Akron Ohio News - South Side News & Notes

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South Side News & Notes

7/26/2012 - South Side Leader

By Staff Writer

Attempted child abduction in Green reported

GREEN — The Summit County Sheriff’s Office has issued a warning about an attempted child abduction that took place July 23 at about 6:30 p.m. on April Drive in Green.

Summit County Sheriff’s Office Inspector Bill Holland stated a man with gray hair and a beard, and wearing a white shirt, blue tie and tan pants approached a 7-year-old girl. He said the man did not speak to the girl and she was able to elude him.

Holland said the man was driving a yellow vehicle with a bike rack on the back and a football helmet sticker.

Holland said anyone with information on the incident is asked to contact the Sheriff’s Office at 330-643-2181.

Summer construction projects affecting traffic

GREATER AKRON — The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) announced construction projects will likely affect traffic patterns throughout the area in the coming weeks.

On state Route 8 northbound in Akron, the road was reduced to two lanes for resurfacing between East North Street and Howe Avenue this week. This work is part of a $4.3 million project to resurface Route 8 between the Central Interchange and the northern Akron corporation limit and bridge repairs to four structures. The entire project is scheduled for completion by mid-November.

Also, ODOT officials said Interstate 277/U.S. Route 224 westbound between Interstate 77 and Interstate 76 (the Kenmore leg) is now open. U.S. Route 224 westbound from Kelly Avenue to I-77 has various daily lane restrictions between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. for resurfacing.

Also, I-277 eastbound between I-77 and I-76 will have various nightly lane restrictions for pedestrian bridge work. These restrictions will occur between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m.

This work is part of a $13.2 million project to resurface I-277, I-76 and U.S. 224 from the Kenmore leg to I-77 and continuing on U.S. 224 to just east of Kelly Avenue, along with bridge work to 18 structures. The entire project is scheduled for completion in late October.

Officials also reminded area residents that bridge work over I-77 in Richfield Village and Bath continues.

Everett Road over I-77 is closed through early September for bridge re-decking. The detour is Brecksville Road to Wheatley Road to Revere Road.

Also, Ghent Road over I-77 is currently reduced to one lane in each direction through mid-September for bridge repairs, according to ODOT officials.

Both projects are part of a $7.7 million project to re-deck seven bridges over I-77 from Cleveland-Massillon Road to the Richfield southern corporation limit. The entire project is scheduled for completion by October 2013, according to ODOT officials.

Bond rating improves for Development Finance Authority

DOWNTOWN AKRON — The Development Finance Authority (DFA) of Summit County announced July 23 that Standard & Poor’s has upgraded the long-term rating of the DFA’s Jobs & Investment Fund (Bond Fund) to BBB+ with a stable outlook. It had previously been rated BBB, DFA officials said.

The DFA’s Bond Fund, in existence since 2004, has originated $55 million in bonds to finance 17 projects in six Northeast Ohio counties, according to DFA officials. The fund has financed manufacturing and distribution facilities, private non-profit, corporate, government and tax-increment-financing (TIF) projects.

“We’re pleased to have the BBB+ rating,” said DFA Board Chair Patricia McKay. “We believe it reflects the diversity of our bond pool and recognizes the prudent management policies and practices we have adopted.”

DFA President Chris Burnham added the fund is currently able to help finance projects in the $1 million to $5 million range.

For more information on the DFA and the Jobs & Investment Fund, go to www.developmentfinanceauthority.org.

Akron home recommended for historic register

COLUMBUS — Members of the Ohio Historic Site Preservation Advisory Board voted July 20 to recommend the former Stan Hywet Poultry Keeper’s Cottage be considered for the National Register of Historic Places.

The cottage, located at 1103 Courtleigh Drive in West Akron, was built in 1917 as part of Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. founder Frank Seiberling’s estate. It is a Tudor-style house that was originally connected to a chicken run.

The chicken run was demolished in 1955 when the cottage and adjacent property were sold to a developer who planned to raze the Poultry Cottage, too, until his wife persuaded him to save it.

In 1957, industrial designer F. Eugene Smith and his wife, Ramona, a graphic artist, bought the Poultry Cottage and converted it into their home. The cottage was recommended for nomination to the National Register as an example of early 20th century Tudor Revival style architecture and for its history as part of Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens.

The National Register lists places that should be preserved because of their significance in American history, architecture, archaeology, engineering and culture. It includes buildings, sites, structures, objects and historic districts of national, state and local importance.

Ohio Historic Preservation Office officials said they expect a decision from the keeper of the National Register in 90 days. If the keeper decides the property meets the criteria for listing, it will be added to the National Register of Historic Places.

The cottage was one of nine Ohio nominations, officials said, including the Franklin Hotel in Kent.

Black bears spotted in Summit, Portage counties

GREATER AKRON — Residents in parts of Summit County have reported sightings of black bears in the area but Metro Parks, Serving Summit County officials said there have been none spotted in western Summit County.

Tim Hite, marketing and communications specialist for Metro Parks, said the park district put a photo on its Facebook page that was taken by a Hudson resident who saw a bear at a private residence there recently. Hite said black bears were spotted last year at Liberty Park, a Metro Parks site in Twinsburg.

“There have been quite a few sightings in Portage County,” Hite said. “The thought is that male bears are moving over from Pennsylvania where they are common and trying to find territory of their own.”

Hite said anyone who sees a black bear can report the sighting by calling the Ohio Division of Wildlife at 330-644-2293.

“We tell most people that the bears will be more afraid of them than you are of the bear,” Hite said. “The only danger would be if there was a mother and cub but there’s no evidence of that happening, and there’s no record of bear attacks in Summit County.”

Hite said park district officials advise that residents concerned with the possibility of bears in the area remove items such as bird feeders and pet food that is kept outside. Bears are also attracted to garbage, he added.

According to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) website, the bear population in Ohio is growing. ODNR officials said they estimate that anywhere between 50 and 100 black bears are currently in the state.

— Kathleen Folkerth and Maria Lindsay contributed to these reports.

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