Akron
Rape conviction
AKRON: A 26-year-old man has been convicted of two counts of rape involving two young girls who were acquaintances, authorities said.
Christopher Lee Davis, of Carpenter Avenue in Akron, faces a maximum prison term of 20 years, prosecutors said. He is scheduled to be sentenced May 16 by Summit County Common Pleas Judge Tammy O’Brien.
Prosecutors said the crimes occurred in 2009 and 2010.
Porn sentence
AKRON: An Akron man was sentenced to 10 years in prison Thursday on multiple counts of child pornography and manufacturing methamphetamine, authorities said.
Jesse Jack Guyton, 34, of Nola Lane, pleaded guilty to the crimes last month. He had been arrested on the sex charges after the Ohio Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force obtained a search warrant for his home and found thousands of explicit photos he posted on a file-sharing site, prosecutors said.
More than 500 videos also were found on Guyton’s computer by forensic investigators from the Summit County Sheriff’s Office.
As the search was being conducted, officers found an active meth lab in the basement of Guyton’s home.
On March 21, he pleaded guilty to manufacturing meth and multiple felony counts of pandering sexually oriented material involving a minor. He was classified as a Tier II sex offender, with an order to register his address with the sheriff every six months for 25 years, prosecutors said.
Crash closes ramp
AKRON: The exit ramp of eastbound Interstate 76 at the southern edge of the Kenmore leg closed for a few hours Thursday after a tractor-trailer crashed.
Traffic was routed farther east on U.S. 224.
Authorities did not immediately release information about any injuries in the accident.
River cleanup
AKRON: Volunteers are needed on April 27 to clean up Adam’s Run and Haley’s Run in southeast Akron.
The cleanup will run from 9 a.m. to noon.
The two streams flow into the Little Cuyahoga River.
Volunteers should meet at the Goodyear Plant No. 5 parking lot, 1452 E. Archwood Ave., with sturdy boots and work gloves.
For more information, call 330-864-6033 or 330-657-2378.
AURORA
Waterline flushing
AURORA: The city of Aurora’s Water Department will be flushing waterlines throughout the system today through May 10.
Flushing will take place between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Customers might experience intermittent pressure, fluctuations and a temporary condition of discolored water.
For more information, call 330-995-9109.
BARBERTON
Community cleanup
BARBERTON: Barberton Beautification is joining with the Great American Cleanup on Saturday.
The Great American Cleanup is the single largest cleanup in America.
Some 300 volunteers representing various area community groups and organizations are needed to help clean up and beautify the community.
Volunteers will be treated to a celebration at Tuscora Park for their efforts.
To sign up, call 330-848-6653.
CUYAHOGA VALLEY
Federal grant
WASHINGTON: Cuyahoga Valley National Park has been awarded a $15,000 grant to help introduce families from low-income, urban communities to trail-based outdoor recreation.
The funding, through the National Parks Foundation, will support the “Get Up, Get Out & Go!” program that is designed to connect diverse, under-engaged populations throughout the United States with national parks in their area through a variety of environmental, adventure and historical activities.
GREEN
Wetlands coming
GREEN: An educational wetlands project to enhance educational opportunities, while helping control stormwater runoff, will be constructed this summer in front of the middle school on Steese Road.
City Council gave approval this week to a $268,676 contract for Tucson Inc. of New Philadelphia to do the work during the school district’s summer recess.
Council also approved the sale of a small section (0.19 acres) of property at 4810 Massillon Road to Scott Plummer for $5,700.
Plummer owns property abutting the newly purchased city-owned land, which remained after the Greensburg Road/Massillon Road intersection project was completed.
Ward 1 Councilman Jim Colopy asked city planners to gather more information from Joseph Cervana of Grille 39 on Massillon Road concerning his plans if granted a state D-5 liquor permit.
Mayor Dick Norton informed the council that construction is expected to begin in July on the Acre Fresh Market project in the Heritage Crossings development off Massillon and Graybill roads.
Playground repairs
GREEN: The city’s Heritage Hill Playground at Boettler Park will be closed from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday for maintenance work.
Members of the Ohio Army National Guard stationed at the Akron-Canton Airport are providing community service to the city and will be completing several maintenance projects at the playground.
