SOUTH SUMMIT — The Summit County Department of Environmental Services (DOES) is conducting a wastewater study to evaluate possible sanitary sewer service for the southwest portion of Summit County. 

DOES staff and consultants will discuss the study objectives and progress to date at a meeting Sept. 24 at 7 p.m. in Room 114 of Manchester High School, 437 W. Nimisila Road in New Franklin.

Following the study team’s presentation, the public will have an opportunity to comment and provide feedback.

The study area includes New Franklin, southwest Green, Clinton, southwest Norton and northeast Chippewa in Wayne County.

For more details, contact Donald Gallimore at (330) 926-2426 or via e-mail at dgallimore@does.summitoh.net.

Memorial fund established to help Green family

GREEN — A fund to help the family of Christian Spencer, a 13-year-old Green Middle School student who died Sept. 3 after an Aug. 27 bicycle accident, has been established.

Anyone wishing to help the family pay medical bills may send a check made out to the Christian James Spencer Memorial Fund, c/o First Merit Bank, 1411 S. Arlington Road, Akron, OH 44306.

Coventry officials announce political sign requirements

COVENTRY — Coventry Township officials have announced the 2009 requirements for political signs include:

• Political signs should not be placed within a road right of way (closer to the road than telephone poles);

• Signs may not be placed at any public facility, such as around the Clocktower or township parks;

• Permission to place a sign on private property must be obtained from the property owner;

• Signs should not create a sight problem for automobile drivers;

• There are no limits to the number of signs a candidate may place on one yard or limits to the number of signs that may appear in one yard;

• There are no limitations to the size of a political sign;

• Signs may be placed any time before the election and should be removed as soon as possible after the election.

For more information, contact Coventry Zoning Inspector George Beckham at (330) 644-0785, No. 2.

Rebuilding Together offers free furnace checks

SUMMIT COUNTY — On Oct. 3, more than 200 volunteers representing several organizations across Summit County will join together to provide free furnace checks to 100 eligible low-income elderly, veterans and disabled homeowners.

With the support of Rebuilding Together Summit County, the Professional Association of Comfort Contractors, the Cleveland Housing Network, Dominion East Ohio, the city of Akron and Summit County, homeowners will receive a free furnace check, new filter, smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and, in some cases, on-the-spot repairs, according to Rebuilding Together officials.

This is the fifth year for the event in Summit County. Over the last four years, more than 350 homeowners have been served, and in many cases, technicians discovered serious problems that required furnaces to be shut down or replaced, according to agency officials.

“Getting your furnace checked regularly is one of the most important things you can do to save energy, prevent carbon monoxide poisoning and extend the life of the furnace,” said Rebuilding Together Summit County Executive Director Paul Holm.

Low-income elderly, veterans and disabled homeowners are encouraged to apply as soon as possible for Rebuilding Together’s program to participate in “Heat the Town” on a first-come, first-served basis. For details, call (330) 773-4100 or visit www.rebuildingtogether-sc.org.

    — By Stephanie Kist

DJFS promotes services at upcoming expos

GREATER AKRON — On Sept. 18 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., the Summit County Department of Job and Family Services (DJFS) will host an information booth at the 2009 Summit Senior Expo at Summit Mall, 3265 W. Market St. in Fairlawn.

Citizens interested in learning more about county programs and services available to individuals 65 and older are encouraged to attend.

Representatives from the DJFS also will greet citizens, answer questions and provide information to Healthy Baby Fair & Family Expo attendees Oct. 3 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the John S. Knight Center, 77 E. Mill St. in Downtown Akron.

Promotional information featuring Healthy Start, a free health care coverage program for infants, children, teenagers younger than 19 and pregnant women of any age, as well as child care services and more will be on display.

For more information, call (330) 643-8200, or visit www.co.summit.oh.us.

    — By Stephanie Kist

UWSC sets campaign goal

SUMMIT COUNTY — The United Way of Summit County Board of Directors has approved the goal for the 2009 United Way/Red Cross fund-raising campaign of $11,303,526.

The 2008 campaign raised $11.3 million. Since 1918, the community has donated more than $420 million to United Way.

“The $11.3 million goal was set after hearing the recommendations from a team of local economic experts and reviewing the current and potential donors and campaigns,” said 2009 Campaign Chairman William Lowery. “We have an outstanding group of volunteers and United Way staff, and together we’ve been laying the groundwork for a successful campaign. By explaining to the community how their contributions to United Way make our community a better place to live, work and raise a family, we are confident the people of Summit County will step up and put us over our goal.”

“Our goal is to create long-lasting changes that prevent problems from happening in the first place,” added UWSC President Bob Kulinski. “Through our Live United campaign, we encourage people in our community to give, to advocate and to volunteer, because it takes everyone in the community working together to create a brighter future.”

    — By Stephanie Kist

New Foodbank statistics signal rise in need

GREATER AKRON — The Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank reports that the need for emergency food assistance is at an unprecedented level and is still rising.

High unemployment levels and an increased demand for food have led to an increase in the number of agencies served by the Foodbank. As a result, more people are being served due to community support.

The Foodbank reports an overall increase of 11.6 percent in 2009 in the number of people served at hunger relief programs. Households with children receiving food at pantries has increased by 19 percent in 2009 over the previous year.

As more individuals have sought emergency food, a record number of charities have joined the Foodbank to fight hunger on the front lines. During the past year, an additional 56 agencies, a 16 percent increase, have joined the Foodbank, surpassing 400 total agencies for the first time in its history.

“These statistics signal two significant trends,” said Dan Flowers, president and chief executive officer of the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank. “We are distributing food to more agencies than we ever have, providing more opportunities for people in need to be fed. Unfortunately, due to the current economic circumstances, we also are feeding many more people who did not need assistance at this time last year. These are hard times.”

Individuals and businesses can respond to rising demand for emergency food by supporting the Foodbank at the annual Taste of the NFL gala at the Pro Football Hall of Fame Sept. 29. Visit www.akroncantonfoodbank.org for details on that event or for other information.

    — By Stephanie Kist

Goodwill adds radio reading to services offered for print-impaired individuals

SOUTH AKRON — Goodwill Industries, serving Summit, Medina, Portage, Ashland and Richland counties, has added a Radio Reading Service to its offerings.

On Aug. 18, Goodwill purchased WCRS’ assets related to the delivery of radio reading services and its general business furniture and equipment. As of Aug. 31, Goodwill is now housing and facilitating the radio reading services at its Service Center on East Waterloo Road. Previous WCRS Station Manager David Binkley has accepted the role of manager of Radio Reading Services.

Radio reading services offer a means for delivery of vital information to individuals with visual and other physical impairments, according to Goodwill officials. For 33 years, the service has been broadcasting topical and local information to print-impaired individuals over a secondary channel of WZIP-FM in North Central Ohio and Clear Channel in the Mansfield area. Programming includes coverage of local newspapers along with readings from magazines and best-selling books presented in series. Talk shows and special interest programs encourage listeners to share experiences, exchange views and gain knowledge. Specially tuned radios are provided for a nominal charge to qualified listeners. Two other Ohio Goodwills already deliver radio reading services in their territories.