AKRON — On Nov. 19, Project Rise hosted its 12th annual Harvest Dinner for families experiencing homelessness, for the third year at Kenmore-Garfield High School. The evening offered 115 attendees arts and literacy activities and parent-child activities hosted by the Akron-Summit County Public Library, Buckeye Credit Union and Akron Metropolitan Housing Authority, as well as giveaways and entertainment. Also, The […]
2019-12-26
Group honors Vietnam veterans
CANTON — The Madison McKinley Chapter of the Ohio Society Daughters of the War of 1812 became Vietnam War 50th anniversary partners this year. According to Society officials, the Commemorative Partner Program is designed for federal, state and local communities to help thank and honor Vietnam veterans and their families. Shown above, from left, are State Veterans Services Chairman Sharon […]
South Side Neighborhood Watch
COVENTRY: Following a traffic stop on South Main Street Dec. 13, a Cleveland Avenue Southwest man was arrested on a felony warrant for a probation violation and taken to the Summit County Jail. A South Main Street man reported Dec. 13 his credit card was stolen and used for unauthorized purchases. Summit County sheriff’s deputies investigated a report of criminal […]
West Side Neighborhood Watch
WEST AKRON: Police investigated the following burglary reports: Dec. 20 in the 900 block of Bellevue Avenue; Dec. 21 in the 100 block of Melbourne Avenue and the 400 block of Barwell Street; and Dec. 22 in the 400 block of West Market Street and the 600 block of Garth Avenue. Police responded to a home invasion in the 600 […]
Green City Council president’s actions ‘embarrassed’ former member
To the editor: At the final [Green City] Council meeting of the year, Council member and current Council President Bob Young [(Ward 2)] had the not insignificant assignment to present the three [at-large] Council members that were leaving a traditional plaque from the city to thank them for their service and say a few sincere words expressing their worth. His […]
Cleveland Clinic Akron General receives autism-friendly designation
DOWNTOWN AKRON — Cleveland Clinic Akron General (CCAG) celebrated its designation as an “Autism Friendly Hospital” Dec. 10. Hospital officials stated CCAG is the first hospital in Akron and among the first adult hospitals in the nation to earn the designation. Hospital officials stated more than 650 employees have been trained to identify a person with autism spectrum disorder, and […]
New mayor, Council member eager to keep moving Lakemore Village forward
LAKEMORE — A newly elected mayor and Council member are united in their vision for the future of Lakemore Village. Former Council President Richard Cole, who takes over as mayor Jan. 1, and community volunteer Heather Anderson, who joins Council as a member Jan. 1, want to keep Lakemore heading toward a future they believe is full of opportunities for […]
Coventry district bids farewell to two board members
Board also OKs shorter spring testing schedule for students COVENTRY — One teacher with Coventry Local Schools is asking the Board of Education, with two incoming new members, to have a clear vision for 2020. Coventry Elementary School fourth-grade teacher Rebecca Dimeff requested the board not let financial figures and open enrollment debates blur where the focus should be, which […]
City reviewing need for board
Property Maintenance Enforcement Board suspended NEW FRANKLIN — New Franklin Council voted to suspend operation of the New Franklin Property Maintenance Enforcement Board as its purposes and functions were reviewed at the Dec. 18 meeting. Council voted 5-0 on the resolution, with Council members Judy Jones (at large) and Terry Harget (Ward 2) absent. According to the legislation, the board […]
Candidates file for March Primary
Presidential, state, local candidates on ballot SUMMIT COUNTY — Voters living in Summit County will see local, state and federal races on the March 17 Primary Election ballot. Dec. 18 was the filing deadline for the Primary Election, which is earlier due to the presidential election. The following is a rundown of the races and issues that will appear on […]
Medina gymnasts kick off season with top finishes
CUYAHOGA FALLS — The gymnasts from Medina Gymnastics Academy kicked off their competitive season by participating in the Fly Right Meet sponsored by Flytz Gymnastics in Cuyahoga Falls. The Xcel Silver gymnasts included Aubrey Hankins, who placed third on floor, second on vault and first on bars, beam and all around; Brooklyn Scott, who finished third on floor and second […]
Springfield girls basketball program showing ‘definite progression’
LAKEMORE — Head coach Kevin Pletcher said the Springfield girls basketball program is continuing to build momentum. “The program in general, and the varsity team specifically, is getting better and progressing from top to bottom, which is very nice to see,” he said. “We’re hitting some bumps here and there, such as injuries, but we’re getting into the groove of […]
