An Akron man will be spending at least the next 18 years in prison for the murder of his ex-girlfriend.

Summit County Prosecutors announced 53-year old John Pritchard was sentenced to life in prison by Judge Paul Gallagher Friday  for the murder of his ex-girlfriend Robin Bailey last October.

Pritchard will be eligible for parole after serving 18 years in prison.

Pritchard shot Bailey four times after a  housing dispute. He then took her car and dog and left for New Mexico.

He pleaded guilty to murder and other charges in September.

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Press Release:

Summit County Prosecutor Sherri Bevan Walsh announced today that Judge Paul Gallagher sentenced John Pritchard, 53, of Patterson Avenue in Akron, to life in prison for the murder of Pritchard’s ex-girlfriend. Pritchard will be eligible for parole after serving 18 years in prison.

On October 9, 2011, Pritchard shot his ex-girlfriend four times after a dispute. He then took her car and fled to New Mexico.

Pritchard pleaded guilty to Murder with a gun specification; Tampering with Evidence, a felony of the third degree; Domestic Violence, a misdemeanor of the first degree; and Grand Theft, a felony of the fourth degree, on September

Another one of Akron's labor unions approved their contract with the city.

The Beacon Journal reports members of the Civil Service Personnel Association (CSPA)  voted to approve a three-year contract, with 99 percent of its membership voting in favor of the agreement.

The CSPA announced the results of the vote Thursday.

CSPA President Dan Sladek told the newspaper he felt it was the right agreement at the right time given the economic climate.

The union voted 79-1 in favor of the deal which gives raises of 2 percent in 2013 and 1 percent in years 2014 and 2015.

Akron's police union was the first of four to finalize their vote, approving their contract with the city Wednesday. Both the fire union as well as AFSCME Local 1360 are expected to announce their agreements in the near future.

All of the agreements will be going to Akron City Council for final approval.

On the Web: www.ohio.com

Cleveland Indians outfielder Michael Brantley had surgery Thursday morning to repair a sports hernia.

Dr. William Meyers performed the 24-minute procedure in Philadelphia. Brantley is expected to recover in 3-6 weeks.

He will start his physical therapy next week and should have no problems when he starts his training regimen in late November

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Cleveland Indians Press Release:

Please note OF MICHAEL BRANTLEY underwent surgery this morning in Philadelphia, PA to repair a core muscle injury (sports hernia) on the left side of his abdominal wall. The 24-minute procedure was performed by Dr. William Meyers. The typical recovery time is 3-6 weeks.

Michael will begin physical therapy early next week at his home in Florida and he is expected to be unrestricted when he begins his off-season strength and conditioning regimen in late November.

Those opposing an Akron charter amendment met at  Kenmore Community Center Wednesday night to voice their opinions on why this issue does not benefit the city and its citizens.

The meeting, which was scheduled for 6 p.m, was held later due to the fact that the group was locked out ot the community center.  The issue got resolved when State Representative Zack Milkovich made a call down to Columbus explaining the group's purpose for gathering that evening.

Dave Gordon says Issue 3 is politically motivated and won't save taxpayers money.

"The council people have no business running on a part-time job for four years, two is plenty to be involved with the city."

Issue 3 would change the terms of ward council members from two years to four, making it so that all city leaders are on the ballot at the same time, thus limiting the raises of council members and the mayor.

Ward 2 Councilman Bruce Kilby was in the audience. He says the ballot issue is about personal agendas and not much else.

"This isn't about me or anyone else on Council or the Mayor, it's about how this city is going to run long after we're gone."

Citizens Action PAC leader Andrae Long coordinated the event. He says by telling your friends and neighbors, Issue 3 will be voted down on Election Day.

"Get out there and tell people about this, campaign about this, because it will keep our elected leaders accountable," Long said.

"It's going to be by a grassroots effort and we're encouraging others to get behind this as well."

Yard signs urging people to vote "no" on Issue 3 were available to those in attendance.

Akron City Council passed a resolution 10-3 in favor of changing the charter amendment. One of the council members who voted no was Ward 2's Bruce Kilby, who filed suit in September in the Ohio Supreme Court challenging the ballot language for the issue.

