BRUNSWICK
Kittens rescued
BRUNSWICK: Brunswick had a swift-water rescue on its hands amid Tuesday morning’s storms.
The police department received a call from a resident that “newborn puppies” were struggling to stay afloat in a rain-filled ditch on Williams Drive.
It turned out, police said, the puppies were kittens that had become separated from their mother.
Animal Control Officer Mike Kellums rescued the kittens and took them to the Countryside Animal Hospital. He said they have a “65 percent chance” of survival.
The National Weather Service reports that Tuesday morning’s storms dropped 2 inches of rain in an hour in northern Medina County.
CANTON
Crossing upgrades
CANTON: Coordination between railroad warning devices and traffic signals is scheduled to be improved at crossings in the central part of the city under terms of legislation approved this week.
Signal upgrades are planned for the intersections of Cleveland Avenue and Market Avenue South, Fourth Street Southeast and Madison Court, Third Street Southeast and Madison Court, Tuscarawas Street East and Cherry Avenue, and 12th Street Northeast and Lawrence Road.
The project also includes upgrades to the railroad crossings, railroad warning devices and equipment.
On Monday, City Council authorized the administration to seek bids and award a contract for the work, to be financed by $200,000 from the Ohio Rail Development Commission.
The tracks belong to the Wheeling & Lake Erie Railway.
In other action Monday, council authorized a $20,000 contract with the National Organization of Urban Maternal and Child Health Leaders to help the Stark County Equity Institute for Infant Mortality. The goal is to reduce African-American infant mortality.
Also, city Law Director Joseph Martuccio said he would check into the legality of a two-way bicycle lane recently created on one-way Walnut Avenue. Pete Digiacomo of Dent Place Southwest said bikes should move with traffic.
GRANGER TOWNSHIP
Assistance sought
GRANGER TWP.: Trustees said Monday they are working to reach an agreement with Wendy Moeller of Compass Point Planning of Cincinnati to assist with regulations for the planned development area of the township.
The five issues with which they need assistance are: architectural regulations; noise and lighting; applications forms; phases, timelines and deadlines; and definitions.
Also Monday, township officials said Granger sold used fire department breathing apparatus to a department in North Carolina for $11,000.
LAKE TOWNSHIP
Annexation tabled
LAKE TWP.: Trustees on Monday discussed the village of Hartville’s proposed annexation of nearly 50 acres around Lake High School.
Action was tabled until the board’s next meeting, Sept. 9.
In other action, trustees approved the purchase of a 3,200-pound crane for the township’s Road Department from Jomac Ltd. at a cost not to exceed $34,000 and the purchase of a trailer-mounted diesel generator from Promethean Software Services at a cost of $4,500.
MEDINA COUNTY
Retirement set
MEDINA: The superintendent of the Medina County Board of Developmental Disabilities has announced his retirement.
Greg LaForme, who has been with the board for 10 years, plans to retire Dec. 3.
LaForme has been in the field for nearly 35 years. He previously served as the director of the Blick Clinic in Akron.
Board President Jay Mitzel said LaForme has served the organization well, including his efforts in helping the agency pass two levies.
The board, which assists 1,100 clients with developmental disabilities, has started its search for a new superintendent.
NORTH ROYALTON
Tailgate kits
NORTH ROYALTON: North Royalton police are joining forces with Cuyahoga County Safe Communities to promote safe tailgating parties this fall.
The department has a limited number of free “tailgate party hosting” kits.
Among the items in the kit are a grilling apron, a container for guests’ keys, a guide for making nonalcoholic drinks, a $5 Giant Eagle gift card and a $5 taxi voucher.
For more information, call 440-237-8686, ext. 2222.
STARK COUNTY
Fines waived
CANTON: Library systems in Stark County announced Tuesday that patrons who return overdue material with a nonperishable food item during the week of Sept. 16-21 will have the fine waived.
Louisville Public Library, Massillon Public Library and Stark County District Library are participating in the “Fresh Start” initiative.
All food donations will benefit the Stark County Hunger Task Force, with the food donated in Louisville and Massillon helping pantries in those cities specifically.
The most needed food items are: pasta and pasta sauce, cereal, canned tuna, peanut butter, soups, beef stew, boxed dinners and canned vegetables and fruits.
Child ID service
CANTON: The Stark County Sheriff’s Office will offer child identification services Saturday through Monday at the annual Stark County Fair.
Parents and guardians will receive a disc with their child’s description, photo and fingerprints.
The ID service will be coordinated inside the Exhibition Building from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, and from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday.
SUMMIT COUNTY
Rapist sentenced
AKRON: A 41-year-old Akron man was sentenced Tuesday to life in prison for rape and unlawful sexual conduct with two girls last summer and fall, authorities said.
A jury convicted Alejandro M. Partee, of the 800 block of Ada Street, for raping a girl under the age of 13, along with a second crime for unlawful sexual conduct with a minor in a case with another girl, prosecutors said.
Summit County Common Pleas Judge Judy Hunter classified Partee as a sexually violent predator. He will not be eligible for parole until 2043, prosecutors said.
STATE NEWS
Tuition reduction
ASHLAND: Ashland University on Tuesday said it is cutting tuition by more than $10,000 in an effort to make higher education more accessible to students.
Ashland said the reduction will apply to all full-time students enrolled in the 2014-2015 school year. The university said tuition will be almost $19,000. Students living on campus are expected to pay close to $30,000 when tuition, fees, room and board are factored.
The university’s vice president of enrollment management, Scott Van Loo, says the changes will help the school recruit more full-time undergraduates to its main campus.
— Associated Press