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News – Top Stories

Group working to save Oviatt House in Richfield

By Emily Chesnic | February 4, 2021

New Medina County sheriff steps into role

By Abby Cymerman | February 4, 2021

MEDINA — This past November, Republican Terry Grice ran unopposed for Medina County sheriff, a role held for the past seven years by retiring Sheriff Tom Miller. Grice, the former...

Winter on Tree Farm Trail

By Jennie Vasarhelyi | February 4, 2021

CVNP — The Tree Farm Trail is a favorite winter destination in Cuyahoga Valley National Park (CVNP). This 2.75-mile loop trail attracts walkers, people on snow shoes and cross-country skiers....

Penguin house fire ruled arson

By Staff Writer | February 4, 2021

COVENTRY — Arson was ruled the cause of a Penguin Drive house fire Jan. 6 after a joint arson investigation initiated by the Coventry Fire Department and Summit County Sheriff’s...

Green City Council appoints new member

By Eric Poston | February 4, 2021

GREEN — During a special Green City Council meeting Feb. 2, members appointed Christopher Meager to the open Ward 2 Council seat. The opening follows the resignation of former Councilman...

DeVitis takes seat on Summit County Council

By Eric Poston | February 4, 2021

DOWNTOWN AKRON — Green resident Anthony DeVitis, a Republican, has assumed the District 8 seat on Summit County Council after receiving 59 percent of the vote during last November’s General...

COVENTRY — Arson was ruled the cause of a Penguin Drive house fire Jan. 6 after a joint arson investigation initiated by the Coventry Fire Department and Summit County Sheriff’s Office detectives, who recovered evidence from the scene that was submitted to the State Fire Marshal’s Forensic Laboratory. No occupants...

West Side Neighborhood Watch

By Staff Writer | February 4, 2021

WEST AKRON: Police investigated burglary reports Jan. 27 in the 300 block of Noah Avenue and the 900 blocks of Dopler Street and Emma Avenue, and Jan. 30 in the 600 block of Mineola Avenue, the 800 block of Diagonal Road and the 1300 block of Seward Avenue. On Jan....

South Side Neighborhood Watch

By Staff Writer | February 4, 2021

COVENTRY: A South Grigg Road man reported Jan. 22 an acquaintance gained access to his residence, took his debit card and used it, making $210 in fraudulent charges. A license plate was removed from a vehicle parked outside a Manchester Road home Jan. 22. Summit County Sheriff’s Office deputies investigated...

Opinion

Cartoon

By Craig Marks | February 4, 2021

Appeal

APS seeking community input

Letter to the Editor | February 4, 2021

To the editor: An open letter to the Akron Public Schools community: Our search for a new superintendent of schools is progressing. As promised, we are maintaining our transparency throughout...

Bath man offers vaccination site idea

Letter to the Editor | February 4, 2021

To the editor: While at a local pharmacy, I notice[d] they were giving COVID[-19] vaccinations. I asked the tech about this. I also asked how the appointments were being spaced...

Education

West Side Education News & Notes

By Staff Writer | February 4, 2021

Akron Press Club to host State of Akron Public Schools address AKRON — Akron Public Schools (APS) Superintendent David James will deliver his final State of the Akron Public Schools virtually via YouTube Feb. 11 at noon before the Akron Press Club. James will discuss issues facing educators and school...

West Side Education News & Notes

By Staff Writer | January 28, 2021

NAACP ACT-SO competition season underway GREATER AKRON — The Akron branch of the NAACP is inviting Summit County high school students to compete in the 2021 Akron NAACP Afro-Academic Cultural Technological Scientific Olympics (ACT-SO) program. NAACP officials stated the ACT-SO program was begun in 1977 by founder and journalist Vernon...

APS preparing for COVID-19 vaccine distribution

By Abby Cymerman | January 28, 2021

DOWNTOWN AKRON — During the Jan. 25 virtual meeting of the Akron Public Schools (APS) Board of Education, Superintendent David James said the Ohio Department of Health (ODH) has appointed Discount Drug Mart as a partner to receive and distribute the COVID-19 vaccine to APS staff when it becomes available....

