An Akron man who cut the throat of another man after an argument was given the maximum sentence Friday.

56-year-old Curtis Howard will spend the next eight years in prison after being found guilty of one count of felonious assault March 12 stemming from a September incident at the boarding house he was staying at.

Prosecutors say Howard was arguing with another man over the television volume, then hit him in the face and then cut him under the chin with a pocket knife. Howard to chase him out of the house and two of the residents heard Howard yell “I am going to kill you!” while running after the man.

The victim’s injury required 19 stitches.

Howard has been in trouble for similar incidents in the past, dating back to 1994.
 

Last year's World Golf Championships-Bridgestone Invitational along with Northern Ohio Golf Charities generated more than $1.08 million in charitable funds for Northeast Ohio.

Among the charities that benefitted from the annual tournament included the Susan G. Komen Foundation, Akron Children's Hospital, and Elves & More among others.

The announcement was made Tuesday during the annual Bridgestone Invitational, Northern Ohio Golf Charities Luncheon at the Firestone Country Club, home of the World Golf Championship-Bridgestone Invitational.

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AKRON, Ohio –The World Golf Championships-Bridgestone Invitational and Northern Ohio Golf Charities today announced more than $1.08 million in charitable funds given to in connection with the 2012 tournament. The announcement was made at the annual Bridgestone Invitational, Northern Ohio Golf Charities Luncheon held at the Firestone Country Club, the venue of the WGC event.

Representatives from Bridgestone Americas, Inc., the PGA TOUR and Northern Ohio Golf Charities attended the luncheon to celebrate the charitable aspects of the tournament and announce the recipients of the donations. Of the total raised, $924,943 in grants were made to 49 charities throughout the region; $85,079 was raised in connection with the Susan G. Komen Northeast Ohio, Akron Race for the Cure held at Firestone Country Club (which kicked off tournament week); $63,682 was generated through Tickets Fore Charity, a unique program that gives charities the opportunity to promote ticket sales and receive 75 percent of the ticket price; and $14,138 was collected through the Birdies Fore Charity fundraising program promoted by Akron Children’s Hospital.

Charities in attendance included: The Ronald McDonald House® of Cleveland and the Ronald McDonald House® of Akron the anchor charities of the Bridgestone Invitational; Akron Children’s Hospital; University Hospitals Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital; Youth Challenge; Shelter Care; Elves & More, and Cleveland Kids in Need. {Please see attached document for a full listing of grant recipients.}

“Thanks to the support of the PGA TOUR and this entire community, the positive reach of the Bridgestone Invitational is felt throughout the year,” said Tom Van Auker, President, Executive Committee, Northern Ohio Golf Charities. “Today, we recognize the support generated by this world-class event and the impact on numerous individuals throughout Northeast Ohio.”

For the fourth year, Bridgestone Americas, Inc. funded an additional $5,000 contribution to a charitable organization. The 2012 Bridgestone Award was presented to Adaptive Sports Program of Ohio, which promotes the health and wellness of individuals with physical disabilities by providing competitive and recreational adaptive sport opportunities.

“One of Bridgestone Americas’ values is to help make the communities in which we work be better places to live, and our partnership with the Northern Ohio Golf Charities is an extension of these values put into practice,” said Gary Garfield, CEO & President, Bridgestone Americas, Inc. “Congratulations to the Bridgestone Award recipient, Adaptive Sports Program of Ohio, and the other charities recognized today. We are privileged to support organizations which are so valuable to the community.”

Northern Ohio Golf Charities Foundation is part of a volunteer organization that has partnered with professional golf tournaments at Firestone Country Club for more than 50 years. During this time, the tournaments have provided more than $22 million to local charities seeking to improve the quality of life in Northeast Ohio.

“The World Golf Championships-Bridgestone Invitational is proud to support deserving charities throughout Northeast Ohio,” said Don Padgett III, Executive Director, Bridgestone Invitational. “Thank you to Bridgestone, the corporate supporters, and the fans and tournament volunteers, all of whom help make this charitable giving to the region possible.”

Among the guests at the Luncheon were: Hank Hara, Chief Technology Officer, Bridgestone Americas, Inc.; Don Padgett III, Executive Director, Bridgestone Invitational; Tom Van Auker, President, Executive Committee, Northern Ohio Golf Charities, Inc.; and Chuck Abraham, President, Northern Ohio Golf Charities Foundation, Inc.

Not-for-profit, 501 (c)(3) organizations can receive funds generated in conjunction with the 2013 Bridgestone Invitational by submitting a grant request to Northern Ohio Golf Charities. Further details can be found at www.nogcf.org. In addition, those 501(c) 3 organizations interested in participating in the Tickets Fore Charity program, where charities sell tickets to the tournament and retain 75 percent of the ticket price, can visit www.worldgolfchampionships.com, or call 330-644-2299 for more information.
Tickets to the 2013 Bridgestone Invitational can be purchased by visiting www.worldgolfchampionships.com or calling 330-644-2299.
 