Voters will have the final say November 6.

With the election just a few weeks away, Mitt Romney made a stop in Cuyahoga Falls to discuss what he feels will make the U.S. a global leader.

Romney brought along New Jersey Governor Chris Christie and Ohio Senator Rob Portman to the parking lot of the Falls Natatorium where a crowd of about 11,000 heard a passionate speech about how the current economic climate, health care reform, and other crises are failing the U.S.

"Four more weeks" was Romney's theme for tonight, referring to the amount of time he felt President Barack Obama would have in office.

The phrase was chanted throughout the rally as Romney pointed out President Obama's supporters have chanted "Four more years" during his most recent campaign stops.

Governor  Romney immediately attacked what he claims is President Obama's plan to raise taxes on small business.

"He wants to raise taxes on small business, I will not raise taxes on small businesses," Romney explained.

"By virtue of what he's describing, you're going to see high unemployment, wage growth become non-existent, and a same type of economic crisis that they have in Europe."

Romney outlined a five part plan to rebuild the American economy, including developing the country's coal, natural gas and oil resources to create more manufacturing jobs. Romney also pledged to sign new trade agreements with Latin America, which he claims will create more jobs here in the U.S.

For the thousands who came Tuesday night, an aura of excitement was in the air as the Cuyahoga Falls High School marching band stirred up the crowd prior to Romney's arrival and Romney/Ryan souvenirs were sold outside the barricaded parking lot.

Falls native Mary Anne said the event was exciting and that it showcased the city in a positive manner.

"It's a small little town, we don't get this very often," she said.

Cuyahoga Falls Mayor Don Robart says its a great honor for Governor Romney to have chosen his city as a campaign stop.

"It's an exciting time for our city, it doesn't get any better than this," Robart said.

"I think he (Romney) speaks  to Middle America,  I think he has a wonderful message, and he's picking up momentum."

With the election just 20-plus days away, Romney prompted those in attendance to weigh in on what problems the country is facing as they went back into their daily routines.

Jean McEwen of Copley said she wanted to see health care reform and see the nation grow as a whole./p>

" I brought my mother who is 88 years old here today, and under Obamacare, she might not be here much longer, she said.

It wasn't the only thing on her mind.

"I want to see just how Romney is going to improve the economy and bring people back to work."

Danny Bann of Twinsburg says its crunch time for all voters and that if people want to see change, they need to make it out to the polls November 6.

"This is a very important election, I feel this is more important than the one that took place four years ago."

"I think he needs to get the young voters here in these last few weeks, tell them that they are voting for their future and their lives."

As in many political gatherings, not all of the people in attendance were in support of the Governor's plan, namely a small  group of protesters  who stood outside the rally.

Stephanie from Cuyahoga Falls says Romney is out of touch with the middle class and can't identify with the common man...or woman.

"He just doesn't get it, " she says. "We want someone in office who understands the middle class and embraces diversity and change."

The Ohio Department of Transportation plans on holding a public meeting to inform people about a proposed $20 million project that will change how people commute around East Akron.

ODOT Spokesman Justin Chesnic explains the project that will eliminate the I-76/77 bridges over Johnston and Spicer streets.

View Larger Map

"What we're going to do is we're going to relocate those routes,  then fill in the area below with dirt to create an embankment," Chesnic said.

"Eventually we will get rid of those bridges that are on mainline 76 and 77 and treat those as pavement." 

The public can look over the plans and ask questions at the Leggett CLC on Thornton Avenue from 5 to 7 p.m. 

Chesnic says the bridges need to be replaced, but the project will be less costly if ODOT decides to build up the earth below instead of constructing new bridges.

He says the construction shouldn't affect commuters too much.

"They will use the relocation of Johnston Street to get to Brown Street which is just north of I-76/77," says Chesnic.

"They can use that route to get to Brown Street, and that street runs north/south, so it will cause somewhat of an impact, but people should be able to get around fairly easily."

The project is expected to begin in the summer of 2015.

Alliance Police are investigating an apparent homicide that happened at an apartment complex late Sunday night.

