KENT STATE
Partnership formed
KENT: Kent State University has signed a five-year memorandum of understanding with the National Park Service that should lead to enhanced collaboration in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park.
The agreement, signed last month and announced Thursday, calls for collaborative projects and joint research focused on geology, biology, hydrology and educational programs.
The theme of the collaboration is “The River We Share” because the Cuyahoga River flows through both the park and through the city of Kent.
The new agreement also will lead to expanded internship opportunities for Kent State students, the university said.
MOGADORE SCHOOLS
Board to meet
MOGADORE: The Mogadore Board of Education has called a special meeting for 5:30 p.m. Monday in the high school Community Room.
The board will discuss putting an operating levy on the May ballot.
SUMMIT COUNTY
Arsonist sentenced
AKRON: A Stow man was sentenced to 28 years in prison Thursday, the maximum allowed, on charges that included attempted murder and multiple counts of aggravated arson.
Scott Purk, 50, of Bridgewater Parkway, had pleaded guilty to the numerous charges in December stemming from incidents in 2009 and 2010.
Prosecutors said Purk burned down his house in March 2009 to collect about $150,000 in insurance money. About a year later, he set fire to a duplex, also in Stow.
A duplex resident, whom Purk did not know, was sleeping when the fire started. She escaped unharmed.
Purk’s wife, Tammy Purk, 44, pleaded guilty to a single charge of obstructing justice the same day he entered his plea. All remaining charges, which had included felony counts, against her were dropped.
She was sentenced to six month in jail, with the term suspended, and placed on one year’s probation.
Three vie for bench
AKRON: All three candidates the Summit County Republican Executive Committee has recommended to fill a vacant common pleas judicial seat ran for office in November, although only one to become a judge.
The executive committee submitted the names of Jane Davis, Dave Lombardi and Candace Kim Knox to Gov. John Kasich as the candidates to fill the open seat created when Elinore Marsh Stormer became judge of Summit County Probate Court.
Last fall, Davis ran for Summit County Council, Lombardi for common pleas judge and Knox for county prosecutor.
“They are very well qualified,” said Alex Arshinkoff, the county’s GOP chairman. “I think any of them would be a good judge.”
Kasich will interview the candidates, though he can pick whoever he wants. The governor generally picks from the county party’s recommended choices. He has no time limit for making his decision.
The party’s candidates include no sitting judges. Arshinkoff said none applied.
The party’s top pick is Davis, who was formerly a Democrat and “saw the light,” Arshinkoff said. He said she has been a Republican for many years, worked for a large firm in Cleveland and has been doing pro-bono work. He said she did well in her at-large council race.
Visit St. Sebastian
AKRON: St. Sebastian School will host an open house for prospective and current students from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday.
Families are invited to tour the school, visit classrooms and meet teachers.
All interested new families are asked to come between 11 a.m. and noon; enrolled families are asked to come from noon to 2 p.m.
St. Sebastian is at 476 Mull Ave. in Akron.
Boating class set
CUYAHOGA FALLS: The Akron Sail and Power Squadron is conducting a piloting class starting Wednesday.
The class will run from 7 to 9 p.m. for 10 weeks through April 3 at Cuyahoga Falls High School, 2300 Fourth St.
Novice and experienced sailors will learn the latest techniques for piloting recreational boats.
The fee is $165.
For reservations and more information, contact Don Gifford at 330-929-6045 or dgifford001@neo.rr.com.
Additional information is also available at www.usps.org/e_stuff/advgrade.html.