After taking time to look at a Copley Road business applying for a liquor license, Akron City Council has passed a resolution opposing their request for a liquor permit.

Ward 4 Councilman Russel Neal Jr  tells AkronNewsNow.com why he objected to the business carrying a liquor license.

"I objected based on the premise of the community having a hearing so they could be heard," Neal explained.

"If we had not objected, the community wouldn't have a voice and the liquor license would have gone straight through."
 

Council unanimously passed an ordinance opposing the application submitted by The Members Only Lounge 7 LLC, doing business as Ocean Blue Nu Monday evening.

Since first introducing the ordinance several weeks ago, city officials including Neal met with those involved The Members Only Lounge  as well as 30-40 members of the community  who voiced their concerns about the business.

He said in meeting with residents , they were in favor of the business owners running a restaurant, but had strong concerns about the lounge portion of the building.

"Based on that meeting and the feedback from the community, we've set the resolution down to support our request for a hearing," Neal said.

Neal feels that his ward should have a say in what kind of businesses establish roots within its boundaries.

"This way the community can have a chance to voice their concerns to the State Liquor Control Board."

The liquor license hearing will be held April 9.

Other items that Council passed Monday night included a resolution expressing support for the Violence Against Women Act in the wake of the verdicts handed down the Stubenville rape case involving two football players and a 16-year old girl.

Previous Coverage: AUDIO Akron Council Taking Time To Look Over Copley Road Liquor Permit

A Barberton woman will be spending some time behind bars for  driving drunk and causing a crash that killed her fiance.

The Beacon Journal reports 26-year-old Jessica Thomas will serve the next three years in prison for the accident that claimed Jeffery Spencer's life March 31 of last year.

Thomas also received a lifetime driver's license suspension and a $1,000 fine.

Thomas was driving with Spencer around 2:30 a.m. when her car veered off SR 241 in Springfield Township before crashing into a tree. Spencer was partially ejected from the car and died from his injuries four days later. Thomas was also injured in the crash.

Prosecutors says she had an alcohol level of  0.16 and traces of marijuana in her system. A jury convicted Thomas of aggravated vehicular homicide and operating a vehicle while impaired last month.

On the Web: www.ohio.com

 

If you've been delinquent in paying fines to Akron Municipal Court, better pay up by April 1st or that fine will become more expensive .

Akron Municipal Clerk Of Courts Jim Laria explains the process to AkronNews Now.com. 

"On April 1st, those cases will be sent to collections, which will add another 30 percent on what is already due," he said.

Laria says the delinquent fines are being turned over to a collection agency because the Court is owed millions in delinquent fines and other fees.

He says this is another way to collect a growing number of delinquent fines.

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Jim Laria, Clerk of Courts for Akron Municipal Court District announced that effective April 1, 2013, outstanding fines will be more expensive for delinquent cases involving criminal, traffic and parking offenses in the Akron Municipal Court.

A 30% fee increase will be added to every delinquent case. Akron Municipal Court will begin using
a collection agency to collect past due fines starting April 1, 2013. The increased cost for collections
will be passed on to the defendant per state law. It is each citizen’s responsibility to know when their
payments are due to the Court.

The Court website holds detailed information at courts.ci.akron.oh.us

Jim Laria says, “I encourage all citizens that have any past due fines with the Akron Municipal Court to get

their cases paid by the end of March or they will have an April Fools expense that will not make them happy.”

The Akron Municipal Court District includes the cities of Akron and Fairlawn; villages of Lakemore, Mogadore

and Richfield; and townships of Bath, Richfield and Springfield.
 

Over 400 teachers representing the Medina City Teachers Association approved a new contract with salary freezes and increased insurance costs.

WKYC Channel 3 News reports all 407 teachers got their votes tallied just after 4p.m Wednesday afternoon.

Union officials tell the TV station teachers were asked to accept the two-year salary freeze, but that longevity or step pay increases will remain in the contract. Teachers will also be paying 20 percent more into their health insurance, which is up from 17.5 percent.

The move comes on the heels of an $83,000 bonus that was paid to Medina Schools Superintendent Randy Stepp as part of his new five year contract with the district, which had the community up in arms.

Stepp said he will pay back the bonus after feeling the heat from both parents and the union. He also said he will be giving up merit raises as well.

Medina City Schools are seeking a 5.9 mill levy in May after numerous past levies had failed.

On the Web: www.wkyc.com
 

The University of Akron is looking at ways to close a projected $26.7 million budget gap projected for 2014.

University President Dr. Luis Proenza discussed one of the main factors contributing to the budget shortfall.

"The changing demographics have meant slightly lower enrollment, which has the biggest impact on the budget," he explained.

