Events Calendar
In This Section
Most Read Stories
Police accuse bank robbery suspect of gobbling up note (with dashcam video)
Man found dead in North Akron home is identified
Dad accused of forcing son into field, killing him
NFL star Chris Spielman's wife loses cancer battle
Coventry man killed in crash at I-77 ramp
College student mistaken for deer, shot to death
Man allegedly paid teens to spit in his face
Angel Food Ministries helps stretch grocery dollars
Blogs:
Pets:
Cat-loving chihuahua suckles seven abandoned kittens
The Heldenfiles:
Friday Night Notebook
Patrick McManamon:
For your Saturday entertainment …
Akron Zips:
Hitchens leads Zips in second-half comeback
Tribe Matters:
Seven players added to Tribe’s 40-man roster
Cleveland Browns:
Holmgren expresses interest in Browns position
Kent State Sports:
Kent State blown out in second half, loses to Temple 13-47
Cleveland Cavaliers:
Gameblog: Cavs at Indiana Pacers – Here’s to LBJ and Free Throws
Buckeye Blogging:
OSU – Michigan college football rivals meet in Baghdad
Varsity Letters:
Four area football teams play tonight
All Da King's Men:
Headed For Disaster
Blog of Mass Destruction:
Will Health Care Reform Pass?
Akron Law Café:
Federal Judge Declares DOMA Unconstitutional
See Jane Style:
Vintage Chic
Car Chase:
TIME TO GET YOUR COLLECTOR CARS WINTERIZED
Let's Talk Real Estate:
Silverdome Potentially SOLD!
Ohio Travels with Betty:
George is looking for a Thanksgiving buffet in Akron.
Sound Check:
Steely Dan Plays "The Royal Scam" at E.J. Thomas Hall
HRLite House:
Colloquium at University of Akron
Akron Gamer:
Nintendo's Mario endures even as games come and go
Published on Friday, Jun 12, 2009
AKRON
Child porn charge
AKRON: A 21-year-old Massillon Road man was arrested Thursday on charges of possession and the creation and distribution of obscene materials involving minors.
Kevin A. Prarat was arrested about 11 a.m. by Sgt. David Brown of the Summit County Sheriff's Office and members of the FBI.
Brown said investigators received a lead in November from the FBI that an unknown person in the East Akron area was using the Internet to access and download pornography.
Prarat was charged with pandering sexually oriented matter involving a minor, possession of criminal tools, pandering obscenity involving a minor and unauthorized use of property, computer, cable or telecommunications property.
Additional charges are to be presented to a Summit County grand jury.
Prarat was booked into the Summit County Jail pending arraignment.
COVENTRY TWP.
Waste collection
COVENTRY TWP.: Paints, solvents and other household hazardous waste will be collected from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at Coventry High School.
Participants must enter from the drive at 3089 Manchester Road.
The collection is for residents of Barberton, Clinton, Coventry, Green, Lakemore, Mogadore, New Franklin, Norton and Springfield only. Proof of residency will be required.
For information on accepted materials, go to http://www.saswma.org or call 330-374-0383.
CUYAHOGA FALLS
Irish Festival starts
CUYAHOGA FALLS: An estimated 35,000 people are expected to attend this weekend's 16th annual Riverfront Irish Festival at Falls River Square downtown.
The admission-free festival, sponsored by the Ancient Order of Hibernians, St. Brendan Division, runs from 5 p.m. to midnight today, noon to midnight Saturday and noon to 7 p.m. Sunday.
Activities include a 5K and 1-mile fun run at 8 a.m. Saturday, an Irish Mass at 11 a.m. Sunday and three stages of musical groups.
For more information, call 330-554-3083 or go to http://www.riverfrontirishfest.com.
FAIRLAWN
Fashion show
FAIRLAWN: Tickets are on sale for the Sons of Italy Akron Lodge 685 luncheon, style show and raffle to be held June 19 at Fairlawn Country Club.
The Summer Breeze of Fashion begins at 11:30 a.m.
Dillard's will provide the fashions and That's Lew's Jazz will entertain.
Tickets are $20, and should be reserved in advance by calling committee chairwoman Madeline Bozzelli at 330-923-4946.
