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South Side News & Notes

11/26/2009 - South Side Leader
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By Maria Lindsay

Sheriff’s Office to share crime prevention tips

COVENTRY — The Summit County Sheriff’s Office will host a free crime prevention seminar Dec. 3 at 6 p.m. in Coventry Township Town Hall, 68 Portage Lakes Drive.

The seminar, titled “Refuse to Be a Victim,” will focus on tips for staying safe during the holidays, as well as personal safety, home and workplace safety, procedures to follow when traveling and more. Refreshments will be served.

For more information, call Sgt. Rick Armsey at (330) 643-2881 or Sgt. Harold Britt at (330) 643-8617.

Green High School club presenting ‘Rachel’s Challenge’

GREEN — Chain Reaction, a new group at Green High School aimed at promoting acceptance within the school, will present “Rachel’s Challenge,” Dec. 3 at 7 p.m. in the high school auditorium.

The program, presented with assistance from the Green Schools Foundation and the Safe Schools Grant, includes the story and dreams of Rachel Scott, the first person killed in the Columbine High School shooting April 20, 1999. Scott left behind a legacy and challenge to treat others with kindness and compassion in order to make a difference and change the world, according to organizers.

“Rachel’s Challenge,” founded by her father, Darrell Scott, has earned the Friends of Education award from the state of New York.

To see a preview of the presentation, visit www.rachelschallenge.com. 

The community event is open to all.

Edwin Shaw moves to new home

CUYAHOGA FALLS — After nearly 100 years in Lakemore, Edwin Shaw Rehabilitation Hospital is moving to Cuyahoga Falls. As of Dec. 3, Edwin Shaw will be located at 330 Broadway St. East, at the state Route 8 Broad Street exit.

With the move comes a new name: The Edwin Shaw Rehabilitation Institute, which reflects the patient care, research and staffing expertise provided by Edwin Shaw, according to Akron General officials.

The new facility, located on 10 acres of landscaped grounds, will feature 32 first-floor private and three semi-private rooms with private bathrooms. Room features include flat-screen TVs, wireless Internet and individual room temperature controls.

Dr. Michael Delahanty, medical director for Edwin Shaw, calls the new facility “simply outstanding. The location, the safety features and the amenities are beyond compare. I would describe the aesthetics of the environment as ‘motivational.’”

Patients will be admitted to the current Lakemore campus until the evening of Dec. 2. Patients residing at the Lakemore location then will be moved via a professional transport service to the new Cuyahoga Falls location Dec. 3.

Shaw’s chemical dependency services, The Dobkin Center, also will move to the Cuyahoga Falls location. In addition, Edwin Shaw is relocating its Lakemore Outpatient Services early next year from the current Flickinger Road location to Tri-County Plaza at 1500 Canton Road in Lakemore. This facility is designed to continue serving the outpatient rehab needs of Lakemore and Southeastern Summit County.

Akron General acquired the financially struggling Edwin Shaw in 2005.

    — By Stephanie Kist

Considines donate $1 million to Akron Children’s Hospital for new research facility

DOWNTOWN AKRON — Akron Children’s Hospital has received a $1 million commitment from William H. and Rebecca D. Considine to establish the Rebecca D. Considine Clinical Research Institute.

Philip Maynard, chairman of Akron Children’s Hospital Foundation, announced the gift at the Holiday Tree Festival Preview Gala presented by volunteers at Akron Children’s Hospital Nov. 20. The evening honored Considine for his 30 years of service as chief executive officer and president of Akron Children’s Hospital. 

“The Considines are making a tremendous investment in the health of our community’s children,” explained Maynard. “I applaud Bill and Becky. Because of them, this institute will generate world-class research in the field of pediatric medicine.”

“Akron Children’s Hospital is the largest pediatric health care provider in Northeast Ohio,” said Bill Considine. “Children’s has a responsibility to be a research center. Research is a crucial part of the hospital’s strategic plan and our support will ensure that we will be able to fulfill our commitment to children today and of future generations.”

“Children’s is unparalleled in the number of children they serve,” added Becky Considine. “Our gift will touch numerous lives.”

The Considines gift will be used to create an endowment that will enable the Institute to conduct research into prevention and treatment of pediatric illnesses and provide support for the education and training of research staff.

“Bill and Becky Considine have always been committed to making a difference in the lives of children,” said Maynard. “This gift recognizes Bill’s service as CEO and president and Becky’s support and service to Akron Children’s Hospital these past 30 years. We hope that their commitment to the future of Children’s will inspire others to seize the opportunity to become part of something life changing for our community.”

Fuel Fund Grants assist 900-plus families

DOWNTOWN AKRON — County officials announced Nov. 23 that 958 households in Summit County received assistance through the Ohio Fuel Fund Grants program, helping them to avoid service shutoffs.

County Executive Russ Pry’s Department of Community and Economic Development distributed $218,901 in grants countywide in an average amount of $228.50. Those who were helped received the funding in the form of billing credits.

The program is a FirstEnergy initiative to provide financial assistance to low-income, electrical consumers residing in Central, Northeastern and Northwestern Ohio.

After being named one of two distributing agents in Summit County in August, county officials encouraged eligible citizens to take advantage of the opportunity.

“In less than three months, we were able to distribute every cent of the allotted 2009 grant funding,” Pry said. “The overwhelming response from citizens was yet another sign of the difficult economic times.”

Connie Krauss, director of the Department of Community and Economic Development, said 90 percent of the applicants were able to avoid service disconnection because of the grant.

Citizens who qualified for the grant were required to have an active residential service account with a FirstEnergy electrical utility company, have a pattern of “good faith” customer payments, had previously applied for the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) or Emergency-HEAP and have a total household income at or below 200 percent of the Federal Poverty Income Guideline.

County officials said applications for 2010 are not being accepted at this time.

    — By Kathleen Folkerth

Summit County Animal Control boards 100th dog on Rescue Waggin’

Pepper was the 100th dog boarding the PetSmart Charities® Rescue Waggin’®
Photo courtesy of Summit County Executive’s Office
SUMMIT COUNTY — On Nov. 17, the Summit County Division of Animal Control boarded its 100th dog onto a PetSmart Charities® Rescue Waggin’® vehicle. Sponsored by Pedigree, the Rescue Waggin’ program transports dogs and puppies from areas of high pet population to shelters in regions where adoptable dogs are more in demand.

The 15 dogs boarded onto the Rescue Waggin’ vehicle traveled to an animal shelter in Washington, D.C. The previous 85 canines were transported to animal shelters throughout New York.

According to PetSmart Charities, pet populations differ across the country for a variety of reasons. For example, pet overpopulation tends to be higher in areas that have warmer climates, are rural and/or have little to no access to low-cost spay and neuter clinics for animals.

“Before being boarded onto the Rescue Waggin’ vehicle, each dog is given a health exam and a thorough behavior evaluation,” said Christine Fatheree, manager of the Division of Animal Control. “Only healthy, well-tempered canines are selected for this program.”

All of the dogs boarded on to the Rescue Waggin’ vehicle ride in a temperature-controlled atmosphere while lullabies resonate from the sound system. A video monitor allows drivers, trained in pet first aid, to observe the animals along the way.

Upon arriving at their destination facility, the dogs are given 12 to 24 hours of downtime before receiving an additional medical exam and a spay or neuter operation. On average, dogs are commonly adopted within three days, according to county officials.

For more information, visit www.petsmartcharities.org/rescue-waggin.

    — By Stephanie Kist

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United Way of Summit CountyBuilding 9EJ Thomas