Boettler Park will be open Sunday, and the small playground near the soccer fields will be open.
Sixty to 75 servicemen and women will be donating an estimated 400 hours performing maintenance, including seal coating the wooden play structure and fence as well as other minor spring cleaning.
Heritage Hill Playground was built by community members and opened in 1999.
NORTHEAST OHIO
Firefighting grants
Three local fire departments will receive nearly $206,000 in combined Assistance to Firefighters Grants from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
The Randolph Township Fire Department and the Edinburg Fire Department in Portage County were awarded $105,177 and $27,444, respectively. Lakemore Fire Department in Summit County received $73,274, according to information from U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown’s office.
Lakemore will use the money for two cardiac monitors, four external defibrillators and other equipment, fire Chief Barry Saley said.
“Under our current fiscal situation, being in fiscal emergency, we would never have been able to purchase them otherwise,” Saley said of the monitors.
The federal money can be used to purchase protective equipment, vehicles or other apparatus for first responders.
Marinas opening
AKRON: The city of Akron’s two marinas will open for a third season Wednesday.
The Mogadore Boathouse and Marina, 2578 State Route 43 in Mogadore, and LaDue Reservoir Boathouse and Marina, 17759 Valley Road in Auburn Township in Geauga County, will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. through Labor Day.
Boat rentals will be available daily at the following rates: rowboat, $20 for two hours or $40 for all day; and rowboat with electric motor, $35 for two hours or $70 for all day. Prices are subject to change.
The Mogadore marina also offers live bait, tackle, snacks and convenience items for sale, as well as a picnic area, shoreline fishing and access to the Ohio Buckeye Trail.
The LaDue marina offers the same items for sale, a picnic area and shoreline fishing in approved areas around the boathouse.
Akron residents receive 10 percent off of select services with proof of residency.
For more information, call the Mogadore marina at 330-628-3343 or LaDue marina at 440-834-0045.
STARK COUNTY
Asbestos testing
CANTON: Tests for asbestos will be conducted before any more work occurs to replace a damaged roof at the Stark County Board of Elections.
HzW Environmental Consultants, LLC, of Akron is expected to begin testing today.
Stark County commissioners set aside $3,000 on Wednesday for the job, which is expected to cost about $1,500, county Administrator Brant Luther said.
Crews that covered the hole in the roof with wooden framing and a tarp stopped working last week, said Jeff Matthews, director of the elections board.
A portion of the roof on the board’s building collapsed during heavy rain April 10.
Commissioners declared the incident a disaster Wednesday, clearing the way for a contract for the roof replacement without competitive bids.
The Air Pollution Control division of the Canton Health Department sent the county a letter April 17 asking that the building be tested for asbestos, said Terri Dzienis, air pollution control administrator.
Wetting asbestos with water is a way to reduce the possibility that it will be released into the air, she said.
When the flooded material was moved, she said, that created the potential for asbestos to be released.
Asbestos formerly was used in building materials because of its strength, flame resistance and insulating properties, but it can cause several deadly diseases and health concerns.
STOW
5K, events planned
STOW: The annual Fishcreek Raccoon Run will be 7 to 10:30 a.m. Sunday at Fishcreek Elementary, 5080 Fishcreek Road.
Events include a 5K race, pancake breakfast and a 1-mile Fun Run.
Related events include a health fair from 6 to 8:30 p.m. today at the school and a pasta banquet from 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday at Heritage Barn in nearby Silver Springs Park, 5238 Young Road.
For registration information, go to www.fishcreekraccoonrun.com.
SUMMIT COUNTY
Shop for Mom
AKRON: Mother’s Day shoppers are invited to check out the Summit County Spring Avant-Garde Art & Craft show from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday at Tangier restaurant, 532 W. Market St., Akron.
The event will feature nearly 100 local vendors with fun and eclectic items.
Admission is $3; children under 12 are free.
A portion of proceeds will benefit the nonprofit Stewart’s Caring Place, an Akron organization that provides cancer support for patients and affected families.
Adoption meeting
AKRON: Summit County Children Services will hold a free foster care and adoption information meeting from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday at the agency headquarters, 264 S. Arlington St. in Akron.
The meeting is free and open to the public.
For more information, call 330-379-1994.