Akron motorists will have to gear up for another headache on the roads.
Starting tonight at 9 p.m., the Ohio Department of Transportation will be closing the eastbound lanes of the Kenmore Leg (I-76) for nine days for bridge and pavement repairs. The closure will last through Sunday, June 10.
The detour will be will be I-277/US 224 east to I-77 north and then to I-76 west.
The construction is part of a $13.2 million project to resurface I-76, Interstate 277 and US 224.
The following ramp closures will also be in place with the Kenmore Leg closure:
The westbound lanes of the Kenmore Leg will close at a later date.
New developments and growth in downtown Akron is changing the way the city looks at one-way streets.
Public Service Director Rick Merolla said the city has lauched a study to determine whether to change Cedar and Exchange streets back to two-way roads.
"The university's growth is pretty obvious if you drive up and down on Exchange Street - the new housing, the new parking deck and there's new student housing being built downtown," said Merolla.
The study will focus on traffic volume, speed and accident data. It could take up to a year to complete.
If the study shows several advantages to changing Cedar and Exchange back to two-way streets, the next step would be to determine how to fund the project, according to Merolla.
"That's always the sticky part. There's just less and less federal funds available and state funds available," said Merolla.
The city converted Cedar and Exchange from two-way to one-way streets over 30 years ago.
A morning fire destroyed a building at the Timber Top apartment complex in Akron.
Akron police dispatchers said fire crews responded to the community center in the 1500 block of Treetop Trail around 6 a.m.
Drivers could see flames and heavy smoke shooting up near Portage Trail as trucks raced to the scene.
The building was a total loss valued at $800,000.
Fire officials said no one was injured in the fire.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
The struggling economy and tough job market has forced hundreds of older workers to find employment in Summit County.
Hundreds of job seekers along with about 40 employers attended the 22nd Annual Mature Workers’ Job & Career Fair Thursday at the Akron-Fairlawn Hilton.
Sandra Shade, 60, of Akron, was laid off her retail job in 2008. She hopes companies see the true value when hiring older workers.
"I think mature workers are more reliable, dedicated, and dependable," said Shade.
Mature Workers' Job Fair: Sandra Shade by Amani Abraham
Shade has been involved with a Mature Services program that offers training to older workers who want to advance their job skills.
Al Frank, 80, of Akron, is a retired engineer looking for a change to help keep him active.
"I would like to find something that is more productive or rewarding," said Frank. "I'm very open-minded. I'm not looking for anything in particular."
Mature Workers' Job Fair: Frank Shade by Amani Abraham
Frank says he believes companies look for mature and older workers for the dependability.
"I have read that many companies have come to the conclusion that age is not the limit for an employee," said Frank.
Click here to find more information about job fairs hosted by Mature Services.
In response to the ongoing effort to solve the violence going on in Akron, members of the public asked city leaders what they can do to help police.
Mayor Don Plusquellic addressed the issue by saying it doesn't matter what neighborhood you're in, you need to come forward if you know something about a violent crime.
"If people cared about their neighborhood, they would want to have a safe neighborhood, and by having a safe neighborhood you have to participate, and if you participate, that means you let police know if there's a problem," Plusquellic said.
"It doesn't matter if you're African-American, Chinese-American, or Italian-American."
Akron Mayor Don Plusquellic by Aaron Coleman
Police are still working to solve some high-profile murders including the slaying of 17-year old Willie Brewer III near the intersection of Copley Road and Storer Ave earlier this year.
Andrea Smith, with the group Stop the Violence in Akron, asked the Mayor during the public comment period of Monday night's council meeting how the community can help the city and police solve these cases and get closure for the families who lost a loved one.
She said in order to solve the senseless murders that have been going on, it has to be a group effort.
"It has to be a 'we' effort," she said. "We love our city and we want our kids to grow up in a safe community. We want to know what these crackdowns will do to answer these unanswered questions."
Plusquellic reiterated that the police can't be everywhere at all times, so they need citizens to step up.
