AKRON
Bookstore robbed
AKRON: Two armed men wearing ski masks robbed a bookstore and assaulted its workers near the University of Akron campus.
The men entered the Campus Book & Supply Store, 450 E. Exchange St., about 9 a.m. Monday, jumped a counter, put a gun to a worker’s head and ordered other workers to the floor, according to the report.
A female worker, 68, was hit in the head while the gunmen demanded money, police said. She was not seriously injured. The gunmen eventually took a worker to a back room before taking money and fleeing.
Police described the robbers as two black men wearing dark clothing.
Anyone with information is asked to call Akron police at 330-375-2490.
Three men shot
AKRON: Three people were injured in separate shootings Tuesday.
Two of the victims were listed in stable condition. A third man’s condition was described as serious.
No arrests were announced Wednesday.
An Akron man, 30, was shot in the lower abdomen at Schumacher Avenue and Scheck Street about 1 p.m. He was being treated at Akron General Medical Center. A police report did not describe a suspect, although the shooter drove a 2010 Lexus, police said.
The second shooting occurred about 10 p.m. at Copley and Diagonal roads. An Akron man, 31, was shot in the chest. He was in serious condition at Akron General Medical Center. Police did not provide information about a suspect.
An hour later, a man was shot in the leg in the 600 block of Vernon Odom Boulevard. No other information was available.
North Hill muggings
AKRON: Police are looking for a potential link between two muggings Tuesday night on North Hill.
The first occurred about 9:30 p.m. on Lexington Avenue, where a man was robbed at gunpoint of $4, a cell phone and cigarettes.
The second mugging occurred minutes later at Schiller and East Tallmadge avenues. A man said he was choked, assaulted and robbed of $10.
Anyone with information is asked to call Akron police at 330-375-2490.
Key Bank robbed
AKRON: Authorities are looking for two men who robbed a downtown bank Wednesday afternoon.
According to police, one man entered the KeyBank branch at 219 S. Main St. about 2:15 p.m. He handed a teller a note claiming to be armed and demanding money.
He went outside with an undisclosed amount of cash and fled down South Main Street with another man.
Police said the robber was a black male in his 20s, wearing a maroon ski-type hat, dark jeans and gray sweatshirt. The second man, who waited outside, was a black male standing about 6-foot-2 and weighing about 190 pounds.
Anyone with information is asked to call Akron police at 330-375-2490.
Essay workshop
AKRON: The City of Akron Peacemakers, an anti-crime youth program, will host a college essay writing workshop for high school juniors and seniors.
Experts will help students learn how to choose a topic, outline an essay and brainstorm ideas.
The workshop will be Dec. 10 from 9:45 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. at CitiCenter, 146 S. High Street, Fifth floor. The cost is $15 and includes all materials and lunch.
Space is limited. Register at 330-375-2712 or email Willa Keith at wkeith@akronohio.gov.
Applications are online at www.akronpeacemakers.org.
Help for homeless
AKRON: Cross Road Unity Church, 357 Reed Ave., in Akron’s Firestone Park neighborhood, will hold a three-day event to help the homeless.
Today, Friday and Saturday, free breakfast and dinner will be given to those in need at the church, including a holiday dinner from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Saturday.
The church will be open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. each day for coffee and hot chocolate for those in need, Pastor Bill DiPaolo Sr. said.
In addition, clothing and blankets and other items will be given to the homeless.
People who wish to donate food or clothing can drop off donations at the church. In addition, the church is asking those who want to gain a better understanding of the homeless to camp in a tent in the backyard of the church during the event.
DiPaolo said the church has a year-round outreach to the homeless and also serves the poor in Inez, Ky.
To contact the church, call 330-785-9080 or email crossroadunitychurch@yahoo.com.
CAMPAIGN TRAIL
Benefit for judge
AKRON: The Re-Elect Judge Gallagher Committee will host a campaign kickoff party from 5 to 7 tonight at the O’Neil House, 1290 W. Exchange St.
The suggested contribution is $150 per person.
Judge Paul J. Gallagher is running for a second term on the Summit County Common Pleas Court bench next November.
‘Retire the Debt’
GREEN: A Retire the Debt fundraiser will be held for the campaign of Christine Croce, judge-elect of Barberton Municipal Court, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Friday at Prestwick Country Club, 2220 Raber Road.
Suggested donations are $50 per person and $75 per couple.
For reservations, call 330-687-1055.
GREEN
Knitting for charity
GREEN: The city will host a Knit for the Needy event from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 15 at the John Torok Community Center, 4224 Massillon Road.
New or experienced knitters and crocheters of all ages are invited to help create blankets, scarves and hats for the needy. Yarn and materials will be provided, but participants are asked to bring their own size 8 knitting needles or size H crochet hooks.
Judi Hederich of My Sister’s Yarn Shop will be available to teach and assist. All items will be donated to Green Good Neighbors program.
It is free to attend and lunch will be provided, but registration is required. Call 330-896-6621.
LAKE TOWNSHIP
Suspicious fire
LAKE TWP.: A 33-year-old Lake Township man was arrested late Tuesday, accused of manufacturing methamphetamines, assaulting a female friend and setting his Cleveland Avenue residence on fire, authorities said.
Christopher A. Lute, 33, is charged with illegal assembly or possession of chemicals for the manufacture of drugs, felonious assault and arson.
Uniontown police and Uniontown, Greentown and Hartville firefighters responded at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday to a fire in the 13000 block of Cleveland Avenue.
Detectives and the Stark County Joint Fire Investigation Unit determined it was arson and found a meth lab in the home, authorities said.
Lute also is accused of assaulting a female friend with a baseball bat and setting the house on fire, authorities said. The woman was taken to Summa Akron City Hospital.
Lute was arrested at 11:30 p.m. in Akron and taken to the Stark County Jail.
PORTAGE COUNTY
Talk about turnpike
RAVENNA: State Rep. Kathleen Clyde, D-Kent, will host a town hall discussion Dec. 5 about a proposal to lease or privatize the Ohio Turnpike.
The meeting will be at Reed Memorial Library, 167 E. Main St., at 6 p.m.
Reps. Robert Hagan of Youngstown and Ronald Gerberry of Austintown and Portage County Engineer Mickey Marozzi will also be in attendance.
SUMMIT COUNTY
Rabies clinic
TWINSBURG: Twinsburg police, in cooperation with the Summit County Health Department, is hosting a rabies vaccination clinic for pets from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at the police department, 10075 Ravenna Road.
The clinic is open to all pet owners and no appointments are needed.
Volunteer veterinarians and staff members from Pet Guards, a private, nonprofit humane organization, will be on hand to administer the rabies shots for $5 per animal.
Other vaccines will be available at additional costs.
All dogs must be on a leash and cats must be secured in a carrier.
For information, call 330-926-5600.
