Chris Keppler

Chris Keppler

Chris is the regular news anchor on WQMX's Wynn and Wilson in the Morning and WONE's Tim and Christi in the Morning programs. He first opened a microphone at WZIP-FM at The University of Akron in 1990 but got his first paid radio job delivering weekend news on WZKL-FM & WDPN-AM in Alliance. Chris then moved to WJER AM & FM in Dover where he reported on Tuscarawas County, including stories that made national headlines. Chris has been honored by his peers with first place awards from the Ohio Associated Press Broadcasters including Best Reporter, Best Feature Story, and Best Broadcast Writing among others. In addition to his work as a broadcast journalist Chris has also worked in public relations and as an instructor at the University of Akron teaching Broadcast News Writing. Chris enjoys volunteer work, and has served on the boards of the Ohio Associated Press Broadcasters, Public Relations Society of America (Akron Area Chapter), American Cancer Society Hope Gala Committee and currently serves on the Green Baseball/Softball Federation Board. Contact Chris through the newsroom 330-864-6397 or email at ckeppler@rcrg.net

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Wednesday, 12 December 2012 12:32

UA Soccer: Smooth Transition

University of Akron athletic officials are confident that a coaching change at the top of the nationally-recognized men's soccer team will have little impact on the short-term future of the program.  Athletic Director Tom Wistrcill says new coach Jared Embick can pick up where former coach Caleb Porter left off.

"They've been recruiting together and they built this program together," said Wistrcill.  "They've trained all these players, so our hope is that Jared will just take over.  It will be seamless and we can build another great soccer team for next fall."

Embick served as associate head coach under Porter, who was named coach of Portland's major league soccer team.  Wistrcill says Embick's overall vision for the team may be the same, but he'll bring his own methods to the head coaching position.  Wistrcill also thinks that Porter's new job may benefit Zips soccer players more than if he had stayed here.

"To have our former coach be an MLS head coach, I think that's even more advantageous from a recruiting perspective because now there's a direct link between what's happening here in Akron and one of the top MLS clubs out in Portland."

Embick officially assumes his new role on Saturday.

Wednesday, 12 December 2012 11:52

AUDIO Tighter Security Needed In Malls

The fatal mall shootings in Oregon put the issue of security in the spotlight for malls, movie theaters or any medium or large-scale public venue. 

Tim Dimoff, president of SACS Consulting in Tallmadge says it's time for a reality check among managers and society, in general.  He thinks we need to change attitudes about the need for something other than so-called "mall cops" to serve as a comprehensive security plan.

"We're going to continue to have those types of security personnel, but we're going to need to mix in another type of personnel, a much higher trained, a much more professional level," said Dimoff.

Dimoff suggests hiring ex-military personnel, existing or retired law enforcement to beef up security in addition to greater use of technology.

"You're going to see more use of cameras and electronics," said Dimoff.

Dimoff says a combination of more highly trained people and use of electronics trump approaches that involve use of metal detectors at every door.

No matter what you do, the possibility of a shooter getting inside remains.  The Summit County Sheriff's Department trains companies or other organizations for that possibility.  Lt. Doug Smith, who teaches "Active Shooter," says it's important for employees to know what to do because non-employees, like shoppers, will follow their guidance.

"Anything we accomplish in law enforcement is through training and hope our subconscious will allow us to react the way we've been trained," said Smith.  "That's what we hope businesses will do with this program."

Smith says the best thing to do is get away, followed by hiding.  He recommends defensive tactics only as a last resort - something dangerous that most people aren't trained to do.

"We go with the attitude that it's better to be a good witness than a victim," said Smith.

Tuesday, 11 December 2012 13:53

Holiday Lights Out In Twinsburg

Twinsburg police want to know who is ruining outdoor holiday light displays.

Lt. Michael Nakata says police were called on a criminal damaging complaint to a house on Brighton Circle.

"Someone cut strands of Christmas lights and while we were there, she pointed out that one of her neighbors also had similar damage to some strands of Christmas lights as well," said Nakata.

There was a similar incident on Forest Lake Drive reported Monday night.  Nakata says it's not a particularly serious crime, but one that really makes people mad.

 

Tuesday, 11 December 2012 13:20

New DNA For Death Row Inmate?

The Ohio Supreme Court has agreed to hear oral arguments regarding additional DNA testing for a Death Row inmate from Portage County. 

Tyrone Noling was convicted of killing an elderly Alliance couple more than 20 years ago.  Noling was already in trouble for a separate crime and when police first questioned Noling and his friends, there were no charges filed until several years later.

Noling has tried more than once to get a court to order more DNA testing, but with no luck.  Now the supreme court will weigh in to determine which set of acceptance material is on wokd

Tuesday, 11 December 2012 10:38

Prostitution In Coventry Township

Four people face prostitution charges following a massage parlor bust in Coventry Township.

it wasn't hard to figure out, according to Summit County Sheriff's Department Inspector Bill Holland, who says all they had to do was follow advertisements in the adult pages of websites that are known to promote prostitution.  Guys can get a massage at 3232 South Main Street, but they can also get a lot more when they leave a big "tip," which Holland says is nothing more than payment for sex.

Deputies confiscated cash and client lists when they showed up Monday with a search warrant. 

Charged with prostitution: Heather Long, 29, of Canton; Charitey Riggs, 19, and Amber Eslich, 30, both of Louisville; and Lathosha Wyrich of California.

Thursday, 06 December 2012 13:22

Fairlawn Workers Get Raises

Union employees in the city of Fairlawn are getting raises.

