AKRON
Rally for woman
AKRON: A rally and fundraiser for the family of missing Akron resident Taylor Robinson will be at 6:30 p.m. today at the Community Fellowship Chapel.
The event, Hope for Taylor, is being hosted by MOMS (Mothers on a Mission) at the church at 951 Virginia Ave.
Robinson, 19, has been missing for eight weeks.
She was last seen by her mother May 3 when she was dropped off at a Kipling Street home where Robinson worked as a private health care aide.
The FBI is assisting Akron police in the investigation.
Today’s event is designed to raise public awareness of Robinson’s disappearance and raise money to help the family retain a private investigator.
The group welcomes all clergy, ministers of music, choirs, soloists to join them.
For additional information about the event, call 347-786-1879 or contact the Community Fellowship Chapel at 330-724-2454.
Pool cue attack
AKRON: An Akron man kicked out of a bar Wednesday night returned and used a pool stick to attack a patron, police said.
Bradley Sherman, 25, was wanted by police on a felonious assault warrant.
His whereabouts were unknown Thursday.
Police said Sherman was asked to leave the King Sportsman Tavern, 1402 W. Waterloo Road, about 9 p.m. Wednesday after a bartender said he tried to take beer outside.
Sherman returned a short time later with two other men and used a cue stick to attack a 55-year-old Barberton man seated at the bar, police said.
The patron suffered a severe cut to his head and was treated at Summa Barberton Hospital.
A 53-year-old man who tried to help the victim was struck with a cue stick by one of the men who accompanied Sherman into the bar, according to a police report.
Paramedics treated the second victim at the scene.
Anyone with information about Sherman’s whereabouts is asked to contact Akron police at 330-375-2181.
Anonymous tips for this or any crime can be left at http://ci.akron.oh.us/ASP/tip.html.
Meeting canceled
AKRON: Russel Neal Jr., the Ward 4 councilman, has canceled a meeting he had scheduled for Tuesday.
No new date was announced.
Derby run and walk
AKRON: The first Derby Downs 5K Run/Walk on July 21 will kick off festivities for the 76th FirstEnergy All-American Soap Box Derby.
The 5K will start at 9 a.m. on George Washington Boulevard outside the Topside area near the Derby Downs track.
The course will continue on the grounds adjacent to Derby Downs and end at the finish line of the 989-foot track.
After the foot race, all 5K participants will have the chance to pilot a Soap Box Derby car down the track.
Awards will be given to the top five overall male and female 5K runners and 5K walkers, as well as category awards.
All participants will receive a goody bag and two tickets to the derby race on July 27.
Registration for the run and walk will be $25; to register, visit www.aasbd.org.
Following the 5K race, the Derby Downs track will be open to the public from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. for fun runs down in adult-sized cars provided by the Derby.
The cost will be $20.
Proceeds from the 5K race and the public race car runs will benefit the derby, an Akron-based nonprofit that organizes gravity racing events for children and teens.
CAMPAIGN TRAIL
Campaign kickoff
AKRON: A campaign kickoff for Eugene Norris, who is running for City Council in Ward 4, will be from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Edgar’s Restaurant, 530 Nome Ave.
For additional information about the event, call 330-835-9658.
CUYAHOGA FALLS
Two meth arrests
CUYAHOGA FALLS: An alert resident’s call to police Wednesday resulted in the arrest of two people charged with operating a methamphetamine lab.
Brian P. Sandella, 29, and Gemma Matthews, 27, were charged with one count each of illegal manufacture of drugs, illegal assembly of chemicals used in the manufacturing of drugs and child endangering.
Police said a resident noticed a woman dumping suspicious items in the west alley near Marcia Avenue just before 2:30 p.m.
Investigating officers found items used in the manufacturing of methamphetamine.
Armed with a search warrant, police and members of the Summit County Drug Unit raided a home in the 2200 block of 23rd Street, where they found other evidence.
A child in the home was turned over to a relative.
A hazardous waste disposal contractor removed the hazardous waste found at the scene.
Sandella and Matthews are expected to appear in court today.
Police Chief Tom Pozza praised the caller for contacting police after seeing something that didn’t seem right.
“This is a great example of ‘See something, say something,’ ” Pozza said.
Tasty reward for kids
CUYAHOGA FALLS: The Cuyahoga Falls Police Department has teamed up with Dairy Queen, at 715 Portage Trail, to reward children who follow safety rules during the summer months.
Chief Tom Pozza said officers who spot a child crossing in a crosswalk, wearing a bike helmet or displaying other safe behaviors can issue a “ticket” for a free small ice cream cone.
Dairy Queen owner Karl Warther thinks it’s a great program.
“I look forward to partnering with police and the city on future programs,” he said.
GREEN
Bird event Saturday
GREEN: Purple martin enthusiasts are invited to help feed and band young birds during the 12th annual Buckeye Martinfest from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday at the North Reservoir Boat Launch Ramp on State Mill Road.
Guests can view more than 125 purple martin nests and participate in games and crafts.
Food and beverages will be available.
The Portage Lakes Purple Martin Association, sponsors of the event, was formed in 2000 to attract birds and help control insects in the Portage Lakes and reduce the use of insecticides.
For additional information, contact Larry Hunter at 330-644-1540.
LAFAYETTE TOWNSHIP
State route closing
LAFAYETTE TWP.: State Route 162, just west of Carsten Road, will close Monday for a culvert replacement, the Ohio Department of Transportation said.
The road is expected to reopen Wednesday.
The detour route involves U.S. 42, state Route 421 and state Route 83.
NORTH CANTON
Signatures filed
NORTH CANTON: A proposed charter amendment that seeks to make the mayor’s job full time moved closer to the ballot Thursday when 973 signatures from North Canton residents were submitted for verification.
A total of 744 valid signatures are needed to qualify the issue for the fall ballot.
In a news release, proponents of the measure said passage would “bring to North Canton a mayor who is available and accessible at City Hall during business hours and [would] reduce personnel costs, saving money for taxpayers.”
If approved, the change would become effective with the mayoral election in November 2015.
PLAIN SCHOOLS
Spending approved
PLAIN TWP.: The Plain Board of Education approved temporary appropriations for the 2013-2014 school year at a special meeting Thursday.
The appropriations totaled more than $61 million for fiscal year 2013 and nearly $28.4 million for fiscal year 2014.
Final appropriations will be presented for approval at the board’s September meeting.
The board also accepted the resignation of GlenOak Academy Principal Mark Filicky.
SUMMIT COUNTY
Senator to speak
AKRON: State Sen. Nina Turner, D-Cleveland, will be guest speaker at the Akron Urban League’s next Urban Issues Luncheon, 11:45 a.m. July 10.
Turner serves as minority whip and ranking member of the Insurance and Financial Institutions Committee.
She is a board member of the Great Lakes Science Center, the United Way of Greater Cleveland and the Cleveland Police Foundation.
The luncheon will be at the Urban League, 440 Vernon Odom Blvd.
Proceeds benefit the Urban League.
Tickets are $25 per person.
Registration deadline is Tuesday.
Forms are available at www.akronurbanleague.org.
For additional details, call 234-542-4156 or email smyricks@akronurbanleague.org.