AKRON
Fatal crash
AKRON: A 57-year-old Cleveland man died Monday after crashing his motorcycle over the weekend.
Charles Duncan was operating a 2004 Harley Davidson westbound on U.S. 224 when he lost control of the motorcycle at Manchester Road about 5:50 p.m. Sunday, authorities said.
Duncan fell off the motorcycle and slid across the roadway and into a grassy berm, the Summit County Medical Examiner’s Office said Tuesday.
He was taken to Akron General Medical Center where he later died of his injuries at 3:10 p.m. Monday.
The Akron Police Department and the medical examiner’s office are investigating the crash.
Life for rapist
AKRON: A Pittsburgh man has been sentenced in Summit County felony court to life in prison without parole eligibility for 25 years after he was convicted of raping a girl under the age of 13, authorities said.
Dwayne M. Bulls, 46, will not be eligible for his first appearance before the Ohio Parole Board until 2038, prosecutors said.
He also was placed in the most serious category of sex offenders, Tier 3, which requires lifetime registration of his address with the county sheriff’s office.
Summit County Common Pleas Judge Tom Parker handed down the sentence.
Ward 8, 9 meetings
AKRON: Two Akron council members will have meetings this week.
Marilyn Keith, the Ward 8 councilwoman, will have a Coffee with the Councilwoman from 10 to 11:30 a.m. today at Northwest Family Recreation Center, 1730 Shatto Ave.
Mike Freeman, the Ward 9 councilman, will have a meeting at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Kenmore Senior Community Center, 880 Kenmore Blvd. Representatives of the sewer department will discuss sewer backups into basements and answer questions.
BARBERTON
Tax proposal
BARBERTON: City Council unanimously passed an ordinance Monday that, if approved by voters at the ballot Nov. 5, would raise the city income tax one-quarter percent to 2.25 percent beginning Jan. 1.
The additional revenue would be used for roadway reconstruction and resurfacing of streets and alleys, the ordinance said.
The increase would be permanent and as stated in the ordinance language is needed because “the city of Barberton has suffered revenue losses over the past five years due to a downturn in the national economy and a decrease in state funding to local governments.”
The increase will be placed on the Nov. 5 ballot for approval by voters.
Following the meeting, council went into summer recess and will not meet again, unless there is an emergency, until Sept. 3. The typical Monday meeting will move a day from Sept. 2 because of the Labor Day holiday.
Money transferred
BARBERTON: City Council voted Monday night to transfer $50,000 from the stormwater capital budget to the operational budget to help residents affected by the July 10 storm.
“Barberton receives water from Norton, Copley and Medina, so if those areas collect a lot of water, Barberton receives even more,” stormwater utility manager Alan Keltyka said during a presentation about flooding at last week’s City Council meeting.
Council also passed an ordinance that will allow the city to execute a supply agreement with Constellation New Energy to continue a natural gas aggregation program and continue the opt-out provision, allowing residents to remove themselves from the city’s program.
BRUNSWICK
Church theft
BRUNSWICK: Brunswick police are investigating the theft of a cash box from a church.
Police say someone broke a window to enter the Holy Trinity Church on Pearl Road. Church workers discovered the theft July 17.
A cash box with $35 in it was taken. Church offices along with a donation box were also searched.
CAMPAIGN RALLY
Fusco rally
AKRON: Akron Councilman-at-large Jeff Fusco will hold a re-election rally from 4:30 to 7 p.m. Thursday at the Plumbers & Pipe-fitters Local 219, 644 Tallmadge Ave.
Suggested donation is $25 or $10 for seniors and Young Democrats.
CLEVELAND
Regula honored
CLEVELAND: Former U.S. Rep. Ralph Regula, R-Navarre, was honored Monday by the Cleveland-based Early Settlers Association.
Regula was honored with the Herrick Memorial Award, established by Clay Herrick in 1981 to honor people who have made major contributions to Cleveland.
The award was tied to ceremonies marking the July 22, 1796, establishment of Cleveland by Moses Cleaveland.
CUYAHOGA FALLS SCHOOLS
Principal needed
CUYAHOGA FALLS: Cuyahoga Falls High School will need to hire a new principal before school starts in August.
Anne Alfano is moving next door to the administration building. “I’m ready for something new,” Alfano said. “I’m excited about it.”
She said she would be working under the supervision of Mark Gleichauf, the newly appointed deputy superintendent of College and Career Readiness.
“I’ve been looking for different opportunities to work on curriculum,” Alfano said.
She added that she would miss working closely with the students and the community.
Board President Kellie Patterson referred questions about a new high school principal to Superintendent Todd Nichols.
FIELD SCHOOLS
Levy information
BRIMFIELD TWP.: The Field Levy Committee will host an informational forum at 6:30 p.m. Thursday in the Field High School cafeteria, 2900 State Route 43.
Invited guests include state Sen. John Eklund, Portage County Auditor Janet Esposito, a representative of the Ohio Department of Education, Field Treasurer Todd Carpenter, Springfield Superintendent William Stauffer and a member of the Field Board of Education.
For more information, call 330-968-6558 or email field levycommittee@gmail.com.
The Field Board of Education has called a special meeting for 12:30 p.m. today at the high school to discuss issues, including a possible levy on the November ballot.
NORTHEAST OHIO
Chicken recalled
Heinen’s stores are recalling Heinen’s ready-to-eat Grilled Herb Chicken because it might be undercooked.
Affected packages have a sell-by date of 07/24/2013 and will show UPC numbers 20265000000, 20772500000 or 20682000000. The products were available as 6-ounce consumer-ready packages and at the Heinen’s deli counter.
Heinen’s Grilled Herb Chicken is available in Heinen’s stores in Ohio and one location in Illinois. The grocery store chain is headquartered in Warrensville Heights.
The problem was discovered by a customer who returned the chicken out of concern that it was undercooked. There have been no illnesses reported in connection to the recalled chicken.
Customers who have purchased the chicken may return it for a full refund.
For more information, contact Heinen’s Inc. at 216-475-2300, ext. 2337.
Canalway renewal
U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, on Tuesday introduced a bill in Congress to renew the national heritage designation of the Ohio & Erie Canalway.
The bill would renew the Canalway’s federal designation, which is set to expire in September, for another 10 years. That would make the Canalway eligible for future federal funding.
The Canalway stretching 110 miles from Cleveland through Akron and Canton to New Philadelphia was initially designated by Congress in 1996.
It attracts 2.5 million tourists per year and has leveraged almost $350 million in federal, state, local and private funds. That includes $85 million spent to build the Towpath Trail, the Canalway’s main feature.
Plain Township
Substation open
PLAIN TWP.: A Stark County sheriff’s substation has opened in Plain Township.
It will be housed inside Plain Township Fire Department Station No. 3, at 2625 25th St.
Deputies assigned to the substation will assist township residents on all law enforcement matters.
The opening was announced by township trustees and Sheriff George T. Maier.
For more information, call 330-430-3887.