akron
$6,000 to aid vet
AKRON: About $6,000 has been raised or pledged so far to help Army veteran Larry Modic purchase another house after his Manchester Road home was torn down by the city of Akron because it was condemned for housing-code violations.
State Rep. Zack Milkovich, D-Akron, who has donated $1,000, said the money was raised at a fundraiser this month. One unidentified Vietnam War veteran attended the fundraiser and gave Modic an envelope containing $1,500 in cash, Milkovich said.
Milkovich said he and others are hoping to locate another home in need of repairs that Modic can then have rehabilitated by a group of volunteers and organizations that have said they will assist Modic.
Modic was taken into custody at a local mental health facility after he made threats to kill those who would attempt to tear down his home. He said he was unaware the house he purchased on Manchester Road was under orders from the city of Akron.
To contribute, call Milkovich at 330-810-2007 or email zmilkovich@hotmail.com.
Gun charges filed
AKRON: A Lake Township man was charged with carrying a concealed weapon early Friday after a traffic stop in Akron.
Nicholas M. Pearson, 22, was stopped because he was allegedly driving the wrong way on South Broadway, police said.
Authorities said they found a loaded handgun with a full magazine, other ammunition and a fake M-16 from the University of Akron ROTC program in the car.
Boil alert lifted
AKRON: The city of Akron has lifted a water boil advisory issued Wednesday after a water main break on Middleton Road in Hudson.
The water tested clean and is now safe to drink, the city said in a news release.
The alert applied to Akron water customers in Twinsburg Township and Hudson north of Middleton Road.
COVENTRY
Fire chief named
COVENTRY: Trustees named John Dolensky, who has been interim fire chief since Dec. 31, 2011, chief of the Coventry Township Fire Department on Thursday.
Dolensky, who served as deputy under former fire Chief David Calderone, has been running the department since Calderone was elected as a township trustee and retired from the department more than a year ago.
Dolensky began his career in 1983 as a part-time firefighter for the township and advanced to lieutenant in 1996, captain in 2000 and deputy chief in 2009. He has served on numerous specialized response teams including rescue diver, instructor and a member of the Summit County Special Operations Team.
Trustees also promoted Adam Rockich from the rank of fire lieutenant to fire captain. Rockich started his career as a part-time dispatcher in 1994 and became a part-time firefighter in 1996.
Bank holdup arrest
COVENTRY TWP.: A 22-year-old Akron man was charged with aggravated robbery Friday after he allegedly robbed the U.S. Bank at 3100 Manchester Road.
Zachary Green was arrested near the scene by Summit County sheriff’s deputies who said he matched the description given by witnesses.
Witnesses told deputies a man handed a teller a note demanding money. The suspect fled with an undisclosed amount of cash.
CUYAHOGA FALLS
Tea party is benefit
CUYAHOGA FALLS: The Dane Foundation holds its Pastries with the Princesses fundraiser, an annual royal tea party, at 2 p.m. Feb. 24 at the Redeemer Family Life Center at 2141 Fifth St. Tickets are $14 and must be purchased in advance.
Money from the event helps the Dane Foundation which provides for the needs of individuals with disabilities, single mothers and senior citizens in Northeast Ohio. The foundation assisted more than 500 people over the recent holiday season.
Tickets can be purchased by calling 330-703-1183 or by emailing the foundation at info@TheDaneFoundation.org.
COLUMBUS
Bill fights dumping
COLUMBUS: State Senators Frank LaRose, R-Copley Township, and Joe Schiavoni, D-Boardman, announced Friday that they are introducing legislation to toughen penalties for the illegal dumping of wastes from gas and oil drilling.
The legislation is in response to federal water pollution charges filed against Ben Lupo of Poland, owner of two Youngstown companies, who was cited for the illegal Jan. 31 dumping of wastes to a storm sewer that drains to the Mahoning River.
The legislation elevates the crime to a felony and imposes a minimum sentence of three years in prison and a $10,000 fine for anyone who knowingly violates the law. Additional convictions would carry a six-year minimum sentence and a $25,000 fine.
“This legislation sends a clear message that the disregard of our state’s oil and gas laws will result in a punishment that is severe,” Schiavoni said.
BARBERTON
Free ice cream
BARBERTON: Durbin Magic Freeze, 1286 Wooster Road W., will be giving away free ice cream cones from 2 to 4 p.m. today to celebrate its yearly spring opening.
The cone giveaway is an opening-day tradition for Durbin, which is marking its 60th year in business. The shop opened May 5, 1953 — the date of the first free cone giveaway.
The shop is planning an anniversary celebration for May, owner Dan Durbin said.
PORTAGE COUNTY
Student approached
ATWATER TWP.: A Waterloo High School student reported being approached by a man in an orange car at her bus stop about 7 a.m. Friday on Industry Road in Atwater Township.
She told school officials the man stared at her until she ran for her house and he then drove away. She said the same thing happened earlier this week but she didn’t report it that time.
Waterloo Superintendent Andrew Hill said the district has contacted the Portage County Sheriff’s Office.
He asked that anyone who has seen the car — described as a boxy orange car with a white stripe or graphic on the side — to call authorities at 330-296-5100.