All proceeds will benefit St. Bernard's Pantry.
GREEN
Finances set
GREEN: City Council has signed off on bonds and notes totaling $25.5 million.
One of the bonds involves refinancing an existing $2 million note — a move that could save the city up to $700,000.
Ward 4 Councilwoman Christine Croce, chairwoman of council's Finance Committee, said only $4 million of the total amount is new money, adding that those funds are for additional costs of constructing, furnishing and equipping the new Central Administration Building under construction on Town Park Boulevard.
Mayor Dick Norton said Sept. 11 is the date set for moving into the new city offices.
The mayor added that the project's construction manager is determining an area where a time capsule can be placed with documents and mementos to be opened decades from now.
NORTON
Tax challenge
NORTON: Some Norton residents want to repeal a tax change set to go into effect next month.
The tax-credit reduction will take away the 2 percent credit for those residents who work outside of the city and pay income taxes there. Instead, they will get a 1.5 percent credit and have to pay a half percent to Norton.
Council passed the measure, sponsored by Mayor David Koontz, by a 4-3 vote on May 11. The additional $560,000 that is expected to be collected annually is targeted for water and sewer projects.
The city will start collecting the tax July 1, and the program will run through June 30, 2034.
Petitions were filed Tuesday with the city finance director to ask voters in November whether the tax-credit reduction should be enacted.
More than 800 signatures were on the petitions that were received. Only 485 valid signatures are needed to place the tax challenge on the ballot.
The petitions will be reviewed by the Summit County Board of Elections to verify the signatures.
Arcade owner cited
NORTON: Police have cited the owner of a Wadsworth Road gaming parlor who reportedly failed to secure a permit.
Joseph R. Gamble, 32, of Barberton, was charged Monday with failing to have a skill-based amusement arcade permit. He was summoned to appear in Barberton Municipal Court.
The Norton building and zoning superintendent, Russ Arters, contacted police after Gamble reportedly ignored the city's demand that he obtain a permit for Prize Paradise, 2131 Wadsworth Road.
When police went to the business to investigate the complaint around 10:30 p.m. Monday, they found Prize Paradise open and a customer playing one of the machines.
Officers confiscated a pay-out list with customers' names. Police told Gamble he would have to close the gaming parlor until he complied with the city ordinance.
NORTHEAST OHIO
Best high schools
A national magazine has named Firestone High School one of the top 1,500 schools in the nation for the fifth year in a row.
Newsweek magazine places Firestone at No. 1,253 on the list, based on the number of Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate exams taken by students, school officials said Thursday.
Hudson High School also made the list, earning the No. 1,043 spot, and Hoover High School in North Canton was ranked No. 1,257.
Firestone Principal Larry Petry said the ranking reflects the school's success rate, pointing out that 85 percent of students apply to college after graduation.
The top 1,500 public schools are ranked by the Challenge Index, which was developed by Washington Post education writer Jay Mathews.
PORTAGE COUNTY
Flag retirement
DEERFIELD TWP.: American Legion Post 713, at 1657 State Route 14 in Deerfield, will hold a U.S. flag retirement and appreciation program at 2 p.m. Sunday.
The program is designed for those who have worn flags or flags that need to be disposed of properly.
Refreshments will be served.
For more information, call 330-654-5713.
Fishing program
STREETSBORO: The Portage Park District is sponsoring a Passport to Fishing program for children 17 or younger Saturday.
The free learn-to-fish program developed by the Ohio Division of Wildlife will be from 1 to 4 p.m. at Seneca Ponds Park off Mondial Parkway.
The rain date is Sunday.
Registration is required. A parent or guardian is required to attend. Those 16 or older must have state fishing licenses.
To register, call Susan Blair at 330-297-7728 or send e-mail to sblair@portageparkdistrict.org.
STOW
Auction set
STOW: The city will hold an auction Saturday of used vehicles, equipment and items confiscated by police.
Among the items to be auctioned are a dump truck, tools, new golf clubs, bicycles and jewelry.
The auction will be held rain or shine at 10:30 a.m. at 3840 Holly Tree Trail, off of state Route 91 about a half mile north of state Route 59.
AKRON
Get the full article here.
