Aaron has been working with RCRG since August of 2008 covering various news and sporting events. He graduated in 2003 from St. Vincent-St. Mary High School in Akron. He then went onto the University of Akron in May of 2008 with a degree in Radio/TV & Media Productions and a minor in Psychology. It was at WZIP & ZTV where Aaron developed a passion for radio especially Sports Radio. While attending the University of Akron you could hear Aaron on Sundays doing the "Sports Power Talk" program. Aaron covers City Hall, County Council and Akron School Board beats and handles traffic updates weekday afternoons on 1590 WAKR, 97.5 WONE and 94.9 WQMX. You can contact Aaron through the newsroom 330-864-6397 or email acoleman@rcrg.net
Prosecutors in the Denny Ross murder trial began to introduce DNA evidence in court Wednesday.
News Channel 5 reports the state feels this evidence is crucial to the argument Ross murdered 18-year old Hannah Hill in 1999.
A former Ohio BCI (Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation) agent testified that a blood spot the size of a pencil eraser was found on an inside pocket of Hill's corduroy pants.
Prosecutors also said other DNA found on Hill's clothing, in the trunk of her car and under her fingernails paints Ross as the killer.
Hill was found strangled and stuffed in the trunk of her car on a residential street in Ellet six days after she was reported missing.
Articles of clothing belonging to Hill were discovered in a garbage bag just outside Ross apartment in Springfield Township.
Opening statements from the defense state that Hill's DNA was not found in Denny Ross apartment, where authorities believe the murder took place 13 years ago.
Denny Ross has maintained his innocence.
The trial has gone on for the past three weeks and could last an additional three to five more weeks.
The case ended in a mistrial in 2000, where DNA evidence was not available.
On the Web www.newsnet5.com
Two more suspects have been arrested in connection with the death of a woman found burned alongside a rural road near Zanesville in late August.
News Channel 5 reports authorities arrested 24-year old Monica Washington and 33-year old LaFonse Dixon for their alleged roles in the death of 29-year old Celeste Fronsman of Canton.
Both were charged with aggravated murder, kidnapping and aggravated arson.
Last week, 20-year old Katrina Culberson of Canton was arrested in connection with the crime and is facing the same charges.
Fronsman was found naked with burns on 80% of her body near State Route 208 and Steel Hill Road August 26. She was taken by helicopter to a Columbus hospital where she died two days later.
The Franklin County Coroner's Office said she was found with a rope around her neck and was also raped.
The case is still being investigated and anyone with information can call the Muskingum County Sheriff's Office.
On the Web www.newsnet5.com
An Akron man was found dead in the Mogadore Reservoir after drowning while fishing alone Tuesday morning.
Portage County Sheriff David Doak tells AkronNewsNow.com officers were called to the reservoir around 7 a.m where they found a flipped boat and the body of 73-year old Ralph Ludwig.
Another couple who was fishing alerted authorities to Ludwig's body being in the the water.
Sheriff Doak says people should always adhere to safety rules and wear life vests while in the water.
"We just urge people always to be safe on the water, regardless of age or physical condition, they should utilize life vests," Doak says.
"People have to pay attention to safety regulations, that's what we have them for."
No foul play is suspected in Ludwig's death, but the Portage County Sheriff's Department and the Summit County Medical Examiner's Office are investigating the incident.
More Ohioans will be taking to the roads this Labor Day weekend.
Kevin Thomas, Vice President of the AAA Akron Auto Club says that despite the economy, more drivers will get on the roads during the holiday weekend.
This Labor Day weekend, Thomas says approximately 33 million Americans will be on the road taking trips of 50 miles or more.
"We're happy to report that we do expect to see a slight increase in Labor Day travel this upcoming weekend," Thomas explained.
AAA Akron proejects Travel is expected to be up 3% from last year.
Despite the rising gas prices, Thomas says that won't deter drivers from going on a little weekend getaway this holiday season.
"We have seen that increase over the past few weeks, but what we tend to see is that travelers make adjustments in their spending to compensate for that increase in fuel prices."
He (Thomas) says there's a few quality pieces of advice every driver should follow as they make their Labor Day travel plans.
"We encourage people to look out for discounts, make sure everyone is properly restrained, and that people drive safely."
He also emphasized the dangers of using electronic devices, including those used for texting, while driving a motor vehicle.
College football is back in full swing on the campus of the campus of the University of Akron, and there's a new optimism surrounding the program.
Zips fan Lori says that new head coach Terry Bowden will bring an exciting brand of football to Akron in 2012.
"We are so excited for Bowden ball, and it's time to fear the dadgum roo!!"
"Fear the Dadgum Roo" was one of the slogans used by coach Bowden in the months leading up to the season. It was a play on the Southern charm of the new Zips football coach and his father Bobby, who popularized the use of "dadgum" during his coaching days at Florida State.
Kailey Hruska of the AK-Rowdies agrees that the Zips' new head man is the right man for the job here in Akron.
"I think Terry's going to do a great job coaching this year."
One of Zips' loyal fans Steve says once Bowden can recruit some of his athletes, he can get the Zips out of the basement and into the MAC Championship in the near future.
"You put a good coach in with the facilities we have and the backing of the university I think that all signs point to success."
One of the more popular changes is coming off the field. Starting this season at InfoCision Stadium-Summa Field, beer will now be sold at the game, much to the delight of Dylan Leemier.
