or gravel.
Residents also can take personal
safety precautions to protect against mosquitoes by
wearing light-colored clothing, long sleeves, pants,
socks and shoes; staying indoors during dawn and dusk;
keeping window and door screens in good condition; and
using repellents that contain appropriate amounts of
Picaridin or DEET.
For more information, the Akron
Health Department’s Environmental Health Division
can be reached at (330) 375-2405.
—
By Stephanie Kist
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