News Channel 5 reports  35-year-old Angela Lewis of Alliance died as a result of multiple stab wounds inside her apartment. A neighbor called police to the East Columbia Street complex  for a possible domestic dispute.

When police arrived, they said they forced their way into the apartment and found the body of Lewis.

The only other person in the apartment was Jawanza Scott otherwise known as Mathew David Scott, who apparently lived there as well. Alliance Police say Scott was belligerent with them during his arrest.

He's being charged with murder, assaulting a police officer and obstructing official business among other charges.

Scott is currently being held  at the Stark County Jail on $1 million bond.

On the Web www.newsnet5.com

The University of Akron men's basketball team will get an added boost from a transfer student with Ohio ties.

The University announced redshirt freshman forward Pat Forsythe will be eligible to play during the 2012-13 season.

The NCAA cleared the former Brunswick High star after he transferred from West Virginia University earlier in the year. He will have four years of eligibility remaining.

University of Akron Press Release:

University of Akron men's basketball head coach Keith Dambrot announced on Monday that redshirt-freshman Pat Forsythe has been cleared by the NCAA to play for the Zips in the 2012-13 season.

Forsythe, a Brunswick, Ohio, native, transferred from West Virginia during the offseason and will have four years of eligibility remaining after receiving a transfer residence waiver.

"We are excited for Pat and his family that he will be able to play this season," Dambrot said. "Any time you can get a player with Pat's size and skill is a benefit to the team. He makes us one of the more physical teams in the country."

Forsythe appeared in seven games for the Mountaineers last season, averaging 2.1 points and 3.4 rebounds per game. He grabbed a season-best seven boards against Alcorn State (Nov. 17) before missing the majority of the season due to a stress fracture in his right ankle.

At Brunswick High School, Forsythe was a First-Team All-Ohio selection by the Associated Press during his senior year (2010-11). That season, he averaged 22.5 points, 12.6 rebounds, 6.1 blocked shots and made 66 percent of his shots from the floor. He was ranked as the No. 8 player in the state of Ohio by ESPN for the class of 2011.

Forsythe and the Zips will open the 2012-13 season on Wednesday, Oct. 31, when they play host to Tiffin in an exhibition contest at James A. Rhodes Arena.

The Browns top DB has returned to the team following his 4-game suspension for violating a league-wide drug policy.

Cornerback Joe Haden returned to the team Monday for the first time since being suspended for testing positive for Adderall, which is a banned substance in the NFL.

Haden apologized to his teammates, fans, and coaches for what he calls a "very dumb mistake."

He (Haden) says during his time off, he spent a lot of time reflecting on his life, but now he just wants to put the pads back on and help his team win football games, starting with Cincinnati on Sunday.

He also made some changes in his personal life, getting engaged and posting pictures on Instagram.

After a fire destroyed a Norton church earlier in the week, its pastor and his congregation are looking to put the pieces back together.

Senior Pastor Mike Guarnieri  of the Father's House Church tells AkronNewsNow.com says as of right now his congregation does not have a temporary church home, but he says finding one is his number one priority.

"We're hopeful we can find a temporary home until we can rebuild."

The fire happened around 11:30 p.m. Wednesday night while the department was unstaffed. Currently, there are no firefighters staffed between 10p.m. and 6a.m.

Guarnieri says he's not upset with the Norton Fire Department for their delayed response time, understanding the budget cuts involved.

"I'm not angry at anybody, " Guarnieri said. "I love the city of Norton and I've been here for a long time."

He says this unfortunate incident will bring awareness to  Norton residents  to pass a 4-point-6 mill fire and EMS levy in November. The levy previously failed twice.

Guarnieri says his church was insured through Brotherhood Mutual so they will be supplying the finances necessary to rebuild the building.

However, they were underinsured on contents such as instruments, computers, Bibles, and other items.

Pastor Mike says he's overwhelmed with the number of people who are looking to help the Father's Church family get back on their feet with financial contributions as well as words of support.

"We're just excited about all love and outpouring of support we've received since this happened," he said.

"If you would have seen us at 3a.m. when our facility was burning to the ground and you seen our parishioners crying, you would understand how much those offerings of love mean to us."