Dr. Proenza also points to a $14 million loss in federal stimulus funding as a principal reason for the negative outlook.

Dr. Proenza addressed approximatley 200 faculty and staff members Tuesday to go over strategies to combat the shortfall.

UA is exploring options such as  boosting the enrollment of "new traditional" students such as adult learners and veterans to find new sources of revenue.

"That means we have a very large cross-section of potential students we have not traditionally served, but we intend to do so now,"  Proenza said.

The university president also was looking at UA becoming in his words "more entreprenurial" in terms of finding new services to attract potential students to generate additional revenue for the school.

Proenza says these types of issues are not unusual in terms of higher education, but that the university would do what it could to right-size the budget.

A 44-year old Akron man has been found guilty by a jury of aggravated murder.

Shannon Mount of East Turkeyfoot Lake Road was convicted of the strangulation death of 68-year old Leonard McHadden in his bedroom last May.

His car and numerous electronic items were missing. A neighbor said he had seen McHadden with Mount the night before. A few hours later, Mount was spotted driving McHadden’s car. Akron Police arrested Mount after a brief police chase and discovered McHadden’s computer, printer, cell phone, wallet and checkbook in the car, as well as some items belonging to McHadden’s roommate.

Mount was also convicted of aggravated robbery, and receiving stolen property.

Summit County Common Pleas Judge Tammy O’Brien will sentence Mount on April 18.
 

A pair of robbery suspects led New Franklin police on a high-speed chase that ended when their car crashed in Barberton.

The Beacon Journal reports speeds reached 80 mph as a police cruiser pursued the men in a Pontiac Sunbird. The pair were suspected of firing a gun and robbing the Subway restaurant on Manchester Rd.

The suspects fled the restaurant and ran towards Tate Road before getting into the Pontiac. Police say the incident occurred around 9:25 a.m. Tuesday morning. No one was hurt.

29-year old Justin Harris and 23-year old Alan Devine are accused in the Subway robbery after firing one shot once they entered the restaurant.

The newspaper reports the 8-minute chase ended around 9:45 a.m. in Barberton where the suspects' car struck a curb and blew out a tire on Wooster Road. One of the men ran approximately 40 yards before he got tackled. The second man remained in the vehicle and was arrested at the scene.

On the Web: www.ohio.com

After the highly controversial demolition of an Army veteran's home a few weeks ago , the City of Akron is making strides to help him get his money back.

City Council unanimously passed an ordinance authorizing the city's Law Department to file suit on behalf of Larry Modic, whose home was torn down in February. 

Akron Mayor Don Plusquellic discusses the city's plan of action with AkronNewsNow.com.

"If Mr. Modic agrees, we will take action for him to try to recover money for him and possible damages and attorney fees to be able to get him reimbursed the money that we believe the previous owner would owe him," Plusquellic said.
 

A copy of the draft complaint will be sent to Modic's attorney Tuesday. The city is prohibited from filing on Modic's behalf without his approval.

Mayor Plusquellic says the city is going after John Hufnagel, who sold a home on Manchester Rd to Modic for $10,000.

Modic accused Hufnagel of selling him a property that had numerous housing code violations without notifying him of the housing orders.

After Modic appeared before a housing appeals board, but failed to show up for the third meeting, the city went ahead with the demolition.

Prior to the demolition of Modic's home he threatened city officials and anyone who came on his property to carry out the order. His case was taken by Akron attorney Warner Mendenhall, who has challenged the Mayor and the administration in the past.

Mayor Plusquellic says a state disclosure form signed by Hufnagel could be the link to not only helping Modic get reimbursed, but the city as well for tearing down the house.

"We have a document that his attorney could have got weeks ago, if not months ago, that shows that the previous owner misled him in signing a form saying there were no code violations or housing orders," he said.

"That was obviously not true, so we think we have stood up for Mr. Modic despite all that has happened and taken the proper steps in order to get him reimbursed."

City Council also passed an ordinance Monday night that requires property owners to provide written notice of pending building and/or housing code violations prior to the transfer or sale of property within the city of Akron.

City Council President Garry Moneypenny discusses the serious consequences one can face  for not disclosing housing orders.

"A first time offense would be a third-degree misdemeanor which would be punishable by up to $500 in fines and up to 60 days in jail," he said.
 

Moneypenny tells AkronNewsNow.com  a second-time offense for not disclosing housing orders can result in up to 90 days in jail and up to $750 in fines.

Mayor Plusquellic says these penalties will serve as a stern message to home sellers to fully disclose any and all issues regarding a piece of property.

"I think people will take notice and actually abide by this," he says.

"This is especially true of private sales where there's no realtor involved, there may not be a form that would be presented to the owner, so we feel this helps."

Previous Coverage: City Targets Seller In Modic Case