AKRON
Home damaged
AKRON: A home on McKinley Avenue was damaged Tuesday night after an explosive device planted between the front and storm doors went off.
Akron police, the Summit County Bomb Squad, the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Akron Fire Department responded to a call that a home had been bombed with an explosive device that ripped the front doors off the house at about 11 p.m., according to Beacon Journal news partner WEWS (Channel 5).
Police reported there were three people inside the home and no one was injured.
The device, described by investigators as possibly a quarter stick of dynamite or an M100, sent debris into the street about 35 feet away.
Police have no suspects.
Modic loses ruling
AKRON: Summit County Common Pleas Court Judge Paul J. Gallagher has ruled in favor of the city of Akron in a lawsuit filed by attorney Warner Mendenhall on behalf of Army veteran Lawrence Modic challenging the city’s home demolition practices.
Gallagher issued a summary judgement July 15 and ruled in favor of the city and against Modic, whose Manchester Road home was demolished by the city of Akron in February.
The city of Akron, said spokeswoman Stephanie York, believes Mendenhall’s suit “was a waste of taxpayers’ dollars” and said the suit “was politically motivated to help Mendenhall.”
Mendenhall said he will appeal the ruling on behalf of Modic.
CUYAHOGA FALLS
Bath Road closure
CUYAHOGA FALLS: Bath Road will be closed between Graham Road and State Road to all through traffic from Tuesday through Aug. 6 for sewer construction.
Detours will be posted.
For more information, call 330-786-2209.
GREEN
Teen kayak trip
GREEN: The Parks and Recreation Division is hosting a Teen Kayak Adventure on the Tuscarawas River from 2 to 5:30 p.m. Aug. 13 for teens ages 13 to 17.
Participants will learn about kayaking equipment and safety with one-on-one instruction throughout the 6-mile trip that starts at the Trailhead Canoe Livery, 135 Lake Ave., NW., in Massillon.
Cost is $20 per person and must be paid in advance and in person at the Parks and Recreation Division, 1755 Town Park Blvd., between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday or online at www.cityofgreen.org.
Space is limited to 12 teens.
Participants will meet at the canoe livery.
Transportation is not provided.
MEDINA COUNTY
Judge appointed
MEDINA: Kevin Dunn of Westfield has been appointed as judge on the Medina County Court of Common Pleas, Probate and Juvenile Divisions.
Gov. John Kasich announced the appointment Tuesday.
Dunn will assume office on Aug. 5, and must run in November 2014 to retain the seat for the full term beginning Feb. 9, 2015.
He replaces Judge John J. Lohn, who retired.
Dunn received a bachelor’s degree in political science from Miami University, and earned his law degree from the University of Akron School of Law.
Since 2012, he has served as a prosecutor for the city of Medina.
He has been involved with the Medina Rotary, the Medina Area Chamber of Commerce, the Medina County Law Library and the Medina County Red Cross, among various other community organizations.
He also served as the president of the Medina County Estate Planning Council from 1996 to 1998.
PORTAGE COUNTY
Grant money
RAVENNA: The state has released $125,000 for the Institute on Outcome Analysis in Ravenna.
The funds will be used to evaluate the impact of the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities “Employment First” pilot program.
The Institute on Outcome Analysis is headed by Dr. Robert Cimera, associate professor of Lifespan Development and Educational Sciences at Kent State University.
The institute will develop a data collection system to help analyze the work of the program, started in 2012.
The institute will train statewide providers on the system and analyze findings to determine information on how many people with developmental disabilities are employed, their occupations and their vocational outcomes and the pilot program’s return to taxpayers.
STARK COUNTY
Warden vacancy
CANTON: Stark County commissioners are accepting resumes for a dog warden to replace Reagan Tetreault, whose last day will be Aug. 9.
She submitted her letter of resignation July 16.
Resumes from prospective replacements are due at the commissioners’ office by 4 p.m. Aug. 5.
Appointment of an interim dog warden to lead the office temporarily is expected, Commissioner Thomas Bernabei said Wednesday.
In other action Wednesday, the board awarded a $56,500 contract to Harris/Day Architects for architectural and engineering services for renovation of the Cohen-Joliet building.
The Board of Elections is expected to move to the site by May.
Commissioners also approved a request from Hills and Dales to have the county conduct building inspections in the village.
State approval is required.
The board entered into an electric supply agreement with Direct Energy for county properties that is expected to save $266,000 over 26 months.
Gibbs adds help
U.S. Rep. Bob Gibbs has a new communications director and she’s from Stark County, which is now part of his new, sprawling 7th district.
Lauren O’Toole is from North Canton and graduated from Hoover High School and then Miami University.
She worked with the Canton Chamber of Commerce and the Professional Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Festival.
“Together, we will work hard to make sure we are adequately communicating with every constituent in the district,” Gibbs, R-Lakeville, said in a news release.
SUMMIT COUNTY
Open house
AKRON: United Disability Services will host a Toy and Resource Center community open house from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday.
The open house will allow visitors to see what the center, at 701 S. Main St., has to offer.
There will be activities for children, refreshments and opportunities to win a free one-year family membership to the Toy Center.
Street festival
AKRON: The Highland Square Street Festival will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.
The festival will include free activities for kids, fire and HazMat trucks, a dunk tank, representatives from the Akron Zoo and local mascots.
Admission is free, and all are welcome.
A canned food drive will be held to benefit People’s Choice Food Pantry and Sarah’s House.
The festival will span from the Walgreens pharmacy parking lot, 834 W. Market St., through the entire Highland Square area.
Farmers market
AKRON: Let’s Grow Akron’s Children’s Community Garden Program will hold a Youth Farmers Market from 10 a.m. to noon on Fridays.
The market is located at South Main Street and West Miller Avenue and will offer fresh vegetables, herbs and flowers for sale.
For additional information about the market, call Let’s Grow Akron at 330-745-9700.
Show cars needed
AKRON: Mobile Meals is looking for cars to be a part of its Luxury Car and Food Show.
Vehicles must be in good to excellent condition and manufactured prior to 1980.
Car must be registered with the agency by Wednesday. July 31.
The Luxury Car and Food show will be held from noon to 5 p.m. Sept. 15 at Lock 3 in Akron.
For additional information about the event or to register a car, contact Laura Purdy at 330-376-7717, ext. 126, or lpurdy@mobilemealsinc.org.