AKRON
Car chase
AKRON: Akron police apprehended two women early Monday morning after they abandoned a stolen car they were riding in.
Two men who also ran from the vehicle escaped capture.
Police pursued the vehicle after they spotted it traveling 65 mph in a 35 mph zone on North Hawkins Avenue near West Market Street, according to Beacon Journal news partner WEWS (Channel 5).
The foursome jumped from the car near the entrance of Timber Top Apartments on Portage Trail and ran.
Officers caught the women but were unable to apprehend the men.
Police said they found a small amount of crack cocaine inside the vehicle.
Anyone with information is asked to call Akron detectives at 330-375-2490.
Shots fired
AKRON: Akron police are looking for two men who fired shots into an SUV.
One man was injured.
The shooting took place about 12:30 p.m. Sunday near Russell Avenue and West Bowery Street.
The victim, 41, was driving a 2003 Land Rover when the shots were fired. The man was treated for a gunshot wound to the arm, police said. Two others inside the SUV were not harmed.
No suspects have been identified.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Akron police at 330-375-2490. Anonymous tips for this or any crime may be left at http://ci.akron.oh.us/ASP/tip.html.
Information may also be provided anonymously by calling Summit County Crimestoppers at 330-434-COPS (2677). Tipsters might qualify for a cash reward.
Loan request
AKRON: Akron City Council voted Monday to apply for a $4.7 million state loan that would be used to make air quality and energy efficiency improvements to three city buildings.
The city would use the Air Quality Control Loan to pay for upgrades to the heating, ventilation and air conditioning and electric in the Harold K. Stubbs Justice Center, the CitiCenter building and City Hall, including replacing the chiller on top of City Hall that often breaks down, said Brad Beckert, Akron’s development engineering manager.
Council also voted to contract with Honeywell International Inc. to oversee the project. Honeywell’s fee would come out of the overall $4.7 million project cost, Beckert said.
The city will repay the loan with lower utility and repair costs it realizes from the improvements, Beckert said.
The interest rate is expected to be around 1.75 percent, Beckert said.
Bike auction
AKRON: Akron police will hold the department’s annual public bike auction May 18.
The auction begins at 9:30 a.m. at 1085 Sweitzer Ave. Bidders can view the items available beginning at 8:30 a.m.
The auction is free and open to the public.
The May 18 auction is restricted to bicycles recovered by officers and unclaimed by owners. Only cash is accepted for purchases.
The department’s annual property auction, which includes a wide variety of seized or recovered items, is scheduled for June 29.
BARBERTON
Expansion ordered
BARBERTON: The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development on Monday ordered Barberton to allow the expansion of a group home and said the city must pay $4,250 in settling a fair housing complaint.
Fair Housing Advocates Association, a nonprofit organization in Akron, filed a complaint on behalf of the owners of Rehoboth Group Home alleging that the city’s Planning Commission denied a conditional-use permit to expand the home from four occupants to eight based on neighborhood opposition.
The Fair Housing Act prohibits municipalities and other local government entities from making zoning or land-use decisions or implementing land-use policies that deny housing or otherwise discriminate in housing against individuals with disabilities, HUD said in announcing the settlement.
“We are pleased that the city has resolved this matter in a way that ensures that persons with disabilities have the right to live in neighborhoods, free from discrimination,” said John Trasvina, assistant secretary for Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity at HUD.
CAMPAIGN TRAIL
Coughlin to run
STOW: Kevin Coughlin, a former state lawmaker who represented the Cuyahoga Falls area for 14 years, said Monday he is running for clerk of Stow Municipal Court.
The nonpartisan race will be contested on the Nov. 5 ballot.
“Today I am answering a call to serve our communities by modernizing the operation of the court. We have a new courthouse, and our judges are doing a great job,” Coughlin said in a news release announcing his candidacy. “But the Stow Municipal Court’s operation is one of Ohio’s most antiquated.
“For over a decade, clerks have promised to computerize records and modernize but have failed to show any results. Case files are still on paper, creating security issues and slowing the judicial system. Citizens can’t even pay traffic tickets online.”
Coughlin said he would “professionalize the courthouse with qualified staff experienced in records administration and customer service. We will identify best practices and new technologies to better serve our citizens and run the court more securely and efficiently.”
The Stow Municipal Court district includes the cities and villages of Boston Heights, Cuyahoga Falls, Hudson, Macedonia, Munroe Falls, Northfield, Peninsula, Reminderville, Silver Lake, Stow, Tallmadge and Twinsburg and Boston, Northfield Center, Sagamore Hills and Twinsburg townships.
GREEN SCHOOLS
Meeting canceled
GREEN: The Board of Education has canceled its May 20 board meeting.
Scheduling conflicts forced the board to change the meeting date to 6:30 p.m. May 30 in City Council chambers at the Central Administration Building, 1755 Town Park Blvd.
The board has called a special work session for 6 p.m. Monday in the administration building’s Conference Room B to continue planning for creation of a five-year strategic plan.
STARK COUNTY
Library to close
CANTON: The Stark County District Library, which generally is open from 1 to 5 p.m. Sundays at its Main Library and Jackson, Perry and Plain branches, will be closed systemwide in observance of Mother’s Day.
The system will resume regular service hours Monday.
For more information, go to www.starklibrary.org.
SUMMIT COUNTY
Dinner for moms
AKRON: The Polish American Citizens Club will hold its Mother’s Day Dinner at 5 p.m. Saturday in the Club Hall, 472 E. Glenwood Ave.
The menu will include swiss steak, tomato juice, tossed salad, mashed potatoes, green beans almondine, rolls, dessert, coffee and tea.
Event tickets are $12 per adult and $6 for children under 12 years.
Tickers are available at the PAC club.
The dinner is open to the public.
For more information, call 330-253-0496 or 330-633-7200.
WADSWORTH
Agency fundraisers
WADSWORTH: The Salvation Army will hold a fundraiser Saturday and another one May 15 to benefit its Wadsworth chapter.
An annual walkathon and Family Fun Day will be held from 10 a.m to 1 p.m. Saturday at Memorial Park.
The walk will begin at 10 a.m. with registration starting at 9. Entry fee is $10 per person.
A corn hole tournament will begin at 11 a.m. with registration beginning at 9 a.m. The fee is $40 per team. Cash prizes will be awarded for first and second place.
The day will include a live DJ, face painting, a bounce house, concessions, rescue vehicles on display, Jammin’ Jumpers and a policeman show and tell.
All proceeds will benefit Wadsworth Salvation Army Educational Services.
The event is sponsored by Structure Personnel Inc., 1219 High St., and more information can be obtained at 330-335-7227.
On May 15, the Salvation Army annual Community Dinner and Chair-ity Auction will be held at Galaxy Banquet Center, 201 Park Center Drive. The event features the auction of chairs that Learning Center students have repurposed into works of art.
Social begins at 6 p.m. with dinner at 6:30. Tickets are $40 and can be obtained at the Salvation Army, 527 High St., or from Salvation Army board members.