AKRON
Video posted
AKRON: Akron musician and marathon runner Jim Ballard has finished his video tribute in support of those who were killed and injured in the Boston Marathon bombings.
The song I’m Gonna Run, written and sung by the 63-year-old was uploaded to YouTube on Thursday. It can be viewed at www.youtube.com/watch?v=ROgYVtOKVOg&feature=youtu.be on the Internet.
Two volunteer video crews, a professional one led by Jared Staehli and a crew of Archbishop Hoban High School graduates headed by Mario Micale, taped runners, some carrying guitars, and people watching the runners along the street in downtown Akron in May.
Ward 1 forum
AKRON: A forum for the candidates vying for Akron’s new Ward 1 will be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Highland Square library branch, 807 W. Market St.
The newly drawn Ward 1 encompasses most of Highland Square, instead of the west-side neighborhood being divided among four wards. That means a new council person will be elected to represent the ward.
Summit County Councilman Frank Comunale, as part of the running of the Highland Square Block Watch Program, is organizing the forum. The five Democrats and one Republican who are running for the seat have been invited. They will tell a little bit about their platforms and experience and answer questions.
Women’s lunch
AKRON: The Federated Democratic Women of Summit County will hold a luncheon meeting Saturday, Aug. 3, at St. George’s Fellowship Center, 3204 Ridgewood Road.
Social greetings will begin at 11:30 a.m., followed by the business meeting at noon.
Lunch is $14. The deadline is Wednesday. For a reservation, call 330-864-8280.
Upcoming events include a candidates’ forum and the fall ball, titled Dancing with the Summit County Stars.
BOSTON TOWNSHIP
Serious crash
BOSTON TWP.: A one-vehicle crash Thursday afternoon sent a man to the hospital with critical injuries.
A 2007 Honda CRV with four passengers went off the left side of the road and hit a tree on Walters Road shortly before 4:30 p.m., the Summit County Sheriff’s Office said Friday.
A passenger sitting in the rear received extensive head injuries and was transported to Summa Akron City Hospital where he was listed in critical condition.
Two other passengers were transported to local hospitals with nonlife-threatening injuries. The incident remains under investigation.
A news release issued by the sheriff did not identify the crash victims.
COLUMBUS
Funding approval
COLUMBUS: The state’s Transportation Review Advisory Council has given preliminary approval to a $3 billion transportation plan that includes funding several highway projects in the Akron area.
TRAC voted Thursday to advance Gov. John Kasich’s proposal, which includes using $1.5 billion generated by bonds backed by Ohio Turnpike profits. The remaining $1.5 billion will come from federal, state and local sources.
Projects include rebuilding the Interstate 76/77 interchange with South Main Street and South Broadway in Akron and widening Interstate 271 in Macedonia.
A public comment period on the proposal ends Aug. 16.
Ohio Department of Transportation officials will present certain projects to the Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure Commission in August. TRAC will vote to finalize the list in September.
STARK COUNTY
Book offer
The Ohio Department of Natural Resources’ new book, Ohio’s Lake Erie Public Access Guidebook-Rivers Edition, is available through the Stark County Park District.
You can get a free copy of the book at four sites: the Exploration Gateway and the Sippo Lake Marina, both in Perry Township; the Walborn Reservoir Marina in Marlboro Township; and the Magnolia Flouring Mills in Magnolia.
The 285-page book showcases the 12 rivers that drain into Lake Erie and public access spots along those streams.
KENT
Robbery arrest
KENT: A Brady Lake man has been arrested in connection with the Tuesday afternoon robbery of a Drug Mart in Kent.
Patrick C. Montgomery, 27, faces a charge of robbery.
Police say Montgomery entered the store on East Main Street and “used physical force” to make a worker give him money from a cash register. The clerk suffered minor injuries.
STOW
Darrow to reopen
STOW: Mayor Sara Drew announced during Thursday’s City Council meeting that construction on Darrow Road is ahead of schedule and the road will reopen today.
The Ohio Department of Transportation closed state Route 91, just south of state Route 59 (near Tip Top restaurant and Marhofer Chevrolet) on Monday for a culvert replacement. ODOT officials had anticipated a 10-day closure.
The work is part of a bigger $330,000 culvert project. The entire job is expected to be completed by October.