AKRON
New officers
AKRON: Three new Akron police officers will be sworn in Tuesday.
Mayor Don Plusquellic will administer the oath of office at 5 p.m. in City Council Chambers, 166 S. High St.
The new officers are: Andrew R. Moss, Kristen D. Eller and Sarah R. Wolfe.
Trash delay
AKRON: The city will have a one-day delay in curb service next week because of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
There will be no trash or recycling pickups Monday, with curb service resuming Tuesday and continuing through Saturday.
CANTON
E-waste site opens
CANTON: The city’s Tire Disposal and E-Waste Collection Center will offer special hours from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday.
The center accepts steel office furniture, exercise equipment, small lawn or garden equipment, hangers and any item with an electric cord, as well as cellphones.
There is no cost for the service. The center is at 742 Schroyer Ave. SW.
COPLEY TOWNSHIP
Identity thefts
COPLEY TWP.: Police detectives are investigating eight cases of identity theft.
All involved homeowners in a new development off Hametown Road — five from the same block.
“We’re not exactly sure where the compromise took place,” police Chief Michael Mier told trustees during a meeting Wednesday evening.
The first reports came in Nov. 20, he said, and the most recent was Jan. 10.
Mier later said the only common thread his detectives have discovered so far is that the majority of mortgages for homes where the reports originated were financed through the same builder.
He said the identity thieves used the information obtained to open accounts in the homeowners’ names “with various companies in different parts of the country.”
“They could be anywhere,” Mier said.
He told trustees the department has requested assistance from the U.S. Secret Service in the investigation because of the federal agency’s familiarity with identity theft cases. He said neighbors in the Hillside neighborhood also have been alerted to the problem.
COLUMBUS
PUCO finalists
COLUMBUS: The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio nominating committee on Thursday submitted four names to Gov. John Kasich for a vacancy on the PUCO.
There are actually two vacancies to replace Commissioner Cheryl Roberto, who resigned Dec. 31. The first vacancy is to fill the remainder of her term; the second is through April 2018.
PUCO spokesman Jason Gilham said the governor’s office has indicated Kasich probably will appoint the same person to both vacancies.
The finalists are Andrew Bergman of Columbus, G. Raymond Lorello of Powell, Dan Shields of Westerville and M. Beth Trombold of Columbus.
By law, the commission can’t have more than three of its five members of any one political party; there are already three Republicans. Shields is listed as unaffiliated, Bergman as a Democrat and Lorello and Trombold as independents.
Trombold is the only finalist who previously has been a finalist for a commissioner spot. Last February, she was a finalist and was listed as a Republican.
Gilham said the designation is based on how the candidate voted in the last primary, and Trombold did not vote.
CUYAHOGA FALLS
Meeting moved
CUYAHOGA FALLS: A public meeting to update residents on plans to remove two dams on the Cuyahoga River has been rescheduled and moved.
The meeting, arranged by the city of Cuyahoga Falls, will be 7 p.m. Feb. 27 at Lion’s Park, 641 Silver Lake Ave.
The meeting originally was scheduled for 7 p.m. Feb. 20 at the Cuyahoga Falls Library.
It was changed after 75 people showed up for the first meeting, Wednesday at the library, and organizers realized the interest in the topic and the need for a larger venue.
Resident charged
CUYAHOGA FALLS: A Cuyahoga Falls man arrived home and was arrested by SWAT officers after they had forced their way inside his house.
Brandon Richards, 23, is charged with domestic violence and trafficking marijuana. He was being held in the Summit County Jail.
According to Falls police, Richards is accused of using a handgun to threaten the victim. A report was taken Wednesday afternoon. Police decided to obtain a search warrant and use SWAT officers to arrest Richards.
SWAT officers entered the Bath Heights Drive home about 11 p.m. Wednesday and discovered no one was inside. Officers searched the home and seized some evidence.
While authorities were still at the address, Richards drove up and was arrested without incident.
Boil alert issued
CUYAHOGA FALLS: The city has issued a boil alert for residents on Marcia Boulevard from the 2800 block to Highpoint Road.
A valve replacement in the area Thursday caused water pressure to drop below EPA guidelines, the city said in a news release.
As a safety precaution, authorities recommend that residents boil water used until 2 p.m. Saturday for at least two minutes.
For more information, call 330-971-8130.
NORTHEAST OHIO
Peace group meets
NORTON: The Barberton, Norton, Wadsworth Peace Group begins its series of monthly meetings for this year Tuesday at Grace United Church of Christ, 3285 S. Cleveland-Massillon Road.
The meeting begins with refreshments and informal conversation at 7 p.m. The formal meeting begins at 7:30 p.m.
Patty O’Shea, a practitioner of John Looney’s teachings on nonviolence, will be the leader of a “Peace Grows Listening Project.”
The public is welcome.
NORTON
Chili Cook-Off set
NORTON: The Firemen’s Association of Norton is holding its annual Chili Cook-Off from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday in the Norton Community Center, 4060 Columbia Woods Drive.
Cost to enter a chili in the competition is $5. Categories are five-alarm (hottest), most unique, chief’s choice and people’s choice. Winners will be announced at 3:30 p.m.
To enter, call 330-825-9072 or email kzita83@gmail.com.
Patrons may sample as much chili as desired for $5, with children 6 and under free. Also on the menu will be corn bread, hot dogs, chips and beverages.
A television will be set up to show NFL playoff games.
SUMMIT COUNTY
Tax bill mailing
AKRON: First-half 2012 real estate tax bills will be mailed out starting Friday.
Closing date for payment will be Feb. 15, with the exception of military personnel. Property taxes are deferred for military reservists who are on active duty.
Payments can be made in person at the Summit County Fiscal Office, Treasurer’s Division on the third floor of the Ohio Building, 175 S. Main St. Hours are 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Tax bills can be paid by mail, but must be postmarked by Feb. 15 to avoid the 10 percent penalty for late payment.
Payments can also be paid at participating banks, online or by phone.