"If the police are going to be abel to do their job to the best of their ability, they are going to need the eyes and the ears of the public helping them," he said.
Smith says she knows the police are doing their job, but she says people she spoke to want to know what they will do about the people who want to take the death of a loved one into their own hands.
"We want to know what's being done to protect us," Smith explained.
Mayor Plusquellic says there's many ways people can help the police.
"They can do that in any number of ways, either by calling the police department, or choosing to provide anonymous information," Plusquellic explained.
"If they choose to provide anonymous information we'll take it, whatever it takes to solve these crimes."
Last week during a violent crime crackdown on the city's west side, Akron police arrested 32 suspects.
Since the city's anti-violence unit was started, Akron Police Chief James Nice and the Mayor are looking to target the city's East Side over near Arlington Road, Cole Avenue and other streets to focus on crimes and unsolved cases in that area.
A reward is now being offered for anyone with information leading to the arrest of an Akron fugitive.
Police said Edwin Oneil Cain III, 25, of Akron, is wanted for a number of crimes including gang activity, felony drug abuse and trafficking drugs.
Cain sold guns and heroin to undercover officers, according to the Akron Police Department. He is considered armed and extremely dangerous.
A reward is being offered by the U.S. Marshals Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force.
Cain's last known address was on 7th Street SW in Akron.
Anyone with information is encouraged to call the Akron Police Department Detective Bureau at (330) 375-2490; the U.S. Marshals Service at 1-866-4-WANTED; or the Summit County Crimestoppers, Inc at (330) 434-COPS. Callers can remain anonymous.
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The American Red Cross is helping a family of four that was displaced by a house fire this morning in Akron.
Akron fire officials said they responded to an attic fire around 7:45 a.m. on Brighton Drive near South Main Street.
The family was able to get out of the home safely. One firefighter suffered minor injuries.
The Red Cross is currently helping the family find shelter.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation. Crews are currently assessing the damages.
Budget cuts have forced Akron-based Mobile Meals to reach out to the public, asking them for help through an active fundraising campaign.
President and CEO Lorie Travaglino said this is the first time the agency is asking for the public's help in 41 years. "We are going into people's homes, every single day, checking on them, making sure that they are okay, and connecting with them in their homes," Travaglino said. "That cost and the delivery cost is really what's killing us."
Mobile Meals Asking For Public's Support by Amani Abraham
Day-to-day operations for the agency are very costly, according to Travaglino. The agency does more than just deliver food. She said they also check on the welfare of customers including looking for signs of physical abuse.
"Mobile Meals is provided for anyone that thinks that they need a meal and then we work with them to best get that meal on their table," Travaglino said.
Travaglino is unsure how long the public fundraiser will last, but said the agency will determine the next steps after reviewing the public's support.
"We're developing strategies now to keep this momentum going. We would like to see the results by the end of June."
The woman accused of posing as a fake veterinarian is facing a new charge in connection with the death of a Persian Gulf war veteran's service dog in 2011.
The Beacon Journal reports 35-year-old Brandi Ann Tomko has been indicted on a third-degree felony charge for allegedly assaulting and harassing an assistance dog.
The dog, belonging to Bob McGee of Akron, died last October as a result of the alleged assault.
The latest indictment also includes one count of felony theft and four counts of animal cruelty. Those charges arose after formal complaints were filed by local pet owners.
Tomko is accused of treating animals at the now-closed C & D Animal Hospital on Brittain Road in Akron.
She has been charged with 39 counts of animal cruelty, identity fraud, and practicing without a license, even though she had no formal veterinary training.
On the Web: www.ohio.com
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A family of six has been left homeless after a possible arson fire cut through their home in Akron Monday night.
Fire officials said the blaze started on the back porch of the house in the 2300 block of 12th Street around 9 p.m.
The family was able to escape the home with no injuries. The American Red Cross is helping the two adults and four children with shelter.
The blaze caused an estimated $44,000 in damages to the home and its contents.
A suspect linked to the possible arson was taken into custody. No further information on the suspect has been released.
The fire remains under investigation.
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