AKRON
Special meeting
AKRON: The board of directors of Akron Digital Academy will conduct a special meeting at 4 p.m. Monday at 335 S. Main St., in downtown Akron.
Sponsorship for the academy will be discussed.
This meeting is open to the public.
Road, ramp closed
AKRON: Innovation Way will be closed between Englewood Avenue and the roundabout at Seiberling Street from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday for construction in the area.
The work also will necessitate the closure of the Interstate 76 eastbound exit ramp to Innovation Way (Exit 25A) for the same time period.
Motorists wanting to go south toward Triplett Boulevard will be detoured via East Market Street to Massillon Road.
Northbound Innovation Way drivers will be detoured to Market Street via Seiberling Street at the roundabout.
Rape conviction
AKRON: A 24-year-old Akron man faces a possible sentence of life in prison for raping a 5-year-old girl, authorities said.
Richard D. Roper, of Downing Place in Akron, was convicted of the crime Thursday in a Summit County jury trial.
He is scheduled to be sentenced July 1 by Common Pleas Judge Amy Corrigall Jones.
Prosecutors said multiple offenses occurred in 2010 and 2011.
Roper could be sentenced to life in prison with parole eligibility after 25 years, or life with no chance of parole.
BATH TOWNSHIP
Garage sale
BATH TWP: The second annual Bath Community Garage Sale will be held from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 15.
The event is sponsored by the Bath Business Association and the township.
Maps to the individual locations and a detailed listing of garage sale items at those locations can be purchased for $2 from 8 a.m. until noon June 15 at Bath Elementary, 3851 W. Bath Road.
Proceeds from the event help the association support awards to Revere High School students competing in the annual Business Plan competition in the high school business classes.
For more information, call 330-666-4007 or 330-666-3347.
PORTAGE COUNTY
Appeal denied
COLUMBUS: The Ohio Supreme Court declined to hear an appeal of an Akron man convicted of murder and felonious assault in the 2009 beating death of Kent State University student Christopher Kernich, authorities said Thursday.
An attorney for Ronald G. Kelly, 23, claimed that his client was denied a fair trial and a “meaningful direct appeal” based on ineffective assistance of counsel in his Portage County murder trial and subsequent appellate case.
The thrust of Kelly’s appeal was that his trial lawyers failed to request jury instructions on lesser-included offenses of assault, reckless homicide and involuntary manslaughter.
The former University of Akron student testified in his own defense at his 2010 trial, denying that he ever kicked or stomped on Kernich as the state had alleged.
Ten prosecution witnesses identified Kelly as one of two young men who kicked Kernich and stomped on his head after he was knocked to the pavement from a sucker punch during a street fight.
Kernich, 23, died of massive head injuries six days later at an Akron hospital.
COPLEY TOWNSHIP
Concerts to begin
COPLEY TWP.: Residents can relax on blankets or lawn chairs Sunday evening in front of the Copley bandstand for the start of the summer concert series.
The concerts at Copley Circle are scheduled to run from 7 to 9 p.m. Sundays through Aug. 18.
The rain venue will be Copley Community Center, 128 Sunset Drive, off Copley Road across from the police station.
Copley trustees added township support Wednesday, approving $9,450 for the volunteer Copley Bandstand Committee, which runs the summer concert series.
HUDSON
Bonds approved
HUDSON: City Council approved three construction matters during its meeting Wednesday night, including an ordinance issuing bonds for $5 million worth of road improvements.
Work will include reconstruction, resurfacing, widening, grading and installation of storm sewers. Issuance of the bonds will allow acceleration of the project to a three-year time frame.
Council also approved an ordinance to allow notes to be issued for $1.4 million to proceed with the Youth Development Center demolition project.
The notes will be executed in anticipation of bonds that will be issued later in the summer.
The project is for demolition of buildings, followed by cleanup and restoration of the site, with a view toward rendering it saleable for future commercial purposes.
Local building restoration company Grunwell-Cashero Co. received a $38,410 contract for the repair and reconstruction of the downtown parking terrace stairwell.
In other business, council President David Basil said the city is looking to fill vacancies on several volunteer boards and commissions: Architectural and Historical Board of Review, Park Board, Cable Advisory Committee and Planning Commission.
Applicants have until the close of business June 14 to submit the required paperwork.
NORTHEAST OHIO
Scouting exhibition
Families interested in learning more about the Cub Scouts program are invited to the first Cub Camporall, which will be held Saturday outside Dix Stadium at Kent State University.
Activities will include an American Indian dance troop, a tour of KSU’s solar facility, a nature walk, a rope bridge, a demonstration of how to set up and break down a tent and a reptile exhibit.
The Kent State Air Force ROTC will direct a rocket launch at noon.
Registration is from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m., and events begin at 9.
Participation is free. Lunches can be purchased at $5 per person.
PENINSULA
Church reunion
PENINSULA: Bronson Church will commemorate the anniversaries of more than 800 couples married there in the past 45 years since its restoration.
The event, at 1712 Main St., will run from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday and will feature tea and cookies, music and the opportunity to share memories, take new photos and reminisce.
Parking is available at the southwest corner of Riverview Road and Main Street, and along Center Street across from the Yellow Creek Trading Company.
There is no parking available at the church, but handicapped drop-off is available.
The free event is open to all residents and village visitors.
STARK COUNTY
Food drive
CANTON: The State Highway Patrol’s “Can the Cruiser” effort will partner with the Stark County Hunger Task Force for Operation Feed.
The food drive will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at Buehler’s Fresh Foods, 7138 Fulton Drive NW.
Representatives from both groups are asking for donations of nonperishable goods, including boxed cereal, peanut butter, canned tuna, canned vegetables and soups.
SUMMIT COUNTY
Democrats to meet
AKRON: Summit County Progressive Democrats will meet at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday in Room 2 of the Akron-Summit County Public Library, 60 S. Main St.
Guest speakers will be Elyzabeth Holford, executive director of Equality Ohio, and Shelly Kiser, director of advocacy for the American Lung Association.
Members will learn about air quality in Summit County, vote on a resolution involving Medicaid expansion and write post cards to support Equality Ohio.
The meeting is open to the public.
WADSWORTH
Cones for kids
WADSWORTH: Wadsworth police, Dairy Queen and the AAA Club are offering incentives for children to wear a helmet while bicycling this summer.
Beginning Monday and continuing through Sept. 2, Wadsworth patrol officers will be looking for children under 12 who are wearing helmets while riding a bike or scooter.
As a reward, the child will receive a Dairy Queen cone coupon and a AAA gift bag.
Children who bring their safety citation to the local Wadsworth AAA stores also will be entered to win one of six free bicycles to be raffled at the end of the campaign.