"I'm thrilled," Dylan says. "I like beer."
For some fans, suds won't put people in the seats.
"It doesn't matter if the team's no good, says student Spencer Forshey.
"People want to see a competitive team."
Mike Saxon says you have to put a good product on the field or it won't matter what gets sold at the concession stands.
"I think it's good (beer at the stadium), but I think the only way you can bring people here is to put a winning program on and I feel Terry Bowden and his staff will bring that winning tradition to the University."
This Labor Day weekend as expected, law enforcement officials will be in full force when it comes to looking for impaired drivers on the roadways.
Summit County Sheriff Drew Alexander says there will be an increased number of uniformed officers early this holiday weekend.
"We will do a lot of saturation patrol, so I think there will be a noticeable uniform presence in Summit County."
Alexander says history shows most fatal or serious accidents typically occur the first two days of Labor Day weekend.
"Typically we've seen most of these occur on Friday and Saturday and it doesn't rule out Sunday and Monday, but if we get off to a good start, we should be able to control the amount of impaired drivers this weekend."
Lieutenant William Weirtz of the Canton Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol says more troopers will be out and about enforcing traffic laws as well.
"That would account for several additional officers per shift that would be out working Labor Day weekend," Weirtz says.
"We will also be looking for marked lane violations, speeding violations, and anything else that would indicate an impaired driver."
Sheriff Alexander tells AkronNewsNow.com his deputies have been trained to look for certain signs that could indicate a person could be driving impaired.
"Usually erratic driving, reckless operation, things of that sort that would indicate a problem that we need to look into."
Law enforcement officials say that if you are planning to drink during Labor Day weekend, designate a sober driver, or call a cab to take you home.
More Ohioans will be taking to the roads this Labor Day weekend.
Kevin Thomas, Vice President of the AAA Akron Auto Club says that despite the economy, more drivers will get on the roads during the holiday weekend.
This Labor Day weekend, Thomas says approximately 33 million Americans will be on the road taking trips of 50 miles or more.
"We're happy to report that we do expect to see a slight increase in Labor Day travel this upcoming weekend," Thomas explained.
AAA Akron proejects Travel is expected to be up 3% from last year.
Despite the rising gas prices, Thomas says that won't deter drivers from going on a little weekend getaway this holiday season.
"We have seen that increase over the past few weeks, but what we tend to see is that travelers make adjustments in their spending to compensate for that increase in fuel prices."
He (Thomas) says there's a few quality pieces of advice every driver should follow as they make their Labor Day travel plans.
"We encourage people to look out for discounts, make sure everyone is properly restrained, and that people drive safely."
He also emphasized the dangers of using electronic devices, including those used for texting, while driving a motor vehicle.
The Portland Timbers have officially named University of Akron men's soccer coach Caleb Porter head coach for the 2013 season.
The team's website made the annoucement Wednesday confirming the 37-year old Porter will finish out the 2012 campaign with the Zips before taking the reins of the Timbers after the season concludes.
Porter led the Zips to their first NCAA Championship in 2010, the first in school history. In addition, he was named head coach of the U.S. Under-23 Men's National Soccer Team.
Former Zip standout Darlington Nagbe is a member of the Portland Timbers, where he serves as the team's midfielder/ forward. Nagbe won the Hermann Trophy in 2010 as the best college soccer player in the nation.
In his seven seasons at Akron, Porter compiled a record of 106-17-14. 14 platyers currently playing in Major League Soccer were coached by Porter, including 9 first-round draft picks.
Excitement is in the air as the University of Akron will be showing off many changes and improvements for the Fall semester.
Appearing on the 1590 WAKR Ray Horner Morning Show, University President Dr. Luis Proenza spoke about the brand-new South Hall, which he feels will add to the look of the campus.
"It will complete a group of residence halls on the south side of campus to complement those in the middle of the campus," Proenza said.
The $33 million dollar dorm is a six-floor co-ed hall that will house over 550 students this fall.
The dorm is the fourth residence hall built on the UA campus in the past eight years.
With enrollment at UA just under 30,000, Proenza says that many of the extracurricular activities and athletics are very important in enhancing campus life.
"What we believe is that there needs to be a complement of activities for our students and athletics is one of those," Proenza said.
"It's also a way that the majority of the public sees a university through their athletic success."
Dr. Proenza mentioned the Zips football team and new head coach Terry Bowden bringing optimism for the future after a pair of tough seasons.
.Proenza also says that one of the goals of the University is to make the campus safer for students by adding more personnel.
"Through this cooperative arrangement with the city and the University Park Alliance, other personnel in addition to University personnel will be working to keep our campus and students safe."
The University also plans on engaging in other partnerships with the University Park Alliance and other collaborative projects throughout the year.
Opening statements in the trial of 16 Amish men and women accused of cutting the hair and beards of fellow Amish are set to be heard in a federal court in Cleveland.
News Channel 5 reports prosecutors are ready to begin their case against the breakaway group saying religious differences sparked the alleged attacks last fall.
The group maintains that the events were part of church discipline and that the government should stay out of the matter.
All 16, including alleged mastermind Samuel Mullet Sr are charged with federal hate crimes and could be facing lengthy prison terms if convicted.
Mullet says he didn't order the attacks, but that he never stopped anyone from carrying them out.
The cutting of hair in the Amish culture is considered to be deeply offensive.
On the Web www.newsnet5.com
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