Seniors looking to finish strong for Coventry boys bowling team
COVENTRY — Following a “rebuilding season” for the Coventry High School boys bowling program, head coach Aaron Rose said this year’s team is benefiting from that time of growth. “So far, we’re 5-2 and we’re bowling pretty well,” he said. “We’re losing to the better teams, but we’re beating some teams we lost a couple of matches to last year. […]
Woodridge boys bowling team wins tournament
HURON — The Woodridge High School boys varsity bowling team placed first in the Tiger Baker Eliminator Tournament Dec. 14 at Riverview Lanes in Huron. According to team officials, 16 teams competed for eight qualifying spots bowling 12 Baker games. The Baker format is a method of scoring competition that places emphasis on the team effort rather than the accomplishments […]
Sons of Italy Akron gives donations to charities
FAIRLAWN — Sons of Italy Akron Lodge 685 members held their annual Christmas party Dec. 7 at St. George Fellowship Center. As part of their mission to give back to the community, donations were given to five local charities, said organization officials. Shown above, from left, are President Patrick Puhak; Carolyn Henretta, of the Kidney Foundation of Summit County; Linda […]
‘Beary’ special gifts arrive at Windfall School
GRANGER — Students at the Medina County Board of Developmental Disabilities’ (MCBDD) Windfall School received Build-A-Bear teddy bears, thanks to Medina County Probate Judge Kevin Dunn and his staff Dec. 10. Dunn is shown helping preschooler Caroline Smith meet her new bear friend. MCBDD officials stated the gifts were provided through a Probate Court project that helps local youth fulfill […]
Candidates file for March Primary
Presidential, state, local candidates on ballot SUMMIT/MEDINA COUNTIES — Voters living in Summit and Medina counties will see local, state and federal races on the March 17 Primary Election ballot. Dec. 18 was the filing deadline for the Primary Election, which is earlier due to the presidential election. The following is a rundown of the races and issues that will […]
Summit County death notices
Summit County Public Health has issued these death notices for the week of Dec. 8-14, 2019: Nora B. Abbott, Barberton, 73, died Dec. 5, 2019 Mary A. Allen, Green, 73, died Dec. 4, 2019 Gloria June Babich, Stow, 93, died Dec. 11, 2019 Chad William Baughman, Norton, 29, died Nov. 20, 2019 Cornelius E. Benson, Akron, 58, died Nov. 28, […]
Revere school board honors departing member
The Revere Local Schools Board of Education meeting Dec. 17 featured the recognition of board member Dana Appel, whose term ends Dec. 31 following eight years of service to the Revere community. Superintendent Matthew Montgomery lauded Appel for her dedication to the board, noting that over her eight years she has been involved in hiring a superintendent and treasurer, developing […]
West Side News & Notes
Free rides available Dec. 24 and 31 SUMMIT COUNTY — The Summit County Prosecutor’s Office, with sponsorships from the law firms of Roetzel; Kisling Nestico & Redick; Burdon and Merlitti; and Bevan & Associates, as well as City Yellow Cab and LYFT, will offer free rides home to Summit County residents who drink too much alcohol to drive safely. The […]
Copley-Fairlawn BOE approves Academic Challenge trip
The Copley-Fairlawn City Schools Board of Education approved two student field trips Dec. 17 at the final regular board meeting of 2019. “These Academic Challenge field trips are pending qualification for those tournaments, so if our students qualify for those tournaments, they have permission for those overnight trips,” Superintendent Brian Poe said. The approvals are for overnight trips to Academic […]
Young Norton girls basketball team aiming high this season
NORTON — Head coach Brian Miller called this year’s Norton High School girls basketball team “a work in progress.” “As far as some of the things that we do offensively and defensively, we’re progressing,” he said. “We have games where we play really well and can dominate, and then we have games where we look like a bunch of freshmen […]
Keith reflects on time as Council member
DOWNTOWN AKRON — When asked what she will miss most about her time as Ward 8 Akron City Council representative, Marilyn Keith — without needing any time to think about it — said it’s the people with whom she has encountered and developed relationships. Keith, a Democrat, was elected Akron City Council Ward 8 representative in November 2011 and has […]
Falls Cancer Club Cookie Walk a success
CUYAHOGA FALLS — The Falls Cancer Club held its annual Cookie Walk Dec. 7 at Redeemer Christian School. The proceeds go toward paying doctor, hospital, pharmacy and food supplement bills of cancer patients being helped by the Falls Cancer Club. According to event officials, many members of the Falls Cancer Club, as well as associates from Kohl’s, baked and worked […]