It starts with full time police, fire and service department workers, but it doesn't stop there.

"We've also been able to settle with our communication specialists and our part time fire and police for the same amount, again 2.25%" said Mayor Bill Roth.  "I think it's a very fair agreement for both sides."

Roth says the unions negotiated "wage re-openers" into their contracts that expire at the end of 2013.  That means the two sides can negotiate for salary adjustments before the end of the contract, but with no guarantees.  Roth says revenues have been on the rise, allowing for the city to agree to wage hikes.  That's something that didn't happen at all over the last year.

The slowly expanding local economy will also result in addressing some of the city's roads.

"We're going to expand our road repair and replacement program because of the uptick in revenue," said Roth.

Despite the positive news, he wants to remain cautious, at least until he can gauge how the actions of state and federal lawmakers impact local governments in 2013.

Thursday, 06 December 2012 12:17

Meth In Coventry Township

Summit County sheriff's deputies say they stumbled across a couple of portable meth labs. 

Inspector Bill Holland says a deputy made the first discovery Tuesday evening after being called out investigate calls of some downed power lines along South Main Street near Lakeview Elementary School.  A smoking bottle was spotted along the road.  Holland says it turned out to be a one-pot meth lab.

The area had to be evacuated while experts cleaned the area.

The second incident, also on South Main Street, started with pulling over a vehicle for reckless operation.  Deputies say they saw the bottle with meth inside.  Holland says that Jeffrey Sumey, 30, and Jack Zagner, 26 both admitted to making meth inside the car. 

They were booked in the Summit County Jail on felony drug charges.

 

 

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Monday, 03 December 2012 12:00

Burglars Target School Bus Garage

A late start today for Coventry students can be blamed on burglars.

That's according to Superintendent Rusty Chaboudy, who had to delay school by two hours this morning when bus drivers discovered somebody had broken into the bus garage sometime over the weekend.  The stolen scrap metal is one thing, but missing keys for the buses is another.

Chaboudy says 15 to 20 keys were stolen. during the break in.

The thieves apparently busted a window to get inside the building on Portage Lakes Drive.  Chaboudy says surveillance video could help to identify them.

The superintendent says transportation officials were able to get new keys made quickly, so the delay did not have to be extended beyond two hours.

Monday, 03 December 2012 09:10

AUDIO Zips Football Attendance Drops

It's never hard to find a seat at University of Akron home football games.  In fact, for every seat taken during the 2012 campaign, there were two empty ones.

InfoCision Stadium holds 30,000 people.  The average home game attracted 9,275 this season, the worst in at least a decade and several thousand fewer than the number who attended games at the dilapidated Rubber Bowl several miles off campus.

It all makes sense, though, according to UA Athletic Director Tom Wistrcill:  It's based almost entirely on the team's win-loss record.

"We have a core group of fans here for Akron football and they're going to come no matter what the record is and they're excited about the direction the program is going," said Wistrcill.   "Unfortunately, there is a large group of people out there who will get more interested when we start winning more games."

That hypothesis holds true overall, but not when the last three years are isolated.  The season that followed the Zips' first one-win season was met with an increase of several thousand fans per game, then followed this year by a drop of several thousand.  However, when the Zips were winning more games, attendance was up, even at the Rubber Bowl.

 

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That's consistent with a glance at attendance figures at Kent State University's Dix Stadium.  When the Golden Flashes went 3 -9 in 2007, average attendance was only 8,999.  The team's record got better and so did attendance.  This season, when the team lost only one regular season game, average home attendance swelled to 17,880.   

Wistrcill says attendance is better when Akron hosts Kent State, Ohio University and at least one well known non-conference team.

Wistrcill is confident that the wins will come, possibly as early as next season, based on the quality of players expected to return in 2013 as well as the recruiting efforts already underway by Coach Terry Bowden.

"We think there are great opportunities to build the fan base as Coach Bowden builds the program," said Wistrcill.

If Wistrcill is wrong, there are consequences.  First, fewer attendees means less revenue.  While InfoCision Management Corporation, Summa Health System, FirstEnergy and Towpath Credit Union pledged big money for various naming rights, the bulk of the debt rests with the university.  The stadium cost about $60 million.

Second, teams must bring an average of 15,000 people to home games at least once every two years or risk their standing with the NCAA.  Akron is part of the Football Bowl Division (formerly I-A).  Not meeting attendance requirements is enough to be downgraded to the Football Championship Subdivision (formerly I-AA).  Wistrcill says the rule is not enforced, but it could be, and that could translate to fines, a loss of scholarships and a ban from bowl appearances. 

Akron has violated the attendance rule.

 

 

 

 

Monday, 03 December 2012 05:38

AUDIO Retail Recruitment In Downtown Akron

Downtown Akron Partnership is working on a couple of new initiatives designed to fill gaps for shoppers and others who visit downtown. 

DAP President & CEO Suzie Graham says retail recruitment is an important component in the evolution of downtown Akron. 

"It will help to be a more walkable neighborhood, help us from that transition from daytime to nighttime and if there are establishment that are staying open in sort of the interim hours to give people more things to do downtown," said Graham.

But Graham says it's not responsible to lure any retailer without first determining the chances of success. 

"We want to make sure that we do the research that's necessary to build an attraction and retention packet for businesses, specifically small businesses and niche retail," said Graham.

Graham says they're also focusing on the nighttime economy in downtown Akron and how to make it even stronger:

Graham says this is the perfect time to work on additional retail and nighttime development because there's a growing downtown residential population to eventually support the efforts.

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