Entertainment & Lifestyles

Winter on Tree Farm Trail

By Jennie Vasarhelyi | February 4, 2021

CVNP — The Tree Farm Trail is a favorite winter destination in Cuyahoga Valley National Park (CVNP). This 2.75-mile loop trail attracts walkers, people on snow shoes and cross-country skiers. The setting of the trail is lovely year around, but takes on a special feeling in winter. The trail passes...

McKinley Day being celebrated virtually

By Staff Writer | January 28, 2021

CANTON — In lieu of an in-person event to celebrate President William McKinley’s birthday, the McKinley Presidential Library & Museum will present Virtual McKinley Day: An On-Demand Digital Birthday Celebration Jan. 29. “We can’t have an in-person event this year,” said Executive Director Kim Kenney, “but our Virtual McKinley Day...

Conservancy for CVNP launching new series for adults, youth

By Staff Writer | January 21, 2021

PENINSULA — The Conservancy for Cuyahoga Valley National Park (CVNP) has launched two new series intended to connect both adults and youth with Northeast Ohio’s national park — Crooked River Reads: A Distinguished Author Series, and Cuyahoga Connections, a monthly youth challenge. As the weather continues to be cold and...

Sports

Highland boys bowling program on ‘quite a ride’

By Sean Patrick | February 4, 2021

GRANGER — Head coach Bruce Folkerth said the Highland High School boys bowling program has come a long way in a short time. “I expected us to be better — with five bowlers returning and a year under our belts — but the bowlers have really taken it to the...

Green girls swim team looking to meet challenges

By Sean Patrick | February 4, 2021

GREEN — Head coach Mike Lazor said this year’s Green High School girls swim team has a notably strong work ethic. “The strength of the girls team this season is their willingness to set high goals and work hard to try their best to achieve them,” he said. “A great...

Highland girls basketball team looking for deep playoff push

By Sean Patrick | January 21, 2021

GRANGER — Highland High School girls basketball head coach James Madison said the best word to describe this year’s team is “relentless.” “There is no quit in this team. The top highlight this season was coming back down 17 points to Revere and winning the game by three points, 50-47,”...

Community News

Akron OKs Riverwoods townhomes project

By Eric Poston | February 4, 2021

DOWNTOWN AKRON — During the Feb. 1 Akron City Council meeting, members approved a conditional-use permit to construct a new housing development on a 76-acre site at 1870 Akron-Peninsula Road. The site is the former Riverwoods Golf Course & Driving Range and is owned by Petros Homes Inc., which intends...

Group working to save Oviatt House in Richfield

By Emily Chesnic | February 4, 2021

RICHFIELD — A group of citizens remains committed to keeping one of Richfield’s landmarks standing to best share the history surrounding it, including its link to the Underground Railroad. Upon learning the Richfield Joint Recreation District (RJRD) Board planned to demolish Richfield Heritage Preserve’s small white home off state Route...

West Side News & Notes

Jon | February 4, 2021

Stay at Home advisory extended in Summit County SUMMIT COUNTY — Summit County Executive Ilene Shapiro and Summit County Public Health Commissioner Donna Skoda once again have extended the Stay At Home Advisory. The advisory was originally issued Nov. 19, 2020, and set to end Dec. 16 and then extended...

New Medina County sheriff steps into role

By Abby Cymerman | February 4, 2021

MEDINA — This past November, Republican Terry Grice ran unopposed for Medina County sheriff, a role held for the past seven years by retiring Sheriff Tom Miller. Grice, the former Montville Township police chief, was sworn in as sheriff of Medina County, the 16th largest county in Ohio, in early...

Trustees approve entering into county network

By Patrick Shade | February 4, 2021

BOSTON — The Boston Township Board of Trustees approved joining the Summit County Service Department Response Network at the Jan. 27 meeting. Township Attorney Al Schrader said the county created the network to assist communities in case there is an inclement weather event and a majority of a road department...

DCFP offering ‘Downtown at Home’

By Staff Writer | February 4, 2021

CUYAHOGA FALLS — “Downtown at Home — A Take and Make Experience,” sponsored by the Downtown Cuyahoga Falls Partnership (DCFP), allows participants to enjoy food from the city’s downtown restaurants at home during the COVID-19 pandemic while supporting local businesses. The first event was a pizza kit from HiHO Brewing...