District brings computer repair in house with GenYES program
COPLEY — The first year of a new program at Copley-Fairlawn City Schools has been met with a response even more overwhelming than teachers and administrators had at first imagined. “Not everyone wants to open up a Chromebook and see what is inside, but all the kids are all excited,” said Copley-Fairlawn Middle School (CFMS) teacher Christy Fahey of the […]
Fairlawn resident wants Rosemont property to retain taxpaying status
To the editor: I have a few questions in response to Dale Dumek[’s letter] (“Fairlawn man suggests club property could become green space” [West Side Leader, Dec. 12, 2019]). First, why don’t we need any more homes in Fairlawn? Have you noticed how quickly most property sells? According to basic economics (supply vs. demand) a short time between listing and […]
Summit Metro Parks recognizes first naturalist for 62 years of service
GREATER AKRON — In honor of the park district’s first naturalist, Summit Metro Parks recently named Dec. 4 “Bert Szabo Day.” A 34-year park district employee, Szabo has also served as a volunteer since his retirement in 1991. He is almost exactly one year older than the park district itself, having celebrated his 99th birthday Dec. 4. In recognition of […]
Fairlawn resident questioning YCF
To the editor: I have to second Mr. [Chris] Parson[s’] concerns [“Bath resident questions Yellow Creek Foundation’s Plan,” West Side Leader, Dec. 12, 2019] about the Yellow Creek Foundation (YCF) conservancy district plans. Unlike our local governments, YCF would add a bureaucracy that is not accountable to the people. Knowing the historical tyranny of absolute power, I am concerned that […]
Richfield Council approves budget
Although not unanimous, Richfield Village Council approved the village’s budget for 2020 at the Dec. 17 meeting. Finance Director Sandy Turk said total appropriations for all funds were $32.2 million, which is a $2.4 million increase over 2019 appropriations. “This is a fiscally responsible budget that balances the needs of the community with the available level of resources,” said Turk. […]
Copley honors outgoing trustee
Dec. 17 named Helen Humphrys Day in honor of four-term trustee At the final meeting of 2019, the Copley Board of Trustees honored outgoing Trustee Helen Humphrys for her 16 years on the board. A proclamation presented to Humphrys named Dec. 17, 2019, Helen J. Humphrys Day in Copley and read, in part: “Helen Humphrys took the oath of office […]
Revere boys basketball team looking to defend league title
BATH — The Revere High School boys basketball team has won two consecutive Suburban League titles and head coach Dean Rahas said he believes this year’s team has the ability to repeat. “Every year, we have the same goals,” he said. “We want to win the league and we want to win the district championship. And I think we are […]
Moments of closure in new ‘Star Wars’ film feel forced
“Star Wars: Episode IX — The Rise of Skywalker” almost screams, “YOU WANT CLOSURE? OH, YOU’RE GONNA GET CLOSURE.” Answers to big questions are revealed. Justice is meted out. Old friends and old enemies get their proper farewells and curtain calls. And if there are loose ends that remain untied (and I’m sure there are), it wasn’t from a lack […]
Holiday social raises funds for Boys & Girls Club of Western Reserve
AKRON — Akron area professionals raised $1,175 for Boys & Girls Club of the Western Reserve during its Merry Mingle event, presented Nov. 21 by the Akron Chapter of the American Advertising Federation, American Marketing Association Northeast Ohio Chapter, the Akron/Canton Chapter of the National Sales & Marketing Executives and the Akron Chapter of Public Relations Society of America. Shown […]
Woodridge board learns about entrepreneur academy
At the Dec. 17 Woodridge Local Schools Board of Education meeting, members heard more details about the entrepreneurship program that is being launched by the district in partnership with the City of Cuyahoga Falls, the Burton D. Morgan Foundation and the Six District Educational Compact. According to Woodridge Local Schools Entrepreneurship Educator Emily Knight, the class will meet daily at […]
Sharon trustees calculate appropriations
The Sharon Board of Trustees held its annual organizational meeting Dec. 19 to discuss financial matters and other business. One order of business handled at the meeting was calculating appropriations for the township in various categories. These appropriations include $2.1 million for the General Fund; $46,877 for the motor vehicle license tax fund; $297,525 for the gasoline tax fund; $1 […]
Humphrys looks back on 37 years of service
COPLEY — A person will undoubtedly see a community go through myriad changes over the course of a 37-year career in public service. Copley Trustee Helen Humphrys has not only seen those changes, she has by most accounts been an integral part of them. Her trustee position ends Dec. 31 as she was defeated Nov. 5 by Jim Schulte in […]