AKRON
Burglar takes robes
AKRON: Someone broke into an Akron church and stole several choir robes, police said.
The break-in at University Presbyterian Church, 421 Spicer St., was discovered just before services Sunday morning, according to an Akron police report. The Rev. Inkyu Park reported the break-in.
According to the report, the burglar broke through a wooden cover and entered the church through a basement window. Once inside, the burglar damaged an interior door, used a restroom and then fled the church with an unknown number of choir robes.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Akron police at 330-375-2490.
Information may also be provided anonymously by calling Summit County Crimestoppers at 330-434-COPS (2677). Tipsters might qualify for a cash reward.
Voting issue
AKRON: Akron City Council passed a resolution this week objecting to an amendment to the proposed state budget that would prohibit public universities from charging out-of-state tuition if the university provides students with documentation that can be used as voter identification.
Democrats, including state Rep. Kathleen Clyde of Kent, are opposed to the provision, which they say is aimed at curbing the youth vote, which often tips Democratic.
Republicans say the measure is intended to provide students with cheaper tuition.
Universities currently can provide students with documentation, such as a utility bill, after they’ve lived in Ohio for 30 days that can be used as identification for voting.
“This is just a suppressive tactic to reduce the voting of young people,” Akron Councilwoman Linda Omobien said. “It has no place in the state of Ohio.”
She encouraged Akron residents to call or email their representatives and senators in Columbus and Gov. John Kasich, urging them to strip this amendment from the proposed state budget.
Nursing home fire
AKRON: One person was injured in a chemical fire at a nursing home on Akron’s near north side Tuesday morning.
The fire was confined to a storage room at Canal Pointe, a nursing and rehabilitation center at 145 Olive St., according to a report.
The fire created an odor of smoke at the facility. It was under control at 5:44 a.m., according to officials.
The cause of the fire is listed as undetermined cleaning chemicals.
There are no estimates of damage to either the building or its contents.
Authorities did not release information on the condition of the victim.
Shots fired
AKRON: An East Akron man is facing charges after police say he shot up a vehicle and threatened its owner Monday.
Tavarasa O. Smith, 29, of Brittain Road, is accused of firing four shots at a car in the 300 block of Crestwood Avenue, then calling the owner of the vehicle and threatening the person’s life. During the conversation, Smith implicated himself as the shooter, police said.
Authorities charged Smith with possessing weapons under disability, vandalism, aggravated menacing and discharging a firearm.
BARBERTON
Proposal criticized
BARBERTON: City Council on Monday night passed a resolution denouncing recent right-to-work amendment proposals to the Ohio Constitution.
The resolution called the amendments, among other things, “an attack on working families and the middle class.”
State Reps. Kristina Roegner of Hudson and Ron Maag of Lebanon introduced right-to-work proposals early this month, but the Senate president quickly said neither had the support nor the interest within his caucus to move forward.
The Barberton resolution also included the statement that Ohio voters rejected a similar political attack on workers and the middle class less than two years ago.
CANTON
Memorial rules
CANTON: City Council has approved legislation limiting roadside memorials to 90 days.
Rules approved Monday also require that tributes placed near streets, sidewalks or tree lawns must not encroach on roads nor create unsafe conditions.
The 90-day clock starts when a resident or city employee notifies the service director of a memorial, which is usually created when someone dies in a public space.
Memorials for anniversaries, birthdays and other holidays are to be removed seven days after notification.
The legislation was named in memory of Tajan “Tanny” Burt, who died at age 14 after he was hit by a vehicle while riding his bicycle at Lawrence Road and Gibbs Avenue Northeast in 2011.
His mother, Lashawn Burt, is working to create a place where all families may memorialize departed loved ones who have been cremated and therefore do not have graves that can be visited.
GREEN
Three men charged
GREEN: Two 19-year-olds from Green have been arrested in connection with a March 29 robbery of the Thomas’ Drive Thru on South Arlington Road, the Summit County Sheriff’s Office said Tuesday.
Kenneth Simmons and David Murren III were charged Monday with aggravated robbery.
Two men dressed in dark clothing and ski masks entered the business at 10 p.m. March 29, demanded cash and cellphones from two employees, then fled.
Sheriff’s deputies gathered DNA evidence from the scene and it matched an individual in a DNA database, authorities said.
Authorities searched Murren’s residence and found additional evidence. They also discovered hash oil, drug paraphernalia and currency.
Brian Rubino, 18, of Springfield Township, was charged with drug possession.
Simmons, Murren and Rubino were transported to the Summit County Jail.
LAKE TOWNSHIP
Purchase approved
LAKE TWP.: Township trustees approved the purchase of cruiser accessories for the Uniontown Police Department’s two new Ford sport utility vehicles at their meeting Monday night. The accessories will be purchased from Hall Public Safety Co. at a cost of $5,348 per vehicle.
Trustees said new playground equipment has been installed at Lake Township Community Park, and Lake High School student Katie Baker has completed her National Honor Society project with the installation of park benches at the tot park.
Due to the Memorial Day holiday, trustees changed their next meeting to 6:30 p.m. May 28.
STARK COUNTY
Motorcyclist dies
State Highway Patrol troopers are investigating the death of a motorcyclist who crashed in Perry Township on May 3 and died eight days later.
John Fellouzis, 20, of Perry died Saturday at the Cleveland Clinic.
State troopers on Tuesday said Fellouzis, who had a temporary motorcycle license endorsement, lost control on Perry Drive about 6:30 p.m. after applying the brakes.
The motorcycle overturned and ejected Fellouzis, who was not wearing a helmet, troopers said. He initially was taken to Aultman Hospital in Canton by Perry Township paramedics. He was transferred to the Cleveland Clinic.
The crash was Stark County’s ninth traffic fatality of the year.
SUMMIT COUNTY
Billboard winners
AKRON: A Revere High School student is the big winner in an annual billboard design contest.
The winners were announced Tuesday by ReWorks, the agency also known as the Summit-Akron Solid Waste Management Authority.
Jeff Gerberich took first place and a cash prize of $200.
Second place went to Jahnel Head of Manchester High School. She gets $100.
Richard Milford of Firestone High School got third place and $50.
Fourth place went to Lucia Obeius of Revere.
Fifth place was awarded to Chauntel Brown of Kenmore High and the Akron Public Schools digital design program.
The contest’s theme was Recycle More, Waste Less.
All five winning designs will be posted as billboards in the local area in the coming days.
Dinner speaker
AKRON: Tuskegee Airman Edward Lunda will be the featured speaker at the quarterly dinner of the Fairlawn VFW Post 349 at 6 p.m. today at St. Joseph Family Center, 610 W. Exchange St., Akron.
Tickets are $20.
For reservations, call 330-283-4233 or email pryerson@ryersonmanagement.com.