AKRON
Woman robbed
AKRON: Police were looking for a burglar who knocked over an elderly woman when she confronted him in her home.
The incident occurred at 3 p.m. Thursday in the 900 block of Concord Avenue.
The woman told investigators that she stepped out to take her dog to the backyard. While she was outside, a man entered the home.
When the woman returned inside, she was knocked over by the man who also kicked her dog, police said.
The woman and dog were not injured in the attack.
The man took her wallet, which contained $1 and several bank cards.
The intruder was described as a black male, 30 to 35 years old, 5-foot-10, weighing about 200 pounds.
He had short, black hair and wore a black T-shirt and dark pants.
Anyone with information on the case is asked to call Akron police detectives at 330-375-2490. Anonymous tips can be made at http://ci.akron.oh.us/ASP/tip.html.
Ward 3 meeting
AKRON: Margo Sommerville, the new Ward 3 councilwoman, will hold a meet-and-greet meeting from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Akron Urban League, 440 Vern Odom Blvd.
Sommerville, who replaced her father, longtime Council President Marco Sommerville, will discuss her life as the daughter of a politician and how this influenced her education and political aspirations. She also will outline her vision for Ward 3 and her interest in reducing gun violence and making Akron a safer place.
She plans to host ongoing monthly ward meetings the second Thursday of each month at the Odom Boulevard branch library, 600 Vernon Odom Blvd.
CLEVELAND
Fire closes market
CLEVELAND: City officials say it could take weeks to clean up Cleveland’s historic West Side Market after it was damaged by fire this week.
The city gave outside produce vendors the OK to open Friday. The inside of the 100-year-old market remains closed until further notice.
The interior of the market will have to be cleaned “brick by brick,” and any food exposed to the smoky air of the early Wednesday fire will have to be destroyed.
Only two stands actually caught on fire from an apparent electrical problem, but soot spread throughout and blackened parts of the walls and ceiling.
KENT STATE
Pet research
KENT: The Psychology Department at Kent State University is conducting a study to understand how a child’s relationship with a pet dog relates to relationships with people.
Researchers are particularly interested in whether pet dogs can alleviate a child’s distress.
Families who have a child in fourth or fifth grade, at least one dog in their home, with one parent who can participate in the study are invited to apply.
The study involves filling out questionnaires and having children participate in different activities.
Families are compensated for the participation.
Dr. Kathy Kerns is leading the study with funds from the National Institute of Nursing Research.
For more information or to volunteer, call 330-672-2139 or email Amanda Koehn at akoehn@kent.edu.
SUMMIT COUNTY
Tea party to meet
AKRON: The Akron Tea Party will meet at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Quirk Cultural Center, 1204 Grant Ave. in Cuyahoga Falls.
The meeting will feature presentations from Joe Seidwitz, a local firearms instructor and a representative from local law enforcement who will discuss gun control, personal security and Second Amendment rights.
WAYNE COUNTY
Election post filled
COLUMBUS: Secretary of State Jon Husted has appointed Earl C. Kerr to the Wayne County Board of Elections.
Kerr, 62, was recommended by the Wayne County Republican Executive Committee to complete the unexpired term of Dorothy Ginther.
A Doylestown resident, Kerr is a former Wayne County senior planner, former mayor of Doylestown and a former Chippewa Township trustee.
He has worked with the Akron Metropolitan Area Transportation Study and had a 20-year military career with experience in communications systems.